Saint Mary Parish 250 Kraft Street, Berea, Ohio 44017-1499 Rectory: 440-243-3877 FAX: 440-891-9417 Website: www.stmaryberea.org Celebrating 165 years of Pastoral Service to the Catholic Community of Berea
First Sunday in Advent December 3, 2017 Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved The word advent is from the Latin adventus which means coming and is the proper title used for the four weeks of preparation prior to Christmas. Advent is always four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) and continues UNTIL the evening of December 24 th, that is prior to the first Mass of Christmas Eve. The Advent Season blends together a penitential spirit and a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, the Parousia with the joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event, the First Coming of the Lord. The PRAYERS of the Sunday Mass for three weeks highlight the readiness associated with the Bethlehem event and the Old Testament Prophets and figures of Isaiah, Samuel, St. Paul, and John the Baptist are central individuals that emphasize the readiness needed to embrace the Child Savior. The prayers of the Sunday Mass for the fourth week highlight the Second and Final Coming of the Lord and the New Testament figures of John the Baptist and Mary emphasize the spirit needed to welcome the Child as Lord and Savior. As always, the COLOR of the season is purple or violet and on the 3 rd Sunday of Advent, rose is an option to be worn for Mass; which draws attention to the fact that our season is half over. The MUSIC of the season takes on a subdued quality, that of longing and waiting and this year will begin Mass with a prelude hymn, LITANY FOR ADVENT, which underscores that which Advent calls us to, i.e. yearning and waiting. The Penitential Act will likewise be chanted this year in the same tune as the LITANY FOR ADVENT to accentuate that need for mercy. It is the LITURGY OF THE WORD for the season that most clearly points the way for us to live this time with a spirit of patient waiting. The prophecies of the Old Testament and the message of the New Testament combine to call attention to the spirit of the season be alert, stay awake, be ready! And the ADVENT WREATH placed so beautifully in our sanctuary, symbolizes the hope and spirit of the Season! We count the weeks as the candles are lit and make our hearts, minds and spirits READY to EMBRACE and WELCOME the Savior of the World. Hope filled Advent to all! Reflecting on our recently completed Grateful Giving Program, it is clear to see that St. Mary Parish is truly blessed. We are working together to create and sustain a community of belonging, where each individual s dignity and self-respect is strengthened by the solidarity of our shared faith, the respect and affection we have for one another, and our mutual dedication to our God-given mission. With God s help we will continue to grow in discipleship. The willingness of our members to enter into sacrificial giving of time, talent, and treasure in response to our Grateful Giving Program speaks of our continuing gratitude for God s gifts. As we begin the season of Advent, may our hearts prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless us as we share in His work! The GIVING TREE is UP for our gift giving for those in particular need this Season. The Advent Season is only three weeks this year and gifts MUST BE RETURNED by NEXT WEEKEND December 10 th so they can be delivered to the various institutions and families in plenty of time to celebrate Christmas! So, PLEASE plan accordingly IF you are able to GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED THIS SEA- SON. THANK YOU for your financial gifts to the Parish in response to our Grateful Giving! Here s to our Grateful LIVING! Many blessings! Fr. John
