Saint Michael Parish December 20, 2015
Rev. Arturo Chagala, Parochial Administrator Ms. Grace Galaschewski, Office Manager Sr. Jennie Catanese, M.S.B.T., Receptionist Saint Michael Church Founded 1831
1445 North Second Street Philadelphia, PA 19122 215-739-2358 Fax: 215-739-5766
And blessed is the fruit of your womb
http://stmichaelsphilly.org E-mail 1saintmichaelchurch@comcast.net
Immaculate Conception Church Front & Allen Streets Office hours at Saint Michael Monday-Thursday 9 -4:00 p.m. Friday 9 - 1:00 p.m.
MASS /MISA
Sunday Vigil (Saturday) 5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. (IC) 11:30 a.m. (español) Daily Mass Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. Holy Days Noon at Immaculate Conception (IC) 7:00 p.m. at Saint Michael (bilingual) CONFESSIONS Saturday 4:15 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. & by request
Y bendito el fruto de tu vientre! Fourth Sunday of Advent
Saint Michael Parish has been a viable part of Fishtown/Northern Liberties for 182 years. We continue creating a community where all God’s children are treated with dignity & respect and where faith, hope and love/charity are abound. We welcome all new immigrants and visitors to our parish. La parroquia de Santo Michael ha sido una parte viable de Fishtown/Northern Liberties por 182 años. Continuamos creando una comunidad donde tratamos con dignidad y respeto los niños y donde la fe, la esperanza y el amor/la caridad es abundante. Damos la bienvenida a todos los nuevos inmigrantes y visitantes a nuestra parroquia. 1
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
From Bethlehem shall come one who will rule Israel. Born of Mary, the servant of the Lord, he will protect and save us, offering himself once and for all in doing the Father’s will. 12/20
4th Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM vigil John McGough Jr. r/o Dolores McGough 8:30 AM Robert Campbell Sr. r/o James & Winnie O’Connor 10:00 AM Betty & Stash Sebzda r/o Cookie Sullivan 11:30 AM The People of the Parish
12/21 Monday St. Peter Canisius, Priest & Doctor of the Church 8:00 AM
12/22 Tuesday Late Advent Weekday 8:00 AM A. Margaret McGinnis-Sharp r/o her Daughters 12/23 Wednesday St. John of Kanty, Priest 8:00 AM Health of Fred Nagle r/o Fred Nagle 12/24 Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord 7:00 PM (St.M.) For the People of the Parish
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS: Dec. 6, 2015 1st Collection $ 1,690.00 Block Collection (to date) $ 718.00 Christmas Flowers (to date) $ 422.00 Christmas Offering (to date) $ 32.00 Retirement Fund (to date) $ 256.00 Immaculate Conception (to date) $ 153.00 St. Charles Seminary (to date) $ 861.00 Solemnity of Mary (to date) $ 15.00 =====================================================
LITURGICAL MINISTERS December 27, 2015 5:00 PM Lector & Euch. Min.: As Available 8:30 AM Lector: Bernadette Zotter Euch. Min.: Alberta Brown 10:00 AM Lector: Jim Galdo Euch. Min.: Maria Tanczak 11:30 AM Lectors: Cruz & Angelica Rodriguez Euch. Min.: As Available ====================================================================================
12/25 The Nativity of the Lord 10:00 AM (I.C.) For the People of the Parish 11:30 AM (St.M.) For the People of the Parish 12/27 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 5:00 PM vigil Andrew & Catherine O’Connor r/o O’Connor Family 8:30 AM Elizabeth Mahoney & Danielle Cahoun-Lopez r/o Joseph Calhoun 10:00 AM Charles Watson r/o Grace Galaschewski 11:30 AM The Families of St. Michael’s Parish
SANCTUARY LIGHTS
will burn in the Churches this week for Kathleen Chorlton at the request of Msgr. John Miller
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Sis Clemens, Ralph Berarducci, Barbara Schindle, Maria Rivera, Osealdo Rodriguez, Joseph Galdo, Isabella Lederer, Bianca Mercado, Joanne Sherman, Mary Zarowski, Dorothy Schill, Rosita Renta, Millie Adair, Olga Espada, Hilda Rodriguez, Pat Regler, Maria Cruz, Freddie Nagle, our benefactors, those who have asked for our prayers & those who have no one to pray for them. Remember also to pray for all our deceased relatives and friends.
