SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT D E C E M B E R 1 0 2 0 1 7 PARISH OFFICE... (480) 948-8380 Office Hours.. Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - Noon Toll Free. 1-866-973-9469 Fax... (480) 948-8815 E-mail... smgoretti@smgaz.org Website... www.smgaz.org MASS SCHEDULE (YEAR ROUND) Weekend... Saturday (vigil) 5:00 pm; Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 am Weekday... Monday-Saturday 8:00 am Holy Day... please call the Parish Office SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday 3:00-4:30 pm or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF HEALING Anointing of the Sick: Administered on the 3rd Tuesday of each month after the 8:00 am Mass. Also available upon request if you are shut-in or entering the hospital. IN AN EMERGENCY For emergency anointing after office hours, please call (480) 361-3734. ANNOUNCEMENTS For the week of December 10, 2017 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection is this weekend Our monthly SMG Parish Breakfast is TODAY in Piper Hall. Plan to join us for great food and fellowship. Please be sure to read the bulletin for complete details on all parish activities this week. Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church 6261 North Granite Reef Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 Just north of McDonald Drive on Granite Reef Road REV. THOMAS J. HALLSTEN, KHS - PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR DEACON CARMENE CARBONE DEACON GARY SCOTT DEACON JIM TRANT Follow & Like us on Facebook.com/smgaz Visit our website www.smgaz.org Android/Apple phone users, download our parish App at myparishapp.com "We are the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Maria Goretti, inspired by our patroness who was led by the Holy Spirit to reflect the love of the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. We seek to learn the faith, to love the faith, and to live the faith. This is our witness. By the grace of God and nourished by the Word and Eucharist, we humbly serve God and our fellow man." *Mission Statement
2 S E C O N D S U N D A Y O F A D V E N T D E C E M B E R 1 0, 2 0 1 7 SMG SCHEDULED EVENTS A word or two from Fr. Thomas: Monday, December 11 6:00pm - Holy Hour - Chapel 6:30pm - RCIA - John XXIII Tuesday, December 12 4:00pm - CGS - Atrium 6:30pm - Charismatic Prayer Group - Chapel 7:00pm - Knights of Columbus - Piper II Wednesday, December 13 8:30am - Bible Study - Piper 4:00pm - CGS - Atrium 7:00pm - Choir - John XXIII 7:15pm - A.A. Mtg. - Piper II Thursday, December 14 6:30pm - Women s Guild - Piper Hall Friday, December 15 5:00pm - Youth Ministry Boy s Retreat - John XXIII/Piper Hall 6:00pm - Family Prayer Group - Chapel Saturday, December 16 8:00am - Praying Mom s for Vocations - Piper Hall 8:30am - Catholic Men s Fellowship - John XXIII 9:30am - SMG Crafters - Piper II Sunday, December 17 Noon - Crossroads Youth Ministry - John XXIII Noon - Bridges Youth Ministry - John XXIII PARISH STAFF PARISH OFFICE... (480) 948-8380 Parish Manager, Lynda Melton.....ext. 33 Accounting, Nancy Milus... ext. 14 Facility Supervisor, Tim Bies... ext. 51 Facility Assistant, Jean Steeley... ext. 51 Director of Music & Liturgy, Skye Hart... ext. 17 Admin Assistant, Ministry Placement/Sacramental Record Request, Judy Colburn... ext. 13 Office Hours... Monday-Thursday 9:00am-6:00 pm Faith Formation Assistant & Marriage Preparation Santa Giuliano... ext. 15 Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation & RCIA; Annulment Minister Cindy Troiano... ext. 21 Youth Ministry, Lorie Dean....ext. 25 Baptismal Preparation, Deacon Gary Scott... ext. 26 PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN... (480) 948-3606 Office Hours... Monday-Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm Director, Kate Strohmeyer ext. 23 Greetings! I want to make you aware of a couple of developments here in the parish. Nothing earthshaking, but as is said, It s nice to know what s going on! Through a series of meetings with staff, our pastoral council and lay leaders, we have come up with some ways to simplify our lives. The Pastoral Council and Stewardship Committee recently voted to merge. It was determined that many of the projects that each group is working on can easily be accommodated by both groups. The merge of the two groups brings the heart of the Stewardship Committee to the mind of the Pastoral Council. All, but one of the services of the Stewardship Committee will be retained. The one service being dropped has slowly missed parish support is the maintenance program directed by the City of Scottsdale. Because the parish is required to have a Pastoral Council, both groups have been merged as a Pastoral Council which will have regular monthly meetings with me and whose president will serve the corporate board as Secretary. The schedule for our parish chapel, the Holy Souls Oratory will be changing effective 1 January 2018. The chapel will be open and welcoming Monday through Saturday from 8 AM til 4PM; Sunday from 8 AM til 1 PM. These hours coincide largely when a staff member is on duty. