St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church Newsletter — Nov/Dec 2020

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Mary Saint

Dec 2020 Vol. 18 Issue 5

on the hill catholic church

The Live Nativity

at St. Mary on the Hill

“The Story of Christmas Through Our Children’s Eyes”

Mass Schedule Sunday, 7:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Monday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Saturday, 9:15 a.m., 5:00 p.m. (Sunday Vigil)

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Pro Life Holy Hour Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel Chapel is located at the corner of Monte Sano and Bellevue.

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The Live Nativity is much more than just a beloved parish tradition — it is an invaluable reminder of the hope and faith at the center of our lives as Catholic Christians.

n the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is easy to get swept away in the hustle and bustle of the season. Children begin making their present “wish lists” and parents often find themselves scrambling to find the year’s most popular toys and games. Yet, we are called as Catholics to take a step back during Advent to reflect on our faith and prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.

At St. Mary on the Hill, a beloved annual tradition offers our families the opportunity to place the focus of Advent and Christmas back on Jesus with the children’s presentation of a Live Nativity scene.

“I would describe the Live Nativity as the story of Christmas through our children’s eyes,” says LeaAnne Jackson, coordinator of the Live Nativity. “It’s just a special time to watch and listen. And the children get excited when they are told about it!”

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The Live Nativity This year, our Live Nativity will take place in the outdoor space adjacent to the parish office following the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Dec. 20. Christy McArdle, the new coordinator for this event, is excited to have her second child participate in the Live Nativity this year.

“I love the story of Christmas, and it doesn’t get much better than seeing it through a child’s eyes,” Christy says. “To listen to my son help narrate the story and to know what happens next, to know those small details — it’s so special.”

As many of our youngest parishioners become shepherds, angels, and the Holy Family during their reenactment of the birth of Christ, everyone is reminded that we are joyfully awaiting the coming of our Lord.

“It is so hard for the materialistic side of Christmas to not consume our children,” Christy says. “Everywhere you turn, there is an ad for a toy, and they talk

continued from front cover about their lists and wants with their friends. So I think for them to get together with other children their age, practice the story of Christmas in their rehearsal, and then reenact the story — I’m praying it has a profound impression on them. It is a time of joy and celebration, and we want the children to recognize and understand the true meaning of Christmas.”

With Advent just around the corner, we are grateful for the many ways St. Mary on the Hill helps us look beyond the consumerism of this busy season to celebrate the birth of Christ. The Live Nativity is much more than just a beloved parish tradition — it is an invaluable reminder of the hope and faith at the center of our lives as Catholic Christians.

“I think it’s important for us all to take the time and slow down to focus on what the true meaning of Christmas is — to teach our kids, to live it out with our kids, and to celebrate it with our parish,” Christy says.

Children gather in the parish hall following their outdoor presentation of the Live Nativity in 2019.

Are you interested in helping with this treasured tradition at St. Mary on the Hill?

The Live Nativity could always use an extra set of hands! To volunteer, please contact Christy McArdle at 706-834-6125 or Christyjmcardle@gmail.com, or Dana Glick at 815-342-1533 or dana.glick@smcsaug.org. We hope to see many parishioners and families at the Live Nativity on Dec. 20! Masks will be required for this outdoor event.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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About Our Annual Stewardship Renewal

his has most certainly been a trying and unusual year, as we have navigated through uncharted waters. In the face of great uncertainty or difficulty, it is easy to become complacent. Yet, this is not what God calls us to do. We are called to live stewardship as a way of life — in the good, bad or uncertain times. In moments of trial, God raises up saints!

Our Stewardship Renewal reminds us that God’s gifts never stop being poured out. In turn, we should never have reason to stop thanking Him. So, let us take this Stewardship Renewal as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God in the midst of our rapidly changing world.

Issues like my age, physical limitations, and the current crisis prevent me from being active in the parish. Should I still turn in a Commitment Card?

Yes! The first section of the card — Stewardship of Time — is the most important because it allows you to make commitments to prayer. Even if you can’t join a ministry or make it to Mass on Sunday, you can still pray for our parish. Your spiritual support has tremendous value in the eyes of God. One time I turned in a card, but no one ever called me when I signed up for a ministry.

If this happened in the past, please forgive us! And don’t give

up on filling out your Commitment Card! We have a plan to call every person interested in joining a new ministry. If for some reason the ministry leader does not call you within four weeks of turning in your card, please let the parish office know.

What if I can’t fulfill my financial pledge?

While our pledge is not a “contract,” we should all make a goodfaith effort to fulfill it. Of course, if your financial circumstances change — if you lose your job, for instance — then the amount of money you give the Church will change, too. Likewise if you get a raise or bonus. The biggest reason many people don’t fulfill their pledge is that they attend Mass at another parish when they go on vacation, attend a wedding, etc. There is always the option of Online Giving. This is a convenient way of giving for many parishioners.

