Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
DECEMBER 30, 2018 • THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
902 East Ninth Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Saints
Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
Established 1872
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos-tolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County.
Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor [email protected]
Rev. Fr. Michael Charles Abiero, Parochial Vicar [email protected]
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Schlueter [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet [email protected] PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522 PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM-12 Noon • 1pm-5 PM Monday – Friday
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172 SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924 SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org
Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio)
Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027
Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-962-7008
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish
community are asked to let us know.
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening .................................... 5:00 PM Sunday ................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español ............... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday ................................ 8:00 AM Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM Thursday MISA EN ESPAÑOL ..................... 5:30 PM
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by anyone acting in the name of the Catholic Church, (priests, deacon, employee or volunteer), please call the Diocesan Pastoral Assistance Coordina-
tor, using the dedicated confidential phone-line (270-852-8380) as well as the Diocesan web site (www.owensborodiocese.org/safe).
† SACRAMENTS † † Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (English and Spanish), Wednesday at 4:30 PM. (ENGLISH and SPANISH) Confessions will be heard any time by appointment.
† Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class is usually held the first Sun-day of each month. Our next class will be Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office to register.
† Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date.
2
Parish Pastoral Council
Vicky Barnes, Education……..……...………[email protected] Dee Dailey, Worship …………..…....……[email protected] Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate ….………[email protected] Gary Harden, Chair, Administration…………[email protected] Mike Hughson, Family Life…………………[email protected] Hilda Linares, Social Concerns…………… [email protected] Fran Marko, Secretary ………………………[email protected] Morgan Murray,Vice-Chair, Spiritual Life [email protected] Katie Wyatt, Principal …………………[email protected]
PARISH STAFF Tom Buehrle ([email protected])...............Director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin ([email protected])…. Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs ([email protected])............Pastoral Associate Jennifer Groves ([email protected])…… School Secretary
Leigh Ann Johnson …………………Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard ([email protected])...Maintenance Foreman Donna Pfeufer ([email protected])……...Thrift Store Gen. Mgr. Angie Phillips ([email protected])……...Thrift Store Mgr. Mayra Tirado ([email protected])...Hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer ([email protected])............Parish Secretary Dan Wilkinson([email protected])...Parish Music Director Katie Wyatt ([email protected])...................School Principal
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish
Office, 270-885-8522.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in tak-ing hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament dur-ing the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please con-tact Bill & Jenny Rush at 270-885-2888, if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner. Available hours: Sunday 12 am (midnight) & 5 pm, Mon-day 2am, Wednesday 2 pm, Thursday 3 pm, Saturday 3 am, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm- Need prayer partners Friday 9am, Saturday 8am, 9 am, 8 pm & 9 pm. Please help!!
DECEMBER 30, 2018 • THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH 3
Feast of the Holy Family: The “Feast of the Holy Family”, is about celebrating the ultimate family of Jesus, Mother Mary, and his earthly father, Joseph. Little is known of their day-to-day life, but devotion to the Holy Family naturally
grows from our love for Jesus and his family. This Feast is not only about the Holy Family, but about our own families, as well. The Ho-ly Family serves as the model for all Christian families and for do-mestic life in general. St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to live the life of the Church within their own home as a “family church”, and in doing so, we sanc-tify the family unit. How do we live out the Church at home? By making Christ the center of family and individual life: read scripture, attend Mass, go to confession, pray daily, etc., all together as a
family unit. The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us to pray for our human and spiritual families, and to evaluate our own family life. What ways may it be improved and how we promote the family within our own culture, neighbor-hood, and community.
Today as we celebrate the Feast of the Human Family, may each of us take the time to pray the following prayer together as a family. This prayer was provided to us by our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS Prayer to the Holy Family
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer.
Reminder This weekend, December 29/30
we have our Spiritual Adoption Baby Shower. All proceeds will benefit
Alpha Alternative Pregnancy Care Center and all the good work they do
here in Hopkinsville, Christian County. Baby gifts can be dropped off at the table
in the narthex.
Thank You for your support.
