PARISH OFFICE 4301 W. Homosassa Trail Phone: 352-746-9422 Fax: 352-746-2335 Website: www.stscholastica.org Email: mychurch@stscholastica.org

PASTORAL STAFF Pastor: Rev. Michael R. Smith

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Thomas Spillett

Deacons: Deacon Terrence Knox Deacon Steve Sablone Deacon Robert Smith

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00, 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00, 11:30 a.m.

Weekdays Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: To be announced

First Saturday: 8:30 a.m.

RECONCILIATION Saturday: 2:45-3:30 p.m. or anytime by appointment

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Friday: 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. followed by Benediction

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Mon–Thurs: 7:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Friday: Closed

INTERPAROCHIAL SCHOOL Pope John Paul II Catholic School 4341 W. Homosassa Trail

Lecanto, FL 34461 ● 352-746-2020

DECEMBER 11, 2011 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

2

Readings for the Week of December 11, 2011

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Monday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or

Lk 1:39-47

Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Lk 7:18b-23

Thursday: Is 54:1-10/Lk 7:24-30

Friday: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8/Jn 5:33-36

Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17

Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

©Liturgical Publications Inc

Mass IntentionsMass IntentionsMass IntentionsMass Intentions

Monday, December 12, 2011 Our Lady of Guadalupe

8:30 a.m. - † Richard Kirsch Tuesday, December 13, 2011 St. Lucy, virgin and martyr

8:30 a.m. - † Gus Stegemann

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 St. John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church

8:30 a.m. - † Carol May Thursday, December 15, 2011 Advent Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Laura Turner Friday, December 16, 2011 Advent Weekday

8:30 a.m.- † Frank Battista

Saturday, December 17, 2011 Late Advent Weekday

4:00 p.m. - † Harold and † Evelyn

Raphael 6:00 p.m. - † Margaret, & † Samuel Murdy

Sunday, December 18, 2011 Fourth Sunday of Advent

9:00 a. m. - ♥Intentions of the

Stewardship Council 11:30 a.m. - ♥ For the People

†- Deceased ♥ - Intentions

The Sanctuary Candle and Altar Flowers for the

Week of December 11, 2011

The Sanctuary Candle burns

In Loving Memory of

† Thomas Reiss

The Altar Flowers are In Loving Memory of

† Mario Bruno,

† Frank & † Louise Schweigert

† Marion Klaus

Vocation Connections

December 11, 2011 – Third Sunday of Advent – Cycle B

God gives you a mission. How will you respond? Rejoice in the Spirit who is at work in you. (Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11)

Page 2 December 11, 2011

3

Third Sunday of Advent Page 3

Stewardship Reflection for December 11, 2011 - Third Sunday of Advent “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has

anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to

heal the brokenhearted…” - Isaiah 61:1

The Lord God has anointed all of us through Baptism and He has sent each of us on a mission. Each of us has been given unique gifts and talents so that we can help fulfill God’s mission here on earth. Are you doing the things Jesus sent you here to do?

Using an Allowance To Help Teach Stewardship We all know that money can’t buy happiness. Wealthy people can be just as unhappy as poorer people. Rather, happiness comes from being content with what we have and feeling like we are making a difference in the world. We can put our children on the path to a happy and successful life by teaching them how to use and manage money so that it brings them contentment, fills their needs and allows them to help others. Financial experts suggest that children should be taught to divide their allowance into three or four sections – to spend, to save, to invest and to donate. Spending covers basic needs and wants. Saving teaches patience and planning. Investing looks to the future. For children this might mean future educational needs. Donating gives kids satisfaction by allowing them to be a part of something important, like the Offertory. Our Lord calls each of us to share what we have. He tells us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with

much and even more will be demanded of the person entrusted

with more.” (Luke 12:48) Children who learn to give away a portion of their financial blessings not only are following the Lord’s command but they also begin to discover that sharing part of their money can be very satisfying.

Stewardship News

St. Scholastica has gone green! Please consider making your contributions electronically. We now have 60 families using the Electronic Offertory Program

2011 Annual Pastoral appeal Update

Results to Date

Goal: $77,105.00 Pledges: $75,092.34 Number of Gifts: 524 Percentage of Goal: 97.39% Average Gift: $143.31

St. Scholastica Parish offers Online

Giving!

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:10

• Reasons to sign up for Electronic Giving:

• No need to write checks or bring cash to church

• Peace-o-mind knowing that the church is receiving your

contribution even if you are unable to attend.

• More secure than checks.

• All contributions are recorded for you on your bank

statement with date of settlement.

• IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!

