Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014

COMMUNAL ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Mon. December 15: Holy Spirit 7:00 pm Wed. December 17: St. John 7:30 pm Sat. December 20: St. Patrick 9:00 am Mon. December 22: St. Mary Magdalen 7:30 pm

ST. MARY GIVING TREE

A very special thank you to all

who were able to give to our Giving Tree this year. Your generosity was greatly appreciated. We were able to extend a helping hand to 25+ families and six organizations including St. Louis Center, Salvation Army and Sacred Heart Adult Care Home. Thank you! Judy Jentzen

KNIGHTS

SWEATSHIRT DRIVE The Knights of Columbus held a sweatshirt drive for the children of Boysville

during the month of November. Because of your generosity, we were able to deliver 52 sweatshirts, about 40 hats & 5 cartons

of toiletries. We were one of the top leading parishes in the Lansing Diocese with the number of gifts. For a lot of these kids, these will be the

only gifts they receive at Christmas. The Knights of Columbus and the kids thank-you for your

generosity and wish you a very blessed Christmas.

Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve Mass Schedule:

4pm, 6:30pm(Children’s Choir), 12 midnight (with

Christmas Carols beginning at 11:30pm)

Christmas Day: 10am Mass Only

There will be No Masses on December 26, 29, & 30.

The Parish Office: Will be closed December 24-26.

Adoration: Repose on December 23 at 5pm & resume

on December 28 after 11:30am Mass.

New Year Schedule

Mary, Mother of God: Masses will be held December

31 at 5pm & January 1 at 10am.

There will be No Mass on Friday, January 2.

The Parish Office: Will be closed December 31 –

January 2.

Adoration: There will be interruptions to the

Adoration schedule for the New Year.

St. Mary Catholic School Christmas Concert

The St. Mary School’s annual Christmas Concert will take place in the school’s gym on Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 p. m. The night will kick off with our 5th grade band playing a couple of tunes, followed by our Advanced band’s performance. While we change the stage over for the vocal portion of the evening, we will draw the names of the winners for the school raffle. The evening will continue with the school performing “A Play in the Manger”. You are invited to come and enjoy an evening full of the Christmas spirit.

Rejoice, the Lord Is Near

“Rejoice always, without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; fro this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for

you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19)

Make Straight The Way Of The Lord – John 1:7-8, 19-28 When the priests and Levites demanded to know who John was, he didn’t answer them in the way they wanted.

Instead, he quoted Isaiah, saying that he was “the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.”

“Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the

memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope.” -Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI), See That Which Is Above

Where am I in my journey of faith this Advent?

What are some ways that I can express the joy of Gaudete Sunday with my family and friends?

What is one thing I can commit to praying about this Advent season?

Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

FROM THE MEN'S CLUB Without question the events of this past

weekend showed our Parish at its

finest. Beginning with the Christmas

Bazaar on Saturday and continuing with the Community

Christmas Breakfast on Sunday morning and culminating

with the Doran Robin Christmas Concert, Sunday evening,

our Parish demonstrated to our community that we live the

Stewardship we profess. On Sunday over 325 breakfasts

were served, over $4,000 in donations have been collected

and we still have contributions coming in from those unable

to attend. If you were unable to make the breakfast and

would still like to contribute to this noblest of causes, helping

our neighbors, please mail or drop off at the office your

contribution this week. Unfortunately the need this year is

large. All monetary contributions are welcome regardless of

the amount and tax receipts are available if needed. The

Men's Club wishes to express our appreciation for the

generosity of our patrons, our talented musical guests Patrick

Rutkowski and Tony Giamanco and the army of volunteers

who worked unselfishly to ensure the success of the

event. We thank you all for your time, your support and your

love. God Bless You.

ST MARY ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY

THANKS YOU!!

The Ladies of the RAS want to thank the

following for providing us with your help and talent with the

Christmas Bazaar this past weekend: Thank you to Lavey

Insurance with providing us with the Raffle tickets, to the

crafters and vendors for joining us and providing us with all

the beauty seen on your tables. To Father Bill, the church

staff, the school staff, the auction committee, maintenance

staff Therese and Mike, the conformation and youth group,

the youth that helped in providing the vendors and crafters

with food at their tables, the men that worked in the kitchen,

the Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus. To all the

members of our church that provided us with baked items for

our Bake Sale and to the ones that donated Christmas items

for our Craft table. It would be impossible for us to do

everything that was done without your help. The women of

the RAS are very Blessed to have a group that is always

ready to help us!

