St. Patrick St. Mark St. Mary St. Joseph Sacred Heart 708 Delaware 203 S Locust 314 W Mission 330 1st St SW 306 White Colesburg, IA 52035 PO Box 365 PO Box 437 PO Box 626 PO Box 135 PO Box 365 Edgewood, IA 52042 Strawberry Pt, IA 52076 Elkader, IA 52043 Volga, IA 52077 Edgewood, IA 52042 563-928-7200 563-933-6166 563-245-2548 563-928-7200 563-928-7200

December 25, 2020 ~ The Feast of Christmas

The Emmaus Pastorate

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Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ Prelude Musicians’ Selection

Introductory Rites Entrance Procession BB93 O Come, All Ye Faithful

ADESTE FIDELES

Penitential Rite Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Opening Prayer Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Isaiah 9:1-6 Responsorial Psalm BB94 Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13

Today Is Born Our Savior/Alleluia Paul Inwood

Second Reading Titus 2:11-14 Gospel Acclamation Today Is Born Our Savior/Alleluia

Paul Inwood Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-14 Homily Profession of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, At the words that follow, up to and including “and became man,” all bow. and by the holy spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

General Intercessions Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of Gifts Eucharistic Acclamations Communion Musicians’ Selections

Closing Rites Blessing Sending Forth BB81 Joy to the World

ANTIOCH

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Copyright Acknowledgements O Come, All Ye Faithful: Text: Irregular with refrain; John F. Wade, ca. 1711–1786; tr. by Frederick Oakeley, 1802–1880, alt. Music: John F. Wade. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #A-626030. Today Is Born Our Savior/Alleluia, Text: Psalm 96:1–2, 2–3, 11–12, 13. Psalm refrain and Gospel Acclamation verse text © 1969, 1981, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Verses based on the New American Bible © 1970, CCD. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music © 1991, Paul Inwood. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. Joy to the World: Text: CM with repeats; based on Psalm 98:4–9; Isaac Watts, 1674–1748, alt. Music: T. Hawkes’ Collection of Tunes, 1833; George Frideric Handel, 1685–1759; adapt. by Lowell Mason, 1792–1872, alt. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #A-626030.

Dear Emmaus Family,

This Christmas we are a different world, a different nation and a different Church. We are a different Pastorate, our families are different, and yes, we too, have changed. And while many of the changes have stemmed from the pandemic and political challenges, we would have all been different anyway. Another year of life and shared experiences bring us to a new place and a new perspective. The Christmas question is this: Where are we now?

It seems to me that we always need to choose between being the victor or the victim. It’s easy to spend precious time and energy on that which we cannot change, instead of concentrating on what is squarely in our lap. Our Christian faith reminds us that the coming of Christ was not so much significant because of the birth of another baby, but more so the new life to which the baby-turned-adult would call forth from us. Jesus came to be “the Christ” of our lives, asking nothing less than to live within our hearts and to be expressed in our own lives of love.

Your care and your concerns, your passion and your tenacity to not give up despite all the challenges of this past year are amazing to behold. You are examples of incarnation, “word made flesh” as together we walk the Emmaus road, looking for Jesus.

I will offer my Christmas prayer especially for you and your intentions, for your heartaches and your losses. I am humbled and proud to be your pastor.

Thank you, for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy and Holy 2021.

Father John

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Weekend Media Generosity January 3 sponsor—

Sarah & Kyle Kumpf & Family, Peosta, Iowa 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass—Live-streamed

on-line at vibrantcatholic.com; Mass can be heard on

KMCH 94.7 FM at 11:00 a.m.

