To seek, trust and glorify God through humble service and continual prayer. To raise up devoted disciples. Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary December 3, 2017 St. Ann Church & Model Schools 46-129 Haiku Road Kaneohe, Hawaii www.saintannhawaii.org The Gospel According to Mark: Cycle B In the Year B (2012, 2015, etc.) in the Catholic Church s lectionary of Scripture readings for Mass, the Gospel of St. Mark is featured prominently. Mark s Gospel is now generally regarded as the earliest Gospel. It presents a stark and challenging portrait of Jesus public ministry, which leads into a dramatic account of his passion and death. It has often been described as a passion narrative with a long introduction. Mark presents Jesus as a wise teacher and a powerful and compassionate healer. But he also insists that this Jesus can be properly understood only when we confront the mystery of the cross and Jesus identity as a suffering Messiah. For this reason Mark s work is sometimes called the Gospel of Suffering. As we study and pray through this text, we will have to face the suffering of Jesus the Son of God and the suffering that is part of our lives as individuals and as citizens of the world. Excerpted from Meeting St. Mark Today, by Daniel J. Harrington, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary A Holy Day Of Obligation Masses are: Friday, December 8, 2017 at 7:00am and 7:00pm The Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic dogma asserting that God has preserved Mary, the Mother of Jesus, from the stain of original sin at the time of her own conception. Specifically, the dogma says she does not lack sanctifying grace. Instead, God has filled her with grace. Furthermore, Mary lives a life completely free from sin. This dogma is not the same as the doctrine of the Incarnation and virgin birth. According to the dogma, Mary's parents conceive her by normal biological means, but God acts upon her soul, keeping it immaculate at the time of her conception. Pope Pius IX in his Ineffabilis Deus, December 8, 1854, solemnly defines the Immaculate Conception as dogma. Pope Pius XII consecrated this feast in 1942. www.wikipedia.org
Today s Reflection The first words spoken by the Lord Jesus in today's Gospel set the tone for this season of expectant longing: "Be watchful!" Be alert!" We stand ready at the beginning of this holy season, for we do not know when Jesus will return in glory. We open our hearts to scriptures that call us to be mindful of the ways of the Lord. If our faith-lives have become "withered like leaves," as Isaiah laments, let God's word instill new life in all of us. Let that word penetrate our hearts and fill us with life and love. As we hear the sacred words proclaimed, let this be our prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus." In what ways can you become more alert, more watchful for the coming of the Lord in the day-to-day moments of your life? Next Sunday s Readings - December 10, 2017 - Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8 Meditation: John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning passion - to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of his kingdom. Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives? Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he grew in the word of God and was tested in preparation for his prophetic mission. John's clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8). Let the Holy Spirit purify and transform your mind and heart John's baptism was for repentance - turning away from sin and taking on a new way of life according to God's word. Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in a new birth and entry into God's kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5). The Lord Jesus comes to baptize each one of us in his Holy Spirit so that we may walk in his truth and holiness and radiate the joy of the Gospel to all we meet. God's word has power to change and transform our lives so that we may be lights that point others to Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and truth of Christ. Do you point others to Jesus Christ in the way you live, speak, and treat others? "Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of your Gospel and to point others to Jesus Christ." http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/2017/dec.10.htm
2017 Windward Advent Penance Services Take time to prepare yourself for this Advent season. Make it a priority to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation at 7:00pm at the following locations: Wednesday December 6 St. Anthony, Kailua Monday December 11 St. Roch, Kahuku Tuesday December 12 St. Ann, Kaneohe Wednesday December 13 St. John Vianney, Kailua Monday December 18 St. George, Waimanalo Tuesday December 19 Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waikane St. Ann Advent Reflection Mother of God and Our Mother Parish Center 7:00-8:30pm Mondays Dec 4 th The Handmaid of the Lord Dec 11 th The Ark of the new Covenant Dec 18 th Full of Grace Come and See! The 6 th Annual Saint Ann Advent Giving Tree event is here again! This year we will be asking for gifts requested by the agencies we supported throughout the year: Family Promise, IHS, and Habitat for Humanity, Pu a Foundation and our own Project Share program Take an ornament from our beautifully decorated giving tree and look for the gift request written on the back. Please purchase the item and return the gift with the ornament attached. Put your gift under the tree by Sunday, December 10 th. Fisher Hawaii Gift Cards have to be bought at the store location. If that isn't convenient, grocery cards from Safeway, Times or Foodland are a perfectly fine substitute. Thank you for the blessings you will share this Advent season with so many of our brothers and sisters in need. IHS - Institute for Human Services We are looking for families or individuals to serve dinner at the Institute for Human Services (IHS) Men s and Women s Shelters. Two crews are needed to work at both shelters. If you'd like to join us, we meet on the 4 th Sunday of every month. The meals are already prepared; we volunteer to serve the food. We are currently seeking volunteers for Sunday, December 24 th. Call Pam Lotko at 262-0066 or email: pamlotko@gmail.com.
MAHALO FOR CHICKEN SALE SUPPORT The windward Knights of Columbus, made up of Councils #14620 (St. Ann Parish) and #6307 (St. John Vianney & St. Anthony) are delighted to report that a check for $4,253.54 had been given to the PREGNANCY PROBLEM CENTER. Due to your purchases and/or donations, women will be given information to aid them to make the choice for life of their unborn baby. Any lady who wishes to aid in the counseling effort, please contact Ruth Prinzivalli, at 349-2223 Please join us for a Christmas Concert Featuring Karolers Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Church Free will offering appreciated. Taizé Prayer 2017 Taizé Prayer is a quiet, contemplative form of community worship. Some key elements of the prayer include Taizé songs, Scripture readings, silence and Veneration of the Cross. Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming Advent Season. St. Ann will sponsor this unique style of prayer and welcomes all to participate. Date: Friday, December 8, 2017 Time: 8:15pm Place: St. Ann Church Everyone is welcome! For more information call 247-3092, ext. 111 In observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary all church and school offices will be closed on Friday, December 8, 2017
FAMILY PROMISE It s been almost 6 months since we have been asked to provide support for Family Promise at Kailua United Methodist Church. St. Anthony of Padua has taken on a two week commitment over the Christmas holidays. As part of that, St. Ann Parish is providing support for the second week, December 31, 2017 January 6, 2018. Please check your calendars to see you will be able to join us in helping in this special ministry. Needs: Dinner and Overnight Hosts Dates: Thursday, January 4, 2018 and Friday, January 5, 2018 For questions or to volunteer: As an overnight host contact Sue Slavish at 371-0714 or 236-2480 or via E-mail sueslav@gmail.com To assist with preparing an evening meal contact Linda Heu at 561-4804 via e-mail at HEUD001@hawaii.rr.com May God s grace and blessings be with you. MAHALO NUI LOA to all our church cleaners and flower ministers. Wishing you many blessings and thank you for your dedication to St. Ann Church. Saturday, November 25, 2017 Cleaners: Tara Anuskewicz, Herb & Abby Farm, Nancy Fukushima, Sam Granadosin, Ligaya Guzman, June Hashimoto, Ken & Danette Hiura, Margaret Johnson, John & Betty Kaniaupio, Maya Kaniaupio, Alyson, Kau-Toyama, Frank Kiyabu, Flo Lilio, Kim McDaniel, Bernadette Mesina, Carlee Pascua, Margie Pedrina, John Quisano, Bill Rodenhurst, Gary Sakamoto, Josh Sapsis, Robert Tabaniag, Roy Tachino, Ernie Tumacder, Carl Wild and Patrick & Bev Yearian Flowers: Arrangement by: Nancy Fukushima, Robb Guro and Bernadette Mesina Flower Donations: Lillian Chang and Robb Guro FINANCIAL PROFILE FOR WEEK November 26, 2017 Gift-wrap your Sunday donation by using the church numbered envelopes. For more information, please call the Business Office at 247-3092, ext. 124 Regular Collection $17,317.00 Project Share $10,059.00 Children s Weekly $14.00 TOTAL COLLECTION $27,390.00