December 17, 2017

5376 State Street Saginaw, MI 48603

989-799-2460 www.stasaginaw.org

Third Sunday of Advent Page 2 December 17, 2017

Please pray for all who have been commended to our prayer that they will respond to God’s healing will, especially:

Ursula Slaggert; David Berent; Richard Weber; Mary Koza; Yvonne Malecke; Barb W.; Denise DesJardin; Tom Murphy; Sue S.; Hal Epting; Fred; R. Rye; Deb G.; Bernadette; Pat D.; Colleen; Luke; Sue Bagerske; David O.; Jason; Fran; Jerry; John S.; Donna; Joseph Hensley; Allen Hensley; Patrick H.; Tom S.; Mike S.; Bob B.; Dave Walsh; Fred; Todd J; Joseph H.; Allen H.;Danny O’Neil; Ron; Barb; Dan; R.K.S.K.; Michael Kaczmarek; Ray B.; John & Nancy Frankila; Catherine H.; Linda M.; Rich & Kathy Trdan; Tim D.; Lupe A.; Raymond; Robert; Yvette; Monica Benard; Jackie Moeller; Dale & Joan Johnson; Paul Juarez; Mary McGillen; Trudy Schmelzle; Bill Charlton; Gloria Reid; Mary K.; Steven Michalak; Mary Ann Leppek; B.A.; Marv Hill; Theresa May; Don LaDouce; Helen Ward; Phyllis E.; Ron & Phyllis; David & Marianne Sutter; Lupe & Juanita Hernandez; Ed & Remedios Navarra; John R. Czerny; Lynn Moore; Bonnie; Jean Kehrer; Mary Karl; Irene Sule; Mary Pache; Kathleen; Grace Lovay; Virginia Fehrman; Chris Williams; Marion Mott; Rose Martino; Michelle Colby; Mrs. Mary Jane Kelly; Mary Ellen Taylor; Matt Reno; Harold; Jean Lach; Bill D.; Bonnie Konecny; Mitchell; Dennis Ward; Marion Birchmeier; Janet; Joyce S.; Phil Shepard; Jill; Matthew; Sue; Barb; Matthew; Don; Jerry G.; Jason

We are happy to list parishioners’ names who request for prayers in the bulletin. Please remember to contact the office 799-2460 ext 3 when a loved one’s name no longer needs inclusion on the prayer list. This will assure that we keep an up-to-date list and help make the list manageable.

Monday, December 18Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25

Tuesday, December 19Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-257:00 PM RCIA Adult Meeting / CB

Wednesday, December 20Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 8:30 AM Mass with

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament2:00 PM Benediction

Thursday, December 21 11:30 NCCE DismissalSaint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchSg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-456:30 PM Parish Choir Rehearsal / CH

Friday, December 22 Parish Office Closed1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd; Lk 1:46-56

Saturday, December 23Saint John of Kanty, PriestMal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14; Lk 1:57-669:00 AM Individual Rite of Reconciliation4:00 PM Mass

Sunday, December 24Fourth Sunday of Advent2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-389:30 AM Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord6:00 & 9:00 PM

Monday, December 25

The Nativity of the Lord10:00 AM

Week Day Mass in the Church - Monday through Friday 8:30 AM. The Rosary is prayed at 8:00 AM.Lunches for the needy are packed on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM in the Church Lower Level. AA & Al-Anon meets on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Church Lower Level.

4:00 PM 9:30 AMCoordinator Sr. Ann Phil & Mary Morse

Reader Tom Kapuscinski Mark Przybylski

Reader Mark Richards Mary Morse

Petitions Mark Richards Mary Morse

Altar Server Sophie Lubbe Preston Otter

Altar Server Colin Kaul Sophia Garcia

Sacristan Diane R. & Mary A.. Mark Przybylski

Altar Linens Terri Burr

Week of December 23/24, 2017

PRAYER LINE...If you or a loved one is in need of immediate prayer, please call the Parish Office 799-2460, ext.3

ALL FINANCIAL DONATIONS for 2017 must be to the Parish Office by THURSDAY, December 21st to be posted for the 2017 calendar year. Any donations received after December 28th, will be posted to 2018.Thank you for your cooperation!

In Our Parish

OUR PARISH STEWARDSHIPGod’s Treasure at St. Thomas Aquinas

December 9/10

All the people in today’s readings – the prophet Isaiah, the Virgin Mary, St. Paul and St. John the Baptist – seemed to understand clearly and rejoice in what God was calling them to be and do. Do I?

Contributions for December 10, 2017:……….....$13,890.00Envelopes / Electronic Giving:…………………..............281Children’s Offering:………………………………..…..$28.23

Money Counters for December 18, 2017………….Team #3

Please remember St. Thomas Aquinas in your estate planning.

