St. Anne Roman Catholic Church Established: July 29, 1859

The Parish was originally dedicated to St. Etienne (St. Stephen), but the name was changed in 1869 to St. Anne. December 20, 2020 — Fourth Sunday of

THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS Saturday Vigil: 4 pm Sunday: 8 am, 11 am (live streamed), and 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:30 am Thursday: 5:30 pm First Saturday: 8:30 am

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (Covid change listed inside bulletin) Saturday: 3 pm to 3:45 pm Sunday (last weeks of Advent and Lent): 4 pm to 4:45 pm Weekdays: 20 minutes before each Mass

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The Sacrament is celebrated on the Second Saturday of each month at 2pm. Contact the Parish Office before the baby is born for required classes. Sponsors are to be practicing Catholics who attend Sunday Mass every week. Sponsors are to be con- firmed.

THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Arrangements are to be made at least six months prior to wedding date. The first contact should always be with the Parish Staff who will provide a packet with necessary guidelines, requirements and paper work.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Church teaching reminds us that this sacrament is for those who are seriously ill or going into more serious surgery. Call the Parish Office to request.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 12 Noon, 1pm to 4pm Friday, 9am to 12 Noon

201 Church Street Youngsville, LA 70592 ~ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 410 Website: stannechurch.net Phone: 337-856-8212 Fax: 337-856-8277 E-Mail: [email protected]

Rev. Fr. Michael J. Russo, 16th Pastor Deacon Ed Boustany (CAST Director) Deacon Douglas Hebert Deacon Cody Miller

MOTHER’S DAY OUT

A two or three day (9am to 2pm) educational program for children 18 months to 4 years old Jan LeBlanc, Director — 337.857.6323 [email protected] PRAY FOR THE SICK MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, December 21, 8:30 am Janelle Adydan Charlie Guillory Edna Mouton John Coles Inez Barras Gene Hamiliton Penny Oubre Maria B. Baudoin Joyce Hebert M/M Tim Smith, Sr. TUESDAY, December 22, 8:30 am Robert James Kathy T. H. Landry & Fly. Andrew Smith & Family Broussard Steve Landry Tommy L. Smith, Jr. Leota Castille Joyce Langlinais & Fly. WEDNESDAY, December 23, 8:30 am Elaine Colbert Ruby Legner Carita Vallot Alvin & Elaine Colbert & Family Paul Joseph Deshotel Jody Leonard Names will remain VIGILS Willis Dore, Sr. Angelle Martin Donald Fruge Chuck Menard on for one (1) month, THURSDAY, December 24, 4:00 pm Susan Guilliot Joe Menard unless notified oth- Phero Timmy Thanh Tran, Elton & Tim Hebert, Vida Mae erwise. Miller, Mabel & John Bellon, Malcom Bellon, Howard Breaux, Sr., Merlin & Hazel Guidry, John Coles, Adalla & Sidney Mason, Judy Mason, Sidney Mason, Jr., Camille & If you are a NEW PARISHIONER here at St. Anne, please Mary Provost, Carolyn Rose Rentrop, Glenn Babineaux, fill out a Census Form. The forms can be picked up by the Forest Simon, M/M Lawrence LeBoeuf, Laura Worley, Bill choir loft in Church or at the Parish Office, or you may register & David Hebert, Mark & Melinda Hebert, M/M Altha on our website at www.stannechurch.net. Hebert, Cyrus & Rose Aimee Vincent, Kevin Hebert, No- lan Begnaud, A. J. Boudreaux, Kiely Begnaud If you are presently a registered parishioner, but have re-

6:00 pm cently had a change of address or phone number, please con- Julien & Marie Ribardi tact the Parish Office so that your records can be updated. Thank you! CHRISTMAS DAY—THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD FRIDAY, December 25, 9:00 am Joseph D. & Melba Melancon, Hypoline H., Alphe, & Law- Sacrificial Giving rence LeBlanc, Phero Timmy Thanh Tran, M/M Didier Smith & Family, John Coles, Calvin Thibeaux, Jr., Dr, Bulletin deadlines for the Holidays prevent us from recording Hector Ruiz, Noah Baudoin, M/M Alcee Bourque, M/M the offertory totals last weekend. We will report at a later Burley Broussard, Sr., & Family, M/M Clobule Baudoin date.

