A Message From Our Pastor

"Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths”. (Ps 25:4)

We live in time when people know many things. Unlimited access to knowledge is very often a challenge. What should we know, what is trivial and what is complete junk that keeps us away from the things that matter. To find the answer, look at Psalm 25. It's a prayer for knowledge, but different than just a general desire of knowing. Lord, teach me your paths and make me know your ways. Why? Because there is a wisdom not base on my intellect, but my own power, skills, etc. This is a wisdom that comes from God in His Holy Spirit. Everything that comes from Him lasts forever and leads to everlasting life. Our earthly wisdom will pass away. Even more, it will disappear like dust.

On this first Sunday of Advent, we look at the Wisdom of God. It is present in his Church who, on her way of repentance, is traveling to the eternal banquet in Heaven.

In Christ's Peace, Fr. Marek

December 2, 2018 ~ 1st Sunday of Advent

The Path: Understanding & Deepening Your Faith

Do you wonder if there is “more” to the Catholic Faith than what you are receiving? Do you put the time into coming to Mass on Sundays, but often leave feeling uninspired and maybe even confused?

This Study seeks to help Catholics get on the path to better understanding their Faith and, through this understanding, gain a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Part II: Jesus Christ and The Church He Gave Us

Part II of The Path will explore specifically the Sacraments of Initiation of the Catholic Church… Baptism, Confirmation and The Eucharist. Come, study with us as we learn how these three Sacraments have sealed our souls with the gift of the Holy Spirit and made us partakers of God’s Divine Life.

Meeting Information: The Study Group will meet for 8 sessions on Tuesday evenings, beginning December 4, 2018, from 6:30-7:30pm.

We will break for Christmas and New Year's day. There is no fee for the Study.

Please contact Ginger Giesen, Director of Adult Catechesis to register for the Study at 720-419-0126 or jgiesen@paxchristi.org.

For more information on these and other events, go to our website at www.paxchristi.org

Music Ministry

The word "Advent" means "the arrival" and we should use this all too brief four weeks to prepare not only for the commemoration of the Lord's first arrival, but for His continued arrival in our lives and in our hearts. In the Western Church, it is separated into two stages. The first runs from December 3rd through December 16th and focuses more on Christ’s second coming. The second, from December 17th through December 24th, focuses attention more on the feast of Christmas. The two prefaces of Advent used in the Mass highlight each of the two stages.

Advent, like Lent, is a penitential season. For good or for bad, over the course of time, much of the penitential character of the season has been lost. Nevertheless, the Church always encourages the use of acts of penance as a means of preparing for any great celebration. Just as anyone will clean their house in preparation for hosting a party or other large celebration so, too, should we spiritually clean house as we prepare to renew our celebration of the Incarnation.

On the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) the liturgical color is rose. The use of rose as a liturgical color is customary, but not mandatory. If it is decided not to use rose, then violet is used throughout the season.

Further evidence of the penance of the season may be found in the liturgy. The Gloria is omitted throughout Advent. In addition, as in Lent, we will sing the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Sanctus, Mysteriu m Fidei, and Agnus Dei) in Greek (Kyrie) and Latin. Also, the use of the organ and other musical instruments will be restricted and primarily for the purposes of sustaining the congregational singing. Exceptions to this would occur during extra liturgical celebrations, exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass on feasts and solemnities (such as the Immaculate Conception) and on Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent).

You may have noticed that immediately after Mass the choir at the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses has been singing Salve Regina, the Marian antiphon traditionally sung at the end of Compline or Vespers during the season of Ordinary Time.

Alma Redemptoris Mater is a beautiful prayer of intercession to the Mother of God. The liturgical season, during which it is appointed to be sung, is the period from after Compline for the First Sunday of Advent until after Compline of February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (or the Purification of the Virgin) in the Temple, Candlemas. The poem was once attributed to Hermannus Contractus (d.1054), and was so well known in England that it was mentioned in the "Prioresses Tale" of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

1st Sunday of Advent -2- December 2, 2018

ore

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quæ pervia cæli porta manes et stella maris, succurre cadenti, surgere qui curat, populo: tu quæ genuisti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem. Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud ave, peccatorum miserere.

