4th
ST. BENEDICT, RIDGELY
beparish.com
ST. ELIZABETH, DENTON SUNDAY, December
23, 2007
Sunday of Advent
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
A Word from your Pastor…
LIFE IN THE PARISH FAMILY
There are no Religious Ed/RCIA/Adult Scripture Sharing classes on
Saturday, December 22
Listen, O house of David!
Sunday, December 23
December 23 or December 30. We will resume on January 6 with Super Sunday
5:30pm St. Elizabeth
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
·
NO Religious Ed./HS Rel. Ed./RCIA/Adult Scripture
#5. May the Christmas Season be a great time for family traditions that are so
Joseph Dombroski
must you also weary my God?
Sharing
essential to the formation of faith.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
Tuesday, December 25
Sunday, December 23
·
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
Catechists (Religious Ed, High School, RCIA)
– Mark your calendars for a
7:15am
St. Benedict
meeting on Thursday, January 10 at 7pm in the Great Room.
·
Parish Offices Closed
and shall name him Emmanuel.
People of the Parish
Wednesday, December 26
8:30am
St. Benedict
LITURGY
Isn’t it good to know that people have always been asking for a
·
Parish Offices Closed
Carlton Porter
CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
-
You may have noted in your Advent mailing that this
sign? Every one of us have turned to God with a heartfelt prayer
Thursday, December 27
11:15am St. Elizabeth
year the 4pm Mass on Christmas Eve is at St. BENEDICT. This change was
and asked for the reassurance of a sign. We want to know that
·
NO Adult Bible Study
Vince Ridgell
made for a few reasons, the first being that it is our largest crowd but in the smaller
God has heard us. The prophet Isaiah was hearing the same
Sunday, December
30
church. It also happens to be a busy time for our good neighbors at Bargain
thing from the people of Israel. They wanted reassurance that
·
NO
Religious Ed./HS Rel. Ed./RCIA/Adult Scripture
Monday, December 24
Beverage and we are attempting to use their lot. I realize that some of you prefer
their cry was heard. Isaiah tells them what to look for: a virgin will
Sharing
Christmas Eve
this mass to travel a short distance in the daylight. Please call the parish office to
conceive and bear a son. That’s all well and good if the Israelites
4:00pm St. Benedict
inquire about transportation possibilities or join us at the 10am at St. Elizabeth, our
had the multimedia of today. They would put out the word and
Maggie & Kennedy Fitzgerald
lightest crowd. Let’s see how it works. Thank you!
start looking. But even then they would grow weary looking. This
6:00pm St. Benedict (Children’s Mass)
brings to the surface a very fundamental question: Does our
Brianna N. Freeman
reason to have hope necessarily have to be clear? To we have to
8:00pm St. Elizabeth
know exactly how and when God will act or is it more important
Intentions of Trey Breeding
Please pray for:
to take comfort in the fact that God will act? As people of faith,
Midnight Mass St. Benedict
Arthur Petroski
Julie Swann
Cosby Stokes, Jr.
faith inspired by Old Testament prophets and people, isn’t the
People of the Parish
Patricia Griffith
Lou Wood
Sharon Downes
reassurance that God takes care of His people, as He always
MASS INTENTIONS ~ The offering of a mass for a specific intention is a good
Lisa Arbogast
Albert Bugar
Mary Sharp
has, enough? Why do we need signs? Why are they all too often
way of promoting the power of prayer and more specifically, the power of the
Tuesday, December 25
Rose Darling
Amy Hall
Helen Skipper
the signs we want or want to look for? If we open our eyes we
Eucharist.
Most of us are familiar with the practice of obtaining Mass Cards for
Christmas Day
Virginia Dean
Dan Tuel, Sr.