Mary, Holy Mother of God: January 1 is the most ancient feast of Mary in the Roman calendar. It honors Mary as Theotokos or “Mother of God,” the title accorded her at the Council of Ephesus in 431. In the early days, the Masses of this day offered a Christian alternative to the Roman cele-bration of the God Janus (where the word January comes from). Janus has two faces, one looking forward, the other
back, and was celebrated with “boisterous joy, superstitious practices and gross orgies” on the first day of the year. For Church, January 1 ac-quired a penitential character as a re-action against the excesses of the pa-gans. As other Marian feasts entered the calendar, January 1 acquired a different focus. The eighth day after birth was the traditional day for the circumcision and naming of a child, and
so this became the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, and naming of Jesus. It was only in 1969 that the Marian character or this ancient feast was restored. This solemnity also marks the octave day of Christmas; the World Day of Prayer for Peace; and, in the West, it is also New Year’s Day. The liturgy makes no reference to this fact, and alt-hough the Roman Missal includes prayers for the beginning of the civil year, there is also a rubric indicating that they may not be used on January 1.
Monday, December 31, 2018 - 6:00 p.m. Mass Altar Servers: Rebecca Lee and Susanna Sargeant Cross Bearer: Ellie Groves Commentator: Mary Moehlman Lectors: Imelda Gorman/Mary Lee Eucharistic Don McCowan, Sue Wassmer, Ministers: Sherry Viall and Pam Carlton Choir Loft: Julie Tiell and JoAshley Hall Ushers: Todd Hall, Pat Puckett, Gene Doyon
and Ken Tiell
Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - 8:00 a.m. Altar Servers: Eve Blankenberger and Colleen Allen Cross Bearer: Lucy Wilkins Commentator: Stephanie Blankenberger Lectors: Jim Creighton and Jerry Brockman Eucharistic Tony Esposito, Deana Holdman, Ministers: Terri Means and Maria Creighton
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 4
Choir Loft: Frank Raber and Bob Stites Ushers: Rocky Spader, Bill Rush, Bill Folz,
and Alvin Schmitt
Tuesday, January 1, 2019 – 12:05 p.m. Altar Servers: Ryan and Nic Luckey Cross Bearer: Aidan King Commentator: Vicki Luckey Lectors: Levi Peterson, Rochelle Dickerson Eucharistic Kelly King, Rossella Cincotti, Ministers: Charles Fiscella and Jane Irwin Choir Loft: Sarah Covington and Marlee Thomas Ushers: Jerry Adams, Kelly King, Andrew King
and Franco Cincotti
Thank You Card: We received a thank you card and we want to share it with you. Dear People of Saints Peter and Paul:
We surely appreciate you, the won-derful People of Saints Peter and Paul. We thank you for all the wonderful items your parish sent to us here at St. Michael’s parish. Everything was a blessing and much of it has already helped many people. You are all re-membered daily in our prayers and Masses.
Sincerely, Sister Nancy Edwards and Fr. Hopp
Used Postage Stamps: Remember to save your used stamps from your Christmas cards for Sister Miriam, better known as the “Stamp Sister” at the Sisters of Charity Moth-erhouse at Nazareth. For those new to our parish, we col-lect the used stamps from mail we receive at home (when you cut them off your enve-lope, make sure not to cut to close) and send them to Sister Miriam. If you want to also help by saving and sending her your used stamps, you can just put them in an envelope and place them in the collection basket or bring to the office. Then we send them to Sister Miriam with the Sisters of Charity. These in turn are used for their missions in Belize.
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity by Matthew Kelly: We have a few books left. Did you get your copy last weekend? Stop by and get this latest book by Matthew. We give thanks to the donors who made this book possi-ble.
Attention All Adorers
Perpetual Eucharistic Adorers Holy Hour and Potluck Dinner
Sunday, January 6th Beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Church Following by dinner in Meredith Hall
We will celebrate our 17th Anniversary Our former Associate Pastor, Fr. Chrispin Oneko will be
with us to celebrate.
Holiday Office Hours: The Parish Offices will be closed for the holidays from 12:00 – Noon on Friday, December 21st through Wednesday, January 2th. In case of an emergency, please call the parish office (270-885-8522) and follow the emergency prompts.
