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CHRISTMAS MARKS THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (A)
There are basically two most important events that ever happened in the history of salvation
which are celebrated the world over: the first is Christmas and the second is Easter. It is
around these mysteries of salvation that the churches liturgical year revolves. The word
Christmas is derived from the English coinage “Cristes maesse” which means “Christ’s
Mass”. However, the abbreviated term “Xmass” is very often more commonly used than
Christmas. “What is Christmas?” a little one asked the parents and the mum answered;
December 25th is the date officially set aside by the church for the world wide celebration of
the birth day of Jesus Christ, “who for us …and for our salvation came down from heaven, by
the power of the Holy Spirit and was born by the virgin Mary, and became man”.
God emptied Himself so that we may be filled, He became poor, to make us rich, He became a
son of man to make us children of God, he assumed flesh to make us divine, Jesus was born to
die and wrought our salvation. Thus, when Christ became incarnate and was made man, he
recapitulated in himself the long history of mankind and procured for us a “short cut” to
salvation, so that what we had lost in Adam, that is, being in the image and likeness of God,
we might recover in Christ Jesus. For this reason Christ experienced all the stages of life,
thereby giving communion with God to all men (CCC 518).
The las posadas recalls how in weariness and exhaustion Mary and Joseph arrived rate and at
Bethlehem and searched in vain for accommodation because the city was overcrowded
during the census. The son of God was born by Mary the holy mother of God in a poor
manger. If Jesus were to be born today in our city amidst the same circumstances, will there be
found a holy people whose family residence is worthy enough to accommodate him? Can he
find a people with clean hands and pure hearts to let him be born therein and hold him in their
arms without any fear of contamination? Jesus is not going to be born a second time as a
newly “born king of the Jews” as it once happened in the days of King Herod. But he always
comes to birth in the hearts and minds of believers who are open to his saving grace that
reconciles sinners with God, manifest the love of God in human relationships, generously let in
the poor who live in object poverty, who make peace on earth possible and holy innocence and
childlike simplicity the goal of life.
The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem the “house of bread” points to the church; a holy assembly
where the faithful gather daily to celebrate the Eucharist in order to be empowered to go out
and bring the tidings of great joy to others in the family, community and work place. It is
unfortunate when a believer abandon faith in practice and only have recourse to the church
only once in a while to attend mass on Christmas or Easter without a personal commitment to
Jesus due to earthly values. More often than not, we become so self centered that we have no
little space and time for God, family members, friends and neighbors. Without love of God at
work in us in relation to our brothers and sisters, Christ has no place in the inn of our hearts
and minds. This Christmas, Christ comes once again knocking at the door of our hearts. Let us
open wide the door of our hearts and receive him by ordering our lives in accordance with his
life, innocence, love and peace.
ST. ROSE OF LIMA WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
You may drop off donated Christmas flowers
throughout the week.
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction is
every Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
A compliance representative will be at St. Rose of Lima from
1:30pm to 2:30 pm 2nd Thursday of the month. All New
Volunteers are required to begin the clearance process for
2016-2017.
Messengers of Mary prays the Holy Rosary Monday - Friday
at 7:30 a.m. before Mass. We will pray the rosary on
Thursdays in the CHURCH (instead of the Chapel), at 11:00
a.m. Remember to pray the rosary daily. Call 428.0573 for
prayers & Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Spanish Choir Practice meets every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the
church.
New Group Forming– Liturgy of Christian Prayer in the Chapel
daily at 5:15pm.
Sun
12
Midnight +Ray, Josie, Gilbert and Steven
10am
+Antonio & Josefa Merino &
deceased Family
11:30am No Mass
6pm No Mass
Mon 8am +Zachary Moses Martinez
Tues 8am
Birthday Blessings for Delia
Rutherford & Alexandra Escobar
Wed 6pm +Noel Gomez
Thurs 8am
Birthday Blessing & Safety and Well-
being of Monica Hernandez & those
in the Military
Fri 8am Special Intention for J.C. Shatto
Sat 6pm +Neil Montoya
Sun 7am Saint Rose of Lima Parishioners
10am
Health & Well-being of Mary K.
