106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel.

(620)724-8717

Weekly Bulletin

of
Saint Michael Church, Girard www.stmichaelgirard.com

Saint Michael Parish Mission Statement:

MASS SCHEDULE
GIRARD Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:00 am ARMA 4:00pm 8:00 am

We the parishioners of Saint Michael the Archangel, through leadership and strong traditions are faithful disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. We commit ourselves to be generous stewards of our faith, our parish, and our community. We strive to involve all members to be united in one parish family for the salvation of all. Notes from the Pastor: Though the feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on Monday, December 9th, and not a holy day of obligation this year, we are still encouraged to pray and reflect on this celebration the fullness of the love of God shown unto humankind through the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin mother. In accordance with no. 5 of the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the observance of the Solemnity is transferred to Monday, December 9. Such a transfer is seen as a pastoral concession to the desire of the faithful to observe a beloved Feast even though it is impeded liturgically by a higher observance. The obligation of the faithful to attend Mass remains attached to the day itself (December 8), however, and so it does not transfer with the liturgical observance. (USCCB, Committee on Divine Worship, Newsletter, Volume XLIX, February 2013) Announcement from the diocese: Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pause for a wave of prayer to combat world hunger on December 10th, Tuesday at noon local time. As the prayer moves around the globe, perhaps we will take a moment or two to consider the millions and millions of people who suffer from hunger, famine, starvation, malnutrition, and even eating disorders and diseases that are all around us, and to pray in solidarity with them. The Cathedral in Wichita will ring the bells at noon on December 10. Thats the same time our bell here always rings at noon. This cause of food and hunger is one that should stir the hearts of people living in Kansas, the breadbasket of the world. We grow so much grain and dairy products and meat here. Yet for many reasons, it does not get to the people who are hungry. December 10 is set aside as a day of prayer and fasting. Msgr. Hemberger, our diocesan administrator is suggesting that Catholics just pause in place and pray either a decade of the Rosary or an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be for Pope Francis intention to overcome world hunger. Penance service moved to this Wednesday, December 11th after the 6:30 PM mass. We will have Next Sunday(12/15/13)

CONFESSION Sat. 2:00-2:45pm 3:15-3:45pm Weekdays before Mass; anytime by appointment.

STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Faith Paoni Secretary Rectory Office Hours Tues-Fri 9AM-Noon Closed on Mondays Tel. (620) 724-8717

The Immaculate Conception This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is not observed as a Last Week July 2013 to date holy day of Obligation because the date, Dec. 8, is on Sunday. The great feast Contributions $4,132.00 $58,520.34 will be observed on Monday, Dec. 9. This observance goes back to Pope Pius IX Children's Offering $13.18 $395.05 when he confirmed this mystery as an infallible doctrine of the Church back on Expenses $45,518.52 Dec. 8, 1854 and set the date for the observance thereafter as Dec. 8. The feast pays tribute to Gods goodness, in that He loved His Mother beyond our compreOver/ (Under) $13,396.87 hension. Every other mere human being that lived, or ever will live, was (or will be) affected by Original Sin. The Blessed Mother, alone, redeemed by the anticiSaint Michaels Upcoming Events pated merits of her Son, was conceived without original sin. God would have a perfect woman to be His Mother. Not even for one instant did God permit her to Finance Council Parish Council be under the influence of the devil. Since God loved her so much, small wonder Tony Stonerock-Chair Dale Coomes-Chair that St. Bernard said: Never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protecTBA Dec. 10th at 6:30pm tion, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided, which means you will NEVER go wrong with a deep love of the Blessed Mother--and Rosary Altar Society Knights of Columbus without a deep love of Her, you will never go right! Next meeting, TBA 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm Back in 1988, I heard Fr. William Carr in a homily say, In genesis, we learn At 6:30pm in the Hall. St. Michael Parish Hall that Adam and Eve had it all, but they blew it! Original Sin entered the world and, as heirs of Adam, we are tainted by it. The effects of it can be seen by our Helping Hands Daughters of Isabella Need help or want to volunteer, Call Marilyn Bradshaw, nature. We find it hard to choose what is right--like treating others respectfully, Call Carrie Smith, 724-6684 724-7133 not talking about people, doing our chores, etc. Yet, we find it easy to do what is wrong; gossip, drink, drugs, etc. All of this comes from Original Sin. We dont That Man in You Friday mornings at 6am come to God easily or embrace others in love easily. God restored justice by creating Mary, as Eve had been before Sin. We celebrate Mary, but we also observe what we SHOULD HAVE BEEN! God wants us to follow the best model in the Parish Facebook Page world--His Mother. We renew our dedication to follow Him by being like Her. If Check out our new St. Michaels Church Facebook page! You you want to be faithful to Mary, be faithful to God. can find it at https://www.facebook.com/st.michaelgirard. If you Spending time on the Immaculate Conception is a good way to prepare for the have a Facebook account and you Like the page, you will rebirth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

