SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017

Similar documents
SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2018

MASS SCHEDULE Church opens 30 minutes before each service and closes afterwards.

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SUNDAY, JULY 30, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 CATECHETICAL SUNDAY

His Presence-Matthew

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

OCTOBER 14, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 30, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

SUNDAY JANUARY 14, ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SUNDAY, JULY 2, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY OCTOBER 7, 2018

SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2018

Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017

St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:8

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

AUGUST 5, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

SEPTEMBER 9, RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

AUGUST 12, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

SUNDAY MARCH 18, 2018

THE NAVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST JUNE 24, 2018

SUNDAY APRIL 22, 2018

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, nd SUNDAY OF LENT

JULY 29, 2018 FEAST OF ST. MARTHA

St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

U.S.A. National Circus Church The Pallottines (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Luke 24:5-6

St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

S T MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017

Christmas Greetings St. Peter, Prince of Apostles Church

Church of Saint Monica Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint Stephen of Hungary

(Society of Catholic Apostolate) Telephone: (941) Fax: (941) Website Facebook: St. Martha Roman Catholic Church

Christ, the real reason of Christmas. Dec 23rd, 2018 Fourth Sunday Of Advent. Weekend Mass Schedule

S T MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church 300 Goodnight Avenue Pueblo, Colorado Phone: Fax:

ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Fourth Sunday of Advent/The Nativity of the Lord

CHURCH OF SAINT BERNARD

PALLOTTINE FATHERS BROTHERS (Society of Catholic Apostolate)

Church of Saint Thomas More

OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY CATHOLIC CHURCH

PALLOTTINE FATHERS BROTHERS (Society of Catholic Apostolate) U.S.A. C C

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

Christmas Highlights St. Paul Catholic Church

Our Lady of Fatima Parish 3218 W Barrett St. Seattle WA (206)

143 East 43 rd Street, New York, N.Y Rectory Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5:30pm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Saint Joseph Parish 173 Albion Street, Wakefield MA The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Welcome, New Parishioners Please register by calling or stopping in the parish office. Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

WELCOME MASS SCHEDULE

Behold, the virgin shall

Sacred Heart Parish. The Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30am-3:00pm PARISH STAFF

143 East 43 rd Street, New York, N.Y Summer 2018 Rectory Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10am-5:30pm, Fri 10am-3:30pm, Closed Sat & Sun

Sacred Heart Mission

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Parish

St. Joseph Church December 9, 2012 Second Sunday of Advent

St. Theresa Parish ALIVE IN CHRIST READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Advent Penitential Services. St. Thomas Aquinas Tues., Dec. 19, 3pm and 7:00pm St. Vincent de Paul Thurs Dec. 21, 4pm and 7:00pm.

ST. JOHN DECEMBER 25, Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., West Chester, OH

All are Welcome, All are Children of God, All are Made in the Image of God PARISH OFFICE HOURS

St. Blaise e Pa P rish

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

Holy Spirit Catholic Church December 24, 2017

July 16, th Sunday In Ordinary Time OLY ROSS- MMACULATA. Mt. Adams Cincinnati, Ohio The Church of the Steps

As a star its kind1 ed ray,.mary doth her Child display, Like in nature: Still undimmed the Star shines on, And the Virgin bears a Son, Pure as ever.

Parish Priest: Father Peter Selvaraj MISSION CHURCHES. Any Sunday during 10:00 am Mass Please call the office to register

Holy Trinity Catholic Church. December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Advent

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

CHURCH OF SAINT BERNARD

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

Holy Spirit Parish Tel.: Third Avenue South Kent, WA February 3, 2019

October 6 & 7, Minister s Schedule October 13 & 14, :00pm 8:00am 10:00am

Liturgical Calendar for Schools

Holy Spirit Parish. December 23, Pastor/ Párroco: Fr. Raymond Cleaveland: ext. 211 Administration: Brenda Fincher: ext. 214

Our Lady of Victory Church

Pentecost Sunday. SAINT CYRIL CHURCH The Roman Catholic Community in Wilsonville. Vision Statement JUNE 4, 2017

Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church 300 Goodnight Avenue Pueblo, Colorado Phone: Fax:

Transcription:

200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236 Telephone: (941) 366-4210 Website: www.stmartha.org Facebook: St. Martha Roman Catholic Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - Noon & 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 MASS SCHEDULE Church opens 30 minutes before each service and closes afterwards. SATURDAY 7:30 a.m. & 8:30 a.m.; (Vigil) 4:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY CHURCH 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY PARISH HALL 8 a.m. (Spanish) Noon (Vietnamese) WEEKDAY 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., Noon & 5:30 p.m. HOLY DAY (Vigil) 4 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, & 5:30 p.m. CONFESSIONS Saturday: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.; 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Reconciliation Room) Sunday - Friday: 11:30 a.m. - Noon (Church Entrance) TV Mass Sunday, 9:30 a.m. on CW Network. Check your local listings or go to dioceseofvenice/tvmass FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT EXPOSITON OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Carosella Chapel: Tuesdays 9 a.m. - Noon; Fridays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (The Carosella Chapel is open for quiet prayer during office hours.) STATIONS OF THE CROSS Monday through Friday at 11:15 a.m. in the Church. ROSARY & MORNING PRAYER DEVOTIONS Rosary is prayed each day following the 7:30 a.m. Mass, immediately followed by Morning Prayer. Rosary is again prayed before the Noon Mass. BAPTISM Classes are held on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Conference Room. Baptism will take place regularly every Sunday at 5 p.m. or by appointment with your choice of clergyman. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Saturdays after the 8:30 a.m. Mass HOUSE BLESSING Contact Sara Brinn at the Parish Office PRAYER LINE 941-306-6503

CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 24-25, 2017 PSALTER WEEK II From Our Pastor, Fr. Fausto... My Dear Friends, Monday is Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to all of you parishioners who will be away from the St. Martha s Family Celebration! Today s Gospel recounts the fateful encounter of the Archangel Gabriel with an obscure Jewish maiden in a forgotten corner of the mighty Roman Empire during the reign of the first Roman Emperor, Cesar Augustus, supposedly in the year 752 of the Roman calendar, which had its beginning from the foundation of Rome by Romulus. I said supposedly because such calculation is a mistake made in the year 532 A.D. when a Rumanian Monk, and canonist, Dionysius Exiguus (the skinny ), calculated the year of Jesus birth, so to substitute the Roman calendar (Ab Urbe Condita) with the Christian calendar, which starts with Jesus birth as year one. Dionysius calculated Jesus birth as dated 752-753 AUC. The mistake was found later when other historians found out that King Herod, who tried to kill the baby Jesus, died in the year 748-749 AUC, which means 4 years before Christ. If we calculate that Jesus was alive before Herod died, and even admitting that he was at least one year old, then Jesus was born at least 5 B.C. But the date is not as important as the reality of Jesus birth, and it was the final answer of Mary, Let it be done to me as you say, which did cause our salvation. Our school children ask me many times: Did God choose someone else who refused? or Why Mary out of the million Jewish virgins before her? My answer is always the same: I do not know. So instead of fantasizing on this fact, let us rejoice that the prophecy was fulfilled that a virgin would be with child, as a sign that Jesus is the son of God. Let us learn from Mary to say yes to God in our thoughts, words and actions! I heard an old Italian legend recounting how Christmas came about In the beginning, God made heaven and earth; then the Triune God put woman and man to the test, and they, driven by pride and tempted by God s arch-enemy (devil), disobeyed God and chose humanity over divinity! So the Triune God, always respectful of our choices, left us to our own choice and stayed out of our way. But, because God is Love, He tried again to call us back to Him. We never came, and so, one day, God the Father and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, got together to discuss the matter. God the Father said: Well, men and women live as if I, the Creator and the Almighty, do not exist at all. I ll make them recognize God: I m sending a huge earthquake that will split the earth in two, and a 10,000 foot high tidal wave to cover the mountains: a new flood! Boy oh boy! They ll come back to me. God the Holy Spirit added: But, did you not put the rainbow in the skies, as a promise not to send the floods again? I have a better idea. I would send a fiery comet crashing on earth and scorching everything, and women and men will come back trembling and sorry. God the Son added: Well, I am not sure that this comet will work either! Women and men will be buried by fallen mountains and avalanches, drown by floods, burned to death... but they will never come to love us... I have a solution! What is the most beautiful sight and sweet sound that melts the human heart? Both God the Father and the Spirit said: Oh, it is a new-born infant with gorgeous eyes, a tiny mouth like a rosebud, smooth skin like velvet, chubby minute hands and feet, and a sweet smile that seems to say to everyone: Please come and pick me up, cuddle me, love me, lullaby me! God the Son agreed: That then is how we can make women and men, young and old, black and white, learned and uneducated, rich or poor, come back to the love of God. And this is why, in the fullness of time, from a Jewish Virgin, through a divine miracle, God the Son came to earth in the person of a tiny Jewish baby, to give all people of the earth the message that God is love, and if people love and live in God, God lives in them. That is why a smile comes to our faces when we think of Christmas, when we hear the traditional carols, and when, surrounded by our family and friends, we look at the Nativity Scene which is living proof of the greatest love humankind has ever known. When the invisible God decided to show Himself visibly among us, there could