The Ascent a Quarterly Publication of Church of the Ascension

WINTER 2016 THE ASCENT A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION

I N THIS ISSUE:

L ETTER FROM FATHER TOM Page 3

C HRISTMAS TRADITIONS FROM ITALY- FATHER ALESSANDRO Page 4

C HRISTMAS TRADITIONS FROM INDIA- FATHER REGIE Page 5

G ENEROSITY Page 6-7

W HAT DOES “BEING PRO-LIFE” MEAN TO YOU Page 8-9

A BITTERSWEET SEASON Page 10

R EFLECTIONS ON THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES Page 11

T HE SEASON OF ADVENT Page 12

L ITURGICAL YEAR Page 13

A DVENT CANDLE ORDER FORM Page 14

A DVENT CALENDARS Page 15-16

9510 West 127th St. • Overland Park, KS 66213 (913) 681-3348 • www.kcascension.org • [email protected]

LETTER FROM THE PASTOR BY FR. TOM TANK

November, 2016

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this the election is yet to take place. As you read this, it has already been completed. Whoever has won will need our prayers for guidance as our new president assumes office in January. This has been a very difficult election cycle with much acrimony and debasement. Hopefully our society will rise above this and will move forward now in a spirit of reconciliation and collaborative effort. We need to pray that all our civic leaders, president, senators and representatives, will all work together not for the good of their particular party, but for the good of our nation. Very shortly we will begin the season of Advent, the beginning of a new Church year. With this Advent we pray for a renewed spirit of faith and openness to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our world. The Old Testament prophets of Advent call us to a renewal of spirit that enables us to accept and reflect the love and truth of Jesus in our daily lives. As we celebrate Christmas we are invited once again to recognize in the Babe of Bethlehem the Word become Flesh for our salvation. Our life as a parish continues to flourish thanks to the involvement of so many generous parishioners who give so graciously of their time, talent and treasure to make our parish strong. There is not a week that goes by that I do not hear some wonderful comments about our parish and the great spirit that many people experience in our community life. We are far from perfect, but we are continuing to grow as a community that joyfully celebrates, proclaims, serves and witnesses Jesus Christ. Thanks to all who have made your stewardship commitment for 2017. If you have not yet done so, please return the commitment card as soon as possible. A special challenge we have is to ever more effectively promote faith-filled marriages and families. Our Archbishop has asked that all married couples be enabled to continue their growth in living the Sacrament of Matrimony. We are blessed with many opportunities for good marriage preparation and enrichment and hopefully these will be expanded and taken advantage of over the next several months. This year we have been invited by Holy Cross Lutheran Church to join with them in striving to heal the divisions caused by the Reformation which occurred 500 years ago. While we lament the divisions that the Reformation caused, we are grateful that progress is being made in mutual understanding and healing of the divisions in the Body of Christ. Christ prayed for unity in His Church and we are challenged to do the same. So we welcome this opportunity to engage in this ecumenical endeavor. Outreach in faith to others continues to be a primary responsibility we all have as disciples of Jesus. The last several Popes have reminded us that we are not called to be just disciples of Jesus, but missionary disciples, those who witness to their faith in daily life. We know that there is a growing number of inactive Catholics and ‘Nones’. The only way to engage or reengage these folks is through one on one contact in which we affirm the goodness of others, acknowledge the brokenness and share Christ’s message of reconciliation and love. More evangelization takes place over a cup of coffee, a beer on the deck or a casual conversation at the supermarket than takes place in any formal programs or activities at the parish. We can all share our faith in Christ with others through the witness of our example as well as our words of loving encouragement. Thanks for reading this brief update on our life as a parish. Thanks especially for your engagement in our parish life and your love for Christ and His Church. Let us pray for each other, for our Church and for our nation. God’s blessings always! Father Tom

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN ITALY BY FR. ALESSANDRO

Christmas has a color. Definitely white. Every 24th of December with my mum and dad and my two sisters, Sabrina and Valentina, we walked to our parish, St. Anthony of Padua church, for the vigil Mass, around 11:30 pm. Mass was always over way after midnight, and the hope was to find big flakes of snow coming down from Heaven. No tiredness was strong enough to keep me and my sisters from jumping up and down all excited, engaging in a snow fight and perfecting our aim from a distance towards my parents or parishioners we knew well.

