THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

READINGS FOR DECEMBER 24,

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

With heartfelt thanks for your

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

December 10 & 11

Adults $19,929.36

$7,487.50 received via Faith Direct

October SVDP Donations $3,668.95

IN THE MILITARY Please pray for those serving in the military.

“Lord, protect our military as they sacrifice for us;

bless them and their families for their

continuing selflessness.”

BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS Due to the publisher schedule during the

Christmas holiday, all bulletin items submitted this

week will be printed in the January 7 bulletin. Bulle-

tin items may be submitted to

lisa.saunders@sthelenparish.org or to the parish

office.

TODAY

WE CELEBRATE

“BAMBINELLI”

SUNDAY! Bambinelli Sunday is a beautiful

tradition that was started by Pope St.

John Paul II. Bambinelli is Italian, the

plural of bambinello which means "little

baby [boy]." Bambinelli Sunday is cele-

brated on Gaudete Sunday, the third

Sunday of Advent. While all figurines

will be blessed, children who have

brought the infant Jesus from their fami-

ly’s manger will be invited to come for-

ward to the sanctuary for the blessing!

Thank you for helping make Bambinelli

Sunday special!

Eucharistic Minister Altar Server Lector

Saturday, December 23

5:00 PM Fourth Sunday of Advent

Eric Reuber Stephen Reuber Armand Riel Marie Riel Nancy Strathearn Alfonso Torres Martin Walling Constance Zebrowski

Aiden Kronenberger Jacob Schaefer

Brian Miller (1) Nora Marino (2)

Sunday, December 24

9:00 AM Fourth Sunday of Advent

Walter Seward Sarah Seward James Whitney Phyllis Whitney Margie Keenan NOT FILLED NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Kai Hary Shay Hary Daniel Jefferson

Ronald Beavers (1) Julie Jefferson (2)

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017 ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

8:00 am Juan Indalecio (Herrin Family)

10:30 am George Bauer (Bauer Christmas Re-

membrance)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

8:15 am For the Unemployed

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

8:15 am Bernard Farrell (Carolyn Henry)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

8:15 am Dominic Tarlano (Son)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

8:15 am Regional Mass at Immaculate Conception

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

5:00 pm Carmel & Joe Rocco & George Lynch

(Lucille Lynch)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

9:00 am For vocations

5:00 pm Bill Potts (Family Christmas Remem-

brance)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

Novena—9:00 am

Worship Commission—7:00 pm

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Rosary—BSC 9:00 am

Small Faith Sharing Community—SJ2 7:00 pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

Centering Prayer—SJ1 3:15 pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

Booster Club—SB 7:00 pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

5:00 pm Mass—Fr. Satish

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

9:00 am Mass— Fr. Geraci

5:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass—Fr. Satish

PARISH OFFICE The parish office will be closed Monday, De-

cember 25 through Monday, January 1. We will re-

open at 8:00 am on Tuesday, January 2. If you need

to reach a priest due to an emergency, please call 254-

6233 and press "9". This will take you to the emer-

gency voicemail. Leave a message and someone will

call you within 30 minutes.

LADIES BREAKFAST Ladies of the parish, please join

us for breakfast this Wednesday, De-

cember 20, at 9:00 am at the Bob Evans

on Woodman and Linden. If you're new to the parish,

we'd love to meet you!

FAIR TRADE It is not too late to purchase your fa-

vorite Fair Trade items for Christmas! If you

would like any of the delicious coffee, tea, hot choco-

late, baking chocolate, candy bars or olive oil offered

please contact Kathy Groendyk at 426-7190 to place

an order.

Depending on your comfort level, please be

welcome to nurse your baby in church, in the vesti-

bule, or in the vesting sacristy off the gathering space

if you prefer more privacy. There is a small bench in

the vestibule and a chair in the vesting sacristy. And

now, there is a padded glider rocker in the Holy Fami-

ly Chapel if you feel comfortable nursing there.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

WHAT TO REFLECT ON AND

DISCUSS THIS WEEK

What is one way I can be especial-

ly joyful or rejoice today?

How can I help bring a "year of

favor" to those I know, based on

Isaiah 61?

During this final full week of Ad-

vent, how can I relax into the sea-

son and feel a sense of peace about

the coming of Jesus?

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017 ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

Preschool RE dressed as Juan Diego (Feast Day: December 9)

Preschool RE dressed as St Lucy (Feast Day: December 13)

First grade RE dressed as St. Nicholas (Feast Day: December 6)

C E

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Our Infant Jesus Shower blessings!

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Christmas Season Masses REMEMBER THAT THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT IS ON SUNDAY, DE-

CEMBER 24. THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE MASS THAT MORNING AT

9:00 A.M. (Note that the Sunday Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent is NOT a

Christmas Mass.)

If you can stay after that Mass and help us put up the poinsettia tree, we

would love to have 3 volunteers for this.

If climbing up on a 12’ ladder does not intimidate you, we would love to have

someone help us take down the Advent Banners and then put up the Christ-

mas banners.

CHRISTMAS MASSES ARE AT

5:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 24, with carols and hymns beginning at 4:20.

Midnight, Monday, December 25, with carols and hymns beginning at 11:25.

9:00 a.m., Monday, December 25, with carols and hymns beginning at 8:40.

