“i come to gather nations of every language; they shall...
TRANSCRIPT
Saint Francis o f Ass i s i Pari shSaint Francis o f Ass i s i Pari shSaint Francis o f Ass i s i Pari shSaint Francis o f Ass i s i Pari sh M i s s i o n s o f O u r L a d y o f t h e V a l l e y i n F a l l R i v e r M i l l sM i s s i o n s o f O u r L a d y o f t h e V a l l e y i n F a l l R i v e r M i l l sM i s s i o n s o f O u r L a d y o f t h e V a l l e y i n F a l l R i v e r M i l l sM i s s i o n s o f O u r L a d y o f t h e V a l l e y i n F a l l R i v e r M i l l s
a n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e ra n d S a i n t S t e p h e n ’ s i n B i e b e r
Mission Statement We, the Catholic Church of Saint Francis, are a community of faith called by Baptism to center our lives in the sacraments and the Holy Eucharist. We gather together to mutually grow in our love for God and neighbor by studying the Word of God; by believing in the Faith and Traditions from the Apostles; by accepting the teachings of the Magisterium and by receiving and giving support, hope, faith and charity.
Parroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de AsísParroquia de San Francisco de Asís Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills Misiones de Nuestra Señora del Valle en Fall River Mills
y San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Biebery San Esteban en Bieber
Nuestra Misión Nosotros la Iglesia de San Francisco, somos una comunidad de Fe llamados por el Bautismo a centrar nuestra vida en los sacramentos y la Santa Eucarísta. Nostros nos reunimos para crecer mutuamente en nuestro amor a Dios y a nuestro semejante a través de estudiar la Palabra de Dios; a través de creer en la Fe y Tradición de los Apóstoles; a través de aceptar las enseñanzas del Magisterio y a través de recibir y dar Apoyo, Fe, Esperanza y Caridad.
The Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the Lord
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
December 25, 2019December 25, 2019December 25, 2019December 25, 2019
The Nativity of the Lord
Page 2 December 25, 2019
Rev. Apolonio C. Catada
Parochial Administrator
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
PO Box 160, 37464 Juniper Avenue
Burney, CA 96013
Tel. (530) 335-2372
Website: www.stfrancisburney.org e-mail: [email protected]
Bulletin Editor: Bob Gartner (530) 249-8641
MISSIONS
Our Lady of the Valley St. Stephen’s
43434 Hwy. 299E Hwy. 299E
Fall River Mills Bieber
MASS SCHEDULE
See “Parish Calendar” (opposite) for changes. Weekends
Saturday 4:30 pm Our Lady of the Valley
Sunday 9:00 am St. Francis
11:00 am Our Lady of the Valley
(Spanish) 1:00 pm St. Stephen’s
Weekdays
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9:00 am St. Francis
Friday 7:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley
(Spanish)
ADORATION AND BENEDICTION
1st Friday 9:30 am St. Francis (until 12 pm) 1st Saturday 8:00 am Our Lady of the Valley
1st Saturday 3:30 pm Our Lady of the Valley
1st Sunday 11:45 am St. Stephen’s
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Saturday (Before Mass) 4:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley
Sunday (Before Mass) 8:30 am St. Francis
Sunday (After Mass) 2:00 pm St. Stephen’s
Friday (Before Mass) 6:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley
Friday (After Mass) 8:00 pm Our Lady of the Valley
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Serving the Fall River Mills Valley, food may be obtained by calling Bonnie Hawkins (336-5231).
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD BANK
Food is available on request. Call the parish at 335-2372 for food anytime you are in need or call Bob Gartner at 249-8641.
NEW PARISHIONERS
Please register by completing the form at the church entrance.
