“I come to gather nations of every language; they shall...

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a n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e r

Mission Statement We, the Catholic Church of Saint Francis, are a community of faith called by Baptism to center our lives in the sacraments and the Holy Eucharist. We gather together to mutually grow in our love for God and neighbor by studying the Word of God; by believing in the Faith and Traditions from the Apostles; by accepting the teachings of the Magisterium and by receiving and giving support, hope, faith and charity.

Parroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de Asís Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills

y San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Bieber

Nuestra Misión Nosotros la Iglesia de San Francisco, somos una comunidad de Fe llamados por el Bautismo a centrar nuestra vida en los sacramentos y la Santa Eucarísta. Nostros nos reunimos para crecer mutuamente en nuestro amor a Dios y a nuestro semejante a través de estudiar la Palabra de Dios; a través de creer en la Fe y Tradición de los Apóstoles; a través de aceptar las enseñanzas del Magisterio y a través de recibir y dar Apoyo, Fe, Esperanza y Caridad.

The Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the Lord

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

December 25, 2019December 25, 2019December 25, 2019December 25, 2019

The Nativity of the Lord

December 25, 2019

Rev. Apolonio C. Catada

Parochial Administrator

St. Francis of Assisi Parish

PO Box 160, 37464 Juniper Avenue

Burney, CA 96013

Tel. (530) 335-2372

Website: www.stfrancisburney.org e-mail: [email protected]

Bulletin Editor: Bob Gartner (530) 249-8641

[email protected]

MISSIONS

Our Lady of the Valley St. Stephen’s

43434 Hwy. 299E Hwy. 299E

Fall River Mills Bieber

MASS SCHEDULE

See “Parish Calendar” (opposite) for changes. Weekends

Saturday 4:30 pm Our Lady of the Valley

Sunday 9:00 am St. Francis

11:00 am Our Lady of the Valley

(Spanish) 1:00 pm St. Stephen’s

Weekdays

Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9:00 am St. Francis

Friday 7:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley

(Spanish)

ADORATION AND BENEDICTION

1st Friday 9:30 am St. Francis (until 12 pm) 1st Saturday 8:00 am Our Lady of the Valley

1st Saturday 3:30 pm Our Lady of the Valley

1st Sunday 11:45 am St. Stephen’s

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Saturday (Before Mass) 4:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley

Sunday (Before Mass) 8:30 am St. Francis

Sunday (After Mass) 2:00 pm St. Stephen’s

Friday (Before Mass) 6:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley

Friday (After Mass) 8:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley

COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

Serving the Fall River Mills Valley, food may be obtained by calling Bonnie Hawkins (336-5231).

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD BANK

Food is available on request. Call the parish at 335-2372 for food anytime you are in need or call Bob Gartner at 249-8641.

NEW PARISHIONERS

Please register by completing the form at the church entrance.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN (CCD) Please contact Josefa Johnston (294-5290) or

Elaine Shields (336-1003) or Estella Valdovinos (524-6434) Spanish

MUSIC: WEDDINGS & FUNERALS

Please contact Joan Knapp (530) 294-1234

BECOMING CATHOLIC (RCIA) Program of study for non-Catholic adults or Catholics seeking

the Sacrament of Confirmation. Contact David Wanat at 335-2941

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please contact Bob Gartner 249-8641

MINISTERS

November 19-20 November 26-27

St. Francis Lectors: Tom Weber John Klobas

Sandy Ogden Carolyn Garfield

Ex. Min. of Holy

Communion: Carolyn Garfield Sandy McCullar David Wanat Sandy von Tersch

Our Lady of the Valley (English) Lectors: Rick Phay Rick Phay

Diane Phay Diane Phay

Ex. Min. of Holy Peggy Hansen Peggy Hansen

Communion: Annette Holcher Annette Holcher Our Lady of the Valley (Spanish) Lectors:

Ex. Min. of Holy Communion:

St. Stephen’s

Lectors: Joe Paul Joe Paul Trish Graham Trish Graham

Ex. Min. of Holy Kevin Mitchell Kevin Mitchell Communion: Tammy Mitchell Tammy Mitchell