The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide is a proven pro-gram of hope and healing for Catholics who are separat-ed or divorced. Whether they experienced divorce weeks ago or 10 years ago, they often feel rejection and shame. Many also fear being judged by their communities, stop attending mass or leave the faith altogether. This program
offers answers and guidance to the many issues surrounding divorce, annul-ments, remarriage, parenting and more. In addition this program features the powerful and inspiring real-life stories of civilly divorced Catholic men and women who did find help in the Church. This program is not a substitute
for necessary professional, legal, or therapeutic needs, but it does offer the truth about love, marriage, divorce, and recovery from a faithfully Catholic perspective. Once again we hope to be offering this 12-week parish pro-gram with a parish leader. If you are interested in being a part of this group, please call the parish office for more information.
Bible Quiz for All Ages 1. Who is the only saint, besides Jesus and Mary, whose
birthday we celebrate on the liturgical calendar? 2. The book of Proverbs advises its readers to seek what
thing of value? 3. Whose fidelity of the Lord did Satan test by a series
of trials? (see answers below)
Bible Quiz Answers (see reverse side for questions) 1) John the Baptist; 2) Wisdom; 3) Job.
Financial Peace University course is a 9 week course be-ginning Sunday, January 13, 2019, ending on March 17, 2019 from 5:00-6:30p.m., at Saints. Peter and Paul, free babysitting provided. Registration is $90.00 per family with a lifetime membership. Unsure about the course, come the first two weeks at no cost! For more infor-mation and to register contact Brenda Chaudoin in the Par-ish offices. [email protected] or 270-885-8522. Remember, St. Pius X is offering those who attend every session a refund of $45- half of the cost back!
Adults - Save the Date
Saturday, January 19th – 6:00 p.m.
Get your team lined up. We are planning our next TRIVA NIGHT
You do not want to miss the Fun!
DECEMBER 30, 2018 • THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH • DECEMBER 31-JANUARY 6
Readings for the week of December 30, 2018 Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10/ 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52 Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Ps 96: 1-2, 11-12, 13/Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8/Gal 4:4-7/ Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Jn 1:19-28 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6/Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6/Jn 1:29-34
Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9/Jn 1:35-42 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5/Jn 1:43-51 Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13/ Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
5
Mon: Parish Offices Closed through January 3rd Tue: Zaxby’s Night-5-7 pm Wed: MS/HS Youth Group-5:30 pm Choirs: Spanish 5:30 pm, English 6:30 pm Thu: Sts. Peter & Paul Women’s Group-6:30 pm, OA RCIA-7pm, MH Sun: PSR-9am Parish Holy Hour-4 pm
Monday, December 31
8:00 AM CHRIS & MELISSA SPURR
6:00 PM VIGIL ENGLISH FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
Tuesday, January 1 Holy Mother of God
8:00 AM ENGLISH † DELORES LOPEZ
12:05 PM ENGLISH † GENE BAUMGART
6:00 PM SPANISH † POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY
Wednesday, January 2 Sts. Basil & Gregory Nazianzen
8:00 AM † BOB BROWN
5:30 PM † GEORGE & VICTORIA SPURR
Thursday, January 3 The Most Holy Name of Jesus
8:00 AM DEBBIE GARNETT & † FRED GARNETT
5:30 PM SPANISH FR. RICHARD MEREDITH
Friday, January 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
8:00 AM IN THANKSGIVING
Saturday, January 5 ST. JOHN NEUMANN
8:00 AM † MARY ONEKO
5:00 PM † LARRY PUCKETT
Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany of The Lord
8:00 AM † DIANE SMITH
10:30 AM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
2:00 PM Spanish † DAVID TRACESKI
10:30 PM Spanish † NICK COLLEY
† Indicates Requiem Mass
SANCTUARY LAMP
IN MEMORY OF MARY ONEKO
ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES
NO INTENTION
©Liturgical Publications Inc.
Note from the Knights of Columbus: Note to share. Dear Parishioners, I would like to give everyone in our par-ish an end of the year update on some of the Knights of Columbus activities. Thanks to the generosity of our par-ish, we distributed food boxes to forty-five families for Thanksgiving and another twenty-six families for Christmas.
The “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest was also successful. The winning posters will be displayed in the Narthex and then go on to the District contest. (In last year’s contest, our three winners also won the District com-petition. Two of those students, Paulina Jimenez and Tahlon Goodin also won the State competition and went on to the National Competition.)
