December 11, 2016 - Third Sunday of Advent

Rev. M. Keith LaBove, Pastor Parish Website: www.stpat.org

stpat.org@gmail.com

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm; Friday 8:30 am – 12 noon Celebration of the Eucharist

Saturday: 4:00 pm – Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 am Monday through Friday: 7:30 am

Holydays of Obligation: 7:30 am only Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturday: 3:00 – 3:30 pm and Weekdays: 7:00-7:25 am (and by appointment)

Baptisms

Seminars are held every other month - register

by calling the office. At-tendance is suggested

during pregnancy.

Anointing of the Sick The Church recom-

mends this sacrament for those who are grave-

ly ill or in danger of death. Call the priest to

arrange a visit.

Weddings

Arrangements must be made at least six

months in advance to allow time for prepara-

tion and planning.

406 East Pinhook Road Lafayette, LA 70501-8727

Phone: (337) 237-0988

Welcome to St. Patrick Church

Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2016

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday, December 10--Vigil of the Third Sunday of Advent 4:00 PM: Cecil & Eva Mae Hebert; Dr. & Mrs. Leonard Rolfes; Barbara Boudreaux; Judith White Sunday, December 11--Third Sunday of Ad-vent 8:30 AM: Robert Chastant & Evelyn; Eddie Upton 10:00 AM: Parishioners of St. Patrick’s Monday, December 12--Our Lady of Guada-lupe 7:30 AM: Francis Stutes Tuesday, December 13--St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 7:30 AM: Richard, Lonnie, Kenneth & Lan-ny Stutes

Wednesday, December 14--St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church 7:30 AM: Dr. Tommy Comeaux & Dorinne; Col. Clark Comeaux & Catherine (living); Col. Kimberly Fedele (living) Thursday, December 15--Advent Weekday 7:30 AM: M/M Edras Himel Friday, December 16-- Advent Weekday 7:30 AM: Dr. Charles Stewart

The third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called

“Gaudete Sunday” (rejoice). This call to rejoice is the reason why the candle to be lit

is rose-colored.

Non-Liturgical Devotions Daily Rosary: Monday - Thursday 6:55 a.m. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Tues-day 7:15 a.m. Rosary for Priests: Wednesday 7:00 a.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Thursday 7:15 a.m. Pro-Life Rosary: 1st Friday of the month 7 a.m. Shamrocks—Friday, December 16: Donna Guilbeau; Andre Arceneaux; Martha Thomp-son; Daniel & Charlotte Privat ‘Let us keep that joy of loving Jesus in our hearts, and share that joy with all we come in touch with. That radiating joy is real, for we have no reason not to be happy because we have Christ with us. Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor we meet, Christ in the smile we give and the smile we receive.’ — Mother Teresa’s remarks when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1970

Annual Christmas Social This Sunday, December 11th,

at the Parish Hall, 11 am. It is not too late; this is a great opportunity to fellowship with one another and to meet parishioners who attend mass at another time. All are welcome! Patience, Hope, Joy Gracious, merciful, and patient God, your generosity rewards our complaint. You reap a fruitful harvest when we plant only hardness of heart. Strengthen us in this season of hope, grant patience in troubled times, and lift our fearful hearts.

Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24: 4 & 6 p.m.

Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25: 8:30 & 10 a.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31: 4:00 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1: 8:30 & 10a.m. For Advent Advent missions begin this week at St. Joseph Church in Broussard, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and at St. Joseph in Milton. Details are on the flyer available on the table near the main entrance. Wednesday Evening Confessions On the first three Wednesdays of Advent [November 30, December 7 and 14th] from 6:30-8:00 p.m., we will be offering confessions here at St. Patrick, together with all the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. This out-reach is called “The Light is On For You,” and is an effort on the part of our Diocese to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish in the Diocese. Come, Lord Jesus! We have an active group that meets on Tuesdays, at 6 pm, in the classroom directly behind the Church (across from the restrooms). Anyone interested who missed the previous meetings is welcome to attend, even if you are not sure about continuing. Resources for the program are available for purchase at the Come, Lord Jesus! office at 1804 West University Ave, Lafayette. Call: 337-233-6277 Runnin’ Revs vs. Slamin’ Sems Basketball Game Come cheer on your favorite team when the Lafayette Dioc-esan Priests battle the Diocese Seminarians on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral-Carmel Gym, 848 St. John Street, Lafayette, for their 11th annual basketball game. Sponsored this year by the Lafayette Knights of Columbus Council 1286, this always popular, fun-filled, family event helps promote and support priestly and religious vocations. Admission is $5 per adult and $1 for those under 18. Concessions will be available. Put it in your calendar today. Food for the Journey Due to the early date of the first Tuesday of January 2017, the January session of “Food for the Journey” will not be held. Our February session of “Food for the Journey” is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Information on the February session will be forthcoming. Thank you for your understanding!