John Johansen
will see signs of God’s presence in our midst. Advent teaches us
people at the time of death. It can be comforting to loved ones to know that the
10:00am St. Elizabeth
Marvin Ebling
Marian Riecke
Kate Larrimore
that God is with us. He is with us in it all. He is with us in joy and
person will not be forgotten. Mass cards may also be obtained for healing as well
Vera Gamgort
Parnell Byles
Mary Betton
Debi Councell
celebration, in pain and sorrow, in laughter and wonder, in tears
as for happy occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and new endeavors. Or,
Tom Boncella
Ron Rice
Teresa Murphy
and mourning. Look, for God is always there. We only grow
Wednesday, December 26
the mass can be offered for a “Special Intention” that does not have to be
Victoria Wingren
Ella Spring
Mary Donovan
weary when we expect God to act as we want when scripture
7:30am St. Elizabeth
announced publicly. The Mass offering should be a free-will donation and should
Virginia Gunther
Marie Durner
Petchy Dennison
tells us that our God is a God who survives all human
COMMUNION SERVICE
never be seen as “paying for a mass”. To establish conformity, some dioceses
Antonette Starks
TylerGarst
Geraldine Prudot
expectations and wonderfully reminds us that He is always there.
have established a suggested standard offering. In the Diocese of Wilmington, that
Thursday, December 27
Chris Alimenti
Maryanne Brown
Marianna Breeding
suggestion is $10.00. Mass intentions may be obtained by visiting or contacting
With eyes open,
9:00am
St. Benedict
Christine Messick
Deborah Turner
Dennis Clegg
the parish office or by completing a mass intention envelope found in the vestibule
Alvin Fearins
Fr. Carroll
Joe Irwin
Ed Balling
Mary Lou Boutcher
of either church and putting it in the collection. Appropriate “Mass Cards” are
Angie Mills
Shirley Brown
Mickey Moure
Friday, December 28
available to notify someone that the intention of a mass is being offered for them
PARISH AND FAMILY LIFE
Mary Ellen Snively Michelle Bathras
Terri Kimbles
7:30am St. Elizabeth
or a loved one who has passed away.
WE REMEMBER + WE CELEBRATE + WE BELIEVE
William Murphy
Tricia Baker
Eva Knussman
Gerry Podlesny
Happy Birthday this week to: Kelsey Farina (12-25), Linda Nickum (12-25),
Mike Seiler
Victor Fleegle
Blanche Williams
Liturgical Ministers –
We are looking ahead to the preparation of the next
Bill Madden (12-26), Earle Wood (12-26), O. Edward Breeding (12-27),
June Magrogan
Joe Dunnington
Judy Safchick
Saturday, December 29
ministry schedule. Please call or e-mail the parish office ASAP in regards to any
Veronica Crenshaw (12-27), Sydney Hynson (12-27), Curtis Boyce (12-28),
Joe McDermott
Griffin Bathras
Cynthia Vonville
5:30pm St. Elizabeth
dates for which you know you will be unavailable to serve in March, April & May
Nichole Hill (12-28), Mike Campbell (12-29), Noah Connolly (12-29), Mary Ann
Joe Wood
Vincent Cassidy
John Podlesny
Julius Scarano
2008. We hope to mail the next schedule out in late Jan./early Feb. Thank you!
Palmer (12-29), Marie Freeman (12-30), Michel Seiler, Sr. (12-30)
Regina Usilton
Trey
Breeding
Ronnie Blazejak
Sunday, December 30
Kahle Clegg
Frank Farina
Tom Haney
Elijah Cup
– This weekend, the Elijah Cup and accompanying prayer journal will
We pray for the repose of the souls of former parishioner Shirley Strauss
7:15am
St. Benedict
John Nussear
Lynn Spinner
Emily Lawrence
be presented to the Lane Family. If you are interested in taking the cup home for
and Gary Parenteau, son of Fred & Marion Parenteau and brother of Jeff
People of the Parish
Dan Ruskin, Jr.
Evelyn “ Dixie” Bitters
a week to pray in a special way for vocations to the priesthood, we encourage you
Parenteau. Grant eternal rest unto them
8:30am
St. Benedict
Fred & Marion Parenteau
to contact the parish office or Mrs. Sue Fleegle (410-482-8914).