The advertisements that appear in this bulletin completely

defray all publishing costs which the church would otherwise incur. Please patronize the sponsors on the back of this bulletin and thank them for their kind generosity.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church Page 3 Saginaw, Michigan

Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 The last part of the book of Isaiah contains the words of a prophet who preached after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon. They found their temple destroyed and the city leveled. In today’s reading, the prophet describes how God called him to encourage the people in this desperate time.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Our second reading comes at the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Just as a parent might give last-minute instructions as their child heads out the door, so Paul has a list of last-minute instructions for these people whom he loves.

Morning Masses

8:30 AM

December 18th - 22nd

December 26th - 29th

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection Religious give thanks. A religious sister writes, “When

we see the generous response of so many thousands of

persons in order to help us, religious men and women, we

are left speechless.” Senior sisters, brothers, and religious

order priests across the country send heartfelt thanks and

prayers for your donation to last week’s Retirement Fund

for Religious collection.

For more information and stories please visit www.retiredreligious.org.

Father Rick’s Reflections . . . “Gaudete!” Rejoice! This is the word for the 3rd Sunday of Advent. We move away from Mark’s gospel to hear the evangelist John tell his version of John (the Baptist). John refers to him as simply a “man” and is called John. What we hear in this gospel is John is not the light, but was sent from God to

testify to the light. John admits that he is not the Messiah; he is not Elijah. He is not even “the prophet.” His role is to cry out in the desert, “make straight the way of the Lord.” However, this seems more to reflect the evangelist than the historical situation of the time. There are other clues that John continued to have a following years, perhaps decades, after his death. We recognize John as the one who prepared the way for Jesus. The first chapter of John reminded the early Christian community that John was merely a precursor, a forerunner, to Jesus the Messiah. These stories are so familiar and we often remember the synoptic view more that John’s gospel. In John’s gospel, John baptizes with water. His comment is, “I baptize with water; … but there is one among you whom you do not recognize.” There is nothing in this gospel about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit. Instead, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin (not sins) of the world. Jesus comes not to take away individual sins, but the cosmic force of sin. Once John points the way to Jesus, once he testifies to the Lamb of God, John disappears

We have two more opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of Penance communally. There is a service today, Sunday, at 2:30 pm at St John Vianney Church. The last Communal Penance Service is Tuesday, December 19 @ 7 pm at St Helen Church. Also, we have one more time of individual rite of penance on Saturday, December 23, from 9-10 am. Next Sunday, is both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. This is where life gets complicated because people will decide when they are coming for Mass thinking only of Christmas and forgetting about the 4th Sunday of Advent. Our schedule also changes because of Christmas on Monday. Below is our schedule for next weekend:

Saturday – 4th Sunday of Advent: 4:00 pm Sunday – 4th Sunday of Advent: 9:30 am only Sunday – Christmas – Vigil: 6:00 pm Sunday – Christmas – During the night: 9:00 pm Monday – Christmas Day: 10:00 am

We will get to see a lot of each other next weekend. Any questions, just call the office. People often ask me what I do to prepare for Advent and Christmas. First, I have a tradition of waiting until Christmas to open any Christmas cards I receive. That way, I can enjoy them without the busyness of the Advent season. Second, my sister, Cheryl, & I get together for Christmas with her coming here for the holidays. We usually don’t open our presents until a few days after Christmas because of my schedule. We have other traditions that are part of our family or that we have adopted over the years. I’ve been asked by a few people what “Maranatha” means in the new communion song we have been singing the past couple of weeks. “Marana Tha” simply means, “Come Lord Jesus.” Happy Advent.

Third Sunday of Advent Page 4 December 17, 2017

FINDING THE STAR… Can you find The Star hidden in our bulletin?

Last weeks bulletin the star was in Fr. Rick’s column.

www.stasaginaw.org

Strong in faith True to our mission

Alive!

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Cancelled for December

HealthSource Prayer Service

The prayer service is every other Thursday beginning at 10:00 AM. The service is normally one half hour. All are welcome to join the residents on December 28th.

Christmas at St. Thomas Aquinas

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23 4:00 PM December 24 9:30 AM

Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord

December 24 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

The Nativity of the Lord December 25 10:00 AM

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

December 30 4:00 PM December 31 8:30 & 11:00 AM

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

January 1, 2018 8:30 AM

Parish Office Hours

Monday - Thursday December 18 - 21 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CLOSED Friday, December 22

Tuesday - Thursday December 26 - 28 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CLOSED Friday, December 29

In Remembrance

Family & Friends of: Constance Filizkowski

Lord, we remember in our prayers Constance whom you have called to be with you. May the calming peace of your love be with her family. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.

ADVENT COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION

Sunday, December 17 @ 2:30 PM St. John Vianney Parish

Tuesday, December 19 @ 7:00 PM St. Helen Church

Christmas Wafer - OPLATEK - Unleavened wafers that are baked from pure wheat flour and water and are usually rectangular in shape and

very thin.

The Donald Popielarz family would like to share their Polish tradition with the faith community of St. Thomas. Please take one and start

your own family blessing. Oplatek are found in the gathering area of the church.

Wesołych Świąt

Parent Baptism Preparation Class

The next preparation class will be Monday, January 8 at 7:00 PM in the Church. Please note that there are no baptisms during Lent. The next preparation class is April 9th.

