Scrip Challenge As of Dec 14th we have raised $1286.42 since 9/26/2020. 43 people/families have created an online account and orders THE TAPROOT are also placed through the office. Team Break Down:

Volume 57 Number 1 Team Father John: $617.17 January 2021 Team Father Peyton: $351.87

Team LF School: $171.45

Team Booster Club: $31.90

Office has generated $258.81 with $144.78 of those dollars assigned to the appropriate team.

Statistics: 3 people/families have generated over $100 in rebates with the leader at $158.15 6 individuals/families have generated over $80. LI±LE FLOWER CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 9 individuals/families plus the church office have generated $1102.74 of the $1286 in rebates. “THE LIGHT OF THE LOOP” Thank you to all who are participating. This is a powerful 2053 Government Street fundraising tool. We need more people to participate. Mobile, Alabama 36606 www.littleflowermobile.com

Michael Brisbane (251) 490-3812

Rectory: 473-3340 Parish: 478-3381 School: 479-7881/5761 Fax: 476-4064 FROM THE DESK OF FR. JOHN: making this another successful Fundraiser. Mary Alice is smiling Happy New Year! I pray that we will all be in a safe place in down on you guys. The winners are: 1) Katie Hyland— 2021; that COVID will cease to be a problem and that all physical, Christmas Shopping Spree; 2) Dodie Ward——Winter Comfort spiritual and mental needs are fulfilled. Blanket; 3) Gwen & Harry Smith—-Irish Christmas Basket; 4) Fr. John Coghlan—Crimson Tide Basket; 5) Dodie Ward— What a marvelous Christmas! Decorations in the church were just Dinner & Robert Moore Shopping Spree; 6) Mary Simpson— grand. Everything was beautiful. It entailed several hours of hard Mr. Claus Basket; 7) Julie Anderson—Mrs. Claus Basket; 8) work I am so grateful to all who accomplished this. Terry McKinney—Sports Basket; 9) Nicole Angel—Christmas The Masses were quite full at 4:00pm and the 5:30pm. In fact, we Wine & Cheese Basket; 10)Myra Sands—Christmas Cookie had we conduct people to the cafeteria where Mass was Baking Basket;11) Fr. John Coghlan—Mardi Gras Basket;12) simultaneously being celebrated. I look forward to this coming Marilyn Wood——Christmas Feast Basket. The Grand Prize Christmas when we can all safely be in one building. winners of $1000 are Ray and Janie Carney. Thank you all for your support! The net profit was over four thousand dollars!! Although 2020 was a difficult year, Little Flower has shown great resilience. We begin a new year full of hope and At all Masses January 2nd and 3rd couples married during the expectations and we are really excited about all the good things month of January, February or March will have an opportunity happening here at Little Flower. Our aid to needy families was a to have their marriage blessed. record high thanks to your generosity. I applaud you for this. You never cease to amaze me with your kindness and your thoughtful Internet fraud seems to be on the rise.My Name has been hearts. used in internet scams and frauds. Please note that I would never request money or favors from anyone via Internet. January kicks off Catholic Charities (January 16 & 17) and Things get a bit hectic around here at times. If Fr. Plessala Catholic Schools Week (begins January 31st). Thank you for your or I have forgotten to thank anyone for the acts of kindness or past years of generosity. I pray that with careful thought you will gifts we received during Christmas please forgive us. Thank you continue to do so this year. Catholic Schools Week highlights the for all you do!! Hope to see you at Mass. value of a Catholic Education. My wish is that every child, especially my little parishioners, experience the benefit of a *Enclosed in this month’s TapRoot are Tithing and Time & Talent forms. Catholic Education. If your child is not in our parish school please Please fill these out and return to the office. No pressure on a tithing take the time to check out this little gem. amount, just let us know that you want to continue to stay on role as a Little Flower parishioner. The “Mary Alice Rice Twelve Days of Christmas Memorial Fr John Raffle” was a huge success. Thank you to the Rice Family and several of our parish groups for their hard work and donations in (1 (2 Catholic Round Table Celebrate Life! The schedule for 2021 is not totally The Mobile March for Life will be on Friday, January 29, 2021. decided because we changed the 2020 The Little Flower Coalition will be marching, schedule frequently due to involved and we want YOU to join us! The schedule discussions, sharing, and ending the year of events is as follows: with a session on Advent and Christmas trivia. Despite beginning the fall schedule *9:30 am gathering of the Little Flower late due to C19 and frequent changes in the Coalition in Cathedral Square near the corner schedule, it was excellent, informative, and fun. It is a wonderful thing to be able of North Claiborne and Conti to come together with each other, share