SAINT MARY’S & SAINT ELIZABETH’S CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Phone: 701-579-4312

FATHER GARY BENZ-PASTOR

frgarybenz@yahoo.com; Cell Phone 701-509-9504; Rectory 701-579-4874

VICTOR DVORAK –DEACON

www.stmaryschurchnewengland.com

Second Sunday of Advent— December 8, 2019

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Years ago, a man was shocked to read his own

obituary in the morning paper. His death was mistakenly reported. But what shocked him the

most was how his obituary described him: as someone who had devoted his entire life to making

weapons of war. That morning, he resolved to turn his energies in a new direction: working for

world peace and human betterment. The man was Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Peace

Prize. On this Second Sunday of Advent, we heed John the Baptist’s warning to turn from our sins and strive to imi-

tate the example of Alfred Nobel, turning our energies in a new direction. Advent is a time to challenge Christians to

reassess our goals in life, so that they may assist us in our journey to eternal life. Are we up to the challenge? Per-

haps the words of Jesus can spur us on, “What profit would it be if a man gains the whole world yet loses his soul?”

Familiaris Consortio (cont.)

#15. Virginity or celibacy, by liberating the human heart in a unique way, “so as to make it burn with greater love for

God and all humanity” bears witness that the Kingdom of God and His justice is that pearl of great price which is pre-

ferred to every other value no matter how great, and hence must be sought as the only definitive value. It is for this

reason that the Church, throughout her history, has always defended the superiority of this charism to that of mar-

riage, by reason of the wholly singular link which it has with the Kingdom of God. In spite of having renounced physi-

cal fecundity, the celibate person becomes spiritually fruitful, the father and mother of many, cooperating in the re-

alization of the family according to God’s plan.

Receiving the gift of God’s mercy

Please join us this Sunday, December 8th, at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s for our Advent Penance

Service. That evening, I will be joined by another confessor, Fr. Paul Eberle of Saint Charles Church

of Bowman. The following Sunday, December 15th, from 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m., I alone will be offer-

ing the Sacrament of Penance at Saint Elizabeth’s. Please take the time to come . . . your soul will

thank you and you will be doing the most important work in preparing to welcome Jesus Christ into your heart at

Christmas.

Preparing for a good confession with the Ten Commandments

VI. You shall not commit adultery. Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?

VII. You shall not steal. Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?

VIII. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor? Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the

expense of another?

IX. You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse. Have I honored my spouse with my full love and affection and exclu-

sive love?

X. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. Am I content with my own means and needs or do I compare myself to

others unnecessarily?

Saint Elizabeth’s Church Dinner . . . Take II: Due to the fears of the Snowmageddon that was supposed

to hit our area last week, we decided to postpone the Saint Elizabeth’s Church Dinner & Raffle to this

Sunday, December 8th. Please join us for the Holy Mass at Saint Elizabeth’s that morning at 10:30, fol-

lowed by a great meal of farmer hats and sausage patties from 11:00 to 1:00 (free will offering), and

then followed by BINGO, a raffle, some kids games, and fellowship. We will see you there and if you see

me doing a polka, it’s not because of my German heritage . . . it’s my victory dance after winning multiple BINGO’s.

MASS & ADORATION SCHEDULE

Monday, December 9th

7:00 PM SM—Immaculate Conception—+Josie Heidt by Marc & Anne Wolf

Tuesday, December 10th

7:30 AM SM—+Family of Victor & Lynn Dvorak by Victor and Lynn

7:00 PM SE—+Edwin Lefor by Carson & Kelly Kouba

Wednesday, December 11th

7:00 PM SM—Rosary, Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions

+Reggie Gentz by Gentz Family

2:10 PM SM—+Florentine Bohlman by Saint Mary’s Altar Guild

Thursday, December 12th

7:30 AM SM—+George & +Minnie Koffler by family

Friday, December 13th

7:30 AM SM—+Kyle Binstock & +Deceased Parents of Ervin and Diane Bin-

stock by Ervin & Diane

12-3:00 PM SM—Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Saturday, December 14th

8:30 AM SM—+Josie Heidt by St. Pius Verein

5:00 PM SM—+Louise Krebs by Anton & Em Krebs & Art Krebs

Sunday, December 15th

8:30 AM SE- +Dale Reindel by Robert Lefor

10:30 AM SM—Pro Populo

Please Keep in Your Prayers: Theresa Tarpo, Todd Leach, JoAnn Urlacher, Zane Sabo, Richard Jambor, Brad Novak, Josie Steier, Katie Stolz, Katie Kautzman, Hazel Jacobs, Amber Urlacher, Savannah Benz, Bonnie Benz, Lily Serr, Anise Masterson, Chuck Brusich, Nate Hernandez, Andy Prokop, Henley Johnson, Duane Grundhauser, Pete Schaefer, Alice Candri-an, Marilyn Jacobs, Leo Heck, Ross Thomas, Arlene Rohr, Brenda Barton, Elven Kaufman, Suzette Printz, Linda Reisenauer, Russ Lefor, Cindy Martin, Howard Schiwal, Theresa Decker, Alyssa Binstock, Yvonne Fettig, Kim Kuhn, Don Miller, Bonnie (Krebs) Dick, Dorothy Kohl, Colleen Churchill