Worship This Week

Monday, December 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs Rdgs: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2; Ps 124; Mt 2:13-18 No Morning Eucharist (Fr. John day off) Tuesday, December 29 St. Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr Rdgs: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35 No Morning Eucharist Wednesday, December 30 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96; Lk 2:36-40 No Morning Eucharist Thursday, December 31 St. Sylvester I, Pope Rdgs: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96; Jn 1:1-18 No Morning Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Eucharist (St. Joseph) John H. Haugen

Friday, January 1 The Holy Mother of God Rdgs: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 9:00 a.m. Eucharist (St. Mark) For the People Saturday, January 2 Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church Rdgs: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98; Jn 1:19-28 4:00 p.m. Eucharist (St. Joseph) Gary & Mary Eischeid 6:00 p.m. Eucharist (St. Mary) Vincent Kenneally Sunday, January 3 The Epiphany of the Lord

Rdgs: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72; Eph 3:2-3; 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 8:00 a.m. Eucharist (St. Patrick) For the People 10:00 a.m. Eucharist (St. Mark) Ken Wulfekuhle Mike Wulfekuhle Marie & Harold Wulfekuhle Sr.

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P ea!" Pr$% F&' St. Mary Luke Baade Kate Breitbach Jack Fridley Bonnie Hayes Shelley Koch Christopher Kraus Karen Nemecek Xavier Roach

St. Joseph Maureen Bergan Abby Folsom Ruth & Don Hamilton Jerry Kessler Shelley Long Judy Moyna Linda Orr Dorothy Petry Kathy Pfeiffer Kayla Segalle Sherry Westemeier

Sacred Heart Pauline Fettkether Jerry O’Brien Jenny Polkow-Haight Anna Mae Shea

St. Mark Linda Burgin Zach Fisher Judy Fry Tony Helle Mark Jackson Tim Kendrick Tracey Ogden Danielle Pape Deb Philipp Sandy Ries Loras Sabers Tryce Sperfslage Jason Sullivan Diane Uhlenkamp Bob Wegmann Tiny Weigel Jim Willenbring

St. Patrick Connie Bolsinger Marie Pasker Jake Schilling Chuck Steger Jean VonHandorf

Non-Parishioners Chris & Mike Jackson Kevin Kubly

End of Year Contribution Deadline—A reminder to Emmaus Pastorate parishioners that the end of this crazy year 2020 is just around the corner. Any contributions to be credited in 2020 need to be in the offices by the close of business December 31, 2020. Any mailed contributions need to be postmarked no later than December 31, 2020. Contributions received after these deadlines will be credited to 2021. Thank you for your cooperation.

Merry Christmas and Peaceful Healthy 2021 from the Emmaus Pastorate Staff

Helen Backes, Janine Berns, Rosalee Boeckenstedt, Jane Christiansen, Jennifer Ciesielski, Randy

Ciesielski, Linda Deutsch, Rachel Engelhardt, Melissa Fettkether, Diane Formo, John Goodin,

Becky Gundacker, Bob Hankey, Father John Haugen, Lori Keppler, Jody Kerns, Kathie

Kirkpatrick, Sandy Klaus, Theresa Palas, Deb Recker, Mary Kay Rentschler, Deb Schloss, Nancy

Schroeder, Carol Steger, Steve Steinfadt, Susie Tjaden, Jan Tschirgi, John Uhal, Joyce Whelan,

Alice White, Janie Wiley, Linda Williams, Deanne Wulfekuhle, Fran Zichal, and all of our volunteers!

A Christmas Prayer by St. John Paul II

“A child is born to us…” (Isaiah 95).

We welcome you with joy, Almighty Lord of heaven and earth, who out of love became a child “in Judea, in the city of David, which is called Bethlehem” (Luke 2:4).

We welcome you with gratitude, new light rising in the night of the world.

We welcome you as our brother, the “Prince of Peace,” who made of the two one people” (cf. Eph 2:14).

Fill us with your gifts, you who did not hesitate to begin human life like us. Make us children of God, you who for our sake desired to become a son of man (cf. St. Augustine, Homilies, 184). WHAT A BLESSING Advent General

Absolution was this year. Throughout the Pastorate, approximately 285 cars with an average of two persons each, participated in this special Sacrament, which was encouraged by Pope Francis and Archbishop Jackels. This means around 500 persons received the graces of the Sacrament before Christmas. God bless you.

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For Your Christmas Reading: First Corinthians 13, “Christmas Version”

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!

We all love Christmas, but we should never forget that Christmas doesn’t exist just to charm or delight us—it exists so that we might recommit ourselves to Christ.

So, don’t let Christmas pass without kneeling in church or before the crèche and recommitting the consecration to Christ that began at your baptism.

Christmas Recommitment Prayer

Lord Jesus, I recommit myself today to you. Give me the grace to live the beautiful graces of Christmas all year long.

At Christmas, you remind us of the importance of our family—give me the grace to keep my family close all year long.

At Christmas, we are delighted by giving gifts—may I seek happiness in generosity every day.

At Christmas, we love receiving gifts—keep me open to gifts from you and from others at all times.

Finally, Jesus, at Christmas I am energized by the story of your birth—Give me the grace to see the same beauty in every chapter of your life story which the Church presents to your people all year long.

Lord Jesus, by the grace of this day, help me know that your presence fills my whole life with the splendor, joy and purpose of Christmas always. Amen.

Tom Hoopes

Did You Know that each parish and the Emmaus Pastorate has its own Facebook page? Be sure to follow us and stay up to date with the latest! And the Emmaus Pastorate has a YouTube channel packed with all the weekly recordings and livestreams just for you! Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss a thing!

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St. Patrick, Colesburg Sunday Eucharist Celebration

First & third Sundays of month—8:00 a.m.

Sacred Heart, Volga Sunday Eucharist Celebration

Second & fourth Sundays of month—8:00 a.m. Tithing Report (December 12-13)

Budget ............................................................. $1,567.00 Offertory ........................................................... $528.00 Christmas ........................................................... $180.00 Heating Fuel ....................................................... $50.00 Total Received ..........................................$2,325.00

St. Mary, Strawberry Point Tithing Report (December 12-13)

Budget .............................................................. $1,331.00 ACH Budget ......................................................... $10.00 Offertory ............................................................. $20.00 Christmas .......................................................... $950.00 Improvement Fund ............................................ $80.00 Total Received .......................................... $2,391.00

St. Joseph, Elkader Tithing Report (December 12-13)

Budget ............................................................ $4,280.00 Offertory ............................................................$201.00 Christmas ....................................................... $2,200.00 Christmas Flowers .............................................. $65.00 Religious Retirement ........................................ $300.00 Total Received ........................................ $7,046.00

For the week of December 19 we light the candles for Wendy Lord and Ron Chamberlain.

St. Mary Knights of Columbus #11880 provides assistance to our communities and their families, local organizations and charities. In the past two years, over $2,200 was raised from Tootsie Roll drives and steak fries. The funds helped to support the Special Olympics of Iowa—Northeast in Fayette; Office of Disability Inclusion in Dubuque; Camp Courageous of Iowa in Monticello; RISE, Ltd., in Elkader; and Point Women’s Club Coats for Kids in Strawberry Point. Thank you for your past and future support of the Knights of Columbus fund-raisers.

Thank You to all the St. Patrick parishioners who donated gifts for the Angel Tree. Carol Steger delivered a carload of items to the bank. You were very generous and much appreciated.

St. Mark, Edgewood Tithing Report (December 12-13, 2020)

Budget ............................................................ $1,497.00 ACH Budget ....................................................$1,703.00 Offertory ............................................................. $66.00 Christmas ......................................................... $300.00 Building Fund..................................................... $60.00 Total Received ......................................... $3,626.00

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Big Thank You. Even with all this year has brought to us, it seems Christmas has come fast. I want to thank all who have in one way or another helped get St. Mark ready. Some helped decorate, some helped with ministries, some helped set up the seating chart, and some provided poinsettias. No matter what you did, it is all very much appreciated. May you all have a very Blessed Christmas. Linda Williams

St. Mark Parish Partners is a new ministry aimed at keeping our parish family connected this winter. With COVID-19, other illnesses and winter weather, it is easy to feel isolated, so several people from our

parish have agreed to become parish partners. Their ministry will be to reach out and connect with people who might not be able to get out and about easily. We hope that this ministry will give comfort and encouragement to the folks contacted.

Thanks To All who put together the food boxes for shut-Ins. We received many phone calls thanking us.

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