and develop our *9:45 am Rally in Cathedral Square faith. Here is something we would like to share with you that we *10:45 am March through downtown Mo- discussed when we did the sessions on the Mass. It shows us just how bile. Bring a big, bright sign to carry letting far back the structure of the Mass goes. It is from the First Apology everyone who sees you know that you are Celebrating Life! of Justin, a Christian Philosopher about 150 A.D. He wrote it as a systematic defense of Christians to the Roman Emperor, Antonius Those who are sheltering at due to medical vulnerabilities Pius. First, it is important to note that the early Christians were can watch the March on Facebook Live. All are encouraged to Jewish converts and the way they worshiped in the synagogue complete the form on the website (https:// influenced their celebration of the Mass. Justin wrote that the www.marchforlifemobile.org/be-counted-2021) so you can be Christians gathered on the day of the Sun (Sunday) and “the memoirs counted among the defenders of life if you cannot be physically of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets are read” (Liturgy of the Word.) After the Presider exhorted the” assembly to imitate the present! good examples of the readings” (Homily), bread and wine were brought forward (Presentation of Gifts) and prayers were said, This year, you can also designate half of the cost of the t-shirts and (Eucharistic Prayer.) Justin wrote that the bread and wine were race bibs to a pregnancy resource center of your choice! Be sure to called Eucharist because by the Eucharistic () Prayer, this pre-order and wear your shirt with pride everywhere you go! food is changed into the “flesh and blood of the Incarnated Jesus” https://www.marchforlifemobile.org/tshirt (Consecration.) Next, there is a distribution to each and the participation in the Eucharistic elements (Communion.) Justin is There are always very inspiring speakers at the rally, and the March clear “that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word […] is always fun! Please join us physically if at all possible or virtually if is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” This is a not. Post on social media wearing your shirts at the March or at very brief and only an excerpt from his First Apology. He includes home, and include the hashtag, #CelebrateLifeMobile so many more things, like the “Kiss of Peace” which is not new as many believe. You can read his entire Apology by Googling (unless you have a set of the writings of the Church Fathers) Justin Martyr’s For more information, visit the website at https:// First Apology. It is long but you will find this and much more www.marchforlifemobile.org/ or email, text, or call me. I can’t wait regarding the Mass in 150 A.D. in chapters 65-68 (these are not to celebrate life with you! Thanks as always for standing up long). Join us in this New Year to learn more about our Catholic for life! 251-490-1528 Faith. Whether you join us or not, may God bless each of you daily Rebecca Graves [email protected] in this New Year! God bless, Round Table Committee (4 (3 Viking News The Men of St. Joseph The mission of Little Flower Catholic School The Advent Season is a wonderful time is to teach, learn and grow through the tradition of faith. that we spent in preparation for the com- ing of Christ, our Savior. In the days leading up to Christmas, we heard about The hustle and bustle of the holidays is John the Baptist who was thought by many behind us and the promise of a quiet to be the Messiah. But he made it humbly new year begins. Students begin the clear that he was just the opening act, in new year with VIRTUAL SCHOOL from th th the hugely transformative event of the January 4 to 8 . All of the birth of Jesus Christ. We pray that we, as Archdiocese schools will be virtual in an the faith leaders of our family, have the abundance of caution and to help will and skill to be good examples of prevent the spread of COVID- 19. Student will return to IN th John’s humility in all that we say and do. PERSON SCHOOL on January 11 . Tom Ebel The beauty of the Christmas season is still with us as we welcome Men of St. Joseph Prayer the arrival of the kings. I am ever aware of how thankful I am to “St. Joseph, help me to be like you. Help me to be obedient to the be here at Little Flower and have the most wonderful faculty and teachings of the Church and faithful to God’s commands. Help me staff. to patiently endure my cross each day. Let me be a model of holiness and a pillar of virtue. I solemnly promise to embrace At the beginning of January, second quarter report cards will go rd th God’s will and I accept the challenge to work tirelessly for my home, and students gear up for the 3 quarter. January 18 family’s salvation. Be my guide and companion on this journey. there will be no school as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s St. Joseph, Terror of demons, pray for us.” birthday.

