Saint Catherine Siena C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

T H I R D S U N D A Y O F A D V E N T • D E C E M B E R 1 7 T H , 2 0 1 7

of

Vol. 10 • No. 03

3 6 4 2 N O R T H R I D G E R O A D • W I C H I T A , K A N S A S 6 7 2 0 5

w w w . s a i n t c a t h e r i n e w i c h i t a . c o m

Welcome to Saint Catherine of Siena Parish If you wish to join our Parish family, please stop by the parish office during the week to fill out a white registration card and

stewardship volunteer form. If you have any questions, please call Clista in the office at 425-0595. Welcome!

Parish Mission Statement: We are a Catholic community of imperfect people growing in faith, caring for each other and reaching out to our neighbors in need.

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OUR NEXT STEP FORWARD APPEAL STATUS

TOTAL PLEDGED TO DATE: $8,881,672.69

TOTAL GIVEN TO DATE: $8,495,654.08

TOTAL GIVEN THIS MONTH: * NOT AVAILABLE AT PRINTING

Expecting a new baby? You are invited to receive a special pre-natal blessing from Father Dan. A white rose dedicated to you will be placed by the statue of Mary as a symbol that the entire parish is praying for you and your baby. The blessings are given at 6:00 pm on the first Monday of every month. Following the blessing there is a Baptismal Preparation Class to help you prepare for the most important day in your child’s life. Please call the Parish Office to register.

Parish School of Religion PSR Contact: Jill Rump 316-249-2116 E-mail: psr@saintcatherinewichita.com Class: Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30pm The Parish School of Religion is available to all children, kindergarten through eighth grade during the school year.

Rite of Christian Initiation RCIA Contact: Fr. P.J. Voegeli 316-425-0595 RCIC Contact: Sally Graham 316-833-3887

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, or is curious about the Church, please call Fr. P.J. at 425-0595.

The Prayer Before Mass Come Holy Spirit, quiet my heart and my head, as I gather with my family, friends and neighbors to celebrate Mass. Quiet the thoughts and distractions that will keep me from worship. Open my mouth in prayer and song. Open my ears to hear God’s Word. Open my eyes to the mystery of the Eucharist. Open my heart to receive Jesus with love. May I go forth strengthened to take the Mass into my life this week. Amen.

Disciples...Growing in Faith Together

STEWARDSHIP Weekly Offering …………..….…......... * Not Available at printing

PARISH OFFICE Hours ............................................... Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Fax .......................................................................................... 316-425-0685 Phone ..................................................................................... 316-425-0595

PARISH STAFF Pastor Rev. Daniel J. Spexarth ...................................................... 316-425-0595 E-mail ..................................... fatherdan@saintcatherinewichita.com Medical Emergency Phone ............................................. 316-617-9310 Parochial Vicar Rev. P. J. Voegeli ................................................................ 316-425-0595 E-mail ........................................ fatherpj@saintcatherinewichita.com Secretary Jill Rump .............................................................................. 316-425-0595 Email .............................................. jrump@saintcatherinewichita.com Building and Technology Tim Schmidt…………………………………………316-425-0595 Email…………………...….tschmidt@saintcatherinewichita.com Stewardship Director Clista Pfannenstiel .............................................................. 316-425-0595 Email ............................................... clista@saintcatherinewichita.com PSR Director Jill Rump................................................................................316-249-2116 Email ................................................... psr@saintcatherinewichita.com Music Director Sara High ............................................ shigh@saintcatherinewichita.com

Bulletin (deadline to submit Monday @ noon) Linda Wallace ................................ bulletin@saintcatherinewichita.com

SCHOOL OFFICE Phone ..................................................................................... 316-719-2917 Fax .......................................................................................... 316-719-2930

SCHOOL STAFF Principal Jeremy Barr………………………jbarr@saintcatherinewichita.com Associate Principal Elaine Klincik…………………eklincik@saintcatherinewichita.com School Secretary Emily Brown ………………….ebrown@saintcatherinewichita.com

PRAYER REQUESTS Email ........................................ prayerchain@saintcatherinewichita.com

REGULAR MASS TIMES Weekends .......................................................... Saturday (vigil) 5:30 pm

Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am & 12 Noon Weekdays ...................................................... Monday & Friday 5:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 7:30am

CONFESSIONS Weekends ......................................... Saturday afternoons from 4-5pm. Weekdays ................................. 30 minutes before each weekday Mass

Parish Information

ELECTRONIC GIVING! You can set up electronic account for making regular offerings, then notify the Parish office if you would like to stop receiving envelopes. Go to our website: www.saintcatherinewichita.com to set up your electronic donations, and follow the online instructions.

