12.23...monday, dec 24, 1:00 - 2:00 pm; sunday, dec 30, 11:15 - 12:15 pm, both in the parlor....
TRANSCRIPT
ICC Parish Staff:
Rev. Fr. Kuffel (Pastor) [email protected] 907-434-6117 Rev. Fr. Bala (Parochial Vicar) [email protected] 907-452-3533 Rev. Mr. Sean Stack, Deacon Rev. Mr. Bob Barnard, Deacon Rev. Mr. Bob Mantei, Deacon (Ret.)
Dcn. Chuck Bowman, Maintenance [email protected] Kathy McDougall, Admin Assistant [email protected] Grayce Barnard, Rel. Ed. Facilitator [email protected] Terri Atkins, Bookkeeper [email protected] Sem. Piotr (Peter) Oprych [email protected]
2 Doyon Place
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-3533 Fax (907) 456-3336
http://iccfairbanks.org
Parish Office Hours Tues.-Fri. 9:00AM - 4:00PM
12.23.2018
Parish Information Mass Times: Daily: 12:10PM & 5:30PM Wed: 5:30PM Mass with Adoration & Confession Sunday: Sat 5:30PM, Sun 7:30AM & 10:00AM
Confessions: Daily 11:45AM - 12:00PM, Wed 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sat 4:00PM - 5:00PM Baptism: Call Fr. Bala 907-452-3533 Marriage: Call six months prior to wedding date.
Year to date we are in the BLACK $5,931.63!!
Thank YOU!
To donate electronically: http://giving.parishsoft.com/iccfairbanks
Stewardship: Visit
Home visits are powerful witnesses to the importance of family, friends, and our faith. Coming Home for Christmass is not merely a dream, a song, it is the essence of Christmass. Jesus comes and visits us in our homes, inviting us to come and visit His home — heaven. Stewardship is not rooted in using wisely your time, treasure, and talent; stewardship is a response to the visitation of Jesus in homes, lives, and hearts. It is an act of love — not a burden. Jesus knocks at the door, but we are the ones who have to open the door. When we encounter Christ, dwelling within our lives, we respond by using our time, talent and treasure not for personal benefits, but for His needs. Jesus asks us to be wise and faithful stewards not just to reward us with His visit, but asks us to imitate Him Who is the faithful steward Who gave us His time, talent, and treasure for our benefit.
By the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the
LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now
his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace. He is the Prince of Peace
2018-2019 Budget
Amt. Needed Weekly
2nd Collection: Soup Kitchen
Last Week
Building Fund Last Week
$575,757.41 $11.072.26 $255.94 $180.00
Regular Income To Date
Reg Income Last Week
Retirement for Religious Last Week
Rectory Fund Last Week
$195,565.65 $6,354.20 $175.00 $85.00
Status of Operating Fund - (July 1, 2018 - December 16,2018) Includes CC Donations received
Jan 4 - 5, 2019 1st Friday/Saturday at ICC. Start the new year in Adoration. We need 2 persons each half hour, especially men from 11:30 PM to 4:00 AM. Sign up at www.volunteersignup.org/JKPK9
CD of the Week: The Mystery of Christmas: Fr. Larry Richards illuminates how the true joy of Christmas is found in the greatest gift ever given – the gift of Jesus Christ to the whole world. Fr. Larry gets to the heart of the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Singing! Let us sing joyfully to the Lord. We invite the singers and instrumentalists for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (Dec 24) at 11:00 PM. Practice time is Dec 23 following the 10:00 AM Mass. Come after the 10:00 AM Mass or call Miyang 907-799-2205.
The Visiting Virgin Statue brings peace and harmony in many homes in our parish. The Legion of Mary invite families/individuals to have her for a week in your home. Contact the office if you want the statue in your home. 452-3533.
