John Stack Ministries Announcements & Reminders – Page 182 – Stay connected with our Catholic community through weekly Mass announcements and recaps, fostering faith and fellowship in every gathering.

Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 25, 2012
Video: Nativity Drama with our kids (4 min.)

Rosemary's Blessing: none today because of much activity

Special Thanks–
- For Reading: Monica & Morgan, mother & daughter
- For Serving: Kevin & Georgie
- For the Communion Bread: Alison
- For the Wine & Cups: Jan & Charlie
- For the Music: Ray & Shonda
- For the Pictures & Video: Beth & Jan, John & Connie
- For the coffee and pastries: None today
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
- For help with the Nativity Drama: Bernadette, Christine, & Sabrina
Monica reading Isaiah 9

Birthdays: Rosemary Beavers (Today, Monday), Julia (Tuesday) Connie Bresson (57, Thursday), Tom Gleason (Thursday), Diane Holcomb (50, Friday), Amanda Baach (Saturday), and Jeremy & Ashley, (25, Yesterday, Sunday)

Morgan reading Titus 2

We Remember

Barb's dad and Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Mike’s recuperation from hip surgery; And Donna's recuperation from hip surgery; Judy's Matt Larson with cancer, David, and Sue, her sister & Sue's husband, Jim; Janie's friend Wilbur; Mark Ackerman’s recuperation from an operation and Cathy Bambanek’s recuperation from her foot operation; Jean Wright's recovering from rotator cuff surgery;   Bob McGrath Jr. with cancer; Sue Tomas;   Mike & Dee’s daughter, Lisa; Patricia’s husband, Fred, who had quadruple bypass a few weeks ago;  Bill Hammond's broken ankle; Alexander Occhipinti;    Diane McClurg's good friend, Suzy McGonigle who just died;    Mary Zachos' brother (Jessica Bresson's maid of honor) with a stroke;

Claire reading the Nativity narrative in Luke

  Lisa's Ackerman’s Lucus Quiocho going to Afghanistan & his mom, Alice, depressed about it;   Rita; Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer;    Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;   Marilyn Ackerman's mom & brother, Dick;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; 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 in assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary;    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; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Sir Charlie sez he has been a good boy.

       Your Finances: December 23, 2012

Expenses:     $1815.00

Outreach:     $ 760.00

We donated this week:
1. Items to Soul’s Harbor, Brent the director.
2. $2000 to Soul's Harbor
3. $1000 to Bona Responds working in NY
     Thanks for your Generosity

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

Video: A visitor from the North Pole arrives (2 1/2)




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
Homilies

Sunday Homily, December 23, 2012, 4th Advent
ByRosemary December 23, 2012

Readings: (4th Advent)

Micah 5, 1-4, He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock.

Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10, 5-10, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 1, 39-45, When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.

Cathy into the Season

Micah: author, date, subject, our selection–

Author: one of the minor prophets (because of length,7 chapters), Micah is considered to be the author of these words.

Date: probably around 700-690 BCE, a contemporary of Isaiah, living in Judah. He had witnessed the destruction of the northern half of the kingdom, Israel, by the Assyrians, ca. 720 BCE. He watched Judah pay tribute to Assyria. He forsaw the Babylonian disaster in 590.

The Great Angela with Karen behind her.

Subject: like all prophets, he predicts doom and destruction for Judah because of the injustice of the people, especially the rich over the poor. Micah learned from Israel's destruction by Assyria, which he attributed to God's anger with those people.

Then, of course, in the prophet tradition, he predicts a return to peace and prosperity after the people are purified. He speaks to Bethlehem as if to a person and says that a new ruler will come from the town and the good ruler will shepherd the people. Why Bethlehem? Because David was born there and the new David was supposed to come from the same royal village.

Morgan lighting the 4 Advent Candles.

Asked what God wants of us (like penance, sacrifices of animals, goods, even children), Micah states one of the great lines in scripture: "What God requires of us is: 1. act justly, 2. love tenderly, and 3. walk humbly with our God." (6, 8) You people do that.

