A Eucharistic Community Since 1858 Church of St. Joseph

The Worker P. O. Box 190 • Pierre Part, LA. 70339-0190

985-252-6008 www.sjworker.org

PARISH STAFF: Rev. Al Davidson Pastor email: fral@sjworker.org Rev. Tim Grimes Associate Pastor email: tgrimes@diobr.org Mr. Duane Breaux Administrative Assistant Mrs. Janice Pintado Director of Christian Formation Mrs. Susan Hue Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper Mrs. Karla Landry Receptionist SACRAMENTS OF EUCHARIST: Saturday Vigil: 4:30pm Sunday Masses: 7:00am, 9:00am &11:00am SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturdays - 3:30pm—4:15pm Before weekday Masses and other times by Appointment ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Monday and Friday 8:00am—4:00pm Tuesday and Thursday 8:00am—4:00pm

RELIGIOUS ED. OFFICE: 985-252-6633 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Celebrated every month Parents must first register with the parish of-fice to enroll in the Baptism Preparation Program. Preparation should begin in the first trimester of pregnancy. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Please contact the Pastor at least six months before desired date. CHRISTIAN BURIAL: The parish office must be no-tified before any arrangements are made with the fu-neral home.

Mary's Yes! We are only a few days away from Christmas. This Friday we remember that God sent his only begotten son to take on human flesh. We celebrate that Jesus was born in a

manger to bring us salvation. However, today we hear from our Gospel a critical step in bringing about the savior into our world. The angel sent from God told Mary, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus," Mary responded first with a question, "How can this be since I have no relations with a man?" Mary was confused and sought further clarification. She is a virgin and stays a virgin her entire life. How could she possibly have a son? The angel responds that all things are possible with God. Mary responds, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." In these words, Mary says yes to bearing in her womb, the author of salvation, Jesus Christ. It can be easy to overlook Mary's, yes. Christmas focuses on the birth of Jesus and not on the conception of Jesus. But without the conception, there would be no birth of Jesus. Without Mary's yes, there would be no Christmas. We celebrate Mary's yes every year on March 25th or nine months before Christmas. March 25th is the feast of the annunciation, the day Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb. However, the Church wants to remind us of Mary's yes as Christmas Day approaches. While we won't celebrate Christmas until this Friday, Christmas's story truly began nine months before his birth. The story of Christmas starts with the story of the annunciation. Mary's yes begins the story of our salvation. Mary's yes changes her relationship with us as disciples of Jesus. The Second Vatican Council explains that Mary is our mother in the order of grace. We are all sons and daughters of God and his Son Jesus, meaning that Mary, the Mother of God, is our mother. We are reminded of this when Jesus is on the Cross. He says to John, "Behold your mother," and to his mother, "Behold your son." Jesus isn't only saying behold your mother to John; he is saying it to all of us as well. Mary isn't our biological mother, but she is our spiritual mother or our mother in the order of grace. Mary plays an essential role in our lives of faith, not only because she brought Jesus into the world, but also that she intercedes for us in heaven. Do we have a devotion to our heavenly mother? Do we pray the rosary and meditate on the mysteries of the rosary? Mary brings our prayers to her son and prays on our behalf. We have a powerful intercessor for our lives. Do we trust her and her intercession? Finally, we can learn from her willingness to say yes to the will of God. God has a will for our lives, and we are called to say yes and follow that will. Can we say yes, as Mary did? Mary, mother of God and the Church, pray for us!

Fr. Tim

December 20, 2020 VOL. XXXV NO. 50 Parish Activities Sunday, December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass—7:00am, 9:00am & 11:00am Monday, December 21 7:30am—Mass 8:15am—Foundation for Praying Priest Scriptural Rosary Tuesday, December 22 10:00am—Mass Wednesday, December 23—OFFICE CLOSED Thursday, December 24—Christmas Eve Masses—2:00pm, 4:00pm & 10:00pm Friday, December 25—Christmas Day Masses—7:00am & 9:00am Second Collection—Cemetery Improvements Saturday, December 26 4:30pm—Saturday Vigil Sunday, December 27 Feast of the Holy Family Mass—7:00am, 9:00am & 11:00am

PARISH CALENDAR Monday Song of Songs 2:8-14;Luke 1:39-45 Tuesday 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56

Wednesday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-34; Luke 1:57-66 Thursday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a,16

Luke 1:67-79

Friday Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Matthew 1:1-25[18-25]

Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14

Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:15-20

Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18[1-5,9-14]

Saturday Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22

Sunday Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21[12-17] Luke 2:22-40[22,39-40]

The Sanctuary Light will be burning the week of De-cember 20-26 in memory of Laura, Lazzin, Charles & Luke Mabile and Thelma, Norman & Leslie Morales by Edwina & Wesley Morales; Calvin J. Leonard, Jr. by Rita Leonard, Eno Theriot by Wife and Family; Augus-tine “Goose” Templet, Lena Templet Alleman and Lloyd Dugas, Sr. by Family and Herman Mabile Family, Cyrile Daigle, Jr. Family & Adeline Theresa Triche by Ilar & Family.

