Wednesday, Nov. 14-27, 2018 C H E C K Y O U R P R A C T I C E S C H E D U L E S W I T H Y O U R C O A C H E S!! NOVEMBER Wed. - Fri. 11/14~16 SMS Girls Varsity B-Ball Invitational Tourney NOTE: Thurs., 11/15 GAME CHANGES (ALL HOME) 5:00 pm SMS Var. Girls B-Ball vs. New Horizons 6:00 pm SMS JV Boys B-Ball vs. St. Ann Approx, 7:15 pm Var Boys B-Ball vs. St. Ann **Workers report at 4:30 pm, if possible ** Tues. - Fri.., 11/14~16 Student Council Food Drive (See info below) Let s do this SMS students! Thurs., 11/22 9:00 am Thanksgiving Day Mass @ St. Lawrence Wed, 11/14 School Bills are Now PAST DUE. Please bring all accounts up-to-date. Thurs., 11/15 Mrs. Lynn out of office in morning GAME CHANGES (ALL HOME) 5:00 pm SMS Var. Girls B-Ball vs. New Horizons 6:00 pm SMS JV Boys B-Ball vs. St. Ann Approx, 7:15 pm Var Boys B-Ball vs. St. Ann **Workers report at 4:30 pm, if possible ** Fri., 11/16 Mid 2 nd Qtr. Mon, 11/19 Mr. Swann @ VBRD Training - Fairview Heights Tues., 11/20 2:00 pm Dismissal Start of Thanksgiving Break 5:00 pm Mis 2 nd Qtr Progress Reports posted online 6:00 pm Gr 2 First Reconciliation Monical s Pizza Night (Remember to take your flier) Wed.- Sun., 11/21 ~25 NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break NO 8:30 am Mass Mon., 11/26 8:15 am School Resumes 6:00 pm Girls B-Ball @ Rome Tues., 11/27 6:00 pm Girls B-Ball @ Iuka Wed., 11/28 8:30 am All School Mass in Church Grs. 7/8 change out missalettes in Church after Mass 6:00 pm Boys B-Ball HOME vs Odin 6:00 pm Girls B-Ball @ Willow Grove vs Raccoon Thurs, 11/29 6:00 pm NOV/DEC School Board Meeting 6:00 pm Boys B-Ball @ New Horizons Fri., 11/30 Cookie Walk Family Commitment Papers due in office. Remember: Each Family is asked to bake a minimum of 8 dozen specialty holiday cookies or candies. Contact Jennifer True (618-292-8197) with questions. LOOKING AHEAD: Sat., 12/1 Quilt Raffle Drawings Mon., 12/3 Faculty Meeting Monday; 2 pm Dismissal Out of Uniform $1; Bake Sale 50 Tues., 12/4 - CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 6:00 pm
O U R C A T H O L I C F A I T H 33 rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 First Reading Daniel 12:1-3 Daniel prophesies about the judgment of the last days. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:5,8,9-10,11 You are my inheritance, O Lord! Second Reading Hebrews 10:11-14,18 Jesus offering for sin has made all to be consecrated perfect forever. Gospel Reading Mark 13:24-32 Jesus teaches about the signs of the coming of the Son of Man. Background on the Gospel Reading This Sunday is the second to last Sunday of our liturgical year. As we approach the end of the Church year, our Gospel invites us to consider Jesus predictions and teaching about the end of the world. In the context of Mark s Gospel, Jesus words about this are spoken to his disciples as he prepares them for his passion and death. Before we consider Jesus words, it is important to note the political backdrop against which many think Mark s Gospel was written. Most scholars concur that Mark wrote his Gospel for Christians living in or near Rome about 30 to 40 years after the death of Jesus. This was a time of political turmoil in Rome. Some Christians experienced persecution by the Romans during the reign of the emperor Nero (about 64 A.D.). Jewish revolutionaries rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. In this time of political turmoil and persecution, many in Mark s community might have wondered if the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near. Last Sunday we heard Jesus observation about the contributions being made to the temple treasury and the example of sacrificial giving that he saw in the poor widow s offering. If we had been reading Mark s Gospel continuously, we would have heard Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple, his teaching about the costs of discipleship, and the woes that will accompany the end times. Finally, we would have heard Jesus instruct his disciples about the need for watchfulness so that they will not be caught unprepared for this final day of judgment. In this coming Sunday s Gospel, Jesus continues this teaching by offering his disciples signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is near. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially images found in the Book of Daniel. Next, Jesus offers the lesson of the fig tree, a parable that teaches that if one knows how to read the signs, one can be prepared for the end times. Jesus also teaches, however, that no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father. In the verses that follow this reading in Mark s Gospel, Jesus continues to warn his disciples to be on watch for this end time. Jesus words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetimes and at the end times. Our consolation and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus words and God s never-ending love for us. Vocations Corner November 18 th This coming week we celebrate a National day of Thanksgiving. We, Catholics, give even greater thanks for all the gifts God has bestowed on us and for us to share. Each one of us has been given a unique calling to Holiness. Each one is to serve the Lord in her/his own called way. A vocational calling is asking us to surrender our talents to God so that they may be sanctified and produce fruit for the Kingdom.
