106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel.

(620)724-8717

Weekly Bulletin Saint Michael Church, Girard www.stmichaelgirard.com

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GIRARD Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:00 am Sat. 2:00-2:45pm

ARMA 4:00pm 8:00 am 3:15-3:45pm

We the parishioners of Saint Michael the Archangel, through leadership and strong traditions are faithful disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. We commit ourselves to be generous stewards of our faith, our parish, and our community. We strive to involve all members to be united in one parish family for the salvation of all. Notes from the Pastor: Good news first! We welcome to our Catholic family, baby Brinley Nicole Weir, daughter of John and Megan Weir who was baptized last Saturday, December 1, 2012 here at Saint Michael. John and Meg are part of our RCIA class. Please include them and their family in your prayers! Sad news: as many of you have already read in the papers, Tom Davis, one of our homebound parishioners, passed away last Sunday afternoon. His funeral was Friday, December 7, 2012 at 1PM. Tom received communion every Sunday through our Eucharistic Minister, and every other Friday on my visit. Unfortunately his surviving family didnt want to have a funeral mass for him in church. I tried to convince them and how Tom would love to have a funeral mass for him, but they insisted not to with their own reasoning. All we can do is to offer a mass for the repose of his soul and to include his intention in our prayers. This is now the third time that I have come across this situation in our parish. This is a lesson for all of us especially for those whose spouse is not catholic or who live alone by themselves. If you desire to have a funeral mass in church when the time comes, I believe it would be wise to write that in your will. In that case we will have a legal basis to insist on it in case some other people who may have the authority to make the decision would decide otherwise. Congratulations to Doug and Marita Lopeman who were given the plaque of recognition by the Girard Chamber of Commerce last November 29th as volunteer of the year awardee! Saint Michael Parish is proud of you! And with this, we will reiterate our gratitude to all our volunteers! I hope by now all our families already have reflected on the stewardship renewal forms. Some have already filled them up and returned with their ticket stub to our parish office. If you have not Next Sunday(12/16/2012) 10:00 AM T. Paoni, C., I., G. Muia, Molly & Mitch Adams Linda Garrett Sienna Paoni Ron & Cindy Lallemand Family done so please do it now. The deadline will be until December 22nd, Saturday, then we will draw the raffle tickets on December 23rd, Sunday right after the 10AM Mass. We are now on the Second Sunday of Advent. Our Gospel for this Sunday tells us John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths To prepare ourselves, this season affords us the chance to pray more, to reflect upon the word of God especially as we come to the Sunday mass, and also important, to receive the sacrament of reconciliation or confession. For this, a big reminder to all, December 12, Wednesday at 7PM or right after the 6:30PM Mass will be our penance service and confession here in Girard. This is intended primarily for our Middles School and High School PSR kids but I am opening this up to everybody. I have invited three other priests to help us. But it would be good for the rest to come at 7:45 except if you come to the mass, as we let our kids make their confession first. By then our kids must be almost done. I hope the grace of God will touch your hearts to avail of this opportunity! God bless you all! Fr. Roger

Saint Michael Parish Mission Statement:

Weekdays before Mass; anytime by appointment.

STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Faith Paoni Secretary Rectory Office Hours Tues-Fri 9AM-Noon Closed on Mondays Tel. (620) 724-8717

Next Saturday (12/15/2012) Altar Servers: 5:30 PM R. Brake, M. McDonald, B. Leritz Rhonda Stonerock Tony Stonerock Kevin & Marlene Smith

E. M. E. Lectors: Gift Bearers

Mass Schedules & Intentions for December 8th-16th:

Dec 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM 7:00 AM Monday 5:30 PM Tuesday Wednesday 6:30 PM 8:00 AM Thursday 8:30AM-3PM 7:00 AM Friday 8AM-6PM 4:00 PM Saturday 5:30 PM 8:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM Saturday Poor Souls by Alba Marchetti Winnie Walsh Black Family Pro Populo Vera Diskin Jennie Carregio Chris Sponsel Cody Schroeder Eucharistic Adoration Mabel Sponsel Eucharistic Adoration St. Joseph Bernadine Shively Intentions Black Family Pro Populo Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

