SSSaintaintaint C C Ceciliaeciliaecilia Catholic Community November 20, 2005, Solemnity of Christ the King

“Building for our Future”

THANKSGIVING PRAYER For A Family

L ORD We give you thanks For the variety of our skills and interests

For our different ways of thinking, moving and speaking For common hardships and common hopes For this family gathered here For living together and eating together For all our good times and our not so good times For growing up and growing older For wisdom deepened by experiencing For rest and leisure For the privilege of work For time made precious by its passing For all that has been For all that will be WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O LORD

Thanksgiving Day Mass 9:00AM

Parish Offices closed November 24 & 25

Eucharistic Adoration

Break 7:00AM, November 23

to 7:00AM, November 29

Pastor Fr. Terry Rassmussen Phone: 233-3092 Fax: 233-6423 www.stceciliaparish.org

Mass Times Saturday: 5:00PM Sunday: 8:00AM 9:30AM 11:15AM

Adult Education

Scripture Study: Meets Mondays, 7:30-9:00PM in the Adult/Youth room. Next Session: November 21. Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Will not meet Novem-ber 22. Next session, November 29, 9:30-11:00AM in the A/Y room. Beginners welcome. Baby sitting pro-vided. Sunday Scripture Study: This group reads and reflects upon the Scriptures for the next Sunday. Next session: Thursday, December 1, 10:15AM in the A/Y Room.

Religious Education for the whole parish family

MEETINGS/EVENTS Religious Gifts & Book Sale the weekend of De-cember 3/4 in the Education Center after all masses. A great opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts as well as Advent and spiritual resources. Sponsored by the Family Life Committee. Connectus will again be selling Olive Wood from the Holy Land in support of the Christian community in the occupied West Bank in Israel through The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation. Even though some improvement of tourism has come to the West Bank Christians, this population still is severely restricted in its basic freedoms of movement for everyday life that we enjoy. Our support is greatly needed. Please help us support them through the purchase of an Olive Wood item. The sale will take place in the Education Center after all masses on December 3/4 and 10/11. Fellowship for Moms/Playgroup will not meet November 24. Next session Wednesday, November 30, 10:00-11:30AM, A/Y Room.

Preschool Religious Education (Ages 3&4) Classes meet the 1st & 3rd Sunday during 9:30AM Mass. November dates: 20. December dates: 4, 18 Middle School Youth Group (Grades 6-8) Come join us for Fun & Friends! November 30: Regular Youth Group 7-8:30PM, Multi-Purpose Room December 3&4: Bake Sale. Middle School families-please bring your baked goods to the school kitchen, Saturday, December 3, 4-6:00PM. December 14: Meet in the Multi-Purpose room , 7-8:30PM for fun and friends. High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9-12) Classes meet Sundays, 7:00-8:30PM, in addition to the Generations of Faith program. November date: , 20 December dates: 4, 18 Register in the Religious Education Office, 8:00AM-4:00PM. Call 232-3514 for more information.

BAPTISM Our next preparation session is Thursday, December 1, 6:30- 9:00PM in the Adult/Youth Room. All parents seeking baptism for their child are expected to attend a preparation session. To register for the preparation class or schedule a baptism, please call the parish office. at 233-3092. Baptisms are scheduled at 1:00PM, De-cember 4 and 8:00AM, January 8.

Stillpoint Theatre Presents

The Hermit in Times Square (The Life of Thomas Merton)

Sunday, November 20, 3:00PM Saint Cecilia Church

Admission is free

Trappist monk and American author Thomas Merton has influenced and inspired many people through his writings and lectures. In keeping with its mission to portray modern spiritual heroes for contemporary audiences, Stillpoint Thea-tre Collective is now offering a wonderful new play about Merton’s life and spiritual path. Don’t miss this entertaining and inspiring production.