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament continues as before, but there is no need any longer to schedule parishioners. All are welcome as usual, but without the difficult-to-maintain commitment to be present for certain hours of the week. By the way, if you ve not yet visited the chapel as a new or long-term visitor, I highly recommend a visit. There, you will find a pleasing solitude and a peaceful environment for prayer. Our lives are hectic, and an escape from it can be very helpful to a hurried soul. I suspect that this news will be disconcerting to some, but I assure you that your perspectives were brought into the discussion. However, security of the Blessed Sacrament and of those visiting the chapel is important to us and owning up to what we, as a parish, can reasonably offer, weighed heavily in the discussions. We are also gratified to know that other, larger parishes are able to safely provide 24 Hour Adoration as a ministry to the city at large. One nearby parish is Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Miller, south of Indian School Road).
S T E WA R D S H I P N E W S 3 "What can I do to be a good steward and disciple of Jesus?" SMG 50TH ANNIVERSARY - TIME CAPSULE What should we include in the time capsule for future generations? Your ideas are welcome. Stop by the parish office and complete a suggestion form, or call the office at 480-948-8380. ADVENT ACTIVITIY IDEAS Filling the Manger: Have each child make a manger for baby Jesus. This can basically be any small box that can be made of or covered in something brown. Give each child as many pieces of yellow yarn "straw" as there are days in Advent. Also, if desired, give the children a list of suggested activities. Each day the child does a good deed or completes the activity she/he can place a straw in the manger. Give the children small plastic "king cake" dolls to put in the cribs on Christmas. They have made a bed for Jesus with their good deeds. The Advent Chain: Make a paper chain with as many links as there are days in Advent. You can use purple and pink for the weeks, corresponding to the weeks on the Advent wreath. Put a good deed on each link. Each day the child opens one link of the chain and performs the deed listed. STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS Our readings from Holy Scripture on this Second Sunday of Advent remind us of what we are supposed to be doing during Advent, in fact throughout our lives. The reading from Isaiah anticipates the coming of Christ and John the Baptist as it proclaims prepare the way of the Lord. This is a time of preparation for us. That message is repeated in our Gospel from St. Mark. Today s Gospel is the absolute beginning of Mark s Gospel and it immediately gives us that same signal by declaring, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Of course, we all realize that the path to the Lord may not always be straight for us, but now is a time to correct that. God is waiting for us. St. Peter in his Second Letter, from which our Second Reading is drawn, indicates that God, however, is patient with you. You might say on this Second Sunday of Advent that the Lord is giving us a second chance to respond to His call. One of the basics of St. John the Baptist s messages was that we need to get ourselves right with the Lord, perhaps turn our lives in a different direction. We can change; now is the time to do that. Pope St. John XXIII once stated during a homily in Advent, We are all part of an immense family. This is proven by what is in our hearts during Advent and Christmas. Now is the time to put love in our hearts and to truly prepare the way of the Lord. RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS COLLECTION Plate Collection Totals for December 3, 2017 189 Envelopes Used....$6,656.00 Loose.4,778.00 Online Giving (48)...2,345.00 Total Plate Offerings.$13,779.00 Year to Date Sunday Plate Income (July - Oct) BUDGET... $219,000.00 ACTUAL (plate)... $247,681.15 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.. Matthew 6:21 December 9 & 10 This is an opportunity to honor and thank the thousands of senior Catholic sisters, brothers, religious order priests and our own senior diocesan priests who responded to God s call in their youth and who, now in their retirement years, need our help so that can live in dignity, free of anxiety about their means of support. Please be generous in your support of our retired religious and in praying for God s continued blessing on our nation s elderly sisters, brothers and priests.
