HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 22, 2013

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 22, 2013

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

FATHER NOE’S BEST

My Dear People of Holy Family, In a few fast approaching and frantic days, the entire Christian world will observe and celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In thinking of what I might offer as a reflection / meditation for this Christmas Feast, I have tried to place myself in the shoes of Mary and Joseph as they set out on their journey to fulfill the decree sent out by Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) and apply it to our lives. THE CITY OF DAVID, BETHLEHEM, DID NOT WANT TO RECEIVE CHRIST! IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT TODAY, IN OUR AGE TOO, MANY PEOPLE STILL DO NOT WANT TO RECEIVE HIM!

"…there was no room for them at the inn." (Luke. 2:7) Can you imagine the scene? Here are these two people, traveling over what was certainly not the best of roads and finally reaching their destination, and Mary, because of her condition, utterly exhausted. And they can't find anywhere to stay. I would venture to say that many affluent people passed them on their journey on "Mercedes of Horses" and in "Cadillac’s of Carriages" and didn't even notice them or pay any attention to them. Whoever would pay attention to a poor bearded man with a donkey that carried she whom the poet calls, 'The Women Wrapped in Silence' and the unborn Christ? It was probably as if nobody really cared. Have you ever had the experience of not being wanted by anyone and not really welcome anywhere? Identifying? Connecting? In the eyes of the Romans they were despicable because they were Jewish and even their own Jewish ancestry looked down on them because of their poverty. Where would they have to go in our city? Really? What shelter for the homeless? How many doors did Joseph approach before going to what G. K. Chesterton described as "The place were only God was homeless but all man are at home.”

Did you ever think what was going through Mary’s mind as she saw Joseph ask at door after door and probably saying something like ” Look, we’ve come some distance and need a place for the night…" and then hearing the refusals. She was probably only a few feet away. What must she have felt for Joseph? Ever been refused for a promotion, job, or for that matter anything in life that was important to you and in your own mind justified? Ever find yourself whispering or perhaps crying out from your heart that life is unfair? How can you identify? How can you connect?

I would further venture to say that it could have very well been Mary herself who might have said to Joseph that one of the stables on the outskirts of the city would be enough. Telling him that they could somehow make it and not to worry. How she must have encouraged him and smiled at him. Have you ever been in situations where

you needed to do that with those you love? Identifying? Connecting? They probably didn't have a whole lot. For that matter, how much can you bring on a donkey; certainly not one of our modern RV's. I bet they were satisfied with what they had! What about you and me? Identifying? Connecting? "While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger…" (Luke 2:6-7) In all of our great universities are great Chairs of Learning for all the varied specialties of education in any field. Is it wrong for me to suggest that the greatest CHAIR OF LEARNING was and is the manger of Bethlehem? Are there any lessons for you and me from the manger?

Born without wealth and possessions does not He teach us from the crib that our happiness never depends on the piling up of material things?

Born into this world with no fanfare and in the most unspectacular of places, does He not teach us the virtue of humility and not to put our hopes in the endorsements of what this world deems important?

Christmas means the celebration of the birthday of God-become-man! God humbled Himself to become one of us! Why? Doesn't He want us to be able to be close to Him? I think of Mary and Joseph beside Him in that manger. Do we ever need to ask their intercession to help us to never not be able to have Him beside us?

How do we experience that Silent Night? Is it, or perhaps more accurately, shouldn't it really be a night where 'all is calm and all is bright' simply because of His love for us?

Everybody gets so excited at Christmas and everybody wants to be so surprised at the opening of this or that gift. I've even heard some people in the behavioral sciences say that we need these surprised moments in this human life of ours.

You want to be surprised? I have a Christmas gift for each of you. It is the most expensive and best gift I can ever give you and that you could ever receive. However, to receive it, you have to unwrap it with great reverence and carefully follow this instruction.

GO AND KNEEL DOWN IN FRONT OF ANY CHRISTMAS CRIB AND LOOK DOWN WITH AS MUCH

CARE AND LOVE AS YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU. I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE

SURPRISED ENOUGH AND YOUR SURPRISE WILL LAST FOREVER!

May the Lovely Infant and Dearest Savior bless you and yours! Father John

Attention Extraordinary Ministers- It is time for me to begin working on the next schedule. If you would please let me know of any dates that you are NOT available from January 18-19 through April 12-13 by Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Thank you Marie Ratliff (606) 836-3585

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This Week in our Parish Monday December 23

6:30 p.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Tuesday December 24 6:45 p.m. NO RCIA- Undercroft Wednesday December 25 6:30 p.m. NO CCD Classes- School 7:00 p.m. NO Prayer & Praise Group- Undercroft Thursday December 26 NO Adoration following 7:50 a.m. Mass (until January 9

th)

NO *Rosary Group- 12:30 p.m. (until January 9th

) NO **Rosary and Benediction 7:30 p.m. (until January 9

th)

Friday December 27

9:00 a.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Saturday December 28 ***NO Adoration at 3 p.m until just before Mass at 4 p.m.

