- Sunday Scripture Readings
- Reflection on the Scriptures has become
more and more a part of basic Christian spirituality. At times
we would like to return to the Sunday Scriptures at home, but
we do not have the missalette with us. At other times we may
be interested in seeing just what came before or immediately
after the reading for the day to gain more insights.
To encourage this encounter with
the Scriptures, we will be including in the bulletin the scripture
reading references for the current Sunday and the following Sunday.
In addition, in our on-line bulletin we will have the actual
links to the readings.
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New
American Bible
The
Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18
Fourth
Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrew 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
The
Vigil of Christmas
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25
Matthew 1:1-25 or 18-25
Christmas
Mass During the Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 |
- QUESTIONS OF THE
WEEK
Third Sunday in Advent
-
- Farmers
in Palestine used large fork-like shovels to throw grain into
the air. The heavier good grain fell to the threshing floor,
while the chaff which was lighter blew aside and was later burned.
We certainly all want to be good grain. This Advent season we
ask with great courage, “What are we to do?” Even greater
courage is needed to listen and to respond to God’s answer
to our question.
-
- Adults: What can I do this week to listen,
to see and to act on God’s response to the question posed
to John the Baptist?
-
- Children: How can I be more welcoming and
friendly to other children this week?
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
The final practice for the Children’s
Choir for the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 5:15 p.m.
is this Friday, December 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the church.
We still need a piano player for the Christmas
Eve 5:15 Mass; please contact Nancy Sand.
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 still need ministers for the Masses next
Sunday and on Christmas morning. Please contact Nancy if you
can help.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
CTK parishioners are invited to participate
in Adoration at St. Paul’s Church Saturdays, 12 noon to
4 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Contact Rob and Mary Thomas at 698-4012
for more information on how to get involved.
GAUDETE
SUNDAY – Third Sunday in Advent
Our week begins with “Gaudete Sunday.”
Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. It comes from the
first word of the Entrance antiphon on Sunday. The spirit of
joy that begins this week comes from the words of Paul, “The
Lord is near.” This joyful spirit is marked by the third
candle of our Advent wreath, which is rose colored, and the rose
colored vestments often used at the Eucharist.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS
There are NO Religious Education classes
this Sunday or Tuesday. Families are invited to attend the Communal
Reconciliation Service this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
Church. Classes will resume Sunday, January 7, and Tuesday,
January 9. Have a blessed Christmas!
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
Window lights ~~ Lights placed inside window sills
depict a beacon to light the way for Mary, Joseph and the coming
of the Christ Child.
Christmas Tree ~~ Christmas trees can be found almost
anywhere, any size. For many people, the Christmas tree is only
a seasonal decoration. To Christians it symbolized the green
of hope at a time of dying, the burning light of Christ at a
time of spiritual darkness, and the fruits of paradise. Its origin
as a Christian symbol may trace to an historical event. When
St. Boniface evangelized the Germanic tribes he chopped down
their sacred oak to prove the impotence of their god. Just as
Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol of the Trinity, Boniface
used the evergreen as a symbol of the eternity of the true God.
Holly ~~ The appearance of holly is representative of the
burning bush of Moses and Mary’s burning love for God. The
red berries and prickly points are symbolic of the crown of thorns
and the bloody death that the Christ Child would eventually suffer.
Poinsettias are associated with Christmas as the
lily is with Easter. In Mexico, it blooms at Christmastime and
is called “the flower of the Holy Night.” Its name
is from the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett.
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- Have no anxiety at
all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
BIRTHDAYS:
December 18 - 24
Dustin Bastin, Melissa Cardenas, Natalie Coschigano, Trey Finnearty,
Luke Gdowski, Daniela Grijalva, Joke Harnish, Chuck Hart, Kristie
Houser, John Kroner, Lynn Lynch, Josie Marchi, Lara McCleary,
Christopher Meyer, Lauren Meyer, Jacob Miller, Keaton Pack, Jonathan
Pearch, Morgan Prouty, Carol Sauber, Evan Smith and Amanda Weaver.
ANNIVERSARIES: December 18 - 24
Kathy & Steve Abfall (31st), Lynn & Ted
Lynch (20th) and Dana & Todd Zorn (8th).
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence
to all on our prayer list and pray especially 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
To the elderly: You are not . . . on the margins
of the life of the Church, passive elements in a world of excessive
motion, but active subjects of a period of human existence which
is rich in spirituality and humanity. You still have a mission
to fulfill and a contribution to make. --Pope
John Paul II, March 23, 1984
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 CCte.
Appalachia
Grameen Bank Pax
Christi
Heifer International TransFair
USA
Local
Appalachian Community Visiting Nurses
Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
Good Works
- My Sister’s Place
St. Vincent de Paul Society
- The Athens Conservancy
Catholic Committee of Appalachia, Spencer,
WV, is a network of Catholics, lay, ordained, and professed,
working throughout Appalachia, on social problems confronting
the Church in this region. It acts as a liaison between the people
in ministry and the 26 bishops of the region, helping facilitate
two Appalachian pastorals: This Land Is Home to Me and At Home
in the Web of Life.
- Bread
for the World, 50 F Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC
20001, is a nationwide Christian movement that seeks justice
for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s
decision makers. www.bread.org
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.
- A BLESSING FOR
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Gracious god,
Giver of all that is good,
You have created us in your image
To love and be loved.
- Bless these gifts,
Chosen with care
And wrapped with affection;
May they be received with joy.
May our gift giving increase in us
A spirit of generosity
And fill our hearts with gratitude
For the many gifts you give us:
The gift of faith,
The gift of family and friends,
And most of all for the greatest of gifts,
Your Son, our Savior,
Jesus, who is Christ our Lord. Amen
--2002/03 Liturgy Training Publications
- CHRISTMAS MASSES
Vigil 5:15
p.m. Mass
9:15 p.m. Service of
- Readings/Carols
10:00
p.m. Mass
Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Mass
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