The following is the list of our raffle Donors and Winners for

the day. The quilt made and donated to us from June Darrow

was won by Virginia Bensinger. The afghan, made and

donated to us from Jan Hollister was won by M. Jorgensen.

The Baby Quilt made and donated to us by Cathy Phipps was

won by Elizabeth Bensinger. The $ 100.00 Gas card donated

by the RAS was won by Marg Hatchard.

The 50/50 winners are as follows: The 1st

place winner is

Dave Zielinski and the 2nd

place winner is Elaine Sherwood.

Thank you to all that did their shopping at our Bazaar and we

send our wishes to all our parishioners to have a Blessed

Christmas and a wonderful 2015.

St. Mary Men’s Club Proudly Presents

Breakfast

with Elsa Sunday, January 4, 2015

From 8:30am-11am

FREE WILL DONATION Elsa will be singing the favorite hits from “Frozen”

& other songs from her Princess friends. Come dressed as Elsa or your favorite Disney Princess

Elsa arrives at 9:45am Performance 10:15-10:45am

Proceeds: Support St. Mary School Auction Team 50/50 Drawing: 1st Prize Half Pot, 2nd Prize Certificate to Salon On Main, 3rd Prize Certificate for Bowling Party at Stockbridge Bowl

Area’s Best Menu: Eggs - Scrambled or Fried, Hash Brown Potatoes, Homemade Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Quiche, Pancakes, French Toast, Raisin French Toast, Ham, Pork Sausage Links, Toast-Regular & Raisin, Coffee, Tea, Milk, & Orange Juice. And of Course the Waffle Station!

An Evening in Paris St. Mary School 18th Annual Auction

February 14, 2015

What better place to spend your Valentine’s evening

than Paris! On Saturday, February 14, you can be in

Paris for romance, fine cuisine, and people watching,

right here at St. Mary School, for our 18th annual

auction. Imagine that you are on the Champs-Élysées

as you enjoy a strolling dinner, bid on silent auctions

items, and take part in exciting games and raffles. Take

in the sights of Paris as you join in the fun of the live

auction, and top off the night dancing and socializing

with friends old and new. Contact: Julie Flaherty with

questions at 734-645-2264 auction@stmarypinckney.org

ATTN: ADULT MEN OF ST MARY PARISH St Mary Men’s Club will be meeting this Thursday

December 18th, at 7:30pm in the Knights of Columbus

Room. The Men’s Club offers a gratifying opportunity to get

involved in this wonderful Parish of ours. With each event

we sponsor we strive to make a real difference in our Parish

and our community. We know your time is valuable, so we

do not ask you to commit a large block of time but rather as

you are able. We hope you will join us. A light snack and a

feeling of making a difference provided. If you have any

questions please feel free to contact Bob at 810-623-0300.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014

REMINDER: For those of you who signed up

for photos for the Parish Directory

the dates are Monday, December 15th & Tuesday, December 16th.

Bring your SMILE!

RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS

Still available

Contact Tom Czubaj at 734-878-6381.

Al Kresta at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brighton

January 14 2015, 7 pm - 8:30 pm With the 42nd anniversary of the legalization of abortion in America upon us, the Respect Life Ministry at St. Patrick is bringing Al Kresta, President and CEO of Ave Maria Radio, for a talk on the “Cultural aftermath of Roe v. Wade and how we can instill change.” Come and let this wholesome and experienced man enlighten us on this subject, especially in such a time like this. An opportunity for Q&A will be extended. All are welcome. Free-will offering. Contact respectlifestpat@gmail.com for more information.

LIvingston Vicariate

Mission 2015

"The Lord is Risen, Do You Believe?" with Deacon Ralph Poyo

January 25, 26, 27, 28

St. Patrick, Brighton 7-9pm

livingstonvicariate@gmail.com

We are excited to offer a Girls on the Run team

at St. Mary in 2015! Becoming a coach is the most rewarding way to get

involved with Girls on the Run. Two volunteer coaches

work together to deliver the Girls on the Run curriculum,

twice a week for 90 minutes to groups of 8-17 girls. You

don't have to be a runner to be a coach - coaches

simply must be passionate about the mission of Girls on the

Run, committed to working with a group of girls throughout

the ten week season (March – May) and able to bring energy

and joy to each practice. Please visit

www.girlsontherunsemi.org or email

dana@girlsontherunsemi.org for more information.

