CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION Parish Office: 5124 Gateway Dr. , Tampa, FL 33615 813.885.7861
Fax: 813.884.3624
School Office: 5111 Webb Rd. , Tampa, FL 33615
www.icctampa.org 813.884.4502
Fax: 813.885.3734
Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2012 God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low. — Baruch 5:7
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
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 - Lisa Screeton lscreeton@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 Español: Cada domingo a la 1:30pm Cada viernes a las 6:30 pm Latin Mass 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month 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 español cada jueves de 5:30pm-6:30pm en la capilla
BLOOD DRIVE THIS SUNDAY FROM 8AM TO 3PM. DONORS GET A FREE TICKET TO THE MOVIES !
Church of the Incarnation
AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubila on of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn’t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand wai ng for the arrival of God’s salva on. And we find Paul medita ng joyfully on what really ma ers. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on ptoe looking for God’s salva on, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. It can’t get any be er than this, can it? Well, yes, it can. For a voice calls out in the desert. Here is the beginning of the salva on of God. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:
Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Look around most Catholic churches, and you will discover an image of John the Bap st, o en in the old bap stery, or in a window near where the font is or was located. He has two feast days in the calendar: one commemora ng his birth, and the other his death. There are only three na vi es in our calendar: for Jesus, for Mary, and for the Bap st. John’s birthday is reckoned according to the schedule given in Luke’s Gospel of the angel’s announcement to Mary. The angel tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in the sixth month of pregnancy, and so Mary hastens to help her. Reckoning Christmas as December 25, we count backwards nine months to March 25 for the Feast of the Annuncia on. Then we count forward three months to June 24 for John the Bap st’s birth. Halfway to Christmas, his na vity gives ample reason for rejoicing in the summer, and his symbols of fire and water are used playfully in bonfires and dives into the sea. Even at the polar opposite of Christmas in the calendar, the energy of Christ’s birth in the Incarna on provides cause for rejoicing. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Prayer of the Week Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admi ance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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813-885-7861
BAMBINELLO SUNDAY - Today we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. This year on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we will adopt a me honored tradi on of the Holy Father who in Rome next Sunday blesses the baby Jesus figures from home manger scenes. The Holy Father calls this Sunday "Bambinello Sunday," and blesses the bambinelli - the babies - in St. Peter's Square. Therefore, on the third Sunday of Advent, the weekend of December 15th & 16th, we invite you to bring to Mass to be blessed the infant Jesus figure from your home manger scene . We will be doing the blessings at all Masses that weekend, and your par cipaon is welcomed and encouraged as we pa ently await the celebraon of the Incarna on of our Lord Jesus. On the third Sunday we will also provide, in the bulle n and on our website, a family blessing to be used in the home in case you forget your infant Jesus figure. Then, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, both in the bulle n and on our website, we will provide a family blessing to be used on Christmas day when you place your baby Jesus figure in your manger. We are very happy to share with you this tradi on of the Holy Fathers in Rome, and invite you to adopt this as a family tradi on in your home.
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 9, 2012
† Mass Intentions † SUNDAY - DECEMBER 9 - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 A.M. (SI) In Thanksgiving by Rovinelli Family 9:00 A.M. +Dan Duet by Joyce Duet 10:30 A.M. +Oscar Emilio Marquez by Ruiz Arias Family 12:00 P.M. (SI) Ill Members of ICCW by ICCW 1:30 P.M. PEOPLE OF INCARNATION MONDAY - DECEMBER 10 7:00 A.M. +Frank Fernandez by Celia Fernandez 8:30 A.M. TUESDAY - DECEMBER 11 - ST. DAMASUS 1, POPE 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. +Patsy Sipos by Joyce Duet and Family WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 12 - OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. THURSDAY - DECEMBER 13 - ST. LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR 7:00 A.M. 8:30 A.M. FRIDAY - DECEMBER 14 - ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST 7:00 A.M. +Celia D. Jenkins by Celia Fernandez 8:30 A.M. +Deceased Members of Chaudron and Francois Families 6:30 P.M. +Manolo Garcia by Fernandez Family SATURDAY - DECEMBER 15 8:30 A.M. 4:30 P.M. +Paul W. Allaert by Mike and Teresa Thompson SUNDAY - DECEMBER 16 - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 A.M. +Dolores Walker by ICCW 9:00 A.M. PEOPLE OF INCARNATION 10:30 A.M. +Dolores Lo Presti by Audrey and Joe Messina 12:00 P.M. +Rafael Maldonado by Wife Santina 1:30 P.M. +Miguel Lugo by Altagracia Lugo 4:30 P.M.