SATURDAY, December 26, 4:00 pm Willis, Louella, Frederick & John Vice, Henry, Anna, Dal- St. Ignatius of Loyola— Prayer to be more generous ton, Henry Lee & Nita Vice, M/M Gaston Grossie, Dot Duhon, Joseph Charles & Lucy Lipari Russo, Dewey & Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you Eula Mae Halphen, Lucien Gerard Bila, Phero Timmy deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to Thanh Tran, Richard Trahan, Edwina LaBiche, Harold heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and LaBiche, Peter Granger, Anatole Garrett, Jr., Gerald Fre- not to ask for reward save that of knowing that I do your will. min, Keenze Family, Kent Langlinais, Brummell Online Giving: Remember that online giving is a safe and Langlinais, Simeon & Rena Langlinais, Alfred & Ematile easy way to support your Church Parish. You will find all of Miquet, Alfred Miquet, Jr., Glenn Babineaux, Percy Orte- our collections and the frequency of donating easy. Go to our go website and click the ONLINE GIVING tab.

SUNDAY, December 27, 8:00 am Offertory Envelopes: We encourage the use of offertory Pro Populo (for all parishioners) envelopes. Wrap up your gift for each week.

11:00 am J. W. “Fred” Menard, Fr. Joe Breaux, Frank Alfonso, John Hyver, Phero Timmy Thanh Tran , Eric, Gladys & Charles LeBlanc, Remick & Electa R. Langlinais, Elton & Tim PLEASE CONSIDER ON-LINE GIVING Hebert, Alcee Hebert & Family, Diane Armstrong, Connor Visit our website and click on “ON LINE Foreman GIVING” and follow the instructions. It’s that easy! 5:00 pm OR CONSIDER USING OFFERTORY EN- Rev. Louis Lam Vu VELOPES

Why should I use offertory envelopes? Because in a very ma- terialistic world, followers of Jesus get distracted, so we need reminders. Envelopes help us organize and carefully think out FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY our manner of giving to the Lord. Without envelopes, we tend In the tradition of the Church, flowers are to reach into our pockets at the last minute to pull out left- not used in the Sanctuary during the more overs, what we do not really need. Thus, we easily end up giv- ing to a waiter at a restaurant (the 15 to 20% tip), more than penitential season of Advent. we give to the Lord each week.

PARISH/DIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE — All Christmas Masses will be live-streamed

To fulfill the obligation for Christmas Thursday, December 24th — 4pm and 6pm Anticipated Friday, December 25th: 9am

Social Distancing Concerns: State and Diocesan regulations limit the number of people who can be present in both the Church and the Parish Hall. It is very important that you arrive early for the Christmas Masses if you want to be seated. Overflow crowd will have to attend Mass outside (using the outdoor speakers) and would require bringing lawn chairs. Naturally, the colder weather may be a concern. We apologize for this inconvenience but there are no other alternatives due to our “allotted space” capabilities.

To fulfill the obligation for Sunday, December 26th (Feast of the Holy Family) Saturday, December 26th: 4pm Anticipated Sunday, December 27th: 8am, 11am and 5pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY — Holy day of obligation, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Thursday, December 31st—5:30pm Anticipated Friday, January 1st: 12 Midnight (with Holy Hour from 11pm to Midnight), and 9am

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO OPERATE THE VIDEO CAMERAS DURING MASSES: If you are tech savy, we could use your help. Each of the weekend Masses must be filmed to allow for overflow in the Parish Hall. The Sunday 11am Mass is also live-streamed. Please call the Parish Office if interested in order to set up a training session.