RING THE BELL CAMPAIGN Tips for Christmas and Year-End Giving: Many people

enjoy using this as a special time to give to their favorite

charity or non-profit organization. Year-end gifts can

provide many advantages to you as the donor and the

receiving organization. St. Mary’s Ring the Bell Campaign

and St. Mary Catholic Parish invite you to remember us in

your gift giving this year.

Calculate Your Income. Try to get a handle on your tax

liability for the year. Did your unearned income increase?

Did you sell any appreciated assets: will you owe more

taxes? This alone may motivate you to increase your giving

before December 31st. In fact you may even want to move

some of next year’s giving to this current year in order to

create a larger income tax deduction for this year. Non-

itemizers may especially find this “grouping of gifts” useful

to take possible advantage of an itemized tax return every

other year. In any case, by the time you fill out your income

tax return in early 2014, it will be too late to make charitable

gifts for 2014 tax year. Take the time to do some planning

now while you still have an opportunity to make a year-end

gift.

Do Your Giving Early. This is especially true if you want

to make a gift of non-cash assets (Securities, real estate, etc.).

It also applies to life-income gifts (Charitable Gift Annuities,

Charitable Remainder Trusts, etc.). Some gift transactions

will take more time to finalize than others, so we recommend

that you complete your gift sooner rather than later.

Talk to Your Advisor. Before making any significant gift,

you should have your attorney, CPA or other advisor help

you understand the impact of your gift on your income tax

return or estate. The Church wants your giving to be not only

generous and joyful, but also as beneficial as possible to you.

Donations must be received or postmarked by December

31st to be eligible for you 2014 taxes. Please note that the

parish office will be closed on December 31st.

New donors to St. Mary Catholic Parish Capital Campaign

will have the opportunity to have your name(s) placed on the

recognition plaque in the gathering space.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Debbie

at the parish office 734-878-3161 ext. 219.

VOLUNTEERS: TO MAKE ROSARIES If you are interested in meeting to make

rosaries please contact either

Marlene @ 734-878-3771 or

Mauvis @ 734-648-9034.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014

RCIA RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITATION OF ADULTS

Do you know someone who may be interested in becoming

Catholic? Have you ever invited another to explore the

Catholic faith? Please join us for our upcoming meetings.

All are welcome to join us for any

subject meeting listed below!

12/14 (Sun) Baptism 10:15-11:15

12/21 (Sun) Christmas Celebration 12:45-1:45

01/04 (Sun) Confirmation 12:45-1:45

01/10 (Sat) Eucharist 6:15-7:15

01/18 (Sun) Reconciliation 10:15-11:15

01/25 (Sun) Reconciliation 12:45-1:45

01/31 (Sat) Beatitudes 6:15-7:15

02/08 (Sun) Ten Commandments 10:15-11:15

Religious Education K-8 & 2nd Grade Sacrament Prep 12/14 10:15-11:20am Class (K-8) 12/21&12/28 NO Class: Merry Christmas!

Confirmation 12/14 12:45-3:00pm Lesson, Advent Celebration 12/21-28 No Class Christmas Break No physical Class until January 31st! Teens will have homework and check in times! Please ensure they stay connected! Check out the Confirmation Information Hub:

http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/faith-formation/confirmation-info-hub

Middle School Youth Group Schedule

Date: Time: Event: 12/14 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/16 7-8:30pm Youth Night – 12/21 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/23 NO YOUTH GROUP 12/28 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/30 NO YOUTH GROUP

High School Youth Group Schedule

Date: Time: Event: 12/14 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/17 7-8:30pm Youth Night – 12/21 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/24 NO YOUTH GROUP 12/28 7-8pm Adoration “Here I am Lord” 12/31 NO YOUTH GROUP

Website: http://www.stmarypinckney.org/#/youth/

If you have any questions please call 734-878-2217 or email rkeiser@stmarypinckney.org

