Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph WE ARE GOD’S HOLY FAMILY . The scriptures of Israel are filled with many stories of barren couples who were miraculously granted the gift of children by God. Surely the best known among these is the first reading from today, from which Luke took inspiration when he recounted the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the more miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph. In each instance, we are given examples or role models of those who trusted in God. More than examples of those who trust, they are models of self-surrender. They abandoned their own presuppositions and prejudices about the workings of the world and turned their lives over to belief in a God who can make life grow where none ought to; a God who can turn death around into a new and unimagined life; a God who can, today, take a tiny child of humble parents in an insignificant town and make him into a light for all the world. This is what we, as God’s holy family, are called to do each day: to trust not in ourselves and the way we think things should be, but to open ourselves and surrender ourselves in faith to a God of endless promise. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. December 28, 2014 St. Mary Magdalen Parish Mission Statement The Parish of St. Mary Magdalen is a Roman Catholic Faith Community who, in the spirit of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, welcomes all people, cherishes the Eucharist, fosters faith formation for all ages and serves our parish and the larger community in hope and charity. Parish Weekly Bulletin St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church 6425 West Metairie Avenue PARISH OFFICE Pastor........................Rev. Robert D. Massett Parochial Vicar…..Rev. Christian DeLerno,Jr. In Residence..Rev. Bartholomew Chukwuma Deacons...........Angelas Robin & Henry Nuss Acolyte…………………………Chuck LeBlanc Parish Secretary.......................Barbara Croy Phone (504) 733-0922 Fax (504) 733-0869 Parish Coordinator: Susie Sullivan.733-8980 Parish Rel. Ed. Coor.: Linda Earle..733-8980 Parish Website: www.stmarymagdalenchurch.com Parish Email Address: [email protected] PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday..............9:00AM - 4:00PM After hours by appointment only WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE Mon.- Fri., 6:30 AM & 8:30AM; Sat., 8:00 AM CONFESSIONS Saturdays, 2:30-3:30 PM WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00 PM Sunday Masses - 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM 6:00 PM Metairie, Louisiana 70003 SCHOOL OFFICE Principal.......................Ms. Kimberly Downes Asst. Principal............Mrs. Valerie Rodriguez CRE/Counselor………….Mrs. Bronwyn Myer Secretary........................Mrs. Dianne Hughes Office Phone..........................(504) 733-1433 Office Fax..............................(504) 736-0727 Cafeteria............................... (504) 733-6580 BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE Co-Directors...Caren Favaloro & Shari Mader Phone.....................................(504) 733-4768 *************************************************** In Church, be sure to visit: PRO-LIFE CORNER; ADULT PARISH LENDING LIBRARY; CHILDREN’S CORNER/LIBRARY/PRAYER CENTER ************************************************** SOCIAL APOSTOLATE MINISTRY Hours: Wednesdays, 5:30PM-6:30PM Facility Entrance on W. Metairie Ave. to right of church.........................................734-5833 GIFT SHOP & PRAYER GARDEN Hours: Tues. & Fri………....1:00PM-5:00PM Saturdays.................2:00PM-5:00PM Sundays.................8:30AM-12:15PM Phone:.............................................734-5833 BAPTISMS: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 12:15PM. Baptism Seminars on 1st Monday at 7:00PM (NOTE new time) in Chapel. Baptism Seminar is mandatory for first child. Archdiocesan Policy on Infant Baptism: www.arch-no.org/Human Resources/Policies/Policy on Infant Baptism OR may be found on the Parish website. FIRST RECONCILIATION/COMMUNION& CONFIRMATION: Must have 2 consecutive years of Catholic religious instruction prior to reception of these sacraments. Contact Parish Religious Education Coordinator for further information. WEDDINGS: Contact Parish priest at least 6 to 8 months prior to planned date of marriage. Celebrated Friday evenings; Saturday mornings, early afternoons or evenings. Church Fee: $200; Chapel Fee: $100. FUNERALS: You are encouraged to celebrate funerals in our Church or Chapel. Wakes & visitation also possible. CARE OF THE SICK: Communion brought to Homebound weekly by Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. Anointing of Sick available on individual basis by appointment. CARE OF THE NEEDY: See Social Apostolate Ministry. EXPOSITION OF BLESSED