SACRIFICIAL GIFTS OF TREASURE OFFERTORY (First Collection) is used solely for the operation and maintenance of the parish. Weekly Target ..................................................$23,000.00 12/2/2012 Offertory Donations .......................$16,302.25 Shortfall ............................................................$ 6,697.75 Tuition Assistance ............................................$ 170.00 Helping Hand ...................................................$ 252.00 Christmas Flowers ...........................................$ 1,929.00 Our Mission in the Dominican Rep. ...............$ 112.00 Retired Religious ..............................................$ 89.00 RENOVATION & BUILDING FUND (Second Collection) is used to pay the monthly principal and interest obligation on our Church Renovation Loan and to fund repairs and updates to our Church building.
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:
Jeannette Abrenica Janice and Addie P. Barbara Allaert Nora Alonso Amauri Arroyo Benedetto Artino, Jr.
Colleen Beran Michelle Boylan Chuck Burton Mike Childers Jacqueline Colon Yolanda Cruz Jack and Lucy Dietz
Manuel Escamilla Aurora Esparza Manuel Esparza Nila Espinola Beverly Fenton Robert Ferry Deborah Fisher Dominick Fridella
William Gareau Robert Hasty Francisco Hernandez
Kathy Holecek June Jebson Anthony Joseph Scott G. Kennedy Joyce Kielpinski Helen King Mimi Kuhla Natalie Lasko Tom Lom Mary Loper Sandy Loy Andrea Maleska Ana Marsicano Matthew McClane, Sr.
Maryjane McNally
Joe Mininno Roder Naranjo Noah Nero
Veronica Pacitti Bob Patterson JR Pearce Kim Perez Jorge Rodriguez Roland Rodriguez Kiki Santiago Thomas Santiago Bill Seemann Christine Screeton Bill and Angie Spink
Jaime Torres Ines Velazquez Pauline Villegas Bridget Vitto Rose Vrabel Michael Warren Jerry Wegman Linda Wilson
Sergio Pages, Jr. PV2 Chad Michael Burgess 1LT Orlando R. Zambrano Ryan Wegman, Afghanistan SPC Janet E. Pagan, Afghanistan SPC Janice E. Pagan, Afghanistan David Valencia, Japan
Please Pray For The Recently Deceased Julia Colon, Leandra Marcelin, Fernando Zambrana, Elizabeth Benedict, Agnes Cruickshank & Louis Mazzarini Please keep their families close in thought and prayer during this difficult time.
12/2/2012 Renovation Donations...................... $ 3,836.00
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! If you have any questions about our finances or parish renovation activities, please contact Business Manager, Paul Hunter at 813-8857861 or by e-mail: phunter@icctampa.org.
Online Giving Comes To Incarnation! Visit our Parish Website at www.icctampa.org to set up an account or contact Paul Hunter at phunter@icctampa.org for more information.
Thank you to Buds, Blooms & Beyond for their donation of flower arrangements for our weekend liturgies and for our Chapel. Visit them at 11234 W. Hillsborough, Tampa, FL / 813-818-9600
Merry Christmas! |3
Church of the Incarnation FAITH FORMATION NEWS Director of Faith Formation & R.C.I.A. Carmen Cayon
Grades Pk-12 Sacrament Preparation & Youth Ministry Philomena Johnson
ccayon@icctampa.org
pjohnson@icctampa.org
813-885-7861 Faith Formation Apprentice
Young Adult Ministry
Meg Kanatzar
Fr. Philip Clement
mkanatzar@icctampa.org
fclement@icctampa.org
"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!
Faith Formation News Please keep the children and their families as they continue on their journey to First Reconciliation this coming January.