"The Men of St. Joseph is an association of Christian men, united under the The last week of January kicks-off Catholic Schools Week. Check Catholic Church, who meet weekly to pray together and encourage each with bulletin for time and dates of Open House. We invite other to be the spiritual leaders of their families.” Please join us. alumni, current and prospective families to come and see by appointment. We have been working hard to create an online, virtual tour. MONTHLY MEETING OF Happy New Year LITTLE FLOWER KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Alesa Weiskopf COUNCIL 13367 Principal JANUARY 12, 2021 7:00PM LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL CAFETERIA

(5 (6 Little Flower Music Ministry Community Services Happy New Year to all! As we say and good riddance to Our small but dynamic committee put together food baskets 2020, I pray that 2021 will be a much better year for everyone. for 20 families for thanksgiving dinners serving over 100 people in our parish. By the time you are reading this, we will have As I write this article, it is still more than a week away from finished with our Angel Tree project We collected and distrib- Christmas. While not know exactly how our Christmas uted over 120 gifts for 40 plus children in our parish and were Masses will turn out, I know that they will be different than most able to provide over 25 gifts for our seniors in our area. I want years. Unfortunately, we were not able to have any choirs. I to thank all of you that donated these items for your generosity missed having them sing as I am sure most of you did too. At – you will have made some smiles on Christmas Day. I also want least the cantors were able to sing a couple of Christmas carols to thank our volunteers for their time and efforts in preparing before each of the Masses. I want to thank them for their time the thanksgiving basket and their work with the Angel Tree - and talent. Carmen Baker, Jeanne Wynne, Clara Brunk, Barbara Lucassen , Babs DeKeyser and Tricia McKinney – all of this would not have In my article from December, I included a link to the OCP been possible without your help and involvement. We hope website for those of you who would like to purchase your own everyone has a blessed and Merry Christmas and I know every- personal copy of our hymnal to use until we are able to put one is looking forward to 2021. If you would like to volun- hymnals back in the pews. If you decide to order a Breaking teer for this committee next year, please call or send me an Bread hymnal, be aware that there are three different versions. email. God Bless.

Breaking Bread 2021 features synopses of the readings for Sundays and solemnities from the Lectionary.

