December 2 2018 First Sunday of Advent St. Bernard Congregation of Appleton Welcome and inspire all to share Christ s love through faith and service. First Sunday of Advent 1617 W. Pine Street Appleton, WI 54914 (920) 739-0331 MASS: SAT SUN TUE 4:30 PM 8:00 AM/10:00 AM 8:00 AM WED 8:00 AM THU 8:00 AM FRI 8:00 AM PRIEST: FR. AMAL ROCHE DEACONS: MIKE EASH MAURY REED BOB VINCENT Connect: ONLINE stbernardappleton.org FACEBOOK stbernardappleton/ EMAIL stbernard@stbernardappleton.org
GREETINGS FROM FATHER AMAL Dear Friends in Christ, As I write this Advent letter to you, I hope you re looking forward to this special time of the year to reflect on the abundant blessings God has bestowed on each of us. Although the daylight hours have grown shorter and night seems longer each day, in the midst of darkness, we recall how the light shines through with the promise of good things to come. We begin our Advent waiting in joyful hope, just as the early Christians preparing for the day of salvation when the Lord will come. Advent is a fruitful time for us to examine the depth and strength of our faith. In the person of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, we are made visible the God we cannot see; God who does not force, but asks to be invited into our lives to share his love with us. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice, I will come in to him. But the door to our hearts can only be opened from the inside, and Christ will not force his way in, he waits with great longing and patience for us to invite him in. During this holy season of Advent, I commend to you the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Romans: You know the time, it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. I encourage you all to pray the following prayer during this Advent season. God of all beginnings, help us prepare for the advent of our Savior Jesus Christ. Send the fire of your Holy Spirit deep within us, so that the God who is coming to meet us will find us waiting in joyful prayer. We ask this in the name of our Redeemer who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen. Have a fruitful Advent Season! Father Amal PRAYERS & SYMPATHY We ask St. Bernard Parish to pray for family and friends of De Hoang Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 1 4:30 pm In Memory of Mel Poeschl AND Members of St. Bernard Sunday, December 2 Myron Lotto 10:00 am In Memory of Jack Cody Tuesday, December 4 Orville & Yvette Martin Wednesday, December 5 Donna Knauer Thursday, December 6 Bernadette Bachman Friday, December 7 John & Martha Vauder Hyden 5:30 pm In Memory of Mitzi Ferris Saturday, December 8 4:30 pm In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Donald Lavering Sunday, December 9 Helen & Leon Hotynski AND Members of St. Bernard 10:00 am In Memory of the Edward & Correta Slavik Family SUN 2 MON 3 TUE 4 7:30 am Rosary 10:00 am Mass 10:00 am J.A.M. 11:30 am Baptism Prep 109 6:15 pm Adult Study Group 6:30 pm St. Vincent de Paul Sm. Grp. Rm. Rm. 111 4:00 pm Liturgy Grp. Mtg. 6:00 pm Christmas Pageant Mtg. Confer. Rm. Church 6:00 pm Family Life Mtg Lounge 6:30 pm Social Justice Rm. 111
DID YOU KNOW Praying the Rosary You are invited to join us before Mass on Saturdays at 4:00 pm and Sundays at 7:30 am in praying he Rosary. Advent Lessons and Carols Friday, December 21, 6:30 pm St. Mary Church, Menasha Take time to pause during this very busy season by reflecting on readings from scripture, prayer, and meditation in song. Prepare a home for Our Lord in our hearts this Christmas. For the whole family. Library and Lunch meets the second Thursday of each month. Meditate, Relax and Color is the theme and we will begin with a short meditation to center on Jesus with Us. Reminisce magazine will provide topics for discussion about the past and coloring projects will be ongoing. Prayer Chain for our Parish. If you would like to be added to our Prayer Chain, please contact Delaine at 734-0538 WED 5 5:30 pm Discipleship Night 6:30 pm Adult Choir Music Rm 6:30 pm Handbell practice THU 6 FRI 7 Music Rm. 6:30 pm Bible Study Act. Ctr. COMMUNITY EVENTS St. Patrick Parish Annual Christmas Tree Sale St. Patrick Parish, 324 Nicolet Blvd, Menasha. Varieties of trees include Fraser and Balsam Fir; Blue and White Spruce and White Pine. We also will be offering a variety of fresh, full wreaths, garland and boughs. Sale hours are: Friday-Saturday's 9:00am-7:00pm, Sunday's-Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm (self-service), 4:00pm-7pm (full-service). Tree Sale will continue until all of the trees are all sold!! Advent Concert-St. Edward Parish, Mackville December 8, 7:00 pm Luke Spehar with special guest Alyssa Fassbender Featuring Luke Spehar. Luke is a nationally known Catholic musician and recording artist http://www.lukespehar.com/ He will be offering an Advent concert, which will include many of his original works. He is a very talented artist, and we would love for many people to