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN (CCD) Please contact Josefa Johnston (294-5290) or
Elaine Shields (336-1003) or Estella Valdovinos (524-6434) Spanish
MUSIC: WEDDINGS & FUNERALS
Please contact Joan Knapp (530) 294-1234
BECOMING CATHOLIC (RCIA) Program of study for non-Catholic adults or Catholics seeking
the Sacrament of Confirmation. Contact David Wanat at 335-2941
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please contact Bob Gartner 249-8641
MINISTERS
November 19-20 November 26-27
St. Francis Lectors: Tom Weber John Klobas
Sandy Ogden Carolyn Garfield
Ex. Min. of Holy
Communion: Carolyn Garfield Sandy McCullar David Wanat Sandy von Tersch
Our Lady of the Valley (English) Lectors: Rick Phay Rick Phay
Diane Phay Diane Phay
Ex. Min. of Holy Peggy Hansen Peggy Hansen
Communion: Annette Holcher Annette Holcher Our Lady of the Valley (Spanish) Lectors:
Ex. Min. of Holy Communion:
St. Stephen’s
Lectors: Joe Paul Joe Paul Trish Graham Trish Graham
Ex. Min. of Holy Kevin Mitchell Kevin Mitchell Communion: Tammy Mitchell Tammy Mitchell
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Sat 11/19 4:30 pm Our Lady of Laura Ribeiro the Valley
Sun 11/20 9:00 am St. Francis Pro Populo
PARISH CALENDAR
Sat 11/19 4:30 am Our Lady of Catholic Campaign for the Valley Human Development Sun 11/20 All Masses Catholic Campaign for
Human Development Mon 11/21 Parish End-Total Consecration to
Jesus through Mary
Wed 11/23 10:30 am Mayers Hosp. Mass for the Sick
7:00 pm St. Francis Bible Study
Sat 11/26 4:30 pm Our Lady of Communal Consecration the Valley to Jesus through Mary
Sun 11/27 All Masses Communal Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Wed 11/30 3:30 pm St. Francis CCD
7:00 pm St. Francis Bible Study
Fri 12/02 9:00 am St. Francis 1st Friday Adoration & Benediction (after Mass)
Sat 12/03 3:30 am Our Lady of 1st Saturday Adoration & Benediction
Sun 12/04 11:45 am St. Stephen’s 1st Sunday Adoration & Benediction
Thu 12/08 9:00 am St. Francis Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
4:00 pm St. Stephen’s Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
6:00 pm Our Lady of Solemnity of the the Valley Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
Bilingual Mon 12/12 6:00 am Our Lady of Memorial of Our Lady of
the Valley Guadalupe-Mananitas
6:00 pm McArthur Memorial of Our Lady of Fairgrounds Guadalupe -Mass &
Potluck
HOSPITALITY SUNDAY
Today ST. FRANCIS 10 AM
Please bring something to share.
MINISTERS
December 21—22 December 28—29
St. Francis Lectors: Tom Weber Tom Weber Carolyn Garfield Bob Gartner Ex. Min. of Holy Mary Klobas Jim Billo
Communion: John Klobas David Wanat
CALENDAR
Tue 12/24 4:30 pm St. Stephen’s Christmas Vigil Mass
6:30 pm Our Lady of Christmas Vigil Mass The Valley (Spanish) 10:00 pm St. Francis “Midnight Mass” Wed 12/25 9:00 am St. Francis Christmas Day Mass
11:00 am Our Lady of Christmas Day Mass
The Valley (English) Sat 12/28 4:30 pm Our Lady of CCD Collection
the Valley
Sun 12/29 All Masses CCD Collection
Tue 12/31 6:00 pm Our Lady of Mary, Mother of God
The Valley (Spanish) Wed 01/01 9:00 am St. Francis Mary, Mother of God
11:00 am Our Lady of Mary, Mother of God
The Valley
1:00 pm St. Stephen’s Mary, Mother of God
Sat 02/08 2:00 pm Our Lady of Pastoral Council The Valley Meeting
Hospitality at St. Stephen's
Every Sunday is hospitality Sunday at St. Stephen's. Please join us for a nice lunch with soup/casserole, salad, bread, dessert and drinks. All are welcome, bring something to share if you can.
December 25, 2019 Page 3 The Nativity of the Lord
REFLECTION
IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6;
HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18
Today the Church celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ,
the first day in the octave of Christmas. Throughout Ad-
vent the Church longed ardently for the coming of our
Savior. Today she celebrates His birth with unre-
strained joy. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt
among us." The Son of God became man to give us a
share in that divine life which is eternally His in the
Blessed Trinity. Christmas time begins on December 24
with the first Vespers of the feast and ends on the feast
of the Baptism of Christ. White vestments reappear in
our churches as a sign of joy.
