Holy Spirit Catholic Church December 25, 2016

From The Pastor’s Desk Weekly Readings & Activities

Sunday, Dec. 25 Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 Monday, Dec. 26 Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday, Dec. 27 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday, Dec. 28 1 Jn 1:-5-2:2; Mt 2:13-18 Thursday, Dec. 29 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 Friday, Dec. 30 Sir 3:2-6; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 Saturday, Dec. 31 1 Jn 2:18-21; Jn 1:1-18 Sunday, Jan. 1 Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

Sunday, Dec. 25 Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) 12:00 a.m. Midnight Holy Mass—Intentions of SGM Willford Banchs 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass— Intentions of Virginia Okeke 9:30 a.m. Holy Mass— Intentions of Virginia Okeke 11:30 a.m. Holy Mass—Intentions of Virginia Okeke Monday, Dec. 26 St. Stephen

*** PASTORAL OFFICES CLOSED*** 8:30 a.m. Holy Mass—Mrs. Felix Jasinski Tuesday, Dec. 27 St. John, The Apostle

8:30 a.m. Holy Mass— James Gibboney 7:00 p.m. K of C 1st Degree Team Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 28 The Holy Innocents 8:30 a.m. Holy Mass—Intentions of Jack & Teddie Anderson 6:00 p.m. Confessions 6:00 p.m. Family Prayer Group Thursday, Dec. 29 St. Thomas Becket 8:30 a.m. Holy Mass—Sally Alonzo Friday, Dec. 30 Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph *** PASTORAL OFFICES CLOSED*** 8:30 a.m. Holy Mass— Intentions of Elvie & Al Alonzo 9:00 a.m. Holy Hour Saturday, Dec. 31 St. Sylvester 5:30 p.m. Holy Mass—Vigil —Frank Lanza 8:30 p.m. ACTS New Year’s Eve Celebration Sunday, Jan. 1 Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God ***Holy Day of Obligation*** New Year’s Day 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass—Rosalinda Garcia Valenzuela

9:30 a.m. Holy Mass— Sue Schlebach 11:30 a.m. Holy Mass—Jose Angel Hernández

This is the story of “Martha” as told by the pastor of her local Church… Martha, unmarried, does her own laundry at home and works in the parish office for four-and-one half days a week. I was first impressed by her cheerful disposition. Also, she possessed a keen memory for people’s faces and names, two qualities that have helped her do a fine job. Martha enjoys playing the piano and doing difficult Crossword Puzzles. Each summer, she flies to a city in Vermont – her one time hometown – for a month’s vacation with her sister-in law. At Christmas time, she takes a seven-hour bus trip to be with her brother and his family. Martha is a typical American career-person, except that Martha is one hundred and one years-old. Whether we’re twenty-one or sixty-nine, for most of us the Christmas Season is a special time for being with our families. But, even in those families where there is warmth and affection, isn’t it strange how members often take each other for granted? And, wouldn’t it be exciting, if, beginning this Christmas Season, you are able to know them as they really are? Wouldn’t it be exciting, if, as never before, you are able to be fully attentive to each family member’s needs, and hopes, and aspirations? Christmas also is a special time for being concerned about the needs of persons outside the family circle. Wouldn’t it be excit-ing if on this Christmas Day, we resolve to renew such con-cerns again and again during the weeks and months to come? A Christmas Prayer… It’s Christmas, Lord, the Season to be jolly and all that. But some of us are not so jolly. It’s time for families to be together, time to sing “I’ll be home for Christmas.” But, Lord, some of our loved ones won’t be coming home this year – or ever. Some of us find our minds so occupied with a desperately ill loved one, or a tired worn-out body, that we can’t cope with crowds or carols. It’s temptation, Lord, to just skip it all. And, it takes tremendous strength for some of us to say, “Merry Christmas” this year – more than some of us even possess. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHY YOU CAME! ISN’T IT, LORD? He came to us that we might experience the Resurrection Power of a Loving God who transforms weakness into strength, sorrow into joy, and death into life!

Merry Christmas!

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us and for all mothers,

fathers, and families!

Holy Spirit Catholic Church December 25, 2016

Sacramental Preparation Youth Ministry

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week in memory of Jim Flusche requested by Mary Flusche. The Masses on Christmas Day are also in honor of the prayer intentions of the People of Holy Spirit.

Finances

If you are making an End-of-Year donation to Holy Spirit, please keep in mind the IRS rules for receipt of funds: contributions received on-site on or before Dec. 31, 2016, will be posted in 2016. Mailed donations must follow the postmark date. IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER: NOW PERMANENT LAW Each IRA owner >70 ½ years may make a transfer, up to $100,000 per year, to a qualified charity. IRA Charitable Rollovers are tax-free and not included in adjusted gross income. An IRA Charitable Rollover may fulfill part or all of your required minimum distribution (RMD). To learn how you and Holy Spirit can benefit, contact your financial advisor or Ann Picha, x44 in the Parish Office. Due to an early bulletin deadline, the financials are not available to report for the weekend of Dec. 17 & 18.

The Pastoral offices will be closed on the following days in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays:

Monday, Dec. 26 Friday, Dec. 30 Monday, Jan. 2

Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25—Midnight Mass (past year’s attendance: 686) 12:00 a.m. Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.

New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31—Vigil Mass 5:30 p.m. Please note: On Saturday, Dec. 31, there will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass or 3:30 p.m. Confession. Sunday, Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.

The Nursery will be CLOSED Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New Year’s Day. It will reopen for the 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Sunday Masses on Jan 8.