Baptisms are held on the first weekend of the month. Parents are required to attend the preparation session and should be registered St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners attending Mass regularly.

Please contact the Parish Office to register.

“I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,”

St. Thomas Aquinas Church Page 5 Saginaw, Michigan

5376 State StreetSaginaw, MI 48603

989-799-2460www.stasaginaw.org

Eucharistic LiturgiesSaturday 4:00 PM

Sunday 8:30 & 11:00 AM

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM

Sacrament of Reconciliation2nd & 4th Saturday

9:00-10:00 AM or by appointment

Parish Staff

Fr. Richard Bokinskie Pastor

rickb@stasaginaw.org

Fr. Edwin C. Dwyer Parochial Vicar

edwind@stasaginaw.org

Dawn Drago Parish Secretary

dawnd@stasaginaw.org

Pat Messing Bookkeeper

patm@stasaginaw.org

Deborah Kraklow

Director of Liturgy and Music

debk@stasaginaw.org

Karen Bartels RCIA,

Baptism & Funeral Coordinator

Sr. Ann deGuise, OSF Principal

adeguise@sacschools.org

Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary

www.sacschools.org

Administrative Offices989-399-2222

High School989-791-4330

Elementary989-792-2361

Euchre Club Due to holiday scheduling Euchre will be postponed until January. Please watch the bulletin for the dates. Happy Holidays.

Winter Weather PolicyWhen there is inclement weather and SAGINAW AREA CATHOLIC

SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED there will be NO morning Mass or church related events. All evening church meetings will also be cancelled.

Welcome Visitors & Friends

If you are worshipping with us for the first time or have visited before, we welcome you! If you are looking for a church home in this community, we invite you to consider St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Please come join us again!

Low Gluten Altar Breads STA now has communion hosts with less than 0.01% gluten content. We have them available for parish members whose health needs require low gluten altar breads. Please contact the Parish Office with instructions as how to receive at Mass.

The FOOD COLLECTION for the weekend of December 24th & 25th will be for the Brown Bag Bunch. Please take time to help with any of the following needed items: mayonnaise, sandwich and snack size zip-top bags, and uice drink boxes/bags packa ed cookies, peanut butter, strawberry and grape jelly/jam; lunchmeat, snacks, pretzels, and snack cakes. Monetary donations are gladly accepted. Please drop in the collection marked ‘Brown Bag’.

Thank you and to you a veryMerry Christmas and a wonderful New Year

Christmas Flowers Please use the envelope in your monthly packet or simply drop a note for your

Memorial along with your name by placing an envelope in the Sunday collection. Thank you.

Bible Study & Sharing We will meet December on 13th and will resume January 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM.Have a blessed CHRISTmas and a prosperous New Year.

Our sincere gratitude to Snow Funeral Home for the 2018 calendars. We thank Ron & Phyllis Snow, Ron & Michelle Snow, Paul & Jennifer Metevia and Brandon Hurren for this wonderful gift to our Parish.

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St. Thomas Aquinas First Friday MemorialThe LeRoy FamilyLois ZehnderAlton RothRaymond RothArthur DeGroat & Family†Nellie CruzHoly Souls in PurgatoryNorbert P. GillesL. & D. Gilles & Murphy FamiliesEdward H. Meyer & FamilyTom Stankiewicz FamilyHelen Scott & FamilyGarske & Riha Families†Ruth C. Doyle

†Donald DoyleDoyle FamilyLemmer FamilyIntentions of Al Luplow FamilyFloyd Maday FamilyArthur Jacqmain FamilyJerry Groll FamilyLeonard & Irene SlasinskiDale A. Krueger FamilyEigner FamilyMelvin VanOchtenM. James Robinson FamilyJohn & Marian Moll & FamilyThe Hill Family

Gerald R. Maczik FamilyThe Vern Korkus FamilyRobert VituSwiss MillieSpc. Intentions – Tim Janetsky & FamilyL. & D. Members L. Wizner & Skimbrauskas FamilesLeonard H. LeFevreMichael E. ManlapitSallyAnn DeMaetLearman & Koratich FamiliesLupcke & Finan FamiliesThomas OttPhilip CouillardRenee Haller

Dec. of Pesta & Bruzewski FamilyStanley R. DorywalskiThe Webster FamilyEm SullivanWesolek FamilyRobert FlatteryAl & Stella BlaszkowskiB. & V. BloniarczykBetty BrinCouillard FamilyIn Loving Memory of Robert ChaklosThe Klonowski FamilyRose M. KlimkewiczSophie M. Klimkewicz

Chronowski & Ederer FamiliesGertrude LawrenceL. & D. Lawrence & Smaglinski FamiliesDavid L. KruszkaMariann A. KruszkaChuck & Gerry Flattery & FamilyEdward & Virginia Hoewe FamilyHealth & Safety

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ParishionersPaul Metevia

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Diocesan Publications

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CatholicMatch.com/goMI

St. FranciS Home reHab & Skilled nurSingHealing... In the Light of Faith

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