Roman Catholic Parish

DECEMBER 24, 2017

300 East 16th Avenue, Apache Junction, AZ 85119-6403 480-982-2929 Fax: 480-982-0036

E-mail: office@stgeorgeaj.com Website: www.stgeorgeaj.com

Office Hours: M-F 8 a.m.-12 noon & 1-5:00 p.m.

PASTORAL STAFF

Father Domenico Pinti, Pastor Father Stanley Nadolny, Parochial Vicar Ext. 104 Caroline Hodges, Bookkeeper Ext. 103 Grace Vozel, Parish Secretary Ext. 101 Christine Ollive, Coordinator of Religious Ed Ext. 102 Debbie Wohlforth, Receptionist Ext. 100 Denis McDonald, Maintenance

WINTER PRIESTS Fr. Howie McGraw Fr. Vince Lieser

PARISH DEACONS Deacon Bill Jones

Ministries Youth Altar Server Training, Fr. Stan Eucharistic Ministers, Fr. Pinti Lectors, Cindy Nuttall 602-312-6667 RCIA, Fr. Pinti Ushers, Fr. Pinti Divine Mercy, Joetta Carlos—735-8471 Grief Support Group, Susan Insalaco—250-3522 Natural Family Planning, Darrin & Pems Tebon—671-9040 Adult Choir—Sheryl Johnson—480-354-5985

Organizations Knights of Columbus, Tom Wolf 982-4441 Our Lady of the Desert Guild, Barbara Reddington—671-0719 Respect Life Ministry, Fr. Pinti

Finance Council Susan Insalaco Caroline Hodges Will Bublitz Arlene Showers Ray Kimble

COMMUNION TO THE SICK If you or someone you know is sick or homebound, please call for the assistance of a Minister of Care. Ministers of Care bring communion to those who cannot come to Mass. Please call Mary Ellen Akin at 480-983-7026 or the parish office to arrange a scheduled Minister of Care visit.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY If you or someone you know is in critical condition or near death call 480-982-2929 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours and on weekends call 480-303-1253. Please do not use this service for any other reason.

INFANT BAPTISM Parents requesting baptism for their children under 7 years old must attend a mandatory preparation class offered every other month. Please call the Parish Office in advance for scheduling or other information. Infant baptisms are the last Sunday of each month.

MARRIAGES/MARRIAGE PREPARATION Couples seeking the sacrament of marriage must be regis-tered parishioners who are actively participating in the life of St. George Roman Catholic Parish. Notification of intent to marry must be provided six months in advance. For more information on the marriage preparation process, please call the Parish Office.

LITURGY SCHEDULE Masses

Saturday: 11:30 a.m., 1:15, 3:00, and 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: 6:30, 8:15, 10:00, 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Life Teen Mass) Weekdays: 8:00 a.m.

Confessions: Sat. 10:30 a.m.

Holy Days: 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

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UPCOMING EVENTS January 1 & 2—PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

January 3—Our Lady of the Desert Guild Meeting January 8—Volunteer Dinner

January 9—Eucharistic Minister Meeting January 10—Baptism Class

January 11—Bible Study resumes January 15—PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

January 17—Get Acquainted Party-Ladies Guild January 26—Spaghetti Dinner February 5—Ladies Guild Tea

February 7—Our Lady of the Desert Guild Meeting February 9—Ladies Retreat

For the full monthly calendar of Parish Events please visit our website at: www.stgeorgeaj.com.

THIS WEEK IN OUR P@RISH

MONDAY, December 25 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED TUESDAY, December 26 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, December 27 9:00 a.m. Rosary Makers 2:00 p.m. Marian Healing Mass THURSDAY, December 28 9:30 a.m. Grief Support (Room 6) 1:00 p.m. Rosary for the Unborn (Chapel) FRIDAY, December 29 8:45 a.m. Adult Choir (Atrium) 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet (Chapel) SATURDAY, December 30 SUNDAY, December 31

DEVOTIONS Daily Rosary: 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday Adoration daily: Until 9:30 a.m. First Friday: 8:00 a.m. Mass, Anointing of the Sick, Adoration until 9:30 a.m. First Saturday: 8 a.m. Mass/Adoration until 9:30 a.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet: Daily 8:30 a.m. in Cry Room Tues. & Fri. 3:00 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Children of the parish are somewhat focused on Santa Claus these days, who is keeping an eye on who’s naughty and who’s nice. Santa Claus, with his heavenly patron Saint Nicholas, has been more or less in charge of gift-giving to American children for a hundred years or so. In other places, perhaps more attentive to our Christian tradition, there are different gift-bearers. In Greece, Saint Basil delivers the pre-sents on his feast day, December 31, and makes sure everyone is sprinkled with holy water. The Baby Je-sus is in charge elsewhere, called the Christkind in Austria and Belgium, El Niño Jesús in Columbia, and Le Petit Jesus in France, where he shares his du-ties with Père Noël. In the Czech Republic almost everyone is atheist, but Ježíšek, the infant Jesus, brings gifts to one and all. In Poland the “Star Man” is said to bring the gifts, although often he turns out to be the village priest in disguise. Saint Nicholas, not his Americanized cousin, is the giver in Holland, where he wears a bishop’s miter, and in Russia, where he wears a bishop’s crown. Soviet Russia tried to dethrone Saint Nicholas and promote Grandfather Frost, but no one was much fooled by this attempt to squeeze religion out of Christ’s birth. One country has a saintly woman in charge of the gifts, Saint Lu-cy, honored in Sweden on December 13, when chil-dren serve their parents breakfast in bed, and others awake to news that they have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Some children have a second round of gifts on Epiphany, when the magi assume the gift-giving duties. In general, the gifts of Christmas are simple pleasures, not great heaps of treasures. Once upon a time, a new pair of socks or an orange was enough for us. No matter what gifts we receive, all of them are to point us to the true gift, and the true giv-er.

