December 31, 2017

Page 2 Website - www.saintcecilias.org

The Week AheadThe Week AheadThe Week AheadThe Week Ahead

This Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary Lamp Is in Honor of Mary Jo Hobbs

Requested By Claire

MONDAY, NEW YEAR’S DAY JANUARY 1 OFFICE CLOSED TUESDAY 7:00 AM Men’s Gospel Forum 101 WEDNESDAY 9:30 AM Prayer Shawl Ministry 104 6:00 PM Hand Bell Choir CR 7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice C THURSDAY Nothing Scheduled FRIDAY 8:00 AM Brothers in Christ A 10:00 AM Scripture Sharing L 10:00 AM Divine Mercy Cenacle 101 7:00 PM Marriage Enrichment A & B SATURDAY 1:00 PM Centering Prayer 104 3:00 PM Confessions until 3:30 PM C 5:00 PM Book Fair PH SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 8:30 AM Book Fair (after all Masses) PH 9:00 AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word CR 10:00 AM Coffee and Donuts PH 10:30 AM RCIA 100 12:15 PM Baptism Prep A

The primary purpose of The Feast of the Holy Family is to present the Ho-ly Family as a model for Christian families.

In Italy there is a saying, “La famiglia é tutto,” which means, “the family is everything.” Our Holy Father Pope Francis has made families one of the focal points of his papacy. He orga-nized a conference on families in 2015. Speaking to the gathered fami-lies, he said, “You cannot have a family without dreams. I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine

months, every mother and father dream about their baby. They dream about what kind of child he or she will be… You can’t have a family without dreams. Once a family loses the ability to dream, children do not grow, love does not grow, life shrivels up and dies. So I ask you each evening, when you make your ex-amination of conscience, to also ask yourselves this question: Today did I dream about my children’s future? Today did I dream about the love of my husband, my wife? Did I dream about my parents and grandparents who have gone before me?”

All of today’s readings have to do with families and family life. The reading from Sirach, our First Reading, emphasized the Fourth Commandment, “Honor thy father and mother.” We are commanded to respect and love our parents. However, it is a two way street. The Gospel Reading speaks of the development of Jesus, and that should inspire parents to understand that our prayers are the same as the prayers of Joseph and Mary — that our children will become strong in spirit and filled with wisdom. www.THECATHOLICSTEWARD.com

A BIG thank you to all of our volun-teers who helped to decorate our church so beautifully for the Christmas season. Your hard work and the time you gave of yourselves are most ap-preciated! We would not be a commu-nity without “U”!

Congratulations to our new Extraordinary Minis-Congratulations to our new Extraordinary Minis-Congratulations to our new Extraordinary Minis-Congratulations to our new Extraordinary Minis-ters of the Eucharist at Masses!ters of the Eucharist at Masses!ters of the Eucharist at Masses!ters of the Eucharist at Masses! Welcome to those who have respond-ed to their Baptismal call by saying “yes” to serving the Body and Blood of Christ at our Masses: Larry Coryell, Jim DeFee, Lynn Flower, Iraida Gon-zalez, Pat Greco, Lauren Hajek, Lori Herbert, Steve and Teresa Jansen, Russ Reider and Joe Romstadt.

God bless you!

Check out the St. Cecilia App! Stay connected with St. Cecilia, visit our web-site www.saintcecilias.org and/or download our parish app (myparishapp.com) for a complete list of events, ministries and our bulletin. If you have any questions please contact Elaine at EXT. 10.

Fr. Patrick Martin’s Address is: 11510 Windtree, San Antonio, TX 78253 and email is fatherpat@runbox.com

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MONDAY, JANUARY 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

9:00 AM † Joe Torres By Dennis and Ellen Larson and Families TUESDAY 7:30 AM † Geraldine Molter By Her Sisters 12:10 PM EMCH for The Palms By Pam Klaas WEDNESDAY 7:30 AM † Clara Albanese By Claire 12:10 PM † Hildelisa Romero By Larrea Family THURSDAY 7:30 AM † Terry Breiner By Bing 12:10 PM † Carli Bitterman By Mom FRIDAY 7:30 AM Betty Anderson By Pat Agnew 12:10 PM † Mary Eller SATURDAY 4:00 PM † Sister Lynn Welsh O.P. By Bing SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 7:30 AM St. Cecilia’s Parishioners 9:00 AM † Eli and Emily Merrick By Daughter, Anita 11:00 AM † Molly Campochiaro By Husband, Joe

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS the deceased members of our parish families.

