SAINT PAUL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

3005 Country Club Road New Bern, NC 28562

www.spccnb.org (252) 638-1984

Office: M-F 8:30-4:00pm

Saint Paul Catholic School (252) 633-0100

Saint Peter the Fisherman Mission Parish in Oriental

(252) 249-3687

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:00 pm Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 am, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (Misa en Español) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday . . . . . . 8:00 am Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 am 6:00 pm Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 am at Old St Paul First Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 am

Holy Days of Obligation per announcements

PASTORAL STAFF

Father Thomas Tully, Pastor

Father Michael Schuetz, Parochial Vicar

Deacon Mike Mahoney, ObISB, Parish Deacon

Deacon Rick Fisher, Parish Deacon

Sister Monique Dissen, IHM, Pastoral Associate

Deacon David Kierski, School Administrator

See Page #3 for Sunday Morning changes &

Christmas Mass Schedule

December 17, 2017

THE WORD OF THE LORD

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-25a; Ps 71:3-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14; Ps 33:2-21; Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1-8; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-24; Ps 25:4-14; Lk 1:57-66

Why do priests wear rose on the Third Sunday of Advent?

The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday.

Guadete is the La n word that means rejoice. This is why priests have the op on of wearing rose on

this par cular Sunday. The third Sunday of Advent marks the finish of the

season of purifica on and soon we will be rejoicing in the celebra on of Christmas.

GOD’S WORD FOR CHILDREN

In those days, John the Bap st came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying “Repent, for the kingdom of

heaven has come near.” Based on Ma hew 3:1-12

Dear Friends at Saint Paul: Banners! And more Banners! Please take a good look in prepara on for our Ministry Fair Jan. 6/7, 2018. Christmas “Gi s” and New Year's “Resolu ons” all ed together by commi ng TIME for Word, Worship, Service and Community – “the 4 things churches do.” There is also a Ministry Preview Catalog (currently being printed) with info about volunteer opportuni es, me commitments and skill requirements (when needed) for posi ons that you could fill, as you are inclined. You will be able to ask ques ons at the Ministry Fair a er each Mass of January 6 and 7, 2018. All of this ends up on a Commitment Card which you turn in and we put on a computer. Then, coordinators of par cular ministries contact you to set up any training and scheduling needed. “Time is our most precious resource but volunteering for ministry rewards the volunteer!” You will be able to volunteer, for example, at our parish school as a tutor or a lunch monitor as well as in town working at the Food Pantry or at Habitat for Humanity or a hundred other combina ons. The one thing that “won't work” is if you “won't work!” TAG, you're it! Please note that December 24th morning Masses are changed to accommodate the number of Masses that day. There will be a Mass at 8 am, an added Mass at 10 am, but NO 11am or 1 pm Mass! The Christmas Masses start at 4 pm with a Children's Mass. In English, addi onal Masses are at 6pm, 10pm on the 24th and Christmas morning at 10am. St Peter in Oriental has a Christmas Mass at 5pm, the 24th. The Hispanic Community has La Misa en Español at 8pm. At the Masses of Christmas on Dec 24 and 25, pick up your copy of a new book from Dynamic Catholic. This is Ma hew Kelly's outreach ministry. Please be sure to read your copy of “Perfectly Yourself” at Christmas as a gi from your parish. Please discuss, as your family gathers for Christmas, how to schedule your portrait si ng, especially if you have students away at college. Sit for a pic you'll be proud of! Feb-Mar 2018. Peace,

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — As a garden makes its growth spring up, so will G make jus ce spring up before all the na ons (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11). Psalm — My soul rejoices in my God (Luke 1:46-54). Second Reading — Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophe c u erances. Test everything; retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24). Gospel — I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:6-8, 19-28).

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Paul "Winter" Grieving Group January 9th to February 13th.

Know that you are in our Hearts and Prayers as you Grieve the loss of your loved one. During Advent, you may

want to Pray about coming to Saint Joseph Chapel for 6 consecu ve Tuesdays, 10:00AM to 11:30AM.

Sister Monique, I.H.M.Facilitator Contact: Irene Swanteson, Third Order Dominican to

Register (252-638-9306).

