Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

St. Mary Magdalen Parish First Mass Celebrated on September 7, 1919

Rev. Msgr. John J. Borcic, Pastor Rev. John V. Kerber, Retired

Deacon Joseph J. Iovanna New Parishioners are Welcome!

For information: Call our Parish Rectory 314.352.2111 ext. 4 www.magdalen.org

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

St. Mary Magdalen Parish Church & Rectory: 4924 Bancroft Ave. St. Louis, Missouri 63109

Phone 314.352.2111 Rectory Fax 314.481.7661 Parish Website: www.magdalen.org

Archdiocese of St. Louis Website: www.archstl.org

Staff Pastor: Rev. Msgr. John J. Borcic Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 3 Email: johnborcic@archstl.org

In Residence: Rev. John V. Kerber Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 107

Deacon: Joseph J. Iovanna Phone: 707.1803

Parish Secretary: Fran Voss Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 4 Email: smmadmin@sbcglobal.net

Minister to Senior Parishioners: Marilyn Muegge Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 5 Email: smmseniors@yahoo.com

Maintenance Department: Steve Jackson Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 7

Bookkeeper: Terry Signaigo Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 6 (Tuesday mornings only)

Music Director: Keith Ballentine Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 4 (leave a message)

St. Vincent de Paul Society Phone: 352.2111 Ext. 2

Mass Schedule Weekend Masses: Weekday Mass: Saturday: 4:30pm Monday thru Friday: 8:00am Sunday: 8:00am and 10:30am

Daily Rosary: Mon. thru Fri. before 8:00am Mass

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Every first Friday of the month from 8:30am until 12-noon

Holy Hour: Every 1st Saturday of the month at 9:15am

Sacrament of Baptism: Please contact the Rectory \

Weddings: Couples contemplating Marriage should contact the Pastor as soon as they have made a decision to marry and at least six months prior to their intended date of Marriage so that proper prepa-rations can be made.

Communion to the Sick: We are happy to bring Holy Communion to those who are confined to their homes. Please contact the rectory to make arrange-ments.

Perpetual Help Devotions: Tuesday following 8:00am Mass

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday between 3:30pm and 4:10pm (or by appointment)

Rectory Office Hours 8:30am — 7:30pm Monday through Thursday 8:30am — 4:00pm Friday

Closed Saturday and Sundays,

National Holidays and

Holy Days of Obligation

SCHOOLS SERVING OUR PARISHIONERS For registration and other information please contact

Our Lady of Sorrows School 5831 So. Kingshighway Blvd.

314.353.1451 St. Ambrose School

5130 Wilson Ave. 314.772.1437

St. Raphael the Archangel 6000 Jamieson Ave.

314.352.9474 South City Deanery PSR

4170 Delor Nancy Haselhorst

314.773-3070

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

Weekly Offertory December 11, 2016

Envelopes $ 3,628.00 Loose 416.03 ___________________________________ Total $ 4,044.03

Collection as of 07-01-16 $ 93,279.11

Magdalen Specials Soup Kitchen 250.75 St. Vincent de Paul 90.75 Pro Life 20.75 Tuition Assistance 10.75 ___________________________________ Total $ 373.00 Thank you for your gifts to God and our Parish!

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Advent is a time of preparation and joyful expectation. How good we feel when all is in order at home for the holidays. At this

particular time there still may need to be one or another last thing to accomplish before we can enjoy that relaxing feeling and some inner peace. Once everything is accomplished, however, we tend to sit back and say, “Whew, thank God, I’m ready.”

Can we say the same about our spiritual prepara-tion? We can actually experience a similar peace and calm when we know that our souls are also in order. Then we can really relax in joyful expecta-tion of the coming of Christ at Christmas.

The best way we can ready ourselves for Jesus to come into our lives is to make straight the path for Him to enter. And that means cleansing our souls in a way equivalent to how we make our homes ready for family, friends, and guests. To do the best job we need to take time to reconcile ourselves with God and with others through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance – or Confession.

Even as children growing up in Catholic schools or PSR, we were given a special opportunity to receive that Sacrament during Advent; and again during Lent. It was always available those times and there were teachers and catechists that made it easy by bringing us there. Going to confession during Advent should almost be second nature to most of us, if not all of us. Today, however, we are the ones who need to bring ourselves there.

In order to make confession convenient for most people we are going to offer what I like to call “Rush Hour Confessions.” When we get out into the hustle and bustle of commotion during this sea-son we feel a real sense of triumph when we finally accomplish what we set out to do. So, I’m going to offer confession during rush hour – from 4pm until 6pm on both Monday, December 19th and Wednes-day, December 21st.

Take advantage of this time and make that one last stop in preparation for Christmas. Accomplish what you set out to do – make your spiritual preparation for Jesus’ coming – then you can wait in joyful expectation. And, once you do receive this Sacra-ment, you are not only assured of God’s mercy and

love for you but you can truly say, “Whew, thank God, I’m ready.” And this time you will really mean it!