Howell Family
Sun 11:30am +Arlene W. Hernandez
6 pm Birthday Blessing for David Lasinsky
Mass Intentions for Dec. 25-Jan.1
REQUIREMENTS:
Baptisms The parents of the child to be baptized must submit a copy of the baby's birth certificate. Parents and godparents need to attend the parish baptismal
class. Classes are given on the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Please call the office to sign up for the next scheduled class. All
requirements for the Diocese of Tucson and Saint Rose of Lima will be given to the parents at this time. Baptisms are performed the first and third Saturdays at
10:00 a.m. Our office staff is limited, therefore, sponsors and godparents proof of sacraments, documents and payment must be submitted at least one month before
the baptism. When choosing godparents, if they are married, they must be married through the Catholic church, if single you must not be living with a
partner. Donation is $20.00.
Quinceañera The candidate and her parents must contact the office at least one (1) year or more before the date requested. Quinceañera are not performed during
Holy Days. Requirements: active within the parish, youth group, Religious Education, Mass attendance, etc. or Six(6) sets of meetings and volunteer ministries given
by Fr. Robert. Cost is $250.00. There is a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 to hold the date. Balance to the church must be received in the office one week
before the ceremony.
Weddings The couple must contact office at least 6 months prior to the desired wedding date. An appointment will be made for the couple. At that time it will be
determined if the date desired is available, and all requirements for the Diocese of Tucson and Saint Rose of Lima will be given to the couple. Donation is
$150.00.There is a non-refundable deposit of $50.00 to hold the date. Balance to the church must be received in the office one week before the ceremony.
ST. ROSE OF LIMA NOTICES
St. Rose of Lima Weekend Collections – Dec. 17-18
Offertory $ 4,520.37
Saint Vincent de Paul $ 982.32
Building Fund $ 60.00
Christmas Flowers $ 268.00
Check Out our Office Gift Shop
St. Rose of Lima Gift Shop has affordable and inspirational items for
all your needs.
Visit the Gift Shop in the Parish Office Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Messengers of Mary
Join us Thursdays at
11:00am.
We will pray the rosary on Thursdays
in the CHURCH .
* Remember to pray the rosary daily.
Call 428.0573 for prayers &
Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
*We could use your help to clean the
church on Thursdays.
*Please join us daily to pray the
Rosary of the Blessed Mother
Monday– Friday at 7:30am before Mass.
*We also maintain the prayer garden.
ST. ROSE OF LIMA NOTICES Catholic Daughters of the America’s
would like to thank everyone involved
with the Festival of trees.
Raffle drawing is on-going until
January 8
You still have a chance to win the 50/50 and the
many great gifts donated to the
Catholic Daughters.
OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
The St. Rose of Lima and Our Lady of Guadalupe offices will be CLOSED
Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26
and
Friday Dec. 30 and Monday Jan. 2
Youth Choir: Practice every Wednesday at 6:00
pm in church loft.
Please encourage your youth
to share his / her talent. Saint Rose of Lima Christmas Mass
Christmas Eve,
Saturday
December 24,
4 p.m. Children’s Mass
6 p.m.
**********************
Christmas Day
Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Sunday
December 25 10:00am only.
Thank you to all those who participated and helped with the
Christmas Play and Las Posadas! These parish gatherings were such great blessings! The children and youth did a great job and provided us all with the opportunity to gather as a parish family. Thanks!
RE classes will not be held December 26th-January 5th. Classes resume
on January 8th for Jr. High and High School and January 9th for K-5th grade. This time off is a great opportunity to reflect on what is being taught in RE and to extend these teachings with prayer and discussion in the home. Merry Christmas!
Please mark your calendars for February 3rd and 4th. Jordan Ministries
will be offering a series of 5 classes on those dates. The classes are amazing and are such a great way to learn more about the faith. For more details please call the RE office. There are also flyers at the back of the church and in the parish office. All RE teachers and volunteers are asked to attend. The classes are also open to all parishioners.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE NOTICES Mass Intentions for Dec.25-Jan 1
Sun 8:30am Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishioners &
Deceased
Mon. 9:00am +Esteban & Manuela De Alva
Fri. 9:00am +Alfred & Connie Veitri
Sun. 8:30am +Carlos Velasquez
Weekend Collections –Dec 18
Offertory $ 876.00
St. Vincent de Paul $ 202.92
Our Lady of Guadalupe Christmas Mass
Christmas Eve, Saturday ,December
24th Midnight mass
Christmas Day December 25th 8:30 a.m.
See St. Rose of Lima schedule for additional masses.
THE NATIVITY OF THE
LORD
December 25, 2016
OLG Office will be closed Friday, December 30
and January 2, 2017.
OLG Gift Shop open on week days at 9:30 AM -
3:00 PM.
