November 25, 2018 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe [34th or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time Corpus Christi Catholic Church 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608 Email: Church@CorpusChristiParish.com! Website: www.corpuschristiparish.com TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Office: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 Fax 380-0325 Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 Fax 380-0325 Full-Day Care: 342-2424 Fax 343-3119 Youth Ministry: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PASTORAL STAFF Very Reverend James F. Zoghby, V.F. Reverend John S. Boudreaux Deacon Arthur W. Robbins Mrs. Kristy F. Martin, School Principal Mrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical Leader Mrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. Coordinator Mr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Director TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms are available in the church vestibule and parish office. COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES For rental information and kitchen services, please call the parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420. SUNDAY MASSES Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Morning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. WEEKDAY MASSES 6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularly after the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses. BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK Please call the parish office (342-1852) for information and scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Please see published schedule for specific dates and times, or call the parish office (342-1852). SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K 12, Sundays during school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs. SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades PreK3 through 8. To register, or for information, please call the school office, 342-5474, ext. 1, or send an email to kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE [34 th or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time] ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Presented by Fr. James F. Zoghby Continuing education for Catholic and other adults interested in learning more about and/or joining the Catholic Church. Meetings are in the Adult Ed. Room in the Community Center Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. THE BIBLE: How to select a Bible: The difference between Catholic & Protestant Bibles; English translations; various editions. How to understand the Bible. An examination of specific scriptural passages, illustrating the use of commentaries, footnotes, cross references and introductions to the biblical books in various editions of the Bible in order to obtain a more enlightened understanding. Further Information: Call 342-1852 to speak to one of the priests or email Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. 3 rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass Celebrated by Fr. Mark Mossa, S.J. Director of Campus Ministry at Spring Hill College During the school year (Sept. to April), we have an extra Sunday Mass the 3 rd Sunday of each month. High School students serve. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Meetings: 1 st & 3 rd Mon. of the month, at 6:30 p.m., The Parish House. Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations and In-Need Drop Box at the SVDP table in the vestibule. To seek help, call 251-366-6443. Thursday Women s Bible Study 9:15-10:45 a.m..,com Ctr Conference Rm. Info:Joanne Donaghey, 251-554-6753 or joannekd@alo.com. Nursery is available. Men of St. Joseph Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Damian Bell, 639-2522 or 367-4486 or Damian@rockbwm.com. Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or walter.bracewell@gmail.com KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Next Meeting: 4 th Mon., Nov. 25, 7 p.m., The Parish House. www.kofc.org Click on Join Us. Corpus Christi Council 13125 Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, 232-0648 or chad.pugh34@gmail.com. AA Alanon OA CODA AA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den. Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. Sing with the Choir at the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass Practice in the church on 2 nd & 4 th Wednesday of the month. Next practice, Wed., Nov. 28. Instrumentalist? Check with director, Stephanie Callan. First Reconciliation Monday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. All are welcome: Children and Adults 2018-2019 Sacramental Dates for 2 nd Graders Mon Dec 3: First Reconciliation Service, 7 pm, Church. Mon, Feb 18, 2019: 1 st Eucharist Parent Mtg, 6:30pm Adult Ed Rm. Sun, Feb 24, 2019: 1 st Euch Enrollment Mass,9am & 10am-12pm. Sat, May 4, 2019: First Eucharist Practice, 10 am, Church. Sun, May 5, 2019: First Eucharist Mass, 1 pm. 2018-2019 Sacramental Dates for H.S. Confirmation 2020 Class: Jan. 20, Luncheon, 12-2pm. 2020 Class: Jan. 20, Practice 2-3pm 2020 Class: Jan. 22, Confirmation Mass, 6pm. 2021 Class: Nov 18, Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm 2021 Class: Jan 26, Visitation Monastery Retreat,10am-5pm, Lessons 2/3.4 2022 Class: Feb 17, 2019, Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm, Lessons 5 & 7. Info: DianeStoyka@yahoo.com or 342-5474, ext 7 Widowed Persons Support Group For information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977. Jazz Brunch in the Banquet Hall With Jazz Musicians Performing Live! 2 nd Sunday of the Month (Every month except June, July, August) Buffet Served from 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m. $15 for Adults! $7 for Children (Age 12 & under) Wednesday Night Dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall $8 for Adults! $4 for Children (Age 12 & under) Nov. 28: Southern Fried Chicken, Blackened Fish, Whipped Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Mustard Greens, Sautéed Yellow Squash, Garden Salad, Dinner Roll, Angel Food Cake with Strawberry compote. Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee. NO RSVP REQUIRED. Just come! Info: 342-1852 or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com Partners in Education Recognition Students & teacher recognized at the Nov. 13th School Mass for outstanding performance in the prior month, and the businesses that recognized them: Marianna Razo-Lazada, 2 nd Grade Rehm Animal Clinic Lauren Mullen, 3 rd Grade Donaghey Orthodontics Ethan O Brien, 6 th Grade Providence Hospital Monica Warren, Teacher Mobile Memorial Gardens For information on Partners in Education group, call 342-5474, ext. 1, or 401-0466.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA NOVEMBER 25, 2018 Superstar Basketball Eligibility: K5 and 1 st Grade Cost: $30 Registration is now open!! Visit this Link: http://ccsboosterclub.website.siplay.com/ General Info Superstars is a developmental intramural league over six short weeks! Uniform shirts provided! Practices/games on Sunday afternoons! 1 st Grade can play Superstars and/or CYO. Need Coaches Need 1-2 coaches per team. Will be supplied with manual for drills, rules, basketball & cones. Contact: Mike DeLeon, Superstar Coordinator at superstars@ccsboosterclub.com Basketball Season Jan. 13 Feb. 17. Flowers The flowers before the altar this weekend have been placed in memory of Trung Pham on the 1 st anniversary of his death. Given by his family. SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: Retired Religious. FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: Tithing Offerings. SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: Corpus Christi Building Fund. NOV. 11 TH BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $1,589.50 NOV. 11 TH TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $22,249.50. Thank You and God Bless You Receive a detail listing of your contributions by mail, email or fax at any time: Call 342-1852 or email Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. God bless all for tithing, contributions, bequests, remembrances in wills in support of God s work here at Corpus Christi Parish. To make a donation of stock, ask your financial manager, or call Selena Hemphill at Morgan Stanley at 470-1084 or 800-624-7814. To receive Offering Envelopes: Please contact the parish office at 342-1852 or at Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. To set up Online Giving: Please go to www.corpuschristiparish.com; click Church ; then click the green Online Giving icon on the left side of the church s homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to tithing or building fund or school annual fund or other special collections. For assistance, call 1-800- 348-2886, ext 1, or the parish office, 342-1852. Christ the King Celebration Today, Sunday, November 25. 10:30 a.m. Procession from Bienville Square, 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral We are grateful to have as Corpus Christi s recipient of the Christ the King Medal, our volunteer Choir Director, Stephanie Callan
Prayer on the Solemnity of Christ the King Father, all powerful, God of love, you have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life, resplendent in glory as King of creation. As king he claims dominion over all creation, that he may present to you, his almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace. Open our hearts, free all the world to rejoice in his peace, to glory in his justice, to live in his love. Bring all humankind together in Jesus Christ your Son, whose kingdom is with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Origins of The Advent Wreath Advent traditions reflect a spirit of expectation and, therefore, unfold gradually. Probably the most popular tradition today is the lighting of candles on an Advent Wreath in both churches and homes. This custom originated among Lutherans in Germany in the 16 th century and quickly became popular in other areas. Along with the Christmas tree, it is probably an example of Christianizing practices popular from pre-christian times. There had always been a festival of burning special light and fire at the end of November and beginning of December in Germanic lands as the darkness of winter becomes more severe. This tradition continued into modern times. In the 1500's it took on a distinct Christian symbolism as the Advent Wreath, first among Lutherans in eastern Germany and then among all German Protestants and Catholics. This tradition came to America with German immigrants. It was popularized among Catholics with the liturgical movement in the 1950's. The Advent Wreath, which may be of any size, is made of evergreens and is placed on a table or suspended from the ceiling. There are four candles - one for each week of Advent. After the wreath is blessed on the first Sunday of Advent, a prayer is prayed and a candle lit. This ceremony repeats on each of the following three Sundays. Light increases, pushing out darkness, with another candle lit until all four are burning. Wreaths have always been symbolic of victory and glory. The basic symbolism of the Advent wreath goes beyond this. It lies in the tension between darkness and light. It represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the light of the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for the coming of the Lord, his historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, his final coming at the end of time, and his special coming in every moment of grace. From Catholic Customs and Traditions by Greg Dues How To Make An Advent Wreath Begin with a round piece of Styrofoam, available at craft shops. Cut four evenly-spaced holes into which you will place the four candles. Use three purple or blue candles and one rose candle (for the third Sunday). You may also add a white candle in the middle for Christmas. You ll find it helpful to place the styrofoam circle on a pizza-pan or round cookie sheet covered with foil so that you can easily move your wreath to and from the table. Place evergreen branches over the styrofoam. Encourage the children to participate as they are able, by gathering branches, placing candles and so on.