Deceased Members of the
“Lord, help us not to worship materialism but rather You. Let us each know
Charles L. Knott Family
In support of Marriages
our responsibility in this regard so we may be witnesses to young men and
11:15am St. Elizabeth
Recently married and looking for ways to keep your relationship strong? Resources for
women to answer Your call instead of striving for fame and fortune.”
Brianna N. Freeman
living happily are easily available. The U.S. Bishops have recently developed a new
and interesting way to promote happy, healthy, wholesome and holy marriages. It’s a
MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS
To all cantors and musicians:
The January monthly rehearsal for
YOUR GIFT OF STEWARDSHIP
family about it, too!
cantors/musicians will be held Tuesday, January 15th
at 6:00 in St. Elizabeth’s.
BACK TO THE LORD
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Adult Choir
rehearsals will resume on January 2nd
at 6pm at St. Benedict’s.
For the week of December
16, 2007
Check out our Youth Ministry page on the parish website –
Weekly Offertory for December
16
$
4,890.00
Thank you to all who attended the Festival of carols and supported our growing
A FUN CONCERT
This year’s budget for offertory $
5,250.00
music ministry. Our hope is that it ushered in a spirit of Christmas that can only be
Looking for a unique Christmas gift or stocking stuffer?
Difference
- ($ 360.00)
found when we look to the reason for the season. Thank you to our choir, children,
Any HS Youth interested in attending the Youth Ministry Team meeting are
Need an idea for that hard to buy for person? Why not
youth and all who made the night the experience that it was.
encouraged to join us on Tuesday, January 8th at 7pm in the Resource Room. We hope
consider gifting them with a ticket (or 2) to see Seamus
Poor Box
$
90.75
to finalize plans for January and February and discuss future Youth Ministry events.
Kennedy at St. Bernadette Church in Harrington, DE.
Your input is welcome! Contact Mr. Z if you have any questions.
Thank you!
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Seamus will be returning to St. Bernadette’s for two
Charitable IRA Rollovers
shows on Friday, March 28th and Saturday, March 29th,
We are planning an Ice Skating trip on Friday, January 18th for all parish
You may or may not be aware of a law passed by Congress in 2006. This law
2008. He is originally from Belfast, Ireland and sings the
YEAR END
-
Remember your parish and the
youth and their families! More details to come!
included what is called the Charitable IRA Rollover which is an incentive for an
music of his native land with emotion born of knowing its
good things that happen here throughout the year
individual to donate a portion or all of his/her RMD (required minimum distribution)
history and conflicts firsthand. Seamus’ trademark is his
as you as you contemplate your year-end giving.
from his/her IRA. At 70 ½ the IRS requires you to take a distribution from your
ongoing interaction with his audiences. From the
It is our practice to send out statements of your
SODALITY NEWS
IRA. This becomes a part of your income and will be taxed. Many of our
moment he steps on stage, he starts talking to them –
stewardship for tax preparation purposes
Many thanks to all parishioners who donated cookies in support of the Sodality’s efforts
parishioners need that income and taking the distribution will not affect their taxes
and encourages them to talk back! Please contact
(statements will be automatically mailed to all
to prepare gift bags of cookies for our nursing home and homebound parishioners for
significantly or penalize social security. Other parishioners may realize substantial
Eileen
Murphy
at
302-398-8269
or
e-mail
those who use offertory envelopes). Note that
Christmas. The bags were prepared last Sunday, and thanks to your efforts, a wide
savings by directing a portion or all of your mandatory IRA withdrawal directly to
when you give any one-time gift of $250.00 we
variety of delicious cookies were included in the packages. This is just one example of
our parish. You will not have to report the amount as income and you will avoid
tickets.
are required to issue a separate acknowledgment
the many “little things” our parish has done during this Advent season with your help to
having to pay taxes on those funds. If you would like more information regarding
at that time of that gift.
make Christ’s presence known.
the possibilities, contact the parish office.
