READINGS FOR DECEMBER 13 Zephaniah 3:14-18a

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:10-18

With heartfelt thanks for your

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

NOVEMBER 21 & 22

Adults $12,493.16 Children $6.50

NOVEMBER 28 & 29

Adults $10,608.20 Children $10.75

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 6, 2015

WEDDINGS Congratulations to Carlos Esteves and Bhavna So-

hal, who were united in the Sacrament of Marriage!

May your lives together be blessed and strengthened

by the Lord!

INFANT JESUS SHOWER:

IT’S ONLY A WEEK AWAY! If you have not been contacted with your In-

fant Jesus Shower information or you have additional

questions, please call Amy Comer at 231-9226. All

gifts are due by the 10:30 Mass NEXT SUNDAY,

December 13th. Please remember to wrap all gifts

individually and clearly label each gift with the fami-

ly number and child’s name.

ADVENT

RECONCILIATION

SERVICE Tuesday, December 15th, 7pm

Please join us at Immaculate Conception Church for

our One Bread, One Body Advent Reconciliation Ser-

vice. This tri-parish Service includes Ascension, St.

Helen, and Immaculate Conception Churches and will

be the only evening reconciliation service prior to

Christmas. 2300 S. Smithville Rd., Dayton, OH

45420

OUR DESIGNATED DOOR OF MERCY

IS “SEALED” While we believe that all doors leading into the

church are entryways to God’s love and mercy, one

specific door is chosen for the symbolism. If you are

used to coming from the vestibule into the church, the

door closest to the steps down to the paver entrance is

now “sealed” with a red cincture and a sign asking

people not to use it until December 13 unless there is

an emergency.

SUPPORT ELDERLY RELIGIOUS A parishioner writes, “As a Catholic school

student from grades K-12, I was formed to be the per-

son I am by many religious brothers and sisters, and I

am forever grateful.” Show your appreciation for the

senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order

priests who made a positive difference in so many

lives. Please give generously to next week’s collec-

tion for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

WE REMEMBER OUR DECEASED In your prayers please remember Margaret “Peg”

Butler. Please also remember her family, friends, and

all who mourn her death. Eternal rest grant unto her,

O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE

CONCEPTION This week we celebrate the Immaculate Con-

ception of our Blessed Mother Mary. Masses are at

7:00 p.m., Monday, December 7, and 6:30 a.m., and

8:15 a.m., on Tuesday, December 8. December 8 also

marks the beginning of the Year of Mercy! Join us in

honoring the Mother of God.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6

8:00 a.m. Mass (Rosary at 7:30 a.m.)

Coffee and Conversation- HR 9:00-10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m. Mass

Zumba-GYM 4:00 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7

Novena-CH 9:00 a.m.

Legion of Mary-SJA 2:00 p.m.

Vigil of the Immaculate Conception-CH 7:00

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Mass-CH 6:30 a.m. & 8:15 a.m.

Rosary-BSC 9:00 a.m.

Leisure Club Meeting -SB 1:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Centering Prayer-SJN 3:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

Prayer Shawl Ministry-SJN 1:00 p.m.

Family Praise & Worship-SJN 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Regional Mass Immaculate Conception-8:15 am

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

Men’s Group-SJN 7:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m. Mass

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6

8:00 a.m. Gene Deis (Dorothy Haughey)

10:30 a.m. Sean Burkhardt (Family)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7

8:15 Maria Marchionne (Al & Joan Torres)

7:00 p.m. Mary Knapke (Knapke Family)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

6:30 a.m. Rita Hickey (Laverne Will)

8:30 a.m. Gene Deis (Bryan & Carol Brown)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

8:15 a.m. Joseph Kubler (Mike & AnnMarie

McClain)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

8:15 a.m. Jack VanDegrift (Family)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Regional Mass at Immaculate Conception Church

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

5:00 p.m. Chuck McCoy (Charles McCoy

Family)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

8:00 a.m. Pat Woodall (Tom & Martha

Tangeman, MaryBeth & Larry Woest)

10:30 a.m. Stefanie Moran (Family)

CHRISTMAS COOKIE

WALK & CHRISTMAS

ITEMS Immaculate Conception Church

December 12th 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Monsignor Sherman Hall (lower level),

2300 S. Smithville Road

Need some cookies, baked goods or home-

made candy? Immaculate Conception is the place to

be December 12th!

