837 Parkview Drive Fourth Sunday of Advent Milton, Wisconsin December 21, 2014 Parish Web Site Parish E-mail Address www.saintmarymilton.org stmarys@centurytel.net Fr. Dave Timmerman, Pastor dtimmerman1@centurytel.net 868-3338 After Hours Emergencies, please call: 868-2338 Sr. Carol Hanus, FSPA, Pastoral Associate srcarol@centurytel.net 868-3339 Vicki Kersten, Parish Administrator victoria.kersten1@gmail.com 868-3337 Sabrina Elsen, Faith Formation-1 faithformation@centurytel.net 868-3336 (PreSchool & Elementary Coordinator) Sabrina Elsen, Faith Formation-2 sabrinae@centurytel.net 868-3334 (Youth Ministry Coordinator) Angie McNally, Coordinator of Liturgy and Music amcnally@centurytel.net 868-3335 Cathy Crofts, Administrative Assistant cathyc@centurytel.net 868-3336 Faith Formation 1 & 2 Faith Formation 1 & 2 Attendance Line 868-3336 Fax Number 868-3345 Sat. Dec. 20 4:00 p.m. Francis & Verna Kosharek Jim Wagman Sun. Dec. 21 9:00 a.m. For All Our Parishioners Mon. Dec. 22 Tues. Dec. 23 No Mass No Mass CHRISTMAS MASSES: Wed. Dec. 24 4:00 p.m. (Church) Barbara Urban 4:05 p.m. (Center) Deceased Members of Joe & Anna Pakes Family 6:00 p.m. Koopman Family Thurs. Dec. 25 9:00 a.m. Deceased Members of Murphy & Wellnitz Family Fri. Dec. 26 No Mass Sat. Dec. 27 4:00 p.m. Monte Pete Williams Jack & Jessie Fagan Sun. Dec. 28 9:00 a.m. Clarence & Mike Sheehy
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00 p.m. (Church) 4:05 p.m. (Center) 6:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS DAY - 9:00 a.m. Reader One Ron Kaiser Mari Anne Warren Lynn Gardinier Ron Kaiser Reader Two Val Crofts Pat Mosher Katie Therrian Pat Starr Commentator Frank Daniels Pat Mosher* Dodie Weberpal Marian Cousin Cantor Krista Dugenske Mary Jo Bergs Krista Dugenske Sabrina Elsen Servers Colby Keller Cassidy Moe Jamie Scherdin Laura Owens John Keller Emma Mueller Ryan Scherdin Kellen Ryan Samantha Mueller Justin Scherdin B1 - Marion Kaiser* B1 - Mark Warren B1 - Marci Brandt B1 - Marion Kaiser B2 - Betty Daniels B2 - Mary Jane Hendricks B2 - Rod Montanye B2 - Linda Sheppard Eucharistic Ministers B3 - Mike Sessler B3 - Judy Snyder B3 - Donna Platts B3 - Mary Kapheim W1 - Corrine Fisher W1 - Mari Anne Warren W1 - Tom Scherdin W1 - Peggy Mayfield W2 - Helen Dickinson W2 - Brenna McNutt W2 - Darlene Brewer W2 - Mary Ann Arnold W3 - Jerome LaBrie W3 - Sharon Cowan W3 - Linda Groeschl W3 - Rick Murphy W4 - Cathy Lehmann W4 - Brian Cowan W4 - W4 - Marian Cousin Larry Meyers Duane Hendricks Barry Brandt Larry Kapheim Ushers *Denotes Check-in Person Steve Quade Jonah Brandt Bob Dibble Dennis Ryan Casey Brandt Steve Sheppard Barb Anderson Tom Krausse Tom Westrick Harold Hanauska Rick Tomten Bud Hoff Gift Bearers
Reader One Reader Two Ministry 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Helen Dickinson Pat Mosher Mari Anne Warren Don Roberts Commentator Frank Bua Steve Fernan Musician Angie McNally Bob Berger Cantor Elizabeth O Leary Kayla Dugenske Servers Extraordinary Ministers Ushers *Denotes Check-in person Zoe Cross Emma Mueller Robert Dugenske Jessica Locher Joe Sesek Ron Yoss Donald Reif Ed Butler Brian Cross Joe Haas Dennis Witek Kelly Reed Dylan Cadd Mike Cadd Kyle Wecker Cathy Fernan* Julie Gaddini Marci Brandt Larry Kapheim Roger Schrader Scott Erdman Barry Brandt Jonah Brandt Casey Brandt Sun. Dec. 21: FF-1 Preschool classes will be held from 9:00 10:00 a.m. in the church hall. Sun. Dec. 21: St. Mary Choir will sing at 9:00 a.m. in church. Sun. Dec. 21: Preschool Christmas Sing in church following mass. Thurs./Fri. Dec. 25/26: Parish offices closed. Sun. Dec. 28: St. Mary Choir will sing at 9:00 a.m. in church. Collection from last Sunday (December 14, 2014) Envelopes 8,851.50 ACH Auto-Debit 185.00 Offertory 257.45 Education 285.00 Loaves & Fishes 50.00 Catholic Herald 0.00 Special Collections 30.00 ACH Special Collections 30.00 Collection from last year (December 15, 2013) Envelopes 9,942.00
