ST. RICHARD CATHOLIC CHURCH December 23, 2018

FROM THE DESK OF FR. ADAM.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel we hear Saint Luke’s account of the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom are pregnant with their respective sons. We hear Elizabeth’s words of praise for the Blessed Virgin, which eventually become—along with the words of the angel, Gabrielle—the first part of our prayer the Hail Mary. Saint Luke is known for presenting a Marian perspective on the life of Christ.

Only two gospels give us an account of the birth of our Lord, that of Saint Luke and that of Saint Matthew. Saint Matthew’s version sees the events through the eyes of Joseph, while Saint Luke’s version sees the birth of our Lord more through the viewpoint of Mary. Saint Luke’s account is the one most often portrayed in Christmas plays.

In the liturgy, we hear Saint Luke’s version of the nativity proclaimed at Midnight Mass. If we are not able to come to that Mass, we might miss Saint Luke’s narrative altogether. In that case, it is worth our time to read Saint Luke’s version of the birth of our Lord on our own. It can be found in Luke 2:1-20.

We look forward to celebrating Christmas with you at one of our holy Masses. On Christmas Eve Father Manoj will offer the 4:00 Mass. Later, I will offer Mass at Midnight, and also at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas day. I pray that the peace which the angels proclaimed at the first Christmas be yours this year.

Sincerely,

Fr. Adam Hertzfeld, Pastoral Administrator

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AMELIA JEAN GROGAN You wait and wait for me to visit You in Your voluntary Daughter of prison but I am so busy with petty things. Do Angels take my place when I am not with you? Century passes Drew & Kristi century and still You are in this Sacrament of Love, and BAPTIZED yet there seems to be few who appreciate Your Sacrifice, Your Love, Your Longing. Jesus, let me be a December 1,2018 comfort to Your lonely Heart.” ST. RICHARD CHURCH ST. RICHRD PRAY FOR US “For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.” LUKE 1:44

When you hear the scripture readings and Gospel reading each Sunday, do you “leap for joy?” If not, don’t blame the lecturer or priest, rather look inside yourself. Do you prepare for Mass each week or do you just show up and expect to be entertained? We are called to be active participants, not passive by-standers.

Save the date 2018 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL th Please consider a year-end gift for the ACA! Saturday: January 26 , 2019 @ Your generosity will help support our Seminarian formation, life-saving services at Catholic 6:00 p.m. in Clancy Hall Charities and valuable Parish ministries through YOUTH GROUP FUNDRAISER our Discipleship & Family Life Department. st 1 Annual Carnival Season Dinner Because of many of you, the ACA needs only Gratis ~ Good Will Donations will be collected $32,000 to reach our $2.8 million goal! Send in RSVP a must ~ only 200 tickets will be available your gift today to the Diocese of Toledo, 1933 Spielbusch Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Thank you for your love, prayers, care, and support. May TELLERS God bless you and your families this upcoming Wed-Dec.26: Terry Frohriep, Bea Kovacs, Christmas season! ~ Debbie Weagley, Mary Brodbeck Joyce Warner Office of Stewardship and Development Wed- Jan. 2: Rosalie Snyder, Cathy Ray, Renee Scofeld

MINISTRY SCHEDULE: Dec. 29/30, 2018 Dec. 29, 5:00 p.m. Dec. 30, 8:00 a.m. Dec. 30, 10:30 a.m. LECTORS Colin McQuade Al Bonifas Julie Kosier Joan Hallett Karole Sigg Janice Layman SERVERS Dolores Lewis Caden Beier Frank Snyder Courtney Kennedy Nicholas Heban Max Urban Liz Holtz Ryan Beier Hunter Urban GREETERS Mike Flynn Larry Benton Tracey Moore William Mack Andy Keil Charles Beier OPEN Adam Niese Phil Watts OPEN Dennis Heban Cathy Dancer MINISTERS OF HOLY Deanna McComish Frank Patek T. J. Haselman COMMUNION Linda Haselman Jennifer Schmidt Mary Beier Ann Hallett Kimberly Zieroff Jennifer Haselman POINT POINT Mary Wilson Michael Wiederman Amy Miller MASS COORDINATOR Claudia Sturm Deborah Weagley Anna Snyder HOMEBOUND RT.#1 Katy/ Rt.#2 Charlene/Pam Rt.#3 Dennis Seffernick

