Neumann News-Weekly Bulletin
December 13, 2009 --
Your own personal Christmas tree
In its “trim-a-tree section, a department store displays several rows of brightly decorated “holiday” trees (in the interest of inoffensive marketing, the word Christmas is avoided). Each tree has a “theme”: one tree is decorated with old fashioned Victorian ornaments; another is decorated with traditional tinsel and brightly colored orbs. But another tree has a sports theme, decorated with pro-team logos and balls and equipment. Another tree is decorated with figures of animals – separate trees celebrate cats and dogs. There are trees with musical themes, cooking themes, outdoor themes – there is even a Star Wars tree and a NASCAR tree.
Today’s “holiday” trees aren’t really about Christmas but the ultimate expression of its owner’s personality. For some of us, our decorations are centered in family treasures handed down over generations – while for some, our Christmas trees are filled with all of our favorite things: The ultimate may be the self-described “caffeine addict” who decorates his tree with Dunkin’ donuts and Starbucks decorations. “What does that have to do with Christmas?”
Easy, he says: “Coffee makes me happy, and Christmas makes me happy, so I combine the two.”
(From “Ornament overload” by Christopher Muther, The Boston Globe, December 11, 2008.)
While much of what makes Christmas special has been surrendered to popular culture, the Baptizer John proclaims every Advent the true meaning of Christmas: the dawning of the reign of God, filled with new possibilities to create a more just, a more joyful, a more hope-filled world. Christmas calls us to follow a star outside our own happy orbit, to make our way to a poor stable far beyond our own door, to a peace that embraces more than just our own happiness.
Let us reclaim the meaning of Christmas in every dimension of our holiday celebrations: let our lights proclaim the dawning of the Prince of Peace; let our cards proclaim the good news of the angels that God is in our midst; let our gift-giving reflect the compassion and generosity of the God who loves us enough to become one of us; let our hospitality mirror God’s embrace of all his children.
Please be assured of my prayers for all of you and your families and please pray for me.
Peace,
Fr. Steve
 We would like to offer our sympathy to the family of Anna Nieters. She is the mother of parishioner JoAnn Benzing. Please keep the Nieters and Benzing families in your prayers.
HELP WANTED:
On December 20 following the 11:00 a.m. Mass, we will be decorating the church for Christmas. Come join us as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Our Lord.
As we continue our collaboration with Corpus Christi and St. John the Baptist, our Advent plans include:
Reconciliation for Advent
Everyone is invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our Pastoral Area at St. John Neumann on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 PM. Advent is a time of preparation when and where we wait for the coming of Christ, both in His glory at His second coming and to remember his first coming as an infant child. One of the many waits that we can prepare ourselves is by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be a simple Supper in Daniel Hall at 6:00 PM
Corpus Christi (See St. John Neumann)
St James of the Valley Monday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.
St. Vivian Monday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.
St Bartholomew Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 p.m.
St. Clare Wednesday December 16, 7:00 p.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary (See St. James of the Valley)
St. John the Baptist (See St. John Neumann)
St. John Neumann, Wednesday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.
St. Ann (Groesbeck) Monday, December 21 7:30 p.m.
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SJN Women’s Organization Advent Giving Tree Project
Thanks to the generosity of our parish this year’s annual SJNWO’s Christmas Project supplied a turkey dinner and gifts for 30 families from St. Raphaels and 10 families from the parish neighborhood. Our thanks to everyone that sorted and counted the food on turn in Sunday. Thanks to everyone who helped sort out and pack up the gifts for each family on delivery day. Thanks to all the parishioners who made financial donations, your donations covered the food and gifts that weren’t turned in and had to be purchased. As always a huge thank you to the Men’s Society. They delivered the food and gifts as part of the activities for their December meeting. This project is a success because of the generosity and wonderful volunteers of our parish. Again this year, because of everyone who donated items or volunteered their time our SJN parish made Christmas a little better for less fortunate families.
Come Celebrate the Birth of Our Lord!