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Sat 11/19 4:30 pm Our Lady of Laura Ribeiro the Valley

Sun 11/20 9:00 am St. Francis Pro Populo

PARISH CALENDAR

Sat 11/19 4:30 am Our Lady of Catholic Campaign for the Valley Human Development Sun 11/20 All Masses Catholic Campaign for

Human Development Mon 11/21 Parish End-Total Consecration to

Jesus through Mary

Wed 11/23 10:30 am Mayers Hosp. Mass for the Sick

7:00 pm St. Francis Bible Study

Sat 11/26 4:30 pm Our Lady of Communal Consecration the Valley to Jesus through Mary

Sun 11/27 All Masses Communal Consecration to Jesus through Mary

Wed 11/30 3:30 pm St. Francis CCD

7:00 pm St. Francis Bible Study

Fri 12/02 9:00 am St. Francis 1st Friday Adoration & Benediction (after Mass)

Sat 12/03 3:30 am Our Lady of 1st Saturday Adoration & Benediction

Sun 12/04 11:45 am St. Stephen’s 1st Sunday Adoration & Benediction

Thu 12/08 9:00 am St. Francis Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Holy Day of Obligation

4:00 pm St. Stephen’s Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception


6:00 pm Our Lady of Solemnity of the the Valley Immaculate Conception


Bilingual Mon 12/12 6:00 am Our Lady of Memorial of Our Lady of

the Valley Guadalupe-Mananitas

6:00 pm McArthur Memorial of Our Lady of Fairgrounds Guadalupe -Mass &

Potluck

HOSPITALITY SUNDAY

Today ST. FRANCIS 10 AM

Please bring something to share.

MINISTERS

December 21—22 December 28—29

St. Francis Lectors: Tom Weber Tom Weber Carolyn Garfield Bob Gartner Ex. Min. of Holy Mary Klobas Jim Billo

Communion: John Klobas David Wanat

CALENDAR

Tue 12/24 4:30 pm St. Stephen’s Christmas Vigil Mass

6:30 pm Our Lady of Christmas Vigil Mass The Valley (Spanish) 10:00 pm St. Francis “Midnight Mass” Wed 12/25 9:00 am St. Francis Christmas Day Mass

11:00 am Our Lady of Christmas Day Mass

The Valley (English) Sat 12/28 4:30 pm Our Lady of CCD Collection

the Valley

Sun 12/29 All Masses CCD Collection

Tue 12/31 6:00 pm Our Lady of Mary, Mother of God

The Valley (Spanish) Wed 01/01 9:00 am St. Francis Mary, Mother of God

11:00 am Our Lady of Mary, Mother of God

The Valley

1:00 pm St. Stephen’s Mary, Mother of God

Sat 02/08 2:00 pm Our Lady of Pastoral Council The Valley Meeting

Hospitality at St. Stephen's

Every Sunday is hospitality Sunday at St. Stephen's. Please join us for a nice lunch with soup/casserole, salad, bread, dessert and drinks. All are welcome, bring something to share if you can.

December 25, 2019 The Nativity of the Lord

REFLECTION

IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6;

HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18

Today the Church celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ,

the first day in the octave of Christmas. Throughout Ad-

vent the Church longed ardently for the coming of our

Savior. Today she celebrates His birth with unre-

strained joy. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt

among us." The Son of God became man to give us a

share in that divine life which is eternally His in the

Blessed Trinity. Christmas time begins on December 24

with the first Vespers of the feast and ends on the feast

of the Baptism of Christ. White vestments reappear in

our churches as a sign of joy.

The Christmas feast is a festival full of joy. The Eternal

Word has become Man and dwells among us. The

longings of the patriarchs and prophets are ful-

filled. With the shepherds we hurry to the manger and

adore the Incarnate Son of God, who for us and for our

salvation descended upon earth. The purpose of the

Christmas feast is beautifully expressed in the Preface

of the Nativity: "For by the mystery of the Word made

flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the

eyes of our mind; so that while we acknowledge Him a

God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love

of things unseen."

During the Christmas season there is an extensive ex-

change of greetings and good wishes among friends.

