The Broadcast 20800 Grand River Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48219 Christ the King Parish

OUR PARISH MISSION We are Christ the King Parish, a richly diverse Christian Community in Northwest Detroit. We are on a journey of Discipleship with , seeking conversion, reconcilia- tion and renewal. We reach out in welcome to all the people within our neighborhood, December 4, 2011 proclaiming the Good News of Christ the King, building community, celebrating together, serving one another's needs and the needs of all our neighbors.

Buon Natale: in Italy thirteenth century manger scenes who was to compose what is proba- By: James Monti with figures of the Holy Family had bly Italy's most popular Christmas There is a legend in Italy that of all appeared in Germany and at the carol, Tu scendi dalle stelle: Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore the musical instruments it was the You descend from the stars, bagpipe that pleased the Blessed Vir- in Rome. In the seventeenth and O King of heaven, gin Mary the most - the instrument, eighteenth centuries, the creation and come to a cave cold and icy. it is said, with which the shepherds of presepi blossomed into a fine art O my Infant Divine, of had serenaded her. in Italy, particularly in . The I see that you tremble; And thus it is that one sure sign Neapolitan presepi are vast dio- O blessed God, how much it has cost ramas sometimes filling a room or of the approach of Christmas in Italy you to have loved me! (verse 1) is the appearance in the streets of more, surrounding the central tab- bagpipers, the zampognari. These leau of the manger with other bibli- On the Fourth Sunday of , men, shepherds from the country- cal scenes as well as with depictions children in Rome gather by the side, arrive in Rome and elsewhere in of Italian street life and country thousands in Saint Peter's Square, mid-December. For centuries, it was life. Sometimes ancient Roman ru- where the supreme pontiff imparts their custom to make their way from ins lie in the background, symboliz- his blessing upon the Bambinelli, one street-corner image of Mary to ing the defeat of paganism. The statuettes of the that another, serenading her with their Spanish-born King of Naples the boys and girls have brought bagpipes. Their itinerary is now con- Charles IV (1734-1759) enjoyed with them, soon to be enthroned in siderably abbreviated, but they re- constructing elaborate presepio their families' presepi. It was main heralds of the coming of Christ. scenery, while his wife and her la- Pope Paul VI who introduced this dies-in-waiting sewed lavish minia- custom in 1968. The Presepio ture garments for the creche fig- The Coming of Christmas For Italians the principal image of ures. The "population" of the king's Christmas is the manger scene, the presepio grew to one thousand two Although the is not presepio, the one Christmas adorn- hundred figures. a custom native to Italy, it has ment in Italy that can be found in found favor with many Italians, The Saints of Advent especially in the pine-forested north virtually every home, as well as in every church, and in many public During Advent in Italy, children of the country. In addition, there is places and business establishments celebrate two occasions when they a closely related decoration, the (even gasoline stations). It is during are treated to gifts. On December 6, ceppo, which is virtually identical to Advent that the manger scenes begin the feast day of , the German tradition of late medie- to appear, although they are never children along Italy's Adriatic val origin known as the "Christmas completed until , (eastern) coast are told to expect a pyramid." Like the latter, the ceppo when at last the Christ child is visit from the saint. But it is in the is configured as an open pyramid placed under the loving eyes of his Adriatic city of Bari that Saint formed from four converging shafts adoring mother in the stable. Each Nicholas himself receives visitors of wood that support multiple tiers. Advent, many Italians shop for addi- by the thousands, pilgrims who The family’s manger scene graces tional manger figurines to add to have come to venerate his body in one tier, with the other tiers hold- their presepi. a shrine where it has rested since ing Christmas presents or prized the eleventh century. On December possessions. The ceppo is adorned The known history of the presepio 13, the virgin martyr with decorations, including pine begins with the renowned represen- journeys about Sicily clothed in a cones and girl cherubs, birds, and tation of the manger that Saint Fran- blue star-spangled mantle and ac- stars, with candles mounted on the cis of Assisi erected in a forest near companied by a gift-laden donkey frame. Greccio, Italy, for the celebration of as she fills children’s shoes with Christmas in The on-set of night on Christmas Eve in surprises by night. It was another 1223,with the roof of the manger Rome is greeted with a fanfare of canon saint, the illustrious bishop and serving as the altar. This early pre fire from the city’s Castel Sant’ Angelo. Church Doctor Alphonsus Liguori, (Continued on page 3) sepio lacked figures, but by the late Page 2 CHRIST THE KING Christ the King Parish Mass Intentions This Week: Grand River at Burt Road Sun 12/4 8:50 Religious Education Rectory 9am St. Vincent dePaul 16805 Pierson...... 532-1211 Sunday December 4, 2011 School 10am Russell Donahue 10am Mass & Coffee Hr. 16800 Trinity...... 532-1213 By Friends in the Community Oktoberfest Evaluation Meeting Parish/School Website Monday ~ No Mass Koelzer Hall Classroom www.ChristTheKingDetroit.org Tuesday Mon 12/5 Advent by Candlelight