Looking for Christmas gift items, look no

more. We will also have homemade soups and pulled

pork sandwiches for lunch or take out. For more in-

formation, contact Shirley Deger at 254-4309.

HOUR OF GRACE Please join us this year for one hour of prayer

on Tuesday, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate

Conception. We will start at 12:00 noon sharp in

the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Our Lady requested

this time and date when she appeared as the Mystical

Rose in 1947 to Sister Pierina of Montichiari, Italy.

Many spiritual and physical blessings will be received

by those who pray undisturbed during this hour.

Please join us for the hour consisting of rosary, 53st

Psalm, prayers, and private meditation. For further

information call Phyllis at 426-9954 or Helen at 253-

2565.

Introducing the St. Helen’s playgroup!

Join us every other Friday morning as we explore

parks and other fun activities for the kids.

For more information, contact parishioner Ashley

Andrews @

ashleylynnandrews11@gmail.com.

THE LEISURE CLUB CHRISTMAS

PARTY IS CANCELLED. WE WILL HAVE OUR REGULAR MEETING ON

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M.

THE ST. HELEN SCHOOL CHILDREN’S CHOIR

WILL BE PERFORMING

THANK YOU

Many thanks for your overwhelmingly generous response to

our Thanksgiving food collection! Our pledged goal from the

Food for All campaign in honor of Pope Francis was 4059

items. The actual collection totaled 8,485 items! This means

we can feed more children in the local area through the Feed

the Spirit program, too! Our St. Vincent DePaul Society plans to use part of the

generous bounty of donated canned goods to support the Christmas dinner fix-

ings provided to our Infant Jesus families. This, in turn, will free up resources to help clients

through the holidays by addressing other acute needs such as utility bills and rent. Thank you for

your generosity to our brothers and sisters in need!

All Students 7th – 12th grade are invited to the Youth Office in the basement of the Church after the 10:30 am Mass. We will spend time getting to know one another and preparing for Advent. There will be snacks, doughnuts and, of course, HOT CHOCOLATE! We will meet from 11:45am – 12:30pm. Feel free to bring friends! Call Cassie Schemmel (937-256-8815) with any questions. Permission slip and RSVP for this event can be found online under the “Youth” tab: sthelenparish.org

Holy Grounds: Hope and

Hot Chocolate

December: 6th

13th 20th

More than 80 women gathered on the First Sunday of Advent to hear a message of

Hope in the Darkness at this year's ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT. The Smith

Building was transformed into a glowing, sparkly haven of hospitality and grace.

Many thanks are in order to those who worked so hard to make it happen: the St. Hel-

en rectory staff, the program coordinators, program writers, musicians, hostesses,

registration volunteers, and facilities assistance donated more than 100 hours of

work. Keep an ear out for next year's 5th Annual Advent by Candlelight!

A Taste

of

G

R

A

C

E

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO DECEMBER 6, 2015

Come to the Holy Family Chapel

and See the Crèches

from France, Germany, and Mexico on loan from the University of Dayton

Stop by our own crèche

newly located in the back of church

so more people can see and enjoy it!

SHARE YOUR ACTS OF MERCY TO

PREPARE FOR THE COMING

OF CHRIST! Throughout the Year of Mercy, all of us will

have many opportunities to focus on our own sharing

of this gift. During the season of Advent, we ask that

individuals and families take the time to be mindful of

ways that they show mercy to others . . . through for-

giveness or through acts of kindness to others in need.

The possibilities of showing mercy are endless, really.

Each time you perform an act of mercy, consider

writing down what you did and place your paper

in the basket near the manager scene (creche) and

then take a piece of straw from the second basket

and place it in the manager or on the stable floor.