come and enjoy an evening of entertainment and reflection. The concert begins at 7:00 pm and admission is FREE. All are welcome! ADULT FORMATION You are invited to join us in the Small Group Room Monday night, December 3, 10, and 17, 6:00 pm for Steven Ray, Footprints of God. This is bible study, historical tour, and an exciting adventure all packed into one. Don t miss it! Please call our Parish Office at 739-0331 to register. We will be viewing the Footprints of God-Apostolic Fathers Stephen Ray takes you on an exciting journey to the Roman Empire and the world of the first Christians. You will follow in the footsteps of the Church Fathers through Israel, Turkey, France, and Italy as they celebrate the Eucharist while hiding for their lives, and willingly suffering for proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ. You will come to understand the hearts and faith of Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome, Polycarp of Smyrna, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Justin Martyr. 8:30 am Adoration 9:30 am Benediction 5:30 pm Mass Vigil for the Immaculate Conception
FORMED How Does God Guide Us...? Sometimes we ask God to send us a sign and yet His signs are within the Bible for us to read, learn from and share with others. Open the eyes of my heart Lord...I/We want to see You. When you open up FORMED and you type in the search area, for example BOOKS, you are directed to different options for young and old. For the young (and let s face it we learn or reinforce things heard) open up the book, Read Aloud Book of Bible Stories by Amy Steedman or read You Can Understand the Bible by Peter Krefeld - either way you never leave disappointed and are always directed back into the path with God. Take time, search and FIND what you re looking for... Many thus far are glad they did. Go to www.formed.org Enter Code XMJM3V into the Blue outlined box Create your account-enter your name, email address, and your personal desired password You re all ready to access the inspiring and engaging content on FORMED RETIREMENT COLLECTION Next Weekend, December 8 & 9 Our Parish will take a Retirement Collection. This will be to benefit two groups of people who have served us faithfully. We will have the opportunity to give to the National Retirement Fund for Religious, which helps our retired sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. We also have an opportunity to give to the retirement needs of the senior priests in the Diocese of Green Bay. You may donate to both of these groups, or just to one. Please use the envelope provided. Thru 11/30/2018 (2 weeks) SAT 8 8:30 am Reconciliation Retreat 3:00 pm Reconciliation 4:00 pm Rosary 4:30 pm Mass FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP UPDATE Wk 22 Fiscal YTD Total Env. $26.846 YTD Actual Env. $283,692 Budget Env. $16,226 YTD Budget Env. $356,981 Act. Ctr. Env. Over/(Under) ($73,289) Loose $1,004 YTD Loose $14,352 Budget Loose $698 YTD Budget Loose $15,358 Loose Over/(Under) ($1,006) Weekly Scrip Update: Scrip Sales $15,025 Cost $14,349 Rebate $676 SUN 9 7:30 am Rosary 10:00 am Mass 10:00 am J.A.M. Bookkeeper Barb Hoffman Bulletin Editor Lisa Hecht STAFF Care Ministry Coordinator Cathy Kulibert Director of Liturgy Nadine Duncan Director of Music, A/V & Tech. Rhonda Uschan Faith Formation Coordinators Deb Holzem and Emily Jenks Evangelization Coordinator Kara Main Maintenance Supervisor Jim Piette Minister of Administration Dr. Colleen Sargent-Day Parish Secretary Edna Ulrich
HAPPENINGS BINGO with St. Nick! Fun for Our Whole Parish Sunday, December 16, 11:00 am-noon in our Parish Hall A Visit from St. Nick with a story for children in our Lounge BINGO for Adults and Children Great Prizes, Coffee, Rolls and Oranges No RSVP Needed, just come and have with family and friends Sponsored by St. Bernard Parish Family Life Committee CHRISTMAS EVE Children and Youth Christmas Pageant December 24 at the 4:00 pm Family Mass Children will be in biblical costume and will act out the Gospel. We need some shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph and many others. First organizational meeting will be on Tuesday evening, December 4 at 6:00 pm in our Church. To sign-up, call our Parish Office at 739-0331 or email Rhonda at ruschan@stbernardappleton.org Youth who play an instrument are needed to play for the December 24, 4:00 pm Family Mass If you would like to play in our youth band for Christmas Eve, contact Rhonda at 739-0331 or email ruschan@stbernardappleton.org Come and share your talent with the members of St. Bernard. There will be 2 scheduled practices. Voices To Sing All High School Youth thru Adults are invited to share their voices with our Parish during the 9:00 pm Mass on Christmas Eve, December 24. We will practice on Wednesday evenings at 7:20 pm-8:00 pm. Contact Rhonda at 739-0331 or email ruschan @stbernardappleton.org to learn more or to sign up. We would love to have you join in this special time.