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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
St. Isidore the Farmer
Area Faith Community
St. Francis, St. Bridget, St. Malachy, Sacred Heart, Visitation Oratory
Fr. Jeremy Kucera, Pastor
Cyndi Stifter, Faith Formation Director
Address: 508 13th Street North, Benson, MN 56215
Website: www.stisidorethefarmerafc.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Area Office: 320-842-4271
Fax Number: 320-843-2264
Murdock Office: 320-875-2451
Mondays 8:30 am – 3 pm
Fr. Jeremy Kucera
Cell#: 507-828-5247
[email protected]
Cyndi Stifter:
320-842-4021
Summer Area Office Hours:
Monday-Thurs.: 8 am – noon; 1-3:30 pm
Fridays: 8 am - noon
[email protected]
LITURGY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, December 23
8:30 am
BENSON
No Mass in Danvers today
+
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
10:00 pm
BENSON
MURDOCK
BENSON
DANVERS
++
++
9:00 am
9:00 am
DEGRAFF
CLONTARF
+
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
DEGRAFF
BENSON
++
8:00 am
10:00 am
MURDOCK
BENSON
+
++
Frank Piechowski
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24
+
Bub & Marcella Commerford
Jim, Anne & Frank Walsh
For the People
Jay Philstrom
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25
Weekend Masses
Saturday, December 27
Sunday, December 28
Special Intention
Deann Johnson
For the People
Kathleen Newell &
Mary Ann Knutson
Jim Manley
Clarence & Celia Carruth
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday, December 27 - 3:00 pm DeGraff; Sundays 9:30 am Benson
*** Please note change in Weekend Reconciliation Schedule
* Marriage Preparation: Please contact Area Office at least six months ahead of time to plan and prepare
for your wedding.
If one party has been previously married, the wedding cannot move forward unless an annulment has
been granted by the Catholic Church.
* Baptism Preparation: Please call Fr. Jeremy Kucera at 507-828-5247
* RCIA: Anyone interested in joining the Catholic Church please call Jack Wagner at 842-9693 or the Area
Office for fall registration.
* Registration/Moving: To register in a parish or if moving, call Area Office at 842-4271 or Murdock
office at 875-2451.
Catholic Charities - offering personal, marriage, family and pregnancy counseling 1-866-670-5163.
*PASTORAL CARE*
If any parishioner or family member is in need of a pastoral care visit and Holy Communion, please call the
parish office. Today’s privacy laws do not permit hospitals to contact churches when a patient is in need of a
pastoral visit. We are made aware of it only when the individual or their friends and family contact us. We are
also not always aware of parishioners that are homebound and would desire a pastoral visit.
The Vocation View
Mary received and responded to the Lord’s will through the invitation of an angel.
Who are God’s messengers in your life? Listen to God speaking to you through
them. (Luke 1:26-38)
DAILY SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 21
Tuesday, December 23
Saturday, December 27
Sunday, December 28
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Masses in Benson & Murdock
Sacred Heart Parish decorating following 8 am Mass - all are invited to help
St. Francis Parish decorating following 10 am Mass – all are invited to help
9-10 am Confessions at St. Francis in Benson
7:30 pm Knights of Columbus meeting at St. Francis Church Gathering Space
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Mass in Benson
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Masses in Benson & Murdock
The Area Office will be closed Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26 for Christmas.
Thank you! We can certainly call you friends because of the way you care for our retired members,” writes a
religious brother. Your gift to last week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious benefits some 35,000
senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. May God bless you for your generosity!
If anyone is looking to give money to people in need, especially this Christmas Season
(food, toys or clothing) or at any other time, please let Fr. Jeremy know and he will distribute
it. Please place monetary donations in the collection plate clearly marked for this purpose.
Thank you.
The public is invited to the Abbey of the Hills for their second annual Cider & Christmas Sing Along.
Hear local talent, as well as join in on some traditional Christmas carols.
The event is free to the public and is Sunday Dec 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Abbey of the Hills.
Call 605-398-9200 for more information.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR AT SACRED HEART: We will have a practice for Christmas Eve Mass today,
December 21 following Mass. If you cannot be at practice today, please join us on Christmas Eve!
