Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Website: http://stmary.irelandindiana.com

St Mary Church - 812-482-7041

Fr. Joseph F. Erbacher, “Fr. Effie”, Pastor, Ext 33 ………………………………………………….....jerbacher@evdio.org

Deacon John Huether……………….…….jhuether@evdio.org

Dianne Gogel, Secretary, Ext. 21………..dgogel@evdio.org

Sherri Hartley, Secretary, Ext. 22……..chartley@evdio.org

Stan Heim, Property Manager, Ext. 36..sheim@evdio.org

Martha Schmitt, PCL, Ext. 45…….....mjschmitt@evdio.org

Charlene Sermersheim, Music…..……….…….812-482-7837

Annette Weidenbenner, Cleaning ……….…..812-630-7870

Parish Contacts

Bereavement Meals, Sherri Hartley………....812-482-7041

Church Decorations, Janet Schitter……..…...812-482-3500

Finance Council, Audrey Wehr…..……………..812-639-3393

Holy Trinity Catholic School, Lauren Emerson……………….. ……………812-482-7041, Ext 40…...….lemerson@evdio.org

Ireland K of C, Grand Knight, Tony Bryan…………………….... …………...812-827-3234………….Anthony.bryan@twc.com

Ireland K of C Building Rental, Allen Reckelhoff ………………………………………………………….……..812-631-4449

Parish Council President, Pat Gress…………..812-639-0795

Prayer Line, Bev Himsel………………………......812-639-1384

St Anne’s Society, President, Bonnie Meadows …………..………………………………………...…….…..812-631-2025

Director of St John Bosco Youth Ministry - Angie Greulich………………………………………....812-481-2442 812-639-4227

St. Mary’s Mission Statement: St. Mary Church is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

March 18, 2018

St. Mary Church

P O B OX 67 · I R E L A N D , I N 47 5 4 5 - 0 0 67 2 8 2 9 N 5 0 0 W · J A S P E R , I N 47 5 4 6

F R . J O S E P H F. E R B AC H E R , “ E F F I E ” , PA S T O R

First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

Readings for the Week of December 2, 2018

Sunday: Jer 33:14-16/Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 [1b]/1 Thes 3:12 - 4:2/Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Monday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mt 8:5 11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 [1a]/Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [1]/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38

St. Mary Church Mass Schedule Saturday 4:30pm Sunday 7:00am & 10:00am

Tuesday at 6:00pm Wednesday at 7:30am Thursday at 8:00am (this week) First Friday at 7:30am Vigil Mass for the Holy Day - Friday at 6:00pm Holy Day Mass - Saturday at 8:00am

*When there is a funeral, there is no weekday morning scheduled Mass.

Confessions First Friday 6:45-7:10am Saturday 3:30-4:10pm

or by appointment at any time. *On Saturday when there is a wedding, there will be no confessions.

Anointing of the Sick: If facing surgery, dealing with a chronic illness, serious acci-dent or nearing the end of life, notify the parish office if you would like Fr. Erbacher to administer Anointing of the Sick.

Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms will take place the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month with Fr. Erbacher or Deacon John. Call the Parish Office to make an appointment.

Mass Intentions

Sat-Dec 1 4:30 pm Frank & Theresia Goeppner Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm

Sun-Dec 2 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish

10:00 am Joe & Anna Marie Wehr

Tues-Dec 4 6:00 pm Daniel Cordero & Jim & Pat Sermersheim Wed-Dec 5 7:30 am The Hohler Family 10:30 am Eugenia Mehringer (The Timbers Nursing Center)

Thurs-Dec 6 8:00 am Lucille Hopster Fri-Dec 7 7:30 am Helen Renner First Friday Private Confessions 6:45-7:10am

Vigil Holy Day Mass - Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:00 pm Martin & Louise Vogler Family

Sat-Dec 8 Holy Day-Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:00 am Othmar Sander

Sat-Dec 8 4:30 pm Virginia Heim Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm

Sun-Dec 9 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish

10:00 am Maurice Hopf

Weather Related…..If for some reason schools are delayed or closed, there will not be a Mass celebrated on that day (the Mass intention will be re-scheduled for a later date).

