Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2014

Parish Events Sunday, December 21 Noon Christmas decorating in the church Wednesday, December 24 RECTORY CLOSED- Christmas Eve Masses: 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm, & 10:00pm Thursday, December 25 RECTORY CLOSED- Christmas Day Masses: 8:00 am & 10:00 am Friday, December 19 RECTORY CLOSED

Upcoming Parish Events 12/31 RECTORY CLOSED 1/1 RECTORY CLOSED 2/2 RECTORY CLOSED

Ministry Scheduling Jan. 2 - April 5, 2014 Attention: Altar Servers, Communion Ministers, Greeters, Lectors & Ushers For those ministers who do not access the schedule via the internet: Please pick up your January, February, March and April 5th schedule in the back of church. Thank You.

Sacrament of Reconciliation On Tuesday, Dec. 23rd, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., and from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in church.

Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24

4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Fr. Don’s Doodlings Merry Christmas! I know it’s still Advent, but since we have no Parish Bulletin on Christmas Day, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all of God’s richest blessings this Christmas and throughout the New Year. My hope is that St. Francis Parish will experience an abundance of God’s blessings in the coming year. We have a lot going for us. In the next few months we can expect to see the Parish Center opened for our use. What a blessing that will be – the fulfillment of many dreams. And we are already seeing our commitment to stewardship paying dividends in many ways: a whole lot of folks involved in parish ministries, and personal commitment to prayer – in short, a deepening of our faith-life individually and together. We also expect that the financial commitment of so many of you who have pledge to offer a percentage of your income will be a huge benefit to St. Francis Parish. It goes without saying that we will be missing Fr. Tom this Christmas. The only good thing I can say about his death is that I’m glad his suffering is over and that he is now in peace with our loving God. We are so very blest this Christmas with our two new Parochial Vicars, Frs. Duc Pham, O.F.M., and Moré Torres Torres, O.F.M. Most of you know Fr. Duc from his previous assignment here, and we’re all delighted to have him back after working in our Franciscan Vocation Office. And I can see how you are getting to know Fr. Moré. The more you get to know him, the more you will love him. (I might note that Fr. Moré’s last name, Torres-Torres, is spelled with an s, not a z, since it was misspelled on the front of the Parish Bulletin.) Among the many blessings we are experiencing this Christmas is the generosity you’ve shown in helping some needy families through our annual Giving Trees. We have many more names than in past years, and yet you’ve made it possible for all of them to experience a Merry and Blessed Christmas. When I meet the families (as Santa’s helper) I see many tears of joy. It’s something to behold. And I ask them to pray for those who have been generous to them.

My sincere prayer is that each and every one of you has a Blessed Christmas. I pray that you will have some quality time with your relatives and friends. And I pray that Christmas will be another occasion for you to experience the love of Christ and the peace which only Christ can offer. Then, with gratitude, let us be signs and instruments of Christ’s peace and love to all we meet and spread it throughout the world. A Blessed Christmas to you all!!!

Retirement Fund for Religious With so much going on we neglected to encourage you to contribute to the Retirement Fund for Religious. You know what this is from past years – a way of helping many religious communities that are struggling due to lack of vocations and many elderly religious. If you still have an envelope we would appreciate your donations. Thanks.

Christmas Card Address List Father Vernon Olmer, O.F.M. Cross in the Woods 7078 M-68 Indian River, MI 49749

Holiday Goodies Some of the friars here at St. Francis do not eat much in the way of sweets and chocolate. We thought we'd let you know before folks bring a lot of delightful gifts for Christmas that will not be consumed.

Thanks, the Franciscan Friars

Poinsettia Memorials We invite you to make a donation in the memory of your deceased loved ones toward our beautiful Christmas decorations in church. Please place your donation, along with the names to be memorialized, in an envelope and drop it in the Sunday collection or mail it to the Parish office.

Rest in Peace Please pray for the souls of Elizabeth “Betty” J. Higgins, Mildred Schwartz, Margaret Wolf, Donald Giesing, Marilyn Pruett, and Margaret Harcharick who died recently. Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord.

