The angel said to them, e afraid; for behold, I proclaim ...storage.cloversites.com/stmarychurch/documents/WEBBulletin 12-2… · wish you all a very Merry and Holy Christmas and

December 20, 2015

HRISTMAS MASS The angel says to the shepherds and to us, “Do not be afraid,” just because something out of the ordinary has surprised you. Wait and see: this may be very good! Earlier Gabriel greeted Zechariah and Mary the same way, “Do not be afraid,” before announcing astonishing good news, and this admonition was typical in the record of biblical appearances of the Lord or a messenger of God before and after Zechariah and Mary. Why not be afraid? Because, far from being a threat, this is an announcement of great joy. “The people who walked in darkness/have seen a great light.” It might be helpful to recall the impact of Pope Francis on the whole world two years ago. He was a messenger of joy, appearing like a bright comet in our land of gloom. His first major message was “The Joy of the Gospel,” in which he encouraged us to throw off the paralysis that made some of us Christians look like “sourpusses” or “mummies in a museum,” whose lives seemed to be “Lent without Easter”. He said we should spread the Gospel with joy and confidence, because its victory does not depend on us but is guaranteed by God. How do we keep this Gospel joy alive or recapture it if we have lost it? “I invited all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ,” said Pope Francis, “Do this unfailing each day…’No one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.’” Dear Jesus, you emptied yourself of glory to come into this suffering world for our sake. Help us to be worthy of your gift, living free from fear and bringing others into the joy of your victory.

CHRISTMAS: The Nativity of the Lord

Masses December 24: 4pm, 6:30pm, & Midnight

Mass December 25: 10am

Adoration: Repose on December 23rd at 4pm & resume on December 31st at 5pm.

Parish Office: For Christmas we will be closed December 24 – December 28. For New Year we will be closed December 31st at noon – January 3rd.

Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Mass December 31: 5pm Vigil Mass January 1: 10am

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ST. MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

During this season of Advent and while we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus Our Lord and Savior, we look back over the year and are so grateful for all of the parishioners and benefactors of St. Mary School. It is truly a blessing for our school to be a part of such a wonderful parish which is filled with so many who demonstrate God’s love to others. We wish you all a very Merry and Holy Christmas and a Happy New Year that is filled with many blessings from God. Peace, Veronica Kinsey, Principal

THANK YOU FROM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Thank you parish families for all of your help & support of the Religious Education Program this year! (We now have canning jars!!) I know you join me in prayer, thanksgiving, and Christmas wishes for our wonderful teachers & aides. They are fabulous! If anyone is interested in substituting (Sunday’s 10am-11am), please call the Religious Education Office. Blessings, Maureen Carroll

The angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid;

for behold, I proclaim to you

good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

For today in the city of David

a savior has been born for you

who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

December 20, 2015

RING THE BELL CAMPAIGN During this season of Thanksgiving, we give special thanks for the faithful support and commitment of parishioners to our parish. We are grateful for the many blessings we have in our parish; for parishioners who actively support our efforts; for parents committed to their children’s formation; and for teachers whose dedication make our mission a reality. Thank you and God bless. The “Ring the Bell” campaign we are trying to raise $300,000.00; the first $250,000.00 will go directly on the principal of our parish debt, and with the remaining $50,000.00 will be used toward building a simple bell tower. We continue to need your support for the financial stability of our Parish. Please return your pledge card whether you are pledging over a period of time, or a zero pledge. We as a faith community are praying that every parish family will make a pledge, committing to help us to reach our goal. Please take this to prayer; we are counting on your faithful support. Payments can be made annually, quarterly, monthly, weekly or a one-time donation. Payments can begin now or at a date that is convenient for you. “Be generous, sharing what you have.” (1 Timothy 6:18) New donors to St. Mary Catholic Parish Capital Campaign will have the opportunity to have your name(s) placed on the recognition plaque in the gathering space. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Debbie at the parish office 734-878-3161 ext. 219. Tips for Christmas and Year-End Giving: Many people enjoy using this as a special time to give to their favorite charity or non-profit organization. Year-end gifts can provide many advantages to you, the donor and the receiving organization. St. Mary’s Ring the Bell Campaign and St. Mary Catholic Parish invite you to remember us in your gift giving this year. Calculate Your Income. Try to get a handle on your tax liability for the year. Did your unearned income increase? Did you sell any appreciated assets: will you owe more taxes? This alone may motivate you to increase your giving before December 31st. In fact you may even want to move some of next year’s giving to this current year in order to create a larger income tax deduction for this year. Non-itemizers may especially find this “grouping of gifts” useful to take possible advantage of an itemized tax return every other year. In any case, by the time you fill out your income tax return in early 2016, it will be too late to make charitable gifts for 2015 tax year. Take the time to do some planning now while you still have an opportunity to make a year-end gift. Do Your Giving Early. This is especially true if you want to make a gift of non-cash assets (securities, real estate, etc.). It also applies to life-income gifts (Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, etc.). Some gift transactions will take more time to finalize than others, so we recommend that you complete your gift sooner rather than later. Talk to Your Advisor. Before making any significant gift, you should have your attorney, CPA or other advisor help you understand the impact of your gift on your income tax return or estate. The Church wants your giving to be not only generous and joyful, but also as beneficial as possible to you. Donations must be received or postmarked by December 31st to be eligible for your 2015 taxes. The parish office will close at 12 noon on December 31st.

