November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent Stewardship Reflection on Readings IS 2: 1-5; PS 122: 1-9; ROM 13: 11-14; MT 24: 37-44 Most of us are quite familiar with Jesus comments about faith, hope, and love. As we enter the Advent season, it is a time for us to emphasize all three, but today s readings in particular speak of hope. Isn t that what Advent is all about? Many people in our world, perhaps even here in our parish and community, seem to have a feeling of hopelessness. We should not be among them; worldly thinking produces hopelessness, but our hope is found in Jesus Christ Who has redeemed us and paid for all our sins on the Cross. In the First Reading the prophet Isaiah foresees a time of peace, a time when all literally walk in the light of the Lord. Two phrases commonly quoted are included in this reading: They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. This peaceful world is exactly what we prepare for during this Advent time. Think of how often we hear the word Peace used at this time of year. Think of how many Christmas cards bear that word alone. Peace produces hope and hope produces peace. That is the feeling we are seeking at this time, as we prepare to declare Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. The eminent French author Alexandre Dumas (who wrote The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo among others) once wrote, All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope. Is that not what we do during Advent? Parish Office 8755 Scarborough Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920 www.saintgabriel.net Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Phone: (719) 528-8407 Fax: (719) 598-1696 Email: office@saintgabriel.net Pastor, Fr. K irk Slattery Deacon Andre Mason Deacon Andy Dunnam Deacon Mike McGrady Parish Clergy frkslattery@saintgabriel.net dcnamason@saintgabriel.net dcnadunnam@saintgabriel.net mmcgrady@saintgabriel.net Mass Schedule Weekend... Saturday 5:00 pm; Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish) & 4:30 pm Weekday... Tuesday-Friday 12:15 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday-Friday: 11:50 am-12:10 pm, Saturday: 2:30-3:30 pm, or by appointment. First Friday: 10am to noon. Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm.
Information Presentation Come join us on December 10th at 6:30 pm. for an informative presentation and a view of the architectural vision for the expansion of our church in the Nave. Inclement Weather Policy Snow season is here! For office hours and possible Confession and Mass cancellation, please call 528-8407, for recorded information which will be updated by 9am. For specific ministry event cancellations, look for information from the ministry coordinator. Please be safe during these winter months. Respect Life A model of care has been developed specifically for families whose infant is likely to die before or after birth. Often called perinatal hospice, [it] provides precious moments together whether the baby is inside or outside the womb which can be cherished forever. Supporting Families Who Receive a Prenatal Diagnosis (www.goo.gl/jqdqjt), USCCB Secretariat of Pro -Life Activities Consider Making a Year-End Gift to Catholic Church As the end of the year approaches, we begin to reflect upon the many blessings bestowed upon us. The end of the year also provides a great opportunity to thank God for these blessings by gifting to Catholic Church. The benefits of income tax deductions, capital gains savings and other financial benefits are significant advantages that provide an incentive to make a gift at the year-end. A gift can also help support St. Gabriel s for years to come. There are many different ways of contributing a gift. However, two of the easiest and most direct methods to gift are donations of cash and appreciated stock or other investments. You can also make other financially advantageous gifts such as real estate, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, will/trust bequests and IRA/retirement accounts. For more information on how you can help make a difference by contributing a year-end gift to Catholic Church, please contact Fr. Kirk or Marc Lanning in the parish office. Help Needed! Cross Stitchers are needed once again for the completion of the cross stitch samplers for those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in 2015. The sampler takes about 3 hours to complete and is a basic design. If you can help with this project, please contact Nancy in the office for a pattern and all materials needed to complete the project. Thank you!! Magnificat Moms Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for fellowship! We will meet from 9:15am-11am to watch a video on Fatima from the Second Greatest Story Ever Told series. Please bring a brunch item to share! Childcare will be provided for this meeting, but registration is required. Please contact magnificatmomsstgabriel@gmail.com for details. Giving Tree The Giving Tree is up in the Narthex loaded with gift tags for you to take. While you are out doing your Christmas shopping pick up