P O B O X 6 7 · I R E L A N D , I N 4 7 5 4 5 - 0 0 6 7 P H O N E : ( 8 1 2 ) 4 8 2 - 7 0 4 1 FA X : ( 8 1 2 ) 4 8 2 - 3 6 9 9

December 13, 2015

Third Sunday of Advent

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Website: http://stmary.irelandindiana.com

St Mary Church - 812-482-7041

Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor…….gkaiser@evdio.org Rev. Jeff Read, Associate Pastor, Ext 24 jread@evdio.org Deacon John Huether……...jhuether@evdio.org Dianne Gogel, Secretary, Ext. 21 dgogel@evdio.org Sherri Hartley, Secretary, Ext. 22 chartley@evdio.org Stan Heim, Property Manager, Ext. 36 sheim@evdio.org Lauren Emerson, Preschool Teacher, Ext. 40 Holy Trinity Catholic School West Campus lemerson@evdio.org Martha Schmitt, DRE, Ext. 45 mjschmitt@evdio.org Ann Nagy, Music Director, Ext 25 anagy@evdio.org Charlene Sermersheim, Music……812-482-7837 Annette Witte, Cleaning ……………812-630-7870

Precious Blood Church - 812-482-4461

Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor Office…Ext. 128……….Rectory…...Ext. 650 Rev. Jeff Read, Associate Pastor Office...Ext. 137……...Rectory…..Ext 650

Parish Contacts

Bereavement Meals, Sherri Hartley……………….. …………………………………………………..812-482-7041 Church Decorations, Janet Schitter ……………………………………………….....812-482-3500 Finance Council, Audrey Wehr……812-639-3393 Ireland K of C, Grand Knight, John Wilz ……………………………..……………..……812-631-8543 Ireland K of C Building Rental - Allen Reckelhoff ………………………………………………….812-482-4700 Meals for New Moms, Karen Fromme…………... …………………………………………………..812-482-5265 Parish Nursing, Deb Brescher……..812-639-1882 Parish Council, Jamie Clark……...…812-482-9104 Prayer Line, Bev Himsel……………...812-639-1384 St. Anne’s Society, President, Bonnie Meadows ………………………………………...………..812-634-1483

St. Mary’s Mission Statement: St. Mary Church is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

St. Mary Church

Readings for the Week of December 13, 2015

Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Is 12:2-6/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Ps 25:4-9/Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Ps 85:9-14/Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-4, 7-8, 17/Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-6, 16-17/Lk 1:5-25 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19/Heb 10:5-10/ Lk 1:39-45

©Liturgical Publications Inc

2 Bulletin deadline is Monday at 9:00am

St. Mary Church Mass Schedule Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 7:00am & 9:15am

Monday, Thursday & Friday at 7:30am Wednesday at 6:00pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Mary Church Saturday 4:30-5:20pm; 1/2 hour before weekday Masses

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 1/2 hour before weekday Masses

Anointing of the Sick: Notify the parish office if there is a need for Father Gary or Father Jeff to administer Anointing of the Sick.

Sacrament of Baptism: The joy of having children is fully realized in their Baptism within the faith community. Call the Parish Office regarding Baptism appointments. First time parents, please stop by and pick up a baptism video.

Sacrament of Marriage: Parishioners who wish to be married at St. Mary Church are asked to contact the parish office six months prior to setting a date. This will provide time for prayer, prepara-tion and paperwork.

Homebound Parishioners: Communion calls are made on Monday mornings to parishioners’ homes. Call the parish office if you would like a visit from our Eucharistic Minister.

Mass Intentions

Sat-Dec 12 5:30 pm Carl & Marie Durcholz Sun-Dec 13 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish

9:15 am Dan & Marie Rohleder

Mon-Dec 14 7:30 am Phil Jeffries

Wed-Dec 16 6:00 pm The Ray Stenftenagel Family

Thurs-Dec 17 7:30 am Frank & Theresia Goeppner Fri-Dec 18 7:30 am Roman Schmitt

Sat-Dec 19 5:30 pm Cletus & Mildred Nalin Sun-Dec 20 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish 9:15 am Confirmation

Upcoming December Events

14: The Daughters of Isabella Jasper Circle #140 Christmas Party at

St. Joseph Parish Center. Doors open at 5:30pm.

20: Celebration Singers at Precious Blood Church at 7:00pm. Join us

for an evening of music proclaiming our Christmas Joy. No charge

for the concert, however a free will offering will be requested.