THANK YOU! Livingston County Catholic Charities would like to send a big THANK YOU to St. Mary’s Catholic School children and religious education students for your tremendous generosity of handmade Christmas cards, peanut butter and paper products for our annual Christmas Blessing Project! The items were packaged with other donated food items, cleaning supplies, hygiene items and Christmas gifts which were then delivered to 107 local homebound and low income senior citizens. The care packages bring relief to seniors who struggle to meet their basic needs on a limited fixed income – many of whom live at or below 150% of the national poverty level. The winter months tend to provide extra stress with increased utility bills. Your shared generosity is a blessing to these individuals. We received several calls after delivery took place on Dec. 10

th, and here are a few of the comments we heard: "Thank

you – it meant the world to me!” One recipient tearfully said “thank you – I didn’t know how I was going to make it through December!” This project would not take place without the enormous generosity of all of you - and for that we THANK each one of you for bringing love and joy to so many! Wishing you all a New Year filled with many blessings! The Board & Co-workers at Livingston County Catholic Charities

GREETERS NEEDED

We need additional Greeters for the 11:30 AM Masses. Qualifications are a warm smile and simultaneous welcoming verbal greeting! Yep, that's it. There is no age requirement (whole families can do this ministry), there is no training. The commitment is to come 15 minutes before Mass starts to greet those attending the 11:30 Mass on the one Sunday you are scheduled each month. So easy and fun to do, you get a lot of smiles and warm greetings back. Anyone interested please call Peggy at 734-475-5958.

Discount Cards To Benefit

Youth Group Perfect Stocking Stuffers

Contact:

[email protected]

Or stop into parish office!

Only $20 each.

Area Businesses: Pinckney Diner, LaVita Bistro,

Taco Bell, Ed Bocks, Dairy Queen, & Chili’s

just to name a few!

Also includes on-line membership

for discounts in all 50 states!

December 20, 2015

St. Mary

School

Mardi

Gras

auction

FebrUARY 6, 2016

Tickets are $60 which includes a strolling buffet, wine/beer, and dancing.

Tickets are available online or at the school office. www.stmaryschoolpinckney.org

A few highlights of the LIVE auction items:

Air Combat fighter: an experience that you

will never forget as you fly a fighter jet and

experience a dog-fight combat in air.

African Safari: this is a trip of a lifetime. Be

sure to pack plenty of memory for your

camera to take hundreds of photos!

Mackinac Island Grand Hotel 2 night stay:

be sure to stop and rest on the front porch!

A Dozen of Dreamy Dates Nights: Make

time for your sweetheart each month. We

have it all planned for you.

Thank you to our sponsors: Pinckney Chrysler, Display Max, Bouillon Sales, Desserts by Randy, Ross Mortgage, Men's Club, Quanta, The Sign Works, Edward Jones, Mr. Muffler in Howell, Sound Financial, Dexter Orthodontics, Fowlerville Pharmacy, Dexter Pharmacy, Dr. Niles Orthodontics, & Corrigan Oil

WOMEN OF GRACE Women of Grace Study Program Begins

January 10, 2016 The Women of Grace Study Program leads women on an

exciting journey to discover the gift of authentic femininity,

holiness of life, and woman’s purpose and mission in the

world today. Taking the Blessed Virgin Mary as their

exemplar and spiritual mother, participants grow in the

feminine virtues and the secrets of true fulfillment. The

program takes a multi-faceted approach by exploring all

aspects of the feminine person including her spirituality,

psychology, emotional reality, and physical being. We will

begin with the Women of Grace foundational study series

entitled: Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life.

