November 27, 2016 St. Patrick Catholic Church 140 Church St., Portland, MI 48875 Phone: 517-647-6505 Fax: 517-647-7807 parishof#ice@portlandstpats.com www.stpatrickportland.com Rev. Larry J. King, Pastor Dcn. Don Sobolewski, Pastoral Associate The Mission of St. Patrick Parish is: To celebrate the Eucharist, To proclaim the Good News, To encourage Stewardship as a way of life and To grow in Faith, Justice, Love and Service to all. Mass Schedule: Reconcilia on: Eucharis c Adora on: Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am Weekdays: Tuesday 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:30 am Thursday 9:30 am Friday 7:30 am Saturday 3:00 pm or by appointment Monday, Noon 5:00 pm Wednesday, Noon 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm-12:00 am Parish Office Hours Mon.-Fri.: 8:00 am-4:30 pm Closed 12:30 pm-1:00 pm for lunch Wed. evening: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 2 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN Masses for the Week of November 27, 2016 Mon. 11/28 Tue. 11/29 Wed. 11/30 Thu. 12/01 Sat. 12/03 Sun. 12/04 Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 8:5-11 Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 6:00 PM Herman Gensterblum 1 year Anniv. Saint Andrew, Apostle Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8,9,10,11; Mt 4:18-22 7:30 AM For the People Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 9:30 AM For the People Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 7:30 AM Saint Francis Xavier, Priest Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Second Sunday of Advent Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12 Helen Clark, Alice Hengesbach SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH November 27, 2016-December 4, 2016 Small Prayer Group, 12:45 PM, LLCR HS Youth Ministry, 6:00 PM, CIA HQ Church Cleaning,10:00 AM, Church Advent Wreath Lighting Ceremony, 10:10 AM, Church Eucharistic Adoration, 12:00 PM, Chapel Adult Formation-Ignite, 6:30 PM, Parish Hall NO Children s Faith Formation Class Small Prayer Group, 9:00 AM, LLCR Church Cleaning, 10:00 AM, Church Mass Class Adoration, 1:00 PM, Chapel School Mass Choir/Psalmist Group, 1:15 PM, Church Eucharistic Adoration, 12:00 PM, Chapel Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 7:00 PM, Church Adult Choir Practice, 7:00 PM, Church Basement Eucharistic Adoration, 9:00 PM, Chapel Hand-bell Choir, 6:30 PM, Room 304 Church Cleaning, 10:00 AM, Church 7th & 8th Grade Youth Ministry, 2:45 PM, CIA HQ Men s Faith Support Group, 6:30 AM, LLCR Rosary, 7:30 AM, Chapel Christmas Choir Rehearsal, 10:00 AM, Music Room Reconciliation, 3:00 PM, Church Coffee & Donuts following Masses 8th Grade Faith Formation, 12:45 PM, CIA HQ Small Prayer Group, 12:45 PM, LLCR Altar Server-Formation Day, 2:30 PM, Church & Parish hall HS Youth Ministry, 6:00 PM, CIA HQ Athletic Association Meeting, 6:30 PM, Parish Hall Parish Staff (517) 647-6505 Financial Activities Collection the week beginning 11/08 11/14 Bulletin deadline is 10:00 AM Monday for inclusion in Sunday Bulletin.
ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 3 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN Swords into Ploughshares Isaiah 2:1-5 The first reading of the entire Advent season presents Isaiah s famous dream of a people at peace: They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. How can we get that peace? In Isaiah s vision, that peace comes from the word of the Lord. That word comes from Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem sits on a hill, but it is a stubby little hill. Other hills are larger. But Isaiah prophesies that Jerusalem s hill will be established as the highest mountain. All will stream toward it to hear God s word. For Christians, when we hear this prophecy on the First Sunday of Advent, we imagine Isaiah s dream on a grander scale. We see heaven as the new Jerusalem, established higher than anywhere else. We see all peoples streaming toward it for instruction. The word that comes from the new Jerusalem is the Word made flesh at Bethlehem. We yearn to hear that word and form our lives by it. This day, let us hear the word of God. Let us take the weapons we hurl at our neighbors the angry words, the hurtful deeds and beat them into plowshares that open fertile soil of communication and into pruning hooks that weave renewed relationships of peace. Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2009, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Lectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year C: First and Second Readings. STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS ALTAR APPOINTMENTS December 3rd & 4th 4:30 PM Connie Vallier Fr. Larry King 7:30 AM David Chislea Fr. Larry King Fr. Larry King 11:30 AM Carol Gunderman Fr. Larry King 4:30 PM Graham Wolhscheid, Alex Kissane, Leah Kissane, Riley Kissane 7:30 AM Elizabeth Pung, Martin White 9:30 AM Courtney Pohl, Timothy Pohl, Alana Brown, Sydney Brown 11:30 AM Leah Cook, Shane Cook, Ally Florian, Kayla Florian Family Perspective By Bud Ozar In today s gospel Jesus advises: Stay awake, watch out, and pray for the strength to hold your ground when fearful and bewildering signs appear threatening your family. Resist being fearful; fear cripples! Instead pray for the strength to be courageous. For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. MATTHEW 24:42 People who have had health issues or near-death experiences generally have a greater appreciation for each day being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all that we have been given. Prayer of the Faithful That we don t take each day for granted and see the little miracles that occur in our lives every day. Miscellaneous Quotes by Pope Francis Dear brothers and sisters, the Church loves you! Be an active presence in the community, as living cells, as living stones. May 5, 2013 Sponsor of the Week: Grand Hearing Center
ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 4 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN Knights News Upcoming events at the Knights Hall 11/20/16 Bingo at 2:00 P.M. @ Knights Hall 11/21/16 Social Meeting at 8:00 P.M. @ Knights Hall 11/30/16 Euchre Party at 1:00 P.M. @ Knights Hall Congratulations to Mike Cook for being chosen as Knight of the Month for November. Congratulations to Mark and Amy Smith for being chosen as Family of the Month for November. RAISING HOPE DINNER IS NOV. 30: Tickets are available for purchase at the Catholic Charities West Michigan website (ccwestmi.org) for the Wednesday, Nov. 30, Raising Hope Dinner at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. The program's focus this year will be the agency's child welfare programs, especially foster care and adoption. More than 325 at-risk children were placed in a safe foster home last year through CCWM and 85 children found loving forever homes via adoption. The event kicks off with a 6:30 pm reception, followed by dinner and the program. Attendees will also have access to the "Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World" exhibit. Tickets are $150 each. Sponsorships are available by calling 616-551-5663. Christmas Cards for Our Homebound We will again send Christmas cards to the homebound members of St. Patrick Church. We want them to know that they are still part of our parish family, and that we are thinking of them. If you know the names of any homebound parishioners that you think would like to receive cards, please call Karen Stevens at 517/627-7699. Visit Aquinas College Aquinas College is hosting two AQDays for all high school juniors and seniors interested in visiting their beautiful 117- acre campus. You re invited to come and discover what life at AQ is all about. Get the inside scoop on academics, athletics, scholarships, service learning, study abroad, and more. Friday, December 2nd: General AQDay (open to all academic majors) Saturday, December 10th: Athletic AQDay (open to student-athletes) Please visit aquinas.edu/undergraduate for more details or to register. Portland Community Fund The Portland Community Fund need your help in making their Christmas Giving Program a success. All families will receive a Christmas dinner and family members 18 and under will receive gifts. The Giving Tree will be in place this weekend. Please take a tag, buy a gift and return it with the tag securely attached by December 11th. CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS NEEDED - Along with the Christmas Giving Program sponsored by the Portland Community Fund, St. Patrick Parish will collect new and gently used Christmas decorations to share with the families receiving gifts through the annual Angel Tree program. Used artificial trees, tree toppers, ornaments, garland, tinsel, wrapping paper, transparent tape and Christmas lights are needed to help the families have a decorated Christmas tree to put the presents under. Due to safety concerns, we can only accept new lights. Items will be accepted until Wednesday, December 14. Large items can be dropped off in the trailer in the parish office parking lot on Church Street. Small items can be dropped off in boxes in the back of the church. Call Ken Schneider at 517-643- 2749 for more information or questions. CHURCH DRUM SET FOR SALE - $250 IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A REPLACMENT (we need a smaller set), WE ARE SELLING OUR CURRENT SONOR 5 PIECE DRUM SHELL PACK. THIS INCLUDES: mounting brackets and a newer Pearl snare drum. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE: the throne, pedal, cymbal stands or cymbals. To make an offer or to see pictures of what is included, text Sean at 517-526-4315 Christmas Dinner Food Bags The Christmas committee is collecting non-perishable food donations to fill the Christmas dinner food bags as a part of the Christmas Giving Program. We would like your help in collecting any of the following items: Instant Potatoes and/ or Rice, Gravy or Gravy mix & Broth, Bisquick/Jiffy mix, Vegetables (can), Fruit (can), Jell-O or Pudding (boxes). Our collection period will run until December 11th. Should you have any questions regarding the Christmas Giving Program, please contact either Lisa Balderson 501.930.1651 or Sandy Klien 517.526.0529 Volunteers needed- St. Patrick Church on the 2nd Monday of each month prepares the Monday Night Dinner at the First Congregational Church. We have been asked if we could also help by providing 2 servers on our night from about 4-6 PM. If you are interested in helping either serve or preparing the meal please contact Darlene Schrauben at 517-512- 4058.
