December 1, 2019 1st Sunday of Advent

WHAT ARE MY DUTIES TOWARDS OUR COUNTRY ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH

Catechism of the continued from last week... 2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him. Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens. 2242 The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel. Refusing obedience to civil authorities, when their demands are contrary to those of an upright conscience, finds its justification in the distinction between serving God and serving the political community. "Render therefore to Caesar the NEWS & EVENTS things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."48 "We EWTN Conference ...... Page 2 must obey God rather than men":49 Family Movie Night ...... Page 2 When citizens are under the oppression of a public authority which MINISTRIES oversteps its competence, they should still not refuse to give or to do JOY Ministry ...... Page 2 what is objectively demanded of them by the common good; but it is St. Elizabeth's Pantry ...... Page 2 legitimate for them to defend their own rights and those of their Readers ...... Page 2 fellow citizens against the abuse of this authority within the limits of Respect Life ...... Page 4 the and the Law of the Gospel.50 Young Adults ...... Page 5 Mobile Food Bank ...... Page 5 2243 Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not ...... Page 5 legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 1) there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights; 2) all EDUCATION other means of redress have been exhausted; 3) such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 4) there is well-founded hope of Understanding the Liturgy ...... Page 3 success; and 5) it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better St. Katharine Drexel School ...... Page 3 solution.

For more information on these and other events, visit www.paxchristi.org ST. ELIZABETH'S PANTRY As the holidays approach, St. Elizabeth’s Pantry is in need of food supplies. We accept non-perishable St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies. Anything 6673 W. Chatfield Avenue is appreciated, but our specific needs include: Littleton, CO 303-979-7688 Canned Fish & Meat $30 per ticket (early purchase pricing) Canned Fruit — all varieties Canned Vegetables, Purchase tickets at especially corn, carrots and mixed vegetables https://followthetruth.ticketspice.com/follow-the-truth Pasta Sauce and Canned Pasta Meals Condiments Healthy Snacks JOY MINISTRY... Jesus, Others, You Thank you for your generosity!

Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion assist the clergy in bringing the Eucharist to parishioners who cannot attend READER MEETING weekend Mass due to infirmity, age, or temporary disability. There will be a meeting for all current Readers and those interested in training to proclaim God's Word If you would like the Eucharist brought to you or a loved one, at Mass on Saturday, December 7th from contact the office at (303) 799-1036. 9:00-10:00 am in the church. Contact Jennifer at [email protected] with questions.

1st Sunday of Advent -2- December 1, 2019 UNDERSTANDING THE LITURGY... so we can fully participate in our liturgical celebration Meaning of Advent Our next few weeks can give many people the wrong understanding of what Advent is about. Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent. Adventus is a Latin word that means coming. In Greek, we use the word Parousia that very often refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some scholars believe that in the 5th century Advent was a season of preparation for the of new Christians at the January Feast of the Epiphany. By the 6th century Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time. Today, the season of Advent has four Sundays and leads to Christmas. It symbolizes the present situation of the Church in these last days (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2). We are waiting for Christ to return in glory. The words of Advent hymns are expressing our longing for that moment: O come, O come Emmanuel. To balance the two elements of remembrance and anticipation, the first two Sundays in Advent (through December 16th) look forward to Christ’s second coming, and the last two Sundays (December 17th – 24th) look backward to remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the four weeks, Scripture readings move from passages about Christ’s return in judgment to Old Testament passages about the expectation of the coming Messiah to New Testament passages about the announcements of Christ’s arrival by John the Baptist and the Angels. The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. A Lutheran minister working at a mission for children created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles inside the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays and the four white candles were lit on Sundays. Eventually, the Advent wreath was created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter and death. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath. Additional decorations, like holly and berries, are sometimes added. Their red color points ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Pinecones can symbolize the new life that Jesus brings through His resurrection. Families begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they light another candle each subsequent Sunday. The most common Advent candle tradition, however, involves four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace. Often, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. Sometimes all the candles are red; in other traditions, all four candles are blue or white. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Pax Christi Catholic Church - 3 - Littleton, CO ______

Please join us on Sunday, December 8th, the feast of the , between 9 pm and 11 pm, for prayer, recitation of the and Adoration as we pray with the entire Nation to restore the protection of Life, Family, and the Church, and to establish the peace Our Lady promised.

