the holy family of jesus, mary and joseph · 2019-12-26 · the holy family of jesus, mary and...
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December 29, 2019The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Eternal God, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in peace with you and with one another.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608
Email: [email protected] ! Website: www.CorpusChristiParish.com
PARISH OFFICE HOURSMonday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 • Fax 380-0325Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 • Fax 380-0325Full-Day Care: 342-2424 • Fax 343-3119Youth Ministry: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
PASTORAL STAFF
Very Reverend James F. Zoghby, V.F.Reverend John S. BoudreauxDeacon Arthur W. RobbinsMrs. Kristy F. Martin, School PrincipalMrs. Jennifer S. Pritchett, Parish Catechetical LeaderMr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Director
TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms areavailable in the church vestibule and parish office.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES
For rental information and catering services, pleasecall the parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420.
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. SaturdayMorning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES
6:30 a.m. Mass: Monday through Friday8:15 a.m. Mass: Monday through Saturday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularlyafter the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses.
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) for informationand scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Please see published schedule for specific dates andtimes, or call the parish office (342-1852).
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Grades K–12, Sundays duringschool year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs.
SCHOOL Grades PreK3 through 8. Info: 342-5474,ext. 1, or email [email protected].
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Mary, Holy Mother of God
Holy Day Mass Schedule
Tues., Dec. 31: 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass
Wed., Jan. 1: 10:00 a.m. Mass
We extend a special welcometo all who wish to join the Catholic Church,
and to Catholic adults for continuing religious ed.
Wed. Night Classes resume Jan. 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.in the Adult Education Room of our Community Center
ADULT RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Presented by Fr. James F. Zoghby
If you can’t make the classes, other arrangements can be made. Questions? Call 342-1852 anytime and ask for one of the priests.
Women of MaryThursdays, 3 p.m. in the Parish House
All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.Facilitator: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 753-4872.
Our purpose is to help all menbecome the spiritual leaders oftheir family. All men arewelcome to meet for prayer,Gospel reflection, fellowship.
Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family RoomWednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House
Tues. Info: Jay Cox, 401-6070 or [email protected]. Info: David Sheffield, 423-5666 or [email protected]
Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study9:15 to 10:45 a.m. in the Conference Rm, 2nd floor of Community Ctr.Nursery. Info: Patti Hughes, 401-9623 or [email protected].
Tuesday Night Bible Study6:30 p.m., Tuesdays in the Parish House.
"Psalms, The School of Prayer" — An informing video followed by discussion! Dave Burchette, 367-6660 or [email protected].
The Parish Office will be closedDec. 31 & Jan. 1.
Regular Office Hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sing with the Choirat the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass
Practice in the church 30 minutes before thestart of the 11 a.m. Mass. Instrumentalist? Checkwith director, Stephanie Callan.
Once a month3rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass
During the school year (Sept. to April), we have an extra SundayMass the 3rd Sunday of each month. Youth Ministry students serve.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mon. of month, at 6:30 p.m., The Parish House. Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations and “In-Need” Drop Box at the SVDP table in the vestibule. To seek help, call 251-366-6443. For further info, please visit our website: SVDPCCC.org.
40 Days for Life ~ Stand in prayer at the abortion site
Wed or any day. To sign up, visit 40daysforlife.com/mobile, or contactSteve Pierre at [email protected].
Year-round Baby Showerfor newborn babies through 2B Choices for Women
Place new diapers and items for newborns in the box in the vestibule.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Next Meeting: 4th Monday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., The Parish House.www.kofc.org Click on Join Us. Corpus Christi Council 13125
Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, 232-0648 or [email protected].
Help keep YOUR CHURCH neat!When leaving your pew at the end of Mass, please take the songsheets, bulletins, and other materials with you! This will be very helpful to those who tidy up the church after Mass. Thank You!
Please support the advertiserson the back of the bulletin
Their ads enable us to have our bulletins printed by Diocesan Publications at no cost to the parish. Ads are purchased from Diocesan Publications. For information about placing an ad, contact them at 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com.
Always feel free to take extra bulletins andpass them on to others who may enjoy them.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA DECEMBER 29, 2019
Who wants to be an Altar Server? YOU do!We will be offering Altar Servertraining for any 3rd-8th graders whowant to attend on Saturday, Feb. 1,at 3:00 p.m. in the church.
Contact Mike Martin at 251-391-8666for if you have any questions.
2019-2020 Sacramental Dates for H.S. Confirmation2021 Class: Jan. 19, 2020, Confirmation Luncheon,12-2pm.2021 Class: Jan. 19, 2020, Confirmation Practice 2-3pm2021 Class: Jan. 21, 2020, Confirmation Mass, 6pm.