Church Support

Budgeted Weekly Operating Costs: $14,000.00 Collections for the weekends of Nov 17 & 18 and Nov 24 & 25

November 17 & 18 Sunday Collection.………...……..$ 12,135.00 November 24 & 25 Sunday Collection………………….$ 14,166.00 Children’s Collection……………………………………………$ 12.33 Total Collections……………………..……………………….….$ 26,313.33

Short…………………………………………………………………..$ 1,686.67

Year-To-Date-Budget (7-1-18 to current)…..……….$ 308,000.00 Year-To-Date-Total..……………………….………………….$ 288,082.51

Year-To-Date-Difference………….…………………………$ (19,917.49)

Campaign Goal………………….……………………………....$ 6,000,000.00 Amount in Pledges (as of 11-26-18)……….………..…$ 5,570,555.48 Cash Collected to date (as of 11-12-18)……......…..$ 3,901,987.54

Catholic Charities Hurricane/Disaster Collection…$ 1,250.00

Thank You!!

Mass Attendance for November 17 & 18

4:30pm [280] 7:00am [177] 10:00am [190]

Mass Attendance for November 24 & 25

4:30pm [300] 7:00am [179] 10:00am [310]

Happy Birthday to the following parishioners who will be celebrating their Birthday Dec. 1 to Dec. 7;

Dec 1: Elizabeth Dahlen, Nicholas Haas, Karla Leinenbach, Taylor Marshall, Pat Nordhoff, Diane Schwenk, Isabel Schwenk, Whitney Weidenbenner

Dec 2: Rilynn Brosmer, Mike Hanselman, Madalynn Kelley, Abby Keusch, Elisabeth Luff, John Schwenk

Dec 3:Dwain Merder, Laura Peters, Sue Pitstick, Ashton Rohleder Dave Rudolph, Judy Schmitt, Ruth Sellers

Dec 4: Mark Braunecker, Jennifer Carrico, Tyler Ellis, Adam Gress Mike Hartley, Carol Ruckriegel

Dec 5: Andyn Lampert, Cole Lampert, Dennis Weidenbenner

Dec 6: Brittany Fuhs, Ella Goeppner, Janet Kordes, Myrna Kunkel, Chris Waltz, Leona Werner

Dec 7: Lauren Mundy, Ed Oser, Melanie Powell, Gina Scherle, Michelle Schroeder, Andrew Weidenbenner

Fr. “Effie’s” First Friday Mass - Fellowship - Food

December 7 (unless there is a funeral), Fr. “Effie” will have First

Friday Mass at 7:30am. After Mass, all parishioners are invited

to The Rock Bar and Grill for fellowship and food. Everyone will

be responsible for their own food and drink. Great way to spend

time with Father “Effie” and St. Mary Parishioners.

What is the meaning of the Advent Wreath?

The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continu-

ous, everlasting life. The circle of the wreath, which has no begin-ning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul and the everlasting life offered by Christ. The four candles rep-resent the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents 1,000 years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the world’s Savior—from Adam and Eve to Jesus.

Three candles are purple, and one is rose. The purple candles sym-bolize the prayer, penance and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Ad-vent. The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world.

The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope reminding us

that Jesus is coming

The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Faith reminding us of

Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The 3rd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Joy reminding us of

the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.

The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace reminding us of

the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.”

Do you have questions about our Catholic Faith? Most people do, so don’t be afraid to ask.

There is a question box in the back of church. Please feel free to submit any questions you may have.

St. John Bosco Youth Ministry

St. John Bosco Catholic Youth Ministry reaches out to youth in

grades 6 through 12 from St. Mary, Holy Family, Precious Blood,

and St. Joseph. Check out more Bosco info and announcements at:

https://saintjohnboscoyouthministry.wordpress.com.

Dec. 2: Adoration at Precious Blood Chapel, 8:00-9:00pm.

Dec. 5: High School Youth Nights, 8:30-9:30pm, Bosco House

Catholic Heart Work Camp, June 9-15, has 1 teen and 2 adult male

openings/One Bread, One Cup, June 28-July 2, has 4 teen girl and

2 teen boy openings/Notre Dame Vision, July 15-19, registration is

open until January 18, 2019

Questions: Contact Angie Greulich at agreulich@evdio.org or 812-

481-2442.

2019 Bosco Events

Middle School Retreat - March 22-25 (Gasper River)

Catholic Heart Work Camp - June 9-15 (Milwaukee, WI)

One Bread - One Cup - June 28-July 2 (St. Meinrad Archabbey)

St Mary/St Anne Angel Tree

Pick an angel, purchase what you can, and bring the

unwrapped gifts back of the parish office or in the back

of church. All gifts must be back by December 4. The gifts

will be wrapped by our “elves” and then distributed to the adult

handicap home, needy families in the area or Crisis Connection.

Thank you for your generosity.

