Welcome to Sacred Heart

We extend a warm welcome to those who attend our Church. We hope that you will find ourparish community a place where your life of faith will be nourished. We also hope that you will share your special

gifts within the community. Your prayers, your presence and your talents are most welcome. Parish registrationforms are in the back of the church or may be obtained at the Parish Office.

Sacred Heart CATHOLIC CHURCH

Main Church7190 Highway 17 South

Fleming Island FL 32003

Green Cove Springs Church207 Palmetto Avenue

Green Cove Springs FL 32043

PARISH OFFICE7190 Highway 17 SouthTel 284-3811 Fax 529-8845Office Hours: Monday – Friday8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Pastor: Father Michael Pendergraft Business Manager: Tish AguilarReceptionists: Mary Bullington, Silvia AlexanderRCIA Coordinator: Mike Curtis Hall Director: Arlene ManaloYouth Director: Janice Schubert

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONTel 284-9983Kristin Michler-Belleza (K-5)Sandra Curtis (6-12)

MUSIC MINISTRYKaren Otto, Mike Curtis and Ann Marie Barta

ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL1610 Blanding Blvd., Middleburg 32068Tel. 282-0504Principal: Victoria Farrington

MASS SCHEDULESaturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.; Spanish 7:30 p.m. (Green Cove Springs Church)Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.Holy Days: 8 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Weekdays: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.Sacrament of Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. or by appointment

To arrange for Baptism or Marriages please call the Parish Office.Homebound Parishioners: Please call the office if you know of anyonewho needs Eucharist brought to the home or would like a visit.

Web site: www.sacredheartcatholicchurch.org

MISSION STATEMENT

Compelled by the Gospel, we the parish family of Sacred Heart, promote and support Christian Life by serving our parishand community through the celebration of the sacraments, educational programs and other parish ministries.

STEWARDSHIP In the first reading, God promises King David that his house and his kingdom will endure forever. It is through Mary’s “Yes” - I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” - that the promise finds fulfillment. Your Gifts to God and Parish ~ December 10th Sacrificial Giving: $ 9,925.38 Building Fund: $ 5,515.00 Not in envelopes: $ 3,513.83 Children’s Sharing Treasure: $ 23.00

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

The child to be born will be called holy,

the Son of God. —Luke 1:35

Christmas Eve Scripture and Songs Please join the Choir for our annual Scripture and

Songs Event pr ior to the 11 pm Mass on Christmas Eve. The program will begin at 10:20 pm. This program will prayerfully and joyfully start off your Christmas Season.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 25th, and

Tuesday, December 26th, for the Christmas holiday.

May the wonder and peace of Christmas be yours all through the year.

From Fr. Mike and the Staff of Sacred Heart Parish

GOD’S PROMISE The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God’s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God’s name, poetically turns around Da-vid’s plan to build a house for God, and announces God’s plan to build a “house,” that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Mes-siah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it’s amazing what we are given—so different from what we ever could have imagined. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Christmas Break

Wednesday, December 20th through Wednesday January 3rd .

LIFE NIGHT resumes on Wednesday, January 10th.

See you then!

Christmas Break Sunday, December 17th to Wednesday January 3rd.

Classes resume on Sunday, January 7th.

Merry Christmas!

NO SHEEP this week.

ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS Bible Study will be held on Wednesday, December 28th, at 10:00 am in Bldg. C. It is held every other Wednesday. All are welcome!

Education News...

Think a Catholic Education is too expensive for your children?

How about a $5,677.00 scholarship?

Please explore the Step Up for Students Scholarship Program

which makes a Catholic elementary education affordable for our families.

www.stepupforstudents.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * At Annunciation Catholic School, your parish school, it is our goal to make a Catholic education available to every parishioner.

Youth Ministry Corner

Download our app today at myParishapp.com or search your phone's app store for myParish.

DID YOU KNOW? The angels announced the birth of Jesus the Messiah, the promised one of Israel. “To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ Jesus.” (Lk 2:11) His works and words identify him as the

Holy One of God. (CCC

In Our Parish...

PARISHIONER SENIOR POTLUCK LUNCH The Senior Luncheon is open to all Seniors of Sacred Heart Catholic Church to encourage fellow-ship and camaraderie among registered parishioners while enjoying a lunch.

Please join us on Wednesday, January 17th, at 11:30am in Sullivan Hall for Potluck and Bingo Please bring a dish to

share. RSVP to the Par ish Office at 284-3811 by Friday, May 12th.

Joy to the world, the Lord

is come! Let earth receive its

King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room. And

heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the earth the Savior reigns!

Let all their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

repeat the sounding joy!

CHRISTMAS MASSES Fleming Island Church CHRISTMAS EVE, Sunday, December 24th 4:00 pm Children’s Mass 6:00 pm 8:00 pm 11:00 pm (A Lessons and Carols Program will begin at 10:20 pm) Green Cove Springs Church CHRISTMAS EVE, Sunday, December 24th 5:00 pm (in English) 8:00 pm (en Español) CHRISTMAS DAY, Monday, December 25th Fleming Island Church 10:00 am

SUNDAY LITURGY Fleming Island Church SATURDAY, December 23rd 5:30 pm Mass SUNDAY, December 24th 8:00 am Mass 10:30 am Mass

NEW YEAR’S MASSES Fleming Island Church Sunday, December 31st 5:30 pm Vigil Mass Monday, January 1st 9:00 am 5:00 pm in Green Cove Springs (en Español)

Merry Christmas from your Outreach Volunteers!