Advent Family Prayer at Home 4th Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2014 Sing: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Leader: Let us begin our prayer remembering we live in a community of love on Earth like the community of love that is God, three in one love. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ADVENT WREATH PRAYER light all four candles. L: Please respond: God is with you and with us. Leader: Mary, when you were in your teens, you said yes to God’s word. L: Mary, you are full of grace and youth. L: Mary, you believe that God can do the impossible. L: Mary, you have carried God within you. Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: Mary holds a special place in Catholic tradition because she says yes to becoming the mother of Jesus, who is God. Each of us is also special. Each of us can bring God into the world with our actions of love, care, and respect toward our friends, our families, people outside our circles. God blesses us as God blesses Mary and fills her with grace. For Reflection and Sharing Gospel Question: How is Mary’s call to be the mother of God like the call of every Christian? Life Question: What are you too old for God to do in you? What are you too young for God to make happen through you? CONCLUDING PRAYER Leader: In Mary the Word became flesh and makes a home among us. We gather to reflect on how we can make a home for you right here in our families, school, neighborhood, and world. Pray the Hail Mary. Exchange a sign of peace. The Gospel for All Ages is a service of Pflaum Publishing Group and Good Ground Press

Christmas Memorials The following individuals have been memorialized by loved ones and will be remembered in our Christmas season Masses. We thank everyone who donated toward the beautiful Christmas decorations that grace our Church. Any additional donations received will be published in next bulletin. Living and Deceased - Frank & Victoria Altmix Family Wilfred & Elizabeth Altmix Ruth Altmix Eileen Anasarias Dan Andrews Bob & Wanda Armstrong Dick Arnold Frank and Evelyn Arnold Robert Arnold James M. Ascheman Leo & Margaret Averbeck Rome & Stella Averbeck Rome Averbeck, Jr. Pat Bangert Bruce Bardon Harold Bardon Virgil & Frances Barry Eugene Beckman Gabriel & Stella Beding Paul Beding Alois & Gertrude Belker Connie Bernhardt Mr. & Mrsl Frank Bernhardt Frank Bernhardt Jr. Fr. Gary Bernhardt O.F.M. Anna Mae & Charles Blickhan Joseph M. Blickhan Marilyn Bocke Richard Bocke Roger Bockhaus Bill & Terry Bockhold Lawrence & Bernice Bockhold Paul Bockhold Harold & Emma Brady Frances Briddle John & Mabel Briddle Ray & Doris Briddle Martin & Adele Bringaze Lawrence & Isabelle Broemmel Willard & Louise Brower Art & Teresa Brown Frank & Mildred Brueggeman Gerold Brueggeman Herbert W. Budde Katherine W. Budde Marie Budde

Ted & Pat Burgtorf Roy Burris Kathleen Cain Frank & Mary Cate Eve Chonowski Clow Family Waldo Cook Andrea Costigan Edith Costigan Mr. & Mrs. Frank Costigan James Costigan Laurie Costigan Keith & Joyce Cowser Joanne Cramsey Moritz Cramsey Family Jeanine Crim Lelen Davis Espiridion & Rosita de la Merced Alice Demers John, Irene, & Georgia Demers Deceased - Deters & King Families Ralph & Louise Dieker Terry J. Dietrich Ed & Mary Doellman Ralph & Esther Doellman Theodore (Ted) Doellman Cyril (Kelly) Duesterhaus Edith Duesterhaus Jim Duesterhaus Bill & Eleanor Druffel Gauge Eager Patrick & Irene Ehrhardt Mr. & Mrs. Ray Emerick & Family Virgil & Lucy Emerick Agnes Tonie Ennis Lyman Ennis Payten Nicole Fesler John Finley Taigen Finley R. Shawn Foster Roy & Sylvia Foust Richard G. Frese Al & Pauline Frericks Brown & Jeanne Frericks Caden Frericks Fred Frericks John Frericks

Joseph Frericks Mildred Frericks Charles & Mary Frese Ed & Mary Frese Bob Frieders Ted & Glenora Friye Robert Gallaher Mr. & Mrs. Bill Giese Daulton Gibson Herve Girouard Mary K. Goehl Ralph Goehl Robert Guenther Dennis Gustison Timothy Gustison Carl Hamann Mary Hamann Mike Hamann Everett & Hazel Hardy Francis Haugh Frank & Clara Healy George & Edna Hildebrand Ralph & Frances Hildebrand Robert Hinkamper Russell & Desty Hinkamper Mr. & Mrs. Alphonse Hoebing John, David & Jan Hoffman Marion, Terry & Mary Lou Huber Ben & Florence Hugenberg Family Ann Hughes Roy & Helen Hummelsheim Ed Hummert Howard F. Humphrey Howard & Virginia Humphrey Kurt Humphrey Ethan Huner Edmund & Frances Jansen Maurice Jansen Russell Jansen Tyler Johnson Helen Jansen Jones Lee Jones Bunte Kaiser Kaiser Family Mick Kaiser Howard & Catherine Kapp Ruth Kathman

