Page 1 December 20 & 27, 2015

Page 2 December 20 & 27, 2015

DECEMBER 20th

- 27th

SUN. DECEMBER 20, 2015

8:00 AM Mass

No Hospitality Hour - Simbang Gabi Lunch today

10:00 AM Mass Simbang Gabi

11:15 AM Simbang Gabi Lunch Celebration St. Benedict School Cafeteria

4:00 PM Reconciliation 5:00 PM Mass

MON. DECEMBER 21, 2015

7:45 AM Mass

8:30 AM Rosary

TUES. DECEMBER 22, 2015

7:45 AM Communion Service

7:00 PM JustFaith Cancelled WED. DECEMBER 23, 2015

6:30 PM Mass

THURS. DECEMBER 24, 2015

5:00 PM Family Mass

10:00 PM Mass

FRI. DECEMBER 25, 2015

10:00 AM Mass

SAT. DECEMBER 26, 2015 SUN. DECEMBER 27, 2015

8:00 AM Mass

No Hospitality Hour - Merry Christmas

10:00 AM Mass

4:00 PM Reconciliation 5:00 PM Mass

LITURGIES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mi 5:1-4a Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 Heb 10:5-10 Lk 1:39-45 8:00 AM Mass (RIP) Rebecca ‘Becky’ Baxley by Hazel Emery 10:00 AM Mass (INT) Lucrey & Rose Cabansag by Lucrey & Rose Cabansag 5:00 PM Mass (INT) The Parishioners of St. Benedict

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015 St. Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor of the Church Sg 2:8-14 Ps 33:2-3,11-12,20-21 Lk 1:39-45 7:45 AM Mass (INT) Magdalena Raught by The Ortiz Family 8:30 AM Rosary

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 Sm 1:24-28 (Ps) 1 Sm 2:1,4-8d Lk 1:46-56 7:45 AM Communion Service

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 St. John of Kanty, Priest Mal 3:1-4,23-24 Ps 25:4-5b,8-10,14 Lk 1:57-66 6:30 PM Mass (RIP) Nancy Hebestreit

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 Is 62:1-5 Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27,29 Acts 13:16-17,22-25 Mt 1:1-25 5:00 PM Mass Christmas Vigil Is 9:1-6 Ps 96:1-3,11-13 Ti 2:11-14 Lk 2:1-14 10:00 PM Mass Night

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 Is 52:7-10 Ps 98:1-6 Heb 1:1-6 Jn 1:1-18 10:00 AM Mass Christmas Day SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59 Ps 31:3cd,6,8ab,16bc Mt 10:17-22

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

1sM 1:20-22,24-28 Ps 84:2-3,5-6,9-10 1 Jn 3:1-2,21-24 Lk 2:41-52 8:00 AM Mass (RIP) Amelia Booth by Darlene Robertson 10:00 AM Mass (INT) Everett Willette by The Barrett Family 5:00 PM Mass (INT) The Parishioners of St. Benedict

Page 3 December 20 & 27, 2015

DECEMBER 28th

- JANUARY 3rd

MON. DECEMBER 28, 2015

7:45 AM Mass

8:30 AM Rosary

TUES. DECEMBER 29, 2015

7:45 AM Communion Service

7:00 PM JustFaith Cancelled WED. DECEMBER 30, 2015

6:30 PM Mass

THURS. DECEMBER 31, 2015

8:45 AM Mass

FRI. JANUARY 1, 2016

10:00 AM Mass

SAT. JANUARY 2, 2016

9:00 AM 1st Saturday Mass with Anointing

10:00 AM Saturday Morning Prayer Group Parish Center, Lower Level SUN. JANUARY 3, 2016

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM - Noon Hospitality Hour

10:00 AM Mass

4:00 PM Reconciliation 5:00 PM Mass

PRAY FOR THOSE THAT ARE SICK Arlette Fellores, Victoria Frantz, Chris Durbin,

Teresa Townsend, Alex Small, Dan Reilly, Tom Weber, Willie Kleffner, Norm Taylor, Pat Gallagher,

