FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017

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2 Parish Founded 1846 Diocese of Cleveland Nelson J. Perez, Bishop 527 BEALL AVENUE WOOSTER, OHIO Phone: / Fax: stmarywoosteroffice@gmail.com Website: stmarywooster.org facebook.com/stmarywooster Religious Education Office: School Office: Daycare & Preschool: Parish Office Hours: Mon. Thurs.: 9am 6:30pm & Fri. 9am 5pm MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil... 5:00 pm Sunday... 8:00 am, *11:00 am, 5:30 pm (*June, July, August: 11:00am Mass goes to 10:00am) Daily... Consult Mass Schedule inside bulletin. Eucharistic Adoration... Sundays 6:30-10:30pm, Monday 9:00am through Wednesday 11:00pm (except during funerals and Masses) RECONCILIATION Saturdays... 3:30 4:30 pm. You may also call one of the priests to make an appointment. PARISH STAFF Rev. Stephen P. Moran...Pastor Rev. Charles F. Strebler... Weekend Associate Peter J. Foradori... Deacon Rev. John Mueller... Pastor Emeritus Camille Horvath... Pastoral Associate Judith Arzuaga... Director of Hispanic Ministry Barbara Hufford... Music Director Darcy Pajak... Director of Operations Kelly Hassenzahl... Director of Faith Formation Donna Lohnes... Faith Formation Office Secretary Laura Marvin... School Principal Carol Weyer... School Secretary Michelle Hostetler... Daycare & Preschool Director Melissa Rosenbaum... Bookkeeper Johnna Viator,... St. Vincent de Paul Receptionist Nancy Zuercher, Cheryl Davis... Office Associates 2 BAPTISM: To plan for your child's baptism and preparation class, please contact Donna or Kelly at Packets for parents preparing for their child's Baptism are available in the Main Office. The next Pre-Baptism Class will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018 (7:00-9:00pm in the Parish Hall). MARRIAGE: Contact a priest. Please make arrangements at least 6 months in advance of a proposed wedding date. MINISTRY WITH THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND: We are happy to bring the Eucharist or to provide the Anointing of the Sick to the homebound. Contact the parish office. MINISTRIES TO YOUTH: Religious Education classes for grades Preschool Gr. 8 are held on Sunday mornings from 9:20 10:40am (Sept. early May) in the Education Center. High School Youth meets for MIC Nights on Sundays after the 5:30pm Mass from 6:30-8:30pm.. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Typically a Funeral Director will contact us to make arrangements. If a relative dies elsewhere, be sure to contact the parish office. PARISH REGISTRATION: New parishioners are asked to call to set up an appointment for registration. Parishioners who are moving are also asked to notify the parish office.

3 ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Dear Parishioners: Would you like to hold the baby? While I, of course, do not have biological children, my life as a priest has been greatly enriched by contact with families as they welcome children into their lives and their homes. Over the past twenty-five years, I have witnessed many varying circumstances around the event of childbirth smooth deliveries, emergency deliveries, very premature deliveries, and, oh so difficult... still deliveries. I marvel at the skill and dedication of neo-natal teams. I am moved by the love exhibited between husbands and wives. And, yes, I delight when the invitation is extended: Would you like to hold the baby? In this Christmas time, whether or not we are the representatives of our respective households who literally place the figure of the Christ child in the manger, God very profoundly asks us: Will you hold my Son...in your heart? Will you give him the place of prominence not only as a cooing baby but as your Liberator who makes a compelling invitation to be Lord of your life? We welcome and welcome home ALL who join us for Mass in this Christmas season! As I reflect on this calendar year, specifically with regard to the St. Mary Parish faith community making a difference in people s lives beyond weekend worship, my heart leaps up at the work that has been made possible by God s grace and providence and parishioners response to and cooperation with that grace. Here are but a few highlights: the framing of the Habitat ecumenical house in our parking lot, now completed on Nold avenue (below is a note from the residents, the Jackson family). continued engagement in small church groups, allowing parishioners to foster bonds of spiritual friendship and support in relationship with Jesus Christ though regular gatherings typically in a home. Outreach to our brothers and sisters in crisis through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Gabriel Project, providing not just material assistance but fostering the virtue of hope. I hope that as we enter 2018, more and more of those who identify in some way with St. Mary will experience a sense of being drawn more deeply into our mission through a spirit of invitation from those already substantially involved and a genuine confidence in how we are serving as stewards of God s gifts. Here is the text of a thank you note from the recipients of the Habitat house. Keep in mind that anyone who receives a house has demonstrated extensive investment of their time and energy to work on other projects, well before they, themselves, becomes candidates for residency: Thank you to everyone who helped with the build of our new home. All of you are such great people to make another's dreams come true! The time has finally come and the building process we will forever cherish especially with the cutting of the boards in your parking lot! We are excited to start this new journey and build new memories in our new home built by so many and with much love. Thank you again, The Jackson Family On behalf of the entire staff of St. Mary, may you and your families experience a profound visitation of the power of the love of God, made manifest in the birth of His Son, Jesus! Peace, 3 Mass Schedule and Intentions WOOSTER, OH Sunday, December 24 8:00am Sunday Mass 11:00am Sunday Mass 1:00pm Spanish St. Agnes in Orrville 4:00pm Vigil Mass (music begins at 3:30 pm) 6:30pm Vigil Mass (music begins at 6 pm) **********No Evening Adoration ***************** 12 Midnight Midnight Mass (music begins 11:30pm) Monday, December 25 8:00am Christmas Mass *********** No Adoration Today ***************** 10:00am Christmas Mass Tuesday, December 26 7:00am All Souls ****** Adoration begins following Mass ************ Wednesday, December 27 9:30am Michael Bates 10:00pm Adoration closes Thursday, December 28 7:00am Ronald Kelley Friday, December 29 7:00am Derick Corporal Saturday, December 30 3:30-4:30pm Reconciliation / Confessions 5:00pm Roger and Linda Clark Sunday, December 31 8:00am Diane and Gary Clark 11:00am Russ Hamilton 1:00pm Spanish St. Agnes in Orrville 5:30pm Pro Popula (for the people of St. Mary) **********No Evening Adoration ***************** Please remember in your prayers the following people: Mathew Benner, Jane Carrela, Joan Cerney, Deacon Bill Gorman, Ron Guidetti, Kathy Hamilton, Kirk Haschak Michael & Joyce Hungerman, Joan Lock, Leannah Mast, Ray Meyer, Deb Mosier, Rev. John Mueller, Harry & Dolores Niemczyk, Fr. Pierre Ruquoy, Robert Sowers (Names are on our prayer list for one month. To carry a name longer, please contact the Parish Office.) SAVE THE DATE : Sunday, January 14 th Sanctity of Life Worship Service Wooster Foursquare Church will be hosting this event and Wayne-Holmes Right to Life is the sponsor. This service is in celebration of the sanctity of life and to stand in solidarity with those who will be going to Washington, D.C. and participating in the 45 th National March for Life.

