Pastoral Staff

Father David Lemkuhl, Pastor fr.dave@fuse.net

Paula Voborsky, OFS, Pastoral Associate, paulajv@fuse.net

Mary Mathers, Parish Secretary marymathers@fuse.net

Michelle Boehl, Parish Secretary michelleboehl@fuse.net

Keith Minnery, Music Director kminnery@gmail.com

Masses

Saint Margaret of Cortona Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 9:00 am & 11:00 am Saint Anthony, Madisonville Sunday, 8:30 & 11:30 am Saint Cecilia, Oakley Saturday, 4:00 pm Sunday, 8 & 10 am

Confessions Call the Parish Office for an appointment

Faith Formation Regular classes K-8 9:50—10:55 am Sundays at SMC

Baptisms & RCIA Call the Parish Office

Parish Office 4100 Watterson

Street Cincinnati, OH 45227 Phone: (513) 271-0856 Parish Fax: (513) 271-1513 Office Hours 8:30 am — 3:00 pm www.smsjparish.com

Please call the parish office if you, or a member of your family, is ill or in the hospital so a member of our Pastoral Staff can visit and we can keep you in our prayers.

The Mission of St. Margaret - St. John Parish is to spread the good news and blessings of Jesus Christ to our community. We gather together to grow closer to Jesus Christ, to worship at the Eucharistic Table, to serve our children, the poor and the needy among us, and to celebrate our diverse community.

Monday, December 21, 7:00 pm Mass @ SMC—Fr. Dave † Intentions of the Caruso Family—Judy Stubenrauch

Tuesday, December 22, 9:30 am Mass @ The Barrington † Deceased Friends of the Ursuline Sisters

Wednesday, December 23, 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

Saturday, December 26, 4:30 pm Mass Fr. Paul † Don Peaker—Edgar & Dianne Goins Sunday, December 27, 9:00 a.m. Mass Fr. Paul † Bernice Schnirring—Mathers Family Sunday, December 27, 11:00 a.m. Mass Fr. Paul † Michael Knechtly—M/M Bruce Chitwood

St. Margaret of Cortona Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 4:30 pm

Presider: Fr. Paul Servers: need volunteer Lectors: C Sullivan/J Heitker Eucharistic Minister: T Wood/D Crabb/R Miller/ A O’Connor Greeters: J Heitker/need volunteer Gifts: need volunteers

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 11:00 am Presider: Fr. Dave Servers: S Castleman/J Miller Lectors: J Mullan/M Brusman Eucharistic Minister: ML Condit/M Mathers/B Ferrara/ L Gates/M Hurley Greeters: M/M J Losekamp Gifts: Gates Family

Saturday, December 26, 4:30 pm Presider: Fr. Paul Servers: need volunteer Lectors: T Wood/N Jordan Eucharistic Minister: K Jordan/C Sullivan/A Wittrock/ R Bagby Greeters: need volunteers Gifts: Heitker family

Sunday, December 27, 9:00 am Presider: Fr. Paul Servers: M Scharringhausen Lectors: M Bates/J Mullan Eucharistic Ministers: C Alfaro/D Hoying/G Schmidt Greeters: M Mathers/S McKenrick

Sunday, December 27, 11:00 am Presider: Fr. Dave Servers: G Billings/Z Martin Lectors: D Ewald/ML Condit Eucharistic Minister: G Irwin/N Losekamp/AJ Scott/ B Losekamp/P Wagner Greeters: M/M J Losekamp Gifts: J Kaminer/S Stovall

December 19 & 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dec 12 –13

Due to an early printing schedule, the

collection information will be available next week.

Monday — Franciscan Youth Movement 7 pm in the St. Francis mtg. room—see pg 6 Tuesday— Decorate the church 7 pm

This week in our parish

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015 O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted.