PS: I can probably get a book read in the two days that I will be sitting in the confessional. I dare you to keep me from doing it!

God bless, Msgr. John Borcic

Saturday, December 24th Christmas Eve

Mass will be at 4:30pm

Sunday, December 25th Christmas Day Mass will be at 9:00am only

¡Feliz Navidad! Las misas de Navidad serán a las 4:30 pm el

sábado ya las 9:00 am del domingo.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

The 39th Annual Christmas Concert of the Young

Catholic Musicians We invite you to attend the 39th Christmas Concert of the Young Catholic Musicians December 28th &

29th at Seven Holy Founders Church at 7:30 p.m. We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Angela Hutti, Me-teorologist for Fox 2 and News 11 who will read the narration on Wednesday evening and Ms. Nancy Werner, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Louis who will read the narration on Thursday, December 29th. Tickets are $10.00 each for reserved seating in the pews in the front half of the church and $5.00 each for General Admission seating anywhere in the second half of the church. The pews will be marked Reserved and General Admission pews. You may also place your name in our program book. This in-dicates your further support of these young peo-ple. Please become a Benefactor ($10), Patron ($25), Angel ($50) or Pillar ($100). Please make checks payable to YCM Concert Tickets, c/o Mary Smith 144 Cottage Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119 or by calling Mary Smith at 314-962-9260. Thank you.

The Rectory Office will be

Closed on

Monday, December 26, 2016 And

Monday, January 2, 2017

From the Bulletin editor...Since the bulletin needs early transmittal for New Years, please have all articles for Sunday, January 1, 2017 submitted by Fran by noon Thursday, December 22, 2016. Thank you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

OR THOSE CONTEMPLATING SENDING CHILDREN TO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Did you know that there are eight scholarship opportunities offered by the Archdiocese of St. Louis for children who attend Catholic elementary school or high school? This is in addition to the assistance that St. Mary Magdalen gives to active parishioners with children in Catholic schools. All of these are available for families who are income-eligible or middle income eligible. Families can apply for more than one of these scholarships but would only be able to receive one of them. Each scholarship has its own particular description and guidelines. I have a form listing all of the scholarships and a summary description of each. If you would like one to review please call Fran in the rectory office and we will make sure you receive a copy. There are deadlines which need to be met in order to qualify. The sooner you are able to apply, and if qualified, the better chance you have to receive financial aid. Finally, the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation Grant application will be available online beginning January 30, 2017.

They shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

-- Matthew 1:23

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

This week in our Parish… 8:00 am Daily Mass Monday through Friday

Monday, December 19, 2016 Quilters 9:00a Qrm

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Church Cleaning 8:30a CH

Saturday, December 24, 2016 Christmas Eve Mass 4:30p CH

Sunday, December 25, 2016 Christmas Mass 9:00a CH

South City Deanery PSR Annual Trivia Night

When: Saturday, January 28, 2017 Doors open at 6pm; Trivia starts at 7pm Where: Immaculate Heart of Mary 4070 Blow Ave. 63116 Cost: $22/person or $160 for a table of 8 (includes beer, soda & snacks) To make reservations call Greg at 314-810-6735 or email gdelassu@gmail.com

A Gift of to Parishioners and Friends!

Available in the back and sides of the church are the 2017 St. Mary Magda-len Parish Calendars. These beautiful

calendars (your choice of 2 to pick from) are a gift to all our parishioners, friends, and visitors to our parish from Jasper, Sebastian and Jackie Giardina in loving memory of their dear father and mother, John and Minnie Giardina, founders of John’s Appliance.

John’s Appliance 5204 Gravois

353-9343

Thank you Jasper, Sebastian and Jackie

for your continuous service and generosity to God and our Parish.

A special thank you to the gentleman on Bus #95, the same bus that parishioner Myrtle Davis takes to get to Mass on Sunday. He

generously gave $10.00 to Myrtle to give to our church as she made her way to Mass last Sunday. Thanks Myrtle for sharing this story with us...it is always so wonderful to see and hear about charity and kindness in the works!

St Matthias New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance Saturday, December 31, 7pm - 1am

Music by The Scott Laytham & Karl "Trickee" Holmes Duo Cost $30 per person BYOB or beer and wine - $2 per drink

Call Sandy (314) 544-2162 after 3 pm or the Parish Office (314) 892-7500 or email smaevents2017@yahoo.com Please purchase tickets by December 17, 2016

Our Lady’s Inn Raffle ST. MARY MAGDALEN will be helping out Our Lady’s Inn this Christmas by selling Raffle Tickets for $10.00 each. All proceeds go to our Lady’s Inn and they make beautiful gifts as stocking stuffers or personal gifts to friends, family or anyone in need. You will also receive a magnet once you pur-chase the ticket. The tickets will be good for every Friday in 2017. They will hold a drawing and you could win $50.00. On the last Friday of every month, you will win $150.00. Your winning ticket that is pulled will go right back in the drawing every Fri-day. It is a great way to say thank you and Merry Christmas to anyone. THE GRAND PRIZE which will be drawn on December 31, 2017 is $500.00.