You will have the option to keep receiving your regular offering envelope packets if you wish. Visit our parish website

to sign up or receive more information at www.stscholastica.org.

R etired religious need your support. By 2019, it is projected that retired religious will outnumber wage-earning religious by

nearly four to one. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps ensure that elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests receive the care they so richly deserve, now and in the future. Please give generously to today’s collection.

Our Stewardship of Treasure Report

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Offertory ....................................................... $13,635.00 Online Giving .................................................. $1,505.50 Catholic Education ................................................ $65.00 Debt Reduction ................................................... $118.00 Mission Sunday .................................................... $65.00 All Saints ................................................................ $5.00 Thanksgiving ........................................................ $50.00 Immaculate Conception ........................................ $47.00 Christmas Flowers .............................................. $702.00 Christmas .............................................................. $80.00

Total Attendance for November 19/20: not available

4

God’s PeopleGod’s PeopleGod’s PeopleGod’s People

Page 4 December 11, 2011

New ParishionersNew ParishionersNew ParishionersNew Parishioners

Larry and Doris Kelly; Donald and Vicki Lapierre; Adele Grover; Perry and Teresa Rottler

Prayer RequestsPrayer RequestsPrayer RequestsPrayer Requests

The Sick

We Remove The Sick Names At The End Of Each Month, So Please Update Regularly. Thank You!

Our People on Active Duty

♥♥♥♥ We ask that you pause for a moment to offer a prayer to remember your loved ones who are actively serving our country: Ben Brands David Keith Matthew Biladeau Ken Yates Martin Reinhard David Bareither April Salem Michael McNulty Jody Mark Pombrio Chad Stratton Kevin F. Hayes Derick Pierce Phillip Costa Audrey-Anna Ward Thomas McConnell Grant Rosen Joseph Frantz Eric Ronald Bitz Peter Whitney Anthony Haros

Recently Deceased

† The Lord has chosen to call Della Reiser to come back home with Him. May she rest in the arms of God, as we continue to pray for her. The parish community

of St. Scholastica wishes to extend our deepest

3rd Sunday of Advent Coming home can be a bittersweet experience. For many, there is the joy of seeing family and friends, the

comfort of familiar foods, and a return to places that hold treasured memories. For some, a return home increases anxiety and brings about conflict. During the holiday season we often hear stories about how families cope with coming together for celebrations. Family conflict during the holidays has been an endless source of material for films. Movies such as All I Want for Christmas, Four Christmases, and A Christmas Tale all play off of the theme of family gatherings and coming home. Today's selection from the prophet Isaiah was written at the time when the inhabitants of Jerusalem were returning home from the fifty-year Exile in Babylon. Their city was in ruins, their vineyards and fields desolate, their Temple destroyed. Having endured the ravages of war, the people are now free to rebuild their lives. It is in this context of desolation that Isaiah proclaims words of hope. Throughout the years there have been many stories in the news about the trauma that soldiers experience as they come back from active duty. Some find the lower-keyed life away from the war zone difficult to cope with. Stateside life cannot compare to the adrenaline-pumped experience of combat. And some try to assuage their anxiety with high risk behavior in an attempt to once again feel the high. For these men and women coming home is difficult. Isaiah's prophecy is more than fanciful words uttered ages ago. It is the promise of the Savior's work among us, and a challenge to those of us who believe in Christ and strive to continue to do his work. Healing the brokenhearted is one of the tasks for those who have been gifted by the Holy Spirit. Our works of charity in this holiday season extend beyond food and gifts for the needy. It is also bringing light to those in darkness. ©2011 Liturgical Publications Inc

Why is Luke's Gospel so prominent

certain years in our Advent/

Christmas Lectionary readings?

The Lectionary, the collection of Scripture readings used during our liturgical celebrations, is divided into a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, Years A, B, and C. Each year is devoted to selected readings from one synoptic Gospel. Year A relies on Matthew; Year B draws from Mark; and Year C focuses on passages from Luke's Gospel.

Only Matthew and Luke give us infancy narratives, accounts of the birth and early life of Jesus. While they agree on a number of details, the stories are very different, usually emphasizing the key theological themes and concerns of the authors. Luke has Mary and Joseph involved in a difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where there is no room for them to lodge. There in a stable Mary gives birth to Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, and places him in a manger.