Prayers Around the Advent Wreath The Season of Advent begins next Sunday. You may wish to set-up an Advent Wreath in your home a meaningful way to remember the true meaning of Christmas as you prepare to celebrate that wondrous feast. Below are suggested reflections and prayers for the lighting of a candle each week. You may also wish to begin with a verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! and to conclude with the Our Father. The First Week of Advent Reflection: Stay awake! Be ready! As Advent begins, the liturgy reminds us that we are also preparing for the coming of Christ at the end of the world. But we should live every day remembering that we do, in fact, encounter Christ in the service and prayers we offer for others. The Lord s coming now, and in the fullness of time, should fill us with joyful hope, when the Lord of love shall reign. Light one candle. Scripture: May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more. In this way he will strengthen you and you will be perfect and holy... when our Lord Jesus comes. (1Thes. 3:12-13). Prayer: Jesus, you are the light of the world. Teach us to leave the darkness behind and to live in your light. Help us not to hurt each other by our words and actions. Make us thoughtful and generous so that we can be ready to greet you whenever you come. The Second Week of Advent Reflection: Clear the way of the Lord, make straight the path! We hear the voice of John the Baptist calling all people to prepare the way of the Lord by opening their hearts and minds to greet the Lord and listen to his teaching and put it into practice. So, make peace, give comfort, be patient. Cry out with your deeds: The reign of God is at hand! Light two candles. Scripture: May God, the source of all patience and encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another according to the spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify God (Romans 15:5-6). Prayer: Jesus, you are the light of the world. You bring the truth that dispels the darkness of death, of fear, and of every evil. May the power of your love help us to prepare the way for you by being kind and forgiving. The Third Week of Advent Reflection: Rejoice! Here is your God! As the feast of Christmas draws closer, we are reminded that the Lord is with us even now. Jesus came to give sight to the blind and life to the dead. Christ s reign is among us through our deeds of love and generosity. Let us not grow weary, but steady our hearts and rejoice, for the Lord is close at hand! Light three candles including the rose-colored one. Scripture: Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near (Phil 4:4-5). Prayer: Jesus, you are the light of the world. May your light shine brightly so we can see you everywhere. Help us to spread your light and joy by giving freely and happily to all we meet. The Fourth Week of Advent Reflection: The angel announces to Mary, You shall bear a son whose name will be Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. With Mary, we are called to be Christ bearers. With her we wonder, How can this be? As Christmas draws near, let us open our hearts in trust to the power of the Holy Spirit who comes upon us. Let us join Mary in saying, Be it done unto me according to your will. Light all four candles. Scripture: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord s words to her would be fulfilled (Luke 1:42, 45). Prayer: Jesus, you are the light of the world. Yet you were born in the darkness of night, in a cold stable. Let the light of your love shine on us so we can see you today in all the helpless children who have no home. Teach us to love you in them.