Mardi-Gras 2019. We would like to do Mardi-Gras, and we need your help to make it happen. Volunteers are needed for fund raising/donations, meal prep, decorating, etc. Please contact the office and leave your name and contact information. 452-3533.
Legion of Mary Meetings: Temporary changes for next two weeks: Monday, Dec 24, 1:00 - 2:00 PM; Sunday, Dec 30, 11:15 - 12:15 PM, both in the parlor. Regular meetings will resume Monday, Jan 7, 6:05 - 7:15 PM in the K of C Room.
ICC Piece-Makers Quilting Ministry meetings will resume Tuesday, Jan 15, 1:15PM to 3:30 PM. We welcome all new members. If interested, contact Marie or Jodi 452-3701.
The Alaska Missionaries To learn more about our mission or to support our work, please visit our website at: www.adgentesmission.org/alaska-mission/ After payroll we are in the black for the month of December by $13,742.35. For the fiscal year, so far, we are still in the red by $604.16.
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Want Family; Cathie Dolan; Christopher Landry; Sally; Dorothy, Damien and Mary; Johnny; Roy Wilbur; Allison Wood; Tom Muyleart; Sally; Pam & Bob Balster and Family; Lisa Hover; Frank Buckmeier; Bernadette McGovern; Joel Rivera; Mary Ellen Koeller; Jim Cross; Stack-Addis-Butler Family; Bill Sager;
Joseph Williams, Jr.; Paula; Olive Staley; Laurel Ruth; Fran Gibbs, RN and family; Edward Jones; Lou Williams; Cindy Fields; Kay McLevey; Roy Porter; Mrs. Joe Richardson; Linda Ault; Dave, Heidi and Family; Ramon (B.J.) Cortez;
Doreen Reed; David Savage; Helga Savage; Mason Edwards; Ralph Payner; Rocco Vicari; Jim & Sandy Harity; Tim Lelito; Debbie; Agnes; Fr. Fred Bayler: Robin Eagan and Family, and all names and intentions in our Book of Intentions.
Prayer Intentions are being refreshed every 2 months. Please call the office to add and/or remove a loved one to the prayer box.
Sat. Dec 22 5:30 PM Elizabeth Conn (repose
George Peterson/Brenda Wilbur & Shannon
Christensen Advent Weekday Men’s Group 7:00 AM
Sun. Dec 23 7:30 AM
10:00 AM
Shirley Ann Karl (repose)
ICC
Tony Karl/Bea Garcia Peter Oprych
Sonja Thomas/Sharon Norwicki, Peter Oprych
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mon. Dec 24
12:10 PM
6:00 PM
11:00 PM
Delpino & Belda
Diana Tate
Diana Tate
Advent Weekday Legion of Mary 1:00 PM
Tues. Dec 25 8:00 AM
10:00 AM
Frank & Eleanor Hammers (repose)
Frank & Eleanor Hammers (repose)
Nativity of the Lord: Christmas
Wed. Dec 26 12:10 PM
5:30 PM
Souls in Purgatory
Lucy Tatge (repose)
St. Stephen
Confessions 6:00 PM
Bible Study; Adoration
Thur. Dec 27 12:10 PM
5:30 PM
Souls in Purgatory
Intentions of James Cooke
St. John the Apostle
Fri. Dec 28 12:10 PM
5:30 PM
Souls in Purgatory
Intentions of Kathleen Cooke
Holy Innocents Voice in the Wilderness
Sat. Dec 29 5:30 PM Souls in Purgatory
Jack Tragis/Brenda Wilbur & Shannon
Christensen Fifth Day of the Nativity Men’s Group 7:00 AM
Sun. Dec 30 7:30 AM
10:00 AM
Phillip Hammers
ICC
Sharon Nowicki/Bea Garcia & Volunteer
Keri DePalma/Grace Minder & Suki Ahn
Holy Family Legion of Mary 11:15 AM
Date Mass Intention Lector/Minister Feast Day Activity Time
Soup Kitchen - We will serve a meal this Christmas Day
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. We need volunteers to help cook,
serve, and clean. Please contact Grayce to volunteer! Menu for Christmas: Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes,
Green Beans, and Cake for Dessert. If you want anything
else, please donate!
