Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

“Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.”

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH - DECEMBER 29, 2019

Fr. John Marconi, Pastorjmarconi@holysouls.org

Deacon John HallDeacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)

Susej Thompson, Pastoral Music DirectorWendy Floriani, Director of Youth Faith Formation

Denise Dumars, Director of Youth MinistryLaura G. Humphries,

Parish Life & Stewardship DirectorSusie Williams, Facilities & Events Coordinator

Shelley Tienken, Business ManagerNan Connell, Accountant

Cindy Stabnick, Pastoral SecretaryStacey Matchett, Church Secretary

Nancy Handloser, Principal

Church Office: (501) 663-8632 • Website: www.holysouls.org • E-mail: office@holysouls.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/OLHSAR

Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am to 12 Noon - 1 to 4 pm School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125 • Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

2 0 2 0SOLEMNITY OF

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYMary, Mother of God

January 1 is New Year’s Day in our secular life, but inour liturgical life, it is the solemnity of the BlessedVirgin Mary, the Mother of God. Mary has been honoredas the Mother of God since the early centuries of thechurch. As we remember her during the Christmasseason on January 1, this celebration reminds us thatJesus was divine from his very conception.

MASS SCHEDULE:Tuesday, December 31 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)Wednesday, January 1 10:00 a.m.

*

Make a great New Year’s Resolution!

Save Lives in 2020*Donating blood at our

Arkansas Blood InstituteBLOOD DRIVE

on Sunday, January 58:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Parish Hall

No appointment necessary.

Homemade Treats for Donors!Special Area for Children While Parents Donate. Each Blood Donation can save up to 3 lives.If you donate blood at all our 2020 Holy SoulsBlood Drives (6 drives), YOU CAN SAVE UPTO EIGHTEEN LIVES!

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Church (CH); Parish Hall (PH); Allen Center (AC);Gathering Room (GR); Eucharistic Chapel (EC);

Benedict House (BH); School (S)

CALENDARThis Week at Holy Souls . . .

Monday, December 30:No 7am MassChurch Office & School Closed;10am Seniors Cards, Parish Hall

Tuesday, December 31,New Year’s Eve:

Church Office & School Closed5:30pm Vigil Mass, Church

Wednesday, January 1, 2020SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GODand New Year’s Day:

Church Office & School Closed10am Mass, Church

Thursday, January 2:Church Office & School Closed7am Mass, Church

Friday, January 3:Church Office & School Closed7am Mass, Church6:30pm 1st Friday Holy Hour of Adoration,

ChurchSaturday, January 4:

8:00am 1st Saturday Mass, Church2:30-3:30pm Confessions, Church4pm Vigil Mass, Church

Sunday, January 5:8am Mass, Church8am Holy Souls Blood Drive, Parish Hall10:30am Mass, Church5:30pm Mass, Church

Mary, Undoer of KnotsThe devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots,dates back to 17th century Germany,when a couple on the verge of separationsought help from a priest who was knownfor his strong Marian devotion. The priestbegan to ask for Mary’s intercession to“untie the knots” in their relationship,and peace was restored to theirmarriage. In 1980, Jorge Mario Bergoglio(who later became Pope Francis),discovered this devotion to Mary which he still promotes tothis day.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, straightens out the ribbon of our livesand directs us on a straight path to Jesus, her son. TheBlessed Virgin helps us loosen the knots that suffocaterelationships between married couples, parents, their children,our neighbors, and most importantly, with Jesus Christ. Weat Holy Souls have a Mary, Undoer of Knots, display in thesoutheast corner of the sanctuary. We invite you to take alook at the knots that weigh on your heart. Write your prayersor “knots” onto the strips of paper you will find by the displayand tie them onto the frames and entrust them to Mary’sintercession. When your prayer is answered, you may tie aspecial blue ribbon on the panel.

Responding to the Word This WeekDecember 29 - January 4

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/0122919.cfm

Joseph must protect his vulnerable wife and child.What can I do to help mothers and children

who need help and protection?Jesus, today I will . . .

