St. Patrick Catholic Church A Jewel in the Diocese

Vol. 24 Number 48 saintpatrickcc.com December 02, 2007

First Sunday of Advent

This Parish exists to carry out the mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Earth. By our participation in the Holy Mass, the perfect act of worship, the saving power of Jesus is realized in our individual lives,

families, communities and in the world. Our outreach helps extend the reign of Jesus into all the dark corners of the world. As we gather as a family here in this holy place we experience a foretaste of our own destiny…Heaven! If you are a visitor, welcome! If you are a returning member, welcome home! We are

really glad you’re here. And remember, YOU are passionately loved by Jesus Christ!

Readings for the Weekend December 8th & 9th Second Sunday of Advent

FIRST READING (Isaiah 11:1-10) Second Reading–(Romans 15:4-9) Gospel–(Matthew 3:1-12) PRAY FOR THE SICK: Lesley Allen, Floyd Alfano, Dr. Richard Berryman, Carolyn Black, Margaret Mary Blake, Michael Blake, Laura Blake, Joey Brown, Gregory Burks, Bill Carroll, Ann Carter, Pat Carter, Eva Jean Cavender, Joe Cox, Angie Cusimano, Frank Cusimano, Shane Deadwyler, Gilda Denney, Ann Driscoll, Toby Facuet, Mary Fadlevich, Chad Field, Doris Fiesleman, Derek Fox, Marty Franklin, Michelle Fredrick, Agnes Ann Frey, Cindy Frey, Elizabeth Ferguson, Brett Gardner, Jackson Gray, Baby J. B. Grosvner, Clyde Hardisty, Patricia Ann Harkins, Sandra Harris, Forrest Headley, Justin Headley, Wanda Hight, Billy Hill, Roy Hogue, Paul Johnson, Jack Jones, Glenn Jones, Steve Jones, Joe Tom Harrold, Bill Lewis, Tom Marks, Sherry Morrow, Lisa & Steve Martz, Earl McCann, Jo Melton, Jim Milko, Mary Milko, Cecil Moody, Sarah Moore, Diana Morgan, Louis Muro, David Owen, Joy Parker, Allen Patterson, Vita Barrile Pauley, Dennis Peterson, Renae Poer, Jan Plan, Joe Puccio, Julisa Neely Quick, Bob Reynolds, Larry Robyler, Laura Rodriquez, Jimmie Sadberry, Mary Jane Serio, Doris Thompson, Baby Jack Smith, Betty Smith, Teresa Smith, Travis Smith, Manley Spence, Karen Spradling, Marvin Stockman, Zach Stribblin, Tina Stover, Jeremy Turner, Mike Tushou, Willie Turner, Santo Vizzina, John Vodosia, Camille Von Hagel, Katie Von Hagel, Donna Wallace, Winfred Williams, Sandra Wolf, and Baby Shelby Grace Wood. Please keep these, all the sick and their caregivers in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list please contact the church office. PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SHUT IN: Albert Billets, Harold Dill, Ann Driscoll, Libby Duchock, Joe Gagliano, Chad Galloway, Annie George, Jenny Guerino, Norman Gugliotta, Maggie Jeely, Virginia Jones, Theresa Lucia, Margaret Alice Mackinaw, Nancy M. Manzella, Joe Maple, Rose Marie Mitchell, Rose Monte, Frances Myers, Pearl Newberry, Ethel Pruitt, Pete Ragusa, Mary Rodriguez, Stan Rogato, Joe Russo, Willie Mai Sanders, John Sokira, Mildred Stack, Ed Suchey, Elizabeth Sullivan, Patti Watson, Leonard Watson, and Lady Jane Whatley. Please keep these, all the homebound and their caregivers in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list please contact the church office. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES to the family and friends of Virginia Reeves. May God grant her eternal rest. THE FAMILY OF FATHER PAT SULLIVAN wishes to thank everyone for the many kind expressions of sympathy extended to them at the time of Father’s death. The Masses and prayers offered; the cards and flowers sent; the memorials given; the food and transportation provided---and certainly your presence at his Prayer Service and/or Funeral Mass are all so deeply appreciated. The Services were beautiful and our sincere gratitude to the Bishops and all the clergy---especially to the homilists. Likewise, we thank the cantors and choirs for the beautiful music and the other ministers who participated---as well as the Knights of Columbus for their colorful presence. Our special thanks also to the hosts and hostesses who served delicious food after both of the Services. We will be forever grateful for your thoughtfulness, kindness and support of our brother -- both in life and in death. He loved you all – and we do too! John Sullivan, Mary Steele, Eileen Sullivan,