Assisted Living and Nursing Home Residents: Gilbert & Ruth Buzalsky,

Mary Hanson, Aggie Wandler, Charlotte Krebs, Harvey Herberholz, Archie

Jalbert, Joan Binstock, Joe Wandler, Sylvia Koppinger, Leona Gordon, Don-

nella Koppinger, Marilyn Jeske, Willie Emmil, Frances Heick

Our Deceased Loved Ones +Shawn Flaherty, +Duane Dobitz, +Dan

Frank, +Cecelia Jung, +Benedict Benz, +Kenneth Stagl, +Florentine Bohl-

man, +Josie Heidt, +Dale Schoeder, +Ed Pechtl, +Magdalen Schorsch,

+Dale Reindel, +Adam Schulz, + George Koffler, +Edwin Lefor, +Louise

Krebs, +Regina Gentz, +Tina Rixen, +Rose Krebs (SE), +Herbert Emmil,

+Joan Madler, + Leroy Kilwein, +Harold Maershbecker, +Darwin Schaefer,

+James Gatzke, +Ed Koppinger, +Eleanor Keck, +Ardelle Kovar, +Eugenia

Stagl, +Nick Lenhardt, +Mike Urlacher, +Keith Herold

Collection Report St. Elizabeth’s December 1st, 2019

Adult Youth

$ 100.00 Envelopes $ 22.00

$ 98.00 Loose Plate $

$ 220.00 Total $

$ 220.00 Monthly Total $20.00 Poinsettias

Collection Report St. Mary’s November 30th & December 1st, 2019

Adult Youth

$ 555.00 Envelopes $ 7.00

$ 20.00 Loose Plate $

$ 587.00 Total

$ 587.00 Monthly Total 235.00 Military—70.00 Poinsettias

St. Mary’s Liturgical Ministers December 14th & 15th, 2019

MINISTRY Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 10:30AM

Lector Diane B. Dan G

Mass Servers Maddie R./Molly R. Kayla E./Leah E.

Eucharistic Ministers Cely S./Robert S. Kent M./Emily M.

Gifts Connie Jalbert Family Martina Stagl

Rosary Leader Jim K. Mike M.

Greeters Leonard & Kathy G. Scott & Christa Schmidt Family

Homebound Minister Martina S.. Martina S.

Saint Elizabeth’s Liturgical Ministers December 15th, 2019

Lector Fran

Mass Server Nathan

Eucharistic Ministers Darrell & Dorita

Gifts Norb & Arlene

Greeters Michele & Curt

Ushers Dustin & Darrell

*December 15th at Saint Elizabeth’s: -The Little Girls’ Flower club will be presenting Our Lady of Gaudalupe play after 8:30 am Mass. -There will be coffee and rolls after Mass. Arlene Rohr, Bea Grundhauser, and Kathy Kaufman are on. -church cleaning and setting up Christmas trees and lights after Mass

*Christmas Mass schedule

December 24th: Christmas Eve (4:00 p.m.), Saint Mary’s

December 25th: Christmas Day (midnight), Saint Eliza-

beth’s

December 25th: Christmas Day (10:30 a.m.), Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s 2019 Fall Festival Raffle Winners:

$600—Bob Werk $200—Dan Frank

$500—Guy Gentz $100—Anne Wolf

$400—Joletta Kern $100—Arnie Huck

$300—Renelda Stagl

$200—Connie Jalbert

On the lighter side: Question: “How do you know

Santa Claus is in the room?” Answer: “You can sense

his presents.”

A point to ponder: Christmas is not merely a date, but

a sentiment to keep in our hearts all year long.

Saint of the Week, Saint Nicholas (270-343)

Feast day: December 6th

Patron of: bakers, children, pawnbrokers, and sailors

Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) of Myra was the only child of devout Christian parents. Already

in his youth, he displayed a deep faith, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays and spending long hours in

prayer in the family’s parish church. Tragically, both of his parents died during an epidemic when he

was young man, leaving him well off, but to be raised by his uncle, the Bishop of Patara. Saint Nicholas

determined that he would devote his inheritance to charity and he prayed for God’s guidance on this matter.