SANCTUARY LIGHT

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE—The Christmas Mass Schedule will be a little different this year due to Covid-19 re-strictions. Although we would like to see you at Mass, if you feel it is not safe for you to attend, the dispensation from at-

tending Mass is still in effect due to Covid-19. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 24 at 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 10:00pm. Mass on Christmas Day will be at 7:00am & 9:00am. Since we still need to social distance and follow government regulations, seating is limited. Once the seating capacity is filled, we will have to ask you to attend another Mass. We know that the 4:00pm Mass is the most popular but we would like to encourage the elderly to attend the 2:00pm Mass. We are asking for smaller families such as 2 or 3 members to please sit in the side aisles leav-ing the center aisles for larger families. We are ask-ing families who are in contact on a regular basis to sit together. By doing this, we hope to utilize the seating capacity to its fullest potential. Your coopera-tion is appreciated as we work together during these difficult times.

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE Thursday, December 31—4:00pm Friday, January 1—9:00am

The same restrictions as Christmas apply to the New Year’s Masses.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP—Due to early bulletin deadlines for the Holidays, the Collec-tion totals for the Weekend of December 12/13 will be posted in next week’s bulletin.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

FR. AL

DECEMBER 22

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS Monday, December 21 7:30am—Kent Mayeux Tuesday, December 22 10:00am—Souls In Purgatory Thursday, December 24 2:00pm—Parishioners 4:00pm—Percy Matherne, Milton & Edith Boudreaux, Kathy Boudreaux Gaudet, Eno Theriot, Adeole & Ezilda Mabile, Kate Landry, Ricky Mabile, Deceased Grandpar-ents of Tonya & Kenny Landry, Mildred “Mitch” Breaux, Clayle & Phillias Guillot, Ines Landry, Ann Eve Guillot, Leonard “L.P.” Landry, Velma & Randolph Gaudet, R. J. Gaudet, Roland & Vickie Theriot, Pierre Breaux, Russell Blanchard, Lacy Guillot, Jerome “Juby” Acosta, Wilson “Butch” St. Germain, Jr., Evia & O’neil Pintado, Eliza & Wilson St.Germain, Sr., Jason Gaudet, Leonard Gaudet Family, Ronnie Mabile, Sr., Sadie & Vivas Daigle, Lucy & Nick Comeaux, Floyd & Winnie Daigle, Jodi Daigle, Mel Mitchell, Lazzin, Laura, Luke & Charles Mabile, Brian “B.J.” Gros and Albert Comeaux 10:00pm—Deceased St. Joseph the Worker Choir Members Friday, December 25 7:00am—Marie & Evans Olivier, Christopher Olivier, Anita & Lester Sedotal, M/M Elisie Breaux, Sr. & De-ceased Family, Deceased Grandparents of Tonya & Kenny Landry, Kathy Landry, Augustine “Goose” Templet and Lloyd Comeaux, Jr. 9:00am—Brent Cox, Jr., Brent Cox, Sr., Mim, Billy & Evelyn Cox, Claude & Noelie Cavalier, Amelie & Honore Mabile, Albert & Bernice Metrejean, Carol & Mary Cava-lier, Elaine D. & Frank S. Tramonte, Sr., Ann Eve Guillot and Patty Tennyson Saturday, December 26 4:30pm—Calvin J. Leonard, Jr., Richard & Patricia La-Hood, Kathy Landry, A. J. Theriot, Weekless Theriot, Kent Mayeux, Special Intention and Phillis Gaudet Sunday, December 27 7:00am—Parishioners 9:00am—Winnie Landry, Richard & Patricia LaHood, Ben-jamin Bullard, William Prejean, Courtney Vidaurre, Kermit Meche, Richard Hebert and Paul Davidson, Jr. 11:00am—Jo Ann Landry and Jean & Noe “Blackie” Fruge

A VOCATION VIEW—FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT—From the angel Gabriel, Mary heard God’s plan for her life, and she said, “Yes!” and so the Savior came into the world. Pray to know God’s Will for your life so as to help bring Jesus to our world. If you think God is calling you to a Church Vocation, contact Fr. Josh Johnson at 225-336-8778, jjohnson@diobr.org or visit www.diobr.org/vocations.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION PACKETS – Families who did not pick up their packets may pick up their packets at the Parish Office during office hours. The focus of the packets is to promote prayer for our students and their families. The Book “I heard God Laugh” by Matthew Kelly is primarily for the parents, but older students would benefit from reading it also. The “Outlines of the Catholic Faith” is an excellent resource on our prayer and doctrine for students and parents alike. Each student is being provided with one. There is also a prayer and doctrine sheet includ-ed in the packet which should be used to guide the students on what should be prayed on each grade lev-el.

PARISH OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE—The Parish Office will be closed Wednesday, December 23 through Friday, January 1 in observance of the Christ-mas and New Year’s Holiday. WISHING EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

THE ETERNAL GOD King David wished that the ark of God might have a more permanent home. David may have en-visioned something like the cedar palace where he resided. God had in mind something more: a throne where David’s descendants would rule for ever, a kingdom where Jews and Gentiles alike would be welcome. Mary’s prayerful nature led to an even more disturbing message. She would conceive and bear a Son though she was not yet married. “How can this come about?” Mary wondered. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” she was told (Luke 1:35). Mary’s acceptance of this difficult challenge ushered in this, the final age of God’s reign. What was once a secret known only by chosen people like King David and his descendants must now be made clear to all so that, as Saint Paul wrote to the Romans, we can be brought to the “obedience of faith” “according to the command of the eternal God” (Romans 16:26). NOT TOO MUCH—If you have too much to do,

with God’s help you will find time to do it all.

CONTINUAL CHRISTMAS—A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

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