December 2017 Very recently, our nation has certainly experienced some devastating disasters hurricanes, raging fires, mass shootings, terrorist attacks. Sometimes, keeping the message of hope alive is a daunting task. Pope Francis had this to say: Recall the myth of Pandora s Box which tells the story of a curious woman who opens a box she's been forbidden to open. When she does so, all of the evils of the world are then released. But at the end of the story, there is a glimmer of light, the Pope said, because after all of the terrible things pour out of the box, Pandora spies one last thing remaining inside: hope. This myth tells us why it is so important for humanity to hope. It is not true that 'as long as there is life there is hope,' as it is commonly said. But it is the opposite: it is hope that sustains life, which protects, preserves and grows it. Come, O Lord, and bring your light, O radiant star and heart s delight. O God with us, Emmanuel, with your love, the dark dispel. Teach Children What to Treasure POWERSOURCE ASK GOD: 1. To bless your family s Christmas preparations and reflections. 2. To help your children feel satisfied with what they have. 3. To show your family the value of spiritual things rather than material things. Despite Christians efforts to honor the true meaning of Christmas, each December we must do battle with our consumer-oriented culture. The temptation to overindulge our children isn t limited to the holiday season, either. All year long, kids are bombarded by ads for must-have items. Parents often give in, either because they can or because they don t want their kids to feel deprived or left out. From a spiritual standpoint, materialism shifts our priorities and dependence from God and heavenly things to what the world offers. From a developmental standpoint, overindulged children are less able to cope with stress, often lack self-control, and are at risk for being self-centered and depressed, As the Christmas season approaches, keep these tips in mind: Don t rely on gifts as substitutes. Children desire time with you and emotional security. Deep down, they want relationships more than things. Emphasize the importance of nonmaterial values. Prioritize spending time together as a family, whether you re engaged in experiences and activities or spending quiet time at home. Watch the example you set regarding shopping and spending. Help children explore their values. Instead of just saying no to every request, use the moment to discover what s important to kids.
Help Your Kids Understand the December Gospels December 3, 2017 Mark 13:33-37 First Sunday of The words of an song remind us to Stay awake! Be ready! Awake in this case means to be watchful just as the gatekeepers in today s Gospel needed to be. Such attentiveness requires a never-ending amount of patience. However, patience does not come easily in a society where fast food and instant communication are expected. calls us to cultivate patience as we seek the ways of the Lord in our daily lives. Are you able to be alert to God s word stirring within you? December 10, 2017 Mark 1:1-5, 7-8 Second Sunday of John the Baptist is a wonderful reminder of our ability and necessity to be present in the Christ story as it unfolds today. The path is still not completely clear. We are being called to proclaim the forgiveness of sins today more than ever. This ongoing preparation takes place in the gentle turning of hearts and minds toward the love and acceptance of God. In any time of darkness, we are called to bring the light of Christ to the world. December 17, 2017 John 1:6-8, 23-28 Third Sunday of John the Baptist clearly shows us that we are not meant to be the light ourselves, but rather reflect the light of Christ. Even as great as John was at the time and for all the followers he had, he knew that it was not he, but the one he spoke of that would save us. Imitating Christ in word and deed will bring about the Kingdom of God. December 23/24, 2017 Luke 1:26-28 (At SMMP, Sunday are at 5pm on Sat and 8 & 10am on Sun; No Sun noon Mass.) Fourth Sunday of As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we recognize that the world is imperfect just as it was when Gabriel came to Mary, and Jesus came to the world. Ready or not, Christ is on his way and our level of preparation will determine just how much we are able to receive. Jesus did not wait for the darkness to disappear to arrive; he came right in the middle of it and filled it with light!. May the Lord also be with you as you make your final preparations to welcome the Christ Child! December 24/25, 2017 (At SMMP, Christmas on Sun, the 24th, are at 3pm in the Church & Parish Center, and at 5 (Children s Mass) & 10:30pm in the Church only. On Mon, the 25th, Masses are at 10am and 12pm. Nativity of the Lord There are four Masses that are celebrated for the feast of Christmas, and each is given its own set of readings to help us contemplate Christ's birth. The Gospel for Christmas Eve gives us the genealogy of Jesus and the angel's announcement of the birth to Joseph, along with Joseph s acceptance of his role in God s plan. The Mass at night proclaims the birth of Jesus through the angels' announcement to the shepherds in the Gospel of Luke. The reading for the mass on Christmas morning continues the story of the birth of Jesus as found in Luke's Gospel with the shepherds' visit to the infant Jesus. Finally, the Gospel for Christmas Mass during the day is taken from the beginning of John's Gospel. It is not an Infancy Narrative like those found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Instead, John's Gospel starts at the very beginning of time and presents Creation as the framework for announcing the birth of Jesus. John's opening words echo the first verse in the Book of Genesis, In the beginning was the Word. December 30/31, 2017 Luke 2:22, 39-40 Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph We can look to Mary and Joseph as parents who took the time to observe the practices that are part of their faith. Passing on the faith from parents to children is as important today as it was in Jesus time. January 1, 2018 Luke 2:16-21 Holy Mary, the Mother of God (Holy Day, but Dispensed; Mass at SMMP is at 9am.) Your child is the Savior, all hope lies in him; He gives us new life and redeems us from sin! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave, Maria!
