U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate) 200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236 Telephone: (941) 366-4210 Website: www.stmartha.org Facebook: St. Martha Roman Catholic Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - Noon & 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Baruch 5:5 Very Rev. Fausto Stampiglia S.A.C., Pastor Rev. R. Patrick Wilson, S.A.C. Rev. Wojciech Stachura, S.A.C. Rev. Jan Rykala, S.A.C. Rev. John Cao, C.R.M., Hospital Chaplain Rev. George Jerry Hogan, Circus Chaplain Rev. Deacon William Ladroga Rev. Deacon C. Patrick Macaulay Rev. Deacon Robert Gaitens Br. William Hudspeth, S.A.C. Br. Tom Flanagan, S.A.C. Br. Lawrence Skitzki, C.S.C. Sr. Cathy Bonfield, S.S.N.D. PARISH STAFF Sara Brinn, Office Manager/Parish Secretary Virginia Bray, Music Director Gina Snode, Business Manager/Bookkeeper Patricia Sileo, Director of Religious Education Teressa McCoy, Admin. Asst./Media Coordinator Sabrina Gibson, Reception/Data Entry Pamela Paulson, Reception/Data Entry Rose Ann Runnells, Sacristan Tom Patt, Sacristan Janet Cocco, Sacristan Miguel Jimenez, Maintenance Supervisor MASS SCHEDULE Church opens 30 minutes before each service and closes afterwards. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. & 8:30 a.m.; (Vigil) 4 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Church: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Parish Hall: 8 a.m. (Spanish): Noon (Vietnamese) Weekday: 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., Noon & 5:30 p.m. Holy Day: (Vigil) 4 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, & 5:30 p.m. TV Mass Sunday, 9:30 a.m. on CW Network. Check your local listings or go to dioceseofvenice.org/tv-mass CONFESSIONS Saturday: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.; 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Reconciliation Room) Sunday - Friday: 11:30 a.m. - Noon (Church Entrance) EXPOSITON OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Carosella Chapel: Tuesdays 9 a.m. - Noon; Fridays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (The Carosella Chapel is open for quiet prayer during office hours.) STATIONS OF THE CROSS Monday through Friday at 11:15 a.m. in the Church. ROSARY & MORNING PRAYER DEVOTIONS Rosary is prayed daily following the 7:30 a.m. Mass, immediately followed by Morning Prayer. Rosary is again prayed before the Noon Mass. BAPTISM Classes are held on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Conference Room. Baptism will take place regularly every Sunday at 5 p.m. or by appointment with your choice of clergyman. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Saturdays after the 8:30 a.m. Mass HOUSE BLESSING: Contact Sara Brinn at the Parish Office PRAYER LINE: 941-306-6503
DECEMBER 9, 2018 PSALTER WEEK II From Our Pastor, Fr. Fausto... My Dear Friends, In today s Gospel, we admire John the Baptizer, a relative of Jesus and the last prophet of the Old Testament, or covenant between God and the Jewish people. John was the precursor, or the MC, who introduces Jesus the Savior and Messiah. And so, the season of Advent is shifting from the future second coming of Jesus, to the Remembrance of the First coming. The Church s prayer on the 2nd Sunday of Advent is God of mercy may this Eucharist bring us your divine help, free us from our sins, and prepare us for the Birthday of our Savior... Our radio or TV airwaves, as also our papers, are filled with the material aspects of Christmas giving spirit, but the true spirit of Christmases past, present and future, is in Christ, not just in the frenzy of gifts and parties! Christmas has become so commercialized as to create a mentality which can be expressed in the sentence: The one with the most toys wins! Jesus, who is after all the Birthday Boy of December 25th, doesn t need our toys or gadgets. He needs, first of all, the gift of our humble, contrite and forgiving hearts. The other gift so dear to Jesus is the care of the poor, needy, homeless, lonely and rejected lowest members of our society. The problem, then, is that now the season of Advent has lost its character of re-living the anxious waiting of the Messiah by the prophets of old. The commercial and festive development of our times cannot obscure the other meaning of Advent: our spiritual preparation for the second coming of Jesus, when all nations on earth