ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2nd Sunday of Advent Weekend of December 4, 2016 1 0 7 5 5 N. 1 2 4 t h S t. S c o t t s d a l e, A Z 8 5 2 5 9
Page 2 December 4, 2016 Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, AZ
December 4, 2016 2nd Sunday of Advent Fr. Brian Bell, Pastor "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance." John the Baptist does not mince words. He tells it like it is. When the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees show up piously for baptism, John calls them out, saying, "You brood of vipers!" Not welcoming words, to say the least. Then he tells them that being part of the religious club (i.e., children of Abraham) isn't enough. No, "every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." It can be easy to join John in pointing fingers at those selfrighteous religious leaders. But we're usually not so quick to point fingers at ourselves. On this Second Sunday of Advent, as we seek to prepare for the coming of Christ, we also need to hear John's solemn warning. How are we like these Pharisees? How have we excused ourselves because we are part of the "club," because we are baptized Christians, regular churchgoers, better than others, or whatever justification we use to declare ourselves in good shape? How have we failed to produce good fruit by being satisfied with a comfortable life and a routine practice of the faith? What do we need to change? Where do we need to grow? How do we need to reach out and serve others, to sacrifice sinful behaviors, to delve deeper into our love for the Lord? John preaches today that God will "gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Advent is a gift from the Church--a time to renew our spiritual life by getting rid of the chaff in our souls and producing instead a fruitful harvest. Now is the time to do this work. As John tells us, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Yours in Christ Fr. Brian Feast of the Immaculate Conception HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION December 8th, 2016 Mass Times: 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Faith Formation News Middle School Youth! Come and join us for the following Edge Events at St. Bernard's: Page 3 ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION The students have begun their Advent preparation. Please remember as you decorate your homes and do your Christmas shopping to take some time each day, as a family, to prepare your homes and your hearts for Jesus! There are sign -up sheets and rehearsal schedules in the hallway, by my office, for the 4pm Mass on Christmas Eve when the children act out the Gospel of Luke. Children ages 4 thru 8th grade are eligible to participate. Children who are Choristers will be in the choir not the Gospel story. Make sure your children can make the rehearsals before you sign them up. There will be no classes this Thursday, December 8th due to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses are at 8:30am and 6:00pm. Sacrament classes are closed for the 2016/17 school year. This includes 2nd, 3rd, Confirmation and Heritage. All other classes, Kindergarten, First Grade, Fourth and Fifth Grades remain open all year. Please make sure your children are in class on time and picked up on time. Confirmation and First Communion for all third graders and above that are not being baptized at the Easter Vigil will be on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 2pm. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about Elementary Faith Formation, Sacrament Preparation (Elementary, Middle or High School) or Adult Confirmation please contact me at kstine@diocesephoenix.org or call me at the Parish Office, 480-661-9843, Ext.309. Have a safe week! God s Blessings, Kathie 12/5 - "Life on the Rock" (Monday from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Parish Hall) - Why are you here on this rock? Where are you going? How are you going to get there? 12/12 - "The Final Four" (Monday from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Parish Hall) - What is your ultimate goal in life? What four things will you have to face in the end? How do these things impact your life today? Shannon Hards, Director of Youth Ministry C H R I S T M A S M A S S S C H E D U L E 2 0 1 6 Saturday, December 24* Christmas Eve 4:00 PM Church Children s Mass & Choristers Choir 4:15 PM Parish Center Family Mass 6:00 PM Church Teen Schola 11:00 PM Church Adult Choir Sunday, December 25* Christmas Day There will be no 7:30 AM Mass 9:00 AM Church Organist Rollie Hudson 11:00 AM Church Veritas 124 Band High School Teens! Come and join us for the following Life Teen Events at St. Bernard s: 12/4 - "A Friend Indeed" (After the 11am Mass in the Teen Room) - What qualities do you look for in a friend? Do your friends help and support you? Why is it important to have supportive Catholic friends? 12/11 - "Christmas Party" (After the 11am Mass in the Teen Room) This will be our last Life Teen event for the Fall Semester. We are going to celebrate with Christmas games and festivities! Shannon Hards, Director of Youth Ministry
