505 Broome Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Office (904)261-3472 Emergency (904) 277-6566 www.stmichaelscatholic.com Fr. Jose Kallukalam, Pastor

Inside This Week Second Sunday of Advent

Faith and Tradition Liturgical Schedule

Daily Readings Coming Events

Ministry & Organization News Financial Update

Ministry Schedule Our Parish in Action

Our Mission We are the body of Christ at

St. Michael’s Parish Called to Gather for Worship,

Celebrate the Paschal Mysteries Preach the Gospel Minister to Others

And be Witnesses to the World.

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 10, 2017

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 10, 2017

NEWS OF COMFORT

In a time of preparation, much of it having to do with material things, it is good to hear the words of Isaiah, “Comfort, give comfort to my people, / says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). In a time of such stress and rush, when our usual burdens are augmented by piles of Christmas preparations, we can choose to slow down, take some time to heal, and appreciate the enormous gift we are about to receive. Christ, the Son of God, has be-come one of us, and knows our human limitations. Yet God, even now, is freeing us from the burdens that our inattentiveness to our God and to our deepest inner longings have heaped upon us. The Lord comes, not as a king with mighty armies, but as a shepherd leading the flocks with care and tenderness. Isaiah prophe-sies good news: our oppression is over, our sins forgiven. The savior we have awaited is coming, not the first time, but in the end times, as our salvation.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVCE

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 -7:00pm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017

8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass

THERE IS NO 12:00 NOON MASS

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES

4:00 pm Mass (church) 4:00 pm Mass (hall)

6:00 pm Mass (church) 11:00 pm Mass (church)

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES

8:00 am Mass

10:00 am Mass 12:00 noon Mass

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD IS ON

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2018 THOUGH NOT A HOLY DAY OF

OBLIGATION THIS YEAR.

The music prelude before the Christmas Eve and Christmas day Masses will begin 1/2 hour prior to Mass.

Faith and Traditions

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Je-sus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was sur-rounded by an increasingly grand three-dimensional scene of the place of Jesus’ birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figu-rines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you’ve ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for “surround” or “hedge.” Over the centuries, the custom spread first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of fig-ures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where’s Waldo? children’s book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his fol-lowers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living pre-sepio. By the seventeenth century, the tradition was well-established, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Por-tugal, Spain, and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! 2

Liturgical Schedule (Intentions)

Sat. Dec. 9 5:00 Maureen Brands by Al Brands Sun. Dec. 10 8:00 Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Dec. 10 10:00 John Keyser by Medra Keyser Sun. Dec. 10 12:00 Anna Maria Bader by Linda Bader Mon. Dec. 11 8:30 Don Winslow by St. Michael Visitation Ministry

Tues. Dec. 12 6:00 Col. Bill Larrabee by Rita Larrabee Wed. Dec. 13 8:30 Margarita Matagoldi by the family Thurs. Dec. 14 8:30 Pearl Cooper by Don & Peggy Cooper Fri. Dec. 15 8:30 Anna C. Mancini by Jerry & Marcia Grubesky Sat. Dec. 16 5:00 Margaret Sabadie by Patrick & Suzy Sabadie Sun. Dec. 17 8:00 Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Dec. 17 10:00 Jim Kehler by Marie Kehler Sun. Dec. 17 12:00 Stacey Oppert by Joe & Joan Raineri Please pray for the sick and all requests in our Prayer Request Book.

The SECOND COLLECTON today is for the Support of the Retired Religious.

Daily Readings

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad val-ley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel — I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1- 6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39- 47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15- 16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53 -54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent; International Human Rights Day Monday: St. Damasus I Tuesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe; Hanukkah begins at sunset Wednesday: St. Lucy Thursday: St. John of the Cross Saturday: Las Posadas begins

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Please do not leave any novenas, prayer cards, pamphlets, books, etc. in the church unless you have been given permission. Thank you.

Coming Events

ST. MICHAEL MENS CLUB ANNUAL RETREAT

St. Michael’s Men’s Club is sponsoring its annual retreat for all men of the parish at Marywood Re-treat Center for Spirituality and Ministry in St. Johns, FL. The retreat is from 5:00 pm on Friday, January 19, 2018 to Sunday at 12:00 noon on Sun-day, January 21, 2018. Cost is $150.00 for room and meals. In the event someone cannot afford the fee, discreet funding is available. Please contact Charlie Sciarini: 904-521-6838 or csci-arini@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a room.

THE ADVENT WREATH Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, repre-senting the four weeks of Ad-

vent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.

The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose can-dle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.

The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST RCIA CATECHUMEN & CANDIDATES!

On Sunday, Dec. 3rd, at the 10am Mass, we wel-comed our catechumen (unbaptized), Jamie Valiani, and accepted our candidates (baptized), Bonnie & Michael Gero, Andrea Londono, and Suzanne Morse. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grow in knowledge in the Catholic faith in preparation to receive the Easter Sacraments.

