St. Sylvester , 6464 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

YEAR B

Father John F. Kelly, Pastor Weekly Mass Schedule Father Alvaro Pio Gonzalez Monday 8:30am Parochial Vicar Tuesday 7:00pm Charles Sukup, Deacon Wednesday 8:30am Thursday 6:00pm Friday 8:30am Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 9:00am 11:00am Español 5:00pm

Welcome! St. Sylvester Parish Office

New Parishioners: Phone: 850-939-3020 Please register at the Welcome Table FAX: 850-936-5366 in the vestibule after Mass Website: www.stsylv.org or stop by the office. Email: [email protected] Active Membership is determined by: Bulletin Items: [email protected]  Registration in the parish Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am to 2:00pm  Faithful attendance at Sunday Mass and on Holy Days  Support of the parish through time, talent WEEK AT A GLANCE and treasure 9a Son Treasure Sacraments and Services 9a Sunday Mass Anointing of the Sick 11a Sunday Mass 3p Children’s Choir Practice  Call the parish office Sun 3p English Baptism Class Baptism Dec 10 3p Preparacion para Bautismo Clases  Must have Baptism Preparation Class 4p Spanish Choir Practice  English classes on 2nd Sunday of each month 4:3p Reconciliation (Spanish & English) 5p Spanish Mass Baptisms are on 3rd Sunday of each month 6p EDGE and LIFETEEN Text or call Erica Meyer, 850-978-2624 Email – [email protected] Mon 8:3a Daily Mass  Spanish classes 1st and 2nd Sundays of each month Dec 11 Call Kenia Redondo 850-357-5087 and Benediction 9a Women's Bible Study First Fridays - 6:00pm - 9:00pm Tue 6:30p  6pm Exposition and Silent Adoration Dec 12 7p Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass  7pm Communal Prayer of the And Reception Office of the Blessed Sacrament 8:3a Daily Mass  8pm Hispanic and Benediction Marriage Arrangements Wed 6p Rock/ RCIC/RCIT Dec 13 6:3p Choir Practice  Six months in advance; please call the office 7:3p Guitar Practice Reconciliation Thu 6p Daily Mass  English Saturday 3:00pm-3:30pm 6p RCIA  Spanish & English Sunday 4:30pm-5:00pm Dec 14  By appointment Fri 8:3a Daily Mass Nursery Dec 15  Available during 9:00am & 11:00am Masses Sat 3p Reconciliation Religious Education Classes Dec 16 4p Vigil Mass ROCK (1st-5th) Wednesday 6pm-7:15pm 9a Son Treasure EDGE (6th-8th) Sunday 6pm-8pm 9a Sunday Mass LIFETEEN (9th-12th) Sunday 6pm-8pm Sun 11a Sunday Mass ADULT FAITH FORMATION (AFF) 4p Spanish Choir Practice Various days and times - Check bulletin or call parish office Dec 17 4:3p Reconciliation (Spanish & English) RCIC (4th-8th Grades) Wednesday 6pm-7:15pm 5p Spanish Mass RCIT (9th-12th Grades) Wednesday 6pm-7:15pm 6p EDGE and LIFETEEN RCIA (Adult) Thursday 6pm-8pm PLEASE NOTE: Children’s Liturgy of the Word (4-6 yrs. only) OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MASS AND Sundays during the 9:00 or 11:00am Mass CELEBRATION WILL BEGIN TUESDAY

No registration is required. The teacher will call the DECEMBER 12TH WITH A ROSARY AT children to the front of the sanctuary before Mass 6:30PM, FOLLOWED BY MASS AT 7:00PM, begins, and they will return during the offertory. WITH A RECEPTION AFTER MASS IN THE Son Treasure Special Needs Liturgy/Class PARISH CENTER. Sundays during the 9am Mass in Conference Rm 1 ALL ARE WELCOME.

