March 18, 2018 St. Mary Church P O B OX 67 I R E L A N D, I N 47 5 4 5-0 0 67 2 8 2 9 N 5 0 0 W J A S P E R, I N 47 5 4 6 F R. J O S E P H F. E R B A C H E R, E F F I E, PA S T O R Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018 St Mary Church - 812-482-7041 Fr. Joseph F. Erbacher, Fr. Effie, Pastor, Ext 33...jerbacher@evdio.org Deacon John Huether..jhuether@evdio.org Dianne Gogel, Secretary, Ext. 21..dgogel@evdio.org Sherri Hartley, Secretary, Ext. 22..chartley@evdio.org Stan Heim, Property Manager, Ext. 36..sheim@evdio.org Martha Schmitt, PCL, Ext. 45...mjschmitt@evdio.org Charlene Sermersheim, Music....812-482-7837 Annette Weidenbenner, Cleaning...812-630-7870 Parish Contacts Bereavement Meals, Sherri Hartley...812-482-7041 Church Decorations, Janet Schitter.....812-482-3500 Finance Council, Audrey Wehr....812-639-3393 Holy Trinity Catholic School, Lauren Emerson.. 812-482-7041, Ext 40....lemerson@evdio.org Ireland K of C, Grand Knight, Tony Bryan......812-827-3234.Anthony.bryan@twc.com Ireland K of C Building Rental, Allen Reckelhoff...812-631-4449 Parish Council President, Pat Gress..812-639-0795 Prayer Line, Bev Himsel...812-639-1384 St Anne s Society, President, Bonnie Meadows........812-631-2025 Director of St John Bosco Youth Ministry Angie Greulich...812-481-2442 812-639-4227 St. Mary s Mission Statement: St. Mary Church is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Website: http://stmary.irelandindiana.com
St. Mary Church Mass Schedule Saturday 4:30pm Sunday 7:00am & 10:00am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30am *When there is a funeral, there is no weekday morning scheduled Mass. Confessions First Friday 6:45-7:10am Saturday 3:30-4:10pm or by appointment at any time. *On Saturday when there is a wedding, there will be no confessions. Anointing of the Sick: If facing surgery, dealing with a chronic illness, serious accident or nearing the end of life, notify the parish office if you would like Fr. Erbacher to administer Anointing of the Sick. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms will take place the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month with Fr. Erbacher or Deacon John. Call the Parish Office to make an appointment. Sacrament of Marriage: Parishioners who wish to be married at St. Mary Church are asked to contact the parish office no later than six months prior to their wedding date. This will provide time for prayer, preparation and paper- Church Support Budgeted Weekly Operating Costs: $14,000.00 Collections for the weekend of December 8 & 9 Sunday Collection.......$ 6,770.00 Average Electronic Weekly Giving for December $ 4,059.60 Children s Collection $ 14.00 Total Collections....$ 10,843.60 Short..$ 3,156.40 Immaculate Conception Holy Day Collection $ 758.56 Year-To-Date-Budget (7-1-18 to current)...$ 336,000.00 Year-To-Date-Total....$ 311,804.27 Year-To-Date-Difference. $ (24,195.73) Campaign Goal....$ 6,000,000.00 Amount in Pledges (as of 12-10-18)... $ 5,578,089.48 Cash Collected to date (as of 12-10-18).....$ 3,918,725.21 Thank You!! Mass Attendance for December 8 & 9 4:30pm [308] 7:00am [216] 10:00am [286] Please use your envelope if you are going to one of the area churches. They do come back to our parish. Another way to make sure your tithing is coming to St. Mary is to go electronic. This can be by electronic check payment from your bank or by ACH through the parish office. Mass Schedule - December 24 to January 3, 2019 Christmas Eve, December 24: 4:00pm, 6:00pm & 8:00pm Christmas Day, December 25: 8:00am & 10:00am Wednesday, December 26 & Thursday, December 27 - No Mass Friday, December 28, 7:30am Mass Intentions Sat-Dec 15 4:30 pm Charles & Stella Whitson Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm Sun-Dec 16 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish 10:00 am Charles & Dorothy Heichelbech Tues-Dec 18 7:30 am Frank & Mary Lou Schmitt Wed-Dec 19 7:30 am Caroline Merder Thurs-Dec 20 7:30 am Randy Schmitt Fri-Dec 21 7:30 am LaVerne Kieffner Sat-Dec 22 4:30 pm Frank & Christine Buechler Family Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm Sun-Dec 23 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish 10:00 am Patrick E Strange Weather Related..If for some reason schools are delayed or closed, there will not be