Marriage Preparation Marriage Preparation: To schedule a wedding, an engaged couple must meet with their parish priest or deacon at least eight months before their pro-posed wedding date. Preparation for the sacrament includes attending a diocesan program such as Engaged Encounter or Pre Cana. Also, cou-ples of child-bearing age will need to take a full course of Natural Family Planning. Pre-registration for each of these programs is mandatory. The next Engaged Encounter program will be January 19th-21st at Marywood Retreat Cen-ter. The next Pre Cana program will be February 10th in Jacksonville. For more information about the diocesan requirements or to register for any of the diocesan programs, please visit www.dcfl.org or call (904) 551-2619.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary was called to be open to the extraordinary. What do you need to say, “let it be” in response to God’s call to you? Trust that the Lord is with you and will guide you always

(Luke 1:26-38).

If you have a question about a vocation to the priest-hood or religious life, contact Father David Ruchinski, Vocation Director at (904) 262-3200, ext. 101 or email vocations@dosafl.com.

Pray For

Vocations

Around the Diocese...

BULLETIN DEADLINE The deadline for the bulletin article is noon on Mondays. Holiday weeks may have earlier deadlines. Articles for the bulletin may be emailed to bulletin@sacredheartcatholicchurch.org

Are You at Least 70 ½ Years Old? If so, you’re in luck! Who is most likely to benefit from an IRA charitable gift? Individuals 70 ½ and older who are required to take IRA distributions and do not need the taxable income from that source. Regulations apply. Gifts must be from your regular IRA, not from Roth

IRAs or retirement plans.

Distributions must be made from your IRA custodian account directly to a qualified nonprofit. All diocesan parishes, schools and ministries qualify.

You may make a cash gift or specify it remain in the parish, school or ministry’s permanent endowment with the Catholic Foundation.

For more information Contact Cliff Evans at DOSA Catholic Foundation at: cevans@dosafl.com or call (904)262-3200 ext. 139 or visit our website at: http://www.dosafl.com/catholic−foundation Remember your church, school or favorite ministry in your will or trust!

CHARITY ART AUCTION Saturday, January 20th, 2018

12:00 pm TO 5:00 pm ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Knights of Columbus are asking for donations of art work by local adult and high school artists to be sold. Proceeds from the Auction will be donated to Catholic Relief Services to construct water and sanitation systems for some of God’s poorest of poor people. Don’t miss this event! Admission is free. A love offer-ing will be taken. Contact St. Joseph’s Knights of Co-lumbus for more information.

Did you know you can use your IRA “RMD” (Required Minimum Distribution) to make a gift to your parish, Catholic school, favorite Catholic Ministry or the Diocese?

PRAYER LIST Names will be printed in the bulletin for four weeks, then removed. Please call with names you would like to have includ-ed on our list. Thank you for helping us keep our list current. Please pray for… Susan Jachimiec, Pat Chestnut-Sarpy, Karen McCallan, Richard and Reba Pedigo, Donna Ramos, Carly Stoffa, Angie Betts, Brian Dickmann, Fr. Alex Ducci, Bob Kane, Rose Bergin, Michael Cassidy, Pat Cook, Joanne Gillease, Donna Guzinski, Virginia McCauley, Stephanie Palta, Levi Shepherd, Casey Spillane, Mary Stafford, Charley Strayer, John Anderson, Jane Angerer, Nancy and Bill Bar-tell, Judith Gall, Florence Grass, Mark Hathaway, Kenny Mackeart, Janet Palmer, Hilary Silva, John Steinberg, our prayer blanket recipients and our homebound parishioners.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27- 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18 -25] During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11- 13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17- 22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128: 1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]

Christmas Day - Monday, December 25th 10:00 am – For Eileen and Ryan Moson requested by Bill and Petra Parry. Tuesday, December 26th - No Mass today Wednesday, December 27th, 8:00 am - In memory of Ann Carlson requested by Anne and Dennis Witt. Thursday, December 28th, 8:00 am - In memory of Richard Hoffman requested by his wife, Katie. Friday, December 29th, 8:00 am - In memory of Fermin Orara requested by Tony and Dottie Ciotta. Saturday, December 30th, 5:30 pm - In memory of Gregory Wentz and James Dugan requested by Pat Kander. Sunday, December 31st, 8:00 am - In memory of Jeff Pedigo requested by his parents. Sunday, December 31st, 10:30 am - In memory of Edward Pachla requested by Paul and Criss Zauner. Sunday, December 31st, 5:30 pm - For the Special Intentions of the Parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish.

SULLIVAN HALL All events held at Sullivan Hall are scheduled through Sullivan Hall director, Arlene Manalo. For prices, availability and more information, call Arlene at 284-3811 or email sullivanhall@sacredheartcatholicchurch.org www.facebook.com/shsullivanhall

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.