Mass Intentions Prayer Requests

For World Peace, For All God’s Sunday, December 10 Children, and the Sick: 9:00am † Ray & Joanne Pease by Andrea Lewis 11:00am † Louis Diaz by Vinny & Shirley Mosher Joe Aguyao, Zoe Allen, Ava Adkinson, Roberta Anderson, 5:00pm For the Parish Rose Bachus, Laura Baker, Norka Balencia, Selena Barthe, Pete Bayona, Kathy Benson, Beverly Blackwell, Monday, December 11 8:30am † Jessie Casero by Zeny Guthrie Sam Bonno, Dennis Boyce, Jerry Brandon, Mark Broughton, Lanie Brewster, Bud, Tuesday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 7:00pm † Aurelia Wrasse by The Teegarden Family Linda Burgemeister, Cathy Butler, James Cicero, Wednesday, December 13 Father of Janet Cravens, George Crepeau, Bob Dasho, Barbara Donahue, Russell Durfee, Lin Dworshak, 8:30am † Mike Holley by Mom DeLeene Eubank, Johnnie Frank, Eileen Gaspard, Thursday, December 14 Elsa Garcia, Dion Gerena, John Gibson Family, Lila Gray, 6:00pm † Marianne Woodicka by Sam & Sue Guthrie Brian Guthrie, Susan Guthrie, Paul Hanson, Stephen Hass, Friday, December 15 Dale Hawkins, Kylie Hosey, Jerry Hutchinson, Jeanie, 8:30am † Maureen Holmes by Tom & Mary Ann Kurtz Fay Johnson, Mary Johnson, Dick Justice, Saturday, December 16 Anthony Konosky, Shawn Landon, Sandy Laverty, 4:00pm † Uncle Nick, by Nicalene Weismantel Karen Machula, Debbie Martin, Derek McGee, † Aunt Sara, & † Joe Manis Pat and Don Miller, Carol Neel, Fr. Phi Nguyen, Sunday, December 17 Doris O’Rourke, Dwayne Patterson, Dan Ramsey, 9:00am † Ray & Joanne Pease by Andrea Lewis Dan Russell, J.P. Russell, Pat Sears, Midge Skinner, 11:00am † Aguilar Vda de by Maria De Pasqual Cathy Spaffard, Marvin Spellings, Joe Streacker, Garcia De la arena Halverson T.J. & Judy, Joanne Thomas, Leon Vincent, 5:00pm For the Parish Sue Van Slooten, Dan Wade, Diane Watkins, Madison Watts, Granddaughter of Kathleen Wence and Please Note: Tuesday Dec 12th, Jaimie Williams.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Rosary @ Please notify the Parish Office if someone is in need of prayer. 6:30pm, Mass @ 7:00pm. Names will remain on the list for four weeks unless the office is notified. Reflection Readings for the Week Year B Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Second Sunday of Advent

Patience Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 Reading I: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 (promise of salvation) Reading II: 2 Peter 3:8-14 (Christ will come in judgement) Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 (John the Baptist)

Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Key Passage The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9) Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Adult: With whom could you be more patient with this week, Mt 17:9a, 10-13 as God has been patient with you? Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Child: With whom can you be more patient? If you would like to have the lamp above the SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Tabernacle burn for one week in Memory or Honor of a Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent; International Human Rights Day loved one, contact the Parish Office Monday through Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm. Suggested Donation - $10 Monday: St. Damasus I

Tuesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe; This Week The Hanukkah begins at sunset

Sanctuary Lamp Above the Tabernacle Wednesday: St. Lucy

Burns In Memory Of: Thursday: St. John of the Cross

Ann Strickland Saturday: Las Posadas begins

Christmas 2017 & New Year’s 2018 Schedule of Jesus Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday, December 16 I place all my trust in You! Reconciliation: 9:00am to 12:00pm Please email ALL bulletin ads, Sunday Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 24 announcements, requests, names for Masses: 9:00am [these are normal Sunday Obligation prayer list, notes, etc. to the bulletin 11:00am Masses not Christmas Masses] editor at: [email protected]

Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24 POINSETTIAS FOR THE Masses: CHRISTMAS ALTAR 4:00pm - Family Mass 7:00pm - Spanish Mass You may donate $10 to purchase a poinsettia for the 9:00pm - Solemn Mass Christmas altar in honor or memory of a loved one. Special envelopes are available in the vestibule and Christmas Day the Parish Center. Please place your donation in the Monday, December 25 collection basket, or you may bring it to the office.

