Emmanuel: God with us! I know God desires to be with each of us. He wants to come into our lives in a very loving and caring way. We only need to open the doors of our hearts to allow him to enter in. I ask you to join me in this prayer of calling Jesus into our lives, to come and be our Lord and Savior.

O come, O come Emmanuel into…. ...the hearts of our children and lead them in your ways to true joy, peace and happiness. ...the hearts of families with struggles in marriages or relationships between parents and children and lead them in your ways of generosity, understanding and forgiveness. ...the hearts of those who are grieving and comfort them in their sadness and deepen their hope in your promise of new life. ...the hearts of those who carry heavy bur-dens and give them courage and strength to bear crosses with trust in your plan. ...the hearts of those who are sick and bring comfort to their pain, courage when they are afraid and healing to their illness ...the hearts of those with depression and flood them with your peace, calm anxieties, ease fears, replace despair with hope.

A Note From Fr. Tim

St.

Mary

Pari

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New

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ter

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LO

N,

I

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To create and maintain a Christ-centered Catholic Com-

munity where our personal call to holiness, service and spiritual growth leads to con-tinued authentic wit-

1749 Racine Ave NE Solon, IA 52333 319-624-2228

www.solonstmary.org

DECEMBER 2016

...the hearts of those who are lonely or homebound and fill them with the warmth of your love and the joy of your coming. ...the hearts of those who have lost their way and show them the path to your love and help them see your plan for their lives. ...the hearts of those who are indifferent and soften their hearts with the light of your truth and the depths of your love and mercy. ...the hearts of those who have forgotten who they are as your beloved sons and daughters and fill them with a deep sense of their worth and purpose in your kingdom. O come, o come people of God. In this season of Advent call on Jesus to come into your hearts. He wants to bring you every good blessing. Come and celebrate with us the birth of our Lord and Savior; he wants to be with you. Wishing all of you a Blessed and Holy Christmas. God Bless,

Fr. Tim

EMMANUEL O Come, O Come,

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”Matthew 1:23

DECEMBER 4 SUN Men’s Prayer Group, 7:00am, lower level SUN KC Breakfast with Santa, 8:00am-noon SUN Cookie Walk, 8:00am-noon 5 MON Eucharistic Adoration, 6:00-10:00pm

6 TUES Happy St. Nicholas Day!

7 WED Immaculate Conception Vigil Mass, 6:30pm

8 THURS LIFTS (ladies in Fellowship Together) Group 1:00

THUR Immaculate Conception Mass, 8:00am

9 FRI Eucharistic Adoration, 7:30am-noon

10 SAT Men’s Prayer Group, 6:30am, lower level

11 SUN Men’s Prayer Group, 7:00am, lower level

10 & 11 K-4th Christmas Eve Choir practice, in church after Masses

SUN Return Care Center Giving Tree Gifts to Gathering Space

12 MON Eucharistic Adoration, 6:00-10:00pm

13 TUES 12:10 Mass followed by potluck lunch

14 WED Mom’s book club, 9:00am in parish hall

WED Parish Advent Reconciliation Service, 6:30pm in the church

16 FRI Eucharistic Adoration, 7:30am-noon

17 SAT Men’s Prayer Group, 6:30am, lower level parish hall

SAT K-4th Families deliver gifts at Care Center 9:00 am SAT Marriage on Tap with Dr. Pranger, 6:00-8:30pm

18 SUN K-4th Family Christmas Gathering 9:30-11:00am

SUN Decorate Church & Hall, 11:30am, lunch provided

19 MON Eucharistic Adoration, 6:00-10:00pm

20 TUES 12:10 Mass followed by potluck lunch

TUES Orchestra Practice at 6:00pm for Christmas Eve TUES 5th-college Practice at 7:00pm for Christmas Eve

21 WED High School Christmas Party, 6:30

22 THURS LIFTS (ladies in Fellowship Together) Group 1:00

THURS 5th-college & Orchestra Practice at 2:00pm for Christmas Eve 23 FRI Eucharistic Adoration, 7:30am-noon FRI 5th-college & Orchestra Dress Rehearsal, noon for Christmas Eve 24 SAT Christmas Eve Masses: 5:00pm hall, 10:00pm church

25 SUN Christmas Day Mass, 9:00am in the church

KC Breakfast with Santa

Sorting & labeling Care Center Gifts

O Come, O Come, O Come, O Come, O Come, O Come, E M M A N U E LE M M A N U E LE M M A N U E L

Set-Up for Christmas Eve Mass in the Hall

Coming to 5:00 Christmas Eve Mass? Bring Jesus from your nativity set for Fr. Tm to bless

Father, hear our prayers for these couples who were united in marriage before your altar. Give them your blessing, and strengthen their love for each other. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever Amen.

Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Deaths We pray for and remember

Mary Jo Randall March 3, 2016 Dr. Thomas Nicknish June 17, 2016 Grace Greazel August 4, 2016 Robert Steinbrech October 3, 2016 John “Jack” Beranek October 18, 2016 Vera “Pauline”Lynch November 3, 2016 Allan Serovy November 9, 2016 T. Jean Gerlits November 14, 2016

Dan & Susan Krob

Allan & Mary Wolfe

Mary Burton

Michael & Jennifer Houlihan

Alex & Alexandra Trannel

Lucas & Megan Moses

Timothy & Kelly Light

Randall Kessler

Kimberly Gradoville

Cheyan & Heather Steele

Dustin & Chelsea Takes

Lucyna Mazik

Chris & Tracy Rusch

Amanda & Cory Maschmann

Tom & Barbara McDonald

Brandon & Kendra Reese

Kaitlin & John Luoma

Bradley & Emily Ridout

Benjamin & Molly Walter

Beverly &Gordon Vyrostek

Waler & Mary Arnott

Brandon & Abbie Huinker

Benjamin& Katelyn Harshyne

Kenneth & patricia Steinbrech

Colby & Samantha Neibert

John & Melissa Wilmer

Paul & Jamie Hada

Andy & Kristin Sawyer

Gret & Lynn Morris

Paul & Maureen McCormick

Byson & Stacy Croy

Christian & Stacy Karem

Gabriel & Anita Aquirre

Scott & Erin Burns

Aaron & Amanda Singsank

Zachary Neilson

Gabrielle McCaughey

Tom & Lindsey Gorzelanny

Cyndi Hunter

Mary Kaye Eisele

Daniel & Sarah Ferin

Thomas & Geri Kohlhaas

Peter & Brittany VanSickle

Thomas & Carol Ferree

Ryan Tegtmeier

Julie Jennings

Derek & Heidi Lindstrom

Jesse & Cassandra Lostigan

Our Parish Family

Welcome Amy Van Dyke!

I am very excited to be a part of the staff at St Mary. My background includes over 9 years of church bookkeeping/treasury experience which has been very rewarding. My husband, Tom, and I have a son, a daughter, and a schnauzer. I look forward to working with the parishioners of St Mary. Please, do not hesitate to ask if I can be of assistance to you! Amy

New Parishioners in 2016 We’re glad you’re here!

RETIREMENT NEWS

After 8 years of loyal

and dedicated service,

Donna Matthes is

retiring from her role

as parish secretary.

You will be missed!

Weddings Congratulations!

Guanghao & Whitney Liu Elais & Mattison Randel Ryan & Lara Quiles Kyle & Hillary Wehr Chad & Andree Schmidt Robert & Sarah Lisenbee Kevin & Lisa Hayes Kevin & Paige Steinbrech Ryan & Lea Koehler Travis & Samantha Brimeyer Alex & Alexandra Trannel

Baptisms We welcome with great joy!