December 4, 2016 2nd Sunday of Advent Sanctity of Life Ministry John Paull II continuing the constant teaching of the Church, has reiterated many times that those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or vote for them. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life, 2002, no. 4 Magnetic Nativity Scene Car Decals The LADIES AUXILIARY is selling NATIVITY SCENE magnetic reusable car decals as part of The Knights of Columbus KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS campaign They make great stocking gifts too! For sale after Masses in the Parish Hall. Society of Saint Vincent de Paul ***Christmas Angel Tree Gift Drive*** The Christmas Angel Tree will be standing in the Main Entrance Hall of St. Bernard s Church from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 18. Each Christmas Angel bears the name, age, gender, and gift requests of an underprivileged child. This year the children are from our own Parish; the inner city Phoenix Parishes of St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Mark, and St Martin de Porres; and the Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Aguila, AZ. Please take an Angel tag and try to match the description of the child and the gift(s) as best as you can. All gifts should be returned wrapped and with the Christmas Angel attached. We will collect the gifts at each Mass the weekend of December 17 and 18, 2016. Thank you on behalf of all the children you are helping during this season of sharing. The Vincentians of St. Bernard of Clairvaux A Time of Peace Ecclesiastes 3:11 Gloria Marie Cardinali Gertrude Drewnowski Second Sunday of Advent. In today s Gospel, John the Baptist urges us to Prepare the way of the Lord. This is what Advent is all about, for we are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our family and to reach out to those in need. Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and poor to celebrate Christmas. Page 4 Remember in Your Prayers Family and Friends who are ill. Sandy Adducci Stephen David Bell Kay Berens Baby Teddy Bing Kim Bisel Dany Boisvert Rose Bonfiglio Gerald Bristen Alfred Brown, Jr. Bill Brown Richard Brown Kayci Carson Agatha Chung Ed Connell Carolyn Dicercksmeie Mercedes Duarte Natalie Farington Ryan Foley Evan Gallant Sandeep George Biju George Linda Hamilton The Harris Family Roy Haverstroh Elizabeth Jensen James Kennedy Lauren Kettell Tracey Krueger Parrish Lewin Mel Latimer Penny Latko Mary K. LaTempa Esther Maher Joan McKeon Al Moody Karen Navas Peggy (Margaret) Prostko Edwin Rivera Joel Rivera Dawn Sabato Cathy Schira Corinne Shahid Theresa Sielicki Joel Smith Family Baby Reesa Stutzman Sharon Toenj Nedene Tucci Nina Vinnanve Carol Weber Michelle Williams Luciano Zaidizar In order to keep the prayer list current, we need to remove names listed more than six months. Please advise the parish office 480-661-9843 if any of the above names need to be removed. Thank you for your understanding. TICKET ALERT! - Matthew Kelly Renowned Catholic Author & speaker, is coming to Scottsdale, Arizona, January 29, 2017! 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm LIVING EVERY DAY WITH PASSION & PURPOSE Less than 30% of tickets are still available. We don t want our parishioners at St. Bernard to be left out. Buy now before they are gone. Matthew Kelly has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the best-version-of-themselves. Come to this life changing event and be inspired to apply the genius of Catholicism to your everyday life. Buy tickets at dynamiccatholic.com Our Lady of Guadalupe "At the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy." The story of the Visitation describes more than Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. The Gospel also portrays the meeting of the unborn babies these women carried within them. John the Baptist, the one who would herald the coming of the Messiah, even in utero recognized the presence of the Christ. The infant prophet was not only moved; he was moved with joy. His mother, Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit," was given a special grace to understand what was happening. She declared in her own words what Mary already heard from the angel, Gabriel: "Blessed is the fruit of your womb!" These mothers-to-be realized that the babies they carried were already participating in God's plan of salvation. They understood their pregnancies not as meaningless waiting periods, but rather as the beginning of the proclamation of the good news. Indeed, the months of anticipation before the birth of these children is like the season of Advent in which we now stand. We too wait to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child at Christmas. But this waiting is not meaningless; these four weeks offer the opportunity to establish a deeper intimacy with the Lord. During Advent, let us imitate Our Lady of Guadalupe, the expectant mother around whom the light of Christ radiates so brightly even as she waits for the coming of her Son. 2013 Liturgical Publications Inc
