- QUESTIONS OF THE
WEEK
Second Sunday in Advent
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- Today's
Gospel offers us a picture of John the Baptist that is fitting
in this Advent season. Everything about the life of John pointed
to the coming of someone greater than himself: Jesus Christ.
John's words, which come from the prophet Isaiah, remind people
that with the coming of the Lord, all people will actually see
God's salvation taking hold of the earth.
-
- Adults: As I prepare to celebrate Christmas,
how do I show that God's salvation is around us?
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- Children: How can I prepare for Jesus' coming
at Christmas?
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Collection is
this weekend.
- The average
Catholic family spends $12 per year on cookies, $21 on potato
chips, and $29 on takeout coffee. Donations to the Retirement
Fund for Religious average a little more than one dollar per
year per adult Catholic. The RFR benefits more than 37,000 elderly
women and men religious who received only small stipends for
their decades of service. Your gifts makes a difference! Please
give generously.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE
MASS
Practices for the Children’s Choir for
the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 5:15 p.m. are Fridays,
December 15 and 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the church. Children
must be able to read and should attend at least 2 of the practices.
Call Nancy Sand, 592-3410, or email her at nsand@ctkathens.org
for more information.
We still need a piano player for the Christmas
Eve 5:15 Mass; please contact Nancy Sand at above numbers.
CHRISTMAS
FLOWER MEMORIALS
Please send in your donations and memorials
for Christmas flowers no later than December 19 for inclusion
in the Christmas bulletin.
ATTENTION LITURGICAL
MINISTERS
We are preparing the next ministry schedule
which will run from January 6/7 - March 25/26. Please email Nancy
Sand (nsand@ctkathens.org) or phone the office with the dates
on which you unavailable to minister.
We’re scheduling ministers for holiday
Masses; email Nancy with dates you wish to minister.
Christmas Eve, 5:15 & 10:00 p.m., Christmas Day, 10:00
a.m. & New Year’s Day, 10:00 a.m.
ANNUAL
GIVING TREE PROJECT -- Gifts are due before noon TODAY Sunday,
December 10.
COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICES
• Sunday, December 10, 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s
of the Hills, Buchtel
• Sunday, December 17, 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s,
Athens
CATHOLIC LADIES OF COLUMBIA
The Christmas dinner is this Monday, December
11, at Nelson Commons. Hats, gloves, and socks are being
collected for the needy. Call Trudy, 698-4185, or Jean, 592-1428.
ST.
VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Volunteers are needed for food deliveries the
first Friday and first Tuesday of every month. For more information
or to volunteer, call Kathy Baca at 593-5338 and leave a message.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS
The Religious Education classes will participate
in two different nights of Service. All families are welcome
to come and enjoy either event.
On Sunday, December 10, we gather at 4:30
to pray together then do an assortment of Service Projects for
St. Vincent de Paul/Giving Tree project, Beacon School and Senior
Citizens’. We end the evening with prayer and party. Parents
are encouraged to attend with their children. Sunday families
are asked to bring clean clothes/coats of all sizes and kinds
to donate to Beacon School and Atco Shelter Center or donate
children’s prepackaged lunch snacks (crackers, gummies etc.)
These items will be bagged and donated to our Giving Tree children!
St. Vincent de Paul is also wishing for cans of tuna fish!
On Tuesday, December 12, we gather at 6:30
to pray together then go Christmas Caroling at Heritage Commons
or at Carpenter Hall. The evening ends with a closing prayer
and cookies! Parents are encouraged to participate with their
children. Families please bring a plate of cookies to share with
the residents at Heritage Commons.
Tuesday, December 12, is the Feast of Our
Lady of Guadalupe who is patron of the Americas.
December 13 is the Feast of St. Lucy.
In the midst of pagan Sicily, St. Lucy vowed to remain chaste
for Jesus. A disappointed suitor turned her in for being a Christian
and she was executed for her faith.
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS
“The Word became Flesh and made
His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: The glory
of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love.”
–John 1:14
The Lights of Christmas ~~ The most obvious symbol of Christmas
is lights: Christmas candles, window lights, luminaries, lights
on the Advent Wreath and Christmas tree. All signifying that
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.