COLLECTIONS

ceive the daily posts. We will try to include photos from parish events, prayer requests, relevant news stories, and daily gospel reflections. If you have a prayer request, you are welcome to post it on the Church page.

the kids High School and Middle School first, so others if you dont like to wait longer could join later around 7:45. 5:30 PM 10:00 AM E. Sisney, J. Duling, G. Born, Fr. Tom Leland and Fr. Chris Ah-maung already commitM. Reif & M. McDonald Altar Servers: Max Adams, A., C., E. Doherty ted to come. We need volunteers especially parents of elementary school kids to help with the Christmas pageant. None of Chris Sponsel CYM Student E. M. E. our catechists could assist this year. If no one volunteers, Doug Lopeman CYM Students Lectors: we will be forced to cancel the Christmas pageant for this Wayne & Marilyn McCracken year. But the elementary kids will still be singing at the CYM Students Gift Bearers 5:30PM Christmas Eve mass. We extend our heartfelt condolences to John Gilpin and his family. His aunt Kathryn Marie Gilpin-Burris passed Mass Schedules & Intentions for December 7th-15th: away last Saturday, November 30th. May she rest and peace! Amen. Joe & Adele Drenik Arma Dec 07 Saturday 4:00 PM Ed Perrin Girard 5:30 PM Finally, my heartfelt thanks to all of your for your prayRaymond LaSota Arma 08 Sunday 8:00 AM ers and sympathy for me and my family and all the people Intentions of Lopeman Family Girard 10:00 AM in the Philippines affected by the super typhoon Haiyan. I Pete Masser Girard 09 Monday 7:00 AM am grateful to your compassion. Thank you also to those Henry Yartz Arma 10 Tuesday 5:30 PM Intentions of Donna Buckle Girard 11 Wednesday 6:30 PM who gave financial assistance for their relief and rehabilitaHenry Yartz Arma 12 Thursday 8:00 AM tion. God bless you all! Fr. Roger Eucharistic Adoration Arma 8:30AM-3PM
13 14 15 Friday Saturday Sunday 7:00 AM 8AM-6PM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM David Burke Eucharistic Adoration John Barbieri Leota Little Jackie Amershek Pro Populo Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

Next Saturday (12/14/13)

St. Michaels Angels Giving Tree-2013 Tis the season - you will soon see the St. Michaels Angels Giving Tree at the entrance of the Church decorated with several Angels. The Angels with pink wings are for the girls and the Angels with blue wings are for the boys we have adopted thru St. Michaels Angels this year. On each Angel is a list of items each child has expressed they would like for Christmas. Please take an Angel or Angels from the tree, purchase the item and return the gift wrapped or unwrapped with the Angel attached and place in the plastic container by the tree. There are also gift giving envelopes available on the table if you would prefer this way of contributing. The Angels appreciate your thoughtfulness this Christmas season and if you are unable to help out with a gift, we ask for your kind prayers for these families. If there are any questions regarding items on the list, please call Janet OBrien at 620 -7240079.

St. Michael, defend us in all our battles!

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St. Lucy, 4th Century Virgin Martyr Lucy, born in the latter part of the 3rd century, has been loved and honoured as a saint since her death in 304 A.D. Catholics have included her name in the 1st Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass for some 1700 years. She is the Maria Goretti of the Churchs earliest days--willing to die for her faith. As popular as Lucy remains, there is little known about her life. The one fact that is known is that she was put to death in Sicily during the vicious persecution of Christians by the Roman Ermperor Diocletian. Lucys parents were wealthy members of the Sicilian nobility. Her father died early in her life and her mother raised her. She learned from her mother to commit her life to Christ. She took a vow of virginity, even though her mother wanted her to marry a young nobleman. She refused, choosing to devote her life totally to Christ and serving the poor and the sick. She gave away her entire fortune to help the less fortunate. However, that young man whom she spurned was furious and went to the Roman police and accused her of being a Christian. She was arrested and condemned to a horrible death unless she rejected Christ and prayed to the Roman gods. She was a brave young girl and refused to deny Christ. She was sentenced to be burned at the stake, but the flames didnt consume her so a soldier stabbed her in the throat, killing her. Her bravery and courage made her an attractive model through the years and the Church added her name to the list of saints in the first canon of the Mass. The year was 304 when she died and her feastday is this coming Friday, Dec. 13. Her name means light and she is recognized as the Patron for those with Eye Disease. Her feast is a special moment in Advent when we long for the coming of Christ, who is the true light of the world. Articles by Marcel Normand Christmas Cantata The Christmas Cantata, that was scheduled for this Sunday, Dec. 8, has been postponed and will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 22nd at 6:00pm in the Arma Methodist Church. Annual Holiday Cookie & Craft Event Get your goodies at the Christmas Cookie Fair! This annual event will be held on Friday, December 13th from 7:00am until sold out, at the First Christian Church, Girard. There will be delicious home-made cookies and candy, and delightful crafts.

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