Kind Mother of the Redeemer, thou who art the open door of heaven and star of the sea, help thy fallen people, striving to rise again; thou who gavest birth, while nature marveled, to thine own sacred Creator. Virgin before and afterwards, receiving that greeting from the lips of Gabriel, have mercy on sinners.

Christmas Cookies for Sale!

December 15th and 16th

Benefitting St. Elizabeth's Food Pantry

Inspired by the story of Saint Dominic Savio and their work in the GIFT program last year and this year, a small group of children between the ages of 3 and 9 are baking and selling Christmas Cookies.

Please visit us after Mass the weekend of December 15th & 16th to purchase yours, and to support St. Elizabeth's Food Pantry. Thank you in advance for supporting our youngest parishioners in their efforts to become faithful Catholics and good stewards of our faith!

Pax Christi Catholic Church - 3 - Littleton, CO

Intercessory Prayer

That the gift of justice may transform our land, making secure the lives of the poor,

the vulnerable, and the unborn.

We pray to the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

Closing Date: 12/15/2018 Job Title: Custodian/Maintenance Worker Date the position will become vacant: January 1, 2019

Summary of Job Duties:

• Maintenance worker is under direct supervision of Business Manager

• Seeks approval for expenditures and cannot make large financial commitments on behalf of parish

• Assures that church, school and other parish buildings are maintained in a clean and orderly manner

• Minor maintenance (including irrigation system)

• Sweeping, mopping and vacuuming when necessary. Cleaning bathrooms in the event of unexpected breakdowns of the system

• Set-up for events (may be required to lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds)

• Replacing toiletries in parish restrooms

• Checking times for inspections and keeping all systems in order

• Watering plants during the summer

• Calling various contractors, when needed

• Emptying trash on Tuesday mornings in parish buildings

• Keeping supply room stocked

• Opening the chapel at 7:00am on weekdays

• Taking recycling to curb on Monday mornings

Qualifications: Must be physically able to lift, bend, stoop, climb and reach. Ability to keep building areas and grounds orderly and clean. Capability to change priorities as needed to complete the most important tasks. Must pass background check.

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skill, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements.

Salary: 20 hours per week at $15/hour (7:00am-11:00am, Monday-Friday) Must be able to start January 2, 2019

For more information, contact Lisa Walker, Business Manager at 720-419-0123 or lwalker@paxchristi.org.

Fifty years ago, Pope Paul VI released Humanae Vitae, July 25, 1968, an encyclical on marital love, responsible parenthood, and artificial contraception.

Until the end of 2018, we’d like to offer you one significant quote each week of this very short encyclical that you can find on the Vatican website by Googling Humanae Vitae.

Value of Self-Discipline III, 21“Self-discipline of this kind is a shining

witness to the chastity of husband and wife”

The right and lawful ordering of birth demands, first of all, that spouses fully recognize and value the true blessings of family life and that they acquire complete mastery over themselves and their emotions…And if this self-discipline does demand that they persevere in their purpose and efforts, it has at the same time the salutary effect of enabling husband and wife to develop to their personalities and to be enriched with spiritual blessings... As their children grow up, they develop a right sense of values and achieve a serene and harmonious use of their mental and physical powers.

Friday, December 14th

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Christmas movies starting at 6:30 p.m.

Donations are accepted.

St. Elizabeth’s Pantry

In Douglas County, 10% of our neighbors must choose between paying rent, heating their home, or feeding their children. Our parish’s pantry is open to individuals and families twice monthly, enabling visitors to “shop” for non-perishable foods, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Most of our visitors are the working poor who struggle making ends meet. A few are transient homeless. All of our visitors are grateful!