This week the Traveling Chalice will be in the home of Jim & Mary Ann Jenkins Please pray for Vocations Advent 2014 Seasonal Focus FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Do not be afraid! God makes a home for his Son in the womb of a virgin. The three readings of the Fourth Sunday clearly put our faithful God in charge of accomplishing salvation, but God does this in ways we cannot fathom. In the reading from Samuel, God reminds Kind David that God is the main actor, I will make you famous...when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you...your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me. Saint Paul instructs that the revelation of the mystery is through the obedience of fai8th to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ. In the gospel we hear the intimate conversation of Mary and the angel. We imagine this was a long discourse as Mary had time to ponder what sort of greeting this might be. Mary asks the real life, practical question, How can this be? And we are told nothing is impossible with God. We can all echo Mary as we strive to grow in holiness, May it be done to me according to your word.
Stewardship: A Way of Life Fourth Sunday of Advent Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Luke 1:28 Faith is a gift from God. During this Christmas season take time in silence and pray to God. Thank Him for all the gifts He has given you. Try to set aside any anger or resentment you have and really open your heart to receive the gift of God s grace. Please keep these parishioners and family members in your prayers: Helen Goerke Austin Martin Brett Urban Ed Windle WORD OF LIFE: Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid? Address of John Paul II February 3, 2001 Lily s Column with Fr. Dave: I believe in poetry as a way of surviving the emotional chaos, spiritual confusion, and traumatic events that come with being alive. Gregory Orr Kim Jones-Short and her children Stephany and Jayahr
Meet our Seminarians There are currently 33 men studying at various seminaries throughout the USA or in Rome, to become priests in the Diocese of Madison. Each week we will feature a seminarian in this section for you to get better acquainted with these men. We ask you to pray for them as they continue on their journey of faith. Additional information on our seminarians can be found on the Diocese YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=pl2bjxqbqe8m3yyisz5sfeqnuteaibt2lp and the Diocese blog: http:// www.madisonvocations.org/resources/seminarianblogtumblrfeed.aspx John Jungen: I m originally from LaCrosse, WI. I attended Aquinos High School, a Catholic high school, In my senior year, Fr. Samuel Martin came to visit. He was a younger man, athletic, had a good sense of humor, and gave a more human face of the priesthood, which allowed me to see that maybe this was something I could do. Here was a man who was athletic, joyful, very intelligent but at the same time a priest that gave his life over to the church. I think that was when the Holy Spirit planted the first seed to discern the call. I went to UW-Madison. My uncle had studied accounting, so I figured it was a practical profession that I studied, too. At this time, I was going to mass, somewhat exploring the faith, but just going to class and hanging with friends. Around my sophomore year in college, Fr. Martin gave me the book of Confessions of St. Augustine. That is when I began to think about the priest hood. Through the book, I finally met a man who had great passion and intellect. He spoke of his own story, but more importantly his quest for truth. Why human beings have knowledge and what are we striving for exactly. I thought that by having an accounting degree I could get a decent paying job, possibly accumulating a vast amount of wealth. But in the end, that would not last and my youth would fade. Eventually I did get my accounting degree and worked for 3 years at the Department of Revenue as a tax auditor. But this wasn t fulfilling the deepest desires in my heart. For that reason I decided to give everything over to Christ. I left behind my profession and entered seminary so I could truly try to discern and listen in the silence, what is Christ calling me to do. John currently attends Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and is with the Class of 2019.