Whether the details are historically accurate or not, the story beautifully captures the theological intent of the author. For Luke, Jesus is the savior come for all people, most especially the poor, homeless, and marginalized. Jesus is their source of comfort, nourishment for their hungers, and support in time of need. What better way to portray that than to have Jesus experience the life of the poor from the very moment of birth. Modeling ourselves on Jesus, how are we attuned to the needs of the poor around us? © 2010 Liturgical Publications Inc

Ron Krasneck Ethel Duryea Franziska Kreitschitz Catherine Mignault Harvey Mignault Katie M. Natalie Boscia Kathi Mayfield Jill Halm Mariana Blain Mark Evensen Bob Carter

The child you sponsored feels

your Love

With expressions of sincerest gratitude come heartfelt wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a healthy & peaceful New Year.

From Ginger West and all the Elves at the

Family Resource Center.

5

Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation

Catholic Family Owned

2507 Hwy. 44 W. Inverness, FL

352-341-1288

Your business is our Advertiser of the WEEK!! The support

your advertisement provides for St.

Scholastica Church is most

appreciated. Our parishioners know

whom to call when in need.

Third Sunday of Advent Page 5

Week at a GlanceWeek at a GlanceWeek at a GlanceWeek at a Glance

Monday, December 12, 2011 6:00 p.m. - Hand Chime Choir (CH) 7:00 p.m. - RCIA (BE)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon-Parish Nurse (CH) 3:15 p.m. - Hand Chime Choir for Children (CH) Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Bulletin Inserts Due for January 1, 2012 10:00 a.m. - PJPII School Penance Service (CH) 11:00 a.m. - Senior Gathering (BE) 5:45 p.m. - Choir (CH) 7:00 p.m. - Men’s CRHP Meeting (BE)

Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:00 a.m. - Magnify the Lord (OS) 7:00 p.m.– Body of Christ Prayer Group (BE) Friday, December 16, 2011 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. - Adoration (CH) 11:30 a.m. - CCW General Meeting (OS) 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. - Legion of Mary (BE) 4:00 p.m. - Benediction (CH)

Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. - Confession 4:00 p.m. - Vigil Mass (CH) 6:00 p.m. - Vigil Mass (CH)

Sunday, December 18, 2011 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Mass (CH) 9:00 a.m. - K of C Pancake Breakfast (PJPIICA) No Faith Formation Classes 11:30 a.m. - Sunday Mass (CH) 11:30 a.m. - Catechist Meeting in Cafeteria 1:00 p.m. - “Ringin In the Season” Christmas Concert- (CH)

CH-Church; OF-Office; OS-Off Site; BE-Bethlehem Room; PJPIICA-Cafeteria; PJPII-School NO-Nurses Office

Parish Office HoursParish Office HoursParish Office HoursParish Office Hours

Monday Monday Monday Monday ---- ThursdayThursdayThursdayThursday

7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. ---- 3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio, characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin America today. While in Europe the presipio was reserved mostly to the homes of wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico, you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way, the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems, and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all kinds. Sometimes there is a double presipio, presenting both Nativity and Crucifixion. In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take care to have a presipio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have markets where people from the countryside sell plants and figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate for the children of the poor who come down to help create the nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows—the small infant who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at new year with a toddler Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presipios and crèches honoring the Nativity. —Rev. James Field, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

Only a saint could maintain the patience needed to confront Christmas shopping, Christmas stress, and Christmas credit card bills. That's too bad because something else gets overlooked in the rush—and that's Advent. So here are a few brief ways to enjoy yourself over the next few weeks. First, of all, get to know Advent. This liturgical season is a time of waiting—something that we all do: we're waiting for some good news, for a better job, or for our lives to improve. Advent is a time when we think about waiting for God, so it fits in perfectly with our natural human longings. “Come, thou long expected Jesus,” as the hymn goes. Advent is also the time of beautiful Scripture readings, like those from the Book of Isaiah. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” These are readings to give all of us hope! And Advent is the season for beloved church traditions, including the Advent wreath, which can easily be translated into home rituals. Second, cut back on the craziness of Christmas preparations. Here are just a few suggestions: send cards only to close friends and family; drop one present per person from your list; and go only to the most essential holiday gatherings. Does that sound selfish? It's just the opposite! It will give you time to spend with those you really love, and more time to spend in prayer. Maybe Advent is when you can really settle into your spiritual life, by finding joy in the season and less stress in Christmas. In short, Advent may be the time that you've been waiting for!

Written by James Martin, SJ a Jesuit priest and the author of My Life with the Saints

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Monthly Senior Gathering

You are invited to our Senior Gathering in the Bethlehem Room every second Wednesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

We gather to enjoy a good meal, share and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, play bingo, and share our stories. This is an opportunity for fellowship for seniors who are limited in their activities.

The next Senior Gathering will take

place on December 14th.

