Saint Mar y of the Assumption West Point & Saint Boniface Farmington

December 1, 2019 Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 5:30 pm St. Mary’s Sunday 8:00 am St. Mary’s Sunday 10:30 am St. Boniface

St. Mary Parish Office 109 4th Street • P.O. Box 68 West Point, IA 52656

Phone ............................................. (319) 837-6808 Email .................... westpointstmary@diodav.org Website ..................... www.westpointstmary.org Parish Council President .............. George Kieler Trustee ........................................ Anthony Schulte Trustee ..................................... Roger Fullenkamp

Saint Boniface Parish Office 609 Washington Street • P.O. Box 247 Farmington, IA 52626

Phone ............................................ (319) 878-3736 Parish Council President ............... Craig Witting Trustee ........................................... Todd Herdrich Trustee ............................... Richard Breckenridge

Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Dennis Hoffman ................. (319) 837-8120 Office Phone ............................... (319) 837-6808 E-Mail .............................. hoffmand@diodav.org Rectory Address………………603 Bel Air Dr Fr. Dennis’ Office Hours: Tuesday ............................... 10:30 am to Noon Wednesday ..................... 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Parish Coordinator Rebecca Hannum ......................... (319) 837-6808 E-Mail .............. westpointstmarypa@diodav.org Rebecca’s Office Hours Monday-Friday………....8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Secretary Deb Fullenkamp .......................... (319) 837-6808 E-Mail………….westpointstmary@diodav.org Deb’s Office Hours Monday-Thursday ................ 8:00 am to Noon Every other Friday ............... 8:00 am to Noon

Director of Religious Education Dixie Booten ................................. (319) 837-8905 Cell ................................................. (319) 371-5043 Email .............. westpointstmarydre@diodav.org

“Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour

you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” - Mt 24:43-44

Eucharistic Adoration Friday (WP) 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Confessions Saturday (WP) 4:30-5:00 pm and as announced. Baptisms /Weddings Please fill out a form found on the Parish website and call St. Mary’s Parish Office at (319) 837-6808 to make an appt. with Father. For weddings please contact the office 6 months prior to the wedding. Sick Calls: Contact the Parish Office if you or a family member are unable to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments due to illness or age. Please notify the Parish Office if you go into the hospital, we would like to visit you.

Parish Prayer Lines St. Mary…...Eleanor Menke @(319) 837-6895 St. Boniface……….(319) 835-5520/592-3238

Holy Trinity Catholic Schools Website .................. www.holytrinityschools.org CAO: Michael Sheerin • (319) 837-6131 School Board President: Steve Link School Board Vice President: Loren Menke West Point Representative: Ray Menke

High School (Grades 7-12) Principal: Jason Woodley •(319) 372-2486 2600 Avenue A • Fort Madison, IA 52627

Elementary (Grades K-6) Principal: Michael Sheerin • (319) 837-6131 413 Avenue C • West Point, IA 52656

Early Childhood Center 413 Avenue C • West Point, IA ,52657 Phone (319)837-6131 2213 Avenue J • Fort Madison, IA 52627 Phone (319) 372-6428

Second Collection Gifts cards for those experiencing

challenging circumstances.

Dec 1 Start of Advent Dec 4 HTC Penance Service FM 9:30 am WP 12:30 pm SM Parish Council Mtg Dec 6 WP Winter Wonderland Dec 8 Penance Service St John 1:00 pm St Mary’s 2:30 pm Holy Family 4:00 pm Dec 9 Immaculate Conception Dec 15 SM Lessons & Carols

Parish Offices Closed

Tuesday, Dec. 24th - Wednesday Jan. 1st.

For Christmas & New Years

St. Mary’s will not be gathering for G.I.F.T

during advent and the Christmas Season.

Watch the bulletin for future dates.

An Advent Activity for the whole family. Once again this year St. Mary's will be participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar for the Fort Madison Food Pantry. Instead of receiving something each day of Advent with the reverse calendar you place a non-perishable food item in a box each day as designated by the calendar. At the end advent boxes are donated to the Food Pantry. If you would like to participate you need not take your box to the food pantry simply bring it back to the church and it will be delivered for you. Maria Rauenbuehler will be coordinating this service project and will be placing Advent Collection boxes in the Ossenbrink Center.