Mark Your Calendars Communal Penance: Monday, December 19, 7:30PM

Mass Times

Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation December 7: 5:30PM December 8: 7:00AM, 9:00AM. 7:30PM

December 12: 5:30PM- Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass

Christmas December 24: 4:00PM (Children’s), 6:30PM & 11:00PM. December 25: 10:00AM New Year’s Eve/ Day The regular weekend schedule will be followed December 31/January 1.

Generations of Faith December 4: 12:30PM December 7: after 5:30PM Mass* December 11: 5:00P *Note change of time Topic for December-Images of the Messiah

Children’s Liturgy Children’s Liturgy held at the 9:30 & 11:15 AM Masses, will be suspended during winter months since the chil-dren need to go outside to reach the Chapel. Weather permitting, Children’s Liturgy will be held through Sun-day, November 27. Family & Parenting Classes The Growing Kids Program will begin again in January with a new name but the same objectives. The class is a practical application parenting course where you will learn the joy of raising children to reflect the character of God. The main objective is to train parents to raise chil-dren charitably by living charitably. Join us in this life changing perspective on growing up godly families that will impact generations to come! Informational meeting coming soon. Watch the bulletin for details.

Coffee and donuts served in the Multi-Purpose Room following the 8:00 & 9:30AM Masses.

Saint Cecilia School News

November 23: 9:00AM-All School Thanksgiving Mass, Church Thanksgiving break: No school November 24, 25, 28. November 30: 9:00AM, Mass in the Chapel, Grades K-3

Stewardship When the Son of Man comes in glory, may we be among those who have fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and clothed the naked. For Jesus tells us clearly that it is those who have demonstrated good stewardship by sharing gifts with the less fortunate who will receive God’s blessing and inherit the kingdom.

Share in the Care Almost 33,000 women religious and more than 5,500 men religious are past age 70. Though they may with-draw from compensated, full time ministry, religious con-tinue to visit the sick, tutor children, and volun-teer among refugee populations. Religious insti-tutes must provide for their own retirement and health care costs. The December envelope packet contains an envelope for The Religious Retirement Fund. Envelopes can be found in the back of the Church for those who do not receive the monthly mailing. Please be generous in your support.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE The Giving Tree Continuing the long tradition of sharing the spirit and hope of the holiday season, the people of Saint Cecilia Parish will celebrate Advent with a GIVING TREE. The Giving Tree will be in the Church next weekend. Please take one or more of the TAG ORNAMENTS from the tree and use as a gift label. Look for suggested items and instructions in next week’s bulletin. The Generations of Faith Program needs a large number of volunteers to make it successful. Cur-rent needs include catechists, assistant catechists, child care and food preparation. To volunteer, call the Reli-gious Education Office (232-3514). Provide a Ride to Mass A parishioner on 16th Street would appreciate a ride to 5:00PM mass on Saturdays. Please call 233-3092 if you are able to help.

Saint Cecilia Choir There will be no choir practice November 23. Wednesday night practices will resume November 30, 7:00PM. Christmas Eve Family Liturgy We are now planning the Family Liturgy for the Christmas Eve 4:00PM service. Once again we will need as many families (adults-teens -children) as possible to be involved in the play, music ministry, and other liturgical roles. Any type of volunteer help will be greatly appreciated. Sign-up forms may be found at the Religious Ed office or the Music/Liturgy bulletin board in the Chapel hallway. Forms will need to be returned to the Religious Education office by Friday, December 9. Any questions, contact Bob Hauser at 233-3092.

Position Available Saint Cecilia Parish is seeking a full time business manager. Responsibilities include financial, facility, property, and church office management. Require-ments: Four year degree in accounting, business or finance. Related areas of experience will be given consideration. Three years of administrative/business manager experience and supervisory re-sponsibility preferred. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume and salary requirements to : Search committee-Business Manager, Saint Cecilia Church, 2900 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 or busmgrsearch@stceciliaparish.org.

