COLLECTIONS

106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel. (620)724-8717

Weekly Bulletin

Last Week Contributions Children's Offering Expenses Over/ (Under) $2,486.00 $5.78

July 2013 to date $64,640.34 $412.55 $56,877.28 $8,175.61

of
Saint Michael Church, Girard www.stmichaelgirard.com

Decorating Volunteers If anyone would like to help decorate the Church, please stay after the 10:00am Mass today! Thank you! Volunteer Sign Up There is a sign up sheet in the back of the Church, if you would like to volunteer to be a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, or Gifts/Greeters for the Christmas Eve Masses, Christmas Day Mass and the December 28 & 29 weekend Masses. Thank you! Poinsettias If you would like to purchase a poinsettia for a loved one, to be placed in the Church, you may do so by dropping off $10 and the loved ones name by the parish office. Gifts for the King We all have gifts that we may bring. We all have songs that we may sing. We all have kind words we may say. We all have prayers that we may pray. We all have love and joy to give. And what a joy life is to live. If we just scatter everywhere, the things Gods given us to share. If you have a gift - bring it. If you have a song - sing it. If you have a talent - use it. If you have love - diffuse it. If you have gladness - share it. If you have happiness - give it. If you have religion - live it. If you have a prayer - pray it. Author Unknown Christmas Reminders May the Christmas presents remind you of Gods greatest gift - his only begotten Son. May the Christmas candles remind you of him who is the light of the world. May the Christmas tree remind you of another tree on which he died for you. May the Christmas cheer remind you of him who said, Be of good cheer. May the Christmas feast remind you of him who is the bread of life. May the Christmas snow remind you of the cleansing power of Christ. May the Christmas bells remind you of the glorious proclamation of his birth. May the Christmas carols remind you of his glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind. May the Christmas season remind you in every way of Jesus Christ your King. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lets Take Back Christmas! When I was a kid back in the 40s and 50s, Christmas thoughts included Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Wise Men, and the animals at the manger. True, I was not a Catholic then, but I fell into step with most folks of that period, aided by the beautiful carols that were played on radio, and later, television: traditionals like Silent Night, Joy to the World, and White Christmas. Families hosted huge Thanksgiving dinners back then, but no one that I can remember ran out to shop that very afternoon! That is because merchants didnt push the shopping season on us so soon. Today, shopping for loved ones Christmas has turned into a wild bargain hunt to see who can gather the most in the shortest amount of time. The focal point of worship has shifted from the manger to the department store. No room at the inn has been replaced by no room in the mall parking lot. If were trying to capture that real spirit of Christmas, perhaps we should reconsider whether it will be found in frenzied gift purchases that we may regret in January. That spirit can be found the way Christmas used to be celebrated-giving a selfless gift to someone who cant pay you back. I wonder what would happen if most Christians declined to participate in this revelry of consumption that takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and instead, meditated on what Jesus would like for His birthday? He gave us plenty of hint: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for widows and orphans, and pray for those who persecute you. Those who want to diminish Christmas could still have their days off and listen to Rudolph or Frosty or Grandma Got Runned Over by a Reindeer. Those of us for whom Christmas has a historic and eternal meaning could celebrate in our hearts and our relationships with family and the less fortunate. Now that would be a Christmas we could take back and enjoy! Article by Marcel Normand

Saint Michael Parish Mission Statement:

Saint Michaels Upcoming Events Finance Council Tony Stonerock-Chair TBA Rosary Altar Society Next meeting, TBA At 6:30pm in the Hall. Helping Hands Need help or want to volunteer, Call Carrie Smith, 724-6684 Parish Council Dale Coomes-Chair TBA Knights of Columbus 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm St. Michael Parish Hall Daughters of Isabella Call Marilyn Bradshaw, 724-7133

MASS SCHEDULE
GIRARD Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:00 am ARMA 4:00pm 8:00 am

