Author: Rosemary

Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 18, 2011
Rosemary's Blessing

Gracious God, slow my pace and soften my heart this Christmas.

Keep me from rushing through the season, but missing the Way . . .

from decorating the tree, but missing the Light . . .

from wrapping the gifts, but missing the Gift.

www.PrayersAtWork.com

Special Thanks:
- For Reading: Mike & Geri Moran
- For Serving: Kevin
- For the Communion Bread: Nina Waldron
- For the Wine Cups: Jan & Sir Charlie
- For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Jon
- For the Pictures & Video: Jan & Beth & Rick & John
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
- For the coffee & specials: Jan & Sir Charlie, Joan & Jackie
- For all of you who contributed to the food drive & the toy drive & the blanket drive & now the shoe drive
- For Cindy & Ken Cramer who coordinated the food drive and Beth & Rob Robinson who coordinated the toy drive and George Price who did the blankets and Rosemary who is handling the shoes
Birthdays:   Ben Porter, Dawn Schultz, Jeremy & Ashley (24), Julia Grenier

Please Remember:

Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer; Mike Moran's parents, especially his dad with ALS;     Barb Wittek's mom who died recently, plus Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer; Jackie Urbanczyk's sister, Carol, with a back operation; Mike and Dee's daughter, Lisa; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;   Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Ryan McClurg & Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Picture 1:    Mike reading Samuel

Picture 2:    Geri reading Romans

Picture 3:    Cole & Sienna show up for the final blessing with Rosemary & Beth

Picture 4:    Shoe drive for Austin Street Shelter

       Video:    Mass Begins (3 min.)

  1620

Your Finances: December 18, 2011,

Expenses:   $2070.00

Outreach:   $1620.00

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.
Read More Announcements
Reminders

Reminder for Sunday 12-18-11, 4th Advent
ByRosemary December 15, 2011

Mass: Coffee & juice & specials on the house

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with Stack. Welcome.

Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano.

Readings: 2 Samuel 7, 1-5, 8-16, The Lord said to King David, 'Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever;' Psalm 89, Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord; Romans 16, 25-27, To him who can strengthen you be glory; Luke 1, 26-38, The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin.

                                                                                                                                                                                           Picture Picture 1:    Erin & Sienna arrive to light candles

Picture 2:    Emma & Sienna

Picture 3:    A blanket parade for The Bridge homeless shelter

Picture 4:    Greorge Price coordinating the delivery

Picture 5:    Brunch Time

Picture 6:    The Gang, Jerry, Jo, & Tony


Community Bulletin Board:

A. Schedule of upcoming events:  In an attempt to make our Advent special this year, we have invited the community to focus on one gift to the less fortunate each of the 4 Sundays.  Thanks for the great response.

      December 4, The 2nd of Advent.   The gift: Toys.  Thanks to Beth & Rob Robinson for coordinating.

    December 11, The 3rd of Advent. The gift: Blankets for The Bridge homeless shelter. Thanks to George Price for taking a huge load of blankets.

    1. This Sunday, December 18, 4th Advent.  The gift:  Men's shoes to The Austin Street Shelter.

Also this Sunday, Mike Carrell will share his ideas on the homily and we will have a community reconciliation service.  We will explain this Sunday.

December 10, last Saturday, thanks to the large number of our people who helped with the Love for Kids Christmas Party in Flower Mound for handicapped kids.   It was a beautiful & touching event.

Bill Hammond sent this note:

I talked to the President of Love for Kids, Todd Van Galen, and he shared with me the following information:

Number of Kids =                                      2800 to 3000

Number of Volunteers =                           850 (35 from Vines)

Number of Buses=                                     60 plus 12 Va

Number of Coats given out =                   850 (by the CPA Society)

Number of Hot Dogs consumed=          4500

Number of Kids Lost=                               NON

They are always looking for Leaders that can take a role before, during and after the event and if anyone is interested call Todd Van Galen at 214-557-2721.

There should be another picnic in the spring. I'll let everyone know.

   2. Christmas Eve, 4:00, December 24, Saturday. Christmas Pageant, plus 2 special visitors will be present.

Picture 7:    Some of the 60 buses

Picture 8:    The Gleasons, Jerry, Joan, & T.J.

