Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

“Rejoice in the Lord always.

Your kindness should be shown to all.” - Phil 4:4

My dear parishioners, Happy Gaudete Sunday! Hope and Joy are Advent qualities. Advent Hope accepts the promise of John the Baptist that “one is coming after me” who will baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit, one so great that John will be unworthy even to untie his sandals.

Mary is the symbol of Advent Joy. December 12th the Church of the Americas celebrated the feast of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Just 40 years after the first voyage of Columbus, the Mother of God showed herself to an unlettered aboriginal man named Juan Diego. She showed herself as a pregnant woman, joyfully awaiting the birth of her child. She showed herself with the features and complexion of the aboriginal peoples of Mexico and she even spoke their language. She showed herself as Mother of God and as Mother of the tribes of Mexico. Mary identified herself with the poorest, the lowliest, the outcast. She brought to the peoples of the Americas a joyful hope and light.

Today our parish rejoices and is renewed in our Hope. God is faithful to his promise. In our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and our Lady of Guadalupe, we can rejoice in God's love for us and the Blessed Mother's intercession.

Through our parish tithing and second collections, the poor box, the Catholic Charities Collection and the Giving Tree, we share with the poor and needy. As a community, we welcome the stranger and those new to America with the spirit of Christ and His Mother Mary. We wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord to be our light, to make us holy and to accompany us on our way. Love and blessings,

Fr. Bob Cilinski Pastor

A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski

Advent Wreath Prayers

If you are setting up an Advent wreath in your home this year, here are some prayers you could say while you light its candles. You may say these before or after a meal, when waking up, before going to bed, or whenever you and the members of your household gather for prayer. Before you say the prayer, read and talk over the Gospel you heard at Sunday Mass that week.

Week 3: O God, who sent John The Baptist as a voice crying out in the desert, open our ears to hear his message as we light the pink candle. Shape our lives so that they will become a straight path to you. Make us ready to greet your Son when he comes to us. Through Christ our Lord.

Week 4: O God, who sent your angel Gabriel to announce good news to Mary, make us happy with your word of life. Let our hearts be so filled with love for you that they glow with the lights of these four candles. May we live in a way that will please you. Through Christ our Lord.

In Observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the Nativity Parish Office will be closed

on the following dates:

Friday, December 21, the office closes at 12:00pm

Tuesday, December 25, all Day

Wednesday, December 26, all Day

Thursday, December 27, the office closes at 12:30pm

Friday, December 28, the office closes at 12:30pm

Monday. December 31, all Day

Tuesday. January 1, all Day

Wednesday, January 2, all Day

The office will reopen again on Thursday, January 3

Please note: the Parish Office will be open on Monday, December 24 from 10:00am - 4:00pm

During the Month of October, through the Sacrament of Baptism, we joyfully welcomed the following into our Parish Community:

Drake Dominic Alcocer Rocha Ashley Dayana Alcocer Rocha Arianan Valentina Alcocer Rocha Vera Francis Evens Quinn Rose Holbein Sabastian David Hook Alexander Andres Arce Bennett Christopher Smith

Jacob Austin Gomez Sejas Rocabado Merida Alejandro Caleb David Wall Nicolas Antonio Gonzales Hazou Philip Michael Cardaci Laura Nicci Renzi Jameson Edwin Rose Robert Joseph Van Hooser Joseph Levi Gonzalez

Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24 7:30am - Morning Mass 4:00pm - Children’s Choir 6:00pm - Family & Folk Choirs 8:30pm - Youth Choir 12:00am - Midnight Mass (12/25), Traditional Choir

Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25 7:30am - Cantor 9:00am - Cantor 11:00am - Cornerstone Choir 1:00pm - Spanish Choir (Spanish Mass)

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE

New Year’s Eve - Monday, December 31 7:30am and 5:30pm

New Year’s Day - Tuesday, January 1 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm Spanish Mass

Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

“Every life is a good and perfect gift. Many know this on an intellectual level, but those who love someone with a disability see it in their loved one's face in a particular way. Our love for our children has nothing to do with

their abilities. We love them simply because of who they are, and understanding this teaches us how to truly love everyone.” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

“A Perfect Gift,” www.usccb.org/perfect-gift.

A WOMAN’S CHOICE is a pregnancy resource center that provides free pregnancy testing, referrals for medical treatment,

housing, social service assistance and tangible support for pregnant women, including clothing and equipment.

www.awomanschoicecenter or (703-538-4305).

