FAMILY LIFE Family life is sacred, but it is not without trial. Perhaps this is the most important message we can glean from today’s readings. If Jesus, Mary, and Joseph can trip up sometimes— can disconnect —then we shouldn’t find it surprising when such things happen to us as well. And parents everywhere (children, too) can probably relate to—and take some solace in—the Gospel’s account of Mary and Joseph after Jesus explained why he stayed behind in the temple. They heard his words, Luke tells us, “But they did not understand what he said to them” (Luke 2:50). Amen! Nevertheless, Jesus does go back home with them, and continues to thrive under their care. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Friday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Monday: The Holy Innocents Tuesday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket Wednesday: Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Thursday: Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Sylvester I Friday: The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Mary, the Holy Mother of God; World Day of Prayer for Peace Saturday: Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen; First Saturday RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Classes resume: K - 5th on January 5 th 6 th - 8 th “Edge” on January 10 th 9 th - 11 th “Lifeteen” on January 17 th Epiphany Program: Wednesday, January 6 th at 6:00 pm. Confirmation Retreat: Saturday, January 23 rd at St. Alphonsus SANCTUARY LIGHT DECEMBER 26 TH - JANUARY 1 ST The Sanctuary Light at St. John will burn in memory of Joey Vince. The Sanctuary Light in the Adoration Chapel will burn in memory of Marie Wilbeck. The Sanctuary Light at Our Lady will burn in memory of Dylan Ross. IN SYMPATHY Our Communities of Faith extend our sympathy and prayerful support for the families of: Lawrence Capone, parishioner of SJB and father of Brian Capone; and Henry Young, parishioner of SJB and husband of Ellen Young. May the Lord grant comfort and peace to these families and may they and all who sleep in Christ, find in His presence, light, happiness, and peace. WEEKLY COLLECTION 12/20/2015 St. John the Baptist Identified Contributions (166 Families) $ 7,386.00 Unidentified Contributions $ 686.67 Building Maintenance Fund (6) $ 370.00 Christmas Flowers (8) $ 260.00 Retirement for the Religious $ 245.00 Legacy of Faith / Capital Camp (41) $ 4,031.00 ONLINE GIVING Regular Contributions (31) $ 1,945.00 Building Maintenance Fund (4) $ 100.00 Christmas Flowers (2) $ 45.00 Legacy of Faith Capital Camp. (32) $ 3,047.38 CAMPAIGN TOTAL $ 5,592,866.35 Our Lady of Assumption Identified Contributions (38 Families) $ 3,150.60 Unidentified Contributions $ 386.00 Building Maintenance Fund (1) $ 25.60 Christmas Flowers (3) $ 60.00 ONLINE GIVING Regular Contributions (5) $ 1,205.00