Zeny Zimmerman, Michelle Pacheco, Bill Brown, Tony Horner, Carlos Calupas, Higinio Martinez, Rosanne Borden, Robert Barnes, Harvey Bones

and Mickey D’Almada Remedios

LITURGIES

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2015 THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS 1 Jn 1:5-12—2:2 Ps 124:2-5,7c-8 Mt 2:13-18 7:45 AM Mass (INT) Fr. Bryan Dolejsi by The Parishioners of St. Benedict 8:30 AM Rosary

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015 FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 1Jn 2:3-11 Ps 96:1-3,5b-6 Lk 2:22-35 7:45 AM Communion Service

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2015 SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 1 Jn 2:12-17 Ps 96:7-10 Lk 2:36-40 6:30 PM Mass (INT) Dn. Roy Harrington by The Parishioners of St. Benedict

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIV-ITY OF THE LORD 1 Jn 2:18-21 Ps 96:1-2,11-13 Jn 1:1-18 8:45 AM Mass (RIP) Gloria Mae Sallis by Lily and Isabella Sundy

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 THE OCTAVE DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD: SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Nm 6:22-27 Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8 Gal 4:4-7 Lk 2:16-21 10 AM Mass (INT) Jim Sinegal by Lily and Isabella Sundy SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church 1 Jn 2:22-28 Ps 98:1-4 Jn 1:19-28 9:00 Mass (INT) Staff of St. Benedict Church & School

by The Parishioners of St. Benedict

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Is 60:1-6 Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-13 Eph 3:2-3a,5-6 Mt 2:1-12 8:00 AM Mass (INT) The Parishioners of St. Benedict 10:00 AM Mass (INT) Dorothy Schuler by Tom and Jan Barrett 5:00 PM Mass (INT) Higinio Martinez by The Parishioners of St. Benedict

Page 4 December 20 & 27, 2015

From deacon Roy’s desk

Worship and spiritual life

Dear friends:

The Catholic Community of St. Benedict Parish welcomes you, God’s beloved, and we wish you a very merry and blessed Christmas and a happy New Year! Yes, you, whether you are a faithful, long-time parishioner, a Catholic who joins us only once in a while, a visitor or a member of a different faith tradition, you are God’s beloved. That is how God sees you and so our parish wishes you God’s gift of Christmas peace.

May you who are faithful parishioners rejoice in God’s many blessings and know that you have been a blessing for so many others.

May you who have come home from college or military service from far away to rejoin your family for the holidays know you are always welcome at St. Benedict, your spiritual home.

May you who are visitors find here a community of welcome and a community that rejoices in praising God. We are so grateful for your presence with us.

May you, who are members of the parish family but of a different faith tradition or of no specific faith, know that we hold you in our hearts and ask for God’s blessings on you.

May you who come with sadness in your heart or who have experienced great sorrow, pain, or hurt in the past, some-times from the Church itself, experience this Christmas a new beginning of healing, hope and peace.

And may our God of love and joy bring your family true peace and rest.

If you would like to explore more about our Catholic faith here at St. Benedict, I invite you to visit our website: www.stbens.net or give us a call at 206-632-0843 so we can meet with you. On behalf of Father Bryan Dolejsi, our par-ish priest, and all the parish staff, many blessings this Christmas season and for 2016!

Your brother in Christ,

Deacon Roy Harrington Pastoral Coordinator

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST Thank you St. Benedict community! The past six months since I arrived have moved quickly. I thank you for the warm welcome in the parish and school, your prayers, your words of support, your flexibility, your stewardship, and your faith. I look forward to growing with you more throughout the coming years. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! Fr. Bryan Dolejsi

ST. STEPHEN St. Stephen is the protomartyr, the first martyr. Stephen was arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy. His fate was sealed when he had a vision during his trial and cried out, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts of the Apos-tles 7:56). He was taken out to be stoned to death by a mob, which included Saul of Tarsus. Stephen is shown in art with three stones and a martyr’s palm, sometimes wearing a dalmatic, a deacon’s vestment. (2016 Source-book pg. 40)

SIMBANG GABI (NIGHT MASS) “Missa de Gallo,” has been a Filipino religious tradition since 1660. All are welcome to join our Filipino Commu-nity at our 10 AM Mass today and celebrate. Parols will be carried in to the Mass by the children of the parish. Our Filipino Community invite all to join in the celebration which includes a luncheon in the cafeteria after Mass.

