|
CHRIST THE KING
Jesus is truly King but we must understand that His Kingdom is not of this world
and that makes all the difference. The wise men coming from the Orient ask
Herod, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Herod cannot understand a
king with no worldly power or trappings. Pilate asks Jesus "Are you a king" and
He answers, "I am." But Pilate can comprehend no king who is without an army.
Jesus explains the whole difference in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in
spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of God." So He is King of those who value
innocence above things, truth above power, service above praise.
This message may be as hard for us to understand as it was for Herod and Pilate.
But think - all the great kings of history lie in the dust, their memories
preserved in dusty scrolls. Jesus, alone, lives and He still has followers who
proclaim Him King!
THANKSGIVING DAY
More than three hundred years ago, a small number of grateful Pilgrims assembled
in prayerful tribute to God for an abundant first harvest. That occasion marked
the launching of a meaningful custom which has become one of our Nation’s most
cherished holidays - Thanksgiving Day.
In 1621, the Pilgrim Fathers were bound by spiritual unity and love of, and
faith in, the Supreme Being. Their special observance of thanks was a
testimonial of their belief that God, in His omnipotent wisdom, looked with
favor on their quest for a land where the blessings of freedom flow. In this
humble and devout setting, the true meaning of Thanksgiving was born.
May your prayer before your Thanksgiving dinner be spiritually sincere on this
special day. Beyond the food before our eyes that day, thank God: for minds to
think, hearts to love and hands to serve; for the example shared from others who
reveal the image of Christ from within themselves; for those who are ever so
patient in the face of your weaknesses; for the beauty and wonder of God’s
creation in earth, sky and sea; for the health we now, or in the past, enjoy(ed);
for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord; and yes
for our daily food and drink, our homes and our families.
On this Thanksgiving, we should lift our hearts in humble thanks for this
special privilege and pledge to uphold our noble cause to protect and strengthen
our God-given ideals and faith in freedom. Can we expect to see you at Mass at
9:00 AM Thanksgiving Day??
CCD MASS OF THANKSGIVING
The Holy Name Religious Education (CCD) students in Grades 1 thru 6 cordially
invite you to come and celebrate a Mass of Thanks-giving on Tues. Nov. 24 at
3:45 in the Church. We will thank God for all our many blessings, pray for those
in need and kick-off our annual Advent Project - food for the Food Pantry. All
are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to Mass. NOTE: Grade 6 will
dismiss at approximately 4:30PM from the Church after Mass.
ADVENT PARISH BOOKLETS
“Catch-Up Time for Our Souls,” by Fr. James Field. This booklet offers a series
of short stories and reflections for daily use during Advent. Fr. Field has a
gift with words, and many of us were very touched by his inspirational booklet
last Advent. This one is even better! Booklets available at all Church
entrances, one per family please.
NEW PARISH PRAYER TO BEGIN WITH ADVENT
Beginning the First Sunday of Advent, parishioners will be invited to join in a
new prayer each Sunday. This year we will focus on the power of good example,
asking for the courage and grace to live our lives in imitation of Jesus as his
faithful disciples and witnesses. In the past five years it has become our
tradition to have a strong focus of prayer for particularly important areas of
Catholic Life: 2005/Prayer For the Year of the Eucharist; 2006/Prayer For
Vocations; 2007/Prayer For Inactive Catholics; 2008/Prayer For Stronger Family
Life; 2009/Prayer For Forgiveness of Sins; and now in 2010/Prayer For the Grace
of Good Example. Be attentive to the words each week, and allow this prayer to
help us truly benefit from the good example we set for one another.
ANGEL TREE
This year St. Vincent dePaul Society will once again have an Angel Tree located
in the Narthex this weekend. You have graciously supported this important
program in the past; due to the economic conditions the need has increased
significantly. Your consideration in helping less fortunate children have more
joy this Christmas will be greatly appreciated. Details for purchasing,
wrapping, etc. can be found on each Angel. Please return the gifts with Angels
attached no later than December 13th. Thank you for your generosity and may God
Bless You.