4 MUSIC FOR THE ORDER OF MASS ADVENT I I Music for the Order of Mass Second Sunday of Advent December 9-10, 2017 **All of today s scripture readings, hymns and service music can be found in your red WORSHIP hymnal Procession Hymn, No. 386 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Introductory Rites Kyrie, 317 Liturgy of the Word: Worship Hymnal 1005 Responsorial: Psalm 85 Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation Offertory Hymn, No. 392 On Jordan s Bank Liturgy of the Eucharist Sanctus, 347 Memorial Acclamation A, 348 Amen, 349 Agnus Dei, 236 Communion Antiphon Jerusalem, Arise! And stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God Hymn at Communion Procession, No. 940 Take and Eat Hymn of Thanksgiving, No. 406 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn Organ Postlude How Brightly Shines the Morning Star! (J. Pachelbel) READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 10, 2017 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 Monday: Is 35:1-10/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 [Is 35:4f]/Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Jdt 13:18bcde, 19 [15:9d]/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 [1]/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20/Ps 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab [8]/ Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [cf. Jn 8:12]/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19 [4]/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS PLEASE PRAY FOR L I T U RG Y A N D MUSIC Sat. Dec. 9 5:00 pm Lee Spelman Sun. Dec. 10 7:30 am James Rodio 9:00 am SMG Parish Family 11:00 am Bob Adams Mon. Dec. 11 8:00 am John Flitton Family Tues. Dec. 12 8:00 am Lucia Lapaglia Wed. Dec. 13 8:00 am Helen Whitehurst Thurs. Dec. 14 8:00 am Anthony Giuseppone Fri. Dec. 15 8:00 am Jeane Robbeloth Sat. Dec. 16 8:00 am Crystalina Evert 5:00 pm Luke Evert Sun. Dec. 17 7:30 am Mrs. Araujo 9:00 am SMG Parish Family 11:00 am Olive Reading Deceased: Tamara White Julie MacKay James Kieran May the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God rest in Peace. MUSICAL NOTE: JOHANN PACHELBEL This weekend s organ recessional is by German Baroque composer, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706). Although he s probably best known for his Canon in D which is heard at countless weddings and was made popular in more recent times by the movie Ordinary People (1980) Pachelbel wrote many other wonderful pieces of music, and is considered one of most important composers of the Middle-Baroque period. This setting of the hymn How Brightly Shines the Morning Star, depicts the brightness of Christ who comes as the Morning Star with a joyful accompaniment, over the melody of the hymn, which is played in the pedals. LITURGICAL MINISTERS Join the many other members of our parish family who serve as Liturgical Ministers! Liturgical ministry includes reading at Mass (lector), Eucharistic ministers, ushers, greeters, altar servers, sacristans, and more. Enrich your own liturgical life by participating in the life of your parish! Find our more today by calling Judy at 480-948-8380, etc. 13.
