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Advent 2020 Loveland, Ohio

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Learning, Living, Loving ... our Catholic Faith

Hoping This Advent to Remember Will Still Be Hopeful

It was going to be the official “Summer of Scott.” There was so much I was looking forward to, such as building forts in the woods, watching the fourth of July fireworks and setting up a lemonade stand. But the biggest event would be my double-digit birthday party with my buddies. We would celebrate it with games in my backyard, chocolate cake with ten big candles burning brightly, and a sleepover in my basement. I was especially hopeful for these dreams to start up and become a reality.

HOPE. Advent consists of four weeks, and each has its own unique theme. The first one is hope, which is a deep desire for something specific to occur. It is waiting for, and wanting your expectations to come true. Similar to that one special summer season of my childhood, this Advent season of my adulthood is filled with my hopes for what I am longing for.

Then abruptly, to my utter dismay, my hope vanished. My parents announced we were moving from Pennsylvania, which to me was the greatest state in America, to Venezuela in South America. Instead of the next few weeks being all about me emphatically getting my groove on, it had suddenly shifted to our family dramatically getting a move on. I watched my outside world being turned upside down, and I focused on how distraught and disheveled my inside psyche had become.

PEACE. Hope can yield peace and tranquility within us. However, when hope is gone, the outcome often causes anxiety and angst. In the same way that our family relocation years ago was the result of factors out of my control, there exists forces this year we cannot keep in check. Back then, I merely wanted to meet up and eat with my friends, to interact with them, and to continue doing our daily routines. Likewise, this Advent many of us ache for a sense of normalcy. From the social gatherings of holiday parties and singing carols together, to the liturgical traditions of participating at Sunday Mass and Reconciliation Services, we desire these things to be today, just as they have always been in the past.

Yet as the dog days of that summer rolled over, interesting treasures were revealed. Even though events were unfolding which I had not wished for, there were nuggets that were surprisingly gratifying. For example, since we were limited in the amount of our old items we could bring with us on the move, many of our toys and clothes were bought new when we arrived. Or for instance how although I never quite mastered fútbol, I was always the first one picked whenever we played football during recess at my new school. If I would have stubbornly clung to looking only at the negatives, then I never would have discovered these newfound positive joys.

JOY. Despite the uncertainty and the scarcity of the peaceful easy feelings we are experiencing this Advent, perhaps we can unearth a bit of joy if we put forth the effort to dig a little deeper. As it pertains to our parish, it is true that the nativity tours will be virtual, the ‘Advent’ure will now be in our homes, and many other St. Columban events will be different this December. But alteration does not necessarily equate to inferiority. These can be powerful and faith enriching encounters. These can still fill our hearts with joy.

I do not recall when the exact moment was, however at some point during the transition of our transfer, my joy blossomed into genuine love. My heart filled with emotion over these new occurrences that I had not hoped for originally. That summer was a whirlwind of adjusting and adapting, and yet it brought a breath of fresh air which metaphorically blew me away. This became evidenced to me three years later when my parents pronounced we were leaving Caracas to come to Cincinnati, and I wanted to remain because I now considered there my home.

LOVE. It is unlikely everyone will reach the level where this Advent will become our most loved or our best. Restrictions will be prolonged, situations will be unusual, and adjustments will need to be made by all of us. Nonetheless, perhaps we can achieve a balance where we can still benefit by it. Maybe even with these challenges, we can concentrate on the four core themes of this season, and thus enjoy it in the end. This is certain to be an Advent to remember. It is our choice how we choose to have it be remembered.

~ Scott Mussari, Director of Faith Formation

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Stock Donation procedure

As we approach the end of the calendar year and you are thinking about your year-end contributions, please consider donating stock. Below is the information you will need:

Company Name: Fifth Third Bank DTC Number: 2116 Account Number: 0104471751BJ Account Name: St. Columban The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Gift Acceptance Policy requires a donor name to be included with each transfer. Please notify your broker of this requirement and kindly email Katelyn Viscomi in the Parish Office with the following information: amount of stock, number of shares, and stock name. All stock transfers without a donor name will be returned and there will be a delay in your donation. If you have any questions, please contact Katelyn Viscomi in the Parish Office at (513) 683-0105, ext. 2106 or kviscomi@stcolumban.org.

We warmly welcome the families who have recently joined the parish!