LOOKING AHEAD: Religious Education Retreats

January 9, 2021—Confirmation Retreat (Hall will not be available for 4pm Mass overflow) January 10, 2021—Confirmation Retreat Continued

January 23, 2021—7th & 8th Grade Retreat (Hall will not be available for 4pm Mass overflow) January 24, 2021—9th &10th Grade Retreat (Hall will not be available for 5pm Mass overflow)

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated. Please keep our youth in your prayers.

FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY Come by the Parish Office to reserve dates In Honor/In Memory of loved ones.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Donations can NOW be made using the envelope provided in the monthly mailing for those who receive

BAPTISM CLASSES are now held on a Sunday of every other month at 9:30am in the Parish Hall. Infor- mation packets must be completed and turned into the Parish Office before parents and godparents can be reg- istered to attend a class. Details and printable packets can be found on our website: stannechurch.net under the sacraments section, or you can come to/or call the Parish Office to obtain paper work. Must first be registered to attend the class. Next class is scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2021.

JOIN IN THE CLOSING HYMN OF THE SUNDAYS OF ADVENT (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

People look East. The time is near Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People, look East, and sing today: Love the Guest in on the way.

Angles, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth. Set ev’ry peak and valley mumming With the word, “The Lord is coming.” People, look East, and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way. PARISH ORGANIZATIONS PRAYER APOSTOLATES

FIRST FRIDAY ONE HOUR ADORATION following the Ladies Altar Society – Group meetings are held four 8:30am Mass, concluding with Benediction. Plan to make a times per calendar year. New members are welcome. monthly commitment to pray for loved ones and to surround the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus with your love. Knights of Columbus Council #6057— Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month at the KC Hall. PRAYER FOR CANCER PATIENTS: A statue of St. Peregrine, patron of cancer patients, along with his precious St. Anne and Joachim Society meets once a month with relic, is made available to go into the homes of those diagnosed the pastor following the First Saturday 8:30am Mass to with cancer. Call the Parish Office to get on the roster. pray the Rosary for wayward loved ones.

BLESSING OF THE CHILD IN THE WOMB follows the Sunday 8am and 11am Masses on the first weekend of each Men’s Group, CAST — stands for Catholic, Apostolic, month for all pregnant women. Sacramental, Theology. The CAST men are formed from a bi-annual weekend fishing retreat in Grand Isle and LOVED ONES WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH: Send their thereafter meet for ongoing spiritual development. names to St. Monica Sodality, c/o St. John Cantins Parish, 825 N. Carpenter Street, , IL 60622-5499. The Sodality will include your loved ones in their prayers and sacrifices. Write to Boy Scouts: Meetings are held each Sunday from 3pm til the above address for requirements for membership. 4:15pm in the Parish Hall. Monthly camp outs. Any young boy ages 11 to 18 is welcomed. Call Tony or Mar- SACRED HEART HOME ENTHRONEMENTS: cie Marty, 337. 356.2902. Call the Parish Office for more info and to schedule. Option 1 — Promoters go into the home for the Enthrone- ment following nine days of prayer by the family OR Option 2 — Alliance of the Two Hearts, consisting of a one and a half hour ceremony and encouragement in participation of Vigils on the First Friday/Saturday of each month. St. Anne Corporal Works of Mercy Outreach to Poor: PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION Monthly envelopes provided to make contributions. Grades 1 through 11 Jessica Currier, DRE — 337.857.6382 * A revised schedule will be posted once COVID [email protected] restrictions have been lifted.