Christmas has a sound. It starts soft, with surprised and overly excited whisperings between me and my sisters, up in the middle of the night in the living room, scouting for little and big boxes wrapped with love and color. Our curiosity always won over any patient wait. There was a nice ritual in the morning, when the whole family was gathered around the Christmas tree; in a circle, one at the time, we opened our gifts - so when it was your turn you had everyone’s attention. But still we were searching frenetically on every side of the wrapping for the magic initial of our names, hoping to claim the property of the gift, especially of the bigger ones: “is there an A, V, or S?”

Those soft whispers became loud cheers and cry of joy in the morning when we unpacked the long desired surprises.

The sound usually changed into Christmas music as we were having breakfast together, and later on as we helped to set the table for our grandparents to come over.

I also remember the typical expressions my grandmothers used, my dad’s jokes, or the “sound of silence” it had to reign like a tyrant during the sooooo anticipated bingo - because if you missed a number, you couldn’t mark your card, and you could lose the rich bingo prize of 50 cents!!!

Christmas has a smell. Not one in particular, but a mix of delicious favorites and best dishes prepared by mum and grandmas: salmon and cold cuts, gnocchi or cannelloni, a new kind of roast, potatoes, dessert. You didn't sit at table before 1:30pm, and you didn't get up without the fragrant aroma of the espresso coming at the end of the FR. ALESSANDRO AND HIS TWO SISTERS meal, usually not before 4:00pm!

Christmas has a taste. Among all the many goodies, the one that stands out the most is one simple dessert my grandma taught me: dates with mascarpone cheese and walnuts. I was always making sure I won the competition with my dad regarding who could eat more. His cholesterol and my mum’s words of warning and reminder to him definitely helped my victory!

Christmas has a touch. The loving and caring touch of the family coming together to celebrate, of the desire to be with one another and nothing more, of the hugs and kisses for wishes and to express our gratitude.

Christmas has always been the celebration of Love, Love made flesh, made flesh in the flesh of my loved ones. You can call it an explosion of sense, and it truly was… I simply called it Christmas at the Borraccia’s.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN INDIA BY FR. REGIE

Dear Ascension Parishioners,

Greetings from Fr. Regie! The days have become shorter and the temperature has dropped steadily. That sounds like its Christmas season again. With Christmas now fast approaching I thought I’d take some time to get into the festive spirit, by sharing with you some of the wonderful Christmas traditions celebrated in my hometown, Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, India.

Just to give you some background, the Mangalorean Catholics were converted to Catholicism by the Portuguese, who landed in Goa around the late 15th century. Historically, Goa has been known as the Rome of the East for its churches and architecture. Since Mangalore also has a large number of churches, convents and religious institutions in its diocese, the title is prefixed to Mangalore too. Mangalore derives its name from the Sanskrit words: mangola and uru, which mean happiness and place respectively. Like any other community, Mangaloreans have a unique culture with Konkani as their Mother-tongue.

Christmas in Mangalore is celebrated in a grand manner with a myriad of traditions. Here are a few Christmas traditions I grew up with.

Carol singing: My parish used to organize Carol Singing Teams consisting of teens and children. We were engrossed in rehearsing Christmas carols in our vernacular, several weeks in advance, which we sang as we went ‘carol singing’ from door to door (including Hindus and Muslims) within our parish boundaries. We also extended warm invitations to the families for the Christmas programs being held in our parish. We used to conduct Carol Singing Competitions, Bible Quizzes, dramas, colorful tableaux, sports activities and fun games – all to spread the spirit of Christmas.

Crib: Crib was the center stage in my Christmas celebration. All kids are so enthusiastically busy making cribs in their homes, one more beautiful than the other. My crib preparation started a month before Christmas. It required a lot of patience, hard work, and a sense of devotion. My crib normally depicted the birth of Jesus with agricultural fields of germinated paddy, and green gram, to portray a message of abundance. Cows, sheep, goats, miniature models of Mother Mary, Joseph, shepherds and angels, and the infant Jesus completed my crib. There was a competition among the children in the parish for making the most beautiful and creative crib. It’s a great feeling of honor and pride to be awarded with a prize for the crib. I am embarrassed to say, I never won a prize; but I did my best.

Christmas star: Christmas Star in a lighted way is hung in front of every Christian house in my hometown for all to see. Each family takes pride in putting out their Christmas Star in bright colors signaling that it’s a Christian home and the celebrations have begun. Seeing the houses with the lit Christmas stars among the houses of Hindus and Muslims was and still is truly a delightful sight for me.