F A I T H F O R M A T I O N 5 CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT RCIA We need your angel s to be our angel s and shepherd s as God s word is proclaimed Children s participation in the Gospel Proclamation *At the December 24th 4:00pm Mass in the church* Sign-ups available in the Faith Formation Office and after all CGS sessions. For information please call Cindy at 480-948-8380 ext.21 It is the season of Advent. A time of waiting. A time of preparing. We are waiting and preparing for the great feast of the birth of Jesus! The color is purple. This week we are filled with Peace. So on our Advent Wreath we light one bright candle for hope and one for peace. A peace that only the Savior can bring! Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Are you Catholic and missing the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist? Are you already Catholic and just want to know more about your faith, please feel free to join us anytime for any of our informative sessions. RCIA sessions are each Monday from 6:30 8:00pm in St. John XXIII Hall Please join us, all are welcome! Mark you calendar for these upcoming presentations: 12-11 Mary, Mother of God 12-18 Birth of Jesus Father Thomas Questions, please contact Cindy ext. 21 BAPTISM WOMENS BIBLE FELLOWSHIP If you have a child in need of the sacrament of baptism, please contact Deacon Gary Scott at 480-948-8380 Ext.26 at least 3 months before the baptism for more information. Our next Baptism Class is January 6th at 9:00am in the Lamb Atrium, please call to register. Women s Bible Fellowship will resume Thursday, January 4. We meet in John XXIII Hall, 9-10:30am on the first and third Thursdays of the month. We will not meet December 21. Have a Merry Christmas! Call Mary (480) 235-9806 for more info. Bridges and Crossroads Youth Ministry Grades 6 8 Grades 9-12 Ready or Not, Here He Comes! SMG Youth Meet Today 12-1:30! December 15: Crossroads Guys: The Long Defeat A Movie, A Retreat and A Guys Night: Piper Hall 5:00-9:00. December 15: Bridges Guys Night: Speaking of the Rebel Jesus. Food, Games and Fellowship. John XXIII 6:00-9:00. December 17: Christmas Party!
6 MINISTRIES & ORGANIZATIONS S T. M A R I A G O R E T T I P A R I S H L I F E PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Secular Franciscans, Robert Bundy, ofs (480) 998-7401 Alcoholics Anonymous... Wednesdays 7:15 pm Ida... (480) 948-8503 Marriage Encounter, Dan & Jennifer Van Cuyk (480) 425-1353 Retrouvaille (for troubled marriages)... (602) 254-6723 Sanctity of Life... (480) 948-8380 Prayer Request Line... (480) 948-8380 Prison Ministry, Judy Colburn...(480) 948-8380 ext. 13 Pastoral Council... (480) 948-8380 Charismatic Prayer Group... Tuesdays 6:30 pm Kathy Smith... (480) 994-1643 Cursillo, Phil Ondrei... (480) 951-5047 Christ Child Society, Helen Jaros... (480) 991-2207 SMG PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Knights of Columbus, Brian Sullivan (602)-740-4907 Prayer Ministry, Bob & Carol Bundy...... (480) 948-8380 SMG Men s Club.... (480) 948-8380 SMG Women s Group, Kathy Nord. (602) 705-9643 SMG Bingo!!!.....(480) 948-8380 Catholic Men s Fellowship, Sean Fitzgerald (480) 293-4565 SECULAR FRANCISCANS INFORMATION The Secular Franciscans will meet Sat., January 13 at 8:30 am in John XXIII. Anyone interested in knowing & living the Gospel in daily life and the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi is invited to join us. For information call Bob Bundy, OFS, at 480-998-7401. ARE YOU REGISTERED? Attending Mass at SMG does not mean that you are registered. Please take the time to stop by the parish office, or download a registration form from our parish website (www.smgaz.org). Being registered, active parishioners is necessary to serve as a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor; for those seeking in-parish tuition rate for our preschool & kindergarten or inparish wedding and funeral fees; and for those seeking the Pastor s approval for being granted reduced tuition status at one of our Diocesan schools. Please call the parish office if you have any questions, or need help with registering. St. Maria Goretti Preschool & Kindergarten Where children Love God Love One Another And Love to Learn! Ages 2 and UP No Cost Music Together Class with Miss Chris For babies to 2 years Every Wednesday 8:30-9:00AM Piper II Call for more information 480-948-3606 Coming Up NEXT: Registration for the 2018-2019 Year Begins Jan. 5th For more information about Preschool and Kindergarten Please call or visit our website Smgazpreschool.org CATHOLIC MEN S FELLOWSHIP Catholic Men s Fellowship-SMG - We are launching a new program at St. Maria Goretti and hope that you will be able to join this special group of men. If you were able to come to our Barbecue and kickoff info night we hope you had a great time and are hungry for more spiritual fellowship. Our November session dates (NOTE Wednesday begins at 7:00pm; Saturday begins with Adoration at 7am, Mass at 8am, session 8:30 9:30): Sat. 12/16, Wed. 12/20, Sat. 12/30 Contact Sean Fitzgerald @ 480.293.4565 (text or call) for more information.