Even before the crisis, I didn’t go to Mass frequently. Why turn in a Commitment Card?

Because this is your chance to turn over a new leaf! Why not make a commitment to God to come to Mass every Sunday once the crisis is over, and until then, commit to viewing the Mass online each week, then write down that commitment? Even if that’s the only commitment you make, take a step forward. Jesus Himself is waiting for you!

What happens if I don’t return my Commitment Card?

We will send you a reminder letter to encourage participation.

Please make every effort you can to participate. Our Stewardship Renewal is a very important annual event in the life of our parish.

You and your family are part of what makes St. Mary on the Hill a great community! Most importantly, your commitments are actually promises to Christ Himself. All of us are called to give back to God a portion of what He has given us.

Growing Together THROUGH STEWARDSHIP

ST. MARY ON THE HILL 2021 STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL

If you have not returned your 2021 Stewardship Commitment card, please pray about how God is calling you to use your time, talent, and treasure in the coming year. Please return your card this week!

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St. Mary on the Hill Celebrates the Reo

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n Oct. 7, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, the streets of Summerville came alive in a truly beautiful way as countless St. Mary on the Hill parishioners took part in the Eucharistic procession celebrating the reopening of our Adoration Chapel. Following a Mass officiated by Fr. Mark Ross, our parish priests and deacons led the procession with the Eucharist, which was encased in its monstrance and protected by a canopy. While the sun beamed down on the faithful as they walked and prayed the Rosary together, nothing could compare to the warmth and light emanating from the true presence of Christ.

Adoration Chapel coordinator Mary Ellen Zielinski is thankful for the hard work of John Prohaska, Martha Kearns, Joan Purucker, and our parish clergy and staff for making this inspiring event possible, as well as the support of the many parishioners and visitors who came out for the Mass and procession.

“The reopening celebration was a joy-filled tribute to being able to hold a celebration for a chapel that brings so much peace to so many, especially during this time of government restrictions on our ability to gather,” Mary Ellen says. “There was happiness that we could return to a devotion that we hold so dear. The Mass was the best-attended one since churches were shut down, and that was a powerful testament.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our perpetual Adoration Chapel was closed in March. For both scheduled adorers and frequent “drop-in” adorers alike, Parishioners prayed the Rosary as they followed the Eucharistic procession from the extended time away from this special devotion was difficult. A shortage St. Mary on the Hill Church to the Adoration of regular adorers, combined with stringent health guidelines brought about Chapel. (Photo by John Prohaska) by the pandemic, made reopening the chapel a challenge. But where there is a will, there is a way — and with God, there is always a way!

A new tabernacle now housing the monstrance in the chapel allows for the Eucharist to be left alone, as long as the doors are closed when no adorers are present in the chapel.

“The biggest blessing for the Adoration Chapel is that of the simple, yet so powerfully beautiful tabernacle built by parishioner Gary Garner, who has a real gift for turning a piece of wood into a work of art,” Mary Ellen says. “The tabernacle is beautiful by itself. When the doors are opened, it is breathtaking with the monstrance inside and the light shining on it, particularly in a dimmed chapel. Those who adore alone have the luxury of dimming the lights and feeling the awesome peacefulness of God’s presence.”

The monstrance remains inside the tabernacle at all times, with the doors open when adorers are present. Ideally, our parish will soon return to having enough hourly adorers scheduled to ensure that The Blessed Sacrament is now housed in a beautiful wooden tabernacle in our Adoration Chapel, allowing for the doors to be closed in the absence of adorers. (Photo by Paul Zielinski) someone is with the Lord at all times. Until 44

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opening of Our Adoration Chapel then, keeping the Eucharist in the tabernacle — along with extra spacing and sanitation guidelines — allows our parish to experience the gift of Adoration once more.

In a world filled with noise and distraction, Christ invites us to experience the peace and grace that come with a devotion to spending time in His true presence.

“St. John Paul II prayed for Eucharistic Adoration to be held in every parish in the world, and we have that blessing,” Mary Ellen says. “Fr. Ross has provided a way for us to keep this ministry alive and thriving. While many prayers have been answered, miracles taken place, graces bestowed, comfort received, and adorers converted to the Catholic faith all through this chapel, the biggest blessing is the ability to sit in the presence of God any time of the day before we die — a little piece of heaven on earth.”

For the safety of all, anyone who comes to the chapel must be an assigned adorer who attends only their scheduled hour. Drop-ins are not able to enter at this time. Previously scheduled adorers will need to sign up once more now that the Adoration Chapel has reopened. Masks are strongly encouraged and are mandatory when more than four assigned adorers are in the chapel at the same time. Social distancing, using sanitizer when entering and leaving the chapel, and wiping down touched items are all required. All assigned adorers will receive an access code as the chapel has been outfitted with new 24/7 security.