THE CHURCH’S TEACHING ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

RECLAIM Sexual Health Catholic Recovery Program Www.reclaimsexualhealth.com (online help 24/7) BIBLE STUDIES & MEETINGS

(N ) Porn Addiction Support Group for Men: Weekly meetings are held for one hour and fifteen minutes. A confidentiality Come, Lord Jesus (Bible study & Faith Sharing): statement is signed by each member of the group. Call and Mondays at 7:00 PM; 856-5041 - Gale Romero leave a confidential message at 337.944.9860. Wednesdays at 7:00 PM; 303-0257 -

Healing Hearts: Weekly meetings for women whose relation- Phoebe & Wayne Bergeron ships have been affected by porn or sexual addiction of a loved Fridays at 2:00 PM; 837-5980 - Audrey Smith one. Must sign confidentiality statement, call 337.404.6113

Unplanned Pregnancy: Call 1.800.256.7222 for free confiden- Sistas of Faith tial counseling regarding keeping or placing your baby. Seasonal meetings on Thursdays at 6:00pm 849-4664—Michelle Woodruff Post Abortion Trauma: Call Project Rachel, 337.561.5607

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION For an appointment with a cerfied Spiritual Director in our St. Anne Parish, Joan Broussard, call: 337/856-8232 or email: [email protected]

Creighton Fertility Services of Acadiana Lisa Morvant 337.581.9192 The Creighton Model is a natural fertility awareness method that can be used to monitor, maintain, and evaluate a woman’s health. In addition, couples can be taught about their fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy according to the teachings of the Church. From the Heart of the Pastor:

Christmas is just around the corner! A special friend of mine, who does exceptional hand-crafted carpentry work, is assembling a beautiful manger scene back drop to be erected in Church along with the new figures we purchased last year. Also, through the generosity of Haydee Allelo, a crèche scene of the Holy Family will be erected outdoors on the front lawn of the Church. Pastors always have to plan way ahead. Of course, the most important way to think ahead is being determined to spiritualize the upcoming Christmas season. Now is the time to think about the spiritual gift(s) you will give your child/ren. How about a framed photo of their baptism? It’s the most significant day in a human being’s life. I have one framed next to my bed to remind me that, even more significant than my day of ordination was my day of baptism, when Almighty God Himself came to dwell within my soul for the very first time — sanctifying grace! Lord, keep me faithful not only to my ordination promises, but to my baptismal promises!

Thank you for the Christmas Cards! Already the cards are coming in, many filled with the most beautiful notes of support and affirmation. I try very hard to write “thank you” notes but inevitably I’m sure some names and addresses will get lost in the shuffle —there are so many. Please accept this preliminary thank you for your generous gifts and for all that you do for me throughout the year.

Ending and Beginning another Year in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament! As has been my custom since ordi- nation, I always spend the last minutes of an outgoing year in prayer before the Eucharistic Lord and have, in these most recent years, celebrated the first minutes of a new year with Holy Mass. Thus, the Church will be open on December 31st for an 11pm to 12 Midnight silent Holy Hour, concluding with Benediction and (which will fulfill the January 1st holy day of obligation). You are invited to join me. When done I usually invite people to the Hall for a New Year toast, but prudence dictates that we pass this year due to Covid.

Merry Christmas! I wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas. Do your best to keep it spiritually focused. This takes effort in a noisy world that is becoming increasingly secular. But the times are never so bad that a good person cannot live in them. Our Jesus calls us above “goodness”; He wants “holiness.” Let this be your New Year resolution, then sit back and watch what God will do with your life. There’s no greater adventure than living a life of holiness.

Christmas Traditions — Why we do what we do? This weekend’s bulletin provides a series of catechisms on “why” we do what we do during this special time of the year. I hope you enjoy learning about the origins of our . Remember to keep your Christmas décor up throughout the Church’s Christmas Season! How sad to see Christmas trees thrown out on street corners just when the Church is celebrating Christ’s birth! This is what happens when we rush to put up our decorations. For Catholics, Advent wreaths come BEFORE Christmas twinkle! Next year, at least try to wait until the rose candle is lit on the before putting up a Christmas . We all complain about the commercialism of the Season, but we help to make it this way when we fail to first commemorate the themes of Advent. It’s not Christmas yet. We’re still in Advent!

