"Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." John the Baptist meant business. He proclaimed a serious message of change and conversion in words that, today, might earn him the label of a "hellfire and brimstone" preacher. But he was more than a preacher; he was a witness to repentance. In- deed, he must have been a sight to behold draped in his penitential garb, nibbling on his locusts and honey. Anyone who heard him preaching must have taken notice, even if they didn't take heed. If nothing else, John the Baptist surely got people's attention. But will he get ours? Because we've heard this story before, we might be inclined to glaze over its inherent drama. He urges us, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" This is the moment! Now is the time! Advent especially reminds us to examine our lives and renew our commitment to Christ. As John the Baptist put it, we are called to "produce good fruit as evidence" of our repentance. True conversion reveals itself outwardly. When our hearts change, our actions do too. Charity replaces criticism. Forgiveness re- places anger. Service replaces selfishness. This marks the difference between a "tree" that is firmly rooted in Christ, and one that's only good for a pile of firewood. "Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees." This Advent, may we feel the urgency of John's words and get about the serious business of repentance.
2640 STONEY RIDGE ROAD AVON, OHIO 44011
Rectory: 440-934-4212 Fax: 440-934-0507 E-mail: stmaryavon@centurytel.net Website: www.stmaryavon.org School: 440-934-6246 Convent: 440-934-5173 FR. C. THOMAS CLEATO, PASTOR Rev. Arthur B. Egan, Pastor Emeritus
Please Pray For the Sick: Patricia Carnac, John Mat- thew Gibson, Joan Rodger, Thomas Richards, Mary Anne Berthold, Kristy OBrien, Gwendolyn Gurney, Joan Votes, Elizabeth Conners, Chuck Docs, Anita Grant, Jim Hricovec, J. Koerner, Owen Winters, Genevieve Smith, Robert Gates, Virginia Sump, Thomas Ackerman, June Naelitz, Kate Li- auw, Arthur Rossi, Diane Urig, Martha Adkins, Natalie Butchko, Wendy Hallier, Carol Gates, Bob DeChant, John Khoma, Vicky Motes, Kathleen Mahoney, Jeffrey Hostottle, Brenda Hazelwood, Bill Grabert, Alexa Jennings, Barbara Milota, Ryan Case, Irene Chrulski, George Drda, Stanley Perusek, Kerry Coleman, Kathleen Drellishak, Sandra Pitts, Rose- mary Wysocki, Marie Mayton, Henry McCowan, Kennedy Noar, Betty Drda, Joe Zivosecz, Patrick Fahey, Gloria Simon, Urban Klingshirn, Gene Coghlan, William Mayton, Kelly Hunt, Greg Poyle, Carol Ledo, Roman Wearsch, Raymond Hatch, Alice Conrad, May Ella Lester, Deborah Deremiah, Dorrie Bommer, Rita Rink. If anyone needs communion to be administered to a HOME BOUD individual, please contact the Rectory to make the appointment. Sponsor of the Week: Please support our Sponsors, Ohio Single Catholics. Offertory Collections: Last weeks collection was $13,177.78 This year's budget is based on a weekly offering of $10,200. There will be a second collection for Retirement Fund for Religious today. Rosary: We need more people to come and say the Rosary on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. Please come and join us. Divine Mercy Service: Please come and join us for Divine Mercy Services on Thursdays at 3:00 pm to pray for world peace. Any questions call Jan Spisak 934-4403.
For The Deceased: Elizabeth Sheak, Frank J. Gall, Kath- leen Drellishak, may they rest in eternal peace.
CPO Gift Certificates St. Mary School Fundraiser: Please do your best to help support St. Mary School by pur- chasing CPO Gift Certificates, the proceeds will go directly back to the school! We all need to purchase food for grocer- ies; weekly-monthly, so why not help out our school at the same time by purchasing Giant Eagle or Heinens gift cards first! You may place your order by calling the convent at 934- 5173 or you may find CPO order forms at the back of the church, please complete and return it to the school office, convent or rectory along with your check made out to St. Mary CPO by Tuesdays and on Friday your order will be ready to pick-up at the school office or convent. In addition, after purchasing $2,000 worth of CPO cards per family, the family will qualify for a $40 discount off.
34 th Holy Name Fruit Sale: Fruit ordered may be picked up Saturday Dec 14 th 8-4pm in the school cafeteria. If there is left over fruit to sell we will be at the hall Sunday from 9- 11am. Help is needed Friday night at 6pm for unloading and sorting the fruit. We also need drivers to deliver Sat- urday morning. Thanks to all of you who ordered from us this year! This is a very important fund raiser for us. Ques- tions call Mike Rumancik 440-463-0027. No phone orders please.
