Christmas Family Is Important at Christmas We make an extra effort to be with family at Christmas time…often times leaving our own comfortable homes, grimacing a bit as we brace for a trip that might include snow and freezing temperatures, loading a trunk full of gifts and “just-in-case-items,” and perhaps adding an overnight expense to our budget. We do all this to share conversation and meals with family…sometimes with the awareness that our family relationships aren’t as good as we experience with our own neighbors and co-workers back home. And yet we travel, because family is important. Our family of faith is also important…and imperfect. It can seem easier to stay at home and say a little prayer, but it’s important to remain engaged in the family of faith. That’s why we came to Mass for Christmas. It’s the reason for the extra chairs and the special Mass times, not just at Mary Mother of the Church, but in every church. In heaven, there is only one family. God is shaping that family right here on earth. The start of a new year is a great time to renew our commitment to this family and our weekly family gatherings. Being registered and being active in a local parish is important. It might not always be exciting, but it’s important because it’s important to be part of the family. ¨If you’re not registered in a parish, call your local church. First, you may need to spend a couple months visiting area parishes to find one you’re most comfortable with. ¨If you’re already registered in a parish but not the church-going type, make an extra effort…as you did today. ¨If you’re holding back because you were married outside the Church – whether it’s your first marriage or not – contact a priest or deacon and he can guide you through the necessary steps. ¨If you have been a faithful church-goer, perhaps it’s time to be involved in some parish ministry. May your New Year be full of grace, happiness, and family! Yours in Christ, Father Konopa New Year’s Mass Schedule Mary Mother of God (New Years) Wednesday, December 31 4:00 pm Thursday, January 1 9:00 am No 7:30 am Mass Friday Dec. 26, 31 and Jan1 Sign Up Sheets For Liturgical Ministers Now available in the gathering space of the church, sign up sheets for those interested in serving for our New Year Masses. Parish Office Hours For Christmas The parish office will be closed December 31 and January 1. Decorating the Church Thank you to everyone who helped decorate the church for the Christmas Season! New Hymnals The new hymnals are in the pews! These hymnals will be used by the members of this community for years to come. Thank you to everyone who donated toward this project. Beginning January 17-18, the old hymnals will be available for those who would like them for personal use at home. Because they include the readings for every Sunday and holy day, they can be used for your personal prayer before coming to Mass. Building Our Future Together A parish commission has been established to re-evaluate the needs and opportunities of our property and facilities with a goal of having a strategic plan in the Fall of 2015. The first major event is a parish presentation on January 10 from 9-11 am in church. We will discuss past events and decisions. Then we will focus on our future together by seeking practical ideas and creative dreams for the commission to consider and to research. Please plan to come and be a part of Building Our Future Together! Mary Mother of the Church Parish Ministry to the Homebound We desire to have a connection with those who are not able to join us for weekend Mass. If you or a loved one would enjoy regular visits, please call the parish office, 788-5483 ext. 5, so arrangements can be made to bring you Holy Communion. Year of Consecrated Life MMOC is grateful for the service of consecrated men and women who have made a difference in our lives: -Benedictine Sisters at St. Thomas More School (1948-1986) -Brothers of St. Pius at St. Thomas More School -Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at St. Pius School -Brothers of St. Pius at St. Pius Parish & School -Sr. Kathy FSPA who continues to serve us faithfully since 2001 with a special focus on the elderly and sick. During this Year of Consecrated Life it is important for us to recall with gratitude the wonderful ministry we have received. Parishioners are encouraged to share their stories of religious brothers and sisters perhaps a relative of yours or someone from your childhood parish - and submit them to Fr. Konopa: [email protected]. Some of these stories will be shared in our bulletin or with our Religious Education students. Please