Come, Lord Jesus! Ready your hearts for the coming of the Lord!

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY PROJECTS (Covid has altered our yearly calendar, but we are committing to the activities below. Prayerfully consider helping out.)

St. Joseph Diner in Lafayette is in desperate need of volunteers to help prepare food and assist with meal preparation/ cleaning. Must be 15 years or older. St. Anne Church is committing to twice a month, from 7:00am til 11:00am ON THE FOLLOWING THURSDAYS: January 7th, 21st, February 4th, 18th, March 4th, 18th, April 1st, 15th, 29th and May 6th, 20th.

Ten(10) workers are need for each day. If you can commit, please call Tina DeLeon, 849.3647 who will coordinate.

M’ D O P

A two or three day educational program (9am to 2pm), 18 months to 4 years old

Jan LeBlanc, 857.6323 The St. Anne’s Mothers Day Out Program has openings in the 18 month, 2, 3, & 4 year old classes. Please contact the program director, Jan LeBlanc, at the above number or at 230.8110.

THE ORIGIN OF THE

The real origins of Christmas trees appear to be rooted in present-day during the Middle Ages. In 1419, a guild in Freiburg put up a tree decorated with apples, flour-paste wafers, and . In “Paradise Plays” that were performed to celebrate the feast day of Adam and Eve, which fell on , a tree of knowledge was represented by an evergreen fir with apples tied to its branches. Records also show that trees were decorated with wool thread, straw, apples, nuts and pretzels.

The oldest Christmas tree market is thought to have been located just over the southwestern German border in Strasbourg in Alsace ( now in present-day ), where unadorned Christmas trees were sold during the 17th century as Weihnachtsbaum, German for Christmas tree. The first decorated indoor tree was recorded in 1605, in Strasbourg, decorated with roses, apples, wafers and other sweets. Demand for Christmas trees was so high in the 15th century that laws were passed in Strasbourg cracking down on people cutting pine branch- es. Ordinances throughout the region of Alsace limited each household to one tree in the 1530s.

References to Christmas trees in private homes or establishments in North America date back to the late 18th century and early 19th century. There is a reference to a pine tree in North Carolina in 1786. In 1805, a school for American Indians run by Moravian missionaries sent students “to fetch a small green tree for Christmas.” Similar examples pop up in the first half of the 19th century in the Midwest and further West, such as the Ger- man immigrants in Texas who decorated trees with moss, cotton, pecans, red pepper swags and popcorn. But the image of a decorated Christmas tree with presents underneath has a very specific origin: an engraving of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their children gathering around a Christmas tree, eyeing the presents underneath, published in the Illustrated London News in 1848. The premier women’s magazine in America back then, Godey’s Lady’s Book, reprinted a version of the image a couple of years later as “The Christmas Tree.”

Illustrations of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their children gathered around their Christmas tree helped popularize this tradition in the U.S.

This single image cemented the Christmas tree in the popular consciousness, so much so that by 1861, the year of Albert’s death, it was firmly believed that this German prince had transplanted the custom to England with him when he married.

The tradition of gigantic Christmas trees in public spaces seems to be an American one that dates back to the late 19th century. The electricity lobby pushed for the first “National Christmas Tree” at the White House as a publicity stunt for the glories of electricity: a nearly 60-ft.-tall balsam fir tree covered in 2,500 light bulbs. A 20-ft.-tall Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center first went up in 1931 when the building was still under con- struction; by putting so many people unemployed during the Great Depression back to work, the tree became a symbol of hope.

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTMAS CRECHE

Of all the Christmas decorations we so lovingly place around our homes, the one that is indispensable as it is central to the meaning of Christmas, is the Crèche or . And at the time it is as- sembled by the family, the story of the Birth of Our Lord ought to be retold eve- ry year. Children should be off to bed with visions of the Infant Savior in their hearts, not sugarplums in their heads. Where did this long-standing custom or tradition come from?