St. Christine Christian Services 8:30am Sonya Talwalker Tue 12/6 8:30am Mass

15317 Dacosta at Fenkell………………….535-7272 By Christ the King Staff 10:30am Scripture

www.SCCSdetroit.org Wednesday 7pm MOSES Core Team 8:30am Int. of Edward Chapman Wed 12/7 8:30am Mass Siena Literacy………………...………..313-532-8404 Mrs. Donna Nesbitt ………[email protected] By Dave & andi Kovach 7pm Choir

The Education Experience at St.Vincent & Sarah Fisher Thursday RCIA Ms. Diane Renaud……………………...…..313-535-9200 8:30am Margaret Pic-Kell Thu 12/8 8:30am Mass with students [email protected] 7pm Mass By Former Students Pastoral Staff 7pm For the people of the City of Detroit Fri 12/9 8:30am Mass Rev. Victor Clore...... Pastor Sat 12/10 12:30 Annual Senior ([email protected]) Friday Sr. Fiorentina D’Amore...... Pastoral Associate 8:30am David Aerts Christmas Luncheon ([email protected]) Sun 12/11 10am Mass & coffee Hr Rev. Mr. Joseph Urbiel…………..…………...Deacon By Chet & Mary McLeod [email protected] or 248-910-0490 Saturday ~ No Mass Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mrs. Maureen Northrup………Evangelizing Outreach Sunday December 11, 2011 [email protected] Andi Kovach ...... Office Mgr. 10am Patricia Otto Advent by Candlelight ([email protected]) By Family TOMORROW Rosanne Jodway ...... Principal ([email protected]) December 5, 2011 Coffee Hour is Sponsored today by 7-9pm in Koelzer Hall Parish Council - Elected Members Ron Eady……………….……...Council President Kipp, Johnson & Lynch Families Robert Gard, Chad Witcher, Ike Quiney, Lucy Mutebi, An evening of reflection and MikeWebb, Joinae Jennings, David Collins, Susan prayer for women. Come, lis- Groenenboom Please check the sign up sheet in ten to the stirrings of the

Commissions Koelzer Hall and see if there is a Holy Spirit. Sheila Fenbert...... Christian Service Sunday that you can sponsor. We Carole Ann Beaman...... Worship will gladly give some instructions Ron Hildebrandt...... Stewardship Speaker Suzanne Schreiber, OP Lois Phillips...... Evangelization for new sponsors! Don’t be shy! Michelle Lewis..……………………..Faith Formation $5.00 per person includes dessert St. Vincent DePaul...... 535-7272

Liturgy Schedule BIG Thanks Sunday ...... 10:00 a.m. Our St. Vincent dePaul Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Mass…….. ..8:30 a.m. Thursday Mass (Sunday Readings)………....6:15 p.m. Committee wishes to say a huge thank you for Religious Education.……Sundays 8:50 to 9:50 a.m. helping to make our an- Becoming Catholic nual Pancake Breakfast a success.

Adults, Children/Youth: If you are interested in Your donations ($1,918.00) help to becoming a member of the Catholic faith or make Christmas a little brighter learning more about the Catholic Church, the Don’t forget to turn in your pledge for those in need. Thanks again, Adult Catechumenate will prepare you for this card! We need to hear from YOU! and remember—all the proceeds decision. Please call Sr. Fiorentina if you would from the Christmas Garage Sale go like more information. to St. Vincent dePaul, too! Please FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY Infants: Baptism is the public celebration of the be sure to shop. beginning of life in the Church. At the celebra- tion of Baptism, parents publicly affirm their 12/4 Second Sunday of Advent Liturgical Ministries decision to raise their child in the faith of the Is 40:1-11, 2Pt 3:8-14, Mk 1:1-8 Sunday December 4, 2011 church. To make arrangements for your infant to be baptized, please contact Sr. Fiorentina. Pre- Mon 12/5 Is 35:1-10, Lk 5:17-26 Lectors: Helena Daley & Nicholas baptismal classes for parents and godparents are Tue 12/6 Is 40:1-11 Mt 18:12-14 Mutebi necessary, held as arranged with families. Wed 12/7 Is 40:25-31, Mt 11:28-30 Servers: Daniel & Merit Amadi, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation Preparation Thu 12/8 Immaculate Conception Matthew Taube