The Religious Education 2017 ADVENT PROJECT OPERATION WRAP! This year, our kindergarten thru 5th grade families will join in on a long-standing Jr. High Project Operation Wrap. Please encourage your children to do some extra chores during to earn a little cash; or perhaps, if they receive an allowance, to set aside a bit of that money to purchase a toy of at least $5 in value for any age child. Bring that unwrapped toy to the collection box in our Parish Center no later than December 13th. Our Jr. High students will be wrapping and labeling those toys during class time on December 11th, 12th & 13th. Then Sgt. Maurice Taylor, retired from the Cook County Sheriff's Department, will deliver the toys to low-income children who are hospitalized in Cook County over the holidays. Remember - it is in giving that we receive! More & Christmas Events at St. Margaret Mary Christmas Eve Children s Mass Parents of children in grades K-5 should have recently received an email inviting your children to participate in the 5 pm Christmas Eve Children s Mass. Depending on their grade level, the children can be angels, shepherds, readers, or have a role in the reenactment of the Gospel story. Parents, you can register your children on-line to participate or they can fill out a form in the Religious Education Office. Please note that a mandatory rehearsal for all participants is scheduled for Saturday, December 16th, from 9 to 10 am in the Church. Cookies & Carols Come, join our Elementary and Jr. High youth for cookies, carols and reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. We ll gather on Wednesday, Dec. 20th at 4 pm in the Church. A cookies and punch reception will follow in the Parish Center. Everyone is welcome to attend! P.S. We would appreciate cookie donations! Please drop cookies off in the Parish Center prior to the Church Service. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - a Holy Day of - is Friday, Dec 8th Masses at SMMP are at 8:15 am and 7:30 pm. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation... is Sunday, December 10th, at 5:00 pm in the Church. Approximately one hour, this service will include an examination of conscience, and the opportunity for private confession.
MEDIA MADNESS MOVIE Title: The Star Genre: Animation, ure, Comedy Rating: PG Cast: Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Zachary Levi Synopsis: A brave donkey yearning for adventure teams up with some eccentric stable animals. When the new friends follow a star, they become unlikely heroes of the first Christmas. Our Take: This major Sony Pictures release includes lots of big-name talent, including a title song by Mariah Carey. Based on the trailer, the movie seems to offer more comedy and animated antics than religious insight. It is refreshing, though, to have a holiday release that actually focuses on the reason for the season Jesus. Games, Sites & Apps Anaxi In this lighthearted card game, which won a best family fun award, players make creative connections between words. The goal is to brainstorm people, places, and things that have qualities in common. Answers can be challenged. For ages 8 and up. AutismHwy.com This site, launched by the mother of an autistic boy, features fun games for children who are on the autism spectrum. It s also filled with lots of helpful information for parents, including a blog, articles, resources, events, and specialists. Users must create an account to access site material. BOOK Title: Malala s Magic Pencil Author: Malala Yousafzai Synopsis: The 20-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, who advocates for human rights and education, offers inspiration in this new picture book. While sharing her vision for equality and opportunity, she encourages young readers to change the world. Our Take: Despite Malala s experience surviving an attempted murder, this book remains ageappropriate for kids ages 4 to 8. There s a suggestion of danger and hardship, but Malala s message about educational ideals and the goodness of people is positive. Older kids may wonder what the author endured, and the book may provide a great opportunity to discuss the basics of Christian faith versus other faiths. Leela Kids This free educational app for kids ages 3 to 15 curates podcast content based on topics and age groups. Topics range from science and space to music and animals. Kids and parents can rate and share any episode or story. Parents can hide certain age categories as desired. This page is designed to help educate parents and isn t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play. CULTURE & TRENDS An Eye-Opener Spending more time playing outdoors has a protective effect on children s eyesight, say researchers. Lots of exposure to outdoor light may also reduce kids chances of needing glasses for nearsightedness. (cnn.com) Moods Are Catchy Children whose friends deal with bad moods are more likely to report being in bad moods themselves, according to a new study. The opposite is true for children whose friends are generally happy. (time.com) QUICK STATS Spoiled Alert! 46% of parents say they ve gone into debt buying something their children want. (cnbc.com) Tipping the Scales The number of obese children and teens worldwide now tops 124 million. That s more than 10 times the number from four decades ago. (The Lancet) Pardon Me About half of parents say they re interrupted by their smartphones at least three times a day while talking with their kids. These interruptions contribute to negative behavior among children, research reveals. (telegraph.co.uk)
December SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 1st Sunday of Lessons & Carols; 7pm 10 2nd Sunday of 17 3rd Sunday of 4 11 Operation Wrap! 5 12 Operation Wrap! 6 13 Operation Wrap! 7 8 Immaculate Conception; Holy Day of Masses at 8:15am & 7:30pm 9 14 15 16 Christmas Eve Children s Mass Rehearsal 9-10am Church 18 19 20 21 22 23 5pm Mass for Sunday 24 4th Sunday of 8 & 10am Sunday Christmas Eve 3, 5 (Children s Mass) & 10:30pm Christmas 31 8, 10am & 12pm Sunday 25 Christmas Day 10am & 12pm Christmas 1 Mary, Mother of God; Holy Day Dispensed Mass @ 9am 26 27 28 29 30 5pm Mass for Sunday