Bosco Job Openings

Middle School Youth Minister - part-time youth minister to work with

students grades 6-8. Fluency in social media platforms, knowledge of

Microsoft Office and Google Docs and past or current paid/volunteer

experience with youth are required.

Bosco Administrative Assistant-part time 8-10 hours per week. This

person should be a team player and have a strong sense of responsibility.

For info on either job, contact Angie Greulich at agreulich@evdio.org

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Angie

Greulich at agreulich@evdio.org

From-the-Desk-of-the Pastor

1.) “2019” Catholic Church Calendars: We are grateful to the donors of our new church calendars, please express your personal thanks

and support their business. (Hulsman Electric Co. Inc., Ireland K of C, Ireland St. Anne’s Society, Leinenbach Tire Center, Merkley

Quality Meats, Spuds Food Mart, The Chicken Place, Werner Saw Mill) Everyone is asked to take a calendar and proudly display it in

your homes.

2.) Deacon John Huether will be leaving us at the end of December, he and his wife are moving to Arizona. A “farewell” gathering for

Deacon John will be on December 9 after the 10:00am Mass. All are invited to the farewell luncheon in the Community Center Cafeteria

to show appreciation to Deacon John for his service to St. Mary Parish.

3.) Advent Day-of-Recollection, December 6, 8:00am-2:00pm, lite breakfast and lunch will be served. Fr. Lowell Will, retired priest of

our Diocese, will lead us in the theme of “Mary’s Advent for the Birth of Christ”. Everyone is welcome, so please take the enclosed

schedule home with you.

4.) Construction project for our new church continues, with favorable weather everyone now can see the progress being made. The con-

tinued progress obviously all depends upon the weather conditions. Sincerest thanks to everyone who has made this long time dream of

many years become a reality. (God Bless All! Fr. “Effie”)

This Week’s Parish Events

Sunday [12/02]: Sunday School during the 10:00am Mass in the Social

Hall Library.

Monday [12/03]: Quilting at 5:00pm in the rectory basement.

Servants of the Holy Spirit at 7:00pm in the Library. Ireland K of C 20/20 at 8:00pm.

**When there is a funeral, there is no weekday morning scheduled Mass.

Tuesday [12/04]: Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm

Choir Practice at 6:30pm. New members welcome.

Wednesday [12/05]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am at the Timbers

Nursing Center. Fr. Erbacher will be the Celebrant. Rosary at 11:30am in church. All are welcome. Quilting noon to 4:00pm in the rectory basement.

St. Anne’s Sewing 6:00pm in the rectory basement. Religious Education Classes: Penance and Pizza for

middle and high school students at St. Joseph Parish Center 6:30-8:30pm.

Thursday [12/06]:

Mass will be celebrated 8:00am. This will open our Advent Day of Recollection. All are welcome. There is a schedule of events for the day in this weeks bulletin. Come and bring your family and friends.

Friday [12/07]: First Friday Confessions at 6:45-7:10am. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Fellowship and food

following Mass at the Rock. Vigil Mass for the Holy Day will be celebrated at 6:00pm.

Saturday [12/08]: Holy Day Mass, The Immaculate Conception of the

Blessed Virgin Mary, will be celebrated at 8:00am

Private Confessions 3:30-4:10pm. Mass will be celebrated at 4:30pm.

Sunday [12/09]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:00am and 10:00am.

Sunday School during the 10:00am Mass in the Social Hall Library. Deacon John Huether Appreciation Gathering after the

10:00am Mass in the Community Center Cafeteria. Deacon John is moving soon and December is his last month with St. Mary Parish. Come and wish Deacon John good luck! St. Vincent de Paul Society will be making up Christmas

baskets in the back of the Community Center Cafeteria after the 10:00am Mass. Deanery Penance Service at 4:00pm at St. Ferdinand

Church,

Upcoming Parish Events

December 6: Advent Day of Recollection beginning with Mass at 8:00am. December 7: First Friday Confession and Mass. Fellowship following Mass at The Rock Bar and Grill. December 9: Deacon John Huether Appreciation Gathering in the Community Center after the 10:00am Mass. December 9: St. Vincent de Paul Society members will meet after the 10:00am in the back of the cafeteria to fill Christmas baskets. December 10: St. Anne Meeting - Christmas Party - Please bring a non-perishable item for the Community Food Bank. December 16: Breakfast with Santa and Cookie Walk. December 20: St. Mary Penance Service. December 24: Christmas Eve Mass Times: 4:00pm, 6:00pm & 8:00pm. December 25: Christmas Day Mass Times: 8:00am & 10:00am.