Regional Soup Kitchen News
Advent: God Comes to Visit His People So many cares and concerns plague our world. We worry and our worship becomes worrisome.
But Jesus tells us to cast all our cares upon Him. That we need not worry. When we look at all our needs, when we look at all the needs of the needy in our world, when we look at all the injustices committed against others, mainly because of greed and envy, we worry that God does not care. Yet, that is exactly why God comes. Christmass is not just the birth of a baby boy, that alone is great joy; but this boy grows up to change the world. He grows up with the worry of his mission: to save the world. Then when He begins His mission, He tells us to cast all our burdens and labors upon Him, for He is meek and gentle of heart. He is the only One Who can free us from our worry. Christmass creates worries, but when we trust in Him, the God-Child, we are comforted as He comes to comfort us with peace, justice and love.
Grayce Barnard Religious Education & Youth News - 452-3533 - [email protected]
How to Prepare for Christmas Jesus is Christmas
Creator
Holy One
Redeemer
Immanuel
Savior
Truth
Messiah
Alpha & Omega
Son of God
Emmanuel means – God with Us. This Christmas we should ask ourselves:
Are we with God?
Merry Christmas; God’s Blessings for All.
CCD for this month will meet: December 23.
There will be no class on December 30. CCD will resume on January 6, 2019.
RE Class Cancellation Policy
The temperature cut off for cancelling RE classes is -35°
Call 458-3745 x1111 Fairbanks weather . Cut off time to call for
Sunday RE class is 6:30 AM, Wednesday RCIC is 5:00 PM.
If the Fairbanks School District cancels school activities due to
weather on a Wednesday,
ICC will cancel their Wednesday evening RE classes.
Soup Kitchen We will serve a meal this Christmas Day
11:00 AM—12:30 PM We need volunteers to serve, and clean on
Christmas Day. No greater gift can be given than to give to those who are in need on Christmas Day.
VOLUNTEER!
Please contact Grayce to volunteer!
Seeking Male Counselors: St. Therese’s Summer Camp in the Archdiocese of Anchorage is seeking young men who love God, love kids, and love the Catholic Church. Apply at: www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/ or contact Rudy Poglitsch at 907-232-2066 or [email protected]
The next Retrouvaille Marriage Healing Program in Anchorage begins February 08 -10, 2019. Phone 907-863-8000, or go to:
www.HelpOurMarriage.org
Understanding the Liturgy Liturgy of the Word: Psalms
The recitation, even better, the singing of the Psalm helps to create an atmosphere of prayer. Mass is a Prayer and the Liturgy is to help create an atmosphere of prayer which includes joy and sorrow; praise and worship; contrition and forgiveness. St. Paul tells the early Christians to sing the Psalms (Col 3:16). This tells us to read the 150 Psalms which were used in the Temple Worship of Jerusalem. The singing of Psalms is not just the Psalm but includes also the Alleluia verse. These are sacred songs; and at Mass, all music should be sacred, for it is a prayer, and any prayer is to do two things: 1. Prayer and Psalms are to
glorify God! 2. Prayer and Psalms are to
enhance and edify the Church and the faithful.
The Church sings the Liturgy of the Hours, too, and all the faithful are invited. The praying of the Psalms is a dialogue between us and God and that is why in the Psalms, we exchange verses that the cantor sings and the congregation responds realizing that God responds to us His people.