Thursday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 4:30 am Mass @ SMC—Fr. Paul † George & Jessie Wiley & Clifford & Teresa Engler—Diana Wiley Friday, Christmas Day, December 25, 11:00 am Mass @ SMC- Fr. Dave † Paul Davis & Jacob Schmidt—Helen & Gloria

Open Wide the Doors of Mercy: theme for December. In order to celebrate the Mercy of God, this weekend at all of the Masses, the Penitential

Act at the beginning of Mass will include the Sacrament of Penance. All you will be requested to say is the one area of sin underlying all your sinful behaviors. (Similar to our recent Parish Mission.) Pope Francis’ call for a Holy Year of Mercy, began Dec. 8th on the USA patronal feastday of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Instead of the Pastoral Region Prayer, we are using the Prayer During the Holy Year of Mercy to conclude the Intercessions. If you were not able to hear the presentation on the Pastoral Region Plan, a summary should be available for you soon. A videotape of that evening will also be available. Because of the holidays approaching us so quickly, we may wait until the first of the year to offer you an opportunity to view it. Thanks to all who attended Dec. 9th’s presentation. Many thanks to John Mullan who presented the Mass Schedule portion, and to Mary Lou Condit and Tony Brueneman who are also on the Pastoral Region Coordinating Committee. Any questions or comments can be directed to them, or of course to me. The Archdiocesan campaign One Faith, One Hope, One Love: Today we wish to wrap-up our parish effort. Many thanks to all who responded. I appreciate your being as responsive as you are able. Please don’t be hard on yourself if you decided not to give. I trust that you seriously considered this in prayer. The end result should be a sense of peace, even though you may still feel bad. Many thanks to Tony Russo as our parish coordinator. We majorly streamlined the process and made it smoother and more manageable. I know that many are tired of hearing about it. We had to keep bringing it up because of the percentage of people who had not responded. I believe that it will be accepted that we have done our best. When you read the letter from Archbishop Schnurr regarding this campaign, though the minimum goal of $130 million has been reached, the needs are closer to $200 million. Please hold to your pledge if at all possible. If something comes up that you need to change your pledge amount or to discontinue, the process is supposed to be outlined by early January. Again, thank you.

Giving Tree— Thank your for your generosity in this season of giving! Please return your dona ons by this weekend (December 19-20).

When I was in need, you gave me a ride…

Saint Matthew’s gospel reminds us that we are expected to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe the naked. Jesus didn’t mention, “when I needed a ride, you picked me up.” But in today’s world, someone who can’t drive or doesn’t own a car depends on the kindness of others.

Although the parish has no formal committee to organize drivers, rides are there when someone needs a lift to church, to a doctor’s appointment, or to the store or beauty parlor. Some neighbors may have family who cover most of their transportation, but occasionally, family members have other commitments.

Parish volunteers do more than provide a lift. Sometimes, a trip to the doctor’s office is followed by lunch, or a ride to the store is a chance for a social visit.

One parishioner has been helping friends with rides for 17 years. Her attitude is, “I’ll do what I can while I can. Someday, it will be me asking someone else for help.” The 5 or 6 people each week who are able to get to the library or attend a friend’s funeral appreciate her willingness to do what she can.” “Not everyone has the same talents. this what God has given me to do, so I’m glad to do it.”

Paula’s Corner …

Christmas is almost here. Our time of waiting is almost over. Soon we will see the face of Christ. Or will we? Christmas happens, Christ comes, but in strange ways and surprising circumstances. Many of us miss the coming of Christ because we are caught up in the hoopla of the season that our culture has demanded of us. God has to make us turn in a different direction in order to find him. Our all powerful God became flesh in the womb of a virgin; the most disparaged of creatures in the Jewish culture of the time. In this Year of Mercy, can you find the face of God in a poor unwed mother? God became present in the meeting of two insignificant women far from the worldly centers of power. They were among the poor and the outcast: one for being pregnant before marriage and the other for being barren into her old age. Christ was born into poverty in a small village, Bethlehem, which was too small to be among the clans of Judah. In this Year of Mercy, will you seek the face of Christ in the poor and marginalized? Will you find Him?

Christ, our Savior, not only loved the poor, but rather ‘being rich he became poor’, he lived in poverty. His mission centered on advising the poor of their liberation and he founded his Church as the sign of the poverty among men.

Latin American Bishops, Poverty of the Church

Medellin Documents, 1968: 7

Ministry of Care Christmas Bags A Big Thank you for All who donated items, money and time to help with the Ministry of Care Gift Bags. Your generosity is very much appreciated!

VDP needs… Can you help?