November 17 November 18: 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time November 17 Saturday, 4:00 PM November 18 Sunday, 10:30 AM Will Graham Thomas Ha Moran Family Altar Server Please go to www.stmarycentralia.org for the server schedule for the weekend Masses. Remember if you are unable to fulfill this obligation please find a sub!! The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 34 th Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 First Reading Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel prophesies about the coming of the Son of Man. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 93:1,1-2,5 The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. Second Reading Revelation 1:5-8 Jesus is the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of all. Gospel Reading John 18:33b-37 Jesus is questioned by Pilate about the charge brought against him that he is King of the Jews. Background on the Gospel Reading Sunday, November 25 is the last Sunday of the Church s liturgical year. On this Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Each year we set aside this Sunday to reflect upon this title that we have given to Jesus. We read a portion of the passion from the Gospel of John, which is also part of the Gospel reading proclaimed each year on Good Friday. In John s Gospel, Pilate is shown in a more favorable light than in the other Gospels. We hear one of two dialogues between Jesus and Pilate that are reported in John s Gospel. Pilate questions Jesus about the charges brought against him. Caiaphas and the high priests have charged Jesus with a political crime, one that would require a punishment of death. Pilate distances himself from the Jewish leaders who accuse Jesus; he is not a Jew, and he seems to want little to do with this Jewish affair.
In his responses to Pilate s questions, Jesus distinguishes his kingdom from the political powers of this world. King and kingdom may be appropriate terms for Jesus mission and promise, but only by analogy. Jesus is king, but not the kind of king we imagine or expect. He was certainly not the kind that Pilate feared he might be. Jesus refers to a kingdom that does not belong to this world. This has been mentioned earlier in John s Gospel. Recall that in his prayer during the Last Supper discourse (see John 17:6-18), Jesus prayed for his disciples who are in the world but do not belong to the world. Yet like Jesus, they are sent into the world for the world s salvation. We see Jesus identify the final proof that his kingdom is not of this world: If his kingdom were of this world, then there would be people fighting to save him. Again we hear echoes of John s theme salvation is worked out through a cosmic battle. It is helpful to return to the first chapter of John s Gospel to understand the context for Jesus words to Pilate. Jesus came into the world, but the world did not know him. In John s language, the world prefers the darkness, and yet the light will not be overcome by the darkness. Truth has been another important theme in John s Gospel. We see it emphasized in the conclusion of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate. Those who know the truth will recognize Jesus as king and will know how to interpret this insight. Yet Jesus kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries. Only those chosen, those who have the eyes of faith, are able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we also struggle at times to recognize Jesus as king. Today s Gospel invites us to see with eyes of faith that we might recognize that Jesus, through his crucifixion and death, is indeed king and Savior of all. Vocations Corner November 25th The tasks we are called to by Jesus the King are the corporal works of mercy. What makes these essential to the Christian life is that everyone is capable of doing them, regardless of our own ability. God then isn t asking that we do great, momentous works to become saints, but that we serve even in small capacities with the love of Christ poured into our hearts. The vocation we possess must also be poured out of us in the same way Christ is poured into us. In that way, people won t see us in the corporal works of mercy, but they will see Jesus! November 24 November 25: 34 th Sunday of Ordinary Time November 24 Saturday, 4:00 PM November 25 Sunday, 10:30 AM Nick Hanson Alex Piotrowski Lacy & Natalie Toedte Altar Server Please go to www.stmarycentralia.org for the server schedule for the weekend Masses. Remember if you are unable to fulfill this obligation please find a sub!!
IN OUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL CLOSINGS for BAD WEATHER Mr. Swann will not be in the office on Monday, November 19. He will be attending the VBRD REFRESHER course in Fairview Heights from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm We will announce the closing through an email using schoolspeak as soon as the decision is made as well as have the information posted/aired on WJBD (100.1 FM) and WRXX (95.3 FM) as early as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Also, most will post on their social media pages and websites as soon as they are notified. NOTE: St. Mary School makes its own decisions regarding closings. Please do not assume if other area schools are out that SMS is also closed. Wait for the information from the school office. THANK YOU FIRST RECONCILIATION for the SMS and PSR grade 2 students will be Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 6:00 pm in the church. Fr Dale will be hearing the confessions of our students. Our thanks to Mrs. Tai Kasban and Mrs. Vicki Laquet for their excellent preparation of the children. Lord, make these children living signs of Your love for the whole world to see, and in Your merciful love, give us all Your pardon and Your peace. The ALL-SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM on Tuesday, Dec. 4, and will begin at 6:00 pm. The faculty has discussed the program and is already making plans for all students to participate. Thank you. I-M-P-O-R-T-A-N-T!!! ST. MARY PTO and the MARY S MERRY QUILTERS sent home a letter several weeks ago explaining their 2018 QUILT RAFFLE. They asked each school family to sell (or buy) the two books (7 chances for $5). Proceeds this year will be given to the PTO for St. Mary School. Drawing will take place December 1, 2018. Please turn in your family tickets as soon as possible. To Date: Only 25% of our school families have returned their tickets. If you have any questions or should you need additional tickets, please contact Lisa Barrow or the school office. MID-SECOND QUARTER ends on Friday, Nov. 16. As we move into the excitement of December, perhaps we will need to push for more concentration and effort to stay focused. Thanks for your help!
St. Mary School students have been given the food item of BOXED STUFFING / DRESSING (i.e. Stove Top Stuffing). The Student Council is challenging each student to bring in a minimum of 3 boxed stuffing items in order to receive credit. Per Ms. Klostermann, the students have donated around 230 boxes of stuffing as well as a few other items. Last year the student council collected nearly 2000 items and as always all donations would be greatly appreciated. The Student Council BOXED FOOD DRIVE for the Centralia Salvation Army continues and will end this Friday. This year, Centralia Salvation Army is asking each organization for a particular food item. P.T.O.& SPORTS UPDATES BE SURE TO CHECK SCHOOLSPEAK REGULARLY FOR SPORTS PRACTICE TIMES AND CHANGES. We will update as we are notified by the coaches. Thank you! 2019 Raffle Calendars are at the printers and will be heading your way soon. Please begin to ask around and start pre-selling if you would like. Calendars will be $25 and all families are required to sell six calendars. After this amount, $10 will be given back to the family in credits for use towards registration fees and tuition for next school year.