Elizabeth Saia

From the Pastor’s Desk My Dear People: Last Sunday was pledge Sunday, and today I address myself to two groups of our dear parishioners. First, to those of you who walked up the aisle with their pledge cards and turned them in one way or another this week, I say: “On behalf of the good Lord a superabundance of thanks.” To those who have not yet turned in the pledge cards, I plead: “If you are a member of the parish turn one in as soon as possible. With all the generosity shown so far, we are still $300,000 below what it takes to run a parish this size. Church law says you must register in some parish. Those who come to the 6:00 p.m. Mass because it is more convenient than your own parish, we believe if you come three times in a row, you ought to join the parish. Visitors are always welcome to come, but the fewest number of pledge cards came from the 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday.” There is that precept of the Church to support the parish to which one belongs. Thus far there are many who have not yet turned in their pledge cards. Therefore, you will find blank cards in the pews again this Sunday. If you haven’t pledged, please pick up a card, fill it out and place it in the collection basket or return it to the Church Office. Many want to be a member of the parish but do not pledge to support it. Our safest investment is to invest with God. When I am short on time I go to chapel… because God can make extra time for me. When I am financially at a low ebb, I make sure I give God His fair share and He takes care of things one way or another. That other way might save me from the disease of consumerism (buying things I don’t need).

Who would have dreamed three years ago the economy of this rich country would be in such doldrums with the outgoing and incoming presidents brain-picking the top economists, and the word “bailout” taking on a new dimension, God is still in complete control. Because of the excessive lending (subprime, high-risk, customers) bankers are now afraid to lend and consumers are afraid to spend. Only God can turn the minds of people to bring the economy back to where it was. Let us keep praying for the economy of our country and of the world. Everybody seems to be taking loses with this downturn, even foreign countries are hurting because they depend on us for trade and their banks bought those million-dollar packages of mortgage notes with foreclosures packed into them. Maybe this is God’s plan to make us turn more to Him. We are not supposed to have heaven on earth, but we surely try daily to have it ahead of time. God is saving heaven for the next life. The finance committee would like to know where the parish stands with the pledges, so please turn in a pledge if you have not yet done so. Nothing is too small. If you can’t pledge 5% to the parish, work your way up to that gradually. I am sure God and the parish are so pleased with the impressive number who have turned in their pledge so far. May God continue to bless you for this. May He inspire the remaining half to do so. May everyone experience the spiritual joy and blessings that come from celebrating the birth of our Savior. With prayers and blessings, Father Muller

December 17th. We will resume on Sunday, January 11th.

MASS INTENTIONS Monday, Dec. 22

Glynn West Dub Perry Tuesday, Dec. 23 Elizabeth Saia Richard Jeffers Wednesday, Dec. 24 Huber & Susan O’Donnell Elizabeth Saia Thursday, Dec. 25 Glynn West Charles Woods Friday, Dec. 26 Donors to OLS School Foundation Special Int. of Mary Angelo Saturday, 27 Special Intention In Thanksgiving to Baby Jesus Sunday, 28 People of the Parish Bill Stephens

The flower envelopes that disappeared because I do not like appeals overlapping appeals will be available after all. I was told that the names of the dear ones that are printed in the bulletin merit a return of the flower envelopes. Because of the calls to the office, we have reversed the decision to skip the flower envelopes. The envelopes have returned to the vestibule for those who want to use them. Drop in during the day before 3:00 p.m. and pick one up. There will be some in the Chapel of Our Savior or in the Church Office for one. List of the names will be published after Christmas. We would like to remind all of our students in PSR and Growing With God that there is no class this Sunday. Classes will resume for PSR and Growing with God on Sunday, January 4th. We also want to thank everyone who brought in gifts for the First Light Shelter and Her Choice Center. We hope that all of our Catechists, students and their families have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year. Sister Joan and Diane Zicarelli