3:00 p.m. Confessions Sunday Decemember 29

Readings for the week of December 22

Sun 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 Mon 23 Advent Weekday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 Tue 24 Advent Weekday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 Wed 25 The Nativity of the Lord- Christmas Day Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 Thu 26 Feast of Saint Stephen Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 Fri 27 Feast of Saint John 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a & 2-8

Sat 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents 1 John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18

Sun 29 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Mt. 2:13-15, 19-23

December 22, 2013 - 4th

Sunday of Advent

“The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world

and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the

sea and established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2

How can we take credit for the good things in our

lives when Psalm 24 reminds us that God created

absolutely everything and everyone on the earth?

Surely we all have an obligation to return a portion of

our good fortune to the Lord, for without Him

nothing would be possible.

Let us focus on generosity, or returning God’s gifts with increase, through the generous sharing of

our time, talent and treasure.”

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Offering Received $ 9,816.50 Weekly Budget Needed $11,500.00

PRAY FOR OUR SICK, ESPECIALLY- 1. Leroy Huber, Kim Weis Henrick, Cindy Henneman,

Bonnie Smith, Larry Lemaster, Barbara Naybor, Tom Byrne, Pauline Appeldorn, Vinnie Muccini, Jack Bragg, Mary Mowery, Martha George, Clyde Wallace, Laura Debord, Fred Schmitz, Beth Cournan, Matthew Wolfe, Garnet Damico, Paula Cannon, Steve Caudill, Stella Wallace, Tyler Diedrick, Robert Slusher, Britney Colegrove (Sheridan), Judith Thompson, Megan Kern, Willa Mae Mulvaney, Jim & Janie Terreo, Mary Fugeman

2. Homer Skeens, Paul Helton, Clay Stiltner, John Bush, Janet Rodgers, Steve Kirkner, Carla Sue Adkins, Marc Haney, Gloria Fosson, Shirley Hambrick, Sean Hammack, Pat Somers, Gail Layne, Bill Story, Charlie Boyd, Jean Murer, Frank Quinlan, Joan Skaggs, Margie Sheridan, Emma Maynard, Wanda Daniel, John Kadar, Duke Sheridan, Larry Gates, Sr. Elizabeth Weiman, Jane Range, Kate Reese, Betty Serey, Mario Citti, Becky Curtis,

3. Scott Woods, Bob Brislin, Rosemarie Ellington, J. J., Terry Mulvaney, Neil Mulvaney, Jane Hood Smith, Mary Hughes, Bob Winters, Don Childers, Al Janson, Nada Tabet, Janet Keller, Christopher Steele, Ralph LeMaster, Patty & Ed Hacker

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY, ESPECIALLY:

A1C Richard Aldrich, Sgt. James Bentley, PFC William Carney, Private Kevin Bragg, Kenton Fulmer, Chris Bogar, Bray Keeling, MSG Anthony Mulvaney, Shane Jobe, Lance Cpl. Stephen Lien, Col. Anthony Sinnott, Sgt. Patrick B. Callahan, Brandon White, Lt. Col. John Mills, II Lt. Sean Allen, Eric Distel, Richard Stump, Matthew Jancsek, Nick E. Gray

PRAYER REQUESTS: For prayer requests or to join the Prayer Network, Contact Sara Ramey at 324-4580.

If no answer, please leave a message or e-mail [email protected]

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Monday December 23 7:50 a.m. +Ralph Adkins & Bill Brislin

Tuesday December 24- Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Holy Family School 10:00 p.m. +All deceased members of Holy Family Wednesday December 25- Christmas Day 7:30 a.m. St. Lawrence- People of the Parish 10:00 a.m. +Ziebowicz, McGuire & Netkowski Families Thursday December 26 7:50 a.m. +Anna Curtis

Friday December 27 7:50 a.m. NO MASS Saturday December 28 4:00 p.m. +Patty K. Griffith Sunday December 29 7:30 a.m. St. Lawrence- People of the Parish 9:00 a.m. +Pola Delaney 11:15 a.m. +Harry Brown

mailto:[email protected]

Holy Family School…. Celebrating 150 Years Of Our Past ….

Looking Toward 150 Years Of Our Future

Pick An Ornament... (Tree Located In Church Narthex)

Donation Dollar Amount Is On Ornament...

Place Ornament & Donation in Envelope and Place In The Basket…

Please Put Your Name & Address On The Envelope If You Wish

To Receive Your Ornament

What Can You Do To Help Make

The Future Of HFS Brighter?