With the cold weather, we are in need of soups, Hormell microwave dinners, pudding, oatmeal and soft foods. Please see below the list for pick up from local businesses which help us Feed the Hungry and Provide for the Needy. We are looking for help with this Ministry since it has go en bigger and more me and energy extensive. Please call the parish office if you can help even on a temporary or part me basis. MEAC 4600 Erie Cincinna , Ohio 45227 Thursday a ernoons (whatever they have le from the week) LaSoupe 4150 Round Bo om Road Cincinna , Ohio 45244 Friday mornings (whatever they give us) Krogers 7385 Wooster Pike Cincinna , Ohio 45227 Every other Saturday and Sunday (bakery goodies and bread) usually 2 or 3 carts full Krogers 4613 Marburg Avenue Cincinna , Ohio 45209 Every Saturday and Sunday (bakery goods and bread) usually 3 or 4 carts full

IN our parish St. Margaret-St. John

Bob Barlage,

Bro. Norbert Bertram, OFM, Nikki Best, Mary Beresford,

Tom Blankemeyer, Fr. James Brookes—St. Margaret of York,

Don Cafferky, Nancy Callahan, Lorraine Carney, Gina Clark, Robert Davis, Tammy Davis,

Matthew Dickason, Tammy Doss Kelly Flanigan, Margie Forsthoefel,

Pat Forsthoefel, Emma Gough, Brad Giesting, Mary Greis, Jim Griffin,

Heather Griffin, Barb Hervey, Lucilia Hock, Grover Hord,

Marge House, Clare Jones, Larry Kahles, Jane Kaeser, Joe Kaeser,

Dee Kaiser, Steve Keeney, Marian Kleiman, Steve & Mary Knepfle, Margie Lemkuhl,

Kevin Mahoney, Debbie Malicoat, Mary (Marasco)LeRoy, Rosemary Martin,

Rosemary McQueary, Ruth Miller, Molly Montgomery, Martha Muchmore, Betty Nerl, Margaret Nerl, Dick Nichols,

Steve O’Connor, Elaine Otto, Barb Pennucci, Esther Quinn,

Katie Rahn, Pat Rardin, Paul Rosing, Steve Ruwe,

Ted Sentker, John Sheehy, Jacob Salamon, Louise Spahn, Helen Steele, Tom Suddendorf,

Kenzie Suddendorf, Alberta Sullivan, Mary Twigg, Patti Weikert,

Teresa K Wilson, Jani Wood, Frances Yunker

We try to update our Prayer List. If we took someone off that s ll needs our prayers, Please call the parish office.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS DECEMBER 20, 2015

First Reading — From you, Bethlehem, shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel. (Micah 5:1�4a). Psalm — Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved (Psalm 80). Second Reading — By Christ doing the will of God, we have been consecrated (Hebrews 10:5�10). Gospel — “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:39�45).

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS DECEMBER 27, 2015

First Reading — Hannah gives her son Samuel back to the LORD, leaving him in the temple at Shiloh: “As long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28) or Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14. Psalm — Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord (Psalm 84) or Psalm 128. Second Reading — We are children of God when we believe in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us (1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24) or Colossians 3:12-21 [12-17]. Gospel — Joseph and Mary find the lost Jesus in the temple in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking questions (Luke 2:41-52).

A NEW ORDER “O, Little Town of Bethlehem.” A Philadelphia clergyman named Phillips Brooks penned these popular words back in the mid-1800s, but the prophet Micah could have used them first. Micah knew that from small packages great treasures come. In today’s first reading, he knew that from tiny Bethlehem would come the Lord. The writer in Hebrews explains that Christ came to us to do the will of God by establishing a new order and by becoming our perfect sacrifice. And Luke tells us that Elizabeth and John, the infant in her womb, understand that great and wondrous things are at hand with the coming of the Lord. This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Soon we celebrate anew the fruit of Mary’s womb. As we are told in Hebrews, Jesus’ new order is being established even today. And as Micah proclaims, his greatness is reaching even now to the ends of the earth.

Our weekly $40 Four Grand

winner for 2016 is Donnie Boehl.

Congratulations!!

Four Grand Club

Almighty Father,

You have created us for some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path You have planned for us in this life And to respond with a generous “Yes”.

Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations. May our young people respond to Your call with courage and zeal.

Stir among our men a desire and the strength to be good and holy priests. Bless us with consecrated religious and those called to a chaste single life, permanent deacons, and faithful husbands and wives, who are a sign of Christ’s love for His Church.

We commend our prayer for vocations to You, Father, through the intercession of Mary our Mother, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Archbishop Dennis M Schnurr

Jubilee Report November, 2015

October balance $23,768.07 Income 7,627.00

November balance $31,395.07

(The net income from the Turkey Dinner $6194.00 is included in the November income).

Teens and Preteens

Let your light Shine like

St. Francis!

If you love Pope Francis and his inspira on St. Francis, you may be called to join the Franciscan Youth Movement.

Come and See

December 21, 2015 at 7 pm in the St. Francis Mee ng Room

St. Margaret-St. John 6000 Murray Rd

Learn about the Franciscan tradi on of feeding the birds on Christmas and make some gi s of birdseed to spread the good news. Discover new friends and learn to love like Francis. See you there!

Christmas Eve—4:30 pm @ SM-SJ Christmas Day—11:00 am @ SM-SJ New Year’s Eve—4:30 pm @ SM-SJ New Year’s Day—11:00 am @ SM-SJ

December 2015 Parish community of St. Margaret—St. John

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:30 am Mass @ Barrington—Fr. Damian Cesanek VDP mee ng

2 8:15 am Communion Service @ St. Anthony Choir

3 9:30 am Mass @ St. Theresa Fr. Damian Cesanek

Welcome Comm mtg 7pm in St. Francis room

4 8:15 am

Mass w/First Friday Adora on following—Fr. George Wilson

5 4:30 pm Mass Fr. Paul Anoin ng of the Sick @ 3 pm

6 Second Sunday

of Advent

9:00 am & 11:00 am Fr. Dave

Christmas Caroling @ 3 pm and Potluck @ 5 pm in SJV rectory

7

Vigil for Immaculate Concep on 7 pm Mass @ SMC Fr. Dave RCIC 5 pm in St. Francis room

8 Immaculate

Concep on

10:00 am Mass @ SMC

Worship mtg. 7pm in St. Francis room

9 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

1 pm Ministry of Care Christmas bags @ SJV

PRCC 7 pm “Presenta on of Pastoral Region Plan”

10 9:30 am Mass @ St. Theresa-Fr. Dave

BINGO

PRCC mtg 7 pm in St. Francis Room

11 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

12 4:30 pm Mass Fr. Paul Religious Re re-ment Collec on Weekend

13 Third

Sunday of Advent

9:00 am & 11:00 am Fr. Paul

Religious Re re-ment weekend

14 All Adult Christmas Party @ Flip Daddy 1:00 pm

RCIC 5 pm in St. Francis room

NO MASS 7 pm @ SMC

Advent Penance Prayer Service 7pm

15 9:30 am Mass @ Barrington 3 pm Publicity mtg VDP mee ng

16 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony Christmas Concert 7 pm @ SMC church

17 9:30 am Mass @ St. Theresa Fr. Pat Crone

BINGO

18 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

19 4:30 pm Mass Fr. Dave Giving Tree Gi s Due back this week-end.

20 Fourth

Sunday of Advent

9:00 am & 11:00 am Fr. Dave

Giving Tree Gi s Due back this weekend

21 RCIC 5 pm in St. Francis room 7 pm Mass @ SMC Fr. Dave

22 9:30 am Mass @ Barrington 6:30 pm Decorate church for Christmas

23 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

24 Christmas Eve

4:30 pm Mass Fr. Paul

25Christmas Day 11:00 am Mass Fr. Dave

26 4:30 pm Mass Fr. Paul

27 Feast of the Holy Family 9:00 am & 11:00 am Fr. Paul

28

RCIC 5 pm in St. Francis room 7 pm Mass @ SMC Fr. Dave

29 9:30 am Mass @ Barrington

30 8:15 am Mass @ St. Anthony

31 New Year’s Eve Mass 4:30 pm @ SM-SJ—Fr. Paul

January 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

New Year’s Day 11 am Mass @ SM-SJ- Fr. Dave

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