December 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION ON READINGS IS 35: 1-6A, 10; PS 146: 6-10; JAS 5: 7-10; MT 11: 2-11 Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means rejoice. Although Advent is a season of penitence and preparation, today is always set aside by the Church to relax and rejoice in the Lord. All of our readings today deal with Christian joy. This may seem not in keeping with the overall mood encouraged for Advent, but it is most definitely in keeping with what we need to feel, and it is definitely appropriate for those who embrace stewardship as a way of life. Stewardship is, of course, based upon an attitude of gratitude and today is a day to focus on the joy that results from that gratitude. Father Henri Nouwen was a well known Catholic priest, professor, writer, and theologian. In describing the significance of this particular day, Father Nouwen clarified the difference between joy and happiness. He said, While happiness is dependent upon external conditions, joy is the experience of knowing that we are unconditionally loved by God and nothing not sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death can take that love away. Joy can be present in the midst of sadness. This joy that is reflected in lives of stewardship was also emphasized by Pope Francis, who said in his homily for Gaudete Sunday in 2014, Today is a day of joy. Rather than fretting about all we have not done or accomplished to prepare for Christmas during Advent, we need to think of all the good things God, and life, has given us. PARISH OFFICE 8755 Scarborough Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920 www.saintgabriel.net Hours: Phone: Fax: Email: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm (719) 528-8407 (719) 598-1696 office@saintgabriel.net PARISH CLERGY Pastor, Fr. Kirk Slattery frkslattery@saintgabriel.net Deacon Andre Mason dcnamason@saintgabriel.net Deacon Andy Dunnam dcnadunnam@saintgabriel.net Deacon Mike McGrady mmcgrady@saintgabriel.net MASS SCHEDULE Weekend... Saturday 5:00 pm; Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish) & 4:30 pm Weekday... Tuesday-Friday 12:15 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Tuesday-Friday: 11:50 am-12:10 pm, Saturday: 2:303:30 pm, or by appointment. EUCHARISTIC EXPOSITION AND ADORATION First Friday: 10am to noon. Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm.
What do you want for Christmas? This is a question we ask each other often before Christmas. Yet how many of us actually take a few minutes to kneel before the infant Jesus and ask Him what He wants from us this Christmas? When we ask in prayer, it is very possible that we may hear a whisper that He wants us to share a little more of our time with Him. Maybe each of us could make a New Year s resolution to spend more time with God by: Attending daily Mass. Finding some time for prayer in the morning. Ending our day with spiritual reading. Praying the rosary while we drive to work. Participating in Eucharistic Adoration (Adoration is From 10am-7pm Every Wednesday or simply stopping into church occasionally for a quiet visit. Whatever you decide, the gift of time with God could be the very best gift we could give this year, not only to Jesus but also to ourselves. It might be just what our own hearts are truly longing for. You may also discover in prayer that Jesus may be inviting you to consider a gift of your treasure during this joyful season? Just as the Magi presented their gifts of great value to the new born King, in gratitude and in support of His mission, a Christmas offering to our parish can have tremendous impact on our mission! May God richly bless you this Christmas Season! OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE There will be Mass and Mananitas for Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 at 7 am. All are invited to attend. HOLIDAY BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT Please plan ahead and submit all announcements for the Dec 24-25, and Dec 31-Jan1 bulletins to the office no later than Friday, December 16. The earlier the better! Thank you. YEAR END GIFT TO ST. GABRIEL Now is the season we give thanks to God for all He has done for us this past year and throughout our lives. It is also a good time to begin considering how we might give back some of our wealth or assets to Him through His Church with a special year-end gift of cash or appreciated assets such as shares of stock. You can designate such a gift to Catholic church s general operating fund. Info: Please contact Marc Lanning in the parish office. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO THE REGULAR WEEKEND MASS TIMES AND THE NEW CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES. CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES, SATURDAY DECEMBER 24 Masses at 4 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm (Spanish), and Midnight. CHRISTMAS DAY MASS, SUNDAY DECEMBER 25 Mass at 10 am. NEW YEAR S EVE MASS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 31 Mass at 5 pm. NEW YEAR S DAY MASSES, SUNDAY JANUARY 1 Masses at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish), and 4:30 pm. 2 Colorado Springs, CO