The gift-giving and gift-receiving season is upon us, and parents are preaching the importance of GRATITUDE! There is no need to wait for this time of year to practice what we preach! Our second reading today reminds us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks to God…” What a perfect time to consider the gifts God has blessed us with and show Him our gratitude by sharing these gifts with our family and friends. And how can we share them with the stranger, the poor, those who live in the margins of society?

“Who Are You Following?”

Early Bulletin Deadlines coming for Christmas and New Year! 12-24 bulletin is printed / 12-31 deadline is Monday, Dec. 18

The Baptism class for January will not be on New Year’s Day. Watch the bulletin for details.

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Don’t Wait!! Sign Up for High School Confirmation Preparation!

Register for Confirmation 2018. All parish 9th grade students, or those in grades 10-12 who have not yet received the sacrament, are

eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year on May 8, 2018. Those seeking Confirmation must be pre-registered by Jan. 15th. The first class is Feb. 11th at 6pm. Forms are available in the church office, or contact Mary Valdez at mvaldez@kapaun.org, or call 655-3146.

MARRIAGE MINISTRY WINTER PROGRAM The Marriage Ministry will present the 6 session program:

"Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage" beginning January 20th, 2018

The cost is $30 per couple, and can be paid on line when you register. Space is limited to 40 couples, so sign up soon! Join us for a wonderful presentation, small group discussion, individual couple discussion, and fellowship.

Register & pay on-line at: www.saintcatherinewichita.com/MarriageMinistry

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH THE CHURCH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!

TODAY, December 17, at 1:00 pm If you have a 10 foot step ladder, we would appreciate it if you could bring it with you. If you have any questions, please email Judi Winter at wint4@cox.net.

The Advent Blessing of Baby Jesus!

Today, December 17th at 6:30pm

All are invited to bring the Baby Jesus from your nativity set(s) to be blessed TODAY at a special service!

We would appreciate donations of swaddling clothes (diapers, wipes, formula, new sleepers) that will be given to Embrace of Wichita, an organization dedicated to helping people. Visit www.embracewichita.org for more info. There are ornaments on the Christmas Tree in the school foyer that list some of Embrace’s specific needs if you would like to pick out one of those and bring the items to the blessing.

Please contact Julie Hampel at akamooney@cox.net or call 316-734-6596 with any questions.

Josh and Sarah Holthusen will lead the musical portion of the service and will have their CDs on sale after the blessing. A reception will take place in the gathering space immediately following and we will enjoy refreshments of

peppermint ice cream and Fr Dan’s favorite punch!

When a Sir Knight passes away, his name is engraved in the bottom of a chalice along with the names of other deceased Knights. The St. Dominic Assembly requests assistance in raising funds for the first chalice. This chalice will be permanently placed in the Lumen Christi Chapel for use by any priest that celebrates Mass at that chapel.

Raffle tickets, $5 each, for a 65” 4K smart TV

are being sold today to raise funds for the chalice.

Drawing will be held on Monday, December 18th. Contact Eric Sevart for tickets/info:

kujayhawk1991@yahoo.com

Siena Knights

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN'S CHOIR A youth choir is now forming to sing at the 5:30pm Mass on Christmas Eve. All students of the parish, grades 2-8 are invited to participate. Final rehearsal will take place:

THIS Thursday, December 21 from 6:30-7:15pm in the church. For more info, please contact Mrs. High (shigh@saintcatherinewichita.com).

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Thank You!! to our parishioner who volunteered to adore Our Lord during the urgent need morning hour of Thursday, 3-4am!

Christmas Adoration Schedule:

Christmas will have NO Adoration on Sunday, Dec. 24 or Monday, Dec. 25. It will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 26 at 7am.

These special hours have one adorer and are in need of a Second Adorer:

Sunday: 6-7pm, 11pm-12 midnight, midnight-1am Tuesday: 2-3am, 1-2pm Wednesday: 3-4am, 4-5am, 11am-noon Thursday: 1-2am, 2-3am Friday: 1-2am, 2-3am, 4-5am

He is really there! …“I am the bread

that came down from heaven.”

- John 6:41

For more info, please call Mary Jane Wooten at 729-6777.