Mass: 11:00am POINSETTIAS FOR THE Solemnity of Mary CHRISTMAS ALTAR Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1, 2018 is not A Holy Day of Obligation The annual Caring and Sharing Normal Mass Times of South Santa Rosa County food drive will be held THIS weekend TODAY'S READINGS 9-10 December. First Reading — The rugged land shall be made a plain; Donations of non-perishable food the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). items can be dropped off at the

Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your Parish Center before or after all salvation (Psalm 85). Masses. We recommend donating canned or boxed meals but please avoid bringing Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness, items in glass jars. The Knights of hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Columbus will be there to collect your Gospel — I have baptized you with water; he will baptize gracious donation. Thank you in advance you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). for your generosity. It is instrumental in providing those in need a wonderful Christmas! Nativity Scene Giveaway by Jerry & Gregg Each week we highlight one of our bulletin Spreading sponsors. Because of these ads we are able to Christianity around get our bulletins FREE. Please support our Community, these Businesses! this labor of love is Our “sponsor of the week” is: donated as well as most materials. The giveaway drawing will take place early in December. Look for the raffle tickets after Masses starting next week.

Navarre H S Concert Choir Second Sunday of Advent Prepare the Way of the Lord will present their annual Christmas Saint Peter shows us a characteristic of God that we Concert at St. Sylvester on normally do not think about. He tells us that for God, “a day is Monday, December 11th at 7:00 pm. like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day” (1 This year's Concert Choir was named a Peter 3:8). Because early Christians sometimes complained that Jesus’ second coming had been delayed, Peter is trying "Choir of Distinction" at Florida's Music to tell us that what seems like a long time to us is nothing to Performance Assessment this past April in God. Like the early Christians, we may wonder how long it Tallahassee, Fl. In addition, 11 students of the will take for God to answer our prayers. We may be praying 38 member choir were recently named to the for someone who is looking for a job, a sick relative, an end to abortion, or world peace. Some prayers require us to Florida All State Chorus that will take place in change, and we may not be ready. What Peter means is that Tampa in January 2018. The Navarre High a thousand years is not too long for God if someone needs School Concert Choir will be performing that long to repent. God is far more patient than we are. God works by Handel, Berlioz and Kim Arnesen. has been “waiting” over two thousand years for us to preach the gospel to all nations. God has been waiting for millennia Food Pantry needs for December are: for people to give up war as a means for solving our problems. God has been waiting since the beginning of the Condiments (Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo) Jelly/Jam human race for us to learn how to love our neighbor. We Pasta Sauce might not be as patient as God, but we can help. Saint Peter Syrup says that we are not just waiting for the Lord’s return, we are Canned Fruit hastening it. When we make a choice that is based on faith Soup rather than selfishness, we make it a little easier for people Chef Boyardee to believe in God. Jesus is the light of the world; he asks Boxed Mac & Cheese Pancake Mix us to let our light shine, so that people can see Jesus in Chili/Kidney Beans us. May our light “prepare the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). Chili Packets Canned Meat (Tuna, Ham, Chicken) It's Time for a Spiritual Audit! Size 5 & 6 diapers In virtually every aspect of Life, -corporate, athletic, Baby Wipes education etc., -there is a constant evaluation Turkeys process to measure growth and improvement. Now Hams it is a good time to assess our spiritual progress. (We supplied 22 Thanksgiving food boxes Have we made a dif-ference? If God were totally our for families; additional turkeys and hams are needed "faith in ac-tion" would He be pleased with what we for anticipated Christmas boxes.) Thank you! have done (or failed to do)? Evils plague our society, such as abortion, pornography "comprehensive sex" ADVENT SPECIAL: education, tax funding of Planned Parenthood, and other anti-God, anti-life and anti-family issues. As Christians, we Change the World with know that the Bible commands us to be active in prayer. serving God. Service is an action word, so we know Pray the Rosary Tuesday that we cannot serve God by sitting on the sidelines, or being a "fence sitter". Are we as Catholics evenings before Mass. influencing our world, or is today's relativism and The Columbiettes would like to thank all secularism influencing us much more? Are we who purchased raffle tickets for the setting an example to the next generation to protect benefit of the Columbiettes’ ongoing marriage and to defend life, from conception until charities and sponsored events. natural death, or are we just "passively" pro-life? Do The two winning raffle tickets we speak up when in a position to defend innocent for the Christmas Wreaths were drawn life? Do we hold our elected representatives after the 11am Mass on Sunday, Dec 3rd. accountable? Obviously, we cannot do it all, but we The winner of the Santa hat wreath; can certainly do something! Literally, thousands of Ellen Stanley, the winner of the Snowman lives are at stake each and every day. If we do wreath; Corine Rodriguez. Congratulations!! nothing we collude with the pro-aborts, the purveyor of pornography and those that wish to remove God “The right to life is the first among human from society. By doing nothing, we reap what they rights….to abort a child is to kill someone sow! ''Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" James 4:17 who can not defend himself.” Pope Francis By Pro-Life Articles Author