Kuswar: “Kuswar” is the traditional sweets made during Christmas season. My excitement knew no bounds when the entire family– young and old – would pitch in the preparations and transform the kitchen into a mini sweet factory. We spent days making different kinds of treats. I would always look for new ways to convince my Mom to make them in large quantities. Watching the boxes filled and stored was equally exciting. Today, modernization has dampened the spirit of many a families as most of them prefer to purchase the ‘kuswar’ from bakeries than to prepare them at home. As a part of the tradition, we always distributed the ‘Kuswar’ among the non-Christians and the poor in our neighborhood, a tradition which is continued even to this day to promote communal harmony.

Midnight Mass: But the epicenter of Christmas was the Midnight Mass. Sometimes, it was held in open air to accommodate huge crowds. I always looked forward to serving at the Mass. Christmas Midnight Mass, Easter Vigil Service and the Parish Feast were the there special occasions when our priest allowed all the servers (20-30 of us) to serve at the Mass. It’s an experience I always would like to remember.

For me, one of the precious things about Christmas is remembering things and traditions that made it special while I was growing up. Yes, it was simple but always a Merry Christmas! Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

GENEROSITY Called to Generosity What it means to respond to God’s love

How generous is The challenge: We may not like Let’s be spiritual. “Christian to admit it, but we are surround- stewards respond in a particular generous? ed by a culture that values “me way to the call to be a disciple. first.” Even when we have de- Stewardship has the power to As a child, I often wondered cided to grow as a good steward, shape and mold our about my mother’s generosity. we will be tempted to think, understanding of our lives and We had little money, and my “But I earned the money -- it’s the way in which we parents worked hard. Yet my mine to do with what I want,” or live.” (SDR, 42) Just as mother always seemed to give “Enough is enough -- I need generosity is tied to gratitude, it her time and attention to people. more time for myself!” And is also tied to trusting God in all I just didn’t get it! Now, I such thoughts or comments will things. Growing in trust is an understand that my mother knew find plenty of reinforcement intersecting point where faith the generosity of others in many from the world around us. We and life meet. We learn to trust ways through the years. She was will have to be committed to that God who has given us every a woman of deep faith whose continue on our path to a more good gift will be with us in all thankfulness for God’s love generous lifestyle. Still, when things. We grow in a desire to called from her a tangible we really give this thought, we give generously in response to response. As her gratitude grew, realize that each of us has a need such great blessings. This life of so did her generosity. Now, I am to give selflessly. It is in such trust, gratitude and generosity is grateful for the lessons I learned giving that we find meaning, a way of living as a follower of from my mother, lessons of purpose, and holiness. Jesus. Jesus, who gave attention generous and selfless sharing. to those who were sick and Let’s get practical. Growing in suffering, the lonely, and those What does generosity have to do a generous spirit is not some- in need of spiritual with our lives in faith? We thing that will happen over companionship; Jesus, who even might be thinking, “But isn’t it night. It is much more likely to when tired and in need of time enough to go to Mass on Sunday take place one step, one decision for himself, “stopped and put a little money in the to share after another. We will everything” to teach those who collection, or give to a local also find many more opportuni- came seeking him; Jesus, whose charity?” How generous is ties for generosity once we very life was poured out in generous, after all? This is begin looking for them. We will sacrifice for our sake and for where generosity is connected to consider practical steps toward that of the whole world. How gratitude: as we become more generosity on the reverse of this can we not respond by giving of mindful of the many ways we sheet. ourselves, our time and are blessed with life, love, attention, our talents and resources and more, we also face resources? To grow in the need to be more generous. generosity is to see ourselves as Generosity is the fitting response a reflection of Christ, called to to God’s overwhelming love! share Christ’s presence with others, as we surely are!

GENEROSITY (CONTINUED) Practical Ways to Grow in Generosity

Generous is as Give financially or materially: Jesus spoke often about money, Generous does not because he placed an over- emphasis on financial wealth, Generosity begins with a desire but because he understood how that grows into an act: a desire money can take hold of us. “God’s Kingdom is not an to give in response to what one Search your heart about this. earthly kingdom, subject to has been given; an act of giving What material resources do you decline and decay; it is the that expresses one’s gratitude have that another may need? everlasting Kingdom of the and trust. Here are some practi- What financial resources can life to come. But that ‘life to cal ideas for ways to grow in you share, even beyond what come’ is in continuity with generosity: may seem comfortable? Make a this present life through the