have been many magnificent ways that could have made us realize the Power of the Almighty! Stupendous, but earthshaking and awe-inspiring earthquakes, falling comets, huge storms, roaring winds; all these could have captured the attention of a sinful world! But no siree! A world steeped in violence, slavery and corruption received only this sign: a baby, in the arms of a Virgin! When all of us see a baby, our frowns cease, our smiles appear, our hearts and arms open up with tenderness and love. This is God s way of making us understand that God is not showing Himself to terrorize or mesmerize us, but to ask us to give Him our love and warmth and joy! A God who comes to us as the universal human symbol of love, tenderness and softness, cannot be but a caring God, crazily in love with us. That is why Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, brings tears to our eyes, comfort to our troubled souls, and unshakable hope that, notwithstanding all our hatred, corruption and malice, one day we will be sharing with God the glow of love in Paradise! On Thursday, December 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we recall the tragedy of the Bethlehem babies cut down by Herod s sword, and we will have a Mass at St. Martha for the Holy Innocents at Noon. A Book of Innocents will be at the front door of the Church, so anyone can sign in the memory of a lost child, pre-born or born. Fr. Sebastian Szczawinski, S.A.C. has been transferred by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to the parish of St. Thomas More in Sarasota. We have enjoyed his ministry in our parish for more than four years, captivated by his precious smile and good humor, besides his dedication to nursing homes, our school children, our Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and the spiritual assistance of

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT our CCW ladies. He s going to be greatly missed by all of us. Our prayers are accompanying him as he assumes his priestly ministry in our neighboring parish of St. Thomas More. Smile, God loves you and so does Fr. Fausto with your St. Martha clergy: Fathers Patrick, Wojciech, Sebastian, Jan, John & Jerry Deacons Bill and Patrick; plus Brothers Bill, Tom & Lawrence and Sisters Cathy & Marianne CHRISTMAS TREE BLESSING Holy Lord, We come with joy to celebrate the birth of your Son, who rescued us from the darkness of sin by making the cross a tree of life and light. May this tree, arrayed in splendor, remind us of the life-giving cross of Christ, in the new life that shines in our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen T S M C. T W O P Sun., Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mon., Dec. 25 - Christmas Tues., Dec. 26 - St. Stephen Wed., Dec. 27 - St. John the Evangelist 5:30 p.m. Adult Choir Prac ce - Choir Room Thurs., Dec. 28 - Holy Innocents Fri., Dec. 29 - St. Thomas Becket 8:00 p.m. AA (Spanish) - Geenen Hall Sat., Dec. 30 9:30 a.m. Legion of Mary - Geenen Hall ST. MARTHA PARISH MISSION Guest Speaker: Fr. Maurice Emelu February 4-6, 2018 Monday & Tuesday - 6:00pm Sunday - 6:30pm The theme will be Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Healing Healing power of Forgiveness Reconciling with God, with one another and the hurting past Drawing from God s Healing Graces PLEASE JOIN US! ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF... Teresa Patrick Anthony LoConte by Marie LoConte Deceased Family & Loved Ones by Kelly Warmude Alice Packard by The Millers Joseph Bartolotto by Marsha Bartolotto Heimbuch & Mass Families by Mr. & Mrs. George Mass Loved Ones by Marge Coppa Joe Morris, III & Robert Sherriff by Elaine Sherriff Patricia Rogge by Mr. & Mrs. John Rogge Eric J. Lester by Ralph Lester Harold & Jacqueline D Alessio s 50th Wedding Anniversary Sal Gianagrasso by Mr. & Mrs. Velotta Charles H. Borden by Velotta Family Mr & Mrs. John Witz by Tim Witz Mr. & Mrs. Ed. Coffey by Tim Witz Ann Ferriaolo by Sean & Mary Ann White DiMora & Lerario Families by Jim & Mimi Lerario David Carrico by Velotta Family Patricia & Bob Berman by Irene Markland Rose, Joe & Joe Jr. Vellecci by Marge Coppa DONATIONS: Kevin Rutkowski Kenneth & Stacey Liszewski Anna Caragiulo Don & Terry Joseph The St. Martha Altar Society thanks you for your generous donations for altar and church flowers in memory or for the intentions of loved ones.