Think of this as a “Mercy Challenge” per-

haps...one where no ice, no bucket, and no camera are

required; just a good heart!

This is also a great way to help children be

mindful of mercy and how they treat one another!

MY ACTS OF MERCY

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CREDIT UNION NEWS With the holiday bustle just around the corner, we here

at the St Helen Federal Credit Union know that finances can be

tight. So we are pleased to announce some programs to make

your holiday finances “sparkle”! Hopefully you’ve taken ad-

vantage of our Christmas savings accounts. Should you overin-

dulge, then ask about our Debt Consolidation Loans. Contact us

for information about these and our other services at 252-7477.

ADVENT OPPORTUNITY:

ADORATION CHAPEL AT ST. ALBERT

THE GREAT PARISH St. Albert the Great parish has been blessed for 22 years

with a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. It is located in the Spirit

Center. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a

year. Many people come to our Adoration Chapel to pray before

the Blessed Sacrament. They pray the Rosary, read the Bible or

other religious materials, or meditate privately. You are invited

to come and spend some quiet time with our Lord. He is there,

waiting for you. We also have a parish library next to the Chapel.

Feel free to read the books and return them when finished. For

your safety, there is a security lock on the side door. Call Paula

Smith at 434-8506 for the code.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT:

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON All are cordially invited to a musical celebration of Ad-

vent and Christmas as the Chaminade Julienne Performing Arts

Department presents: Sounds of the Season, Thursday, Dec. 10th

at 7 p.m. This free, family event will feature sacred and secular

songs performed by the concert choir, concert band, liturgical

choir, string ensemble, Hands in Harmony, and a cappella

groups. Guests are invited to stay for refreshments following the

concert. Thursday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m. , Chaminade Julienne

Auditorium

PROGRAM MANAGER POSITION The Brunner Literacy Center for adult learners is seek-

ing a full time or part time Program Manager. Qualified candi-

dates should be experienced educators who are comfortable

working with diverse people, and can embrace our mission of

service to the poor and underserved. Contact Celine O’Neill at

937-815-1560 with questions and/or refer to the website

(www.brunnerliteracy.org/careers) for more information. A re-

sume with cover letter can be sent to Celine O’Neill, Brunner

Literacy Center, 4825 Salem Avenue, Dayton, OH 45416 or

coneill@brunnerliteracy.org

WOMEN'S MORNING OF REFLECTION Please join us on the Feast of the Immaculate Concep-

tion on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 for a Morning of Reflection,

beginning with Mass with Fr. Louis DeVaugelas, LC, at 9:30

AM at St. Peter Catholic Church, followed by a spiritual reflec-

tion, Confession, and social refreshment, concluding at noon. To

reserve Babysitting for your children please contact Heather at

937-867-7332 or for further information, Barbette at 937-293-

1438. Regnum Christi women are hostessing this wonderful

opportunity for all women.

OUT OF PARISH

ADVENT DAY OF RECOLLECTION December 14 * 9:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m.

You and your friends are cordially invited to an Advent

day of recollection focused on the Visitation of Mary to Eliza-

beth (morning) and the Canticle of Mary also known as the

"Magnificat" (afternoon). Saint Ambrose tells us: "Elizabeth

was the first to hear the voice but her son John was the first to

feel the effects of grace. She heard as one hears in the natural

course of things; he leapt because of the mystery that was there.

She sensed the coming of Mary, he the coming of the Lord — the

woman knew the woman, the child knew the child. The women

speak of grace while inside them grace works on their babies.

And by a double miracle the women prophesy under the inspira-

tion of their unborn children." Bergamo's Jubilee Retreat Guide

Anthony Franchina, who was taught how to lead Ignatian medita-

tions by the Jesuits while working at Georgetown University,

will facilitate this prayerful experience complete with an Appli-

cation of the Senses. This day will also include a wholesome

lunch enjoyed in sacred silence. You may register for this free

will offering event by calling the Bergamo Center at 937-426-

2363. or online at the Bergamo Center website: http://

www.bergamocenter.org/ under the Jubilees tab.