Chris, Missy, Cahill, & Connor Anspaugh

Kevin & Mary Lyn Blase Michael, Angela, & Ryleigh Crawford

Cara, Ashlynn, Jaden, Kayleigh, & Peyton Etheridge & Jordynn Clayton

Andrew & Amy Heck Al, Ellen, Christian, Claire, & Ryan Juram

Sidney, Amabel, & Diani Ngochi Isabela Njodzeka

Charlotte Schad

Welcome to our newly baptized members!

Connor Coyne, son of Chad & Nikki Coyne Elsie Gerbus, daughter of Bradley & Brittany Gerbus Eliza Gittinger, daughter of Mark & Jessica Gittinger Cason Kraemer, son of Alex & Courtney Kraemer

Vivian Kurth, daughter of Dan & Sandra Kurth Lucas Lopinto, son of Matthew & Lindsay Lopinto Kennedy and Campbell McDonough, daughters of

Amanda McDonough Braxton Neumann, son of David & Kelley Neumann

Maggie Paul, daughter of Jason & Cari Paul Damari Porter, son of Darlene & Donald Porter

Valencia Serra, daughter, of Gabe & Jessica Serra Scarlett Simon, daughter of Chris & Brittany Simon

Julia Steffey, daughter of Brad & Jenna Steffey Brody Swanson, son of Jeff & Jamie Swanson

Thomas Ward, son of Patrick & Caroline Ward Fitzgerald Williams, son of Marcus & Abbey Williams

Reese Zimmerman, daughter of Brian & Megan Zimmerman

St. Vincent de Paul The USDA recently partnered with national, regional and local distributors whose workforces have

been impacted by the closures of restaurants and hotels to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products. The items were packaged into family-sized boxes and transported to food banks and organizations serving Americans in need. Our St. Vincent de Paul chapter was able to deliver 83 boxes to people in need in Loveland. All recipients appreciated the fresh food. Thank you SVDP!

Advent Reconciliation Service Thursday, December 10

7:00 p.m.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a way to experience the gift of God's boundless mercy. Not only does it free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to offer the same compassion and forgiveness to those who have sinned against us.

Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. All are invited to experience this sacrament of God’s mercy.

No more “instant” crib scene Do you sometimes set up your crib scene during Advent and it stays untouched for the season? This year make your family’s creche a more important part of your Advent and Christmas celebrations. Instead of setting it up with all the pieces already in it, use the stable to help you celebrate the Christmas story. On the first Sunday of Advent, place the empty stable in a prominent place, perhaps where you usually set up the crib. During the weeks of Advent, gradually place the animal pieces in the stable, and the manger too, if Jesus and the manger are separate pieces. When should Mary and Joseph arrive? Christmas Eve, of course. Before you go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, or when everyone is at the dinner table, have the tired Mary and Joseph arrive at the stable. You could even have the children carry them from room to room as they look for a place to stay. Christmas morning, before you open presents, take a few minutes to put Jesus in the manger. Hang the star you made at the Advent Family Event above the stable. Bless the crib, sing a carol, start the day remembering what we are truly celebrating. Later Christmas Day have the shepherds arrive, and start the wise men on their journey, traveling from some far corner of your house. They should arrive on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Be creative! You can begin a new tradition in your house this year. You can probably think of even more ways to use your crib scene to further emphasize “The Reason for the Season.” Tell the stories. Decide that this Christmas will be a memorable one.

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AAddvveenntt CCaalleennddaarr Each day, read about God’s sacred family and add a Jesse Tree ornament

to your tree. A different ornament is listed in green for every day. As a family, do something special each day!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday November 29

1st Sunday of

Advent Wait!

Light one purple candle

Find a large stick or tree

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A season of waiting:

put a smile on

someone’s face by

calling to say hello! God

December 1

Read about John the Baptist

Matt 3:1-12 Mark 1:1-8 Luke 3:1-6

Adam and Eve

2

Have you been waiting to say, “I’m

sorry” to someone you

have hurt?

Noah

3

Feast Day: St. Francis Xavier

Clean your room without being asked.

Abraham

4

Do a task that you have

been avoiding.

Isaac

5

Write “I love you” notes to

your family and put

them under their pillows.

Jacob

6

2nd Sunday of Advent Watch!

Light 2 purple

candles

Joseph

7

A season of watching: choose a

family Christmas movie to

watch together.

Moses

8

Immaculate Conception

Mass at

9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Israelites

9

Decorate white masks

with Christmas symbols.

Joshua

10

Reconciliation 7:00 p.m.

Stop at the Holy family

grotto or pray for those who

have been affected by COVID-19.

Gideon

11

Stop by church and

take the self-guided nativity tour.

Samuel

12

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day

Eat Mexican food today.