DISMAS MINISTRY : Dismas Ministry is a National Catholic Prison Outreach named after the repentant thief, Dismas, who was executed with Jesus on Calvary. In that final hour, Dismas took stock of his life and turned to Jesus for mercy: Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom Luke 23:42. In the way so typical of his ministry, Jesus turned to him and said: This day you will be with me in paradise Luke 23:43. Dismas Ministry focuses primarily on a spiritual approach with inmates who want to understand and strengthen their relationship with God. As one prisoner wrote, Prisoners need God and the love of Jesus and Mary as much or even more than the population as a whole. Inmates who deepen their faith and grow in understanding of scripture will become less likely to offend others when they are released. For this reason, Dismas provides bible and faith study materials, a prayer book for inmates, and free Catholic bibles. As Jesus taught us: What you have received freely, give freely. Matthew 10:8. Dismas Ministry also supports victims of crime by creating an awareness of their needs in the community. It does this in various ways: by providing literature about victims needs and resources for their care, special prayer services for victims in which they can find support from the faith community and mutual encouragement from their fellow victims. Victims can lead the way in showing us how to be there for them. If you would like to learn more about what the Dismas Ministry is doing right here in Rock County, contact Mark Warren at 751-3675, email Mark@AmericanAwardsOnline.com, or join us when St. Mary Parish hosts the Rock County Dismas Ministry meeting on Saturday, January 3 at 9:00 in the Ark meeting room. www.saintmarymilton.org
TEC RETREAT COMING TO MONONA: TEC #157 will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona from January 2-4. TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is a unique retreat offered by our Madison Diocese. Although it is an amazing experience for anyone over 16 years of age, it can be especially rewarding for those youth who are preparing for, or have been recently Confirmed, and those adults who are or have recently experienced the RCIA program. This will be a wonderful opportunity to pray and reflect during this Christmas season on the fact that God send His only Son to us in a humble manger. Our Spiritual Director will be Fr. John Silva. For more information, call Carol at 608-778- 2461 or cjozefowicz@gmail.com. CONTRIBUTION ALTERNATIVES: Are you looking for a simple, convenient way to make a gift to charity this year without dipping into your checking or savings account? If you are over 70 ½, you can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity in 2014 without paying any federal income tax. Your gift can be made simply by notifying your plan custodian of your intent to make a current transfer to benefit your parish, or the diocese. And you will feel good knowing that you were able to make a simple easy gift from your IRA this year. Consult your tax advisor to determine the possible tax saving benefits available to you. For more information on how to make an IRA rollover gift in 2014, please contact the parish office or Jill Driscoll at the Diocese of Madison at 608-821-3039. For more information on other planned giving ideas, visit www.madisondiocesegiving.org Special THANK YOU to parishioners Gail & John Nordlof for the donation of altar wine. Northleaf Winery, LLC 232 S Janesville St Milton Wisconsin 53563 608-580-0575 fax 608-580-0576 www.northleafwinery.com info@northleafwinery.com The Parish financial books will close on December 31, 2014. Anyone wishing to make contributions for the YEAR 2014 must do so ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2014. All checks received at the parish after December 31, 2014, will be recorded as contributions for the year 2015. An excellent way to lower your tax payment is by making an additional contribution to a charity. Your contributions to your parish qualify!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, joyful and (girls) a mustache - free 2015!! Peace be with YOU!! Sabrina, Cathy & the horse impersonator (or is it a COW impersonator )
