St. Michael & St. Francis Xavier Bulletin December 24 & 25, 2016 Pastor: Fr. Harry Tully

The Nativity of the Lord:

Christmas

HERALD OF GLAD TIDINGS

To help understand the richness of the Christ-event, the Church looks to the Hebrew Scriptures. One of the great passages that Christians turn to for insight about the role of the Messiah is found in Second Isaiah. Chapter 52, written during the Babylonian Exile in the sixth century B.C., tells about a messenger who brings glad tidings. He proclaims peace, brings good news, announces salvation, and says to Zion: “Your God is King” (Isaiah 52:7). For the captives in Babylon this message held out hope for returning to their home country, the land of Judah. That hope was indeed fulfilled just as Isaiah foretold when the Jews were allowed to return. But centuries later, Christians reading the same passage heard in Isaiah’s proclamation a description of the role of Jesus. For truly he was a messenger of glad tidings; he brought the good news of the gospel, announcing a day of salvation.

THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS

To the early Christians Jesus was God’s messenger. As the Gospel of John explains, he was God’s Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us. As one living among us he taught us God’s way. Indeed he was a light shining in darkness, a herald of whom Christians would say, in the words of Isaiah, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings” (Isaiah 52:7).

Still, some did not accept him. Their hearts were hardened, unwilling to acknowledge that God could act through this humble, unassuming person. For “[h]e came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him” (John 1:11). But “to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12). In these words from the beginning of John’s Gospel echoes one of the early Christians’ most profound realizations: God’s love for all people is so great that all are intended to be God’s children, not servants or slaves, not distant participants in creation, but tied by the closest of bonds—children of a loving God.

Jesus announced the glad tidings of God’s love for all, and Jesus taught that there are no obstacles for those who wish to be God’s children. No power on earth, not even evil, sin, or death, can separate God’s children from their loving Creator. Let us rejoice at the coming of God’s messenger. Let us rejoice in the glad tidings he announced. Let us give thanks for the light who came into our world and continues to shine in the darkness.

Today’s Readings: (Mass During the Day) Isaiah 52:7–10; Psalm 98:1–6; Hebrews 1:1–6; John 1:1–18 [1–5, 9–14

Fr. Harry Tully, Pastor
Emergency #812-218-9219 or 502-931-1499
Website - E-Mail -
St. Michael - 101 St. Michael Drive, Charlestown, In 47111 Ph. 812-256-3200
Office Hours – 9:00 am-1:30 pm Tues. Wed., & Fri.
St. Francis Xavier – 101 North Ferguson, Henryville, IN47126, Ph. 812-294-4682
Office Hours – Thursday 10:30am-2:00pm
Reconciliation – 4:00 pm Saturday or call the Rectory
Marriage – Please contact the pastor a year in advance. Advent and Lent are not times for celebrations.
Baptisms of Infants or Adults Joining the Church – Must be a practicing/registered member for three months. Please contact the DRE: St. Michael–Juliann Eickholtz, St. Francis–Father Tully
New To The Parish: Please call the office to register. Please introduce yourself to the pastor at mass.
Parishioners Who Are Ill: Please call the pastor if a relative or friend is sick.
Bulletin Announcements: Get all bulletin announcements to the office in writing by Tuesday evening.
Los Enfermos Es muy importante comunicarse con el Padre (debido a las leyes privadas, los hospitales no se comunican con las iglesias).
Doctrina Cristiana: Las clases de educación religiosa para niños son cada domingo de 9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. en la escuela. Recuerden que la Arquidiócesis requiere que los que van a recibir los sacramentos estén inscritos en las clases de religión.
Monaguillos: Los niños que quieran ayudar como monaguillos en el altar tienen su ensayo el segundo domingo de cada mes después de la misa de 11:00 a.m. Estos niños y niñas tienen que haberhecho la Primera Comunión. Los interesados comunicarse con Pbro.