Please contact Connie Knieper at (734) 954-0094 or by

email at [email protected] for further details.

St. Mary Parish Men’s Club Presents

BREAKFAST WITH

BELLE FROM BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Sunday, January 3, 2016 From 8:30am to 11:00am FREE WILL DONATION

Proceeds to Support St. Mary Auction Team

AREA’S BEST MENU! Eggs - Scrambled or Fried, Hash Brown Potatoes, Homemade Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Quiche, Pancakes, French Toast, Raisin French Toast, Ham, Pork Sausage Links, Toast-Regular & Raisin, Coffee, Tea, Milk, & Orange Juice. And of Course the Waffle Station!

Belle will be singing her favorite hits from “Beauty and the Beast” & other songs from her Princess friends. Come dressed as Belle or your favorite Disney

Princess. Belle arrives at 9:45am. Performance 10:15-10:45am.

50/50 Raffle 1st Prize: ½ the pot

2nd Prize: Gift Certificate to Salon On Main 3rd Prize: Gift Certificate for a pass for 2 to St. Mary Lenten

Fish Dinner

Surprise your spouse with the perfect Christmas gift. Plan to attend the

6th Annual Marriage Enrichment Conference Fighting For Your Marriage … Together

Featured Speaker: Dr. Ray Guarendi Saturday, February 6, 2016

St. Patrick Catholic Church, Brighton MI To register and for more information, visit

www.idoforlife.org

THE LETTERS: NOW SHOWING AT

BRIGHTON MJR & QUALITY 16 - ANN ARBOR THE LETTERS, as told through personal letters MOTHER TERESA wrote over the last 40 years of her life, reveal a

troubled and vulnerable woman who grew to feel an isolation and an abandonment by God.

LIVINGSTON YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY Events & Connections for those 18-39

www.livingstonyam.com

MONTHLY MASS & DINNER Sunday, December 27

5pm Mass St. Joseph Howell 6:30pm Dinner at El Patron, 2010 E. Grand River,

Howell

December 20, 2015

BEYOND RCIA If you want to understand the Catholic Faith better

and/or strengthen your relationship with God, please join us!

01/20: Session 8: Why Do I Need the Church? 01/27: Session 9: Mary & the Saints **meet in Church

All sessions will be held from 7-8:30pm in the multi-use room unless otherwise indicated.

If St. Mary School is cancelled due to bad weather (not holidays) we will NOT meet.

www.stmarypinckney.org

Religious Education

http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/faith-formation/formation-prek-12-grade

Faith Formation K-8 Schedule

12/20 & 12/27: NO CLASS – Our Savior Is Born! 01/03: NO CLASS – Happy New Year! 01/10: K-8 Formation 10:15-11:20am

Confirmation 01/10: Confirmation Session 9am-1pm

Middle School Youth Group Monday’s 7-8:30pm 12/21 Christmas Celebration!

12/28 NO Youth Group Christmas Break

Website: http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/youth/

High School Youth Group Wednesday’s 7-9pm

12/23 Christmas Celebration! 12/30 NO Youth Group Christmas Break

Website: http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/youth/

What happens when a sudden shock, good or bad, interrupts your life? To whom do you turn, which way

do you go, what do you do?

Dear Mother Mary, the message of the angel broke into the calm pattern of your life and stunned you, but you responded with deep faith and hope in God. Pray for

us so that we may not be overwhelmed by shocks, good or bad, in our lives but may, like you, respond

with faith and hope.

GRIEF SUPPORT WORKSHOP January 29, 7-9:00pm & January 30, 9-3:30pm

St. Francis Assisi, Ann Arbor, MI Grieving with Great HOPE is a weekend grief support

workshop that offers a prayerful, practical and personal

approach for anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one.

If you have lost a spouse, a child (including pregnancy loss),

a grandchild, a parent, another family member or a friend,

you are encouraged to attend. Presenters will include Fr.