Our Parish Family

Logan Joseph & Amie Stewart

Noah Justin & Ashley Parker

Eleanor Andrew & Sarah Costello

Bowen Travis & Kristen Schmidt

Evelyn Rex & Jessie Bryant

Theodore Daniel & Lauren O’Neil

Brady Matthew & Nicole Kroul

Harper Lucas & Megan Moses

Aubree Luke & Britnee Pruter

Caleb Clinton & Miranda Marks

Maeve Dustin & Chelsea Takes

Gage Randy & Megan Laing

Anika Michael & Mallory Janechek

Abel DeAngelo & Christine Brooks

Aiden Jacob & Jennifer Fetzer

Graham Ryan & Ashley Chizek

Greta Christopher & Tracy Rusch

Henry Adam & Stephanie Kaefring

Kinley John & Kaitlin Luoma

Jack Chace & Jennifer Holtz

Lillian Brett & Jessica Petersen

Ezra Brandon & Abigail Hove

Xavier Christopher & Hannah Johnson

Carter Sean & Michala Becthold

Gracie Sean & Michala Becthold

Lillian Sean & Michala Becthold

Jack Benjamin & Katlyn Harshyne

Ethan Douglas & Katie Klosterman

Jett Byson & Stacy Croy

Walter Clint & Rebecca Hansen

Liam Robert & Sara Studt

Evan Matthew & Stacy Kern

Jovie Zach & Abby Cannon

Lincoln Joshua & Kara Wesner

Liam Cory & Amanda Maschmann

Cohen Brandon & Kendra Reese

Kashlyn Benjamin & Katrina Plotz

Breckin Brandon & Kendra Keese

Kamryn Brian & Emily Heitoff

Mackenzie Nate & April Overturf

Elliott Andrew & Kristin Sawyer

Calla Benjamin & Michaela Sanderson

Ezra Krall Hove

Anika Hazel Janechek

Kinley Marie Luoma & Jack Robert Holtz

Greta Renee Rusch

Xavier Adam Johnson

Gage Russell Laing Evan Ryan Kern

Henry Adam Kaefring Kashlyn Joyce Plotz Liam Robert Studt

Abel Deshawn Brooks

Call Parish Office (624-2228) to Register for the next

Series of Baptism Classes: January 10, January 24 and February 14

Calla Jo Sanderson

St. Mary Christmas Eve

5pm Mass

Children’s Choir (K-4th Grade)

Dec. 10th/11th - All Masses

Dec. 18th - At Family Gathering

Awaken (5th - 8th Grade)

Dec. 20th @ 7pm

Dec. 22nd @ 2pm

Dec. 23rd @ 2pm DRESS REHEARSAL

Oceans (9th Grade - College)

Dec. 20th @ 7pm

Dec. 22nd @ 2pm

Dec. 23rd @ 2pm DRESS REHEARSAL

Orchestra

Dec. 20th @ 6pm

Dec. 22nd @ 2pm

Dec. 23rd@Noon DRESS REHEARSAL

Music Pract ices & Rehearsals

Sunday, December 18 following 10:30 Mass Please join in the fun and joy of preparing our church and hall for our Christmas celebra-tions! Everyone is welcome! Lunch will be pro-vided for those who stay to help. Many hands make light work! Please consider sharing an hour or so of your time to help us out.

Learn why Dr. Robert Pranger transitioned from a standard medical practice to a NFP-only practice, receiving training as a NaPro Technology Medical Consultant through the Pope Paul VI Institute. Working with several others in the Waterloo community, he is working to establish Guiding Star Cedar Valley, a pro-life women's and family heath center to promote the culture of life. Fr. Pranger helps couples understand the basis for natural family planning, the history of contraception and why it is not necessarily healthy for women's bodies or for marriages. He will share insights of the beauty of our church’s teaching regarding the dignity of men, women and marriage and how it led him into an NFP only practice.

I personally know Dr. Robert and encourage all of our couples to come to his great presentation. Fr. Tim.

An Evening with: Dr. Robert Pranger Dinner and Childcare Provided

Looking for something in your marriage? A more authentic love?

Stop looking & start living it Good for the Body. Great for the Soul!

Saturday, December 17 6:30-8:30pm St. Mary Hall

Marriage

On Tap

Are you an empty nester or close to becoming one? Grab your spouse and join us for DATE NIGHT: Saturday, January 21 6-8:30 pm

Dcn. Vic & Nancy DeSloover present The Second Half-Challenges of the Empty Nest. This presentation considers the many elements that make a marriage more loving and fulfilling as two people grow older. In a mature relationship, spouses recognize and appreciate the good in their mar-riage, not only in the past, but right here and now. They are in a unique position to eliminate frustra-tions as they are drawn ever closer. Intimacy finds a new dimension – that joins them in spirit as well as body. Bring an entrée, side dish or dessert to share and beverages of your choice (beer, wine, soda,

Have you ever had a Christmas where you felt like you were really prepared?