will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds to judge the living and the dead. Advent is, then, a time of crowded malls and stores, of gift lists and buying sprees. There are many Christmas parties where the danger of over drinking lurks, and also of driving while intoxicated! It is then very hard to shut off the exuberant noises of this joyful season and concentrate on Jesus, even though Jesus is the reason for the season. We priests would like to invite all of you to find time for a good confession, and for a special sacrifice for peace in the world, an end to the slaughter of the innocents, and for the conversion of sinners. In remembering the date of Jesus birth, we are reminded of the chronological miscalculation made by the Rumanian Monk, Dionysius the Little, who in 533 had Jesus being born in the year of Rome 752/3. Many people marvel on why we do not know for sure the dates of Jesus life, when Luke gives us such precision of dates in today s Gospel. Well, the trouble is that Luke gives us a wealth of information on the beginning of John s ministry, but not the interval between John s and Jesus' ministry! And so even the dates given to us by Luke are at best an indication that Jesus three years of ministry were after John began his ministry. The 15th year of Tiberius, successor of Augustus, is between September AD 28 and August AD29. Pontius Pilate was procurator AD 26-36; Herod (Antipas) Tetrarch was from 4BC to AD 39, (Year of King Herod s death), Philip from 4 BC to AD 34; Lysanias identity is still obscure; Annas was high priest from AD 6-15, and Caiaphas (Annas son-in-law) from AD 18-37. So, then, why did Luke give us such a seemingly confusing list of politicians? I suspect that the Evangelist contrasted the faith of John the Baptist with the unbelief and hostility of Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate, all deeply hostile to Jesus. And so a thought comes to me: Do I stick with Jesus, or am I trying to be politically correct, so as to avoid troubles and fights in this life? Let us remember John, and let us be fearless in our allegiance to God! As you know, parishes are very dependent on a very generous Christmas and Easter collection, (and these collections usually are). We at St. Martha live from hand to mouth (our 2018 Catholic Faith Appeal is still behind). If you will be away, please use your Christmas envelope either before you go, or after you return. If you do not normally use an envelope, or are a visitor here at Christmas, please use the envelopes in the pews, or at the entrance of the church and hall. Make checks payable to St. Martha Church. Thanks a zillion! Jesus, and I, will appreciate it! Please remember Father Celestino s Annual Christmas Program for People in Need. You can donate food and toys (unwrapped) for children 10 years and under, or give a monetary donation to St. Jude Church - Christmas Program for the Needy, and send or take to 3930 17th Street, Sarasota by Wednesday, December 13. If you have any questions, call St. Jude Church at 955-3934. Father Celestino s staff, volunteers and St. Jude Parish thank you for your continued generosity. Bishop J. Dewane has introduced a new eight month marriage preparation process into the Diocese beginning January called Witness to Love. It is a mentor-based program in which engaged couples find a mentor couple (not related) to work with them. The mentor couple must have been married at least five years, be active church members, and have a marriage that the engaged couple admires. We hope that if you are asked by an engaged couple to walk with them in this process, you will say yes. Training is provided and you could be helping a couple prepare for a better marriage for the rest of their lives together. No theological background is required! We are also in need of a Marriage Preparation Coordinator. It could be one person or a couple. The coordinator keeps track of the couples and provides the one-time training for mentor couples. Training will be provided by the Diocese. If you re interested in helping engaged couples in this important ministry, please contact Deacon Bill Ladroga through the Parish Office. Engaged couples are not the only ones needing your help. The Bishop needs lay people to be members of Diocesan councils and committees in the nine following areas: law, administration, real estate, accounting, education, building/construction, medical and finance.