Sacrament Preparation Families Workshop
Reminder!
Our
last
workshop for First Reconciliation is Saturday, Dec. 15th.
If you are not
receiving the reminders via email please call Philomena with your email address.
ALL paperwork is due at
this workshop, NO EXCEPTIONS.
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2nd Sunday of Advent
December 9, 2012
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Religious Articles Store
PARISH ACTIVITIES TUESDAY - DECEMBER 11 7:00 P.M. AA Men’s Closed Meetings in St. Patrick’s Room 7:00 P.M. Spanish Prayer Group in St. Michael’s Hall 7:00 P.M. Prayer Shawl Ministry in Faith Formation Office 7:00 P.M. Music Ministry in Church WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 12 7:00 P.M. AA Closed Meeting in St. Patrick’s Room 7:00 P.M. Al-Anon Closed Meeting in St. Francis Room 2 7:30 P.M. Spanish Choir in Music Room THURSDAY - DECEMBER 13 11:30 A.M. Our Lady of Mercy Prayer Group in Chapel 5:30 P.M. Spanish Intercessions Group in Chapel 7:00 P.M. Music Ministry in Church 7:00 P.M. Columbiettes in St. Patrick’s Room 7:30 P.M. Young Adults in St. John’s Room FRIDAY - DECEMBER 14 7:30 P.M. Youth Group in St. John’s Room
TREE OF LIFE MEMORIALS OPEN 1/2 HR BEFORE & AFTER THE 4:30PM SAT. MASS & ALL SUNDAY MASSES
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. 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 885-7861. 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.
NEW ITEMS!
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. MINISTERIOS HISPANOS
Monaguillos: Doris Quirindongo - 817-9321 Coro Hispano: David Funes - 952-0359 Ministros de Eucaristia: Tito Bello - 516-2619 Lectores: Alan Aguilar- 315-0928 Ujieres: Jose Guaba-504-5538 Emmaus / Mujeres - Karla Navas - 408-2741 Emmaus/ hombres - Rafael Tamayo - 403-4272 Escuela de Evangelizacion Juan Pablo II: Ma. Teresa Aguilar - 315-0925 Grupo de Jovenes: Johnatan Fernandez - 484-1173 Grupo de Jovenes Adultos: Ana Acevedo - 359-7722 Grupo de Matromonios: Lecy & Dante Sanchez - 850-4526 Grupo de Oracion: Maria Rodriguez - 926-6436 Legion de Maria: Brunilda Reyes - 961-8505
LITURGY GROUPS ALTAR SERVERS DAVID SMITH……………………….885-7861 Or via e-mail iccaltarservers@gmail.com EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FR. PHILIP CLEMENT……….…….. 885-7861 READERS WILL BERAN ………………………. 882-0178 MUSIC DIRECTOR LISA SCREETON.………….…..……885-7861 ENVIRONMENT/ART CONNIE HENNESSEY ………………...884-8326 USHERS TOM OSBORN..……………….…...885-3829 VISITORS OF THE SICK FR. JAIRO ATEHORTUA…..………. 885-7861
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS BIBLE STUDY CARMEN CAYON…….………….... 885-7861 CARNIVAL PAUL/NORMA HUNTER …………...854-1171 COLUMBIETTES DALE ZGURZYNSKI…......................885-5228 FINANCE COUNCIL DEACON FRANK JULIAN ………………….... 885-7861 HELPING HAND PARISH OFFICE…..……………..…..885-7861 INC. COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN ALMA SHAMBLIN…………………….886-9365 Or via e-mail afshamblin@aol.com INC. HOME & SCHOOL KIM FIELD….. ….….884-4502 (School Office) JOB SEARCH SUPPORT HILDA LYONS……icjobsupport@hotmail.com KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS STAN ZGURZYNSKI………….. … 885-5228 LIFE MINISTRY TERESA TRUBILLA……….….……..841-6563 Or via e-mail T2DeskTop@aol.com MEMORIALS-TREE OF LIFE CONNIE HENNESSEY….. ……….. 884-8326 OFFICE VOLUNTEERS IRENE MARTINEZ………………….885-7861 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY SILVIA RIVERA ...…………………..885-7861 RELIGIOUS ARTICLES STORE CONNIE HENNESSEY……………... 884-8326 SPECIAL EDUCATION ISABEL MORAES……………...…….852-1501 MARY THOMSON………………….. 884-8040 STEWARDSHIP PAUL HUNTER…….………………...854-1171
RECEIVING SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS CARMEN CAYON ……………….885-7861 RCIA CARMEN CAYON……….……….885-7861 FIRST EUCHARIST PHILOMENA JOHNSON……….885-7861 CONFIRMATION PHILOMENA JOHNSON…….…885-7861 MARRIAGE PREPARATION FR. PHILIP CLEMENT… .…………...885-7861