commitment to stretch a bit. If human goods, the worthy Give first to God: Give God the you truly do not have financial human purposes, which peo- first fruits of your time in prayer resources to share, find a way to ple foster now. And after and by making and fulfilling a be generous with your time; you people have done their best, commitment to spend your time will likely find that you don’t God will perfect human wisely and willingly with your miss that money or time as goods and bring about the family, by fulfilling your work much as you might expect, and final fulfillment of human responsibilities, and by serving that giving in such a way is sat- persons.” (SDR, 21) in your parish and community; isfying. give God the first fruits of your financial resources by making Give sacrificially: The mission and fulfilling a pledge of finan- we share in Jesus’ name is that cial stewardship to your parish of bringing the Good News to as well as other organizations. the world. This Good News is the message of undying, sacrifi- Give time, prayer, attention: cial love. We are created in Generosity in time and attention God’s image, meant to be a re- to God and others will transform flection of Jesus who is perfect, us; begin and end each day in generous self-giving. Like our conversation with God; pray for Lord, we must open our hearts those who have asked for your to the will of the Father, who prayers, and for those whose desires that all human physical, needs are known only to God; spiritual, emotional and material give your attention to someone needs be met. We know that who is alone; find a need that such needs will be met through your time and talent can fill, and the sacrificial generosity of good fill it! and faithful stewards.

WHAT DOES “BEING PRO-LIFE” MEAN TO YOU?

For us, being Pro-life means loving, nourishing, and parenting a child in foster care. A Pro-Life ministry hopefully promotes the idea that all people are sacred gifts from God, from conception to natural death. A few years back, we overheard a parishioner lament, "people like to say they are pro-life, but what are they doing about it?" Three months later we began foster care training, and completed training as our church announced the Jubilee Year of Mercy, in which we are called to put into action the corporal works of mercy as described in the Gospel of Matthew. To date, we have cared full time for just one child, but as St. Teresa of Calcutta said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one". --Amy & Bob Kernan

For me, being Pro-Life means guiding women through post abortion recovery. Who knows why the decision was made, that is not the issue; it is the deep wound that is left behind. It is a wound that, if left untreated, festers and grows and holds you captive with the feeling of unworthiness. All too often the strongest chain is the inability to forgive oneself. But there is hope, over the course of a few weeks, and many tears, comes the realization that God is waiting, waiting to run to us with open arms, waiting to embrace us and shower us with his infinite Mercy. What does pro-life mean to me? It means giving women the opportunity to be Forgiven and Set Free. --Anonymous

For me, being Pro-Life, was a term that held no meaning and little concern when I was young, as abortion was something I knew nothing about. In 1972 I began teaching High School and taught Child Development. I had models and movies of unborn babies and could actually hold a model of a 2-month fetus knowing that this small human had a heart beat since day 18 and brain waves for the last 2 weeks. I obtained a film on abortion and watched with horror as the fetus pulled away when the abortive instrument was inserted into the amniotic sac. I held girls as they cried from loss and guilt after their abortion and saw the sorrow it caused families. Pro-Life became real, not a choice. Life has meaning; it is sacred. -- Deloris Moore

For me, being Pro-Life means being open to life even when it is unexpected or causes difficulty, because beautiful things can come from it. When my sister was 18 she got pregnant. I know it was extremely difficult for her to tell our parents and it was even more difficult to carry this baby girl to term after deciding the child would have a better future if shared with a married couple through adoption. Advance 20+ years to 2010 when my sister sent an email to our entire family. It detailed how this same baby girl, now a young woman, had contacted Catholic Charities (the adoption agency) wanting to meet her birth mother. My sister consented to the request, and had been speaking with her daughter! Attached to the email was a picture. I clicked on the photo and tears began streaming down my face. I had a "new" niece! And she was more beautiful than a brand new baby because I knew all the shame, turmoil and heartache my sister had endured not only to give this young woman life, but also to ensure she had the best possible future. --Anonymous

For me, being Pro-Life means respecting, protecting and standing up for life at all stages – from conception to natural death. It is speaking up for those who can’t speak up for themselves (e.g. the unborn, those with disabilities, and the elderly). It is respecting and understanding that only God can create life and only He can take it away. Being pro-life can be as big as opposing abortion, euthanasia, infanticide or embryo-destructive research. However, it can be as small as helping a pregnant woman in need, serving someone with a disability, or spending time with someone who is lonely. EVERY person has a “right” to life – it should not be my choice or anyone else’s choice to take that “right” away. --Melissa Joerger