Breaking Bread with Readings 2021 features full readings, as well Knights of Columbus as responsorial psalms with verses from the Lectionary for all the readings for Sundays and solemnities. Ladies Auxiliary A donation of $500 was given to the Community Service Breaking Bread with Daily Mass Propers 2021 features daily Mass Committee to assist with the Thanksgiving baskets. propers for every day of the year, along with full readings, as well Our purpose is to assist the Knights when needed. As as responsorial psalms with verses from the Lectionary for all of always, we would like to extend an invitation to all ladies of the readings for Sundays and solemnities. This is the version we Little Flower to join us. If you would like to join us – Please normally have in the pews. come! Our next regular meeting is January 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Location to be determined by size of gathering As we start this new year continue to stay safe, attend Mass whenever you can, and remember that God is in control. We’ll We look forward to seeing you! get through this with His help. Amy Brown Dave Masline President (7 (8 Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The Legion Of Mary How good it was to have you with us at the last First Friday of His Church, His Mystical Body through which He remains 2020, 12/4 --Jesus and Mary were so pleased and the angels with us for all time as our Emmanuel (= God-with-us.). rejoiced! This New Year begins on Friday 1/1 with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation, so our Holy On the Feast of His Circumcision, the eight-day old Savior Hour Saturday 1/9 (9:30-10:30AM) will be our only opportu- shed His first drops of blood and experienced the first of His nity for communal Adoration until February, though, of course, sufferings for our redemption as He was incorporated into the Jesus and Mary and the angels will be delighted to meet us on Covenant of the Chosen People. On this same day of pain and any day of any week for any length of time, just to BE with Them joy, the Divine Infant was formally claimed by Mary’s hus- as we rest in Their love and peace. band, Joseph, as his legal Son, thus incorporating the Infant into the House of David as Heir to David’s Kingdom. Obedi- January 1, New Year’s Day, a Civil Holiday, was originally the ent to the angelic message, Joseph named the Infant Jesus— Octave Day of Christmas on which we celebrated the Feast of the (Jeshua =Savior). The Name indicates Jesus’ Messianic mis- Circumcision and Naming of the Infant. which incorporated Him sion -- to bring the Kingdom of God to earth -- and His sacrifi- into the Covenant of the Chosen People, and formally received cial, redemptive destiny: to bring into being the New Cov- the Name Jesus, chosen for Him before His conception by the enant between God and men, made with His Blood, as the Father. Source of Salvation, for us all. After giving the Gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist to His Church , entrusting it Following Vatican II, Pope St. Paul VI, in 1967 established Janu- to the Apostles to continue until the end of time, Jesus took ary 1 as a yearly World Day of Peace, observance to start in our place and willingly died our death penalty for all human 1968. With the 1969 revision of the Liturgical Year and Calen- sin. Then, risen, He promised He would return in glory to dar, the Pope also established the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother establish God’s Kingdom to its eternal form. of God on January 1, “to commemorate the part played by Mary in [the] Mystery of Salvation… to exalt the singular dignity which For us, who have accepted His invitation to follow Him, and this Mystery brings to the Holy Mother who bore our Savior [that have been joined to His Body by our Baptism in His Church, we might receive Life Eternal] … [to renew] adoration of the the “new beginning” of the year is spiritual, and we look for newborn Prince of Peace, [to hear again] the glad tidings of the ways better to live out His Love on earth. We seek to bring angels (cf. Lk 2;14) and [to implore] from God through the His Good News to everyone for whom He has died, to die Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace” (Apostolic Letter daily with Him on our cross to our own disordered passions Marialis Cultis). and desires, and to allow Him to clarify in us His Image and Likeness as we love and serve all His children. Always, we In all these feasts with which our civil year begins, the one com- turn for help to our Mother, who brings us unfailingly to mon element is a new beginning, a clean slate to start over in Jesus, as we carry His Peace to our small worlds day by day, living our lives in flesh and time. Key to these new beginnings while our prayers, added to and enriched by hers, offered for for us is Jesus Himself, Whose physical Birth we have just cel- the rest of the world and all those for whom He died, spread ebrated. For through Him we believe in God in TriUnity, His grace everywhere. Happy New Year! Lucy Park havereceived and are working out our salvation as members of (10 (9 Little Flower Parish Religious Education Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) We are a little over half way in the 2020/2021 classes working forward to the Easter Vigil. Soon, in a Mass, (aka CCD ) we will introduce the 2021 class to the parish and ask for your prayers as they begin their final A warm welcome to a new year! Religious Education will preparation for becoming a member of the Body not return until January 10th (allowing time for families to of Christ and our Catholic family. quarantine after the Christmas Holidays). January 24th will be Beginning this month, we will introduce the the first First Communion meeting. The meeting will be in group to the Sacraments which are the pillars of the second-grade classroom from 10:30-11:30. our faith. We also continue to introduce two saints each week. This has been a great addition to our schedule Tommie Angel to help with the selection of their Patron Saint for Confirmation.

