December 29, 2019 • The of , Mary and Joseph

Nativity ofof Mary Rectory 313 E. WALL STREET • JANESVILLE, WISCONSI N 53545-3047 313 E. Wall Street Janesville, WI 53545-3047 Website ...... www.nativitymary.org Phone ...... (608) 752-7861 Father Rob Butz ……. (608) 620-9910 Pastor ...... Rev. Robert Butz Email: [email protected]

Dir. of Liturgy ...... Bob Craig Email: [email protected] Coord. Religious Ed….Kathy Hookham Email: [email protected] Business Manager ... .Arwen Twitchett Email: [email protected] Parish Secretary...……....Sharlet Collins Email: [email protected]

St. Mary School 307 E. Wall Street Janesville, WI 53545-3047 Phone ...... (608) 754-5221 Principal……………………..Kim Ehrhardt Secretary ……………………..Sue Vodak & Sue Dickman

Religious Education Phone ...... (608) 752-7861 Coordinator…………….Kathy Hookham

Prayer Network Mary Ann Venable…..(608) 754-5284

Nativity of Mary ...... Sat. 4:30 pm Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 am St. Patrick……Sat. 7:30 am & 4:00 pm

St. John Vianney ………….Sat. 8:15 am & 5:00 pm Sun. 8:15 & 10:00 am St. William ...... Sat. 4:00 pm Sun. 8:00 & 10:30 am St. Mary - Milton ...... Sat. 4:00 pm Sun. 8:30 am We, the Catholic family of Nativity of Mary, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Through worship, the sacraments, fellowship, evangelization and outreach, we will share the word of Christ in our community. -Mission Statement News & Notes News & Notes

Wishing you a St. Mary Blessed School

Adopt a Family at : St. Mary School eighth- graders participated in this activity that is designed to assist families who need an extra measure of care during the holidays. The school raised over $800, and purchased gifts for families in need.

THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS Las Posadas Re-enactment: Members of St. Mary School participated in this traditional Hispanic religious

ceremony to accompany the Christmas season on Friday, A big THANK YOU to all who made our Christmas December 20, 2019. Las Posadas is Spanish for lodging or services so special this year. accommodation, which refers to the inn in the story of the

. During the re-enactment two students The entire decorating committee once again ensured the dressed up as Mary and Joseph and made nine stops at church was beautiful. Their hard work and eye for detail different classrooms asking for posada and ending up in was apparent. All those who helped in ministry positions the church for the conclusion of the observance. Thank during our liturgies; your service is appreciated. you to Mr. Gre for your guidance and leadership with this

activity. The members of our Choirs were exceptional by presenting lovely prelude music prior to the 6 pm Christmas Vacation for the School is from December on and the 10 am Mass on Christmas Day. 23 to January 5, 2020. School resumes on Monday, They then wonderfully lead the congregation in song and January 6, 2019. prayer during the service. They are an example of “true stewards of Christ” to share so much of their time and talent with us.

Finally, it wouldn’t have been a St. Mary's Christmas without our fantastic Young Voices choir. The kids worked very hard and did a great job. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the choir’s fine director, Laura Schuler, and, pianist, Ann Allen. And thanks to the parents who supported these fine young men and women.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. Luke 2: 1-14 Gather Together—Fellowship Opportunities

CENTERING PRAYER Mondays 11:00-11:30 AM in the Nativity House. For more information call Ken 608-751-8406

FAITH SHARING GROUP Money Matters Tuesdays 10:30 AM to Noon in the Nativity House. For more information call Rose 608-754-8451.

Money Counts for 2018-2019 TAIZE’ PRAYER Second Monday of each month 7:00 PM in the church. Received Budgeted Variance For more information call Ann 608-862-3756.