S T. M A R I A G O R E T T I P A R I S H L I F E 7 SMG BINGO!!! - SEE YOU DECEMBER 19TH We meet the First and Third Tuesday of each month from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm in Piper Hall September through May. Any one 18 and older is welcome to join us. Bingo cards are $1 each with a minimum of 3 cards. Cash Prizes * Door Prizes * Refreshments Yes!!! We re Playing Bingo in Piper Hall from Noon to 3:00pm...See you December 19th! LET S PLAY BINGO!!! KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-MEETS 2ND TUES. IN PIPER II We meet the second Tuesday of the month, Rosary at 7:00pm, meeting begins at 7:30pm in Piper II. **All men over the age of 18 are encouraged to join the Knights of Columbus. For information contact Brian Sullivan, Grand Knight, at 602-740-4907. MENS CLUB The Men s Club has a legacy of service to St. Maria Goretti and is always eager to welcome new members! We meet the 2nd Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in Piper Hall. Come learn more about this wonderful group & all the ways we serve our community. he time commitment is minimal - the rewards are countless! SMG WOMEN S GUILD INF0 Please save the date and plan to join us... *WG Christmas Gathering is Dec 14-6:30pm in Piper Hall Bring a wrapped white elephant exchange gift...remember that your gift will be a special treasure to another. Our meal will be a delicious potluck we have some really good cooks and bakers and more than enough food - we never walk away hungry so come with an appetite We appreciate all that you do to help our SMG Women s Guild serve our parish family. Need more info? Kathy Nord (602-705-9643) EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Could you not watch one hour with me? -Mt. 26:40 Exposition of The Most Blessed Sacrament is: Sunday 6:00 am-12:00 pm Monday- Wednesday 6:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday - 6:00 a.m. - Midnight Friday Midnight -7:00 pm and Saturday 6:00 am - 5:00 pm Current adoration hours in need of Adorers: Sunday 9:00-10:00 am, 10:00-11:00am Monday 10:00-11:00am, 4:00-5:00pm Tuesday 9:00-10:00 am, 11:00am-Noon, 5:00-6:00pm Wednesday 10:00-11:00am, 4:00-5:00pm, 5:00-6:00pm Thursday 8:00-9:00am, 3:00-4:00pm Friday 9:00-10:00 am, 10:00-11:00am, 1:00-2:00pm Saturday 8:00-9:00 am, 1:00-2:00pm, 4:00-5:00pm You are encouraged to commit to any of the scheduled adoration hours. We are also in need of substitute adorers. Please sign up in the parish office. The Adoration Chapel will remain open on weekends. Please make every effort to keep your hour of adoration or get a substitute. ST. MARIA GORETTI DUET - ARE YOU HOMEBOUND?? Homebound parishioners, do you or a parishioner you know need a helping hand with services such as: grocery shopping, friendly visiting, business help, computer assistance, respite assistance, or transportation? If so, please call Judy Colburn at the parish office (480-948-8380 ext. 13) to help you get in touch with DUET. If you would like to help bring new Life to Elders visit www.duetaz.org to volunteer - also call 602-274-5022 SMG CRAFTERS WE MEET YEAR ROUND! Our St. Maria Goretti Crafter s Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 9:30 am in Piper II If you are in need of more information about this ministry call Judy Colburn at 480-948-8380 ext. 13 *Please note that we would appreciate any baby material you can donate for our baby quilts. Thank you for helping us help others. FAITH FITNESS STRETCH EXERCISE We meet Tuesday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in Piper II (off of Piper Hall) for healthy stretching & fellowship. NOTE-NO SESSION DEC. 12, 19 & 26. To register, contact Mary Elizabeth at 480-329-2960, 480-948-6960 or maryelizabeth23@gmail.com.