David

13

3rd Sunday of Advent! Expect

Light 2 purple candles and pink candle

Elijah

14

A season of expectations:

help someone who is not

expecting it!

Hezekiah

15

Watch for signs of God’s love for us all

week.

Jonah

16

Thank God for all

expectant mothers!

Jeremiah

17

Make a Christmas card

for someone you don’t see

often.

Nehemiah

18

Pray the Hail Mary.

John the Baptist

19

Read Mary’s Canticle in

Luke 1:46-56 then pray the Magnificat.

Zechariah

20

4th Sunday of Advent

Get Ready!

Light all 4 candles

Elizabeth

21

A season of getting ready! Get ready by decorating inside and

out.

Joseph

22

Bake Christmas

cookies and give to a

family that is in quarantine or

sick.

Mary

23

Look up at the night sky

and give thanks to

God.

Shepherds

MMaayy yyoouurr ffaammiillyy hhaavvee aa vveerryy bblleesssseedd CChhrriissttmmaass aanndd aa jjooyyoouuss NNeeww YYeeaarr!!

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St. Columban Giving Tree As you might imagine, this year’s Giving Tree will look a bit different as a result of Covid-19. Keeping the realities of the situation in mind, as well as the feedback we’ve received from the organizations we serve, we are making some changes. We will continue to serve the organizations we have in the past, 15 in total, however, at a reduced level. There will be tags on the trees for some, but not all, of the organizations. For some of the other organizations, we will be accepting cash donations and buying items that we will purchase and send to those organizations. Cash donations will be collected and then divided between the organizations involved. The organizations in green below are only accepting cash and if you would like to be specific with your cash donation, please advise in Online Giving or on your envelope.

All items will be due in the Gathering Space by Sunday, December 13. Please remember to attach the tag to the item(s). There will not be designated places by organization for you to leave the gifts as we have done in the past. All donations (except cash) will simply be left in the Gathering Space as you enter the church. If you choose to make a monetary donation, please be advised you do not need a tag. Instead, you can donate cash or write a check made payable to St. Columban Parish. Your donation can be made via Online Giving, mailed or dropped off at the Parish Office or in the collection basket at Mass. Whichever way you choose, please place the donation in an envelope clearly marked “Giving Tree Ministry.” All donations are due to the church by Sunday, December 13. Below is a list of the organizations we support along with their mission statements:

Loveland InterFaith Effort (LIFE) Food Pantry ~ The Loveland L.I.F.E. Food Pantry is a faith-based organization that provides food, financial assistance, and services to needy residents within the Loveland School District and to members of our supporting congregations, who qualify under Federal guidelines for persons in need encouraging self-sufficiency in individuals and families.

Joseph House ~ Joseph House meets the needs of the homeless veterans within the community suffering from addiction and provides them the support they need to maintain a lifelong commitment to recovery and to thrive in the community.

Glad House ~ Glad House is a certified mental health and prevention agency that works with high -risk youth who have been impacted emotionally and behaviorally by a family member with an addiction.

Loveland Health Care Center ~ Loveland Health Care is a newly renovated nursing home community dedicated to bringing comfort and recovery with a personal touch and without the institutionalization that most other facilities embody.

Ethel M. Taylor Academy ~ Ethel M. Taylor Academy is a neighborhood school and Community Learning Center - "Building a better future, one student at a time" - serving as a hub for community services, providing students and families access to health and social services, as well as recreational, educational and cultural opportunities.

The Loveland Initiative ~ The Loveland Initiative was founded in 1996 by a group of neighbors with the mission of providing educational support and assistance to underserved children and their families.

Caracole House ~ Caracole's mission is to provide housing and supportive services to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. (Accepting cash only donations.)

St. Leo's ~ St. Leo's is a welcoming Catholic community, grounded in Eucharistic prayer, celebrating diversity and sharing God`s love through ministries of serving and being present in urban neighborhoods, while focusing on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. (Accepting cash only donations.)

Mary Magdalen House ~ Mary Magdalen House is an oasis of hospitality providing a safe and pleasant place for persons in need to shower, shave, brush their teeth, use a toilet, have clothes laundered, have use of a phone and have a place to receive messages and mail.

Bethany House ~ Bethany House Services empowers homeless and at -risk families with the solutions to achieve housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency.

First Step Home ~ First Step Home helps women break the cycle of addiction and abuse so that they can become self-sufficient and provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

St. Vincent de Paul ~ St. Columban works with St. Vincent de Paul to aid those in need, offering essential items through clothing drives and other events throughout the year.