a Mass celebrated on that day (the Mass intention will be re-scheduled for a later date). Info on Mass cancellation will be on WITZ. Thank you and let us always pray for Favorable weather. Saturday, December 29, 4:30pm Sunday, December 30, 7:00am & 10:00am New Year Eve, Monday, December 31, 4:30pm New Year s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 8:00am Wednesday January 2 & Thursday, January 3 - No Mass Lots of help is needed for Christmas and New Years. If you can lector, serve, EM, usher or sacristan, please call the parish office. Happy Birthday to the following parishioners who will be celebrating their Birthday Dec 15 to Dec 21; Dec 15: Douglas Bromm, Alex Hentrup, Sharon Kunkel, Elfrieda Merkley, Dana Schnarr, Rebecca Seibert, James Summers, Rileigh Verkamp, Kate Wendholt Dec 16: Abby Beck, Avery Fuhs, Melvin Linette, Sue Schum, Logan Sermersheim, Bill Weikert Dec 17: Brenda Clark, Bob Cook, Tim Herbig, Nancy Mendel, Carol Schmitt, Marsha Shepherd, Jarod Witte Dec 18: Norberta Bullock, Sheila Conrad, Debbie Hopf, Katelyn Sander, Theresa Wolf Dec 19: Clara Mae Braunecker, Jeanette Day, Karen Erny, Kade Hildenbrand, Greg Matheis, Anden Rohleder, Amy Stork, Nicholas Whitson Dec 20: Stacy Hilgeman, Darlene Mehringer, Gilbert Neuhoff, Tate Seibert, Stan Seifert Dec 21: Grant Gehlhausen, Paul Grammer, Allie Himsel, Jason Lichlyter, Olivia Loya, Rebecca Matheis, Sarah McGimpsey, Andrew Miller
December 16-3rd Sunday of Advent In the same sentence where He reminds His listeners that He has cured the blind, the lame, the deaf, the sick, and even raised the dead, Jesus concludes by adding, "The poor have the good news proclaimed to them." How did that make the list of supernatural cures? What's so miraculous about good news? The poor are not just those in physical poverty, but those whose sins have impoverished their souls. This of course applies to us. The poverty of our own sinfulness can be overcome by the forgiveness offered to us in Christ. Because of this, we have cause to rejoice! And on this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we are encouraged to rejoice. Gaudete Sunday derives its name from the opening prayer of the Mass for this day, where we pray, "Gaudete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always"). So in the midst of Advent fasting and devotions, we rejoice because the time we have been preparing for is almost at hand. We pause in this season of anticipation to remember that, in truth, our hopes have already been fulfilled. He is among us, saving us even now! The Message will not publish December 28, 2018 and January 4, 2019. The final 2018 issue will be published on December 21 and the first 2019 issue will be published on January 11. Information for publication before Christmas must be received in The Message office by December12; information for publication in the January 11, issue should arrive no later than January 2. Traffic/driving alert! The fence surrounding the new church area was moved to make room for some of the big equipment. You can no longer get to the cemetery using the road behind (west) of church and the road by the playground area. There will still be handicap parking on the north side of church (by the ramp) but it is very limited. You will have to exit this parking area through the main parking lot of church. Please, keep this area open for the parishioners that need to park close to church. Thanks!! Dorothy P Heichelbech Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Dorothy who passed away December 5. May they be comforted by our prayers. Readings for the Week of December 16, 2018 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 [6]/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:1-17 Tuesday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25 Wednesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/ Lk 1:5-25 Thursday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b]/Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Saturday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1a]/Lk 1:46-56 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 [4]/Heb 10:5-10/Lk 1:39-45 St. John Bosco Youth Ministry St. John Bosco Catholic Youth Ministry reaches out to youth in grades 6 through 12 from St. Mary, Holy Family, Precious Blood, and St. Joseph. Check out more Bosco info and announcements at: https://saintjohnboscoyouthministry.wordpress.com. Dec 16: Ugly Sweater Christmas Caroling and Mass at St. Joseph Church at 6:00pm. Dec 19: High School Christmas Party at the Bosco House, 8:30-9:30pm. Dec 21: High School Muffins at Midwest Café at 7:00am Jan 4: WinterBlast for Middle and High School: Dinner and Thunderbolts Hockey Game in Evansville, 5:00-11:00pm. Questions: Contact Angie Greulich at agreulich@evdio.org or 812-481-2442. 