PARISH OFFICE Hours: 9am - 4pm 5124 Gateway Dr. , Tampa, FL 33615 Ph. 813.885.7861 Fax: 813.884.3624 www.icctampa.org
SCHOOL OFFICE 5111 Webb Rd., Tampa, FL 33615 Ph. 813.884.4502 Fax: 813.885.3734 www.icstampa.org
Clergy - 813-885-7861 Very Rev. Michael Suszynski, Pastor Rev. Jairo Atehortua Parochial Vicar Rev. Philip Clement, Parochial Vicar Deacon Frank Julian Deacon Pablo Maldonado Deacon Ramon Rodriguez
Staff - 813-885-7861 Parish Business Administrator - Paul Hunter phunter@icctampa.org Facility Manager - Dave Arnold darnold@icctampa.org / 919-4284 Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor Irene Martinez imartinez@icctampa.org Receptionist/ Asst Editor - Silvia Rivera srivera@icctampa.org Music Director - Cal Leferink cleferink@icctampa.org Director of Faith Formation - Carmen Cayon ccayon@icctampa.org Sacrament Prep. & Youth Ministry Philomena Johnson - pjohnson@icctampa.org Faith Formation Apprentice Meg Kanatzar - mkanatzar@icctampa.org
Mass Schedule Monday through Friday: 7am & 8:30am Saturday: 8:30 am & 4:30pm (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am (signed), 12pm
MISAS EN ESPAﾃ前L:
Cada domingo a la 1:30pm Cada viernes a las 6:30 pm
LATIN MASS: Sundays at 4:30pm CONFESSIONS: Saturdays - 2:30 to 3:30pm in Church DEVOTIONS Morning Prayer Group: Liturgy of the Hours Mon., Tue., Thurs., Fri. & Sat. from 8:10am - 8:25am
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Every 1st Friday following the 8:30 am Mass until 6:15pm ROSARY every Thursday at 11:30am in the chapel ROSARIO EN ESPAﾃ前L - cada jueves de 5:30pm-6:30pm en la capilla
First Sunday of Advent - December 1, 2013
Church of the Incarnation
813-885-7861
THE PROMISE OF JUSTICE We are in fairly good company when we ask God for justice. Often enough we hear and agree with the lament of the people of Israel asking God why the wicked prosper. However, when we call out for justice, we usually want someone to get his or her comeuppance. God’s justice is something other than this, of course. God’s justice comprises a wonderful rightness between God and humankind. Today, Jeremiah looks ahead to a time when a just one will sprout from the shorn-off stump of Jesse of the house and family of David. Life was not fair in Jeremiah’s time. Israel’s kings held the promise of God’s fidelity, but it was difficult to see how God’s promise could be realized through them. Nevertheless, Jeremiah lifts his voice and announces that the Promised One will come. Luke’s Gospel echoes that announcement, and Paul is filled with sturdy encouragement. And so Advent begins with a promise. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25- 27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6
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Advent wreath Paul Turner An Advent wreath symbolizes our longing for the coming of Christ. The wreath is a circle of evergreen branches into which are set four candles. Traditionally three candles are violet and one is rose, but four violet or four white candles may also be used. The wreath symbolizes many things. Evergreens signify God’s enduring promise of redemption, evident like green branches in the midst of snow. The circle signifies our hope for the return of Christ, whose kingdom will have no end. The colors of the candles match the traditional colors of the vesture for the four Sundays of Advent. Violet garments signify our penitent hope for salvation. The rose color, which may be worn on Advent’s Third Sunday, signals that the season is nearly over – joy is at hand! The wreath’s most luminous symbol is its growing light. One candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent; two on the Second, three on the Third and all four on the Fourth. In the northern hemisphere, Advent comes at a time when the days decrease to their shortest length. As the hours of darkness increase, we light more candles on the wreath. The wreath, which symbolizes the coming of Christ, grows in intensity as the anniversary of Jesus’ birth draws near. The Advent wreath may be used at home or at church. It should be blessed on the First Sunday of Advent after the homily at Mass, at evening prayer Saturday night, or during a prayer service including biblical readings and Advent songs. At home, the wreath could be blessed by a family member and lit during the evening meal, to remind everyone of the true meaning of this holy season. Copyright © 2006 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505, Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo.