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ATTENTION LITURGICAL WEEKEND MINISTERS! Please sign in at the back of church before ministering at Mass.

Eucharistic Ministers Altar Servers

5:30p MH Dave Warlick 5:30p Quinn Marlow

MC Diniece Warlick Haley Conley

CH Pam Marlow Dillon McGinn

JC Bart Winter 7:30a Zoe Harris JH Judi Winter Wyatt Dugan

7:30a MH 9:00a Jarrodd Williams

MC Jake Williams

CH As Jordonn Williams JC 10:30a Lexie Ridder

JH Assigned. Avril Maughan

9:00a MH Liam Maughan

MC Please 12:00 Josh Nguyen

CH Xander Fenoglio

JC watch your Cantor / Musician

JH 5:30p Renee Reed

10:30a MH email for Matt Ho MC 9:00a Choir

CH the update. Linda Schmidt

JC 10:30a Choir

JH Kim Stecklein

12:00 MH 12:00

CH

JH Ushers

*MC and JC not needed 5:30p Don Henderson

Lectors Jim Costello

5:30p Bruce Elson Andrew Girrens

7:30a Megan Horsch Bill Welch

9:00a Therese James 7:30a Steve Dold

10:30a Jason Fenoglio Bill Fitzpatrick

12:00 Curtis Lubbers Jim Graves

Offertory Gifts Lou Perrier

5:30p Paul & Kris Pfeifer family 9:00a Terry Wallace

9:00a Les & Pam Eck family Jerry Simpson

10:30a Quentin & Stephanie Pittman Kris Sauber

12:00 * Usher’s Choice Rob Tanner

Hospitality 10:30a As

7:30a Jason & Lisa Harris family Assigned

Ernie & Susan Neville

9:00a Chad & Julie Archer family 12:00 As

Jeff & Angie Klaus family Assigned

10:30a Cale & Julie Carson family

Bruce & Janice Witt family

Nursery Preschool

9:00a * No 9:00a * No

Nursery today Preschool today

Liturgical Minister Weekend Schedule

December 23-24, 2017 Monday, December 18th, at 7:30 AM Lector Chuck Kissling Altar Servers Henry Jonker Josh Jonker Eucharistic Minister Tim Schmidt

Monday, December 18th, at 5:30 PM

Lector Gary Sauber

Altar Servers Kierah Wall Karston Wall Eucharistic Minister Doug Jacobs

Tuesday, December 19th, at 7:30 AM

Lector Richard Yeilding

Altar Servers Nicole Powell Caleb Younger

Eucharistic Minister Michelle Becker

*9am Altar Servers Logan Klaus Josephine Powell

Wednesday, December 20th, at 7:30 AM

Lector Ron Youngers

Altar Servers Zachary Steven Dalton Hurst

Eucharistic Minister Cathy Strecker

Thursday, December 21st, at 7:30 AM Lector Karen Gomez Altar Servers Tyler Rump Conner Fuhrman Eucharistic Minister Joann Temaat

*9am NO SCHOOL - NO SCHOOL MASS Friday, December 22nd, at 7:30 AM Lector Elisabeth Sims

Altar Servers Wyatt Dugan Landon Timmermeyer

Eucharistic Minister Bruce Meyer Friday, December 22nd, at 5:30 PM

Lector Mary Jo Nigg

Altar Servers: Nicole Powell Josephine Powell

Eucharistic Minister Cheryl Robertson

Saturday, December 23rd, at 7:30 AM Lector Melissa Williams

Altar Servers: * Volunteer Needed * Volunteer Needed

Eucharistic Minister Mary Jo Nigg

Liturgical Ministry Week Day Schedule

MASS INTENTIONS - WEEK OF DEC 18-24, 2017

Monday 7:30 am † Bob and Bernie Schumacher

5:30 pm † Martin Huschka

Tuesday 7:30 am 9:00 am

† Riney Hay, Jr. Intention of Nancy Marrs

Wednesday 7:30 am † Sebastian Corderio

Thursday 7:30 am 9:00 am

† Richard Wallace NO SCHOOL - NO SCHOOL MASS

Friday 7:30 am 5:30 pm

† Cora Biggs Sterbenz † Michael O’Rourke

Saturday 7:30 am 5:30 pm

† Patsy Mendoza † Mary Hutchinson

Sunday

Christmas

7:30 am Living & Deceased Members of the Whitney & Lenora Munsch Family

9:00 am † Lance Rowlen

10:30am For the People

Noon

5:30 pm 8:00 pm 10:30 pm 9:00 am

† Laurestine Bell

† Vaughan Anderson † Margaret Hommertzheim † Deceased Members of the Alphonse Reichenberger Family † William Temaat