Our Selection: God promises a good ruler will be born in Bethlehem, the place where King David was born, a royal village.

Sources: Good News Bible, John Shelby Spong, Wikipedia

A Cupcake of the Week for Geordie who just graduated from the U. of Colorado

A Christmas Story

This morning I want to tell you a Christmas story. It took place in Tanzania the Christmas of my sixth, seventh, or eighth year living in the country.

First it is good to mention that Tanzania does not celebrate Christmas like we do here. First of all, it is summer, being just south of the equator. So, warm. Moreover, people do not decorate with lights like we do here. It is not the custom, nor do folks have the money.

Reggie and Robin

I was usually pretty homesick at Christmas. So this year I decided I would throw a Christmas day party American style, especially with a turkey.

To get the turkey I had to not only go beyond the little town of Moshi, where the Jesuits had a house and where I was based. I, in fact, had to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, the country immediately to the north.

Reggie receiving $2000 for Soul's Harbor

Despite the fact that most of the time I was away from Moshi on the road giving seminars and retreats, I still knew some people from the times I was in town. So I invited a number of families.

In particular, I invited the family who lived next door to us, a husband and wife with their two little girls, for whom I had a great affection. The family was all Muslim and the father was a police chief. It is always helpful to have a police chief as a friend in certain countries. I assure you.

Offertory, The Girls, Jean, Nancy, Diane, and Christine

To invite the family I followed the more formal African protocol. I invited the husband to come over to our house. I had two rocking chairs ready in my office/bedroom. We sat down and I offered him coffee or tea.

Then I said, “Mohammed, I would like to invite you and your family to a special celebration of the Christian Christmas. It will be the evening of December 25, beginning around 5:00.” Then, I explained what was Christian Christmas.

Emma

Finally, I added, “We both know, Mohammed, that you have a problem with alcohol. I request that you show up sober. If you show up drunk, I will have to ask you to leave.” Mohammed said he was grateful for the invitation for him and his family. He would not arrive drunk and if he did I should invite him out.

Want to guess what happened? You guessed it.

About 1:00 Christmas day Mohammed and his buddy arrived a bit early. Yes, they were both drunk out of their minds. We talked, I told him I was sorry, but he could not come to the party. He, too, said he was sorry, he left, and I did not see him again that day.

Cupcake of The Week to Diane for a special birthday.

Later, however, about 5:00, his wife and girls arrived with a surprise. In the African tradition of hospitality, she had invited all her extended family and they all showed up together, about 15 of them.

Despite all this, we had a fun American style Christmas, most of it, in fact, on the roof. We had an Arabian style house with a flat roof. A great place for parties and watching the sun set glow on Kilimanjaro nearby.

Why talk about this today?

First, to show you how Christmas is celebrated in other countries.

Secondly, to show just how we are so fortunate to celebrate with such fan fare and warmth. I am grateful to be here.

The Music Team, Bethany, Shonda, and Ray

What has been your best Christmas ever?

How are you celebrating this year?

Read More Sunday Homily, December 23, 2012, 4th Advent
Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 23, 2012
Video: Rosemary's Blessing (1/2 min.)

Rosemary's Blessing:

As we near Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus

May you be blessed with

The joys of family and friends,

The contentment of home and hearth,

And the peace of loving and being loved.

J & R Creations

Mary Jane reading Micah

Special Thanks–
- For Reading: John & Mary Jane
- For Serving: Kevin & Georgie
- For the Communion Bread: Alison
- For the Wine & Cups: Judy and Mike
- For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Beth & Jan, John & Connie
- For the coffee and pastries: Charlie & Jan, Jackie & Jerry
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
John reading Hebrews

Birthdays: Rosemary Beavers (Monday), Julia (Tuesday) Connie Bresson (57, Thursday), Tom Gleason (Thursday), Diane Holcomb (50, Friday), Amanda Baach (Saturday), and Jeremy & Ashley, (25, Today, Sunday)