The Christ Child in the manger and other pictures of the story of have been used in church ser- vices from the first centuries. But the crib in its present form and its use outside the church originated with St. Francis of Assisi. Through his famous celebration at Greccio, Italy, on Christmas Eve, 1223, with a Bethlehem scene including live animals, he made the crib popular. Since then it has been a familiar sight in Christian homes all over the world.

The history of the Christmas crèche in art and literature is a story in of itself, but the real turning point was St. Francis of Assisi's inspiration. For the Saint, Christmas had always been the Feast of Feasts, yet he did not think it had been celebrated as it could have been, The poverty of Christ had become lost in the extravagance of the Christmas festivities. An idea occurred to him and while on a visit to Rome, he received permission from the Pontiff to put his idea to work.

The story of how St. Francis of Assisi "invented" the crib is so delightful and inspiring that it might be told or read to the children every year. We give here the account in the very words of Brother Thomas de Celano, who was there when it happened and who wrote it down:

Blessed Francis called a friend about two weeks before Christmas and said to him: 'If you desire that we should celebrate this year's Christmas together at Greccio, go quickly and prepare what I tell you; for I want to enact the memory of the Infant Who was born at Bethlehem, and how He was deprived of all the comforts babies enjoy; how He was bedded in a manger on hay, between an ass and an ox. For once I want to see all this with my own eyes.' When the good and faithful man had heard this, he departed quickly and prepared in the above-mentioned place everything that the Saint had told him.

The joyful day approached. The Franciscans were called from many communities. The men and women of the neighborhood, as best they could, prepared candles and torches to brighten the night. Finally the Saint of God arrived, found everything prepared, saw it and rejoiced. The crib was made ready, hay was brought, the ox and ass were led to the spot and Greccio became a new Bethlehem. The night was radiant with joy. The crowds drew near and rejoiced in the novelty of the celebration. Their voices resounded from the woods, and the rocky cliff echoed the jubilant outburst. As they sang in the praise of God, the whole night rang with exultation. The Saint of God stood before the crib, overcome with devotion and wondrous joy. A solemn Mass was sung at the crib.

The Saint dressed in deacon's vestments, for a deacon he was [out of humility, St. Francis never became a priest, remaining a deacon all his life]. He sang the Gospel. Then he preached a delightful sermon to the people who stood around him, speaking about the nativity of the poor King and the humble town of Bethlehem. of Christmas, is the

Crèche or Nativity Scene. And at the time it is

THE ORIGIN OF THE

The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English . From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith open- ly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

Note: To fit the number scheme, when you reach number 9, representing the Fruits of the Ho- ly Ghost, the originator combined 6 to make 3, taking the 6 fruits that were similar: the fruit in each parenthesis is the one that was not named separately. There are actually Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost.

The "True Love" one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because true Love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to pro- tect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

According to Ann Ball in her book, HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS:

The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments

The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which de- scribe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit----- Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Pa- tience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS

Pastor’s Note: One of the cherished traditions I established for myself during my seminarian days in Europe was to always stay in Rome for the Christmas Midnight Mass with Pope John Paul II. For most of the seminarians, the Christmas break was a time to take advantage of traveling throughout Europe. But I always made it a point to remain in Rome until after the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Vatican. It was, for me, a spiritually moving experience. And there was some excitement that my parents would be viewing the Mass on television knowing that I would be there. The very first time I actually saw Pope John Paul II in person was at the Christmas Midnight Mass of 1985. I was a seminarian in Belgium at the time and had travelled to Rome for Christmas. A priest of the Diocese of Lafayette who worked in Rome arranged for me to receive Holy Communion from the Pope at this Christ- mas Mass (See photo below). Pope John Paul II had an exceptional presence about him. You simply knew you were in the pres- ence of greatness. He always brought me to tears; that is what “saints” do. Note how young the great pope was in 1985.