Early Bulletin Deadlines coming for New Year’s Day Holiday! Dec. 31 deadline is Monday, 12-18 / Jan. 7 deadline is Wed, 12-27

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"There is one ... coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." Untying sandal straps was no prestigious job. In the days of John the Baptist, those straps would have been especially unpleasant to deal with. Besides the usual odors that accompany sockless leather footwear, there would have been the grime and dirt from the sandy roads and paths that swirled around the people who went

everywhere on foot. Taking off someone's shoes upon their arrival was the task of the lowly servants. So when John says he's unworthy of doing this task for the "one who is coming after me," he is putting himself in a very humble position. And

rightly so. John realizes that the Christ - the Anointed One, the Messiah - is so far above him, so far above any of us, that we are truly unworthy of Him. Indeed, the Son of God is not just the greatest of men; He is God-made-man and in His presence we most appropriately should bow in humble homage. Yet this God chose to stoop down to our human level and walk among us. He chose to get His sandals dirty. And still today He chooses to allow us to encounter Him as a friend and companion. But as John reminds us by his example, this encounter with the Lord is not the result of our own merits or accomplishments. We are sinners who stand in need of Christ's help. But thanks be to God, He is always willing to extend this help to us. As St. Paul says in today's epistle, "May the God of peace make you perfectly holy." Indeed it is God who does the perfecting, not us by our own power. So let us approach the Lord this Advent season with a spirit of hopeful humility, trusting that God alone can make us worthy of welcoming His Son.

Reflection

MASS READINGS - WEEK OF DEC 17-23, 2017 Sunday Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11/Luke 1:46-48, 49-54/

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24/John 1:6-8, 19-28

Monday Jeremiah 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2,12-19/Matthew 1:18-25

Tuesday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25/Ps 71:3-4a,5-6,16-17/Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday Isaiah 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6/Luke 1:26-38

Thursday Song 2:8-14/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21/Luke 1:39-45

Friday 1 Samuel 1:24-28/1 Samuel 2:1,4-5,6-7/Luke 1:46-56

Saturday Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14 /Luke 1:57-66

MEMORIAL MASS FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD

The Feast of the Holy Innocents Thursday, December 28th

St. Catherine of Siena's Respect Life Ministry welcomes all parishioners, especially parents and families who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death, to a special memorial Mass at:

5:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 28th A special ceremony for families who have experienced loss will take place after Communion and a reception in the gathering space will follow.

Respect Life Ministry

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24th: 5:30 pm, 8:00 pm, and 10:30 pm Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25th: 9:00 am ONLY!!!

…………………………..…………………...…….

EXTRA CONFESSIONS Monday, Dec. 18…….5-6 pm and 7-8 pm Tuesday, Dec. 19……….5-6 pm and 7-8 pm Wednesday, Dec. 20..…..5-6 pm and 7-8 pm Thursday, Dec. 21 .…….5-6 pm and 7-8 pm Friday, Dec. 22 ….....…..5-6 pm and 7-8 pm

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS – DEC 28 In the event, King Herod the Great ordered the execution of all young male children in the village of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn “King of the Jews”, whose birth had been related to him by magi. He was called Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, but was unpopular with his people because of his connection with the Romans and his religious indifference.

Only because Joseph had been warned by a dream that this would happen and accordingly fled with his wife and Jesus to Egypt was the Savior spared (Mt 2:13-15). The other innocent children were put to the sword. This is one of the seven sorrows of Mary: to realize the hatred

others would have of her Son and Lord; to understand that saving her own baby led to the death of others. Our Christmas joy is tempered today by a feeling of sadness. But the Church looks principally to the glory of the children, of these innocent victims, whom she shows us in heaven following the Lamb wherever He goes.

Sunday, December 24th, Christmas Day Vigil Masses

5:30 PM Lector - Jenny Martinez

Altar Servers: L. Zachman/J. Zachman/T. McGinn/Z. Steven

Offertory: Jared & Katie Reichenberger family

EMs: Faith Maughan / Carl Maughan / Kathy Church /

Dana Fugate / Marcy Aycock / Roy Aycock

8:00 PM Lector - Michelle Orton

Altar Servers: Blake Rump / Tyler Rump / Sarah Wallace

Offertory: Nathan & Mary Blasi family

EMs: Tim Schmidt / Suzy Wright / Mary Le

10:30 PM Lector - Tim Burke

Altar Servers: Kadee Martinez/Rafael Martinez/L. Timmermeyer

Offertory: Glen & Erin Hageman family

EMs: Joni Reichenberger / Jaci Reichenberger / Michael Hurley

Monday, December 25th, at 9:00 AM - ONLY MASS!