These greetings are a reminder of those "good tidings

of great joy that shall be to all the people, for this day is

born to you a Savior Who is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11).

They are a reminder, too, that all blessings and graces

come to us from Christ: "Hath He not also with Him giv-

en us all things?" (Rom. 8:32).

During the Christmas season there is also an ex-

change of gifts. This custom should recall to us that on

this day God Himself gave to us the greatest of all gifts,

His beloved Son: "God so loved the world as to give

His only begotten Son" (John 3: 16).

The Christmas tree, of which the first-known mention

was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into

France and England in 1840. It symbolizes the great

family tree of Christ which through David and Jesse has

its roots in Abraham, the father of the chosen race. It is

often laden with gifts to remind us that Christmas

brought us the priceless gifts of grace and of eternal

life. It is frequently adorned with lights that recall to us

that Christ is the Light of the world enlightening those

who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Though not entirely unknown before, the custom of the

Christmas Crib was adopted by St. Francis of Assisi at

Greccio, Italy, on Christmas 1225. It is a concrete and

vivid way of representing to ourselves the Incarnation

and birth of Christ. It depicts in a striking manner the

virtues of the newborn Savior, especially His humility,

poverty, and charity.

A letter from Joseph to Jesus 2,000 years later Another Christmas is coming. I’d like to tell your broth-

ers today, first of all, to learn the patience of us artisans

�

I read somewhere that when a newborn baby first

grasps his daddy’s finger in a fist, he captures him for-

ever. The bond between a father and a son, when a

father is captivated by his child’s life, finally establishes

peace between dads and tenderness. It’s not true that

a father is a strict guardian; he is also a wide-open

smile that lets itself be surprised by the joy of a caress.

I was a simple young carpenter and I had to spend

many hours every day in a dark shop, working wood

with great effort. Yet, I’ve always been a dreamer.

When life is hard and tiring during the day, then all you

have left is to dream at night—not to escape, but to try

to imagine something different you can build, and

awaken to hope every day. That’s how I dreamed of my

life with Mary.

But I had not discovered the dream that God was culti-

vating for us. When Mary, with tears in her eyes, told

me about the Angel, the plane stopped in my hands

and a shiver ran down my back. I’ve always loved wood

because it’s almost like a son: at the beginning it seems

unformed, but if you have the patience to caress it, file

the edges, sand down the irregularities, and smooth out

the grain, you can transform it. Isn’t this what a father

has to do with his son—embrace him, gently smooth

his edges and turn him into a man? Yet, God asked the

absurd of me. I could be a father of wood, but not of

Mary’s son!

I entrusted myself to God, fitting my projects into the

dream God had for me. On occasion, he spoke to me

too: “Don’t be afraid,” he told me. And there I made an

extraordinary discovery: he’s not just the father who

gave birth to us, but also a father who stays next to us


December 25, 2019

and whispers to us every day: don’t be afraid, don’t be

afraid. I’m with you.

Dear Jesus, I loved you with the heart of a father, even

though I knew that although I could hold wood in my

hands, I could never hold on to you. When you helped

me in the shop, I watched you become a grown boy,

and sometimes I wanted to leave aside my woodwork-

ing tools to caress your hair and whisper to you, “Never

be afraid.” But you looked at me, seeing into the depth

of my soul: you had already understood my love for

you. You were learning about life, but also learning

something about your heavenly Father, so much so that

later you described him as a Father who sees you from

afar, runs towards you, and embraces you. Whatever

your situation, God is always waiting for you with open

arms.

Another Christmas is coming. I’d like to tell your broth-

ers today, first of all, to learn the patience of us arti-

sans. God comes, he visits our lives, and he transforms

things, but this doesn’t happen in just one day. It’s a

journey that requires time and tenacity.

It is Christmas—I would like to tell you—if you learn

above all to be fathers; that is, if you practice the art of

caring, if you love and protect those around you, taking

on the risks of their lives, their failures, their dreams

and their growth, as a father does with his own son.

May people find in you, men with open arms, and not

ruthless judges with their fingers pointed at others.