consider taking the time and writing a story about a consecrated person who made a difference in your life. Sacred Worship Weekend Sacristans The parish has a handful of sacristans who provide humble service preparing the church for every Mass offered at MMOC. They will begin focusing on weekday Masses only and would like to support parishioners who are willing to volunteer as sacristans for weekend Masses. This commitment would require arriving 20-30 minutes before Mass for set-up and staying afterward to clean vessels and store items. Individual training will be offered and this new ministry would begin in February. Please contact the Parish Office at 788-5483 to express interest or to receive additional info. Family Life Baptisms Congratulations Barron James Glenn, and his parents Leon and Melinda Kay. Sawyer William Westcott and his parents Sean and Janis. Ava Oline Hammes and her parents Nick and Lindsey. Rhobie Anne Shuman and her parents Robert and Danielle. We welcome these children to the Catholic faith. Catholic Education Religious Education There will be no Religious Education classes the Wednesdays of Dec. 31st, and Jan. 7th. Enjoy your Christmas break. “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” The Aquinas Catholic Schools Staff, Students, and Families wish you a very Merry Christmas and blessings throughout the New Year. Thank you for your support of Catholic education. Women’s & Men’s Club January Social On Wednesday, January 7, 2015 the Men’s and Women’s Clubs will be joining one another for refreshments and appetizers after Their meetings. The meetings begin at 7pm in the Rectory. Please join us and enjoy great Christian fellowship! Social Justice Advent Annual Appeal Catholic Charities is not just a place to shelter the homeless, give food to the hungry, and provide clothing for those who are naked; but to give comfort, aid, knowledge, and hope to those who are strangers, immigrants, or those imprisoned by poverty, illness or disability. Our ultimate goal is to be present, to try to provide comprehensive service and hope! Did you know that in 2013 we helped 6,961 individuals and families receive assistance through charitable outreach, advocacy, financial education and enrichment from our St. Lawrence Community Services Program? Please join us in this service to others by offering hope to those in need. You can learn more about how to give at www.cclse.org. We are very grateful for your support! Meals For The Warming Center MMOC is going to provide food for the Warming Center for 5 Thursdays in January through April. Sign-up sheets are in the gathering space of the Church. Linda Gillette will be contacting those that sign up with more details. Bequest Received Mary Mother of the Church received a generous gift of $79,697 from the estate of Lorraine Johnson for the Building Fund. When Lorraine's health was declining, she shared her December 25, 2014 Finances decision to provide a gift for the establishment of a parish hall even though she would not be here to see it. Many non-profit organizations can benefit from planned gifts. When considering non-profits, please consider Mary Mother of the Church. When considering family, please consider your parish family. The most common and simple way to include MMOC in your last wishes is to include a bequest in your will or trust. There is an unlimited estate tax deduction for amounts left to charity. End Of The Year Giving All 2014 tithing and other contributions that you wish to be recorded for 2014 tax purposes must be received in the parish office no later than noon on Dec. 30th, 2014. Any money received after that time will be credited to the 2015 calendar year. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. Christmas Flowers In order to ensure w e include every ones names, the Christmas flower donation list will appear in the January 10-11 bulletin. World Meeting of Families Philadelphia, September, 2015 Liturgical Roles January 3 and 4 Ministers of Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Gary Heilman, Linda Heilman, Michelle Schaub, Mary Schaub, Joseph van Oss, Joyce Po!er 8:00 a.m. Jane Vogel, Mary Jo Schumacher, Tom Elsen, Diane Elsen, Gloria Biesen, Nixie Oldenburg 10:00 a.m. Lectors 4:00 p.m. Joseph van Oss, Jerry Iverson 8:00 a.m. Steve Salerno, Bob Mahr 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Peter Glodosky, NOT FILLED 8:00 a.m. Michael Kirchner, Nicholas Salerno 10:00 a.m. Musicians 4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. ǡǡǨ Jennifer Kieffer Mary Jo Lium Brianne Ebenhoe 8:00 a.m. Nancy Misch 10:00 a.m. Mary Jo Lium 