4 WEEKLY SCHEDULE (PH=Parish Hall RLL=Rectory Lower Level YR=Youth Room) Monday, December 25 (Office Closed) ******No Scheduled Meetings ****** Tuesday, December 26 (Office Closed) 6:30am Men s Prayer Group (Library) 7:00pm K of C Council (K of C Hall) Wednesday, December 27 (No scheduled meetings) Thursday, December 28 (No scheduled meetings) Friday, December 29 (Office closes at NOON) (No scheduled meetings) Saturday, December 30 (No scheduled meetings) Sunday, December 31 (No PSR or RCIA classes) ADULT FAITH FORMATION Save the dates: reconnect Group Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays (Jan 11th & 25th) at 7:00pm in the St. Mary Youth Room For adults over the age of 35 For single, divorced or widowed For prayer, spiritual growth and fellowship Questions: Call or text Holly Brizzi (315) Orange44691@gmail.com Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues Begins Sunday, January 21st and repeats Wednesday, January 24th Join us this January for an engaging presentation by Bishop Barron concerning the seven deadly sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and with one another. This adult faith formation series is a wonderful way to prepare for Lent. If interested in being a table leader, please contact Mary Zuercher at Parish Mission 2018: Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 25 th through Tuesday, February 27 th. More details to follow. BULLETIN EARLY SUBMISSION DATE: January 7 articles due Dec 27 The usual deadline for submission is Friday 11:00am for the weekend of the following week. Requests for half and full pages within the bulletin are often scheduled weeks in advance. Please submit your bulletin articles to Cheryl Davis via to: CDavis.stmarywooster@gmail.com 4 Readings for the Week of December 24 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/ Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1: Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Christmas: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/ Tuesday: Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, [12]/ Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 [7]/ Mt 2:13-18 Friday: Saturday: Next Sunday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 [11a]/ Lk 2: Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 [11a]/ Lk 2:36-40 Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, [7a, 8a] or Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 [cf. 1]/Heb 11:8, 11-12, or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2: or 2:22, Observances for the Week of December 24 Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Advent, Christmas Eve Monday: Christmas (holy day of obligation) Tuesday: St. Stephen, the First Martyr Wednesday: St. John, Apostle & Evangelist Thursday: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs Friday: St. Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr Saturday: Sixth day within Octave of the Nativity Next Sunday: The Holy Family; New Year's Eve Liturgical Publications Inc Stations of the Cross During Lent 2018, we plan once again to offer the weekly praying of the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings. Last year different groups led the Stations and it was very well received by all involved. Is your group interested in leading a Stations of the Cross on one Friday evening during Lent? If so, contact Cheryl in the church office at or send an to cdavis.stmarywooster@gmail.com. Altar Server Training / Refresher Training Interested? Anyone 4th grade or older who has received their First Communion is eligible to be a server. Training will be scheduled early in January. Contact Matt Tarutani at jmtwooster@yahoo.com or text him at FINANCIAL NEWS Please note that the collection totals for 12/17/17 will be printed in next week s bulletin.

