St. Philip Neri Catholic Church December 20, 2020 Fr. Neil Pfeifer, Pastor

stphilipnerinapoleon.org Office: 754-2860 Father Pfeifer Cell: 208-1124 Dear Friends at St. Philip of Neri: The Lord’s faithfulness shone through the JOY in all of you, your generous hearts, donations, prayers, and through Luke 9:16 last weekend. I need to briefly share with you what will forever be etched on my heart as the Napoleon miracle. Upon arriving home, I tallied up your mind-blowing donations of $6,190. I shared the exciting information with our Down Home team over a Zoom meeting, and I went to bed in awe and appre-ciation of the visit. Within the first seconds of waking up Monday morning, before I hardly had time to open my eyes, the Lord asked me, “Do you not see it?” and He flashed the num-bers across my mind. 6...1…9…0. My friends, that is Luke 9:16 in reverse! 0916

is the code we use to enter Zoom meet-ings among other things. How wondrous are His works! You all participated in this miracle through your intentions and pray-ers as any amount above or below would

have thrown off the Lord’s math. With this odd number, He added it up to be a Napoleon miracle! It leaves our whole Down Home team speechless, humbled, and full of gratitude. We pray you feel the power and purpose behind His works through all of you. Set your alarms for 9:16. Who knows what else the Lord has in store!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Down Home Christmas!

Jenessa Fillipi & the DH Team

Down Home Mission Napoleon Miracle!

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE: Thursday, December 24, 2020

4:00 PM Children’s Mass

Friday, December 25, 2020

12:00 AM (Caroling starts at 11:30 PM)

8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

What is the plan to accommodate

the crowd? Typically, the biggest

Mass of the year is 4 PM on Christmas

Eve. We added an 8 AM this year to

help take some stress off the 4 PM.

Remember to social distance & masks encouraged!

Students Preparing For First Confession This Week

Anna Brendel Emery Haas

Hailey Kleppe Ayden Mann

Zelie Martin Autumn Moch

Avery Moch Noah Piatz

Trey Rau Trevor Stock

Wyatt Schumacher

Please pray for them as they prepare! Special thanks to their teachers:

Shane Weigel & Payton Feist

The BEST Gift Is: Giving To Others in NEED!

7 0 1 . 5 3 2 . 1 4 8 8 https://www.down-home.org/

Jake & Jenessa—Fargo, ND

THANK YOU—THANK YOU—THANK YOU! Even in a difficult year I want to thank you, the parishioners, who are a blessing to me. You helped us complete a wonderful, pros-perous year. A special thank you:

To those who pray for me and the parish in adoration or at home, especially the 7 Sisters Apostolate. Your prayers are

working & many days I feel you are carrying me in my mission.

To those who have offered well wishes, cards, goodies, and gifts during this Christmas season. You are appreciated more than you will ever know!

To those who continue to help beautify our sanctuary and Church throughout the year. You help us to give glory and praise to God in our worship!

To those who volunteer their time to assist our parish team in liturgies, and making them beautiful; simply because you are a part of them. Thanks for volunteering!

To those who teach the faith and serve in various ministries and are active on our parish and finance councils behind the scenes. Your planning is appreciated.

To all who contribute to the mission of our parish through time, talent, & treasure. We are so blessed, and I thank God for assigning me here as your pastor. I will be of-fering special prayers for each of you at all of our Christmas Masses, for your healing and well being and for a successful 2021 New Year. In Christ, Fr. Neil Pfeifer, Pastor

“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.” - Luke 1:35

ST. PHILIP NERI PENANCE SERVICE

Sunday, December 20th 7:00 PM until all are heard

4 Priests will be available!

Additional Confession Times: Mon - Thurs: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM & Wed night - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Thank You!

Sat. 7PM Sun. 8AM Sun. 10:30AM

Sacristan Dawn Becker Doris Leier Deb Humann

Rosary Connie Weigel Brenda Weigel Lori Gross

Lector Paul Haegele Chuck Wald

Tim Long Mary Meyer

Anita Fettig Jon Grunefelder

Usher Barb S. Steph H.

Terry Schwartzenberger Family

Jim Fettig Family

Altar Server

Charmaine Haas Sabrina Haas

Ximena

Madisyn Grenz Khloee Grenz

Aliyah Schwartzenberger

Ava Bitz Brooks Grunefelder

Lauren Piatz

Thank You For Serving our

Parish! ——————

Mass Duties for Dec. 26 &

Dec. 27, 2020

If you are unable to be here,

please find a sub

Stewardship—A Way of Life—Dec. 20, 2020 “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Lk1:28 After Jesus, we look to Mary as an ideal stew-ard. Her entire life was lived in obedience to God’s call. Mary teaches us to live with joy for all we have been given. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Mary reflects the light of Christ. Like Mary, we are called to reflect Christ’s light to the world through our gratitude and generosity.