NEW HAITI DVD - “THE GIFT OF HOPE”
Available now at all church entrances: the new promotional Haiti DVD created
during the January 2009 visitation by Msgr. Gaus. This 14 minute film documents
the cumulative efforts of Kindred Journey, Inc. to sponsor projects that help
feed the poor, especially Haitian children. The DVD is free, but a free-will
offering is appreciated to cover production costs. Please share this DVD with as
many other individuals or groups as possible, with the hope that Kindred Journey
will gain new sponsors. If/when you no longer have use for a copy, just return
the DVD to the Parish Lending Library and we will be sure to put it back into
circulation. Pray for the success of this promotional effort; that the cry of
the poor in Haiti may be heard and generously met. Reminder: an abbreviated
version of this DVD may also be viewed on YouTube by going to our website,
www.holynameebg.org and clicking the link.
ADVENT WREATH MAKING
Our Parish Advent Wreath Making project allows everyone to create their own home
Advent wreath, with fresh greens, candles, and special prayers for use at home.
All ages are welcome! Please join us in the church hall on Sunday, November 29,
from 3:00 to 4:30 PM. Bring a water-tight container (a pie pan works nicely);
freshly cut evergreens (bring plenty to share); pruners are also helpful. If you
are unable to bring greens, please come anyway- there is always ample to share.
If you attended last year and your candles can be used again, please bring them.
Advent candles, floral oasis, ribbon, and refreshments will be provided. Come to
the church hall anytime Sunday, November 29th between 3:00 and 4:30 PM. For more
information call Sarah Zearing -472-5631.
CCD NEWS - 7TH - 11TH GRADE JR./SR. HIGH
1. NO CCD - There is no CCD on Sunday, November 29th. This is a scheduled
weekend off. We hope everyone has a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!
2. SERVICE WEEKEND - December 4, 5 and 6 is a Service Weekend. By now all
parents should have received their youth’s permission form showing what type of
service they will be doing, when and where. Permission forms need to be returned
by November 25th to the rectory. If you have any questions, please call Nancy
McCulley at 241-7809.
APEX NEWS
1. NEW YORK CITY - any APEX high school youth going to New York City - we will
be departing at 4AM from the Holy Name parking lot on Saturday, November 28th
and returning approximately 9PM on November 29th.
2. CRAFT FAIR - Any Bishop Carroll APEX High School Youth interested in working
the Holy Name Craft Fair Food Booth please call Nancy McCulley at 241-7809.
3. WORLD YOUTH DAY - APEX World Youth Day Madrid, Spain 2011 participants would
like to thank everyone who purchased Marianna subs/pizzas during their recent
fundraiser. Your support is greatly appreciated!!!
YEAR FOR PRIESTS- THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIEST AS SPIRITUAL FATHER
In the natural order, a man and woman are united in matrimony as bridegroom and
bride. In the spiritual or supernatural order, Christ is the Bridegroom; His
people (we, the Church) are the Bride. Just as new life comes from the union of
man and woman, new life comes from the union of Christ and the Church - this new
life is GRACE: the life of Christ in the soul, sanctification, holiness.
At Ordination, the priest becomes a real image of Christ, he is betrothed to the
Church, and he is given by God the sacred powers of administering the
sacraments. When administering the sacraments, the priest acts in the person of
Christ, and new life is generated within the Church: the new life of GRACE in
the soul. At Baptism, every Christian receives spiritual life from Christ,
ordinarily through the spiritual fatherhood of a priest. This spiritual life is
nourished with further reception of the sacraments, most commonly those of the
Eucharist and Penance.
Spiritually, the priest fathers us into mature life in Christ. Just as a good
husband and father undertakes countless sacrifices for his family, the priest
lays down his life in service to the Church, giving not only his time, effort,
and natural talents, but also an outpouring of sacramental grace. What an
incredible gift God gives to us in each and every priest!
LIFELINES
“As we tinker with the beginning, the end and even the intimate cell structure
of life, we tinker with our own identity as a free nation dedicated to the
dignity of the human person. When American political life becomes an experiment
on people rather than for and by them, it will no longer be worth conducting. We
are arguably moving closer to that day. Today, when the inviolable rights of the
human person are proclaimed and the value of life publicly affirmed, the most
basic human right, ‘the right to life, is being denied or trampled upon,
especially at the more significant moments of existence: the moment of birth and
the moment of death’ (Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life [Evangelium Vitae],
18)” (US Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, 1998, n. 4).