Report for December 8, 2014 Parishioner Donations - Giving Back To The Lord

YTD 07/01/14 – 12/08//14

Weekly YTD

Offertory $ 19,828.20 $ 346,699.52 Operating Budget Reqmnt. $ 15,940.00 $ 366,620.00 Variance $ 3,888.20 $ (19,920.48) Retired Religious Collection $1053.00 Debt Reduction/FaithQuest Collected $ 33,264.54

Ring the Bell Campaign $ 41,236.19 $164,616 needed to reach goal Mortgage Payment Requirement $ 187,575.00 Mortgage Amount Paid $ 100,000.00 Shortfall $ (87,575.00)

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS SPECIAL COLLECTION DECEMBER 14, 2014

“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 provides

vital support for the retirement needs of senior sisters,

brothers, and religious order priests.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014

MASS INTENTIONS

Sunday, December 14th

9:00am: In Memory of Maria Picano by Joe & Tina Sroka

11:30am: For Our Parish

Monday, December 15th

9:00am: In Memory of Joseph Muller by K of C

Tuesday, December 16th

9:00am: Communion Service

5:00pm In Memory of Agnes Sroka by Joe & Tina Sroka

Wednesday, December 17th

9:00am: In Memory of Bob Engel by Tom & Joyce Wilson

Thursday, December 18th

9:00am: Communion Service

Friday, December 19th

9:00am: In Memory of Thomas Brown by LeVasseur

family

Saturday, December 20th

5:00pm: In Honor of Alex Nicholas by Gary & Mary Jo

Nicholas and family

Sunday, December 21st

9:00am: In Memory of John Sroka & Antonio Picano by

Joseph & Tina Sroka

11:30am: In Memory of Nathaniel Wylie by Ann Acker

WEEKLY READINGS: Dec. 14th

-20th

Sunday:

Third Sunday of Advent

Is 61:1-2, 10-11; Ps Luke 1:46-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8,

19-28

Monday:

Advent Weekday

Nm 24:2-7, 15-17; Ps 25; Mt 21:23-27

Tuesday:

Late Advent Weekday

Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34; Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday:

Late Advent Weekday

Gn 49:2, 8-10, Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17

Thursday:

Late Advent Weekday

Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72; Mt 1:18-25

Friday:

Late Advent Weekday

Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25; Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25

Saturday:

Late Advent Weekday

Is 7:10-14; Ps 24; Lk 1:26-38

OUR PRAYER LIST Lucille Barkowski, Richard Bennett, Wilma Brown,

Hannah Campbell, Denise Day, Claire Destrampe,

Michael Grossmeyer, Richard Jesionowski, Don Keiser,

LaVerne Keiser, Sr. Mary Kelly, RSM, Ben LaRosa,

Adeline Penrod, Linda Schneider and Allan Steinaway.

LAY MINISTERS: December 20th

& 21st:

Communion Service Leaders

Dec. 16: R. Boos Dec. 18: D. Hall

Dec. 23: T. Burke Dec. 25: D. Hall

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

*Self-Scheduling by Sign-Up.

*Sign-Up In Meeting Room A.

Altar Servers

5:00pm M. Haynes, D. Haynes, J. Peltier

9:00am L. Hall, L. Cross, D. Schneider

11:30am S. Miller, M. Miller, B. O’Keefe

Proclaimers of the Word

5:00pm R. Gass, K. Schang

9:00am D. Hall, St. Wittrup

11:30am L. Lichwala, R. Gonza

Greeters

5:00pm Watson family

9:00am M. Nemeth

11:30am Jarvis family

Ushers

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

Please sign up if you’re available.

Offertory Gifts

5:00pm 9:00am 11:30am

Please sign up if you’re available.

Home Chalice Program

Please sign up if you’re available.

Linens

December: F. Kinsey, L. Lavey

Cleaning the Altar

December: J. Helmboldt

Collection Counters

December 15: R. Bartkovich, L. Wallace, M. Ulman

December 22: J. King, R. Miller, B. Zielinski

We always keep our military family close and

far in our thoughts and prayers. We would

love to add your soldier to our prayer list if

they are currently deployed overseas. Please

contact the church office to add your loved one

to our prayer list.