Picture 9:    Mary Ellen preparing lunch

Picture 10:   Jan preparing lunch

Picture 11:    Maureen writing on The Wall

Picture 12:    Judy

Picture 13:    Mike Carrell

What's going on in our Catholic World:

     1.  Future of American Catholicism, America, December 12, Download AMERICA 12-16-11



Picture 14:    Mike Miller

Picture 15:    John & Jean

Picture 16:    Linda & Rick Cardenas

True?

Get money — but stop once in a while to figure what it is costing you to get it. No man gets it without giving something in return. The wise man gives his labor and ability. The fool gives his life.

Bruce Barton (1886 – 1967), American author, advertising executive, and politician

Video: Final Blessing & Hymn

  See you Sunday,  December 18, 2011

J.S. (214-783-0443)



JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live

Read More Reminder for Sunday 12-18-11, 4th Advent
Homilies

Sunday Homily 12-11-11, 3rd Advent
ByRosemary December 11, 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 61, 1-2, 10-11, He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted; Psalm, The Magnificat, My soul rejoices in my God; 1 Thessalonians 5, 16-24, Rejoice always; John 1, 6-8, 19-28, John the Baptist, I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the lord. (John the Baptist was using the words from Isaiah 40, 3, last week's Isaiah reading put to music by Handel in his Messiah, which we heard) Beautiful readings.

Isaiah, a reminder.

This is Isaiah III speaking to the Jewish people after their return from the Babylonian Captivity, around 550 before Christ. A beautiful reading full of consolation.

To catch today's homily, please click on the video (17 min.). Jamie Rose describes her work with CASA:

Picture 1:    Candle Lighting with Sienna & Brian & Erin

Picture 2:    Jamie talking about CASA

Picture 3:    Noah

Picture 4:    Offertory with Kathy & Bill

Picture 5:    Leo walking up the ramp

Picture 6:    He makes it, first time ever

Read More Sunday Homily 12-11-11, 3rd Advent
Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 11, 2011
Rosemary's Blessing

Dear Lord, please give me

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;

A work to do which has real value,

without which the world would be the poorer;

A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not

blazed;

A sense of humor;

Time for quiet, silent meditation;

The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
Amen.

Anonymous

Special Thanks:
- For Reading: Taylor & Zack
- For Serving: Kevin
- For the Communion Bread: Nina Waldron
- For the Wine Cups: Jan & Sir Charlie
- For the Music: Ray & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Jan & Rick & Mike & Richard
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
- For the coffee & specials: Jan & Sir Charlie, & All
- For all of you who contributed to the food drive & the toy drive & the blanket drive
- For Cindy & Ken Cramer who coordinated the food drive and Beth & Rob Robinson who coordinated the toy drive and George Price who is doing the blankets
- For the Terrific Brunch
Birthdays:   Loretta Garcia Williams, Chebino, T.C. Fleming, Linda Cardenas, and Lorynne Ackerman (15)

Please Remember:

Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer; Mike Moran's parents, especially his dad with ALS;     Barb Wittek's mom who died recently, plus Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer; Jackie Urbanczyk's sister, Carol, with a back operation; Mike Miller's recuperation from his eye operation, Mike and Dee's daughter, Lisa; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation; Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93;   Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Ryan McClurg & Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Picture 1:    Taylor reading Isaiah

Picture 2:    Zach reading 1 Thessalonians

Picture 3:    Torri with granddad Gil

Picture 4:    Brunch Time

Picture 5:    Blanket Drive for The Bridge homeless shelter

       Video:    Mass Candle Lighting (3 min.)



Your Finances: December 11, 2011,

Expenses:   $840.00

Outreach:   $430.00

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.
Read More Announcements
Reminders

Reminder for Sunday 12-11-11, 3rd Advent
ByRosemary December 8, 2011

Mass: Coffee & juice & December Brunch of Thanks.

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with Stack. Welcome.

Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano.

Readings:  Isaiah 61, 1-2, 10-11, He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted; Psalm, The Magnificat, My soul rejoices in my God; 1 Thessalonians 5, 16-24, Rejoice always; John 1, 6-8, 19-28, John the Baptist, I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the lord. (from Isaiah 40, 3, last week's Isaiah reading put to music by Handel in his Messiah, which we heard) Beautiful readings.