That the gift of justice may transform our land, making secure the lives of the poor, the vulnerable, and the unborn. We pray to the Lord.

1st Sunday of Advent - 4 - December 1, 2019 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Breakfast: Our next burrito breakfast is scheduled for Sunday December 8th after the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

Christmas Party: The Knights and Family Christmas Party will be held Sunday, December 15th. The agenda is Marion Icon Prayer at 4:00 p.m. and Mass at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will follow. We will have a youth "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest and.....we heard that Santa has made time for an early visit! Mark your calendar for this fun event! ______

MOBILE FOOD BANK Ministry Lead Position Available The volunteer coordinator acts as the point of contact between Food Bank of the Rockies, Pax Christi Parish and other volunteers. Once a year the coordinator takes an online course on food safety and completes an online test. The coordinator ensures all new volunteers are informed of the rules regarding food distribution which includes government subsidized food. Contact Jeanette Robinson at [email protected] if you are interested in helping this important ministry.

JESUS' MESSAGE OF MERCY: God Loves Us…No Matter How Great Our Sins At Friday 9am Mass, prayers from the Divine Mercy Chaplet are said as an extension of our worship. A few prayer booklets are available at the entrance of church and in the Great Hall. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has the chaplet prayers and a Divine Mercy Novena online at www.usccb.org. Also, the USCCB website has information about Faustina Kowalska, a Polish . Jesus appeared to her bringing His message of mercy for all mankind. The Divine Mercy prayers are based on Saint Faustina’s writings. The Divine Mercy image that greets us at the entrance of church is a depiction of Jesus’ appearance to St. Faustina. His right hand is raised in blessing. The rays come forth from Jesus’s heart and symbolize the blood and water that was poured out for our and our sanctification. Jesus asks us to trust Him always and in all things, especially in the graces that we receive from Baptism and the Eucharist. defines mercy as “The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation.” Let us repent our sins, pray for mercy, and extend mercy to others. “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.”(Optional Closing Prayer from the Prayers of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