Page 5 2nd Sunday of Advent Readings for the Week of December 2nd, 2016 Sunday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Monday: Is 35:1-10/Ps 85/Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11/Ps 96/Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/Ps 146/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11 Observances for the Week of December 4, 2016 Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Advent Tuesday: St. Nicholas, Bishop Wednesday: St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Thursday: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday: St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Advent That Man Is You has begun!! Men of St. Bernard's, come join us for Year #5 of That Man Is You. This year the weekly presentation will be by noted Catholic speaker, Matthew Leonard. The subject is "The Bible and The Virgin Mary. We will meet on Friday mornings in the Parish Hall: December 9, 2016 Monday thru Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monthly Padre Pio Mass at 7pm December 5, 2016 in church. Hispanic Ministry of St. Bernard of Clairvaux CELEBRATING OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE DECEMBER 10, 2016 AT THE 5PM MASS with Mariachis, luminaries, procession, piñatas, Mexican food and Folklore Dancers. IN THE NEW PARISH HALL Ticket information call Carmen 480-860-6753. ADORATION CHAPEL HOURS 7 am to 9 pm 7 am to 12:00 pm 1 pm to 6 pm 7 am to 12:30 pm BLOOD DRIVE AT ST. BERNARD S United Blood Services will be available for you after all the Masses on December 4th. Even if you have never given before, please prayerfully consider this Corporal Work of Mercy. What a gift to someone in need during the Christmas season! GIVE BLOOD. SAVE LIVES. Liturgical Publications Inc Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, Arizona December 3, 2016 through December 4, 2016 03 Saturday 5:00 PM St. Bernard Parishioners 04 Sunday 7:30 AM Christina Ferreru 9:00 AM Frank & Martha Jastrowski 11:00 AM Carlo Gallo 05 Monday 8:30 AM Nicholas Casella 06 Tuesday 8:30 AM Frances Cunnane 07 Wednesday 8:30 AM Eileen Conmy 08 Thursday 8:30 AM Josephine Moore 6:00 PM Joyce Chesler 09 Friday 8:00 AM Ernest Fugere Jr. 10 Saturday 5:00 PM Maria Russo 11 Sunday 7:30 AM Frances Cunnane 9:00 AM St. Bernard Parishioners 11:00 AM Virginia Miller PLEASE NOTE: Mass Intentions that were scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Divine. Mercy Mass on Wednesday evenings will now be transferred and prayed for at the 8:30am Mass on Wednesday mornings. This week the Sanctuary Light will be lit for Mindy Weingart Requested by Josephine Catizone Vatican Patrons: Rome Comes to Phoenix: Please join the Arizona Patrons of the Arts at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E Monroe St. from 6-9 p.m., on December 6th for wine and hors d'oeuvres as we welcome Fr. Daniel Hennessy, LC International Director, Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. He will be updating us on projects, plans, and activities in and around the Vatican Museums. The Arizona Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is an interfaith, 501(c)3 non-profit organization concerned with the protection, restoration and preservation of human history contained in the great repository of art and artifacts of the Vatican Museums.Info:info@azpatrons.org or call (520) 329-7287. Gift of Myrrh: Symbol of Christ's Work in Our Worship: All are invited on December 10th to this Crosier Advent day of reflection at the Crosier Village, 717 E Southern Ave, from 8-11:30 a.m. Phoenix. In this year s Gift of Myrrh program, Fr. Stephan Bauer, osc, reviews the significance of the gift and its meaning in biblical times, in Jesus' life, and in our lives now. Cost: $25 includes morning refreshments. Info and registration: crosier.org. C H R I S T M A S C O N C E R T JOY TO THE WORLD 100 performers of all ages SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 3:00 P.M. in CHURCH Tickets available after Masses and at the Parish Office.
