November 29, 2015

The First Sunday of Advent Unto us a child is born…

and his name shall be called… Wonderful Counselor…

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” Luke 1:26-35

St. Mary Parish Men’s Club Presents

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

BREAKFAST

Sunday, December 6, 2015

From 8:30am to 11:00am FREE WILL DONATION

Proceeds: Provide food baskets for our neighbors in need & funding for our community food banks of

Gleaners, Love, Inc., & St. Mary

AREA’S BEST MENU! Eggs - Scrambled or Fried, Hash Brown Potatoes, Homemade Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Quiche, Pancakes, French Toast, Raisin French Toast, Ham, Pork Sausage Links, Toast-Regular & Raisin, Coffee, Tea, Milk, & Orange Juice. And of Course the Waffle Station!

Musical Guests:

Direct from the North Pole Mrs. Claus! Performance will be 10:15am-11am.

50/50 Raffle 1st Prize: ½ the pot 2nd Prize: Gift Certificate to Zukey Lake Tavern

ST. MARY CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

St. Mary Rosary Altar Society Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 10am-4pm. Over 100 vendors & crafters will be present. FREE ADMISSION!

Come stroll the aisles of vendors & crafters & then join us for lunch!

BAKED GOODS NEEDED The Rosary Altar Society is in need of homemade Christmas Baked Goods for our Annual St. Mary Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 5th. You may drop off items to the kitchen on Thursday, December 3rd from 9am-2pm & Friday, December 4th from 4pm-6pm, & Saturday morning December 5th. If you have any questions, please contact Priscilla at 734-878-5286 or Kate at 734-426-8751. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS ITEMS

Have you started to decorate for Christmas? Do you have too many decorations? Do you have any Christmas items that you would be willing to donate? The Rosary Altar Society is looking for Christmas items to sell at their craft table. Please drop off items at the parish office before Thursday, December 3rd! Thank you, the Rosary Altar Society.

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP The Annual Christmas Bazaar hosted by the Rosary Altar Society needs your help! We are trying online sign up to

better manage our volunteers. Please visit this site to help:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4caba723a13-2015

The Rosary will be recited at 4:30pm on the first Saturday of the month

in the church. Join us on December 5th.

All are welcome to join with the Rosary Altar Society Members

SAVE THE DATE!!

Livingston County’s 9th Annual COMMUNITY CONNECT

Saturday, February 6, 2016 Howell Parker Middle School

A Free One-Day Event to Help People Connect to Information and Services

Benefits Information, Financial Services, Free Lunch, Legal Consultation, Senior Services, Health Screenings, Baby

Items, Haircuts, Books, Clothing, and much more...

November 29, 2015

WOMEN OF GRACE Women of Grace Study Program Begins

January 10, 2016 The Women of Grace Study Program leads women on an

exciting journey to discover the gift of authentic femininity,

holiness of life, and woman’s purpose and mission in the

world today. Taking the Blessed Virgin Mary as their

exemplar and spiritual mother, participants grow in the

feminine virtues and the secrets of true fulfillment. The

program takes a multi-faceted approach by exploring all

aspects of the feminine person including her spirituality,

psychology, emotional reality, and physical being. We will

begin with the Women of Grace foundational study series

entitled: Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life. An

organizational meeting will be held in St. Mary’s multi-

use room on Sunday, December 13th

at 1pm, to answer

questions and determine how many study materials are

needed. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please

contact Connie Knieper at (734) 954-0094 or by email

at clknieper@gmail.com.

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT Monday

December 7th @ 7pm Guest Speaker:

Teresa Tomeo from EWTN & Ave Maria Radio

Join us for an inspiring spiritual evening! Reservations are

now available for Advent by Candlelight! Invite your female

friends, family, and neighbors for a candlelight evening to

prepare your hearts for this holiday season. Host a table- it’s

easy! Decorate your table and provide a dessert (tables will

be set for 8 people). You may co-host a table or come on

your own. Space is limited so make your reservations early!

Please call Lori Hall at 734-395-3589 or Email:

Lhall427@gmail.com. Please provide an email address so a

hostess packet can be emailed to you.

Olga’s Kitchen Fundraising For Our 6th Graders

When: Saturday, December 5, 2015

Where: Olga’s Kitchen, 8485 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI

What: Download the flyer to have a percentage of your bill

donated to St. Mary 6th

Grade Camp.

http://storage.cloversites.com/stmarychurch/documents/Ol

gas%20Kitchen%20Fundraiser%202015.pdf

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Meets the 3

rd Wednesday of each Month

From 4:30-6:30pm at BE OUR GUEST ADULT DAY SERVICE

A program of Livingston County Catholic Charities Contact For More Details: 517-546-9910

CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKET DONATIONS It’s that time of year when we start thinking about helping

those in need during the Christmas season. Our Men’s Club

provides food baskets to those in need for Christmas. We will

be collecting food and toiletry items from now until

December 10, 2015. The following items are needed to fill

our baskets:

Canned corn, green beans, peas, mixed veggies

Canned fruit (Applesauce, peaches, pears, oranges,

mixed fruit), Peanut butter, Jelly,

Mac n Cheese, Juice, Canned Soups (Esp. Chicken

Noodle, Tomato, Vegetable)

Canned Stew, Tuna and canned chicken,

Spaghetti Sauce, Spaghetti/Pasta,

Meal helpers (Hamburger, tuna, etc.)

