TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Michael the Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017 Rev. Fr. Dale Branson, Pastor For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy it; you may even find yourselves fighting against God. Acts 5:38b-39b Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil - 4pm Sunday - 8 am & 10:00 am Parish Center 26035 N Apollo Dr. Florence, AZ 85132 Daily Mass Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - 8:30am at the Parish Center Parish Office 25394 N. Poseidon Rd. Florence, AZ 85132 Phone: (520)723-6570 Fax: (520)723-7116 www.stmichaels77.org Parish Office Hours 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Confessions before Mass or upon request Adora on at 9:00am on Saturdays Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Jesus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was surrounded by an increasingly grand three-dimensional scene of the place of Jesus' birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figurines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you've ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for "surround" or "hedge." Over the centuries, the custom spread first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of figures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where's Waldo? children's book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his followers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living presepio. By the seventeenth century, the tradition was well-established, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Portugal, Spain, and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Rev. James Field, copyright J. S. Paluch Are you new to St. Michael the Archangel Church? We welcome you and we ask that you please take a few moments to register. Registra on forms are located at the Greeters Table or can now be found and submi ed online. Visit our website and click on the link, Parish Registra on Form, found at the bo om of the home page and follow the instruc ons.
Sacramental Policies ANOINTING OF THE SICK At the 8:30am Mass on the first Friday of each month or by appt. BAPTISM Parents will need to provide a copy of the child s birth certificate and participate in a class. Baptismal Classes are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 11 am in the Church office. Parents must call the church office to register for the class. Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are confirmed and married in the Church, if married. CONFESSION Confessions are offered one-half hour before all Masses, or anytime upon request. CONFIRMATION Confirmation will be given students in 8 th grade or above. They must have completed the 8 th grade religious education class and optimally the 7 th as well. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics who are already confirmed and married in the Church, if married. Parents should not be sponsors for their own children. For information on Confirmation preparation for adults please contact the pastor. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION First Holy Communion will be offered to children in Grade 2. Children must attend CCD regularly throughout Grade 2 in order to receive the Sacrament in May of that year. Students will also be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Grade 2. MARRIAGE Both parties are expected to participate in the preparation program. Parties must notify the pastor at least one year prior to their proposed marriage date. Please meet with the pastor for a fuller explanation and to make arrangements. QUINCEANERAS St. Michael the Archangel Parish does not have Quinceaneras at this time. Readings for the Week Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Mass Intentions Dec 17 10:00am Dec 19 8:30am Cristobal & Hilaria Rodriguez Fred J Smith Sr Pro Populo - Latin: for the people - Deceased To request a mass, please call the rectory ST. MICHAEL THE MINISTRIES & FOOD BANK SARA BRACKIN BBRACKIN2@LIVE.COM (910)309-2467 BULLETIN bulletin@stmichaels77.org (520)723-6570 CCD/Altar Servers Reajean Porter CCD@stmichaels77.org (480)718-9623 Leave Message COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR Sue Stonerook, sstonerook@live.com (602)501-3859 Mary Teese, maryteese@cox.net 520-723-9311 EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Virginia Bombolino, ginbaby2003@aol.com, (480)888-7914 GREETERS Ann Kolb annkolb95@gmail.com (480)939-1189 HOMEBOUND MINISTRY Patricia DeStefano patriciad333@yahoo.com 480-243-1055 LECTORS Suzanne Baitinger lectors@stmichaels77.org (480) 745-5621 MUSIC Diana Albert, Dialbert2@aol.com, (480) 457-9712 PARISH SECRETARY/NOTARY PUBLIC Misty Landavazo, secretary@stmichaels77.org (520) 723-6570 PASTOR Rev. Fr. Dale A. Branson, pastor@stmichaels77.org, (520)723-6570 PRAYER CHAIN Virginia Bombolino, ginbaby2003@aol.com (480)888-7914 RCIA Bob Butchko, Bob.butchko@centurylink.net (480) 703-7212 RED HAT MICHAELETTES Sue Baitinger, redhats@stmichaels77.org; (480)745-5621 TEEN YOUTH GROUP Diana Albert, teens@stmichaels77.org (480)457-9712 SACRISTANS Irene Chagoya, Irene.chagoya@gmail.com (480)643-0098 USHERS Darrell Stonerook, sstonerook@live.com (602) 501-3859 WEBMASTER Craig Rudko webmaster@stmichaels77.org (480)250-0722 PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Diana Albert, Sue Baitinger, Bob Butchko, Virginia Bombolino, Ann Kolb, Reajean Porter, Bert Pampanin, Craig Rudko, Darrell Stonerook, Mary Teese, Irene Chagoya & Patricia DeStefano Pastoral Council meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month & all are welcome to attend.