Last Weekend’s Stewardship: Adults: Children: $3,746.20 $127.30 Retirement Fund for Religious: $360

Mon., Dec. 21 (confession: 11:30am - 12:30pm & 6:15pm - 6:50pm)

7:00 PM † Wayne Avina by Anton & Alvera Leier Eucharistic Adoration: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Tues., Dec. 22 (confession: 11:30am - 12:30pm & 6:15pm - 6:50pm

7:00 PM † Bernhard & † Katie Weigel by The

Weigel Family Eucharistic Adoration: 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Wed., Dec. 23 (confession: 7:15am - 7:50am & 11:30am - 12:30pm & 6:30pm - 8:30pm)

8:00 AM † Ed & † Marie Braun by Braun Family

& Friends Eucharistic Adoration: 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Thurs., Dec. 24 (confession: 11:30am - 12:30pm )

4:00 PM † Roy Pfeifer by Fr. Neil Pfeifer (4:00 pm Mass is Live-Streamed, no confessions before Mass) No Eucharistic Adoration on Christmas Eve

Fri., Dec. 25 (confession: 7:15am - 7:50am & 9:45am - 10:20am) (10:30 Mass is Live-Streamed)

12:00 AM † Our Living & Deceased Parishioners

8:00 AM † Deceased Family Members of

† Martin & † Ann Sperle by † Ann Sperle

10:30 AM † Msgr. Jeff Wald by St. Philip Neri No Eucharistic Adoration on Christmas Day

Saturday, Dec. 26 (confession:6:15pm - 6:50pm)

7:00 PM † Alfred Gross by Wilma Gross & Family Eucharistic Adoration: 8:00am - 10:00am

Sunday, Dec. 27 (confession: 7:30am - 7:50am & 9:45am - 10:20am) (10:30 Mass is Live-Streamed)

8:00 AM † Our Living & Deceased Parishioners

10:30 AM † Wendelin & † Rosina Doll by Clar-

ence & Cindy Doll Family Eucharistic Adoration: 9:00am - 10:00am

Daily Rosary 20 Minutes Before Each Mass

Facebook Live: “St. Philip Neri Catholic Church” YouTube Live: “St. Philip Neri Napoleon”

Our Sympathies & Condolences go out to the family of: Mark Wangler

1-20-1951 to 12-14-2020 May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!

CHRISTMAS LOGISTICS & NOTES Live stream - 4pm, & 10:30am will be live streamed on Facebook & YouTube pages. Incense - will be used at all Christmas lit-urgies. If you are sensitive, please sit to-ward the back of the church. No CCD - there will not be CCD classes during Christmas break. We will resume on Sun., Jan. 3 & Wed., Jan. 6. No Adoration - adoration is suspended on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Pray for the families on the Holy Family Tree. Our prayers sanctify others.

Fourth Candle =

PEACE

“Christmas is

about a person,

an encounter;

not an event.”

- Fr. Pfeifer

————————

Only Christ will

bring us peace!

“Joy to the World” Christmas Concert by Clyde Bauman Sunday, December 27th at 7:30 PM

at St. Philip Neri Will be live-

streamed as well FREE Event!

Jan. 1 - Holy Day of Obligation Mary, the Mother of God

MASS TIMES:

Thursday, December 31:

4pm & 7pm

Friday, January 1:

10:30am

Start off the New Year on

the right foot with Jesus!

A special thank you… To the crew who set up the manger,

the trees, and decorated on the first phase for Christmas: Lisa Long, Jessica Wald, Tyler Long, Andy Hilzendeger, Ron Kerzman, Susan Wald, Lila Wirt, Mary Meyer, Rebec-ca McKinney, and Mayra Poncio

To Randy & Cindy Weigel for leading the 10 week adult education series: “Jesus, the Way, the Truth, & the Life”

To Claudia Ramirez who cleans, washes, & irons our altar linens.

To Dahlstrom Funeral Home for donat-ing our annual parish calendar. Please pick up your copy this weekend. Christmas Blessings to All!

We warmly welcome all who have come to celebrate the glorious feast of Christmas. We welcome the stranger, the traveler & guest. We welcome students home from college for a good winter’s rest. We wel-come all who have not been active of late in their Catholic faith, & pray they will find new hope & inspiration this Christmas to come back again & again. We welcome our faithful parishioners, loyal & true, may the Lord bless you for all you do!

Welcome Home To God’s House! The Catholic Church

We WELCOME all friends & family! We are blessed to have you worship with us this Christmas at St. Philip Neri. Merry

Christmas & Happy New Year from our parish family to yours!

Prayer Chain? Call Helen Braun at 754-2219 or email fbrau@bektel.com

There is nothing more radical than loving God with your entire being & loving your neighbor as yourself

What does Pope

Francis say about

Confession?

