Bulletin Dec 21

OUR LADY

OF

LOURDES CHURCH

916 N. LOCUST, PO BOX 214 PITTSBURG, KS 66762 PHONE: 620-231-2135 FAX: 620-231-4804 [email protected] WWW.OURLADYPITTSBURG.ORG

WWW.SMCSCHOOLS.ORG

DECEMBER 21, 2008

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

TODAY’S FOCUS – Fourth Sunday of Advent: How often have we argued with someone well beyond the point when we realized they were right? We try to continue the argument, hoping the opposition will cave, even knowing we are wrong. Opposition to God’s will never turns out well. The earlier we come to terms with the truth that God is always right, the simpler life becomes; not easier—simpler.

SCRIPTURE READINGS We need God’s Word each day. Mon (22) 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56 Tue (23) Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 Wed (24) 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 Thur (25) Christmas: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 Fri (26) St. Stephen: Acts of Apostles 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 Sat (27) St. John: 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a & 2-8 Sun (28) Holy Family: Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 1719; Luke 2:22-40 ST. PIUS X NEWMAN CENTER Rev. David T. Marstall, Chaplain 301A E. Cleveland, Pittsburg, KS 66762

REV. THOMAS J. STROOT, PASTOR REV. RUBEN ORTIZ MONTELONGO, ASSOCIATE PASTOR REV. DAVID T. MARSTALL, ASSOCIATE PASTOR & CHAPLAIN, ST. PIUS X NEWMAN CENTER WEEKDAY MASSES 6:30 a.m. — Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. — Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. — Tuesday, Thursday & Friday SUNDAY MASSES Saturday 5:30 p.m. Sunday 7:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon Spanish Mass—2:00 p.m. En Español: La misa en español, cada domingo a las 2:00 pm, confe siones a las 1:30 pm antes de la Misa. Se puede llamar al Padre Ruben Ortiz (620) 231-2135 CONFESSIONS (OR BY APPOINTMENT) Before the 8:00 a.m. weekday Masses — 7:30-7:50 a.m. Saturday — 4:00-5:15 p.m. MARRIAGES-Contact a parish priest at least four months prior to desired wedding date. PSR—Parish School of Religion (School Year) Elementary (K-8) Wednesdays 6:15—7:30 p.m.

Missionary Catechists of the Poor Spanish Sisters 620-235-1732

PHONE (620) 235-1138

ST. MARY’S GOODWILL 117 E. 10th 235-0564

MASS SCHEDULE

RELIGIOUS GIFT SHOP 117 E. 10th 235-7448

(When PSU is in session.) Sunday: 11:00am & 6:00 pm; Monday: 8:30pm; Wednesday & Thursday -Noon

PRAYER LINE 9:00am – 5:00pm 5:00pm – 9:00pm

231-6824 231-8816

ST. MARY’S COLGAN SCHOOLS Mr. John Kraus, President of Schools/Director of Administration Email: [email protected] Mr. Thomas Gorman, 7-12 Principal E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Michael Martin, Preschool-6 Principal Email: [email protected] ELEMENTARY (PRE-SCHOOL - 6)

(620)-231-6941

JR. HIGH/HIGH SCHOOL (7-12) (620)-231-4690 Elementary: [email protected] SMC: [email protected]

Christmas Call To Sharing 2008 You should all have received an invitation to consider a gift to the Christmas Call to Sharing — a gift of gratitude to support retired priests and the education of seminarians. God has blessed us this year with 46 young men in the seminary and continues to bless us with so many retired priests who serve the Church in many ways. I would ask that you be as generous as you possible can be at this most holy time of year. You should have received an envelope in the mail this past week from the diocese for the seminarians. There are also envelopes at the back of the church on the table.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS OFFERTORY GIFT BEARERS LECTORS & SERVERS are needed for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses and for Jan. 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. If you are interested, please call the rectory, 231-2135.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00pm 12:00pm Midnight CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES 7:00, 9:00, 10:30 & Noon (Bilingual) *********************** *********************** JANUARY 1, 2009 Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Dec. 31st —- 5:30 pm mass Jan.1st —- 7:00, 9:00, 10:30 12:00 noon (Bilingual)

PSR SCHEDULE Wed. (Dec. 24 &31) NO CLASSES Wed. (Jan 7) Regular Classes

ST. PIUS X NEWMAN CENTER Providing Catholic Ministry to Pittsburg State University

620-235-1138 WWW.CATHOLICGORILLAS.ORG REV. DAVID MARSTALL, CHAPLAIN Office Hours: 1:00-3:00 M, W, Th, F and other random times [email protected] MRS. AMY LOMSHEK, SECRETARY Office Hours: 9:00-2:00 M-F [email protected]

MASS SCHEDULE SUN 11:00am, 6:00pm Mon 8:30pm Wed, Thu 12:00pm RECONCILIATION 30 min. before all Masses ADORATION Thursday 10:00-3:00 See website for full weekly schedule

St. Mary's Religious Gift Shop 235-7448 Thursday 10:00-3:00 Fridays 9:00-3:00 Saturdays 10:00-1:00 By appointment call: Denise 232-6955 or Elizabeth 232-6865 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GIFT SHOP WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 21ST THROUGH JANUARY 7TH.