Christmas Eve Mass Schedule
3:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Mass Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Come and Make a Joyous Noise
To announce the Birth of our Savior
Carols start at 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve
LITURGICAL LIFE
Tuesday, December 15
8:30 a.m. + Ray Wilson
Wednesday, December 16
8:30 a.m. + Sylvia Jones
Thursday, December 17
8:30 a.m. + LaValle Ballard
Friday, December 18
8:30 a.m. + Denise Miller
Saturday, December 19
5:00 p.m. + John Garrity
Sunday, December 20
9:00 a.m. For the Parish
11:00 a.m.+ Deceased Sherman & Joerger Families
Readings
for December 19 & 20
First Reading: Mi 5:1-4a
Psalm: 80: 2-3,15-16,18-19
Second Reading: Heb 10:5-10
Gospel: Lk 1:39-45
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A THOUGHT FOR ALL TEENS:
Lord, Give me patience — and give it to me RIGHT NOW!
Patience is to act calmly, without unnecessary hurry or worry, even when provoked or stressed.
Try to practice patience with these four steps:
-- Slow down,
-- Trust God,
-- Consider God's view of time, and
-- Keep the faith.
Attention all high school students!
CAST YOUR NETS IS COMING SOON!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!
Sunday, Jan. 31st
More Details to come.
KEEP THE WEEKEND OPEN!
HIGH SCHOOL WINTER RETREAT:
Fri. Feb.12th - Sun. Feb.14th
We will be joining other area parishes for our retreat this year. It will be held at Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center. Look for more details to come.
We have created a SJN Youth Ministry group on Facebook.
This group is for posting information, events, and any updates for High School Youth Ministry. We thought it would be another good way of getting information out to the youth of our church. We have the group set up in such a way that it only allows Elizabeth access to add new people to the SJN group. If you would like to become a member, go to SJN YOUTH MINISTRY in the group section on Facebook and request to be added, or email Elizabeth.
Liturgy of the Word with Children
This worship experience is for the younger members of our parish, primarily children from the age of four until the time of their first reception of Eucharist. The children are sent forth from the nave with a blessing from the community to Our Lady’s Chapel where they worship together, hearing the Word proclaimed from the Lectionary for Masses with Children and a reflection given by a lay presider. The children share in song and prayer with one another, in a child-friendly atmosphere. This wonderful worship experience will take place at both Masses every Sunday during the Advent and Christmas seasons (with the exception of December 27).
Religious face rising costs. Data submitted to the National Religious Retirement Office reveals that the average annual cost of care for women and men of religious age 70 and over has more than doubled since 1989. Current statistics put this figure at $35,077 per person annually. Your donation to Retirement Fund for Religious provides critical support to religious institutes in meeting the escalating costs of elder care. Please pray for all religious and give generously to today’s collection.
Grateful to God for many blessings
Eager to care for our parish
Aware of our responsibilities to
Needy neighbors everywhere
Our Sunday Offering
OUTREACH TO THE NEEDY
(5% of every Sunday collection)
Sacramental Preparation
The Sacramental Preparation Calendar is now complete. If you have an eighth grader and by some off chance you have not received a letter about Confirmation please contact Donna Garrity in the Parish Office at 742-0953 ext. 13. Listed below are the Sacramental Preparation Days for December
Dec. 14 First Reconciliation Practice 6:30 – 7:00 pm Nave
Dec 14 First Reconciliation Service 7:00 p.m. Nave
(All are welcome to come celebrate with us.)
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ADVENT LUNCHES
Advent began on November 28th, four weeks before Christmas. Have you figured out a time and place to spend a few minutes preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ coming into this world? Are you ready to look at your spiritual life and examine the ways you can be a better Christian?
Join us for “Lunch with the Lord” Friday, 12/18. Bring a sandwich. Drinks will be provided. Questions? Call Mary Lou.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Monday, December 14
3:30 p.m. RCIC – YR
6:30 p.m. First Reconciliation Practice - Nave
7:00 p.m. RCIA – YR
7:00 p.m. First Reconciliation
Tuesday, December 15
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
DH in Use
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Office Closed
6:00 p.m. Worship Mtg - YR
Wednesday, December 16
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
6:00 p.m. Soup Supper - DH
7:00 p.m. Reconciliation - SJN
Thursday, December 17
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary - OLC
6:00 p.m. Holy Hour - OLC
Friday, December 18
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary - OLC
10:00 a.m. Scripture Study – YR
Saturday, December 19
4:00 p.m. Reconciliation
Shopping Cents
Sunday, December 20
8:45 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
Breakfast with Santa – DH
Shopping Cents
Monday, December 21
7:00 p.m. RCIA – YR
Tuesday, December 22 & Wednesday, December 23
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
Thursday, December 24
Office Closed
10:30 p.m. Christmas Carols - Nave
Friday, December 25
Christmas Day
Office Closed
Saturday, December 26
4:00 p.m. Reconciliation
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An Invitation to Non-practicing Catholics:
The Church has changed and you may not know it!