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl meetings for the month of December will be held on Monday morning, December 17th, at 9:30am and on Wednesday evening, December 19h, at 7:00pm.

2018 Catholic Charities Parish Christmas Collection

Thank you for your support of the Catholic Charities Parish Christmas Collection this year. Your support is vital to our work, and we are grateful for your gifts. If you missed the

opportunity to give, you may still do so by making a year-end gift in support of Catholic Charities by going online at

www.ccda.net.

Christmas Holiday Schedule – There will be NO classes - Sunday, December 23 through Tuesday, January 1st.

Classes resume on January 6th.

Dear Parents/Guardians: Most of our office communications and notices are sent via email. If you have not received an email from us, please contact us to make sure we have an

email on file for you. nativity.ccd@nativityschool.org

Inclement Weather/Emergency Closing Policy The Religious Education Program follows Fairfax County

Public Schools Weather Policy. A notice will also be placed on our Parish Website. Visit our website at: www.nativityburke.org

or you can also visit the FCPS site. Note– Classes are NOT CANCELLED when Fairfax County Public Schools OPEN LATE on Monday or Tuesday due to Inclement Weather.

Would you like to volunteer in our program? Please contact the R.E. office at 703-455-0375 or email:

nativty.ccd@nativityschool.org

Extra Confession time for December: Wednesday, December 19th from 7:45-9:00pm

This weekend’s second collection will benefit the Nativity Poor Box. Thank you for your generosity!

THE WOMEN OF NATIVITY

ADVENT GIVING TREE PROJECT

THANK YOU!

To All Nativity Parishioners: THANK YOU on behalf of the families who received your gifts

through the Advent Giving Tree Project.

WON enthusiastically supports and administers the Project, but our parishioners make it a

success. This year the tree donned over 1500 ornaments. With pleasure we distributed the

gifts that you, our parishioners, provided.

“Thank you” does not begin to express the gratitude we have for our Parish partners

in this project!

ECHO, its volunteers and clients would like to thank the parishioners of Nativity Church for their support of the

monthly food drive over the past years. This year's response of donations has far exceeded any of the prior years and is

most appreciated. Thank you very much!!

Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

Monday, December 17 7:30am † Timothy O’Lear Tuesday, December 18 7:30am † Sharon O’Lear 12:00pm † Vistatsion Hermosilla Wednesday, December 19 7:30am † Tom O’Neill (Burke HC) 3:00pm † Gloria Fontenot Thursday, December 20 7:30am † Paul Ciccarelli 12:00pm † Benjamin Salas Friday, December 21 7:30am † Ben DeOlazo (School Mass) 9:00am † Rosario Marinas Saturday, December 22 9:00am † James Canan 5:00pm Special Thanksgiving Intention 7:00pm † Manuel Tepe Sunday, December 23 7:30am † John Maneval 9:00am † Normi Crystal 11:00am Parishioners 12:45pm † Nicole Verna Debruin 5:30pm † Marie Hathaway

The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage: nativityburke.org

In prayer, let us remember the sick and deceased of the parish.

nativityschool.org

NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

During This Advent Season ~~

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is creating the art that graces our windows and walls, hallways and classrooms. Every year, Roberta Plumb, Nativity School’s Art Teacher, encourages our Seventh Graders to ready their paint brushes and paint, creating extraordinary Christmas art: Poinsettias, peace doves, holly, wreaths, angels, candy canes, candles, and more -- all in joyful color!

*************************************

Got an Inquisitive Preschooler? Let’s Meet! We Have a Couple of Seats Open in Our Fall Class and We’d Like

to Offer One to Your Preschooler. Come Tour Our Campus, Visit the Classroom, and Meet Our Students and Teachers.

Learn How We Spend Our School Day! For more information, please contact Mrs. Mazzella, our

Early Childhood Education Program Director, at 703-455-2300. **************************************

We’re Back to School! It’s Good to See Our Friends, Grow in Our Faith & Knowledge,

and Have Fun While We’re at it! Join us at Nativity to see how your child would spend his or her

days here -- learning, praying, sharing, and laughing. We may be just the school for which you’ve been searching!

Contact us at www.nativityschool.org, (703) 455-2300, or smurph@nativityschool.org.

STARFISH FOR HAITI

We will once again be offering crocheted ornaments made by the lepers of Cardinal Leger Hospital in Haiti after Mass the weekend of December 22nd and 23rd.