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Congratulations on your Baptism !!

2018 Catholic Renewal Conference: Oberammergau, Germany - 2020 February 23‐25, 2018 at Holy Name of Jesus Family Life Center in Niceville Theme: God is Love. Perfect Love casts out all fear (1 Jn 4:16,18) Speakers: Bishop William Wack, Jim Murphy, Michelle Benzinger, Fr Will Ganci, Fr Nicholas Nearly 400 years ago the history of the Passion Play began. The plague raged in many parts of Schumm, and Kevin McCall. Europe and did not spare Oberammergau either. For more informaon, visit www.pt‐dccr.org or In 1633 the Oberammergau villagers promised to e‐mail [email protected] or perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, in so far as no one was to call Helen Freeland at 850‐543‐1751. die of the plague anymore. The villagers were answered by God and therefore in 1634 the first Catholic 12 Day Pilgrimage Belle‐Italia!! Passion Play took place. The promise has been Now is the best me ever to take a Pilgrimage! kept until today. In 2020 the 42nd Passion Play BELLA‐ITALIA TOUR takes you to Rome, Vacan will take place in Oberammergau. The Oberammergau production takes place in one City, Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo, the house of day, but the running time has varied due to the the Blessed Mother in Loreo, the Eucharisc many revisions that have taken place through the of Lanciano, cave of St. , Venive, years. In 2010 it had a running time of 5 hours, beginning at 2:30 pm and ending at 10:00 pm, Padua, the catacombs, an audience with the Holy with a meal break. People come from all over the Father and praying at the four major Basilicas. world for this once every ten-year performance. Unitours has reserved 45 seats for St Sylvester Experience a once in a lifeme pilgrimage with Parish from August 30th through September 7, two priests, including daily Masses, first class 2020. The 10 Day Pilgrimage includes visits to hotels, meals and round trip airfare for 12days, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Oberammergau, Munich and Lucerne. Because they have a June12‐23, 2018. This affordable and inspiring waiting list of parishes with groups that wish to pilgrimage takes you to beauful breathtaking attend, they need to know early if there is interest areas with spiritual meanings. This tour is fully from our parish. Although deposits would not be due until late 2018, substantial interest needs to escorted, customized and guided. be shown or they will not hold these reservations. Call Father Hoyer at 954‐854‐0079, or the tour In order to determine if we should hold these 45 agency at 1‐800‐242‐4122 (Altura Tours) for reservations, please contact the parish office if you would be interested in this pilgrimage and we complete informaon and group pricing for will contact you when we are ready to promote Catholic Italy! this trip. Office Hours Monday through Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm 939-3020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Retirement Fund for Religious The Board and Staff of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Help religious communities! Navarre want to pass along to you some recent changes at “Your generous contribution helps us to care the center. Great things are happening for 2018! We have raised enough money this year for an obstetrical for our retired sisters and enables our younger ultrasound at the center! As the Christmas season ap- sisters to continue in active ministry,” writes a proaches, we are so grateful that the love of God touched religious sister. Your gift to today’s the hearts of our community and allowed this to happen! The new addition will enable us to provide additional collection for the Retirement Fund for services that are so critical for expectant mothers and their Religious helps provide medications, nursing loved ones. We will not need to refer clients out of our care, and more for thousands of senior sisters, center for ultrasounds: they will see immediate ultrasounds brothers, and religious order priests. It also of their pregnancy at the time of their appointment! The Pregnancy Medical Center of Navarre is very excited! helps ensure younger members can We are reaching out to you because we need additional continue the good works of their elders! volunteers to accommodate our growth. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of the center. We are in need of an Executive Abortionist Has Terrifying at , Director, Nurse Manager, OB Ultrasound Technologists, Converts on the Spot additional Client Advocates and Office Support staff. So In 2011, an unlikely group of non-religious please post the attached ad in your church bulletins and abortionist doctors found themselves visiting the most other informational resources. active Catholic apparition site in the world, We look forward to your continued support in the future as Medjugorje. One of the doctors, a gynecologist in we assist women to make life supporting decisions about an unplanned pregnancy. Please contact the PRCN for her sixties, had personally performed 1000s of additional information on any of these positions. abortions. But her life suddenly changed after having Your Brother in Christ, a supernatural vision on Apparition Hill! Paul Semmes; Board Chairman The group was led by Valentina, a young woman Pregnancy Resource Center, Navarre from Ukraine. She had had her own conversion 850-515-0334 (note: new phone number) God bless you! experience while visiting Medjugorje for the first time in 2007, and since then had been leading pilgrimages there. Inspired by Blessed Mother Teresa, Valentina LOOKING FOR had also dedicated herself to serving the sick poor. Her work got her connected with her local medical TEAMMATES! community, which led to her inviting the group of doctors to Medjugorje. The Pregnancy Resource An important part of their time in Medjugorje was Center Navarre is growing climbing to the top of Apparition Hill, one of the first into a Medical Center with places Mary is said to have appeared to the child visionaries in 1981. That’s when something incredible the addition of an Ultrasound machine in happened. 2018! Therefore, we are looking for “I had scarcely put my foot down on the hill,” the additional staff. Are you interested in abortionist later explained, according to Mystic Post, “when everything changed before my eyes. doing God’s work in this community? “The rocks disappeared. The hill was suddenly EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR covered with the bones and skulls of all the babies I NURSE MANAGER had aborted over forty years. “Look at these hands!” she cried out, stretching out OB ULTRASONOGRAPHER her hands before the group. “Here are the hands CLIENT ADVOCATE which killed an entire city!” With that, the doctor was OFFICE SUPPORT done with abortions. Many of the other doctors in her group also had conversion experiences. In all, Please send your resume to the Valentina has taken somewhere around 400 abortion Pregnancy Resource Center Navarre, doctors to Medjugorje in the last few years. 7552 Navarre Parkway, Suite 6, Whatever you make of the alleged visionaries, stories of conversion are always something to celebrate! Navarre, FL 32566. Pray for the conversion of abortionists! For additional information please call by ChurchPOP Editor - August 20, 2016 850-515-0334.

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Please drop this form into the offertory basket or turn it into the office. For more information contact Betsy Bowser, [email protected], 850-292-8349