2019 Bosco Events Middle School Retreat - March 22-25 (Gasper River) Catholic Heart Work Camp - June 9-15 (Milwaukee, WI) One Bread - One Cup - June 28-July 2 (St. Meinrad Archabbey) Give the Present of Being Present There was an article in USA Today about people and their digital addictions. One woman confessed she sends an average of seven hundred text messages a day! She also said that once, while on vacation in Hawaii, she tried to cut down her computer time to only 4 hours a day. 4 hours!! We have come to far in creating ways to connect with each other. But somewhere between Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, email, and text messages, we begin losing the ability to focus in one-on-one situations. This Christmas, don t let yourself get so caught up in all these virtual worlds that you miss out on real life going on around you. If you meet a friend for coffee, shut your phone off so you won t be distracted. When you get home from work, leave your laptop in the car, and try to forget all the e-mails awaiting your replies. Be present with people. This gift will go a long way. Be an example...in what you say, in the way you live. 1 Timothy 4:12 The Symbolisms at Christmas Time This week in class, the kids were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas using many of our Christmas decorations. They were told that the fir tree that remains green all year stands for everlasting hope of mankind and that its needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of our thoughts toward heaven. The star is a heavenly sign of promise from long ago that helped the shepherds find their way to Jesus, the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of our world, the wreath shows us that there is no end to God's love, it never ceases. The holly plant represents the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and the red berries represent the blood He shed for us. The beautiful packaged gift reminds us that God gave His only begotten Son so we may live. The candy cane symbolizes the shepherd's crook that brings back strayed sheep to our flock, The red and white colors of the candy cane represent the purity of Jesus and the blood He shed for us, while the Angel of course remind us how at the birth of our Lord Jesus they sang "Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will. May all of you have a Christmas filled with many Blessings. -Martha Schmitt Breakfast with Santa and Cookie Walk, December 16, in the Community Center - Come join the Fun!!
This Week s Parish Events Saturday [12/15]: Second Collection for the Community Food Bank. Sunday [12/16]: Second Collection for the Community Food Bank. Breakfast with Santa, 7:30-11:00am & Annual Cookie Walk, 7:00-11:30am in the Community Center. Visit with Santa, eat breakfast & buy your sweets for the holidays. If you can help make cookies or candies, please bring your item(s) to the classroom in the Community Center. Sunday School during the 10:00am Mass in the Social Hall Library. Upcoming Parish Events December 16: Breakfast with Santa and Cookie Walk. December 20: St. Mary Penance Service. December 24: Christmas Eve Mass Times: 4:00pm, 6:00pm & 8:00pm. December 25: Christmas Day Mass Times: 8:00am & 10:00am. *February 24, 2019: Confirmation Mass at 1:00pm. **April 28, 2019: First Communion at noon. Monday [12/17]: Church Decorating for Christmas will begin at 4:00pm. All help will be appreciated. Quilting at 5:00pm in the rectory basement. Servants of the Holy Spirit at 7:00pm in the Library. Ireland K of C 20/20 at 8:00pm. **When there is a funeral, there is no weekday morning scheduled Mass. Also, if for some reason school is delayed or closed, there will not be a Mass celebrated on that day Tuesday [12/18]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. This