Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, VG, Administrator Deacon Stephen Brunet Church Office (Rectory): 446-6801 or 876-7975 CCD Office: 446-1985 Fax Line: 448-2764 E-mail address: stbridgetchurch@htdiocese.org Daily Mass : Monday—Friday 8:00 am Sunday Mass: 8:30 A.M & 10:30 A.M. Confessions: Sat. 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm Sun. 8:00 am—8:20 am 10:00 am—10:20 am Or by appointment Perpetual Adoration Chapel information 985-446-6801 facebook.com/StBridget www.stbridget-htdiocese.org

St. Bridget Catholic Church 100 Highway 311 • Schriever, Louisiana

GOD HAS A DIFFERENT PLAN We begin the season of Advent with a heartfelt call for our own repentance. We remember God’s faithful love for us, and call upon God to help us to turn back. For “behold, you are angry, and we are sinful” (Isaiah 64:4). In the first reading and in the psalm, we recall God’s promises and lament our unfaithfulness and our guilt. We call upon God’s might and power in order to save us. With Isaiah, we ask God to “rend the heavens and come down, / with the mountains quaking before you” (Isaiah 63:19). Yes, God is faithful to us, because we are the work of God’s hands. God is the potter, we are the clay. And yet, our concept of how God will come to save us is rooted in our own expectations of a warri-or God who crushes mountains and thunders into our lives with great noise and glory. But God has a different plan: the Incarnation. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Parish Penance Service The prayers service will begin at 6 pm on Wednesday, Decem-ber 20. It will last until the last person has had the opportunity to be heard.

Adoration Chapel Hours Change

The Adoration Chapel is now open from 6 am to 7 pm. Those wishing to adore between 7 pm and 6 am can secure a key fob from the church office.

Immaculate Conception

Holy Day of Obligation

December 8,

2017

Vigil Mass on Thurs. at 5:30 pm Friday morning Mass at 8:00 am

First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017

Mass is celebrated each weekday at 8 am. Please join us whenever you can. It is a great way to start the day.

Catholic Daughters Corner

Catholic ladies (age 18 and above) are in-

vited to join your sisters in Christ for the

annual CDA Christmas social. Bring a

wrapped $10 gift and join in the covered

dish (festive food) celebration. The meet-

ing/social is held in the annex on Thursday,

December 14th beginning at 7 pm.

Catholic Daughters is the largest Catholic

female organization in the United States.

Please pray about becoming a part of this

group of devoted ladies.

Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of: December 3-9

Brandon Filardo by Mom and Dad Rudy Boudreaux (DA) by Earline and family Numa Richard (B) by Ronnie and Marlene

Carrie Callahan (DA) by family

December 10-16 Fred LeBouef by Emily & family

Clovis Triche & Danay Bergeron by Enola Triche DA=Death Anniv. B= Birthday

WA=Wedding Anniv.

December 2 Mr & Mrs Olema Darcey by Sandra Dunbar

Lucille Boudreaux by family and friends

December 3 Jimmy Coupel by Diana and family

Aida Moncivaiz Fontenot by Moncivaiz, Fontenot and Vasques families

Andrea Richard by Phyllis & John Ables & family Gert Josey by Children

Keith Babin by Mom and Dad Lucille Boudreaux by family and friends

December 9 Gaston Breaux (B) by Ronnie & Betty Thomas

Mr & Mrs Olema Darcey by Sandra Dunbar

December 10 Aida Moncivaiz Fontenot by Moncivaiz, Fontenot

and Vasques families Gert Josey by Children

Clovis Triche & Danay Bergeron by Enola Triche Keith Babin by Mom and Dad

Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the Annex at 7 pm. The next meeting is December 21st.

The organization is open to all men aged 18 and above. Please prayerfully consider joining the parish organization and serving the Lord.

Contact Ricky Billiot at 985-856-6868 for more details.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS December 2-3, 2017

4 pm 8:30 am 10:30 am

Lector Anne Naquin Dawn Koetting Pauline Monnier

Commentator Curtis Knight Nina Billiot Claire Babin

Eucharistic Ministers Team 1 Team 9 Team 14

Homebound Dec. 1 Janice Matherne

Money Counters Dec. 4 Team 2

Church Cleaners Dec. Jeanie Aucoin

Altar Linens Dec. America Lombas

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — We are the clay and you, O LORD, are the potter: we are the work of your hands (Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7). Psalm — Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved (Psalm 80). Second Reading — God is faithful; by God you were called to fellowship with the Son (1 Corinthians 1:3-9). Gospel — Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33-37). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

LIKE A CHILD One who aspires to the grace of God must be pure, with a heart as innocent as a child’s. —St. Nicholas

Guidelines for Baptism

Prior to baptizing a child, the parents and God-parents must attend a baptismal seminar. The next baptismal seminar will be held December 13 at 6:30 pm in the Annex. Those seeking to baptize a child can complete the registration forms in the office Monday—Friday between 8 am and 3 pm. The office must be made aware of the desire to baptize a child and desire to attend the seminar. The registra-tion form can also be found at the parish web-site, stbridget-htdiocese.org, and emailed to the parish through the “Contact Us” link.