1st Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2013
† Mass Intentions † SUNDAY - DECEMBER 1 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 A.M. (SI) Prayer Shawl Ministry 9:00 A.M. +Frank Harned by Edna Chilcott and Son 10:30 A.M. PEOPLE OF INCARNATION 12:00 P.M. Ashling Bagnall by Estella and Bill Bain 1:30 P.M. (SI) In Thanksgiving to Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Rosa Morales 4:30 P.M. (SI) Helen Andrews by Karen Artino MONDAY - DECEMBER 2 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. +Santiago Michael by Family TUESDAY - DECEMBER 3 - ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. +Yvette Landry by Beverly Y. Loranger WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 4 - ST. JOHN DAMASCENE, PRIEST 7:00 A.M. VOCATIONS 8:30 A.M. +Wladyslaw Bujak by Garcia Family THURSDAY - DECEMBER 5 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. FRIDAY - DECEMBER 6 - ST. NICHOLAS, BISHOP 7:00 A.M. +Santiago Michael by Family 8:30 A.M. +Julio Cesar Escobar, Sr. by Family 6:30 P.M. (SI) Saldarriaga - Bedoya Families by Family SATURDAY - DECEMBER 7 - ST. AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR 8:30 A.M. +All Souls by Suong Le 4:30 P.M. +Joyce Marie Hiller by Wes Hiller and Family SUNDAY - DECEMBER 8 - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 A.M. +Paulina Caridad Pons by Daughter 9:00 A.M. (SI) Prayer Box Intentions by Our Lady of Mercy Prayer Group 10:30 A.M. +Gerald and +Lorraine Hyrn by Karen Schluchter 12:00 P.M. PEOPLE OF INCARNATION 1:30 P.M. (SI) In Thanksgiving by Rosa Morales 4:30 P.M. +Carmen Rigualts by Olga and Robert Gonzalez
There are many candles that do not work on the St. Joseph candle stand. We would like to replace it. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Irene at the parish office 885-7861. Donations of $500 or more can be memorialized.
MEMORIAL OPPORTUNITY Our Lady of Guadalupe Statue Statue Base & Landscaping We would like to beautify our grounds near the Education Center by erecting a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the New World. Everyone, including our school and religious education students will be able to see it as they walk by. Donations of $1000.00 or more can be memorialized. Please call Irene Martinez at the Parish Office for more information. 813.885.7861
Please Pray for One Another If you would like to add a name, e-mail Silvia Rivera at: srivera@icctampa.org or call the parish office. Lord, hear our prayers for the sick listed below and for all those who are not listed, but are in need of our prayers: Bella Andrew Benedetto Artino, Jr. Ryan Baker Maria Barrios Julie Bianchi Lucy Brandow Marty Butler Roxane Charles Mike Childers Juan Cortez Bernice Cox Louis Crapsi Tanya Cruz Margaret Daab Leslie D’ Elia Enid Diaz Jack and Lucy Dietz Jan Douglas Manuel Duran Manuel Escamilla Aurora Esparza Deborah Fisher Agustina Galan Mario Garcia Raul Garcia William Gareau John B. Germano Joe Giangiacomo Sal Giordano Patricia Gonzalez Gloria Gsoell Robert Hasty
June Jebson Peter Jebson Mary Jones Joyce Kielpinksi James Kuhla Mimi Kuhla Adelina Largacha Sharon Larson Dale Levi Tom Lom Andrew Loomis S. Narkarunai Mary Ola Mazellas Sheila McCarron Matthew McClane, Sr. Gabriel McPfimel Cam Metcalf Frank Miles Madeline Molina Beba Montero Heather Moore Fr. Tom Morgan John Morrisroe Noah Nero Sandy Palermo Bob Patterson JR Pearce Kim Perez Germaine Pempsell Mary Perkinson Tom Phillips
Sergio Pages, Jr. PV2 Chad Michael Burgess PV2 Angelique Burgess Ryan Wegman, Afghanistan Lt. Col Gregory Palmer, Afghanistan
Ray Pomponio Sharon Preston Jose Luis Quezada Bernard Rafferty, Sr. Donna Ridgeway Sheila Rivera Isaias Rodriguez Radames Roldan Lori Ann Rose Lydia Santiago Anthony Santino Don Shamblin Dianna Slowey Thomas Ann V. Sullivan Shirley Sullivan Sara Beth Summer Bill and Angie Spink Justin Tolentino Philip Traina Jaime Torres Ellen Uter Ines Velazquez Ingrid Velez William Vitto Rose Vrabel Jerry Wegman Cameron Whitman Nick Wolf Amy Workman Elke Marie Zang
Cormac Lomasney, Afghanistan Brian McPhillips, Afghanistan Esteban Gonzalez, Afghanistan SGT Damian Patrick Bumm
Thank you to Buds, Blooms & Beyond for their donation of flower arrangements for our weekend liturgies and our chapel.