CRUSADERS CORNER DECEMBER 23, 2018

DIVINE ENCOUNTERS--PEACE The gospel details the Visitation of Mary to her cousin MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK Elizabeth. There probably was some anticipation and SATURDAY, Dec. 22 excitement for this meeting. The Visitation reveals to us the 4:00 p.m. Confessions (RR) sacredness of every visit by a relative, friend, neighbor or 5:00 p.m. Mass; Tom & Clarise Burkard, even foe. Whether planned or unexpected, short or lengthy, each is a divine encounter. Each person we receive is a Melody Keller, Jim & Leslie Lambert worthy and consecrated tabernacle of love that carries the Richard & Mildred McQuade( SRC) child Jesus. Bring peace to all those you meet today and SUNDAY, DEC. 23 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT every day. 7:30 a.m. Confessions (RR) Merry Christmas to each of you from all of us at St. Richard 8:00 a.m. Mass –Leo Szabo (SRC) Catholic School! 10:00 a.m. Confessions (RR) 10:30 a.m. Mass–Tom Warner (SRC) , MONDAY, Dec. 24 OFFICE CLOSED 4:00 p.m. Mass —Tammy Michakliewicz,

Living & Deceased Pirucki & Erdman Families (SRC) MIDNIGHT MASS (SRC) TUESDAY, Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Mass - Genevieve Worona, Matthew

Gongwer, Roger & David Bernath, Minnie Ramirez (SRC)

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26 8:30 a.m. Mass — Larry Haselman (SRC) THURSDAY, Dec. 27 NO Mass FRIDAY, Dec. 28 8:30 a.m. Mass—Bill Hopkins (SRC) SATURDAY, Dec. 29

4:15 p.m. Confessions (RR) 5:00 p.m. Mass Bob Debo (SRC) SUNDAY, DEC. 30 HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH 8:00 a.m. Mass – People of St. Richard Parish (SRC) 10:30 a.m. Mass–Roger & David Bernath (SRC) Terrence Hallett

If you would like to advertise your business in St. Richard Weekly Bulletin you may do so by Sister Jean M. Walczak, SND Contacting Sherri Fischhaber Principal 419-450-5475/ [email protected] St. Richard Catholic School Divorced and D In Dec. we will be meeting at OLPH on Thurs. Dec. 20th in meeting room 2 from 7 to 9 pm. All parishes are welcome to join our group. You do not have to be Catholic to join us. We use "The Catholic Divorce Survival Guide" book and DVDs as well as inviting speakers and other means of support. If you have any questions you may contact Sandy Stricker at 419-865-9704 or Vicki Sweeney at 419-865- 0085. Ours is a year round group and you may join us at any time during the year.

STEPHEN MINISTRY UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE Join us for Unlocking the Mysteries of the Bible, a DVD Bible study that gives an overview The joy of Christmas can turn into a time of painful loneliness and emptiness for of the Bible from Jeff Cavins and Sara those who have suffered a loss or who are going Christmyer. We will start on January 15 and through a difficult time. But help is available. Our meet every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. To Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confiden- register for the study, fill out the form below, and tial, one-to-one Christian care. They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and sup- drop it off at the parish office with checks made port you through the holidays and as long as your payable to St. Richard Church by December 31. need persists. If you or someone you know is hurt- The study companion book is $26.00. ing, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talk- ing with one of our Stephen Leaders: Ann Geise, Unlocking the Mysteries of the Bible Cathy Dancer or Joan Hallett. Our Stephen Minis- ters are there to care! Name ______