Please stop by the Christmas tree in the back of the church. The ornaments are free but any donations are much appreciated!

Join us for Youth Choir's Annual Christmas Concert: Friday, December 21st at 7:30pm in the church

We will share some of our favorite Contemporary Christian Christmas songs to get in to the Christmas spirit.

All are welcome and the concert is free! *We will be collecting free-will donations for pancreatic cancer

research in honor of one of our Youth Choir members whose father passed away from pancreatic cancer last month.

Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK John Osrowski at jaostrowski89@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our order or know someone who is. If you want a quick easy alternative way to joint the Knights, try Online Membership. In only 5-10 minutes, just go to www.kofc.org/joinus, fill out the needed information, and put Council 7992 as your preferred Council. We’ll do the rest for you to make you a member of our Order and our Nativity Council!

Council Meeting: The next council meeting is Thursday, January 3. The rosary starts at 7:15pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm.

Father Vincent S. Sikora Gravesite Visit/ GK Luncheon: Brothers… please join us at 9:00am Mass on Saturday, December 8, followed by a trip to our Council’s namesake Fr. Sikora’s gravesite to say the Rosary, and then to a luncheon hosted by the Grand Knight.

Council Christmas Party: Council 7992 will host our Annual Christmas Party, December 18, 2018, at Paradiso Restaurant in Franconia at 6:30pm. Buffett Meal, (1) glass of wine or beer, soft drinks, coffee, tax, tip included. $35.00 per couple. After dinner we will have our White Elephant Gift Exchange. Additional adult beverages may be bought from the bar. Please sign up through the Sign up Genius ONLY IF YOU DID NOT SIGN UP AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING. Please list yourself and your spouse separately. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a45a9a82aa3f85-christmas. Payment to be made to the Council (Knights of Columbus 7992) at the event. Cash or checks only. PGK Sam Morthland will be Master of Ceremony for the White Elephant gift exchange and Christmas Quiz. To join the White Elephant, please bring a wrapped gift worth not more than $20.00. Paradiso has set 70 people as the limit. This is also how many people the Council would like to see. Last year we had 69 attendees. If a Brother Knight will come single, the cost is $17.50. Questions? Email PGK Tom Savage, tomkc7992@gmail.com.

Burke Lake Gardens Christmas event: The Burke Lake Gardens annual Christmas event will take place on Wednesday, December 19. Please contact Br. Bill Canavan at wcanavan@cox.net with any questions and if you are available to assist.

Parking Lot Assistance Needed: As mentioned at the last Council meeting by PGK Bill Canavan, Parking Lot logistical assistance is needed for the 4:00pm and 6:00pm Mass on Monday, December 24.

Appalachia Home Building Donation Call: There will be a call for donations for the upcoming Appalachia Home Building effort that will take place the weekend of 5-6 January in the Narthex, and at all other Church exits. Please make yourselves available after all Masses for these collections, which make building a much needed home in Appalachia possible. Any questions please contact Br. Bob Corsi at bobcorsi@cox.net.

Handy Knights Ministry: Need a hand with minor home repairs or know someone who needs help? If you are unable to perform basic maintenance tasks or small repairs in your home due to health or other factors, there is a ministry within the Knights of Columbus that may be able to assist, the “Handy Knights.” You can reach us at the following email: handyknightsofnativity@gmail.com to let us know what your needs are and provide a way to get to contact you. One of our Handy Knights will be in touch to assess your problem and hopefully provide a quick fix – no charge for help, but donations are gratefully accepted to help pay it forward to others. And, although this ministry is willing and able, it is not intended for jobs better suited for (or requiring) a certified professional or contractor. If we can’t fix it, we will help you find someone who can.