Mass Schedule and Intentions Monday December 4 Advent Weekday Is 2:1-5 / Mt 8:5-11 (175) 9:00 am Earl Malloy Children Tuesday December 5 Advent Weekday Is 11:1-10 / Lk 10:21-24 (176) 9:00 am Phillip Diamond Janice Miller Wednesday December 6 Advent Weekday Is 25:6-10a / Mt 15:29-37 (177) 9:00 am Linda Fitzgerald Patricia Ruf Thursday December 7 Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Is 26:1-6 / Mt 7:21, 24-27 (178) 9:00 am Rita Bohrer Marlene Dole 7:00 pm Friday December 8 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 / Lk 1:26-38 (689) 9:00 am Patty Dwyer Kirk Woelfle 10:00 am School Mass 7:00 pm Mabel & Bill Payne Susan Leffard Saturday December 9 Advent Weekday Is 30:19-21, 23-26 / Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 (180) 4:00 pm Lillian Piskac Marilyn Olsen Sunday December 10 Second Sunday of Advent Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14 / Mk 1:1-8 (5) 7:30 am John Kerekes Linda Kerekes 9:30 am Judy Williams Family 11:30 am Deceased Members of the McKenna Family Family Bible Study & Faith Sharing Prophets are an important part of our spiritual journey. Come and learn more about them. It may help you to recognize the prophets in your own life, in the world today. Bring your Bible and join us on Tuesday at 11:00am to see if the Lord might have a message for you. Quiet Prayer Quiet prayer will meet on Tuesday at 12:30pm in the chapel. Spending some quiet time with the Lord can be an excellent way to enter into the spirit of Advent. This may be the perfect time to give yourself the opportunity to try this method of prayer. 12 Step Spirituality 12 Step will meet in the chapel from 2:30p to 4:00p on Thursday 12/07. If you are a 12-stepper in any program, you are welcome to join us as we reflect on the principals of the program. Please remember in prayer all who are ill or homebound, especially the following: Bulletin Prayer List Maggie Armstrong Donna Baker Mary Anne Bialosky William Conroy Chris Copenhaver Owen Dumm Michael Figlar Brian Follen Joan Foust Betty Glynn Gerry Grant Homebound Ministry Wayne Goforth Katie Halley Dennis Jamiot Louise Knapik Jim Knapik Les Lindenmeier Rob Lucas Karen M. Joseph McLaughlin Tom Nicolay Shem Miller Leo Oblak Mary Elizabeth Ryba John Serrao Jeanine Surma Chester Talarczyk Our Homebound Parishioners are very important to us and we want to make sure their spiritual needs are being met. If you or a friend or family member are homebound and unable to attend Mass, we would like to bring the Eucharist to you in your home. Please call Diana Lipfird, the Homebound Parishioner Coordinator, at 532-9491 or e-mail her at dlipfird@gmail.com. We will set up a time and day for the Extraordinary Minister to visit that best fits your schedule. If you are an Extraordinary Minister and would like to be part of our team of taking Communion to the homebound, please call Diana at 440-532-9491. In Your Charity May they rest in eternal peace. In your charity, please remember the repose of the souls of Dorothy Ganz, Alice Olszewski, and Dale Haske. 2nd Collection-Retirement Fund for Religious Help care for elders. Thanks to support from the Retirement Fund for Religious, we are now in a much better position to care for our elder, writes a religious sister. Your donation helps her religious community and hundreds of others provide for aging members and plan for long-term needs. Please give to next week s Retirement Fund for Religious collection Family Perspective Advent reminds us to be watchful and alert for the Lord in our life now and to be ready for His promised return. Prayer is necessary to do this. Weekly Mass keeps families centered in the Lord and ready for anything. Carry this attentiveness into family meals and daily prayers. Practice mindfulness of the Lord s presence by thinking of Him throughout the day whatever you are doing. Pray Ma-
Monday, December 4 9:30am - Chapel 7:00pm - Church 7:15pm - Chapel Tuesday, December 5 9:30am - Chapel 11:00am - Chapel 12:30pm - Chapel 5:30pm - Church 7:30pm - Church Evening of Prayer Intensions Bible Study Quiet Prayer Youth Choir Traditional Choir Wednesday, December 6 9:30am - Chapel 7:00pm - Church Advent Series Session #1 Thursday, December 7 9:30am - Chapel 12:00pm - FJG Mtg Rm 7:00pm - Church 7:15pm - FJG Mtg Rm Tri-City Seniors Pinochle Club Mass That Man Is You (TMIY) Friday, December 8 - Immaculate Conception 7:00pm - Church Mass Saturday, December 9 3:00pm - Church 5:30pm - FJG Sunday, December 10 Learn from our Lady Parish Events Mother Teresa How much we can learn from Our Lady. She was so humble because she was all for God. She was full of grace and she made use of the almighty power that was in her the grace of God. Confessions Pasta Dinner & Legacy Raffle The most beautiful part of Our Lady was that, when Jesus came into her life, immediately she went in haste to Elizabeth to give Jesus to her and her son. And we read in the Gospel that the child leapt with joy at this first contact with Christ. Our Lady was the most wonderful wire. She