A History of The Season of Advent When we look for the roots of Advent in the early days of Christianity, we find a gap. The early Church did not celebrate Advent at all which is really no surprise, because they didn t celebrate Christmas, either! In those first centuries, Jesus death and resurrection were the central experiences of Christianity especially while Christians themselves were meeting persecution and death for their beliefs. In the fourth century, as Christianity was finally allowed to flourish, the Church found room for more light-hearted feasts. No one knew on what day Jesus had actually been born and to make matters more complicated, there were different ways of reckoning time, and no centralized calender. In various areas, the Nativity of Jesus was celebrated on January 6, February 2, March 25, April 19, May 20, and November 17! Finally, in the middle of the 4 th century, Pope Julius I settled on December 25. It is possible that he chose this date because it fell so close to the Winter solstice, an ancient pagan feast familiar to many converts to Christianity. The Roman worshipers of Mithras, with whom Pope Julius was familiar, celebrated December 25 as The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun a title that certainly suited itself to the Nativity. Christmas itself didn t come to be called Christmas until much later. Some of the early names for this feast were Epiphany ( manifestation ), Natale ( birth ), and interestingly enough Adventus ( the coming ). In those early years, most Christians didn t seem to feel the need for a time of preparation before Christmas. Candidates preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil spent the time before Easter in fasting and preparation the time we now call Lent. It s by way of an accident of geography that the Advent season we know got something of the flavor of Lent. The Church in France (or Gaul, as it was then a Roman province) developed differently from the Church in Rome. Christians in Gaul celebrated the Epiphany as a commemoration not only of Jesus birth but also of his baptism. And so they invited candidates to baptism at this time of year, as well as at Easter. Though it was not part of the liturgy, the Church in France kept a solemn period of fasting for 40 days before Epiphany. (They called it St. Martin s Lent, because it began on November 11, St. Martin s Day.) By the 7 th and 8 th centuries, the solemn fasting period was kept in England as well. The Church in Rome did not follow this pattern, since baptisms were not celebrated at Christmastime. But during the 5 th century, Christians in Ravenna, Italy, began experimenting with a liturgy of preparation for Christmas, which they called Advent. (At this time, the prayers and readings of the liturgy were not as formal or universal as they are today.) The liturgies developed in Ravenna found their way to Rome in the 6 th century, where they were printed in the Gelasian Sacramentary, one of the earliest collections of prayers and readings chosen for liturgical use. What made the Roman liturgies different from the French penitential fast was Rome s emphasis on a sneak preview of the celebration of Christmas, celebrated publicly at Mass. The readings and prayers echoed the Old Testament prophecies, and celebrated the fact the promise had come true. Pope Gregory I was a great lover of splendid liturgies, and a talented composer. He seized on the Advent theme with a passion, and is responsible for structuring much of the Advent cycle of readings we use today. Gregory shortened the Advent period from 6 Sundays to 4, and wrote antiphons, responses and prayers. In the 9 th century, the Roman order of liturgy was brought to France. There, something wonderful happened. Gregory s sense of Advent as a season of joyful hope was mingled with the existing French Advent traditions most especially, the emphasis on prayerful preparation, not only for Christmas, but for the Second Coming of the Lord. This combined Advent liturgy was re-introduced to Rome in the 10 th century, much greater than the sum of its parts. Now Advent was neither merely a penitential fast nor a listing of readings and prayers, but a season a time set apart to reflect on the joy of the promise come true, and to make the world a place where that promise would come true forever. Come, Lord Jesus!
Dear Children... You children are often led to quarrel. Remember: it is a harmful vanity to want to appear stronger than your brothers and sisters and friends by quarreling, fighting, and giving way to anger and revenge. Everybody does it, you answer. No, it is wrong, we say to you. If you want to be strong, be so in spirit and in behavior. Learn to control yourselves; learn how to forgive and quickly make friends again with those who have offended you. In this way you will really be Christians. Do not hate anybody. Do not be proud, comparing yourself with others of your own age, with people from different social backgrounds or with people of different nations. Do not act out of selfish motives, out of contempt or with revenge. When you grow up you must make a change in the way today s world thinks and acts, a world in which everybody is always ready to be different, to separate himself or herself from others and to fight them. Are we not all brothers and sisters? Are we not all members of the same human family? And are not all the nations obliged to get on well together and create Peace? You children of the new age must get used to loving everybody, to giving to our society the appearance of a community which is more noble, more honest, more unified. Do you want to be human beings and not wolves? Do you really want to have the merit and the joy of doing what is right, of helping those in need, and of being able to do good works with the sole reward of a good conscience? Well, remember the words which Jesus spoke at the Last Supper. He said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. By this will everyone know that you are my disciples, if you have love for another (Jn 13:34-35). Dear children, we greet you and we bless you. The password is: No to violence, Yes to Peace. Pope Paul VI We are to be the Universal Brother... We are to overcome barriers and divisions of race and ideology. We are to be signs of God s love in the world a love without exclusion or partiality. St. John Paul II During a trip to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI urged the region s people to keep the family bonds strong and to extend that love and acceptance to others, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills people s souls long before it kills their bodies. Get rid of all bitterness and passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ. Eph 4:31-32 Human pride and egoism always create divisions, building walls of indifference, hate and violence. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, makes hearts capable of understanding the language of all the language of love; for, the Holy Spirit is Love. Pope Benedict XVI The most certain sign that we are keeping these two precepts [of loving God and our neighbor] is our love of our neighbor, for whether we love God can not be known, but neighborly love is unmistakable. If we fulfill this precept very perfectly, we have done everything. St. Teresa of Avila