Mass Schedule Mass Intentions

St. M / 1/2 / Mon / No Mass
St. FX
St. M / 1/3 / Tue / No Mass
St. FX
St. M / 1/4 / Wed / 5:00 PM / Mass
St. FX / 1/5 / Thurs / 4:30PM / Mass
St. M / 1/6 / Friday / 12:00 PM / Mass
St. M / 1/7 / Sat / 4:30PM / Leonard Eickholtz
St FX / 1/8 / Sun / 9:00AM / Epiphany
Betty Jo Banet
St. M / 11:00 AM / For the People of St. Michael & St Francis Xavier
12:30PM / En Español

Dear Parishioners,
Well, I guess we all will just have to settle for "dreaming of a white Christmas!" Isn't it interesting that this image of Christmas and snow has become so associated that some are greatly disappointed if it doesn't happen? All because of a song... The truth of the matter is that the real Christmas story has little to do with the beautiful white stuff! The world changing moment that is at the heart of Christmas is more miraculous and important than having snow on December 25th. The one who created everything, who brought each of us into existence descends to us, becomes one with us, shares our ups and downs, our joy and sorrow, and even like us dies, so much does He love us! The greatest gift to give is one's very self. Yet for many this 'presence' takes a back seat to all the beautifully wrapped 'man' made items we rush around to find and soon forget. Yet these items can also teach us the truth of the greatest gift of all. The only perfect gift, the greatest love wrapped in a little baby who would one day die horribly should be the center of our holy day celebration. The baby becomes the man on the cross with arms outstretched to embrace you and me and upraised to offer us up with Him to the glory and love that warranted so mysterious a moment of grace, peace, freedom and life that does indeed change the world. Glory to God and peace to you, His beloved. Oh what joy! Now you give the glory by giving yourself to Him in emptying you life for love and eternity.
Fr. Tully

The 2017 Calendars are at the church doors. Help yourself to the calendars they are donated to us by Grayson’s Funeral Home.

ST. MICHAEL

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

812-256-3503 Rita Poff Director

Mon-Fri. 7AM-6PM

Infant Care/Day Care: Full or part time

Before & After Care: ages 6-12

Summer Camp: ages 6-12

Pre-School: 9-11:30AM Tues. & Thurs.

Pre-K: 9-11:30AMor12:30-3PM Mon. Wed. & Fri

ST. MICHAEL

Charlestown

Eucharist

Sat – 4:30 pm

Sun – 11:00 am

La Misa en Español

Domingo – 12:30 pm

St Michael parish is in need of Mass Intentions.

Mass Intentions

Saturday Evening: The Jones Family

Sunday 11:00 am: For the People of St. Michael & St. Francis Xavier

Christmas Information

Flower Offering at St. Michael

Envelopes are in the back of Church for Christmas Flower Offering for Memory of or in Honor of someone special.

Faith Formation Classes are held on Sunday mornings for children three years of age up through high school. If your child does not attend a Catholic school, they should be enrolled in the FF program. Registration forms are available on the parish website. .

Pre-school to Grade 12. There is still time for additional students to join us. We are learning and deepening our knowledge of our Catholic faith-So we encourage parents who might be thinking about it, to go ahead and enroll their children and teens in our program. Our calendar and registration forms are available at .

Bible Study Class Update Classes are on Monday nights at 6:30-8:00pm in the Rectory meeting room.

Faith Formation Calendar:

December 25th to January 1st- Christmas Break No Class

January 8th- Session Seventeen Rosary & Music Practice 11:00 Mass Youth Choir (Gift Bearers High School)

January 15th-Session Eighteen

January 15th-Confirmation Class 2:00pm in Multipurpose Room Lesson 17-18

January 21st- Birthday Bash

January 22nd-Session Nineteen

January 29th -Session Twenty

Classes begin at 9:30 Please be on time & Arrive 5-10 minutes early.

Thank you to last week’s Assistant: Cheryl Mann

Assistants are needed each week. We encourage parents to attend Mass with their children. This enables the children to integrate what they learn in their Faith Formation classes with weekly participation in the liturgy.

We ask parishioners to please bring a non perishable item to be donated to the North Clark Outreach Center. There is a wooden box for donations in the church lobby. Thank you for your contribution.

Confirmation News:

One must be in the state of grace to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, which means receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation before being confirmed. Retreats, reconciliation, service hours, homework and attendance for class sessions are a must to be completed during this sacrament preparation time. Parents and Sponsors please talk to your candidate and check on their progress. Our next Lesson is Sunday, January 15th @ 2:00pm., in the St. Michael Multipurpose Room.