Week 24 DARE TO DREAM BOOK CLUB 12-15-2019 13,020.15 10,637.92 2,382.23 Third Monday of each month 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. For more information call Colleen 608-868-6386. YTD $272,898.88 274,797.35 -1,898.47 2 Focus on Faith Scripture Please Pray For Our Parishioners The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Barbara Allen, Bill, Sandra Barrette, When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord Judy Bever, Valerie Boggs, Karen Bullis, appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take Noah Cotter, Linda Fredell, LeeAnn Gilligan, the child and his mother and go to the land of , for Gerri, Jackie H., Alice Jensen, Pat, those who sought the child's life are dead.” He rose, took the Penny Patterson, Max Rammer, Tom Rice, child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. - Mt 2:19-21

Heather Saalfeld, Madelynn Schieve, Colleen Schroeder, Andrew Stuehler, ************************************************************ Edna Thorp, Peter Weirich, Lola Williams, “‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay Avalon Widner, Lucille Willegal there until I tell you.’” 725 kilometers. That’s the distance on modern roads from Bethlehem to Cairo. Assuming one covered 40km a day on foot — ambitious for two young parents and their infant son — the journey would take well Eucharistic Adoration over two weeks. Of course, the Holy Family didn’t have A Holy Hour is held in the church every modern roads. They would travel through wilderness, fear Friday, following the 8:15 AM Mass. bandits, run low on water, and cross the vast Sinai Peninsula We invite you to come and pray in a reverse of their forefathers in Exodus. Here, in struggle in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. and sacrifice, are the beginnings of the forging of the Holy Family.

Traveling Chalice “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and

This week the Traveling Chalice will be hosted departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod.” By Joyce Reuter. Large Jewish communities existed in most major cities of the Any questions regarding our Traveling Chalice ancient Mediterranean world, after the collapse of their program may be directed to: Colleen at 868-6386 OR kingdoms chronicled in the Old Testament, and Joseph could [email protected]. likely find work as a carpenter. All the same, today’s Gospel reminds us that the first formational years of Jesus as a babe -in-arms were spent in a strange land. The members of the Holy Family were foreigners, outsiders, immigrants. Sacraments The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God took on our humanity. He is in solidarity with our own trials and Anointing of the Sick: difficulties. On the feast of the Holy Family, we honor the special place of the family within society. We are invited, too, to recall those families who share in the struggles of the Holy Family in a particular way. We pray for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. We pray for all parents who sacrifice their own well-being and comfort so their children may have Infant Baptism: Registered members of the parish are a better life. welcome to arrange for their baby’s baptism by signing up for the necessary preparation program for parents.

RCIA Readings for Sunday, December 29, 2019 Please call anytime if you would like to discuss Catholicism The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and see how joining the Church may offer you a deeper Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 / Col 3:12-21 / Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 relationship with Jesus Christ. Readings for Next Sunday, January 5, 2020 Catholic Women’s Club of the Lord Contact Jan Bier at 752-4387 for more information. Is 60:1-6 / Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12

Knights of Columbus Contact Ed Gilligan 449-6468 for more information. Would You Like A Pastoral Visit?

Adult Catholic Spirit Club REMINDER: If you, a family member or someone you know is confined or hospitalized and would benefit from a pastoral Contact Dolores Dilley 752-2587. visit, please contact your parish office and let them know. Bulletin Deadline Staff does not always know of hospital admissions for a Mondays at 9:00 AM. Please contact Sharlet Collins at the variety of reasons and often has no way of knowing of other Rectory, 752-7861 or email [email protected]. situations in which a parish contact would be beneficial. 3 What’s Happening

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

♦ START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT! ♦ Give the gift of time to each other this year! ♦ On the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend, learn to prioritize the important things. ♦ Sign up today to attend one of the upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends on January 24-26 in Brookfied, WI; February 14-16 in Geneva, IL or March 13-15 in Madison, WI. ♦ Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at:alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653.

Wisconsin Right to Life Rock County Chapter Value All Life from Conception to Natural Death

There will be a bus to the Chicago March for Life at the Daley Center Plaza on January 11th. (The Chicago bus if free, but limited space and first come, first served.) One bus pick-up will be in Madison (Wausau Route). Contact Matt Peeters at [email protected] if you are interested in going.

