BABYSITTING FOR THE 9:30AM MASS,

SUNDAY, December 5

Adult Volunteers: Cindy Reis, Linda DeSantis

Students: Laura N., Carly N., David N., Alyse P.

Dear Parishioners,

This is both Thanksgiving week-end and beginning of the season of Advent. Recently, I received a note from my eighth grade teacher, Sr. Rita Maureen, SC. She wrote that during the “Year of Priests” she was sending out thank-you notes to all priests who have touched her life through their priesthood. I was deeply humbled that Sister should have thought of me who was her former student. It made me admire her all the more for her humility and for her gratitude for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. And yet, the Season of Advent, especially in its first week, reminds us that all of the sacraments including Holy Orders will no longer be necessary when Christ comes again in glory. At that time, we will no longer see Him under the veil of the sacraments but face to face. Then we will share, body and soul, in the life and love of the Most Holy Trinity forever, if we be both humble and grateful now. For, “ingratitude is unknown in heaven!”

Fr. Christopher R. Armstrong

Nativity Scenes: When we broke up our family home, I inherited the nativity scene. A figurine was purchased at Kresege's each year by my oldest brother when he was a child. The figurines are now chipped and a little faded but they remain a cherished memento. Thus, you can imagine my sadness when I discovered that so many of our parish school children did not display a Nativity Scene at home. It is my hope that this Christmas will be different. I urge parents to see to it that their children understand the true meaning of Christmas. One of our parishioners and a long time usher, Vince Walter, reminded me of the Nativity pageant at the Krohn Conservatory on JANUARY 3, 2010, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. It would be a great family activity to take your children to see it and to witness to our faith publicly: CHRIST KEEP IN CHRISTMAS!

LESSONS IN CAROLS will be in church on Monday, December 21, at 7PM. Open your heart to the coming of Christ in a celebration of Lessons in Carols. Join us in reflecting upon the true meaning of Christmas during this special evening of music and prayer. Music will be offered by the Giving Glory Contemporary Music Group, directed by Peg Delaney.

ADULT SOCIAL GROUP.

December 4- Steering Committee meeting at 1PM in the Holy Family Room. Please come and help plan activities for the group.

December 14- Communion Service at 12:30, followed by a turkey & dressing Christmas luncheon. We will have our usual $5 gift exchange to the story of the “Right” family, read by Fred Kellerman.

January 11- 12:30PM Communion Service followed by lunch and Fred Kellerman’s Beer Stein exhibit.

Future trip- an overnight in Amish country in March or April.

Dear Parishioners,

Much of this article is a reprint from October. With Christmas coming up, I am hoping all of you will try at least one of our Scrip programs.

Stewardship does not necessarily mean giving more money. When we are good stewards we make sure we put our resources to the best possible use. There is a way to increase our parish income without asking for parishioners to donate more. What I ask is for you to buy gift cards for those purchases you are going to make anyway. Currently our program covers Kroger, Biggs, Holy Grail Tavern, Price Hill Chili, and Ron’s Roost.

If every family in the parish used just the Biggs gift cards or the Kroger reloadable card, and spent just $100 a month at Bigg’s or Kroger, we would bring approximately $90,000 into the parish every year. Imagine if everyone got into the habit of buying all groceries with Bigg’s and Kroger cards. The best part is that, training ourselves to put our money to better use we can help our parish and school with little or no effort at all! If every parish family used Scrip for their Christmas groceries and gift cards, I am sure we could raise over $10,000 in December alone.

Groceries should yield the largest amount of money. But if you plan on going to Price Hill Chili, Holy Grail or Ron’s Roost sometime this month, please put your money to better use by buying the gift cards in the back of the church.

Allison Landscaping has now become part of the gift card program. Gift cards are available in any denomination, with 5% being returned to St. A. Also, during the holidays, Cracker Barrel $10 gift cards are also available, in stock. So as you decorate, trim your tree and do your Christmas shopping, consider using Allison Landscaping and Cracker Barrel gift cards.

Funeral Liturgy Cd’s & Tapes

FROM OUR SEMINARIAN INTERN, MATTHEW J. ROBBEN

Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent, a time in which we prepare for the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning. This brings to mind an encounter I had at Wal-mart five years ago. It was the day after Thanksgiving and I agreed to wait in line beginning at 3 AM to get a Game Boy for my nephew. The doors opened, the mad rush began, and I was about 20th in a line that wrapped around and through the Christmas displays. There was a little girl, about 4, who just stood mesmerized at the sight of a manger scene. She asked several times out loud “Who is the baby?” The girl’s mother ignored her so I bent down and explained, “That’s Baby Jesus! Christmas is his birthday!” About this time the mother heard, grabbed the little girl, and said “Don’t talk to her! We don’t have time for that!” I quickly realized the challenge we face today! We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget the true reason for the season. I know that this sounds cliché, but it is true. Don’t let it happen to you! Do something special this Advent! Make it a time of prayer and true preparation. Teach and instill in your children and your grandchildren just how special we are to be given such a beautiful gift. For truly, Jesus Christ is a gift beyond compare!

HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER GROUP

An unusual evening is being planned for the prayer group this week. In celebrating the beginning of Advent and the preparation for the holy season of Christmas, this evening promises to bring us into a deeper appreciation of the magnitude of Christ being born into our world as an infant. After our usual time of prayer and praise, Carol Jacob will share a book of brilliant and unique artwork done by a local artist based on some of the Messianic Scriptures (mostly from Isaiah). These Scriptures are an intricate part of Handel’s Messiah, and a small selection of this music will also be offered. Come and be part of this exceptional evening. In Chapel 7:30 PM.

ST. ANTONINUS PARISH SCHOOL TUITION RAFFLE CHANCES are available in school or at the parish office. 1 Chance for $50, 3 chances for $100. A year’s tuition for St. Antoninus Parish School will be raffled off at the Gala on February 13, 2010.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

5th. Sunday envelopes can be found in the pews. An envelope with your contribution can be returned in any weekend collection or to the rectory office. Please be generous as we are being presented with many requests for aid, principally for rent and utilities assistance.

St. Peter and St Paul United Church of Christ will host its annual Advent Breakfast on Saturday, December 5, at 7:30am. The guest speaker is Dr. O’dell Owens, M.D., M.P.H. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Reservations can be made at eboylespsp@fuse.net or by calling 661-3745.

BABYSITTING NIGHT

The 8th grade Girl Scouts will host a babysitting night on December 11th, 6PM to 10PM in the undercroft. This is a fundraiser, donations gratefully accepted. Drop off your children (must be potty trained) for a fun evening of activities. To RSVP e-mail pattyobob@aol.com with name and age of child.

St. Dominic Church/School’s Lunch with Santa

Join us in O’Connor Hall on 12/12 from 10:00-4:00. Enjoy games, cake walk, crafts, face painting, pictures with Santa, entertainment by St. Dominic Blackhawk singers @ 11:30, and of course, shopping! For just $6.00 or less, your child can enjoy all of the activities! Children can shop at the Secret Santa Shop! Be sure to write a letter to Santa and mail in Santa’s mailbox, all letters will receive a response! We have added a craft show which will be in the gathering space. There is something for every age to enjoy! For more information, contact Meg Morris @ 403-0720 or Melissa Martini @ 347-6311.

PRAYER VIGIL for the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants will be on Saturday, December 12, at 8:30AM at St. Teresa of Avila Church celebrated by Bishop Dennis Schnurr.