December 17, 2017 816 West Broad Street, Horseheads, New York

(607) 739-3817

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

In the same sentence where He reminds His listen-ers that He has cured the blind, the lame, the deaf, the sick, and even raised the dead, Jesus concludes by adding, "The poor have the good news proclaimed to them." How did that make the list of supernatural cures? What's so miraculous about good news? The poor are not just those in physical poverty, but those whose sins have impoverished their souls. This of course applies to us. The poverty of our own sinfulness can be overcome by the forgiveness offered to us in Christ. Because of this, we have cause to rejoice! And on this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we are encouraged to rejoice. Gaudete Sun-day derives its name from the opening prayer of the Mass for this day, where we pray, "Gaudete in Dom-ino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always"). So in the midst of Advent fasting and devotions, we rejoice be-cause the time we have been preparing for is almost at hand. We pause in this season of anticipation to re-member that, in truth, our hopes have already been fulfilled. He is among us, saving us even now! Liturgical Publications, Inc.

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL

The Catholic Ministries Appeal provides funding for important programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our entire Church. In order to reach our parish goal of $115,153.00, we need the support of all. In the spirit of generosity, please prayerfully consider your gift to this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal. We would like to thank the 317 parishioners from St. Mary Our Mother who have responded to this drive. Their pledges and contributions of $70,057.65 have enabled us to achieve 60.84% of our goal. If it is easi-er, you can make your gift by going to www.dor.org. Additional pledge forms are available in the vestibule, and can be returned in the collection or mailed directly to the diocese, and available in the vestibule.

REFLECTIONS

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will con-ceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus." - Lk 1:30-31

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." - Lk 1:41b-42

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

3:30 p.m. - Saturday

ST. MARY OUR MOTHER SCHOOL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

7:00 p.m. - Wednesday, December 20th 10:00 a.m. - Thursday, December 21st

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Sunday, December 24, 2017

4:00 p.m. - Christmas Family Mass

6:00 p.m. - Christmas Vigil Mass

11:30 p.m. - Adult Choir Choral Concert

Monday, December 25, 2017

12:00 a.m. - Christmas Midnight Mass

9:00 a.m. - Christmas Mass

11:00 a.m. - Christmas Mass

Blessing of Christmas gifts at each morning Mass

Page Two St. Mary Our Mother, Horseheads, New York

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Monday, December 18

6:30 PM Mary Queen of Peace - chapel 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus - school Tuesday, December 19

3:45 PM Religious Education - school 5:00 PM Youth Choir - church

Wednesday, December 20

7:00 PM Christmas Pageant - church

Thursday, December 21

10:00 AM Christmas Pageant - church

2:45 PM Children’s Choir - church

Saturday, December 23

3:30 PM Sacrament of Penance - church

IN THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Mary Pauline Runyan

MEMORIALS

Advent Candles: In loving memory of Eugene M. Pfaff - the Barcomb family

FLOWER DONATIONS

Main Altar Arrangement: In memory of deceased family members – Anne Haner-

Uncapher

In memory of deceased Ryans and Carrs – Mary and Jim Carr Chapel candle flowers: In thanksgiving for family – Cathy and Dick Seely

In memory of deceased family members – Cathy and Dick Seely

Blessed Mother – Church: Merry Christmas, God, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Mom and Dad – Suann Maio

Blessed Mother – Chapel: In loving memory of John – Marian Kwasnowski Credence table:

In loving memory of my deceased family – Joan Mosher

SCRIPTURE READINGS

SUNDAY - December 24, 2017

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

IN OUR PARISH

United Way

Please remember to “write in” St. Mary Our Mother School on your United Way pledge card. Many of our parents (and grandparents) do remember us each year with a write in pledge. However, hundreds of other United Way donors don’t even realize that St. Mary Our Mother School is a write-in option. If you have any questions, please call the school at 739-9157.

March For Life

Be a voice for the voiceless! Plan now to travel to Washington, DC on January 19, 2018 for the March For Life. We will leave at 11:30 p.m. on January 18th, arrive in Washington in time for food and Mass. Then we will visit the offices of our Congressmen and Senators, see Capitol Hill, attend the Rally for Life on the National Mall, then March for Life to the Supreme Court Building. Buses arrive home at around 11:00 p.m. on January 19th. Cost is $60 per person. Adults and school age children are welcome. It is a great experience! Call Steve at 739-9282 for further information or to reserve your seat.

Oplatki Oplatki (Christmas wafers) are available on the table across from the church bulletin board. A free will offering is appreciated.