                                                                                                                                                                                           Picture Picture 1:    Our Father

Picture 2:    Toy Drive results

Picture 3:    Froebes, Monica, Alexandra, & Dean Woodward

Picture 4:    Ashley

Picture 5:    Brooklyn

Picture 6:    Sienna


Community Bulletin Board:

A. Schedule of upcoming events:  In an attempt to make our Advent special this year, we invite the community to focus on one gift to the less fortunate each of the 4 Sundays. We will include a special reconciliation rite the 4th Sunday, Dec. 18. See the flier: Download Advent 2011

     Last Sunday, December 4, The 2nd of Advent.   The gift: Toys.  Thanks to Beth & Rob Robinson for coordinating. Beth says they need volunteers to sort & hand out toys:

If anyone is interested, the store could use some extra hands to man "store," where the parents/caretakers come in to find toys for their children. Here are the hours that were suggested by the coordinator, Vicky Stilly:

On the 14^th  - we could use 2-8 volunteers from noon to 2p and/or 4p to 6:30p

On the 15^{th   -}we can use help from noon to 4p and/or 4p to 6p.

Questions: Vickie Stilly: 214-675-3318 cell



Plus she added: The CCCAC was overjoyed with the generous contributions from the John Stack Ministries.





    1. This Sunday, December 11, 3rd Advent.  The gift: Blankets to The Bridge Homeless Shelter.

Also, Thanks Brunch in gratitude to our Board and particularly to Ron Kovatis, Penny Morrow, & Cathy Goode, who are retiring.

Special guest homilist, Jamie Rose.

December 10, this Saturday, Love for Kids Christmas Party in Flower Mound for handicapped kids.  loveforkidsinc@yahoo.com

              2. December 18, 4th Advent. The Gift: Men's Shoes for the Austin Street Shelter. Also, a special rite of reconciliation during our Mass. Mike Carrell will share his ideas during the homily.

      4. Christmas Eve, 4:00, December 24, Saturday. Christmas Pageant, plus 2 special visitors will be present.

A special Need Kid: 7 year old Zach needs a bone marrow transplant from a non-family person, Download Zach 12-9-11

Picture 7:    Chris Dembney the biker

Picture 8:    Nina & Diane

Picture 9:    Michelle with Torri & Buddy, Zoe, & Georgie

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.  More on the new Mass language, National Catholic Reporter, December 1,  Download Eugene Kennedy 12-9-11

2. Reform Call in Belgium, National Catholic Reporter, December 2, Download Belgian Catholics 12-9-11

3. Penn State & Catholic Church, National Catholic Reporter,  December 5, Download Fr. McBrien 12-9-11


Picture 10:    John's grandson Leo helping with the Mass

Picture 11:    John & Freddie

True?

Faith which does not doubt is dead faith.

MIGUEL DE UNAMUNO

Picture 12:    Leo

Picture 13:    Jack



Video: Final Blessing & Hymn

  See you Sunday,  December 11, 2011

J.S. (214-783-0443)



JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live

Read More Reminder for Sunday 12-11-11, 3rd Advent
Homilies

Sunday Homily 12-4-11, 2nd Advent
ByRosemary December 4, 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 40, 1-11, Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God; Psalm 85, Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation; 2 Peter 3, 8-14, The Lord does not delay his promise; Mark 1, 1-8, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.

Mass for Second Sunday of Advent, 12-4-11, John Cade Celebrating

Opening Prayer   Let us pray: O God, we gather together in this season when we celebrate and experience anew your coming in the Christmas mystery. We acknowledge that you are not far away, but with us wherever we are, calling us to live in unity and love. We ask for increased sensitivity to your presence with us and we give you thanks both now and forever and ever…   Amen.



A few words about the readings today, from the prophet Isaiah, the second letter of Peter, and the Gospel of Mark.

     The first reading is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Ch 40:1-5, 9-11. The fact that this reading is from Chapter 40 tells us that the prophet is now turning from chiding the people for their failings to prophesying better times to come and giving words of comfort.