Stewardship: Covenants Covenants are not merely rules for a community. Covenants are exchanges of persons in which you promise to give yourself to another, especially when they are in trouble. The Father sent His Son into the world to fulfill the covenant that He made with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and David. Jesus fulfills those covenants beyond all expectation. God promised a Messiah, a Redeemer, who was from the family of David. Jesus is born in the City of David, the ancestral home of Mary and Joseph, and restores the Kingship of David by becoming the New King, the New Messiah who will rule the nations. To complete this covenant, Isaiah (61:1) foretells what Jesus would do. “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn.” Stewardship protects those covenants, for good stewards remember the Covenant we have with God and we remind others that we are in a Covenant with God through Jesus. Stewardship means we do what Jesus did. We set people free by living out the covenant with all our heart, soul, and strength.
The Visitation Christmass is a time for visitations. Families bond together and share meals, stories, and memories. The power of storytelling is life changing. Look at the powerful, popular Christmas movies which tell romantic stories of yesterday and today. Each family has its own history, and each family passes down their traditions, customs, and culture each Christmass Season. Today it is easy to lose these traditions, for we live in a media world and not the real world. We live glued to movies, blogs, and phones rather than rituals, Scripture, and prayer. Scripture, the written word of God, reveals the greatest story in which God breaks into history as the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. Emanuel, a name which means: God is with us; is born in Bethlehem, the city of David. This is the city, if we know the prophecies, where God will come and visit His people. He will break into our lives and change them. Changed, we leap for joy. Not because God is near, but God dwells within. Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, conceived the Word of God within her very being. God was present in and through her. Elizabeth encountered Mary, the new tabernacle, the Arc of the Covenant, and she too was filled with God’s presence. Even John the babe in her womb recognized the power of God dwelling within and leapt for joy. This is the real story we need to remember. We need to reveal this history of Christmass: not the fairy tales, but the true story, reading the great Infancy Narratives of Scripture in which God fulfills all his covenantal promises. Those Covenantal Promises exchange His very life for ours. He remembers what He promised to Abraham our father, Isaac, and David. From the stump of Jesse, a Branch - a word referencing the Messiah - will blossom and His name will be Emanuel, a name meaning God dwells with His people.
Merry Christmass Fr. Bala and I want to wish and bless everyone this Christmass so that you and your family are filled with joy, peace, and the presence of Christ in your life. Much has happened since last Christmass and we look forward to the many improvements coming this next year. We have painted, cleaned, remodeled, and updated many parts of the building and technology. We have made a smooth transition in the Soup Kitchen and graciously thank Cindy and her leadership, and appreciate Grayce and her ability to keep the Soup Kitchen serving the needs of our community. We have a list of wonderful volunteers who come to work at the Soup Kitchen, and we want to invite all the parishes in the area to be involved in this ministry. We have wonderful Religious Ed Teachers who faithfully inspire our youth to encounter Christ. They are our future and we invest in their journey of faith so that our parish stays vibrant and faithful. We are blessed with four seminarians and graciously appreciate all that Peter Oprych is doing . He helps with the choir and every Wednesday he and I practice with the choir to prepare for the Sunday Liturgy. And thanks to all the choirs who help us praise God. Peter also helps Terri with the bookkeeping and record keeping. He serves daily at Mass and is mastering English and his pronunciation. He faithfully works in the Soup Kitchen and he is a blessing to us. We also have a healthy daily Mass attendance, especially on Wednesday evenings with adoration. I encourage everyone to come to Wednesday evening Mass at 5:30 and spend time with our Lord during Adoration. We also have confessions offered. Our finances are stable now and we continue to work to keep expenses down.
I also want to thank the staff here. Chuck, Terri, Grayce, Kathy, Mary, Rose, Fr. Bala, and our two deacons Sean and Bob. Many times we don’t realize all the work they do behind the scenes to keep our parish fruitful and faithful. Finally, I want to thank all of you our faithful parishioners who give of your time, talent, and treasure as an act of faith and commitment because you have experienced and encountered Christ.
