MEDITATION Sunday, December 22, 2019

Fourth Sunday of Advent

See Worship Book 775 Ask for a sign from the Lord. (Isaiah 7:11)

Things were looking bad for King Ahaz of Jerusalem. He was barely holding back an attack from the armies of Aram and Samaria. The situation became so desperate that Ahaz decided to appeal to the king of Assyria for help. “I am your servant and your son,” he wrote. “Come up and rescue me” (2 Kings 16:7). Hearing the news, the prophet Isaiah urged Ahaz to reconsider. He knew that bowing to Assyria would mean adopting the nation’s false idols and sinful traditions. “Ask for a sign from the Lord,” he begged the king (Isaiah 7:11). Let God help you. But Ahaz refused. He didn’t want to risk God’s wrath by seeming to dare God to prove himself. Besides, he thought, God could not possibly be so good as to rescue him—especially not after all the ways Ahaz had disobeyed him in the past. Like Ahaz, we too can fear that we have to deal with the challenges of life all on our own. But God is always giving us signs of his presence and his help. Some are subtle, like a beautiful sunrise, and others are more obvious, like the faithfulness of a friend. And then there’s the dramatic sign that Isaiah gave Ahaz: “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Emmanuel. God-with-us. A living, breathing sign of God’s love and protection. A personal, undeniable sign of God’s commitment to his people. A promise that he has seen our need and is ready to help if we turn to him. At Mass today, you’ll be surrounded by signs: statues, a crucifix, an altar, and maybe a crèche. And of course, the greatest and most intimate of all signs: Jesus, present in the form of bread and wine. He is a sign you not only see but one you can taste and touch. He is the sign that redeems, heals, and restores. So don’t be like Ahaz. Welcome this sign. Take it into your heart and soul.

“Jesus, thank you for every sign that you will give me today.”

Reprinted with permission from The Word Among Us

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday, December 23 Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14; Luke 1:57-66 Tuesday, December 24 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Psalm 89:2-5,27,29; Luke 1:67-79 Wednesday, December 25 Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96:1-3,11-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Thursday, December 26 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Psalm 31:3-4,6,8,17; Matthew 10:17-22 Friday, December 27 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; John 20:1-8 Saturday, December 28 1 John 1:5—2:2; Psalms 124:2-5,7-8; Matthew 2:13-18 Sunday, December 29 Sirach 3:2-7,12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

Prayer Requests If you or someone you know is in need of prayers, please call or email the parish office and we will add their names to our ongoing parishioners and friends list of intentions:markmstlouis@comcast.net or call 651-224-3379. VISIT OUR WEBPAGE AT: STLOUISKINGOFFRANCE.ORG

PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK LINK AT: https://www.facebook.com/SLKOFMN/

Please pray for our parishioners and friends of St. Louis Church who are sick: Mark Joseph Acesor, Bill, Christy, Ginny Collins, Monty Denniston, Estrella DeVeyra, Shirley Dufresne, Barb Arland-Frye, Greg Ennis, William F. Faulkner, Anne Hallgren, Lee Hallgren, Margaret Ann Hennen, John Johnson, Elizabeth Kaiser, Sister Marie, Ruth Murray, Tom Nutter, Mary Bartel O’Connell, Zachary Redland, Joan Schmitt, Roy Sheehan, Paul Steffel, Brian Walstad, Justin Woessner.

FEATURED ON THE COVER: The St. Louis Christmas Card of 2014. The original painting of St. Louis, King of France by artist Susan Amidon hangs in the Saint Dorothy Portico.

ENTRANCE HYMN 363 Lift up your heads, O mighty gates

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 775 Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

POSTCOMMUNION HYMN 367 O come, Divine Messiah

CHORAL MUSIC AT THE 11:00 AM MASS

There is no rose of such virtue John Joubert (1927-2019) There is no rose of such virtue As is the rose that bare Jesu; Alleluia. For in this rose contained was Heaven and earth in little space; Res Miranda [Wondrous Thing]. By that rose we may well see That He is God in persons three, Pari forma [in like fashion]. Now leave we all this worldly mirth And follow we this joyful birth; Transeamus [Let us go]. — Anonymous, c. 1420.