It’s Christmas when you don’t underline the negative

and don’t let yourselves be caught up in things that

aren’t going well, but always go back to that workshop

that is life and put your hands to the task, smoothing,

and plaining the roughness. Marvel at the bud that

sprouts, rather than the storm that approaches.

It is Christmas if we learn to cultivate a sense of jus-

tice, in everything we experience, and especially in so-

ciety, in politics, and at work. They say of me that I am

a just man, but in truth every man should be just. With-

out justice there is no true humanity, but abuse, vio-

lence, and inequality. These are all things that affect

the poor more directly than anyone else.

I had to protect Mary and the Child, risking my own

life. Christmas should also remind us of this: God is

present where there is love that turns us into a warm

blanket for those who are cold, a companion for those

who are alone, a word of comfort for those who are dis-

tressed, and above all, a shield of protection for the

most defenseless and the weakest. In a world where

the arrogant and the powerful trample the little ones, it’s

useless to set up a Nativity scene.

I had to work hard to make it possible for my family to

live well. Still, in Nazareth I enjoyed small but intense

moments spent together with my wife and with Jesus.

Do it yourselves, dear fathers: put the brakes on your

pace of work and keep your worries to yourself, if you

can. Dedicate a few moments to your wives and chil-

dren: truly listening to them, being present to them,

sharing and embracing; that’s all.

And, one last recommendation: don’t stop dreaming.

Even in the tiring situation of a workshop, of a broken

relationship, of an inner anguish, or of a hope that is

extinguished, we can continue to look upwards, be-

cause that God who came in Jesus still comes today to

rekindle life. Dream and help others to dream, because

only in this way will another world be possible. And it

will be Christmas every day.

An Invitation to Wonder: The Christ Child

Shines Light, Offers Hope

Every Christmas light that twinkles in the darkness is a

message to us from our God.

Last week, my son and I sat together on his bedroom

floor, while he stared enraptured at L of all things L

his humidifier. My busy, constantly-on-the-move toddler

continued to sit there, almost motionless, for 10 whole

minutes, doing nothing but wondering at the mysteri-

ously magical puffs of cool steam rising up into the air.

I sat there wondering with him. Partly, I wondered

where we should put the thing, now that he’s discov-

ered it, so that it’s safely out of reach. But more funda-

mentally, I wondered at him — at his pure delight in the

most ordinary of moments and the most ordinary of

things.

Right now, the whole world is a wonder to him. Every-

thing in creation, from a squirrel scampering across the

lawn to the chime on my parents’ mantle clock, is cause

for contemplation. He stops for it all, acknowledges it

all, and wants me to acknowledge it, too. He claps. He


points. He cries out with glee. And with a “Mama! Ma-

ma!” demands that I share in his joy.

This pausing to wonder at steam and garbage trucks,

birds on the wire and the schoolhouse lights hanging

over our kitchen island has taken some adjusting on

my part. Once, not too many years ago, it wouldn’t

have been that difficult; I’m naturally inclined to delight

in the ordinary. But these days, life doesn’t leave me a

lot of time for delighting. There are too many other

things competing for my attention: deadlines and meet-

ings, laundry and cleaning, meal planning and grocery

shopping, plus one very busy toddler who races from

one death-defying stunt to the next.

In the midst of our current crazy, my inclination is to

ignore the small stuff and focus on whatever is most

urgent. “If it’s not urgent, I don’t have time for it,” I’ve

said repeatedly over the past year.

But the little child toddling about my house is having

none of that attitude. His job right now — his great work

in life — seems to be twofold: wondering at the world

and getting Mama to wonder at it, too. He will not be

dissuaded from amazement at gravity and rainbows

and diaper bags full of stuff, and he will not be dissuad-

ed from making Mama share in that amazement.

The boy does not brook disagreement. And for that,

I’m grateful. Because the world is a wonder. Every at-

om in it is worthy of amazement. Squirrels and bells

and wind really are occasions for delight and awe.

They are all gifts from a good and loving God. Like eve-

rything in the universe, they wouldn’t exist without him.