Your response is inspiring. This coming year we will continue to update and empower our parish. The bishop has asked us to contact Pastoral Leadership Round Table to inform, instruct, and inspire our parishioners so that our parish is fully alive in Christ. Many of the articles on discipleship and mission are the background to help us implement the bishop’s vision of a parish that 1. Encounters Christ Personally 2. Transforms the Person to Put
on the Mind of Christ 3. Disciples us to be Apostles on
a Mission to Transform our Parish and Community.
May this Christmas and New Year inspire you with the presence of the Holy Spirit so that you are filled with the love, joy, peace, and kindness of Christ
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
All Change Must Pass Through the Door of Culture!
All of Creation is to glorify God, for creation is the meeting place for us to experience God and His saving grace. The history of our salvation, beginning with Adam and completed by Jesus, is not a small event on a poor planet. God intervenes through the Incarnation, the Word becomes human, because of the dysfunction within our world. Salvation History reveals the origin and purpose of creation. We are to walk in harmony with God. But because sin entered into this glorious creation, God constantly intervenes into our history, revealing God as Father Who pours out His love recreating a world of peace, justice and love. In the Incarnation, we encounter God not as Creator but as Beloved. “Before I formed you in the womb,
I knew you” (Jer 1:15). The Hebrew word, to know, signifies a deep understanding that penetrates to the depths of a person. It is intimacy. “To know” in Scripture was often used to refer to the marital, sexual union. When the Lord says that He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs, we must see the absolute radical nature of this proclamation. God’s desire to be in relationship with us, His dynamic and boundless love, was so powerful, that He would not wait until we were conceived. The Father held each of us in His heart and contemplated us from Eternity. Each of us is so precious to the Lord that He became one like us, then endured suffering and death so that we could become like Him. Christmass reveals this divine intimacy. God knows us intimately and is not embarrassed by our sinfulness. Even Mary struggles with God’s intimacy. Gabriel comes and invites her to be the Mother of Emanuel; Mary balks
“How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (LK 1:34). In other words, Mary refuses to know a man for she knows God so intimately.
Area Mass Times Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sat. 4:30 PM Sun. 8:00 AM; 11: 00 AM; 1:00 PM Spanish
M-F. 7:30 AM Immaculate Conception
Sat. 5:30 PM; Sun. 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM M-F. 12:10 PM & 5:30 PM
St. Raphael Sat. 6:00 PM; Sun. 9:30 AM T, Th. 9:30 AM; W. 5:30 PM
Saint Nicholas, North Pole Sat. 5:00 PM; Sun. 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM
M, T, Th, F. 9:00 AM; W 7:00 PM
St. Mark University Parish Sun. 5:30 PM Murie Auditorium T. 5:30 PM St. Mark’s Chapel
Good Shepherd, Ft. Wainwright Sun. 9:00 AM (S. Lights Chapel)
T, W. 6:00 PM (SLC) W, Th, F. 11:00 AM (BA Hospital)
Our Lady of Snows, Eielson AFB Sun. 10:30 AM T-F. 11:30 AM
She knows the prophecies and studied the Scriptures and knows intimately the closeness of our God. She wants to remain pure and be united to God alone. Yet, her Father asks her to be the Mother of Jesus thinking that she would have to marry a man. She did not completely understand God’s plan. She was not to marry a man; but she was to become the bride of the Holy Spirit. She was to be completely filled with God’s Spirit becoming the new created expression of God’s love. She was to be the new Eve. For us whose self-image is wounded, personally encountering this type of love Our Father has for us is essential. Before Catholics find meaning in our faith and truly hear and respond to this type of divine love, as did Mary, we must personally encounter Christ .
We have to experience how God “knows” me.
