‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.’ Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:35-38) (The Annunciation by Murillo, 1655–1660)

Thursday, December 14 will be the annual parish Advent Penance Service. This year, I will start with Mass at 6:30p. This will be immediately followed by the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with one of five priests (myself included). This is a beautiful and important way of entering into Advent and preparing for the coming of the Lord, whose first public words were: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” (Mk 1:15). St Mary, Expectant Mother, pray for us. ~ Fr. Gries

ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Forming Saints for Christ and the Church

DECEMBER 10, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY

OF ADVENT

512 North Perkins Street Rushville Indiana 46173

Parish: 765-932-2588 School: 765-932-3639 www.stmaryrush.org

Reflection: Dec 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas. In this week’s Gospel, Mary is greeted by the angel Gabriel. She is sent a messenger, and then she too takes the task in appearing to St. Juan Diego centuries after. “May it be done to me according to your word,” is the acceptance of faith. This is the fiat of Mary- the yes. We, too, are called to this obedience of faith, and although the task of responding yes to the call of God is no easy feat, we are promised that nothing is impossible for God. He provides us the grace to withstand the challenges. It is by Mary’s yes, that the Savior of the World came, and it is by our yeses, that we can bring others to know him.

Prayer: “O God, who, fulfilling the promise made to our Fathers, chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of the Savior, grant that we may follow her example, for her humility was pleasing to you and her obedience profitable to us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. Amen.”

WELCOME TO ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 2

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Class TODAY, December 10. Topic: Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders and Matrimony

St. Mary Advent Mass, Penance Service & First Reconciliation December 14, 2017. Mass at 6p.m. Reconciliation at 6:30p.m.

YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE December 10 at 10a.m. - Youth Mass & Choir; 11a.m. - 1p.m. Lunch and Christmas Celebration

Food Pantry items for December are: Pork and Beans and Cereal. The St. Mary Food Pantry is in need of at least three new volunteers to work the pantry. Please call Susan Hoeing at 561-1040. The pantry currently needs meat. If you can donate meat, please call Susan Hoeing to make delivery arrangements.

A Message from the SMS 150 Committee We are trying to put together an updated alumni list for St. Mary School. If you or any member of your family attended St. Mary School at any time in the past 150 years, please send your information to Cheryl Riggs at CLRXRAY@ yahoo.com. The committee needs old school pictures, class composite pictures, and any memorabilia you might have. Two members of the committee, Marilyn Spilman and Marty Connerly, are looking for alumni to interview. We would love to hear about and record your personal connection to St. Mary Catholic School. Contact Marty Connerly at 317-402-3719;meo49.connerly@gmail.com or Marilyn Spilman at 765-561-6986; marilyn.spilman@ farmcredit.com.

St. Mary Catholic School and Preschool is looking for a part-time music teacher to cover a maternity leave. All classes are in the afternoons and include music and 6th grade writ-ing. Call Mrs. Kirschner at 765-932-3639 or e-mail her at skirschner@stmaryrush.org, if you are interested.

St. Mary Catholic School and Preschool Christmas Giving Tree. Tags will be in baskets in the back of church. All un-wrapped items need to be returned to church, school or the parish office by Monday, December 11th.

SLEEPING MATS FOR THE HOMELESS: Plastic bags (Kroger, Walmart, etc.) are needed for this project which is being done by several Rush County residents! Bags can be dropped off at the parish office. Anyone inter-ested in joining this group can contact Ruth Koelmel 765-969-6757 or Linda Shanahan 765-645-5279.

Monetary donations are now being accepted for Christmas flowers. Envelopes are at all church entrances. Fill out the envelope and drop It into the regular Sunday Collection.

The Children’s Choir will be singing on December 24 at the 4p.m. Mass. All children are welcome. Practice will begin at 3p.m.

Incense will be used at the 6p.m. Mass on December 24, Midnight Mass and the 9a.m. Mass on December 25.

Christmas: December 24 - Mass at 4:p.m., 6:p.m.and 12 Midnight. December 25 - 9a.m. New Year’s: January 1 - Mass at 8:30a.m. and 6:30p.m.

St. Mary Food Pantry Meeting; Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 7p.m. in the rectory conference room. Current and new members are encouraged to attend.

Our Condolences to: Donna Muckerheide and family and Marilyn (Ron) Land at the recent death of Bob Muckerheide. A memorial Mass was held here on Saturday, December 9, 2017.