Ministry & Organization News and Announcements

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS TAIZE’ PRAYER

SERVICE

The St. Michael Taize’ ensemble invites you to attend a 40 minute musical service which includes simple chants sung repeatedly, a time of blessed silence and reflection , a scripture reading and prayers of praise and interces-sions. Amidst the rush to prepare for Christmas, don’t forget to prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus, the true gift and spirit of Christmas. Please join us and bring a friend on Monday, December 18th at 7:00pm at St. Mi-chael Catholic Church on 4th St. & Broome. All are wel-come!

ST. MICHAEL WOMEN’S GUILD

The December meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 11th in the Parish Hall. Fellowship and light appetizers begin at 6:30 pm. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm and will be followed by a Purple Ele-

phant event with all proceeds going to our Diocese Semi-narians and Women Religious. The Guild welcomes all women of the parish, including seasonal residents.

THANK YOU

The Women's Guild wishes to thank parishioners for their support of the Angel Tree. All 437 gift tags were fulfilled as a result of your most generous giving. Work-ing with area agencies; many families, children, and eld-erly will be remembered this Christmas.

Ministry Schedule Saturday, December 9, 2017 5:00 pm Mass Lector Stoffel Ushers Tonti’s Extraordinary Ministers Brooke, Fillion, Laurent, Lucey, Sheppard, Walker, Walters Altar Servers Herbert, Lucey, Smith Sunday, December, 10, 2017 8:00 am Mass Lector Polese Ushers Lunt, Moore Extraordinary Ministers Eby, Dean, Gosnell’s, Harbin, Kreger, McGowan Altar Servers Tolg, White 10:00 am Mass Lector Light Ushers Martin, Schweitzer Extraordinary Ministers Fuller, Gosa, Izzo, Maddox, Potochnik, Seabrooke, Svela Altar Servers Logsdon, Von Mohr’s 12:00 Mass Lector Oden Ushsrs Clark, Kebert Extraordinary Ministers Deacon Art, Amos, Bratton, Mason, Pitts, Sciarini, Tasso Altar Servers Kebert, Sellers, Smith Saturday, December 16, 2017 5:00 pm Mass Lector Loveless Ushers Karr, Wagner Extraordinary Ministers Altar Servers Alexander, Biagini, Sellers Sunday, December 17, 2017 8:00 am Mass Lector Hill Ushers Young’s Extraordinary Ministers Altar Servers Dalton, Pulsinelli 10:00 am Mass Lector Freeman Ushers Overholtzer, Oliver Extraordinary Ministers Altar Servers Thompson/Davoli family 12:00 Mass Lector Maliauki Ushers Miller’s Extraordinary Ministers Altar Servers Arato, Balsamo, Evatt 5

Financial Update Sunday, December 3, 2017

Registered Families 1650 Offertory $ 17,174.91 On Line Giving $ 1,189.40 Children’s Collection $ 51.88 Debt Reduction $ 1,335.00 On Line Debt Reduction $ 125.00

Contact Walt Edwards today in the Parish

Office at (904)261-3472

2017 Q4 DEBT AND REPAYMENT AMOUNT (As of June 30, 2017)

Existing Debt/Notes Payable $1,663,549.29 4th Quarter Repayment $-181,836.47 (From “Debt Reduction” Donations) ===================================== Remaining Debt $1,481,712.82

OUR PARISH IN ACTION

ADVENT—A TIME OF PREPARATION

CARING AND SHARING

RELIGIOUS FORMATION DINNER

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Parish Directory Pastor Fr. Jose Kallukalam Deacon Deacon Art Treadwell Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Jake Gosa, Chairman Parish Finance Council Mr. Jan Smith, Chairman Parish Staff Jeanne Dean, Secretary Lori Kennedy, Director Religious Formation Walt Edwards, Business Manager Patty O’Neill, Bookkeeper Denise Ziegler, Director of Music Parish Office Hours Monday—12noon—4pm Tuesday—Friday—9am—4pm Parish Phone (904)261-3472 Emergency Phone (904)277-6566 Parish Fax (904)321-1901 Parish Website Address www.stmichaelscatholic.com Religious Formation Adults—Sunday—9am—9:45am - Parish Hall 1st Grade—7th Grade—9:am—9:45am St. Michael Academy Children’s Liturgy of he Word 3 year olds—7 year olds—during 10am Mass St. Michael Academy Dr. Chris Hampton, Principal Academy Phone (904)321-2102 Academy Website Address www.smacad.org

Parish Information

Would You Like to Join St. Michael Parish? To join St. Michael Catholic Church and to register your email address, to receive parish information and updates, please chose one of the following: Via Email— lkennedy@stmichaelscatholic.com Register Online— www.stmichaelscatholic.com By Phone - (904)261-3472 In Person - 505 Broome Street., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Ministry to Sick & Homebound Please contact the Parish Office by email or by phone to arrange a visit from a Priest or Extraordi-nary Minister. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office by phone to ar-range for a Baptism and requirements. Matrimony Couples seeking information on marriage prepa-ration and available date should contact the Parish Office by email or by phone to meet with a priest at least eight months prior to the wedding date. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Persons interested in learning more about the Catholic faith are encouraged to contact the Parish Office by email or by phone for more information on our RCIA process. Religious Formation Persons interested in Adult, Youth or Young Adult formation programs should contact the Di-rector of Religious Formation by phone or email at lkennedy@stmichaelscatholic.com. 7