Chris Hickey and Teresa O’Connor. PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS: Especially our families, friends and loved ones who are currently in active military service: Darren Armentrout (Persian Gulf), Jeremy Barton (Iraq), Justin Bramblet (Iraq), Christopher Cates (Stateside), Michael Diamond (Stateside), Joel Dill (Japan), Brian Gibson (Iraq), Becky Hodges (Guam), Jenny Malone (Iraq), Anthony Noon (Iraq), Richard Parvin (England), Tim Rowell (Iraq), Joey Serio (Iraq), Matt Styron (Iraq), Rocky Townsend (Afghanistan) and Jason C. Watson (Stateside). Please keep all of our brave men and women in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list, please contact the church office. PLEASE JOIN OUR PARISH! We would love to have you as a registered member of St. Patrick. If you are attending Mass here at St. Patrick and would like to formally join our parish, please pick up a Census Card in the Narthex, fill it out and put it in the collection basket. Not sure if we have you on record? If you are not receiving contribution envelopes, you are not registered. ADVENT CALENDARS: We now have Advent Calendars for sale in the religious articles case. The calendars sell for 75 cents and come in two styles. This is a great way to count down the days until Christmas with your children or grandchildren. Please see Catherine Barrett for assistance MINISTERS NEEDED: We need 2 Extrodinary Ministers for 10:00am Mass on December the 8th. 3 Ushers for Midnight Mass and 2 Lectors for the January 1st Mass at 7:00 pm. Please contact Catherine Barrett as soon as possible.

PASTOR’S page

1st Sunday of Advent: Stay awake! The Lord is coming. Be ready! (Matthew 24:37-44) Let us pray that during this time of Advent we will discover the presence of God in many ways. (Vocation View sponsored by the Serra Club) RETREAT EXTENDED: I will be taking a few more days off. I will return for the Immaculate Conception Mass on Friday, December 7 at 7:00 PM. This means no RCIA on December 5 and no First Friday Mass, Adoration and Catechesis on December 7. Friday Catechesis will not meet in December but will resume in January. Daily Masses will resume Tuesday Dec.11th. SEE THE BULLETIN BOARD for all of the special Holiday Events and Mass Schedules including the Christmas Schedule. I will be hearing confessions after the Saturday and Sunday Masses during the Advent Season. Please take advantage of this wonderful Sacrament of Healing to prepare for a truly holy Christmas. Please mark your calendars for the Holy Day of Obligation on December 8. The Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be on Friday, December 7 at 7:00 PM (vigil) and Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 AM. According to the precepts of the Church, all baptized Catholics who are past First Communion age are expected to attend Mass on this holy day. We will light and bless the Advent Star after the Friday evening Mass.

FAITH FORMATION will meet Wed., December 5th at 6:30 sharp! CONGRATULATIONS to grades 2, 7 and Exceptional Education for full attendance November 28, 2007.

RCIA/ ADULT FAITH FORMATION: The RCIA class will not meet this Wednesday, December 5th. We will not have Adoration due to Father Beans' absence.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY meets every Sunday at 8:30 am in the Conference Room. FRIDAY MORNING CATECHESES will not meet during December. They will start meeting again in January. ST. BERNARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL in now accepting freshmen and transfer students for the 2008-2009 academic year. Please contact the Admissions office at 1600 St. Bernard Drive SE, Cullman, AL 35055 or call 1-800-722-0999.

CHOIR REHEARSALS: Children’s Choir Practice: Monday, December 3 – 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm. Adult Choir Practice: Monday, December 3 – 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

DID YOU KNOW that you can receive alerts of important news or information by registering on the church website? Our Notify Me service currently has 52 subscribers. Remember, we will use this functionality to send out electronic notices instantaneously. This will both relieve the telephone committee from extensive phone calling while also keeping parishioners informed of pertinent news and information quickly and electronically! You can register in one (or more) categories from the Notify Me page. Click on the Church Information link from the home page, then the Notify Me icon. Register and follow the instructions. Remember -- you can register in more than one category -- then watch for announcements in your e-mail.

SPIRIT FRUIT BASKETS are now on sale! Please see the enclosed flyer for information and to place your order ... or give your order to any SPIRIT youth or adult. Baskets are $15 and make great (healthy!) gifts.

ANGEL TREE & PENNIES FROM HEAVEN Angel Tree Continues this weekend. The White Angels are for gifts for the children of Bread & Roses (now known as Pathways), which are local homeless shelters for women and children. You are asked to buy the suggested gift and return it unwrapped in a gift bag with the angel attached no later than Sunday, December 9. The Bread & Roses Christmas Party will be held on SATURDAY, December 15 at St. Patrick at 2:00 P.M. The Lavender Angels are for gifts for the homeless men at the Firehouse Shelter, for the women of Bread & Roses, and for needy families. You are asked to put your monetary donation in the envelope and place the Lavender Angel in the collection basket. (Please do not put your donation on the tree.) The Pennies from Heaven money will be used for shut-ins and needy families during the holidays. Thanks to all who are working on this project and thanks to YOU for your generosity. Together, we WILL make a difference and ensure that our less fortunate neighbors have a brighter Christmas! SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, December 15, 2007, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Patrick, has been set for our annual Bread and Roses (Pathways) Christmas Party for the women and children who live in the shelters. This year we will have a Christmas “snack” along with gifts, stockings, etc. for our guests instead of the traditional Thursday evening dinner. We will have a sign-up sheet as the event gets closer and you will be asked to bring Christmas cookies, cupcakes, etc. instead of a casserole dish as in the past. “SAVE THE DATE” and plan on spending an hour or two on a Saturday afternoon with the women and children who so love to come to St. Patrick for the outpouring of love, fellowship, and concern that we have always displayed. Any questions, please call the church office. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER will hold its monthly Bingo Luncheon on Thursday December 6th. The day will begin with a Mass of the Anointing in the main church at 11:00 am followed by lunch and bingo. The menu includes Baked Vegetable Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread with Tea and Cakes. Please RSVP no later than noon Wednesday, December 5th to the church office. RIDE NEEDED: Sandra Smith, a parishioner, is in need of a ride to Saturday evening Mass. If you live in the Graysville or Brookside areas and would be able to help with this transportation need please contact the church office.