Call Parish Office …………………….. 313-532-1211 Gn 3:9-20, Eph 1:3-6,11-12, Lk 1:26-38 Liturgy of the Word for Children Fri 12/9 Is 48:17-19 Mt 11:16-19 Other Sacraments Teresa Gordon & Mary Schneider Reconciliation ...... Sundays 9:30a.m. Sat 12/10 Sir 48:1-4,9-11, Mt 17:9a- Anointing of the Sick………….....Call Parish Office 10-13 Serving at the Table of the Lord Please let an usher know if you would like 12/11 Third Sunday in Advent Innocent Opara to receive Communion at your pew. Is 61:1-2a, 10-11, 1 thes 5:16-24, Jn Ministers of Service 1:6-8, 19-28 Ike Quiney & Mary Beth Seefelt CHRIST THE KING Page 3 (continued from page 1) Faces of Lay Leadership Don’t Forget… Throughout Italy, families begin a festive to shop for your Giv- supper around seven or eight o’clock on “We met them ing Tree Gift and this night, some doing so after having at the Table” bring it back as soon kept a strict fast for the preceding twenty- Donna Nesbitt four hours in spiritual preparation for as possible. You dona- Christmas. Afterwards most will attend tion will help to put a Q. How long have you been the midnight Mass, but some will go instead smile on the face of some- Director of Siena Literacy Center? to Mass on Christmas morning, greeting one in need. A. I have been at Siena Literacy Center each other with the salutation, "Buon since July 1,2009. My time here has Natale!" ("Merry Christmas!"). In the Al- For those of you who been a very transforming and rewarding pine village of Cortina d'Ampezzo, the experience. I am thankful to be here. like to know in advance, sacred moment of midnight is marked by Q. How did you get involved an eruption of light, the Fiaccolate degli this year we will be col- with the Siena Literacy Center? Sciatori. lecting blankets at the A. I was looking for a job after re- An army of Alpine guides, each mounted Christmas Masses. tiring from Detroit Public Schools on skis and carrying a torch, descends the with 32 years of experience. I went mountain slopes, weaving to and fro as on line to MI Career Builders and SCRIPTURE, THEOLOGY they illuminate the snow-cloaked Alpine found a job posting for the position. scenery with their glowing flambeaux. Q. You have been instrumental in

Epiphany Traditions Interested in studying the Synoptic recruiting volunteers/partners for Gospels, Johaninne Literature or the The Siena Literacy Center-tell us In Italy, the sense of anticipation Historical Books and Prophets? about them and what they do? does not fade in the days following Graduate level Scripture and a A. Our volunteer tutors bring a Christmas, for Italians eagerly look Christology course are offered on-line wealth of knowledge, expertise, forward to the celebration of the enthusiasm, and commitment to on January 6. In the at SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary, our Center. Many, of course, act a mountain village of Rivisondoli, Orchard Lake, MI this winter semes- tutor for our learners. But many nearly four thousand feet above sea ter. You can listen to the lectures in others provide support to the Cen- level, the eve of the Epiphany is cele- the convenience of your home. ter by using the skills and expertise brated with a living reenactment of Classes begin on January 9, 2011. used in their professional work to the first Christmas on a massive Reduced tuition rates are available help the Center. For instance, we scale. Up to six hundred people, have volunteers who provide pro- mostly villagers but some visitors as based on program of study and dem- onstrated need. Contact Sr. Karen fessional development to other tu- well, are given acting parts in this tors, help to create new brochures Nativity play. The actors make their Shirilla, Director of Lay Ministry, at: and publications for the Center, way through deep snow, often with 248-683-0312 for more information. develop satellite programs, provide more snow falling from the night office support, provide technical sky, as they descend a mountain Thank you. Sr. Karen Shirilla, SJ support for the computer lab, and slope to the cave that serves as the Director of Lay MInistry recruit and train new volunteers. manger scene. The Blessed Virgin Our volunteers help fill-in gaps Mary arrives on a donkey, cradling where needed. We are very blessed the Christ child in her arms (a real to receive this kind of support from infant) as Joseph accompanies her. our volunteers. Those interested in The Three Kings come on horseback. knowing more about the Center The traditional day in Italy for ex- and opportunities to volunteer are changing gifts in honor of the Christ asked to call and speak to me or child is the solemnity of the Epiph- Sharon Mills. Sharon is a volun- any, inspired by the gifts of the teer and provides excellent tutor Magi. Italian children are told to orientations for those interested in hang their stockings on the preced- learning more about our work. ing evening in expectation of a visi- Q. Is there anything else you tor in the night, La . The leg- want to say about Siena Liter- end of La Befana relates that as the acy or Christ the King Parish? Magi were journeying they sought A. We are very pleased to be a directions to Bethlehem from an eld- Teens! Don’t forget to pick up your part of the Christ the King commu- erly woman named Befana and Rainbow materials from Deacon nity and look forward to creating urged her to join them in their quest. Joe or from andi in the parish of- ways in which we can work and Busy with her broom, she declined, fice. We need to reserve our space serve the community together. We but afterwards regretted her refusal as soon as possible so get your at Siena would like to wish Fr. Clore and and set out to find the Christ child. forms in now. the entire Christ the King family a Failing to find him, she has contin- blessed Christmas. May the light of ued her quest for centuries, wander- We will also need a head count in the Christ child be reborn in your ing from one home to another in the order to reserve the hotel rooms. hearts this season. May the Prince hope of bringing him a gift. Ever un- There is a strict deadline for this, of Peace bless you with peace and successful, she nevertheless leaves and we don’t want to be left out! all good things in the New Year! gifts for the children of the house. ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������