Phone or email ______PICKLEBALL December 14th, 2018 The sport of Pickleball has gained popularity throughout Northwest Ohio over the past few years, and Fulton County seniors are now going to have FRIENDS & RELATIVES OF PARISHIONERS the opportunity to try it out locally! The Fulton County Senior Center will begin offering Pickleball on Tuesdays in January at their Wauseon Site located at 240 Clinton Aleta Biana, Pat Bechtel, Lynn Brickman, Josie Street, Wauseon, Ohio, 43567. The games will be held on Brown, Rob Brooks, Maria Cole, Beth Cones, Jim the following Tuesdays; January 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th from 8:oo am to 10:30am. Dickman, Anita Douglas, Mary Dudley, Tom Duvendach, Janet Fackleman, Fred Fether, Pickleball is an active game for two or four players that combines elements of table tennis, tennis and badminton Wendy Finfera, Deb Floyd, Larry Gatesman, using a paddle and Wiffle-type ball. Beginners are Dianne Gorsha, Mitchell Gorsha, Ina Gwinn, Sr. welcome. The Senior Center is working with one of their Eve Marie Korzym, Terry Lynos, Doris Marckel, seniors passionate about this sport who is helping to set Jim Mills, Mary Morris, Denver Mossing, Ceil up the net, loan the equipment and explain the rules to those interested in learning the game. It is required that Nartker, Charlie Payne, Jack Pierce, David Rahm, participants bring a change of shoes to keep melting snow Bob Salsa, Amy Saunders, Amy Seel, Linda off of the court. For questions or more information, contact Shoup, Eileen Simon, Jean Simon, Donna the Fulton County Senior Center at 419.337.9299. Steward, Danny Strezynski, Jack Strohm, Jeff Traudt , Gary Urbanski, Justin & Daniel Walsh, ADVENT GIVING TREE VOLUNTEERS Robert Walters, Michael Warner, Todd Wesley, Fr. Dan Zak A SINCERE THANK YOU TO OUR SANTA’S HELPERS—Sally, Marissa, Emily, Tanner & Hayden Callicotte, Larry & Laurie Buckenmeyer, C. C. PIANIST OR ORGANIST NEEDED Forche, Mike & Susan Hallett, Joyce Warner, Wauseon St. Caspar has a position for a pianist or Chuck & Mary Beier, Ryan Beier, Peggy Fry, organist to play four to eight weekend Masses per Dianne & Lowell Bryan. They sorted and month. Interested musicians should contact Vicki delivered the gifts the parishioners had Smith at 419-337-2322 or purchased for the requested organizations. [email protected] by December 28. THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Grief Support The journey through grief is difficult, but Mon. Dec.24 OFFICE CLOSED moves along a little easier with companions on the 9:30 a.m. Prayer Group (GH) journey. You are welcome to join a group at St. Joan Tues. Dec. 25 Wed. Dec. 26 11:30 a.m. Rosary (GH) of Arc. Grief support sessions will be Wednesdays 12:00 p.m. Senior Gathering (GH) at noon at St. Joan of Arc. The first meeting is 5:00 p.m. Basketball Practice (CH) January 16, and the nine-week course will continue Thurs. Dec. 27 5:30 p.m. Cheer & Basketball Practice (CH) until mid -March. Meetings last about 90 minutes 7:30 p.m. AA Mtg. (SFH) and will take place in the community room. For Fri. Dec. 28 Sat. Dec.29 9:00 a.m. Paint & Pray (PLC) more information, contact Sister Valerie Schneider Sun. Dec.30 at 419-866-6181.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR PARISHIONERS WINTER WEATHER WORRIES

Ron Berkebile, Larry Burditt, Ann Czajka, Sue Winter weather is coming and that means ice and Dzyak, Bea Guthrie, Velma Hallett, Albert Halsey, snow may make it difficult for some people to get Char Haskins, Tonya Hoyt, Roxanne Incorvaia, to church. But parish bills keep growing during the Brice Johnson, Charlene Karamol, Gloria Lanum, winter including increased heating costs and snow Alan Lumbrezer, Dennis McCartney, Tom McGhee, removal expenses, You can make sure your parish Bea Meyers, Edward & Antionette Misko, Lois support doesn’t stop just when we need it the Myers, Rose Muniz, Charles Neate, Donna Puehler, most. Check our simple, safe and secure online Barbara Rasik, Ruth Roth, Heather Rahe, Norma giving program at Slawinski, Barbara Smith, Rosemary Smith, Jean www.saintrichard.weshareonline.org. We are Szabo, George Torda, Hope Truckor, most grateful to all those who make every effort to Sharon Urbanski, Richard Ueberroth give consistently whether electronically or through the weekly offering basket.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 1/1: Happy Birthday to all who celebrate your birthday today.

1/2: Katelyn LaGrange, Xavier Cooley

1/3: Richard Pinkelman, Roy Gwinn, Kylie Hanneman, Melissa Noe, William Hallett How would you like 365 chances to win money in 1/4: Mickayla Molinski 2019? Our Lady of Perpetual Help School is giving you that chance with their 365 Lotto fundraiser! For only 1/5: Chase Avalos $20 per ticket you have a chance to be in a drawing 1/6: Frederick Sturt, Randy Truckor, EVERY DAY in 2019 with a chance to win $40, $100, Kathleen Williams; Scott & Julie Kosier $500, $1,000 or maybe $5,000 if we sell at least 2,500 tickets. Contact OLPH to get tickets by calling 419- 1/7: Ann Hallett, Mark Haupricht, Matthew Biler, 382-5511. AND, If you buy or sell 15, you will get one Laurie Garcia; Terry & Jean Frohriep

FREE ticket. Call today!