ST. PETER CANISIUS Pope Leo XIII called St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) “the second apostle to Germany after Boniface” because of his ability to foster dialogue between opposing sides during the Reformation and enliven faith in the hearts of distressed Catholics. He published his Catechism in 1551, which is a series of three scholarly works that convey the tenets of the Catholic faith without ever referenc-ing his opponents. (2016 Sourcebook pg. 24)

ST. JOHN OF KANTY St. John empowered the people to bridge the pondering of the mind with the feeling of the heart. He followed the simple, austere practices of the desert fathers — never clinging to material goods, fasting whenever possible, and living in contemplative awareness. (2016 Sourcebook pg. 24)

Page 5 December 20 & 27, 2015

Worship and spiritual life

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS Herod the Great, fearing for his throne after the Magi told him about the birth of Jesus, ordered the execution of all male children in Bethlehem, hoping that Jesus bould be among those killed (see Matthew 2:16 -18). According to Matthew, this fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah (31:15) (2016 Sourcebook pg. 41)

ST. THOMAS BECKET Born in London as the son of Norman parents (he was not a Sax-on, as in the play, Becket). Thomas received a good education at Merton Abbey, and later in Paris. When he left school, he be-came a secretary, a position of some prestige in a society with limited literacy. Eventually, he became assistant to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury. Recognizing his talent, Theobald sent him to the court of King Henry II, and eventually Thomas was named Lord Chancellor of England. In 1162, hoping to gain con-trol over the Church, Henry had him installed as archbishop of Canterbury, but Thomas had a conversion, resigned as Chancel-lor, and thus began a conflict between King and archbishop. When Thomas returned from exile in France and excommunicat-ed Henry’s followers, Henry said in a rage, “Will no one red me of this meddlesome priest?” Four knights took this as a command and killed Thomas as he went to join the monks for vespers in the abbey church. The story is retold in T.S. Eliot’s play Murder in the Cathedral and Jean Anouih’s play, Becket. (2016 Sourcebook pg. 42)

ST. SYLVESTER I Very little is known about Sylvester. He was pope from 314 to 335 during the era of Constantine, when the Church was able to come out of hiding after years of per-secution. During his pontificate some of the great church-es in Rome were built, such as the Lateran Basilica and the original St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Hill (the present St. Peter’s Basilica was constructed between 1506 and 1626). (2016 Sourcebook pg. 43)

ST. BASIL & ST. GREGORY Basil and Gregory became close friends as students in Athens. Together they fought against the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Christ. Their writings also aided the Church’s understand of the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. With Basil’s brothers, Gregory of Nyssa and peter of Sebaste, they are among the Capadocian Fathers. Gregory is known as “the Theologian” by the Eastern Churches. Basil is known as the father of Eastern mo-nasticism and had a great influence on the development of liturgy, East and West. (2016 Sourcebook pg. 44)

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD While in the midst of Christmas Time, the church cele-brates this solemnity. One of the most outstanding char-acteristics of Mary is her willingness to know and do God’s will. While we would like to follow her example, we wonder how she was so sure of it. Join us at Mass on New Year’s Day to embrace what drove Mary’s faith and to find out if in your busy life today, what we may be over-looking to help us in our growth of faith.

stewardship

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE The Gospel on the 4th Sunday of Advent tells us of the Virgen Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying off to help her cousin Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior gave her time and love to others as well.

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Rejoice! The word became flesh and dwells among us! Oh, come let us adore him! The first reading on the Feast of the Holy Fami-ly provides a challenging blueprint for the good stewardship of our family relationships. How do I measure up?