Georgie with Buddy and Torri

We Remember

Barb's dad and Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Mike’s recuperation from hip surgery; Judy's Matt Larson with cancer, David, and Sue, her sister & Sue's husband, Jim; Janie's friend Wilbur; Mark Ackerman’s recuperation from an operation and Cathy Bambanek’s recuperation from her foot operation; Jean Wright's recovering from rotator cuff surgery;   Bob McGrath Jr. with cancer; Sue Tomas;   Mike & Dee’s daughter, Lisa; Patricia’s husband, Fred, who had quadruple bypass a few weeks ago;  Bill Hammond's broken ankle; Alexander Occhipinti;    Diane McClurg's good friend, Suzy McGonigle who just died;    Mary Zachos' brother (Jessica Bresson's maid of honor) with a stroke;

Ye Olde Pastry Shoppe

Lisa's Ackerman’s Lucus Quiocho going to Afghanistan & his mom, Alice, depressed about it;   Rita; Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer;    Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;   Marilyn Ackerman's mom & brother, Dick;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; 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 in assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary;    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; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

The Team



     Your Finances: December 23, 2012

Expenses:     $1360.00

Outreach:     $1385.00

Bill Hammond recieving $1000 for Bona Responds working in NY.

We donated this week:
1. Items to Soul’s Harbor, Brent the director.
2. $2000 to Soul's Harbor
3. $1000 to Bona Responds working in NY
     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 & Monday, December 23 & 24, 4th Advent & Christmas Eve
ByRosemary December 20, 2012
Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice & specials on the house served afterwards. Actually, not Christmas Eve.

Time: 9:30, Sunday; Celebrate with the Community & Stack.

Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00. Again, Welcome.

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

Cupcake of The Week to Mike for speedy recovery from his hip operation.

The Team

Readings: (for Sunday, 4th Advent)

Micah 5, 1-4, He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock.

Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10, 5-10, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 1, 39-45, When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.

Penitential Rite, Maureen with her dad, Jerry.

Penitential Rite, Sandra with Tom.

Readings: (for Christmas Eve, 4:00, Midnight Mass readings)

Isaiah 9, 1-6, The People who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Psalm 96, Today is born our savior, Christ the Lord.

Titus 2, 11-14, The grace of God has appeared.

Luke 2, 1-14, In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus….

Rose with backpacker crowd, Barb Perry, Tom, Rose, Bill, Claire, Lynda, and Beth

Offertory, The Ekes, Cindy, Marlene, Zaile, and Bill

Community Bulletin Board:

1. This Sunday: Collection of items for Soul’s Harbor. Special need: hoodies and sweatshirts

2. This Sunday also: All toffee lovers, Extra toffee will be available at Mass. Cost: $12.50 per box. Checks can be made out to me, John Stack, going to Dallas North Rotary.

3. Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00 P.M.

Leo arrives.

Hunter and Audrey light the 3 Advent Candles.

What's going on in our Catholic World:
1. Nothing special this week.
Sienna with her mom, Erin.

Brooklyn dances!

True?

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.

E. B. WHITE

Cousins, Georgie and Natalie.

Best Christmas Lights in Dallas: (According to Stack and not publicized widely)

Hugh with Sydney and Sandra

1.    Deloache west side of Preston, just north of Nwst. Hwy.

2.    Druid Lane east side of Preston in University Park, 3rd street south of Lovers Lane, and Glenwick, 4th street.

3.      Highland Park Village, catch a horse & buggy ride.

4.      Armstrong Parkway between Douglas & Preston-Oak Lawn.

5.      Beverly Drive east side of Preston & Lakeside Drive right off of Beverly.

Sacrament of the Sick

Chuck and Sandra

See you Sunday & Monday, December 23 & 24, 2012

J.S., 214-783-0443

Juliette with her grandmother, Alicia.