WHAT DOES “BEING PRO-LIFE” MEAN TO YOU? (CONTINUED)

For me, being Pro-Life means so many things, as I sit here holding my adopted baby girl while her twin brother is sleeping on my mother's chest. It is an amazingly beautiful sight to behold, knowing how many times over these babies are true miracles to be here at all -- let alone part of our family. Being pro-life for me is believing in miracles. It means loving my children’s birth mom and being so thankful that she chose life. Seeing my babies and looking into their sweet faces, I can't imagine any other outcome for them. It makes me long for the same for all other babies too. --Sasha Franzen

For me, being Pro-Life means respecting people in all walks of life. We are called by Christ to BE Christ to others. I have the blessing through my job at Ascension of being able to pass this message on to our young parishioners through the wonderful Sacrament of Confirmation. As part of the Confirmation preparation process, our Confirmandi are asked to serve the church and the community, then reflect on how they saw Christ in each act of service. We are trying to teach each one of them to have a servant’s heart. And it is so wonderful each year to see the generous acts these teenagers are doing, serving Christ by serving others, respecting the lives of those they serve! --Tricia Baldwin

For me, being Pro-Life means giving of my time, talents, and treasure to defend life from conception to natural death. It means being an informed voter. This relates to judges candidates will appoint, the legislation they'll support, their stance on federal funding of abortion, and their interest in protecting religious freedoms. For me, being Pro-Life means praying privately and publicly for women contemplating abortion. It means volunteering at and financially supporting organizations like The Vitae Foundation and local crisis pregnancy centers who work to defend life and provide emotional, spiritual, and financial support to moms in need. --Molly Peterson

For me, being Pro-Life means recognizing that the God of the universe, the God of all creation, created me and those who were always going to be a part of my life. For my wife and me, that meant being open to His calling for a family however He saw fit. That realization stirred in us even before our conversion when we came home to Holy Mother Church, right through when the medical professionals gave us “options” to deal with a fifth child on the way with special needs. There was only one option. And that was to be open to His will for our lives, hers and all of the “creatures” in our home. --Toby Cook

For me, being Pro-Life means cherishing and embracing the tapestry that my Mother wove into my heart. Priceless memories of love and blessings of joy I would not have had if I did not have her, a part of my life as she was aging physically. It is said that when an elderly person dies you lose a library. I say that you lose so much more if you do not embrace that life when your loved one is alive. The graces that are bestowed onto you are amazing. The library passed onto each life that was touched in their lifetime is amazing. In todays society it is so easy to just put your loved one in a place whether assisted living, independent living or a specialty facility and just forget about them. The thought is they are being cared for and I have so many other priorities on my plate. But what priorities are more important than a life. Jesus is in each one of us and he is calling us to be with him. Just to be there. Our loved one needs us. We need our loved one even more without even realizing it. Just to be there. Just to be there. --Cathy Wieser

A BITTERSWEET SEASON BY LYNETTE REMPEL

I especially miss my mom at Christmas. It has been over two years since her passing, and grief still comes in waves. One minute I’m fine and then I hear Have yourself a merry little Christmas, may your hearts be light… and the tears come. Tears of sorrow for the loss of my mother; tears of gratitude for the gifts she has given me; and tears of joy because she is no longer in pain, but is in paradise with the communion of saints. I cling to our Blessed Mother for comfort and to be a mother to me now. I ask for her intercession and grace to help me through this new walk of life without my mom.

Advent and Christmas are beautiful and bittersweet, as I recall the past while simultaneously enjoying the present and anticipating the future. When I read Mom’s handwritten recipes while preparing the same dishes she lovingly made, I feel her presence, she lives in me, I am a part of her. When I look upon certain ornaments she gave me, I see her hands placing the ornament on the tree in the perfect spot, and then I realize those hands are mine. When I sing at Mass, there are times I remember her sitting in the pew praying and listening, and I smile because we are together when I receive the Eucharist.

Mary's journey was not easy, yet with her fiat, our Father paved the road for the birth of our Lord. My fiat is to trust in His grace and mercy to carry me through my sorrow. I feel as though I am traveling alongside Mary to Bethlehem, uncomfortable with the heaviness of grief, yet filled with awe and wonder as I await His birth. Days are long, the journey is winding. Our Blessed Mother covers my sorrow and difficulties with honey to make the bitterness sweet. She wraps me in her mantle of peace and love, holding me close to her heart just as she did with Our Lord. Her love is carrying me through this new path that I am walking, alone, yet never alone.