CALENDAR THIS WEEKEND Sat Information Meeting on design for expansion of church at 6:30 pm. Sat-Sun Bin Pick Up for Gabriel s Gifts after all Masses. Sat-Sun Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES Mon, Dec 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mass and Mananitas 7 am. Wed, Dec 14 Eucharistic Adoration from 10am 7pm. Pray the rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet after the 12:15 Mass. Children s hour at 2 pm. Pray the rosary at 6:15 pm. Evening Prayer and Benediction start at 6:40 pm. Wed, Dec 14 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7 pm. Fri, Dec 16 Reading/discussion group for The Diary of St. Faustina in the Library after 12:15 Mass. Sat, Dec 17 Posadas after 5 pm Mass. Sat, Dec 17 Baptism Class 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Call office to sign up. SAVE THE DATE Jan 20-22, 2017 High School Rally-Great Wolf Lodge, Colorado Springs SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND The Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be taken the weekend of December 10-11, 2015. This annual appeal benefits some 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests women and men who have consecrated their lives to serving God and the Church. Most worked for years for small stipends, leaving their religious communities without adequate savings to meet growing retirement and eldercare needs. Please pray for God s blessing on all religious and give generously to the Retirement Fund for Religious. DECEMBER FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE Sunday: Dec 11. Includes Gr K-5 (11:45-1:15), Gr 6 and 7 (2:30-4:00), and Confirmation (2:30-4:00). RCIC: Sunday Dec 11 and 18 (9:45-11:15). Mondays: K-Gr 7 Dec 12 (4:30-6:00). YSF: Sunday Dec 11 and 18 (9:45-11:15). Homeschool: No meeting in December Kid Zone and EPIC: Posadas on Dec 17 after 5:00 Mass. Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday derives its name from the opening prayer of the Mass for this day, where we pray, "Gaudete in Domino semper" (Rejoice in the Lord always). So in the midst of Advent fasting and devotions, we rejoice because the time we have been preparing for is almost at hand. You will see rose-colored vestments and additions to the church environment due to this special Sunday. A day like this is always good to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. The life of a Christian is not always easy, but it is one of joy. If we keep our heads bowed too long, no one will be able to see the smiles on our faces. May the joy of the Lord be yours on this Gaudete Sunday! The Lord is coming, soon and very soon. ADVENT HAPPENINGS * Extended Reconciliation times Saturdays 1:30 3:30pm * Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 Mass and Mananitas 7am * Posadas December 17 immediately following the 5pm Mass POSADAS The Posadas will take place on December 17 following the 5 pm Mass. The Posadas are an important part of Mexican traditions. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and in this tradition, Mary and Joseph's voyage to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay. The Posadas celebration begins with a procession in which the participants hold candles and sing Christmas carols. Sometimes there will be individuals who play the parts of Mary and Joseph who lead the way, or occasionally images representing them are carried. La Cancion Para Pedir Posada is sung. There are two parts to the traditional posada song. Those outside sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter and the family inside responds singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there is no room. There will be food and fellowship following the Posadas. RETURNING GODS GIFTS UPDATE 2016 Parish Goal: $103,849 Total collected to date: $108,929.72 Percentage collected: 105% Congratulations St. Gabriel s, we have met our 2016 RGG parish goal. For every dollar donated past the parish goal the Diocese will give ½ back to the parish. 3 Colorado Springs, CO
RESPECT LIFE A child is loved because he is one s child: not because he is beautiful, or because he is like this or like that Not because he thinks as I do, or embodies my dreams. A child is a child: a life generated by us but intended for him, for his good, for the good of the family, of society, of mankind as a whole. Pope Francis, General Audience, February 11, 2015. ALTAR FLOWERS There are still many openings for 2017 to sign up to dedicate the altar flowers to honor your loved ones, living and deceased. For a minimum donation of $50, the flowers that are displayed in front of the altar and ambo from Friday to Friday, will be placed there in memory or honor of your loved one. See the book at the Welcome Desk to sign up. Payments are to be placed in the envelopes provided in the book and placed in the white mailbox outside the office. Flower dedications will be highlighted in the bulletin the week of your choice. For questions please contact Nancy in the office at 528-8407. INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Snow season is here! For office hours and possible Confession and Mass cancellation, please call 528-8407, for recorded information which will be updated by 9am. For specific ministry event cancellations, look for information from the ministry coordinator. Please be safe during these winter months. SUPPORTING OUR HOMELESS THIS WINTER. A FAITH COMMUNITY RESPONSE Several Family Promise/IHN congregations are engaging as sites for an emergency storm shelter option. You CAN HELP in assisting their volunteers and teams by letting your congregation's Outreach Team know of this need or by contacting Family Promise/ IHN (329-1244) to be linked to options for helping. A FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. Take a little time before Christmas to joyfully prepare your hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our King! Hear the Christmas story through Scripture readings, Christmas carols, and prayer. Set aside 2 hours on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7-9 p.m. in the Holy Apostles main sanctuary