2010 CALENDAR DISTRIBUTION
Our parish’s 2010 Calendars will be distributed the weekend of December 5th/6th.
We ask that only one calendar per family be carried home.
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME - A DISCIPLE’S OPPORTUNITY
While our daily lives may have about them a certain “sameness,” still, every
moment is creative by how we experience and respond to each new moment. Within
every moment of every day, God is about His creative activity and is presenting
us with occasions for discipleship. It is our responsibility to use time wisely,
dedicating some part of it to apostolic activity.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Any adult not yet confirmed who wishes to receive this Sacrament in the spring
can call Sr. Margie for information concerning special preparation classes to
begin in January (472-8315). Confirmation is necessary for a Catholic to be a
baptismal god-parent or confirmation sponsor.
CREED CLASSES
The last adult classes on The Creed is Tues. Nov 24.
ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR
Saturday, December 5th
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Holy Name Church Hall, Ebensburg
Over 50 crafters will be present to display and sell their crafts.
Some craft tables are still available; contact Audia Boyles at 471-0541.
Homemade breads, rolls, and cinnamon rolls will be available for purchase.
Other food will be sold by the Holy Name APEX Youth Group.
This is wonderful opportunity to do Christmas shopping for family & friends!!!
Stop in before or after the Christmas Parade in Ebensburg.
Free admission and free parking. We hope to see you there!!!
Sponsored by the Holy Name Athletic Association
CCW WINNERS
Sr. Margie announced the winners of the money prizes from the CCW Festival:
$1000 - Raymond Frederick, Altoona; $600-Ted Holtz, Hastings; $300-Mary Shertzer,
Johnstown; $100-Carol Crump-Bloomington,MN. The Sisters of the Carmelite
Community of the Word express gratitude to Holy Name Parishioners for all their
support.
MICHAEL O’BRIEN CONCERT
The Bishop Carroll Girls' Basketball team is sponsoring a Christmas concert by
recording artist, Michael O'Brien on December 20, 2009 at Bishop Carroll High
School at 7:00pm. Tickets will be sold in the narthex before all Masses on
November 29 and December 6. Advance tickets are required, and they are $10.00
each.
NATIVITY DISPLAY
Once again we will hold a Nativity Display and Family Social in the Church Hall
on Sunday December 13th from 2:00-4:00 pm. Set up after all Masses. Please
complete the following form:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - -
PARISH NATIVITY PARTICIPATION FORM
Name _________________________ Phone______________ Electric Outlet Needed? ___
Brief Description/Interesting Facts about your Nativity or religious piece of
art:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Drop in Collection Basket or office mail slot)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -- -
ADVENT HOPE BASKET
An Advent Hope Basket is located at all Church entrances. Detach the following
prayer form and deposit it in the Hope Basket. These petitions will then be
placed in the sanctuary before the Altar during the four weeks of Advent. Let us
pray for one another’s special intentions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -
ADVENT HOPE BASKET
Lord Jesus, Source of our Hope, come and be with us as we await the fulfillment
of our deepest longings:
(Name your special intention) ___________________ ____________________________________________
We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Place petition in Hope
Basket)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - -
POINSETTIA MEMORIAL
We will again be memorializing our beloved deceased with Poinsettias during the
Christmas Season. The living plant at this Season cannot adorn the cemetery site
but will give glory to God in the sacred church settings. If you wish to
participate and have a loved one remembered in this unique way this Christmas
Season, (we will post the names in a future bulletin), then please print their
name and yours on the form below. Place the form in an envelope with a $10.00
donation and return it either via the Sunday collection basket or directly to
the rectory no later than Dec. 6th for printing in the Dec. 13th bulletin.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - -
POINSETTIA MEMORIAL
IN MEMORY OF( Please print):
________________________________________________________
DONATED BY (Please print):
________________________________________________________
|
Menu