We the parishioners of Saint Michael the Archangel, through leadership and strong traditions are faithful disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. We commit ourselves to be generous stewards of our faith, our parish, and our community. We strive to involve all members to be united in one parish family for the salvation of all. Notes from the Pastor: Last Sunday, our celebration invited us to rejoice because the Lord is near! But we know it is hard to rejoice when we are face to face with a number of reasons that could keep us from rejoicing and on the contrary would even bring us down to despair! Yet, last Sundays readings pointed out that we should indeed rejoice because of the nearness of the Lord! Todays Gospel reminds us of another reason to rejoice: like Joseph, the Lord commissions us to be His partners in the fulfillment of His plan to save mankind. Jesuss command still holds true to all of us, as the Father has sent me, so I send you (John 20:21) It is on this being a partner of God to fulfill His plan that I base my reflection on making the final decision of our renovation project. As I prayerfully reflect on this matter I ask myself these two basic questions: First: is the project for the good of our parish community? Or it could harm the community? Second: Is the plan to do this project according to the will of God or not? Or put it in another way: are the councils inspired by the grace of God to propose this project or they are used by the devil to divide us? To answer the first question we have to go back to the assessed needs of our parish: our entrance where the Holy Water is located is so small that it is very hard if not impossible to have a solemn celebration of funerals and weddings. We have seen how difficult it is to maneuver the coffin in the entrance because of limited space. Just a few days ago when it was freezing cold, we saw how people run to their cars instead of visiting with one another as we have no space to do it in Church! No need to point out the bathrooms, you all know that! Our confessional is in bad shape and does appear like a torture chamber especially those physically handicapped. The wheel chair could not fit in through the door. Also, as mentioned, bishop Jackels have proposed to move the parish office outside of the rectory. To answer the first question then, yes it is for the good of the parish community! The answer to the second question depends much on the first. If it is for the good of the community, then it is by the grace of God that our councils have sacrificed to come up with this plan to respond to our needs! There was a question during the Next Sunday(12/29/13) 10:00 AM
E. Sisney, G. Born, J. Duling, Mitch Adams, I. Fischer, G. & C. Muia Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers

CONFESSION Sat. 2:00-2:45pm 3:15-3:45pm Weekdays before Mass; anytime by appointment.

STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Faith Paoni Secretary Rectory Office Hours Tues-Fri 9AM-Noon Closed on Mondays Tel. (620) 724-8717

That Man in You Friday mornings at 6am

5:30PM Mass. Also we need help with the decoration of the Church right after the 10AM mass this Sunday, December 22 nd! Finally, you must have already received in the mail my Christmas card with the brochure of our anniversary celebration and RSVP form for the dinner reception after the kick-off mass this January 5th! Please fill them up and drop them at the basket before December 29 th! Thank you! God bless you all! Fr. Roger Christmas Cantata The Christmas Cantata will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 22nd at 6:00pm in the Arma Methodist Church. CYM Members Father Roger has requested help from the CYM members to serve our Kick-Off Celebration meal, on January 5, 2014 after the 10:00 Mass. Advent Resources We have some great Advent resources located at the back of the Church. Stop by and pick up a booklet or two to help reflect on this special time of spiritual preparation as we make ourselves ready for the coming of the Lord! PSR Classes PSR classes for all grades will resume Wednesday, January 8, 2014. May God bless you in the new year!

Next Saturday (12/28/13) Altar Servers: E. M. E. Lectors: Gift Bearers 5:30 PM D. Davenport & L. Martin Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers

Mass Schedules & Intentions for December 21st-29th:

Dec 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Saturday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Monday 7:00 AM Tuesday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Wednesday 12:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Thursday 8:00 AM 8:30AM-3PM Friday 7:00 AM 8AM-6PM Saturday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Mary & August Bogina Intentions of Donna Buckle Raymond LaSota Vera Diskin Intentions of Sandy Strahan Henry Yartz Helen OToole David Burke Ad Dantis Pat Duling Henry Yartz Eucharistic Adoration Ed Perrin Eucharistic Adoration Louis Petrey Intentions of Butch Reif Pro Populo Pro Populo Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

presentation if we will have a vote, and we said NO! Why? Again by the nature of the need, if we vote, what are the issues we will vote for? To vote whether to do the project or not! Which means to vote TO ACT or NOT TO ACT! With the points I have mentioned earlier, it is very clear the grace of God has moved us to this direction. To vote for it is to vote against the grace of God that moves us to ACT! If we do not act now to address these issues, when do we have the chance to do it again? Let us not waste the grace of God that inspires us now! I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. (Stephen Grellet) With the help of God, I approve the recommendation of the Councils. I commend them for all their unselfish sacrifices of their time and talent. We may now proceed with the next step. All I ask from all of you is to support this project in your prayers and in many other ways! The future generations of Saint Michael Parishioners will certainly benefit from the fruit of our labor and sacrifices, of course with the help of God. Merry Christmas to all of you! For your guidance take note of our Christmas Mass schedule: December 24, Tuesday: 4:00PM - Arma with PSR Kids, 5:30PM - Girard with PSR Kids; December 25, Wednesday: 12:00MN - Midnight Mass Girard; 8:00AM - Arma; and 10:00AM - Girard. I am sorry to inform all, especially our parents and kids, that due to some circumstances, we cannot have our Christmas play this Christmas Eve with our kids. But they will still be singing at the

Merry Christmas!
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