Please be working on those 20 service hours. Don't forget to read Lesson 17"Who’s calling?" and Lesson 18 "Are you talking to me?" Please have your homework up to date. We will be asking for service hours update.

Please keep in your prayers our Confirmation Candidates: KyBaltz( RCIA), Abigail Banet, Jacob Coomes, Madison Coomes, Jovanny Alexis Guzman, Amanda Hernandez, Gage Higdon, Megan Jackson, Johnie Wayne Kinser, William Martin, , Aaron Ulrich.

Please keep in your prayers our First Reconciliation students: Luis Gomez, Andres Gomez, Ernesto Hernandez, & Ava Lathem.

This is a good website. It is new & filled with catholic resources. It’s easy to navigate, so go & explore.

St. Michael Ministries Schedule

Sat Dec. 31,4:30pm– St. Michael

Eucharistic Ministers: S. Seals & J. Schafer

Servers: Volunteer

Gift Bearers: Robert Mueller Family

Cantor: S. Buit

Musician: Carolyn Eickholtz

Lector: Steve Buit

Sun. Jan 1, 11:00 am – St. Michael

Eucharistic Ministers: M. Edmond, C. Dunn & M. Cox Servers: Volunteer

Gift Bearers: John Kinser Family

Cantors: J/M Wafford Musician: Nancy Kinder

Lector: M. Cox

The Rosary is said at St. Michael at 4:00 before Saturday Evening Mass and at 10:30 before Sunday Mass

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

Henryville

Eucharist

Sunday

9:00am

Saturday Mass Intention:

Robert Masters

St. Francis Faith Formation Calendar:

December 25th No Class

January 1st No Class

January 8th Class

St. Francis Xavier Ministries Schedule

Sun. Jan 1, 9:00am

Eucharistic Ministers: Lawrence Yochum, Dan Young & Kim Young

Servers: KaitlynD’Angelo, Clayton Higdon & Conner Martin

Ushers: Jack Murphy & Tom Nolot

Gift Bearers: Richard & Vickie Horine Family Lector: Philip Carter

Collection

December 17 & 18

St. Michael $ 1,920.00

St Francis Xavier $ 1,447.00

Angel Tree

Thank you to all who helped provide gifts for the Angel Tree. It always warms our hearts in giving at the same time it truly helps those in need.

Right to Life Signature Ad: We are collecting names for a full page ad which will publish on Wed. January 21th, in the Evening News & the New Albany Tribune. It will have the names of people who believe that every unborn child deserves a chance at life. A donation of $5.00 per line to publish a name or names, up to a maximum of 25 characters, including spaces is suggested. As always, if someone would like their name in the ad, but does not have suggested donation, we will be happy to include them. Thank you for your support for the Rite to Life Signature Ad. Signup sheets are in church lobby, deadline is January 9th.

To everything there is a season and a time to every

purpose under heaven a time to be born a time to love a time to heal a time to die and a time of peace.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALTH & STRENGTH:

Bruce Blair, Alicia Blair, Kayla Bowling, Sherry Buit, Bobby Caudill,Glen Cole, Tom Cooper, Ted Dean, Bernice Donahue, Erik Furnish, Adam Drury, Jeanette Drury, Dorothy Faris, Barbara Garrett, Rita Hamerla, Don Hamerla, Chris Harvey, Sandy Hostettler, Brenda Karns, Nathan Koons, James Korty, David Lerster, David Long, Jennifer Lynch, Terri Lynn Maples, Mary Ann Mattingly, Carol Maymon, Aldine McRae, Kathy Missi, Michael Murphy, Liz Cooper, Esther Toby Nelson, Ian Newland, Mitch Newland, Willard Nolan, Ms. Peyton,David Puzon, Carroll Schafer, Estelle Scott, Danielle Shipley, Clarence Smith, Dorothy Smith, Miriam State, Christy Stepp, Isabella ‘Izzy” Stepp, Jack Stewart, Mark Thise, Bonnie Uptain, Joseph Douglas VanDyke JR., Melissa Villegas, Lynn Vogt, Isabell Wade, Chris Wafford, Logan Westerhouse, Agnes Withers, George Wimsett, Rose Wimsett, Jim Witten, Tim Wolfe, Kay Yotter, Emma Yount, Donnie Zollman. Names will remain on the list for 6 months unless you tell us to remove them or request that they be kept longer.