TGIF Youth MassDecember 15th @ 6:00 pm. Share the Holiday Spirit with St. Mary families. We will gather after mass in the school hall to make Christmas cards for the residents at Avon Oaks Nursing Home. Please bring a plate of cookies to share. Hot Chocolate will be provided. Contact Karen Kurtzweil, karenkurtz@roadrunner.com 440- 934-2922
EWTN KIDS PROGRAMS FOR DECEMBER: The Legend of the Christmas Flower This splendid tale highlighted by traditional Mexican music traces the holiday tradition of the poinsettia plant to its roots in the heart of Mexico where it is known as la flor de Noche- buena. the Christmas Eve flower. December 11, 4:30 pm (1 hour). Saints and Heroes: Juan Diego - Messenger of Guada- lupe Find out why the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego, a simple man of faith and asked him to carry her message; a message that would unite diverse people and changes the course of history. December 9, 4:30 pm (30 mins). Martin the Cobbler Based on the classic childrens tale by the great Russian au- thor Leo Tolstoy, a lonely shoemaker rediscovers his faith in God; narrated by Tolstoys daughter. Alexandra Tolstoy. December 12, 6:00 pm (30 mins). Much, much more is available on EWTN - check wwwewtn.com for more Catholic programming..
Help Needed -- Church Decorating for Christmas Sunday, December 22 nd at 2:00 P.M. We need your help decorating the Church for Christmas on Sunday, December 22nd at 2:00 p.m. We will be setting up the Christmas trees, the Manger, hanging garland and bows. This is a great way to get your service hours for Con- firmation. It normally takes between 1 1 hours, the help of many hands, makes for light work. If you have any ques- tions, please call 934-5933 ===`xx|z 9 Xx=== Mass for the Living & Deceased Members of the Holy Name Society - Today, December 8, 8:00 am, meeting following. Finance Meeting - Tuesday, Decem- ber 10, 7:30 pm. Parish Life Center. Parish Council - Thursday, December 12, 8:00 pm, Parish Lie Center. Choir Practice - Saturday, December 7, ll:15 am to 12:15 pm.
SERVERS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 9: Monday, 7:30 pm Morgan Thomas, Paige Kay, Sophia Murray Tuesday 8:30 am Max Niebrzydowski, Morgan Thomas, Lucy Greaney Wednesday, 8:30 am Zach Maxey, Jack Budinger Thursday, 7:30 pm Griffin Davies, Emmett & Brenden Moher Friday, 8:30 am Emma & Abbey Abfall Saturday, 8:30 am Jack & Kelsie McNally, Cameron Carandang 4:00 pm Morgan Thomas, Paige Kay, Amara Wagner Sunday, 8:00 am Lauren & Meadow Smith, Madeline Cagnina 10:00 am Lucy, Greg & Mary Greaney 12:00 pm Sara & Nicholas Perusek
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FOR THE WEEKEND OF DECEMER 14/15: Avon Oaks: (Wed.12/11 Communion) Dan Briehl, Tom Czarney (Thur.12/12 Communion) Veronica Kowalski, Mary Kissel (Fri. 12/13 Communion) Grace Hyla, Ed Snahnican Saturday 4:00 pm Toni Burch, Andy Monda, Frank Szendrey, Sean & Michelle OHara Sunday, 8:00 am Theresa Szippl 10:00 am Ken Ganobsik, Nell Buckley, Lisa Marshall, Maurine Mescan, Mark Mollison 12:00 pm Help Needed
LECTORS FOR THE WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 14/15: Saturday, 4:00 pm Ed Fleming Sunday, 8:00 am Matt Carandang 10:00 am Nolan Meehan 12:00 pm Help Needed
MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 9:
Monday, Dec, 9, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (not a holy day of obligation) 7:30 pm James Leonard (Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Perusek) Tuesday, December 10, Advent Weekday 8:30 am Ron Lewis (Mission Circle #19) Wednesday, December 11, Advent Weekday 8:30 am Special Intentions for Judy Richardson (Family) Thursday, December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe 7:30 pm Agnes Krystowski (Tom & Tess Wearsch) Friday, December 13, St. Lucy, virgin, martyr 8:30 am Fr. Gaetano (Friend) Saturday, December 14, St. John of the Cross 8:30 am Lucille Ravotti (John & Janet) 4:00 pm Dominic DeFrancesco (Family) Sunday, December 15, Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 am Special Intentions (Peggy West) 10:00 am Quintino DiFilippo (Patty Hemminger) 12:00 pm People of the Parish
DECEMBER 8, 2013 SECOD SUDAY OF ADVET AVON-OPOLY: The board games are here expecting Christmas gift giving. This 1-time St. Mary fundraiser will commemorate Avon's Bicentennial (2014) and will high- light many great businesses and organizations around Avon. The photos on the box and the game itself were organized by St. Mary parishioners. We now have a Facebook page - www.facebook.com/avonopoly and games can be purchased online for $25 at www.stmaryavon.org/avonopoly For questions or to reserve a copy, please call Christine at 440-773-0848. Reserve your copy NOW!