It is important for all new seniors who are interested in the senior gathering to please notify Pam Coburn at 513-4115.

Daystar

Daystar Life Center, located in Crystal River, is a non-profit agency that helps residents in Citrus County. Daystar gives food 6 times per year. Free clothing 2 times a year and financial help once a year to qualified families.

Your donation to Daystar 18/100 Club is always needed and appreciated. Quarterly donation of $18.00 buys 100 lbs. of food. Yearly donation of $72.00 buys 400 lbs. of food.

Envelopes are in the narthex and you may place your donation in the collection basket. Thank you so much and may God reward you for your Stewardship.

Respect Life

“...society as a whole must defend the conceived child’s right to life and the true good of the woman who can never, in any circumstances, find fulfillment in the decision to abort.”

—Pope Benedict XVI

Page 6 December 11, 2011

Parish News Outreach News

Daystar is looking for a volunteer to help with the upkeep of

our grounds. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please contact Denise at 795-8668.

Baby Jesus Celebration

The Council of Catholic Women will be hosting a fantastic lunch to benefit the Pregnancy and Family Life Center

Date: December 16, 2011 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club - 505 E. Hartford Street, Hernando, FL Donation: $15.00 - please make checks payable to the Council of Catholic Women. For tickets and Reserved seating, please call Dolly Weston at 527-4449

As has been our custom, the children of the parish will be putting on a Nativity Pageant

during the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve.

Children are needed for all roles, including Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Innkeeper, Angels, and a “choir of angels.”

There are two more rehearsals this year - all on Tuesdays @5:30 p.m. - December 13, and 20.

“Ringin’ In The Season”

On Sunday, December 18th @1:00

p.m., our Music Ministry will be presenting a handbell concert entitled, “Ringin’ In The Season,” a fundraiser for the Fr. James Hoge Parish Center. The concert will feature our very own handbell choir, “The St. Scholastica Sounders,” as well as the advanced handbell choir, “Nature Coast Handbells” out of Hernando County. Enjoy an afternoon of familiar carols, challenging arrangements and bell techniques, and even a sing-along! Tickets are available before and after all Masses beginning this weekend and the suggested donation is $10.00. What better way could there be to ring in the Christmas season?”

Special Confession Times

December 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (9:00 a.m. until last confession is heard)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

4:00 p.m. children’s Mass with Pageant 6:30 p.m. Vigil Mass with Blessing of the Manager 11:15 p.m. Christmas Choral Program Midnight Mass

Sunday, December 25, 2011

11:30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass

The Council of Catholic Women would like to thank Phil and Jane Griffith for their very thoughtful gift of a new refrigerator for the Bethlehem Room. God Bless you for your caring and generosity.

7

Youth Ministry

Cheryl Clamer ● 352-746-9422 ● youthministry@stscholastica.org

Please consider joining the St. Scholastica Youth Group. For more information please contact Cheryl Clamer at 628-7581 or e-mail Cheryl at the above e-mail address.

Spiritual Enrichment and Adoration

Magnify the Lord LK.1:46

May our Infant Saviour, Jesus and His Beautiful Mother, Mary along with Saint Joseph, reach out to all of you in our parish of St. Scholastica, with His bountiful and grace filled gifts, so you may know His holy will and perfectly fulfill it. For a little while we will continue to meet for SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT at my home and this will be on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. We hope this will open time for you to spend on Friday for ADORATION.

Call Mrs. Rita Hansen, OP, Spiritual Director for information at

382-8503.

Knights of Columbus,

St. Scholastica Council #14485

All men of the Parish are invited to join us to learn what the Knights of Columbus does for the parish and community. For more information contact: Dana Rossignol at 726-1646, or Ron Kornatowski at 563-5994.

Upcoming Calendar of Events

December 18 - K of C Pancake Breakfast December 30 - K of C Officers Meeting in the Bethlehem Room

St. Scholastica Council of Catholic

Women

All women of the Parish are invited to join us to learn what the Council of Catholic women do for our parish and community. For more information contact: Jeannine Davis at 352-527-2209.

Upcoming Calendar of Events

December 16 - CCW General Meeting - Baby Jesus Party January 10 - Board Meetign 10:00 a.m. (BE) Trish January 16 - Rosary 10:30 a.m. with General Meeting to follow. (Chinese Auction)

Third Sunday of Advent Page 7

R.C.I.A. takes place on Mondays @ 7:00 p.m. in the Bethlehem Room. We invite all who desire to become members of the Catholic Faith; desire

to complete their training in the faith; or members who would like to acquire a better understanding of their faith to join us.