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2nd Sunday of Advent
December 9, 2012
FRANCISCAN CENTER EVENTS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 7 – 8:30 p.m. Men in the Bible Men played an important part in the history of salvation, often by stepping out of the roles society and religion assigned to them. What can these men tell us? Program includes input, time for personal integration work, prayer and sharing. $20/session. Please call (813) 229-2695, or visit www.franciscancentertampa.org/ calendar by to reserve your space.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 7 – 8:30 p.m. Women in the Bible Women played an important part in the history of salvation, often by stepping out of the roles society and religion assigned to them. What can these women tell us? Program includes input, time for personal integration work, prayer and sharing. $20/session. Please call (813) 229-2695, or visit www.franciscancentertampa.org/ calendar by to reserve your space.
together. The menu will be posted on the website for each class. $30, includes meal and complimentary wine or beer. Please call (813) 229-2695, or visit www.franciscancentertampa.org/ calendar by Dec. 11 to reserve your space.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012 1 – 3 p.m. Living Nativity Celebration Join us for this celebration, including gospel narrative and songs, of that Holy Night when Jesus our Savior was born. There THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 will be a petting zoo with live animals, 6 – 9 p.m. Cooking with Soul – Festive Christmas with optional pony rides for the kids (fee). Bring the whole family! Menu Ideas Each month, Chef Jessica Raia-Long leads All are welcome; please call (813) 229a hands-on class focusing on different ingredients, beverage pairings and organi- 2695, or visit www.franciscancentertampa.org/calendar zation of “getting it done” in your own kitchen. Once the menu is prepared, eve- to register. Donations appreciated; fee for ryone will sit down and enjoy the meal pony rides.
The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe Join us as your schedule permits in the Chapel on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church for reflection of “The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe”, The Patroness of The Americas. This is a blessed 4’x6’ exact digital image of the original image of our Lady of Guadalupe in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. The purpose of the ‘Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe’ is to promote sanctity of the family, solidarity of the Church in America, and a culture of life and a civilization of love. Many conversions, healings, reconciliations and graces have been reported. What a wonderful opportunity to join together and spend time with Our Blessed Mother! Invite your friends! 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Video presentation in MLC-A 11:30 a.m. - 12 noon Veneration of Image-Chapel 12:10 p.m. Daily Mass 12:45 - 1:00 p.m. Veneration of Image-Chapel 1:00 p.m. Holy Rosary 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Video presentation in MLC-A (repeat) 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Veneration of Image-Chapel 3:00 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy-Chapel 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Presentation by Guardian of “Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe” 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Veneration of Image There will be items related to Our Lady of Guadalupe available for purchase. Questions may be directed to Janise McElveen at 813-8772463. Remember your loved ones - both living and deceased at ALL Christmas Masses. 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. 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. Spiritual Bouquet Mass Cards are available at the Religious Articles Store and the Parish Office.