allowed God to fill her to the brim, so by her surrender, be it unto me according to they word, she became full of grace which she went to pass on to John. So let us ask God to use us now to go round the world, especially in our own communities, and continue connecting the wires of the hearts of men to the current, Jesus. Excerpted from: Love: A Fruit Always in Season Daily Meditations by Mother Teresa (Ignatius Press 1987) Women s Mini-Retreat Advent with Mary (St. Adalbert Parish) 8:30am-11:30am on Saturday, December 16th Need a breather? Take time out of your chaotic and busy schedule to spend with Jesus this Christmas season! Join us as we prepare for Christ s coming by following in the footsteps of his mother. Fr. Barry will be talking on the topic of Making Room for Christ in our Hearts, along with time for discussion, silence, and adoration. Please email Catherine for further details and to reserve your place cpopik@saintadalbertparish.org A free will offering will be taken to supplement the cost of this event. Theology on Tap / West Food, Fellowship, and Faith for Young Adults in their 20 s and 30 s December 20th - Fr. Kevin Klonowski Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish, Stowe What is Truth? Confronting Relativism 7:00pm Door Open $5.00 Admission includes complimentary appetizers Beachcliff Tavern 19245 Detroit Ave. Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Anniversary Wishes If you will be having a wedding anniversary in the month of December and would like your names listed in the bulletin, please call the parish office (440) 243-3877 or email jabraham1@stmaryberea.org Robert & Marian Koster November 11th 38 years Jeffrey & Diana Tichy December 3rd - 29 years Chuck & Sue Scanlon December 27th - 48 years Weekend Collection Collection for 11/19/17: $11,402.00 Collection for 11/25/17: $13, 377.00 Thank you!
Ministry Schedules Immaculate Conception - December 7th & 8th Mass Lector Cantor Extraordinary Ministers Servers 7:00pm K Zanotti (H) M Dole, P Harris, L Sullivan J Hupp (C) J Mastandrea, A Mastandrea, A Satow G Irvin, N Picard B Satow 9:00am D Vlk - (H) A Laubert D Redella (C) M Olsen, R Wesolek 7:00pm K Dorsey J Schwarz (H) R Davenport, B Draves, F Sliwa S Clemons (C) D Grospitch, L Madzy, G Abraham J Abraham, J Abraham J Abraham Second Sunday of Advent - Weekend of December 10th Mass Lector Cantor Extraordinary Ministers Servers 4pm D Canepari S Ward (H) C Causey, D Beatty, A Beatty A Soltis (C) G Butcher, S Butcher, A Soltis L Durica, R Wesolek C Jamison 7:30am D Lipfird K Zanotti (H) C Garr, V Dober, M Dober J Dober (C) A Carner, P Flandera M Dober Deacon Tom, R Straub J Dober 9:30am J Irvin S Scanlon (H) G Grant, L Richter, Deacon Tom A Jones (C) C DiSanto, C Pacer O Irvin J Irvin, M Dole A Kulwicki 11:30am P Hardman K Zanotti (H) D Hickey, P Hickey, R Heitz M Smith (C) J Abraham, J Abraham, I Crespo T Morgan, M B Morgan A Smith THE COLORS OF ADVENT Music Ministry and Liturgy Notes By Angela Kovacs Director of Music and Liturgy When you think of the Christmas season, certain colors come to mind in your head. Red and green for the holly and the ivy, white and blue for the glint of snow at midnight, cinnamon and cream for the delicious home-cooked meals with family. When you come to church during the season of Advent, however, the liturgical colors are none of the above! The sanctuary is decorated with violet and glimpses of rose, and a wreathed candelabra sits on the altar with four candles, waiting to be lit. The Advent season is upon us! Each of the different colors in the liturgical season has its own special meaning, as to keep the different time periods clearly marked. For the season of Advent, violet stands for royalty, luxury, and ambition. Our king is here to come, and so we prepare our church with colors that are fitting of his nobility and wisdom. The color of rose, signifying the 3rd week of Advent, is the joy of waiting, and the building excitement of the coming of Christ! Choir Rehearsal Schedules: Traditional Choir meets to rehearse on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Youth Choir also rehearses on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. If you are interested in participating in any of these choirs, cantoring, or playing an instrument during mass, please call or see Ms. Angela Kovacs after mass up in the loft. The Music Ministry office number is 440.243.3877 ext 27.