An opportunity soon arose when a resident of Patara had lost all his money and needed to support his three

daughters, who could not find husbands willing to take a future wife unable to offer the customary dowry to the marriage.

The wretched father decided he had no other option but to force his daughters into a life of prostitution. When Saint

Nicholas was informed of this, he took a bag of gold and threw it into an open window of the man’s house at night. This

provided the dowry for the eldest daughter and she was soon duly married. He did the same for the second and third

daughters and the last time, the father was on the watch. When he recognized that the benefactor was Saint Nicholas, he

showered him with gratitude and appreciation. His daughters were spared from a life of ill repute and misery because of

the kindness of this holy man of God.

Once, when he came to the city of Myra (in modern day Turkey), the clergy and the people were in session to elect

a new bishop. Saint Nicholas was indicated by God as the man they should choose. This was no welcome role, because at

the time, the Roman Empire was in the midst of the final, and greatest persecution of Christians, under the Emperor Dio-

cletian. But, Saint Nicholas humbly and courageously accepted the election as bishop and shortly afterwards, was arrested

by the local magistrate, thrown into prison, and tortured mercilessly. He survived this horrible ordeal and when released

from prison, he returned to Myra to continue serving as a holy and orthodox bishop.

But now the Church was attacked from within by the heresy of Arianism, the insidious work of a priest, Arius. This

heresy asserted that Jesus was not divine, but was only a great preacher and worker of wonders. At the Church Council of

Nicaea in 325 A.D., called to discuss the divisions in the Church caused by Arianism, Saint Nicholas was so angered by Ari-

us’ denial of the divinity of Jesus Christ that he went up to him and slapped him in the face! So much for Jolly Old Saint

Nicholas! The council fathers deprived him of his episcopal insignia and sent him to prison, but our Lord and His Mother

appeared there and restored him to both his liberty and office.

Saint Nicholas died and was buried in his episcopal city of Myra, which a few centuries later, fell under the control

of the Muslim invaders. The Catholic Italian cities did want to see the grave or shrine of this holy man desecrated, so they

acquired the relics of Saint Nicholas and transported them to the city of Bari and a new church was built to shelter the

precious relics. Devotion to Saint Nicholas spread quickly throughout the west and many miracles were attributed to his

powerful intercession. The love and admiration for Saint Nicholas made its way to the New World through the Dutch colo-

nists of modern-day New York. Their Sint Klaes became our beloved Santa Claus, who showers presents upon good boys

and girls, as well as lovable parish priests. Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas reminds all Christians of the admonition of Jesus, “It

is better to give than to receive.”

Rest in God’s peace: We offer our prayers and condolences to Louann Dobitz and her family with the death of +Duane

Dobitz, their beloved husband, father, and grandfather. +Duane loved his Faith and his family, along with the people of

our parish and community. For this great love, poured out on behalf of so many, may he receive the everlasting love of

the Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Help us make Christmas sacred and beautiful: In the back of each parish church, you will find poin-

settia envelopes, to make an offering towards purchasing these beautiful Christmas plants for our

church sanctuaries at Christmas. On the envelope, please list the names of loved ones, living or de-

ceased, in whose memory you wish to offer these poinsettias. We will then list these names in the

Christmas bulletin. Thank you for assisting us in adding beauty to our churches as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Marc & Anne Wolf

11175 64th St SW

New England, ND 568647

701-579-4221

www.21angus.com

701-483-5108 Located on W. Villard

Jeff Schiff 730 E Villard

Dickinson, ND 58601 Commercial Farm & home Wiring & Lighting

electrical supplies

Email: ess@ndsupernet.com

ML LICENSE # 2267

Electrical Contractors

701.483.2171

Electric Sales & Service Inc.

New England Mott

579-4887 824-3149

525 Main St 120 Brown Ave

DAN’S

BODY SHOP

701-227-8688

DICKINSON, ND

Specializing in

Collision Repair

Located In the

St. Mary’s

Parish Center

701.579.5437

Kari Wandler-Co-Director

Callie Streeter—Co-Director

Located in the Lower

Level of the St. Mary’s

Parish Center

Hours 10:00-4:00 For more information

contact Vivian 206-0129

528 Main Street

New England, ND 58647

701.579.4292

BRAD GREFF

308 Brown Ave

Mott, ND 54656

701-824-3318 brad.greff@fumic.com

CARSON’S

REPAIR

Auto & Ag Equipment

Repair

Regent, ND

701.563.4412

631 26th Ave East

Dickinson, ND Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM—5:30 PM

701-225-6221

Empower. Strengthen.

Celebrate. 401 W Villard St., Dickinson, ND