St. Mary Liturgical Commission: Is seeking volun- teers for Lectors (reading at mass) and for Eucharistic Ministry (helping with Holy Communion). We especially need new Eucharistic Ministers. Volunteers would help out for mass for two weeks in a rowonly every 6-8 weeks. You would be assigned the same mass time and receive a schedule always in advance. There are open- CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS with MUSIC!!! ALL are invited to participate in the St. Mary's Music Ministries as we prepare for Christmas celebrations! For more details, pick up a flyer at the main Church en- trance, contact Deb (440-258-1362), or just come join us for Wednesday evening rehearsals on December 11th, and 18th, 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Life Cen- ter. Final rehearsals Saturday, 12/21, 12:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft...hope to see you there
FREE ORGAN LESSONS! Ms. Mary Ann Furey, our regular St. Mary's Sunday 8:00 a.m. organist, has graciously offered to provide lessons/ coaching to anyone interested in learning to play the or- gan. This opportunity is open to anyone who is already able to play the piano, and read music. No other restrictions, and you can progress at your own pace! Please call Deb (440-258-1362) or contact Mary Ann directly (8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass or call 440-309-8788) for more details. Don't miss this chance to learn more about the "king of instru- ments", and perhaps discover a new way to pray and praise God! THANK YOU MARY ANN!
The Altar & Rosary Society of St. Vincent de Paul Church: Sends Boxes From Home to soldiers in Af- ghanistan. Do you have a loved one or friend you would like to send a box to? Please call Dorothy at 984-2192 with the soldiers name, Rank, Branch of Service and the overseas mailing address Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception School
After the 10:00 am Mass, today December 1, stop by the St. Mary Cafeteria for donuts and Christmas Shopping! Avon-opoly games, St. Mary Spirit Wear, Market Day Or- ders and Gift Card orders for all of your favorite stores will be available for purchase. Gift cards are available for 65 differ- ent shops and restaurants including local favorites like Mal- leys and Heinens not to mention national chains including Giant Eagle, Home Depot, Marshalls, ITunes and Ama- zon.com...just to name a few! Some items will be available cash-and-carry; others will be delivered in time for Christmas gift giving. Take care of gifts for everyone on your list as well as your holiday meals and while supporting St. Mary on December 1.
The Isabella Guild: Is selling coupon books. The en- tertainment Book is $25 and the Our Town and All Around Book is $28. Books are available until December 8. Con- tact any member or Betty 934-0346, Jan 933-8550 or Margaret 934-5766. Attention...Engaged Couples: Holy Spirit Parish in Avon Lake is pleased to announce that our Couples Min- istry will hold a PRE-CANA DAY for couples preparing for marriage. Couples from neighboring parishes are wel- come and invited to attend. Attendance is limited to 25 couples and has been sold out every year so please re- serve your space early. Our PRE-CANA Day will be held on Saturday. March 29, 2014 in the Holy Spirit Family Life Center from 8:20 am to 6:00 pm (including Mass). Cost for the day is $60 per couple and includes breakfast and lunch. Attendance is by reservation only. Reservations may be made by calling Christine or David Sinclair at 440- 899-1069 or by sending an e-mail to 20144pre- cana@gmail.com. Christmas Cheer to Inmates on Death Row! Join the Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County in preparing Christmas cards for the 139 people on death row in Ohio. When: December 12, 7-8pm Where: St. Marys, Weigand Room, 320 Middle Ave. Elyria. Please Bring: Donations of religious Christmas cards Rachel Schmidt, CACLC Program Administra- tor,rschmidt@clevelandcatholiccharities.org, 440 366 1106 x12
The Annual Christmas Dinner sponsored by our Altar & Rosary of St. Theresa of Avilla will be Sat- urday, December 14th. Appetizers will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. which includes Chicken Mar- sala, Braised Beef Roast with Au jus, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Mixed Greens and Rolls & Butter, wine, beer, and dessert. This event is open to everyone, so please, spread the word. Dinner tickets are $20 for adults, ages 7 to 11 $6, and 6 and under are free - tickets may be purchased at the rectory and after Masses. Tickets will not be sold at the door
The Willoughby Brothers from County Wicklow, Ireland: Will be performing in concert at the West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Town- ship, on December 12 at 7:00 pm. All proceeds will bene- fit St. Colmans and St. Augustines. For ticket informa- tion please cal John 440-331-4233 Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Parish: Invites all to a celebration in honor of our patron saint, St. Nicho- las, on Today, December 8, 2013. Festivities will begin immediately following the 10:00 a.m. liturgy (approximately 11:15) in the church hall at 2711 West 40th Street in Lorain. St. Nicholas will make an appearance with gifts for the children and a small memento gift for the adults. A movie (30 min.) Nicholas, The boy Who Became Santa Claus, will be shown for the children, and Germans Villa will cater dinner. Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and older, $6 for ages 6-12, and there is no charge for those 5 and un- der. Tickets are available by calling the church office at 440-282-7525 until December 2. No tickets will be sold at the door. Please come and celebrate with us.