BULLETIN Email bulletinsmc@stmartha.org "And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn."- Luke 2:7 May we find room in our hearts for all the pre-born and newborn babies, and their mothers and fathers. Let our hearts be blessed this Christmas with a reverence for God's precious Gift of Life. Join us Christmas Eve for a CEREMONY OF LESSONS & CAROLS Sing along to the carols of the season! The Brass Quartet begins at 10:45 p.m. with the Ceremony continuing until the start of the Midnight Mass at 12:00 a.m. DON T MISS CHRISTMAS MASS! www.masstimes.org Traveling for the holidays and are wondering where you will be able to attend Christmas Mass? Visit www.masstimes.org - where you can search for the Mass times at 117,337 Catholic churches, in 205 countries around the world. For those with iphones, there is an app as well that uses GPS technology to find you and locate the nearest church. PASTOR EMAIL pastor@stmartha.org ST. MARTHA CLERGY Very Rev. Fausto Stampiglia, S.A.C., Pastor Rev. R. Patrick Wilson, S.A.C. Rev. Wojciech Stachura, S.A.C. Rev. Sebastian Szczawinski, S.A.C. Rev. Jan Rykala, S.A.C. Rev. John Cao, C.R.M., Hospital Chaplain Rev. George Jerry Hogan, Circus Chaplain Rev. Deacon William Ladroga Rev. Deacon C. Patrick Macaulay Br. William Hudspeth, S.A.C. Br. Tom Flanagan, S.A.C. Br. Lawrence Skitzki, C.S.C. Sr. Cathy Bonfield, S.S.N.D. Sr. Marianne Baehr, C.S.J. ST. MARTHA STAFF Sara Brinn Office Manager/Parish Secretary Virginia Bray Music Director Gina Snode Business Manager/Bookkeeper Patricia Sileo Director of Religious Education Teressa McCoy Administrative Asst./Media Coordinator Sabrina Gibson Reception/Data Entry Pamela Paulson Reception/Data Entry Rose Ann Runnells Sacristan Tom Patt Sacristan Janet Cocco Sacristan Miguel Jimenez Maintenance Supervisor CAROLING FOR LIFE Beginning Tuesday Dec. 5 and continuing every Tuesday through January 2, Christmas Carolers will gather at 10:15 a.m. in front of the Sarasota Planned Parenthood (736 Central Ave, corner of 8th St.). All are invited to Carol for Life throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons! CHRISTMAS CONFESSION SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Thursday Dec. 21 Friday Dec. 22 Saturday Dec. 23 CHRISTMAS EVE 9am-10am Fr. Patrick Fr. Patrick Fr. Patrick 4:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 10 p.m., & Midnight 10am-11am Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto 9:00 p.m. (Vietnamese - Hall) 11am-Noon Fr. John Fr. John Fr. John 10:45 p.m. Ceremony of Lessons & Carols Noon-1pm Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto 1pm-2pm Fr. Jan Fr. Jan Fr. Jan CHRISTMAS DAY 2pm-3pm Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto Fr. Fausto 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., & 5:30 p.m. 3pm-4pm Fr. Wojciech Fr. Wojciech Fr. Wojciech 8:00 a.m. (Spanish - Hall) 4pm-5pm Fr. Patrick Fr. Patrick Fr. Patrick 12:00 p.m. (Vietnamese - Hall) 5pm-6pm Fr. Jan Fr. Jan Fr. Jan 6pm-7pm Fr. Wojciech Fr. Wojciech Fr. Wojciech