Bernard & Martha Kaufmann Martha Kaufman Bernard & Henrietta Kemner Fr. Gregory Kemner OFM Ken Kircher Harold & Birdie Kirlin Leonard & Loretta Klauser Marce & Dorothy Klingele Howard O. Koch James F. Koch & Herbelein Family Oland Kraft John W. Lair Alfred & Florence Lawrence Norma Brady Leerhoff George & Stella Liesen Claude & Lucille Lowe Paul & Mary Maguire George Mahair Paula Malaney Johnnie &Mary Marra Christian & Loretta Mast Jim Mast Tim & Leona Mast Marvin & Marilyn Mathes Lonnie McDaniel Donna McNay Chuck Milder Mary Lynn Beding Mizera Paul Moenning Leo C. Monckton Cheryl Ann Moore Jim & Ella Moore Joan Moore Ed & Claire Mueller John (Jack) Mueller Alois & Isabelle Musholt Gus Nauert Henry & Dorothy Nauert Caroline Neisen Joe Neisen Deacon Bill Neuser Bob Neuser Paul Neuser Barbara Smith Nichols Leonard & Selma Nieders Phil Nisbet Ed & Edith Obert Family Virgil Obert Joe & Irene Ormond & Family Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Ostermiller Lawrence & Virginia Paben James Peter

Andy & Leona Peter Paul Peter Ron Peter Ruth Peter Katherine Peters Arthur & Bernadine Pfanner Evelyn Phillips Merle & Betty Pieper Herman & Lucille Pinkelman Poor Souls who have no one to remember them Howard & Helen Postle Wayne Powers George & Josephine (Strunk) Rakers Louis & Catherine Rakers Juanita Raushenberger Lawrence Reis Mr. & Mrs. Carl Requet Frank & Mary Rose Rossmiller / Gramke Families Herman & Rose Rossmiller Ken Rossmiller Lawrence. Elmo & George Rossmiller Deanna Scharnhorst Royer Eleanor Rueter Diane (Peter) Russell Joyce Saunders Merle “Joe” Scharnhorst Eugene & Joan Schenkel Mary Scheufele Fred Schmidt Bill Schneider Carl Schneider Carl & Cecelia Schoenekase John & Virginia Schonarth George & Corkie Schrage Rick Schrage Paul & Mildred Schullian Doran, Prior & Schutte Families George & Bertha Schutte George & Edith Schutte Jim Schutte Joe, Rose & Deloris Schutte Joe & Josepha Schutte Bill Seckman Fr. Tom Shaughnessy O.F.M. Dennis Shaffer Donald Shaffer Floyd & Louise Shaffer Robert Shaffer

Charles Smith Herbert & Isabelle Smith Holly Smith James L. Smith Sr. Merle Smith Harold & Gert Sohn Pauline Speckhart Jack Spoonmore Ray & Regina Spoonmore Stammeyer Family Mr. & Mrs. Carl Stegeman Lester & Leona Stone Rick & Sue Straley Dorothy Sullivan Lawrence & Matilda Terwelp Dorothy Thomas Lillian Thomas Michelle Duesterhaus Tang Raymond Veronica Tomczak Louis & Joanna Venegoni Ferd & Betty Venvertloh George & Bernadine Venvertloh Harold Venvertloh Mr. & Mrs Henry Venvertloh Rev. Ken J. Venvertloh William ( Pete) & Hilda Venvertloh Elmer & Rosemary Waterkotte Frank & Frieda Waterkotte Frank Waterkotte Jr. Rev. Silvin Waterkotte O.F.M. Albert & Catherine Wavering Frank & Gladys Wegs Family Donald Wendling Charlie, Rosie Wheeler & Sons Bill, David, & Duane Kenny & Ginny Whittaker Richard & Mabel Wichern Edith Wiemelt Henry & Christine Wiemelt Rich & Loretta Wiemelt Bert & Eleanor Willer Ralphie Willer Winter Family Robert & Marie Winking Donna,Ray,Roger, Dan & Chance Wiskirchen Brenda Wosman Howard Yates Gloria Spoonmore Ybarra Mertz G. Zanger Helen Zanger Sally Zanger William M. Zanger

Parish Support: December 13-14 Church………….……………..…….………….……. $11,707.00 Children Collection…………………………………...…$26.71 Parish Maintenance Fund………………............$575.50 School….....................................................$1,800.00 Loose…………………………………………………….. $1,206.97

Total: $15,316.18

Miscellaneous Collections: Alaska………………………………….…............….... $292.00 Catholic Children’s Home………………………….…$41.00 Campaign for Hope and Justice………………..….$25.00 Cemetery Collections………………………………....$80.00 Christmas Offering…………………………………….$200.00 Immaculate Conception………………………….…$223.00 Retirement for Religious………………………..$1,464.00 Solemnity of Mary………………………………………$25.00 Total: $2,350.00