Introducing Middle School Swimming: For students in grades 4-8. Practices will run twice weekly for the month of December and January at two locations: Mercy Health and Recreation Center in Amherst (6:45 pm-8:00 pm) Monday and Wednes- day) and Splash Zone in Oberlin (7:00 pm- 8:15 pm) Tuesday and Thursday. Stu- dents from every parish in Lorain County will compete together as the Lorain County Catholic Schools team in Middle School meets in Northeast, Ohio. The program will be headed by the coaches and swimmers from Elyria Catholic High School. For more information. Please contact Head Coach Rich Szczepinski at 440-574- 0253 or coachrich@slawoffice.com. Cost: $100 for two months (meets included in cost). 3-E-4-3 For Ad Information Call LPi Direct at 1-800-477-4574 www.4LPi.com 2013 Liturgical Publications Inc 14-1071 Pre-Need Planning Family Owned & Operated RE-ASSIGN YOUR EXISTING PLANS TO US TODAY Parishioner 36363 Detroit Road 934-8000 18 C|eve|ard 3l. E|yr|a, 0l 11035 110-35-Z321 800-589-532 www.stewartappliance.com OH Lic. 26232 (216) 676-9045 ENERGY MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS INC. THE BENCHMARK OF HEATING AIR CONDITIONING COOLING SERVICES" 0E3l0N 8ulL0 lvAC 3ERvlCE C0NTRACT0R 0NE ENER0Y PLAZA 15800 lN0. PKY CLEvELAN0 36839 Detroit Rd. Sharon Vorisek, Avon Manager Active Parishioner (440) 934-0314 Roofing Siding Windows Free Estimates Call Today! 1.866.STAY.DRY HOME OF THE FREE ROOF GIVE AWAY! Carolyn . Crowell, 0.M.0. Practice Limited to Pediatric Dentistry Charissa Katzan McCune, 0.0.5., M.5.0. Orthodontics Specialist www.drcrowell.com 36855 American Way, Ste.C, Avon OH (44) 934-149 Dr. William M. Schwartz Family Dentistry Ins., Visa, MC Eve., Sat. Hrs. 934-4485 or 365-9872 5330 Meadow Lane Court Emergency Care Available Golf Course 4141 Center Rd., Avon, Ohio 4401 Bill & Donna Fitch AVON 440-934-6217 CATHOLIC CREDIT UNION Serving parishes of Avon & Avon Lake Sheffield/ Sheffield Lake 933-2524 Mon.,Tues.,Thurs. 4pm-8pm Friday 3:30pm-6:30pm Sunday 9am-1pm www.c.u.catholic.com
Youll be glad you went... to Joe Firment! 934-4600 Along I-90 Avon Jim Firment Family - Parishioners DETROIT-DOVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC. 273 0etro|t Rd. west|ake, 0h Providing the Finest Health Care for Your Pet www.detroitdoveranimalhospital.com (440) 871-5220 A Caring Community Porler Pav||||or Verory 3upporl ur|l & Ass|sled L|v|r T|e 0arders ol Frerc| Cree| Ass|sled L|v|r 3||||ed Nurs|r Care ard Re|ao|||lal|or Cerler Far||y 0Wred 3|rce 19 3Z800 Frerc| Cree| Rd., Avor 110-931-5201
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