St. Mary’s, Avoca St. Patrick’s, Walnut
Father Thomas Dooley, Pastor Rectory Phone: 712-343-6948
Jane True, Secretary Parish Hall/Office 712-343-6951
Website www.stmarysavoca.org e-mail [email protected]
Faceboook - facebook.com/smspchurches Fr. Dooley [email protected]
Vocations Website VocationsOnline.org
December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s Scripture
Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11: The Lord will make the house of David secure forever.
Romans 16:25-27: The Gospel in now making clear the endless mystery of the ages.
Luke 16:26-38: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son.
Sunday, December 31: Genesis 15:1-6;21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12; Luke 2:22-40.
Mass Schedule for December 26 - January 2, 2018
Tues. 12/26 8:30 a.m. Peace Haven, Walnut †Melissa Martin
Wed. 12/27 10:00 a.m. Elk Horn Nursing Home †Janet Freeman
Thurs. 12/28 5:45 p.m. St. Mary’s, Avoca †Melissa Martin Fri. 12/29 8:30 a.m. St. Mary’s, Avoca †Robert O’Neill
Sat. 12/30 5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s, Avoca †Deb Kock Karstens Sun. 12/31 8:00 a.m. St. Mary’s, Avoca All Parishioners 10:30 a.m. St. Patrick’s, Walnut Gene Hoffmann Family
Mon. 01/01 9:00 a.m. St. Mary’s, Avoca †Robert O’Neill
Normal Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. St. Mary’s (1-3-5)
St. Patrick’s (2-4)
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. St. Mary’s (2-4)
St. Patrick’s (1-3-5)
Reconciliation (Confessions):
†Saturday & Sunday before Mass
From Father Dooley’s Desk…
Dear Parishioners at St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s,
It is almost time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son
of Mary. Have you ever wondered why we believe that Jesus is the Son of God? It seems
rather improbable that the second person of the Blessed Trinity, the Son, would come to be
one with us.
If we look at the Sacred Scriptures we see that everything that is said about God the
Father we can say about God the Son. When Jesus spoke about things He did it was with
great authority, not like the scribes. He even revealed the unity He shared with the Father
“The Father and I are one.” Jn. 10:30. He also revealed that He existed eternally when He
Spoke, “… I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” Jn. 8:58. Yes, Jesus is the Son
of God, the savior of the World.
We are celebrating more than just a birth, we are rejoicing in the fact that God has
united us to Himself. By Jesus coming in the flesh we are lifted up and become adopted
children of our Daddy God. God calls us to an intimate love. God desires that we come to
share fully in the love of the Blessed Trinity, now through our worship and forever in the life
to come. Just as the incarnation of the Son took place in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary, so
too at every Mass this incarnation is revealed in the mystery of the Eucharist. Christ is born
on the altar and offers to become one with us in our receiving of Holy Communion. This is
the promise to be united now and forever with God.
It does seem improbable that God would stoop down to our level, but He did. This is
how much the Father loves us. By assuming our nature in the person of the Son, God lifted us
up to be one with Him now in the sacrament of the Church and for all eternity. This is the
reason to have hope, that God loves us and wants to share in the happiness of Heaven.
Blessings,
Father Dooley
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT
What do I believe about Jesus as the Son of God? Am I living a faith filled life so to be
united to God now and for all eternity? How does Jesus change my life?
ROSARY QUOTE
“To recite the rosary is nothing more than to contemplate with Mary the face of
Christ.” St. John Paul II, pope
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE December 25 - January 1
Sunday, December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent * There will be no 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s, Avoca.
* Christmas Eve Mass is at 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Avoca.
Monday, December 25 - Christmas Day
* Christmas Day Mass is at 9:00 a.m. at St Patrick’s, Walnut.
Sunday, December 31 - Feast of the Holy Family
Monday, January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
* Mass is at 9:00 a.m. at St Mary’s, Avoca.
UPCOMING EVENTS
√ Family Catechesis #5 is Wednesday, January 3rd beginning with dinner at
6:15 p.m. and Formation w/parents from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Child care is provided.
√ 2nd Grade RE Class #8 is Sunday, January 7th from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. at
St. Mary’s.
√ High School (9-12) Religious Education Class #12 is Wednesday, January 10th
beginning with Mass at 6:00 p.m., Dinner at 6:30 p.m. and Class from 7 - 8 p.m. at
St. Mary’s.