The Christmas feast is a festival full of joy. The Eternal
Word has become Man and dwells among us. The
longings of the patriarchs and prophets are ful-
filled. With the shepherds we hurry to the manger and
adore the Incarnate Son of God, who for us and for our
salvation descended upon earth. The purpose of the
Christmas feast is beautifully expressed in the Preface
of the Nativity: "For by the mystery of the Word made
flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the
eyes of our mind; so that while we acknowledge Him a
God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love
of things unseen."
During the Christmas season there is an extensive ex-
change of greetings and good wishes among friends.
These greetings are a reminder of those "good tidings
of great joy that shall be to all the people, for this day is
born to you a Savior Who is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11).
They are a reminder, too, that all blessings and graces
come to us from Christ: "Hath He not also with Him giv-
en us all things?" (Rom. 8:32).
During the Christmas season there is also an ex-
change of gifts. This custom should recall to us that on
this day God Himself gave to us the greatest of all gifts,
His beloved Son: "God so loved the world as to give
His only begotten Son" (John 3: 16).
The Christmas tree, of which the first-known mention
was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into
France and England in 1840. It symbolizes the great
family tree of Christ which through David and Jesse has
its roots in Abraham, the father of the chosen race. It is
often laden with gifts to remind us that Christmas
brought us the priceless gifts of grace and of eternal
life. It is frequently adorned with lights that recall to us
that Christ is the Light of the world enlightening those
who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Though not entirely unknown before, the custom of the
Christmas Crib was adopted by St. Francis of Assisi at
Greccio, Italy, on Christmas 1225. It is a concrete and
vivid way of representing to ourselves the Incarnation
and birth of Christ. It depicts in a striking manner the
virtues of the newborn Savior, especially His humility,
poverty, and charity.
A letter from Joseph to Jesus 2,000 years later Another Christmas is coming. I’d like to tell your broth-
ers today, first of all, to learn the patience of us artisans
�
I read somewhere that when a newborn baby first
grasps his daddy’s finger in a fist, he captures him for-
ever. The bond between a father and a son, when a
father is captivated by his child’s life, finally establishes
peace between dads and tenderness. It’s not true that
a father is a strict guardian; he is also a wide-open
smile that lets itself be surprised by the joy of a caress.
I was a simple young carpenter and I had to spend
many hours every day in a dark shop, working wood
with great effort. Yet, I’ve always been a dreamer.
When life is hard and tiring during the day, then all you
have left is to dream at night—not to escape, but to try
to imagine something different you can build, and
awaken to hope every day. That’s how I dreamed of my
life with Mary.
But I had not discovered the dream that God was culti-
vating for us. When Mary, with tears in her eyes, told
me about the Angel, the plane stopped in my hands
and a shiver ran down my back. I’ve always loved wood
because it’s almost like a son: at the beginning it seems
unformed, but if you have the patience to caress it, file
the edges, sand down the irregularities, and smooth out
the grain, you can transform it. Isn’t this what a father
has to do with his son—embrace him, gently smooth
his edges and turn him into a man? Yet, God asked the
absurd of me. I could be a father of wood, but not of
Mary’s son!
I entrusted myself to God, fitting my projects into the
dream God had for me. On occasion, he spoke to me
too: “Don’t be afraid,” he told me. And there I made an
extraordinary discovery: he’s not just the father who
gave birth to us, but also a father who stays next to us
The Nativity of the Lord
Page 4 December 25, 2019
and whispers to us every day: don’t be afraid, don’t be
afraid. I’m with you.
Dear Jesus, I loved you with the heart of a father, even
though I knew that although I could hold wood in my
hands, I could never hold on to you. When you helped
me in the shop, I watched you become a grown boy,
and sometimes I wanted to leave aside my woodwork-
ing tools to caress your hair and whisper to you, “Never
be afraid.” But you looked at me, seeing into the depth
of my soul: you had already understood my love for
you. You were learning about life, but also learning
something about your heavenly Father, so much so that
later you described him as a Father who sees you from
afar, runs towards you, and embraces you. Whatever
your situation, God is always waiting for you with open
arms.
Another Christmas is coming. I’d like to tell your broth-
ers today, first of all, to learn the patience of us arti-
sans. God comes, he visits our lives, and he transforms
things, but this doesn’t happen in just one day. It’s a
journey that requires time and tenacity.