Visit them at 11234 W. Hillsborough, Tampa, FL 813-818-9600 |3
Church of the Incarnation
813-885-7861
Grades Pk-12 / Sacrament Preparation Director of Faith Formation & R.C.I.A. Carmen Cayon - ccayon@icctampa.org
Youth Ministry
Faith Formation Apprentice
Philomena Johnson - pjohnson@icctampa.org
Meg Kanatzar - mkanatzar@icctampa.org
Reminder! There is NO Faith Formation this Sunday. Sessions will resume on Sunday, Dec. 8th ATTENTION CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES!!! If you need service hours in order to complete the 10 hours of Community service required for Confirmation this year please contact Ms. Philomena for ideas. Your help is needed in putting food baskets together for Thanksgiving and Christmas and there are other opportunities. CONFIRMATION PARENTS REMINDER!! Parent Orientation Meeting is Wed., Dec. 4th at 7PM in the church. This is a MANDATORY Meeting.
The Christmas Mitten Tree will be up in the vestibule of the church beginning Sunday Dec. 8th. Please take a mitten for a needy child of our Parish. Gifts should be new and gift wrapped, please remember to put the mitten on the gift. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 22nd and may be dropped off in the church on Sunday or in the Parish Office during the week. Thank you for your generosity! Faith Formation Office will be collecting canned goods and non-perishables for Christmas Food Baskets for the needy of our Parish. All donations may be dropped off at the Faith Formation Office during the week or left in the back of the church. Donations will be accepted up until Dec. 20th. Thank you for your generosity.
Incarnation Catholic Church 2013 Annual Christmas Tree Sale It’s that time of year again and Santa will be coming soon! We are excited to be returning to Incarnation again this year. We are open every day until Sunday, December 22, 2013 - or until the trees run out! We have trees of all shapes and sizes, as well as wreaths, garland, tree stands and tree disposal bags for sale. Mid-sized frasers start at just $39.99! Come on out to help support Incarnation and find your perfect tree!
"Proeliatores Dei" is our parish's young adult group. Young adult parishioners ages 18-28 are welcome to join us every Thursday night from 7:30 - 9:00 in the Lion's Lair for faith, fun, and fraternity. For more information, please go to our website: www.thewarriorsofgod.org or call Fr. Philip at the church office (813-885-7861). We hope to see you there!
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1st Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2013
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TREE OF LIFE MEMORIALS ALTAR SERVERS - David Smith - iccaltarservers@gmail.com EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - Frank Salamone fsalamone2003@yahoo.com READERS - Will Beran - 882-0178 ENVIRONMENT/ART - Connie Hennessey - 884-8326 USHERS - Tom Osborn - 885-3829 VISITORS OF THE SICK - Fr. Jairo Atehortua - 885-7861
In memory of a loved one that has passed away you may want to consider the Tree of Life Memorial at the church’s entrance. You may also want to remember a special Anniversary or a family member with a Leaf on the Tree. For information call Connie Hennessey at 884-8326.