8 SMG OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBERS Ecumenical Outreach & Interreligious, Tom Brady... (480) 745-5080 Guadalupe Outreach, D.J. Lois & Lovett Lois... Lovett (480) 483-3061 Sanctity of Life, Julie Watson... (480) 326-2277 Pastoral Care... (480) 948-8380 Santa s Workshop, Ida Trentacoste (after 5:30 pm)... (480) 634-8841 St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ann Collins... (480) 948-8380 x50 ECUMENICAL AND AND INTER INTER FAITH FAITH UPDATE UPDATE The Church promotes unity among all the followers of Christ which flows from our common baptism and seeks the fullness of unity which is a condition of evangelization. The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. Division damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. Thus we are asked to pray faithfully that unity will be achieved by those separated. The Church of Phoenix is called to participate in the quest for unity by promoting ecumenical and inter-religious relations as mandated by Vatican II. The Church has urged the faithful to seek unity with her separated Christian brothers and sisters and respect the truth found in all religions. It is essential that each parish as part of its mission seek ways to further unity with all Christians and non-christians. As part of this call we at St. Maria Goretti Parish join the Diocese of Phoenix in this quest. Those interested in furthering this ministry please contact Tom Brady 480-745-5080. SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL INFORMATION FEED. CLOTHE. HOUSE. HEAL..is what the SVDP Society does through the Spirituality, Fellowship, Serving those in need, and Giving others the opportunity to serve. We invite you to attend our meetings to learn more @10:00 am, Piper II, every other Sunday. Contact Ann Collins, 480-451-0898. If you or someone you know in our parish family is experiencing a crisis and in need of help with food, clothing, rent, utilities or medical/dental attention, we have many resources to fulfill many needs. Call SMG SVDP at 480/948-8380. S M G O U T R E A C H M I N I S T R I E S GUADALUPE OUTREACH SANTA S WORKSHOP Thank you for responding so generously with the needed food items for our Guadalupe Outreach! Thanks to SMG parishioners, the 30 families we support will have food for the holidays and beyond! Jesus is the reason for the season and we celebrate His birthday with laughter, get-togethers and gift giving, but more importantly with sharing our love for Our Lord with others. Thanks to your generosity and support of Santa s Workshop, over 2000 recipients will be reminded of the reason for the season. Santa would be proud (and possibly a little jealous) of the elves, young and old who filled the gift bags in just a few hours. Thank you to those elves and also to the behind thescenes elves who handled the mailing, made the signs and worked in the kitchen. St. Maria Goretti parishioners, through their support of Santa s Workshop and other charities show that they continue to follow and believe Jesus words and command, What you do for others, you do for Me So - Happy birthday Jesus, thank you St. Maria Goretti parishioners, and a Blessed Christmas to all! STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR PARISH DO THE GOOD THAT PRESENTS ITSELF TO BE DONE....Do it prudently and over an extended period of time. Charity is the paradise of communities and the souls of the virtue. We are overwhelmed and truly grateful for your continued generosity to our Food drives and special donations. Backpacks are ALWAYS needed for the homeless. Please drop off used/new backpacks at SMG office anytime. Donations for clothing/furniture/appliances call SVDP Thrift Stores Pickup at 602-254-3338. DATES TO REMEMBER: Next Meeting December 17 Next Food Drive January 6 & 7 Next 5 th Sunday Collection December 31, 2017
O T H E R N E W S 9 PLEASE PRAY FOR VOCATIONS - DECEMBER 10, 2017 Second Sunday of Advent God calls us to proclaim the Good News. How do you share that Good News? Pray for the grace to be a faith filled witness of God s love. (Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11). If you think God is calling you to be a priest, deacon, brother or sister, visit www.dphx.org/vocations/ or www.dphx.org/consecrated-life/, or phone 602-354-2005. HAPPENING AROUND THE VALLEY Every Sunday TV Mass: The Holy Mass is broadcast live at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings from Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral on KAZT-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13), followed by local Catholic talk show Catholics Matter, hosted by Fr. Rob Clements. Every Monday The Bishop s Hour: The Diocese of Phoenix s locally produced radio program about