HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 1, 2013

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

FATHER NOE’S BEST

In the Church’s calendar, the Church New Year begins today with the First Sunday of Advent. And to understand anything in reference to this, it has to be understood in reference to Christmas, which is a late feast in the sense that it was not celebrated until around the fourth century. It all goes back to pagan times where problems were seen from the point of view as a struggle between the powers of light and darkness, somewhat connected to this very time of the year where the time of daylight is shorter than in the summer months. When the days began to get longer the pagans began to celebrate a sun feast. With the spread of Christianity, the Christians substituted the Son of God since in their minds the only real darkness in the world is the darkness of sin and death and they called this time Christmas and made Advent the time of considering the end of darkness and looking forward to the coming light. And this is what it has meant to us Christians ever since. So Advent is supposed to be a time of breakthrough from darkness to light and that’s why we notice the Scriptures referring to the end, so to speak. I am reminded of a story about a woman who went to a pet shop to buy a parrot. She found a rather splendid one, but the manager warned her it had been raised by a sailor and had a foul mouth. The woman was confident she could reform him, so she took him home, where she soon discovered just how foul a mouth he had. Not a person to be trifled with, the woman took the bird and locked him in a dark closet for half an hour, then she put him back in the cage and addressed him solemnly, “Now, have you learned your lesson?” The parrot was unbowed, and responded with the same curses as before. Back to the closet he went, this time for an hour. Again, he was asked, “Have you learned your lesson?” And again, undaunted, he squawked his curses. With that, the woman opened the refrigerator door and thrust the parrot inside. When at last she pulled him out, he’d turned blue, his feathers were stiff with frost, and an icicle was hanging from his beak. “Well now,” she asked, “are you going to say those bad words anymore?” “N-n-n-o m-m-ma’am,” “b-but could you please tell me what that turkey in there did? Some parrots are slow learners, and so are some of us. This is why Jesus calls out so urgently to us in the Gospel to “BE WATCHFUL! BE ALERT! IT WILL COME LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT!” Advent then is a challenge. Advent simply comes to us very forcefully with a question: What is the struggle in your life and in mine? Advent asks: What do you want to overcome? What darkness in your life and your world would you like to see reversed? What breakthrough would you and I want for this new year? What tide would you like to turn around? That you might be more understanding, more kind, more forgiving, less addicted, more chaste, holier, or closer to God? Better personality? That people would like you? That

your job would flourish and be a bit easier? What dark things in your life would you like to see reversed? And if you had to pick a theme or motif for this coming year, what would you pick? If I can make a suggestion that we begin our new church year today and if you and I are looking for a motif, and if we really want to roll back some of the darkness, might I suggest the motif of healing. We all should realize the incredible fact that we contain within us, within our very look, within our very hand, our very lips, the power to heal. A gesture to make somebody feel better; a smile, picking up the telephone, or a courteous note, an apology given, a love spoken, or a reach outward. A very simple thing, and yet we can heal hearts, souls and often bodies. We have that power. That should be our goal for the New Year. And yet, we cannot do this without Jesus. If anything profound is going to happen to us this year, it will have to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. We’ve got to get to know Him better. He’s not just a name; He’s who draws us to the Church. He’s got to be a reality in our lives. He’s got to be a friend. He’s got to be personal. He’s got to be deep; someone that we speak of, someone that we speak to, and someone that we speak from. We’ve got to look at the world through His eyes, and touch with His hands, and hear with His ears. In the early part of the Gospel, Jesus asks Nathaniel to follow Him and Nathaniel asks: “Where do you live?” And Jesus said: “Come and see.” Where does He live? He lives in somebody’s darkness, somebody’s hurting, somebody’s pain, somebody’s grief, and in somebody’s struggling. Even those who seem to have it all together need affirmation and healing. No one is ever completely free of healing of some sort. So may this Advent then be for all of us, a time when darkness begins to slip and in your life and in mine, the Son, Jesus, begins to rise!

Peace, Father John

FUNDRAISER REMINDER- Holy Family Eighth Grade Spirit Shirt orders are due Friday, December 6th. **These would make great Christmas gifts!!