2022 Class: (Date TBA), Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm2022 Class: Jan 25, Visitation Monastery Retreat,10am-5pm, Lessons 2/3.4
2023 Class: Feb 16, 2020, Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm, Lessons 5 & 7.
2019-2020 Sacramental Dates for 2nd GradersMon, Feb 3, 2020: 1st Eucharist Parent Mtg, 6:30pm Adult Ed Rm.Sun, Feb 9: 1st Euch Enrollment Mass & Mini Retreat ,9am-12pm.Sat, May 2, 2020: First Eucharist Practice, 10 am, Church.Sun, May 3, 2020: First Eucharist Mass, 1 pm.
AA — Alanon — OA — CODAOur 12-Step Groups are now meeting in the facilities of
Bradford Health Services, 1000 Hillcrest Rd.AA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., at Bradford
Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., at Bradford.OA: Sat., 9 a.m., at Bradford.
CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., at Bradford.
McGill-Toolen St. Augustine Scholarship FundThis fund offers $2,500 tuition scholarships for deserving incomingfreshman Catholic children of Catholic school teachers, firstresponders, active duty military, McT alumni, Aquinas Scholars.
Student applications are available online. Deadline: Dec. 31.
Visit www.mcgill-toolen.org/st.augustinescholarship to donateor contact Jenna Wood, McGill-T Foundation Executive Director,
at 251-445-2939 or at [email protected].
Catholic Social Services’ Home Repair ProgramAvailable to elderly or disabled Mobile County homeowners in needof minor home repairs. Volunteer labor and all needed materials arefurnished free of charge. Repairs will be made in January. For moreinfo contact Marilyn King at 434-1559 or [email protected]
GOOD ADVICE! After parking in parking lots, do notleave any loose items where they are visible to prospectivethieves. Take the items (purses, packages, bags, backpacks,cell phones, lap tops, coats, etc.) with you, or place them inthe trunk of your vehicle. And be sure to lock your car!
Do you have a vocation to thepriesthood or religious life?Pray and ask for God’s guidance.
Contact Fr. Victor Ingalls, Director of Vocations at 251-415-3871 or [email protected]. or 400 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602.
First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel.
Visit briefly or sign up for an hour on sign-up sheet in the chapel.
FIRST COLLECTION: Tithing Offerings.SECOND COLLECTION: Corpus Christi Building Fund.
RETIRED RELIGIOUS ONLINE & COLLECTION: $4,922.25DEC. 1ST BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $4,364.55 DEC. 1ST TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $27,844.70
Annual reports of contributions for 2019will be mailed out in early January 2020.
Thank You and God Bless YouGod bless all for tithing, contributions, bequests, remembrancesin wills in support of God’s work here at Corpus Christi Parish.To make a donation of stock, ask your financial manager, or
contact Sadee Snedigar at 470-1084 or [email protected].
Receive a detail listing of your contributionsby mail, email or fax at any time:
Call 342-1852 or email [email protected]
Tax-Saving Tip: A direct donation of appreciated
shares of stock will benefit not only the church but also thedonor: The church receives the shares, and the donor saves bynot having to pay the capital gains tax, and by being able todeduct the full amount of the value of the stock to reducehis/her income tax. For info, or to transfer shares of stock toCorpus Christi Church, contact your stockbroker, or SadeeSnedigar at 470-1084 or at [email protected].
Offering EnvelopesIf you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent toyou right away, and then, every two months, you willreceive a two-month’s supply of envelopes.
Online GivingWith Online Giving you can either make a one-timecontribution or set up a recurring automatic withdrawalfrom a checking or saving or credit card account:Go to www.CorpusChristiParish.com/Church; then clickthe green Online Giving icon on the left side of the
church’s homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to the tithing,building or school annual fund or special collections. For assistance,call 1-800-348-2886, ext 1, or the parish office, 342-1852.
Why Is Mary Called
Mother of God?Q. Calling Mary the Mother of God seemswrong and unacceptable. How can anyone beGod’s mother?