BIBLE STUDY - Carmen Cayon - 885-7861 CARNIVAL - Paul /Norma Hunter - 854-1171 COLUMBIETTES - Suzanne Perry-Casler - 610-6456 or suzanneperrycasler@verizon.net Meet every 2nd Thursday at 7:00pm, St. Patrick's Room FINANCE COUNCIL - Deacon Frank Julian - 885-7861 HELPING HAND - Paul Hunter - 885-7861 ICCW - INCARNATION COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN Diane Fitzpatrick - 813-926-4921 - Tdianefitz@aol.com Gen. Mtg. 1st Thursdays - Rosary at 7pm - Mtg. starts at 7:30pm JOB SEARCH SUPPORT - Hilda Lyons - icjobsupport@hotmail.com Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. at the Town ’N Country Public Library KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 4th Degree Assembly 2984 Harry - 813-765-5725 - meets every 3rd Monday at 7:30 PM KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - Stan Schmidt - 598-2737 LIFE MINISTRY - Teresa Trubilla - 841-6563 - Trubilla@mac.com MUSIC MINISTRY - Cal Leferink - cleferink@icctampa.org Tuesday Rehearsals, 7 - 9pm in the Church Music Room PRAYER SHAWL GROUP - Silvia Rivera - 885-7861 2nd Tuesday, 7pm in Faith Formation Office RELIGIOUS ARTICLES STORE - Connie Hennessey - 884-8326 SPECIAL EDUCATION - Mary Thomson - 884-8040 STEWARDSHIP - Paul Hunter - 854-1171 THAT MAN IS YOU - Michael Rivera - 598-0972 Tuesdays at 5:15am in St. Francis Rm 12 STEP MEETINGS - Mary at 813-884-7171 Men's Closed Meetings - Tuesday, 7 pm St. Patrick's Room Closed Meetings - Wednesday, 7 pm St. Patrick's Room Al-Anon Closed Meetings - Wednesday, 7 pm St. John's Room
RELIGIOUS ARTICLES STORE NEWLY RENOVATED! Check out
ANOINTING OF THE SICK gives spiritual strength in the face of suffering. A Parish priest is on call 24 hrs. in cases of emergency and is available for appointments. Call the Parish Office at 8857861. MATRIMONY (Marriage) - Couples need to contact the Parish Office at 885-7861 before setting a date. The preparation process takes a minimum of 6 months. HOLY ORDERS is for single men answering the call to priesthood. Any man or woman interested in the religious life should contact one of our parish priests or the Diocesan Vocations Director at 345-3338. HOMEBOUND MINISTRY - Eucharistic Ministers are available to bring Holy Communion to the sick at home. Please call the Parish Office at 885-7861 to make arrangements.
COMITÉ PASTORAL HISPANO - Padre Jairo - 885-7861 fatehortua@icctampa.org Se reúne el tercer jueves de cada mes CORO HISPANO - David Funes - dfunes@icctampa.org miércoles a las 7:00pm y los domingos a las 12:00 pm EMAUS DAMAS - Karla Navas-Rodriguez 813-263-4220 o Liliana Astete 646-339-4286. Miércoles de por medio 7pm. EMAUS HOMBRES - Stevenson Quirindongo
ESCUELA DE EVANGELIZACION JUAN PABLO II Maria Teresa Aguilar 813-315 0925. Viernes 7pm, salón de clase #3. GRUPO DE JOVENES - Carmen Cayón - 885-7861. Viernes 7:30pm, salón St. John. GRUPO DE JOVENES ADULTOS - Ana Acevedo al 359-7722. Viernes, 7:30pm, salón de conferencia. GRUPO DE MATRIMONIOS - Lecy y Dante Sanchez - 850-4526. Viernes, 7:30pm, salón St. Francis 1.
our newly renovated Religious Arti-
GRUPO DE ORACION - Maria Rodriguez al 813-926-6436 . Martes 7:30pm, salón St. Michael.
cles Store. Located at the main en-
LECTORES - Alan Aguilar- 315-0928
trance of the church, on the left
LEGION DE MARIA - Azucena Zavala 813-410-5737. Sábado 9:30am, salón St. Francis.
hand side. Open before and after the weekend Masses. MANY NEW ITEMS! Need information? Call Connie 813.884.8326
MINISTROS DE EUCARISTIA - Tito Bello - 516-2619 MONAGUILLOS - Doris Quirindongo - 843-6654 UJIERES - José Guaba - 504-5538
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813-817-9321
1st Sunday of Advent
SHOEBOXES FOR SENIORS Please join us in our twelfth annual Shoeboxes for Seniors parish-wide Christmas project to brighten the lives of many senior citizens in our community. Many elderly who are poor, homebound, or residents in a nursing facility often feel alone, and sometimes lack personal care items. Your filled shoebox may be the only Christmas present they receive this year. Help share Jesus’ love and let them know someone cares. HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Decide whether you want to buy for a man or woman. Find a cardboard shoebox, or you can purchase a sturdy plastic one for about $1.00 at many stores. A Christmas gift bag may be used as well. Fill the shoebox with new items appropriate for an elderly person. See the list on the next column for guidelines and suggestions. Indicate whether your box is for a man or woman by marking it on the box lid. You may wrap/ decorate your shoebox if you wish. Be sure to wrap the lid separately from the bottom of the box so that we can make sure the contents are appropriate for the recipient. Bring your filled shoebox the weekend of December 14/15 and put it in the bin in the entryway to the church or bring it to St. Michael’s Hall on Sunday, December 15 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Be creative and have fun filling your shoebox! The filled shoeboxes will be distributed to residents at Rocky Creek Retirement Center. Thank you for your participation and for blessing an elderly person this Christmas. This project is sponsored by the Incarnation Life Ministries Committee. You are not limited to purchasing items from the list of suggestions. This list is provided for ideas only and is not allinclusive. Please keep in mind that space is very limited for Rocky Creek residents and usable items like toiletries are especially helpful.