Church Support

Budgeted Weekly Operating Costs: $13,500.00 Collection for the weekend of December 5 & 6

Weekend Collection……………...…………………………..$ 9,101.00 Average ACH weekly deposit for December.........$ 3,844.20 Children’s Collection…………………………………………..$ 5.00 Total Weekend Collection…………………………………..$ 12,950.20 Short...........………………………………………………………..$ (549.80)

Thank You!!!!!!

Please use your envelope if you are going to one of the area churches. They are coming back to our parish. Another way to make sure your tithing is coming to St. Mary is to go electronic.

This can be by electronic check payment from your bank or by ACH through the parish office. This is an easy way to make your

donations on a recurring basis and not have to worry about your tithing envelopes. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mass Attendance for December 5 & 6

5:30pm [234] 7:00am [177] 9:15am [315]

Precious Blood Church - Mass Schedule

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 8:00am

Saturday - 4:00pm

Sunday - 8:00am & 10:30am

www.preciousbloodjasperin.com

A key ring with 5 keys was found on the road close to Shamrock

Cabinets. If you or someone you know has lost a set, stop by or

call the parish office and make arrangements to pick them up.

“Thank You” to all our advertisers who make our bulletin possible.

Just this week, we received a check for over $2300 from our bulletin

company. This money will help with day to day expenses. Each

week, the bulletins are printed, folded and shipped to St Mary Parish

at no charge. Without our advertisers, this would not be possible.

Please support these advertisers when you can and thank them for

advertising in our bulletin.

3

CRHP (CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH)

Women’s Retreat ~ February 13 & 14, 2016 (at St. Joseph Parish)

Men’s Retreat ~ March 5 & 6, 2016 (at Precious Blood Parish)

Dear parishioners,

Sunday following Mass, a parishioner spoke to me about a discussion he had at the beginning of Mass with his daughter. The cantor

announced that it was the second Sunday of Lent. Then his daughter leaned over to him and said you know what that means, with a

smile on her face. She said next week Father wears pink.

Gaudete Sunday is celebrated on the third Sunday of Advent. The word Gaudete means rejoice, it reminds us to be joyful in this time of

preparing for the coming of our Lord. The season of Advent originated of forty days in preparation for Christmas.

On this Sunday the liturgical color is Rose. Most of the children like to tease the priests that it is pink. I don’t care what you call pink/

rose, all I know is that it reminds us to rejoice the Lord is near. Gaudete Sunday signifies that we are midway through the season

and signifies the nearness of the Lord's coming.

Gaudete Sunday is further marked by a new Invitatory, the Church no longer inviting the faithful to adore merely "The Lord who is to

come", but calling upon them to worship with joy "The Lord who is now nigh and close at hand". The spirit of the Liturgy all through

Advent is one of expectation and preparation for the Christmas feast as well as for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ, Fr. Gary

The St. Anne Society “Hometown Favorites” Cookbooks can be

picked up at the parish office. Stop and pick up a cookbook or two,

$10 a piece. These will make great gifts for Christmas.

This month’s stewardship envelopes include one

designated as “Christmas Flowers.” Money re-

ceived from this collection helps to decorate our

church for Christmas and throughout the year. If you would like to

make a donation in memory of a loved one, please mark this envelope

with their names. Your loved ones’ names will be listed in our special

Christmas insert. If you do not receive envelopes and would like to

make a donation, put your donation in an envelope and mark

“Christmas Flowers” on it. The deadline is December 15.

St. Mary Parish would like to remember our service men and women who will not be home for the holidays. If you have a daughter/son, brother/sister or close rela-tive that you would like to receive a card for Christmas, email or give their address to Sherri or Dianne in the parish office and we will add to this list.

Leinenbach, Trent (son of Tim & Charlene Leinenbach) PSC 831 Box 10348, FPO, AE 09363

Long Term Planning Update

Members of the LTP have attended two meetings at the Diocese to

complete required steps from the Diocese as we proceed with the

project. On September 9, the LTP members met with the Diocesan

Building Commission; a general review of the plan was discussed,

specific questions were answered related to the overall design. On

October 29, LTP members attended a meeting to complete a review

of the financial plan; the project costs were reviewed. The next step

with the Diocese will be completed in January 2016. At that time,

we will communicate the next step in the process.

2015 Irish Sweepstake Winners for December 6

Congratulations to our $500.00 winner, Dolores Klem and

our $100.00 winner, Rachel Knies.

**2016 Irish Sweepstakes Tickets can be found in the back of church. First drawings will be January 4 - one for $500 and one for $100. Pick your tickets up and turn them in as soon as possible. If you would like to help us call the parishioners that have not picked up their tickets yet, come by the parish office and help us out.