Lector Barbara Berry

Altar Servers: Andre Hart / Wyatt Dugan

Offertory: Jared & Valerie Dugan family

EMs: Ron Longar / Ves Temaat / * Need Volunteer

Christmas Mass - Liturgical Ministry

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SURVIVING DIVORCE The Office of Marriage and Family Life is pleased to sponsor another session of the “Surviving Divorce” program beginning :

Monday, January 8, 7– 8:30pm in the Multi Purpose Room at

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. This 12 week series/program was created to bring hope and healing to divorced and separated Catholics. The Cost is $35 which includes a “Personal Survival Guide”. Register: 425-0595 or clista@saintcatherinewichita.com.

HELP WANTED - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A Better Choice, Inc. is seeking a dynamic, committed individual to serve as Executive Director. A full-time position, responsibilities: administration and overseeing the day-to-day activities of center operations: staff, client support and volunteer services, program development, networking and marketing to enhance the mission of the agency, fundraising and fiscal management. Send your resume and letter of interest to: Attn: Ann Rider at: arider@ariderlaw.com. Deadline to apply is December 22.

HELP NEEDED Family looking for a long-term nanny/light housekeeper. Kids ages 3 and 7. Hours would be late morning to early evening a few days a week and occasionally some weekend time. Will consider people of all ages. Interested, please call 204-3183. BULL AND CHICKEN FRY Colwich-St. Marks Knights of Columbus council 9510 is hosting a bull fry/chicken fry on January 13 to help support the pro-life movement and local council causes. Limited tickets are available. Tickets can be bought at Gambino's in Colwich, or by contacting Anthony Weber 316-570-3194.

MARCH FOR LIFE 2018 Topeka - January 22nd 2018, traveling by bus to Topeka, $35.00. Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. - January 16-21 For more information on this and other events coming up, visit: www.catholicdioceseofwichita.org/rlsj

2018 CATHOLIC FAITH CONFERENCE Catholicism Beyond the Pew - Jan. 19-20 at Spiritual Life Center Join us for the 1st Annual Catholic Faith Conference featuring national keynote speaker Jon Leonetti, breakout sessions for all stages of life, an information fair, Adoration, and a “Stump the Padre” panel. We explore all that is beautiful and inspiring about our Catholic Faith. If you’ve ever wanted to connect more deeply with your Faith, THIS is the event for you!

Around the Diocese

Remember to submit your family stewardship

forms this week to the parish office or drop them in the

offertory basket at Mass.

You may also fill it out on our parish website: www.saintcatherinewichita.com

We need frogs...

...and angels!

SUNDAY, DEC. 17TH - 6:30 PM Blessing of the Baby Jesus in the Church, holiday treats reception afterwards and lighting of the Parish Christmas Tree!

MONDAY, DEC. 18TH - 6:30 PM 2nd and 3rd grade students Christmas Pro-gram and Concert in the Church at 6:30pm.

Christmas Events! Come and Enjoy!

High School Youth Group . . . .

. . . enjoying

Reindeer Games

last

Sunday night!

High School

Youth Group Tonight!

Dec. 17th @ 7:30 pm

At the Church!

Tonight, wear your

ugly Christmas

sweater

and bring a $10.00 gift for

our White Elephant Gift Exchange!!

PSR News PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR)

There are NO PSR Classes this week (12-20) or next (12-27) due to Christmas Break. Also NO CLASS on Jan. 3rd for New Year’s Day.

PSR Classes resume on January 10th.

Parents of Preschoolers!! Sunday Children’s Ministry Advent Activities: December 17th! We will make our own Baby Jesus in a Manger - just in time for the Blessing of the Baby Jesus THIS evening, here at St. Catherine!

And we’ll get the PINK candle for our wreaths!

These things help your children prepare for the arrival of our Lord on Christmas morning! Bring your preschooler to the Carpet Room during 9am Mass each Sunday during Advent to learn all about the coming and birth of our Lord!

Questions, contact Elaine Klincik at eklincik@gmail.com.