Parish bulletin for Sunday, December 20, 2015 which includes the Christmas schedule.
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Saint Michael Parish December 20, 2015 Rev. Arturo Chagala, Parochial Administrator Ms. Grace Galaschewski, Office Manager Sr. Jennie Catanese, M.S.B.T., Receptionist 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 Saint Michael Church Founded 1831 1445 North Second Street Philadelphia, PA 19122 215-739-2358 Fax: 215-739-5766 http://stmichaelsphilly.org E-mail [email protected]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 And blessed is the fruit of your womb 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
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 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
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 ====================================================================================
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
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.
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December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent l
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 spot-less 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
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 Mi-guel les deseamos a ti y tu familia paz y alegría a abundancia durante este tiempo santo del naci-miento del Nino Jesús, y en el Nuevo Ano buena
salud y felicidad!
====================================
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 ce-lebrando 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 por-que sus padres tuvieron que abandonar su país de origen y un bebe nacido con la promesa de ofrecer FE, ESPE-RANZA Y AMOR/CARIDAD a todos los que quieran escuchar.
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December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent
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, es-taban dispuestos a "acabar con ellos". Así que la buena nueva de que Dios les enviara a un fuerte y justo go-bernante 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 prime-ras comunidades cristianas reconocieron que esas pala-bras 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 sacri-ficio de Jesús difiere de los sacrificios en el Antiguo Testamento. Esos sacrificios eran con frecuencia ofren-das 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 mon-tañas para ir a ver a su prima Isabel, quien estaba em-barazada. 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 Ma-ría como "la madre de mi Señor". Ella llama a María "bendita" tres veces. María es bendita porque ella con-fió en que las palabras del Señor para ella se harían realidad.
Sunday Scripture Reflections
Reading 1 Micah 5:1-4a
When the prophet Micah proclaimed the com-ing 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 Da-vid. 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 Testa-ment. Those sacrifices were often offerings of ani-mals. 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.
Baptism/Bautismos Call the Rectory to make arrangements. Parents and sponsors must attend an instruction class.
Llame la rectoría para hacer arreglos. Padres y padrinos deben asistir clases de instrucción.
Marriage/Matrimonio Arrangements must be made six months in advance in order to fulfill Diocesan requirements.
Debe hacer arreglos seis meses de antemano para cumplir los requisitos diocesanos.
Care for the Sick/Cuido para los enfermos In the occasion of an emergency call the rectory immediately. Call the rectory for visits at home to the elderly and infirm or when someone enters the hospital and wishes a visit from the parish priest.
En caso de una emergencia llame la rectoría inmediatamente. Para visitas en casa de las personas mayores y enfermas o cuando alguien este en el hospital y desee una visita del sacerdote lla-me la rectoría.
December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent
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“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 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. The song was written to edu-cate the faithful in the doctrines of the faith and yet not be obvious to the persecutors. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to mem-bers of the Church. The meanings are as follows: The “True love” one hears in the song is Jesus Christ. the “partridge” is Jesus himself, and the “pear tree” is the Cross. The “me” is the individual Catholic. The 2 turtle doves—the Old & New Testaments / or the 2 natures of Jesus The 3 French hens—stood for faith, hope, and love / or the 3 persons in God The 4 calling birds—were the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John The 5 golden rings—represents the first 5 books of the Old Testament , the Torah The 6 geese a-laying—stood for the 6 days of crea-tion /or the 6 commandments of the Church The 7 swans a-swimming—represented the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit /or the 7 Sacraments The 8 maids a-milking—were the 8 beatitudes The 9 drummers drumming - 9 choirs of angels The 10 Ladies dancing— were the 10 Command-ments The 11 pipers piping—for the 11 faithful apostles The 12 Lords a-leaping—12 basic beliefs of the Catholic Church as outlined in the Apostles Creed.
As you can see, the song is more than just a haunting melody with nonsensical lyrics. ============================================== SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR The first recorded Christian martyr is Stephen. The story of his death is told in the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen had been performing signs and wonders in the name of Jesus Christ, and because of this, was brought before the Sanhedrin. There he delivered a long speech about how Jesus was the fulfillment of all that their ancestors had said and done. The members of the Sanhedrin were furi-ous. They dragged Stephen outside the walls of Jerusalem and stoned him to death.
Since the 4th Century, the day after Christmas has been the feast of the first martyr, St. Stephen. It may seem strange to celebrate a death just one day after celebrating the birth of Christ. But the Church put this feast here on purpose: To teach all Christians that they stake their life on this child born in Bethlehem.
Christmas Day— We wait for it eagerly and with great anticipation , making all kinds of plans and preparations. Yet when it comes it is over before we know it. Or is it? Take a moment to think…. There has never been a birth like the one we cel-ebrate on December 25th. There has never been a gift like the one we receive on December 25th. There has never been such a selfless sacrifice nor such a Love manifested. Yet, it is only given 24 hours of our time, our concern, our attention. Surely such an exalted and rare event deserves more.. …. More reflection, more wonder, more prayer more thanks-giving, more love in return. Christmas Day is not the end but the beginning of another journey. The journey to salvation and sanctification.
The Liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year that feast is on Sunday, January 10, 2016. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him,,,, including the fact that he was born to die for us.
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