2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT If you dear parishioners would love to sacrifice time for Jesus with the talents Jesus has given you, please email me at pastor@stmartha.org. It could be the best Christmas gift to Jesus, the season s birthday boy! The Pallottine family of St. Martha has lost a gentle member: Br. William Hudspeth, who went to join the angels in paradise this past week. Please pray for his eternal rest. Smile, God loves you and so does Fr. Fausto with your St. Martha clergy: Fathers Patrick, Wojciech, Jan, John & Jerry Deacons Bill, Patrick & Robert and Brothers Bill, Tom & Lawrence & Sister Cathy T W O P Sun., Dec. 9 7:00 a.m. SOLVE Poinse a Sale - Courtyard 7:00 a.m. Registra on Weekend 8:00 a.m. Sunday Coffee - Geenen Hall 10:15 a.m. Religious Ed - 2nd Floor Classrooms 11:30 a.m. Confession - Fr. Jan Mon., Dec. 10 7:00 p.m. Bap sm Class - Conference Room Tues., Dec. 11 - St. Damasus I 6:30 p.m. RCIA - Conference Room Wed., Dec. 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe 5:30 p.m. Adult Choir Prac ce - Choir Room Thurs., Dec. 13 - St. Lucy Fri., Dec. 14 - St. John of the Cross 8:00 p.m. AA (Spanish) - Geenen Hall Sat., Dec. 15 9:00 a.m. Confession - Fr. Jan 9:15 a.m. Legion of Mary - Mee ng Room 10:00 a.m. CCW - Geenen Hall 3:00 p.m. Confession - Fr. Wojciech Poinsettias For a Cause! Support the Mothers of SOLVE This weekend volunteers for SOLVE will be selling poinsettia plants after all Masses in the Courtyard. Cost: $7.00 Manasota SOLVE s poinsettias support the wonderful cause of life and well-being for mothers and babies. If you would like more information, please call Paula at 941-201-6508. MARRIAGE BANNS Garrett Croft and Christine Lambert (2)
BULLETIN Email bulletinsmc@stmartha.org PASTOR EMAIL pastor@stmartha.org Perhaps one of your friends has become pregnant unexpectedly. You are encouraged to support your friend in her new journey of being a mother. Attention All Students Grades 6-12 Please join our youth director, Tim Shipe, for a Holiday Lights Tour Saturday December 15th, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The tour will start and finish at St. Martha Church. We have reserved a 22 passenger coach. Enjoy the tour in deluxe leather seats that each have a USB outlet, while listening to Holiday music and watching Yule Log's burn on two flat screen TV's Seats are limited - COST IS ONLY 10.00 Email sileo@stmartha.org to reserve your spot! THANK YOU!! REGISTRATION WEEKEND Be on the lookout for our registration table this Weekend. We will have registration forms and invite all those who are not registered to join our parish family! Thank you for participating in the annual Mayors Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving food drive. We collected over 60 tons of food! We couldn t have done it without your help. All the food was sorted and taken away to local food pantries in time for Thanksgiving. CAROLING AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD Tuesday, December 18 from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join us in front of the Sarasota Planned Parenthood downtown at 8th St. and Central Ave. to give a blessed counter-witness of hope and life! Song booklets will be provided. For more information please contact James Kurt at jameshkurt@gmail.com or 941-371-7339. CHURCH OPERATING RESULTS 7-1-17 THROUGH 11-25-2018 Offertory & Other ACTUAL BUDGET DIFF Income (excludes special donations & bequests) $517,990 $525,374 ($7,384) Operating Expenses $727,420 $783,962 $56,542 Net through 11-25-2018 ($209,430) ($258,588) $49,158 2018 CATHOLIC FAITH APPEAL DRIVE Assessment ($340,000) Pledges through 11-25-2018 $298,320 Uncollected Pledges 11-25-2018 ($13,151) Deficit through 11-25-2018 ($54,831)
In the Church, each one of us finds what is needed to believe, to live as Christians, to become holy and to journey to every place and through every age. Pope Francis Taping of the Christmas Day Mass Televised Mass - All are invited to attend the taping of the televised Christmas Day Mass for the Homebound at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 18 at Our Lady of the Angels Parish Chapel, Bishop Frank J. Dewane will be the Celebrant of this Mass that will air on Christmas Day morning. Please consider participating in this Mass dressed in your Christmas attire. Light Christmas refreshments will follow. For further information, please contact Gail Ardy at ardy@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4714. Mass Honoring Widows and Widowers - Bishop Frank J. Dewane will celebrate a Mass for all widows and widowers at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, January 20 at Epiphany Cathedral. Dinner will follow in the Parish Hall. A display of photos will be available for viewing during the reception; should you wish to participate with a photo of you and your spouse, please email ardy@dioceseofvenice.org or send a copy in advance to Diocese of Venice, ATTN: Widows and Widowers Mass, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, Florida 34285. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. To register, please visit dioceseofvenice.org/calendar or call 941-484-9543. 2019 Men's Conference - Enjoy spiritual fellowship with some grit, a burger fest, outdoor games, and great food! The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 2 at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Ft. Myers. The day will include Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Confession. Pre-registration cost is $20 and $5 for students. Cost at the door is $30 and $10 for students. To register, visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/2019- mens-conference. 2019 Women's Conference - This year's event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Fort Myers. The day will include Eucharistic Adoration, Confession and will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane. Cost in advance is $20 and $5 for students. Cost at the door is $30 and $10 for students. To register, visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/2019-womens-conference. Volunteer Mass - In appreciation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites all volunteers to a Mass at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, at Our Lady of Light Parish, Fort Myers. The Mass is an opportunity to extend gratitude and appreciation for those who generously give of their time and talent. All priests, deacons and the faithful are invited to participate in a celebration of the active and concrete stewardship of our laity. A lunch will follow the Mass in the Parish Hall. Further details to follow shortly. Couples Celebrating Marriage - All couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more than 50 years of marriage are invited by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to an Anniversary Mass in their honor. The Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in two locations: 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, and 10 a.m., Saturday, March 16 at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. Contact your local parish to RSVP. Segundo Domingo de Adviento 9 de diciembre de 2018 Dios ha ordenado que se abajen todas las montañas y todas las colinas, que se rellenen todos los valles hasta aplanar la tierra. Baruc 5:7 A LA ESPERA DE LA SALVACIÓN DE DIOS El mundo no parece tan grande como para contener el alborozo que causa la primera lectura. En la lectura del Evangelio, el Imperio Romano tampoco es lo suficientemente grande. Los grandes poderes de Roma se designan y se hacen esperar por la salvación de Dios. Y encontramos a Pablo que medita gozosamente en lo que importa, en lo que realmente cuenta. De acuerdo con Baruc, la ciudad de Jerusalén es como una persona que en puntillas espera la salvación de Dios, que viene del Este. Los que fueron llevados a pie, con la cabeza gacha, regresan ahora orgullosos. Todo el camino está pavimentado. Al lado del camino hay árboles fragantes y frondosos. No puede haber algo mejor que eso, no es así? Bueno, sí puede haber algo mejor. Porque una voz grita en el desierto. Aquí comienza la salvación de Dios. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Join us in Geenen Hall for Sunday Coffee! SAVE THE DATE Knights of Columbus Art Auction February 8, 2018 ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF DiMora & Lerario Families by Jim & Mimi Lerario Naglieri Family by Ida Naglieri Ann & Emmett Maloney by Kathleen Maloney Ed Salvadore by Rose Salvadore Laura, Flo, Nancy Rosemarie & Laura by William Konopaske DECEMBER FAMILY DINNER The Parish Family Dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus will return in January. The Knights wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!