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer: Staff the pantry. Sort donations. Host a food drive with your child's school/sports team or in your neighborhood. Donate: Purchase items. Give a monetary gift.

Pantry Needs: canned fruits/vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix/syrup, and jelly

1st Sunday of Advent - 4 - December 2, 2018

J.O.Y. Ministry

(Nursing Home and Homebound Communion)

Ministry Leader and Communion Ministers Needed

The J.O.Y. Ministry brings communion to the homebound and those in nursing homes. We need a leader to coordinate the ministry and distribution schedule. We are also in need of ministers to distribute communion to our brothers and sisters who cannot attend Mass.

Contact the Parish Office if you can help with this important ministry.

Funeral Coordinator Needed

The coordinator needs to be a person who is comfortable interacting with church and pastoral staff, funeral home professionals, and bereaved family members; a person who is detail-oriented and possesses good time management skills.

Duties include, but are not limited to, meeting with the family before the funeral, coordinating altar servers and luncheon ministry, assisting with funeral set-up and clean-up on day of funeral.

Contact Joanne in the parish office if interested at 303-799-1036 or jlafond@paxchristi.org.

Thank you for considering this important ministry.

Grow in Your Faith with a Special

Reflection Series this Advent!

Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the “source and summit” of the Christian life. This Advent we will explore the truth and beauty of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist.

Each of the first three weeks of Advent, you are invited to watch an episode of Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist at home on FORMED. Then on Monday evenings, join acclaimed theologian Dr. Douglas Bushman from the Augustine Institute for a special weekly reflection from 7–8:30pm in the chapel here at Pax Christi. Join us on Mondays 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17 for this life changing series!

Living Rosary

The Living Rosary will meet in the Chapel on the 3rd Sunday after 8:30 Mass. This is a short meeting lasting about 15 minutes. Each person who joins the Living Rosary will be assigned one (1) specific mystery and intention per month. We change mysteries on the 3rd Sunday of the month and are organized into groups of 20, so each group can complete the entire rosary (20 mysteries) every day.

You will have own your list of intentions/mysteries for your group, so if you are unable to attend the meeting you will still know what to pray. You do not have to meet anyone daily, you pray individually any time it is convenient for you.

While praying and meditating on your assigned decade each day of every month, Our Blessed Mother Mary is leading you slowly to her son Jesus.

The Knights Corner

October - Knight of the Month Anthony Dellano

October - Family of the Month Joe, Becky, Sarah, Daniel, Tommy,

Maggie & Lucy Hensler

The Knights of Columbus, Council 10937 would like to thank all parishioners for their recent donation of Time, Talent and Treasure for our Thanksgiving Basket Drive.

Due to your generosity and help, we were able to deliver 530 baskets to the charities listed below. Because of your loving hearts and giving spirit, we all made a difference in peoples lives by doing what our Lord instructs us to do.

Alternatives Pregnancy Center ~ Gabriel House ~ Joshua Station ~ Life Network Pregnancy Center ~ Military Outreach Program ~ Wounded Warriors ~ St. Elizabeth Pantry and Food Bank of the Rockies ~ Family Tree, Inc. ~ Butterfly Program ~ Counselor For Prevention at Cresthill Middle School

Pax Christi Catholic Church - 5 - Littleton, CO

Liturgy – Are You In It?

Penitential Act – Our Roman Missal has four different forms of the Penitential Act. The most common and well-known is the Confiteor – “I confess to almighty God …”. The second is based on the words which come from Psalms 123 and 85 – “Have mercy on us, O Lord/For we have sinned against you. Show us, O Lord, your mercy/And grant us your salvation.” The third form of the act of penance comes from the very early way of praying Kyrie Eleison. And the last form is an asperges – sprinkling with the Holy Water.