for this Family Festival of Lessons and Carols. Cookies and drinks will be served following the readings and carols. GIVING TREE If you took a tag off the Giving Tree, please return your wrapped gifts to the tree by December 12. Your generosity is going to make a little girl or boy s Christmas, merry and bright this year. THANK YOU A huge thank you to all who so generously offered the work of your hands in time, treasure and talent for the success of the Advent Mission An Encounter of Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession. All of your efforts are so greatly appreciated! All who attended were so abundantly blessed! God bless you!! GABRIEL S GIFT S FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION Our monthly food pantry collection for Mercy s Gate is next weekend. Please pick up a bin after mass today and bring your donation when you come to mass next weekend. Needed food items include: baking ingredients, boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Pasta Helper, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, etc.), canned vegetables (please no corn or green beans), canned fruit, large cans of Chunky soup and chili, crackers, jelly, Ramen noodles, canned meats and pasta (Spam, canned ham, tuna, Spaghetti-O s) and spaghetti sauce. Needed nonfood items include: deodorant, face soap, personal hygiene products, shampoo, toothbrushes, tooth paste, sandwich size plastic bags and laundry detergent. Our October collection totaled 1013 pounds. According to Mercy s Gate staff, St. Gabriel continues to be a major supporter of the food pantry. Thank you so much! 2017 SERIES OPENER Embracing God; The Key to Joy and Happiness January 7th, 2017, Penrose House, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Registration Deadline December 29th, 2016 Every moment, God s gifts surround us and His mercy is always close to us. Do we have space enough in our lives to know this wondrous, personal relationship? Create the space. Join Bishop Hanifen, Frannie Rose and Ed Gaffney on January 7th for our 2017 series opener, Saturday retreat, Embracing God; The Key to Joy and Happiness, and open your heart to the closeness of this spiritual journey He shares with us. A personal relationship with Jesus is the key to happiness in your life. Go to www.onesimplevoice.org, or call 719-445- 8644 to register. Scholarships are available. 4 Colorado Springs, CO
LOCAL AREA RECONCILIATION TIMES Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God. --Pope John Paul 2 "Be a Catholic: When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel." St. Maximilian Kolbe ADORATION TIMES AT ST. GABRIEL Wednesdays 10am 7pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary prayed immediately following 12:15pm Mass Rosary at 6:15pm Evening prayer at 6:40pm Benediction at 6:50pm First Fridays 10am 12pm 5 Colorado Springs, CO
CHILDREN'S CONTENT NOW AVAILABLE Your children will love the new content we have for them on FORMED programs, ebooks, movies, and talks that will entertain, engage, and inspire them with the beauty and wonder of their faith. Discover all the new children's programs, books, movies, and audio at formed.org GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE "The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised." Jesus has quite a résumé. When asked whether or not he is the long awaited Messiah, Jesus replies with this list of his credentials as proof of his position. These signs and wonders speak volumes, to be sure. But perhaps the most interesting line on the list is his concluding one, "the poor have the good news proclaimed to them." Why does he count this among his litany of miracles? What is so remarkable about sharing good news? Perhaps Jesus included this element of his work--the preaching of good news--to remind his followers that the physical healings were not the ultimate goal of his mission. Rather, the spiritual healing that comes from hearing the good news of salvation is what Jesus was really about. The "poor"--which in a sense means all of us sinners, trapped by the poverty of the sins that enslave us--are freed by Jesus' message of a loving God who wants to bring us into his kingdom. Our poverty is erased by his richness. His mercy "undoes" our sin and we are invited to become the children of God who share in the glories of his heavenly abode. Sometimes it's tempting to just want the visible miracles. But the invisible ones--the conversions that take place in the silence of the human heart--are truly the more important works of God. Such interior transformation is what leads us to eternal life; even a physical cure won't last for eternity--death still comes at some point. But the really good news is that this miracle of conversion is available to all of us. And this season of Advent is the perfect time to let God work his miracles in our hearts. LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Today is Gaudete Sunday! Gaudete means "rejoice!" Our Scriptures provide us with wonderful images of healing, restoration, and justice. St. James reminds us to be patient as the coming of the Lord is at hand. But it is the prophet Isaiah who provides the encouragement we so desperately need. Our world and our country are in need of peace. We long for God's justice, which does not bring retribution but equity. Isaiah shows us that if we walk with God all of these things can be ours, not only in the future but now. EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS John the Baptist is truly an intriguing figure of history. He was a cousin of Jesus and literally prepared all those who would listen for this new way of life ushered