Communion Ecce Virgo Graduale Romanum, Mode VII Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. — Isaiah 7:14.

Antiphon Sub tuum præsidium Mode VII Under thy protection we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our needs, but from all dangers deliver us always, Virgin Glorious and Blessed.

— Oldest extant Hymn to the Blessed Virgin; circa 250 A.D.

Gabriels’ Message Basque carol, arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015) The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; "All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favoured lady," Gloria! "For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honour thee, Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favoured lady," Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said, "My soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name." Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say "Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

— translated from the Basque by Sabine Baring-Gould.

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TUESDAY ORGAN RECITALS, 12:35 pm — 1:05 pm Resume 7 January 2020.

RING OUT, O BELLS… DATE REQUEST FOR INTENTION REQUESTED BY December 24 Mac Lacy Happy Birthday (on the 27th) Fred Lenertz,Sr. December 25 Parishioners and Friends of St. Louis King of France December 26 Dory and Tom Spence Wedding Anniversary Dory December 27 Lee Larson and Sheryl Ramstad Happy Anniversary Nancy and Bruce Lindberg

OPEN BELL DATES: The following dates are still open in December and January for anyone wishing to have the bells rung in memory or in honor of a loved one: December 28th, 29th and 31st. January 1st, 4th-5th, 7th-12th, 16th-19th, 22nd-31st. Please call the rectory during office hours to make arrangements.

MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, December 23 St. John of Kanty 6:45 Mark Mullaney 12:10 Bruce Schreiber Tuesday, December 24 Vigil of Christmas (See Christmas Mass Schedule) The Parishioners and Friends of St. Louis Church Wednesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (See Christmas Mass Schedule) The Parishioners and Friends of St. Louis Church Thursday, December 26 St. Stephen 6:45 Virginia Doyle 10:10 Richard Geoffrey Colond Friday, December 27 St. John 6:45 Mac Lacy 12:10 The Deceased Members of the Few Family Saturday, December 28 The Holy Innocents 6:45 †Leonard Jacobson 5:00 †Joe Merkl Sunday, December 29 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 7:00 Living and Deceased Parishioners and Friends of St. Louis Church 9:15 Gloria Iverson 11:00 Alice Knipe 12:30 †Thomas Dominic Mette

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Mass Schedule Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve (No Confessions)

5:00 p.m. Sung Mass 7:00 p.m. Mass in French with French Carols

After the French Mass, the church will be closed until 10:45 p.m. 11:30 p.m. Carols and Music

12:00 a.m. Christmas Mass at Midnight (with Choir) Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas Day

(No Confessions) 7:00 a.m. Low Mass 9:15 a.m. Sung Mass

11:00 a.m. High Mass (with Choir) 12:30 p.m. Low Mass

The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule of Masses are also posted on our website at stlouiskingoffrance.org

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Mass Schedule Tuesday, December 31-New Year’s Eve

6:45 a.m. Mass (No Confessions) 12:10 p.m. Mass (No Confessions)

No Anticipatory Mass for New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1-Solemnity of Mary the Holy

Mother of God/Holy Day of Obligation 6:45 a.m. Mass in the Chapel (No Confessions)

12:10 p.m. Mass in the Chapel (No Confessions)

Christmas Flowers and the Decoration of the Church Please consider helping with the expense of decorating the church by contributing to the Christmas Flower Fund! Donations can be made in memory or in honor of a loved one. Please be sure your name is on the front and the name(s) of the person(s) in whose memory/honor you are making the donation is written clearly on the back. Envelopes are available at the back of the church and can be dropped in any collection basket at Mass or mailed to the parish office. Please do not drop these envelopes in the money slots in the church or chapel. Thank you. Masses and Bells at St. Louis 2020 For those wishing to reserve a Mass Intention there are envelopes in the vestibule of the church and the chapel. The Stipend is $10 per Mass The ringing of the Bells can also be reserved using the Bell Envelopes in the vestibule of the church. The offering for the bells is $25.