The Penitential Act was present in the Liturgy from the very beginning and it most likely comes from the Jewish tradition. It was a simple form without any links to the saints or Blessed Virgin Mary. In time, this penitential act slowly grew in its understanding. At first were added the words “mea culpa” – my fault. Later, this form was expanded by the acclamation to the saints for their intersession: Blessed Virgin Mary – because by the grace of God she was saved from sin; St. Michael, Archangel – because he is a leader of the heavenly army against Satan. St. John the Baptist – because he came to prepare the path for our Savior; St. Peter and St. Paul – because they are the pillars of the Church. As a consequence of this growth, this form of penance included many different Saints.

A very important element of this form of penance was to strike the breast while saying through my fault. Admitting in front of God and the Church that we are sinners and striking the breast is a sign of our contrition, rejection of sin and being open to receive the mercy of God.

The Penitential Act is concluded by the priest giving absolution (from our venial sins). The penitential act is not the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the General Instructions of The Roman Missal, we have an explanation: “After this, the priest calls upon the whole community to take part in the Penitential Act, which, after a brief pause for silence, it does by means of a formula of general confession. The rite concludes with the priest’s absolution, which, however, lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance. From time to time on Sundays, especially in Easter Time, instead of the customary Penitential Act, the blessing and sprinkling of water may take place as a reminder of Baptism.” (GIRM 51)

The penitential act prepares us for full participation in the Eucharist. We have to remember that only fully free from any sin we can receive Holy Communion. Before the Apostles sat down with Christ at the table, He first washed their feet as a sign of being fully cleansed.

Solemnity of the Immaculate

Conception

Saturday, December 8th

Mass as 9:00 a.m.

Pope Pius IX formally defined the dogma for the Immaculate Conception: “The Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance

of her conception, by singular privilege and grace granted by God…was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.” This means that Mary was without concupiscence, the disordered tendency to sin, from the moment of her grace-filled, extraordinary conception.

What does the Immaculate Conception mean for us? Mary is a sign of joy and hope—it is possible to live without sin. Our goal is to imitate Mary and, when we fall into sin, to cleanse ourselves through Confession.

We pray on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and always in the words of the prayer on the Miraculous Medal, saying, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

We invite you to the Pax Christi bilingual celebration for the patroness of our diocese, our Lady of Guadalupe, this December 12th, 2018. The bilingual Rosary begins at 6:25 pm and the Mass will start at 7:00 pm followed by a small reception. Donations accepted. More details to come soon!Please contact Alma Oliva with questions at arizabalo@hotmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Les invitamos a la celebración bilingüe de Pax Christi para nuestra Señora de Guadalupe este 12 de Diciembre de 2018. El Rosario comienza a las 6:25 pm y la Misa a las 7:00 pm. Después de la Misa, habrá una pequeña recepción. Se aceptan donaciones. Si desea más información, favor de contactar a Alma Oliva en arizabalo@hotmail.com. Espere más detalles proximamente.¡Los esperamos!

12/1 5:00 James Siggin (d) 12/2 8:30a Bishop Joe Sartoris 12/2 10:30a Mass for the People 12/2 5:00p The Sanctity of Each and Every Human Life 12/3 9:00a Charles Aberle 12/5 9:00a Marilyn Schmiesing 12/6 9:00a Souls in Purgatory 12/7 9:00a Minnie Buchler (d)

1st Sunday of Advent - 6 - December 2, 2018

Shopping at Amazon.com? Did you know by shopping at Amazon.comyou can generate $$ for Pax Christ?

It’s EASY! To shop, simply go to smile.amazon.com. Select Pax Christi Catholic Church, Littleton. This will be your default charity for all future purchases. Pax Christi will receive .5% of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases. The money earned from this website is electronically deposited into a Pax Christi bank account. You can change your default charity at any time. Shop and support Pax Christi at the same time!

Information Wall

Did you know there is a wealth of information on the wall in the Great Hall? Stop by and see what resources are available to you, or someone you know.

Find ministry pamphlets, parish opportunities, prayer guides, support booklets and more! While you're there, admire the Baptism garments that commemorate those who began their faith journey at Pax Christi.