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Monday December 2 7:50 a.m. +Mario Sandon

Tuesday December 3 7:50 a.m. Maureen Klein, Peace Corps Wednesday December 4 7:50 a.m. +Patricia Ellen McGuire Davis & Family Thursday December 5 7:50 a.m. +Patricia Ellen McGuire Davis & Family Friday December 6 7:50 a.m. +Patricia Ellen McGuire Davis & Family Saturday December 7 4:00 p.m. +Dennis Hodges Sunday December 8 7:30 a.m. St. Lawrence- People of the Parish 9:00 a.m. +Teri Ann Chatfield 11:15 a.m. +Steve Spinda

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This Week in our Parish Monday December 2

6:30 p.m. Bible Study- Judy Fields’ home 6:30 p.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Tuesday December 3

6:30 p.m. Book Group- Pat Huges’ home 6:45 p.m. RCIA- Undercroft Wednesday December 4 6:30 p.m. CCD Classes- School 6.30 p.m. Confirmation Class- Undercroft

7:00 p.m. Prayer & Praise Group- Undercroft Thursday December 5 Adoration following 7:50 a.m. Mass *Rosary Group- 12:30 p.m. **Rosary and Benediction 7:30 p.m. Friday December 6

9:00 a.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Saturday December 7

Adoration at 3 p.m until just before Mass at 4 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Confessions Sunday Decemember 8

JOIN US FOR A CHILI DINNER- Student Council will be hosting a Chili Dinner on December 5th from 6:00 – 8:00. The meal will include a serving of Chili with crackers (saltine or oyster) and the chili can be dressed with shredded

cheese, Fritos, hot sauce, or sour cream. Drink options will be milk, lemonade, or ice tea (sweetened or unsweetened). Dessert will be apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. The cost will be $5.00 for children and $8.00 for adults.

Readings for the week of December 1

Sun 1 First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44 Mon 2 Advent Weekday Isaiah 4:2-6; Matthew 8:5-11 Tue 3 Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24 Wed 4 Advent Weekday Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37 Thu 5 Advent Weekday Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Fri 6 Advent Weekday Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31

Sat 7 Memorial of Saint Ambrose Isaiah 30:18, 19-21, 23-26; Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8

Sun 8 Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12

December 1, 2013 - 1st Sunday of Advent

“For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42

Preparations for the Christmas season remind us how much we all want to be generous. We all want to give good gifts to one another. Yet, often when it comes to giving back to God our response is, “Not yet!” We put off sharing our time, talent and treasure for another day. We say we will give when we have more time or more money. Yet, none of us knows when God will come and ask for an accounting of how we used the gifts entrusted to our care. The start of Advent reminds us not to put off our stewardship. The Lord is coming!

“Let us focus on generosity, or returning God’s gifts with increase, through the generous sharing of

our time, talent and treasure.”

Weekly Budget Needed $11,500.00

Cub Scout Pack 104 & Girl Scouts Troop 90 are collecting clothes, blankets and coats for The Dressing Room. Collection box is located in the Church. Thank You for helping us help others!

PRAY FOR OUR SICK, ESPECIALLY- 1. Ralph LeMaster, Homer Skeens, Patty & Ed Hacker,

Terry Mulvaney, Neil Mulvaney, Jane Hood Smith, Mary Hughes, Bob Winters, Don Childers, Al Janson, Nada Tabet, Janet Keller, Sean Hammack, Christopher Steele, J. J.

2. Mario Citti, Paula Cannon, Cindy Henneman, Larry Lemaster, Jim Goldcamp, Barbara Naybor, Tom Byrne, Pauline Appeldorn, Vinnie Muccini, Jack Bragg, Mary Mowery, Martha George, Clyde Wallace, Laura Debord, Fred Schmitz, Beth Cournan, Matthew Wolfe, Garnet Damico, Becky Curtis, Steve Caudill, Stella Wallace, Tyler Diedrick, Robert Slusher, Britney Colegrove (Sheridan), Judith Thompson, Megan Kern, Willa Mae Mulvaney, Linda Sansom, Jim & Janie Terreo

3. Marc Haney, Pat Somers, Kate Reese, Betty Serey, Mary Fugeman, Nancy Wilson, Laura Potter, JoAnn Halleck, Becky Bentley, Gloria Fosson, Ellie Berry, Shirley Hambrick, Gail Layne, Bill Story, Charlie Boyd, Jean Murer, Frank Quinlan, Joan Skaggs, Margie Sheridan, Emma Maynard, Wanda Daniel, John Kadar, Duke Sheridan, Larry Gates, Sr. Elizabeth Weiman, Rosemarie Ellington, Jane Range, John Bush

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY, ESPECIALLY:

A1C Richard Aldrich, Sgt. James Bentley, PFC William Carney, Private Kevin Bragg, Kenton Fulmer, Chris Bogar, Bray Keeling, MSG Anthony Mulvaney, Shane Jobe, Lance Cpl. Stephen Lien, Col. Anthony Sinnott, Sgt. Patrick B. Callahan, Brandon White, Lt. Col. John Mills, II Lt. Sean Allen, Eric Distel, Richard Stump, Matthew Jancsek, Nick E. Gray

PRAYER REQUESTS: For prayer requests or to join the Prayer Network, Contact Sara Ramey at 324-4580.

