Issue: December 20, 2009 Hilo Roman Catholic Community St. Joseph Church Malia Puka O Kalani Church 43 Kapiolani St., Hilo, HI 96720 326 Desha Ave., Hilo, HI 96720 Office Hrs: Mon.‐ Fri. 8:00 am ‐ 4:00 pm Office Hrs: Mon.‐Sat. 9:00 am‐5:00 pm Phone: (808) 935‐1465 Fax: (808) 969‐1665 except Thursdays email: [email protected] Phone: (808) 935‐9338 email: [email protected] MASS SCHEDULE St. Joseph Church Weekdays: Mon. ‐ Fri. 6:00 am & 12:15 pm Legal Holidays: 7:00 am Saturday: 7:00 am Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm Sunday: St. Joseph Church 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:30 am & 6:00 pm Confession: Saturday: 10:00 am ‐ 11:00 am St. Joseph Church or by appointment *Please note: confession schedule does not apply during some liturgical sea‐ sons. Prayer Times Morning Prayer & Benediction Mon.‐Sat. Immediately after Mass Evening Prayer & Benediction Sun. – Friday: 4:30 pm Saturday: 3:30 pm Malia Puka O Kalani Church MASS SCHEDULE WEEKEND: 5:15 pm Saturday Vigil 9:00 am Sunday 4:00 pm (Spanish Mass) WEEKDAY: 5:15 pm Mon., Wed., Fri. Fourth Sunday of Advent 1 Pastor’s Corner Rev. Samuel Loterte, SSS Christmas at Greccio What better way to prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child than to take a brief The Miracle of Christmas journey to Greccio, the spot in central Italy where St. Francis of Assisi cre- Malia Masses: ated the first Christmas Dec. 24th 5:15 pm crib in the year 1223. Dec. 25th 9:00 am Francis, recalling a visit he St. Joseph Masses: had made years before to Dec. 24th Bethlehem, resolved to Misa de Gallo 4:00 am create the manger he had seen there. The ideal spot Christmas Eve Mass was a cave in nearby Grec- 6:00 pm cio. He would find a baby 9:00 pm (we’re not sure if it was a Dec. 25th live infant or the carved 12:00 midnight Father God, image of a baby), hay 7:00 am upon which to lay him, an 9:00 am When your precious Son became a tiny baby in ox and an ass to stand be- 11:30 am a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, side the manger. Word went out to the people of you changed our world. the town. At the appointed As we imagine those surroundings, we join time they arrived carrying Youth Mass torches and candles. with the shepherds and the wise men in won- Dates der and praise. We thank you for our material One of the friars began Dec. 27 celebrating Mass. Francis 11:30 am Mass lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust himself gave the sermon. His biographer, Thomas of in you for our eternal life. Celano, recalls that Francis Holiday Schedule “stood before the manger We ask your blessings on the people of …overcome with love and Changes filled with a wonderful St. Joseph and Malia Puka O Kalani. happiness…” For Francis, Religious Education Amen. the simple celebration was No R.E. classes meant to recall the hard- on Dec. 20th, We wish all of you a Blessed Christmas ships Jesus suffered even Dec. 27th, and Jan. 3rd. and New Year! as an infant, a savior who chose to become poor for Classes will resume our sake, a truly human th Jesus. on Jan. 10 Fr. Samuel, Fr. Gregorio, Fr. Joe, Tonight, as we pray Sr. Marykutty, Sr. Lisa, Sr. Lusika, Sr. Ruth around the Christmas cribs Cursillo will Robyn, Robert, Chrislyn, Mario, Cres, in our homes, we welcome not be into our hearts that same meeting on Gloria & David Savior. Thursday, Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast Dec. 24 & 31 due to the By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; holidays. Mahalo. revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. 2 Scripture Readings Sunday Reflection: by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. Sunday, December 20 December 20, 2009 Mi 5:1-4a Fourth Sunday of Advent (C) Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Heb 10:5-10 Mi 5:1‐4a ; Ps 80:2‐3, 15‐16, 18‐19; Heb 10:5‐10 ; Lk 1:39‐45 Lk 1:39-45 Christmas is often a time for different generations in a family to come together. Monday, December 21 Grandparents delight in sharing Christmas memories with the youngest family mem- Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a bers. On our Christmas tree we hang both new and old ornaments. Our celebrations this Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 year usually prompt us to remember the Christmases long past. Lk 1:39-45 Today's Liturgy of the Word offers us a meeting between old and new. In our Gospel, the Old Covenant, represented by Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, meets Tuesday, December 22 the New Covenant, symbolized by Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Our second reading, 1 Sm 1:24-28 from the Letter to the Hebrews, presents Jesus, whose sacrificial death on the cross re- (Ps) 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8 Lk 1:46-56 places the sacrifices of the old law. God's promise to shepherd his flock spans both the old and the new covenants, as Wednesday, December 23 our first reading tells us. The birth of the shepherd-Messiah from the line of David will Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 fulfill ancient promises and usher in an age of peace. Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 Such fulfillment, such peace, is what both old and young long for as we gather to Lk 1:57-66 celebrate Christmas this season. Perhaps the Christmas celebrations in our families might have room for some time of prayer and storytelling which would allow for those Thursday, December 24 hopes to be voiced. For we celebrate the birth of the One who personifies peace: Jesus (Weekday) Christ, born into our world to fulfill the ancient longings of the human family. 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29 St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org. Lk 1:67-79 Week 3: Advent Reflections Thursday, December 24 Each day during Advent find a few quiet moments with your family when you can light the (Vigil) candle, read the little thought for the day, and say the short prayer together. Is 62:1-5 Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 December 20 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 The angel had told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting a baby. This Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 was a surprise because Elizabeth was quite old but it was a sign that God is all- Friday, December 24 powerful. Mary went to see Elizabeth, and together they were able to share the great (Midnight) events that were happening to them. They praised God. R. Is 9:1-6 December 21 Ps 96:1-3, 11-13 Elizabeth gave birth to a son whose name was John. He was to prepare his people for Ti 2:11-14 the arrival of their Savior. John was the last of the prophets. When he was grown up he Lk 2:1-14 went to the river Jordan where he preached to the people and invited them to say sorry to God for the past and to begin again by being baptized. R. Friday, December 25 December 22 Is 52:7-10 When the time came for Mary to have her baby, an official decree had been issued by Ps 98:1-6 the government which said that everyone had to return to their own city to register. Heb 1:1-6 Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. R. Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 December 23 Bethlehem was known as the city of David after King David and it was very over- Saturday, December 26 crowded with visitors who had come to be registered. Mary and Joseph couldn't find Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 anywhere to stay and they had to shelter for the night in a stable behind an inn. R. Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, December 24 16bc-17 Mt 10:17-22 During that first night in the stable Mary gave birth to her son. This son was Jesus, the Savior, who had been promised by God to his people throughout their history for so Sunday, December 27 many years. Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. Jesus Sir 3:2-7, 12-14 came for everybody in the world. God sent us his Son to show us exactly how he Ps 128:1-5 wants us to live each day. R. Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 © Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent Lk 2:41-52 - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer 3 Year End Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30 2009 Submitted by the Finance Council Thanks to our Finance Council members who meet every month to review the Parish and School business reports and offer their invaluable wisdom and guidance. Thanks to all of our parishioners who continue to support the church and her efforts through your contributions of time, talents, and treasures. 4 St. Joseph School Cardinal News Santa Breakfast & Bookfair Our Parent-Teacher-Guild (PTG) held their annual Santa Breakfast at the school cafeteria recently. Families enjoyed a hearty breakfast while keiki visited with Mr.