Dear Friends, We are so grateful for your gift of $11,423.96 towards Catholic Charities Hurricane Relief Fund. Approximately 96% of contributions go to emer-gency response and recovery efforts. Across the nation, the Catholic community is showing out-standing generosity. Please join us in keeping these victims in your prayers during this difficult time.

Rev. Larry Snyder

Saturday, November 19 5:00PM: Ralph Britson Sunday, November 20 8:00AM: Amelia & Fred Habing 9:30AM: Saint Cecilia Parishioners 11:15AM: Melvina Wasel 5:00PM: Rose Marie Hadaway (Misa en Español) Tuesday, November 22 7:00AM: Youth of the Area Wednesday, November 23 7:00AM: Polly Lauer 9:00AM: Sylvester Upah Sr. Thursday, November 24 9:00AM: George Rickerl Friday, November 25 7:00AM: Gladys Konechne Saturday, November 26 5:00PM: Sr. Gene Marie Sunday, November 27 8:00AM: Saint Cecilia Parishioners 9:30AM: Dutch Stohlmeyer 11:15AM: Sylvia Zuppardi

Readings for the Week of November 20, 2005 Sunday: Ez 34:11-12, 15-17/ 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28/ Mt 25:31-46 Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/ Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45/ Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/ Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Sir 50:22-24 / 1 Cor 1:3-9 / Lk 17:11-19 Friday: Dn 7:2-14/ Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Dn 7:15-27/ Lk 21:34-36 Next Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37

Prayer Opportunities Evening Prayer: Monday through Friday, 5:00PM in the Chapel Eucharistic Adoration: The Chapel is always open for prayer. Intercessory Prayer Group: Sunday, 9-10:00PM in the Chapel Rosary: Monday, 7:00AM & 7:30PM, Chapel Christians in the Spirit: Tuesday, 7:15-9:00PM, Chapel Saturday Morning Prayer: 7:00AM, Chapel

Those in our parish and the community who are ill.

Please remember in your prayers: FR. ARNOLD DEARING, the first Franciscan Friar to serve at Saint Cecilia Parish (1977-1982) Fr. Ar-nold died Tuesday, November 15, in New Albany, Indiana. Pray that God will bless the Church with more great priests.

34th Sunday of Ordinary Time A man once told me that once a month he goes to the Veterans Hospital and visits patients. He began the practice 40 years ago when he was discharged from the ser-vice. His friend had carried him to safety when he was wounded in battle. He wanted to honor his friend by reaching out to other veterans in need. He called it

his living tribute of thanks. In the Gospel, Jesus portrays the Son of Man as He judges all people. His judgment is not based on what sins we committed, but on what good we omitted. What we know now as the Works of Mercy are the ways in which we offer to God a 'living tribute of thanks' as we serve Him in each other. We honor the sacrifice of Christ the King by how well we treat and respect those who are His brothers and sisters. He comes not to find our faults, but to find our good-

ness, seen in our willingness to love each other. The end of one Church Year is the beginning of the next. Resolve now to offer your tribute of thanks. Do something for others, with no expectation of anything in return. Feed the hungry, bury the dead, visit the sick, and counsel the doubtful. The only thing we can truly offer to God that He does not already have is the time and effort we spend to imitate His love for us. Our actions cry out, "Hail to the King!" (c) 2005 Liturgical Publications Inc

Birthright, 108 Hayward Ave. Pregnancy tests & counseling, free and confidential. 292-8414 www.birthright.org

COMMUNITY

Ames Interfaith Council Annual Thanksgiving Eve Service Wednesday, November 23, 7:00PM Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 North Sheldon Avenue

Everyone is invited. Contributions of non-perishable food items (for MICA food pantry )or cash donations (for Earthquake relief) accepted. Call Randy Lueth at 292-9753 with questions. Peace Vigil

Everyone is welcome to join a peace vigil to support peaceful solutions to problems and conflict. The vigil, sponsored by Time for Peace and the Alliance for Global Justice, takes place on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30PM on the corner of Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way. Call Chris at 268-1852 for more information.