If no answer, please leave a message or e-mail hfpprayer@hotmail.com

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- DECEMBER 1, 2013

CHRISTMAS DONATIONS AND MEMORIALS

We need your help to make our church look beautiful for the

Christmas season. Won’t you consider making a donation or

memorial contribution to assist in providing the advent wreath,

candles, flowers, and plants for the entire Christmas season? And

especially this year, we hope to purchase a new ciborium for the

tabernacle.

If you would like to make your contribution in honor or in

memory of your loved ones, living or deceased, please complete

and return this form in the collection basket or to the parish office

by TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17th. Suggested donation: $13.00.

Please Print

In memory or honor of Donated by

In memory or honor of Donated by

$________Amount enclosed

You are Invited!

Student Council will be hosting a Chili Dinner on December 5th

from 6:00 – 8:00. The meal will include

a serving of Chili with crackers (saltine or oyster) and the chili can be dressed with shredded cheese, Fritos,

hot sauce, or sour cream. Drink options will be milk, lemonade, or ice tea (sweetened or unsweetened).

Dessert will be apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. The cost will be $5.00 for children and $8.00 for

adults.

This is our big fundraiser so please come out and have a great meal. If you should need more tickets than

the one below they will be available in the office, and can be printed off from the Student Council link on

the school website. Please send in your tickets and money as soon as possible, no later than December 3, 2013

so we can get a good idea of how much to prepare for your enjoyment. You will be given a receipt of

payment to present at the door for your admission. Tickets will also be available at the door for as long as

we have food available to serve.

Thank you for your support!

Holy Family Student Council

Student Council Chili Dinner Please send your admission and those attending to Date: December 5, 2013 school, stop by the office, or mail to: Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Holy Family School Admission: $5.00 for Children 932 Winchester Ave.

$8.00 for Adults Ashland Ky. 41101.

Please present your receipt for admission at the door and your name(s) will be checked off for admission.

Please Print the names of those attending below

Adult Attendees: Child(ren) Attendees:

We Will

Also Do

Take Out Orders!!

CASH FOR GOLD FUNDRAISERYou get CASH plus the school earns an additional 10% from the buyer! If you’re paid $100 for your gold, the school earns $10 MORE ~ sellers lose nothing! A proven Win-Win event!

WHAT TO BRINGAny GOLD (white gold too!) or PLATINUM jewelry Broken, kinked necklaces, bracelets, earrings Class rings and gifts from old boyfriends Rings or pendants, with or without stones Grandma’s watch that doesn’t work Dental gold & even items you’re not sure of

If you can’t come, send your baggie of jewelry with a friend. You’ll be called with a price - no obligation!

INDEPENDENT BUYER - BEST PRICESConnie Voss is an independent buyer and owner of Voss Gold Buying, LLC. Without storefront orcorporate overhead, she can offer the best prices for your gold. She does not buy stones, but will remove and return whatever possible for you to keep.

Here’s another

Sponsored byHOLY FAMILY

PARISH & SCHOOL

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at theHOLY FAMILY

CHURCH UNDERCROFT900 Winchester Ave., Ashland

Questions?School (606) 324-7040

Voss Gold (567) 644-5654

GET CHRISTMAS CA$H FOR YOURSELF & RAISE FUNDS FOR THE HOLY FAMILY PARISH AND SCHOOL!

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1-800-282-5106

Alexander Hou, M.D., FACS617 23rd St., Ste. 445, Ashland, KY

www.vascularinstituteKY.com324-1070

• Aneurysms• Varicose Veins• Carotid Disease• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Vascular Institute of Kentucky, PSC

Ashland Child DevelopmentInfant and Toddler ProgramAges 6 wks - 3 years

1538 Central Ave., Ashland606-329-1744

2308For Advertising Inform

ation CALL

1-800-282-5106

Alexander Hou, M.D., FACS617 23rd St., Ste. 445, Ashland, KY

www.vascularinstituteKY.com324-1070

• Aneurysms• Varicose Veins• Carotid Disease• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Vascular Institute of Kentucky, PSC

Ashland Child DevelopmentInfant and Toddler ProgramAges 6 wks - 3 years

1538 Central Ave., Ashland606-329-1744