issues from a Catholic viewpoint. Hosted by Michael Dixon, The Bishop s Hour is broadcast at 11 a.m. every Monday on Immaculate Heart Radio 1310 AM, with an encore presentation on Thursdays at 9 p.m Every Tuesday The Catholic Conversation: Steve and Becky Greene, the Cradle and the Convert, help Catholics faithfully live their vocation by providing Church teaching, navigating moral challenges and exploring current issues facing the faith in our culture. The Catholic Conversation is broadcast at 11 a.m. every Tuesday on Immaculate Heart Radio 1310 AM, with an encore presentation at 7 p.m. More Info: phoenixcatholicmedia.org VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SO WE CAN HELP OTHERS... Mission of Mercy Mobile Medical Clinic has been serving the uninsured since 1997 in Phoenix, Maryvale, Mesa and Avondale. We are in need of volunteer doctors, nurses and bilingual interpreters to help at our clinics on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Ana, at 602-861- 2233 S_M_2003@yahoo.com CALLING ALL CURSILLISTAS Several of your Cursillo brothers and sisters met this summer at SMG. We are now planning to have an ultreya each quarter. If you are a Cursillista and have not been receiving e-mail updates, please e-mail me at apondrei@aol.com and let me know your e-mail address so you can begin to receive them. De Colores! CRYS - CATHOLIC MINISTRY FOR YOUNG SINGLES Catholic? Single? 21-40? Join us for some special time together and great fellowship. For information please check out our website at(cscarizona.org) You can also find us on Facebook (https:/ /www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesCommunity/ ) for more information about CSC! WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Let us learn to comfort each other better by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend with our spouse. The next weekend is on January 26-28 at Mount Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix. The next weekend is on January 26-28 at Mount Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix. To apply online, and for weekend dates visit www.wwmearizona.com WIDOWED? DIVORCED? SEPARATED? YOUNG MEN S CONFERENCE December 29th, 2017 FR DOUG LORIG Faith s Journey: A Story of Discipleship by Fr. Doug Lorig is now available. Faith's Journey is the story of transformation and transcendence of Fr. Doug Lorig. It is an inspirational story of how he came to the service of God and of the Church. Copies are available at the gift cart in Piper Hall after Sunday Mass. WOMEN S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP PHOENIXPRIEST.ORG PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US! We have a group that reads some great books. If you are interested in joining, call Denise Schaffer at 480-948-3473 for more information.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church Advent and Christmas 2017 Friday, December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Holy Day of Obligation. Holy Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9 2:30 p.m. Parish Christmas Concert, The Greatest Gift presented by the choirs of St. Maria Goretti Parish and Victory Lutheran Church. Featuring Vivaldi s Gloria and seasonal carols and instrumental works. Free admission open to the public. Sunday, December 24 **Fourth Sunday of Advent observed in the morning: Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and Anticipated Mass on Saturday, December 23 at 5:00 p.m. **While Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, the faithful are encouraged to fulfill their obligation for the Lord s Day and the Fourth Sunday of Advent by attending one of the Sunday morning or anticipated Masses, in addition to attending one of the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Masses. Christmas Eve two Masses at 4:00 p.m., one in the church with children s Nativity Pageant (Fr. Thomas), the other in Piper Hall (Fr. Greg Rice); 6:00 p.m. Mass (Fr. Thomas); 9:00 p.m. Mass (Fr. Thomas). Monday, December 25 Christmas Day Masses at 8:00 a.m. (Fr. Thomas) & 10:00 a.m. (Fr. Thomas). Sunday, December 31 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph observed in the morning: Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and Anticipated Mass on Saturday, December 30 at 5:00 p.m. New Year s Eve Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m. Monday, January 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Holy Mass at 9:00 a.m. * * Holiday Office Closures * * The Parish Office will be closed the following days: Monday, December 25 & Tuesday, December 26 Monday, January 1 & Tuesday, January 2, 2018 The Adoration Chapel will be closed on Christmas Day & New Year s Day Waiting...Anticipating...Preparing