Parish Calendars The parish of St. Mary Our Mother is sincerely grateful to the Lynch Funeral Home for their donation of our 2017 parish calendars. Thank you!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Returnable Bottles and Cans

Are you planning a holiday party or gathering? Do you wish to dispose of your empty returnable bottles and cans? Our Religious Education Department will take them off your hands. Returnable bottles and cans are collected throughout the year and the money received is donated to the Horseheads Food Pantry. You can drop your returnables off at the parish office, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. or if you have a large quantity, call Barbara at 739-8214 to make a delivery appointment.

Page Three December 17,2017

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Monday, December 18 - Late Advent Weekday

6:45 AM Francis Shetui - 6:45 a.m. Mass friends

Tuesday, December 19 - Late Advent Weekday

6:45 AM For the Faithful Departed

Wednesday, December 20 - Late Advent Weekday

6:45 AM Philip Amisano - his family

Thursday, December 21 –Late Advent Weekday

6:45 AM William Gleason - Joanne Gleason

Friday, December 22 - Late Advent Weekday

6:45 AM Marie Hulbert - Mary Jo & Dennis Jakovac

Saturday, December 23 - Late Advent Weekday

5:00 PM John Raplee, Jr. - Terry Callahan

Sunday, December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM Roy Farr - Becky & Bob Corcoran

10:30 AM Anna Garrison - Mary Suffern

4:00 PM People of St. Mary Our Mother 6:00 PM People of St. Mary Our Mother

St. Mary Our Mother, Horseheads, New York

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Today we arrive at the Third Sunday of Advent. Traditionally referred to as Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, our arrival at this Advent mid-point serves as a reminder that Advent is a season of the already experienced and the yet to be experienced of God’s coming among us. Though our Advent season is the shortest it can be this particular year, 22 days, today is still a time to rejoice and prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas. Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on the weekend of December 23/24th. We will follow our usual weekend schedule of Sunday Masses next weekend, with the first Mass of Christmas being the Christmas Family Mass at 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Some people have inquired as to whether the Church will offer some kind of dispensation or exemption to abrogate the obligation that all Catholics have of participating at the celebration of the Eucharist for both Sunday and the holy day of Christmas. There has been no dispensation, exemption, or ‘permission’ given whereby ‘one Mass’ would satisfy both obligations. All Catholics are obliged to attend Mass both for Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and Mass for Christmas. To shed a little more light on this subject, I recently came across an article by Paul Turner found in Ministry & Liturgy, entitled Christmas on Monday:

When Christmas falls on a Monday, it causes temptation. In the Catholic church we begin celebrating Sundays and holy days on the previous evening. This practice stems from a custom that reckoned the start of the day at sunset. Saturday night Mass provides a convenience for individuals and families making alternative plans for Sunday morning, but it more deeply alerts us to the holiness of the most important day of the week. Many families find Christmas Eve Mass as an ideal way to begin observing this holy day. They gather for the Eucharist at church and then, perhaps, go home for a meal and exchange gifts. The next morning, their Christmas becomes a day of rest. But when Christmas falls on a Monday, things get confusing. Two eves and two days intersect. Your parish will probably offer Mass Saturday evening, December 23rd and Sunday morning, December 24th. Then on Sunday evening, December 24th (actually Sunday afternoon) it will begin celebrating Christmas. That’s a lot of church in 48 hours. You may be tempted to skip a Mass either for the Fourth Sunday of Advent or for Christmas. You may be tempted to go to one Mass on December 24th and count it for both events. But it won’t count! Advent is very short this year, barely longer than three weeks, and it deserves our full attention. Christmas, of course, is one of the primary celebrations of the church year. These two distinctive liturgies draw us into the mystery of the Word-made-flesh.

(continued next column…)

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE CONTINUED…

Yes, it is extra effort to go to church twice during a busy time, but there is no better way to prepare for and celebrate the reason for the season - the birth of Jesus Christ.

Have a wonderful Advent week. See you in church!

Fr. L.

Page Four St. Mary Our Mother, Horseheads, New York

REGIONAL EVENTS

Diocesan Commemorative Book

150 Years - Discover the History of the Diocese of Rochester through a hard cover, glossy, color illustrated book. As Bishop Matano writes, “In this history celebrating the Sesquicentennial of our beloved diocese, this unity, this love of Christ Jesus, this desire to serve Jesus as true disciples, comes alive on every page, from the year of our founding until now, through the work of our devoted priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful and through the dedication of our parishes, agencies and schools. As we move forward in faith to the next 150 years, let us ask the Holy Spirit to continue to guide us and to bless us.” A $30.00 donation per book is asked. These books are available at the parish office or can be ordered by calling the office at 739-3817.