Electronic Giving- November- Year to Date Church…………….….….$3,492.00……….......$36,557.00 School…………………..…..$760.00…….…….....$5,910.00 Alaska……………….…..….$135.00………….……$1,485.00 Totals: ……………..…...$4,387.00………..…..$43,952.00

Status 2014– 2015 Annual Catholic Services Appeal as of 12-11-2014

ACSA Goal for St. Francis Solanus……….$114,716.00 Paid/Pledged to Date ………………………….$25,483.87 Amount Remaining……………………………...$89,232.13

238 Contributors (14.09% of Registered Parishioners)

Philip, Greg, Orville & Joe Waterkotte

Parish Center Update

Did you know…the time has come? We will be opening the Narthex doors on the North side of church (by the choir doors) beginning with the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, December 24th. The parking is very limited, about 14 spaces. We strongly encourage the use of this entrance for handicap individuals only. You do not need a handicap sticker on your vehicle to be considered handicapped. The Narthex door entrance will continue to be open for the 6:30 a.m. and 8:00/8:35 a.m. weekday and all Saturday evening and Sunday Masses beginning the Saturday after Christmas, December 27th. For your safety and liability reasons, please do not wander into the construction area, inside or outside of the Parish Center. The ramp on 17th Street will remain open indefinitely. This is still a construction zone. Did you know…YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR GIFT TO THE PARISH BY NOT DONATING A SINGLE EXTRA DOLLAR AND SAVE ON INCOME TAXES, TOO! As you know this is the perfect time to contribute to the Parish capital campaign. Remember, contributions to the Parish are tax deductible for 2014, if made prior to January 1. However, if you donate stock or other appreciated assets like real estate, generally you will receive an income tax deduction for the full value of the asset, but pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation. And, if you expect the asset to appreciate, the Parish will benefit from the appreciation, too. For example, if you own stock that you purchase for $100, but it is now worth $200; you know if you sell it today, you pay capital gains tax on $100 of appreciation ($200-$100). But, if you donate the stock to the Parish you receive a charitable income tax deduction of $200, but pay no tax on the gain. In addition, if the stock appreciates in value while the Parish owns it, you in essence have made an additional gift to the Parish without donating a single extra dollar! And, when the Parish sells the stock it pays no income tax on the gain. It is a win-win for both the Parish and you. Please remember your Parish in your year-end giving this year.

December 27 & 28

Altar Server - Weekend

Communion Minister Reader Usher Greeter

Saturday 4:30 PM

William Bickhaus Chase Miles

Charles Carlson John Dobbins Christina Ehrhart Bridget Ehrhart Edward Hinkamper Maureen Makarewicz Dick Mitchell Barbara Sibbing

Michael Bickhaus Brandy Blickhan

Jim Kaiser - Head Usher Greg Ehrhardt Paul Kemner Richard Newman Richard Steinkamp Mary Ann Thomas

Kristine Bickhaus Tom Ennis

Sunday 6:30 AM

Jamie Doellman Haley Haugh

Mike Happekotte Dwain Preston

Reg Ankrom Joe Bernhardt Joyce Frericks Kevin Frericks

Sunday 8:00 AM

Sarah Steinkamp Ginny Steinkamp Logan Venvertloh

Launa Blickhan Maurice Blickhan Roseann Bonebrake Carolyn Briddle Jane Gregory Julie Reis Tom Smith Pat Winking

Brad Hummel Thomas Hummel

Roger Gallaher - Head Usher Paul Eling Larry Klauser Jack Terwelp Jim Wilper Don Winking

Kay Gallaher George & Emilie Venvertloh

Sunday 9:30 AM

Maliah Feller-Blakemore Lowell Sparrow

Debra Beard Tom Cummings Robert Haas Marvin Knuffman Donna Mangold Anita Martin Barbara Mitchell Linda Rull

Alice Arnold Jan Zeidler

Tim Beard - Head Usher Joseph Fessler Mike Fessler Josh Jones Terry Kistner Rich Zeidler

Barbara Bockhaus Betty Kaufmann

Sunday 11:00 AM

Sydney Doellman Kyle Hinkamper Ericka Obert

Sheila Benz Sylvia Collins Barbara Dietrich Amanda Garnett John Obert Michelle Obert Beverly Rossmiller Ann Wesbecher

Rachel Waterkotte Bobbi Wellman

Bill Fleer - Head Usher Richard Bourne Steve Obert Don Olps Dale Peters Sam Vranjes

Doris Karhoff

Servers for Saturday, Dec. 27 at 8:00 a.m. Mass and weekday 8:00 am Masses for Dec. 29- Jan. 2 are Brooke Bennett and Sam Hea