Florentine Gardens ~ Florentine Gardens is a private, 70 bed skilled nursing facility in the Loveland area. The facility offers a full service nursing care center including short, recuperative stays or long term care.

Interfaith Hospitality Network ~ Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati (IHNGC) provides emergency shelter and housing programs for homeless families in Cincinnati, Ohio and surrounding areas. IHNGC provides the tools, resources, and support that families need to overcome homelessness and achieve long-term stability.

Franciscan Ministries ~ Franciscan Ministries' Tamar Center is a day center that provides shelter and care for women who suffer from addiction and are being exploited through human sex trafficking. Many of these women are homeless. Tamar Center acts as a first responder, helping the women with their most urgent needs, ranging from food to security and from housing to medical care.

More information about the organizations we serve is located in the Gathering Space.

Thank you in advance for your support!

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Self guided Nativity tours starting December 12

In response to COVID-19, we are offering self-guided tours of Fr. Larry’s Nativity displays. Beginning December 12, visit church anytime we are open, pick up a guide in the Gathering Space, and begin. Take a look in the Gathering Space, Day Chapel, Parish Media Center, and Family Room at the over 250 Nativity sets. We will highlight the unique and unusual sets you might like to know more about. Watch the parish website for a video from Fr. Larry as he talks about some of his favorite sets.

Things to do in Cincinnati

Christmas in Loveland, December 18-20. Christmas Night of Lights at Coney island, 2 1/2 miles

of lights. Now through January 9, 2021. $7.00 per person.

Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods November 21-January 2, over a mile of lights, $15 per car.

Festival of Lights at the Zoo , November 21—January 3, 2021. Reservations required.

Drive Thru Nativity, December 15, 6:30—8:30 p.m., Church of the Saviour UMC, 8005 Pfeiffer Road

Holiday junction at Union Terminal, November 13—January 5. See the Duke Energy Holiday trains and

enjoy a socially distant visit with Santa. Fountain Square Ice skating rink and bumper cars on

ice, now through February 15, 2021. Reservations required.

Findlay Market Holiday Market, December 5-6. Santa’s Workshop, Washington Park every Saturday

from November 28—December 19, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Live nativity scene with animals, kids crafts, St. Nick,

music, lights, and food. Holy Spirit Center, Norwood. Tuesday, December 8 from 4:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

St. Columban Advent - at home

“Advent”ure at-home kits! Have you put up an Advent wreath in your home? Want to start this new tradition? We still have some Advent wreath kits available. Go to our website, www.stcolumban.org/Adventure, to order one today while supplies last, and pick it

up at the Parish Office.

NEED CANDLES? You can pick up a set anytime in the Parish Office for $5.

New Christmas movies on Netflix

Best picks for the Christmas Netflix season! Films for the whole family to enjoy.

Jingle Jangle (Nov. 13) Set in the fictional town of Cobbleton, this Christmas film follows the journey of a talented inventor named Jeronicus Jangle. When his longtime apprentice betrays him by stealing his most treasured creation, he loses hope. But that all changes when he gets a visit from his young granddaughter, Journey, a few decades later. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (Nov. 22) A rich woman tries to sell a small town to a greedy developer right before Christmas! Can her friends and family get through to the woman they once knew? They’re going to try, and they have 14 original Dolly Parton songs to back up their argument. Christmas Chronicles 2 (Nov. 25) Kate Pierce, who reunites with the Clauses when the infamous troublemaker known as the Belsnickel threatens to destroy Christmas.

Fun at-home activities

1. Take a holiday photo card. 2. Send a holiday card to a soldier. 3. Decorate a tree. 4. Decorate a gingerbread house. 5. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. 6. Have a tree lightning ceremony. 7. Set up a nativity set. 8. Make and set out your Advent wreath. 9. Watch cooking with Fr. Larry. 10. String popcorn for the birds. 11. Plan a red day and a green day, include

red and green foods. 12. Put lights up outside. 13. Christmas movie marathon. 14. Decorate inside of your home. 15. Have a hot chocolate tasting competition. 16. Go through old clothes and toys and donate to St. Vincent de Paul. 17. Play Charades or Pictionary with Christmas words. 18. Make a Christmas video to send to others. 19. Make a Christmas playlist and have a dance party or sing-a-long 20. Make cards for nursing home residents.