The Fraternal Committee: Brothers helping brothers in need of assistance: The Committee was established with a goal of brothers helping brothers and their families in need of assistance or in distress. This includes a brother who is deployed or about to be deployed or the spouse of a recently deceased brother, who may need a helping hand. Our Outreach brothers telephone or visit our brothers who are hospitalized or homebound and are no longer able to get out. The focus of this program is to help these brothers maintain a connection with the council and assure them that their brother Knights are thinking about them, praying for them and ready to help. Our Resources brothers assist our brothers and their families facing daily life challenges by connecting them with a broad spectrum of county and community based safety net services and resources that range from providing supplies, financial aid, and professional counseling to budgeting, resume writing, and job counseling. This referral assistance takes the hassle out of trying to figure out on your own where to turn for help when you need it the most. Our Yard Cleanup brothers perform a spring time yard cleanup for brothers who can’t do it on the own for health reasons and don’t have the resources to hire someone. It’s nice way of reminding a brother who may be hospitalized, recently hospitalized or in declining health that his home is still his castle. Our Home Repair brothers support the Handi-Knights and will do their best to complete small routine home repairs that the Handi-Knights are too busy to do. If you know of a homebound or hospitalized brother who would like a visit or a brother who is facing some life challenges who could use a referral to a network of help or a brother about to be deployed or has been deployed who could use some assistance back home, please contact the Fraternal Committee at koc7992fraternal@gmail.com If you are a brother interested in helping your fellow brothers in any of these ways, likewise please contact the Fraternal Committee at koc7992fraternal@gmail.com

KOVAR: You can donate to KOVAR through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and the United Way. KOVAR is a Virginia Knights of Columbus Charity established in 1971 to provide financial assistance through grants and home loans to tax exempt organizations providing training and assistance to citizens with intellectual disabilities. If you participate in the Combined Federal Campaign please consider donating to KOVAR. The CFC number for KOVAR is 42569. You can also contribute to KOVAR if you donate to the United Way. KOVAR’s United Way of the Greater Capital Area number is 8838. If you make a donation to either, please provide the KOVAR Chair, PGK Mark Sawyer sawyerkoc7992@verizon.net with a scan or picture of the form so the donation will be credited to our Council.

Opportunities to advance in the degrees of our Order: Admission (1st) Degree: Tuesday, January 15, 2019, Council 8600, St Mary of Sorrow Historic Church Hall, Fairfax Station, VA , 8:00pm. Monday, February 11, 2019, Council 12846, St. Raymond of Peñafort Church, Springfield, VA, 7:00pm. Formation (2nd) Degree: Saturday, January 26, 2019, Council 6153, St Bernadette School, Springfield, VA. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Council 7992, Church of the Nativity School, Burke, VA. Knighthood (3rd) Degree: Saturday, January 26, 2019- Fairfax Council 6292. 4th Degree: TBD

nativityburke.org Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

OUTSIDE THE PARISH

We would like to invite you to help decorate our parish home, Nativity Church, for Christmas. If you would like to share in decorating our Christmas Sanctuary with Christmas flowers,

please pick up a form at the parish office, fill it out and return it no later than, Sunday, December 16th.

Your gift will be acknowledged in the Christmas Bulletin, on December 23, 2018.

SHEPHERD CENTER OF FARIFAX-BURKE (SCFB) LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM

A Handy Helper program is offered for SCFB clients who need assistance in their residence. The services offered include minor yard work, limited house cleaning, and minor home repairs. At this time the services are available only on Saturdays by a small group of volunteers, but we hope it can grow based on the need of our senior clients. If you need help in changing light bulbs, hanging curtains/pictures, changing batteries, trimming bushes, planting flowers, cleaning windows, etc. contact by email, Michael Hampton, at: handyhelper.mh@gmail.com. If you are interested in volunteering to help in this program or have questions about the program contact Barry Wickersham, 703-203-8929.

Youth Music Festival Bishop O'Connell High School invites all 6th through 8th

grade students to participate in their 4th annual Youth Music Festival on Saturday, January 5, 2019. This full day of music clinics and performances is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the website at

www.bishopoconnell.org/youthmusic or email music@bishopoconnell.org.

UMW Catholic Campus Ministry Dinner and Auction Gala April 13, 2019 from 6:30-10:00pm Tickets at www.umwcatholic/gala

All proceeds go to fund programming, scholarships, service trips and retreats for our student community.

MONTHLY MEALS NEEDED FOR THE LAMB CENTER

Is feeding the homeless something you would like to help with? Our Lady of Knock Society is looking for volunteers (membership not required) to help us provide one monthly meal for the homeless at The Lamb Center. No meetings are required. Each volunteer is given a recipe for an easy casserole consisting mostly of hamburger, potatoes, peas and cheese which you will make monthly (the second Wednesday of each month, or every other month if it is easier), It will then be brought to the Nativity park-ing lot for delivery. If necessary, other arrangements can be made to obtain your casserole for delivery. For more information, please call Kathi St. Germain at 703-644-6788, or 571-217-4535. Please help meet the desperate need of this important corporal work of mercy which Jesus practiced - feed the hungry!

Do you rejoice in the Lord? Is He asking you to consider a vocation as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life?