Deanery Penance Services

December 13 at 4:00pm at St. Henry Church December 15 at 6:30pm at St. Joseph Church December 16 at Noon at St. Joseph Church

The Hoot will be held on January 30 at KlubHaus 61 in Jasper.

Doors open at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:30pm. Ticket go on sale Jan-

uary 6 at 7:00am in the St. Joseph Parish Center. Tickets are $30

each and sold on first come first served basis. The Hoot is an all

adult evening of food, fun and fellowship. The evening includes

dinner, music, cash bar and lively auctions for one-of-a-kind and

priceless items. All proceeds go to Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Open hours in the Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel for:

3rd, 4th & 5th Sunday at 8:00am to 9:00am Monday at 4:00am to 5:00am

Please spend an hour with Jesus dp@adorationmanager.com

Diocesan-wide Planning Study Update: We Want to Hear from You! The diocesan-wide planning study is off to a GREAT START! The Invitation to Share meetings were well attended and provided every-one with a chance to find out more about the proposed plans and then give their feedback.

Please go online to www.evdio.org and click on the “Planning Study Survey” button to learn more and provide comments. The password you will need is Catholic.

4 Christmas Flower Donation deadline is December 15.

This Week’s Parish Events

Sunday [12/13]: Christian Mothers Prayers after Mass.

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection. Your gift helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Breakfast with Santa beginning after the 7:00am Mass

until 11:00am. Everyone of any age is welcome. Good food, music, pictures with Santa and most of all holiday spirit with fellow parishioners. Children’s Liturgy of the Word for grades 1 and 2 dur-

ing the 9:15am Mass. Sunday School for children in preschool and Kindergar-

ten during the 9:15am Mass. This will be the last Sunday School for 2015.

St Vincent de Paul Meeting after the 9:15am Mass in the back of the Community Center Cafeteria. We will be making up the gift bags. Deanery Penance Service at 4:00pm at St. Henry

Church. Teen Mass at Precious Blood at 6:00pm.

Monday [12/14]:

Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Quilting at 5:00pm in the rectory basement.

CRAVE Bible Study at 6:15-8:00pm in the Rectory. Servants of the Holy Spirit at 7:00pm in the Library.

Ireland K of C Rosary at 7:00pm; Meeting and 20/20 Drawing at 8:00pm.

Tuesday [12/15]: Deanery Penance Service at 6:30pm at St. Joseph

Church. Communion & Liberation at 6:30pm. Choir Rehearsal at 6:30pm. New choir members, can-

tors and instrumentalists are welcome. Contact Ann Nagy Director of Music, by emailing her at anagy@evdio.org or by calling St. Mary Parish Office at 812-482-7041, ext 25 or Precious Blood Parish Office at 812-482-4461, ext 311.

Wednesday [12/16]:

Rosary at 11:30am in the church. All are welcome. Deanery Penance Service at noon at St. Joseph Church.

Quilting noon to 4:00pm in the rectory basement. Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm.

St Anne’s Sewing Room open 6:00pm in the rectory. No Religious Education class - Christmas Break.

Confirmation Practice with sponsor or parent at 7:00pm.

Thursday [12/17]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am.

Friday [12/18]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am.

Sunday [12/20]:

2nd Collection for the Community Food Bank. Confirmation at the 9:15am Mass. Keep this in mind

when attending Mass this weekend.

***Congratulations to our new Parish Council Members: Jesse Bachman and Renee Williams. They have volun-teered to be on council for the next 3 years. Thank you to Jamie Clark and Mandy Harris who will be getting off Parish

Council at the end of December.

December 13: Breakfast with Santa 7:30am until 11:00am December 16: Confirmation Practice at 7:00pm with Sponsor or Parent. December 20: Confirmation here at St. Mary Church during the 9:15am Mass. January 30: Ireland K of C 20/20 Party. February 6: St. Mary’s parishioners cook and serve the Community Meal. February 13 & 14: Women’s CRHP at St. Joseph Church. February 13, 14 & 15: TEC March 5 & 6: Men’s CRHP at Precious Blood Church. April 23 & 24: St. Mary’s 1st Communion May 7: Ireland K of C Remembrance Walk June 20-24: Vacation Bible School

St John Bosco Youth Group

High Schoolers, Wednesday Night Bosco at 8:30.

Middle Schoolers, Monday after school at the St. Joe Parish Center -

study and recreation.

