505 N. La Cañada Drive Green Valley, Arizona 85614 Tel. 520-625-4536 Fax 520-625-1084 www.olvgv.org Pastor Rev. Francisco R. Maldonado Deacons Year of Mercy Mr. Rudy Noriega Pope Francis chose to inaugurate the Jubilee Mr. Joseph Roinick Year of Mercy last Tuesday because December 8 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of Vatican II. That council, Mission Statement Pope Francis reminds us, inaugurated a new phase in the Church’s “We, the parish community of Our Lady history. The Spirit called the Church to tear down the walls that of the Valley Catholic Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and nourished by the Holy for far too long had made it a fortress, and to proclaim the gospel Eucharist, are a community of faith. in a new, more accessible way. Pope Francis quotes Saint John XXIII in declaring the Church’s preference for “the medicine of We invite all God’s people to celebrate His love through participation in liturgy, mercy,” and Blessed Paul VI in proposing the Good Samaritan as prayer, service and fellowship. our model for discipleship (Misericordiae Vultus, 4). Pope Francis adds that God’s mercy is “the beating heart of the Gospel,” and that We are committed to on-going faith formation for people of all ages. mercy “must penetrate the heart and mind” of every disciple (MV, 12). Three times today’s Gospel asks, “What should I do?” Pope We value the diverse gifts we have been Francis would say: Imitate Jesus, who came not wielding the fiery given and freely share our time, talent, and treasure to minister to the needs of judgment that John the Baptist had threatened, but instead all God’s people.” imparting healing, compassion, forgiveness—mercy! Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. Papal quotes Copyright © 2015, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. Mass Intentions for the Week The Week Ahead ... Monday, December 14 Monday, December 14 8:00AM Sandwiches for the Poor, Hall, 6:30AM † Legion of Mary Members, † DJ Donahue, Eucharistic Adoration, Chapel, 9AM-Noon St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 9AM-Noon † Joe Alessando, † Philip Marchionna, Legion of Mary, Rm. 208, 8:45AM † Betty Stapenhorst, † Doris Harper Exercise, Hall, 11:30AM Tuesday, December 15 Religious Education Classes, Grades 6 & 7, 6PM 8:00AM Life Teen, Rm. 213, 6PM † Dennis Mann, † Addy Axtell, † Phyllis Barbuscia, Tuesday, December 15 † John Stocks, † Doris Harper, † Betty Stapenhorst, Eucharistic Adoration, Chapel, 9AM-Noon ⧗ John & Mike Moloney Mary’s Prayer Group, Rm. 225, 8:45AM Bible Study, Rm. 213, 9AM Wednesday, December 16 Caregiver Support Group, SJ, 10AM 8:00AM Rosary and Chaplet Recitation, Chapel, 3PM ⧗ Judy Gregory Religious Education Classes, K-5, 4PM Advent Reconciliation Service, Church, 4PM Thursday, December 17 Knights of Columbus Assembly Mtg., Hall, 7PM 8:00AM Wednesday, December 16 † Edward & Elizabeth Wania, † Joe Rezac, Office will be closed for the afternoon ⧗ Henry Taylor Sandwiches for the Poor, Hall, 6:30AM Friday, December 18 Eucharistic Adoration, Chapel, 9AM-Noon 8:00AM St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 9AM-Noon Quilters, Rm. 225 & Hall, 8:30AM † Marilyn Halboth, † Margaret & Llewellyn Halboth, New to You Shop, Rm. 208, 9AM † Angie & Ernest Croce, † Mary Viccaro, † John Keller, Boutique Open, 9AM † Leo Dodendorf, ⧗ Holy Souls Mah Jongg, Rm. 213, 12:30PM Saturday, December 19 Religious Education Classes, K-5, 4PM 8:00AM Contemporary Choir Practice, Church, 4PM Pro-Life Thursday, December 17 Eucharistic Adoration, Chapel, 9AM-Noon 4:00PM Catholic Daughter’s Mtg., Rm. 213, 9AM † Nick Ulibarri , † Louis & Teresa Haun Line Dancing, Hall, 9AM Sunday, December 20 Respect for Life Rosary, Church, after 9AM Mass 7:00AM Cantor Practice, Church, 2:30PM Alleluia Choir Practice, Church, 3:30PM † Mae Kronner, † Tom Clabots, † Jim McDonald, Cub Scout Den Mtgs., 6PM † Donald Gant Friday, December 18 9:00AM Souls in Purgatory Devotion, Church, 11AM † Donald Kopaniasz, † John Miceli, ⧗ Bert & Lill Blais, Bridge, Rm. 225, 11:30AM ⧗ David Moloney Exercise, Hall, Noon Mah Jongg, Rm. 208, 12:30PM 11:00AM Baptism Class, Rm. 225, 6:30PM † June DePagter, † Paul Cleary, † Leo Dodendorf, † Addy Axtell, † Vada Lipple, † Sarah Downs, Saturday, December 19 Christmas Dinner “Pastorela”, Hall, 5PM † Selvin Rovelstad, † John Keller, † Peter Acri, † Ruth & John Dreshar Sunday, December 20 RCIA, Rm. 213, 9AM 4:00PM Pancake Breakfast after the 7AM & 9AM Masses † Ermelinda Colosimo, † Joann Reed, † Josephine Tabaj Bingo, Hall, 6PM † Deceased Living ⧗ Special Intention Bulletin Articles Deadline for December 27 bulletin is Monday, December 14. Deadline for the Retirement Fund for Religious January 3 bulletin is Wednesday, December 16 (earlier because of the holiday). Please The dates for this appeal are this weekend, email: [email protected] or bring to the parish December 12 & 13. Please be generous. office. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! Page 2 Third Sunday in Advent December 13, 2015 Today’s Readings Treasures From Our Tradition First Reading: Shout for joy! Sing joyfully! Be glad This week, our celebration of Advent makes a and exult! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a transition in ritual and texts. Beginning December 18, mighty savior (Zephaniah 3:14-18a). the countdown of nine days (a novena) to Christmas Psalm: Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you sees a heightened sense of expectation, and also a is the great and Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 12). turning from the call of the Baptist in the wilderness Second Reading: Rejoice! The Lord is near. Make to the events leading up to Jesus' birth. In ancient your requests known to God (Philippians 4:4-7). Spain, December 18 was once celebrated as the "Feast Gospel: John tells his hearers to share their of the Expectancy," and customs grew up to heighten possessions with the needy; be honest; do not threaten readiness in the homes. or accuse others falsely (Luke 3:10-18). Some customs arise from monastic life and The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass (c) 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. practice and spill over into our parish life. Beginning tonight, those who pray Vespers will sing in the Readings for the Week opening phrase a beautiful title of Christ. These titles belong to a collection of opening phrases called the "O Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Antiphons" after the awe-inspired "O" sung on the Mt 21:23-27 first note. There's a playful code in the titles: O Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Wisdom, O Lord, O Flower of Jesse, O Key of David, O Mt 21:28-32 Dawn, O Ruler, O Emmanuel. When you take their Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9-14; Latin names--Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, and so on--the Lk 7:18b-23 titles form an acrostic when you read them Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; backwards: "ERO CRAS." In Latin, that is translated as Mt 1:1-17 "I will be there tomorrow!" It's as if Christ were Friday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; answering the prayers of the waiting people in the Mt 1:18-25 words of the prayers themselves. Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Scripture Commentary Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 CELEBRATE Saints and Special Observances This Sunday, God rejoices and sings because of us. We read in Zephaniah today that God "will sing joyfully Monday: St. John of the Cross because of you, / as one sings at festivals" (Zephaniah 3:18). We know plenty about singing at festivals. Sanctuary Lights Already our ears are ringing with the songs and carols that anticipate the Christmas season. Week of December 13 Paul reminds us of the source of our own double rejoicing: God is the mighty savior who is in our midst Special Intention for D. & M. Cerny and (in Zephaniah's words). Because this is so, says Paul, W. Schlesinger we can rejoice and be at ease. We don't have to worry, By M. Cerny for God's peace will stand guard over our hearts and minds. Banns of Marriage A medieval carol depicts Christmas as "my dancing day" and urges us to enter into the dance. Why all the I am pleased to announce the banns of marriage merrymaking? Because "the Lord is near," as Paul between ERICA ELIZABETH GOMES and RAUL BRAVO- reminds us (Philippians 4:5). He then points to ARIZMENDI, both of Our Lady of the Valley parish. If another reason for the dancing: the dawn of the anyone knows of just cause why they should not be promise of peace, the peace beyond all understanding, joined together in Holy Matrimony, I ask you to notify that is now within our grasp. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. me. This is the first posting of Banns for this couple. Rev. Francisco R. Maldonado Page 3 Third Sunday in Advent December 13, 2015 Alleluia Choir Sunday, December 20, 11AM Thursday, December 24 8:30PM Christmas Concert This is an on-going series taken from 9PM Christmas Eve Mass Faith - Questions and Answers About the Catholic Faith Friday, December 25 John V. McGuire, C.Ss.R 8:30AM Christmas Concert 9AM Christmas Day Mass What does the Creed mean by “he descended into Hell? Beloved Saint Biography his is not a reference to the hell of the damned but to the abode of the just of the SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS (c.