James Conlon, and John and Sandy O’Shaughnessy from

Good Mourning Ministry, a Catholic bereavement

organization. Contact Kelly Hernandez at 734-821-2122 for

registration information or visit

www.goodmourningministry.net

Support from Nie Family Funeral Homes. Seating is limited.

Advanced registration by January 22 is $15, after is $20.

A WINTER WONDERLAND

A NEW YEAR PARTY

December 31, 2015, 7pm to midnight

St. Agnes, Fowlerville

Dinner, Champagne, Cash Bar, Music

Tickets: $30 per person. Please call: 517-223-8684

SAVE THE DATE!!

Livingston County’s 9th Annual COMMUNITY CONNECT

Saturday, February 6, 2016 Howell Parker Middle School

A Free One-Day Event to Help People Connect to Information and Services

Benefits Information, Financial Services, Free Lunch, Legal Consultation, Senior Services, Health Screenings, Baby

Items, Haircuts, Books, Clothing, and much more...

THAT MAN IS YOU:

Will resume on Saturday, January 9th

from 7am-8:30am.

Report for December 14, 2015 Parishioner Donations - Giving Back To The Lord

YTD 07/01/15 – 12/14/15 Weekly YTD Offertory $ 14,512.63 $ 376,599.63 Operating Budget Reqmnt. $ 15,620.00 $ 374,880.90 Variance $ (1,107.37) $ 1,718.73

Debt Reduction/FaithQuest Collected $ 35,166.54 Ring the Bell Campaign $ 25,370.05 $91,366 needed to reach goal

Mortgage Payment Requirement $ 187,575.00 Mortgage Amount Paid $ 100,000.00 Shortfall $ (87,575.00)

December 20, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS

Sunday, December 20th

9:00am: In Memory of Bob Bensinger by Bensinger family

11:30am: In Loving Memory of Robert Casey (25th

Anniversary) by Marlene Casey

Monday, December 21st

9:00am: Communion Service

Tuesday, December 22nd

9:00am: Communion Service

5:00pm: In Memory of Leonard Rypkowski by Bob & Ann

Knittle

Wednesday, December 23rd

9:00am: In Memory of Ray & Marie Beard by family

Thursday, December 24th

4:00pm: In Memory of Georgie Gardenier by Steinaway

and Stevens families

6:30pm: In Memory of Peter Shmina by Shmina family

Midnight: In Memory of Bill Kangas by MaryRose Kangas

Friday, December 25th

10:00am: In Memory of Vince Stahl by Paul & Diane Tryon

Saturday, December 26th

5:00pm: In Memory of John Richard by Rosa Richard

Sunday, December 27th

9:00am: For Our Parish

11:30am: In Memory of Ervin Nemeth by Nemeth family

WEEKLY READINGS December 20-26:

Sunday:

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19;Heb 10:5-10; Lk

1:39-45

Monday:

St. Peter Canisius, Priest & Dr. of the Church

Sg 2:8-14; Lk 1:39-45

Tuesday: Late Advent Weekday

1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56

Wednesday: St. John of Kanty, Priest

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66

Thursday: Late Advent Weekday

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79

Friday: The Nativity of the Lord

Is 62:11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20

Saturday: St. Stephen The First Martyr

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22

Father, the birth of your Son brings us the promises of

eternal life, miracles of healing, faithfulness to your word

and joy for life. May all the sick and homebound feel the

miracles and light of the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. We

ask you to comfort those who are alone especially for our

military men and women who are serving away from their

families. Amen.

LAY MINISTERS: Dec. 26-27 Communion Service Leaders

Dec. 21: J. Wilson Dec. 22: T. Burke

Dec. 28: No Service Office Closed

Dec. 29: D. Hall

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Self-Scheduling by Sign-Up.

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Altar Servers:

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Proclaimers of the Word

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Greeters

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Offertory Gifts

*Please sign up if you’re available.

Home Chalice Program *Please sign up if you’re available.

Linens:

December: F. Kinsey, L. Lavey

Cleaning the Altar

S. Katon

Collection Counters:

Dec. 21: R. Miller, B. Zielinski, D. Backlund

Dec. 29: L. Hazel, C. Hazel, N. Rickelmann,

J. King (***Tuesday NOT Monday***)

Altar Candle Week of December 20th:

In Honor of Gerard Wideman

By Knittle family