Mass Intentions Sun., Dec. 9 Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6 7:30 a.m. [PW] Heimbuch & Mass Families by George & Judy Mass 8:00 a.m. [OM] (Span/Hall) Pedro Celis by Andrea Celis & Family 9:00 a.m. [PW] Mary Allen by Tina Mroczkowski 9:00 a.m. [FS] (Hall) Carol Anne Harper by Bill & Maria 10:30 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [WS] Thomas Kenyon by Susanne Wedlake 12:00 p.m. [JC] (Viet/Hall) Lh. Toma by Gd Phong-Thuy 5:30 p.m. [JR] Robert & Marguerite Romaine by Gail & Fr. Robert Mon., Dec. 10 Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 7:30 a.m. [JR] David Kruse by Carol Kruse 8:30 a.m. [PW] Lauretta Stoletto by Marge & Paula Lortie 12:00 p.m. [WS] Esperanza Flores by Martha Shanahan 5:30 p.m. [JC] Ken Collins by Claire Collins Tues., Dec. 11 Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 7:30 a.m. [PW] Marge Crozier by Paul & Marge Lortie 8:30 a.m. [PW] (L) Tom & Marie Belcher by Friend 12:00 p.m. [WS] Special Intention by Friends 5:30 p.m. [WS] Manuel De Jesus Roman by Maria Roman Wed., Dec. 12 Zec 2:14-17, Lk 1:26-38 7:30 a.m. [FS] (L) Paula & David Shigley by Marge & Paul Lortie 8:30 a.m. [PW] Helen Brennan by Noreen & Steve Smith 12:00 p.m. [WS] Kevin Crowley by St. Martha Parish 5:30 p.m. [JR] Diana Orama by Parents & Family Thurs., Dec. 13 Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 7:30 a.m. [FS] Special Intentions by Maria Rocca 8:30 a.m. [PW] Robert Carr by Tina Mroczkowski 12:00 p.m. [JC] Dora Irene Massaro by The Pallottines 5:30 p.m. [JC] Parents of Rosario & Donna Criscuolo Fri., Dec. 14 Is 48: 17-19; Mt 11:16-19 7:30 a.m. [JC] Jim Styer by Paul & Marge Lortie 8:30 a.m. [WS] Mary Helen Peterson by Peggy & Mollie 12:00 p.m. [JR] Tom Anderson by Francis 5:30 p.m. [JR] (L) Elena Kiang by Family Sat., Dec. 15 Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 7:30 a.m. [JR] Patricia Loner by Daughter 8:30 a.m. [WS] (L) Dr. Michael Lamensdorf, Family & Staff 4:00 p.m. [FS] John Mulligan by Brother, Doug 5:30 p.m. [PW] Jill Rex by Mary & Tom McCarthy Sun., Dec. 16 Zep 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 7:30 a.m. [JC] Marie Hoffberg 8:00 a.m. [OM] (Span/Hall) Yale Loucks by The Heibel Family 9:00 a.m. [JR] Elizabeth Petrella by Terry Petrella 9:00 a.m. [FS] (Hall) Bob Modrcin by Wife, Kathleen 10:30 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [PW] Sylvia LeTourneau by Mary Jean Wenzel 12:00 p.m. [JC] (Viet/Hall) Lh. Guise by Gd. Phone-Thuy 5:30 p.m. [WS] Thomas Stewart by Jack & Joan Gaul Fr. Fausto (FS), Fr. Patrick (PW), Fr. Wojciech (WS), Fr. Jan (JR), Fr. John (JC), & Fr. Oscar (OM) OUTREACH MINISTRIES Altar Servers Brian Clark 993-8526 Altar Society Janet Cocco 366-4210 Archivist Ted Cover 379-0758 Arimathean Ministry Geri Roberts 600-8479 Bethesda House Colleen McMenamin 366-1886 Catholic Charities Marisa Zorger 355-4680 Herrig Caritas (9-11 a.m., M-F) Tony Cocco, Chair 366-5620 Casa Santa Marta Debbie Greising 366-4448 Choir/Cantor Virginia Bray 366-4210 Council of Catholic Women Marcia Stokes 334-648-4328 Eucharist Adoration Parish Office 366-4210 Finance Council John J. DeStefano 306-5014 Family Ministry Gary Kerschner 961-8713 Hospitality Ministry Beth Cannata 321-2953 Jail Ministry Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 Knights of Columbus Mike Deering 225-0564 Lectors Ed Hale 1edhale@gmail.com Legion of Mary Diane Such 993-2354 Ministries Council John Gearon 320-4745 Peace & Justice/S.U.R.E. John McGruder 953-6541 Parish Council Roland Gibson 685-1204 Prayer Line Diane Domagala 306-6503 R.C.I.A Maggie Gallucci 355-5957 R.C.I.A Sue Thompson suehome2@verizon.net Respect Life Ministry Joseph Gina 702-1700 Rosary Makers Don & Maxine Brand 755-9749 Solve Maternity Homes Peggy Kerwin 748-0094 St. M. Early Learning Center Jamie Van Dyke 366-1395 Ushers Parish Office 366-4210 EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Parish & Homebound Pam Paulson 366-4210 Hospital Calvin Kreider 928-6995 Nursing Home Pam Paulson 366-4210 BISHOP NEVINS ACADEMY 4380 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 St. Martha Catholic School 953-4181 Principal: Mrs. Siobhan Young St. Mary Academy 366-4010 Principal: Mrs. Rebecca Reynolds CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH SCHOOL 371-4917 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND OUR SCHEDULED MASSES, CONTACT OUR NEIGHBORING PARISHES: St. Jude Sarasota 955-3934 Christ the King Sarasota 924-2777 Incarnation Sarasota 921-6631 Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Sarasota 755-1826 St. Patrick Sarasota 378-1703 St. Mary Star of the Sea Longboat Key 383-1255 St. Thomas More Sarasota 923-1691 St. Joseph Bradenton 756-3732 St. Michael the Archangel Siesta Key 349-4174 Our Lady Queen of Angels Lakewood Ranch 752-6770 Our priests & deacons minister to the following local facilities: The Pines, Brookdale Midtown, Magnolia, Life Care Center, Horizon Bay, Jefferson Center, Alderman Oaks, Plymouth Harbor, Sarasota Health, Springwood, Casa Santa Marta I & II, Sarasota Bay Club, Cross Breeze, Sunshine Meadows, Sarasota Point, Sarasota County Jail.