The complete Parish Calendar, as well as past issues of the

bulle n, are always available for viewing at our website:

spccnb.org

Sunday 12/17 9:00AM Olive Branch Gi Store Open ll 1:00PM 8:00AM Mass +Bernard Fitzpatrick 9:30AM RCIA – FLC2 9:30AM Faith Forma on - School 9:30AM Chancel Choir Prac ce 10:30AM Chaplet of the Divine Mercy – Church 11:00AM Mass +Keith Warren 1:00PM Mass +Louis E. Schroder 2:00PM Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta - FLC 6:00PM Confirma on Class – School Library Monday 12/18 8:00AM Mass +Catherine McCormick 11:00AM Hand and Foot Card Games – FLC3 Tuesday 12/19 8:00AM Mass +Arthur Mauffray 10:30AM Mass in Oriental 12:00PM One in the Spirit Prayer Group – Church 1:00PM Prayer Shawl Ministry – FLC3 7:00PM Twin Rivers Volleyball Prac ce – Gym Wednesday 12/20 9:00AM Olive Branch Gi Store Open ll Noon 9:00AM Mass +David Jones 5:00PM Medjugorje Prayer Group – Church 6:00PM Mass +Angelo Benigno 7:00PM Hispanic Choir Prac ce 7:00PM SPRAA Men’s Open Gym Basketball Thursday 12/21 8:00AM Mass 8:35AM Adora on – Church 10:45AM Reconcilia on 11:45AM Benedic on – Church 12:00PM December 31st Bulle n Items Due 7:00PM Advent Spirituality Series – FLC2 7:00PM Twin Rivers Volleyball Prac ce - Gym 7:30PM Folk Choir Prac ce - Church Friday 12/22 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 8:00AM Mass (OSP) +Mary Pisaneschi Gavazzi & Arnold Gavazzi Saturday 12/23 3:30PM Reconcilia on 5:00PM 4th Advent Mass in Oriental 5:00PM Mass +J. Robert Welsh

Advent Spirituality Series: Paul to the Philippians

Deacon Mahoney will con nue this Advent Series on Thursday, Dec. 21st from 7 to 8 pm in the

Family Life Center, Room 2. In this series, he will address God’s great plan for us in Christ Jesus, especially God’s desire to help us and to

heal us in the face of life’s o en great difficul es. He will also address the nature of the spiritual journey as we await the second coming of Christ. And finally, rooted in a deeper understanding of the journey and God’s great plan, we’ll be able to get the most out of our Advent journey and experience with even deeper

apprecia on the joy of Christmas! If you have any ques ons, please contact

Deacon Mike at 252-571-1597.

We will decorate our church for Christmas on Saturday,

December 23rd at 9:00am. Placing of the Poinse as will take

place on Sunday, December 24th at noon. We welcome all those who wish to help to come and

make our worship space fi ng for the Lord! If you have ques ons, please contact Joy Harsen at 252-229-2394.

Join Us In Celebrating Christ's Birth

December 24 -- NO 11AM or 1PM Mass Mass at 8AM and 10AM!

4:00PM Children’s Mass of Christmas 5:00PM Christmas Mass at St Peter in Oriental

6:00PM, 8:00PM (Spanish), 10:00PM

December 25 10:00AM Mass

SAINT PAUL YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATES

The members of Saint Paul Prayer Shawl Ministry have been kni ng and croche ng lap robes for the 100 veterans residing at the Veteran's Home

in Kinston. The lap robes have been given to the members of American Legion Post 24 Ladies Auxiliary who will be bringing them to the veterans. If anyone is interested in this wonderful ministry, please call Diana Thompson at 252-638-2565. Our yarn supplies have been greatly diminished. Any dona on of 4-ply yarn, any color (no wool please) would be appreciated!

MINISTRY FAIR

Saturday, January 6th

following the Vigil Mass

Sunday, January 7th

following the 8AM, 11AM and 1PM Masses

For informa on, contact

the church office 252-638-1984

Saint Paul Catholic School students have been adding their energy and cheer to seasonal events in our area.

The school remembered others in need by par cipa ng in the RCS canned food drive. On November 16th, Mr. Moody’s f