106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel.

(620)724-8717

Weekly Bulletin

of

Saint Michael Church, Girard

www.stmichaelgirard.com

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

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

Notes From the Pastor: Wow Christmas is almost here. Some of us are still not done with shopping and still busy preparing for the Christmas meal, not to mention Christmas parties and activities here and there. In the midst of this excitements and kind of commotions, I wish to emphasize once more this important message for this Advent: GOD IS FAITHFUL! Our Gospel reading for today is a fulfillment of Gods promise. This promise has been made hundreds of years ago and is being carried out patiently but surely through the ages until its fulfillment in the annunciation of the birth of Jesus through Mary. From our first reading we can also have a glimpse of a deeper meaning of Gods plan. David wanted to build a house for the Lord which would house the arc of the covenant. Initially the prophet Nathan approved of the plan, but God sent him the message that Yahweh was more concerned with turning David's family into "His house" than with residing in a house Himself. In other words, God's presence in families is more important than is His presence in buildings. This eternal presence of God in the family of David is fulfilled in Jesuss birth and the church that he established. He lives with us forever. Along this line I invite you to reflect on our church here in Girard and in the Diocese of Wichita. It is true the body of Christ, the church, is so human. But human as we are, we are empowered to let the divinity and holiness of Christ be seen in our Church through each one of us. Do I see myself as part of the Diocese of Wichita or I care only for St. Michael, my church. And do we feel Gods presence here in our own church? What and how could I contribute to make Gods presence felt by everyone? The birth of our Jesus make this a reality! Our Blessed Mother did her part. Saint Joseph did his part. God is calling us to do our part, to participate of Gods divine intervention through every moment of our lives. Thanks to Santa for coming and entertaining our kids last Wednesday at CCD. Also, again thank you to all our kids, CCD teachers, helpers, and parents for supporting our CCD initiatives. Special thanks to Michelle Puckett, Faith Paoni, and Nancy Bauer for everything that they do. Congratulations to our Meals In His Name ministry. It has taken off successfully! Thank you to all who volunteered, especially those who chaired some functions: Jean/Dave Diskin clean up, John Gilpin set-up, Doug Lopeman cooks. Next Sunday 10:00 AM L. Gorentz & Volunteers If you want to volunteer please call any of these persons or call the parish office. May God bless all that we do and help us grow in our love for Him and one another! Fr. Roger Christmas Schedule of masses is as follows: December 24 Saturday, Christmas Eve. 4:00 PM - Arma 5:30 PM - Girard, with dramatized Gospel by our CCD kids December 25, Christmas, Midnight Mass 12:00 MN - Girard December 25, Christmas Day 8:00 AM - Arma 10:00 AM - Girard God bless you all! Fr. Roger Midnight Mass Assignments Servers - T. Paoni, J. Hey, Max Adams, E. & C. Doherty, Mitch Adams Lector - Volunteer E.M.H.C. - Volunteer Gift Bearers - Volunteers

Next Saturday Altar Servers: 5:30 PM Volunteers C., I., & G. Muia *** Sharon Eberhart Faith Paoni Chris & Nancy Hofer Family

Ushers E. M. H. C. Lectors: Gift Bearers:

*** Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers

Mass Schedules & Intentions for December 17th-25th:

December 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Midnight Sunday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:00 AM 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 8AM-6PM 8:00 AM 9AM-4PM 7:00 AM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 12:00AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Frank Doue Greg Evans August & Mary Bogina Pro Populo Elsie Elmer Iside Stefani Greg Evans Eucharistic Adoration No Intention Eucharistic Adoration Greg Evans Black Family Greg Evans Greg Evans Jackie Amershek Pro Populo Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard

collections Last Week Contributions Children's Offering Operating Expense Over/ (Under)
Saint Michaels Upcoming Events Finance Council Tony Stonerock-Chair TBA Rosary Altar Society Next meeting, TBA At 7pm 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 That Man in You Friday mornings at 6am

July 2011 to date $69,749.80 $457.89 $61,482.59 $8,725.10

$2,893.00 $32.00 $0.00

March for Life - Topeka Join Bishop Jackels and Fr. John Lanzrath for a one-day pilgrimage to Topeka to take a stand for life on January 23, 2012, for the March for Life Topeka. Busses will leave the Wichita area at 7:30am on the 23rd. This years event will be held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka and the cost for the trip is $35, which includes Mass with Bishop Jackels, a breakout session for adults and youth, a catered lunch, a Rally and a rosary on the Capitol steps. Registration forms can be found at www.respectlifesocialjustice.org. The deadline to register is Jan. 3rd. Warming Souls Join the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice in providing shelter to the Wichita areas homeless during the month of February in an effort called Warming Souls. Due to the Cathedral renovation, Holy Savior has graciously opened their facility to assist us in offering an evening meal, a warm place to sleep, and breakfast in the morning. If you or a group from your parish are interested in helping to provide food, or to give a donation, please contact the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice at 316-269-3935 or email grafa@catholicdioceseofwichita.org. Christmas Call to Sharing 2011 I know that I felt the support and encouragement of many here in the diocese when I was in the seminary. I thank you and your predecessors whose gifts allowed me to freely respond to my vocation. Please consider a gift of gratitude this year to the Christmas Call to Sharing. A Meal in HIS Name St. Michaels new ministry A Meal in HIS Name will be every Thursday night starting Dec. 15th. This meal will be for the people of Girard and the surrounding area. A hot, free meal will be served to all who come to St. Michaels Hall Thursday evenings from 5:307:00pm. Perhaps, this can be your niche in volunteering your time/ talent/treasure to the church. The success of this ministry depends on your support. We need volunteers who can contribute a few hours weekly/monthly to help with shifts for cooking, set-up, greeting, serving & clean-up. To volunteer for this worthy ministry or to get more information contact Marita Lopeman at 620-362-3168 or the parish office at 620-724-8717.

In the Beginning(week 39) Chris now weighs between 5 and 9 pounds. The average size baby is 7 pounds. Its really crowded in here and its very hard to move. The umbilical cord doesnt have any nerve endings (this means that neither mom nor Chris will feel any pain when it is cut!) and is about 20 inches long and about 1/2 inch thick. The good news for mom is its easier to breathe because the baby is moving down. The bad news is mom may be running to the bathroom every two minutes. Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mothers womb... Gal. 1:15 CCD Announcements ++CCD Christmas Eve 5:30 Mass Pageant: Practice will be Friday, Dec. 23rd starting at noon in the parish hall. Penance Service There will be a parish penance service on Sunday, December 18th at 6:00pm. There will also be a penance service at St. Paul on December 21st at 7pm. Altar Servers We will be making the new serving schedule this month. If you have any scheduling needs or preferences, please call the parish office and let us know and we will try to accommodate you. Thank you!

st. michael, defend us in all our battles

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