************************ A Little Bit of Wisdom When you are on your knees, you cannot stumble and fall
**********************
New Parishioners/Nuevos Feligreses Welcome. Please call the rectory and make an appointment to register as soon as possible. Bienvenidos. Favor de llamar la rectoría y haga una cita para inscribirse lo mas antes posible. Change of Address/Cambio de Direccion Please notify the parish secretary if you plan to move. Favor de notificar la secretaria de la parroquia si planificas mudarse. Collection Envelopes/Sobres para la colecta Every working person should support the parish by regularly using their envelopes - they can be obtained by calling the rectory or filling out one of the “welcome” envelopes at the entrance of the church. Cada persona de trabajo debe habitualmente apoyar la parroquia usando los sobres—puedes obtenerlos llamando la rectoría o llenando unos de los sobres maracados “bienvenidos” en entrada de la iglesia. 214-2
December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
l
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!! Best Wishes to you and to your family from all of us here at St. Michael’s—for much peace and joy in this holy season of our Lord’s birth, and for good health and happiness in the New Year!! FELIZ NAVIDAD! Todos nosotros de San Miguel les deseamos a ti y tu familia paz y alegría a abundancia durante este tiempo santo del nacimiento del Nino Jesús, y en el Nuevo Ano buena salud y felicidad! The fourth candle is lit …… The 4th Candle is Thee Angel Candle or The Candle of Love & it symbolizes Peace.
The angel announced the good news of a Savior…. “ I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, The Lord” (Luke 2:10b-11). God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) When there is a 5th Candle, it is white and placed in the center of the wreath. This is the Christ Candle and is lit on Christmas. The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) =========================================“L ”Living Advent with Joy & Peace” LOVE MADE VISIBLE It is love with which, that night, God assumed our frailty, our suffering, our anxieties, our desires and limitations. Emmanuel, God-with-us, today I contemplate the gift of your love made visible. On Christmas, you are born anew as one of us. You clothe yourself in all the things I struggle with in my human condition. Your love embraces these fragile elements, takes them on, and welcomes them with tenderness. Your love continues to do the same in our time and place. May my thanks be a life that faithfully and joyfully witnesses to your coming among us. Amen, May it be so! Pope Francis
==================================== JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! With only 5 more days until the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, we need to continue celebrating ADVENT with our patient and prayerful waiting. We need to stop worrying of not having a “good Christmas” or not getting everything done on our list. The only thing that is important is that in five days our SAVIOR OF THE WORLD will again come into our lives as a Baby. An infant born in poverty, an infant born as an immigrant because his parents had to leave their home country and an infant born with the promise of offering FAITH, HOPE and LOVE/ CHARITY to all who will listen.
JESUS ES LA RAZON DE LA TEMPORADA! Con tan sólo cinco días, hasta que la celebración del nacimiento de Jesucristo, tenemos que continuar celebrando advenimiento de nuestro paciente y espera orante. Tenemos que dejar de preocuparse de no tener un “feliz Navidad” o no todo lo que se hizo en nuestra lista. La única cosa que es importante es que en cinco días, nuestro SALVADOR DEL MUNDO ;volverán a entrar en nuestras vidas como un bebe.. Un bebe nacido en la pobreza, un bebe nacido como un inmigrante porque sus padres tuvieron que abandonar su país de origen y un bebe nacido con la promesa de ofrecer FE, ESPERANZA Y AMOR/CARIDAD a todos los que quieran escuchar.
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December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday Scripture Reflections Reading 1 Micah 5:1-4a When the prophet Micah proclaimed the coming of a shepherd-king, the Israelites in Jerusalem were under attack. Their enemies, the Assyrians, were ready to "wipe them out." So the good news that God would send them a strong and just ruler was music to their ears. Their king would be born in Bethlehem—a small, unimportant town—of the royal family of David. And he would bring lasting peace. After the resurrection of Jesus, the early Christian community recognized that these words of Micah were a wonderful description of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Reading 2 Hebrews 10:5-10 One of the messages in today's second reading is that we should recognize how the perfect sacrifice of Jesus differs from the sacrifices of the Old Testament. Those sacrifices were often offerings of animals. Jesus' sacrifice was the offering of himself. Giving yourself—your time, talents, and love—is the greatest gift you can offer to others.
Gospel Luke 1:39-45 Many artists have painted this moving scene described by Luke in today's gospel. Mary has made a difficult journey through the hill country to be with her relative Elizabeth, who is several months pregnant. The young woman, bearing in her body the Savior, and the older woman, carrying John the Baptist, embrace each other with tears and laughter. Elizabeth recognizes Mary's true identity as "the mother of my Lord." She calls Mary "blessed" three times. Mary is blessed because she trusted that the Lord's words to her would come true.