Has it been a while since you’ve been to church?
Are you mad at the Church or God?
Please give us – and yourself – another chance.
Join us for informal sessions for non-practicing Catholics.
We would like to know your feelings and try to address your questions.
The sessions will be held on six consecutive Wednesday evenings.
The sessions are held at St. John Neumann church Wednesday evenings beginning on January 6 at 7:00 pm. For more information or if you have any questions please email or call Mike at 742-0953.
From the desk of Deacon Ron:
? Because you asked…..Why are candles used at Mass and what Is the
Significance of the number of candles?.
Answer: ….. From the Liturgy Documents: Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship
Candles, which are signs of reverence and festivity, "are to be used at every liturgical service. The living flame of the candle, symbolic of the risen Christ, reminds people that in baptism they are brought out of darkness into God's marvelous light. For the celebration of the Eucharist it is appropriate to carry candles in the entrance procession and during the procession with the Book of the Gospels. At least two candles are placed near the altar in the sanctuary area. If there is a lack of space, they may be placed on the altar. Four or six candles may be used for the celebration of Mass and for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. If the bishop of the diocese celebrates, seven candles may be used. Candles placed in floor-standing bases or on the altar should be arranged so they do not obscure the view of the ritual action in the sanctuary, especially the action at the altar.
Candles for liturgical use should be made of a material that provides "a living flame without being smoky or noxious." To safeguard "authenticity and the full symbolism of light," electric lights as a substitute for candles are not permitted.
The Paschal Candle The paschal candle is the symbol of "the light of Christ, rising in glory," scattering "the darkness of our hearts and minds." Above all, the paschal candle should be a genuine candle, the pre-eminent symbol of the light of Christ. Choices of size, design, and color should be made in relationship to the sanctuary in which it will be placed. During the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter season, the paschal candle belongs near the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary. After the Easter season it is moved to a place of honor in the baptistry for use in the celebration of baptisms. During funerals the paschal candle is placed near the coffin as a sign of the Christian's passover from death to life
Keep ‘em coming folks. Submit your questions to “Because you asked”
at the parish office.
Mark your calendars
On Sunday December 20 we would like to celebrate Breakfast with Santa after the 9:00 AM Mass and before the 11:00 AM Mass. Breakfast will be provided by our Men’s Organization. We will have activities for children including a craft with some of our ladies from the Women’s Organization and Santa will be stopping by that morning. We hope you can attend this fun event and celebrate with your parish family.
Please keep an eye out for more details to follow in the bulletin.
Monte Carlo Night
Saturday January 16th from 8 p.m. to Midnight in Daniel Hall
There will be Horse Races, Poker, Black Jack, Showdown Poker, Pull Tabs (Bars-n-Bells, etc.), $25 for 25 cents, Big Six and other games of chance.
Admission is $10 which includes refreshments, food, snacks and a
ticket for a $100 cash drawing at 11:30 p.m.
You must be at least 21 to attend.
NFL Playoff game will be shown
Mark your calendar now for a great evening of fun!
Sponsored by the St. John Neumann Men’s Society and Northwest High School Boosters.
For more information call Mike W.
St. John the Baptist Catholic School?
SAVE-THE-DATE
Open House
Thursday, February 4, 2010
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Personal tours for new families will be offered from 6 - 7 p.m.
To learn more about the quality Catholic education offered at St. John the Baptist School, or to schedule a personal tour of the campus, call 385-7970 or visit: www.stjohnbluejays.org
Jamaica Mission Trip 2010: Plans are underway for another mission trip to Mandeville, Jamaica. Scheduled dates are February 2-9, 2010. Anyone interested should contact Deacon John Corson at 825-0618 or by email.
Reservations for the trip should be accompanied by a check for $100.00 (non-refundable) made payable to Corpus Christi Church and a copy of your passport, received by December 11, 2009.
Please join us!
Directions
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