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Church of the Incarnation
813-885-7861
12th Annual Shoeboxes for Seniors The Life Ministries of Incarnation will once again be holding their parish‐wide Christmas project, Shoeboxes for Seniors, NEXT weekend, December 15/16. Many elderly in our community have benefited from your generosity in the past. Please consider sharing Jesus’ love this Christmas with an elderly person by participating in this project. Your filled shoebox may be the only Christmas present some receive this year. The residents at Rocky Creek Retirement Center, who will receive your gifts, thank you for blessing them. Please see the enclosed flyer in today's bulletin for complete details. In addition, Life Ministries will also be collecting travel size toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes) and other personal care items as part of our parish Joy Ministries which feeds the homeless on the streets of Tampa on Friday evenings. There will be a bin in the church lobby to collect your donations. Please take a moment to share your blessings with others this Christmas season. Your kindness will help bring the love of Jesus into the lives of others. Thank you.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Monday, Dec. 17 - 7pm - Incarnation Tuesday, Dec 18 - 7pm - Christ the King Wed., Dec. 19 - 7pm - St Lawrence We encourage all of our parishioners to take advantage of this opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at this penitential period of Advent. UPCOMING HOLIDAY BULLETIN DEADLINES
Celebrate good times and reminisce about your part in the 50 year history of Incarnation Catholic Church by joining your fellow parishioners for lunch in St. Michaels Hall on Sunday, January 13th from 10 am to 3 pm. Tickets are on sale now! Contact Diana Galindo at 243-0303, Connie Hennessey at 884-8326, or Suzanne PerryCasler at 610-6456. You also have the opportunity to purchase them after each mass outside of the Church entrance this weekend. Delicious choices of Chicken at $12.00 per adult/ $6.00 per child or BBQ Ribs at $15.00 per adult/$8.00 per child, with sides of baked beans, coleslaw, corn bread or white bread, hush puppies, dessert, and a drink are available for dining in or take out. Reserve your lunch today!
Announcements for the Dec. 23rd bulletin are due on or before Monday, Dec. 10th. Announcements for the Dec. 30th bulletin are due on or before Friday, Dec 14th Announcements for the January 6th bulletin are due on or before Monday, Dec. 17th
All are invited! Spanish Mass In Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe 5am - this Wednesday Incarnation Church 8|
Give to those who have given a lifetime. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests worked for many years for little, if any, pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement. Your gift to today’s second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to provide prescription medications, nursing care, and more for thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous.
Segundo Domingo de Adviento 9 de diciembre de 2012 Dios ha ordenado que se abajen todas las montañas y todas las colinas, que se rellenen todos los valles hasta aplanar la tierra. — Baruc 5:7
Segundo Domingo de Adviento. Diciembre 9 de 2012 Reflexionando la Palabra de Dios No puede entenderse el Adviento sin invocar la conversión de todos y cada uno de nosotros. De la misma manera no podemos desaprovechar el tiempo de Adviento sin profundizar en nuestra conversión. Es cierto que la vida del cristiano es un camino permanente de esfuerzo por pertenecer más de Jesús, por vivir la conversión día a día. Pero en la espera de la venida del Niño Dios hemos de estar más limpios que nunca. Y en nuestros corazones han de residir virtudes y dones como la paz, el amor, la entrega a los demás, la mansedumbre, la austeridad, el perdón. No podemos convertir la espera en un tiempo de preparación de una gran fiesta. Ni siquiera limitarla a mejorar momentáneamente con nuestros familiares, amigos y conocidos, tampoco se trata de hacer de la Navidad sólo una fiesta piadosa, refugiada en la tranquilidad del templo. Se trata de asumir un compromiso fuerte, radical, de ser siervos del Salvador y de los hermanos, sin excepciones, ni exclusiones. La invitación del profeta Baruc y la de Juan el Bautista, es la misma: “¡Preparen el camino del Señor! ¡Enderecen sus
caminos! Rellénense todas sus quebradas y amplíense todos los cerros. Los caminos con curvas serán enderezados. Y los ásperos suavizados. Entonces llegara la salvación de Dios.”
