Our Lady Of Sorrows Church

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

From the Pastor’s Desk My Dear People: I am overwhelmed with the birthday cards, promises of prayers and Masses, cakes, cookies and gift cards that I received this past Monday on my birthday. I must say that due to the quantity of gifts I would lose much sleep if I tried to personally answer all of the good wishes and greetings you have given me. How can a priest be so blessed to have such a loving parish?! Permit me to say: “A million thanks to each one of you who celebrated my birthday in any way.” I love the statement of the lady who saw me in the the Chapel of Our Savior: she, from the back, thought she would wish me a Happy Birthday, but then thought… “I will just stay right here and pray for him!” Perfect. I love for people to pray for me. The great holiday of Thanksgiving is this week. It is such a reminder of our obligations in life. We have received such a gift from God-to live as long as He lives, and His plan is that this eternal life be in perfect happiness with Him. He has proven Himself to be such a loving and forgiving God, while still being the One who is King of Justice. Being grateful to one another is like the air in the tires of our ride through life. We all need to be appreciated; God “feels” the same way. The Gospel of St. Luke tells us of the ten lepers, nine of whom were healed but did not go back and thank Jesus. We can almost hear the emotion in between the lines as Jesus says to the one who returned to thank Him: “Where are the other nine? Were not ten made clean?” He knew where they were and He knew He had cleaned all ten of their leprosy. Jesus was making a point that when we receive

things from Him, He expects to be thanked. What a lesson! The whole country stops this time of the year and with church services and prayers gives thanks to God for this country, for our families, and for all the blessings of life. There will be three Masses on Thanksgiving Day. Fr. Booth will not be here, as he went to see his parents for Thanksgiving. I personally feel the need to offer the 6:30 and 10:00 while Fr. Jaya will offer the 7:45 a.m. I feel I cannot thank God enough; He has literally spoiled me…and this parish has helped God do it! It is difficult to believe that for over thirty years this “God-fearing country” has legalized the killing of the unborn infant. Now Congress, in preparing a Senate and a House bill for government-paid health care with our money, actually plans to use our tax money to pay for abortions. The American Bishops have asked all Catholics to email or fax a letter to their senators and representatives objecting to a bill that would have our tax money pay for abortions. All information can be found on Congress website at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. This is so urgent that the mail might be too slow. Wishing you the best for the holidays with a God-centered thanksgiving, I am faithfully yours, With prayers and blessings, Fr. Muller

St. Ann’s Members! Remember our

Mass Schedule for Thanksgiving Day is: 6:30 a.m. 7:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

MASS INTENTIONS Monday, November 23

Special Intention Don Smith Theresa Cusimano Tuesday, November 24 Jim Meehan Spec. Int. of Michael Sicola Raymond Von Hagel Wednesday, November 25 Kitty La Susa John Holt Mary Egan Thursday, November 26 Donors to the OLS School Foundation Elizabeth Saia Anthony Smeraglia Friday, November 27 Lenora Katherine Rose Saia James A. Reynolds Special Intention of Bill Barranco Saturday, November 28 Special Intention Sue Dominick Pete Giangrosso Sunday, November 29 People of the Parish Anthony V. Rosato, Sr. Marvic Lara

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS Tending the needs of others is a gift of service to God as well as those in need. Imagine that you chose to serve God as a deacon, priest, brother, or sister. What do you think/feel about this choice? (Matthew 25:31-46) For those in need of the basic necessities of life, may we respond generously as we would to Christ.

Please join us on Tuesday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. There will be Mass, followed by lunch and bingo.

