SUNDAY MASS December 21, 2008

Father, all-powerful God,
your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life
at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit who
prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

 

 

Christmas Mass Schedule
Wednesday
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2008 - Christmas Eve
5:00pm Family Mass
11:10pm Pre-mass Caroling
12:00am Midnight Mass

Thursday
Christmas Day
December 25, 2008 - Christmas Day
9:30am Mass of Christmas Day

Vigil Mass for New Year’s Day
December 31, 2008
6:00pm Mass

New Year’s Day
January 1, 2009
9:30am Mass

 

 

Reflecting the Gospel

“Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!” Eliza Doolittle sings in “My Faith Lady.” We ourselves often say, “Talk is cheap,” In this Sunday’s gospel and first reading, God speaks: first through Nathan the prophet to King David, then through Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. We also say, “Actions speak louder than words.” Unlike so many of our own words, God’s word always bears meaning and power-words and actions fuse for the good of humankind. God’s word is always active and effective, brining, about our salvation. God’s whole plan of salvation is an ongoing annunciation. In this Sunday’s first reading, God speaks and David’s throne is assured-his offspring becomes the lineage from which the Savior of the world will be born. God does more for David than simply promise that his kingdom will last forever; God also promises that David’s heir will “be a son to me”. Little could David have imagined that God meant this literally! The heir to David’s throne who changes the course of history and establishes God’s reign forever if none other than the “Son of the Most High”. God’s reign is no longer measured by the usual standards of kingdoms but by “the obedience of faith that is captured in a simple yes. In the gospel, God speaks and Mary conceives the Savior in her womb. From the beginning of salvation history, God has been acting so the Word becomes flesh and dwells among us. While the saving plan and work is always God’s, it is not without the invitation for human response. What both David and Mary planned for their lives didn’t quite happen the way they envisioned. But when David and Mary trust and cooperate with God, a whole new in-breaking of God takes place. God’s announcements through Nathan and Gabriel, which we remember this Sunday, prepare us well for Christmas, when God’s announcement of salvation is a Child born and called “the Son of God.”

Parish Community News

OUR PRIVILEGE, OUR RIGHT, AND OUR DUTY

As it is written ‘Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.’ (Is 49:15):
We in the Catholic Church in the Community of St. Patrick remember, hold in our memory, and pray for the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces especially: Ryan Thomas Blackwood, Ryan Bridges, Lonnie Brown, Nathan Brown, Douglas Bower Jr., Carlos Bustamante, Adamm Creel, Isaiah Creel, David Davis, Brad Dunn, Brian Dykeman, Bill Ellis, Adam Ferrell, Andrew Gibby, David Hannon, April Kennedy, Mike Krzmarzick, Jessica Krzmarzick (wife of Michael Krzmarzick) Johnny Lugo, Alex Martin, Ryan McInnis, John Nguyen, Robert Selner, Tarl Spencer, Leah Sundquist, Kenneth Thorpe, CJ Trillo, Jonathan Tuner, William Walsh, Erik Wiesehan and Ivan Wilson, may they be servants of Christ through service to those in need, and may they be kept safe from all harm.

PARISH SUPPORT
Parishioners of St. Patrick through the Sacrificial giving program gave to God the gift: December 14, 2008

Building Fund $10.00
Cemetery $35.00
Envelopes’ $6846.00
Loose $281.59
Children’s $
Poor $100.00
Religious Fund Rel $1283.66
Our Lady of Guadalupe $316.39
Total $8872.64

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Children’s Choir, open to children from kindergarten through middle school, will have its last rehearsal in the church on Sunday, Dec. 21 following the 11:00am Mass–app. 12:20 to 1pm to shortly thereafter. It is not too late to come and join in singing for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve (5pm) as well as for the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan 4 at the 11:00am Mass. There is still a special place for you to share your talents with our parish community. Please join us! For more information, Please call Lora Heli 503-263-3840.

LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT, WHY NOT GIVE TICKETS TO THE ANNUAL CRAB FEED?
The 12 annual Knights of Columbus Crab Feed and Charity Auction will be held February 7, 2009. The location will be the main pavilion building at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $30. Doors open at 5:00pm. Silent Auction 5:30-7:00pm; Crab Feed 7:00-8:00pm and Oral Auction 8:00-10:00pm. You can reserve a table for 8 people for $25 but you must also buy 8 tickets at the same time. Tickets are sold after the weekend Masses, or you can contact Mike Robert at 503-209-5569. We are always looking for additional auction items. If you have something that you would like to donate, please contact Mike Schmader at 503-266-1331.

SHELTER FROM THE COLD
Bethany Evangelical Church located at 450 S. Ivy Street here in Canby, has opened their doors to offer a hot meal, a safe warm bed and a shower for those who are without housing or shelter. There are beds available for single men, single women, and married couples. This is a free Warm Shelter available to anyone in need. The shelter is open after 5:00pm each evening during these freezing nights. If you see, here, or know of anyone in need of safety and a warm bed, please refer them to Bethany Evangelical.

 

At the birth of the Son,
there was a great shouting in Bethlehem;
for the Angels came down,
and gave praise there.
Their voices were a great thunder:
at that voice of praise
the silent ones came,
and gave praise to the Son.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ

 

 

 

 

Religious Education

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT RESCHEDULED
We have rescheduled the Christmas Pageant for January 4 at 1:00pm in the Parish Center! Children will practice the play on the same day during class. We will have an Epiphany Party following the play, same as planned before - Hot chocolate and cookies. Please bring cookies for the sharing table. For questions please call Connie at 503-266-9411 or hm 503-266-9626. Thank you! May you all have a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

GIVING TREE PRESENT
There is one gift in particular I would like to try to obtain - a very special request. . . Maybe someone has one they put away in the closet waiting for this special person! A left handed base guitar and music lessons! Call me if you find one! Connie Bilton-Smith 503-266-9626 or the Parish Office, 503-266-9411.