First FridayHoly Hour of Adoration

Friday, January 3, 20206:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Followed bySocial Hour in Parish Hall

Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 812

Everyone is invited to the

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Laura Humphries,Parish Life & Stewardship Director

Grateful Stewardsof God’s Gifts . . .

For the Son of Man came not to be served butto serve and to give his life for many. Mark 10:45

Stewardship is essentially linked to the decision to followJesus Christ as his disciple. This is the vocation of everybaptized person: to follow Jesus Christ without countingthe cost and to discover the joy that comes when we havegiven ourselves completely to the love of God in the serviceof our sisters and brothers in Christ. Stewardship is ordinaryfamilies with mortgages, car payments and school tuitionseeking the right balance between a contemporary, secularlifestyle and a way of life that is characterized by simplicityand generous sharing. Stewardship responds to thesefundamental questions: What does it mean to be a discipleof Jesus Christ in an affluent, consumer-oriented society?How are we supposed to live an authentic Christian Life in aculture that encourages attitudes and behaviors that areincompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Stewardshiphelps us to live out in practice the firm, conscious decisionwe have made to follow Christ. It guides our choices andfrees us from the tyranny of “isms” (materialism,consumerism, secularism). Stewardship shows us how tolive and work; how to buy and sell; how to spend and save;how to accumulate and share all the material things thatare necessary and enjoyable in life - without becomingobsessed or burdened by them. Stewardship frees us tolive good, responsible lives. It helps us to be faithful to theGospel in our daily living and to be generous in sharing allour gifts out of gratitude to God for his goodness to us. An excerpt from What Do I Own and What Owns Me?

An important part of understanding stewardship is beinggrateful for the many gifts that God has given us. We arecaretakers of everything we have. God has given us theintellect, heart and soul to achieve all we have; to buy ahome, car, clothes, etc. We need to be grateful to God forhis abundant generosity. We must discern what gifts andtalents we have and to use them for the benefit of others,ourselves and our Church. God did not give them to us tohide, he wants us to share them. We need to rememberthat God has given us all we need and not let ourselves beconvinced by the media that we need more. In this affluent,consumer-oriented society it is often easy to be enticed tooverspend on things we really don’t need. Always know, weare called to live a life of stewardship, following Jesus Christas his disciples, caring for others and being generous withour gifts and talents and being ever grateful to God for all hehas given us.

Encounter Jesus, Serve Others

Dinner Tickets $30Corporate/Group Tables (Late Seating $600

Order tickets online at www.holysouls.orgor in the Church Office.

34th Annual

Sponsored by Holy Souls Men’s Club

Saturday, January 11Allen Center Cafeteria

Dinner 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.Fried Oyster Plates,

Peel ‘em & Eat ‘em Shrimp Platesor Combination Plates

Shrimp & Oyster Dinner

featuringAn Evening at MONACO

After PartyDownstairs in the Gym

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.Win Lots of Prizes

Thank YouThank you to all the generous parishioners who contributedpresents to the Angel Trees. Once again, Holy Soulsassisted many families with food, gifts and prayers. Over20 bicycles were donated with numerous other gifts for allages.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the ParishChristmas Party on December 14th, especially Tony Pahls,Susie & Jan Williams, Amanda Brooks, Wendy & VinceFloriani, Jena & John Selva, MeKyung McGraw, JoannMinton, Ben Baldwin, Denise Dumars, Jeff Maynard,Ruthmary & Jim Goodhart, Julia & Ryan Elkins, Lauren &Patrick Hutt, Deborah Baldwin & Jim Metzer, Carolee Riley,Tamara, Daniel & Emily Ketter, Pete & Cindy Stabnick,and everyone who brought delicious appetizers and sweets!

CHURCH NURSERY CLOSEDFOR NEW YEARS

As a way for our nursery staff to celebrate New Years withtheir families, the church nursery will be closed onDecember 31, and January 1.