Religious Education News To find all the upcoming activities for both PSR and Sacramental Preparation join us at our parish website (www.stmaryberea.org). Select Teaching from the top category bar, then select Religious Education Office. Make us a favorite! PSR Calendar of Events 12/04/2017 6:45pm St. Mary School PSR in Session 12/11/2017 6:45pm St. Mary School PSR in Session 12/17/2017 10:30am Fr. Garrity Center First Sacraments Session #3 (Breakfast with the Bishop) - 6:00pm Fr. Garrity Center Confirmation Session #3 12/18/2017 6:45pm St. Mary School - PSR in Session 1 st Semester is complete 1/08/2018 6:45pm St. Mary School 2 nd Semester Begins; PSR in Session 1/13/2018 9:00am - St. Mary Church 1 st Reconciliation (PSR) 1/15/2018 NO PSR (Martin Luther King Holiday) 1/20/2018 9:00am St. Mary Church 1 st Reconciliation (SMS) Sacramental Preparation Please remember to turn in any missing documentation (Baptism Record, Discipleship Sheet, Sacramental fees) as soon as possible. Without this documentation you will not be allowed to receive the Sacrament. Calendar of Events December 17, 2017 January 13, 2018 January 20, 2018 January 21, 2018 February 16, 2018 February 18, 2018 February 23, 2018 May 6, 2018 May 12, 2018-9:30am Sacramental Sunday Mass - 10:30am - First Sacraments Session 3 (Parish breakfast with Bishop Perez) - 6:00pm - Confirmation Session 3-9:00am First Reconciliation (PSR) - 9:00am First Reconciliation (SMS) - 9:30am Sacramental Sunday Mass - 10:30am - First Sacraments Session 4-6:00pm - Confirmation Session 4-5:00pm Confirmation Social Event - 9:30am Sacramental Sunday Mass - 10:30am - First Sacraments Session 5-6:00pm - Confirmation Session 5-5:00pm Confirmation Social Event - 11:30am First Holy Communion - 4:00pm Confirmation Sacramental Sunday Our next Sacramental Sunday is today, December 17 th at the 9:30am Mass. Greeters should meet in the Resurrection Chapel at 8:45am for your door assignment. First Reconciliation Schedule Change January 13, 2018 First Reconciliation (ALL PSR students) January 20, 2018 First Reconciliation (ALL SMS students) Both services will begin at 9:00am in the Church. Discipleship Events December 2 nd - Confirmation Service Social Event (Fr. Garrity Center) 4 th Annual Pasta Dinner & Legacy Raffle; Candidates will be expected to help setup, guide, control and cleanup area; expected to end by 8:00pm. December 17 th First Sacraments Reconciliation Session #3 SPIRITUAL event; Candidates will be able to support this session by helping setup and cleanup of the Parish breakfast with the Bishop. The session will end at 12:30pm. January 21 st First Sacraments Holy Eucharist Session #1 SPIRITUAL event; Candidates will be able to support this session by helping setup, support and cleanup of this session. The session will end at 12:00pm. February 16 th - Confirmation Service Social Event (Fr. Garrity Center) Parish Fish Fry; Candidates will be expected to help setup, guide, control and cleanup area; this event is expected to end by 8:00am. February 18 th First Sacraments Holy Eucharist Session #2 SPIRITUAL event; Candidates will be able to support this session by helping setup, support and cleanup of this session. The session will end at 12:00pm. For the complete schedule of events and activities for Confirmation a/or First Sacraments go to http://www.stmaryberea.org/sacramental-prep St. Mary Catholic School News Corner Educating the Mind, Nurturing the Soul Mr. Andrew Carner, Principal On Monday, the 27 th, several SMS PTO volunteers transformed the school into a Christmas wonderland. A beautiful nativity scene and lovely Christmas tree greet students and visitors daily as they walk through the main lobby. A special thank you to everyone who