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT RENEWAL Thank you to those of you that have al-ready returned your Parish Stewardship commitment card. To date we have re-ceived pledges of 320,044 or 83% of our $385,000 goal. 181 families made their pledges. If you have not made your

pledge for 2016, please carefully consider how you can give back a portion of what God has given you. Return your pledge card at Mass on Sunday or make your pledge online at www.stbens/net!

Parish Stewardship - FY 2016

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 Total Budget - $385,000

Actual Budget Variance

November $ 40,577 $ 33,897 $ 6,680

YTD $ 162,834 $ 164,635 $ (1,801)

** Amounts include collections from ALL Masses **

HELP MAKE OUR CHRISTMAS EVE MASS GREAT The 5:00 PM Mass on Christmas Eve is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus and share in the joy of Christmas. This year’s mass will be special as we’ll have a family choir of children and their parents providing music, and with your help, many other children/families participating in the liturgy. There are opportunities for school-age children and a couple parent helpers to be greeters, altar servers, readers and ushers for this mass. Please contact Shannon Cary at ShannonC@Microsoft.com or Deacon Roy at dn.roy@stbens.net if you or your children would like to participate.

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stewardship

RAISING THE ROOF! - BUY A SHINGLE! We appreciate your donations that are helping us complete the roof project and replenish the church maintenance reserves and general savings account. We continue to accept donations through envelopes in the pews and vestibule, online to the stbens.net website and make your donation today. Thank you!

SCHOOL NEWS

Human concerns social justice

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ST. BENEDICT SCHOOL

The students, teachers and staff of St. Benedict School would like to wish each one of you and your loved ones a blessed and Holy Christmas and all the best in the com-ing year. We thank all of your for your continued support and prayers so that we may do our jobs to the highest degree possible.

THE GIVING TREE The HCSJ Commission would like to thank you for your wonderful response to the Giving Tree Project. All gifts were sorted and picked up or delivered to: Mary’s Place (a Shelter for Women and Children), St. Francis House (who will let the homeless parents choose Christmas gifts for their children that they would not be able to afford), King County Juvenile Detention Center (this gift is the only one many of these children will receive in their forgot-ten world), St. Martin de Porres Men’s Shelter (given to the men of the shelter to help keep them warm and back-packs to store what little they possess, St. Vincent de Paul (through our commission these gifts will light up the eyes of Families that are struggling to make ends meet) and finally Friends of Limulunga as we continue to sup-port our Sister Church in clothing, educating and building their community. We never forget! God bless all of you for your gift donations, cash donations and love for all.

CALLING ALL CAROLERS!!! Join us as we gather for what we hope to be an annual event, the members of St. Benedict Choir and families from the parish and school for an afternoon of Christmas Carols and treats! Dress for the weather, and all are wel-come to come on Monday, December 21

st (Winter Sol-

stice) from 4 to 5:30 PM. We will meet in Benedict House at 49th & Densmore to carol for a few block around the church. If you play a guitar, or any other portable instru-ment, bring it! Song books provided. Spread the word! It'll be fun! RSVP to reneealindstrom@gmail.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! The birth of our Savior, is for our Parish Family a truly blessed event. Christ is born to us again and reveals in us a deep desire to once again seek innocence and a new life through reconcilia-tion. We who serve you, thank you for your time and talents, freely given, your cooperation, your financial sacrifices and most of all your prayers. It is our hope that Christ will be born anew in your minds and hearts on Christmas Day. May Christ bring His peace, joy and love to you and yours. The Parish Staff

ST. MARTIN de PORRES St. Benedict Parish supports St. Martin de Porres Men’s Shelter by making and providing sandwiches for 212 homeless men, age 50 and older, every 1

st and 3

rd Monday of the month. Volunteer to

make sandwiches on these Monday’s from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Donate hard boiled eggs and home baked goodies. Working together can and does make a difference. Thank you for your monthly donations and your help. Note the new time!