SACRAMENT: Sundays, 12:15-1:15PM Call Parish Office for further information. PARISH WEEKLY BULLETIN St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church Metairie, Louisiana December 28, 2014 Rev. Robert D. Massett Vol. XXXVI, No.52 WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS Monday, December 29 6:30 AM 8:30 AM Living Intention for Sr. Enda Byrne Joseph Centanni Tuesday, December 30 6:30 AM 8:30 AM Louis V. Levy Orlando Rocha Wednesday, December 31 6:30 AM 8:30 AM Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen Rosemary Staehle Wednesday, December 31 Feast of Solemnity of Mary Vigil 6:00 PM Joseph Radosti Thursday, January 1 Feast of Solemnity of Mary 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Croy Family Rosalie Couch Friday, January 2 6:30 AM 8:30 AM Imbraguglio & Breath Families Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen Saturday, January 3 8:00 AM Barbier, Blancher & Newell Families Saturday, January 3 Feast of Epiphany of the Lord Vigil 4:00 PM Florence Gravois, Bobb W. Hunley, Rosalie Couch, Dee Broussard, John & Clare McDermott, Hazel & Harold Howat, Isabelle D. Timmreck, Earl & Lillian Dennies Sunday, January 4 Feast of Epiphany of the Lord 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM Bertucci & Trapani Families SMM Parishioners Jeffrey Hauck, Anna Menkiewicz, St. Jude Society Prayer List, Hallie Espenan Genevieve Ducote, Alice & Dewey Ponthier, Vernon Ducote, Hal Ducote Rev. Christian W. DeLerno, Jr. PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH Jackie Markey, Teresa Lacour, Ryan Thiel, Rick Speeg, Gracelyn Chaplain, Dennis Coughlin, Jr., Kelly Fletcher Growl, Kenneth & Kevin Teen, Ben Todd, Joe Giarratano, Luca Scozzari, Evelyn Olwell, Ed Schiafino, Donald Toepfer, Brian Dufour, Mary Ann Meaux, Dilly Surratt, Yvonne Toups, Ryan Songy, Gayle Songy, Nathan Lopiccolo, Linda Nicholls, Jerry Hollingsworth, Sherry St. Pe, Ann Flick & Family, Rosemarie Entringer, Pat Hogan, Judge Thomas Wicker, Ivan Antunovic, Arianna Crawford, Claire Duplantier, Daphine Dufour, Gloria Robles, Melissa Glueck, Danny Adams, Allison Daigre, Frank R. Bayer, Jr., Olivia Sumrall, Michael Borne, Diane Voigt, Joel Brennan, Bob & Linda Veitinger, Elise Ramcourt, Jeanene Moran, Kelly Nagy, Augie Daesner, Cindy Hogman, Addison Couvillion, Jerry Fender, Linda Conran, Kayla Pelman, Linda Civella, Nick Doize, Marcia Graff, David Robins, Ashley Clement, Wanda Adams, Jenny Mayeur, Judith Massa, Carol P. Ramos, Rosemary Pizza, Julianne Andressen, Lauretta Erwin, Ryan Olwell, Judy Copping, Kathy Barbier, Jessica LeBlanc, Viola Juneau, Betty Feltey, Bob Hollingsworth, Fr. Martin Smullen, Lori Lambert, John Weyman, Kathryn Feltey, Frank Kent, Sharon Linton, Ray Groves, Michael Rodriguez, Kathleen E. Jones, Melanie Gaumond, Alice Rockvoan, Keith Nunez, Ray Schmidt, Rose Marie Curran BURIED IN CHRIST Joseph Winkler, Vivian Obergon and Mary L. Schluter SMM WEBSITE UPDATE The weekly bulletin, as well as parish events are also posted on the parish website. Go to: www.stmarymagdalenchurch.com PASTOR’S CORNER In our world today, there are countless numbers of scholars, institutes and political leaders trying to make the world a better place. What they are discovering is the answer lies in family and truth and family and truth depend on faith!! Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the models for family, truth and faith!! Let us ask the Holy Spirit to make the whole world a family of truth and faith beginning with our own!! Happy New Year, Fr. Bob TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION FEAST of the HOLY FAMILY Today’s feast is new as feasts go, and it sets us this year in a very modern crisis. Amid conflicting schedules and commitments, a young man, testing the limits, has strayed from his parents and gone off to the big city. Mary and Joseph search frantically, only to find the child Jesus in the temple, conversing with the elders and scholars of the law, who are amazed at his wisdom. In the time of Jesus, the temple was the religious center of Jewish ritual. Outside of Jerusalem, people gathered in the synagogues, centers of learning, for daily prayer and study. Still, everyone longed to journey to the temple to participate in the offerings, and to fulfill certain obligations of the law that could only be done there. On this feast, we catch a glimpse of the family of Jesus: parents dealing with the normal stresses of raising a child, and yet completely grounded in the ways of faith and tradition. There has always been an appreciation in Christianity for the value of pilgrimage—the journey to holy places that is a symbol of our life’s journey to God, and a sense of connection to important events in our family history. During the Christmas season, many of us undertake pilgrimages to the family homestead for festival