Call Fr. Michael Isenberg at (703) 841-2514, or write: michael.isenberg@arlingtondiocese.org.

Local Musicians Lead Praise and Worship Join us for prayer, praise and worship on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at St. Leo Catholic Church in Fairfax from 7:30-8:30pm. The holy hours will feature popular musical artists: Valerie Repetski on January 8, 2019; The Miller Daughters on February 12, 2019; and Kenny Kohlhaas on March 12, 2019. Our special intention will be for the

conversion and healing in families. Confession will be available. All are welcome so please bring a friend! To learn more visit us at www.arlingtondiocese.org/

healingandconversion or email info@helpafterabortion.org.

The Art of Prayer: “O Come Emmanuel” Prepare the way for the Lord this Advent by joining the Saint John Paul II National Shrine for “O Come Emmanuel,” an Art of Prayer series on December 16 and 23. The program takes place on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00pm and includes a presentation on interior prayer, time for silent meditation, and praying Vespers together.

For more information visit jp2shrine.org or email events@jp2shrine.org.

nativityburke.org Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

Contact Director: Alison Fram afram@nativityburke.org, cell: 703-577-5329

Find us on the parish website: nativityburke.org

COLLEGE MINISTRY and

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Young Adult Ministry Serving people ages 21-39

Facebook Group - “Catholic Life Young Adult Ministry”

Instagram - @nativityyam

Weekly: Every Tuesday - Small Group from 7:30-9:00pm in the Youth Ministry Room. Every Thursday - Basketball! From 8:30-10:30pm in the Gym.

Join the Parish’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration - Saturday, December 15, at 6:45pm

Fairfax Theology on Tap at The Auld Shebeen -

Monday, December 17, talk at 7:00pm

Serve at Christ House, Alexandria - Saturday, December 22, from 10:30-1:30pm

COLLEGE MINISTRY

Serving people ages 18 - 21

Follow us on social media!

Facebook Group - “Nativity College Ministry”

Instagram - @nativitycollege

Serving students in Grades 6 thru 12 in a variety of

teen groupings

YOU are wanted and needed to make this ministry strong. Consider making

a difference in the life of a teen -

Leading them closer to Christ!

For Complete Information on what we offer visit Nativity web site - Youth & Family

December 2018 - June 2019

High School - Weekly Sundays - LifeTEEN - 6:30 dinner, 7pm Ministry Wednesdays - Go Deeper - Girls - 7pm Thursdays - Go Deeper Boys - 7pm

Middle School - Grades 6, 7, and 8 Weekly Sundays - EDGE - 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Service Opportunities, Fun Outings & Diocesan Events

offered throughout the year.

One Act Theater Ministry - Fall RALLY - Diocesan Event - Fall Trunk or Treat - Fall (Family Event) Life Is VERY Good - Winter Living Stations - Lent VBC, Work Camp - Summer

Seasonal

One Act Jr. Theater Ministry - Fall Trunk or Treat - Fall (Family Event) BASH - Diocesan Event - Spring VBC, Camp EDGE - Summer

Seasonal

Follow Us nat ivi tycym

Nativity Youth Ministry

Have you heard the call to work with youth? YOU can make a difference in the life of a young person - leading them closer to Christ.

College-Age, Young Adults, Parents, Grandparents, Retirees… all are welcome to share the Catholic faith! Contact Ms. Ingrid to inquire how YOU can help.

Find out what’s going on in Youth Ministry

Get the Weekly CYM UPdate!

Send Email to Ms. Ingrid ingridss@nativityburke.org -Include Child’s Name, School, Grade and Birthdate, Cell -Parent/Guardian names, cell numbers, emails UPdate goes out Wednesdays