FINANCIAL REPORT Contribu ons for December 4, 2017 Parish Offertory $5,733.60 Building Fund $3,798.87 Capital Campaign $3,907.63 Kneeler/Missale es/poor $202.00 Total $13,642.10 Capital Campaign Pledges Amount Pledged $1,145,498.00 Amount Paid $751,325.25 Pledge Balance $394,172.75 Online Giving If you would like to give online please visit our website, www.stmichaels77.org, and select the Online Giving tab. Please note - If you have made a pledge to the Capital Campaign & are making a payment, please write Capital Campaign in the memo field of your check. Thank you MASS ATTENDANCE 898people attended Mass December 3th, 2017 My name is Samantha Sabbara and I am running a fundraiser for the Phoenix Children's Hospital at the Mercy Gilbert loca on. I am collec ng clothing, toys, books and necessi es for the families at this hospital. These families end up here a er emergencies and some mes need to spend nights at the hospital that they did not plan for. These dona ons go to help them; any and all dona ons are welcome. There is a full list of accepted items here in the bulle n. Thank you and God Bless. BAPTISM CLASS The next Baptism Class for Parents and God Parents will be held January 13th, at 11am in the Parish Center. Please call the church office to register for the class. The class will not be held if no one has registered. Prayer Requests Do you know someone who needs prayers to comfort and strengthen them? If so please contact Virginia Bombolino Phone: 480-888-7914 E-mail: ginbaby2003@aol.com All requests are private.
CCD Weekly Announcements Offertory Gift Bearers December 10, 2017 Weeks at a Glance December 12, 2017 Tuesday CCD Class 6:30 7:30pm ALL GRADES K 8th December 13, 2017 Wednesday NO CCD PENANCE SERVICE 7:00 PM December 17 Kristin Formiano Charli Ruiz Kale Rodrigues Whitni Griffin (W) December 24 Ryder Stenson Wyatt Stenson Logan Stenson Cade Stenson (W) Check in with Miss Reajean Dress appropriately for Mass Altar Server Schedule December 19-27, 2017 No CCD Christmas Break January 2-3, 2018 No CCD New Year s Break Thank you to all our Special CCD Teachers, Substitute Teachers, Aides, and Parent Helpers who are a wonderful gift from God. May the love that came with the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessings that were bestowed on us shine upon you and your families on this Christmas Holiday and always! Thank you! December 16 4pm Saturday Eugene Vrabel December 17 8am Sunday Tobee Dunlap Vinny Bradeen Anthony Bradeen December 17 10am Sunday Dylan Flanagan Abigayle Flanagan Christian Wadsworth
Bake Sal e The monthly bake sale will be next week, Dec. 16-17. Stop and pick up some sweet goodies. Gift Shop The gift shop still has some Advent and Christmas items for sale. Some people may also want to take a look for possible gifts for a special someone. Phoenix Children s hospital We will be collecting items for Phoenix Children s Hospital through next weekend. Place your donations in the box in the vestibule. Greeters Table Stop and purchase a 2018 Missal for $5.00. The angel series books are also on sale for $20.00 each, or all six books for $99.00. The table has many free items. Take a look.