St. Mary’s Altar Society GOODWILL STORE HOURS Thursday—Friday—Saturday 9 a.m.—4 p.m. 235-0564 Please do not leave items when store is closed

UPCOMING EVENTS Topeka Rally for Life Thu. Jan. 22. $5 to cover gas. Sign up this week. Complete itinerary on website. Domus Fiat Mariae Catholic women’s household now accepting applications for next year. Newman Center closed during break following Mass this Sunday, Dec. 21. We will reopen the Sunday before school starts. FYI Plans for renovating the chapel are displayed on our website. Go to catholicgorillas.org for more information on all events. Generations music CD’s make great Christmas gifts! To purchase a $20 CD filled with music from each of the choirs Our Lady of Lourdes, please contact the rectory or Little Shop of Flowers. All proceeds go the youth groups of our parish. Thanks for your support.

WE WILL BE CLOSED ALL OF NEXT WEEK Dec 22nd-27th. WE WILL BE OPEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AFTER NEW YEAR’S DAY.

GRATITUDE There are no words of gratitude that adequately express our appreciation for all that the ladies of the Altar Society do for our parish family and for their own families. Please note that the ladies will take a break from the Goodwill and Religious Gift Shop during the holiday season but they will not take a break from their families and loved ones. Thank you, Ladies, for all you do and may the Lord bless you and your loved ones abundantly this Christmas season. REGISTER IN THE PARISH If you are new to the parish or have not yet registered please pick up a registration form at the back of the church, at one of the side doors, stop by the church office or call the church office 231-2135 and we will send one to you.

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE The Christmas story chronicling Jesus’ life in the womb of Mary and birth in a stable again draws our attention to the humanity of the unborn child and God’s great love and plans for each and every human baby, regardless of the circumstances of the child’s conception or birth. Confirmation classes are: January 11, 2009, in the elementary commons. February 8, 2009— Retreat (all day). Fr. Ruben will lead classes from 9:45-11:50. Candidates are encouraged to attend Noon Mass together afterwards. ****************** Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation by Bishop Jackels is Sunday, February 22, 2009 (12:00 noon).

SEMINARIANS Our parish seminarians are home for the Christmas holidays—Zack Compton, Josh Evans and Gabe Greer have completed another semester of studies. Along with sharing this time with their families they will be assisting with some of the masses. Continue to pray for them as they continue their studies and discern their vocation. NEED A RIDE? Did you know that our parish has a Transportation Committee? We have volunteers, who take turns driving parishioners to Mass. If you know of anyone who does not have transportation to Mass and would like to attend, please have them call the rectory 231-2135 or Jon/Karen McCormick 231-6751.

LOOKING AHEAD Wed. (Jan 7) PSR classes 6:15—7:30 pm Wed. (Jan 7) RCIA Classes 6:30—7:45 pm Sun. (Feb 22) Confirmation 12:00 Noon Mass Sun. Mar 29—April 2

PARISH MISSION

ANTICIPATION & EXPECTATION This bulletin will be published before we see all the beautiful decorations in the church and before we hear the beautiful music and experience the beautiful liturgies of the Christmas season. Thank you — each one of you — who in whatever way contributed to our Christmas celebration. Thanks to the Carol Cook and the Choir; Pat Jones, Mike Elder and the Folk group; Joe Fanska & Dory Towner, and Jim Benson. Thanks to Dory Towner & Mimi Laswell for decorating the church, Dwight Boman, Mark Engle and the “fluffers” (the ladies who always help with setting up the trees and putting the lights on the trees — a big job). They always do it with a true spirit of Christmas and love for our parish people and an appreciation of our beautiful church. We are grateful to VanBecelaere’s Greenhouse for providing the poinsettias this year and for so many, many years in the past. COLD AND FLU SEASON This is always a difficult time of the year. There is no way to eliminate colds and the flu bug but we can take precautions to reduce the spread of them. Therefore, at mass we need to be conscious of the person next to us. If we have a cold we can bow and say peace be with you without shaking hands at the exchange of peace. The celebrant of the mass may choose not to offer the invitation for the greeting of peace. Please be careful and respectful of others during the next few months.