nativityburke.org Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

Alegria y Esperanza Jose Cervantes Gabarron, sacerdote misionero y profesor de Sagrada Escritura El tercer domingo de Adviento es un canto a la alegria por la esperanza mesiamca. Las lecturas biblicas lirurgicas ayudan a entrar en el dinamismo de esta dimension de la vida cristiana. Sofonias nos brinda un autentico himno a la alegria (Sof 3,14- 18) con el anuncio de la restauracion esperada que tiene su centro de atencion en la ciudad de Jerusalen perdonada y recon- struida. La carta a los Filipenses es por antonomasia la carta de la alegria en el Nuevo Testamento, y el evangelio de Lucas continila con la presentacion de Juan Bautista (Le 3,10-18), cuyo mensaje caracterizado tambien como evangelio y por tanto con el valor de la buena noticia de la salvacion invita a la conversion mas radical y concreta, proponiendo un cambio de vida y de conducta a cada cual seglln. su posicion. Pero el motive principal de la alegria se hace explicito en la carta de Pablo (Flp 4,4-7) al presentarnos la cercania inminente del Senor cuando repite "estad siempre alegres'', y aiiade "en el Senor" y porque "el Seiior esta cerca". Si bien Pablo tenia presente en el horizonte de su mensaje originario en aquella carta el encuentro proximo y defini- tivo con el Senor en la parusia, nosotros sabemos, tambien por via paulina, que ese encuentro con Cristo trasciende el tiempo, pues el que vendra en la parusia es el que ya vino historicamente en la primera Navidad y el que viene con- tinuamente en las mU.ltiples manifestaciones tam-bien hist6ricas de su presencia sacramental en la vida humana. Esta presen- cia Ultima es la mas cercana siempre y abarca desde el encuentro vivo con su palabra a traves de la Sagrada Escritura hasta la maravillosa experiencia espiritual de los sacramentos en la Iglesia, particularmente en la Eucaristia, pasando por la no menos importante y trascendental manifestacion de su parusia en el encuen-tro con Dios en el projimo necesitado. Todas es- tas realidades reveladoras de Dios son la cercania del Seiior en nuestra vida y todas ellas suscitan la mas profunda alegria del ser humano, la alegria del espiritu, de la que la Virgen Maria hace gala en el cantico del Magnificat, la alegria que no esta sometida a las vicisitudes historicas sino que desde la fe puede estar presente en todas ellas, incluso en las adversas. El Senor esta cerca y de manera inminente e irreversible. Lo podemos creer o no, pero su cercania es imparable. Y la certeza de su cercania se hace patente tanto en el paso inexorable del tiempo, pues dentro de unos dias es Nochebuena, como en el reclamo inapelable del otro necesitado, pues a cada paso esta nuestro pr6jimo. La cercania del Seiior en el tiempo de nuestra historia y en el espacio de nuestra tierra es el motivo de la alegria mas exultante. La carta de Pablo a los Filipenses ofrece los componentes genuinos de la alegria en la vida cristiana y la presenta como el talante propio de la oracion (Flp 1,4). La alegria tiene su centro en Cristo (1,18) y es el don per-manente del Espiritu en la vida cristiana. Por eso es la manifestaci6n mas viva de la esperanza (1,20). La alegria no se puede confundir con un optimismo facil, ni siquiera con el exito en la accion. No es la razon de la alegria cristi- ana el hecho de que las cosas vayan bien. Pablo estaba en la carcel al escribir esta carta y lo estaba por ser cristiano (1,14). La alegria es asimismo expresion de seguridad La seguridad de Pablo es enorme: Vivir o morir es relativo, lo que importa es que en su persona, en su cuerpo, se manifieste la grandeza de Cristo (1,20-21). La alegria es al mismo tiempo un fruto del amor, del sacrificio por los demas. El sacrificio personal conduce a la alegria cristiana. El colmo de la alegria del apostol es el amor reciproco en el interior de la comunidad. Es la alegria de la concordia y de la unidad. La busqueda de la unidad en el amor (2,2), de la humildad en las rela-ciones internas de la comunidad (2,3) y del altruismo (2,4) siguiendo el modelo de la entrega de Cristo, haciendose esclavo hasta la muerte en cruz (2,6-11), es el motivo de la autentica y plena ale- gria. Creer en Cristo supone sufrir por Cristo (cf 1,29-30). La alegria en el sufrimiento es un tema frecuente en todo el NT: Mt 5,12; Le 6,23; Col 1,24; lPe 4,13-14. El sacrificio es la prueba del amor y por eso la alegria que de el se deriva es el colmo del amor y de la paradoja de la vida cristiana, como parad6jico es que la carta principal sobre la alegria en todo el Nuevo Testamento sea una carta escrita desde la carcel. No es necesario entender este texto en un sentido martirial. Pero la presencia del sufrimiento por la hostilidad ambiental en Filipos asi como el sufrimiento del ap6stol por estar en la carcel, permiten a Pablo poner en relacion su situacion personal con la de los filipenses. La diferencia entre el uno y los otros es solo de grado. Por eso Pablo se presenta como ejemplo. Por Ultimo, Cristo muerto y resucitado, el Senor, es el fundamento de la alegria. Estar siempre alegres es un distin- tivo cristiano. La repeticion del imperativo le da fuerza a esta llamada de Pablo. Pero la alegria no es un estado subjetivo de introversion sino de mani-festaci6n de lo que se es: Que todos noten vuestra amabilidad (4,5). Esta alegria y amabilidad tie- nen una referencia nueva en 4,5: "El Seiior esta cerca". El encuentro con el Seiior es causa de la alegria. Un nuevo y definitivo impulso recibe la motivaci6n a la alegria. Para experimentar esta alegria de la Buena Noticia basta con atender a la respuesta de Juan, que no es otra que compartir los bienes y recursos con los necesitados, y no permitir ning1ln tipo de corrupci6n, extorsion ni abuso, en el ambito politico, social y econ6mico. Abandonar estas formas y estilos de vida y dejarse llenar por el Espiritu de Dios es la autentica conversion que tiene en la alegria su testimonio mas evidente y la seiia de iden- tificaci6n de una vida profundamente cristiana. Feliz domingo de la alegria