It is Christmas—I would like to tell you—if you learn
above all to be fathers; that is, if you practice the art of
caring, if you love and protect those around you, taking
on the risks of their lives, their failures, their dreams
and their growth, as a father does with his own son.
May people find in you, men with open arms, and not
ruthless judges with their fingers pointed at others.
It’s Christmas when you don’t underline the negative
and don’t let yourselves be caught up in things that
aren’t going well, but always go back to that workshop
that is life and put your hands to the task, smoothing,
and plaining the roughness. Marvel at the bud that
sprouts, rather than the storm that approaches.
It is Christmas if we learn to cultivate a sense of jus-
tice, in everything we experience, and especially in so-
ciety, in politics, and at work. They say of me that I am
a just man, but in truth every man should be just. With-
out justice there is no true humanity, but abuse, vio-
lence, and inequality. These are all things that affect
the poor more directly than anyone else.
I had to protect Mary and the Child, risking my own
life. Christmas should also remind us of this: God is
present where there is love that turns us into a warm
blanket for those who are cold, a companion for those
who are alone, a word of comfort for those who are dis-
tressed, and above all, a shield of protection for the
most defenseless and the weakest. In a world where
the arrogant and the powerful trample the little ones, it’s
useless to set up a Nativity scene.
I had to work hard to make it possible for my family to
live well. Still, in Nazareth I enjoyed small but intense
moments spent together with my wife and with Jesus.
Do it yourselves, dear fathers: put the brakes on your
pace of work and keep your worries to yourself, if you
can. Dedicate a few moments to your wives and chil-
dren: truly listening to them, being present to them,
sharing and embracing; that’s all.
And, one last recommendation: don’t stop dreaming.
Even in the tiring situation of a workshop, of a broken
relationship, of an inner anguish, or of a hope that is
extinguished, we can continue to look upwards, be-
cause that God who came in Jesus still comes today to
rekindle life. Dream and help others to dream, because
only in this way will another world be possible. And it
will be Christmas every day.
An Invitation to Wonder: The Christ Child
Shines Light, Offers Hope
Every Christmas light that twinkles in the darkness is a
message to us from our God.
Last week, my son and I sat together on his bedroom
floor, while he stared enraptured at L of all things L
his humidifier. My busy, constantly-on-the-move toddler
continued to sit there, almost motionless, for 10 whole
minutes, doing nothing but wondering at the mysteri-
ously magical puffs of cool steam rising up into the air.
I sat there wondering with him. Partly, I wondered
where we should put the thing, now that he’s discov-
ered it, so that it’s safely out of reach. But more funda-
mentally, I wondered at him — at his pure delight in the
most ordinary of moments and the most ordinary of
things.
Right now, the whole world is a wonder to him. Every-
thing in creation, from a squirrel scampering across the
lawn to the chime on my parents’ mantle clock, is cause
for contemplation. He stops for it all, acknowledges it
all, and wants me to acknowledge it, too. He claps. He
December 25, 2019 Page 5 The Nativity of the Lord
points. He cries out with glee. And with a “Mama! Ma-
ma!” demands that I share in his joy.
This pausing to wonder at steam and garbage trucks,
birds on the wire and the schoolhouse lights hanging
over our kitchen island has taken some adjusting on
my part. Once, not too many years ago, it wouldn’t
have been that difficult; I’m naturally inclined to delight
in the ordinary. But these days, life doesn’t leave me a
lot of time for delighting. There are too many other
things competing for my attention: deadlines and meet-
ings, laundry and cleaning, meal planning and grocery
shopping, plus one very busy toddler who races from
one death-defying stunt to the next.
In the midst of our current crazy, my inclination is to
ignore the small stuff and focus on whatever is most
urgent. “If it’s not urgent, I don’t have time for it,” I’ve
said repeatedly over the past year.
But the little child toddling about my house is having
none of that attitude. His job right now — his great work
in life — seems to be twofold: wondering at the world
and getting Mama to wonder at it, too. He will not be
dissuaded from amazement at gravity and rainbows
and diaper bags full of stuff, and he will not be dissuad-
ed from making Mama share in that amazement.
