St John the Baptist Catholic Church www.stjohntryon.com

UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS ! DECEMBER 11, 2016

THE LITURGICAL WEEKMASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, December 104:30pm - Jim R. Hess†Sunday, December 113rd Sunday of Advent8:30am - Adeline & James Kenny†11:00am - John McGill†12:30pm - St. John ParishionersMonday, December 12Our Lady of Guadalupe8:30am - Patrick Ross†Tuesday, December 13St. Lucy8:30am - Priest’s IntentionWednesday, December 14St. John of the Cross5:15pm - The Kohlbry FamilyThursday, December 158:30am - The Meyers FamilyFriday, December 168:30am - Betsy Schenkel†Saturday, December 174:30pm - Jim R. Hess†Sunday, December 184th Sunday of Advent8:30am - Anthony & Jennifer Widhalm11:00am - Alivia Livesay12:30pm - St. John Parishioners

CONFESSION

Monday 7:30 — 8:15amWednesday 4:00 — 5:00pm

Friday 7:30 — 8:15amSaturday 3:30 — 4:15pm

DEVOTIONS

ADORATIONWednesday at 5:45pm

BENEDICTIONWednesday at 6:15pm

MORNING PRAYERAfter Mass on Monday, Tuesday,

Thursday & Friday

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLETAfter Monday Morning Prayer

PRAYERS FOR OUR SICK & SHUT-INS

Please remember the infirmed of our parish, especially those who, by request, have been placed on our parish prayer intention list. If you would like to be added to this list, please call the parish office. You may also call for a copy of the prayer list.

Added to our prayer list isFred Reinhardt

Please pray for the repose of the soul ofHelen Shannon†

THE SANCTUARY LAMPS are donated this week in memory of

Marshall Monroe†

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT! WWW.STJOHNTRYON.COM

THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED! PAGE 2

SPIRITUAL READING & REFLECTION

Magnificat December 2016

TRUE GREATNESS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

There are some people so full of pride that they cannot subject themselves to anyone or suffer anyone to say what they really are. They want to be preferred to everyone, and they esteem themselves more learned and erudite than any other, and it seems to them they never need a teacher. Actually, such people are usually extremely ignorant, but no one dares to tell them that, for they suppose themselves to be veritable marvels. Oh, God humbles such as these. He leaves them and looks upon the poor and humble souls who are prostrate and have no throne but their littleness (Ps 113:6-7; Lk 1:48, 52). These are not offended when we tell them that they are imprudent and have no sense or judgment. They humble themselves, and God exalts and raises them up, giving them his Spirit by which they perform great things. In short, our Lord offers Saint John to all kinds of people for their imitation. He should be the model not only of prelates and preachers, but also of religious men and women. They should consider his humility and mortification so that, in following his example, they also may be voices crying out that we should prepare the way and make straight the path of the Lord so that, receiving him in this life, we may enjoy him in the next, to which may the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit lead us all.

Saint Francis de SalesSaint Francis de Sales (+ 1622) was a great figure of the 17th century rebirth of Catholic mystical life.

“… you will go

before the Lord

to prepare

his ways…”— Luke 1:76

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH! WWW.STJOHNTRYON.COM

UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS ! PAGE 3

Type to

DAILY MASS READINGSOFFERTORY REPORT

Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 — June 30, 2017Offertory Totals for the Masses of Dec. 3 & 4, 2016

This Week Y.T.DActual $9,342 $170,263

ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 11 Sun3rd Sunday of AdventIs 35:1-6a, 10/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11December 12 MonZec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 December 13 Tue Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32 December 14 WedIs 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Lk 7:18b-23 December 15 Thu Is 54:1-10/Lk 7:24-30 December 16 FriIs 56:1-3a, 6-8/Jn 5:33-36 December 17 SatGn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 December 18 Sun 4th Sunday of AdventIs 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24TH4:30 P.M.6:30 P.M.

12:00 MIDNIGHT

CHRISTMAS DAY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 8:30 A.M.11 A.M.

12:30 P.M.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS THIS SUNDAY

Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have offered their lives in service to others — educating the young, comforting the sick, seeking justice for the oppressed. Today, many are frail, elderly, and in need of assistance. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please give generously to today’s second collection.

ATTENTION LITURGICAL MINISTERS LECTORS / USHERS — 1ST QUARTER 2017

The 1st Quarter 2017 Liturgical Minister schedule will be finalized within the coming week. Please be sure to call the parish office at 859-9574 ext. 3 or email Theresa Fitch at stjohnff@windstream.net by December 12th regarding your availability to serve during the next quarter: the months of January, February and March 2017. Thank you.