    The words we hear from Isaiah today probably relate to the journey home from captivity in Babylon. Isaiah appears to use this passage symbolically to describe a moral cleansing and renewal by the Jewish people prior to their returning to Jerusalem.

     Georg Freideric Handel is one of the most famous composers in the Baroque period. He was born in Germany, but spent most of his adult life in England and is best known as the composer of the Messiah in 1741. In place of reading the passage from Isaiah, we will listen to the words put to music in Part I of the Messiah. You may wish to sing or hum along. Or you may just want to soak in the power of Isaiah’s words.

     The second reading is from the Second Letter of Peter, Ch 3 (8-14). This reading also refers to a coming of Jesus, not at Christmas, but at the end of time. It repeats the theme of last week’s reading from Mark to “Be watchful.” And in the Gospel reading, the author of Mark has John the Baptist introduce Jesus as the Messiah to the people of Mark’s time.



Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1 (1-8).

     The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

     People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

     John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs on his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

HOMILY:

     All three readings today refer to the coming of Jesus. First, the prophecy of Isaiah is interpreted by the author of Mark as referring to the Messiah to come. Second, Peter’s reference to the final coming of Jesus at the end of time. And third, Mark’s use of John the Baptist to introduce Jesus as the real thing coming after John.

     In Isaiah Ch 40, and in the first words of Mark’s Gospel, there are pronouncements that something big is happening. Like: “Get ready!”, “Come see!”, “He is coming!”, “Here He is!”

     Well, if you don’t yet know, Lambrini and I are totally enthralled with our grandsons, Leo and Freddie. Recently we have noticed how Leo (almost 3) greets us when we go to his home or he comes to ours. His greeting is some sort of pronouncement, like: “Come see what I did! I did it!!” (pointing to Xmas tree,hands out gesture), -or- “Come see!! I have stuff to show you!!” –or- “YiaYia! Look!! YiaYia’s here!!” – or, last time he came to our home for a visit, “I’m back!”

     What enthusiasm he expresses for life as it comes to him day by day. What sensitivity to people and events of every day, that we grownups take for granted, or have little wonder or excitement about.

     It seems to me that the use of the pronouncements by Isaiah, and Peter, and Mark, and John the Baptist are intended to evoke in us wonder and awe in the here and now, for what is always coming into our lives, the wonder and excitement children express naturally. ‘Out of the mouths of babes’ we are instructed in how to welcome the Good News that Christmas is coming, Jesus is coming, and that Christmas and Jesus are always coming.

     If you don’t have a 3 or 4 year old in your life, to experience their dramatic pronouncements about daily events and about people, think back to when you did, or a family member did, or a friend or a neighbor did. Listen with your ears and with your heart for the wonder and the enthusiasm they express about all that is new for them every day.

     The question I leave you with is: how do you respond to your everyday Christmas events? How are you preparing for the coming of God who is always here with us?

Picture 1:    Mass Begins

Picture 2:    Candle Ritual, Diane & Jenny

Picture 3:    Jenny lighting the candles

Picture 4:    Bethany & Shonda

Picture 5:    Leo & Rosemary

Picture 6:    John's daughter Joey with Freddie

Picture 7:    Freddie with his granddad

Read More Sunday Homily 12-4-11, 2nd Advent
Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 4, 2011
Rosemary's Blessing:

Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure.
Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness.
Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts.
And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.

Christmas Eve Prayer

Frank Borman, Apollo 8 space mission
1968

Special Thanks:
- For Reading: Check The Messiah, by Handel, part 1 for Isaiah 40.
- For Serving: Kevin
- For the Communion Bread: Nina Waldron
- For the Wine Cups: Jan & Sir Charlie
- For the Music: Ben & Jon & Shonda & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Jan & Beth & Richard
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
- For the coffee & specials: Jan & Sir Charlie, Jackie & Joan
- For all of you who contributed to the food drive & the toy drive
- For Cindy & Ken Cramer who coordinated the food drive and Beth & Rob Robinson who coordinated the toy drive
- For John Cade
Birthdays:   Diane Drescher, David Delgado, Cathy Bambanek, Genny Mattingly, Noah Thomson (15), and Sean Kless (6)

  Anniversary:

Tom & Denni Zurchin (36th)

Please Remember:

Mike Moran's parents, especially his dad with ALS; Ed Kless' Aunt Kathleen, who died a week ago;   Barb Wittek's mom who died; Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer; Jackie Urbanczyk's sister, Carol, with a back operation; Mike Miller's recuperation from his eye operation, Mike and Dee's daughter, Lisa; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation; Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93;   Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Ryan McClurg & Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Picture 1:    Granddad John's Leo meets Zoe

Picture 2:    Coming out of the rain, the Butterlies

Picture 3:    Ryan & Michelle come in out of the rain

Picture 4:    A great toy drive



       Video:    Mass Beginning & Candle Lighting (5 min.)

Your Finances: December 4, 2011,

Expenses:   $1400.00

Outreach:   $ 805.00

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.
Read More Announcements
Reminders

Reminder for Sunday 12-4-11, 2nd Advent
ByRosemary December 1, 2011

Mass: Coffee & juice, pastries & specials on the House.

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with John Cade. Welcome.

Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano.

Readings:  Isaiah 40, 1-11, Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God; Psalm 85, Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation; 2 Peter 3, 8-14, The Lord does not delay his promise; Mark 1, 1-8, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Picture Picture 1:    Sienna & Leo meet



Picture 2:   Brooklyn with Brian & Robyn







Community Bulletin Board:

A. Schedule of upcoming events:  In an attempt to make our Advent special this year, we invite the community to focus on one gift to the less fortunate each of the 4 Sundays. We will include a special reconciliation rite the 4th Sunday, Dec. 18. See the flier: Download Advent 2011

     Last Sunday, November 27, The 1st of Advent.   The gift: Food.  From Ken Cramer,

    John, our community contributed 265 pounds of food and one $20 check. Assuming the check would buy 5 pounds of food, and assuming we had 91 people in attendance yesterday, we averaged nearly three pounds of food per man, woman, and child.

I think we should be proud of ourselves!



    1. This Sunday, December 4, 2nd Advent. The gift: Toys for Collin County Child Advocacy Center with Beth helping. For suggestions with toys: Download CCCACXmas11 11-25-11

         December 10, Saturday, Love for Kids Christmas Party in Flower Mound for handicapped kids.  loveforkidsinc@yahoo.com

       2. December 11, 3rd Advent. The gift: Blankets to The Bridge Homeless Shelter. Also, Thanks Brunch in gratitude to our Board and particularly to Ron Kovatis, Penny Morrow, & Cathy Goode, who are retiring. Special guest homilist, Jamie Rose.

       3. December 18, 4th Advent. The Gift: Men's Shoes for the Austin Street Shelter. Also, a special rite of reconciliation during our Mass. Mike Carrell will share his ideas during the homily.

      4. Christmas Eve, 4:00, December 24, Saturday. Christmas Pageant, plus 2 special visiters will be present.

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.  The new Mass language, National Catholic Reporter, November 23,  Download A faulty translation 12-2-11

2. Irish Catholicism, National Catholic Reporter, November 30, Download Ireland 12-2-11

3. Another unique Catholic parish, Corpus,  November 30, Download New York 12-2-11

True?

Joy in the universe, and keen curiosity about it all—that has been my religion.

JOHN BURROUGHS


   Video: Communion

See you Sunday,  December 4, 2011

J.S. (214-783-0443)



JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live



Read More Reminder for Sunday 12-4-11, 2nd Advent
Homilies

Sunday Homily 11-27-11, 1st Advent
ByRosemary November 27, 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 63, 16-19, 64, 2-7, We are the clay, you the potter; Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved; 1 Corinthians 1, 3-9, I give thanks to my God always on your account; Mark 13, 33-37, Be alert, you do not know when the time will come.

Isaiah: One of the big 3 Prophets, mostly because of the size of the book. At least 3 writers put this book together and this is number 3.

Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock.   Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.

1. When did Thanksgiving begin? Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries. Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.

2. The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims. They called themselves saints, and strangers were called non-saints. The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later.  They were not even Puritans, but separatists. They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.

3. The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom. They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion.



4. The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).

5. How did the Indians & Separatists communicate? The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in England some years. He returned to his tribe and taught his friend, Samoset English. It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt. In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.

