ST. MARY CHURCH CHILLICOTHE, OHIO December 24, 2017

TODAY’S LITURGY

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTFOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTFOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTFOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 SECOND READING: Romans 16:25-27 GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38

In the reading from II Samuel, highly favorable to David, he

and his descendants are promised an eternal kingdom before the Lord. It begins with David wanting to build a house for the Lord but ends with the Lord promising to establish a house (a dynasty) for David and his descendants.

Included in this scene is the tradition of David as shepherd (“It was I who took you from pasture and from the care of the flock”). The central role of the Lord throughout this rendition of the family’s past and future greatness is also established here. Thus, we see the repeated use of the first person singular for what “I” (the Lord) did, especially in verses eight through twelve. In all things it is the Lord who acts in directing the destiny of this people and this king.

There would come a time when hopes for this eternal kingdom in the family line of David would all but disappear, after the Babylonian Exile. There was a short period of about 100 years from about 165 BC until 63 BC, when Israel enjoyed quasi independence before the Romans seized control. From then until the end of the Roman Empire the Holy Land was under the thumb of Roman rule.

It was into this Roman-ruled Holy Land that Jesus was born and Luke begins to narrate a tale about that birth with this announcement to Mary in Sunday’s Gospel. Luke says that Joseph was of the house of David which would go a long way toward establishing Jesus as son of David later on in the Gospel. This was important for those who expected the Messiah to come from the family of David.

This Annunciation scene involves the angel Gabriel and Mary. The angel greets Mary (“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”). Mary reacts with confusion (“She was greatly troubled”). The angel says “Do not be afraid.” But then the angel announces that she will conceive a child. The angel does not say when this will happen.

Mary’s reaction is curious. Knowing she is a virgin, she is even more befuddled by the angel’s message about a pregnancy (“How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”), rather than with what the angel had told her about what would happen to this child (“He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High”). Her question is odd since women of that time expected to or hoped to bear children. Why should she have been surprised to hear she will have a child? It’s as though she missed a good deal of the announcement, once she started thinking about being pregnant.

I suppose there are many women who have heard a lot of words said following the announcement of a pregnancy, who never really let anything sink in after “You’re pregnant.” The shock, always no doubt with a mixture of joy and apprehension, upon hearing of a pregnancy, is one of those things that provide a timeless link with the past. One could hardly fault the Blessed Mother for staggering a little at the announcement. And of course she recovers enough by the end to say “May it be done according to your word.”

Coming so close to the celebration of Christmas, this tender scene of a woman caught unawares by the announcement that she is pregnant, becomes an intimate link between women of every period of history and the Blessed Mother. This is so especially for mothers, who can so readily identify with Mary in her confusion, in her shock, but ultimately in her acceptance of the Word.

Father Hummer

Article written December 2011

MONDAY, December 25 – Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. St. Mary Parish

TUESDAY, December 26 8:30 a.m. No Service

WEDNESDAY, December 27 8:30 a.m. No Service

THURSDAY, December 28 8:30 a.m. No Service

FRIDAY, December 29 8:30 a.m. No Service

SATURDAY, December 30 5:00 p.m. Tom Rigney by Family

SUNDAY, December 31 8:45 a.m. St. Mary Parish 11:00 a.m. Delores Parker by Lisa Wayland, Debbie

Morgan (her daughters) & their families

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve - 6 & 9:00 p.m. Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day – 10:00 a.m.

NEW YEAR’S MASS TIMES

New Year’s is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year

Saturday, December 30 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31 – 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Monday, January 1 – 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Office Building

TUESDAY, December 26 Parish Office Closed

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY NEWS

Month of October 2017 Cumulative Year To Date Families served 133 1259 Assistance given $4,477.58 $36,746.09

MEMBERS FROM THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY will be begging alms next weekend, December 30 & 31 after all the Masses. The need is great in our area. Please be generous.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

OFFERTORY REPORT - December 17, 2017

Average Weekly Offering $7143.75 Needed weekly to meet budget $7307.69

Regular Collection $5792.00 Online Offertory $1581.36 Total Regular Offertory $7373.36

Online Other $408.00

Restoration Fund $4291.83 Christmas 350.00 Catholic Charities 145.00 Christmas Flowers 123.00 Retirement for Religious 125.00 St. Vincent de Paul Society 50.00 Immaculate Conception 15.00 Bishop Flaget School 10.00

It is a generous and joyful giving of time, talent and treasure.

Stewardship is what we do after we say we believe.

FATHER HUMMER

AND THE STAFF

OF ST. MARY CHURCH

WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

THE 2018 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES are in the back of the church in the gathering space. They are in alphabetical order. There are also lists available, if you need help finding your box of envelopes. If you are participating in our online giving program, we did not assign you envelopes. Please DO NOT use these new envelopes until January 1, 2018. If you do not find envelopes assigned to you and you would like to receive them, please call the church office at 740-772-2061 and we will assign you envelopes.