Birthday Bash will be Saturday, January 21, after the 4:30pm Mass. It will be held in the Multipurpose Room. The meat, drinks and desert will be provided. Please bring your favorite covered dish. No Gifts Please. Your presence is gift enough. Please RSVP by January 15th to Glenda Minnick 812-256-0163 or Juliann 812-256-3280.

Servers: Some insight of the duties as an altar server will involve everything from assisting the priest to lighting candles, carrying the books used at Mass and saying prayers. We are in need of Servers at St. Michael -Adults or Youth!! Please contact Fr. Tully for Altar Server Training.

Special Information: The 5th Sunday Collection Envelope donations are to support the North Clark Outreach Center in Charlestown and the Community Care Project in Henryville. Our communities need your support. Thank you for your support.

Feast of the Holy Family

Theme: We honor the relationship of parents and children.

Suring the Christmas season from December 24th until the Sunday after the Epiphany, we reflect upon the mystery of love that is made visible in the birth and early childhood of Christ.

Step 1: As you hear the readings, what words or phrases catch your attention in this reading, what touches your heart? What image from Isaiah lingers in your memory?

Step 2: Look into your life.

Children: When is it hardest for you to obey your parents?

Youth & Adults: We are invited to let the word of Christ dwell within us and direct our daily lives. Which one of the lifestyle suggestions in the reading speaks most loudly to you?

Adult Confirmation Program - The New Albany Deanery Catechetical Ministry Office is planning an Adult Confirmation Program beginning in February, 2017. This is a 6 session program designed for Adult Catholics who still have not been confirmed and is free to all registered parishioners of the New Albany Deanery. The classes will be held at the Aquinas Center from 6:30-8:30 on the following dates: 2/27, 3/13 3/27, 4/10, 4/24 & 5/8 & 5/22. Adult Confirmation is Pentecost Sunday, June 4thheld at the Cathedral in Indianapolis. Please call Christina Flum at 812-246-5044 or go to the Aquinas Center Website ( for more information. Pre-registration is requested

Catholic Story Time Returns!We will meet from 10:00 – 11:30 at the Aquinas Center on the 3rdWednesday of each month.Each month will have a theme based on the liturgical year and the morning will include prayer, stories and activities. This is open for children age 2 and up. If you have any questions please call or email Cindy at the Aquinas Center: 812-246-5044

Proverbs Bible Study: Studying Proverbs people articulate what they have learned about the art of living. Simply, Proverbs spur us to think about life. Every Proverb beckons us to try to "complete" it-to connect it with a situation. Our group will meet the 4th Monday of October, November, January, February, March, April & May. We meet from 7-9p.m. at St. Joe Hill Campus. Please Contact Michele Ashby (502-592-3791) if you would like to join the group and for more information about your book for the program.

St. Michael ParishFall 2016
Parish Goal / $10,651
Amount Pledged / $8,880
Total $’s Received / $4,090
% of Goal / 83%
Parish Households / 193
# of Pledges / 57
Parish Participation / 30%
St. Francis Xavier ParishFall 2016
Parish Goal / $5,448
Amount Pledged / $3,595
Total $’s Received / $2,125
% of Goal / 66%
Parish Households / 90
# of Pledges / 20
Parish Participation / 22%

Confirmation News:

Please be working on those service hours. Don't forget to read Lesson 17"Who’s calling?" and Lesson 18 "Are you talking to me?" Please have your homework up to date. We will be asking for service hours update. Retreats are an important part of the Confirmation process and our candidates need to sign up with the New Albany Deanery ( The parish picks up ½ of the cost. Parents and sponsors please talk to your candidate and bring registration to Juliann.

Remember Sacrament Preparation, the Faith Formation Commission and the Archdiocese states that a child must be enrolled and attend classes a year before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation. For Confirmation you must be in Grade 10, registered and attend Faith Formation this year.