From the Desk of Fr. Mark

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I think I will be Christmassing for quite a while. I promised myself I would continue to play Christmas songs into the new year to keep me in the spirit. It is a good way to not put Christmas away. When I was little, mom and dad didn't make us put our Christmas gifts away until the tree came down on Epiph-any. To see gifts around the tree kept the spirit alive a little longer. Toys were not put into the toy box and a new sweater was kept on the pile in case an aunt or uncle would come by so that the gift could be proudly shown (the chocolate cov-ered cherries were always taken away to keep them from predatory brothers). There are times I believe we put our Christmas gifts away because we are almost embarrassed because we have re-ceived so much. I wonder if that is also true with putting the gift of the Savior away. We have received so much and are almost embarrassed or at least humbled by how much God loves us. Instead of being ready to show off our gift, we put Him away. Let's keep the Savior out all year for a change. And if anyone asks what you got for Christmas this year, be prepared to say that we received our Savior. Thanks to so many who have done so much to keep Jesus in the forefront all year round. A big thanks to everyone who made our celebrations during this Christmastime so spe-cial. Thanks to decorators, musicians, ushers, lectors, and everyone in the pews. We couldn't have our celebrations of the Lord without all of you. Merry Christmas! Fr. Mark

Thanks

As I look over this year's presents, I also think of all the pre-sents of this past year. Thanks for fruit baskets, candies and cookies. Thanks for crazy t-shirts and nice clothes, too. Thanks for all the cards and the cards with gifts in-side. There are so many gifts that I would like to say thank you for. I can't help but continue to say thanks to so many for blessing me with a car. I am still humbled at your gener-osity. Thanks. And when I am done saying thanks for all the things you have blessed me with this past year, I think of the blessings of all of you. It is my blessing to pray with you, see God through you, work and play with you and be a part of your families. As we begin a new year, may God bless all of you. Fr. Mark

Our Condolences

The Funeral Mass for Rita Langhals was held on Saturday, December 19, and the Funeral Mass for Suzanne Tate was held on Tuesday, December 22. Please include Rita, Suz-anne and their families in your prayers.

Pancake, Sausage & Egg Breakfast The youth group is sponsoring a pancake breakfast on Sunday, January 10, from 8:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m., in the church basement. They will be serving pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee. Carry-outs are available. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for those age 5-12 and free for those age 4 and under.

Mass Intentions for the Week

MONDAY, JANUARY 4 8:00 AM L/D Cy Kahle Family L/D Lawrence Unverferth Family TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 8:00 AM Rita Langhals (RA) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 8:00 AM Hugo & Frances Hoffman THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 7:30 PM Suzanne Tate FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 8:00 AM Mary Siebeneck SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 4:30 PM Helen Korte, L/D Brickner & Korte Fam. L/D Joseph Gerding Family Jerry & Dorothy Unverferth Family SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 8:00 AM Anna Wehri 11:00 AM Annie Ketcham

December 20 Collection: $10,058

Delivering Your Gifts to Chicago

We delivered the gifts to the Precious Blood Center, in Chicago, on December 17. They were very appreciative of the numerous

gifts, which they handed out to the many families who benefit from the facil-ity. While there, we found out how impor-tant it is to heal fami-lies, so that new life can begin. We met people recently re-leased from jail, who are given numerous opportunities to begin a new life with the help of the Precious Blood Reconciliation team. Thanks to all

who donated to this very wor-thy cause. We were very im-pressed with the Godly work being done in very humble surroundings. It was a good way to prepare for the humble birth of Jesus at Christmas.

Pastor: Fr. Mark Hoying, C.PP.S. Parochial Vicar: Fr. Rick Friebel, C.PP.S. In Residence: Fr. Elmer Wurth, M.M.

Pictured above: Fr. Mark stands between his first cousin Sister Carolyn Hoying and Fr. Denny Kinderman, who work at the Reconciliation Center.