WE PRAY FOR Art White, who recently passed through physical death. We also pray for his family and friends who mourn. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEEDS OF: Jeannette Anders, Peggy Bechie, Helen & Dave Bell, James “Les” Bennett, Letha Blanchard, Denise Carman, Janice Caruso, Kelley Chandler, Cathy Clark, Rose Coolidge, Steve Cooper, Jonathan Cox, Rose Cox, Sherri Cox, Juanita Cushing, Greg & Martha Davis, Lilli Dehart, Cheryl Dennis, Jewell Dickerson, Michael Dixon, Kathy Dye, Dottie Fogle, Steve Francisco, Deanna Glendenning, Alicia Gray, Norma Gray, Karen Hamburger, Carl Henderson, Steven Hill, Jason Henry, Will Howson, Polly Hunn, Art Jones, Ann Klinker, Frank Lai, Robert Litter, Earnest Littler, Patricia Lowry, Fr. Don Maroon, Ja’Kari Martin, Joan McCambridge, Rosemary McHarg, Gwen Miller, John L. Miller, Elaine Mitchum, Dave Neal, James Newsome, Lucille Nichols, Manuel Payton, Gail Johnson Pearce, Ann Perdue, Harles Prater, Max Putnam, Dan Rogers, Kenneth Rosenberg, Tony Rundels, Pat Schachtele, Agatha Search, Bryan Shoemaker, Carrie Skaggs, John Slagle, Dennis Shoemaker, Eleanor Smith, Linda Smith, Mickala Smith, Stanley Smith, Tom Stanhope, Pam Thomas, Carolyn Thompson, Richard Tippie, Larry Tucker, Ralph Vance, Louise von Clausburg, Melody Ward, Kathleen Weaver, Linda Weingard, Joey Whalen, & Judy Young.

MINISTERS FOR THE WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 30 & 31, 2017

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Servers: J Copley, I Corcoran, E Corcoran Lectors: C Kessler, K Boesch Lay Ministers: G Bonner, K Boesch, S & T Allie, A Alcorn

Sunday – 8:45 a.m. Servers: R Blum, A Blum, N Blum Lectors: R Blum, D Neal Lay Ministers: M Kennedy, P Reed, D Adams, T Corcoran

Sunday – 11:00 a.m. Servers J Underwood, J Littler, J Slater Lectors: M Amore, E Braunlin Lay Ministers: D Lewe, J J Pauls, T Laughlin, F Hirsch

Altar Linens for December 2017: K Boesch Collection Counters: T. Hunter, M. Workman

FROM THE CHAIR WITH BISHOP CAMPBELL on AM 820 Tuesday, January 2nd. This is a pre-recorded show of Bishop Campbell with 8 of our Catholic High Schools from the Columbus Diocese for the Annual High School Student Forum. Tune in to St. Gabriel Catholic Radio AM 820 from 5:00 P. M. to 6:00 P.M.

NEW IN JANUARY 2018! THE LOCAL ROSS COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE is holding a first ever March for Life in Chillicothe on Jan. 22, 2018 at noon. This will be a Celebration of Life NOT a political event and we have many churches planning to participate. The Marchers will begin at the Water St. main entrance of the city park at 11:45 and will march down Paint St. to the Ross County Court House. There will be speakers, music, food and friendship. Please contact Judy Harness 740-774-1407 or Joe Herlihy at rossco.righttolife@gmail.com Ohio Dominican University Announces Scholarship for Military Students Ohio Dominican has announced a new scholarship to benefit current military servicemembers, veterans and military education benefits-eligible dependents. Beginning in January of 2018, ODU’s Salute to Service Scholarship will cover up to $3,000 in tuition per semester that is not already covered by military education benefits, or other state and federal grants and scholarships. The scholarship may also be applied toward other fees, including activity and orientation fees to reduce or completely cover the remaining cost of an ODU education. Learn more at ohiodominican.edu/Military.

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WARE FUNERAL HOME, LLCP. O. Box 207, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

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MARIO MENENDEZCAROL MENENDEZ

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R & M Quality Floorsd.b.a. Abbey Carpets

1222 Western Ave.

Allen’s Medical Pharmacy Inc.

215 Eastern Ave.740-772-5180

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5

Dr. Patricia A. HallerOptometrist

64 Executive Center Rd.774-4616

ROBERTC. HESS

Attorney-At-Law14 S. Paint St.

Rm. 2 Foulke Block774-6152 772-1660

Karen M. LeethSenior Account Manager

775-8582 703-8582 (cell)karen.leeth@docsol.net

Breakfast Bar until 2 p.m. Sunday831 N. Bridge St.

775-3663

Arselli’s

(740) 775-8177

Landscape& Design

SUSIE NATOLICLU, AGENT

www.susienatoli.com

702-5909LOGAN

MONUMENT COMPANY

945 E. Main St.774-3148

Rock of Ages Memorials

STEPHEN C. DAWES, CPA/PFS

Tax & Retirement

Planning Specialist193 E. Water St.