Anybody know who let these guys in? Tony and Jerry

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 & Monday, December 23 & 24, 4th Advent & Christmas Eve
Homilies

Sunday Homily, December 16, 2012, 3rd Advent C
ByRosemary December 16, 2012

Readings:

Zephaniah  3, 14-18, Shout for joy, sing joyfully, be glad and exult.

Psalm, Isaiah 12, Cry out with joy and gladness, for among you is the great and holy one of Israel.

Philippians 4, 4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always.

Luke 3, 10-18, Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.

Rose Banzhaf in from Colorado Springs.

Hunter & Audry lighting the 3 Advent candles for the 3rd Sunday.

Zephaniah: date, author, subject, & our selection

    Date: two possibilities–ca. 650 BCE, before Babylon & contemporary with Jeremiah. Or ca. 200 BCE. Or both, like Baruch last week.

    Author: probably not Zephaniah himself, but someone recording what he said. He is one of the 12 minor prophets, simply because his work is small, only 3 chapters.

    Subject: like all prophets, Zephaniah predicts doom and destruction to Jerusalem because the people are not good. His purpose: alter behavior, especially the religious behavior, of his fellow citizens of Jerusalem. A rather jealous and punishing god is presented.

Gilberto and Natalie

Lorynne 16 today, Cupcake of the Week

  Our selection: last lines of the last chapter, a song of joy and rejoicing. This is the only positive note in the 3 chapters. Consequently, scholars think it may have been added to the original work. This is the only time in the 3 year cycle that we have a reading from Zephaniah. Take a good look.

A reminder: this reading, like others this Advent is addressed to a people in slavery. In this reading the prophet is telling them a day of freedom is coming. This is the historical milieu. These guys knew nothing about Christ & had no concept of needing redemption, except from their slave masters. Only after the Christ event did people, his followers, go back to the slavery time and use it as a metaphor for redemption of humankind from captivity or darkness.

Sources: Good News Bible, The New Interpreter's Study Bible

Mike explaining our Penitential Service.

The Service, each receiving and each giving forgiveness and peace.

Homily Today: Given by Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of the Samaritan Inn, the only homeless shelter in Collin County. See The Dallas Morning News, December 15. We are supporting them this Sunday. Check the 4 minute video of her presentation, very moving.

Special Forgiveness, Georgie and Beth.

Read More Sunday Homily, December 16, 2012, 3rd Advent C
Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 16, 2012
Video: Lynn's presentation on Samaritan Inn (4 min.)

Rosemary's Blessing:

On this third Sunday of Advent

As Isaiah paints an extraordinary picture of the coming of our God,

May we stop, be still and listen

To Emmanuel as he comes.

J & R Creations

Beth reading Zephaniah.

Special Thanks–
- For Reading: Beth and Jackie
- For Serving: Kevin & Georgie
- For the Communion Bread: Alison
- For the Wine & Cups: Beth and Rob
- For the Music: Ray & Sh0nda & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Beth & Jan & Mike, John & Connie
- For the coffee and pastries: Mike & Geri, Jackie & Jerry
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
Jackie reading Philippians.

Birthdays: Ben Porter (Tuesday) and Lorynne Ackerman (16, today, Sunday)

Lynne Sipiora offering our homily on Samaritan Inn homeless center in Plano, for which she is the director.

   We Remember

Barb's dad and Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Mike’s recuperation from hip surgery; Judy's Matt Larson with cancer, David, and Sue, her sister & Sue's husband, Jim; Mark Ackerman’s recuperation from an operation and Cathy Bambanek’s recuperation from her foot operation; Jean Wright's recovering from rotator cuff surgery;   Bob McGrath Jr. with cancer; Sue Tomas;   Mike & Dee’s daughter, Lisa; Patricia’s husband, Fred, who had quadruple bypass a few weeks ago;  Bill Hammond's broken ankle; Alexander Occhipinti;    Diane McClurg's good friend, Suzy McGonigle who just died;    Mary Zachos' brother (Jessica Bresson's maid of honor) with a stroke;

Judy with some of the material brought for Samaritan Inn.