REMEMBER you are eligible to win multiple times. All winning entries go back into the drum. Please contact Marisol, 481-8408 if you are inter-ested in purchasing one.

Thank you and let’s open our hearts to bring joy to someone else this coming year, as you enter this Raffle.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

CHRISTMAS CHILDREN It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas.

--Charles Dickens

Christmas Church Decorating Today

Today, December 18th is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This is the day we

traditionally decorate the church for Christmas. We could use the help of many people after the 10:30 am Mass. With the help of many we can be finished in less than one hour. If you can give some time, even a short bit of time, we would be most appreciative. For those who can help until the project is completed, you are invited to stay for a chili lunch.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

Please pray for healing and strength for… Andy Barker, Janet Barmeier, Jason Beardslee, Mike Buck, Stanley Coffey, Jr., Fred Commons, Susan DeBarry, George Dent, Mary Elkins, Carrie Epperson, Pat Fahey, William Fortner, Genny Fujar-ski, Kyle Gabris, Marie Gambino, Nancy Gambino, Ellen Gianella, Tony Greco, Dolores Greer, Thelma Guittar, Charlie Haines, Jimmy Harvatin, Pete Har-vatin, Cynthia Henderson, Ed Howard, Margaret Jackson, Janette Jewel, Geraldine Karlsen, Marie Kellner, Michael Krawczyk, Patricia Kennedy, Katie Maninger, Eric Mather, Mary Mather, Irene Mazzola, Jackie McGilligan, Julianne McMiller, Richard Merli, Bob Meyer, Lou Ann Michaels, Sue Micciche, Ray Miles, Julie Moser, Liam Niemira, Kris Onanian, Joe Purk, Baby Leona Rathbum, Mike Savens, Marge Scheu, Curt Schuchardt, Lucille Seper, Steve Snelling, Becca Niemira Steinmetz, Dodie Stollhans, Jean Sullivan, Jane Turk, Russ Tweedy, Margaret Yates Wheeless, Agnes Wiltgen, Lois Zitzmann … and for all our homebound and nursing home parishioners and for their family and friends who take care of them.

Mass Intentions Monday, December 19, 2016 8:00 A.M. Jim Abkemeier—Special Intention 8:00 A.M. Purgatorial Society

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 8:00 A.M. James & Lucille Sanders 8:00 A.M. Terri Weber

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:00 A.M. Vincenza & Giovanni Drago 8:00 A.M. Loretta Abkemeier

Thursday, December 22, 2016 8:00 A.M. Oesterlei Family 8:00 A.M. Purgatorial Society

Friday, December 23, 2016 8:00 A.M. Mary Muelberg 8:00 A.M. Elizabeth Hawkins Saturday, December 24, 2016 Christmas Eve 4:30 P.M. Frances French Sunday, December 25, 2016 Christmas 9:00 A.M. Rosalie Logaglio

Eucharistic Ministers

Saturday, December 24, 2016 4:30 PM Christmas Eve Bob & Miriam Marek, Mark Laury, Mary Beth O’Donoghue, Margaret O’Donoghue

Sunday, December 25, 2016 9:00 AM Christmas Dolores Guittar, Joan Jewell, Nancy Sewester Sr. Mary Carol Anth, Sr. Rita Schmitz

Servers

Saturday, December 24, 2016 4:30 PM Christmas Eve Vincent, Zelle Ada Laury

Sunday, December 25, 2016 9:00 AM Christmas Harry Signaigo

Lector

Saturday, December 24, 2016 4:30 PM Christmas Eve Fran Voss Sunday, December 25, 2016 9:00 AM Christmas Dolores Guittar

The Vocation Chalice Schedule Week of December 18 Mary Ann Halbrook Week of December 25 Jim Abkemeier Week of January 1, 2017 Rita Harvatin

Week of January 8, 2017 Pat Reinarman

We are most grateful for those who have signed up to receive the Vocation Chalice in their homes. If you too would like to receive the chalice for a week please call Fran (352-2111 ext. 4) at the rectory.

Stewardship Reflection “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Matthew 1:24

Putting our complete trust in the Lord without expect-ing anything in return. Striving to put God first in all things and follow Him wherever He may lead us. As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, pray for the strength and courage to be a model of discipleship, just as Joseph was.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

Bulletin Number: 59200 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Mary Magdalen Church 4924 Bancroft Avenue St. Louis, MO 63109 TELEPHONE: (314 )352-2111 Ext. 4 CONTACT PERSON: Fran Voss EMAIL: smmadmin@sbcglobal.net SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat X Windows 7 PRINTER HP Color Laser Jet CP2025 TRANSMISSION TIME Thursday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 18, 2016 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS