Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017 THE BANE AND THE BLESSED Recently I had an appointment with my doctor. Physician s assistant, actually. We began with my height and weight. That particular day there seemed to be some electrical problem with the device that does both the weighing and measuring. The nurse plugged in the device, unplugged it, and then after plugging it in again told me we were good to begin. I am not divulging my weight, but she told me I measured 5 9 ¾ inches. I told her she was mistaken. Recognizing that the device may not be accurate, she moved me down the hall to another scale. This time I was measured ¼ inch shorter still. I am 6 tall. I have been 6 tall all my adult life. I could not have lost 2 inches along the way. But, as the nurse said with a smile, It does happen. I have no idea how tall Jesus may have been. I know he never stood taller than the day he became one like us as an infant you could hold in one hand. I know he never stood taller than when he bent over to walk into the home of the tax collector or to reach out to the leper. I know he stood tall indeed that night he knelt down armed with basin and towel to wash feet. And my how tall he stood crucified. These days of Advent we celebrate Christ s coming in history and his certain return in glory. But also we welcome him present among us. Today Jesus is about 12 inches tall, or whatever distance there is between head and heart. When we bring head and heart together, along with our hands and feet, we can enter the Kingdom of God. And in the Kingdom we don t have to worry about how tall we stand, but rejoice because of him with whom we stand. The Lord be with you. Father John Parr
SEAS STEWARDSHIP In today s second reading Paul concludes his letter to the Christian community at Thessalonica by providing it with actions to take as they wait for the return of the Lord. The first action is to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. This sounds easy but it s not. The two words that make this task difficult are always and all. This means giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances are not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when we are confronted with a broken world. Prayerful stewards rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances because they are people of hope. A good reflection this week would be how the season of Advent can give you reason to hope. catholicstewardship.com ATTENTION LITURGICAL MINISTERS Our Christmas Masses will be here soon. Have you signed up yet for your Liturgical Ministry? Because of the way Christmas eve falls on Sunday, we don t want to forget to celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent as well. Could you please check the portal online or the sign-up sheets in the sacristy to see if you can share your time and talent to any of the available positions. We truly appreciate all our Liturgical Ministers and their service to our parish and would like to wish them and their families a very Blessed Christmas. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Wishing you a blessed 3rd week of Advent! Pick up a "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign and/or magnets at Church! KC's are helping take the Rotary Lights down on Friday January 5 KC Free Throw Contest being held at Prairie View Elementary starting 6 pm on Friday January 12 Sara (Wozney) Balaker Trudy Brieske Elizabeth Donaldson Patrick Donaldson Sharon Grabar Robert Heim PRAYER REQUESTS June Kukovec Kent Limberg (military) Jerome Malin Kevin McIntyre Bailey Rohrer WHEN REQUESTING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE ADDED TO OUR PRAYER LIST, YOU MUST HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIUDAL OR THEIR FAMILY FOR THEIR NAME TO BE PUBLICIZED. ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM US WHEN SOMEONE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE LIST SEAS YOUNG ADULT GROUP We now have a young adult group at St. Elizabeth s. They exist to provide faith, fellowship, friendship, and support to all adults who are actively seeking to meet other adults in the parish to accompany them on their faith journey and to deepen their love in Christ and His Catholic Church. If you are interested in learning more about the Faith Seekers and when they meet, please contact Pat Brueggen in the parish office. WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS PLEASE HELP US WELCOME THESE NEWLY REGISTERED PARISHIONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO OUR PARISH: EMILY HANES AND DAUGHTER, AUDREY HEATHER HAWES KYLE AND CAITLIN MOSEL, SON, EMMETT DION AND KRISTIN MAUSS Enjoy the Convenience of Electronic Giving St Elizabeth Ann Seton parish wants to remind you that we offer electronic giving as a way to automate your regular weekly offering. Electronic giving offers convenience for individual parish members and provides much-needed donation consistency for our church. Please call Sandy at the parish office for more information. 3rd Sunday of Advent 2 December 17, 2017
THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS PERFORMED BY SEAS YOUTH Faith Formation Christmas Pageant Come one come all, this Wednesday evening for the presentation of the First Christmas. The evening will begin in the church with a musical prelude, followed by a narrated version of nativity story which will be brought to life, for your enjoyment, by the SEAS Faith Formation students. The music intertwined throughout the night includes choirs from each grade First through Fourth, piano and violin solos, and a tenor sax - piano duo. There will be a cookie and punch reception in the gathering space following the program. Share the evening with your family, friends and our SEAS family as we celebrate Jesus birth. WHEN: Wednesday December 20, at 6:30 pm WHERE: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Holmen Important Faith Formation Dates Wed., December 20 - Christmas Pageant 6:30 pm in church Wed., December 27 - NO FAITH FORMATION Christmas break Wed., January 3 - NO FAITH FORMATION Christmas break Wed., January 10 - Faith Formation classes resume DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Now would be the perfect time to send in your Annual Appeal pledge. If you want it to be on your 2017 tax contribution, please send your check to the Diocese before the end of the month. Donations can easily be made online at: diolc.org/donate-online. We have a ways to go but are so very grateful to those that have shared their treasure with this important appeal. Prayers are always welcome. Parish Target: $82,615 As of 12/17: $47,659 Tickets to the St. Elizabeth s Sportsmen Night and Wild Game Feed would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Contact the parish office. NEW MISSALETTES By now you should have noticed the new missalettes, Breaking Bread. There is only 1 book now instead of 2 separate books. We have decided to try this because of the cost, and it will save time instead of having to change them out several times in a year. Please note, these have to last us all year so if you borrow one, please return it quickly and handle them in such a way that they will remain in good condition. Thank you and God Bless. CALLING ALL CHILDREN Just a reminder during Mass at Offertory time, we invite all children to participate in the offertory procession. These children, bringing up food items, represent us, a stewardship parish that embraces Jesus invitation to see His face in those in need. Children, please meet in the back of the church when the offertory song begins. Bring your item of food from home or take one of the food items from the basket in the back of church. Thank you and God bless you! PARISH INCOME (FISCAL YEAR 7/1/17 6/30/18) Last Week s Collections Weekly Budget Difference Annual Budget Envelopes/Plate.$7,290 $10,594 -$3,304 $550,888 Fiscal Year-to-Date $235,362 $254,256 -$18,894 3rd Sunday of Advent 3 December 17, 2017
THANKS FROM THE STAFF The staff at St. Elizabeth s would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for setting up the Nativity and all the other help during the Advent/Christmas season. You make our parish look beautiful and it is greatly appreciated. Another big thank you goes out to our wonderful decorators, Betty Schultz and Pam Clark. The church looks gorgeous. We are blessed by your talent. MASS INTENTIONS It is the custom of the Catholic Church that priests remember specific intentions at the celebration of the Eucharist. Normally, a small offering or stipend (customarily $10 in the Diocese of La Crosse) is given for a Mass intention. Anyone can request a particular intention for which a Mass can be offered. Mass cards, to be given to the family of a deceased person for whom a Mass is to be offered, are available when requesting a Mass intention. If you would like to have a Mass celebrated for someone, we have openings for intentions throughout 2018. Please contact Sandy in the Parish Office (526-4424). CHRISTMAS FLOWERS If you would like to make a donation toward Christmas flowers to decorate the church, please use the Flower Offering Envelope in your December contribution packet. If you do not receive contribution envelopes, due to ACH contributions, please place your donation in a plain envelope and mark it Christmas Flowers. Include your name and the names of those you would like honored or remembered. Thank you. PARISH INFORMATION PARISH RECTORY & OFFICE Phone... 526-4424 Fax Number... 526-3177 Email: office@seasholmen.org STAFF Pastor, Father John Parr... 526-4424 pastor@seasholmen.org Pastor Emeritus, Monsignor Delbert J. Malin... 