EVERY DAY STEWARDSHIP

As Christians, we are called to a life of prayer. This is not just during seasons like Advent, but all year long. When we talk about being prayerful everyday stewards, we are speaking about cultivating an awareness of God being with us at all times. Each day we begin by offering God the entirety of our day. Each night we rest in Him and hope that the hours that passed gave Him glory. During this busy time of Advent, it is hard to cultivate this life of prayer, but without it we can too easily lose sight of the reason for the season. It is during this time of year we need to heed the words of St. Paul more than ever when he wrote to the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing." This is how we will be able to avoid the pitfalls of consumerism and secularism and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Bring Jesus with you into the office Christmas party. Take Him with you shopping for gifts in the department store. Be aware of Him when you sit down to watch television specials you have seen every year of your life. Give Him all your time and let His presence fill your every moment. By striving to be connecting with Jesus at all times, you will bear greater fruit and the joy you experience will be much greater than you could imagine. You might even spend fewer dollars and spend more time with those you love, particularly the One who loves you the most, the Incarnation himself.

-Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Each year, this season of Advent comes around. We bless another candle this third week in Advent. Let us ask God to bless our family on this Third Sunday in

Advent:

God of rejoicing, this week we hear in our second reading

that we are called to “rejoice always.” Help our family to be joyful

in the midst of whatever happens this week.

When we light the third candle on our wreath, let us bring your joy

to our friends and neighbors this week.

We ask this through Christ, who is the ultimate joyful gift to the world.

Amen.

MINISTERIAL STAFF

Rev. Christopher E. Linsler, Pastor

Rev. Joseph F. Shetui, In Residence

Mrs. Barbara Matterazzo, Coordinator of Faith For mation

Mrs. Cathy Peckham, Director of Music

Mrs. Jean Yorio, School Principal

Mrs. Kathryn Rayne, Business Manager

Mrs. Elizabeth Berliner, RCIA Coordinator

Mrs. Joyce Pirozzolo, Par ish Secretary

Mrs. Jeanne Carney, Facilities Coordinator

Mrs. Maribeth Leipold, Faith Formation Secretary

Miss Abigail Kelly, Faith Formation Associate

Mrs. Sue Wood, Bulletin Editor

Mr. Doug Johnson, Cemetery Manager

Ms. Wendy Slater, Cemetery Secretary

Mrs. Kim Roemmelt, School Secretary

Mr. Michael Bravo, Maintenance

Ms. Jenna Crandall, Maintenance

PASTORAL COUNCIL

Mr. Vincent Moschetti, Chairperson

Mrs. Richelle Riina, Recording Secretary

CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office

816 West Broad Street .............................. (607)-739-3817

Fax ............................................................ (607)-739-5628

E-mail ................................................ smomc@stny.rr.com

Parish Web Site…………….www.StMaryOurMother.com

St. Mary Our Mother School

811 Westlake Street .................................. (607)-739-9157

E-mail…………………………………....smoms@dor.org

School Web Site…………..www.stmaryourmother.school

Religious Education Office

816 West Broad Street .............................. (607)-739-8214

E-mail…………………..smomfaithformation@gmail.com

Page Five December 17, 2017

JESSE TREE

Advent is a season of preparation before Christmas. The word Advent means "coming" and refers to the com-ing of Jesus. The season emphasizes a three fold coming, the coming in the flesh at Bethlehem, in grace through word and sacrament, and in glory in the day of judgment. Many people go to great lengths to prepare for Christ-mas, yet fail to appreciate the true meaning of Advent. Advent, when properly observed, helps you realize more fully the coming of Christ and its meaning for you. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and lasts to Christmas Eve. The lessons read in church each Sunday of the season picture some of the people and events that are significant in the heritage of Jesus. The Jesse tree has the same purpose, but it expands it by presenting an appropriate story in picture for each day of the season. The Jesse tree is a small tree decorated with symbols portraying the spiritual heritage of Jesus. It is a kind of family tree that was suggested by Isaiah's prophet: "a shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1).

Our Jesse tree is located in the seasonal shrine. Each day a different symbol of Jesus' heritage will be placed on the tree. We welcome you to step into the shrine and turn over the corresponding scripture for the third week.

3rd Sunday in Advent, The Wisdom of Solomon, 1Kings 3: 3-28

Monday, Elijah and the Raven, 1 Kings 17:1-16

Tuesday, Elisha and Healing, 2 Kings 5:1-27

Wednesday, Isaiah, Isaiah 6:1-8

Thursday, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Friday, Nehemiah the Builder, Nehemiah 13:10-

22

Saturday, Angels, Hebrews 1:1-14

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