1 lb bags of rice, Mashed Potatoes,

Stuffing, Cereal, Oatmeal, Pancake mix & syrup,

Coffee, Baked Beans, Laundry soap,

Toilet Paper, Paper Towel

Your donations truly make it possible for us to make

Christmas a true blessing to many families. Thank you in

advance for your generosity.

Advent Intercessory Prayer Watch Saturday, December 12, 2015, from 10:30am – 1:30pm

Christ the King Catholic Church 4000 Ave Maria Drive, Ann Arbor 48103

You are invited to gather with us in prayer and intercession to usher in the Year of Mercy and to prepare our hearts with the Blessed Mother for more of Jesus this Christmas season. We will pray for our diocese and its Shepherds, our parishes, our families and personal needs, closing with Benediction. 9 am Mass and confessions are available before we begin. Sponsored by: Fellowship of the Burning Bush – Sowers of the Seed Intercessors – Diocese of Lansing

UPCOMING RETREATS

ST FRANCIS RETREAT CENTER, DEWITT, MI A retreat for married couples will be held at

St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt entitled:

"Imago Dei: Putting God at the Center of Your Marriage"

December 4-6.

Presenters are Fr. David Rosenberg and guest speakers. Give

yourselves the gift of time with us, each other and God. Cost

is $250 per couple. Check in at 6:00pm Friday followed by

dinner and check out after Sunday lunch. Call 866-669-

8321 for information or to register.

You're invited to a one-day Advent Retreat December

9th from 9:30am-3:30pm at St. Francis Retreat Center in

DeWitt. Our Catechism tells us, "The coming of God's

Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed

to prepare for it over centuries" CCC 522. Take a few hours

and reflect together on how God, who became man in Jesus

of Nazareth, can shape your life anew this Advent Season.

Directed by Tony Sperendi. Cost is $65 or $55 for seniors 60

and older. Contact the retreat center at

517-669-8321 or http://www.stfrancis.ws/

November 29, 2015

LIVINGSTON YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Events & Connections for those 18-39

MONTHLY MASS & DINNER

Sunday, November 29

5pm Mass St. Joseph, Howell

6:30pm Dinner at Aubree's Pizzeria, Howell

i.d. 9:16 Livingston DISCIPLES' NIGHT

Thursday, December 3

An Advent Refelction with Fr. John Riccardo:

Mary's Role as the First and Most Perfect Disciple

6:30pm Mass at St. Joseph, Howell

followed by Dinner

7:40pm Livestream Talk in the Emmaus Room

Please RSVP by Monday, November 30th via facebook,

email or text questions on all Young Adult Ministry events

to Shannon (810)588-7665 or info@livingstonyam.com

THAT MAN IS YOU!

Are you looking to deepen your relationship with God?

Be a better husband? Become a more loving father?

Build friendships with other like-minded men? And seek

to be the best man you can be? Then Come Join…That

Man is You! Saturday mornings from 7-8:30am. The

next session is 12/05.

Section 13: A New Day for Men

Blessed John Paul II Shows the Power of True

Leadership

JP II Sets Foundation for Family in the Third

Millennium

The Seven Last Words and JP II

JP II Was Faithful Unto Death

Fruit of JP II’s Leadership is the New Springtime

Crossing the Threshold of Hope

The Triumph of Mercy

Contact Info: Doug Schultz dougsclan71@gmail.com

November 29, 2015

BEYOND RCIA If you want to understand the Catholic Faith better

and/or strengthen your relationship with God, please join us!

12/16: Session 7: The Holy Spirit & the Life of Grace 01/20: Session 8: Why Do I Need the Church? 01/27: Session 9: Mary & the Saints **meet in Church

All sessions will be held from 7-8:30pm in the multi-use room unless otherwise indicated.

If St. Mary School is cancelled due to bad weather (not holidays) we will NOT meet.

www.stmarypinckney.org

Religious Education

http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/faith-formation/formation-prek-12-grade

Faith Formation K-8 Schedule

11/29: No Class – Happy Thanksgiving 12/06: K-8 Formation 10:15-11:20am 12/13: K-8 Formation 10:15-11:20am 12/20 & 12/27: NO CLASS – Our Savior Is Born! 01/03: NO CLASS – Happy New Year! 01/10: K-8 Formation 10:15-11:20am

Confirmation 12/13: Confirmation Session 9am-1pm 01/10: Confirmation Session 9am-1pm

Middle School Youth Group 11/30 Youth Night 7-8:30pm 12/07 Youth Night 7-8:30pm

12/14 Christmas Celebration! 12/21 & 12/28 NO Youth Group Christmas Break

Website: http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/youth/

High School Youth Group

12/02 Youth Night 7-9pm 12/09 Youth Night 7-9pm 12/16 Christmas Celebration! 12/23 & 12/30 NO Youth Group Christmas Break

Website: http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/youth/

The Advent Season Marking the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year, the four weeks of Advent lead us to the celebration of Christmas. Advent’s familiar sights and sounds stir in us a readiness to receive our savior, while sharpening our sense of the world’s need for redemption and of the

great mystery of God’s becoming human for us.