526-4908 djm133@charter.net sbridget@seasholmen.org Pastoral Minister, Carol Reider... 526-4424 carol@seasholmen.org C.R.E. (3 years-gr. 5),.Mary Luebke 526-4424 reled@seasholmen.org... 526-4424 youth@seasholmen.org Director of Music, Beth Lakmann..526-4424 music@seasholmen.org Secretary, Sandy Jerue... 526-4424 office@seasholmen.org Sister Jean... 526-4908 sjean@seasholmen.org MASS SCHEDULE Weekend: Sat. 5:00 pm and Sun. 8:00 & 10:15 am Weekday: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am except Tues. 7:00 am Gluten Free Hosts: St. Elizabeth s has gluten free hosts available. Please contact Fr. Parr, and he will make the necessary arrangements. SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 pm or by appointment. Baptism: Baptism involves membership in the church. Parents are to attend three sessions early in the pregnancy. Marriage: Our church is trying to create successful marriages. This takes some time. Arrangements for a wedding date are to be made at least six months before the anticipated date. Anointing of the Sick: Communal celebrations in fall and spring. Individual celebrations upon request. Please call the office when family members are hospitalized. PASTORAL VISITATION Anyone who desires a personal home visit is invited to call the parish office. CATECHUMENATE Anyone wishing to become a full member of the Church is invited to visit the parish office. NEW PARISHIONERS Please call the parish office. Parish Council Members Karen Anderson....526-9687 Laura Antonie 526-6047 Len Beranek...526-3623 Francis Brown...783-2744 Finance Council Members Ryan Malak...608-385-3326 Janice Dvoracek 526-3957 Brian Clements..526-2198 Les Giesler.526-9625 Angie Hendrikson.385-4213 Shelly Linskey...526-2286 Christine Olson.507-766-3654 Larry Warzynski...526-6474 Shawn Handland..526-2257 Pat Stephens..526-2480 Larry Warzynski....526-6474 3rd Sunday of Advent 4 December 17, 2017
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sunday, December 17 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:00 am Mass Sandy Beranek 10:15am Mass People of SEAS Monday, December 18 Late Advent Weekday 8:30 am Mass Priest Intention Tuesday, December 19 Late Advent Weekday 7:00 am Mass Goldie Warzynski 6:30 pm Advent Bible Study Wednesday, December 20 Late Advent Weekday 8:30 am Mass Priest Intention No Youth Faith Formation classes 6:30 pm The Christmas Story Pageant Thursday, December 21 St. Peter Canisius 8:30 am Mass Susie Meehan 6:30 pm Choir practice Friday, December 22 Late Advent Weekday 8:30 am Mass Jean A. Pedretti Flottmeyer Saturday, December 23 Late Advent Weekday 8:00 am Pray the Rosary 4:00 pm Sacrament of Penance Vigil: 4th Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM Mass David McKenzie Sunday, December 24 4th Sunday of Advent 8:00 am Mass People of SEAS 10:15am Mass Patty Stetzer 4:00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass Sharon Martin 6:00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass Robert Schaller DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE - 150 YEARS The Diocese of La Crosse will be celebrating 150 years in 2018. To commemorate the Sesquicentennial, we are anticipating the arrival of a hardbound book that we will have for sale in the parish office. This book will contain the history of all the parishes in the Diocese including your very own St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. The book would make a beautiful Christmas gift or to keep for your own. We will have a limited supply. Contact the parish office at 526-4424. HAPPENINGS IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITY Today, we welcome Henry Gerard Manier, son of John and Rachel Manier, to our faith community in the celebration of Baptism. It is now our privilege to help this child grow in faith. We have a great gift of faith to share. MASS TIMES Sun., Dec. 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am & 10:15am Sun., Dec. 24 - Christmas Vigil 4:00pm & 6:00pm Mon., Dec. 25 - Christmas Day 8:00am &10:15am EVENTS THIS WEEK SEAS Youth Faith Formation classes will be hosting a retelling of the first Christmas along with music and song. Bring your family to join the SEAS family for this wonderful Christmas event to celebrate Jesus birth. When: Wednesday, Dec. 20 Time: 6:30 pm Invite your family and friends as well. Last night for the Advent Bible Study. December 19 from 6:30-8:00pm Pat Brueggen will lead us as we travel with Mary and explore the connection between the joyful mysteries and this blessed Advent season. This is open to all ages wanting to grow in their faith. Please join us. The SEAS Holmen Food Pantry is the recipient of the donated food items on the following evenings: Wednesday, December 20 Friday, December 22 Sunday, December 25 3rd Sunday of Advent 5 December 17, 2017