NO PRACTICES The Executive Board of KSHSAA has established a consecutive five-day period (including December 25) where there shall be no school practice of interscholastic contests or activities. The Executive Board has set December 23-27, 2008 as the five-day moratorium for this school year. Students in grades 7-12 may not be in member school owned or operated facilities during the Christmas Moratorium, for involvement in activities under the jurisdiction of the KSHSAA. Weight rooms may not be open for students in grades 712. Medical rehabilitation in school athletic training rooms is permissible if approved by the administration of the member school. Member schools may elect to completely close their facilities to all activities and groups if they so choose. REMEMBER IN PRAYER Sick and Suffering— for healing and comfort Families — for the grace of parenthood Priests and Religious — for the grace, power and guidance of the Holy Spirit Vocations — to the priesthood and religious life Seminarians — for discerning and guidance in their vocation Men & Women in the Military — for their safety and protection Our Youth — for blessings and protection Our Deceased Loved Ones— especially the poor souls Travelers — for safety on their journey

Please remember to name Our Lady of Lourdes or St. Mary’s Colgan Schools in your will. May we leave a legacy of faith and education for the generations to come. Please consider informing Fr. Tom or the parish office of your legacy plans, [email protected]

STEWARDSHIP OFFERING Weekly Sunday Offering needed to sustain Parish Budget:

$35,500.00

Sunday Offering Last Week

$25,309.92

Surplus or

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS In the first reading, God promises King David that his house and his kingdom will endure forever. It is through Mary’s “Yes” — “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” — that the promise finds fulfillment.

$<10,190.08>

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP

MASS INTENTIONS 1) Fr. Tom Stroot 2) Fr. Ruben Ortiz 3) Fr. David Marstall SUNDAY (21) 7:00 (1) Parish Purgatorial Society 9:00 (1) People of the Parish 10:30 (2) Intention of Celebrant 12:00 (2) Parish Purgatorial Society 2:00 (2 Spanish) Intention of Celebrant MONDAY (22) 6:30 (2) Mary, Paul & Joe Oehme+ TUESDAY (23) 6:30 (3) Amabel, Bill & Bill Sharp, Jr.+ 8:00 (2) Otto Keller + (1) Louis Pontello+ WEDNESDAY (24) 8:00 (2) Rudy Moutz+ CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00(1) Staff/Volunteers of Parish & School 5:30 (3) Intention of Celebrant 7:00 (2) Intention of Celebrant Midnight (2-1-3) People of the Parish THURSDAY (25) CHRISTMAS DAY 7:00 (1) Intention of Celebrant 9:00 (1) Benefactors of the Memorial Fund 10:30 (2) Intention of Celebrant 12:00 (2) (Bilingual)Intention of Celebrant FRIDAY (26) 8:00 (1) Peak, Monsour, Thomas Families+ SATURDAY (27) 8:00 (1) Rose Presta+ 2:00 (4) Wedding: Brock Volmer & Cara Spriggs

5:30 (1) Jim Morey+ SUNDAY (28) HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY 7:00 (1) People of the Parish 9:00 (1) For the Families of our Parish 10:30 (2) Intention of Celebrant 12:00 (2) Parish Purgatorial Society 2:00 (2 Spanish) Intention of Celebrant NEWMAN CENTER — Fr. David Marstall Sunday (21) 11:00am Parish Purgatorial Society 6:00pm Int. of Faculty Students & Staff NO MASSES AT NEWMAN CENTER DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK

VOCATION PRAYER Loving Father, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Queen of Vocations, may our youth joyfully respond to your call to follow Jesus in the priestly or religious life. Amen. Lifesaving AED in Church Thanks to a very generous alumni donation, our parish now has an Automatic External Defibulator. The AED is kept in the priest’s sacristy and will always be available during mass or any service. We ask parishioners, especially those in the medical field, to be aware of this important lifesaving device in our church. There is an additional AED kept in the St. Mary’s Colgan Fieldhouse, next to the Trainer’s Room (northwest corner).

WESLEY HOUSE FOOD PANTRY: Thank you for your generous response for the Wesley House Food Pantry. Your gifts are very much appreciated. The basket will be removed after Christmas. SERVERS – DECEMBER 27-28: 5:30pm - V.J. Piccini, C.J. & Maranda Russell 7:00 – Austin McBride, Alyssa Patterson 9:00 – Maggie Snow, Meghan Webb, Emily Dickey 10:30 – Adam Zafuta, Marcus Yoakam, Jaden Patterson NOON – Daniel Easom, Kaleb Hamilton, Nick Spiers OFFERTORY GIFT BEARERS – DECEMBER 27-28: 5:30pm — Dan & Kristi Braden 7:00am – Bob & Jo Marie Golob 9:00am – John & Dana Jones 10:30am – Dawnelle Burris Family NOON – Don Orender Family EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS – DECEMBER 27-28: 5:30pm– Elias & Magda Tawil, Talaat & Mary Yaghmour 7:00 – Pat Pence, Paul Schiefelbein, Malcolm Turner 9:00 – Johna Chubb, Kyle Fleming, R. Patterson, C. Pfannenstiel 10:30– Bob & Peggy Fleming, Bruce Huelat, Diann Mazurek NOON– Steve & Nancy Hicks, F. Mitchelson, Janet Patterson LECTORS – DECEMBER 27-28: 5:30pm - Gary McGrath & Nathan Woodward 7:00am – Joan McGeorge 9:00am — Suzanne Arruda & Mike Ehling 10:30am – John Mazurek & Karen McCormick NOON - Dana Thompson & Paul Zagorski