Lisa's Ackerman’s Lucus Quiocho going to Afghanistan & his mom, Alice, depressed about it;   Rita; Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer;    Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;   Marilyn Ackerman's mom & brother, Dick;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; 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 in assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary;    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; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Video:     Mike explaining our penitential service (4 min.)



  Your Finances: December 16, 2012

Expenses:     $2250.00

Outreach:     $1580.00



We donated this week:

     1. Items to Samaritan Inn, only homeless shelter in Plano & Collin County

     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, December 16, 2012, 3rd Advent C
ByRosemary December 13, 2012

Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice & specials on the house served afterwards.

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack. Again, Welcome.

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

Brooklyn, "Wow, all for me, right?"

Sienna, "What about me, little sister?"

Readings:

Micah 5, 1-4, He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock.

Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10, 5-10, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 1, 39-45, When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.

Noah, the Candle Lighter, on his 16th.

Kayla with granddad Ray

Community Bulletin Board:

1. This Sunday: Collection for Samaritan Inn. The director will address the community. For special needs please check the handout.

2. This Sunday also: All toffee lovers, your toffee will again be at Mass. Cost: $12.50 per box. Checks can be made out to me, John Stack, going to Dallas North Rotary.

3. Advance notice: Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00 P.M.

4. DSO: For all you Dallas Symphony affianados, The Best Show of The Year is here, Friday the 14th, today to be exact, 7:30 P.M. You are all invited to The Rectory for wine & cheese on the way to the Meyerson. Welcome, 5:30 or earlier. We will depart at 6:30 & we will have maps through the best Christmas lights in Dallas, that is, The Park Cities. The map will also show you the inconspicuous entrance into underground parking lot, $10. We are almost 30 people this year.

Cupcakes of The Week, Sean (7) and Noah (16) both on Sunday

One more Cupcake, Patricia, 2 years no smoking

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.     Another Jesuit in trouble at 92, Reuters, December 8, 475 words,   Download Jesuit 12-14-12

2.     Irish priests support Fr. Roy Bourgouis, National Catholic Reporter, December 7, 400 words,   Download Irish priests 12-14-12

Brunch with Ray, Claire, and kids

Play time

True?

20 years from now you’ll be more disappointed by what you didn’t do than what you did.

Mark Twain

Ryan with Jim, Tom, and Denni

Cara and Christine

See you Sunday, December 16, 2012

J.S., 214-783-0443

Brunch with Geri

Brunch with Alison and John

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.

Brunch with Linda, Rick, and John

Sir Charlie



Read More Reminder for Sunday, December 16, 2012, 3rd Advent C
Homilies

Sunday Homily 12-9-12, 2nd Advent C
ByRosemary December 9, 2012

Readings:

1 Baruch 5, 1-9, Put on the splendor of glory from God.

Psalm 126, The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

2 Philippians 1, 4-6, 8-11, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 3, 1-6, The word of God came to John.

Grandmom Claire with Kayla, JuJu, and CC

Baruch:

    What: One of the little books (only 5 chapters) of the extra books. That is, it is not one of the big 3, nor one of the 12 little prophetic books, nor part of the N.T. It is part of a dozen small books in between. Most Protestant churches don't recognize these little books.

     Author: Baruch was Jeremiah's secretary. Maybe he wrote some of the material, but it was not put together. Remember, he & Jeremiah lived before & during the Babylonian Captivity. There are 4 little discourses. Compilation of the total work seems to have taken place later.  Most likely some anonymous person or persons a few centuries after Jeremiah put it together.

Noah at 16 today lighting the 2 candles for Advent 2

     Date of composition: maybe during the Maccabees' revolt ca. 100 before Christ.   If so, the little book intends to strengthen resistance of the Jews during the Macabeean Revolt, using the Babylonian model to encourage the people.

      Our passage: a message of optimism, hope, peace, and a new day. The passage reflects 2nd Isaiah's message (chapter 40), which is likewise quoted in Luke's gospel for today. The famous 2nd Isaiah: Luke uses this source to build his nativity narrative. See also the lyrics of Handel's Messiah.