5 ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION WOOSTER, OH Be My Disciples The Parish School of Religion (PSR) Our 5th and 6th grade PSR students, lead by Mrs. Septer and Mr. Opatz made table top Christmas trees for parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. Thank you to all of our wonderful parent volunteers. These trees, sent with our love and prayers will be delivered for Christmas. CRaZy Christmas Sweater Bowling WHEN: Thursday, December 28 1:30pm-3:00pm WHERE: Wayne Lanes (1983 East Lincoln Way, Wooster) WHO: St. Mary Middle Schoolers (4th 8th Grades) WHAT: Bowling and Crazy Christmas Sweater Contest ($4 per person for bowling and shoes; bring additional $ if you d like snacks) Please RSVP by Tuesday, 12/26 by texting or ing khassenzahl.stmarywooster@gmail.com or with your name, grade and school. (Signed permission forms are needed; they can be signed at drop off.) Parent chaperones are welcome and bowl fro free! Help Children Pray and Follow Sunday Mass with a MagnifiKid! Subscription. MagnifiKid is for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Subscribers receive the issues on a monthly basis. In each month s packet, children will find a booklet of 16 color pages for each Sunday, and also special issues for the major feast days (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints Day). Every week, MagnifiKid offers; All the readings and the prayers of the Sunday Mass with explanations of the difficult words and the meaning of the rituals A suggested prayer for Morning and Evening Many suggestions on how to live the entire week with the Lord Various games, a comic, and activities to help children learn about Christian life and culture A page intended for the parents with suggestions for family prayers. To get your subscription, please contact Donna Lohnes at dlohnes.stmarywooster@gmail.com or Cost is $17 for new subscriptions and $14 for renewals. Deadline for orders is January 14th. 5

6 WHAT IS YOUR STORY? Each of us has our own journey of Faith store to share. Whether we are given the gift of Faith as a baby in our parent s arms, we were prodigals who left and returned or we encountered Christ later in life, our story of encounter with Christ is powerful! We read in Sacred Scripture of so many whose lives were transformed by an encounter with Jesus. The disciples were called from a wide range of ordinary backgrounds, encountered Christ and were transformed by their experience and their decision to trust and follow. Others too, encountered Jesus and were healed, released from demons, were fed, and witnessed miracles in their own lives or the lives of others. SHARE YOUR STORY! Would you be willing to share a story of a time in your life where you encountered Christ and grew deeper in your faith and trust, allowing your life to be transformed? If you are willing to share your story with our parish family so that others can see the beauty and power of His presence, please your story (1 3 short paragraphs) to KHassenzahl.stmarywooster@gmail.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, drop it off in the main office door slot during any weekend mass Attention: Kelly. ADORATION at St. Mary Sundays 6:30 pm to 10: 30 pm Mondays 9:am - Wednesdays 10 pm First Fridays 7:30 pm through First Saturdays 7:30 am Discover another way to connect with our Lord! Solemnity of Christmas Vigil of Christmas Masses Sunday, December 24th 4:00pm ~ First Mass of Christmas Eve Music begins at 3:30pm. 6:30pm ~ Music begins at 6:00pm. 12:00 Midnight ~ St. Mary Adult Choir Music begins at 11:30pm. Christmas Day Masses Monday, December 25th ~ 8:00am 10:00am *Please note that Adoration will start on Tuesday, December 26th after the 7:00am Mass. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Masses of the Day Sunday, December 31st Monday, January 1st ~ Vigil Mass at 5:30pm Mass at 9:30am *Please note that Adoration will start on Tuesday, January 2nd after the 7:00am Mass. Help! My Family Isn t Catholic Anymore Many parishioners took advantage of a special evening recently with Terry Baldwin, Director of the Diocese s Office of Evangelization and explored together the obvious and not so obvious reasons. If you missed it, be sure to check out all of the faith formation activities listed elsewhere in this and future bulletins. 6

7 FUTURE EVENTS January 7 (Sunday) Musical Celebration of Epiphany January 14 (Sunday) Sanctity of Life Worship Musical Celebration of Epiphany Sunday, January 7 at 10:15am Please join us for a very special musical celebration of the Feast of Epiphany between the 8am and 11am Masses on January 7 at 10:15 am in the church. Our music ministers will join the youth of our parish as they present the Christmas Pageant and the arrival of the three kings. February 9 (Friday) Mardi Gras Night February 14 Ash Wednesday February Parish Mission Experience God St. Vincent DePaul Society THANK YOU ALL for your generous support of our mission to reach out to our surrounding community with financial assistance! During the past 12 months, we received 662 applications, provided $47,575 for shelter related needs such as rent, utilities and security deposits, and spent 617 hours assisting 1,380 of our neighbors. Your prayers, talents, time and treasure are making a significant difference! For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 (12/24/17) 7