ST. MARY’S NATIVITY - Please take time to stop at the altar and view the beautiful
hand-painted Fontanini Nativity pieces commemorating the Birth of the Christ Child.
LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC CD’S are available for purchase in the entryway of St.
Mary’s and St. Patrick’s.
FORMED has inspiring movies and video based studies, audio presentations and e-books
from the Church’s most compelling speakers and authors. FORMED has been call a
Catholic Netflix. Our parishes have invested in FORMED so each of us might grow in our
relationship with Jesus Christ and in our desire to share our Faith with others, especially
those closest to us. All parishioners have free access to FORMED 24/7. To get started
GO TO: FORMED.org, the Parish Code is R2Z2VN, then create your account. The
Adult Faith Committee thanks Fr. Dooley for his encouragement. Committee members are
here to help with FORMED. Contact Nancy Holtz, Lynne Carroll, Cindy Gross, or Mary
Pearson with questions or for help if needed.
FORMED PICK OF THE WEEK “The Mystery of Christmas” by Fr. Larry Richards.
With humor, compassion, and clarity, Fr. Larry illuminates the true joy of Christmas and
inspires us to better recognize, receive and respond to God’s immense love for us.
OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY to Rose Sternberg and her family. Rose’s sister, Theresa
Sonntag, died December 18, 2017.
RADIX is a retreat for 12th graders, held on February 2nd - 4th and March 2nd - 4th beginning
Friday evening at 6 :00 p.m. until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas More Center. The retreat
is created to give you a weekend of reflecting on what your foundations in faith are, and how to
continue growing in your life with Christ. It is a weekend that is relaxing, prayerful, and fun! For
more information go to www.dmdiocese.org/radix.cfm.
FANNING THE FLAME is a new retreat for 9th & 10th graders on Saturday, February 10th at
the Thomas More Center from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. created to give you a day of discovering how
God is calling you to sainthood, in particular throught reflection on how the Holy spirit is moving
in your life and in the lives of your peers. It will be a relaxing Saturday of Faith, fun and friend-
ship! To register go to www.dmdiocese.org/fanningtheflame.cfm.
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM - is responsible for The Good Guys Fund, Travelers Aid
Program, Angel Tree and other assistance programs. Meetings are 4 times a year. The next
meeting is Sunday, January 28th at noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca and the agenda is
election of new officers. Jane Hayes–Johnk and Rhonda Hope are going off and Father is looking
for a representative from each parish. Please contact Father if you are interested.
KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS & MASSES: Kenneth Suhr, Doris (Jeannie) Mertz, LaVern
Mertz, Carol Porter, Alice Lamer, Jodi Jacobsen, Betty Markham, Max Klindt, Rachel Mez, Doyle
Gilland, Helen Dea, Mike D’Angelo, Sharon Sorrells, Marie Suhr, Theresa Blum, John O’Keefe,
Janet Doyle Antony, Lori Reinig, Mitch Osborn, Judy Willoughby, Tim Tuel, Robert Stuart,
Roland McLaughlin, Monica McLaughlin Merryman, James Hoffmann, Bud VanCamp, Cole
Geraghty, Eleanor Brown, Marcus Upton, Shelly Mattox, Ted Aikman, Dan Noonan, Angela
Brisbois, Darla Snyder, Ethel Thomas, Gordon Gladdin, Leona Bladt, Lillie Sue Mace, Nathan
Hall, Nancy Blum, Sherman Snyder, Carol Gubbels.
TITHES: St. Mary: 12/17 Tithes $1453; Plate $84.00 St. Patrick:12/17 Tithes $565; Plate $91.
St. Patrick’s Breakfast: January 14: Judy & Steve Griffin, Donna & Dave Muell.
Ministry 12/30 SM 5:30 p.m. 12/31 SM 8:00 a.m. 12/31 SP 10:30 a.m Lector JennieMaassen Lector Bernitta Goettsch Lector Judy Griffin
Comm Carmella Pigneri Comm Robert Prokupek* Comm Cindy Gross
Deb McCarthy Melody Cordes* Julie Gross
Nancy Gress Ron Kenkel Randy Sandbothe
Servers Kaden Schmitz Servers Grace Luna Servers Lane Muell
Noah Bartunek Henry Luna
Jordan Bartunek Isabel Luna
U/G Larry Friederich U/G Andy Messerschmidt U/G Denny Book
Dave Sternberg Ron Kenkel Nathan Renz
Gifts Cassie Johnson Family Gifts J. Kenkel/D. Suedkamp Family