En cumplimiento de las fiestas de Navidad y año nuevo, la oficina parroquial de la Natividad permanecerá cerrada en las siguientes fechas:

viernes, 21 de diciembre, la oficina cierra a las 12:00pm, Martes, 25 de diciembre, todo el día, Miércoles, 26 de diciembre, todo el día, Jueves, 27 de diciembre la oficina cierra a las 12:30pm. Viernes, 28 de diciembre la oficina cierra a las 12:30pm, Lunes. 31 de diciembre,

todo el día, Martes. 1 de enero, todo el día, Miércoles, 2 de enero, todo el día, La oficina volverá a abrir de nuevo el jueves, 3 de enero.

Atención: la oficina parroquial estará abierta el lunes 24 de diciembre de 10:00am-4:00pm

nativityburke.org Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

DE ADVIENTO - C Evangelia de la Misa: Le 3,10-18 Un coraz6n grande El Evangelio de la Misa sigue proponiendo a Juan el Bautista co-mo personaje central en esta preparaci6n espiritual que el cristiano ha de hacer parala celebraci6n cristiana del Nacimiento de Cristo. Al Bautista se le acercan las gentes de Palestina deseosos de encon- trar el mejor consejo para su vida y la mas acertada consigna que les ori- ente en aquel momento de expectativa por la inminente llegada del Mesias. Querian respuestas concretas, factibles en lapractica y que todos puedan valorar convenientemente. Quiero, Seiior, acompaiiar, como uno mas a los quesegufan a Juan. Quiero escuchar deprimera mano laspreguntas y respuestas de un maestro tansingularpor el ejemp/o de su vida entregada y austera, y por la energia y curiosidad que despierta con sus palabras. Una vez mas te digo, y loquiero repetir cada mafkma, al comenzar lajomada, con el ofrecimiento de las obras del dia: "Seiior, enton­ ces, 1,que he de hacer? ". Teprometo, Senor, no olvidar las re­ spuestas tannitidasy concretas, como exigentesy explosivas de/ Bautista: caridad, solidaridad, comprension, acogida y per­don. No hay otrocaminopara mantenerme a la espera, para acogerte y seguirte como 1U deseas, y tambiencomoyo pre.fiero. pues comprendo que esos son los caucespara articular la con­ vivencia social y lapaz entre lospueblos,y en el mismo seno de lasfamilias, asi comopara la verdadera satisfacciOn yfelicidad personal. Ademas noquiero olvidar lo quepuntualiza y nos enseiia la Igle­ sia, y machaconamente nos reafirma el Papa Benedicto XVI: no es suficiente lajusticia social, aunque esta sea impre­scindib/e, sino que hace falta la caridad y el amorsobrenatural como Tunos has enseiiado a vivir. ;Que grave responsabilidad tenemos los cristianos, que cono­ cemos, y enprincipio aceptamos, tu doctrinal ;Quepoco se me nota en laprtictica, apesar de estar convencido deposer el mayor teso­ro, que Tunos has dado: lafe! Ayudame, Senor, cada dia, a repartir, o mejor compartir, "mis tUnicas", mipoder, mi dinero, mis cua/idades, mi tiempo, mi Amor de Dios; a no exigir mas de lo establecido a nadie, a ser elprimero en tra­ bajary en hacer rendir mis talentos, y a la vez a saber con­formarme con lo mio, y ser exigente en laayuday en la caridad con elprojimo. Cuento, Senor, con tu Santo Espiritu,para mantener un corazon grande, para alimentar unfaego arrollador de buenas obras y para disfrutar de tu gracia, de tu amory de tu salvacion. Padre Segismundo Fernandez Rodriguez