Throughout the years, Midnight Mass has been a popular Christmas Mass choice for many Catholics. But how did the tradition of this Mass begin?

In the early history of the Church, vigils were held before every feast for the purpose of preparing for the feast itself. Mass would be held in the evening, followed by a period of prayer and contemplation. Solemn services were held the next morning. As more feasts arose, the number of vigils kept was decreased. In the current Roman Calendar, there are six Masses designated as vigils to proceed the feasts the next day: vigils for Easter, Christmas, Pentecost, Ascension, Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul. Vigil Masses are so designated because their propers and readings differ from the Masses for those feasts themselves, while remaining tied to the feasts. Vigil Masses therefore differ from normal antici- pated Masses, which are the same as the Mass taking place the next day, but held the preceding evening.

The vigil Mass for Christmas, held Christmas Eve, also differs from the Christmas Midnight Mass. Christmas Day actually has three separate Masses that are or can be held, in addition to the vigil – at midnight, at dawn, and during the day. It is not known exactly how the tradition of the three Masses originated, as even the origin of the feast of Christmas itself isn't certain – depending on the city, something resembling a Christ- mas celebration started in different years (and at varying times of the year, as well). By the end of the fourth century it was almost universally held on December 25, with Rome having started celebrating it on that date before 354, and Constantinople not before 379. The celebration of on January 6 had previously been the major Christmas-like celebration, but once December 25 became the widely agreed-upon date of Christmas the celebrations moved to that date as well.

In the 380s, a Christian woman named Egeria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, observing for three years and keeping a journal of the customs and liturgies she saw there. She witnessed the Christians celebrating the birth of Christ on January 6, since it appears the tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 25 had not yet begun there, beginning with a midnight vigil in Bethlehem, which was followed by a torchlight proces- sion to Jerusalem culminating with a gathering in Jerusalem at dawn. When the basilica of St. Mary Major was built in Rome around 430, Pope Sixtus III included a replica chapel of the Bethlehem cave where Jesus was born, and much like had been the practice in Jerusalem when Egeria visited, he instituted the celebra- tion of a midnight Mass in this chapel.

Around 550 AD, the Pope began to celebrate a Mass in the Church of St. Anastasia before dawn on Christ- mas Day, initially because the feast of St. Anastasia was celebrated on December 25. Eventually, though, this evolved into a second Christmas Mass that seemed to replicate the dawn celebrations that Egeria witnessed in Jeru- salem. This Christmas Mass would be followed by the Pope going to St. Peter's to celebrate the dawn office of Christmas with the faithful. Until sometime before 1156, only Popes were allowed to celebrate the three Christmas Masses, but by 1156 there is evidence that priests began to say all three as well, which still occurs today. A single priest can celebrate all three Christmas Day Masses, provided they follow the correct times (midnight, dawn, and sometime during the day). The midnight Mass is different from Christmas vigil Masses held earlier in the evening of Christmas Eve. Any of the four types of Christ- mas Masses (vigil, midnight, dawn, or day) is valid for fulfilling the Christmas Mass obligation. If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert! For Mausoleum Crypt Purchase Call Acme Mausoleum ✔Ambulance 24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY! ✔Police 1-877-620-7875 FREE Shipping ✔Fire Solutions as Low as “Low Interest Rate Financing Available” ✔Friends/Family FREE Activation 95 at St. Anne Cemetery, Youngsville NO Long Term Contracts $19. a month This Button SAVES Lives! As Shown GPS, Lowest Price Guaranteed! CALL NOW! 800.809.3352 GPS Tracking w/Fall Detection Nationwide, No Land Line Needed MDMedAlert EASY Set-up, NO Contract Safe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide! 24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA GREAT REASONS to Patronize the Merchants 5 in Our Church Bulletin! 1. They support the work of our church. 2. It keeps money in our community. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 goes back into the community and your tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $43 comes back. Online purchases bring nothing back to our local community.