M@SS INTENTIONS 2017

Mon. December 25 8:00 a.m. +Anne Kirkpatrick +Fr. Philip McNamara +Dorothy & Philip Rychlak 10:00 a.m. The Caspers Family Paul Petty Joseph Ranieri Tues. December 26 8:00 a.m. Adam Abels & Family Wayne Hoops +Alan Hays Wed. December 27 8:00 a.m. Souls in Purgatory Earl Lewis Thurs. December 28 8:00 a.m. +Rosann Ciccoianni +Erv Thelen Fri. December 29 8:00 a.m. +Charles Banionis +Ron Thaut Sat. December 30 11:30 a.m. +Ralph Haines +Ray Stetz +Ronald Zydzik 1:15 p.m. Members of the Wegrzyn Family +Blondine Smolinski +Keeli Rzentkowski 3:00 p.m. Gene Vogelgesang +Wendell Feneis +Jill Wyrick 4:30 p.m. Selena Ayala +Kathy & Pam Robrecht +Richard Webb Jr. Sun. December 31 6:30 a.m. Andy Selzer 8:15 a.m. People of the Parish 10:00 a.m. Bernard Cornelius Family +Paul & Rose Palka +James & Anna Szentmiklosi 11:30 a.m. John & Mary Bubnick & Family +Mary Greenwood +Ron Osborne

MINISTRIES

Altar Flowers—Tillie Kula 480-822-9591 or Betty Bublitz 480-671-1028

Prayer Shawl Makers—Mon. 9:00 a.m. room 6 Carol 480-380-2634

Legion of Mary—Mon. 4:00 p.m. room 2 Josie 480-202-6783/Martha 480-544-1683

Knights of Columbus—7:00 p.m. room 3 Grand Knight: Tom Wolf 982-4441 Council: 1st Mon. Assembly: 2nd Mon. of month

Divine Mercy Chaplet— Tues. & Fri. 3 p.m. in the Chapel Daily after 8 a.m. Mass in the Cry Room

Bridge Players—Tues. 1:00 p.m. Margie 602-316-4174

Rosary Makers—Wed. 9:00 a.m. social hall

O. L. of the Desert Guild—1st Wed. Month 9:30 Barbara Reddington—480-671-0719 Quilters—Thurs. 8:30 a.m. social hall Jacque Florez-Ball 480-310-0126

Grief Support—Thurs. 9:30 a.m. room 6 Susan 480-250-3522

Secular Franciscans—4th Sunday of each month 2:00 p.m. room 3 Mary Domke OFS—920-366-2438 or Carolyn Peterson—920-246-1038 Email: franciscanjoyinaj@gmail.com

Catholic Discussion Group (Patr icians) Open to anyone wishing to come. 3rd Sat. 9 a.m. room 2 Josie 480-202-6783 Topic: How did Mary help bring us new life through Jesus Christ?

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SAINT GEORGE QUILTERS The Saint George Quilting Group meets Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the social hall. The quilts we make are distributed to those in need through-out the community. You do not need to be a quilt-er to join us. Donations of fabric, batting and other

sewing notions are always welcome. Any questions:

Contact: Mary Irwin 480-982-1975

Al Bonagofski

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READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27- 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11 -13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday:1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22- 35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]

GIFT SHOP IS OPEN The gift shop will be closed December 23 & 25 for Christmas and December 30 & 31 for New Years. We will reopen the weekend of

January 6 & 7, 2018

HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE You are welcome to come and join us

for our Christmas Celebration Weekend Mass Schedule for

December 23-24 Saturday, December 23

11:30 a.m., 1:15, 3:00, & 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 24

6:30, 8:15, and 10:00 a.m. Christmas Eve, Sunday December 24

12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, & 10:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m.-Life Teen Band Plays)

Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Saturday Mass Schedule for December 30 11:30 a.m., 1:15, 3:00, & 4:30 p.m.