Mass has been moved do to the Deanery Penance Service at 6:30pm at St. Joseph Church. Choir Practice at 6:30pm. New members welcome. Wednesday [12/19]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Deanery Penance Service at noon at St. Joseph Church. Quilting noon to 4:00pm in the rectory basement. St. Anne s Sewing 6:00pm in the rectory basement. No Religious Education Classes. Enjoy your Christmas Break. Thursday [12/20]: Mass will be celebrated 7:30am. St. Mary Parish Penance Service at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome. Friday [12/21]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Saturday [12/22]: Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm. Mass will be celebrated at 4:30pm. Sunday [12/23]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:00am and 10:00am. Prayers and well wishes to: Adam Rasche and Jessi Hoffman who will be married on December 29. Please keep them in your prayers! December 9, $100 Irish Sweepstakes Raffle Winner is Jason Small. Our journey of Faith begins in Baptism We welcome into the Family of God: Emmalyn Elizabeth Jo Seibert, child of Mark and Rebecca (Kalb) Seibert. Congratulations!! The Unveiled Marriage Preparation program is for those couples who are engaged to be married. Important topics are discussed in the context of Catholic marriage. The next Unveiled programs are February 15 & 16, April 12 & 13 and September 7. Engaged couples are highly encouraged to attend one of these weekends. Go to http://www.ccevansville.org/marriage-preparation.html to register or contact Eric Girten for more information at egirten@evdio.org. St. Mary Facebook Page St. Mary Church Ireland Please like and share
Servers: Liturgical Ministers for December 22 & 23 4:30 pm Trace Weidenbenner - Andyn Lampert 7:00 am Jared Englert - Spencer Englert 10:00 am Pace Clark - Tyler Sinnott Extraordinary Ministers: 4:30 pm Cassey Ziegler - Audre Wehr - Patrick Gress Jill Weidenbenner - Tammy Sermersheim 7:00 am Kathy Burton - Julie Hopf - Jenny Hayes Lauren Emerson - Mary Werner 10:00 am Larry Goeppner - Eugene Hopf - Laura Otto Joyce Gehlhausen - Brian Gehlhausen Lectors: 4:30 pm Cindy Gress 7:00 am LeRay Durcholz 10:00 am Brian Fleck Ushers: Lectors Website: http://lectorsproclaim.org (Year C) 4:30 pm Mark & Diane Brescher 7:00 am Dan & Cheryl Fromme 10:00 am Danny Brescher - Pat Brescher Sunday School: 10:00 am No Sunday School until 1/6/19 Thank You!! This bulletin is furnished to the Parish without charge. The advertisements that appear completely defray all publishing costs with which the church would otherwise be burdened. Please patronize these sponsors as a Thank You for their generosity. January Area Events 6: LoveEd Program at Precious Blood Parish, 1:00-3:00pm, for parents of children currently in grades 4-9. This session is for adults only and is free. Call Bonnie at 812-482-4461 for more info 26: Holy Trinity Hoot at KlubHaus 61. Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 4. Men Of All Ages...Are You Ready To Be A Doer?? Precious Blood Parish is inviting men of all ages, middle school age to adult, fathers and sons, grandpas and grandsons, uncles and nephews from our local community every Saturday at 7:00am. Precious Blood Men s Club and other prayer groups will take the lead in this ministry. Join us in prayer for our Church, Community and World! Any questions or desire to help please contact: Larry Kluemper 812-630-6564/Brian Ketzner 812-639-2382 There has been a set of keys turned into the parish office that has been found by the Ireland Historical Society. Call the parish office if you think they could be your keys 812-482-7041. Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel Hours that are currently open: 1st & 3rd Sunday of Month at 1:00-2:00pm 2nd & 4th Tuesday of Month at 1:00-2:00am Wednesdays at 5:00-6:00pm Fridays at 3:00-4:00am 2nd Saturday of Month at 11:00pm-12:00am If there are two times listed for an adoration time, example 1st & 3rd Sundays, and you only want to do one time per month, that would help out a lot. You do not have to take both times if you only want one. For more info email dp@adorationmanager.com or call or text 812-630-8382. The Adoration Chapel is located on the campus of Precious Blood Church. Please spend an hour with Jesus.