Arrival of Christ Advent is a Latin word meaning the coming or arrival. The season of Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the three arrivals of Christ: his lowly birth in the past, his mysterious coming to the Christian community in the present, and his promised return as our judge at the end of time.

Advent & Christmas

Since Advent looks forward to Christ’s birth and Incarnation, it is an appropriate way to begin the Church Year. However, Advent is not part of the Christmas season itself, but a preparation for it. Thus, Catholics do not sing Christmas hymns or use Christmas readings in the Mass until December 25

th, the first day

of the Christmas Season.

Advent: Yesterday & Today Advent was originally celebrated as a kind of “Lent”

during the forty days before the feast of Christmas. Gradually, Advent developed its own distinctive character, retaining a slight penitential dimension but emphasizing our joy-filled hope in the coming of the Lord. Today, these two aspects continue side by side. During the first part of Advent, the prophecies of Isaiah and John the Baptist remind us that we are waiting for God’s coming and need to prepare. During the latter part of the season the focus shifts more directly on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. These twin

perspectives give richness to our observance of Advent, leading us to introspection and renewal, and to the exuberant joy and celebration of Christmas.

Report for November 23, 2015 Parishioner Donations - Giving Back To The Lord

YTD 07/01/15 – 11/23/15 Weekly YTD Offertory $ 8,005.44 $ 315,775.75 Operating Budget Reqmnt. $ 15,620.00 $ 328,020.90 Variance $ (7,614.56) $ (12,245.15)

Debt Reduction/FaithQuest Collected $ 29,615.82 Ring the Bell Campaign $ 22,474.54 $94,262 needed to reach goal

Mortgage Payment Requirement $ 187,575.00 Mortgage Amount Paid $ 100,000.00 Shortfall $ (87,575.00)

November 29, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS

Sunday, November 29th

9:00am: In Memory of Donna Bailey by Richard Bailey

11:30am: In Memory of Mayme & Eugene Brown by

Marlene Casey

Monday, November 30th

9:00am: Communion Service

Tuesday, December 1st

9:00am: Communion Service

5:00pm: In Memory of Art Perry by Ron & Lisa Abbott

Wednesday, December 2nd

9:00am: In Memory of Stanley Cach by Thomas & Judith

Cach

Thursday, December 3rd

5:00pm: In Memory of Jim Cetlinski by Krolewski family

Friday, December 4th

9:00am: In Memory of Joshua McKinney by Hodel family

Saturday, December 5th

5:00pm: In Honor of All Workers of the Christmas Bazaar by

RAS

Sunday, December 6th

9:00am: For Our Parish

11:30am: In Memory of Ray Wegher by Jasinski family

WEEKLY READINGS November 29 - December 5:

Sunday: The First Sunday of Advent

Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2;

Lk 21:25-28; 34-36

Monday: St. Andrew, Apostle

Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-19

Tuesday: Advent Weekday

Is 11:1-10, Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13,17; Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Advent Weekday

Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-3a. 3b-4, 5, Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: St. Francis Xavier, Priest

Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday:

St. John Damascene, Priest & Dr. of the Church

Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31

Saturday: Advent Weekday

Is 31:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6;Mt 9:35-10:1,

5a, 6-8

Altar Candle: Week of 11/29/15

In Honor of Bill & Maureen Ulman

By Greg & Barbara Durbin

LAY MINISTERS: December 5-6

Communion Service Leaders

Nov. 30: L. Lichwala Dec. 1: G. Wizgird

Dec. 7: J. Wilson

*Dec. 8: NO Communion Service – Mass 9am

Immaculate Conception - Holy Day*

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Self-Scheduling by Sign-Up.

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Altar Servers:

5:00pm M. Haynes, D. Haynes, G. Liddy

9:00am T. LeVasseur, V. LeVasseur, A. Schlaff

11:30am M. Miller, S. Miller, B. O’Keefe

Proclaimers of the Word

5:00pm K. Schang, K. Wiley

9:00am S. Wittrup, P. Clough

11:30am R. Young, B. Corwin

Greeters

5:00pm T. Czubaj

9:00am D. Magier

11:30am R. Young

Offertory Gifts

*Please sign up if you’re available.

Home Chalice Program *Please sign up if you’re available.

Linens:

December: F. Kinsey, L. Lavey

Cleaning the Altar

S. Katon

Collection Counters:

Nov. 30: P. Sullivan, S. Kronk, P. Kolasinski

Dec. 7: B. Olst, D. Eggleston, S. Katon