WRAP PRESENTS & BE PRESENT

“We prepare for everything we consider important in life. And that includes Christmas. We shop for gifts, bake cookies, decorate our trees, and visit family and friends until we’re ready to drop. This year, prepare for Christmas in a different way. Join Dynamic Catholic for Best Advent Ever: Rediscover Christmas. You’ll receive daily emails with inspirational videos, practical tips, or free Christmas music that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most. You’ll experience Christmas in a way you’ve never experienced it before. Are you ready for your best Advent ever?” To sign up, visit BestAdventEver.com

BEST ADVENT EVER ….

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT! WWW.STJOHNTRYON.COM

THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED PAGE 4

PARISH LIFE AT A GLANCEPARISH LIFE AT A GLANCEPARISH LIFE AT A GLANCEPARISH LIFE AT A GLANCE

Mon Dec 12 9:00am5:30pm7pm

Divine Mercy ChapletSchola Choir Rehearsal, ChurchRCIA, Social Hall

Tue Dec 13 — —

Wed Dec 14 6:00pm Faith Formation Classes, Parish Center

Thu Dec 15 9:00am Patriotic Rosary, Church

PARKING Thank you for your care to park first in our parking lots and on the grassy area by the office driveway and in the driveway. Please continue to make sure that cars are parked off the street so as to allow easy travel for our neighbors and emergency vehicles. Also, please do not park on Hillside Court so our neighbors have easy access to their homes. With gratitude and prayer, Fr. Arnsparger

FORMED…FEATURED IN DECEMBER: GOD IS WITH US!

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel (which means, God with us). [Matthew 1:23]

Why did He do it? Why did God become one of us? St. Athanasius gives a startling answer to that question: “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” In other words, the transforming effect of God’s grace made available to us through Jesus Christ literally makes us more divine, more like God. Understanding this expands our understanding of salvation. Jesus became one of us to save us from something, our sin, but also to save us for something, participating in divine life! What a gift! [Parish Code: GFP4TN]

What to look for this week:• Monday, December 12th: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Program: Catholicism, Session 4: Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary BoastPrograma: Catolicismo, Sesión 4: La Solitaria Presunción de Nuestra Naturaleza CaídaMovie: Guadalupe: The Miracle and MessagePelícula: Guadalupe: El Milagro ye el Mensaje

• Wednesday, December 14th: St. John of the Cross Book: Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer

YOUTH GROUPSunday December 11th

9:30am Breakfast with Father5:30pm Caroling & Christmas Party,

meet at Autumn Care

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST’S UNSUNG LAY MINISTERS—WE THANK YOU! Our parish is blessed to have so many parishioners who volunteer their time and talents to regularly serve as catechists, office volunteers and in liturgical roles as: altar servers, cantors, lectors, musicians/choir, ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Your gifts and ministry are greatly appreciated! St. John the Baptist is also blessed by the gentlemen and ladies who are our “unsung lay ministers”. These individuals are responsible for various elements of our parish life— sanctuary care and maintenance, landscaping, vestments, renovations, altar linens, finances, flowers, votives, windows, altar candles and general keeping. Many of you know some of these individuals and are appreciative of their hard work. However, the majority of our lay people rarely see them or have the opportunity to thank them for their ‘behind the scenes’ monthly, weekly and sometimes daily acts of service. So, it is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that we say, on behalf of the parish, “Thank you, and may God bless you for your generous gifts.”

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH! WWW.STJOHNTRYON.COM

UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS ! PAGE 5

PRO LIFE“A child is loved because he is one’s child: not because he is beautiful, or because he is like this or like that… Not because he thinks as I do, or embodies my dreams. A child is a child: a life generated by us but intended for him, for his good, for the good of the family, of society, of mankind as a whole.”

— Pope Francis, General Audience, February 11, 2015

SAVE THE DATESAVE THE DATEDec 11 K of C Christmas Party, Cliffs of Glassy Mtn

Dec 23-27 Parish Office Closed, Christmas

Jan 2 Parish Office Closed, Happy New Year

Jan 8 The Epiphany

Jan 9 The Baptism of the Lord

Jan 27 March for Life, Wash DC

Mar 1 Ash Wednesday

Mar 5 First Sunday of Lent

Mar 17 St Patrick’s Day

Apr 9 Palm Sunday

Apr 14 Good Friday

Apr 16 Easter Sunday

May 25 Ascension Thursday

Jun 4 Pentecost

 24 HR. MARRIAGE GETAWAY FEB. 4TH — 5TH Come to a marriage retreat led by Fr. Martin Connor, LC with reflections by other Catholic laity. For your annual marriage check-up why not head to the North Carolina Mountains at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville? Registration includes 3 meals for you and your spouse, lodging and materials. This will be an opportunity to hit the reset button and recenter your marriage relationship on Christ. Registration is $325 a couple ($100 deposit will secure your reservation). Don’t delay. Space is limited. Please make checks payable to CCFD (Charlotte Center for Family Development). Registration and more information can be found online at:   www.rcgreatercharlotte.comQuestions?  Call Cindy Burk 704-481-1748.