Schools Dec. 4th 9:20 am HTC Jr./Sr. High Ft. Madison

Dec 4th 12:30 pm HTC Elem. West Point

Parishes Dec. 8th 1:00 pm St. John, Houghton

Dec. 8th 2:30 pm St. Mary, West Point

Dec. 8th 4:00 pm Ss Mary & Joseph, Ft. Madison

Dec. 15th 11:30 am St. Boniface, Farmington

Religious Ed Dec. 18th 7:00 pm St. Mary’s, West Point

St. Mary's will be joining with organizations throughout Lee County to support Christmas for Kids and Teens once again this year Christmas for Kids and Teens benefits lower income families with children newborn through 18 years old in North Lee County including; Montrose, Argyle, Donnellson, Fort Madison, Wever, Denmark, St. Paul, Pilot Grove, Houghton and West Point. There is a collection box located in the Ossenbrink Center. Toys, books, gift cards and cash are all wonderful, welcome donations. Donations can be dropped off no later than December 8th.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Tuesday, December 24th

St. Mary’s @ 4:00 pm

(Children may bring an unwrapped gift to Baby Jesus

diapers, wipes, formula, etc.)

St. Boniface @ 7:00 pm

St. Mary’s @ 10:00 pm

(Choir sings Christmas Carols at 9:30 pm)

Wednesday, December 25th

St. Mary’s @ 8:00 am Mary Mother of God

(Holy Day of Obligation)

Tuesday, December 31st St. Boniface @ 5:30 pm

Wednesday, January 1st

St. Mary’s @ 8:00 am

Advent Penance Ser vi ce

In recognizing the holidays can be a difficult time for families after the loss of a loved one the funeral homes in West Point invite you to their holiday remembrance service.

Schmitz Funeral Home: Tuesday December 10th @ 6:30 pm in Donnellson,

Thursday, December 12th @ 3:00 in Farmington Saturday, December 14th @ 9:00 am

Barr Memorial Chapel Saturday, December 7th @ 1:30 pm in Ft. Madison

What’s the story behind the Advent wreath? Each season in the liturgical calendar comes with its own local and regional rituals. During the Advent season, wreathes adorn church sanctuaries and family dining room tables. You may have said Advent wreath prayers in childhood or taken a turn lighting the candles. The Advent wreath is full of symbolism about Christ and his coming at Christmas. The wreath is made of evergreen boughs, reminding us that the life of grace doesn’t falter with the changing seasons. It always remains fresh and new. Similarly, a circular wreath reminds us of the eternal, never-ending nature of God’s love.

Candles remind us that Christ is the light of the world, the One who “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We use four candles to represent each week of Advent. Traditionally they come in the liturgical colors of the season. Purple has historically

represented penance and sacrifice. We see the same color for the season of Lent. On the third Sunday of Advent, however, we light a rose color. The priest will wear rose vestments at Mass. This is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. On the third Sunday of Advent, we’re roughly halfway through the season. The Church chooses the midpoint to remind us to celebrate in the midst of our antic ipation! Whatever the color and whatever the day, the Advent wreath is a beautiful practice to focus our attention on Christ’s coming at Christmas.

As we prepare for Christmas by decorating our homes for the coming of the infant Jesus, why not volunteer to do the same for our church. We are asking for volunteers to help move decorations from storage to the church after 8:00 am Mass on Sunday, December 15th. Some of the boxes are heavy so it would be nice to have some men volunteers. On Wednesday, December 18th after the Mass we will need help putting the decoration out. Please volunteer to help us prepare the church for the birth of our Lord, the infant child Jesus.

The Flower Cottage in Ft. Madison (phone #372-3675) will offer poinsettias locally grow at a discount price for churches. The poinsettias come sleeved and the pots will be decorated with foil of your choosing. They will also include a memorial card and deliver them to the church. Please give them our church name along with the person you wish to remember. The Flower Cottage will be delivering them on Friday, December 20th. We ask that all flowers donated be in the O-Center on that day.

AN ADVENT FESTIVAL OF LESSON AND CAROLS

On Sunday, December 15, 2019, we will celebrate an Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Mary’s.

Through scripture, song, and prayer we will observe our joyful Advent waiting, together as a community. Please plan to come and bring your family to be part of this parish event.

It will be held in the church from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the Ossenbrink Center.

High school students from St. Mary's, St. Boniface, St. James and St. John joined 23,000 plus others for the National

Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. NCYC

2019

Blessed Broken Given

Isn’t it interesting that we hear so much more about kindness in our world? Yet there are times people seem more cruel than ever before. Kindness is an important part of our culture of teaching at HTC, but it truly can evolve into a teaching of holiness in the spirit of faith based education. Holiness is what we should all aspire to. It is always a work in progress, but we want to teach saints and scholars. We welcome parishioners to join us at weekly Wednesday Mass in our schools. It is especially fun to hear the elementary students worship God in song. Their joyous singing is sure to make your day. Please make sure to check our website calendar for upcoming Christmas concerts as well.