Christmas Card Mailing Crew Many thanks to following kind volunteers who assembled and sealed all of the Christmas cards for our Parishioners and Friends mailing. In alphabetical order: Charles Barklind, Clara Hodgin, Gloria Iverson, Glory McGuire, Alice Raish, Rose Mary Satack, Letty Saya, Sandy Stadtherr and Audrey Zech.

St. Agnes PreK-6 Grade Lower School Showcase January 14, 4:30–7 p.m. at St. Agnes School, 530 Lafond Ave., St. Paul. We’re on a mission to support parents as the primary educators of their children through high-quality, Catholic education in the liberal arts/classical tradition. A complimentary dinner (hot dogs, sides, beverage) will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the showcase program will start at 5:30 p.m. in our Helene Houle Auditorium.

PARISH CALENDAR Monday, December 23 Rosary in the Church 11:40am Wednesday, December 25 No Adoration this Wednesday Monday, January 6 Anointing of the Sick after all Masses Tuesday, January 7 Organ Recital following the 12:10 Mass

“Team Louie” is a group of parishioners who prepare and serve lunch one Sunday per month at Catholic Charities. For our winter service, we are conducting a clothing drive, (please no food items) and encourage donations of new socks, hats, mittens, under wear for youth and adults (choose one or some or all!) to distribute to our lunch guests. We hope you will consider making a donation. There will be a collection box in the church. The clothing drive will continue through the month of February 2020. Thank you for your generosity! We wish you and your families a very happy Advent and Christmas! New Offering Envelopes St. Louis Church will be changing offering envelope companies beginning the first of year 2020. Your offering envelopes will be mailed to you from Our Sunday Visitor Company. Look for the letter that will accompany your new envelopes.

Second Collection for Endowment Fund There will be a second collection this weekend at all of the Masses for the Father Paul F. Morrissey, S.M. in memory of John Nasseff Endowment Fund

Christmas Office/Maintenance Hours The parish office and maintenance department will be closed on December 25th and 26th. Normal hours will resume for both on December 27th. Merry Christmas!

hristmastide2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22

Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. Sunday

7:00 a.m. Low Mass 9:15 a.m. Sung Mass

11:00 a.m. High Mass with Choir 12:30 p.m. Low Mass

Monday, December 23

Saint John of Kanty Masses at 6:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Rosary in the Church 11:40 a.m. Confessions at 6:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24 5:00 p.m. Sung Mass

7:00 p.m. IN FRENCH with French Carols After the French Mass, church will be closed until 10:45 p.m.

11:30 p.m. Christmas Carols and Music 12:00 a.m. The Christ Mass at Midnight

No scheduled confessions today

Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25 7:00 a.m. Low Mass

9:15 a.m. Sung Mass with Octet 11:00 a.m. High Mass with Choir

12:30 p.m. Low Mass No scheduled confessions today

Thursday, December 26 Saint Stephen, First Martyr

Masses at 6:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. No scheduled confessions today

506 Cedar Street Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2280 651-224-3379 www.stlouiskingoffrance.org

KING OF FRANCESaint LouisCHURCH OF

Parking is available in the Andersen parking ramp across the street from the church; enter via Minnesota Street.

Note on security: Police officers will be on the premises for each of the seven Christmas Masses celebrated at St Louis beginning with the 5:00 p.m. Vigil

Mass on Tuesday, Christmas Eve. Their presence discourages uninvited Christmas revelers from being on the property.

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Friday, December 27 Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Mass at 6:45 p.m. and 12:10 p.m. Confessions at 6:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, December 28, The Holy Innocents Mass at 6:45 a.m. (in the chapel)

Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m. Confessions at 6:15 and 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (in the chapel)

Sunday, December 29, Feast of the Holy Family 7:00 a.m. Low Mass 9:15 a.m. Sung Mass

11:00 a.m. High Mass with Choir 12:30 p.m. Low Mass

Monday, December 30 Masses at 6:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Rosary in the Church 11:40 a.m. Confessions at 6:15 and 11:15 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31

St. Sylvester I, Pope Masses at 6:45 a.m. (in the chapel) and 12:10 p.m.

No scheduled confessions today

New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Octave of Christmas - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Masses at 6:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. (in the chapel) No scheduled confessions today