A. Your misgivings are understandable. Onthe face of it, without knowing the historicalbackground of the title (“Mother of God”), sucha title for Mary might sound ridiculous andeven blasphemous. However, when we speakof Mary as the mother of God, we, of course, donot mean that she was the mother of God theFather. We do not mean that she was God’sparent from eternity, but that she was themother of Jesus when he took on our human nature. Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (OneGod, Three Divine Persons), was truly divine, truly God, from the first moment of his coming in the wombof Mary. Here is the historical background for the title: In the early centuries of the Church, ways of presenting andspeaking about the mystery of the Trinity and the divinity and humanity of Christ led to controversies thatwere settled at the early Councils of the Church — just as the first major controversy (over whether or notGentile Christians had to keep all the requirements of the Mosaic law) was settled at the Council of Jerusalemaround 50 A.D. The Council of Nicaea I, in 325 A.D., (from which we get the tile of our Nicene Creed) was the firstcouncil to deal with the “Trinitarian and Christological controversies.” That council was followed by theCouncil of Constantinople I in 381 A.D. But it was the next council, the Council of Ephesus, in 431 A.D.,that dealt with the teaching of the bishop Nestorius, which was seen as denying the unity of the divine andhuman natures in the Person of Christ. It was at that Council of Ephesus that the Church gave Mary the title(in Greek) of Theotokos (God-bearer) to proclaim that the child she gave birth to was not only human but alsotruly divine. She carried in her womb, and gave birth to, the divine Son of God, the divine Word of God “whodid not consider his divinity a thing to be clung to, but who emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant”(Philippians 2:6-7). The title “Mother of God” was used to proclaim Mary as the Mother of the divine Son of Godmade Man. The Council of Ephesus thus decided that the shortest and most direct way to pinpoint the basicbelief that Jesus is truly God is to say simply: Mary is the mother of God – not from eternity, of course, butas he comes into this world in his human nature, in the womb of Mary. No one can accept that brief statementwithout believing that Jesus is both divine and human. He had a mother as we did, and therefore he is one ofus. And yet, the child of that mother was God, not by some later fiction, but as he came from her womb. The Greek title “Theotokos” (God-bearer), which the Council chose, was already commonly applied toMary in Christian worship and devotion long before the Council of Ephesus. The title “Mother of God” cameinto official Christian doctrine as a vital part of belief about Jesus himself, not primarily as a way to honorMary. It does, of course, reflect honor on her to have had such an intimate share in God’s plan of salvation. In Luke’s Gospel, Mary is greeted by Elizabeth as “mother of my Lord.” Mary is the Mother of JesusChrist. Jesus Christ is God (John 20:28). Therefore, Mary is Mother of God.
My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior,
For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed.God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name....
Luke 1:46-49
What Do Catholics Believe About Mary?Q. How can the Church urge that we pray to Mary? I don’t believethere is any place in the Bible that says she is divine?
A. We do not believe that Mary is divine. She is a human being who neededthe saving graces of her Son just as we do. While the Church has alwaysreserved a special dignity and honor for our Blessed Mother, we pray to heras we pray to the other saints, asking her, asking them to pray for us, inmuch the same way as we “pray” to any other Christians when we ask themto pray for us. We simply follow a basic human and Christian instinct thatthere is a bond between us that even transcends death. The Lord commandsus to love one another in order to enter more deeply into his divine love forus all. Our love for one another goes beyond death. Since the earliest decades, Christian people have honored the VirginMary as the greatest of the saints because of her pre-eminent fidelity to Godand her Son, attested to so often in the New Testament, and because of herintimate relationship with Jesus, who took his human flesh from her. For us there is, if possible, an even more personal reason. Since he
received his life from her as the incarnate Son of God, and since Jesus shares this very life with those who believe inhim, she is also our mother. The Church has, in fact, always recognized those words to John from the cross, “Beholdyour mother,” as addressed to the whole Body of Christ on earth, whom she loves, cares for and prays for as her ownchild. This is the reason for one of the loveliest titles we have for Mary, calling her our Blessed Mother. Pope John Paul II echoed this tradition in his 1987 encyclical, Mother of the Redeemer. The Church, says the HolyFather, “sees Mary maternally present and sharing in the many complicated problems which today beset the lives ofindividuals, families and nations; the Church sees her helping the Christian people in the constant struggles betweengood and evil, to ensure that it ‘does not fall’, or, if it has fallen, ‘to rise again’.” Unfortunately, some religious devotees in their over-enthusiasm, or sometimes serious lack of knowledge ofChristian beliefs, lose this Catholic balance. They occasionally use terminology or express ideas at serious odds withCatholic belief. Some go so far as to suggest that if Jesus is “threatening” us or is reluctant to help, we need only goto Mary and she will obtain what he will not. Jesus is Mary’s savior as much as he is ours (see Luke 1:47), and as God he is the source and infinite exemplar ofwhatever saving love she or any of the rest of us may have. To even imply that she outshines him in mercy orcompassion and that if we’re really in trouble she will do for us what he will not, only dishonors the Mother of Christ. As long as we keep this perspective, the prayer and honor that we give to Mary can be nothing but a source of joyand pleasure to her Son. Beginning with the Gospels themselves, she has never been in any competition with him, norhas he been with her.