In January, we will have our basketball free-throw contest which is open to the entire Parish. We are also hav-ing an essay contest open to all students in grades six through eight. Watch the bulletin for more details.
Our “Lenten Meal” was a great success. We served fried catfish and sides that you are used to, but we added baked cod as a healthy alternative. We also add-ed macaroni and cheese and a garden salad. We will be expanding the menu again this year. Watch the bulletin starting in January for the new menu.
Our Italian Dinner was a great success, we were able to donate $3,000 to the school to help defray some expenses. WE couldn’t have done this without the great volunteers we had.
This year our Council grew with several new mem-bers: Alex Allard, Sean Harbinson, Brendan Jones, John Juneau, Ken Buckner, Jeff Goulet, and Terry “Doc” Smith. and Richard Webster. Also this year, four of our Knights went on to become Fourth Degree Knights. They are: Ken Buckner, Sean Harbinson, Brendan Jones and John Juneau. Ken and Brendan also achieved the Knight in Shining Armor Award. To do this you must attend three meetings, work at three events, meet with the Insurance Agent, and recruit
one new member all within the first year. In January, we will be installing Dan Wilkinson and Richard Webster. If you would like to join the Knights, and are a Catholic male age eighteen or older and in good standing with the Church, please contact any officer listed below for more information.
I would also like to thank several people that make what we do easier: Father Richard, Libby Downs, Katie Wyatt, Steve Kinnard, and the entire Folz family. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
On behalf of all the Officers from the Knights of Columbus, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Joe Mezzoni Grand Knight, Tom O’Hagan Deputy Grand Knight, Tony Esposito Chancellor, Bob Marko Treasurer, Richard Narkevic Financial Secretary, Jim Creighton Record-er, Ken Buckner Warden, John Juneau Youth Director, and Bill Rush, Chris Thomas, Tom Buehrle, Tim Barnes, Frank Raber, Bill Chaudoin, John Soldo and Sean Harbinson.
A Note from Bishop Medley: Our Diocese is hosting a Catholics @ the Capitol that will be held on Saturday, January 12th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Immaculate Parish Hall in Owensboro. This is a unique opportunity only offered every two years around the state to learn about critical issues that are likely to be considered in the next legislative session in Kentucky. Come join Me.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 6
In Need of Prayers… Bradford Heights –Melnora Altshuler, Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent–Pat Chesnut, Friendship House- Christine Mills Western State Nursing Facility- Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Alice Chuhralya, Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki - Others.. Betty Aberle, Jensen Chris-tian Adamek, Vonnie Adams, Clarence & Helen Allard, Wendy Anderson, Jackie Arnold, Makenna Arnold, Fred Anderson, Matt Baker, Diane Bailey, Jean Baker, Sabrina Petty Baker, Norma Boyd, Madison Boren, Ruth Britt, Joan Brockman, Judy Brummett, Pam Carrico, Sam Chesnut, George Coleman, Lynda Combs, Belin-da Cunningham, Ken & Peggy Cunningham, Hugh Davenport, Franki Durbin, Glenn Finch, Terry Flanders, Bill Folz, Connie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Ron & Janice Godot, John Goulet, Richard Graham, Teresa Hite, Heather Jeffries, Carol Johnson, , Jim Gor-man, Mike Grabner, Beth Hancock, William Hancock, Chester Jack-son, Tony Jones, Doug Kahre, Charlie Keel, ‘Buzz’ Langhi, Christo-pher Lytle, Larry & Kathy Lytle, James McGillivray, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Diane Mumme, Mason Nickles, Cecelia Omundson, Theresa Payne, Teresa Pazin, Jason Pool, Emily Thomas Pyle, Zoe Raber, Martha Reed, Edwin Roeder, Frank Selph, Ruby Sholar, Kristian Shouse, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Svestka, Ken & Mary Swicicki, Judy Sowell, Jerry & Bernie Thomas, Carolyn Thorpe, Wilma Villinger, Linda West, Charles Whitmer, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack.