He holds them in being. And he does that for a pur-

pose. Through all these things, he somehow blesses

us, teaches us, helps us and saves us. My baby in-

stinctively sees the miracle of it all. And he helps me

see it, too.

The Christ Child does the same.

U.S. Bishops Must Clear Up This Communion

Confusion Msgr. Charles Pope

If one is in a state of mortal sin — no matter what the

sin — has not sacramentally confessed and been ab-

solved, he must not receive Holy Communion. There

are no exceptions.

Judge Sara Smolenski, Chief Judge of the 63rd Dis-

trict Court in Kent County, Michigan, was recently ad-

vised by her pastor, Father Scott Nolan, that she

should not receive Holy Communion because she

claimed to enter into a “marriage” with a woman. He did

this privately, but she chose to make the matter public.

You can read the full story here.

The priest’s actions were certainly proper. Judge

Smolenski’s civil marriage is a public act, and because

she is a public figure her actions were widely known.

For the good of her own soul, as well as to avoid the

scandal of apparent approval, the pastor was correct in

requesting that she refrain from presenting herself to

receive Holy Communion. Judge Smolenski is certainly

a public dissenter from the Church’s constant teaching

that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man

and one woman. There is also the reasonable public

perception that she is engaged in and approves of illicit

sexual union — in this case, homosexual acts.

As expected, there are charges that this action is tar-

geting the “LGBT” community. Judge Smolenski herself

says, “This feels like selective discrimination. Why

choose gay people and why now?” However, the stand-

ard for worthy reception of Holy Communion applies to

all. Neither heterosexuals in invalid marriages nor those

cohabitating outside the bonds of marriage may licitly

receive Communion. No one may simply go on living in

an invalid marriage (adultery) or in cohabitation

(fornication) and still be worthy to approach for Holy

Communion. Fornicators, adulterers and those who en-

gage in homosexual acts may not licitly receive Holy

Communion unless (and until) they repent and receive

absolution in the sacrament of Confession.

No one person is singled out, nor is any group singled

out — chastity is required of all. There is no place for

sexual intimacy outside of traditional marriage. There

are no exceptions.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids issued a statement in

support of Fr. Nolan’s actions. Included in it were these

essential points:

As Pope Francis explains in Amoris Laetitia, ‘The Eu-

charist demands that we be members of the one body

of the Church. Those who approach the Body and

Blood of Christ may not wound that same Body by cre-

ating scandalous distinctions and divisions among its

members.’ (186) Lifelong Catholics would surely be

aware of this.

Inclusion and acceptance have been a hallmark of

Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Grand Rapids

throughout the diocese’s history. They remain so. They

presume, however, a respect on the part of individuals

for the teachings and practice of the wider Catholic

community. No community of faith can sustain the pub-

lic contradiction of its beliefs by its own members. This

is especially so on matters as central to Catholic life as

marriage, which the Church has always held, and con-

tinues to hold, as a sacred covenant between one man

and one woman.

It is reassuring to see the diocese defend Fr. Nolan.

Not every priest who has risked denying Holy Commun-

ion has been supported in this way.


December 25, 2019

rise to the level of mortal sin and which therefore must

be confessed prior to receiving Holy Communion licitly.

Priests should teach this to the faithful and provide

ample opportunity for Confession, including prior to

Sunday Mass. If one in a state of mortal sin has not

confessed and been absolved through the sacrament

of Confession, he should not approach for Holy Com-

munion.

The best response to those who say we single out per-

sons (e.g., pro-abortion politicians) or groups (e.g.,

those with same-sex attraction) is to teach comprehen-

sively on the worthy reception of Holy Communion.

It is sad that worthy reception of Holy Communion is

so unevenly taught to or understood by the faith-

ful. Many see the Holy Eucharist as an entitlement —

something they are owed without the need to meet any

obligations. The loud protests when anyone is denied

Holy Communion bespeaks this lack of formation.

Because the problem is so widespread, it requires a

national solution. The bishops of this country ought to

issue a teaching, a pastoral letter of some sort, and

every diocese should then implement its directives and

counsels. I wrote a two-part article on the worthy recep-

tion of Holy Communion in 2018 — my own modest

attempt to set forth a fuller teaching on the whys and

wherefores of worthy reception. They are availa-

ble here and here.