COLLECTIONS Last Week Contributions Children's Offering Expenses-Nov Over/ (Under) $3,302.00 $31.00 $13,901.69

St. Michaels Altar Society The St. Michaels Altar Society has been asked to join in on a night of gifts, July 2012 to date fun and snacks. St. Francis Altar Society of St. Paul, has asked that we join $67,790.00 them on December 9th at 5:00pm. If you are interested in going, please sign $707.37 up in the back of the Church. We will be leaving St. Michaels parking lot at $73,973.40 4:30pm, or you may meet us there. We are each asked to bring a $10 wrapped gift. They will furnish drinks and snacks. Please come and join in on ($5,476.03) the Christmas fun. The Power of the Immaculate Conception There is a day in December when Father Roger puts aside the purple of Advent and orders the Gloria sung. Why so? Because Dec. 8 is the Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (IC). Surveys taken show that 50% of Catholics dont know who this holy day honors! Many think it has to do with conception of Jesus, yet we know that March 25 is the day to observe the Annunciation, nine months before Christmas. The IC refers to Marys conception in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. There was a feast of Marys conception in the Eastern Church before 700 and in the West by 1100. In 1830, Mary appeared in Paris to St. Catherine Laboure and revealed to her the Miraculous Medal. Twenty-four years later, on Dec. 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX made it official about Marys conception in these words: The Most Holy Virgin Mary was, in the first moment of her conception...preserved free from all stain of original sin. The Scriptures dont expressly teach this doctrine, but Pius IX cites two passages from which it is inferred: I will put enmities (hatred) between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. (Gen. 3:15) These are the words spoken by God to the serpent, the foreshadowing of the IC, or as Fr. Thissen called it, the first Good News! I like Fr. McElwees interpretation here: Mary is the new Eve. She wasnt tricked by sin. She stepped on the snake and conquered evil. The second Biblical text comes from Luke 1:28, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee; Blessed art thou among women. Theologians reason, by Gabriels greeting, if Mary possessed the fullness of grace, then her soul, from conception, was never stained by sin. Four years after the Popes Declaration of the IC, Mary appeared in the French village of Lourdes to a sickly child of 14, who had fair intelligence. Her name was Bernadette Soubirous. When Bernadette asked the lady who she was, the reply came: I am the Immaculate Conception, a statement which Bernadette could hardly have formed on her own. The words were meaningless to the child, but well understood by the churchmen to whom she related her experience. Mankind was fortunate when the angel Gabriel, sent by God, gave Mary the Good News that she would bear a Son and name Him Jesus. Her fiat (Let it be done to me) is the foundation of our faith and upon which the entire Church rests. It was the affirmative answer of a small, barefoot, unmarried, pregnant girl! The Immaculate Conception, a different concept, still, it remains the simpliest Yes the world has ever heard! Marys faith was strong enough to say YES in spite of the inner turmoil caused by the angels announcement. Stay close to Mary and shell bring you to Christ. Article by Marcel Normand

Saint Michaels Upcoming Events Finance Council Tony Stonerock-Chair Jan. 10, at 5:30pm Rosary Altar Society Next meeting, TBA At 6:30pm in the Hall. Helping Hands Need help or want to volunteer, Call Carrie Smith, 724-6684 Parish Council Dale Coomes-Chair Dec. 16, after 10am Mass Knights of Columbus 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm St. Michael Parish Hall Daughters of Isabella Call Marilyn Bradshaw, 724-7133

That Man in You Friday mornings at 6am

St. Michaels Angels The holiday season is upon us! St. Michaels Angels will be working their magic helping less fortunate families to celebrate Christmas. Once again we are asking for your contributions to help us be successful this year in reaching our goals. There will be specially marked contribution envelopes at the front entrance of the Church to include with the collections at each Mass. Also, we will take new or nice children/adult clothing, bedding and bath, toys and Christmas decorations. Please contact Janet OBrien at 620-724-0079 with any questions you may have or items to be picked up. St. Michaels Angels and families sincerely thank each of you for your contributions.

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