Christmas Project Heifer International

Great Gifts They Will Never Forget By donating to Christmas Project Heifer International, your purchase includes: -An animal that will be given to a family in a part of the world where just one animal can literally be the difference between life and death for a hungry child. -Training that ensures the animal you buy will be well cared for. And the family who receives it will know how to use the animal to change their lives and lives of those around them. -The good, good feeling that millions of Americans who choose to do their shopping with Heifer have come to love! Donation sheets are available under the stairwell. Make checks payable to St. Patrick Church. All donations will be sent to Heifer International at the beginning of the year. Heifer International meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. For additional information please visit their website: http//www.heifer.org/ Baby Items-Women's Center Some of you may have noticed that the 'bassinet' for baby items is now out every weekend. This is to make it easier for those who want to support new mothers in bringing their children into the world, at the Women's Center and their maternity home. Here is a list of items that are always needed: Paper towels; Liquid washing detergent (baby & adult); 13 gal trash bags; Deodorant; Windex; Pledge; Lysol; Shampoo; Condi-tioner; Bath Soap; Liquid dish washing gel; Ziplock bags; Gift cards for maternity clothes, etc.; Baby pow-er & lotion; Diaper rash ointment; Baby wash; Diapers (size 4 & 5). Add one or two of these items to your shopping list each month, leave it in the car, and drop it off when you come to church. We will publish this list once a month. Second Collection Next Weekend—Retirement Fund for Religious Your donation works for aging religious. “I read that roughly 95 percent of donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious aid senior religious,” a donor writes. That’s wonderful when we truly want our dona-tions to work.” Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care, and more. Please support next week’s collection for the Retire-ment Fund for Religious, and give to those who have given a lifetime. STEWARDSHIP OF THE PAST WEEK Our Response to God’s Generosity to Us Offertory………………………… $ 4,293.37 Building Fund…………………….$ 1894.25 Heifer International……………….$ 120.00 (to date) Thank You!

Date

Saturday, December 17 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 18 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 18 10:00 a.m.

Lectors Angie Redrick Larry Lewis Michael Doumit

Eucharistic Ministers

Peggy Spruill Harold Guilbeau George Eaton

Geneva Phillips Maggie Sonnier Gerrie McGovern

Jerry Boudreaux Dee Boudreaux Debra Carroll

Altar Servers Janell Venable Fred Vallot Phyllis Roy

Ushers Oren Spruill George Guidry

Donald & Scottie Vallot Robin Roy Lionel Jeanmard

Liturgical Roles for December

Readings for the Week

Monday Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47,

Tuesday Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday Is 45: 6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 7:18b-23

Thursday Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b; Lk 7:24-30

Friday Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8; Jn 5:33-36

Saturday Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17

Sunday Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

From the Pastor’s Desk

One of the things I love about the Advent season is the richness of the season. To say that it is a period of about 4 weeks to prepare to celebrate Christmas is to miss so much about this season of grace. Even a glance at the Scriptures for the season make clear that it’s about so much more. Plus there’s a tension at the very heart of Advent that to some might even seem like a contradiction.

Start with the First Sunday, and it’s all about the end times. The coming we pray and wait for is beyond our reckoning, and beyond our control: the Second Coming of Christ. The Church has been waiting for this event, this “Parousia” since the first disciples watched in awe as Jesus ascended to the Father. We have trusted, and continue to trust in his promise.

Move to the Second and Third Sundays, and the focus is more on Jesus coming out of Nazareth to begin his public ministry, starting with his Baptism at the Jordan. This is were we hear about preparing the way for the coming of Christ into hearts and lives, from the lips of that unsurpassed prophet, John the Baptist. John fulfilled his mission, and calls us to prepare the way as well.

Only on the Fourth and last Sunday of Advent do we hear about a Virgin who is with child, preparing to give birth to a Son whom she will name Jesus. This will all be in accord with the words of the Angel of the Annuci-ation, who announced the great event we call the Nativity. This Incarnation is the beginning of our salvation in Christ Jesus.

Throughout these Sundays, and shot through the Scripture readings, especially from Isaiah, is the Prom-ise. God has spoken, and therefore it will be fulfilled. Alongside our yearning and longing for the Second Coming of Christ is the sincere desire that he come into our hearts and lives here and now, while we walk on this earth. And this is precisely where we encounter what seems to be a contradiction.

Even as we pray with the whole Church through the ages, “Maranatha” (Come, Lord Jesus!), we rejoice in his presence here in our midst today. The very Church who waits for Christ to return celebrates Sunday after Sunday the “Real Presence” of Christ, alive and active in our midst. He is present now, not only and uniquely in and through the sacraments, but also through the graced lives of his people. Every act of mercy, each gesture of generosity, every expression of true and self-sacrificing love is a sign of Christ, present in our midst.

Advent: The Already and the Not Yet. That is our truth. Let us rejoice.