How does the program work? Purchase a reloadable gift card for $5.00 at the Parish Office. You will receive a card with $5.00 on it. Take it to the customer service desk or the checkout line at King Soopers and reload it when doing your shopping and Pax Christi will receive 5% back. You can buy as many cards as you would like.

Additional Information.Cards with a zero balance will become inactive after 90 days and you will need to purchase a new one. Lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or tossed cards will not be replaced by King Soopers. Gift cards cannot be purchased directly from King Soopers for this program.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday December 3 9:30a-11:30a Biblical School 6:30p-8:00p Baptism Prep 6:30p-8:00p Presence-Presentation on the Eucharist

Tuesday December 4 9:30a-11:30a Pax Moms 1:00p-3:00p Prayer Shawl 4:15p-5:30p 2nd Yr. Novices/ Choristers 6:30p-7:30p The Path

Wednesday December 5 9:40a-11:40a ENDOW 10:00a-12:00p Pantry 5:15p-6:30p 3rd Yr. Novices/ Choristers 6:00p-7:30p Edge 6:30p-8:30p ENDOW 6:30p-8:00p Unlocking Mysteries of the Bible 7:15p-9:00p M/W Schola

Thursday December 6 4:15p-5:30p 1st Yr. Novices 6:00p-7:00p Confirmation 6:00p-7:00p KoC Council 6:30p-7:30p Adoration/Confession 6:30p-8:00p Spiritual Exercises 7:00p-9:00p HS Discipleship

Friday December 7 6:00a-7:15a Point Men 10:00a-12:00p Pantry 10:00a-11:00a FORMED (Spanish) 6:30p-7:30p Holy Hour

Saturday December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 9:00a-10:00a Mass

Sunday December 9 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:30a-12:00p Donuts (KoC) 9:40a-10:30a Bible Blast 9:45a-11:30a RCIA/RCIC 4:00p-9:00p KoC Christmas Party

Parish Staff

Pastor: Fr. Marek Krol - 720-419-0122 / mkrol@paxchristi.org

Deacon: Tom Sandusky - 720-419-0131 / tsandusky@paxchristi.org

Business Manager: Lisa Walker - 720-419-0123 / lwalker@paxchristi.org

Director of Music: Raymond Ortiz - 720-419-0124 / rfortiz@paxchristi.org

Director of Adult Catechesis: Ginger Giesen - 720-419-0126 / jgiesen@paxchristi.org

Director of Children's Sacrament Preparation: Rachel Daugherty - 720-419-0129 / rdaugherty@paxchristi.org

Director of Youth Ministry: Chenele Shaw - 720-419-0125 / cshaw@paxchristi.org

Head Catechist: Becky Hensler - 720-419-0127 / bhensler@paxchristi.org

Administrative Assistant: Joanne Lafond - 303-799-1036 / jlafond@paxchristi.org

Maintenance: Victor Corral - 720-419-0130 / vcorral@paxchristi.org

St. Katharine Drexel School: Mandi Lupher, Director - 720-419-0128 / mlupher@paxchristi.org

Parish Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Friday: 9:00am - Noon

Parish Office: 303-799-1036 Fax: 303-799-1072

Holy Hour of Adoration:

Thursday: 6:30-7:30pm (Church) 1st Friday: 6:30-7:30pm (Chapel)

Sacramental Emergencies: 303-799-1036, option 2

Mass Schedule

Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 9:00am

Saturday: 5:00pm

Sunday: 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm

Holy Days (weekday): 6:30am / 7:00pm

Sacrament Of Reconciliation

Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 8:30-8:50am

Thursday: 6:30-7:30pm

Saturday: 4:00-4:30pm

Or by appointment

Parish Stewardship of Treasure

Contributions to Pax Christi for November 19 - 25, 2018

Offertory Collection Basket: $12,679 Online Giving: $7,741

Capital Improvements Collection Basket: $1,135 Online Giving: $430

Weekly Offertory Needed: $24,082 Number of registered Families: 929

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