Have you ever had a Christmas where you walked into Christmas Mass and you felt focused and peaceful and ready? We prepare for everything we consider important in life, and Advent is the time we prepare for Christmas.

For many people, pre-paring for Christmas includes shopping, baking cookies, wrapping presents, hanging decorations, and much,

much more. Often these activities are stressful and chaotic, and they easily become a distraction from what Christmas is really all about.

Sign Up at BestAdventEver.Com We want to prepare you to have an incredible Christmas this year. Each week is filled with inspiring videos and testimonies that help us discover what we really want, what matters most, what matters least, and what it means to have a fabulous Christmas.

Be intentional about choosing a quiet and com-fortable place and reserving a time in your sched-ule when you can slow down and reflect. it’s part of the genius of Catholicism that the Church invites us to experience a time like Advent so we really can step back and reconsider where we are in our lives.

I’m really very, very confident that when you walk into Mass this Christmas, you’ll walk in as a differ-ent person. You will have had your best Advent ever, and as a result Christmas will be something more wonderful than it ever has been before. Matthew Kelly at dynamic catholic.com

Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Bring your hope, peace, joy and love into my heart, home, our world. Amen.

Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.

Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to be-come the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.

Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday mo-ments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.

Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

Advent Prayer for Families Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.

dynamiccatholic.com

A Gift for you at Christmas Masses—Matthew Kelly’s newest book: Are you overwhelmed? Do you procrastinate? Do you sometimes feel like you are your own worst enemy? Are you ignoring your dreams? Have you lost the courage sto truly be yourself? Do you feel that your life lacks meaning and purpose? Do you find yourself avoiding the real issues in your life and focusing on the superficial?

We all experience these feelings and doubts from time to time. But do you know what to do when you experience them? Breaking through resistance, It is resistance that stands between you and happiness. In these pages you will learn not only what it is, but how to recognize and conquer it in your own life.

Eucharistic Adoration Spend time alone with your Lord—away from the noise and distractions—let him fill you with peace.

Mondays: 6:00—10:00pm Fridays: 7:30am—noon

Mom’s Book Club Wednesday, December 14th we will be starting the book Something Other Than God

by Jennifer Fulwiler. You can purchase this book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Bring your child(ren) to play while we discuss this book and enjoy the company of other

Moms. We meet from 9-10:45ish every other Wednesday in the parish hall. Contact lindsey@solonstmary.org or 319-400-2484 if interested in joining us or have any questions.

The Immaculate Conception Masses Wednesday, Dec 7 6:30pm Thursday, Dec 8 at 8:00am The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception states that “The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of origi-nal sin.” Mary the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United Statess, declared so officially by the first Council of Baltimore in

The patronal church of the United States is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, dedicated to

the patroness of the United States and located in Washington, DC. It is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America.

Communal Reconciliation Services: Saturday, Dec. 10—10:00am St. Mary Iowa City

Sunday, Dec. 11— 2:00pm St. Patrick Iowa City

Monday, Dec. 12— 7:00pm St. Thomas Coralville

Tuesday, Dec 13— 7:00pm St. Wenceslaus Iowa City

Wednesday, Dec. 14 – 2:00 St. Mary-Solon

Sunday, Dec. 22—2:00 St. James Washington

Upcoming High School Events

December 28-29 St. Mary Parish Hall Begins: December 28th 5pm Ends: December 29th 9am Registration is due December 27th

This year St. Mary’s HS Youth Group will have a winter break Lock-In. **Doors will be locked at 7pm (no students may enter or exit)** Cost - $15 per family (Covers the cost of Dinner, Snacks and Breakfast) An online form can be found at our parish website: solonstmary.org

July 21-23, 2017 Steubenville on the Lake Carthage College, Kenosha WI

Please visit solonstmary.org (online) or stop by the office (paper) for the Steubenville Sign-up information. Remember to get signed up right away and submit your $50 (per student) deposit. Forms and deposits are Due on January 6th!

November 17-19, 2017

National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) Indianapolis, IN

Spots Limited to 12 students Please contact Chuck Brock for NCYC Sign-up information. We have limited the number for spots available to 12 students. Therefore, if you would like to attend, please sign up right away and sub-mit your $50 (per student) deposit. Forms & deposits are due February 1.