Mass attendance, Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 970Mass attendance, December 7 & 8 1,056Mass attendance, December 14 & 15 928

Diocesan Special Collection – National Retired Religious Collection $ 7,635

Weekend Collections – December 1 $ 26,411 December 7 & 8 $ 35,655 December 14 & 15 $ 56,040Total Dec. Collections $ 118,105Total Dec. Budgeted Collections $ 250,000

Actual Collections (7/1/18 -11/30/19) $ 463,776Budgeted (7/1/18 - 11/30/19) $ 540,000Amount in deficit of Budget $ (76,224)

Children’s Collection - December $ 284

Maintenance Fund $ 1,841

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COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Holy Souls This & That . . .

The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock is committed to pro-tecting children and young people. If you are aware ofabuse or have been abused by Clerics, Church volun-teers, or Church workers, please contact the State ofArkansas Hotline for Crimes against Children at 1-800-

482-5964 and the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, Dcn. MatthewA. Glover, (501) 664-0340 ext. 361. For pastoral assistance pleasecontact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of LittleRock: Laura Gosponer, (501) 664-0340, ext. 425. Diocese of LittleRock, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.

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Thank you for supporting our church.

The attendance & collection figures for Dec. 21 & 22will be printed in next weekend’s bulletin.

A Prayer

God, Our Father, we ask your Blessing upon thiscoming New Year. During the passing of its minutesand hours, its weeks and months, make us more awareof the miracle of life we experience. May our calendarsand clocks help us to recall those events which areimportant for contemplation and celebration. Bless uswith happy seasons of favorable weather, prosperousopportunities for employment, good health for themembers of our families, and a New Year of Your Graceand Love. We ask this through Jesus Your Son wholives forever. Amen.

for

REMEMBERING OUR SAINTSThis week we will honor St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, witha temporary shrine in front of her stained glass win-dows in church.

Prayer of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth Ann SetonFEAST DAY: January 4PATRON SAINT: Loss of Parents

O Father, the first rule of our dear Saviour’s lifewas to do Your Will. Let His Will of the presentmoment be the first rule of our daily life and work,with no other desire but for its most full andcomplete accomplishment. Help us to follow itfaithfully, so that doing what You wish we will bepleasing to You. Amen.

CHURCH OFFICE & SCHOOLCLOSED

Holy Souls Church Office and School are closed for theChristmas & New Year’s Holidays. We will reopen on Mon-day, January 6, at 8:00 a.m.

During this time, if you have a church emergency, pleasecall our answering service, 501-373-8600.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

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OUR PARISHIONERS -- Sherry Wortsmith; Corky Zaloudek; Becky Price;Robert Carter; Joe & Pat Kirchner; Lillian Henriquez; Mary Adney; Rob Mondy; BobSkarda; Rosie Searle; Jessica Remsing; Kate Evans; Benjamin Stuart; CharlieBaker; Greg Sheard; Micki & Robert Fitzpatrick; Judy Caldarera; GlennabellMcCumpsey; Rita Williams; Kay Loss; Tina Pinter; Henry Schulte; Alice Stuff; PatKeogh; Janet Davis; Dorothy Ehlebracht; Andy Gentry; Nick Kirchner; AnnetteWahlgreen; George Loss; Cissy Skarda; Alice Henry; Pearl Gentry; andElizabeth Laughlin.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Carl Calhoun; the JonathanForte Family; the Petty Family; Betty Franzetti; Scott Helmbeck; KatieEhemann; Alice Humphries; Clem Egleston; Ronny Troillett; Natalie Miller;Jim Hollowell; Kathleen Stafford; Lindsay Newsom, Jerry Hall; MichaelTaylor; and Theresa Carle.

That Christians, followers of other religions, andall people of goodwill may promote peace andjustice in the world.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

January 2020

Pope Francis’Intentions:

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60: 1-6

Next Weekend’s Readings . . .