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St. Columban Spirit and Truth Award While we are all called to worship and live out our lives in spirit and truth, there are some among us who go well beyond such a call. We know them. We see them. We experience their spirit and truth in the daily market places of our lives. Often such people go unnoticed. Yet, their contribution to our parish, our city and this world is enormous. Started in 2009, our St. Columban Catholic community gives the St. Columban Spirit and Truth Award on an annual basis. Grand Affair will be virtual this year so we will recognize the winner(s) at Mass.

To honor these parishioners, The St. Columban Spirit and Truth Award will be bestowed on parishioners each year who are nominated as the “unsung heroes” of our parish, who provide a good example to others, invite others into Catholic stewardship and promote the Gospel message in their everyday lives. It also offers a way to help raise awareness of everyone’s baptismal call to service. Please fill out the attached form to nominate a member of our parish. The honoree will be notified by the Parish Office of their selection. We will also notify you so that you may then congratulate the individual. Individuals that are not selected this year will be considered in future years. Please be sure to send your nominee’s name to the Parish Office before the January 15, 2021 deadline. Nominator’s name, address and phone: _______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please accept the following person as a Spirit and Truth honoree: ________________________________________

Honoree’s name, address and phone: _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please include a paragraph on why you are nominating this person as a Spirit and Truth honoree. Criteria: A member of St. Columban parish who participates in Sunday liturgy and who exemplifies discipleship, stewardship, and fellowship. A person or couple who lives his or her baptismal call in an extraordinary way.

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Ad Altare Dei recipients

In a year filled with much craziness, four scouts successfully passed their Ad Altare Dei Board of Reviews in early October. Their journey through the sacraments began in January and endured a few Zoom meetings when they could not meet in person. They were not able to visit the seminary, like they have in past years, but were

fortunate to have Fr. Steve Walter spend time with them to learn about the sacrament of ordination. These young adult scouts have even expressed interest in furthering their Catholic faith by pursuing scouting’s Pope Pius XII religious emblem in 2021.

A special thanks goes to the Board of Review members who have been on hand the past few years reviewing both AAD and Pope Pius XII candidates: Deacon Jim, Deacon Tom, Charlie Broussard, Rick Morman, Ken Bernier, and members of the archdiocesan Catholic Scouting committee.

Please join me in congratulating the scouts: Ethan Weintz, Donny Weintz, Ethan Sproull and Patrick Laufersweiler on this achievement and their spiritual growth!

Justin Barger completes Eagle Scout project

On a cold October morning, Justin led a team of scouts as they built an enclosed area at the Myles Ahead Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in

Maineville.

Congratulations, Justin!

~ Deacon Mike

Boy Scout News

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St. Columban Booster Time Out The St. Columban Booster Organization is dedicated to developing and enhancing the athletic talents of the students of St. Columban

School and Parish in various sports in a Catholic environment. The Booster organization meets once a month, on the second Sunday of the month at the football field (weather permitting) or in the Parish Hall at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. Our fall sports season which includes golf, cross country, girls’ volleyball, cheer and football, is now finished. We had another amazing season with all 6 of our volleyball teams in grades 3-5 qualifying for the gold bracket in their respective grades. Our competitive teams all had a nice showing with excellent seeding in their level of competitive play. Overall, we had great results for St. Columban throughout the city. The following teams made it to the finals of the City Championships: 3rd Grade- Team Metzger came in 2nd in the city! 5th Grade- Team Walker came in 2nd in the city! 6th Grade- Team Stacey are CITY CHAMPS! 7th Grade- Team Geselbracht are CITY CHAMPS! Very proud of all of our players and coaches for such an awesome season!

School~2A

ERE~2B ERE~2A

School~2B

St. Columban’s 2020 First Communicants

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID

Loveland, Ohio Permit No. 2

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St. Columban Parish 894 Oakland Road Loveland, Ohio 45140 513.683.0105—Fax 513.683.1389 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe) December 12

This feast is not merely celebrated in Mexico, but rather is recognized by Catholics across the globe. December 12th commemorates an event in 1531, when a simple Aztec Indian named Juan Diego saw a vision of Mary, the mother of God. She had olive skin and dark black hair and was dressed as an Aztec princess in clothes of bright colors.

Mary’s message to Juan was to tell the bishop to build a church where the encounter occurred. At first, the bishop dismissed Juan, but when he returned with proof of the image of Mary in his cloak that he had just recently placed roses in, he was convinced of this miracle meeting. A church was built on that spot, and every year millions of people make a pilgrimage to be inspired by its beauty, and to remember that blessings and grace are as alive today, as they were hundreds of years ago. For our God did not merely enter into the world at Christmas, but has always been, and will always be, present in our lives.