Reminders If you have not already added the

Facebook page or remind.com, please take a moment to do so. These will be the best ways to keep up on YG activities and announcements. Our Facebook is St. Mary’s Youth Ministry. You can text @stmyg16 to 81010 or let

me know and I can add you. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions Thanks! Chuck Brock, Youth and Music Minister

Parents: If you have any questions about any of these up-

coming events, please email me! I would love to share more about each of these great events with you.

Making sack lunches for those helping in

Cedar Rapids with flood protection.

LIFT ... Ladies In Fellowship Together

Ladies in Fellowship Together meets throughout the year and engages in a variety of funs activities like playing cards together and service projects. For the Harvest Festival, items were collected and put together in themed gift baskets for the Bidding Barn. We sew and stuff stockings for those who are homebound and we made decorative Turkey pinecones to be delivered with meals to the homebound. Currently we are knitting and crocheting prayer shawls for those needing comfort and healing. If anyone has leftover yarn - we will put it to good use; you can drop it off at church. All ladies are welcome to come and learn how to knit or crochet and enjoy the fellowship.

Volunteering & Supporting our Young Families

Parish Nurse

LIFT meets Thursday

afternoons. Watch the bulletin for

current dates and

times.

The Roskopf Family prepares the breakfast for our monthly K-4th Grade

Family Faith Gatherings

K-4th Monthly Family Gatherings Each month 80-95 families

with K-4th graders gather to learn about our Catholic faith and how their fami-lies can pray, serve and grow together in their faith at home. We are thankful for those who volunteer behind the scenes to help provide breakfast and child-care for these families. Last year and this year, Mark & Kelli Roskopf’s family come in at 8:00 to set-up and prepare food for their breakfast. They said yes to helping because they saw it “as a good opportunity to serve together as a family—there is something for everyone to do and stay busy. And, we get to meet our parish’s younger families. If you would like to help with this ministry or one of our other ministries that serve our young families (keep in mind—many do not have family in the area) please call the parish office and we’ll connect you with the ministry leaders for:

Little Lamb Nursery provides childcare during 10:30 Mass

Journey With Jesus offers children’s Liturgy of the Word at 8:30 & 10:30 Meals for Families with Newborns delivered to their homes

Loan Closet Needs We could use wheelchairs, walkers, reachers and tub and shower benches to share with others.

Homebound Communion We welcome new volunteers to visit and bring communion to our homebound and nursing home members. Consider including your spouse and children to help these people enjoy some “family” time.

Contact Nancy Upmeyer if you would like to donate, help or join us a Grief Share: 319-331-1553

Grief Share weekly meetings will begin Thursday,

January 12 at 7:00pm. This support group involves a short video, discussion and light supper. Join Us!

DON’T MISS THE 2017 RETREATS!

Sign-Up Online TODAY! www. so lons tmary.o rg

Will I have to share? You are free to share as much

As Catholics, what can we offer a world that desper-ately needs silence? Ironically, I think we have to speak up. We need to share with our tired friends, family, and colleagues the liberating freedom that comes when one heeds the call: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46: 11).

Our Faith has a rich tradition of seeking God in silence, whether in retreats, Mass, or in Eucharistic Adoration. As Catholics, we have a great opportunity to take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy some quiet in our lives. I think it is good to ask our-selves, “In what ways do I seek out silence to hear the voice of God in my life?” When we actively make si-lence a regular part of our lives, we will undoubtedly experience a deeper, spiritual peace, regardless of the pressures, obligations, and noise of our daily lives. Such peace will be evident to those around you, and they will probably ask you about it. Share your “secret” with them. Invite them to come with you to Mass, Adoration, etc. Our culture is certainly seeking peace, as this “silence” trend indicates, and as Catho-lics, we should be confident that we have something to offer others in this regard. www.matthewpinto.com

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place

and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

Weekend WOMEN’s

February 10-12

This was a first class retreat— I LOVED how loved and appreciated I felt

The new friends I met are amazing. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. Thank You

I highly recommend this weekend

This entire experience was exceptional!

It was truly an overwhelming, powerful, engaging weekend. Amazing Experience. Thank You.