Christmas Candle ~~ The Christmas candle is an ancient
tradition. It is usually placed in the center of the Advent Wreath
to complete the removal of darkness and sin by the coming of
Christ.
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- “Prepare the way
of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
BIRTHDAYS:
December 11 - 17
Susan Barga, Nathan Barnett, Michael Bruggeman, Beth DiBenedetto,
Don Dillinger, Joe Essman, Gladys Findling, Christine Gidycz-Lein,
Greg Gorman, Bafende James, Cody Mack, Jillian Mayberry, Joe
McLaughlin, Nora Morrison, Kep Rondy, Elaine Saulinskas, Jacob
Schriner, Susie Shaw, and Mary Linda Stephens.
Student: Christopher King
ANNIVERSARIES: December 11 - 17
Sharon & Rick Frame (18th), Joy & Sergio Lopez (23rd)
and Claire & Matthew White (21st).
PRAYERS
FOR THE SICK
Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence
to all on our prayer list and pray for Joe Essman, the Wasko-Smell
triplets, Cliff Wasko, Judy Engel, Kathleen Morrow, Bill Kane,
Tim Ewing, Linda Huck, Mary Simmons, Teresa Walsh, and Mike Mulligan.
(Remembered in the petitions)
RESPECT LIFE
Pope John Paul II taught us that to understand
death with dignity, first accept the dignity of life. Human dignity
is an undeserved gift, not an earned status. The dignity of life
springs from its source -- the loving action of God the Creator.
--Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M.
Cap., “Pope John Paul II: Dying with Dignity,” Respect
Life Program (2005-2006)
NEED
SOME GIFT IDEAS THIS CHRISTMAS?
Here are some local, national, and international
organizations that would appreciate your gift.
International National
Bread for the World Catholic Cte.
for Grameen Bank Appalachia
- Heifer International Pax
Christi
TransFair
USA
Local
Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association
Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
Good Works
- My Sister’s Place
St. Vincent de Paul Society
- The Athens Conservancy
TransFair USA, 1611 Telegraph Ave.,
Suite 900, Oakland, CA 94612--certifies Fair Trade products in
the U.S. and audits transactions between U.S. companies and international
suppliers in order to enable third world farmers to earn more
and invest in their communities’ development. www.discoverfairtrade.org
Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association,
Hospice and Health Services, Inc., 30 Herrold Ave., Athens,
45701: provides cost effective home health services--nursing
care, assistance with daily living tasks, coping with a terminal
illness. www.acvna.org
Good Works, Inc., PO Box 4, Athens,
45701-0004-- through The Timothy House (shelter for rural homeless)
and The Hannah House (long term residential care-community),
provides job experience programs, creative volunteer service
opportunities, and community development ministries in the context
of Christian Community. www.good-works.net
Hollister
Knowlton, an expert in international sustainable development
and eco-villages, will be speaking at the Athens Public Library
December 12 at 7 p.m. She will share her experience in turning
waste into food and jobs in the community of Gaviotas, Columbia.
Knowlton served as a delegate to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she worked with
Climate and Energy Caucus with non-governmental organizations.
Knowlton’s talk is sponsored by the Athens Friends, the
Earth Justice Network, and Greenfire Eco-Village. Refreshments
will be served.
A BLESSING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE
Blessed are you, our God, cultivator of every
living thing that blossoms from the earth, producing fruits and
flowers and seed.
- Blessed
are you who have given us this Christmas tree to decorate with
lively signs of joy.
- As we celebrate
around this tree, cheer our hears with memories of paradise past,
with dreams of the peaceable kingdom yet to come, and keep before
our eyes the glorious cross that has blossomed with the flower
of holiness and healing – Jesus who is Lord for ever and
ever. Amen.
-
- A BLESSING FOR A NATIVITY
SCENE
Blessed are you, our God, Shelter from wintry
winds And stormy nights, the builder of warm And welcoming hearths
And homes whose doors are open wide to all.
- Blessed
are you, who have given us this nativity scene to set before
our eyes the image of your Word, who became flesh and made his
home among us.
- As we look
upon this Holy Family, renew our affection for those near and
dear to us, and stir our hearts to lively concern for all in
need in whom you show us the living image of your Son, Jesus
who is Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.
--2002/03 Liturgy Training Publications
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