How Prepare for a Marvelous Christmas

    When I returned to the States in the late 80's and began to work full time as a spiritual director & psychotherapist, I was struck every fall by a tension that I found in some people. They were nervous about the coming Christmas season.

    I remember people bringing this up as early as the beginning of the school year in September. Certainly by October and most certainly by Halloween. People were tense and anxious because of memories of bad Christmas seasons.

    Because of this and because we are just beginning the season of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, I would like to review some ways to prepare ourselves for a marvelous Christmas. I have 5 observations.

    1. First, beware of fear and depression.  I read Mark's story about the man traveling abroad and I can get spooked into thinking God is going to grab me when I'm not looking. Nonsense.

    Depression seems to surface more during the Christmas season, because of at least one reason. Expectations.  We expect more out of the Christmas season, peace, love, warm relationships, gifts. When the reality comes in below the expectation I have, I get disappointed and maybe depressed. Memories of disappointing Christmases can also depress me.

    2. Unlike Mark's warning about sleeping, I would propose that we need more rest at this darker time of the year. Our ancestors used to sleep when it went dark. Today we force ourselves to stay awake and lights keep us awake. Doctors are saying we need more sleep in the dark days of winter and are recommending, get this, 9 hours.  Maybe try an extra hour. Try a siesta.

    3. Along with more sleep, try a little more exercise. My internist tells me that he wants me to exercise every day. I do. Walk through the neighborhood. Ride a bike. Along the way look at the colors of the red oaks and Bradford Pear trees.

    4. Have you got anything special you do every year for Christmas, during Advent? Something to get you into a Christmas spirit? If not, what about finding something? Two things I have got to do every year: take in a performance of Handel's Messiah and take in the Dallas Symphony Christmas concert. I may get in an extra one or two of these, but I find this so touches my spirit.

    I know a few families who tour Christmas lights. Here in Plano is Deer Park. One of the best is Highland Park, Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, both east and west of Preston.   In Deer Park, you may walk around. In Highland Park there are horse drawn carriages.

    5. Finally, in line with Mark's gospel, watch, watch for the daily miracles and blessings. Review your year for the biggest blessings, like I mentioned before Thanksgiving.

    I hope you are not anxious about or nervous about the coming of Christmas. If you are, even more relevent is my question, 'What are you doing to make Christmas this year a beauty?'

Picture 1:    1st Sunday of Advent begins

Picture 2:    Mary & Nikki

Picture 3:    Advent candle lighting

Picture 4:    Barb & Ron after their 40th

Picture 5:    Norm

Picture 6:    Leo on the move

Read More Sunday Homily 11-27-11, 1st Advent
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ByRosemary November 27, 2011
Rosemary's Blessing:

Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem,

Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives.

Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.

Take Time to be Aware … Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 196

Special Thanks:
- For Reading: Richard & Scott
- For Serving: Kevin
- For the Communion Bread: Claire
- For the Wine Cups: Jan & Sir Charlie
- For the Music: Ray & Jon & Shonda & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Jan & John
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
- For the coffee & specials: Ron & Marilyn, Jackie, Joan & Jan
- For all of you who contributed to the food drive
Birthdays:   Mike Moran (62) & Emma Dugan (2)

Anniversary:

Erin McClurg & Chuck  Webster   (5th)

Frank & Mary Esparza (48th)

Please Remember:

Ed Kless' Aunt Kathleen, who died a week ago;   Barb Wittek's mom who died; Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer; Jackie Urbanczyk's sister, Carol, with a back operation; Mike Miller's recuperation from his eye operation, Mike and Dee's daughter, Lisa; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation; Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93; Jackie Ritter's good friend, Narges Akbari, with colon cancer; Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Ryan McClurg & Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Picture 1:    Richard

Picture 2:    Sienna

Picture 3:    The Music Team, Bethany, Shonda, Ray, & Jon

Picture 4:    The Ekes plus Cindy & Marilyn on the left, Mabel, Bobby, Debbie, Cindy, and Curtis.



       Video:    Mass Beginning

Your Finances: November 27, 2011,

Expenses:   $585.00

Outreach:   $490.00

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.
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