Sources: Good New Bible.

Emma

Love for the Kids

I would like to talk today, folks, about God leading his people in Joy.

I saw it happen yesterday. I feel like I climbed the mountain and walked in the kingdom.

Christine, Ed, Cara, and Sean on his 7th birthday today.

This is what happened. A couple of times a year there is a picnic thrown for kids at a big ranch in Flower Mound. Rosemary & I and others in our community have been part of this picnic 3, 4, 5 times.

In the spring the picnic is for handicapped kids. In the fall the picnic is for underprivileged kids. The spring picnic has about 1,000 kids.

Cupcake of The Week to Patricia for 2 years no smoking

Yesterday around 4,000 kids showed up at the Circle R ranch for hot dogs, chips, horseback riding, gunny sack races, obstacle course runs, face painting, and visits with Santa, Super Man, and various other celebrities. The kids are given all sorts of little souvenirs which they put in the plastic bags furnished by the picnic.

There must have been 60-70 yellow DISD school buses. There were so many buses they had bus gridlock getting them all in around 10:00. It took an hour. There were more buses this year than last.

Here they come, High 5 to all.

There are numerous memorable moments, but for me, one moment stands out. As the kids come off the buses they are herded into a wide path that heads toward the main entrance of a sprawling one story, rustic building that has a stage, bunches of circular tables for eating, and the food distribution area.

As the kids approach the building entrance, they are met with a lane of maybe 100 volunteers who are cheering, clapping, singing Christmas carols, and high fiving each kid, saying Happy Christmas, Hi, Welcome, or whatever is fitting the kids.

The Welcome Lane

This is my favorite activity of the whole picnic. I always get into the lane. The kids come in beaming, smiling, shy sometimes, giving high fives, receiving compliments, and being showered with attention and affection. I am so touched by the faces. Some are like pre-K, cute little boys & girls.

My thought is that at least some of these kids will remember their whole lives the experience of walking through that lane of welcome, affirmation and joy.

Did somebody mention buses?

A second event touched me this year. The volunteers. Both our Bona Responds team and the teachers and parents accompanying the kids on the buses.

Bill Hammond told us all that we had to register on line ahead of time. So Thursday I went onto the web site. Registration is closed, it said. I am stunned. I call Bill. He says get a phone number off the web site and call. I do.   A lady says, no problem. They shut down the registration because by Wednesday they had 750 volunteers. She says, however, that any others can come, too. Later one of the coordinators said over 1,000 volunteers finally registered. I feel so privileged and blessed to be part of this marvel.

"He fed 5,000."

Folks, I saw yesterday God leading his people in joy, his little people especially and his big people, too, leading us all in joy.

How is God leading you in Joy? Who is one person you are helping God to lead in Joy?

Two of our clowns from Bona Responds, Bill and Jerry



Read More Sunday Homily 12-9-12, 2nd Advent C
Announcements

Announcements
ByRosemary December 9, 2012
Video: Noah lighting Advent Candles (3 1/2 min.)

Rosemary's Blessing:

Gracious God,

help us to work with You

to make the world

Alive with Your Spirit,

and to build on earth

a city of Justice, Love, and Peace.

Unknown

John reading Baruch

Special Thanks–
- For Reading: John & Jean O'Donnell
- For Serving: Kevin & Georgie
- For the Communion Bread: Alison
- For the Wine & Cups: Beth and Rob
- For the Music: Ray & Bethany
- For the Pictures & Video: Beth & Jan & Mike, John & Connie
- For the coffee and pastries: Mike & Geri
- For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
Jean reading Philippians

Birthdays: Loretta Garcia Williams (Wednesday), Linda Cardenas (57, Thursday), and (today, Sunday) Noah (16) and Sean (7)