First Sunday of Advent Page 5 November 27, 2016 Youth Corner What would you do Junior High: See you Friday after school! Celebrating all December Birthdays! High School: Sunday, November 27 Charlie Brown Thanksgiving feast Sunday, Dec 4 Adoration night Sunday, Dec 11 ASK the DEACON! Sunday, Dec 18 Caroling All 6-12 graders save the date for God Is In Control a Roger Miller original play to be held January 27, 28,29. Want to be in the play? Try outs are Monday November 28th at 7:00 pm at the Portland Playhouse. Everyone who auditions will be in the program! ichallenge: Life without challenges is a life without opportunity. Up Coming Dates Faith Formation New News November 28th- NO CLASSES (CATECHIST IN- SERVICE) December 26th- NO CLASSES (CHRISTMAS BREAK) Up Coming Events December 4th- Coffee & Donuts (can count as a makeup day when volunteering) December 12th- Meals at First Congregational Church (4-6 pm) (can count as a make-up day when volunteering) Toys for Tots The St. Patrick Catholic School chapter of National Honor Society is partnering with The U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots program to collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys for children in need in Ionia county. Collection boxes are available at the school office, parish hall, and latch key entrances and the NHS bulletin board in the high school hallway. Toys will be collected through December 15th. If you met an Angel? Popular culture is full of images of Angels. Angel teddy bears, Angel figurines, even Angel costumes for our pets! Yet, noted Catholic theologian Peter Kreeft reminds us, (Angels) are not cute, cuddly, comfortable, chummy, or cool. They are fearsome and formidable. They are huge. They are warriors. What would I do if I met an Angel? I think I would fall on my face in holy fear! After all, when they appear in scripture, they often have to tell those who encounter them, Be not afraid! What do we know about these pure spirits created by God? How should we invoke their powerful protection and pray for their guidance? Join us Monday at Ignite for, Messengers of God- The Angels Coming Events: Mon. November 28th: Messengers of God - The Angels Mon. December 5th: They Preferred the Darkness - Demons and Hell Mon. December 12th: Be Still! - Overcoming Fear Spread the fire! Carolyn Kwiecinski Director of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation carolynkwiecinski@portlandstpats.com
First Sunday of Advent Page 6 November 27, 2016 ST PATRICK PARISH ADVENT RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE 2016 Saturday, November 26RR.3-4 PM Saturday, December 3R..R3-4 PM Thursday, December 8RR..7-8PM After Mass Saturday, December 10RR3-4 PM Monday, December 12R..R7-8 PM Friday, DecemRRR.R5:30-6:30 PM Saturday, December 17RR.3-4 PM Wednesday, December 21R.5-7 PM Thursday, December 22RR.5-8 PM Last Opportunity To The Parents of Young Children, May we suggest. Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don t feel you have to suppress it in God s house. All are welcome! Sit toward the front, where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what s going on at the altar. They tire of seeing the backs of others heads. Quietly explain the parts of the Mass and actions of the priest, altar servers, choir, etc. Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you. If you have to leave Mass with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, Let the children come to me. Remember that the way we welcome children in Church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship. To The Members of Our Parish The presence of children is a gift to the Church and they are a reminder that our parish is growing. Please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents. These are some suggestions found on a pew card and thought they could benefit our parishioners and families with young children
First Sunday of Advent Page 7 November 27, 2016 New Ways to Give: Through Text Messaging: Text your donation amount to 1-517-641-2226, follow the instructions sent back and complete a one time registration Through Your Computer: Go to www.stpatrickportland.com and follow the New Online Giving link to schedule a recurring donation or a one time donation. Traditional Envelopes Traditional envelopes received quarterly through the mail. If you are not receiving envelopes and would like to, please contact the parish office.