I realize that my hopes for a national initiative are un-

likely to emerge from the U.S. Conference of Catholic

Bishops (USCCB) any time soon. They are a rather di-

vided body these days, and it might take many years of

delicate negotiation to accomplish such a task. That

doesn’t mean, however, that individual bishops or re-

gional gatherings of bishops couldn’t undertake it. The

main goal is to give a comprehensive and faithful teach-

ing rather than to engage in the current habit of rear-

guard action in response to public outcry whenever

someone has been “denied” Holy Communion.

This is a teaching that affects all of us. We all need to

internalize St. Paul’s admonition that we must never

receive our Lord unworthily:

Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord

in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against

the Body and Blood of the Lord. Each one must exam-

ine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of

the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recog-

nizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a

number of you have died. Now if we judged ourselves

properly, we would not come under judgment (1 Corin-

thians 11:27-31).

As usual, Father James Martin tweeted comments that

merely serve to obfuscate the matter:

�Why are parishes focusing only on issues of sexual

morality? Are there no other issues in the moral life?

Are those who refuse to pay a living wage to employ-

ees denied Communion? How about those who do not

give to the poor? Those who do not care for the envi-

ronment?

An obvious answer to why parishes may be “focusing”

on sexual morality is the epidemic of sexual misbehav-

ior in our culture.

Furthermore, Fr. Martin’s examples compare what is

intrinsically grave matter and has clear parameters with

what involves prudential judgment and is not of its na-

ture mortal.

It is a fairly straightforward matter to determine that a

person has entered into an invalid heterosexual mar-

riage or a same-sex “marriage.” It is less clear what

constitutes not caring for the environment, whether it is

a sin, and whether it is a mortal sin. If I throw a plastic

bottle into the trash rather than the recycle bin, have I

committed a sin? What if I throw a thousand plastic bot-

tles away rather than recycling them? Is that a sin? Is it

a mortal sin?

As for paying a “living wage,” the Church speaks of

paying “just wages” not “living wages.” And while refus-

ing to pay a just wage is a mortal sin, determining what

constitutes a just wage is not clear cut. The Catechism

of the Catholic Church states that “remuneration for

work should guarantee man the opportunity to provide

a dignified livelihood L taking into account the role and

the productivity of each, the state of the business, and

the common good” (CCC 2434). Such is also the case

with giving to the poor; most people do give to the poor

in some fashion, but when, how, and how much varies

with circumstances.

Father Martin surely knows that his logic is faulty and

that his comparisons lack parity, but he repeatedly is-

sues such statements, making the Church’s battle

against sexual confusion and misbehavior that much

more difficult.

However, the wider charge that the Church singles out

individuals or groups in denying Holy Communion is

likely to persist unless bishops, individually and collec-

tively, teach in a comprehensive manner of the need for

the worthy reception of Holy Communion. Priests, led

and supported by their bishops, must do so as well.

On any given Sunday there are likely many who

should not approach for Holy Communion due to mortal

sin on their soul. Such sins may involve unchastity but

might also include telling lies that seriously harm the

reputation of another or willfully missing Mass on Sun-

day. The point remains that there are many sins that


The Church Fathers, of course, agreed, and the fol-lowing passages (one reference is included) witness to their lively recognition of the sacred truth and great gift of divine maternity that was bestowed upon Mary. Methodius

“While the old man [Simeon] was thus exultant, and rejoicing with exceeding great and holy joy, that which had before been spoken of in a figure by the prophet Isaiah, the holy Mother of God now manifestly ful-filled” (Oration on Simeon and Anna 7 [A.D. 305]). “Hail to you forever, you virgin Mother of God, our

unceasing joy, for unto you do I again return. . . . Hail, you fount of the Son’s love for man. . . . Wherefore, we pray you, the most excellent among women, who boast in the confidence of your maternal honors, that you would unceasingly keep us in remembrance. O holy Mother of God, remember us, I say, who make our boast in you, and who in august hymns celebrate your memory, which will ever live, and never fade away”.

