December 11, 2016
St. Stephen Parish
27519 Monroe Rd. 533
Monroe City, MO 63456
Holy Rosary Rectory
735-4718
Pastor
Very Rev. Michael W. Penn, V.F.
Deacon Mike Long
Current and past bulletins
may be viewed at
St. Stephen's website: www.ststephencatholicchurch.org
Scripture Readings for December 18, 2016
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7: 10-14: The Lord offered Ahaz a sign. Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Nevertheless, the Lord gave a sign: “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
Psalm 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6: "Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory."
Romans 1:1-7: Paul told the Romans he was called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God about Christ Jesus. He said to them, “We have received the grace of apostleship” that we may spread the name and bring to faith all those called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-24: Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they wed, Mary became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph decided to break the engagement. He changed his mind when an angel in a dream told him to receive Mary as his wife.
he English translation of the Psalm Response from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. 2) Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the diocese of the United States of America, copyright 1998, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington, and DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No part of the Lectionary for Mass may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner
.
Prayer for Priests program: We are asked to include these priests in our daily prayer intentions:
Date Priest Assignment
12/11 Rev. Michael Murphy Salisbury, Wien
12/12 Very Rev. Gregory Meystrik Jeff City, St. Peter
12/13 Rev. Daniel Lueckenotte Camdenton
12/14 Rev. John Schmitz Jeff City, St. Peter
12/15 Rev. James Finder Argyle
12/16 Rev. Patrick Adejoh Columbia, Veteran's Hospital
12/17 Rev. Gregory Oligschlaeger Vocation Director
~ PARISH NEWS ~
· Christmas Poinsettias: Donations of poinsettias for our Christmas Eve Mass would, again, be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
· Bible Study: The DVD series, "Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible" will be offered beginning after the first of the year. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Maureen Lemongelli, 573.603.4798.
· There will not be Mass at St. Stephen on Christmas Day, December 25th, as the Christmas Eve Mass at 8:00 PM on Saturday will fulfill the Sunday obligation.
· The next Pastoral Council meeting will be Wednesday, January 25that7:00 PM in the gym.
· The next KC meeting will be Thursday, January 5th at 7:00 PM.
· The next Finance Committee meeting will be Thursday, February 9th at 7:00 PM.
~ SCHOOL NEWS ~
· The Student LiturgyonFriday, December 16th, at8:20will be led by the fifth grade students.Eucharistic ministers are Marie Little, Peggy Spalding, John Kendrick and Dorothy Ritter.
· Basketball teamswill participate in the Monroe Tournament this week. Monday, boys play S. Shelby at7:45;Tuesday, girls play S. Shelby at6:30.
· Penance Servicesfor students will be held onTuesday, December 13th, beginning at9:00.
· The Holy Rosary Christmas Programwill be held Wednesday, December 21st, beginning at9:30in Holy Rosary Gym.Everyone is invited to attend the program.
· Dismissal for the Christmas holidays will be approximately 11:00 Wednesday, December 21st.
NEXT WEEK’S DAILY MASS SCHEDULE AT
HOLY ROSARY
Day Time Intention
Mon. Scripture Service 7:30 AM Leader-John Kendrick
Tues. 7:30 AM Marjorie DeLaporte
Wed. 7:30 AM Purgatorial Society
Thurs. 7:30 AM Jilian Goehl
Fri. School Liturgy 7:30 AM Jack & Phyllis Campbell (Liv.)
Sat. Holy Rosary 5:30 PM Don & Liz Gander
Sun. St. Stephen 8:00 AM Families of St. Stephen &
Holy Rosary
Holy Rosary 9:30 AM Fr. Bill Flanagan
RECONCILIATION
Ordinary Reconciliation Schedule:
Saturday 4:30 – 5:00 PM at Holy Rosary
Sunday 7:30–7:55 AM at St. Stephen
(Or by appointment. Call Holy Rosary Rectory at 735-4718)
December 4th Offertory ~ $3,664.50
~ FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK ~
Third Sunday of Advent
The signs Jesus performed were not magic acts. The signs Jesus performed were not meant to simply heal an individual. The signs Jesus performed were communal acts: acts that were to bring not only the one healed, but to bring all who witnessed this sign into the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist was a sign of preparation for the Kingdom of God. All his words and works pointed to the Kingdom and the Lamb of God who was to come into the world. The words and works of Jesus were different than John’s, for the Christ was the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom in the world. What John had pointed toward had arrived in the person of Jesus and He would be/is the One who would bring the many into the glory of God’s Kingdom. May our hearts and mind be open to the working of God’s Kingdom in the world and may we promote the in-breaking of His Kingdom through our lives and works of faith.