Christmas Party is on December 2 at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Please bring $10 for lunch if you have made a reservation. You may also bring your donation for Father Jaya’s school at this time. _______________________________________

Please remember to bring extra canned goods and nonperishable items for our food baskets for the months of November and December, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas, to help with families who are in need of food. All food goes to the Catholic Center of Concern for distribution. _______________________________________ The annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 12, in the Family Life Center. Seating times will be at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be $6.00 per adult, $4.00 per child, and kids three and under are free. Raffle tickets are $0.50. No pictures will be taken by OLS this year, but families can bring their own camera to take pictures with Santa. Come enjoy food, arts and crafts, raffle prizes, and fellowship with the OLS community. If you have questions or are interested in registration, please contact Rachel Briese by Friday, December 4, at 2158455 or [email protected]. _______________________________________

Birmingham Cursillo Community will be having our THANKSGIVING ULTREYA on Tuesday, November 24, starting with Mass at 6:00 p.m. (note the time change to 6:00 p.m., not the usual 6:30 p.m.) in the Parish Hall. After Mass, we will proceed downstairs for a fun-filled spiritual evening of dinner, prayer and witness talk by Jacquie Stalnaker formerly with the CIA. She has a great witness story to tell. We will also welcome the new Woman Cursillistas just off the Women’s Cursillo Weekend #119. Please bring a pot-luck dish, or grocery store item to share. Looking forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving Ultreya. DeColores! For more information please contact Patrick Crabtree at 205-960-3991 or email at [email protected] _______________________________________

Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Breakfast will be served to the donors and their families.

Ave Marie Shoppe will be open every Sunday

Chapel of Our Savior

until Christmas. Come by and pick up your advent candles and wreaths. The first Sunday of Advent is November 29. _______________________________________

The Chapel needs permanent Committed Adorers for: Monday at 2:00 a.m. (to share hour) Monday at 3:00 p.m. (to share hour) Tuesday at 3:00 a.m. Our goal is to have at least two people on each hour. These are the hours needed, but do select an hour that best fits your schedule. Please call Ida Wilker at 879-7040 or Mary Claire Brouillette at 871-2909. “Through perpetual adoration a parish gives the King all the love He truly deserves. This is why today the liturgy for Christ the King begins with this prayer: ‘Worthy is the Lamb to receive honor, glory and praise’ (Rev. 5:12).” Fr. John Hardon _______________________________________

OLS Annulment Education and Support would like to invite everyone interested in learning more about the Declaration of Nullity, commonly know as Annulments, to join us Thursday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 102 of the Family Life Center. This event is open to everyone who is interested in learning more about the Declaration of Nullity. If you are a divorced Catholic, know a divorced Catholic or just want to learn more about what the Church teaches about Annulments, we encourage you to join us and learn more about the Declaration of Nullity. Anne Marie Verchot, RCIA Director at Our Lady of Sorrows and a Diocesan Trained Advocate, will be leading the meeting. For additional information, contact David Asbach at 383-5634 or [email protected] or Anne Marie Verchot at 482-8627 or [email protected] _______________________________________

From the Music Director’s Desk: Advent season will be starting on Sunday, November 29. I want to bring to your attention some changes in the music. During the four weeks: The Kyrie will be sung, and the eucharistic acclamations will be from the “Mass of Hope” by B. Farrell (Music Issue Nos. 892, 895, and 897). We will sing an Advent setting of the Lamb of God by K. Keil (Today’s Missal No. 37). _______________________________________

Benedictine Sister to lead Advent Retreat on December 4-6, Sister Therese Haydel, OSB, will present an Advent Retreat at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman, AL. Retreat presentations will be interspersed with ample time for silence, personal prayer, and liturgical celebration with the monastic community. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated. It starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, and the retreat will end after lunch on Sunday, December 6. The cost is $195.00 per person for a private room, $175.00 per person for a shared room. For more information call 256-734-8302.

High School Youth Group meets every Sunday night from 7:00 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. We start in the Parish Hall with dinner and then move to the FLC youth room for fun and prayer. All high school students are invited. High School PSR and Youth Group will NOT be meeting next Sunday, November 29.

Middle School Youth Group will meet this Monday night 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center youth room. Snacks will be provided. We will be making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville on Saturday, December 12, with the youth group from St. Francis Xavier. Check upcoming bulletins for more information. PSR class for high school students meets Sunday morning in the FLC youth rooms from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Breakfast is provided. Please remember to bring your journal.