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Yor que el nombre de Guadalupe? Mexico El origen delnombre Guadalupe siem-pre ha sido motivo de controversias

"Manifesto su tio ser cierto que entonces lesan6 y que la vi6 del mismo modo en que se aparecia a su so- brino; sabiendo por Ella que le habia enviado a Mexico a ver al Obispo. Tam-bien entonces le dijo la Seftora de cuando el fu.era a ver al Obispo, le revelara lo que vi6 y de que manera milagro- sa le habia sanado; y que bien le nombrarfa, asi como bien habia de nombrarse su bendita imagen, la siempre Virgen Santa Maria de Guadalupe".(Nican Mopohua) l,Por que habria la Virgen Maria, apareciendose a 1Dl indio en el recientemente conquistado Mexico y hablandole en su idioma nativo, Nahuatl, querer llamarse "de Guadalupe", un nombre espaiiol? l,Quizo ella en todo caso ser llamada de Guadalupe por la estatua de Nuestra Seftora de Guadalupe en Extrema-dura, Espafta? En sus apariciones a lo largo de los siglos la Santisima Virgen Marfa se identific6 a sf misma con su nombre o uno de sus Titulos, y fue generalmente luego conocida con el nombre del lugar donde ocurrieron las apariciones (Fatima, Lourdes, etc.). l,Entonces por que la Virgen, apareciendose a un indio en el Mexico recien invadido y hablandole en su idiom.anativo, hubiera querido ser llamada con el nom.bre en espaiiol de Gua- dalupe? l,Estaba Ella quizas re:firiendose a lamilagrosa estatua de Nuestra Sellora de Guadalupe, la que fue otorgada por el Pa-pa Gregorio el Grande al Arzobispo de Sevilla, que estuvo perdida por 600 aiios y fue encontrada por Gil Cordero gui-ado por una aparici6n de Nuestra Seiiora? Lamilagrosa y muy ve- nerada estatua fu.e nombrada de Guadalupe porque asi se llama- ba el poblado ubicado cerca al lugar del descubrimien-to. El origen del nombre Guadalupe siempre ha sido moti- vo de controversias, y muchas posibles explicaciones han sido da-das. Se cree sin embargo como la mas acertada que el nom- bre es el resultado de la traducci6n del nahuatl al espafiol de las palabras usadas por la Virgen durante su aparici6n a Juan Ber- nardino, el tfo enfermo de Juan Diego. Se cree que Nuestra Sellora us6 el temrino azteca (rulhuatl) de coatlaxopeuh, el cual es pronunciado "quatlasupe" y suena extremadamente parecido a la palabra en espafiol Gua- da-lupe. Coa significando serpiente, tla el articulo "la",mientras xopeuh significa aplastar. Asi Nuestra Setlora se debi6 haber referido a ella misma como "la que aplasta la serpiente." Debemos recordar que los Aztecas ofrecian anualmen- te mas de 20,000 hombres, mujeres y niii.os como sacrificios hu-manos a sus dioses, ritos que en muchos casos inclufan el canibalismo de los cuerpos de las vfctimas.En 1487, debido a la dedicaci6n de un nuevo templo en Tenochtitlan, unos 80,000 cautivos fueron inmolados en sacrificios humanos en una sola ceremonia que dur6 cuatro dias. Ciertamente en Mexico, con la conversi6n de millones de los habitantes al cristianismo, Ella aplast6 la serpiente.

HORARIO DE MISA DE NAVIDAD Nochebuena: lunes, 24 de diciembre 7:30am-Misa matutina, 4:00PM-coro infantile, 6:00pm-coros familiares y folclóricos, 8:30pm-coro juvenile, 12:00am-Misa de medianoche (12/25), coro tradicional Día de Navidad: martes, 25 de diciembre 7:30am-cantor, 9:00am-cantor, 11:00am-coro de la piedra angular, 1:00pm-coro Español (Misa española)

HORARIO DE MISAS DE AÑO NUEVO Fin de año-lunes 31 de diciembre 7:30am y 5:30pm Día de año nuevo-martes, 1 de enero 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am y 1:00pm Misa española