Mass Schedule for New Year’s Eve Sunday, December 31

6:30, 8:15, 10:00 & 11:30 a.m. (No 6:00 p.m. Mass)

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2018

8:00 a.m. Mass ONLY (The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is NOT a Holy day of Obligation in the

USA this year

OUR LADY OF THE DESERT GUILD TEA TICKETS

Our Lady of the Desert Guild Tea will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets will be on sale the weekend of January 6th & 7th, 2018 in the kitchen after all masses. Ticket prices are $15.00 each and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. We tend to sell out quickly, so come early to get your tickets. Payment must be by check or cash only. Our theme this year is: “ A Cherry Blossom Tea” to honor the Japanese presenting Cherry Blossom trees to Washington, D.C. as a sign of friendship in 1910. Hats and gloves are suggest-ed along with bringing your own special tea cup to enjoy the festivities.

PARISH BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS

The term of our current Treasurer expires Janu-ary 2018. Fr. Pinti has nominated the following candidate for the position of Treasurer of our Par-ish Corporation Board: Rene Lesieutre. In addition to Fr. Pinti’s nomination, registered members of the parish may submit names for this position by obtaining a total of 10 registered member’s signa-tures and turning them in to the parish office. For more information about the position and the eligi-bility requirements please contact the parish office and leave your name and phone number and Fr. Pinti will contact you. The parish election will be held on Thursday, January 4 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Nominations will not be accepted after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26. Only registered parishioners over 18 may vote.

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THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL You may enroll any one person, Catholic or non-Catholic, for one year at .25ȼ each. Enrollment forms, medals and information on the Miraculous Medal and Saint Catherine Laboure are available on the table at the back of the church.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING Has anyone ever clearly explained for you why the Catholic Church does not approve of unnatural birth control? For most of us, the answer is NO. Learn about your faith and discover a natural method of family planning that goes beyond the physical. A course on the Sympto-Thermal Meth-od of NFP taught by a certified couple having two separate start dates: Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., right here at St. George. Each class is limited to 4 couples and you need to pre-register at ccli.org. For more infor-mation call Pems & Darrin at 480-671-9040

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS’ MEETING There will be an important meeting for all current and new Eucharistic Ministers on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, in church. One session will be at 9:00 a.m. and another at 4:00

p.m. Eucharistic Ministers need to attend only one session. New ministers may obtain an application and more information from one of the sacristans. If you have any questions, please contact a sacristan.

VOLUNTEER DINNER There will be an Volunteer Dinner on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. If you volunteer anywhere here at St. George’s you are welcome to attend for a wonderful meal and a small gift from the parish.

GOD’S PROMISE The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonder-ful exposition of God’s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mys-tery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God’s name, poeti-cally turns around David’s plan to build a house for God, and announces God’s plan to build a “house,” that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it’s amazing what we are given—so different from what we ever could have imagined.

CASINO TRIP Sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Join us on Monday January 8th, 2018. We will make stops at Lone Butte and wild Horse Pass. Bingo is at Lone Butte and both casinos have lots of slot machines. Also from Wild Horse Pass it is a short walk or free shuttle ride to the Premium Outlet shops. Cost $10, which you re-ceive back on arrival at the casino. The bus will leave St. George’s Church at 9:00 a.m. and Holy Cross Church at 9:15 a.m. Reserve your seat to-day by calling: Susan Mone 480-969-0447or Lin-da Maguire 480-924-1746. If you have a slot card for Gila River please have your number ready when calling. Please call by Wednesday January 3rd to reserve your seat.

TH@NK YOU ONEPARISH.COM

for advertising in our bulletin.

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CHILDREN’S CHOIR Do you love to sing?

Are you in grades 1st-8th? Then come join us!

Practice is on Saturday mornings The Mass we sing at is on

Sunday 11:30 a.m. (Family Mass)

Further Information Call: Sharon 480-570-5134

Take a chance on our youth!

Support the youth of our parish with their dreams of going onto

college!

Buy a Golf Ball From Heaven! $10 each Chance to win $1,000 1st place, $500 2nd place,

$200 3rd place. Students will be selling tickets

Jan 6/7, Feb 10/11 & Mar 3/4 2018 after all the Masses.

Ball Drop takes place Sunday, March 18, 2018

Need not be present to win.

ADULT CHOIR DO YOU LOVE TO SING?

Come sing with the Adult Choir! Practice is on Friday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Atrium Room. We sing at the 8:15 a.m. Sunday

Mass (meeting in the Atrium at 7:30 a.m.) For further details: Sheryl Johnson 480-354-5985

SPAGHETTI DINNER Friday, January 26, 2018 St. George Social Hall

Seating at 5:00 or 7:00 p.m. Adults $10.00

Kids (10 & under) $5.00 TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE

AFTER ALL MASSES JANUARY 20/21

or THROUGH THE PARISH OFFICE

Proceeds benefit the Life Teen Retreat Fund

Wishing You a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year

From the Religious Education Department

Religious Education Classes resume:

Life Teen, Sunday, January 7, 2018 EDGE, SPC 6+ Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Wednesday K-5, SPC 3-5, January 10, 2018 Sunday K—3, January 14, 2018

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Tuesday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Wednesday:St. John Thursday: The Holy Innocents Friday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket Saturday: Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

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