That Man is You! Is an interactive men s program combining the best research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of a man fully alive. By honestly addressing the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, The Man is You! Seeks to form men who will be capable of transforming homes and society. www.thatmanisyou.org DISCOVER: The scriptural vision of man and the overwhelming scientific evidence that supports this vision. The four leadership roles that have been entrusted to men and the five personal traits necessary for fulfilling these leadership roles. How and why Satan always attacks the union of man and woman. The three main obstacles to living as authentic men and the means for overcoming them. The wonderful renewal God is offering to men and their families through the Church. PROGRAM INFORMATION Wednesday Mornings St. John Vianney Marian Hall Beginning January 21, 2015 SCHEDULE 5:30 am Breakfast 6:15 am Presentation 6:45 am Small Group Discussions 7:15 am Conclusion REGISTRATION For more information, contact Jim Fagan at 608-774-9123. To register for this free program, contact Rick Cummins at 608-757-2229 (teamcummings@yahoo.com) or Mark Lessner at 608-290-9170 (lessnermark@aol.com)
PASTORAL HOME VISITS: Do you know someone who is in need of receiving Communion in their home? Perhaps they can no longer drive, or they are ill. The winter months can be very difficult for some people to come to Mass. Please call Sr. Carol for this ministry at 868-3339. MARY CEMETERY NOTICE: Current pricing for graves at our cemetery is $250 per grave. The rate per grave will be raised to $300 beginning January 1, 2015. If you are interested in purchasing a plot, please contact the office at 868-3335. SEARCH FOR LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE: Worldwide Marriage Encounter is sponsoring the annual Longest Married Couple Project in the U.S. If you know a couple with a long marriage, please nominate them for this honor. More information can be found at wwme.org Deadline is January 9, 2015! Nominations must include the following: Name of couple, wedding date, current address, name and phone number or email address of the person who is nominating the couple. Nominations can be emailed to: getart@flash.net or by mail to: Garry & Arla Thomas, 108 Wander Way, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156. GRIEF SUPPORT SERIES AT AGRACE: In January, Agrace will begin Journey Through Grief Support Group, a sevenweek support group for adults who are grieving a death. The group is open to the public and provided without charge. It will be held January 13 through February 24 (Tuesdays) from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Agrace, 2901 N. Wright Road, Janesville. Call Fran Coan -Meredith to register at 608-314-2919, or visit www.agrace.org. WISCONSIN RIGHT TO LIFE BILLBOARD: Wisconsin abortions in 2013 have decreased 70% from the alltime high of 21,754 performed in 1980. However, 18 children continue to die from abortion each day. We know that there are women and men who are hurting from past abortions and women who are pregnant that may consider abortion. Wisconsin Right to Life will sponsor a billboard ad located by Mac s Pizza on Milton Avenue in Janesville from January 12 through March 8. This year s billboard message is Abortion leaves you empty inside. Please pray that this ad will help those who are contemplating abortion and also aid those who have had abortions. If you would like to contribute to this project, please send your donation to Wisconsin Right To Life, PO Box 1386, Janesville, WI 53547.
CHRISTMAS LITURGIES St. Mary Milton St. Joseph Edgerton Nativity of Mary Janesville St. John Vianney Janesville St. Patrick Janesville St. William Janesville 4:00 pm (Church) Christmas Eve 4:05 pm (Center) Christmas Day 6:00 pm 9:00 am 6:00 pm 10:30 a.m. 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 10:00 pm 10:00 am 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 12:00 Midnight 9:00 am 4:00 pm 9:00 am 4:00 pm 10:00 pm 9:00 am 837 Parkview Dr. Milton, WI 53563 608-868-3338