3. Keeps our community unique.Where we shop, where we eat and have fun—all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of our community.

4. Creates more good jobs. Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community.

5. Get better service. Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

044400 St Anne Church (C) www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-438-8931 acadiana pediatric dentistry Dr. Whitney Walker Linville, DDS 1516 Chemin Metairie Rd., Ste D • 337-451-0991 www.acadianapediatricdentistry.com “Home-Vehicle-Audio & Video Communications” 856-6889 337-237-0682 Medical Alert System 2805 Johnston St. 509 LAFAYETTE ST. YOUNGSVILLE Lafayette, LA 70503 $29.95/Mo. billed quarterly Ardoin Reading Clinic • One Free Month • No Long-Term Contract Carla Ardoin • Price Guarantee Dyslexia Specialist • Easy Self Installation 337-288-9269 St. Anne’s [email protected] Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608 WHY IS IT 123 Morgan K.C. Council A man wakes up after sleeping 837-3504 under an ADVERTISED blanket 6057 on an ADVERTISED mattress Ballet • Tap Youngsville, LA 70592 and pulls off ADVERTISED pajamas Jazz • Pointe & Hip Hop [email protected] bathes in an ADVERTISED shower morganstreetdance.com shaves with an ADVERTISED razor brushes his teeth DISCOVER with ADVERTISED toothpaste Phone: washes with ADVERTISED soap Your (337) 233-3406 LIMITLESS puts on ADVERTISED clothes You don’t have to be great to start! drinks a cup 1339 Fortune Rd. Fax: ad of ADVERTISED coffee Youngsville, LA 70592 (337) 856-5221 drives to work Email: [email protected] could in an ADVERTISED car and then . . . . www.glennlegeconstruction.com be in refuses to ADVERTISE believing it doesn’t pay. Concrete, Asphalt, Curb & Gutter, Excavation, this Later if business is poor Soil Stabilizing he ADVERTISES it for sale. space! WHY IS IT? Fill Dirt, Sand & Limestone John “Bubba” Montesano, LUTCF, Agent 337-345-5260 6772 Johnson St., Ste. 400 837-3374 Lafayette, LA 70506 6703 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Ste A - Broussard www.excelsnp.com Kenney VO 35 yrs. Serving Acadiana M.S, CSCS, USAW [email protected] [email protected] Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad” and Present It THE YOUNGSVILLE CENTER ✂ FOR RENTALS CALL The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers 337-356-6027 www.youngsvillecenter.com INVEST LOCALLY

Targeting local business makes good “Cents”– Get your name out there by advertising in local parish bulletins. Contact us today for your next advertising move and we will work with you for Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. your next “AD THAT WORKS!” I am patronizing your business because of it! Check us out at www.jspaluch.com

044400 St Anne Church (B) www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-438-8931 351 Griffin Rd. 337-573-7222

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8212 Maurice Ave. Maurice, LA The Sponsors Who Appear On This Bulletin. It Is Through (337) 893-5062 Their Support That This Bulletin Is Made Possible. Business Owners Interested In Advertising Please Call Consider 6422 Amb. Caffery Pkwy. Remembering Broussard, LA Your Parish in J.S. Paluch Your Will. (337) 706-7676 For further information, 1-800-438-8931 please call the Parish Office. ANN RAUSH Church Point • Cankton 337-856-5314 Judice • Youngsville 810 South St. Blaise, Suite F Youngsville, LA 70592 www.farmers24.com The Only Bank You Will Ever Need!

LAFAYETTE 337-837-9834 DR. JOHN A. HENDRY THREADED 24 Hr Service PRODUCTS, INC. 337-234-2349 185 S. Beadle Road For All Your Fastener, O-rings, & Stud Bolt Needs “Service Is Our Mission” Pediatric and 218 Thruway Park Rd. • Broussard, LA 70518 Adolescent Dentistry 044400 St Anne Church (A) www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-438-8931