A Communal Penance Service for Advent will be held next Monday evening, December 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Holy Rosary Church. There will be seven priests to assist me in offering those present an opportunity for individual Confession and absolution. I encourage all of you to take this opportunity in preparation for the celebration of the Christmas. This will be the final scheduled Confessions prior to Christmas, as there will be no Saturday afternoon Confessions on December 24th.
This week’s Communal Penance Services for Advent
will be held in the Hannibal Deanery:
Tuesday, December 13th:
Holy Family Church, Hannibal at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 15th:
St. Clement Church, St. Clement at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 16th:
St. Joseph Church, Palmyra at 7:00 p.m.
Masses for the Solemnity of the Nativity of
the Lord (Christmas) will be held on:
Saturday, December 24th
Holy Rosary Church at 5:30 p.m.
(Vigil Mass of Christmas)
St. Stephen Church at 8:00 p.m.
(Vigil Mass of Christmas)
Holy Rosary Church at 10:30 p.m.
(Christmas Mass during the Night)
Sunday, December 25th
Holy Rosary Church at 9:00 a.m.
(Christmas Mass during the Day)
~ PLEASE KEEP IN PRAYER ~
Troy Ritter, Jim Hunt, Jeremy Smith, Alfred Timbrook,
Rosemary Evans, Sue Gilbert, Jerry Botkins,
Deanna Buckman, Dave Painter, Natalee Amos,
Kyndal Underwood, Kimberly Spalding, Nick Hays,
Anna Pennewell, Charlie Taylor, Henry Hogan,
Sarah Deien, Audrey Deien
For all who are ill, especially those who are awaiting surgery or seriously ill, and for their care-takers,
we pray to the Lord.
If a family member is ill, injured or disabled please call and let us know so that we may put them on our sick list for prayers. We don’t know unless you call, and we cannot put a name on the sick list without your permission. Names will remain in the bulletin for two weeks, unless otherwise notified. The power of prayer is very strong and healing.
Sick, homebound or nursing home? If you hear of or know of someone who falls into these categories please have an immediate family member contact us at Holy Rosary's rectory office, 735-4718, so we can minister to their spiritual needs
~ HOLY ROSARY PSR CLASSES ~
Grade School – December 14th – Class
7th – 10th Grade – December 18th - Class
~ STEWARDSHIP ~
From the loneliness of his prison cell John the Baptist asks of Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” The weeks before Christmas offer much to be joyous about, celebrating with family and friends, the glitter of seasonal decorations, the excitement of gift giving and receiving. But in our midst there are the lonely and neglected, the poor, the hospitalized, the wayward, the shut-ins. There are those seemingly without hope. To whom should they look? Discipleship in the Lord includes being good stewards of others. Are there those in our family, our neighborhood, our community to whom we can reach out to show them a sign of Christ’s presence in their midst?
~ MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE T-SHIRTS ~
The Monroe City Ministerial Alliance is selling T-Shirts and sweat shirts to help show Christian unity here in Monroe City. Shirts can be purchased at Holy Rosary's rectory.
~ FOOD BANK ~
The Monroe City Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help unload the truck on the third Thursday of each month between 3:00-4:00 PM. They are also looking for volunteers to help distribute food on the third Friday of each month anytime between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions please call Jina McClintic at 573-248-6750. The November Food Bank will be held Friday, December 16th from 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.
~ CHRISTMAS IS CARING ~
The Holy Rosary Christmas Outreach is working with the Monroe City Hometown Volunteers Christmas is Caring this year to help provide Christmas to members of the Monroe City Community who are in need. The collection process for Holy Rosary will be the same as in years past. All donations will be distributed through the Hometown Volunteers to members of our own community. Boxes will be placed at each entrance of church for donations. There will also be tags at each entrance with items needed. We put out tags as applications are received. Sometimes these applications are a little late. We will try to keep each church supplied with tags. Each child receives an outfit, new under clothes and 2-3 toys. Other donated toys, clothes, etc. are also appreciated. If you are making a monetary donation, please make the check out to Monroe City Hometown Volunteers. Monetary donations can be dropped in the collection basket and marked “Christmas is Caring”. They can also be mailed or dropped by with the Holy Rosary Representative for Hometown volunteers, Shannon Quinn at 622 James Lane. If you know of a family in need, applications can be picked up at City Hall. Collection will continue until December 10th with distribution on December 17th. Please join with us in helping to provide a nice Christmas for members of our community. For more information you may call Shannon Quinn at 573-289-6894 or Lisa Shively at 573-735-2301.