Page 6 Parish Office Telephone: (480) 661-9843 Fax: (480) 614-8092 Website: www.stbernardscottsdale.org E-mail: stbofclairvaux@diocesephoenix.org Office Hours: Mon Thurs 9 AM 4 PM (Closed 12:00 PM 1:00 PM) Fri 9 AM 12 PM (NOON) (Summer Mon-Thurs 9 AM-2 PM) Pastoral Staff Pastor: Father Brian T. Bell Assisting Priests: Fr. Fred Adamson, V.G., Fr. Tom Doyle,C.S.C; Fr. Chris Letikirich, C.S.C. Fr. Stephen Sedlock, C.S.C. Deacon Alan Hungate Administration Pastoral Assistant Nancy Boettcher extension 300 Administrative Assistant-Bette Brown extension 301 Faith Formation Kindergarten thru Middle School Director Kathie Stine extension: 309 or 314 Youth Group Edge & Life Teen Edge (6th-8th grade) Shannon Hards extension: 310 Life Teen (High School Teens) Shannon Hards extension: 310 Music Director Kent Campbell extension: 311 Stewardship and Development Director Michael Huesman extension: 302 Facility Managers Steve Cassar 480-309-9443 (after office hours only), Hernando Cifuentes Parish Center Manager Director Art Stine 602-866-7900, Events Coordinator Linda Wisniowski 602-369-4068 MASS SCHEDULE Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM Weekday: Monday Thursday 8:30 AM Friday 8:00 AM SPECIAL MASSES Divine Mercy Devotion after Mass Wednesday 8:30 AM With exposition Of the Blessed Sacrament. Rosary, Padre Pio Novena, Mass and Benediction: First Monday of the Month at 7:00 PM In Spanish: First Saturday of the Month at 8:30 AM SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00pm to 4:30pm Baptism: Contact Parish Office 3 months in advance Weddings: Contact Parish Office 9 months in advance STEWARDSHIP CORNER November 27, 2016 Sunday Collection Sunday Collection envelopes: $10,154.00 electronic giving: $ 4,050.00 (Building/Debt Reduction Fund) envelopes: $ 82.00 electronic giving: $ 325.00 Thank you for your ongoing generosity Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, Arizona Adoration: Irene Hausmann 480-860-0502 Altar Servers: Richard Rutkowski 480-836-0568 Altar Society: Cheryl Roehm 480-236-5688 Linda Echsner 480-767-5285 Al-Anon: 602-249-1257 Baptism Preparation: Parish Office 480-661-9843 Bereavement: Ellen Florea 480-816-3551 Cancer Support Ministry Lynn Johnson 480-778-0618 Charismatic Prayer Mtg: Elena Konerko 602-741-8259 Christ Renews His Parish: Mara Collazo 480-636-7124 Renewal (Women) Christ Renews His Parish: Paul Sanger 480-219-6848 Renewal (Men) Edge (6th to 8th Grade) Shannon Hards 480-661-9843 Life Teen (High School Teens) Shannon Hards 480-661-9843 Faith Formation: Kathie Stine 480-661-9843 (Kindergarten to 5th Grade) Finance Council: Tom Echsner 480-767-5285 Hispanic Ministry: Carmen Sotelo 480-860-6753 Hospitality: Jerry & Yvonne Grover 480-614-5429 Knights of Columbus: Rob Mastro 480-661-9843 or Ladies Auxillary St. Bernard s Ministries RNAMastro@aol.com Lesa Harris-602-300-0545 Lesa_harris@yahoo.com Lectors (Min. of Word): John Seliga 480-946-2361 Legion of Mary: Loretta Curfman 602-545-6664 Liturgy Committee: Parish Office 480-661-9843 Marian Movement of Priests Prayer Group: William & Elsie Gohl 480-249-8105 Men's Ministry & Service Bob Gomez 480-695-3229 Projects: bob@bcgomez.com Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Echsner 480-767-5285 Ministry of Care: Cristina & Bruce Dixon 480-816-1889 Music Ministry: Kent Campbell 480-661-9843 Padre Pio Prayer Group: Nancy Rossiello 480-391-1257 Pastoral Council: Chris & Ann Foley 480-661-9843 Prison Outreach: Parish Office 480-661-9843 RCIA Dcn. Alan Hungate 480-661-9843 Sanctity of Life Committee: Shirley Towers 480-661-9843 Senior Social Club: Eileen Schioppa - 480-451-1658 St. Vincent de Paul: On-Call cell phone 480-332-8742 Stewardship/Development: Mike Huesman 480-661-9843 That Man Is You: Kent Campbell 480-540 8850 Women s AA Susan Lupo 602-919-1312 Women s Ministry: Sandy Muszkiewicz 480 314-5386 CRYS Catholic Ministry for Young Singles Catholic? Single: Widowed, divorce or separated? Over 35? Join us for some special time together and great fellowship. For information check our website cscarizona.org or call Dan 480.941.5952. NUN RUN A great Christmas Gift! The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to participate in the 8th Annual Nun Run presented by Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Homes. Registration for the 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Walk, is $25 for adults (until Feb. 18th), children 18 and under $20(until March 3rd) and includes a t-shirt and post race refreshments. Race is on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 7:30am in Tempe. For more info visit desertnunrun.com. Thank you. A Retreat: The Magnificat Mary s and Yours Where: Franciscan Renewal Center Speakers: Fr. Bill Faiella, CSC, Psy. D, Barbara Gowan, author of Marian books and books of faith for children When: Saturday, Dec. 10th, 9am 1pm lunch. For more info or to register contact Franciscan Renewal Center 480.948.7460 or Fr. Bill Faiella, CSC at bfaiella@aol.com; 602.689.8347.