We would love to have families or groups of friends:

At the 9:00 a.m. Mass (other Masses are covered): Carry in and place the

Dedication Candles in the walls as part of the entrance procession at Mass

(brief explanation and walk through beforehand). Children old enough to

carry a lit candle with a glass globe are welcome to participate; 4 people

needed in total.)

At the Midnight and 9:00 a.m. Masses: Dress the altar and carry in and

place the altar candles (4-5 people needed; very short practice ahead of time

required)

At all Masses: Bring up the gifts (minimum of 3 people needed; more can

participate)

This year, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, falls on a Monday, so it is NOT a holy day

of obligation. As such, there will be NO 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass on Sunday, December 31. The

Solemnity Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. (NOT 8:15 a.m.) on Monday, January 1. (Sunday, De-

cember 31, Masses are as usual: 8:00 & 10:30)

Please call Mary in the parish office if you would like to help! 254-6233

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017 ST. HELEN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 17, 2017

CRECHE DISPLAYS The Transfiguration Center on Calumet Rd will

again be hosting the Creche Displays (Nativity Scenes)

from the University of Dayton. They will be on display

from Nov 27 to Jan 5 Monday through Friday from 9-

5, Tuesday and Thursdays until 7pm and Saturdays from

10-2 starting on December 9th.

There will be an Open House for the Creche Dis-

plays on Sunday, December 17th from 5-8 pm. Join us

for refreshments, holiday lights and decorations, and a talk

by Fr. Michael at 6 pm about Christmas in India.

Beginning January 4th, we will have a book

study of the 33 Days To Morning Glory. It will be on

Thursdays from 7pm – 8:30pm for 6 weeks. The cost is

only $15 (which covers the book) and will end the week-

end before the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, so if you

would like, you can then consecrate yourself to our Holy

Mother. Come to learn more about what this means by

reading the book and doing the book study. Call 937-698-

7180 to reserve a spot..

ST MARY OPEN HOUSE Historic St. Mary’s Church in Dayton invites you

to their Annual Christmas Open House. Follow the Star in

the East (Dayton) to the Twin Towers and see the large

Nativity display with over 100 statues! Bring your family,

friends and a camera! Dec. 26 from 2-5:00 PM; Dec. 27

& 28 from 6-8:00 PM. St. Mary is located at the corner of Xenia & Steele

Ave. in Dayton. For more information, go

to www.stmarydayton.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Looking for men willing to join Knights of Colum-

bus to share in fellowship, give of your time and talent

where we give back to our community and parish. Please

call Nick Harpenau for more information. I would love to

sponsor you and share what the Knights can do for

you. 937-684-2233

A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS A Service of Lessons and Carols will be celebrated

today, Sunday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph

Church, Dayton. In this service, we listen to nine Scripture

lessons which recount the Fall, the promise of a Messiah,

the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the

Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other

song that reflects the lesson's message and a brief prayer.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON The University of Dayton is taking a “behind-the-

(Nativity) scenes” approach to At the Manger, its annual

exhibition of Christmas crèches Nov 27-Jan 5.

The exhibit takes place in the Marian Library’s

crèche workshop on the fourth floor of Fitz Hall, (1529

Brown St.) where visitors can learn how volunteers plan

and construct display settings and clean, repair, pack and

store Nativity sets. Crèches also will be on exhibit in two

other locations — the Marian Library on campus and at

Bergamo/Mount St. John in Beavercreek. Group tours

available.

For hours, visit: go.udayton.edu/manger or call

229-4214.

PROJECT RACHEL

The Office for Respect Life Ministries is offering a

Day of Reflection for all those who have been affected by

abortion. This includes fathers, siblings, aunts/uncles,

friends… The day is Jan. 27, 2018 in the Cincinnati area

from 9am to 3pm. There will be a healing service, with an

opportunity to participate in Reconciliation following wit-

nesses and prayer. We invite you to: “Look into your

heart, listen to the voice of God. Help yourself by accept-

ing His love and forgiveness.” For more information or

registration call the Office for Respect Life Ministries

at 937-222-0227, or the Project Rachel Helpline for infor-

mation at (513)784-0531. You can register at:

http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/project-rachel/

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN The Dayton Catholic Women’s Club Scholarship was established in 2010 with the goal of assisting young Catho-

lic women in continuing their studies at an accredited technical school, junior college, community college, or four-year col-

lege/university. Applicants must be high school graduates who are active members of a Dayton-area Roman Catholic

Church, and who demonstrate financial need. The application can be found at daytonfoundation.org/scholars. Deadline for

applications is March 9, 2018, at 4:30 pm. If you have questions or need assistance, go

to scholarships@daytonfoundation.org or call(937) 225-9955.

CATHOLIC SPONSORED DIVORCE CARE A 13-week support group, held on Thursday eve-

nings, 7-9 pm from Jan. 11 to Apr. 12; St Francis of As-

sisi Church, 6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, OH. Cost

is $25 per person. Scholarships are available. For more

information, or to register, call Marcelle Toma at (937)

312-1157 (Not a texting number) or mtoma@woh.rr.com

You are welcome if you are divorced or separated and may

be going through a very difficult time right now. You

should not have to feel isolated or cut off from the Catholic

Church. This support group deals with such recovery top-

ics as anger, loneliness, new relationships, annulments, etc.