Holy Family Scrip Gift Card Order Form

Name_______________________________________Payment: cash check credit card

Phone_______________________________________Total Amount

Retailer Name Profit $ Amount QTY Total Retailers Cont. Profit $Amount QTY Total

Aeropostale 7% $25 Dick's Sporting Goods 8% $25

American Eagle 10% $25 $100

American Girl 9% $25 Domino's Pizza 8% $10

$100 Donatos Pizza 10% $10

Applebees 10% $25 Dunham's Sports 8% $25

$50 Elder Beerman 8% $25

Arby's 8% $10 $100

AutoZone 8% $25 Express 10% $25

Banana Republic 14% $25 Exxon 1.50% $50

$100 2.50% $250

Barnes & Noble 9% $10 Fazoli's 7% $25

$25 Finish Line 10% $25

$100 Foot Locker 9% $25

Bass Pro Shops 9% $25 Gamestop 3% $25

$100 GAP 14% $25

Bath & Body Works 13% $10 $100

$25 GNC 8% $25

Bed Bath & Beyond 7% $25 Gymboree 13% $25

$100 Hallmark 4% $25

Belk 8% $25 Home Depot 4% $25

Best Buy 3% $25 4% $100

$100 4% $500

$250 4% $1,000

Bob Evans 10% $10 IHOP 8% $25

BP 1.50% $50 Itunes 5% $15

$100 $25

$250 Jcrew 13% $25

Buffalo Wild Wings 8% $10 JCPenney 5% $25

$25 5% $100

Build A Bear 8% $25 Jo-Ann Fabric 6% $25

Burger King 4% $10 Journeys 10% $25

Cardinal Cleaners-Go Green 10% $10 KFC 8% $5

$25 Kmart 4% $25

$50 $50

Chick Fil A 10% $5 Kohl's 4% $25

$10 4% $100

$25 Land's End 16% $25

Children's Place 12% $25 $100

Cinemark 4% $25 Layne Bryant 8% $25

Claire's 9% $10 Little Caesar's Pizza 8% $20

Cracker Barrel 9% $10 Long John Silver's 8% $10

$25 Lowe's 4% $20

Crazy 8 13% $25 $25

CVS 6% $25 $100

$100 $500

1,000

Macy's 10% $25 Sam's Club 2.5% $25

$100 $100

Marathon 3% $25 $250

$100 Sears 4% $25

$250 $100

Marriott 8% $50 $250

$100

$500 Sephora 4% $20

REVISED 11-02-13

Holy Family Scrip Gift Card Order Form

Shell 2.5% $25

MasterCuts 8% $25 $50

Maurices 7% $20 $100

McDonald's 5% $5 Shutterfly 9% $25

$10 Speedway 4% $25

$25 $100

Michaels 4% $25 Speedway Food Court 7% $20

Moes 40% $5

O'Charley's 13% $25 Starbucks 7% $10

Office Max 5% $25 $25

$100 Subway 3% $10

Old Navy 14% $25 $50

$100 TJ Maxx 7% $25

Olive Garden 9% $25 $100

Omaha Steaks 11% $25 Taco Bell 5% $10

Orange Leaf 15% $5

Oriental Trading 9% $25 Target 2% $25

Outback Steakhouse 8% $25 $100

Panera 9% $10 Texas Roadhouse 8% $25

$25 Tim Hortons 5% $10

Papa John's 8% $10 Walgreens 6% $25

Payless Shoes 13% $20 $100

Penn Station 40% $5

Pet Smart 4% $25 Walmart 2.5% $25

Pier 1 9% $25 $100

Pink Pineapple 10% $25

$50

Pizza Hut 8% $10 $250

Pottery Barn 8% $25 Wendy's 4% $10

$100 Wet Seal 5% $25

RadioShack 4% $25

Red Lobster 9% $25

Rite Aid 4% $25

Rocco's 10% $25

$50

Ruby Tuesday 8% $25

Sally Beauty Supply 12% $25

For questions feel free to contact the scrip gift card coordinators Heather Wolfe 606-923-1126 or Katie Griffith 606-831-3727

You may also text them at those numbers or email them through the school website www.holyfamilyashland.weebly.com

*We will now be accepting credit cards for gift card purchases. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover. There will be a 3% convenience fee of the total purchase to cover the cost of the interest charged to Holy Family. Of course we will still accept cash or check without fees.

Note: Penn Station and Moes do not give change. Example: If your meal is $6.49 then pay with one $5 Moes and the rest cash

For a complete list of our retailers please visit our website at www.holyfamilyashland.weebly.com Simply use this order form to write in any unlisted cards you would like to purchse from the website. Remember Kroger's sells a large variety of gift cards such as Toys R'Us which gives Holy Family 5% of every purchase so please remember to reload your Kroger card every time you shop.

REVISED 11-02-13

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612 S. 3rd St.• Ironton

740-533-2784 606-836-2784

49 Years

Kelley,Galloway &Company, PSC

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTSPhone: (606) 329-1811 • Fax: (606) 329-8756

Phil Layne, CPA • Geoff Griffith, CPA

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HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 22, 2013

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Transcript of HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 22, 2013