Please Pray for our Deployed Military & Families
Trey Johnston, Jake Means, John O’Conner, and Dom Pifko
LAY MINISTERS JANUARY 5/6 • THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers ......................... Karenna and Carly Chaudoin Cross Bearer ....................................................... Mia Litchfield Commentator .................................................. Imelda Gorman Lectors ............................... Patricia Winters, Mike Stocker Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: .............. Dana Nethery, ............................ Vicky Barnes, Mary Ann Keel, Jane Irwin Choir Loft ........................Tony Esposito, Mary Moehlman Ushers ........................................ Bill Chaudoin, Joe Chaudoin ................................................. Joe Mezzoni, Laura Waldron Vocational Cross .................................................... Pat Johnson
Sunday, 8:00 am Altar Servers ............................... Colleen Allen, Kylee Spurr Cross Bearer ................................................................................ Commentator ....................................................... Diana France Lectors ................................... Chuck Puckett, Ann Williams Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................... Lana Bastin, ................... Libbie Rutland, Joyce Wiedmer, Libby Downs Choir Loft .......................... Bob Stites, Debbie Harden Ushers ....................................... Chuck Spurr, Anthony France ................................ Gary Harden, Rocky Spader Vocational Cross ............................................ Joyce Wiedmer
Sunday, 10:30 am
Altar Servers ............................. Vy Nguyen, Thieng Nguyen Cross Bearer ..................................................... Martin Nguyen Commentator ........................................ Michelle Sandheinrich Lectors: ................................ Levi Peterson/Morgan Murray Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ........ Michael Anderson, ................ Connie Schlueter, Don McCowan, Sue Wassmer Choir Loft ................ Damian Sandheinrich, Kelly King Ushers ............................................... Kelly King, Andrew King ......................................... John Soldo, Bill Harkins Vocational Cross ............................................ Morgan Murray
Domingo 2:00 pm Comentarista: ........................................................... Lupita Rosas 1-2 Lectura: ........................... Emanuel Ixcol, Evelia Ocampo Ministro E: ............................... Juanita Montejo, Ana Ethridge Hospitalidad: .................................. Chano Vieyra, Erick Gines Monaguillos: ..................... Jackie Ginés, Alondra Hernández
RCIA – Rite of Cristian Initiation of Adults Is God calling you to become Catholic? The RCIA process offers an opportunity for you to learn and ask questions about the Catholic faith. We are on Christmas Break. Our next RCIA session will be this Thursday, January 3rd. May you be awaken to God’s presence in your life during this Christmas season.
Religious Education Classes 2018-2019
PSR – Pre-School thru 5th Grade: PSR Classes are on Christmas Break. Classes resume next Sunday, January 6th with classes beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the school build-ing and concluding at 10:15 a.m.
Youth Ministry Our Middle School and High School Youth are on Christmas Break. May this be a time of peace and joy for each of you. Our youth will return to class THIS Wednesday, January 2nd with our regular schedule be-ginning with Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Catholic Men’s Conference: The Catholic Men’s Conference of Western Kentucky will host their 8th annual conference and will be held this year at the RiverPark Center in downtown Owensboro on Satur-day, February 2, 2019. Conference organizers expect a sell-out this year. The speakers this year include Dr. Ed-ward Sri, Kevin Reilly and Mike Michalak. Men across the diocese and beyond are encouraged to purchase a ticket by visiting www.kycatholic.com and clicking on the “Tickets/Donations” tab. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for students. Brochures are available in the sacristy or parish office. All registration forms must be returned no later than Monday, January 21st.