Page 7 December 20 & 27, 2015

Human concerns social justice

What else is happening

FIGHTING HUNGER IN WALLINGFORD What a way to begin the Year of Mercy! We began the week with a total of 8,871 pounds with less that 3 weeks to go. A report from the manager of QFC that he has just delivered 740 pounds came in on Wednesday. The HCSJ Commission delivered another 151 pounds and Lilly McGarry took over a check for $645.77 which translated to 1,072 pounds, giving us a Grand Total of 10,151 pounds for 2015 realizing a dream of Dn. Roy’s that he thought would push us a bit, but he did not know who he was dealing with! Thank you so much St. Benedict School and Parish, you have fed many this year. A very Merrry Christmas to you all!

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL MATCHING GIFTS Thank you to those who have already fulfilled your Annual Catho-lic Appeal pledge! These are your last weeks to maximize our Annual Catholic Appeal Rebate, please check if your employer has a Matching Gift program. Once your gift has been paid in full, you can apply for the match per your employer’s instructions. The Annual Catholic Appeal, Archdiocese of Seattle, is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID # 91-0778147. Call 800-809-4921 if you have any questions. Mailing address: Annual Catholic Appeal, PO Box 14964, Seattle 98114

2,000

4,000 lbs.

7,000 lbs.

10,000 lbs.

A NEW YEAR’S EVE MEDITATION …Walking the Labyrinth for Peace in the World

St. Mary-on-the-Lake -- Labyrinth and Chapel Thursday, December 31, 2015

1:30-3:30pm -- Walk the Labyrinth Anytime 3:30-4:00pm -- Prayer in the Chapel

1663 Killarney Way, Bellevue, WA 98004

No RSVP Needed. Families With Children Are Most Wel-come. If you have questions, contact Valerie Ross at vross@csjp-olp.org or 425-635-3600

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

~~ Shoppers! St. Benedict School, gets a rebate of 0.5% when you do your last minute shopping at Amazon. All you have to do is go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-0567737 then log onto your amazon account and shop. Thank you from our students!

Faith formation

WE DID IT!!!

Our Christmas Gift to You! Merry Christmas! As we come to the end of 2015, we have some exciting news for the New Year. January 24, 2016 we will be offering our first Sunday School session! We will have two classrooms, one for grades K, 1, and 2, and another for grades 3, 4, and 5. Sessions will be 30-40 minutes, directly after the 10am Sunday mass. While parents enjoy coffee hour, we will be offering your child faith-based social interaction with their peers from the parish. We are looking for 2 volunteers per classroom to teach and help supervise. Please contact Lucy Gillett at the parish office or at l.gillett@stbens.net for more information about the program or volunteering.

REMEMBER, THE DOORS OF MERCY? The Doors of Mercy are open to you this Christmas Season not only in the Major Basilicas in Rome, but in every diocese around the world, in all cathedral churches and major shrines. Pope Francis opened the first Doors of Mercy on November 29

th, when

he visited the Cathedral of Bangui in the Central African Republic. Archbishop Sartain opened the Doors of Mercy at St. James Ca-thedral last Sunday and they will remain open for pilgrims through-out the Year of Mercy, until November 13, 2016. Make a pilgrim-age with your family as you celebrate the birth of our Lord.

RACHEL’S CORNER HOPE AND HEALING AFTER ABORTION

“To women who have had an abortion: “[D]o not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. . . . The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace.” - Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae

Begin the New Year with a peace that surpasses all understand-ing. We can help you on a Rachel’s Vineyard™ retreat. Our next retreats are: March 4

th-6

th in Seabeck, WA and on April 15

th -17

th

in Stanwood, WA. Call Valerie at1-800-822-4673.You are loved with an everlasting Love! Project Rachel is a program of Catholic Community Services.

“THE SUMMIT “ WINTER RETREAT “One City” is an exciting once-a-month, all-city youth night and is inviting you (school teens) to join us at this month’s gathering. We are hosting an all-city Winter Retreat called ”The Summit” @ Mt. Baker on January 1

st to 3

rd. We will be walking with teens toward

“The source & summit of our faith” – the Eucharist. Here is a link to the registration page: https://www.classy.org/deming/events/one-city-winter-retreat/e65605

Page 8 December 20 & 27, 2015