Mary: Mother of God

Fundamentalists are sometimes horrified when the Virgin Mary is referred to as the Mother of God. However, their reaction often rests upon a misappre-hension not only of what this particular title of Mary sig-nifies but also of who Jesus was—and of what their own theological forebears, the Protestant Reformers, had to say regarding this doctrine. A woman is a man’s mother either if she carried him in

her womb or if she was the woman contributing half of his genetic matter or both. Mary was the mother of Jesus in both of these senses, because she not only carried Jesus in her womb but also supplied all of the genetic matter for his human body, since it was through her—not Joseph—that Jesus “was descended from Da-vid according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). Since Mary is Jesus’ mother, it must be concluded that

she is also the Mother of God: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. There is no way out of this logical syllogism. Although Mary is the Mother of God, she is not his

mother in the sense that she is older than God or the source of her Son’s divinity, for she is neither. Rather, we say that she is the Mother of God in the sense that she carried in her womb a divine person—Jesus Christ, God “in the flesh” (2 John 7, cf. John 1:14)—and in the sense that she contributed the genetic matter to the human form God took in Jesus Christ. To avoid this conclusion, Fundamentalists often assert

that Mary did not carry God in her womb, but only car-ried Christ’s human nature. This assertion reinvents a heresy from the fifth century known as Nestorianism, which runs aground on the fact that a mother does not merely carry the human nature of her child in her womb. Rather, she carries the person of her child. Women do not give birth to human natures; they give birth to persons. Mary thus carried and gave birth to the person of Jesus Christ, and the person she gave birth to was God. The Nestorian claim that Mary did not give birth to the

unified person of Jesus Christ attempts to separate Christ’s human nature from his divine nature, creating two separate and distinct persons—one divine and one human—united in a loose affiliation. It is therefore a Christological heresy, which even the Protestant Re-formers recognized. Both Martin Luther and John Cal-vin insisted on Mary’s divine maternity. In fact, it even appears that Nestorius himself may not have believed the heresy named after him. Further, the “Nestorian” church has now signed a joint declaration on Christolo-gy with the Catholic Church and recognizes Mary’s di-vine maternity, just as other Christians do. Since denying that Mary is God’s mother implies doubt

about Jesus’ divinity, it is clear why Christians (until re-cent times) have been unanimous in proclaiming Mary as Mother of God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR St. Francis

Bill Baldwin, Irma Welty, Alice Richards, Melba Facey, Christina Mora, Glenda Pearson & Barbara, Bob Heisinger

Our Lady of the Valley

Eva Rebay

St. Stephen’s

Olivia Cox, Ryan Graham, Vernon Ferreira, Trish Bautista, Nancy Fenner, Liz Paul, Breen Hofmann,

Carl & Mary Doyle, Carol Mitchell


December 25, 2019

A Christmas Lesson

Did Mary feel embarrassed

when the shepherds came to call?

Did she wish they'd found a nicer place

instead of lowly stall?

Was she yearning for a perfumed bath, someone to plait her hair?

Did she wish her Son a finer bed

with soft, warm blankets there?

Or did joy fill her grateful heart and overflow with awe,

Remembering the angel's words

and what her eyes now saw.

For in her spirit Mary knew

this Son whom she adored

Was God's begotten Chosen One, her Savior and her Lord!

So, Mary murmured not at all, no palace was more grand ~

The King of kings was ushered in

exactly as God planned.

And so, a lesson for all time

this wisdom to impart: Don't be absorbed with worldly show ~

God looks upon the heart!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

(Luke 2:11-12)

Collections for 24 Weeks of Fiscal Year 2020

Source of Income This YTD Last YTD Difference

St. Francis 19,777.78 18,400.29 1,377.49

OLV English 10,237.00 9,619.52 617.48

OLV Spanish 7,781.11 8,746.12 -965.01

St. Stephen’s 12,719.00 12,218.36 500.64

WeShare 3,723.40 4,280.40 -557.00

Parish Picnic 777.00 0.00 777.00

Count Difference -152.00 25.00 -177.00

Total 54,863.29 53,289.69 1,573.60

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