The boy does not brook disagreement. And for that,
I’m grateful. Because the world is a wonder. Every at-
om in it is worthy of amazement. Squirrels and bells
and wind really are occasions for delight and awe.
They are all gifts from a good and loving God. Like eve-
rything in the universe, they wouldn’t exist without him.
He holds them in being. And he does that for a pur-
pose. Through all these things, he somehow blesses
us, teaches us, helps us and saves us. My baby in-
stinctively sees the miracle of it all. And he helps me
see it, too.
The Christ Child does the same.
U.S. Bishops Must Clear Up This Communion
Confusion Msgr. Charles Pope
If one is in a state of mortal sin — no matter what the
sin — has not sacramentally confessed and been ab-
solved, he must not receive Holy Communion. There
are no exceptions.
Judge Sara Smolenski, Chief Judge of the 63rd Dis-
trict Court in Kent County, Michigan, was recently ad-
vised by her pastor, Father Scott Nolan, that she
should not receive Holy Communion because she
claimed to enter into a “marriage” with a woman. He did
this privately, but she chose to make the matter public.
You can read the full story here.
The priest’s actions were certainly proper. Judge
Smolenski’s civil marriage is a public act, and because
she is a public figure her actions were widely known.
For the good of her own soul, as well as to avoid the
scandal of apparent approval, the pastor was correct in
requesting that she refrain from presenting herself to
receive Holy Communion. Judge Smolenski is certainly
a public dissenter from the Church’s constant teaching
that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man
and one woman. There is also the reasonable public
perception that she is engaged in and approves of illicit
sexual union — in this case, homosexual acts.
As expected, there are charges that this action is tar-
geting the “LGBT” community. Judge Smolenski herself
says, “This feels like selective discrimination. Why
choose gay people and why now?” However, the stand-
ard for worthy reception of Holy Communion applies to
all. Neither heterosexuals in invalid marriages nor those
cohabitating outside the bonds of marriage may licitly
receive Communion. No one may simply go on living in
an invalid marriage (adultery) or in cohabitation
(fornication) and still be worthy to approach for Holy
Communion. Fornicators, adulterers and those who en-
gage in homosexual acts may not licitly receive Holy
Communion unless (and until) they repent and receive
absolution in the sacrament of Confession.
No one person is singled out, nor is any group singled
out — chastity is required of all. There is no place for
sexual intimacy outside of traditional marriage. There
are no exceptions.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids issued a statement in
support of Fr. Nolan’s actions. Included in it were these
essential points:
As Pope Francis explains in Amoris Laetitia, ‘The Eu-
charist demands that we be members of the one body
of the Church. Those who approach the Body and
Blood of Christ may not wound that same Body by cre-
ating scandalous distinctions and divisions among its
members.’ (186) Lifelong Catholics would surely be
aware of this.
Inclusion and acceptance have been a hallmark of
Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
throughout the diocese’s history. They remain so. They
presume, however, a respect on the part of individuals
for the teachings and practice of the wider Catholic
community. No community of faith can sustain the pub-
lic contradiction of its beliefs by its own members. This
is especially so on matters as central to Catholic life as
marriage, which the Church has always held, and con-
tinues to hold, as a sacred covenant between one man
and one woman.
It is reassuring to see the diocese defend Fr. Nolan.
Not every priest who has risked denying Holy Commun-
ion has been supported in this way.
The Nativity of the Lord
Page 6 December 25, 2019
rise to the level of mortal sin and which therefore must
be confessed prior to receiving Holy Communion licitly.
Priests should teach this to the faithful and provide
ample opportunity for Confession, including prior to
Sunday Mass. If one in a state of mortal sin has not
confessed and been absolved through the sacrament
of Confession, he should not approach for Holy Com-
munion.
The best response to those who say we single out per-
sons (e.g., pro-abortion politicians) or groups (e.g.,
those with same-sex attraction) is to teach comprehen-
sively on the worthy reception of Holy Communion.
It is sad that worthy reception of Holy Communion is
so unevenly taught to or understood by the faith-
ful. Many see the Holy Eucharist as an entitlement —
something they are owed without the need to meet any
obligations. The loud protests when anyone is denied
Holy Communion bespeaks this lack of formation.