11TH ANNUAL  MARCH FOR LIFE CHARLOTTE!     JANUARY 13, 2017

The day will begin with a Mass for the Unborn at  9:00am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, N.C.  At 11:00am we gather at the parking lot across the street from the Catholic Diocese at 1123 S. Church. There may be some parking available at the parking lot  but please expect to find

parking on your own uptown if necessary. At 12:00pm we will march to Trade and Tryon Streets where  Fr. John Eckert, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, will preach. Then we march to the court house at 401 W. Trade Street where we will pray a Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Please join others to march and pray for an end to abortion and save babies lives!      See schedule details at www.marchforlifecharlotte.org

LOST CATHOLIC LIBRARY BOOKSA few library books are missing from our St. John collection. If you have forgotten to return them, please bring the books to the office during office hours: Witness to Hope, Rome Sweet Rome and Catechism of the Catholic Church. These books have a sticker with a library call/catalog number on the spine. Thanks so much.

CHRISTMAS GIFT HELPRoom At The Inn is in need of $25 gift cards for Target and Walmart for use as Christmas gifts for the mothers in the program. Cards can be mailed to: PO Box 13936, Greensboro, NC 27415. Thank you for helping Room at The Inn for single, homeless, pregnant women in our community this Christmas!

MARRIAGE IS A JOURNEYA Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend can help you enrich your marriage and add some pizazz to your journey. Whether you’ve been married 1 year or 50, a Marriage Encounter Weekend may be just the thing you need to put a breath of fresh air into your relationship. The next weekends are: Feb. 3-5, 2017 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Mar. 24-26, 2017 in Atlantic Beach, N.C. Early sign up is recommended. For more information visit our website at: https://NCMarriageDiscovery.org or contact us at applications@NCMarriageDiscovery.org or 704-315-2144. RETROUVAILLE - MARRIAGE HELP

Married Singles Lifestyle describes couples that may have lost the sense of closeness they once had as marriage partners and are living more like roommates. Retrouvaille teaches couples how to survive times like these in their marriages. This program has helped many couples experiencing difficulty at all levels of marital distress from disillusionment to deep misery. For confidential information or to apply to attend the program beginning with a weekend on February 17th, call 800-470-2230 or email: retrouvaillenc@msn.com or visit the web site at www.retrouvaille.org.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT! WWW.STJOHNTRYON.COM

THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED PAGE 6

FAITH FORMATIONYOUTH GROUP Sunday, December 11, 2016• 9:30am Breakfast with Fr. Arnsparger in social hall.• 5:30pm Meet at Autumn Care –Christmas Caroling!• 6:30pm Youth Christmas Party: Dinner & Blessing Bags & Gift Exchange Parish Center—6:30 to 8:30pm **Bring wrapped Gift and Blessing bag items

Wear Christmas colors for the evening—makes the caroling more festive for the residents and our party too!

RCIA CLASSES Monday, December 12th

RCIA will meet this Monday, December 12. The class will meet in the social hall, at 7pm. Any questions, contact Suanne Then at suannethen@gmail.com

"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" — John 8:12

FAITH FORMATION NEWS

• We have our last class of Faith Formation for Fall 2016 this coming Wednesday evening – December 14th! Looking forward to seeing you there!

• FF Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 4, 2017!

Prayer for ADVENT…Mary, O luminous mother, holy healing art! Eve brought sorrow to the soul, but by your holy Son you pour balm on death’s wounds and travail. You have indeed conquered death! You have established life! Ask for us life. Ask for us radiant joy. Ask for us the sweet, d e l i c i o u s e c s t a s y t h a t i s f o r e v e r y o u r s . Amen. — St. Hildegard of Bingen.

Let the Saints guide you … “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.”  ― Saint Teresa of Calcutta,  Love: A Fruit Always in Season

LOOK WHAT’S NEW IN THE CATHOLIC SHOPPE:• 2017 Guide for Liturgy of the Hours – 4 Volume and 1-Volume Christian Prayer. • St. Benedict 3-inch cross on cord—Gold/Black cross with Silver Corpus—beautiful!• St. Benedict Black 3-inch Cross Auto Visor Clip• Pocket Coins—Pray for our police—Prayer coins with St. Michael the Archangel on one side and

Protect and Serve Our Police on the other• Gold Leaf Florentine “Last Supper” plaque-10 inch.• Oval Wooden 12-inch plaques: Divine Mercy and Bougeaurau’s L’Innocence

We invite you to visit our small Catholic Shop—open Monday through Friday during office hours. We have many religious items in our St. John Catholic Shoppe: Holding Crosses, Icon wall plaques (St.Therese & St Thomas Aquinas), Holy Cards, Hologram cards, Auto rosaries, Rosaries, Benedictine Crosses, Auto Visor Clips, Benedictine medals (brass); Catechism, Fleur de lis Notecards, and various books: Catechism of the Catholic Church (large green), Manual for Eucharistic Adoration and Bibles.