Offertory, Ken and Cindy, Jamie and Donna

We Remember

Charlie’s twin brother, Julius, who just died in FL, and the family, especially their mom; Mike’s recuperation from hip surgery; Mark Ackerman’s recuperation from an operation and Cathy Bambanek’s recuperation from her foot operation; Jean Wright's recovering from rotator cuff surgery;   Bob McGrath Jr. with cancer; Sue Tomas;   Mike & Dee’s daughter, Lisa; Patricia’s husband, Fred, who had quadruple bypass a few weeks ago;  Bill Hammond's broken ankle; Alexander Occhipinti;    Diane McClurg's good friend, Suzy McGonigle with cancer;    Mary Zachos' brother (Jessica Bresson's maid of honor) with a stroke;

Bethany and Ray

Lisa's Ackerman’s Lucus Quiocho going to Afghanistan & his mom depressed about it;   Rita; Tom & Teresa Quinn's daughter Colleen with breast cancer;    Barb & Warren's friend, Mike, fighting cancer, & Tara; Bernadette Delgado's mom & Gilberto's mom;   Marilyn Ackerman's mom & brother, Dick;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; 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 in assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer;   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; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Video:     Rosemary reading her Blessing (1/2 min.)



  Your Finances: December 9, 2012

Expenses:     $1235.00

Outreach:     $ 360.00



We donated this week:

    1.  $1000 to a lady with severe cancer and minimal insurance.

    2. Items to Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, DARCC

     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, December 9, 2012, 2nd Advent C
ByRosemary December 6, 2012

Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice & specials on the house served afterwards.

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack. Again, Welcome.

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

Advent Altar

Readings:

1 Baruch 5, 1-9, Put on the splendor of glory from God.

Psalm 126, The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

2 Philippians 1, 4-6, 8-11, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 3, 1-6, The word of God came to John.

Georgie Suiting up for the first time.

Ready

Community Bulletin Board:

1. This Sunday: Community Brunch, December 9, Second Sunday of Advent, plus collection for Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center. See the handouts for special needs.

2. For the Love of the Kids, December 8, this Saturday
A note from Bill Hammond:

Just a reminder of our volunteer outing at Circle R Ranch with Love for Kids on December 8th. We will car pool from SAMs at George Bush and Coit. Be there by 8:00 am and we'll caravan out to Circle R. It is 7.5 miles west of I-35 on Main/ 1171 ( exit 452).

Let me know by e-mail whether you will caravan or go direct.

You also will need to go to the web site to sign up.   Loveforkidsinc.org   This is a new requirement this year so they know who is coming.

See you Dec 8th at 8:00 am at SAMs or at 9:00 at Circle R.   Thanks for your support.

Bill Hammond

214-244-7854

3. This Sunday also: All toffee lovers, your toffee will be at Mass. Cost: $12.50 per box. Checks can be made out to me, John Stack, going to Dallas North Rotary.

4. Advance notice: Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00 P.M.

5. DSO: For all you Dallas Symphony affianados, The Best Show of The Year is approaching quickly, Friday the 14th, to be exact, 7:30 P.M. You are all invited to The Rectory for wine & cheese on the way to the Meyerson. Welcome, 5:30 or earlier. We will depart at 6:30 & we will have maps through the best Christmas lights in Dallas, that is, The Park Cities. The map will also show you the inconspicuous entrance into underground parking lot, $10. We are almost 30 people this year.

6. Food Drive last Sunday: 370 lbs. & $40

The Team

Offertory, Mary Ellen, Grace, and John

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.   Nothing special this week.

The Welcome Table, Carol, Alison, John and Rich.

The Music Team, Bethany, Shonda, Wendy, and Ray

True?

"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest
It's about those who came and never left your side ……"

Sister Joan Chittister

The Reads, Teresa (running the Dallas Marathon Sunday), Taylor, Zack, and Doug

Lynda and her mom, Barb Perry, in from Chicago

See you Sunday, December 9, 2012

J.S., 214-783-0443

Gilberto, the great granddad

Rosemary reading her blessing

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, December 9, 2012, 2nd Advent C