From “The New Question Box” by Rev. John Dietzen
Christ is the Only Mediator Pope John Paul II said the crucified Christ is the “only mediator” between Godand humanity and should serve as a divine model for all those who suffer. “In his humanity joined with divinity, and through abundant charity and obediencethat enabled Him to reconcile man with God, Christ is established as the onlymediator between God and humanity,” the Pope said. Christ’s role as mediator is at a “much higher level than those of the saints in theOld or New Testament, and even the most Holy Virgin Mary, when one speaks oftheir mediation or invokes their help,” he said.“For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the manChrist Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” (1st Tim 2:5-6)
From The Catholic Week, Mobile, Alabama
Does the Bible say weshould not drink alcohol?There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of references toalcohol (primarily wine) in the Bible. The referencesfall into three categories, having one of the followingconnotations: neutral, positive or negative. Countlessexamples are neutral in the sense that they indicate thecommonality of drinking wine at mealtimes with nomoral judgment being given for the practice.
Many positive references use wine as a symbol ofabundance and blessing, such as Isaiah 25:6: “On thismountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoplesa feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich foodand pure, choice wines.”
Psalm 104 praises God for “producing bread from theearth, and wine to gladden men’s hearts.” And Proverbs31: “Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wineto the sorely depressed. When they drink, they will forget their misery and think no more of their burdens.” The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to drink wine for its health benefits: “Stop drinking water only. Take a littlewine for the good of your stomach, and because of your frequent illnesses.” (1 Tm 5:23)
At the wedding at Cana Jesus changed the water into wine at the request of his mother. And, of course, at theLast Supper, Jesus commanded that we remember him and experience his presence through the sharing ofbread and wine. The Bible does portray alcohol negatively when it is the cause of drunkenness, overindulgence leading toinappropriate or sinful activity, or abuse. According to Proverbs 20:1: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink abrawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
There are times when people are advised to abstain from wine, such as pregnant mothers and particularprophets like Samuel and John the Baptist, and even kings: “It is not for kings to drink wine... or else they willdrink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted” (Prov 31:4).
On the whole, though, the moral thrust of the Bible is against drunkenness, not alcohol in itself. Christiansare morally obliged, of course, to respect civil law with respect to driving under the influence of alcohol andage limits to the consumption of alcohol.
Water makes the earth fertile: it is the fundamental gift that makes life possible. Wine, on the other hand, expresses the excellence of creation and gives us a feast inwhich we go beyond the limits of our daily routine: wine, the Psalm says, “gladdensthe heart.” So it is, that wine, and with it, the vine have also become images of thegift of love in which we can taste and savor the Divine.
Pope Benedict XVI
John, The Beloved DiscipleFeast Day: December 27
According to early tradition, St. John, Apostle and Evangelist,
is the unnamed “Beloved Disciple” of the Gospel of John. Earlyrenderings of the Last Supper depicted the scene described inthe Gospel account — John, resting his head on Jesus:
“Jesus, reclining with his disciples at the supper, grew troubled,and said: ‘I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The discipleslooked at one another, wondering which one he meant. Thedisciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus. Simon Petersignaled him to ask Jesus whom he meant, so leaning back on Jesus’ chest, he asked, ‘Who is it, Lord?’”
(Jn 13:21-25)
It is also in the Gospel of John that Jesus gives his great command: “Love one anotheras I have loved you. By this will everyone know that you are my disciples, that youlove one another.” (Jn 13:34-35) And it is in the First Letter of John that we aretaught: “God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”(1 Jn 4:16b) John is called the Apostle of Charity.
Tradition says that, in his old age, when John spoke, he would always simply tell thepeople: “Little children, love one another.” When asked why he always said that same
thing, he would answer, “Because that’s all the Teacher talked about,” and “That’s all that really matters.” Whenstill pressed for something further, something more, he would simply say this was all there was: to love is everything.
Let Us Love One AnotherFrom a homily by Saint John Henry Newman
on the feast of St. John the Beloved Disciple
“St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is chiefly and most familiarly known to us as ‘the
disciple whom Jesus loved.’ He was one of the three or four who were always in thecompany of our Blessed Lord, and had the privilege of the most intimate friendship withHim, and was more favored than Peter, James, and Andrew. He was His bosom friend.
“There have been those who before now, have supposed that Christian love was souniversal as not to admit of concentration upon individuals, so that we ought to love all people equally. And manyconsider that the love of many is something superior to the love of one or two. I maintain, in opposition to suchnotions of Christian love, and with our Savior’s example before me, that the best preparation for loving the world
at large, and loving it duly and wisely, is to cultivate intimatefriendship and affection towards those who are near to us.
“I have suggested to you a subject of thought for today’s feast —and surely a very practical subject, when we consider how largea portion of our duties lies at home. Should God call upon us topreach to the world, surely we must obey His call. But atpresent, let us do what lies before us. Little children, let us loveone another.”
St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890), a convert to Catholicism, was a priest, theologian, and writer whose work — like thatof many other theologians, historians and biblical scholars — was foundational for the Second Vatican Council.