Pax Christi Catholic Church - 5 - Littleton, CO THE WEEK AHEAD COMMUNITY REWARDS MASS SCHEDULE PROGRAM Mon., Wed. - Fri.: 9:00am Monday December 2 9:45a-11:45a Apologetics Course Link your King Soopers (KS) loyalty Sat.: 5:00pm 6:00p-7:30p RCIA card to Pax Christi. Use the loyalty card Sun.: 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm each time you shop at any KS to get Tuesday December 3 savings and support Pax Christi. Most Holy Days (weekday): 6:30am and 7:00pm 9:00a-10:30a 33 Days to Morning items in your shopping cart qualify, but Glory not all. If you don’t have a loyalty card, 9:30a-11:30a PaxMoms SACRAMENT OF 1:00p-3:00p Prayer Shawl visit the customer service desk at any KS. RECONCILIATION 4:15p-5:30p Choir-2nd Year If you have a loyalty card, go to http:// Mon., Wed. - Fri.: 8:30-8:50am 6:30p-7:30p Reader Meeting kingsoopers.com. Sign into your KS Thu.: 6:30 - 7:30pm 6:30p-8:30p GIFT Catechists account under “My Account.” Select Sat.: 4:00 - 4:30pm Wednesday December 4 “Community Rewards.” Search for Pax 9:45a-11:45a ENDOW Christi in the “Find an Organization” Or by appointment 10:00a-12:00p Pantry field. Click “Enroll.” You’re done. ______1:30p-3:30p Women's Schola 5:15p-6:30p Choir-3rd/4th Year Thank you for supporting our parish! 6:00p-7:00p Confirmation PARISH OFFICE HOURS 6:30p-8:30p ENDOW ______Mon. - Thu.: 7:15p-8:45p MS Youth Group 9:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 5:00pm 7:15p-9:00p M/W Schola Fri.: 9:00am - Noon Thursday December 5 Parish Office: 303-799-1036 11:00a-1:00p Wisdom Class Fax: 303-799-1072 4:15p-5:30p Choir-1st Year 6:30p-7:30p Adoration/Confession Shopping at Amazon.com? HOLY HOUR OF ADORATION 6:30p-8:00p Spiritual Exercises 7:00p-9:00p HS Discipleship Did you know by shopping at Thu.: 6:30-7:30pm (Church) Amazon.com you can generate $$ for 1st Fri.: 6:30-7:30pm (Chapel) Friday December 6 10:00a-12:00p Bible Study Pax Christi? It’s EASY! Sacramental Emergencies: 6:30p-7:30p Holy Hour To shop, go to smile.amazon.com. Select 303-799-1036, option 2 7:30p-9:00p Young Adults Pax Christi Catholic Church, Littleton. ______Saturday December 7 This will be your default charity for all 6:00a-7:30a Point Ment future purchases. Pax Christi will RETURNING GOD'S GIFTS 9:00a-10:00a Reader Meeting receive .5% of your eligible Amazon 1:00p-3:00p Pastorela 2019 DIOCESAN Smile purchases. The money earned from MINISTRY APPEAL Sunday December 8 this website is electronically deposited 2nd Sunday of Advent into a Pax Christi bank account. You can as of October 24, 2019 9:00a-10:30a Bible Blast change your default charity at any time. 9:30a-12:00p Breakfast Goal: $141,661 9:45a-11:30a RCIA Shop and support Pax Christi at the Total Pledged: $146,297 12:30p-2:30p GIFT A1 same time! % of Goal Pledged: 103.27% 4:00p-6:00p GIFT A2 Total Paid: $134,301 9:00p-11:00p Night of Prayer for Life % of Goal Paid: 94.80%

MASS INTENTIONS

11/30 5:00p Lawrence and Lillian Post 12/7 5:00p Carl Musso, Sr. (d) 12/1 8:30a Mass for the People 12/8 8:30a Mass for the People 12/1 10:30a Ryan Willoughby (d) 12/8 10:30a Daniel Dee (d) 12/1 5:00p Kathleen Jo Piscitelli (d) 12/8 5:00p For All Members and Their Families of 12/2 9:00a Kyle Leonard the Pax Christi Knights of Columbus 12/4 9:00a Laurie Heath 12/9 9:00a Hunter and Audry Rees 12/5 9:00a Murphy Family 12/11 9:00a Catherine Swieca 12/6 9:00a John Macaluso (d) 12/12 9:00a Mass for the People 12/12 7:00p Msgr. Michael Glenn (d) 12/13 9:00a Mary Catherine Keeney (d)

1st Sunday of Advent - 6 - December 1, 2019 PARISH STAFF Pastor: Fr. Marek Krol ...... 720-419-0122 / [email protected] : Tom Sandusky ...... 720-419-0131 / [email protected] Business Manager: Lisa Walker ...... 720-419-0123 / [email protected] Director of Music: Raymond Ortiz ...... 720-419-0124 / [email protected] Director of Discipleship: Rachel Daugherty ...... 720-419-0129 / [email protected] Director of Youth Ministry: Marcela Garcia Lopez ...... 720-419-0125 / [email protected] Head Catechist: Becky Hensler ...... 720-419-0127 / [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Joanne Lafond ...... 303-799-1036 / [email protected] Maintenance: Chris Rezabeck ...... 720-419-0130 / [email protected] St. Katharine Drexel School: Mandi Lupher, Director ...... 720-419-0128 / [email protected]

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