fr. jordan, o.p. · may the grace of our lord remain always with us! rejoice! rejoice! emmanuel...
TRANSCRIPT
St. Sebastian - 913
Church of Saint Sebastian December 16, 2018 - Third Sunday of Advent
From Father Jordan, O.P. My Dear Ones, May the grace of Our Lord remain always with us!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel!!
It is with these wonderful words that we welcome this Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Our anticipation of our annual celebration of the beginning of the mystery of our redemption draws nigh, and our joy becomes ever more palpable – you can feel it in the air! Our liturgical celebration today begins the Church’s final efforts at preparation for Christmas – we enter into so called “Advent II” and our focus moves from the coming of Christ in glory and the call of the Baptist to a baptism of repentance, towards the Visitation and ultimately, the Nativity. The Church leads us into this particular mediation through the great “O” Antiphons. The “O” Antiphons are particular titles addressed to Christ that are solemnly sung at Vespers each evening. The first “O” antiphon reads as follows:
O Wisdom, You came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reaching from beginning to end, You ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence! This title refers to all the Old Testament references in praise of the wisdom of God. We read that wisdom proceeds from God; wisdom is begotten by God; wisdom is the breath of the power of God; evidence of His glory; and, the beloved daughter who at the beginning of creation stood before God, assisting in the creation of the visible universe. But wisdom is also represented as a human attribute, as the foundation of all virtue. Its ultimate root is the fear of God (“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”), and its final goal is divine knowledge and love. Divine knowledge and love is incarnated in the life of prudence. Thus, the last petition of this first “O” Antiphon is all embracing, praying that the Christ will make us perfect Christians, Christians who are wholly penetrated – mind, will and emotions, with the leaven of Christianity. Christian personalities who combine strength with gentleness; strong in our battle against hell; aglow with the love of God and neighbor. All this
is part of our yearning plea, “Come! Teach us the way of prudence.” Prudence is also manifest in our good stewardship of what we have been given. We have been given so much individually and as a Parish. As I took your wonderful gifts to the San Miguel School earlier this week the Director of the School expressed his deep gratitude for all we delivered. One of the teachers stated that this program would fail without Saint Sebastian. As you sacrifice so amazingly for others, I humbly invite you to sacrifice for our beloved Saint Sebastian this Christmas as you prepare your Christmas offering. If we are going to stay on budget, decrease the deficit, and hire new staff, your Christmas gift is essential! While the current budget has no goal for the Christmas Collection, your sacrificial gift to help us reach $25,000.00 would ease many burdens and worries. It is a big reach, but I know we can do this for God and for our beloved Saint Sebastian. Please remember the foundation of all good stewardship: not equal gift, but equal sacrifice. The Saints encourage us not to be small-hearted in our response to the generosity of Christ: YOU have never been small–hearted! Christ asks you once again to respond to His goodness in your life. As always, each day of this blessed Season – you are with me at the altar! O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! In the Lord,
Fr. Jordan, O.P.
Parish Finances: December 9, 2018
Mass Contributions $ 3,473.00 Online Parish Giving $ 2,432.00 Total Parishioner Donations $ 5,905.00 Immaculate Conception $ 790.00 Total Parish Expenses $ 6,560.00 Diocesan Collection $ 1,716.00 A sincere thank you for your continued support!
Please consider enrolling in Parish Giving, our online stewardship program for parish contributions. You can register online at www.Parishgiving.org or on our parish website at www.stsebastianri.org.
Church of Saint Sebastian Founded October 15, 1915
St. Sebastian - 913
Welcome In my own name and on behalf of the People of
Saint Sebastian’s, welcome to our Parish! If you
are visiting, coming back to the Church and Mass
after some time away, or looking for a Parish, you
are most welcome here at Saint Sebastian’s.
If you would like more information about Saint
Sebastian’s, the works we do, or joining the Par-
ish, please talk with our Pastor, Father Jordan, or
ask any of our parishioners. Welcome and please
join us again!
Developing a Culture of Stewardship
In this season of gift giving and receiving...How
can we be good stewards of our time, share our
talents, and use our treasure for the good of all?
WINE: Women’s Book Club The Daytime WINE Club meets Saturday, December 22 at 3:30 pm in the Fr. Randall Room. If you have any questions please email [email protected] (Daytime Group) or [email protected] (Evening Group.)
Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 15: Vigil: 3rd Sunday of Advent
5:00 p.m. Richard Ely, req. by Donna Pilkington
Sunday, December 16: Third Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. Intentions of Mary Catherine Godlewsky - Bruno on the occasion of her birthday
11:00 a.m. Pro Populo Monday, December 17: Late Advent Weekday
7:00 am Health of Bishop Richard Stika Tuesday, December 18: Late Advent Weekday
7:00 am Mary Lou Daly, requested by Henry May and Catherine Nagle
7:20 am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Wednesday, December 19: Late Advent Weekday
7:00 am Joanne Joyce Thursday, December 20: Late Advent Weekday
7:00 am Francis M. Kelly, anniversary Friday, December 21: Late Advent Weekday
7:00 am Mass Saturday, December 22: Late Advent Weekday 9:00 am For the Healing of the Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse Saturday, December 22: Vigil: 4th Sunday of Advent
5:00 PM In Thanksgiving for the Dominican Order
Sunday, December 23: Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:00 AM Winifred Kiernan, 14th ann., BEQUEST
11:00 a.m. Jean Schnise, anniversary, requested by her sister Belle ___________________________________________
End of the Year Giving and Estate Planning
At this time of the year, there are so many demands
made upon our financial resources. Please consider
remembering Saint Sebastian Church either through
greater sacrifice for the Christmas Collection; an End
of the Year Gift; or by leaving a bequest for Saint
Sebastian Church from your estate. Thank YOU!!!