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

NEXT WEEKEND’SLITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 4PM MASSServers: C. Boch, S. McConnell, A. McKeown, J. Sorsby;EMC: J. Bregy; Lectors: A. Gatlin, H. Wortsmith;Ushers: J. Connell, H. WoodSUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 8AM MASSServers: L. & A. Files, C. & M. Krause;EMC: K. C. Krause; Lector: T. Saer;Ushers: B. Freville, C. Schaffhauser10:30AM MASSServers: K. Moix, M. Moore, N. Varela, J. Wall;EMC: F. Kremers; Lectors: V. Henderson, L. Hess;Ushers: J. Alsbrook, B. Dare5:30PM MASSServers: B. Miller, H., R., & T. Wherry;EMC: B. Johnston; Lector: S. Louviere;Ushers: W. Morris, D. Morris

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - January 5, 2020

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Nathan Ashburn and Mark Johns.

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date for the sick, names will remain onthe list for four weeks. Then their name will be written in the Book of Intercessionwhere they will be remember during every Mass. To continue for another four weeks,please call the church office.

“Caravans of Camels”

About those camels, we are not too sure about them. Yes,every nativity scene shows the magi seated on statelydromedaries, or leading their beasts of burden by bit andrein. But, quite honestly, the story of the Magi never tells ushow they got there. They could have traveled on foot, in chariot,on horseback, elephants, or by camel—but we just do notknow.

The reason we keep putting them on camels in our art isbecause of Isaiah’s prophecy. He predicted that caravans ofcamels would fill Jerusalem, and that people from the Eastwould come bearing gold and frankincense. “Rise up insplendor, Jerusalem!” he proclaims. “Your light has come.”

In Matthew’s story, the magi realize that Jerusalem’s lighthas come. They follow the star and bring their gifts of goldand frankincense. Myrrh, too. By telling about these gifts,Matthew turns our attention back to Isaiah. Reading thatprophecy, we realize that the light Isaiah mentioned is theLight of the World, Jesus Christ.

When we see the magi seated on camels, we areremembering Isaiah. When we remember Isaiah, weremember the light that came to shatter the darkness of ourworld. Those camels carry hope.

“Secret Plan”

The birth of Jesus became the worst kept secret in the historyof the world. All along, people knew God had a plan. God hadtold everyone from Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Sara, toMoses and Miriam, to David and Bathsheba, to Hosea andGomer, to Mary and Joseph that there was a plan. Nobody fullyunderstood it. Nobody knew how God would bring the plan tofulfillment. But they all believed. They had seen God work mightydeeds in their lives, and they believed that one day the promiseof redemption would be fulfilled.

Jesus was God’s secret. When Jesus was born in humblesurroundings outside of royalty and pageantry, only a handfulof people even began to realize what God had done.

But the secret got out. Angels appeared in the sky. Shepherdsshowed up. And Magi traveled from a faraway land. Everyonewas finding out God’s two great surprises: Jesus was born asthe promised Messiah, and he came not just for his own race,but for all the people of the world.

The Letter to the Ephesians says, God’s mystery “was notmade known to people in other generations as it has nowbeen revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”Jesus was born, and he came to save each of us, no matterwhat family we came from, what we believed, or how webehaved. The mystery of God’s love is open now to the wholeworld. That is the epiphany, the revelation of God’s secret.

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission fromLectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact CindyStabnick at 501-663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecontact Cindy Stabnick at 663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm and Wednesdays before FirstFriday from 4:30 to 5:00pm or call the church office for anappointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open from 7am-4pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,& Friday). Please enter through the chapel door after 9am. OnWednesday, the Church is open from 9am till after the 5:30pmMass. Adoration is on Wednesday from 9am till 5pm.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

HOSPITAL STAYSPlease call the church office if you or someone you know is inthe hospital. We want to visit you and pray for you while youare in the hospital.

NURSERYThe Nursery is available in the Parish Hall for your youngchildren (age 5 and younger) for all regular weekend Masses.