4:00 p.m. ǡǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡǤ Joshua Kaiser, Jacob Kaiser Cantors 10:00 a.m. Ushers 4:00 p.m. ǡ ǡǡ ǡ Ǥ Nancy Steinhoff, Pa!y Nimocks Servers Pope Francis has asked all Catholics worldwide to use the months ahead as a time of preparation & prayer for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September of 2015. Pope Francis also asks all families to enrich and energize family life by praying the “World Meeting of Families Prayer” each day for their own family’s personal intentions: ϐ Ǥ Sue Konop, Mark Halter, Sue Halter, Carol Forer, Joseph Kaiser, Anne Kernan 8:00 a.m. Gi! Bearers 4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Hospitality 8:00 a.m. Sunday Choir, Song Leader: Polly Berendes Alton Kammel, William Allen, Phil Watson, Kevin Bryant, Brenna Lietke, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED NOT FILLED, Steve Weiland, Jack Lucey, Ed Watson, Abbi Klos, Kris#n Spencer, Steve Salerno (sub req.), NOT FILLED Phil Steinhoff, Phil Thaldorf, Steve Clements, Don Wavra, Robb Pretasky, Mike Konop, Nick Osowski, Joe Halverson Kevin Bryant, Brenna Lietke NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED Joseph Kaiser, Rachael Kaiser Kim Lansing (sub req.), Paul Lansing (sub req.) 10:00 a.m. Amy Hammes, NOT FILLED Scrip Sellers 4:00 p.m. Sarah Kopski, Mary Schaub 8:00 a.m. Nancy Flo!meyer, NOT FILLED 10:00 a.m. Sheri Skelton, Gehrig Skelton Money Counters 10:00 a.m. Jim Omernik, Fred Monk, Kathy Chapiewsky December 25, 2014 Weekly Mass Intentions Friday, December 26, 2014 No Mass Saturday, December 27, 2014 4:00 p.m. † Francis De Florian by Leo and Loree Nickelotti Sunday, December 28, 2014 8:00 a.m. † Pat Tanner by Gloria Biesen 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo Tuesday, December 30, 2014 7:30 a.m. † Dr. Gerald Miller by Margaret and George Ellenz Wednesday, December 31, 2014 4:00 p.m. † Rudy and Louise Servais by The Servais Family Thursday, January 1, 2015 9:00 a.m. † Gerry Brenner (Anniversary of Death) by Alys Kerrigan No Hillview Mass Friday, January 2, 2015 7:30 a.m. † George Snapp, Jr. by Mary Ann Snapp Saturday, January 3, 2015 4:00 p.m. † Bernice Wurzel by The Wurzel Family Sunday, January 4, 2015 8:00 a.m. Pro Populo 10:00 a.m. † Angie Schwarzkopf by Family and Friends From the Pastor and Parish Staff We wish you and your loved ones a blessed and Merry Christmas! May Christ’s peace reign in your hearts and in your homes! Serving you in the name of Christ is an honor and a privilege. May 2015 be another year of grace for all of us! Fr. Konopa, Deacon Sage, Sr. Kathy, Therese van Oss, Tom Thibodeau, AndyFoley, Mary Jo Lium, Linda Elsen, and Allie Dunkley OPEN HOUSE... Please join us for an Open House celebrating the retirements of Bill Brendel from WTC and Deacon Richard Sage from Catholic Charities on Sunday, January 4, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 PM at All Star Banquet Hall, 4735 Mormon Coulee Road. All are invited! Your good wishes are cherished gifts. We respectfully request no others. Parish Contact Information The Rosary is prayed before each weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday beginning at 7:05 a.m. Readings for The Week Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35 1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40 1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18 Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21 1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28 1 Jn 2:29--3:6/Jn 1:29-34 Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 Parish Registration Those who would like to join the parish are asked to contact the parish secretary. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Those who are interested in becoming Catholic are asked to contact Tom Thibodeau. Religious Education and Infant Baptism Parents who wish to have a child baptized, and those who wish to register their children for Religious Education classes are asked to contact Therese van Oss. Marriage Engaged couples who wish to be married must contact the parish secretary at least six months prior to their intended wedding date to set up an appointment with Father Konopa or Deacon Sage. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race. - Jn 1:2-4 Anointing of the Sick Those who are seriously ill or scheduled for surgery and wish to be anointed are asked to contact Father Konopa. Funerals Those who are making pre-arrangements for their own funeral or arrangements for the funeral of a loved one are asked to contact Therese van Oss. 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