Bottom Right: Sister Donna Liette helps Fr. Mark bring the packages inside the center.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4 ROSARY FOR PEACE: 1:30 p.m., in church TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 RCIA: 7:00 p.m., in church basement WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 HIGH SCHOOL CCD: 7:00 p.m., in the gym THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., in church ROSARY: 7:00 p.m., in church FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY: 3:00 p.m., in church SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 THAT MAN IS YOU: 6:30 a.m., in basement

OFFERTORY - January 9 & 10 4:30 PM Fran & Diane Vorst Family 8:00 AM Ken & Carol Vennekotter Family 11:00 AM Dick & Jane Schulte Family

USHERS – January 9 & 10 4:30 PM Alex von der Embse, Adam von der Embse, Paul von der Embse, Brandon Erhart, Kaleb Sel-horst, Trent Gerding, Trent Siebeneck, Griffin Recker, Derek Buss, Trevor Vorst, Clay Meyer 8:00 AM Drew Hovest, Austin Klausing, Collin Wurth, Jeff Knueve, Jacob Kahle, Connor Niese, Kevin Hamburg, Collin Nartker, Christian Nartker, Bradley Sie-fker, Ethan Schmenk 11:00 AM Team 12

LECTORS – January 9 & 10 4:30 PM Jennifer Erhart, Tara Gerding 8:00 AM Michele Doepker, Bob Buss 11:00 AM Maddison Edelbrock, Mike Kahle

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - January 9 & 10 4:30: Rachel Kahle, Mark Kahle, Ericka Kimball, Becky Lucke, Brooke Lucke, Deb Miler, Lisa Niese, Michele Ni-ese, Morgan Niese, Mark Remlinger

8:00: Bob & Annette Meyer, Joyce Klausing, Jane Kle-man, Karl & Darlene Miller, Joan Niese, Mary Plescher, Mike & Karen Sarka

Ministers to Homebound: Bob & Annette Meyer 11:00: Sarah Hovest, Jacob Kahle, Mandy Lambert, Trevor Maag, Deb McIntyre, Mary Lou Merschman, Don Rall, Lisa Rampe, Rose Recker, Deb Remlinger

SERVERS Mon, 1/4 8:00 AM Connor & Luke Erhart Tues, 1/5 8:00 AM Paige Helmke Jayce Horstman Wed, 1/6 8:00 AM Katelyn Kahle Stephanie Kahle Thurs, 1/7 7:30 PM Grace Klausing Jillian Knueve Fri, 1/8 8:00 AM Kevin Lammers Marcy Landwehr

Sat, 1/9 4:30 PM Dakota Rosselit Ethan Schmenk Michael Schroeder Sun, 1/10 8:00 AM Sam Recker Megan Schulte 11:00 AM Trent Siebeneck Kierstan Siebeneck Trey Webken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Christ Renews His Parish Women’s Retreat

February 6 & 7, 2016

CRHP is a spiritual renewal weekend to help you grow in faith. Join other women of all ages from our parish commu-nity in this faith-filled weekend, at no cost! To register, com-plete this registration and place it in the collection. You can also register by calling Katy (419-302-2745) or Amanda (419-796-0386).

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Choir Assignments - January 9 & 10

4:30: PW 8:00: Renee 11:00: Youth (Youth Choir Practice at 10:00 a.m. on January 10)

Students Planning Mass This Week... are Stephanie Price's 4B class on Wednesday, January 6, and Annette Schroeder's 8A class, on Friday, January 8.

High School CCD Will Resume... January 6, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., in St. Michael’s Gym.

Eucharistic Adoration

Thursday, January 7, from 8:00—9:30 a.m. and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., in church.

Get Ready for the New Year! PCYMCA Aerobics, beginning January 4 (Mondays/Wednesdays from 6:15 -7:15 p.m.) at the Kalida Grade School cafeteria. Cost is $20 (runs monthly) or FREE for YMCA members. To register or for questions, call Lisa (419-532-2339).

March For Life 2016 in Washington, D.C. The dates are January 21-23. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Don Rall (532-2565 or drall323@gmail.com).

CYO Teams at Home This Sunday, January 3

Boys A Team: 1:00 p.m. at Home vs. Ottawa Boys B Team: 2:15 p.m. at Home vs. Shelby Girls Team: 3:30 p.m. at Home vs. Ottoville

Sophomore Retreat Sunday, January 17, 2016 to Monday, January 18, 2016

Are You Looking to Boost Your Prayer Life? Join us for Oremus (Let Us Pray) Bible Study, which begins Monday, February 1, 2016. To register or for more informa-tion, call Millie McElwain (419-231-5656) or Diane Schroe-der (419-890-7004) by Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

December Holy Name Raffle Winners $250 Dan Vennekotter $100 Jeremy Tirey $100 Mike Schimmoeller $100 Diane Recker $100 Mark F. Warnecke $ 50 Evan Recker $ 50 Donald Bendele $ 50 Dean Foppe $ 50 Martin Kuhlman $ 50 Brian Verhoff $ 50 Annette Meyer $ 50 Ron Rampe