Domingo Escritura Reflexions Primera lectura Miqueas 5:1-4a Cuando el profeta Miqueas proclamó la venida de un rey de los pastores. Los israelitas en Jerusalén estaban siendo atacados. Sus enemigos, los asirios, estaban dispuestos a "acabar con ellos". Así que la buena nueva de que Dios les enviara a un fuerte y justo gobernante era música para sus oídos. Su rey sería de la tribu de David y nacería en Belén, un pueblo pequeño y sin importancia. El traería una paz duradera. Después de la resurrección de Jesús, las primeras comunidades cristianas reconocieron que esas palabras de Miquea eran una maravillosa descripción de Jesús, Príncipe de Paz. Segunda lectura Hebreos 10:5-10 Uno de los mensajes en la segunda lectura de hoy es que podemos reconocer como el perfecto sacrificio de Jesús difiere de los sacrificios en el Antiguo Testamento. Esos sacrificios eran con frecuencia ofrendas de animales. El sacrificio de Jesús fue una ofrenda de sí mismo. Darte a ti mismo, tus talentos, tu tiempo, tu amor, es el mayor de los regalos que puedes ofrecer a otros. Evangelio Lucas 1:39-45 Muchos artistas han pintado esta conmovedora escena descrita en el Evangelio de Lucas hoy. María ha hecho un viaje difícil a través de montañas para ir a ver a su prima Isabel, quien estaba embarazada. La joven mujer, llevando al Salvador en su vientre, y la anciana, embarazada de Juan el Bautista, se abrazan llorando de alegría. Isabel reconoce la verdadera identidad de María como "la madre de mi Señor". Ella llama a María "bendita" tres veces. María es bendita porque ella confió en que las palabras del Señor para ella se harían realidad. 214-4
December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent Baptism/Bautismos Call the Rectory to make arrangements. Parents and sponsors must attend an instruction class.
“THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS”
You are probably are all familiar with the song “ The Twelve Days of Christmas". Did you know it was a clever teaching device used in the 16th Century. From 1558 Llame la rectoría para hacer arreglos. Padres y until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted padrinos deben asistir clases de instrucción. to practice their faith openly. The song was written to educate the faithful in the doctrines of the faith and yet not be obvious to the persecutors. It has two levels of meaning: the Marriage/Matrimonio Arrangements must be made six months in advance surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. The meanings are as follows: in order to fulfill Diocesan requirements. The “True love” one hears in the song is Jesus Christ. the Debe hacer arreglos seis meses de antemano para “partridge” is Jesus himself, and the “pear tree” is the Cross. The “me” is the individual Catholic. cumplir los requisitos diocesanos. The 2 turtle doves—the Old & New Testaments / or the 2 natures of Jesus Care for the Sick/Cuido para los enfermos The 3 French hens—stood for faith, hope, and love / In the occasion of an emergency call the rectory or the 3 persons in God immediately. Call the rectory for visits at home to The 4 calling birds—were the 4 gospels of Matthew, the elderly and infirm or when someone enters the Mark, Luke, & John hospital and wishes a visit from the parish priest. The 5 golden rings—represents the first 5 books of the Old Testament , the Torah En caso de una emergencia llame la rectoría The 6 geese a-laying—stood for the 6 days of creainmediatamente. Para visitas en casa de las tion /or the 6 commandments of the Church personas mayores y enfermas o cuando alguien este The 7 swans a-swimming—represented the 7 gifts of en el hospital y desee una visita del sacerdote lla- the Holy Spirit /or the 7 Sacraments me la rectoría. The 8 maids a-milking—were the 8 beatitudes The 9 drummers drumming - 9 choirs of angels The 10 Ladies dancing— were the 10 CommandChristmas Day— ments We wait for it eagerly and with great anticipation , The 11 pipers piping—for the 11 faithful apostles making all kinds of plans and preparations. Yet when it The 12 Lords a-leaping—12 basic beliefs of the comes it is over before we know it. Or is it? Catholic Church as outlined in the Apostles Creed. Take a moment to think…. As you can see, the song is more than just a haunting There has never been a birth like the one we celmelody with nonsensical lyrics. ebrate on December 25th. There has never been a gift ============================================== like the one we receive on December 25th. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 There has never been such a selfless sacrifice ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR nor such a Love manifested. The first recorded Christian martyr is Stephen. The Yet, it is only given 24 hours of our time, our story of his death is told in the Acts of the Apostles. concern, our attention. Surely such an exalted and rare Stephen had been performing signs and wonders in event deserves more.. …. the name of Jesus Christ, and because of this, was brought More reflection, more wonder, more prayer more thanksbefore the Sanhedrin. There he delivered a long speech giving, more love in return. Christmas Day is not the about how Jesus was the fulfillment of all that their ancestors end but the beginning of another journey. The journey to had said and done. The members of the Sanhedrin were furisalvation and sanctification. ous. They dragged Stephen outside the walls of Jerusalem The Liturgical season of Christmas begins with and stoned him to death. the vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Since the 4th Century, the day after Christmas has Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year that feast is been the feast of the first martyr, St. Stephen. on Sunday, January 10, 2016. It may seem strange to celebrate a death just one day During this season, we celebrate the birth of after celebrating the birth of Christ. But the Church put this Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on feast here on purpose: To teach all Christians that they stake the gift of salvation that is born with him,,,, including the their life on this child born in Bethlehem. fact that he was born to die for us. 214-5
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