December 1, 2013
GUIDELINES FOR FILLING YOUR SHOEBOX DO: Purchase new items Review the list below for suggestions Be creative Have fun filling your shoebox OPTIONAL: Wrap/decorate your shoebox if you wish (wrap lid separately). Include a written note or Christmas card. Invite the recipient to correspond with you if you wish.
DO NOT INCLUDE: Used items Food items, especially candy (some recipients are diabetic) Electrical appliances Medicine Candles Items that are tedious to handle, as some recipients suffer from arthritis
LIST OF SUGGESTIONS: Toiletries Personal hygiene items Puzzles Large print books Crossword puzzle books Stuffed animals Coffee cup Slippers (fall-resistant) Socks Knee-highs Nightshirt Hats Gloves T-shirts Handkerchiefs Note cards Stamps Combs/brushes Magnifying glass Refrigerator magnets Wind chimes Small purse Costume jewelry Wallet
Money clip Men’s tie 2014 Calendar Manicure set Nail polish and remover Washcloths Hand towels Dishtowels Potholders Small wall hangings Sun catchers Disposable camera Cologne Picture frame Scarf Jewelry/keepsake box Music box Key ring Ceramic figurines Christmas ornament Deck of cards - large #’s Kitchen utensils Books on tape or CD CD player
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Church of the Incarnation Thank you for your contributions to the Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development! Your generous gifts will help CCHD end poverty in America through better education, improved housing, and overall economic development. Through CCHD and its beneficiaries, we manifest Catholic social teaching and carry out Jesus’ mission to “bring glad tidings to the poor . . . to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Lk 4:18). FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION This Friday we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:30am Mass until 6:15pm. The Spanish Mass immediately follows at 6:30pm.
813-885-7861
INCARNATION’S ANNUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM St. Michael’s Hall “Children Only” Shopping Mall on the Stage Find the perfect gift for Mom & Dad or your Teacher All Gifts priced from 50 cents to $5.00 Come By and say Hi to Santa Claus
Free Hot Coffee for Adults Christmas Bake Sale – Homemade Breads and Desserts
A NEW TRADITION AT INCARNATION Families can sign up to Light the Candles on our Advent Wreath at Mass
Shop for Beautiful Gifts at the Religious Article Store Booth Christmas Story Telling A FUN-FILLED EVENT FOR THE ENTIRE
If you are interested in signing up your family to light the candles on our Advent Wreath before Mass please contact Connie Hennessey at 813-884-8326.
Next weekend there will be a special collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Remember your loved ones - both living and deceased at ALL Christmas Masses. List the names of your loved ones on the envelopes and place in the collection basket. There is no suggested offering; any donation will gladly be accepted. Christmas Spiritual Bouquet Envelopes are available at the front entrance of the church and in the pews. They are also available at the Parish Office during the week. Mass Cards are available at the Religious Articles Store and the Parish Office.
Gift of Hope Fundraiser for the Foundation of Life Pregnancy Center: Jesuit High School’s Key Club sponsors a putt-putt golf fundraiser on Saturday, December 7th at 9am at Grand Prix of Tampa. Registration forms and sponsorship opportunities are found on-line at http:// www.jesuittampa.org/Student-Clubs/Key-Club/Putt-PuttFundraiser . All parishioners are welcome.
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FAMILY!