I find myself living life moment to moment, because sometimes living day to day seems like an eternity. In my sorrow, I imagine Infant Jesus lying in a manger smiling at me, looking at me with a face of awe and wonder. He knows my suffering and pain and wants to dry the tears that I hold deep within. He is filled with pride as I bravely face the world each day with a smile despite the heaviness and empty feeling in my heart. He is always with me, holding my hand, grasping tightly (as newborns do), giving me the grace and peace for which I pray.

I know that Mary is helping me, holding my hand, praying with me, crying tears of grief and gratitude with me, rejoicing with me, and celebrating these sacred days with me. The suffering and the grief I feel are my humble and human gift that I lay at Our Blessed Mother’s feet, and although it isn’t gold, frankincense, or myrrh, it is all I have to offer in my humanness and weakness. It is mine to give to Infant Jesus. My journey in life is far from perfect, but in His eyes, He is pleased.

I know that even though there was no room at the inn for Mary, she gave birth to our Lord in a humble and lowly stable, and in the crudeness of the surroundings, our Lord's birth made it beautiful and perfect. My prayer for you who are grieving is that you remember that your gifts of grief and sorrow will be made beautiful and perfect by the One who was born in a stable, who wept at the death of Lazarus, who died on the cross, and who rose again.

REFLECTIONS ON JOYFUL MYSTERIES BY DAVE REMPEL

In this fourth article in the series, I offer a few possible bases for reflection while praying the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, which are favored during this season of Advent.

The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary In contemplating this mystery, we normally think of Mary’s agreement that God’s will be done, but that fiat was actually her second response to the angel’s “announcement”. Initially, Mary wondered how she could be with child; and the angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come to her, while offering the proof that the aged Elizabeth had conceived. Thus, Mary first needed faith—she needed to believe that “nothing will be impossible for God.” Only then could she submit to the will of her Lord. Do I truly believe that all things are possible for God? Do I say YES to God as often as I can---even if God is asking something hard or seemingly impossible? The angel offered Mary the ultimate compliment in stating that she had found favor with God. Am I in God’s favor? Is that a priority for me?

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth To me, this mystery provides Scripture’s best pro-life argument, as the “infant” John leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb in response to Mary’s greeting. This mystery also speaks to the importance of family, as Mary traveled “in haste” to visit her relative after the Annunciation. Am I thankful for the blessings of family? Do I cherish those relationships? In her great canticle, Mary praised God as both mighty and merciful. Do I praise God in my prayer, or do I just ask for things? Do I show mercy (and so find favor with God)?

The Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem God’s Son did not enter this world as king or lord; rather, Jesus had a lowly birth, in a manger, greeted by dirty shepherds. I should aspire to such humility. The angels praised those on whom God’s favor rests; again, do I seek God’s favor in all I do? Joseph experienced his own faith-then-fiat moment, as he unquestioningly obeyed the angel’s command and took Mary as his wife. Joseph serves as a fantastic model, especially for husbands and fathers. The visit of the magi from the East showed that Jesus came to save all people, not just the chosen Jews. Do I take advantage of opportunities to evangelize, by word and example?

The Presentation of Jesus to the Lord at the Temple The presentation of the baby Jesus in accordance with “the law of the Lord” suggests to me the importance of the Church and its rites. Do I follow the precepts of the Church? Do I take advantage of opportunities to receive the sacraments? The righteous Simeon’s comment that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of people, with their hearts revealed, suggests that a choice is required; in my words and deeds, is my choice to accept Jesus or to reject Him?

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple at Age 12 When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, He wondered why they were looking, as He had to be in His Father’s house. Thus, Jesus placed His service to His Father before any other responsibility. Does God occupy a similar position in my life? Jesus nevertheless was obedient to His earthly parents and returned home with them. Do I continue to respect my parents, who gave me life and raised me? The Holy Family had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Our faith remains a communal one, and my primary faith community should be my immediate family. Do I work to enhance my family’s faith life? Do we worship together?

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. It recalls the time before His birth and the proclamation of His coming by John the Baptist. It begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is marked by prayer, reflection, self-discipline and anticipation as we prepare for the coming of Christ the Savior.