While the Church only requires one qualified Godparent for a child to be baptized, two God-parents may be chosen, although in this case one must be male and one female. Anyone who is to be a Godparent must meet the qualifi-cations established by the Church, which are as follows. Godparents must have received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and be practicing Catholics, at least 16 years old who lead a life in harmony with the faith. If married, the proposed Godparents must be in a marriage recognized by the Church. If not mar-ried, they must not be simulating marriage by living with someone. Giving Tree

Thanks to all who have helped to make Christmas better for some of our less fortunate. It is said that Christmas is a time of giving, and the

parishioners of St. Bridget definitely make that a true statement. Your generosity has helped many this season. May the joy of Christmas stay with you all year long.

Christmas Play - December 9 Advent Mission - December 13 Christmas Social - December 16 Penance Service - December 20

Christmas Masses Christmas Vigil Mass - 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Night - 11:00 pm Christmas Day - 9:00 am

Why We Confess—Rediscover Mercy Why do we confess to a priest? What is the differ-ence between mortal and venial sin? How can I be cer-tain that God has forgiven me? How do I make a good confession? Beginning this weekend, the

diocese is releasing a second study series on our Catholic Faith. The new study, en tled ’Why We Confess | Rediscover Mercy’, is focused on deep-ening our understanding of the Sacrament of Reconcilia on. This study is a 3-part video series which includes a prac cal guide on making a good confession, and more. Sessions are with Dr. Brant Pitre and Fr. Mark Toups.

This study is available online for all parishioners or in group sessions held in Didier Hall. Group sessions will be on Tuesday mornings at 8:45; Wednesday evenings at 6 pm; and Saturday mornings a er the 8:30 am Mass. Learn more and sign up on the diocesan website at htdiocese.org/WhyWeConfess

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14;

Formation News It’s time for the Christmas

Play The annual Christmas Play will be held in the church Sat-urday, December 9th at 6 pm.

Play practice will be held in the church December 5—8 from 5—7 pm. CCD students and youth are playing the important roles of angels, shep-herds, innkeepers, and wise men. Plan to join us as we learn about the birth of Christ. Children who are not enrolled in CCD at St. Bridget are also encouraged to partic-ipate in the play. Contact Miss Berna-dette at 985-804-6045 for more details.

Parish Christmas Gathering Dec 16

Mark your calendar and plan to join in the festivities Saturday, Decem-ber 16th!

The evening will include family centered ac-tivities for the young and young at heart. Santa will also be here for pictures and fun. The evening is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and parishion-ers of St. Bridget. Please plan to attend.

Made for Promise – Visions of the Promised Land

Christopher West will be at Christ the Re-deemer in Thibodaux Friday, December 1st at 7 pm. Made for More is an inspired blend of live music, art, and presentation that taps the deepest desires of the human heart. Join Christopher West and Mike Mangione as they offer a vision of the Gospel like you’ve never heard through the lens of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each.

Mark Your Calendars Advent Mission

December 13, 2017

Mass will begin at 6:00 pm

Mission will follow Mass

Mission by Fr. John David Matherne

(This is a one day Mission.)

“Why We Confess” The video series will be played in Didier Hall be-ginning Tuesday, December 5th at 8:45 am. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 8:45 am; Wednesdays at 6 pm and Saturdays after the 8:30 am mass. Session 1: December 5, 6, and 9 Session 2: December 12, 13, and 16 Session 3: December 19, 20, and 23

My Dear People of God, Welcome to the holy season of Advent. It is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ’s two fold coming; first the second coming at the end of time and secondly to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our prepara-tion for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas). These four weeks leading up to Christmas, provide us with a beautiful opportunity to prepare for the coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is a time of introspec-tion; of quiet – the days are shorter, the darkness is deeper and it seems a perfect time to look inwards, to reflect on life and where God wants us to be! The readings from scripture that accompany this beautiful season as it develops invite us to dispose ourselves to the Lord’s coming. In the readings during this season we shall hear: Keep awake! Be ready! Be alert! The Lord is coming! However, we are not told to run in frantic circles to prepare! There is the story of John the Baptist, bap-tizing the people and telling them to get their lives in order, to repent of their sins, to pray. We also hear about the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary and her acceptance of God's will. How strange these messages must have seemed, yet they were able, through God’s love, to follow the call that God had for them! The language of Advent contains truly amazing words – repent, trust, believe, PRAY! Do not fall asleep, do not be lulled into complacency, do not allow the world to interfere with what we, as Christians, know is right and true!

In the spirit of this season, our Diocese has released a second video study series on our Catholic faith focusing on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The three part series titled “Why We Confess” is focused on deepening our understanding and experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please seriously consider signing up for one of the group sessions to view and discuss these presentations here on our campus. If you are unable to join the groups, please endeavor to watch them on line at our Diocesan website: www.htdiocese.org/WhyWeConfess

I would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the Advent Wreath. The wreath, gives us many beautiful symbols to keep our minds and hearts centered in Christ! Consider the shape of the wreath, a circle, which tells us that God has no beginning and no end. God is! The green branches remind us that, even in the depths of lifeless winter, there is hope for new life! Even in the darkest times, God’s hand is there to help us through. Light, possibly the strongest of symbols for us as Christians, reminds us of the Light of Christ come into the world. It has roots in our earliest days, in our baptism, when we receive the Light of Christ. Light is that beacon which calls us forth, leads us on our way and illuminates all things which are dark and frightening. In the lighting of the four candles, one each week, we build our anticipa-tion of the coming Feast of Christmas when the Christ-light will come to us! Take that tradition into your home and make a family prayer of the lighting of the Advent Wreath candles! Thanks and God bless, Fr Simon Peter Engurait