donated their time, energy and the lovely Christmas decorations to convert the school into a wonderland for everyone to enjoy! Help the needy stay warm this winter. Why not go through your closets and drawers this Holiday Season for any gently used warm clothing and help SMS help those less fortunate stay warm during the winter months. For our Stewardship theme for December, we will gladly be accepting blankets, sweatshirts, sweat pants, coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs, sweaters, & socks. Any and all sizes are welcome. All donations may be dropped off at the school office by Friday, December 15 th. As 2017 creeps to a close, perhaps you might consider a taxdeductible donation to the St. Mary Scholarship Fund. Each year SMS awards scholarships to outstanding students who will be attending a Catholic High School. Many companies provide matching gifts; check with your Benefits Office if your employer is one of them. Catholic Schools Learn.Serve.Lead.Succeed - - It s not too early to mark your calendars for the St. Mary Annual Open House scheduled for Sunday, January 28 th. Plan to come see our 21 st century Discovery Hall and Collaboration Hall for students Kindergarten through grade 8. Watch the bulletin for further details. Important Dates to Remember: 12/5/17 - Student Council Mtg. 8:00a.m. NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES / In-Service Mtg. - Sewing Club / 3:30p.m. 12/7/17 - KidzArt / 3:30p.m. 12/8/17 - Classroom of Champions / 3:30p.m. Power of the Pen / 3:30p.m. SMS PTO / Polar Express / 6:00p.m. (gym) FREE Admission to a movie with SANTA The Polar Express Friday Dec. 8 th 6:00pm St. Mary s Gym Dress in PJ s and bring a blanket to enjoy a movie night with Santa! Enjoy pizza, hot cocoa and other snacks for $1.00 each.
AN EVENING OF PRAYER INTENTIONS Offer Your Intentions to our Prayer Basket for the Advent Christmas Season Monday December 4th, 2017 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. St. Mary Church REFLECT IN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Wednesday, December 6th 7pm-8pm in the Church Preparing for the Holidays can be a frenzy of activity. Let this evening of quiet prayer, led by Deacon Tom, be a respite. Through Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament we can refocus as a parish on the real reason for the season: the Light that cannot be overcome by darkness. REJOICE IN THE LIGHT CHRIST BRINGS Tuesday, December 12th 6:30pm in the FJG Center The Parish Community of St. Mary will gather in prayer for each other, with each other, supporting one another. Enjoy a light meal (free of charge) as we joyfully examine the Incarnation s everlasting gift to us: the LIGHT FOR THE WORLD. We promise good food, good conversation and at least one take-away to enhance your Advent anticipation for the coming Christmas celebration. We will lift our hearts and our voices to our Loving Creator, to our Savior Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit who empowers and directs us. These Sessions are related, but each stands alone. Join us for both if you can, or come to just one. All are invited bring a friend! ALL are INVITED and WELCOME! COME and see... COME and pray CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIAL GIFT PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY: Donor: Telephone: Donation Amount Please indicate: Check # or Cash In Memory of: Donor and memorial names will be printed in the bulletin. Your donation of any amount will help defray the cost of maintaining a beautiful Christmas Season when we celebrate the Birth of Our Savior. Please return this slip to the Parish Office, along with your donation by December 18th, Attn: Christmas Flowers. Thank you!