Because the problem is so widespread, it requires a
national solution. The bishops of this country ought to
issue a teaching, a pastoral letter of some sort, and
every diocese should then implement its directives and
counsels. I wrote a two-part article on the worthy recep-
tion of Holy Communion in 2018 — my own modest
attempt to set forth a fuller teaching on the whys and
wherefores of worthy reception. They are availa-
ble here and here.
I realize that my hopes for a national initiative are un-
likely to emerge from the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) any time soon. They are a rather di-
vided body these days, and it might take many years of
delicate negotiation to accomplish such a task. That
doesn’t mean, however, that individual bishops or re-
gional gatherings of bishops couldn’t undertake it. The
main goal is to give a comprehensive and faithful teach-
ing rather than to engage in the current habit of rear-
guard action in response to public outcry whenever
someone has been “denied” Holy Communion.
This is a teaching that affects all of us. We all need to
internalize St. Paul’s admonition that we must never
receive our Lord unworthily:
Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against
the Body and Blood of the Lord. Each one must exam-
ine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of
the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recog-
nizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a
number of you have died. Now if we judged ourselves
properly, we would not come under judgment (1 Corin-
thians 11:27-31).
As usual, Father James Martin tweeted comments that
merely serve to obfuscate the matter:
�Why are parishes focusing only on issues of sexual
morality? Are there no other issues in the moral life?
Are those who refuse to pay a living wage to employ-
ees denied Communion? How about those who do not
give to the poor? Those who do not care for the envi-
ronment?
An obvious answer to why parishes may be “focusing”
on sexual morality is the epidemic of sexual misbehav-
ior in our culture.
Furthermore, Fr. Martin’s examples compare what is
intrinsically grave matter and has clear parameters with
what involves prudential judgment and is not of its na-
ture mortal.
It is a fairly straightforward matter to determine that a
person has entered into an invalid heterosexual mar-
riage or a same-sex “marriage.” It is less clear what
constitutes not caring for the environment, whether it is
a sin, and whether it is a mortal sin. If I throw a plastic
bottle into the trash rather than the recycle bin, have I
committed a sin? What if I throw a thousand plastic bot-
tles away rather than recycling them? Is that a sin? Is it
a mortal sin?
As for paying a “living wage,” the Church speaks of
paying “just wages” not “living wages.” And while refus-
ing to pay a just wage is a mortal sin, determining what
constitutes a just wage is not clear cut. The Catechism
of the Catholic Church states that “remuneration for
work should guarantee man the opportunity to provide
a dignified livelihood L taking into account the role and
the productivity of each, the state of the business, and
the common good” (CCC 2434). Such is also the case
with giving to the poor; most people do give to the poor
in some fashion, but when, how, and how much varies
with circumstances.
Father Martin surely knows that his logic is faulty and
that his comparisons lack parity, but he repeatedly is-
sues such statements, making the Church’s battle
against sexual confusion and misbehavior that much
more difficult.
However, the wider charge that the Church singles out
individuals or groups in denying Holy Communion is
likely to persist unless bishops, individually and collec-
tively, teach in a comprehensive manner of the need for
the worthy reception of Holy Communion. Priests, led
and supported by their bishops, must do so as well.
On any given Sunday there are likely many who
should not approach for Holy Communion due to mortal
sin on their soul. Such sins may involve unchastity but
might also include telling lies that seriously harm the
reputation of another or willfully missing Mass on Sun-
day. The point remains that there are many sins that
December 25, 2019 Page 7 The Nativity of the Lord
The Church Fathers, of course, agreed, and the fol-lowing passages (one reference is included) witness to their lively recognition of the sacred truth and great gift of divine maternity that was bestowed upon Mary. Methodius
“While the old man [Simeon] was thus exultant, and rejoicing with exceeding great and holy joy, that which had before been spoken of in a figure by the prophet Isaiah, the holy Mother of God now manifestly ful-filled” (Oration on Simeon and Anna 7 [A.D. 305]). “Hail to you forever, you virgin Mother of God, our
unceasing joy, for unto you do I again return. . . . Hail, you fount of the Son’s love for man. . . . Wherefore, we pray you, the most excellent among women, who boast in the confidence of your maternal honors, that you would unceasingly keep us in remembrance. O holy Mother of God, remember us, I say, who make our boast in you, and who in august hymns celebrate your memory, which will ever live, and never fade away”.