Holy Hour and Adoration - Divine Providence Adoration Chapel

(West side of Precious Blood Church) - every Wednesday - 5:00-

6:00pm.

Christmas Eve/Day Mass Times

St Mary Church

December 24, Christmas Eve: 4:30pm & 7:00pm

December 25, Christmas Day: 7:00am & 9:15am

Precious Blood

December 24, Christmas Eve: 4:00pm & 10:00pm

December 25, Christmas Day: 9:00am

Upcoming Parish Events

3rd Sunday of Advent - Luke 3:10-18

Blessed Advent!

Remember last week where we read about this crazy man John

"crying out in the desert"? Well, this week we read about what the

people of his time wondered about him. They all asked him "What

should we do?"

The crowds were asking, the tax collectors were asking, the soldiers

were asking. And he answers each of them according to the temptation

of their particular state in life. To the crowds he says, share of your

abundance. To the tax collectors he says, stop taking more money for

yourselves. Only collect from the people what is proscribed. To the

soldiers he says, stop extorting money.

And so, what must we do to prepare? I ask myself if I am sharing from

even the little that I think I have. Do I charge more than a fair price for

my work? If I lend money to anyone, do I expect too much more in

return?

I challenge myself this week, and I challenge you, to take some time

and think about how we are preparing for the coming birth of Christ,

in history, in today's world, and in the future when he will come to

bring all of creation back to the Father.

Liturgical Ministers for December 19 & 20

Servers: 5:30 pm Josh Weidenbenner - Trace Weidenbenner 7:00 am Andrew Schmitt - Bennett Schmitt 9:15 am Confirmation - Craig Shepherd - Hannah Schwenk Josie Yarbrough - 1 more needed

Extraordinary Ministers: 5:30 pm Debbie Schmitt - Jill Weidenbenner - June Erny

Michelle Kieffner - Gina Scherle 7:00 am Helen Giesler - Elizabeth Kempf - Donna Renner Lauren Emerson - Carla Durcholz 9:15 am Martha Schmitt - Linda Rasche - Mary Werner Marlene Goeppner - Julie Hopf Lectors: 5:30 pm Brian Fleck 7:00 am Tonya Sander 9:15 am Martha Schmitt

Lectors Website: http://lectorsproclaim.org (Year C)

Ushers: 5:30 pm Ed & Kathy Vollmer 7:00 am Jerry & Doris Stratman 9:15 am Scott & Kim Moeller

Liturgy of the Word: 9:15 am Connie Berger

Sunday School: 9:15 am Sunday School will resume January 3, 2016.

Thank You!! This bulletin is furnished to the Parish without charge. The advertisements that appear completely defray all publishing costs with which the church would otherwise be burdened. Please patronize these sponsors as a “thank you” for their kind generosity.

The St. Patrick’s Celebration Inc. will be having an Irish Doubles Bowling Tournament on Sunday, January 24 at 1:00pm at Eastown Lanes in Jasper. A team consists of 2 bowlers who alternate bowling in the same frame. Games 1 & 3, Bowler #1 throws the first ball and bowler #2 attempts to pick up the spare. Games 2 & 4 is done the same way only bowler #2 throws the first ball and bowler #1 attempts to pick up the spare. Handicaps will be figured and it is also a No-Tap tourney, meaning if you get 9 pins down on your first throw, it will be scored a strike. $30 per team, 80 team limit, snacks will be provided. Cash prizes and a few surprises along the way!! Call Bob Meadows at 812-631-2351 or Janet Schitter at 812-630-4861 or 812-482-3500. Fliers can be picked up at Spud’s and The Ivy Manor. Proceeds will go towards the Ireland Bicentennial in August 2016.

Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience with other engaged

couples that affords time alone together to plan for sacramental mar-

riage. Trained facilitators lead the program, with is sponsored by

Catholic Charities. Weekends are February 13-14, April 9-10 and

September 17 & 18, 2016 at the Sarto Retreat Center. Call Catholic

Charities at 812-423-5456 or visit http://www.charitiesevv.org/-

encounter.html

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my 100th birthday! I received so many cards, phone calls, home visits and to all those who came to my open house at Klubhaus 61. May God bless all of you!

Geneva Himsel

Rediscover Your Marriage - Retrouvaille means “rediscovery”. The

program offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a

loving relationship in your marriage. Retrouvaille is not a spiritual

retreat, not a sensitivity group, not a seminar or a social gathering. For

information about or to register for the January program beginning

with a weekend on January 29 call 270-683-1545 ext 346 or email:

satkv59@gmail or visit the web site at www.retrouvaille.org.