“Laudate Dominum Omnes Gentes”, “Praise the Lord all you peoples”. This is the inscription uncovered on the facing of the choir loft quite accidentally during the restoration of St. Mary. It has been restored and is once again seen as the assembly is leaving the pews to go out into the world to continue its witness in the midst of everyday life. Generations before us saw that inscription as we do now as a challenge to live what we have celebrated during our time together during the Sunday celebration. Archbishop Fiorenza wrote in his pastoral letter, “SUNDAY: The Original Feast Day, a Pastoral Letter on the Sunday Eucharist” [1987], “Long before the assembly gathers, ministers prayerfully prepare themselves to preside, to proclaim and preach the Word, to welcome and care for the people of God hospitably, to lead the assembly in song and to share the Lord’s presence in bread and wine which have become for us His most precious Body and Blood. We must not gather carelessly for this celebration, but rather we must give our best efforts to see that the environment, the music, the ministers, and the faithful who gather are well prepared to celebrate these most sacred mysteries of our faith.” We here at St. Mary and St. Joseph have taken to heart the words of our Archbishop and throughout each year and each liturgical season we gather with the intention of giving our best in praising God in prayer and song. Each ministry takes seriously its obligation to be prepared and present to the assembly when exercising its liturgical function.

January 23nd—A Day of
Penance and Prayer

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 23 ,2006 shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.

Human life is a gift from God and as Catholics we have a most grave obligation to defend all human life from the moment of conception until natural death. God help us if we fail in this most fundamental obligation.
— Archbishop Myers, Archdiocese of Newark, “A Time for Honesty,” May 5, 2004

Sometimes, your work to build a culture of life can seem very frustrating—it might seem that your efforts bear no fruit…Do not give up—trust God…imitate God in his love, his kindness, his patience.
— Bishop Thomas Wenski, Coadjutor Bishop of Orlando, Respect Life Homily, March 14, 2004

Now that we have completed our Restoration Process at St. Mary’s, we will now have to begin to preserve the church. We have set up a volunteer “Preservation Fund” to begin this process. The “Preservation Fund” envelopes can be found in the main entry of the church. They are very small brown envelopes with “Preservation Fund” on the outside. Feel free to drop it in the collection plate, drop it off at the office, or just mail it in. Thank you for continuing support of our beautiful church.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Home Provision Center could use the Following items: Canned meat products (Vienna sausages, tuna, chicken, etc), Hamburger Helper Meals, Spaghetti sauce with meats, Mac-n-cheese products, peanut butter, Breakfast cereals, canned soups, toilet tissue, paper towels, and personal hygiene items. At St. Joseph the Provision Center basket is located at the rear of the church, and at St. Mary’s the Provision Center basket is located in the foyer of the Parish Hall. Thank you for your generosity in helping families in need in our community.

This project was a combination of good work from many of our parishioners. It took a considerable amount of planning, design, and hard work to carry it out to completion.

One of our local residents needed assistance with several items involving a mobil home. Some of the homes windows were broken, and wooden steps had weathered and fallen by the wayside. The St. Vincent DePaul Group of St. Marys asked the St. Marys Mens Club to assist with skilled labor to utilize the materials furnished by St. Vincent DePaul Club. Considerable effort went into organizing, designing and purchasing necessary materials. St. Marys Mens Club Project Coordinator, Deen Miller did considerable leg work to locate the necessary materials, and met with several members of the Mens Club at the mobil home to review the proposed project.

Christmas is always associated with the giving and receiving of gifts. As much as we sometimes like to emphasize otherwise, we’re all shopping for that special something for those important in our lives.

Recently I was reminded that as a community we have been given the most precious of gifts, the gift of our children. Some of my fellow priests think that, because I serve in a rural community, there are very few children or young people around. Well, that is far from the case, I tell them. All one has to do is come on any Wednesday evening when CCE is in progress and be amazed at the number of children and youth on the property. Our Sunday celebrations resound with the welcome noise of our little ones trying to join their voices to the chorus of the assembly.

Please join us for a Day of Prayer

January 12, 2006 at Circle Lake Retreat House

Facilitators: John Parziale & Pat Timpanaro

Topic: My role as a woman in the Catholic Church Today

God’s Gardeners held their first meeting on Nov. 16, 2005 with 6 persons present. Father Ed has provided us with a temporary greenhouse to work in and we have many wonderful ideas for the future. The beauty of our church grounds is a source of joy to us all. Therefore, we are actively recruiting any and all volunteers! We have approximately 21 beds available for “adoption”. They are of varied sizes so can be easily taken on by individuals, families, or groups. There will, in the near future, be a drawing of the grounds and a sign-up sheet placed in the Social Hall for you to consider.

Any questions you might have may be addressed to Glenda Brown (936-597-8874) or Roy Klaus (832-419-6027).

Thank you and God bless.

GUARDIAN ANGLES GAME DAY

The Guardian Angles will be holding a Bingo Day
on December 22, 2005 in the St. Mary’s Hal
from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Come Join in on All the Fun

Come One, Come All

ST. MARY / ST. JOSEPH ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2005 BEGINNING AT 8:00 AM.

BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED.

CONTACT: James Bochat @ 936-597-5726