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“Take care that the light in you does not become darkness”Luke 11:35

SENIOR HIGH CYM (GRADES 9-12):

JUNIOR HIGH CYM (GRADES 6, 7, & 8)

It’s time to start planning for SUMMER 2020. Ifyou are interested in a great CATHOLICSUMMER CAMP experience, please plan onmeeting Tuesday, January 14, 6 pm at theBenedict House. Camp will be open tocurrent 7-12 graders. If you would likeinformation before the meeting, please callDenise (501-554-6929).

CYM will resumeon Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

YAT Team will meet on Thursday, January 9at 3:30 pm for upcoming planning.

Have a blessed andHappy New Year,Holy Souls CYM!

Happiest and most blessedof New Years,

Holy Souls CYM!

CYM will resume on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

CYM Movie night will be on Friday,January 17, 6:30-8:30 pm. Stay tunedfor the movie selection! Cost will be $3and include drinks and snacks. Proceeds

to benefit Senior High CYM and their summer projects.

UPCOMING PRO-LIFE EVENTSOn Sunday January 19, 2020 Fr. John Connell will preside atour annual diocesan Mass for Life. The Mass will be celebratedin the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Centerin Little Rock at noon. Before the Mass, Fr. Connell will lead aEucharistic Procession for Life through the Riverfront Park indowntown Little Rock. Join hundreds of Catholics at this eventas we give public witness to our faith and hope in Jesus Christ!The Procession begins at 10:00 a.m. and the route isapproximately one mile long; however, there are multiple entrypoints for those with limited mobility. Please contact theRespect Life Office 501-664-0340 ext. 326 or emailcphillips@dolr.org for more information.

Also, there will be a Hearts for Life Conference on SaturdayJanuary 18 beginning at 1:00 p.m. through Sunday January19, 9:00 a.m. at St. John Center, 2500 N. Tyler, Little Rock. Thisconference will explore pro-life issues and will includeAdoration, plus dinner, breakfast, and overnightaccommodations. Speakers will focus on living courageouslypro-life while surrounded by a culture of death. There will alsobe activities for children who accompany their parents. Cost is$40 per person or $20 without an overnight room. There is adiscount for families sharing a room. Registration deadline isJanuary 10, 2020 but space is limited. To register, please emailthe Respect Life Office cphillips@dolr.org.

LIVING NATIVITYCome celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings on theFeast of the Epiphany at Our Lady of Good CounselChurch on Sunday, January 5th from 3:30-7pm. Listen tocarols sung in both English and Spanish as you walkthrough the hills and town of Bethlehem to worship withthe Three Kings at the humble stable where Christ wasborn. There will be animals and even a camel!Donations of socks and/or gloves and mittens will beaccepted and given to local charities. For moreinformation, call Our Lady of Good Counsel; 666-5073.

To read the daily reading online, go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, December 30 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40No Mass

Tuesday, December 31 ST. SYLVESTER I - 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-185:30 p.m. Mass Cheryl Nowak by The Nowak Family

Wednesday, January 1 MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD - Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21, 9-14]10:00 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners by Holy Souls Parish

Thursday, January 2 STS. BASIL THE GREAT & GREGORY NAZIANZEN - 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-27:00 a.m. Mass Joseph Beck by Ken & Mary Bea Hiegel

Friday, January 3 THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS - 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-347:00 a.m. Mass Jerry Hall by The Henderson Family

Saturday, January 4 ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-428:00 a.m. The Pawlowski & Guzik Families by Elzbieta Pawlowski4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Harry Snider by The Snider Family

Sunday, January 5 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12238:00 a.m. Mass Joe & Margaret Beck by Louis Beck10:30 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Special Intention for Sandi Webb by Susie Powers

Mass Intentions may be offered for the Repose of the Soul of a deceased loved one or for healing, a special occasion,or a special intention for yourself, a family member, or friend. Please contact Cindy in the Church Office for more information.