~ THANK YOU ~
We would like to thank St. Stephen and Holy Rosary Parishes for the wonderful honor you paid to us last Sunday. We have enjoyed all the cards we received and all the kind words you have to say. The plaques are beautiful and we will keep them in our “treasured memories” cases. Thank you also for the great breakfast. We have many fine musicians continuing to play. We challenge them to play as long as we did. (Smiley face)
Regina and Dorothy
~ HELP NEEDED WITH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FUNDRAISER ~
The Religious Education program is looking for someone who would be interested in heading up our annual Trivia Night Fundraiser. The funds from this evening help to offset expenses for various programs and activities that we sponsor. If you would be interested in doing something like this please contact Deacon Mike @ 735-4718.
~ ADORATION CHAPEL HOURS ~
As you contemplate your Stewardship Time and Talent, please consider an hour, full time or sub, at the Adoration Chapel:
Adoration Chapel Hours available: Sunday 1-2 PM, 4-5 PM, 9-10 PM; Monday 7-8 AM; Tuesday 3-4 AM, 7-8 AM, 5-6 PM; Thursday 5-6 PM; Saturday 7-8 AM, noon-1 PM;3-4 PM
If you know of someone who might would take an hour or
substitute, please show them these available hours.Call: Phyllis Campbell -573-795-2290.
*Liturgy Appointments
December 11 – Third Sunday of Advent
Rosary Katie Underhill
Greeter Pat & Margie Hays
Music Beth Whelan & Julienne Burns
Song Leader Lee Anderson
Servers Bailey Hays & Maddie Gares
Lector Bill Smith
Offertory Kevin & Tina Long
Communion Ministers Debby Quinn, Peggy Spalding, P.A. & Kay Turnbull, Phil Whelan
Counters Darin Underhill, Norma Rubison
December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Rosary Madeline Williams
Greeter Phil Hays
Music Sr. Sue Walker & Floyd Buckman
Song Leader Judy Irons
Servers Alexis Lloyd & Ella Hays
Lector Amanda Spalding
Offertory Greg & Gena Maher
Communion Ministers Beth Whelan, Dwayne & Madeline Williams
Kathy Anderson, Deanna Buckman
Counters Darin Underhill, Joe Shively
December 24 – Christmas Eve Mass at 8:00 PM
A sign-up sheet for liturgy appointments is on the bulletin table. There will not be a Mass at St. Stephen Sunday morning, December 25th, as the Saturday evening Mass will fulfill the Sunday obligation.
Greeter
Music Debby Quinn & Julienne Burns
Song Leader The Choir
Servers
Lector
Offertory
Communion Ministers
Counters Darin Underhill, Danny & Mary Sims
Ushers for December
Dan Adam, Lee Anderson, Matt Anderson, Dan Bichsel
* All Liturgy appointees for the Mass, please check with the Sacristan 15 minutes before Mass so all Eucharistic ministries are covered.
Pastoral Council Members: Chair., David Hays; V. Chair., Jeff Gares; Sec'y, Darin Underhill; Glenn Bichsel, Dane Foster and Amanda Spalding.
Finance Committee: Monica Otto-Lloyd, Chair.; Tom Hagan, Sec'y; Debbie Kendrick
K of C’s: Grand Knight, Matt Hays; Deputy Grand Knight, Eric Keller; Recording Secretary, Tyson Mulvaney; Financial Secretary, Shane Spalding
Altar Society Officers: Pres., Amanda Spalding; V. Pres., Katie Underhill, Treas., Kaye Spalding
Picnic Committee: Coordinators, Matt & Jenn Hays; Treas., Shane Spalding
Cemetery Committee: Pres., Joe Purol; V. Pres., Bill Smith, Treas., Marie Purol, Nick Hays,
Dwayne Williams, Matt Hays
Cemetery Clean-Up Dates: Second Saturday of March, beginning at 9:00 AM