En este adviento vale la pena preguntarnos qué opciones debemos tener como Iglesia. Qué cerros debemos rebajar, qué caminos enderezar y qué quebradas rellenar. Tal vez tengamos orgullo, prepotencia, inconciencia, complejos, rencores, en fin…tantas limitaciones humanas para transformar. Tanto desequilibrio que genera muerte, tanta injusticia personal y estructural, tantas y tan escandalosas desigualdades en nuestra sociedad que todos necesitamos ayudar a corregir. Adviento debe ser el tiempo fuerte para nuestra transformación, para nuestro encuentro con Dios, con ese Dios hecho Ser humano para salvarnos, para meterse muy dentro de lo nuestro. Dejémonos impregnar por la gracia de este acontecimiento que se nos aproxima, dejemos que estas celebraciones de la Eucaristía y de la liturgia de estos días nos ayuden a profundizar el misterio que estamos por celebrar. Unidos en la esperanza caminamos juntos al encuentro con Dios. Pero al mismo tiempo, Él camina con nosotros señalándonos el camino. P. Jairo
Done a aquellos que dieron toda una vida. Hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes católicos de órdenes religiosas laboraron por muchos años con poco o ningún pago. Sus sacrificios ahora dejan a sus comunidades religiosas sin ahorros suficientes para su jubilación. Su donativo a la segunda colecta de hoy destinada al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos proporciona fondos vitales que costean los medicamentos, enfermeros y más, para miles de religiosos ancianos. Sean generosos.
Un Regalo Espiritual Para Navidad Recuerde a sus seres queridos en el Santo Sacrifico de las Misas de Navidad―tanto los que están junto a ustedes como los que ya fallecieron. Escriba sus nombres en el sobre y deposítelo en la sesta de la colecta. Cualquier donación será gratamente aceptada. Estos sobres están disponibles en la entrada de la iglesia, en los bancos o en la Oficina Parroquial durante la semana.
Hoy 9 de diciembre en la misa de la 1:30pm tendremos la procesión en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, luego de la Santa Misa, en el Salón St. Michael, continuaremos con el compartir de algunos alimentos típicos y tradicionales, todos están invitados. Unida a esta celebración tendremos también la actividad HAGA SONREIR UN NIÑO. Estas dos actividades serán después de la misa de la 1:30pm el domingo 9 de diciembre. La entrada para los adultos es un juguete nuevo, sin envolver. Y el día miércoles 12 de diciembre celebraremos la Eucaristía en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe a las 5:00 de la mañana en la iglesia. Esperamos la participación de toda la comunidad. Fiesta de Navidad del Grupo de Oración El grupo de Oración tendrá su Fiesta de Navidad el 15 de Di‐ ciembre de 6pm a 9:30pm en el salón San Mi‐ chael. Habrá comida, música y regalos para rifar. Vengan a compar r con nosotros. Todos están invitados. Para más información por favor de llamar a María Rodríguez 813‐926‐6436.
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9 de diciembre de 2012
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Servicios de Reconciliación La próxima semana tendremos tres Servicios de Reconciliación en conjunto con otras dos parroquias. Estos son los siguientes: Incarnation el 17 de diciembre, Christ the King el 18 de diciembre, St. Lawrence el 19 de diciembre –todos a las 7:00pm. Les recomendamos a nuestros feligreses que aprovechen esta oportunidad para recibir el Sacramento de la Reconciliación en este tiempo de Adviento.
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 35:1-10; Sal 85 (84):9-14; Lc 5:17-26 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-3 o Lc 1:39-47, o cualquier lectura del Común de la Santísima Virgen María, nos. 707-712 Jueves: Is 41:13-20; Sal 145 (144):1, 9-13ab;Mt 11:11-15 Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Eclo 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15-16, Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Domingo: Sof 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Fil 4:4-7; Lc 3:10-18
A LA ESPERA DE LA SALVACIÓN DE DIOS El mundo no parece tan grande como para contener el alborozo que causa la primera lectura. En la lectura del Evangelio, el Imperio Romano tampoco es lo suficientemente grande. Los grandes poderes de Roma se designan y se hacen esperar por la salvación de Dios. Y encontramos a Pablo que medita gozosamente en lo que importa, en lo que realmente cuenta. De acuerdo con Baruc, la ciudad de Jerusalén es como una persona que en puntillas espera la salvación de Dios, que viene del Este. Los que fueron llevados a pie, con la cabeza gacha, regresan ahora orgullosos. Todo el camino está pavimentado. Al lado del camino hay árboles fragantes y frondosos. No puede haber algo mejor que eso, ¿no es así? Bueno, sí puede haber algo mejor. Porque una voz grita en el desierto. Aquí comienza la salvación de Dios. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.