All inquiries welcome: for more information please call Deacon Terry or Hazel Knox @ 352-628-6979

Faith Formation News

Parish Ministries

Faith Formation News

Faith Formation Classes take place on Sunday, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Classes take place in PJPII Catholic School. All children should be dropped off and picked up at the school cafeteria. The Faith Formation Calendar for the year is on the website: www.stscholastica.org under the Faith Formation Calendar of events.

Classes:

December 11 - Faith Formation Classes December 18 - No Faith Formation Classes December 25 - No Faith Formation Classes

Keep up with all of the upcoming classes and events on our new Facebook page. Also check all of your grade assignments at www.stscholastica.org and click on the button below.

Music Ministry News

Alex Groppe ● 352-746-9422 ● agroppe@stscholastica.org

For more information, please contact Alex at the above e-mail address or phone.

8

Page 8 December 11, 2011

Diocesan News

This year, Pope John Paul II Catholic School has a new program called Investment in Education. We will be giving away $50,000 and , at the same time, we will be raising $50,000 for our school! For those of you who are not aware of our fundraiser, it’s a drawing that takes place over 10 months, each month five entries are drawn and each winner receives $1,000. The entry is placed back in the barrel for each subsequent drawing. The cost to enter is $100 and if you would like to split the cost of a ticket with friends, you may do a four way split which would only cost $25 each! A Ticket make a great gift!

To purchase a ticket, contact the school at 746-2020. The first drawing is January 4, 2012, so do not delay!

The Catholics Come Home® initiative for the Diocese of St. Petersburg is a media campaign intended to show the beauty of our faith and to invite those who have left the Catholic faith or just “wandered away” to come back home. The Advent/Christmas season provides an excellent opportunity to invite people to come home to the Catholic Church.

From December 16-January 22 television commercials will be aired on almost every network and cable station in the Tampa Bay media market. These are positive messages that will evoke pride in our Catholic faith and will allow viewers who have been away from the practice of the Catholic faith to say, “There’s a place for us—we are invited back!”

The television ads alone are not sufficient. The invitation, witness and hospitality of all parishioners is needed. We can invite family members, friends, neighbors and fellow workers to rediscover their Catholic faith or embrace it for the first time. Invite them home this Christmas!

For more information and to find out how you can help, visit: www.dosp.org and click on the Diocese of St. Petersburg/Catholics Come Home® logo on the front page of the website.

Our Lady of Fatima Women’s Club Presents: The Annual Military Card Party

Where: Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall, Inverness. Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Doors Open at 11:00 a.m. Lunch at 12:00 noon

Games Begin at 1:00 p.m. Cost: $12.00 Entrance Fee includes Lunch Buffet, Coffee & Desserts, AND PRIZES!!!

Funds raised benefit the Pregnancy Center & Helping Hands

For information & reservations, please contact event chairperson: Joan Wirthman at 726-5938 or Ann Maccabee at 637-4515.

Filipino Christmas Mass

and Fellowship Friday, December 16, 2011

at 7:00 p.m

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

Sponsored by the OLOG Charismatic Community

S imbang Gabi or pre-dawn Mass is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. Traditionally the novena begins December 16 as early as 4:00 a.m. and culminates with

the Christmas Eve Mass. In some churches, the “panuluyan,” which portrays Joseph and Mary as they tried to find a suitable birthplace for the Baby Jesus, is reenacted.

Our Lady of Grace will host the first day of the novena on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7:00 p.m All are welcome and invited to attend this Filipino Traditional Christmas Mass. Please join us for fellowship and dessert immediately following the Mass at the Parish Life Center.

St . Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish will have Advent confessions on Tuesday, December 13th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. with extra priests available to hear confessions. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed during this time for adoration.

Happily Married Couples:

It has been said that the greatest gift you can give your children is tow parents very much in love with each other. This Christmas, give your whole family the gift of your deep love by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. You deserve the best and your children deserve your love for one another. The next available WWME weekend in this diocese is January 27-29 at the Holiday Inn Express in New Tampa. For information call 813-270-7832 or go on-line at www.wwme-tampabay.org.

Counseling Services Available

Catholic Charities provides services to all persons, without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin or handicapping conditions. It’s difficult to ask someone for help. Most of us think we should be able to handle our problems on our own. There are licensed Therapists available in Citrus County who counsel on a sliding fee scale so that services can be made available to all in need.

Please contact us if you are having difficulty dealing with a loss, parenting an out of control teenager, feeling anxious or depressed, or having a difficult time in your life. We offer morning, afternoon, and evening appointments in our Spring Hill office. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-242-9012, ext. 23.