A compliance representative will be at St. Rose of
Lima from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm every 2nd
Thursday of each month. All new Volunteers are
required to begin the clearance process for 2016-
2017.
If anyone is interested in teaching or helping with the
Religious Education Program for next year,
please call the office at 428-0149.
Only candles bought from OLG will be allowed in
the church. Thank you for your
cooperation.
Let our hearts sing in praise at the birth of our Savior.
CHRIST THE LORD.
Merry Christmas
Precana -
Retreat is set for Saturday from 9-
5 February 11, 2017. Please join us for Mass.
Registration forms are available at the Saint Rose of
Lima Parish office. The cost will be $50 per couple
which should be paid in the office. For more
information please call St. Rose of Lima Parish
office 928-428-4920.
This is for all couples planning to be married in the
Church. I encourage all RCIA couples to attend. Fr.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
GOSPEL REFLECTION:
The Gospel reminds us that through the Incarnation,
God saves us from the darkness of sin and makes us
his children. Let us continue to be Children of God
and live in the Light of Christ.
Mixed Choir Practice on Thursdays at 4:00 in
the church.
Friendly Reminder – Parents must sign the
clipboard located at the church entrance to verify
Mass attendance on Sunday. Please bring church
bulletin if you attend Mass out-of-town.
Holiday Spirit – Please continue to bring non-
perishable food items and/or canned goods through
the end of December. Since the need for help
increases during the holidays, your donations and
generosity are greatly appreciated. Thank you and
God Bless.
RE Classes –Classes resume on Monday,
January 9. Have a blessed & safe Christmas break.
Family Day Potluck – Mark your calendar. The
next Family Day will be on Sunday, Jan. 8. Bring
your favorite soup to share.
Upcoming events:
December 19 – No RE classes (Christmas
Break)
December 26 – No RE classes (Christmas
Break)
January 8 – Family Day Potluck
January 9 – RE Classes resume from 4 to
5:30
ORTEGA’S SHOES Mt. Graham Shopping
Center Richard & Theresa Ortega
Elodia—Valerie 928.428.0636
VALLEY FURNITURE
350 E. Armory Road Safford, AZ
928.348.9340
SECULAR FRANCISCAN St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Fraternity
Meets 2nd Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
At Our Lady of Guadalupe Church David Esquivel, Minister
928.865.2887
Kachina Hot Springs
Mineral Spa 1155 W Cactus Rd
Safford, AZ 928.428.7212
Kachinamineralsprings.com
KNIGHTS OF
COLUMBUS Richard Ortega, Grand Knight 928.428.0636
Meets 1st Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Walneck’s Safford Sewing Center
Jeff & Virginia Walneck Parishioners
Hwy 70 & 3rd Ave
928.428.0494
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS
OF THE AMERICAS Court St. Rose of Lima #2398
Helen Romero, Regent 928.965.6604
Meets 3rd Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
At St. Rose of Lima
In St. Matthew’s room
THRIFTEE FOOD & DRUG
Groceries-General Merchandise
Bakery-Deli
Pharmacy-Florist
755 S CENTRAL AVE SAFFORD, AZ 85546
PHONE: 928.428.1844
928.428.1740
Michelle A. Wilson Agent
610 W. Main St
Safford, AZ 85546
928.428.1570
PEPS I-COLA BOTTLING
COMPANY OF SAFFORD
415 E US Hwy 70, Safford, AZ
Now Serving Breakfast @ 11AM 928.428.7148
OVEREATERS
ANONYMOUS NO dues * NO fees * NO weigh-ins *
NO diets
Meets Tuesdays at 7:30-8:30 p.m.
at St. Rose of Lima
in St. Luke’s Room
928.322.8647
CURSILLO
LEADERSHIP
For more information, contact St. Rose of Lima Parish Office
928.428.4920
707 S. 6th Ave
Safford, AZ
928.428.1033
Brando’s Fun N’ Sun
Travel & Cruise
Inside Trophies ‘N Tees 513 W. Main Street, Safford
928.322.3271
Discount Vacation Planning, Cruises,
Airlines, Rental Cars, Hotels & More!
Greens Furniture
David Montez the Furniture King
520 W. 5th St Safford, Az 428.5900
Fifth Avenue Florist 516 S. 5th Avenue, Safford
928.428.2491 Mon—Fri 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.—12 p.m.
Jill R Chacon, owner
Bulletin Ads $150/Year