an extra gift or two for an underprivileged boy or girl. This year we are providing smiles to over 280 children in the local area and at our Sister Parish, Sacred Heart in Denver. Help Needed At Advent Mission We are in need of volunteers who would be willing to bring a finger food dessert for the "light refreshments" part of the An Encounter of Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession Advent Mission on Dec 4-6. If you are able to help, please contact the office at 528-8407 or office@saintgabriel.net. Fr Woody & Marian House Christmas Project The Diocesan Youth Board along with the Y Disciple teens are collecting items for the Father Woody Christmas Party again this year. We are in need of adult clothing size XL-XXXL. We will also be collecting unwrapped toys, Beanie Babies and homemade cookies. There will be a collection bin in the Narthex till December 11. When you are out doing your holiday shopping, please pick up an extra item or two for those less fortunate than us. St. Mary s High School St. Mary s Catholic high school in Colorado Springs is having a Shadow Day on Wednesday, November 30th for 8th graders to spend a day with us and learn about St. Mary s from the inside out. There will also be an Open House for parents to tour the school, meet the staff and talk with current students. There is no cost to attend Shadow Day and lunch is included. Please register for the Shadow Day or the Open House on our website at http:// www.smhscs.org/admissions/shadow-days/ or contact Mrs. Jane Cummings at jcummings@smhscs.org or (719) 635-7540 ext 16 if you have questions or would like to schedule a different day to visit St. Mary s. 2 Colorado Springs, CO
This Weekend Sat-Sun Sat Sun Upcoming Activities Mon, Nov 28 Wed, Nov 30 Wed, Nov 30 Fri, Dec 2 Fri, Dec 2 Save The Date Dec 3 Dec 3-4 Dec 4-6 Dec 10 Jan 20-22, 2017 Calendar Special Collection for support of Hurricane Matthew Relief efforts. Men s Breakfast 8:30-10:30 am. Knights of Columbus free breakfast after 8:30 Mass. Follow Me: Getting to Know Jesus through the Gospel of John Bible study 7 pm. Eucharistic Adoration from 10am 7pm. Pray the rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet after the 12:15 Mass. Children s hour at 2 pm. Pray the rosary at 6:15 pm. Evening Prayer and Benediction start at 6:40 pm. Magnificat Moms 9:15-11 am. First Friday Adoration from 10 am to noon. Reading/discussion group for The Diary of St. Faustina in the Library after 12:15 Mass. Advent by Candlelight 1-3 pm. Fair Trade after all Masses. Advent Retreat. Information Meeting on design for expansion of church. High School Rally-Great Wolf Lodge, Colorado Springs November Faith Formation Schedule Homeschool: Sunday November 27 (2:30-4) Kid Zone: Sunday November 27 (1:00-2:15). Topic: Joseph and His Brothers EPIC: Sunday November 27 (2:45-4:15). Topic: Circle of Hope & Healing Praying with the Advent Wreath. Financial Trivia Did you know that over 181 families have signed up for our online giving program? Online Giving allows you to make secure contributions to our church without writing checks or worrying about cash donations. Our website lets you set up automatic contributions and changes in the timing or the amount of your gifts at any time. You may make pledges and manage your contributions to the pledge amount, and you may make one-time donations to special collections or events. You may use a credit card or withdraw funds from your bank account. More info at: www.saintgabriel.net. December Faith Formation Schedule Sunday: Dec 4 and 11. Includes Gr K-5 (11:45-1:15), Gr 6 and 7 (2:30-4:00), and Confirmation (2:30-4:00). RCIC: Sunday Dec 4, 11, and 18 (9:45-11:15). Mondays: K-Gr 7 Dec 5 and 12 (4:30-6:00). YSF: Sunday Dec 4, 11, and 18 (9:45-11:15). Homeschool: No meeting in December Kid Zone: Posadas on Dec 17 after 5:00 Mass. EPIC: Posadas on Dec 17 after 5:00 Mass. Special Collection November 26-27 Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, President of the USCCB asked dioceses throughout the United States to take up a special collection to support relief and rebuilding efforts needed after Hurricane Matthew. These funds will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA as they reach out to provide humanitarian aid in the form of water, food, shelter, and medical care, as well as to their long term efforts to restore communities after widespread destruction, and to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church in the Caribbean and the US. Financial Blessings Received Fiscal Year July 2016 - Sept 2016 Total Offertory Received: $348,088 Total Operating Expense: $339,954 Returning Gods Gifts Update 2016 Parish Goal: $103,849 Total collected to date: $ 105,290 Percentage collected: 101% Congratulations St. Gabriel s, we have met our 2016 RGG parish goal. For every dollar donated past the parish goal the Diocese will give ½ back to the parish. 3 Colorado Springs, CO