Class Schedule January 2021 Dates Topic Presenter

Jan. 5th Sacramental Theology I Fr. Peyton (Introduction, Baptism, and Confirmation)

Jan. 12th Eucharist Part I Fr. John

Jan. 19th Eucharist Part II Video/Fr. Peyton

Jan. 26th The Mass Fr. Peyton All are invited to join us for any or all of these sessions. The Two-Part is a great opportunity to re-introduce youself to the Real Presence of the Body of Christ in Liturgy of the Eucharist. Do you know that only approximately 32% of practicing Catholics believe in the Real Presence? And some surveys relflect an even lower percentage.

Wishes for a Happy New Year wishes with much prosperity for you and your family. Betty Ebel RCIA Coordinator (11 (12 COMMITTEE REPORTS We have not had our mixer returned from the company so our Parish Council acoustics are not back to normal yet. We have new connections The next meeting is March 3, 2021. in cry room and balcony. They now can hear. We had to take off the microphone on the altar due to interferences. The priest Liturgy Meeting are wearing the mike on them personally so we can hear them Review of Parish and Liturgical Happenings – Fr. John when at the altar. We have a need to clarify with ushers how to bring collection up It was decided to have Masses on Christmas Eve at 4:00 and 5:30 after collected. Prepare a list of head ushers at each Mass and (children’s Mass) 9:30 and 12:00. It was felt that the 4:00 their e-mails so we can send a message. would alleviate the overflow at 5:30. St. Nick will be a part of our liturgies again. Also we need to let Eucharistic Ministers to know that they go Members: Fr. John, Fr. Peyton, Deacon Ron, Deacon Curt, Dave up to the altar after the Lamb of God. They also can leave after Masline, Betty Ebel, Beth Klein, Danielle Johnson, Kerry Drew, Father puts the Blessed Sacrament back in the tabernacle. The Sr. Mary Joyce priest at this time is purifying the vessels. Loop Group – we have not met yet due to virus. We do know that we will see work on crosswalks at the park on Airport and The altar servers need to know to take cruets back to the Government beginning work on Dec. 14th. There will be flasher credence table after Father uses them. lights there also. We have been advocating this since the park started. In January we will do a social media event to ask people for their We also were involved in not approving of a car dealership on the e-mails and phone numbers if they want to be contacted about corner of Morgan and Government. We will be following up on events. what happens. We want to a remind parishioners that current events can be It looks like they are working on the restaurant across from the found on the parish app, website and Facebook. church now that the section of Little Flower Avenue between We were made aware of another means called “Flock News”. Airport and Government is opened. Sr. Mary Joyce Bringer, CSJ We have had 6 youngsters baptized at School Masses this year. First Penance was Nov. 18th at 7:00 PM.