LECTORS: Saturday, December 7th is the next Lector training. You must attend ONE of the 2013-2014 trainings Day
Date
Time
Location
Saturday December 7, 2013 10:00 AM - Noon St. Francis Room Thursday
March 20, 2014
Saturday
June 21, 2014
7:00-9:00 PM
St. Francis Room
10:00 AM - Noon St. Francis Room
If you would like to become a lector please contact Will Beran: 813-882-0178 or wberan@gmail.com CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL Make a Christmas Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Saturday, December 28. Mass is at 8:15 a.m., scriptural rosary at 11 a.m., tours from 9-11 a.m., gift store open 9:30- 10:30 a.m., church history display, nativity displays from around the world, live music, and food. This is a free event! For more information, visit: http:// cathedralalive.org/Christmas-at-the-cathedral.html or contact Sue Tambasco at bookstore@cathedralofstjude.org or (727) 343-5599.
Primer Domingo de Adviento 1o de diciembre de 2014 “Ustedes estén preparados, porque a la hora que menos lo piensen, vendrá el Hijo del hombre”. — Mateo 24:44 Domingo 1 de Diciembre. Primer Domingo de Adviento Reflexionando la Palabra de Dios
La Iglesia nos propone anualmente en su Liturgia un recorrido por el Misterio íntegro de Cristo, con el propósito de ayudarnos a seguir un proceso de crecimiento, por la contemplación de la obra salvadora de Jesús y la asimilación de su palabra. En este marco litúrgico es donde recibimos sacramentalmente la gracia de Dios como lluvia fina que fer liza nuestra fe, purifica nuestra caridad y la hace exuberante en buenas obras. El cris ano que, con sencillez, con espíritu de oración y suficiente interés, sigue durante el año la Liturgia de la Iglesia, se siente reconfortado y es mulado en el camino hacia Dios y experimenta en sí mismo el crecimiento de la pequeña semilla del Reino de los cielos.
La palabra Adviento significa empo de preparación y de esperanza. La esperanza es parte esencial de nuestra vida: esperamos llegar a mayores, acabar los estudios, encontrar un buen trabajo. Esperamos la primavera, el empo de vacaciones, el empo de cosecha; esperamos superar las crisis; esperamos la jubilación. Pero más allá de estas esperanzas, digamos externas y temporales, vivimos una esperanza más fundamental: la de descubrir el sen do pleno de la vida, la de encontrar nuestra iden dad profunda, la de perder el miedo al futuro desconocido, la de sabernos plenamente perdonados, la de sen rnos infinitamente amados por Dios. Mantenemos viva, por fin, la esperanza de la vida eterna.
Son todas estas esperanzas las que el Adviento quiere recoger; puesto que, durante este empo, recordamos de una manera insistente las promesas de salvación que, desde an guo, ha hecho Dios a su pueblo.
Dios ha prome do, y después, cumple sus promesas; para nosotros es un firme mo vo de esperanza y un fuerte es mulo ya que la gracia de Dios no se nos da en vano. ¿Cómo podríamos esperar el crecimiento y el fruto, si la semilla es depositada en un terreno duro o lleno de maleza? Por ello, nos conviene vivir atentos y vigilantes, hemos de trabajar nuestro terreno purificando nuestras intenciones y promoviendo deseos sinceros de bienes superiores. Hemos de arrancar el deseo exagerado de valores temporales, sensibles, e meros y pasajeros.
En el interior de nuestro corazón, en lo más recóndito de nosotros mismos es donde se hace realidad la venida del Señor. El Señor vendrá ciertamente, pero, ¿nos hallará en casa? ¿Podrá establecer contacto afec vo con nosotros? Si vivimos superficialmente en el exterior, si no acostumbramos a estar en casa, en nuestro interior; si no oramos, ni guardamos silencio, ni hacemos lecturas que nos despierten, el Señor, cuando venga, tendrá que pasar de largo. He aquí la actualidad constante del Adviento: El Señor que viene y nosotros que le recibimos cada vez con una intensidad y un amor nuevos. ADVIENTO La esperanza consiste en la certeza de saber que existe una respuesta a nuestras preguntas. No temas. Jesús viene a salvar. Con su venida plantó la semilla de un mundo diferente. Óyele, hazle caso. Podemos y debemos transformar el presente. Es hora de ponernos de pie. Esta es una época del año en la que vamos a estar “bombardeados” por la publicidad para comprar todo po de cosas. Todo esto puede llegar a hacer que nos olvidemos del verdadero sen do de la Navidad.
