Human beings cannot live without hope. Unlike the animals, we have the ability to think about the future and to fear our actions shaping it. In reading the Old Testament during Advent we learn what to hope for. The people of the Old Testament had the courage to hope. Their hopes were no different from ours or from any human being’s: lasting peace, tranquil lives, sufficient food, and an end to suffering, pain and misery. We continue to have many of the same hopes as the people in the Old Testament. However, we differ from them in two ways. First, the coming of Jesus into history “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), immeasurably confirms and strengthens our hope. Secondly, we differ from the Old Testament people because Jesus has revealed to us that God is not afar, but is already in our midst. Hence, the importance in the Advent liturgy of John the Baptist and Mary; because they recognized the new situation, they serve as models for discerning the presence of our Savior in the world. So we celebrate the Word becoming flesh with anticipation. We begin our journey waiting for the Lord, looking for signs of the mountains being made low and the valleys made straight. Our journey is filled with songs of anticipation that turn to hymns of joy. Like the people of the Old Testament, we are led in our temple by musicians and singers leading the Assembly in praise and worship for the great things the Lord has done…and is yet to do.

Vision Statement: Our Lady of the Presentation is a vibrant, Eucharist-centered community offering all Catholics participation in sacraments, social action and Christian education. Mission Statement: To share our gifts by providing opportunities for spiritual growth

in worship, service, education and community activities, is our mission.

WWW.OLPLS.ORG • WINTER 2018

By David Armstrong, Director of Liturgy & Music

Come celebrate the music of Advent & Christmas on Tuesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m., as the Parish Choir and

Choristers present A Journey to Bethlehem. The program will include carols of Christmas, Schubert’s Mass in G, choral music by

the renowned John Rutter and Ola Gjeilo, plus our own parishioner, Cheryl McLaughlin. A reception will follow the program.

AdventGivingTreeParishServiceProject The Advent Giving Tree is on display in the Mulligan Room. You and your family are invited to take a tag from the Giving Tree and donate the item listed. Thestar-shapedtagsaregiftsforchildren&teens.Thesquaretagsaregifts

forsenioradults.

ReturntheitemwiththegifttagattachedanddropoffintheMulliganRoom

nolaterthanSUNDAY,DECEMBER9.

PleaseDONOTwrapthegifts.Giftbagsareacceptable.

This is a great way for the whole family to share the spirit of Christmas and give hope to those in need!

Your donations will help bene it our service partner, Lee’s Summit Social Services and area Care Center residents.

Join us for Christmas Mass at Presentation

ALL MASSES WILL BE IN THE CHURCH

Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Masses: 2:00 p.m. (Mass with Choristers)

4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Spanish), 10:00 p.m.

Prelude music will be 30 minutes before each Mass.

Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Mass: 10:00 a.m.

JKV Bus transportation provided for the 4:00pm & 10:00am Christmas Masses.

Residents must call ahead, 347-2178.

Liturgical Ministers Commissioned Parish liturgical minis-ters and musicians gathered November 7 to reflect upon their ministry in the context of Jesus’ ministry. At the close of the evening, those present were commissioned and blessed for their service to our parish community. In addition to our parish choirs and musicians, our

parish is blessed by 206 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; 119 readers who proclaim the Scriptures; 32 Mass Coordinators and 95 greeters who serve at our six weekend Masses, holydays and holidays. Additionally, nearly 150 young people are trained as altar servers.

Are you interested in exploring one of these ministries?

Contact Mary Pat:

mstorms@olpls.org or David:

darmstrong@olpls.org

Our Lady of the Presentation Church 130 NW Murray Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 www.olpls.org

Parish Calendar Of Events December

1-2: Free Blood Pressure Checks LSSS Food Drive K of C Parish Breakfast

2-4: Parish Mission, 6:30pm

8: Immaculate Conception Holy Day Mass: 9am 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass & Celebration, 6pm

16: Youth Group Christmas Caroling, 1:30-4:30pm Posada, 3-6pm Reconciliation Service, 6:30pm

18: Advent Musical Program, 7pm

23: Posada, 6-7:30pm

24: Christmas Eve Masses: 2pm (w/choristers), 4pm, 6pm, 7:30pm (Spanish), 10pm

25: Christmas Day Mass: 10am

31: Solemnity of Mary Vigil Mass, 5:30pm

January

1: Solemnity of Mary Mass, 10am 5-6: RCIA Retreat Free Blood Pressure Checks LSSS Food Drive K of C Parish Breakfast 12-13: Confirmation 2018 Retreat 17&19: First Eucharist Parent/Child Meeting 18-19: Divine Donuts after Masses 21: Parish Office, School & ECC Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 26-27: Catholic School Week Reception after Masses

February 2-3: Free Blood Pressure Checks LSSS Food Drive K of C Parish Breakfast 8: Family Game Night 9: K of C Las Vegas Night 16-17: Women’s CRHP Retreat Celebrating Stewardship & Divine Donuts after Masses 21& 23: First Eucharist Parent & Child Meeting 24: Confirmation 2019 Saint Social

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #33 LEES SUMMIT MO

64063