Advent = Latin for “coming”

Prepare for Christ’s coming in 3 ways: 1. Christmas – when god became man – the “Incarnation” 2. End of Time – “no one knows the day or the hour” 3. Everyday

Advent Season 1st ½ : Prepare for the coming of God’s Kingdom 2nd ½ : Prepare for the birth of Christ

Time of joyful preparation & expectation

Sundays in Advent

First = Hope

Second = Peace

Third = Joy

Fourth = Love

Gloria is omitted on Sundays during Advent - not as repentance but to create a longing to sing it joyfully at Christmas

Traditional Advent Practices:

Advent Wreath – Light candles each day Purple/Violet – in this season is used as a sign of royalty “Christ the King” Pink/Rose – used on 3rd Sunday of Advent “Gaudete Sunday” Latin for rejoice! Advent Angels – Select a name at dinner – do nice things for that person all week Nativity Set – add straw for baby Jesus for each good deed Bless the Christmas tree Angle Tree – in Gather Space. Donate a toy or clothes for someone in need Jesse Tree – Family tree of Jesus’s ancestors. Named for the father of King David O Antiphons – December 17-December 23 Emmanuel = “God with us”

THE LITURGICAL YEAR

The liturgical year is the way we relive each year the great events of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. It is the Church’s yearly cycle of feasts, beginning with the First Sunday of Advent and ending with the Last Sunday of the Year, Christ the King.

The purpose of the Liturgical Year is to celebrate and understand more fully the entire mystery of Jesus Christ. During the course of a year, the paschal mystery – the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus – is viewed from different angels in different lights.

Rhythm of: The Year The Week - Sunday is sacred The Day

Cycle of Sunday Mass Readings: 3 years ( A, B, C) Cycle of Daily Mass readings: 2 years (1, 2)

Colors of the Seasons: Violet/Purple = Advent & Lent Preparation & penance Red = Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost & Feast days of apostles & martyrs Blood White = Christmas, Easter, Feasts of our Lord Purity, holiness Green = Ordinary Time Life and hope

ORDER YOUR ADVENT CANDLES TODAY!

l Parish Hall Saturday Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation 3:30 PM Reconciliation- Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation 3 Reconciliation 3:30 PM 8-11 AM MOYC Family Advent Festiva 10 PM 3:30 17 PM 3:30 24 CHRISTMAS EVE MASS 4:00PM , 6:00PM, 8:00PM, 10:00PM 31 26 PM 3:30 THE MARY, BLESSED MOTHER OF Holy GOD VIRGIN Day Vigil 4:30PM of Obligation

2 9 16 23 30 25 Reconciliation Reconciliation

onciliation and other onciliation and other ties at Ascension in red Ascension ties at CONCEPTION IMMACULATE IMMACULATE NOON, 7:00 PM THANKSGIVING Reconciliation Holy Day of Obligation Mass 6:45AM, 8:00AM, December 1 1 December PM 7:00 Reconciliation 8 FEAST OFTHE 22 Reconciliation PM 7:00 15 7:00PM ASCENSION Divine Mercy - Gardner/Edgerton - Heart Sacred X Pius St. Shawnee; 29 PM 7:00 24 DAY 9:00AM MASS 7 30 21 14 28 23 Communal reconciliation schedule in green schedule in green Communal reconciliation Holiday Mass schedule, rec Advent and Christmas activi Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation 6:00-9:30 PM PM 6:00-9:30 by Advent WOA Hall Parish Candlelight 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 6 20 AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 7:00PM Peace of Prince Joseph St. 7:30PM Good Shepherd Spanish AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 13 27 22 Reconciliation AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 29 AM 6:15 AM, 11:30 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Reconciliation Reconciliation 5 19 12 7:00PM ’s Michael St. Holy Spirit Holy Cross (Spanish) Holy Trinity 26 28 21 Sunday Queen ofthe St. Ann ; Nativity Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Angel Tree 4 Angel Tree 11 3:00PM Cure of Ars Queen of the Holy - OP Rosary Agnes 7:00PM St. St. Paul -Spanish and Eng- lish 18 25 CHRISTMAS DAY MASS 9:00AM AND 11:00AM Holy Rosary - Wea 7:30PM 7-8PM. A Festival of Carols and Lessons 3:00PM 3:00PM November 20 November 20 27 January 1 THE GOD OF MOTHER MARY, BLESSED Holy Day of Obligation VIRGIN 8:15AM, 10:00AM, 11:45AM, 5:00PM