Mark Your Calendar Tuesday, January 8th 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Monte Carlo Planning Meeting at “The Silo”
located at 110 John Rives Road
DECEMBER 30, 2018 • THE HOLY FAMILY JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH 7
THE PASTOR’S GREETING SOLEMNITY OF MARY – MOTHER OF GOD, 2018
Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself (cf. Luke 17:33). [LG, 24]
That God created the human, male and female, with personal and sexual complementarity is a design for them to find fulfillment and personal freedom through a mu-tual gift of themselves given and received, especially in their spousal–“one flesh”–marital union. To this relationship and to it alone God entrusted the original vocation of parenthood, that in the marriage of man and woman new human life could be conceived in love, brought to birth, and reared to maturity. Fatherhood and Motherhood are given to the espousal or marriage of man and woman as husband and wife. So, as designed by God, the vocation of parenthood derives from the vocation of marriage. The mutual and reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife, es-pecially in their exclusive and faithful sexual union, enacts their wedding vows, consummates the vows, and creates and sustains a powerful bond, uniting the spouses as one. This bond was intended to be unbreakable and strong enough to serve as the foundation of their home and of their parent-ing. The security of that bond was to be the security of the home and the firm foundation on which their children could rely as they grow. Within these family relationships new human beings would grow to know God, to know themselves as persons, to know what marriage is meant to be, and would know how to become personal gifts of self in love and in friendship. It is a very good plan, a beautiful design. In fact, every sense of human beauty is rooted here. Sadly, howev-er, even though the main structures of God’s design still hold, the plan is severely damaged among us through the fall of the human race and through a history of personal sins. This beauty expected to be whole but found to be marred or corrupted or attacked is the source of profound sadness, grief, cynicism, and loss. Our aesthetic sense of the “ugly” seems to emerge from this wound to our humanity. Just as we are wounded individually and as societies by sin, so also marriage and sexual complementarity are deeply wound-ed. For the plan of God to succeed, we need redemption as individuals, as marriages, and as families. The most unusual marriage in all of history, that of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth, from the little we know of it has much to teach us and it offers great hope. God called both Joseph and Mary within their betrothal as husband and wife. There, Mary was called and given the gift to be the mother of God’s eternal Word and Son. Prepared by grace, “full of grace,” she freely assented to this unique call communicated to her by the Angel Gabriel. She did not know how her Son’s role would play out, nor did she know
how her own role would unfold in his regard. She simply trusted in faith and committed her total love. As wife to Joseph she would be the Mother of God. Joseph, when he heard of Mary’s pregnancy, chose to be both faithful to God and compassionate to her by way of a quiet divorce, a termination of the betrothal. He knew that her child could not be sired by him for they had not yet joined as husband and wife. Informed in a dream by way of God’s Angel, his response to God echoed Mary’s own. Instead of fearing he consented to God’s call and claimed both Mary and her Son as his own in their marriage. Their married family love is truly exceptional in its beauty and in its purity, so pristine and so rare is it as to prompt some jaded hearts, feeling ugly because suffering from our wounds and tempted by hopelessness, to sneer at so sharp a contrast. Even given the New Testament’s acknowledgment of their extended family in Nazareth, constant tradition held that Mary and Joseph’s marriage was celibate, Mary remaining a Virgin mother. The early Church speculated (or remembered) that Joseph was a widower and had children who were Jesus’ half-siblings or that they were his cousins. The Blessed Mother and Joseph as mutual helpmates part-nered in their marriage in raising the Son of God. Their affection and uniquely celibate and spousal love as hus-band and wife formed the home in which Christ grew up. They were personal gifts given and received in a way the Church recognizes and respects with a sacred silence. Mary remained a virgin throughout their marriage, Joseph and Mary respecting the holiness of their intimacy with God, parents to God’s own Son. The wife as mother carries their child in herself. The tissues of mother and child subtly intermingle. Forever after, the mother carries some of her child’s DNA and the child carries real traces of the mother’s. Recent genetic science has brought this great mystery to light. She nurtures and cares for the baby she carries from her own substance, from which basis the mother-child relationship grows toward the child’s maturity. The father watches over, shelters, and provides for his wife, mother and child. He provides and protects by various labors and helps with his wife to instruct the child toward maturity. All this care is to reflect their being made in the image and likeness of God and as fami-ly to be the living icon of the Triune God to the human race. In our fallenness and inversion on ourselves we struggle to love as gifts or to be open to the sincere gift of others. The Gospel of the Incarnation of God’s eternal Son and the redemption he brings insists that God’s grace and mercy for us is greater than our sinfulness. We now may humbly hope to be made new. Marriage is a vocation of the Gift and family the arena of its exchange. It is the port of entry in which God has invaded the world to conquer sin and death, the first step on his journey to the Cross and Resurrection. Jesus Christ invites us to join him, to walk this path with him, to receive his gift and to become that gift in him. He claims us as his “next of kin,” as immediate family to God. Fr. Richard