¡Gracias por sus contribuciones a la Colecta para la Campana Católica para el Desarrollo Humano! Sus generosos donativos ayudarán a CCHD erradicar la pobreza en los Estados Unidos mediante una mejor educación, mejores viviendas y desarrollo económico en general. Por medio de CCHD y sus beneficiarios, manifestamos la enseñanza social católica y realizamos la misión de Jesús para: “anunciar a los pobres la Buena Nueva...a los cautivos la liberación y la curación a los ciegos, a devolver la libertad a los oprimidos” (Lc 4:18).
Servicios de Reconciliación Este mes tendremos cuatro Servicios de Reconciliación en conjunto con otras parroquias. Estos son los siguientes: Incarnation - 16 de diciembre, Christ the King el 17 de diciembre St. Lawrence el 18 de diciembre St. Joseph el 19 de diciembre–todos a las 7pm. Les recomendamos a nuestros feligreses que aprovechen esta oportunidad para recibir el Sacramento de la Reconciliación en este tiempo de Adviento.
ADORACIÓN EUCARÍSTICA La exposición del Santísimo es cada primer viernes después de la Misa de las 8:30am hasta la Bendición Solemne a las 6:15 pm. No pierda la oportunidad y dedíquele una hora como el Señor nos pide, en su presencia. Adórele y pídale que le guie para siempre hacer su voluntad.
Colecta de Alimentos Mensual El próximo fin de semana tendremos nuestra colecta de alimentos. Todo lo que se reúna se donará la despensa de Alimentos de la Iglesia Luterana de Our Savior. Le damos las gracias por su generosidad y su continuo apoyo.
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1 de diciembre de 2013
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LA PALABRA DE DIOS HOY Con los textos que se proclaman hoy la Iglesia comienza su ciclo de tres años de lecturas litúrgicas. Nuestro comienzo nos pone en medio de la visión profética de Isaías, que nos pinta el cuadro de un lugar donde no hay armas en un tiempo donde no hay guerras. Qué triste que hayamos hecho tan poco progreso como comunidad global en nuestros esfuerzos por promover una paz duradera, trabajar por ella y mantenerla. El Señor Jesús, Príncipe de la Paz, nos advierte que hemos de estar preparados, pues no sabemos cuándo él regresará. A medida que nos preparamos para su regreso, renovemos nuestros esfuerzos para trabajar por la paz, especialmente en lugares donde podemos marcar una verdadera pauta, o sea, en nuestro propio hogar y en nuestra propia comunidad. ¡Ven, Emmanuel! Traducido de Saint Margaret Sunday Missal derechos de autor © J. S. Paluch Company
LIBRO DE MISAS El libro de intenciones para las misas del 2014 está disponible. Para ofrecer una misa, visite o llame a la Oficina Parroquial de lunes a viernes de 9:00am - 4:00pm. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a Silvia Rivera, srivera@icctampa.org y luego enviar su contribución por correo. La donación es de $20.00 por Misa.
TIEMPO DE PREPARACIÓN Esta vida es el tiempo de preparación para nuestro estado futuro. Nuestras almas continuarán siendo por siempre lo que hacemos de ellas en este mundo. —John Tillotson, Arzobispo de Canterbury
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 4:2-6; Sal 122 (121):1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Martes: Is 11:1-10; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17;Lc 10:21-24 Miércoles: Is 25:6-10a; Sal 23 (22):1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Jueves: Is 26:1-6; Sal 118 (117):1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Viernes: Is 29:17-24; Sal 27 (26):1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Sábado: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Sal 147 (146):1-6; Mt 9:35 —10:1 Domingo: Is 11:1-10; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12 Apoye a los religiosos ancianos. Uno de los fieles escribe: “Como estudiante católico entre los grados K y 12, fui formado para ser la persona que soy por muchos hermanas y hermanos religiosos, y estaré agradecido para siempre”. Muestre su agradecimiento a las hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes de órdenes religiosas quienes marcaron la diferencia en tantas vidas. Sea generoso en su donativo a la colecta de la semana próxima para el Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos.
“HAGA SONREIR UN NIÑO” Iglesia Encarnación Salón St. Michael 15 de diciembre, 2013 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Taiga un juguete nuevo sin envolver para los niños menos afortunados. Comuníquese con Ivy al 813-886-5991.