"Mission to Serve": New Orleans Diary   FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 23/24, 2006   “Blessed is the fruit of your womb” -- Fidelity    Soon, very soon we will gather for the wonderful and joyful Christmas Eucharist. Preparations, packings, prayers will cease—time has run out! Now the time is here to be present to it all. Present, not only physically, and perhaps emotionally, but especially spiritually. Having made our best effort, God will be pleased with the preparations. It is time to ponder and be in awe that God is indeed among us. Jesus, the blest fruit of Mary’s womb.    But the mystery is more than that it happened; also, we are overwhelmed at how it happened. The key is in Elizabeth’s final words to Mary in our Gospel: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Mary’s fidelity to the promise made it possible for the promise to be fulfilled. And so it is with us. We look in wonder and awe at the transformation occasioned in us by our fidelity to the spirit of Advent. Emmanuel, God-with-us, is the fruit of our Advent. Let us celebrate! Rejoice and remember: God is always faithful to His promises.     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY          5:15 p.m.     Tony Udvardy SUNDAY               8:30 a.m.     Bob Stockmal - Joyce & Lon Hamby                             10:30 a.m.     People of Our Parish  Christmas Vigil            5:15 p.m.     Helen O’Dea - Marguerite Kostival                             10:00 p.m.     World Peace MONDAY            10:00 a.m.    Steven Zamiara - Chip & Terri Rogers TUESDAY             5:15 p.m.     Area Needy WEDNESDAY      12:15 p.m.    Area Homeless THURSDAY          5:15 p.m.     Sick & Shut-ins of Our Parish FRIDAY               12:15 p.m.    Tony Udvardy SATURDAY          5:15 p.m.     Beulah Udvardy SUNDAY               8:30 a.m.     Bob Stockmal - Wendy & Bill Serbonich  Holy Family             10:30 a.m.     People of Our Parish PARISH CALENDAR: December 24 - 31 SUNDAY          Fourth Sunday in Advent                     8:30 a.m.     Mass                      9:30 a.m.     Rosary                   10:30 a.m.     Mass                          Christmas Eve                     4:45 p.m.     Children's Choir                     5:15 p.m.     Children’s Mass                     9:15 p.m.     Service of Carols & Readings                   10:00 p.m.     Mass MONDAY         Christmas Day                   10:00 a.m.     Mass TUESDAY                                        office closed                    1:00 p.m.      Baptism SATURDAY                     4:15 p.m.     Reconciliation SUNDAY         Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph                     8:30 a.m.     Mass                      9:30 a.m.     Rosary                   10:30 a.m.     Mass
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.	New American Bible 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 Sunday within the Octave of Christmas The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 or 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 Luke 2:41-52
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Fourth Sunday in Advent    Since the Visitation scene is an icon of the Christian faith, it invites us to identify with the faith of Mary and Elizabeth who bear new life against impossible odds. If God can overcome the human forces which preclude life, can we not trust that God will grant life to us?   Adults: How can I believe more deeply in God’s power to achieve what seems impossible? Children: What does having trust in God mean to me? 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 DECEMBER 30/31 Saturday 5:15 p.m. Mass Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass 10:30 a.m. Mass JANUARY 1 MARY MOTHER OF GOD** 10:00 a.m. Mass **not a holy day of obligation this year RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS    Religious Education classes will resume Sunday, January 7, and Tuesday, January 9. Have a blessed Christmas!    A teacher is needed for the Sunday 5th/6th grade class. Please contact Nancy Denhart if you are interested or would like more information. CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS Understand the symbol of the Christmas tree.    Think about what each decoration means on your Christmas tree. The tree itself is evergreen, even in winter. This reminds us that Jesus’ love for the world will never die or get old; it is eternal. The lights symbolize Christ, the Light of the World. He is there to light even our darkest despair. Is there snow under your tree? God makes every snowflake different just as every person is different. Each person is special to God. The angel ornament is like the angles who visited the shepherds to tell them about Jesus in the manger. The star at the top of the tree is the star that showed the Magi the way to the stable. All the colors on the tree make it beautiful. God make the world beautiful by creating people of all races and cultures. The tree says a lot of things about the season. Understand the symbol of the candy cane.    Many years ago a candy maker created a piece of candy that told the story of Jesus’ birth, passion and death. The white stripes stand for Jesus’ sinless humanity and purity. The small red stripes stand for his scourging at the pillar on Good Friday. The large red stripes stand for the blood he shed on the cross. The shape is that of the shepherd’s crook of the Good Shepherd, and upside down the candy cane is the letter J for Jesus. --Loyola Press KEEPING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON    Now that we’ve maintained Advent in the Church for the duration of the season, we are finally ready to celebrate Christmas. On December 26, we walk outside and find our neighbor’s tree in the street ready for pick-up. How discouraging! However, just we maintained Advent in a counter-cultural fashion, we can do the same with Christmas. Consider saving your parties until after Christmas. I traditionally give an after Christmas holiday party, sometimes calling it an “Epiphany party” if it gets that late. People appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the season when it’s not so hectic. --Ministry Resource Update, 2006, Resource Publications, San Jose, CA 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.	Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. BIRTHDAYS: December 25 - 31 Belle Cancellare, Cristy Carbone, Marcia Dalen, Eddie Drabold, Sue Gallagher, Tommy Gdowski, Kathleen Gulino, Preston Hayes, Kathy Hecht, Chris Hedderick, Julie Hendershott, Kyle Hone, Mike Krivicich, Sarah Lent, Kathy Marinelli, Charles Paschold, Faith Quinones, Pat Reddan, Pat Sauber, Mary Lou Scott, Gerry Smith, Jason Sparhawk and Julie Sparhawk. Student: Michelle Offenberger   ANNIVERSARIES: December 25 - 31 Ingrid & Chris Keesey (6th), Beth & Martin Kordesch (28th), Donna & John Kroner (48th!!), Amy & Charles Legar (31st), Tamara & Steve Marchi (12th), Jona & Chris Moberg (18th), Kathy & Gary Schumacher (41st!!) and Olivia & Jim Sheehan (16th). PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence to all on our prayer list and pray for 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    The time has come to give birth to the Christ Child. Mary, like mothers the world over, has endured nine months of worry, difficulty and sacrifice. As she brings forth her newborn Son, the distant words of the angel are embodied: “Blessed are you among women, blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.” Likewise blessed is every mother who has nurtured a child to birth, especially through a difficult or unplanned pregnancy. ST. FRANCIS SOCIETY    Members of the group will celebrate First Friday Mass on January 5, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s church. A potluck lunch will follow Mass. Greg Kremer will speak to the group about his experience working on an engineering project in Ghana, Africa, in Father Louis’s home Diocese of Acra. 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. NATIONAL SHRINE IN CAREY, OHIO    The Franciscan Friars invite you to make a pilgrimage to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. We offer a place of quiet prayer and devotion on your journey to faith, hope, and healing. For more information on bringing a group or for personal visits please call 419-396-7107 or visit our website www.olcshrine.com CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS    For 800 years followers of Saint Francis of Assisi have been rebuilding the Church. The Capuchin Franciscans are priests and brothers who serve Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis. Men between the ages of 16-40 are invited to visit a Capuchin friary. Visits to Capuchin friaries in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Ohio are held regularly throughout the year. For more information, call 1-888-263-6227 or go to www.capuchin.com