CHURCH OF SAINT BERNARD

Transcription

1 CHURCH OF SAINT BERNARD 1160 WOODBRIDGE STREET SAINT PAUL, MN One block west of Rice Street on Geranium Avenue FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 18, 2016 Parish Staff Pastor Reverend Ivan Sant Associate Priest Reverend Joseph Kureh Parish Administrator Karen Cronin Secretary Gloria Nava Faith Formation Director J. David Neira Refugee Liaison Hsawreh Sharpoehtay Refugee Liaison Assistant Julia Marksue Music Director Mary Beth Redmond Assistant Music Director Grace Thompson Parish Office Phone: (651) Fax: (651) Website: Facebook Page: Parish Life at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, St. Paul, MN Mass Schedule Saturday at 4:00 pm Sunday at 8:00 & 10:30 am Weekday Monday-Saturday - Mass at 8:30 am Confessions Mondays after the 8:30 am Mass Saturdays 3:30 and after the 4:00 pm Mass M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T Saint Bernard s is a Roman Catholic parish providing vital services to the diverse North End community of St. Paul. As we extend the hand of welcome to all, our mission is to learn, love, and live the challenging Word of Jesus Christ, offering parishioners and neighbors direction and support at every phase of their faith journey.

2 Dear Brothers and Sisters, A WORD FROM FR. IVAN A Christmas tradition I was raised with is that of the Nativity Scene. Here in our church we have a beautiful one that dominates above all the Christmas decorations. Also from when I was young, I am used to building a nativity scene from scratch. This year I had the opportunity to do one in the rectory. It gives us the beautiful atmosphere of Christmas, and we can contemplate the event that happened in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus. This tradition comes from St. Francis. It was Christmas of 1293 that the first Nativity Scene was done in Greccio, Italy. St. Francis knew a holy man from this town of Greccio and told him of his wish to celebrate Christmas together: If you desire that we should celebrate this year s Christmas together at Greccio, go quickly and prepare what I tell you; for I want to enact the memory of the Infant who was born at Bethlehem and how He was bedded in the manger on hay between a donkey and an ox. I want to see all of this with my own eyes. The good and faithful man departed quickly and prepared everything that the Saint had told him. The Friars who had come from many communities, gathered around St. Francis as did the men and women of the neighborhood. They brought candles and torches to brighten the night. St. Francis arrived and saw that everything had been prepared. The crib was ready, hay was brought, the ox and the donkey were led to the spot. Greccio became a new Bethlehem. The crowds gathered and rejoiced in the celebration. Solemn Mass was sung. St. Francis, dressed in deacon s vestments, sang the Gospel. Then he preached a delightful sermon to the people. It is recorded that after the Mass, St. Francis went to the crib and stretched out his arms as though the Holy Child was there, and brought into being by the intensity of his devotion, the Babe appeared and the empty manger was filled with the radiance of the new born King. St. Francis idea of bringing Bethlehem to Greccio was spread quickly all over the Christian world. Actually the first people to bring this tradition in the US were the German Moravian immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. I wish that this Christmas atmosphere may reach everyone, especially those who are unfortunate to celebrate Christmas alone. May this joy arrive to them. God Bless and have a blessed Sunday! Fr. Ivan Sant frivansant@churchofstbernard-stp.org The Rectory Nativity Scene Page 2 St. Bernard

3 Saturday December 17 8:30am 4:00pm Tim Sager Page 3 Mass Intentions Sunday December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am Our Parish Members 10:30am Tony Steffel Monday December 19 8:30 am Bee Vang Tuesday December 20 8:30 am Bee Vang Wednesday December 21 8:30 am Corey Plath Thursday December 22 8:30 am Corey Plath Friday December 23 8:30 am Saturday December 24 Christmas Eve 8:30am Rose Bearth 4:00pm Sister Agnes Paul 10:00pm Our Parish Members Sunday December 25 Christmas 8:00am Jerry Gladieux 10:30am Our Parish Members Mass Readings for the Third Week of Advent Sunday : Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24 Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79 Next Sunday: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 Please pray for the sick and homebound Yvonne Spence Rosie Lynch James Ulrich Lloyd Anderson Carl Long Jan Bunde Lorraine Eheim John Stafford Devra Shepherd Dorothy Buchal Bob Rauen Lucille Biron Sacraments Call the Parish Office to make arrangements (651) Anointing of the Sick This Communion for the Sick & Homebound Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Baptism of Infants Baptism of Older Children & RCIA To become a full member of the Roman Catholic Church, contact David Neira at the Parish Office. Marriage Preparation Couples anticipating Christian Marriage need to contact the Parish Office at least six months prior to the wedding date they desire. After a pre-nuptial interview with a priest, a specific date will be set. Marriage preparation classes are required. Ministries Prayer Line..Shirley (651) or Judy (651) Liturgy Parishioners are encouraged to offer to be readers and altar servers at Mass. Faith Formation Faith Formation... Fr. Ivan (651) Thanks for your Donations! St. Bernard

4 Parish News & Events Thanks For Participation in the Bake Sale The Festivities Committee of St. Bernard's wants to thank you for your participation in the annual Christmas Bake Sale. The amount of $ was collected for the funding the different activities of the Festivities Committee. Advent Holy Hour In preparation for Christmas, we will be having a Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, December 22. The Holy Hour will start at 6:00 PM. Christmas Holidays Mass Schedule Christmas Eve Saturday Dec 24th Morning Mass at 8:30am Vigil Mass at 4pm Midnight Mass at 10pm Friendship Sunday This Sunday. Come join your fellow parishioners for coffee and donuts in the parish center after the 8 and 10:30 Masses. Pallium Mass for Archbishop Hebda Everyone in the Archdiocese is invited to attend the Pallium Mass for Archbishop Hebda. The Apostolic Nuncio will confer the Pallium which was blessed at Saint Peter s Basilica by Pope Francis on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 on Archbishop Hebda at the special Mass. Date: Sunday, December 18 Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Cathedral of Saint Paul Finance Council Meeting Monday December 19 at 6:30pm At the Parish Office Christmas Day Sunday Dec 25th 8am & 10:30am New Year s Eve Saturday Dec 31st Morning Mass 8:30am Vigil Mass at 4pm St. Paul, Minnesota Page 4

5 Year End Giving Christmas Envelopes This year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. The envelope package includes 2 envelopes for December 25. We hope that you will maintain your regular weekly support along with offering a special Christmas contribution to the parish. Year End Contribution Information Parishioners are reminded that all donations must be received in the parish office or postmarked by Saturday, December 31, to be included as a 2016 contribution. All proceeds from the 4 pm Mass on December 31 will be recorded as received in All proceeds from the 8 and 10:30 am Masses on January 1 will be recorded as received in No exceptions can be made. Christmas Season Office Hours Parish office hours will change as noted: Friday, December 23: Open 8:30 noon Monday, December 26: Office closed Friday, December 30: Open 8:30 noon Monday, January 2: Office closed Christmas Flowers We are still accepting donations for Christmas flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one. All donations received by Monday, December 19 will be included in a listing for the bulletin for Christmas weekend. Winter Clothing Collection Many of our Karenni and Karen teenagers and young adults are in need of warm winter clothing. There will be a container in the vestibule of the church over the next 3 weeks to collect the items listed below. You may also bring items to the parish office during office hours (M F 8:30am 3 pm). Please bring the following new or gently used clean items: Winter jackets small or medium Women s boots size 5 or 6 Men s boots size 7 or 8 Warm socks, hats, mittens, gloves Warm sweaters Thanks so much for your generosity! St. Paul, Minnesota Page 5