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC AT SACRED HEART: We will again have special music starting 45 minutes
before Christmas Eve Mass - 3:15 pm. Everyone is invited to come early to Mass and enjoy some holiday
music! Anyone interested in taking part please contact Marlis Kavanagh at 875-2201 or
[email protected]. We'd love to have some new voices involved and Christmas is a perfect time to start!
Donations for Christmas Decorations
You may make a donation in memory of a loved one, in thanksgiving, or for a special intention. Your donation
will be used to help buy the flowers, trees, garland, etc. Please place your donation in the collection basket
and mark the envelope “church decorations” or you can also drop your donation off at the Area Office. If you
are giving the donation in memory of someone, please remember to give us the person’s name so that we can
remember them in prayer. Thank you for your generosity.
Holy Day Mass Schedule for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Wednesday, December 31
6:00 pm
St. Francis, Benson
Thursday, January 1, 2015
9:00 am
Sacred Heart, Murdock
Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound
We are always looking for more volunteers who would be able to help out in this ministry to our homebound
parishioners. Many are not able to get out, especially in the winter months. If you are interested in helping out
with this ministry, please call the area office.
A photo slideshow from the Day for Consecrated Life is on the Diocese of New Ulm’s Web site:
www.dnu.org. Over 500 people attended the day-long event, including 60 religious sisters from 12 different
communities. Be sure to check out the photos!
Scholarships are now available from the Mary Beatrice Hennessy Scholarship Fund. In order to apply
you must be a member of St. Francis Parish and now attending or planning to attend a Catholic College or
Catholic High School during the 2014-2015 school year. Applications may be picked up in church or at the
Area Office. All applications must be received by January 31, 2015.
University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) offers discounts to their
online courses for catechists, parents, catechetical leaders, youth ministers and all adults in the Diocese of
New Ulm. Courses for Cycle 1 of 2015 include “The Study of the Joy of the Gospel” facilitated by Bryan
Reising, director of Religious Education and Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of New Ulm. To sign up,
click on https://vlc.udayton.edu/. If you are a new student, scroll to the bottom and click New Student: Create a
Profile. If you are a returning student, scroll to the bottom and click Register for a Course. VLCFF also has
certificate programs for catechists, youth ministers, social justice committees, and adult faith formation.
Scholarships are available for those involved with catechetical ministry, youth ministry, and Catholic schools.
Just contact Bryan at 507-233-5324 or e-mail him at [email protected] for further details.
Follow Your Heart – A Day of Discernment for Women
Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 9 a.m-3p.m.
This day will examine the spiritual practices that guide us in living a discerning life. Sister Joanne Dehmer,
SSND, will lead the day. She has a background in spiritual direction, teaching and pastoral care and will join us
from Loyola Spirituality Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event will take place at the Notre Dame Center,
1910 Graham Ave., #217, St. Paul, Minnesota. Register by Wednesday, January 26. Free will offering
accepted. Contact Sister Mary Swanson, SSND, [email protected] or 414-305-9011.
*Reflections for the weekly readings are part of this bulletin. This publication is sponsored by the Knights of
Columbus Council #2129.
OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
St. Francis - Benson
Sacred Heart - Murdock
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Fuel
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Immac. Conception
Religious Ret.
Votive lights
Decorations
Danvers Oratory
Building Fund
Parish Cemetery
Food Shelf
$2,427.00
$9.00
$137.00
$145.00
$55.00
$8.00
$47.00
$20.00
$33.45
$175.00
$40.00
$2,050.00
$25.00
$558.47
Total
$5,729.92
St. Malachy Collection figures
will be in next week's bulletin
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Christmas
Immaculate Conception
Religious Retirement
Votive lights
Total
$995.00
$7.00
$57.00
$10.00
$10.00
$205.00
$63.22
$1,347.22
St. Bridget - DeGraff
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Immaculate Conc.
CHD
Philippine Mission
Christmas Decorations
Food Shelf
Total
St. Francis Building Fund as of 12-18-2014 is $188,818.00
$894.00
$2.00
$103.05
$20.00
$50.00
$100.00
$130.00
$186.00
$1,485.05
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Fourth Sunday of Advent: O Radiant Dawn (O Oriens)
Darkness before the dawn
O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn) is one of the seven O Antiphons
sung or recited at Vespers. In English, it goes: O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell
in darkness and the shadow of death. On this, the winter solstice, the
shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, fill your heart
with anticipation for the coming light of Christ.
Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:2527; Luke 1:26-38 (11). “He will be great and will be called Son of
the Most High.”
Monday, December 22
Advent weekday: O King of Nations (O Rex Gentium)
Radical Mary
The Song of Mary, or Magnificat as it is known in Latin, is one
of the most ancient Christian hymns, perhaps the earliest Marian
hymn. It reflects the strong biblical tradition of justice for the poor
and oppressed. It is a song of reversals of power, as all is upended
by the true power and glory that is the coming of the Lord. Have
your eyes seen the glory? Are you looking in the right places? We
pray today: O King of Nations and keystone of the church, come and
save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56 (198). “My
soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”
Tuesday, December 23 Feast of John of Kanty, priest; O God-with-us (O Emmanuel)
‘Tis a gift to be simple
John Kanty was well known in the city of Kraków for his generosity
and compassion toward the poor. He subsisted on what was strictly
necessary to sustain his life. He slept little, only on the floor, and ate
a spare vegetarian diet. He made one pilgrimage to Jerusalem and
four pilgrimages on foot to Rome carrying his luggage on his back.
He died in 1473 at the ripe old age of 83. Guess he knew what he
was doing with his life. Do you? Maybe John offers some hints. We
pray today: O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the
nations and their Savior. Come and save us, O Lord our God.
Today’s readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 (199).
“Your ways, O Lord, make known to me.”
Wednesday, December 24 Advent weekday
Anticipation, anticipation
Perhaps you remember “Anticipation,” Carly Simon’s hit song
from 1971, in which she breathlessly awaits the arrival of her
date. The song captures the mood of Christmas Eve very well. But
unlike a song about a date that might or might not live up to its
billing, Christmas Eve always lives up to its promise, because God
is faithful in fulfilling promises and God’s promises are forever.
As you await the celebration of the birth of the Savior today, what
song is in your heart?
Today’s readings: Morning: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke
1:67-79 (200). “In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from
on high shall break upon us.”
Thursday, December 25
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Do you hear what I hear?
Imagine yourself a shepherd minding sheep (and your own business) when suddenly a chorus of angels announces, “A child is born
to you this day!” It would get your attention! The Incarnation of
Christ means a real child in a real world placed in your care in the
shape of those in need. Incarnation means “in flesh,” and even if
Jesus is no longer a baby and no longer present physically, he is
always present in the flesh of every poor, naked, hungry, lonely,
rejected person in this world. We’re not shepherds, but the angels
are singing to us, too.
Today’s readings: Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke
2:1-14 (14); Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 or
1:1-5, 9-14 (16). “He has spoken to us through the Son, whom he
made heir of all things.”
Friday, December 26 Feast of Stephen, the first martyr
Speaking truth to power
Saint Stephen was both a martyr and a prophet as he challenged
his fellow Jews to stop being “stiff-necked” people who, just as
their ancestors had done, resist the Holy Spirit. Such courageous
witness changes lives. Saul (later Saint Paul) was a young man
present at Stephen’s stoning who started off persecuting the followers of Jesus and ended up leading them. Surely Stephen’s courageous witness helped Saul see the light. Who inspires your faith?
Today’s readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 (696).
“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out ‘Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit.’ ”
Saturday, December 27 Feast of John, apostle, evangelist
Treat one another divinely
John the Evangelist is sometimes called “John the Divine” because
of the sublimity of his vision of Jesus and God’s love. We see it in
majestic phrases from his gospel such as “the Word became flesh,”
or “God so loved the world,” or “Love one another.” Yet he also
portrays Jesus as a warm, tender human being, weeping at a friend’s
death or dancing at a wedding. Like John, you paint pictures of
Jesus with your words, but more by how you treat others, how you
put flesh on your faith by acts of kindness, forgiveness, and the good
cheer we offer at Christmastime and, one hopes, all year round.
Today’s readings: 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a and 2-8 (697).
“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.
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copyright. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition.
Contributors: Alice Camille, Sister Colleen Gibson, S.S.J., Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Sister Maxine Kollasch, I.H.M., Jennifer Tomshack, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.