High School Youth last class before the Christmas Holidays will be on Wednesday,

Thanks to St. Ann’s Altar Guild for preserving and dressing up the Chrismon tree. The ornaments are not just decorative; they are religious symbols of Jesus and other related religious themes. The D’Amico family would like to thank everyone for their prayers for Benny during his illness and death. The guests at the First Light Shelter send their sincere thank you for the wonderful gifts that were provided by the children in Grades 4-8 of the OLS Parish School of Religion. Also, thank you to the parents for their support of this project and to Sr. Joan Harrington and Mrs. Diane Zicarelli for organizing it. Because of your generous kindness, these unfortunate ladies will have a more joyful Christmas. CHAPEL OF OUR SAVIOR The Chapel needs permanent Committed Adorers for: Monday at Midnight - 1:00 AM (To Share Hour) Saturday at 8:00 AM Our goal is to have at least 2 people on each hour. Please call Ida Wilker at 933-2281 or Mary Claire Brouillette at 871-2909.

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM We thank you for participating in our Spiritual Adoption Program which we started in our church nine months ago. We hope that the prayer cards with the month-by-month development of your baby have been helpful to you. Your prayers saved this baby’s life. Please keep your baby and his/her parents in your prayers a little longer. More than likely the mother of your baby is still in a difficult situation. Remember also your baby’s father in your prayers. May God bless you for all you do for life!

FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED

Catholic Family Services has a need for foster families to provide temporary care for infants who are in our care. For those families who are interested in this Pro-Life Ministry, please call Dr. Tom Cook or Mrs. Barbara Pitts at 324-6561. For more detailed information about our foster care program, you can go to our web site at www.cfsbhm.org.

specially prepared space called an Atrium. OLS has a Level 1(3 yrs - Kindergarten) and Level 2 (First - Third Grade) Atrium serving both the school and PSR. If you are interested in learning more about CGS, please call Jeannie Hoffman at 262-1442 for details on the class and how you can get involved with this children's ministry.

LADIES, SAVE THE DATE! Coming on January 24th in the Family Life Center Assembly Hall, Tea for Three – Jesus, You, and Me. (A day of sharing and fellowship) Watch the bulletin for details.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School cordially invites you to our OPEN HOUSE for prospective students and their families to be held Sunday, January 25, 2009, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Join us any time during these hours, meet our teachers and staff, tour our school and discover our faith-enriched community for learning. Applications will be available in the school foyer and on the school website at olsschool.com. Applications do not roll over from year to year. If you were on a waiting list for 2008, you must re-apply for 2009. Please call 879-3237 for more information.

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS Open your mind and heart and listen to God’s wisdom spoken in dreams, signs, and wonders. Mary and Joseph trusted and let God work through them. What about you? (Matthew 1:18-24) Please pray for seminarians, novices, and all those preparing for a life of ministry in the Church. This ad is sponsored by the Serra Club.

Singles Ministry-Call Grace Troncalli regarding Christmas and New Year’s Eve Parties.

Christmas Eve – Wednesday 4:00 P.M. Church-(Nursery provided) (Folk Choir-singing beginning at 3:30 p.m) 4:00 P.M. Parish Hall (Nursery provided) 6:00 P.M. Church (Nursery provided) (Children’s Choirsinging beginning at 5:30 p.m) 9:00 P.M. Church 12:00 Midnight Church (Adult Choirsinging beginning at 11:30 p.m.)

Christmas Day – Thursday-Church 8:30 A.M. 10:00 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 6:00 P.M.

Mary, Mother of God-Church Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training St. Luke's will host a new Level 1 training program for CGS. It begins January 26th and will meet every Monday from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Jan. - May and Sept. - Dec.) CGS is a Catholic Montessori approach to the religious formation of children. Children work in a

Dec. 31 – Wednesday Vigil – 6:00 P.M. Thursday – 7:00 A.M, 10:00 A.M., 11:30 A.M. & 6:00 P.M.