meals, to the parishes where we were formed in the faith, or perhaps even to a beautiful manger scene or festival of lights. There are few better days than this in our calendar for spending time with the family, especially on a short pilgrimage to a favorite place. Just make sure that no one gets left behind! —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. CELEBRATING CATHOLIC FAMILIES Living the Word Feast of the Holy Family We call families the “domestic Church” because the family is one important place where people learn about our faith and Catholic traditions. How do you learn about our faith, prayer, and Catholic traditions in your family? Talk about the faith of your family members, dating back in time. Parent tell your children as much as you know, and show them any “artifacts” that you might have, like a rosary that belonged to a grandmother, or an internet photo of the church where you were baptized . Talk about how you learned about God or prayer from your parents or other key figures in your life. Take time to appreciate the role families play in passing faith. Feast of the Solemnity of Mary (Holy Day of Obligation) Thursday, January 1, 2014 6:00PM Vigil Mass; 8:00AM & 10:00AM* *NOTE new Mass time On this feast, we can see how devotion to Mary has been a beacon of hope to the sick throughout history. In the new cathedral of Los Angeles, the faithful enter through a single door topped by a striking sculpture of Mary with arms stretched down in compassion. Sculpted into the massive bronze doors are the titles of Mary most treasured by various cultures. Many of them speak of how the sick are consoled by a sense of Mary’s presence. In praying the rosary and savoring the stories of Mary’s steadfast love in the face of all suffering, the sick are strengthened by one of our tradition’s most shining treasures, and the whole Church is enriched. - James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. WEEKLY COLLECTION Envelopes (12/14) $ 8473.00 Loose Collection $ 2102.70 Total $10,575.70 2nd Collection-Religious Retirement $ 3838.00 Feast of Immaculate Conception $ 1461.00 ****************************************** COMMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE A New Year’s resolution from author/ columnist George Weigel: “Protecting the right to life for all vulnerable is the great civil rights issue of this time...When that becomes the talk, the pro-life walk has a real chance.” LETS KEEP OUR CHURCH CLEAN Let’s have pride in our church and help keep it beautiful! Please return all missalettes to their places after Mass and take with you any bulletins, papers, flyers or pamphlets you may have picked up. Thank you!! ****************************************** Readings for Sunday, January 4: First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel — Magi from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. A PRAYER FOR EVERY FAMILY by Pope St. John Paul II God, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth descends, Father, who are Love and Life, ensure that every human family on earth shall become, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, "born of woman," and through the Holy Spirit, the source of divine charity, a true shrine of life and love for the generations which are always renewing themselves. Ensure that Your grace shall guide the thoughts and the works of spouses toward the good of their families and of all families in the world. Ensure that the young generations shall find firm support in the family for their humanity and their growth in truth and love. Ensure the love, reinforced by the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony shall show itself to be stronger than any weakness and every crisis through which our families pass at times. Amen. PRAYER LIST FOR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN We pray for those in our parish who are fighting overseas for our country and against terrorism. SPC Donald Monteleone, Jr.,Air National Guard; Sgt. Brian Lane, Maj. Jason E. Burkett, USMC; Matthew J. Scott, USN; Seth Restivo, Evan Lina; PFC Kenny Grunberg; Lt. Spencer Farmer, Army Rangers; PFC Matthew Ballard; Lt. Joseph Bush, US Army; GySgt Albert Latour Jr., USMC; Maj. Ignacio Assasf, USANG; Sgt. Matt Llewelan, USANG; SPC Derek Vial, US Army; MN3 Ethen Meyers Prayer for our Men and Women in Military Service O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask Your protection for all our men and women in military service. Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion the rights of all who are imperiled by injustice and evil. Guard our churches, our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings and all those within from harm and peril. Protect our land and its peoples from enemies within and without. Grant an early peace with victory founded upon justice. Instill in the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen. LET’S PRAY FOR OUR SEMINARIANS In order to support vocations in our diocese, you are asked to add a special prayer for seminarians to your daily prayers. The best way to encourage and support our seminarians is to pray for them. Prayer for Vocations Loving God, How awesome are your ways! Through your abundant love you bless us with gifts that can make our world holy and just. Dwell deep in our hearts that we may know how to share these gifts. Inspire many to respond generously to your call to service in the Church. May the fire of your love direct us on our journey that we may act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with you. We give you the praise and honor now and forever. Amen. VOCATIONS Family Life can build values integral to a strong vocation — whether to priesthood, religious life or marriage. Teaching your children to value commitment, service and prayer will help them make strong vocation decisions as adults and live out those vocations with success and fulfillment. Serra for priestly and religious vocations THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Monday, December 29 NO Parish School of Religion Classes Tuesday, December 30 Wednesday, December 31-New Year’s Eve Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED Social Services Building-CLOSED Thursday, January 1New Year’s Day Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED Friday, January 2 Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED at Noon Saturday, January 3 Rosary in Chapel after 8AM Mass Confession every Saturday 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Sunday, January 4 King Cake Breakfast in Cafeteria after AM Masses Family Mass 9:30 AM Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, 12:15-1:15 PM CHILDREN’S CORNER All children are invited to visit the new Children’s Corner located in the ProLife Corner of the church. Sunday Mass Booklets & Bulletins; religious items; color sheets or activity pages are available FREE to all children. Also the Children’s Religious Book Lending Library is open. Children are invited to check one or more of 268 books. The Children’s Prayer Center is located in this area and children are invited to write their prayer intentions on slips of paper. Theme for Christmas (ways you are doing things for others ): I am celebrating Jesus’ birthday by... Put intentions in prayer gift box. Intentions will be offered up at Sunday Masses. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR BABY JESUS All are invited to a special Birthday celebration for the Baby Jesus on Sunday, December 28 after the 9:30 AM Mass in the Cafeteria. Please join us as we celebrate our Savior’s birth!!! PARISH CHRISTMAS CONCERT THANK YOU Many thanks to our Parish Music Director, Carol Temes and Cantors: Nancy Guy, Kate Abreo, Sydney Provensal & Jake Penick for the wonderful Christmas concert on Dec. 17. It was outstanding!!! Also thanks to the St. Jude Society for providing eggnog & treats in the lovely decorated Prayer Garden afterwards. SOCIAL APOSTOLATE THANK YOU The Social Apostolate would like to thank the Men’s Club for assembling and helping to distribute the Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets this year. Their help was greatly appreciated!!! ANNUAL PARISH KING CAKE BREAKFAST Next Sunday , January 4 on the Feast of the Epiphany, the Men’s Club will host the Annual Parish King Cake Breakfast. King Cake in the cafeteria after the 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM Masses. All are invited to join us! 2014 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Parishioners who wish to receive their 2014 statement of contributions to the Church may call the Rectory at 733-0922, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They will NOT be automatically sent out; they must be requested. 2015 SMM CHURCH DONATION ENVELOPES Some parishioners still have not picked up their church donation envelopes for the year. They are available for pick-up at the rectory office, Monday thru Thursday from 9AM to 4PM. SMM GUIDE BOOK & CHURCH DIRECTORY We are in the process of updating our annual Guide Book and Directory for the Church. This book helps us all to know more about our Church. As last year, the book is being provided at no cost to our parishioners, including the mailing to each family and again it is being subsidized by local businesses who advertize in it. If you own or manage a business and would like advertizing information, please call the rectory office at 733-0922, Monday-Thursday, 9AM4PM. Recent survey results by Guide Book Publishing show that 92.1% of families would rather patronize businesses who advertize in the guide book. It “does pay” to advertize in our Guide Book and Directory.
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