COUNCIL 10567 MEETING will be Thursday, December 6th, 2007, in the Knights Room in the Family Life Center. A meal and fellowship will begin between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. The meeting should start at 7 p.m. and not last more than an hour. All Knights are encouraged to attend. THE LADIES AUXILIARY Christmas Party will be at Niki’s West, Thursday, December 6th at 6:30pm. Each one is asked to bring a $15.00 gift. **************************************************************************************************

HOLIDAY OFFICE SCHEDULE. The office will be open but Pegi will be taking December 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th as days of vacation. I will be on retreat from November 26th – December 7th. We will not have First Friday Mass or Adoration on December 7th. The Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be at 7:00pm Friday December 7th. I will not be in town until time for this vigil Mass. The office will be closed December 24th through 28th for Christmas. The bulletin for Sunday December 23rd will contain information for the week of December 30th therefore we will not have a bulletin on December 30th. The office will be closed January 1st, New Years Day.

Fr. E. Gray Bean

Mass Schedule: December 1st – December 8th

Saturday 12/01 4:00pm Albert Duchock - †

Sunday 12/02 10:00am Mass for the People

Monday 12/03 Private

Tuesday 12/04 Away Al Swienton - †

Wednesday 12/05 Away Albert Duchock - †

Thursday 12/06 Away Mel Melton - †

Friday 12/07 Away Fr. Crescenzio De Fazio - †

Friday 12/07 7:00pm Fr. Beans Special Intentions

Saturday 12/08 10:00am Mass for the People

Saturday 12/08 4:00pm Rose Marie Mitchell -H

Weekly Events and Meetings

Sunday Dec. 02 First Sunday of Advent – Mass 10:00 AM Angel Tree Adult Bible Study 8:30 am. Monday Dec. 03 Tuesday Dec. 04 Wednesday Dec. 05 No Adoration

Faith Formation 6:30pm Sharp! No RCIA

Legion of Mary 8:00 am Thursday Dec. 06 Knights of Columbus Meeting 6:45

Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Party – Niki’s West 6:30pm Friday Dec. 07 Vigil Of The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception – Mass 7:00pm Lighting of the Advent Star after 7pm Mass

No First Friday Mass or Adoration. No Friday Morning Catechesis

Saturday Dec. 08 Feast of The Immaculate Conception – Mass 10:00 am Sunday Dec. 09 Second Sunday of Advent – Mass 10:00 AM Fruit Basket Order Deadline Angel Tree deadline Adult Bible Study – 8:30am

BULLETIN NOTICES: Please have any bulletin notices in the office by noon Wednesday. WHEELCHAIR: A wheelchair is in the Cry Room, available for Emergencies Only. LOST AND FOUND: There are several articles in lost and found. Please call the Church Office for assistance. DAILY MASS-ROSARY-NOVENA PRAYER : Daily Mass is at 7 am Tuesday through Friday. A Rosary, the Daily Prayer for Vocations, and the Miraculous Medal Novena Prayer will be prayed 30 minutes before Daily Mass begins. A Rosary is prayed at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel every Sunday morning. Volunteers are requested to lead the Rosary at each occasion. The Primary Intention of the Rosary prayed is: ‘An End to Abortion’. DAILY MASS MINISTRY: Volunteers are needed to be Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during Daily Mass. If you are coming to Daily Mass please check the sign-in sheet in the Narthex. If no one is down to serve and you would like to, just sign your name on the appropriate line. We currently have a number of openings for this month that we need to fill. If you are able to help with this ministry please sign the sheet in the Narthex.

FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR: The Flower fund for Christmas and Easter provides flowers on the altar during those seasons as well as on special feast days. Anyone may furnish flowers for the altar in memory of or in honor of a loved one during ordinary time. To have the two large arrangements on the sides of the tabernacle the cost is $500.00 ($250.00 each). For a single arrangement in front of the ambo the cost is $100.00. For a single arrangement in front of the Divine Mercy icon the cost is $75.00. To place your order, please contact the church office. The colors used will be appropriate for the weekend and the flowers used will be at the discretion of the florist.