HIGH SCHOOL RALLY JANUARY 20-22, 2017 GREAT WOLF LODGE - COLORADO SPRINGS CONTACT Cindy or Deacon Mike FOR MORE INFORMATION in the office Presented by the Office of Catechesis, Youth Ministry & Evangelization Ministry Spotlight Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training sessions for Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion candidates were held on the evenings of Nov 14th and 15th. A total of eight parishioners attended. They are ready and eager to begin serving soon. There is a need for additional servers in this ministry, especially for the 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mass times. Though we are unworthy to touch even the hem of His garment, it is by the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that the privilege to faithfully serve is accepted. Can you help us meet the needs of our parish? For general information or specific questions, please contact Bernadette Marquez at bunnimarquez@yahoo.com. 4 Colorado Springs, CO
Saint Gabriel Ladies Ministry We would like to share pictures from our SGLM Christmas Ornament Exchange that took place on November 10th. It was a fun filled event shared by many of our members. BEST ADVENT EVER We prepare for everything we consider important in life. And that includes Christmas. We shop for gifts, bake cookies, decorate our trees, and visit family and friends until we re ready to drop. This year, slow down and focus on what matters most. Join Dynamic Catholic for Best Advent Ever: Rediscover Christmas, one of our free, life-changing email programs. You ll receive short inspirational videos, practical tips, and free Christmas music. Your experience of Christmas will be unlike any you ve experienced before! Are you ready for your best Advent ever? Learn more at BestAdventEver.com. The Advent wreath is perhaps the most common Advent symbol, and is also one of the most popular Advent traditions for the home. Each part of the Advent wreath symbolizes our spiritual preparation for the birth of the world's Messiah, Jesus Christ, on Christmas day. The circular shape of the Advent wreath symbolizes eternal life; the purple Advent candles symbolize our repentance and waiting; the pink Advent candle symbolizes our joy of Christmas coming soon, only one week away. The soft candle light rising from the Advent candles symbolize the coming of Jesus as "The Light of the World." Many styles of Advent wreaths are now available, from the traditional evergreen pine branch Advent wreath to contemporary metal-based Advent wreaths. Do it Anyway People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. -this version is credited to Mother Teresa Supporting Our Homeless this Winter. A Faith Community Response You CAN HELP by donating winter survival gear to Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM) to be given out to those forced to shelter-inplace during storms. 201 N. Weber Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 6361916. Holy Apostles Preschool Save the Date: January 18, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. We invite everyone to our Preschool Open House. Holy Apostles Preschool is state licensed for children 3-6 years old and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. We encourage you to visit the preschool before registration begins in February. For more information, contact the director at 719-591-1566. 5 Colorado Springs, CO
ADVENT MISSION December 4-6, 2016 Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church invites you, your family, and friends to experience An Encounter of Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession Dec 4, 6:00-7:30 Where are You? - The Good News About Guilt Dec 5, 7:00-8:30 Embraced in Mercy - The Sacrament of Confession Dec 6, 7:00-8:30 Living Lives of Forgiveness and Mercy Social with light snacks will take place each evening in the Narthex. Childcare will be provided on a space available basis. For more information or to register for childcare contact the office by November 30 528-8407 or office@saintgabriel.net FORGIVEN: The Transforming Power of Confession is available on FORMED. The latest addition to the Augustine Institute library of sacramental preparation programs, FORGIVEN carefully explains the Church's teaching on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a practical "walk through" of what happens in the confessional and how every moment connects to Scripture, Tradition, and God's passionate desire to be with us. WATCH SESSION ONE NOW Thank You Thank you for your contributions to the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)! Your generous gifts will help CCHD break the cycle of poverty in the United States through better education, improved housing, and economic development. Through CCHD and its beneficiaries, we demonstrate Catholic social teaching and carry out Jesus' mission to "bring glad tidings to the poor... to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free" (Lk 4:18). Suits for Troops "Suits for Troops" is a local program conducted by the Rampart Range Chapter of Blue Star Mothers, a nationwide 501c3 nonprofit organization composed of moms (and grandmas) of active duty and retired military personnel. We collect gently used and current style men's and women's business attire, clean and preferably in dry cleaner bags with garment size marked. Only suits, sports jackets and slacks and comparable women's clothing are requested. We do not collect accessories or shoes. Our next drive is scheduled for Jan 8, 2017, from 1-4 p.m. the drop off location is at the American Legion Post 209 located at 3613 Jeannine Dr. C.S. 80917. For more information on how to become involved, or to arrange for a different drop off time please contact Barbara Pagano at 719-531-6024. 6 Colorado Springs, CO