*February 24, 2019: Confirmation Mass at 1:00pm.

**April 28, 2019: First Communion at noon.

“Our journey of Faith begins in Baptism”

We welcome into the Family of God:

Anna Leigh Neuhoff, child of Justin and Emily (Wehr) Neuhoff.

Congratulations!!

St. Mary Facebook Page — St. Mary Church Ireland —Please “like” and “share”

Patricia J. “Pat” Sermersheim

Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Pat who

died November 21. May they be comforted by our prayers.

The Unveiled Marriage Preparation program is for those couples

who are engaged to be married. Important topics are discussed in

the context of Catholic marriage. The next Unveiled programs are

February 15 & 16, April 12 & 13 and September 7. Engaged cou-

ples are highly encouraged to attend one of these weekends. Go to

http://www.ccevansville.org/marriage-preparation.html to register

or contact Eric Girten for more information at egirten@evdio.org.

November 25, $100 Irish Sweepstakes Raffle Winners

are Matt & Alexis Schuetter.

Traffic/driving alert! The fence surrounding the new church

area was moved to make more room. You can no longer get to

the cemetery using the road behind (west) of church and the road

by the playground area. There will still be handicap parking on

the north side of church (by the ramp) but it is very limited. You

will have to exit this parking area through the main parking lot

of church. Please, keep this area open for the parishioners that

need to park close to church. Thanks!!

Monday, December 10, is the St. Anne Christmas Party in the St. Mary Community Center Cafeteria. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Community Food Bank. Come for an evening of fun, food and fellowship. Bring a friend.

Liturgical Ministers for December 8 & 9

Servers:

4:30 pm Cody Scherle - Cheyenne Scherle 7:00 am Riley Merder - Ava Englert 10:00 am Brayden Clark - Pace Clark Extraordinary Ministers:

4:30 pm Jill Weidenbenner - Audrey Wehr - Stan Heim Cassey Ziegler - Eugene Hopf 7:00 am Kathy Burton - Donna Renner - Susan Oeding

Mary Werner - Melinda Weidenbenner 10:00 am Larry Goeppner - Marvin Schepers - Bev Himsel Laura Otto - Julie Truesdale

Lectors:

4:30 pm Martha Schmitt 7:00 am Holly Reckelhoff 10:00 am Steve Buechler

Lectors Website: http://lectorsproclaim.org (Year C)

Ushers:

4:30 pm Leonard Spellmeyer - Greg Weidenbenner 7:00 am Matt & Bridget Fleck 10:00 am Stan & Cheryl Epple

Sunday School:

10:00 am Marci Showalter

December Area Events

2: St. Isidore Cookie Walk, 8:00am to noon in St. Isidore Dining

Hall, Celestine.

8: The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chores presents

Handel’s Messiah at St. Joseph Church at 7:00pm.

10: Jasper Circle #140 Daughters of Isabella Christmas Dinner at

St. Joseph Parish Center. Doors open at 5:30pm–dinner at 6:30pm

Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

Hours that are currently open:

1st & 3rd Sunday of Month at 1:00-2:00pm

1st & 4th Monday of Month at 12:00-1:00am

2nd & 4th Tuesday of Month at 1:00-2:00am

3rd Wednesday of Month at 1:00-2:00am

Wednesdays of the Month at 5:00-6:00pm

Fridays of the Month at 3:00-4:00am

2nd Saturday of Month at 11:00pm-12:00am

If there are two times listed for an adoration time, example 1st & 3rd

Sundays, and you only want to do one time per month, that would

help out a lot. You do not have to take both times if you only want

one. For more info email dp@adorationmanager.com or call or text

812-630-8382. The Adoration Chapel is located on the campus of

Precious Blood Church. Please spend an hour with Jesus.

Thank You!! This bulletin is furnished to the Parish without charge. The advertisements that appear completely defray all publishing costs with which the church would otherwise be burdened. Please patronize these sponsors as a “Thank You” for their generosity.

Men Of All Ages...Are You Ready To Be A Doer??

Precious Blood Parish is inviting men of all ages, middle school age to

adult, fathers and sons, grandpas and grandsons, uncles and nephews

from our local community every Saturday at 7:00am to:

Pray the Rosary…..Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

And enjoy fellowship with others over breakfast

Precious Blood Men’s Club and other prayer groups will take the lead in

this ministry. Join us in prayer for our Church, Community and World!

Any questions or desire to help please contact:

Larry Kluemper 812-630-6564/Brian Ketzner 812-639-2382