Father Peyton told us about a mission that he will lead on THE LEGION OF MARY November 29th – December 1st. The mission will also be INVITE ALL TO televised from our church. The theme will be based on the ADORATION OF THE EUCHARIST “Year of the Eucharist in the Parish”. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8TH 9:30AM TO 10:30AM We will not have choirs for the Christmas Masses but we will ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN US have cantors like we normally do on Sundays. (13 (14 Little Flower Altar Society Well, Christmas has come and gone. We celebrated Christ This year is the year of St. Joseph. He is a great example for being born anew. We share memories, gifts us. Like St. Joseph, we can serve the Lord with hearts of and love with our family and friends. Now unselfish love for others; Like St. Joseph, we can act in we are embarking a new year which we humility, obedience to the Holy Spirit and be dependent on pray to God will be better than the 2020. God as we travel through this new year. St. Joseph, pray for But, even with all the burdens we did not us. welcome, most of us found some great blessings in our experience. If we think May each of you have a prosperous and happy 2021. May about them deeply, the number may be God walk with you on whatever path your journey might take. surprising. Betty Ebel, Chairperson One of the blessings I enjoyed this year was the group that came together to Altar Service for January: Kay Dees and Shannon Thomson (Start assemble the Nativity Scene. There is a January 2) lot of hard work but when you are working with good people, the chore becomes a pleasure. Even with the “Soul Food” Café great group we had, we needed to call January 10, 2021 in the A-Team for assistance. 1PM in the Bringer Center A huge “thank you” for those who helped with the Christmas decorations “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary”!! The A-Team Comes in the church and cafeteria. Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah: to the Rescue By Brant Pitre The cafeteria was made festive in the anticpatation of an overflow of Mass attendees on Christmas Eve. We will continue to read Chapter 7: The New Rachel Our choirs were very much missed but Dave and our great Mother of the Church cantors provided us with beautiful Christmas music to make the Masses very special. It is just so wonderful to have many voices Bring a dish to share!! raised in praise to God. I don’t know about you, but I miss Food for the Body and Food for the Soul!! singing during Mass. Dave has tried to provide songs that most Mary Jo Wilder of us know so we can participate but it is not the same, at least 251-422-1493 for me. [email protected] (16 (15 LI±LE FLOWER CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CONTACT INFORMATION Parish Staff Fr. John Lynes, Pastor [email protected] Knights of Columbus, Council 13367 Fr. Peyton Plessala, Parocial Vicar [email protected] Lanny Todd, Grand Knight [email protected] Ron Martin, Deacon [email protected] Curt Crider, Deacon [email protected] K of C Ladies Auxiliary, Council 13367 Rebecca Burns [email protected] Amy Brown, President [email protected] Joanne Siggers [email protected] Dave Masline [email protected] St. the Archangel Columbian Squires #5622 Ski Lopuhovsky [email protected] Sr. Mary J. Bringer [email protected] Parish Council Men of St. Joseph Ann Corl, Pres. [email protected] Tom Ebel [email protected] Ingrid Juzang, Vice Pres. [email protected] Sister Mary Joyce, Secretary [email protected] Altar Society Fr. John Lynes, Pastor [email protected] Betty Ebel [email protected] Fr. Peyton Plessala, Parocial Vicar [email protected] Katie Hyland [email protected] Deacon Ron Martin [email protected] Deacon Curt Crider [email protected] Legion of Mary Clara Brunk [email protected] Patricia Roser [email protected] Alesa Weiskopf [email protected] http://www.lom-mobilecuria.com Tommie Angel, Religious Education [email protected] Lyle Coleman [email protected] Community Service William Vogtner [email protected] Eileen Harden [email protected] Alex Smith [email protected] Dedra Colbert [email protected] Respect Life Rebecca Graves [email protected] Rebecca Graves [email protected] Terry McKinney [email protected] Joy Lang [email protected] Little Flower Youth Group Kelly Poole [email protected] Joycelyn Lang [email protected] Liturgy Committee Fr. Peyton Plessala, Parocial Vicar [email protected] Fr. John Lynes, Pastor [email protected] Fr. Peyton Plessala, Parocial Vicar [email protected] School Advisory Council Ron Martin, Deacon [email protected] Kristie George [email protected] Curt Crider, Deacon [email protected] Joanne Siggers (Liturgical Ministers) [email protected] School Tuition Sr. Mary Joyce Bringer, CSJ (Altar Servers) [email protected] Beverly Crews [email protected] Dave Masline (Music) [email protected] Betty Ebel (Altar Society) [email protected] Booster Club Kerry Tran (Children’s Liturgy) [email protected] Lyle Coleman [email protected] Danielle Johnson [email protected] Kelly Poole [email protected] Beth Klein [email protected]