- 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
Fourth
Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24
Feast
of the Holy Family
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 |
- QUESTIONS OF THE
WEEK
- Fourth Sunday
of Advent
-
- As we are getting ready to celebrate
Christmas in just a few hours, let us take time to remember that
we will not only be celebrating an event of the past, we also
celebrate that God is always with us.
Adults: How does my faith in Jesus fashion my response
to situations in which God does not seem to be present or has
left me on my own?
Children: When can I stop during the day and say,
“Thank you, God, for being with me today?”
CHRISTMAS
CHOIR PRACTICE -- Children’s 5:15 Mass, Christmas Eve
The final practice will take place on Sunday,
December 23, from 6:00-7:15 p.m. Contact Nancy Sand for more
information.
CHRISTMAS MINISTERS NEEDED
We still need ministers for 10:00 Mass on
Christmas Day and also for next Sunday, December 30, at
10:30. Please call if you’d like to help out!
CHRISTMAS
& NEW YEAR’S MASSES
- Christmas Masses
Monday, Christmas Eve at 5:15 p.m.
Carols & Readings 9:15 p.m.
Evening Mass 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m.
New Year’s Day
Tuesday, New Year’s Day at 10:00 a.m.
- A BLESSING FOR
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Blessed are you,
our God,
Giver of glad tidings to the poor.
You clothe your people with a robe of salvation
And wrap us in a mantle of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem
And a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As we surprise and delight out loved ones
With gifts of affection and care,
Let our giving and receiving mirror your own simplicity and grace.
You surprised the world with the greatest of gifts,
The child born to be Savior of all,
Jesus who is Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS
* 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.
LITURGY BITS & BYTES
Why bread and wine?
Bread is a basic food item. It nourishes and
strengthens us. Wine is a sign of joy. It is part of the banquet
which we celebrate.
Christ comes to us as bread and wine to nourish
us and bring us his joy. The consecrated bread and wine become
part of us as we become part of Christ’s Body. This depicts
the intimate connection we have with Christ in communion. Copyright © 2007 Resource Publications
The CTK staff wishes all of our parish family a very
happy and blessed Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy new year!
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- Behold, the virgin
shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel...
BIRTHDAYS &
ANNIVERSARIES
December 24 - 30
Birthdays: Fabian
Benencia, Belle Cancellare, Marcia Dalen, Sue Gallagher, Tommy
Gdowski, Kathleen Gulino, Chris Hedderick, Julie Hendershott,
Kyle Hone, Kristie Houser, Mike Krivicich, Sarah Lent, Kathy
Marinelli, Chris Meyer, Charlie Paschold, Pat Reddan, Mary Lou
Scott and Gerry Smith.
Anniversaries: Donna
& John Kroner (48th!), Olivia & Jim Sheehan
(17th), Charles & Amy Legar (32nd), Ingrid & Chris
Keesey (7th), Kathy & Gary Schumacher (40th!),
Jona & Chris Moberg (19th), and Beth & Martin Kordesch
(29th).
Prayers for the Sick
Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence
to all on our prayer list and continue to pray for Frieda Shields,
and Bill Rader. (Remembered in
the petitions)
THANK YOU
The Salvation Army sent a thank you note expressing
appreciation to the CTK parishioners who supplied the “beautifully-filled
Christmas stockings. Thanks to all your efforts, many children
will have a wonderful Christmas. The need for assistance is great
in this area and especially at Christmas time.”
KROGER
GIFT CARDS
Please continue to use your Kroger Gift
Cards. In November, 114 parishioners used their cards, and the
Religious Education program received a check for $1,124.77!
If you do not have a card to use please contact Cathy Bruggeman
at CTK.
ST. JUDE ACADEMY UPDATE
St. Jude Academy Projects donations to date: $1,025.00
Thank you for your support for St. Jude Academy.
This relationship has already been a source of great blessing
for our community.
So far, 17 of the 19 children available
for sponsorship have been “adopted”!
The Academy has sent us a chasuble (the
outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration
of the Eucharist) and stole. Father Marty will wear them
for our Christmas Masses.
The Sunday and Tuesday Religious Education
classes had their annual Advent Service Project this past week.
They had a penny pitch and collected $309 from it. Added
to that will be $95 from the Confirmation Class Fair Trade Sale
(total earned was $377), and the $400 will be used to ship items
to St. Jude’s.
The classes also collected old religious
education text books, school supplies and 60 teaching manuals
as well as summer clothes and shoes, all of which will be shipped
to St. Jude’s.
RESPECT LIFE
The Christmas story is one of the greatest
pro-life stories of all time! How much clearer could God make
the statement that an unborn child is a human being whose passage
through the womb has been sanctified by Jesus’ similar journey?
ST.
FRANCIS SOCIETY
We will celebrate First Friday Mass on January
4 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church. A coffee hour will
follow Mass and will be held in the Jan B. Kish Hall.
MARRIAGE
PREPARATION at CTK is scheduled for Friday, January 11,
AND Friday and Saturday, February 15/16, 2008. Contact the
parish office to register or for more information.
Muslim
Awareness Evening Friday, January 11, 5-8 p.m. at Baker Center
Ballroom. The presentation is followed by dinner.
- GOOD WORKS 6TH
ANNUAL WALK FOR THE HOMELESS
Saturday, January 19, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 2 South College St
for info, call Cory at 594-3339
www:walkforthehomeless.net
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