Overall the best retreat I’ve ever been to.

Everything seemed like it was meant to serve us so we didn’t have to worry about anything.

It was a very much needed retreat. A very blessed weekend—that I will always remember and cherish.

Keep them coming. There are so many still out there who need to hear the messages of this retreat and

the rest of us would profit from repetition.

The weekend was wonderful to get away from the everyday events in life. It was a blessing to be in

God’s time and listen to him talk thru the speakers.

60+ Women participated in 2015. Their feedback:

God want s your a t t en t i on .

Everyone e l s e can wa i t .

We can get so busy and worn out by the tasks at hand with work, home and activities, It becomes easy to get off track and start going through the motions. Jesus offers a better way. Rediscover his plan and purpose for your life. Let Jesus give you a renewed sense of purpose and direction, of hope and peace.

When is it? The retreat begins at 7:30pm on Friday and ends by 1:00pm on Sunday. All meals provided.

Where is it? The retreat takes place at St. Mary, Solon in our parish hall, retreat center and church

Who should attend? Anyone 18 or older, who wishes to grow in their relationship with God, under-standing of our Faith and wants an opportunity to reflect on: who am I and where is my life headed?

What happens on the weekend? There will be a variety of presentations by parishioners, our deacons and Fr. Tim; conversation, prayer and silent reflection. Expect good fellowship, food and fun.

Will I have to share? You are free to share as much or as little as your are comfortable with. You and your needs will always be respected.

What will be expected of me after the retreat? There is no small print. There are no follow-up commit-ments. The weekend is for you to pause, examine the path your life is taking, rediscover the depths of God’s love for you, his plan for your life, and get the tools to more fully embrace that life.

MEN’s

February 17-19 45+ Men participated in 2015. Their feedback:

JOB WELL DONE! The weekend was just want I needed. Speakers shared great stories.

I am so thankful that I said yes to this experience. You’ll have a great challenge topping this next year.

There should be a warning that you will gain weight! It was done very well. Speakers did a wonderful job

Fantastic experience! I wouldn’t change a thing.

I enjoyed the weekend– it was laid back, fun and serious. New friends, great food, perfect length.

Thank you for doing this—good mix of talks.

The retreat was done very well. The right amount of speaking, prayer time and fellowship time. This weekend was just what I needed for my faith.

I would sign up again. Speakers were very good: on a personal level, interesting and able to relate to.

Great experience! The whole weekend was excel-lent. Great speakers. Great food. Nothing to change.

A tremendous opportunity to develop a personal connection to Jesus— awesome.

Weekend

If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way, if not,

you’ll find an excuse.

A look back at SUMMER Fr. Timothy Sheedy Celebrates 40 Years of Priesthood

Chicago Mission Trip

I am truly blessed and thank God for opening the doors of various ministries: pastor, prin-cipal and hospital chap-lain; allowing me to cross paths with the lives of so many won-derful families and indi-viduals. While it was God’s calling and grace

that made this vocation possible, there were certain individuals who greatly influenced my priestly discernment. With-out whom, I don’t know if the gift of these four decades as a priest would have been possible. I begin by thanking my parents. Through my father’s example, we eight children knew his faith was an important part of his life and he did his best to pass faith on to us. I thank my mom for the gift of life, love and faith. She has always been a great source of support and encouragement to me. I thank everyone who celebrated this day with me. Fr. Tim

Vacation Bible School; 5-6th grade Girl’s Lock-In

Steubenville Conference; LEAD Week in St. Paul

Young Family Picnic

Chicago Mission Trip

6th VBS Service Week

A look back at FALL

First Communion Class

Young Family Walk

8th “Trick or Treating for food

Confirmation Mass

Christ Our Life Des Moines Conference

Marriage on Tap Gift Bags for Shelter House

in Iowa City

St. Mary Church 1749 Racine Ave NE Solon, IA 52333

319-624-2228 www.solonstmary.org

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 13

SOLON, IA 52333

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Christmas Masses

December 24 5:00pm & 10:00pm

December 25 9:00am

If you have been away for a while… ...We hope you’ll come back at Christmas

Join us at Christmas Masses as we celebrate our Lord’s coming and wel-come him into our hearts and homes