St John the THE LITURGICAL WEEK www.stjohntryon.com MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 21 4:30pm - Edwina Brodzinski Sunday, December 22 8:30am - Jim Kenny 11:00am - For the Living and 12:30pm - Jan Tenery Monday, December 23 8:30am - Tim Schlueter Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Vigil 4:00pm - For the Living and 6:30pm - For the Living and 12:00 Midnight - Priest s Intention Wednesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 9:30am - For the Living and Thursday, December 26 8:30am - Jessie Newton 12:00 Noon - Mass in the Extraordinary Form - Priest s Intention Friday, December 27 8:30am - Shirley Gramley Saturday, December 28 4:30pm - For the Living and Deceased Members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Sunday, December 29 8:30am - Lynn Glianna 11:00am - The Vogelsang Family 12:30 - Ann Puckett CONFESSION **Sundays 7:30-8:15am Mondays 7:30-8:15am *Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm *Fridays 7:30-8:15am Saturdays 3:30-4:15pm ** Advent Only *No Confession DEVOTIONS *ADORATION Wednesday at 5:45pm *No Adoration on Dec. 25 MORNING PRAYER After Mass on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET After Morning Prayer on Monday THE SANCTUARY LIGHTS are lit this week in memory of Helen & Joseph Klich PRAYERS FOR OUR SICK & SHUT-INS Please remember the infirmed of our parish, especially those who, by request, have been placed on our parish prayer intention list. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Paula Capozzi If you would like to be added to this list, please call the parish office. You may also call for a copy of the prayer list. UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS! DECEMBER 22, 2013
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT! SPIRITUAL READING & REFLECTION NEXT SUNDAY S GOSPEL READING SAINT OF THE WEEK DECEMBER 26 STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR THE ARMAMENT OF LOVE MATTHEW 2:13-15, 19-23 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child s life are dead. He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean. Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of his soldier. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin s womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven. Our king, despite his exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet he did not come empty-handed. He brought his soldiers a great gift that not only enriched them but also made them unconquerable in battle, for it was the gift of love, which was to bring men to share in his divinity. He gave of his bounty, yet without any loss to himself. In a marvellous way he changed into wealth the poverty of his faithful followers while remaining in full possession of his own inexhaustible riches. And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven; shown first in the king, it later shone forth in his soldier. Love was Stephen s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment. Strengthened by the power of his love, he overcame the raging cruelty of Saul and won his persecutor on earth as his companion in heaven. In his holy and tireless love he longed to gain by prayer those whom he could not convert by admonition. Now at last, Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he delights in the glory of Christ, with Stephen he exalts, with Stephen he reigns. Stephen went first, slain by the stones thrown by Paul, but Paul followed after, helped by the prayer of Stephen. This, surely, is the true life, my brothers, a life in which Paul feels no shame because of Stephen s death, and Stephen delights in Paul s companionship, for love fills them both with joy. It was Stephen s love that prevailed over the cruelty of the mob, and it was Paul s love that covered the multitude of his sins; it was love that won for both of them the kingdom of heaven. Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey s end. My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together. From The Office of Readings, From a sermon by St. Fulgentius of Ruspe, bishop THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED! PAGE 2
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH! PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS If you or anyone you know is homebound or hospitalized, even temporarily, please call the office so that we may arrange for them to be visited by one of our Extraordinary Ministers. With your help we can make certain everyone is taken care of. Thank you! For sacramental emergencies, please call 828-859-9574, ext. 6 Jerry G. Crater Walter & Rose Loughney Andrew & Elizabeth Kurtz Joe Williams, Jr. Joseph & Loretta Fugere John Tomasso Donnie Lawrence Elaine Haber Hacker & Barbara Hanfman THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS FLOWERS DECORATING OUR CHURCH ARE IN MEMORY OF Luciana Lucchese Robert L. Decker Jack & Marjorie Flynn Wanda & DJ Lanahan Joseph DeMeranville The Hartle Family Lucy Campo Al Rolla The Mazurek & MaldonyFamily! WE WISH YOU FAREWELL DEACON JOE AND GLORIA C h r i s t m a s Mass Schedule Tuesday, December 24 th 4:00 pm 6:30 pm 12:00 Midnight Wednesday, December 25 th 9:30am It has been an honor and a privilege to serve beside Deacon Joe over the last year and a half! His devotion to our Lord, in particular in the way he serves the sick and suffering, is an inspiration that has had an impact on all of us here at St. John the Baptist. Please join me and the whole parish in saying 'Thank You' and 'Farewell' to our Good and Holy Deacon and Friend next weekend at a reception downstairs in the social hall following the 4:30 pm Vigil Mass, and the 8:30 and 11:00 am Masses on Sunday. Please join me in praying for Deacon Joe and Gloria, in thanksgiving for all they have done for the parish and that they may be blessed for their faithful service. Deacon and Gloria, we wish you health & happiness and all of God s love and protection UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS! PAGE 3