“Confession is the

passage from mis-

ery to mercy; it is

God’s writing upon

the heart. There –

in our hearts – we

constantly read

that we are pre-

cious in the eyes of

God, that he is our

Father and that he

loves us even more

than we love our-

selves” (Homily of

His Holiness, March

29, 2019, Pope

Francis).

————————

It is a great gift and

blessing to be able

to confess our sins

in the Sacrament

of Penance, “if we

confess our sins, he

who is faithful and

just will forgive us

our sins and

cleanse us from all

u n r i g h t e o u s -

ness” (1 John 1:9).

21 Reasons to go to Confession! 1. God commanded we confess our sins to one another in the Bible.

(James 5:16)

2. It is the ordinary way to have our sins forgiven.

3. We receive grace to resist sin through the Sacrament, as well as

forgiveness.

4. We learn humility by having to confess to another person.

5. There is built-in accountability.

6. Our relationship with the rest of the Church is healed.

7. We receive counsel from the priest.

8. We can be comforted hearing the words of absolution.

9. All our sins are wiped away.

10. Gives you the strength to forgive others.

11. It doesn’t cost anything.

12. We may not be positive that we have “perfect” contrition without it.

13. Helps us go deep within and think about how we can improve.

14. It feels good emotionally.

15. When we realize (again) we are sinners, it is easier to be patient with

others.

16. Always confidential – what is said in the confessional stays in the

confessional.

17. No more guilt.

18. We are better prepared to receive the Eucharist.

19. Forgiveness is a necessary part of growing in holiness.

20. Our consciences can be better formed.

21. If we have mortally sinned, then Confession brings us back into the

family of God, The Church, & restores sanctifying grace in our souls!

Finally, Jesus does to our hearts what He did to His own body at Easter. He raises us from the dead. Sin deadens our souls of grace, and grace is needed to attain heaven!

A Message from Bishop John Folda Dear Lay Faithful,

Jan. 22, 1973 marked a sad and difficult day in

the life of our country and our Church. As you

know, this is when the Roe v. Wade decision

was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Roe decision, along with its companion

case Doe v. Bolton, effectively made abortion

on demand legal through all stages of pregnan-

cy. Since then, over 62 million unborn babies

have been killed by abortion in our country.

Every year since 1974, there has been a March

for Life held during January at Washington, D.C.

to proclaim every person’s right to life and to

be a voice for the voiceless unborn children.

During that time, thousands of prolife students

and parents from our diocese have made the

pilgrimage to the March for Life.

The 2021 national March for Life is still sched-

uled to move forward but due to COVID-19 con-

cerns and the welfare of pilgrims, the Catholic

schools and the Fargo Diocese have decided

that we will not participate directly in this

year’s national march.

However, the Dioceses of Fargo and Bismarck,

are planning a North Dakota March for Life

at the Capitol grounds in Bismarck on Janu-

ary 29, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. You are invited to

participate in this event.

Every participant will wear a mask and social

distancing will be observed.

The short program at the Capitol will be a peri-

od of silence for the 62 million babies aborted

in the United States since the Roe v. Wade deci-

sion. Real Presence Radio will be airing the pro-

gram live so anyone who cannot attend the

march in person can listen and join in the

event from wherever they are.

The dignity of all human persons—born and

unborn—is constantly under attack. I support

this event and I believe that it is a wonderful

way to show our respect for all life, especially

the unborn. Please pray for this event and the

positive impact it will have on our diocese and

our youth in particular.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend John T. Folda

Bishop of Fargo

Monday, December 21 45 Minutes after Sunset The Star of Bethlehem

will shine for the first time since 1226.

In the year when Jesus was born, there

was violence, chaos, political and social

unrest. It was dark. Much like 2020 has

been for some. How fitting...that in a

moment of time during the Christmas

season, we get to see this beautiful re-

minder...that even in the darkest of

times...light will, and has, stepped in as a

sign for us. The star is made up of the

crossing of the planets Jupiter & Saturn.

2021 Parish Calendars Are Here! Please pick one up this weekend.

Thank you to Adam Feist and his crew

from Dahlstrom Funeral Home for

supplying our calendars this year

with saint days, feast days, and holy

days of obligation, for our homes.

Jesus is the Word made Flesh. Jesus is the Bread of Life Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross. Jesus is the Sacrifice offered at the Holy Mass for the sins of the world and mine. Jesus is the Word - to be spoken Jesus is the Truth - to be told Jesus is the Way - to be walked Jesus is the Light - to be lit Jesus is the Life - to be lived Jesus is the Love - to be shared Jesus is the sacrifice - to be offered Jesus is the Peace - to be given Jesus is the Bread of Life - to be eaten Jesus is the Hungry - to be fed Jesus is the Thirsty - to be satiated Jesus is the Naked - to be clothed Jesus is the Homeless - to be taken in Jesus is the Sick - to be healed Jesus is the Lonely - to be loved.

HE IS THE ONE

By: St. Teresa

of Calcutta