Mary: Mother of God
Fundamentalists are sometimes horrified when the Virgin Mary is referred to as the Mother of God. However, their reaction often rests upon a misappre-hension not only of what this particular title of Mary sig-nifies but also of who Jesus was—and of what their own theological forebears, the Protestant Reformers, had to say regarding this doctrine. A woman is a man’s mother either if she carried him in
her womb or if she was the woman contributing half of his genetic matter or both. Mary was the mother of Jesus in both of these senses, because she not only carried Jesus in her womb but also supplied all of the genetic matter for his human body, since it was through her—not Joseph—that Jesus “was descended from Da-vid according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). Since Mary is Jesus’ mother, it must be concluded that
she is also the Mother of God: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. There is no way out of this logical syllogism. Although Mary is the Mother of God, she is not his
mother in the sense that she is older than God or the source of her Son’s divinity, for she is neither. Rather, we say that she is the Mother of God in the sense that she carried in her womb a divine person—Jesus Christ, God “in the flesh” (2 John 7, cf. John 1:14)—and in the sense that she contributed the genetic matter to the human form God took in Jesus Christ. To avoid this conclusion, Fundamentalists often assert
that Mary did not carry God in her womb, but only car-ried Christ’s human nature. This assertion reinvents a heresy from the fifth century known as Nestorianism, which runs aground on the fact that a mother does not merely carry the human nature of her child in her womb. Rather, she carries the person of her child. Women do not give birth to human natures; they give birth to persons. Mary thus carried and gave birth to the person of Jesus Christ, and the person she gave birth to was God. The Nestorian claim that Mary did not give birth to the
unified person of Jesus Christ attempts to separate Christ’s human nature from his divine nature, creating two separate and distinct persons—one divine and one human—united in a loose affiliation. It is therefore a Christological heresy, which even the Protestant Re-formers recognized. Both Martin Luther and John Cal-vin insisted on Mary’s divine maternity. In fact, it even appears that Nestorius himself may not have believed the heresy named after him. Further, the “Nestorian” church has now signed a joint declaration on Christolo-gy with the Catholic Church and recognizes Mary’s di-vine maternity, just as other Christians do. Since denying that Mary is God’s mother implies doubt
about Jesus’ divinity, it is clear why Christians (until re-cent times) have been unanimous in proclaiming Mary as Mother of God.
PLEASE PRAY FOR St. Francis
Bill Baldwin, Irma Welty, Alice Richards, Melba Facey, Christina Mora, Glenda Pearson & Barbara, Bob Heisinger
Our Lady of the Valley
Eva Rebay
St. Stephen’s
Olivia Cox, Ryan Graham, Vernon Ferreira, Trish Bautista, Nancy Fenner, Liz Paul, Breen Hofmann,
Carl & Mary Doyle, Carol Mitchell
The Nativity of the Lord
Page 8 December 25, 2019
A Christmas Lesson
Did Mary feel embarrassed
when the shepherds came to call?
Did she wish they'd found a nicer place
instead of lowly stall?
Was she yearning for a perfumed bath, someone to plait her hair?
Did she wish her Son a finer bed
with soft, warm blankets there?
Or did joy fill her grateful heart and overflow with awe,
Remembering the angel's words
and what her eyes now saw.
For in her spirit Mary knew
this Son whom she adored
Was God's begotten Chosen One, her Savior and her Lord!
So, Mary murmured not at all, no palace was more grand ~
The King of kings was ushered in
exactly as God planned.
And so, a lesson for all time
this wisdom to impart: Don't be absorbed with worldly show ~
God looks upon the heart!
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:11-12)
Collections for 24 Weeks of Fiscal Year 2020
Source of Income This YTD Last YTD Difference
St. Francis 19,777.78 18,400.29 1,377.49
OLV English 10,237.00 9,619.52 617.48
OLV Spanish 7,781.11 8,746.12 -965.01
St. Stephen’s 12,719.00 12,218.36 500.64
WeShare 3,723.40 4,280.40 -557.00
Parish Picnic 777.00 0.00 777.00
Count Difference -152.00 25.00 -177.00
Total 54,863.29 53,289.69 1,573.60