in by a Messiah. Besides the key role he plays in the Gospel story, his depiction in Scripture, and then in literature, movies, and other media, gives us an image of a pretty unique person. How about locusts and wild honey for dinner? Can you imagine camel's hair as a staple in your wardrobe? He lived differently, and he stood out among the status quo. Of course, his look and cuisine didn't stand out nearly as much as his message. How do you stand out? What separates you from the crowd? God has created each of us completely unique and with a combination of gifts like no one else. How can you uncover and understand your unique gifts? First, reflect on what makes you happiest in life. We are happiest when we are using the talents God gave us. Next, think about what comes naturally to you, whether it is a skill, task, or emotion. Recurring patterns in our behavior and experiences provide clues to our giftedness. Finally, what do other people see in you? The communities we live in, whether it is our family, parish, school, or workplace are filled with people who can provide clues to us by their observations. After these steps, can you say what makes you special? Now, let's start to grow that, lean on it, and stand out in a way that brings glory to God. 6 Colorado Springs, CO
WEEKLY FAITH TOPIC CHRISTMAS CONFESSION PAUL TURNER Many Catholics go to confession as part of their preparation for Christmas. A lot of people who shop, bake, mail, and party throughout December know there is a deeper reason for all this activity. They want to do more than decorate the house and set the table. They want to prepare their hearts so that the King of Kings will find in there a home. Your parish probably sets aside extra time for confessions in December. Priests usually hear individual confessions on Saturday afternoon. But they gather people for a communal penance service on some other evening of the week this time of year. During the week or ten days before Christmas, you should be able to find confessions scheduled at your parish or in another one nearby. As an alternative you may ask a priest for a special appointment to hear your confession. Some people do this if they are not free when the parish confessions are scheduled, or if they would like to spend a little more time to confess their sins and discuss their spiritual life with a priest. Priests are busy, especially during the week before Christmas, but they will want to help you if they can. If Christmas comes, and you still haven t gone to confession, it is never too late. The good news is you can always go. If your experience of Christmas this year touches your heart; if you are moved by the spirit of giftgiving by family, friends, and strangers; if you realize more deeply that God loved you enough to send you Jesus then open your heart. See God s glory. Acknowledge your weakness. Confess your sins. And rejoice in the grace of forgiveness. Copyright 2012 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #170, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. BULLETIN DEADLINE Deadline for bulletin announcements is 10 am Monday Dec 12 for the Dec 18 bulletin. Please send all announcements to office@saintgabriel.net. READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 11 Monday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/ Jdt 13/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Ps 85/Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Is 54:1-10/Ps 30/Lk 7:24-30 Friday: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8/Ps 67/Jn 5:33-36 Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72/Mt 1:1-17 Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24 ALTAR FLOWERS There will be no Altar Flowers during Advent. PRAYERS If you have a request for needed prayers, strength, hope, courage or thanksgiving for yourself, family or friends, please email the Prayer Chain at ncbelanger54@gmail.com. Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 TITHING RECIPIENT The recipient of today s tithe is Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Belize. Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School is an inclusive Catholic secondary school committed to academic excellence and to developing the ability of students to become active participants as members of His Church and engaged disciples of Jesus Christ. Please pray for the people served by this organization. PRAY FOR VOCATIONS Bishop Emeritus Richard C. Hanifen Fr. Kirk Slattery Fr. Joe Dygert Deacon Mike McGrady Deacon Andre Mason Deacon Andy Dunnam Deacon Michael Holmquist MASS INTENTIONS Would you like to have a loved one remembered in a special way during a Mass? Would you like to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, or other special event? Consider requesting a Mass intention! Please contact the office at office@saintgabriel.net, 528-8407 or stop by during office hours. The suggested donation for a Mass intention is $10. Sat Dec 10 5:00 pm for: Tuan Ngo (+) Sun Dec 11 8:30 am for: pro poulo Sun Dec 11 10:30 am for: Rudy Haberzettl (+) Sun Dec 11 12:30 pm for: Stewart Family (SI) Sun Dec 11 4:30 pm for: Michael family (+) Mon Dec 12 7:00 am for: Mary Jane Calderon (+) Tues Dec 13 12:15 pm for: Mackenzie McIntyre (+) Wed Dec 14 12:15 pm for: Dianne Dahmen, OCDS (SI) Thur Dec 15 12:15 pm for: Maria Koziol (+) & Witold Koziol (+) Fri Dec 16 12:15 pm for: Franciszka Zaba (+) & Edward Zaba (+) Sat Dec 17 5:00 pm for: Barney Barnett (+) Sun Dec 18 8:30 am for: Pierce Ford (+) Sun Dec 18 10:30 am for: Felisa Olson (+) Sun Dec 18 12:30 pm for: Victoriano Ramos (+) Sun Dec 18 4:30 pm for: Jack Frothingham (+) 7 Colorado Springs, CO