A special congratulations to Coach Melissa and our 2019 Crusaders Volleyball team. What an outstanding season!

The Crusaders Quiz Bowl Team has begun practicing and preparing their brains for some tough meets around the state. They are smart and competitive students who will represent HTC well. Thank You God! All of us at HTC are so grateful for God’s many blessings in our lives.

St. Mary Liturgical Roles

Saturday, (December 7) at 5:30 pm Lead Rosary: Bernice Rickelman Ushers: Mike & Diane Holtkamp John Lampe, Cody Hunold Greeters: Mike & Diane Holtkamp Servers : Sara & Emily Boeding, Stefan Berlett Lector: Dixie Booten Gift bearers: Gary & Joan Harmeyer E. Ministers: Bernice Rickelman, JoAnn Lampe, Gary Peitz Bulletins: Bob & Jackie Schierbrock Brian & Judy Stuekerjuergen Scrip: Susan Fedler, Deb Fullenkamp

Sunday, (December 8) at 8:00 am Lead Rosary: Marvin Menke Ushers: Mel Sanders, Carl Johnston Ron Fedler, Marvin Menke Greeters: Bob & Jean Mann Servers : Jack & Clara Blint, Kadin Medland Lector: Linda Peitz Gift bearers: Brad Box Family E. Ministers: Sue Anderson, Tom Boeding, Betty Schroeder Bulletins: Bob & Jean Mann, Marvin & Rita Menke Scrip: Vicki Kokjohn, Kate Menke Counters: Mike & Cathy Salata

St. Boniface Liturgical Roles Sunday, (December 8) at 10:30 am Rosary: Kathy Bartholomew Ushers: Gavin Burgess, Alfred Fraise Greeters: Sarah & Tom Kruse Servers : Aiden Burch, Owen Burgess Lector: Richard Millmier Gift bearers: Dan & Sheila Smith Family E. Ministers: Todd Herdrich, Ellen Meek Mike Linnenbrink Counters: Rita Smith, Yvonne Troutman

St. Mary Mass Schedule Weekend Saturday (WP) 5:30 pm Sunday (WP) 8:00 am, (FA) 10:30 am Weekday Tuesday (FA) 9:00 am Every Third Tuesday (FA) 7:00 pm Wednesday (WP) 8:45 am Plus Second Wednesday (WP) Rel Ed Mass 6:30 pm 1st & 3rd Thursday (WPCC) 10:00 am Other Thursdays (WP) 7:30 am 1st Friday (WP) 5:30 am 1st Friday (DNCC) 10:00 am Other Fridays (WP) 7:30 am

Mass Intentions

The Parishioners of St. Mary’s & St. Boniface pray the rosary for world peace before weekend Masses.

Tuesday, December 3 Dale, Christina & David Wood

Wednesday, December 4 Special Intentions

Thursday, December 5 Herman Kruse

Friday, December 6 Ray Watznauer

Saturday, December 7 Bill & Ruth Boeding

Sunday, December 8 Betty Fedler Parishioners

Readings for the Week December 1, 2019

Sunday: Is 2:1-5/ Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9/ Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44 Monday: Is 4:2-6/Ps122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/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 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 /Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118: 1 and 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: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/ Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 11:1-10/ Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 19/ Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12

St. Mary’s would like to thank

all who serve in various ministries throughout the

year. God recognizes and has a special blessing for those

who participates in His works. Our hope is that this

continues through the Christmas season and we will have

parishioners sign up for the ministries for Christmas

services. As you make your plans for this Christmas

please consider when you will be attending Christmas

Mass and how you may help with the ministries. Every

year it is a struggle for us to find parishioners who will

commit to these ministries. It seems the office is calling

people up until the last possible minute to fill the needed

services. Please be proactive and either sign up on our

website or call the office so we don’t have to spend time

and energy calling.

St. Mary’s had seven volunteers who prepared and served End of the Month Meals at

St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ft. Madison. Forty nine meals were served. Thank you to St. Mary’s bakers for their contribution to the meals. We appreciate all those who volunteer their time and talents.

Mass Intentions St. Mary’s and St. Boniface will begin scheduling Mass intentions for 2020 beginning the first of December. Intentions are $5.00 per Mass and you may schedule up to six a year. (Three being on weekends and three being on weekdays.) Mass intention over the six will be sent to the Diocese for seminarians to say. By doing so you help out the seminarians and will still have your loved one prayed for. Please call or stop by the parish office with your request or any questions.