DECEMBER 10, 2017 * SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 3

Sunday Offerings December 3, 2017

Adults (111Envelopes +19 Loose Checks) $ 9,422.78 Youth (2 Envelopes) $ 2.00 Loose $ 373.51 Total $ 9,798.29 Weekly Budget (2017/2018) $ -8,000.00

Surplus (+) / Deficit (-) $ +1,798.29 Sunday 12/3/17 $ 9,798.29 Regular Maintenance & Utilities $ 720.00 Votive Candles $ 24.00 Food Pantry $ 1,448.00 Calvary Cemetery $ 600.00 Christmas $ 100.00 Christmas Flowers $ 40.00 TOTAL 12/3/17 $ 12,730.29 Mass Attendance - 12/3/17 - 561

Mass Schedule: December 11 - 17

Monday No Mass Tuesday 6:30p.m. Fr. Rock Travnikar Wednesday 8:30a.m. Ralph Muckerheide Thursday 8:30a.m Vernie Comer 6:00p.m. Ann Parish Friday 8:30a.m. Edward Neuman Saturday 5:30p.m. Donna Becraft Sunday 7:30a.m. St. Mary Church 10:00a.m. Carolyn Mohr and Maurice Mohr December 14-Mass at 6p.m.; Reconciliation at 6:30p.m.

Adult Faith Opportunity BIBLE STUDY Psalms: The School of Prayer

Dec. 13 4. Responsorial Psalms Dec. 20 5. Royal & Messianic Psalms Dec. 27 No Meeting

Wednesdays 7-9p.m. School Multipurpose Room. Bring your Bible & Catechism!

Faith + Fellowship + Fun

December 10 - Session 13 December 17 - Christmas Party December 24 - Christmas Break

Date Pledge Cards Pledge Amount 12/1/17 168 $32,080 Goal 432 $19,541 % of Goal 39% 164% Father Gries would like to see 50% participation! Using the envelope provided, please mail your 2017/2018 pledge card directly to the Archdiocese or drop into the Sunday collection. Thank you!

Help religious communities. “Your generous contribution helps us to care for our retired sisters and enables our younger sisters to continue in active ministry,” writes a religious sister. Your gift to today’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medica-tions, nursing care, and more for thousands of senior sis-ters, brothers, and religious order priests. It also helps en-sure younger members can continue the good works of their elders!

Staff Rev. Jeremy M. Gries, Pastor frgries@stmaryrush.org Debbie Spaeth, Administrative Assistant dspaeth@stmaryrush.org Jill Kuntz, Administrator Religious Education jkuntz@stmaryrush.org Amaranta Kemple, Youth Group Coordinator akemple@stmaryrush.org Sherri Kirschner, Principal skirschner@stmaryrush.org Ashley Busald, School Secretary abusald@stmaryrush.org

Parish Office Hours Monday-Thursday......8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Friday………………….8:30a.m.-Noon

Our St. Mary Prayer Line Regenia Ripberger 765-561-1179 Lisa Wagoner 812-593-0790 - 765-663-2444

Parish Council - Chair: Shawn Adkins

Finance Council - Chair: Elbert Gordon

School Commission - Chair: Susan Spaeth

Baptism Call the parish office for scheduling.

Reconciliation/Confession Saturday…4:30p.m.- 5:15p.m. Tuesday…...6:00p.m.6:25p.m.

Marriage

Engaged couples must meet with the Pastor to com-plete initial marriage paperwork at least 9 months before the anticipated wedding date and prior to making any other arrangements concerning the wedding.

Abortion Alternatives Birthline Mon.-Fri. 317-635-4808 Option Helpline 24/7 1-800-712-HELP

Servers – December 16 & 17 Sat. 5:30p.m. Evan Moore, Katie Ripberger, Megan Alexander Sun. 7:30a.m. Hayden Walls, Adam Leising 10:00a.m. Hallie & Alexis Fenimore, Olivia Cain Lectors - December 16 & 17 Sat. 5:30p.m. Ruth Koelmel Sun. 7:30a.m Allen Leising 10:00a.m. Tom Giesting Extra-Ordinary Ministers - December 16 & 17 Sat. 5:30p.m. Julia Jessup, Steve Richards, Shelly Bostic Sun. 7:30a.m Regenia Ripberger, Susie Odum, Jerry Rudolf 10:00a.m Kevin & Debbie Banks, Jane Ariens Ushers for December, 2017 Sat. 5:30p.m. Steve Schwering & Volunteer Sun. 7:30a.m. John Niehoff & Volunteer 10:00a.m. Kevin Mahan & Eric Wagoner Ministers-to-the-Sick Dec. 11 Linda Jenkins Dec. 18 Monica Neuman Money Counters: Dec. 11 Jeanie Spaeth, Debbie Banks, Robin Land, Mary Ann Harpring Dec. 18 Rose Hoeing, Jane Niccum, Linda Shanahan, Margie Liggett Food Pantry Volunteers: Dec. 13 Denise Small, Melanie Krieger, Lori Ernstes Dec. 18 (Restock) Mary Ann Harpring, Denise Hoeing

Thank you to Copeland for their

generous donation to the Food Pantry. Welcome to St. Mary Parish! You are invited to stop by

the parish office and register to become a part of our parish family.

New Parishioners

Ministry Schedules ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 512 North Perkins Street, Rushville, IN

Parish: 765-932-2588 † School: 765-932-3639