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT! PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS from Fr. Eckert, Deacon Joe, and the staff of St. John the Baptist Church THE 2014 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES Everyone who received offertory envelopes last year has a new 2014 offertory envelope box with YOUR name on it, ready for pick up today! The envelopes are in the church social hall, arranged in ALPHABETICAL order. Please pick up only the envelope box with your name on it. If there is not a box with your name on it or you wish to receive a box, please contact Kelli Wood in the parish office. OFFERTORY COLLECTION Budgeted Offertory $ 7,038 Dec. 14 th & 15 th $ 6,219 Deficit ($ 819) THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD IS JAN. 1 ST This is a holy day of obligation. The Mass schedule is: December 31 st Vigil Mass at 6:00pm January 1 st Masses at 8:30am and 5:15pm. We will have Confession and Holy Hour at the regularly scheduled time. PARISH LIFE AT A GLANCE The Parish Office is closed December 23 rd through December 27 th Mon Dec 23 5:30pm 7:00pm Schola Choir Practice, Church No RCIA Sacramental Prep Class RCIA Class, Social Hall Tue Dec 24 Wed Dec 25 No Faith Formation Classes, MERRY CHRISTMAS Thur Dec 26 9:30am Patriotic Rosary, Church Fri Dec 27 Sat Dec 28 YOUTH GROUP SUNDAY DEC. 22 ND 9:45AM SOCIAL HALL THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED PAGE 4
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH! FAITH FORMATION / OTHER YOUTH MINISTRY CALENDAR Sunday, December 22 YOUTH Group at 9:45am We meet this Sunday morning at 9:45am in the parish social hall! See you all there! Merry Christmas to each of you and your families! "But there was no room at the inn"; the inn is the gathering place of public opinion; so often public opinion locks its doors to the King. Fulton J. Sheen FAITH FORMATION BLESSINGS TO ALL FOR A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS! On behalf of our catechists, I wish all of our children and their families in our Faith Formation classes a most joyous Christmas. May the miracle of Christmas bring to all the gift of faith. May the miracle of Christmas bring to all peace and hope. May the miracle of Christmas bring to the world His everlasting love. Sister Patricia Durbin May you and your families have peace and prosperity in the New Year and may God bless you and your families with abundant graces! In Christ, Theresa D. Fitch, DRE NO Faith Formation Classes on December 25th and January 1st Note: Faith Formation Classes resume Wednesday, January 8, 2014. We have a new shipment of items in the shoppe COME VISIT OUR CATHOLIC SHOPPE! Car Visors: St Michael, St Christopher, St Benedict, Holy Family Blue enamel tokens: Miraculous with prayer; Get Well Soon; Guardian Angel Benedict Crucifixes corded and boxed Auto rosaries with 3 inch cross on base. Gift Bags: L Innocence by Bouguereau (Lg /Sm) Collectable Jesus Loves Me figures St. Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours 2014 are still available St. Joseph Sunday Missal New Revised Liturgy, leather bound, zipper closure. Two wonderful CDs: Mater Eucharistiae by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and Angels and Saints at Ephesus, by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Open daily Monday through Friday during regular parish office hours: 9am to 3pm. UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS! PAGE 5
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT! PARISH / DIOCESE / OTHER PRO LIFE The fight for the right to life is not the cause of a special few, but the cause of every man, woman and child who cares not only about his or her own family, but the whole family of man. ~ Dr. Mildred Jefferson, Pro-life Physician 8TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE CHARLOTTE! JAN. 10, 2014 The day will begin with a Mass for the Unborn at 9:00am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC. Fr. Fidelis Moscinski of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will be the main celebrant. At 11:00am we will start to gather at the Catholic Diocese at 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC. There may be some parking available at the parking lot, but please expect to find parking on your own uptown if necessary. At 12:00pm we will march to Trade and Tryon where Fr. Fidelis Moscinski will preach. Then march to the court house at 401 W. Trade St. where we will pray a Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Please join others to march and pray for an end to abortion and save babies lives! See schedule details at www.marchforlifecharlotte.org WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Christ is the reason for the Season. Is Christ in your marriage? Worldwide Marriage Encounter can help you make your marriage Christcentered. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Feb. 7-9, 2014 in Asheville, NC and May 16-18, 2014 in Raleigh, NC. Early sign up is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: http:// NCMarriageDiscovery.org Or, contact us at applications@ncmarriagediscovery.org or 704-315-2144. MARCH FOR LIFE JANUARY 22, 2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. go to: www.marchforlife.org for details GAUDIUM MUSICAE St. Ann Catholic Church Gaudium Musicae second concert in the series begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014 with the full baroque orchestra, chorus and soloists of the newly formed Piedmont Baroque Consortium. Listeners will have an opportunity to meet the performers at the reception following this hour-long concert. Single concert tickets are $30 for families, $12 for adults, $8 for students and children 12 years old or under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stanncharlotte.org or at the door, 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, 28209. Sponsors are needed for each of the concerts. Contact the St. Ann parish office at 704-523-4641 ext. 221 for information. If you have recently moved or changed your phone number or e-mail address, please call Andrée in the Parish Office at 828-859-9574 or email at: stjohnchurch@windstream.net, with your updated information. Thanks! ST. BENEDICT S CATHOLIC STORE "Have you visited St. Benedict's Catholic Store in Greer? This centrally located Catholic hub and bookstore is a place designed for our Catholic community to meet, relax, learn about and share our Catholic faith. Catholic books, sacramentals, gifts, wifi, tea & coffee are available! Stop in and visit at 9 0 0 W. P o i n s e t t S t., G r e e r, S C, o r call 864-801-1830 for more information." THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED PAGE 6