Our parish celebrated the reopening of the Adoration Chapel with a Mass followed by a Eucharistic procession from the church to the chapel. (Photo by John Prohaska)

“The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass, we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace.”

— Pope St. John Paul II, Church of the Eucharist, 2003

Fr. Mark Ross holds the monstrance exposing the Blessed Sacrament in the Eucharistic procession celebrating the reopening of our Adoration Chapel. (Photo by John Prohaska)

Are you interested in becoming a scheduled adorer? For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Zielinski at Adoration@stmaryonthehill.org or 706-228-5115.

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C E L E B R AT I N G T H E

Sacrament of Confirmation T H I S FA L L We offer congratulations to our youth who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Oct. 26.

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the marianite August 15, 2020 Tucker Banks Stewart Son of Catherine and Daniel Stewart August 16, 2020 Steven Michael Reinhart Son of Hanna and David Reinhart, II August 22, 2020 Henry Paul Barrowclough Son of Margaret and Eric Barrowclough August 23, 2020 Abigail Veronica Carnell Daughter of Victoria and Jacob Carnell

Baptisms September 26, 2020 Nikolas Jensen Buchanan Son of Krystal and Matthew Buchanan September 27, 2020 Opal Mae Morgan Daughter of Kayla and Gary Morgan, Jr. October 3, 2020 Beau Maxwell Menger Son of Ali and Murphy Menger

August 29, 2020 Ronan Benjamin Phibbs Son of Caitlin and Harrison Phibbs

October 9, 2020 Zachary Eoghan Kelly, Greyson McElroy Kelly, Finnegan James Kelly Children of Lauren and Zachary Kelly

September 20, 2020 William Henrik Norlander Son of Julie and Henrik Norlander

October 10, 2020 Liam James Howard Son of Irina and Dallas Howard

October 11, 2020 Colin Randall Thompson Son of Brittany and Michael Thompson, Jr. October 17, 2020 Nathaniel Douglas Blake and Thomas Maxwell Blake Children of Sarah and Thomas Blake October 24, 2020 Miriam Louise Green Meller Daughter of Katherine and Samuel Meller October 25, 2020 Knox Edry Williams Son of Beth and David Williams

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1420 Monte Sano Avenue Augusta, GA 30904 Phone 706-733-6627 www.stmaryonthehill.org

Recent Donations to St. Mary on the Hill St. Mary on the Hill Church Estate of Mary Elizabeth Casey Estate of Shirley Ann George In Memory of Lydia Porro Milham: Sam Richwine Elizabeth McLeod Fulcher, Hagler LLP Lee & Pat Nordmann Phil Bartles Pia Hagler Tim & Carol Land Linda Hammond Glenn & Laura Armitage Mike & Debbie Zapata Janna & Leland Malchow Mary & Sean Grady Dr. & Mrs. Donald Dunagan Paula M. Wood In Memory of Dr. Lauri Landrum: Rob & Suzanne Powers Tex & Marianne Maxwell Sylvia Griffin Thomas F. Garren Amy Pennington Michelle Christiano Mary Wheelin Lori Hart Kathleen Owings In Memory of Joan Reid: Dr. J. Malcolm Kling Mr. & Mrs. Gardelle Lewis, Jr. 8

In Memory of Sophia Strelec: Peggy Lovelace Dr. William T. Neumann In Memory of Daniel Johnson: Bill & Pattie Fowler In Memory of Tom Wiedmeier: Michael Rucker Ashlyn Hutto In Memory of Matthew Whitfield: Michael Rucker In Memory of Gregory Patrick Dross: Rose Marie Szadek In Memory of Taylor Turnage: Mr. & Mrs. Leland Malchow In Memory of Alex Dexter: Michael Rucker In Memory of Annabelle Nicole Neumann: Rebecca B. Wright Linda L. Walker In Memory of Herman Brittingham: Kathleen Lawrence Brittingham II In Memory of Jane O’Connor Wheeler: Daniel Leonard Michael Wheeler Milton & Ellen Burroughs Michael Rucker Alice Doris Carter Thomas Garren Daniel O’Connor, III Carolyn Mulherin Sheila & Doug Wilson

In Memory of Barbara Drew: David & Martha Scott Perrin Drew Mary Ellen & Paul Zielinski Mr. & Mrs. Ken Dendinger Bill & Pam Barrett Kennon Drew Dori Thorstad Portland Family In Memory of Mary Hiers Williams: Kathleen Lawrence Brittingham, II Edward Holmes In Memory of Joan Schenkel: Don & Fran Bailie In Memory of Charlotte Van Horn: Vanessa Jones James See In Memory of Helen Smith: Don & Fran Bailie In Memory of Eddie Mulherin: Leanne Mulherin In Memory of Harry A. Jacobs: Pixie & John Frank Mary Ann Pelosi St. Mary on the Hill School In Memory of Sophia Strelec: Mary Deriso