ADVENT JESSE SYMBOLS
Our RE children are replacing their Thanksgiving messages with their Advent Jesse Tree symbols. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots.” It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The branch is the biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g.., Jer23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God. Watch for the trees to take shape in the halls for Advent.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
You must be registered for Religious Education unless you are in a Catholic School to be able to prepare for Sacraments. If you are receiving Sacraments this year you must provide a baptismal copy at the time of registration if you were not baptized at St Patrick. Registration forms will also be available in the Church vestibule.

SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Our classes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are in progress. The date for First Reconciliation is January 24. First Eucharist classes will begin with Introduction Parent night, February 2 at 7pm. Enrollment for the sacramental classes are final for this year. Students wishing to enroll for next year may do so in the fall of 2009. All students receiving the sacraments must be enrolled in the religious education program one year prior to enrollment. For more information call Connie 503-266-9411.

LIVING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
This mystery made known in Christ is none other than our own participation in divine life. We are first plunged into this life at our baptism, and through our faithful obedience (our yes to God’s will) we further the word-action of God on our own behalf. Our lives must declare that the Christmas mystery includes our own share in the divine life and our taking up Christ’s mission to announce the Good News of salvation for all. But remember: our yes is no less demanding than Mary’s. Bearing Christ has its cost: dying to self. But the fruit is unimaginable: God is with us and within us.
We have only a few days left before we celebrate Christmas, the mystery of God becoming man. Now is the time to rehearse our own yes to God by imitating God’s word-action. Perhaps we could consciously make our holiday greeting to others a way to make concrete our generosity and joy. Perhaps we could take a few minutes out of our busy days to listen to God’s word to us, say yes, and then put it into action, “en-flesh” God’s presence in the goodness of our own lives.

 

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
Luke 1:38

WHAT HAPPENING

HOLIDAY PARISH OFFICE HOURS
The Parish Office will be closed for the Holidays from December 25 - January 2, 2009. If you have an emergency please call our answering service at 503-829-6105 and they will get a hold of Fr. John or a staff member as soon as possible.

DAILY MASS
There will be no daily morning mass or communion service on Tuesday evening, December 23, Wednesday, December 24th & Friday, December 26, 2008.

CATHOLIC CALENDARS
Canby Funeral Home has once again graciously donated our 2008 Catholic Calendars for our parishioners. We ask that you please take one calender per family so we will have enough for every household. Please take a moment to send a word of thanks to Carlos, Randy and Lynn for their wonderful donation to our parish.

WINTER WEATHER POLICY
The winter weather is already here and it is a great time to be reminded of our winter weather policy here at St. Patrick Church. If the Canby School District closes all public schools in our area, then all activities for St. Patrick for that day are cancelled. If children are sent home in the middle of the day, then all activities for that day will also be cancelled here at St. Patrick.

SPECIAL BULLETIN DEADLINE
Due to the holidays the bulletin for Sunday, December 28 & January 4, 2009, will be published early. The deadline to include an article in this special bulletin will Monday, December 22, 2008. You can email your article to dnewbury@canby.com.

CHOIR NEWS
Our St. Patrick Choir has been rehearsing since October in preparation for our Christmas liturgies. You are invited to come listen, participate and enjoy. On Christmas Eve, the choir will begin its beautiful music promptly at 11:10pm, so as to allow sufficient time for congregation carol-singing interspersed with special choral music. If you are planning to attend Midnight Mass, be sure to come 50 minutes earlier not only to enjoy the spectacular music, but also to support our church choir in its ministry. The 9:30am Mass on Christmas Day will consist primarily of congregational singing, with limited choir participation.

ALSO:
There is one other wonderful opportunity for you to listen to and support our church choir. On Sunday, December 28, at 7:00pm, we will be sharing our music at the Grotto’s Annual Christmas Festival of Lights. If you’ve never attended this event, give yourselves a special treat and come on Dec. 28. The gates are open from 5:00pm-9:30pm for you to enjoy the lights, theatrical performances, petting zoo and puppet shows. Music performances take place in the Chapel of Mary which is renowned for its incredible acoustics, attracting 150 musical performances between Nov 28 and Dec. 30. Our choir members would be delighted to see as many parishioners as possible in attendance. Please come!
Where: The Grotto, NE 85th & Sandy Blvd; free parking
When: Sunday, December 28, 7:00pm
Cost: $7.50 general admission, $3.00 children 3-12; children 2 & under free
Thank you for your support! For more information, contact Lora Heli at 503-263-3840.

What's Happening

December 21-27, 2008
Sunday
9:45am Religious Education Grades 1-5
11:00am Preschool/Nursery
12:20pm Children’s Choir practice
2:00pm Confirmation class
3:00pm Spanish RCIC
4:00pm Youth Group
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
7:00pm Choir practice (adults)
7:00pm Men’s Spirituality group
Wednesday
- Christmas Eve
5:00pm Family Mass
11:10pm Pre-mass caroling
12:00pm Midnight Mass
Thursday
-Christmas Day
9:30am Christmas Day Mass
Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group

 

 

Forever I will maintain
my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.
Psalm 89:29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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