Buses from Wisconsin Right to Life are going to the Washington DC March for Life January 22-26. The cost is $350/person. More information is available at https://wisconsinrighttolife.org/events/ A Personal Journey from Islam to Catholicism Featuring Fariba Roughead Monday, January 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM Agrace “Bridges” Grief Support Group Holy Name Heights, 702 S High Point Road in Madison Grieving adults can find comfort where ….. For more information, visit  Others listen, and can relate to your experience www.madisondiocese.org/event  Sharing helps overcome the isolation of grief  Experts share ways to return to healthy daily living A re you or a loved one carrying the grief and sorrow of Bridges meets every other Tuesday at Agrace, 2901 N Wright past abortions? Whether recent or long ago, Hope and Road in Janesville. In January, meetings are January 7 and 21, Healing from this heartfelt sorrow is possible. from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No advance registration is needed, For confidential care, contact Mary or Chris at: and participants may attend as often as they feel the need for Project Rachel 608-221-9593 or 608-821-3177, support. $15* per session. Attend as often as you wish. or email [email protected] *There is no fee for people whose family member was on Referrals to a priest, counselor, peer support and/or hospice in the past 12 months. The fee may be lowered or Rachel’s Vineyard retreat weekends are offered. waived for others, if needed. Call Jody (608) 327-7118 with Upcoming retreats in 2020: questions. Visit our website at grace.org/griefgroups. March 13-15 or November 13-15. Visit: www.madisondiocese.orgrachel or www.madisondiocese.org/projectrachel Dear God, A new year means new beginnings, but I know with You nothing has ever changed. Your love, grace, and mercy remain unchangeable. Your promises are secure and everlasting. This coming year, keep my eyes fixed on You trusting that whatever lies ahead You are with me every 4 step of the way. Amen. What’s Happening

5 ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS C Mass Intentions = Living OF ANY PARISH IN THE CLUSTER Monday, December 30 L No Mass December 30 11:00 AM U Tuesday, December 31 Centering Prayer, Nativity of Mary, Nativity House No Mass December 31 10:30 AM S Wednesday, January 1 Faith Sharing, Nativity of Mary, Nativity House T 9:15 AM Madeline Lepinski December 31 9:00 AM– 2:00 PM Thursday, January 2 Red Cross Bloodmobile, St. John Vianney, Marian Hall E 8:15 AM 1-800 REDCROSS for an appointment. Walk-ins welcome. R Friday, January 3 January 1 Feast of Mary, Mother of God, 8:15 AM January 2 8:30 AM-1:00 PM Saturday, January 4 Adoration, St. Patrick C 4:30 PM January 2 11:30 AM-2:00 PM O Sunday, January 5 Catholic Charities/Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry, 8:30 AM R St. John Vianney, 11:30-12:30 Registration, 12:30-2:00 10:30 AM Andy & Shirley Jennings Food Distribution N P January 3 8:45-9:45 AM E A Monday, December 30 Adoration, Nativity of Mary R 11:00 AM Centering Prayer, Nativity House January 3 9:00 AM– Noon R Tuesday, December 31 I Adoration, St. John Vianney 10:30 AM Faith Sharing Group, Nativity House S January 5 9:15 AM Thursday, January 2 Symbolon, St. William H 6:00 PM RCIA Inquiry, Rectory

7:15 PM RCIA, Rectory Holy Day of Obligation E Friday, January 3 V 8:45-9:45 AM Holy Hour (Adoration), Church of Mary, Holy Mother of God

E Saturday, January 4 N New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day 9:30-10:30 AM Reconciliation, Church December 31st January 1st T Sunday, January 5 Nativity of Mary 9:15 am S 9:30 AM Knights of Columbus , Church St. John Vianney 5:15 pm 8:15 am

St. Patrick 5:30 pm 8:00 am

St. William 4:00 pm 9:00 am

St. Mary, Milton 8:30 am

No Mass or Reconciliation Tuesday, December 31st

The Parish Office will be closed on January 1st

Monday Tuesday New Year’s Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 12/30 Day 1/5

Nativity of Mary 9:15 am 8:15 am 8:15 am 4:30 pm 8:30 & 10:30 am Choir

St. John Vianney 8:15 am 5:15 pm 8:15 am 8:15 am 8:15 am 5:00 pm 8:15 & 10:00 am

St. Patrick 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 8:00 am 5:30 pm 4:00 pm 9:00 am & 12:00 Noon en Español

St. William 4:00 pm 9:00 am 4:00 pm 8:00 & 10:30 am

St. Mary’s Hospital

St. Elizabeth 9:15 am Nursing Home St. Elizabeth Manor 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 11:00 am Footville