Weekly faith topic Liturgical Colors Paul Turner On a Sunday before Christmas, a visitor to our parish looked out over the gathering congregation and remarked, Isn t it great to see so many people wearing red for Christmas? I politely agreed. But inside I knew another reason: The local football team had a game that afternoon, and a good many church-goers were actually sporting the team colors. Purple vestments and hangings in church during Lent make our eyes take notice. Before we sing about these forty days, before we notice the Glory to God is missing, before they substitute a new Gospel acclamation for that word we re not supposed to say, our eyes have meditated on purple and told us a new season has come. Why do we have liturgical colors? And why do they affect us? Even in the secular world we associate colors with particular celebrations: red and green for Christmas, purple and yellow for Easter, red-white-and-blue for the fourth of July, white for the bridal gown. Schools have colors, so do doctoral robes and, of course, sports teams. The early church used only one liturgical color: white. Favored for the newly-baptized, it symbolized the pure new life they attained in Christ. Colors were few for a simple reason: Colored clothing was so expensive in those days that only the wealthy could afford it. Not until 12th-century Jerusalem, when dyes were more commonplace, did liturgical colors start to become law. After a false start (they wanted black for Christmas and blue for Epiphany) the 13th century dawned with Pope Innocent III s decree for the colors we basically follow today: white for festive days and saints, red for martyrs and the Holy Spirit, green for the daily life of what we now call ordinary time, and violet for the penitential seasons like Lent. Violet, together with blue and black, shared the range of colors for mourning. Hence, even though purple was originally one of the most expensive dyes to obtain, it came to symbolize a season of mourning a time to die to ourselves and live for Christ. Liturgical colors still work their magic, helping us meditate on the seasons of the year and the meaning of life. Copyright 2012 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #170, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. Bulletin Deadline Deadline for bulletin announcements is 10 am Monday Nov 28 for the Dec 4 bulletin. Please send all announcements to office@saintgabriel.net. Readings for the Week of Nov 27 Monday: Is 4:2-6/Ps 122/Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Rom 10:9-18/Ps 23/Mt 4:18-22 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27/Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147/Mt 9:35--10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Altar Flowers There will be no Altar Flowers during Advent. Prayers If you have a request for needed prayers, strength, hope, courage or thanksgiving for yourself, family or friends, please email the Prayer Chain at ncbelanger@gmail.com. Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Tithing Recipient The recipient of today s tithe is Parishioner & Emergency Support Fund. This fund provides financial assistance to parishioners in need. Please pray for the people served by this fund. Baptism We welcome into our Faith Community, the newest members of God s Family: Malia Carolina Marlow, McKinley Grace Engelhardt, and Aiden Martin Otarola baptized November 26. Pray for Vocations Anthony (D0n) Le, Candidate Jerry-Ray (JR) McMinn, Candidate Juan Moreno, Candidate Steve Prebeck, Candidate John Riley, Candidate Paul Ruff, Candidate Rob Rysavy II, Candidate Mass Intentions Would you like to have a loved one remembered in a special way during a Mass? Would you like to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, or other special event? Consider requesting a Mass intention! Please contact the office at office@saintgabriel.net, 528-8407 or stop by during office hours. The suggested donation for a Mass intention is $10. Sat Nov 26 5:00 pm for: Manuel Merfalen (+) Sun Nov 27 8:30 am for: Felisa Olson (+) Sun Nov 27 10:30 am for: Roddy Andrade (+) and Julieta Nevarez (+) Sun Nov 27 12:30 pm for: Raul Rios Nova (+) Sun Nov 27 4:30 pm for: Special Intentions Tues Nov 29 12:15 pm for: Helen Kossak (+) Wed Nov 30 12:15 pm for: Eleanor Vinhal (+) Thur Dec 1 12:15 pm for: Ann Mason (+) Fri Dec 2 12:15 pm for: Fr. Jose Andere (SI) Sat Dec 3 5:00 pm for: pro populo Sun Dec 4 8:30 am for: Julio and Georgia Carmona (+) Sun Dec 4 10:30 am for: Work of Our Hands Intentions Sun Dec 4 12:30 pm for: Gerardo Aguilar Rios (+) Sun Dec 4 4:30 pm for: Floyd McMillian (+) 7 Colorado Springs, CO