God knows us intimately even before we were conceived, and He wants to perfect us as He did Mary. Metanoia is a change of mind. I change because I have experienced such a powerful love that Love transforms me. This transformation starts with repentance. I know I can do better. I can become better. In fact, Metanoia demands perfection. Encountering others who have experienced this metanoia is powerful and builds me up to do the will of God as did Mary. The people we surround ourselves with influence us more than we realize. That is why culture is so powerful. Our culture forms us. When we live in a culture that denies God, promotes self-interests, and focuses on this earthly kingdom, I will not experience the power of Jesus Who “knows” me and in knowing me, heals those parts of me that are wounded and broken. But Metanoia is a new culture, a culture of mercy and compassion that experiences the divine and mysterious. This metanoia gives me a new purpose to seek God’s view — not my view.
Dec 23 Confessions 6:00 PM - 7: 00 PM
Dec 24/25 Office Closed
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Mass 6:00 PM Monroe;
Dec 24 11:00 PM at ICC
Dec 25 Christmas Day Mass 8:00 AM; 10:00 AM ICC
Dec 25 Christmas Day Brunch
Dec 30 - Jan 10 Fr. Tom vacation
Jan 1 Holy Day Theotokos: Dec 31 5:30 PM; Jan 1 10:00 AM
Jan 4 - 5 First Friday Mass 5:30 PM/ All Night Vigil and First Saturday Mass 7:00 AM
Jan 8—Feb 7 Fr. Bala India
UP COMING EVENTS Voice in the Wilderness
Charismatic Prayer Group Do you need prayer or healing? Come
Friday Night 6:30 PM at ICC’s K of C Room. Prayer ministry is powerful for it helps heal those
who experience isolation and desolation. Learning to pray through music and meditation
brings healing and comfort. If you need prayer: COME!
Knights of Columbus Council 5011
Become a Knight to receive: Guidance, Support, and Inspiration
Meetings are 1st Tuesday of the month 6:30 PM—8:00 PM
Soup Kitchen
We will serve a meal this Christmas Day 11:00 AM—12:30 PM
We need volunteers
to cook, serve, clean.
Please contact Grayce to volunteer! 907-452-3533
Make a positive difference in your life
Confession Schedule for Advent and Christmas
Daily we have confessions from 11:30 AM - 12:00 Noon Dec 23 6:00 - 7:00 PM Confessions
Christmas Schedule
Dec 22 5:30 PM Mass 4th Sunday of Advent Dec 23 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM 4th Sunday of Advent Dec 24 12:10 Noon Mass Dec 24 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Children’s Mass @ Monroe HS Dec 24 11:00 PM Midnight Mass @ ICC Dec 25 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Christmas Day Mass @ ICC Dec 26 12:10 & 5:30 PM Daily Mass followed by Adoration. Dec 29 5:30 PM Holy Family Vigil Dec 30 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Family Dec 31 12:10 Daily Mass & 5:30 PM Theotokos Vigil Jan 1 10:00 AM Theotokos Mass
Office: 907-799-2205 Cell: 907-799-2205
[email protected] 211 Minnie St., Fairbanks, AK 99701
www.alaskaacupunctureherb.com
Alaska Acupuncture Herb
Miyang Kim, L.Ac. Pain Control Hypertension Hypotension Arthritis Weight Loss Addiction Allergies Asthma Herbology Facial Rejuvenation Curry’s Corner
Grocery, Gas & Liquor
At the Junction of Chena Hot Springs Road and the Old
Steese Highway
Open from Noon until 8:00 p.m.
7 days a week
907-457-1268
ICC Bulletin Advertising - Please Support Our Local Businesses
Facebook "Catholic Engaged Encounter-Fairbanks" For marriage support services Natural Family Planning information
contact Marc & Ann Lee at [email protected]
Fairbanks Catholic Engaged Encounter "A Wedding is a Day, A Marriage is a Lifetime."
Comprehensive Marriage Preparation Weekends Contact 907-452-3701 or [email protected] to register or volunteer
Academic Excellence for PreK through 12th Grade
Call for a tour – 907.456.7970
www.catholic-schools.org
Why choose the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks?
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ALASKA
LICENSE PLATES (Any year)
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(Running or Not)
Wil Courtney 907.458.0911
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