God will never be outdone in generosity!
TOWN HALL MEETING
There will be a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, January 14th at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall to discuss matters relating to the continued life of Saint Sebastian Parish. All are welcome.
Church of Saint Sebastian December 16, 2018 - Third Sunday of Advent
St. Sebastian - 913
Christmas Bells are Ringing
The Children’s Choir will go Christmas Caroling TODAY Sunday, December 16. Please see Vittoria, the Children’s Choir Director, in the choir loft following the 9 a.m. Mass if your son or daughter would like to join the Choir in this heartwarming activity!
Christmas Caroling: As an extension of our parish Outreach work, all parishioners are invited to help bring the spirit of Christmas to some of the elderly in our area. We will serenade the residents of three nursing homes with familiar carols and brighten their day, as we encourage them to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Gather at St. Sebastian's at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 23. From there, we will caravan in cars to Wingate, Tockwotten, and Bethany homes. (Songbooks and directions will be provided, but you can bring jingle bells, Christmas regalia, and plenty of good will!) No special musical talent is required, but a jolly enthusiasm makes our caroling a huge success. After caroling, everyone is welcome to the home of Greg & Susan Elliott for
refreshments. To sign up, please email: [email protected]. For questions, please contact Susan Elliott at 831-1162 or 345-8635. What better way can we herald the coming of Our Lord than by bringing His Love to those who would enjoy it so?
Join us for our many activities!
Today 12/16 Children’s Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Eve 10:00 am Choir Loft
Coffee An’ 10:00 am Vestibule
Community Outreach Meeting 10:00 am Church Hall
Religious Education 10:00 am Classrooms
Mon. 12/17 Religious Education 4:00 pm Classrooms
CGS 4:15 pm Atrium
Coffee An’ 4:00 pm Vestibule
Tues. 12/18 Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:00 pm Fr. Randall Room
Wed. 12/19 Unfolding the Faith 7:00 pm Fr. Randall Room
Thur. 12/20 Opus Dei 9:30 am Church
Sat. 12/22 Mass 9:00 am Church
Book Club 3:30 pm Fr. Randall Room
Confessions 4:00 pm Church
Mass 5:00 pm Church
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS EVE: Monday, December 24th
4:00 pm: Christmas Vigil Family Mass -Prelude begins at 3:30 pm
9:00 pm: Solemn Mass of Christmas Night -Choral prelude begins at 8:30 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY: Tuesday, December 25
th
10:00 am Christmas Mass During the Day
Daily Masses through Christmas Octave will be celebrated at 9:00 am.
Holy Family: Regular Weekend Schedule
NEW YEAR’S EVE: Monday, Dec. 31st
5:00 pm Vigil Mass of Mary, the Mother of God
NEW YEAR’S DAY: Tuesday, January 1st
10:30 am Sung Mass of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Return to regular schedule January 2nd
Church of Saint Sebastian Founded October 15, 1915
St. Sebastian - 913
MITTEN/HAT/SCARF TREE: has been placed
in the vestibule upon which you can pin new
mittens, hats, and scarves that will be for the
benefit of Saint Patrick’s Mary House.
Opportunities for memorials
Please contact Father Jordan if:
You would like to help purchase an appropriate
vestment and altar cloth which would be used
during the Christmas and Easter Seasons;
You noticed the beautiful new Green
Vestment used at Sunday Mass and would like to
donate this vestment in memory of a deceased
loved one.
Prayers for the Sick
Prayers are asked for our friends, family, fellow parishioners, and especially for Elie Saroufim, William Tracey, Helen Cox-Nadal, and Stanley Nadal. If you would like someone included in the Prayers for the Sick, please call the Church Rectory.
Weekly Bulletin Submission Deadlines
With the upcoming Christmas holidays, the publisher of our bulletin will be printing our bulletins earlier than usual. Therefore any requested announcements from committees would need to be submitted early as well. Bulletin for December 30th - Items must be received by noon December 19th. Bulletin for January 6th - Items must be received by noon Monday, December 24th. If you have any questions please email the office at [email protected] Thank you!
Holiday Office Hours The Parish Office will close at noon on Friday, December 21st and will reopen on Thursday, December 27th. The Parish Office will close at noon on Friday, December 28th and reopen at 9 am on Wednesday, January 2nd.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and
where there is no whisperer, quarreling
ceases.
- Proverbs 26:20
Annual Potluck Supper—January 26th, 2019 In honor of St. Sebastian, whose Feast Day is January 20th, all parishioners are invited to a Potluck Supper to be held in the Church Hall on Saturday, January 26th following the 5:00 pm Feast Day Mass. More information will follow, but mark your calendars now and plan to attend!