Merry Christmas to All! Reminder: Youth Ministry will not meet again until Jan. 8! See you in the new year! Don’t forget to create your artwork for the Diocesan Campaign for Human Development contest! Youth in grades 7-12 can create a PowerPoint, song, painting, poem, drama, etc. about the theme “Caring for God’s Creation.” The winner will receive $500! More information can be found at www.usccb.org and search for “Catholic Campaign for Human development.” Don’t forget to sign up for the Dallas Catholic Youth Conference before Jan. 1 to get the discounted registration rate! Get all the details at www.dcycdallas.com.

With the holiday season in full swing, there will be no sacrament preparation meetings until Jan. 15. We hope you enjoy this special time with family and friends. Remember all At Home Faith Activities and baptismal certificate copies are due by Sunday, Jan. 2! Information and paperwork regarding infant Baptism (ages 6 and under) may be directed to Lisa Estrada, x12. The next baptismal preparation class for parents and godparents will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church December 25, 2016

Catechists, don’t forget our annual Epiphany Coffee Bar and voluntary Secret Santa Gift Exchange is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 8, 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Dining Room. So, while you’re out picking up gifts for the holidays, grab a gift, $5.00 or less, to exchange with your fellow catechists. Attention Parents! On Sunday, Jan. 22, children in Grades Kindergarten through 3rd will be attending Mass as a class, as part of their lessons on the liturgy and sacraments. Additionally, Grades 4-6 will be attending a “teaching” Mass in the gym. Please mark your calendars NOW so as not to forget. It will be imperative that your children arrive to class on time (that’s 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.) to attend Mass and ensure an orderly flow for seating. Children arriving after 9:25 a.m. or 11:25 a.m. will be sent with their parents to attend Mass as a family. We appreciate your cooperation very much! This trip to Mass has become a much anticipated part of our curriculum and enjoyed, we hope, by the children. Parents, you are also cordially invited to attend our “teaching” Mass in the gym, which will be facilitated by Deacon Paul.

A tremendous thank you to EVERYONE who came out and enjoyed our annual Breakfast with St. Nicholas on Sunday, Dec. 11! It was a wonderfully, fun event. Due to your overwhelming generosity, we collected well over 300 toys and $725 in donations for Brighter Tomorrows. It is truly an honor to do this event. It wouldn’t have been such a smashing success without the help of: Jim Stavinoha and his band of incredible cooking elves, aka...KC’s (breakfast was awesome!); Devyn and the teens from Team Spirit who made our nativity come “alive”; the Confirmation families who helped to keep things running smoothly, especially Olimpia McAllister & family, Sebastian & Ali Pereira and Melissa Vigil & family for managing the very busy front of house and drink stations; and to St. Nicholas himself, Mr. Leo Mattingly. Also, to Mary Russell and the Children’s Choir for their charming performances of Christmas carols. And lastly, to Gloria Briones, Ligia Gutierrez, Paula Miller and James & Judy Smith for stuffing all the children’s goodie bags. Thank you all!

We had a great time at our Santa’s Christmas Workshop on Dec. 17! We thank all the adults and teens who helped out at this children’s event. Parents, we hope you enjoyed the afternoon out, as well...

There are no Faith Formation classes

Christmas Sunday, Dec. 25 or

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

in order to celebrate this joyous holiday season.

Classes resume on Sunday, Jan. 8!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Faith Formation Office!

Holy Spirit Catholic Church December 25, 2016

Adult & Family Ministry

For information about any of our Adult & Family Ministry programs, please Email: Richard Johnson: richardjohnson@holyspiritcc.org

Veronica Houston: veronicahouston@holyspiritcc.org

Community Life Ministry

Outreach Ministry

Sunday Morning Food and Fellowship Today: Christmas Break Next Sunday, Jan. 1: New Year Holiday We will be back on Jan. 8 with Coffee & Donuts. See you in 2017!

Christmas Blessings From Your Community Life Commission

Psalms: The School of Prayer.

Sundays 9:15-10:30 a.m., facilitated by John & Anne Owen. Starts Jan. 8.

33 Days to Merciful Love.

F r . M i c h a e l G a i t l e y p r e p a r e s u s f o r Consecration to Divine Mercy through the “Little Way” of St . Thérèse. Tuesdays, 7 :00 -9:00 p.m., facilitated by Kathy

Johnson. Starts Jan. 10.

Introduction to the Bible! Mondays 9:15-11:15 a.m., facilitated by Angela Harris. Starts Jan. 23.

A New Year’s Eve Celebration!

Saturday, Dec. 31 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Community Center Gym

$25 per person; Attire is Holiday Casual

A night of fun with friends and family while enjoying DJ Gus Garza, hors d’oeuvres, beer & wine,

and a champagne toast at midnight

Advance ticket purchase required

Tickets available in the Community Center this Monday and Tuesday during business hours For more information contact:

Mary Lindsey (972) 824-3677, MLindsey621@att.net

Sponsored by ACTS

Last Chance to Buy: Dec. 27, 5:00 p.m.

No Tickets at Door

Exercise Class will NOT MEET on Dec. 26. and Wednesday, Dec. 28. Class will resume after the new year on Wednesday, Jan. 4. ESL Classes will NOT MEET during the Christmas break Monday, Dec. 19-Thursday, Jan. 5. Bryan’s House: If you have picked up one of the Bryan’s House Little Red Socks please return them to the Community Center during regular business hours and please give generously. Checks can be made out to Holy Spirit. The Outreach office will send the contributions to Bryan’s House in January. Thank you for your generosity. Save the Date! The Annual Roe v. Wade Mass, March, and Rally will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 in downtown Dallas. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Please watch the bulletin for further details.

New Adult classes starting in January!

Register and get more information online at: http://www.holyspiritcatholic.com/adult-faith-formation