702-0000

185 E. Main St.740-773-0088

For your loved ones...

request Guardian.

Your local burial vault company.Pat, Tim, Dan & Dennis

Corcoran Families ~ OwnersGuardianVault.net 772-5514

145 W. 2nd St.Chillicothe

740-637-3200

775-6683 Joe Herlihy

Since 1920of Chillicothe

288 N. High St. 171 N. Bridge St.

773-1480851-4629

Charley’sFlowers773-2686

19 S. Paint St.Southern OhioEye Associates1-888-SOEAEYE

(763-2393)159 E. Second St., Chillicothe

Stephen E. Demick, M.D.740-773-6347

fax: 740-773-9093

HIRSCHFRUIT FARM

12846 St. Rt. 772 & 41 Seney Rd.Chillicothe

From Our Family to Your Family,Fresh From the Farm!

M-F 9-6 • Sat. 9-5160 E. Main St.

ANDERSONDrug StoreRx & Health

774-2670

N. Bridge St. • 773-8676Western Ave. • 779-0995

ATTORNEYS AT LAW36 S. Paint St., Chillicothe

info@benson-law.com740-773-3600

2053For Advertising Inform

ation CALL

1-800-282-5106

1661 Western Ave.

702-2149

TOMLINSON INSURANCE

AGENCY, INC.Since 1853

90 W. Main St.(p) 740-773-4181 (f) 740-772-2313

www.tomlinsonins.com

The Parish School ofSt. Mary & St. Peter

142 University Dr.740-773-8107

www.NationalChurchResidences.org

Family Dental Center

19 Executive Center Dr.773-4066

FamilyDentalCenterOH.com 773-2134 121 W. 2nd St.

WARE FUNERAL HOME, LLCd.e. Huddleston, Inc.

GENERAL CONTRACTORS

P. O. Box 207, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601740-773-2130

www.dehuddleston.comSince 1971

TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENTVISIT US ONLINE AT

WWW.ADENA.ORGOR CALL 877-779-7585.

CHILLICOTHE GREENFIELDWAVERLY JACKSON

WASHINGTON C.H. CIRCLEVILLE

C & J ElectricFor All of Your Electrical

and Applicance Needs773-4109

www.candjelectric.com

69 W. Main St.

740-779-0079affordableairchillicothe.com

949 E. Main St.

MARIO MENENDEZCAROL MENENDEZ

740-775-3535

R & M Quality Floorsd.b.a. Abbey Carpets

1222 Western Ave.

Allen’s Medical Pharmacy Inc.

215 Eastern Ave.740-772-5180

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5

Dr. Patricia A. HallerOptometrist

64 Executive Center Rd.774-4616

ROBERTC. HESS

Attorney-At-Law14 S. Paint St.

Rm. 2 Foulke Block774-6152 772-1660

Karen M. LeethSenior Account Manager

775-8582 703-8582 (cell)karen.leeth@docsol.net

Breakfast Bar until 2 p.m. Sunday831 N. Bridge St.

775-3663

Arselli’s

(740) 775-8177

Landscape& Design

SUSIE NATOLICLU, AGENT

www.susienatoli.com

702-5909LOGAN

MONUMENT COMPANY

945 E. Main St.774-3148

Rock of Ages Memorials

STEPHEN C. DAWES, CPA/PFS

Tax & Retirement

Planning Specialist193 E. Water St.

702-0000

185 E. Main St.740-773-0088

For your loved ones...

request Guardian.

Your local burial vault company.Pat, Tim, Dan & Dennis

Corcoran Families ~ OwnersGuardianVault.net 772-5514

145 W. 2nd St.Chillicothe

740-637-3200

775-6683 Joe Herlihy

Since 1920of Chillicothe

288 N. High St. 171 N. Bridge St.

773-1480851-4629

Charley’sFlowers773-2686

19 S. Paint St.Southern OhioEye Associates1-888-SOEAEYE

(763-2393)159 E. Second St., Chillicothe

Stephen E. Demick, M.D.740-773-6347

fax: 740-773-9093

HIRSCHFRUIT FARM

12846 St. Rt. 772 & 41 Seney Rd.Chillicothe

From Our Family to Your Family,Fresh From the Farm! Business Law, Family Matters, Estates & Trusts, Personal Injury

Attorneys at Law

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BROOKE &SCHAFER LLC

145 W. 2nd St.513-943-0699

Wealth Management AdvisorsM-F 9-6 • Sat. 9-5160 E. Main St.

ANDERSONDrug StoreRx & Health

774-2670

Convenient Drive Thru Available

N. Bridge St. • 773-8676Western Ave. • 779-0995

ATTORNEYS AT LAW36 S. Paint St., Chillicothe

info@benson-law.com740-773-3600