Jesus has revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the Father; Jesus is Love incarnate. -Pope Francis ADVENT JOURNEY TO JESUS THROUGH MARY Fourth Sunday in Advent To succeed in your intentions, entrust yourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary always, but especially in moments of difficulty and darkness. From Mary we learn to surrender to God s will in things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God s Word to you will be fulfilled, and that nothing is impossible with God. -St. John Paul II In this fourth and final Sunday in Advent, as we draw near to Christmas, the day commemorating the birth of Our Lord, we look attentively the words by a man whom entrusted his entire papacy to the Blessed Mother. St. Pope John Paul II took Totus Tuus as his Papal motto, meaning Totally Yours and is short for Totus Tuus Maria denoting his complete gift of self to Our Blessed Lady. St. John Paul II was a man who had experienced great trial and tribulation brought about by extraordinary loss. By the time he was a young man he had already lost his mother, brother, and then father, yet read the words of this great Saint: Turn your eyes incessantly to the Blessed Virgin; she, who is the Mother of Sorrows and also the Mother of Consolation, can understand you completely and help you. Looking to her, praying to her, you will obtain that your tedium will become serenity, your anguish change into hope, and your grief into love. I accompany you with my blessing, which I willingly extend to all those who assist you. In John Paul II we find a great model for consecration. It was he who consecrated the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and he did so in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. What great an opportunity we have to welcome Christ into our hearts through the Immaculate Heart of Mary in this 100th Anniversary year of the apparitions at Fatima. The entrustment of one s life to Mary, which St. Pope John Paul II beautifully describes as taking her into one s own home, should be understood as our following Christ s example (He who first entrusted Himself to Mary at the Annunciation). As the Advent Season draws to a close and the final preparations are made for Christmas, we are called to imitate Christ by entrusting ourselves to the Immaculata, the Mater Misericordia, or Mother of Mercy. She will take us, all that we are and have, and present us lovingly to her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us conclude our Advent by journeying to Jesus through (and with) Mary as we pray: O Mary, Guide them to the knowledge of true love and bless their affections. Support them in times of suffering. Make them fearless heralds of Christ's greeting : Peace be with you! With them, I also entrust myself once again to you and with confident affection I repeat to you: Totus Tuus ego sum! I am all yours! And each one of them cries to you, with me: Totus Tuus! Totus Tuus! Amen S. M B S There will be NO Bible Study: Monday, Dec. 25 & Tuesday, Dec. 26 Monday, Jan. 1 & Tuesday, Jan. 2 Classes will resume after the New Year. THE TRADITION OF THE CHRISTMAS CRIB Following a beautiful and firmly-rooted tradition, many families set up their crib immediately after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, as if to relive with Mary those days full of trepidation that preceded the birth of Jesus. Putting up the crib at home can be a simple but effective way of presenting faith, to pass it on to one s children. The crib helps us contemplate the mystery of God s love that was revealed in the poverty and simplicity of the Bethlehem Grotto Indeed, the crib can help us understand the secret of the true Christmas because it speaks of the humility and merciful goodness of Christ, who though he was rich, he made himself poor for us (2 Cor 8:9). His poverty enriches those who embrace it and Christmas brings joy and peace to those who, like the shepherds in Bethlehem, accept the Angel s words: Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes (Lk 2: 12). This is still the sign for us, too, men and women of the third millennium. There is no other Christmas. - Pope Benedict XVI CHRISTMAS GIFT DRIVE Fr. Clemente of St. Paul Catholic Church in Arcadia is asking for Christmas gifts for the 692 children in their Religious Education Program. Donations can be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 1208 E. Oak Street, Arcadia, FL 34266. For more information, please contact the office at 863-494-2611. Cuarto Domingo de Adviento 24 de diciembre de 2017 El Santo, que va a nacer de ti, será llamado Hijo de Dios. Lucas 1:35 LA PROMESA DE DIOS El largo pasaje de Samuel expone de manera maravillosa la promesa de Dios a la dinastía de David: que su trono siempre estaría ocupado gloriosamente por sus descendientes. Oculta en el misterio de la profecía está la promesa del Salvador, el Mesías, Hijo de Dios e Hijo de David. El profeta Natán, quien habla en nombre de Dios, desbarata poéticamente el plan de David de construir una casa para Dios y anuncia que el plan de Dios es construir una casa, una dinastía, para David. De esta dinastía de David provendrá el Mesías, el Cristo, quien no llegará con el esplendor majestuoso con el que reinó David, sino que vendrá como un hombre humilde, que gobernará por los siglos de los siglos. Cuando Dios hace un regalo; lo que recibimos es asombroso: es muy distinto a lo que podríamos haber imaginado. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Mass Intentions Sun., Dec. 24 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a-16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 7:30 a.m. [PW] For All Parishioners 8:00 a.m. [PR] (Span/Hall) For All Parishioners 9:00 a.m. [WS] For All Parishioners 9:00 a.m. [PW] (Hall) For All Parishioners 10:30 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [JR] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [JC] (Viet/Hall) For All Parishioners 4:00 p.m. [PW] (Vigil) For All Parishioners 4:00 p.m. [FS] (Vigil/Hall) For All Parishioners 5:30 p.m. [FS] (Vigil) For All Parishioners 5:30 p.m. [JR] (Vigil/Hall) For All Parishioners 9:00 p.m. [JC] (Vigil/Viet/Hall) For All Parishioners 10:00 p.m. [WS] For All Parishioners 12:00 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners Mon., Dec. 25 Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 7:30 a.m. [WS] For All Parishioners 8:00 a.m. [PR] (Span/Hall) For All Parishioners 9:00 a.m. [PW] For All Parishioners 9:00 a.m. [JR] (Hall) For All Parishioners 10:30 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 12:00 p.m. [JC] (Viet/Hall) For All Parishioners 5:30 p.m. [JR] For All Parishioners Tues., Dec. 26 Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22 7:30 a.m. [WS] Jack Suponcic by Diane Such 8:30 a.m. [PW] Kevin Crowley by Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Meyers 12:00 p.m. [JR] Mary Altobelli by Mary & Carlos Rodriguez 5:30 p.m. [PW] Kelly & Clarke Families by Mary & John McGuder Wed., Dec. 27 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 7:30 a.m. [JR] Poor Souls 8:30 a.m. [PW] Michael MGinley by Chuck & Ruth Lewis 12:00 p.m. [PW] Pat Amato by Nadici Amato 5:30 p.m. [JR] William L Heureux by Family Thurs., Dec. 28 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Mt 2:13-18 7:30 a.m. [JC] Catherine Runci by Michael Runci 8:30 a.m. [PW] Dr. Joseph Harlow by Kate & Dave Shaver 12:00 p.m. [FS] Holy Innocents 5:30 p.m. [FS] Paul Krakenberg by Family Fri., Dec. 29 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 7:30 a.m. [FS] Sally Chase by Paul & Marge Lortie 8:30 a.m. [WS] David Haynes by Mindy Haynes 12:00 p.m. [FS] Tom Kenyon by Mary & Carlos Rodriguez 5:30 p.m. [JC] Kevin Crowley by St. Martha Parish Sat., Dec. 30 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40 7:30 a.m. [WS] Poor Souls 8:30 a.m. [JC] Carmine Cfaldi by Raymond & Diane Granito 4:00 p.m. [FS] John F. Mulligan, II by Doug Mulligan 4:00 p.m. [RN] (Hall) Michael Skoyec 5:30 p.m. [JR] Kevin Crowley by Mr. & Mrs. James Young Sun., Dec. 31 Sir 3:2-6.12-14; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:22-40 7:30 a.m. [WS] Lew & Betty Smith by Daughter 8:00 a.m. [PR] (Span/Hall) Alfred J. Zazella, Jr. by Wayne Patrick 9:00 a.m. [PW] Edward & Edith Barone by Daughters 9:00 a.m. [JR] (Hall) Dick Dederick by Terry & Maureen Aldrich 10:30 a.m. [FS] For All Parishioners 10:30 a.m. [JR] (Hall) Michael Skoyec 12:00 p.m. [WS] Jacqueline Letourneau by Lynda Blouin 12:00 p.m. [JC] (Viet/Hall) Poor Souls 5:30 p.m. [FS] Kevin Crowley by Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Meyers Fr. Fausto (FS), Fr. Patrick (PW), Fr. Wojciech (WS), Fr. Jan (JR), Fr. John (JC), Fr. Pablo (PR), Fr. Notter (RN) OUTREACH MINISTRIES Altar Servers Brian Clark 993-8526 Altar Society Susan Schussler 961-4927 Archivist Ted Cover 379-0758 Arimathean Ministry Cindy Rottkamp 544-8117 Bethesda House Colleen McMenamin 366-1886 Catholic Charities Marisa Zorger 355-4680 Caritas (9-11 a.m., M-F) Tony Cocco, Chair 366-5620 Casa Santa Marta Debbie Greising 366-4448 Choir/Cantor Virginia Bray 366-4210 Council of Catholic Women Sara Brinn 366-4210 Eucharist Adoration Parish Office 366-4210 Finance Council John J. DeStefano 306-5014 Family Ministry Gary Kerschner 961-8713 Hospitality Ministry Beth Cannata 321-2953 Jail Ministry Br. Jim Connolly, CFX 617-872-9714 Knights of Columbus Ken Nota 401-206-9056 Lectors Ed Hale 1edhale@gmail.com Legion of Mary Diane Such 993-9354 Ministries John Gearon 320-4745 Peace & Justice/S.U.R.E. John McGruder 953-6541 Parish Council Roland Gibson 685-1204 Prayer Line Diane Domagala 306-6503 R.C.I.A Maggie Gallucci 355-5957 R.C.I.A Sue Thompson suehome2@verizon.net Respect Life Ministry Jim & Peg Styer 377-1929 Rosary Makers Don & Maxine Brand 755-9749 Solve Maternity Homes Peggy Kerwin 748-0094 St. M. Early Learning Center Jamie Van Dyke 366-1395 Ushers Robert Morrissey 726-9107 EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Parish Pam Paulson 366-4210 Hospital Calvin Kreider 928-6995 Nursing Home Pam Paulson 366-4210 BISHOP NEVINS ACADEMY 4380 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 St. Martha Catholic School 953-4181 Principal: Mrs. Siobhan Young St. Mary Academy 366-4010 Principal: Ms. Rebecca Reynolds CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH SCHOOL 371-4917 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND OUR SCHEDULED MASSES, CONTACT OUR NEIGHBORING PARISHES: St. Jude Sarasota 955-3934 Christ the King Chapel Sarasota 924-2777 Incarnation Sarasota 921-6631 Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Sarasota 755-1826 St. Patrick Sarasota 378-1703 St. Mary Star of the Sea Longboat Key 383-1255 St. Thomas More Sarasota 923-1691 St. Joseph Bradenton 756-3732 St. Michael the Archangel Siesta Key 349-4174 Our Lady Queen of Angels Lakewood Ranch 752-6770 Our priests & deacons minister to the following local facilities: The Pines, Brookdale Midtown, Magnolia, Life Care Center, Horizon Bay, Jefferson Center, Alderman Oaks, Plymouth Harbor, Sarasota Health, Springwood, Casa Santa Marta I & II, Sarasota Bay Club, Cross Breeze, Sunshine Meadows, Sarasota Point, Sarasota County Jail.