Phone: 239-936-3635 • Fax: 239-936-2108

Liturgy IntentionsLiturgy IntentionsLiturgy IntentionsLiturgy Intentions

For the WeekFor the WeekFor the WeekFor the Week A Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De Sales Here we are at the end of the old year; tomorrow will be the beginning of the new. We must bless the Lord for the many graces we have received. May it please God that by means of these fleeting years we may happily arrive at the permanent year of a blessed eternity! Let us make good use of these small passing moments, living them out in that kindness and humility which Jesus, right from the time He was a child, taught us.

This Weekend’s Altar WineThis Weekend’s Altar WineThis Weekend’s Altar WineThis Weekend’s Altar Wine Is Donated By His wife, Janet

In Memory of Jerry Norton

Scripture Readings for the Week

Monday Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Numbers 6: 22-27

Galatians 4: 4-7

Luke 2: 16-21

Tuesday John 2: 22-28

John 1: 19-28

Wednesday John 2: 29-3:6

John 1: 29-34

Thursday John 3: 7-10

John 1: 35-42

Friday John 3: 11-21

John 1: 43-51

Saturday John 5: 5-13

Luke 3: 23-38

Sunday THE EPHPHANY OF THE LORD

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6

Matthew 2: 1-12

FFFFIRSTIRSTIRSTIRST FFFFRIDAYRIDAYRIDAYRIDAY AAAADORATIONDORATIONDORATIONDORATION ONONONON FFFFRIDAYRIDAYRIDAYRIDAY, J, J, J, JANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARY 5555 Spend time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 7:30 AM Mass until Benediction at 11:45 AM. The sign-up sheet for First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is located in the Chapel.

These days everyone is thinking These days everyone is thinking These days everyone is thinking These days everyone is thinking about resolutions for this New Year. Here is a paraphrase of the Prayer of St. Francis that in this parish family we might grow as the instruments of the Lord's presence as part of our New Year's resolutions.

Lord, make our parish the instrument of your presence. Help us to depend not on collections and committees but on a lively faith. Keep us open to build bridges between people, and not isolate into factions. Guide us to find words that encourage and affirm rather than criticize or belittle. Give us the sensitivity to listen to the needs and hurts of others and not to react with cynicism or selfishness. For we believe that it is ours to build community where there is isolation, To proclaim gospel wholeness where there is brokenness, And to replace the shallow promises made by our world with the promise and the presence of the Risen Lord.

Pray For Our SickPray For Our SickPray For Our SickPray For Our Sick Mary Adams, Kelley Allen, Penny Arcuni, Larry Atkin-son, Janice Austin, Millie Azcuy, Agnes Boller, Mar-guerite Bosman, Brendan Brennan, Jackie Busch, Harry Chernin, Nicasio David, Nina Devine, Marie Di-

raimo, Corinne Dwyer, Dawn Dunham, Gordon Forester, Dolores Gonzalez, Mena Granatino, Mary Greco, Pat Greco, Curtis Hack-ett, Mary Jo Hobbs, Joyce Hojnacki, Rose Mary Immken, Marie Keller, Dorothy Kiesel, Mary Kyle, Judy La Rose, John Lamp-man, Dory Lane, Carol Lindstrom, Lauren Lombardi, Nancy Lylis, Joan McGarry, Evelyn Machette, Lauren Major, Fred and Antoi-nette Marquardt, John Meagher, Eduardo Moas, Chris Noel, Anne Pavese, Mary Ann Ritter, Hedy and Michael Roper, Diana Rose, Zachary Ross, Maryjean Ahearn Rotondo, Joseph Ruiz, Lorraine Ryan, Tommy Scardina, James Scheibelhut, Joshua Schmeck, Ellen Serviss, Audrey Stramara, Martha Temby, Ann and John Thompson, Emma Valla, Donna Vilardi, Tonya Heidelberg-Yopp, Ed Zebig, Charlie Zebrowski.

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WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR “ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK” WHOSE SUPPORT HELPS TO PUBLISH THIS

BULLETIN!

MMMMARYARYARYARY BBBBANKHARDANKHARDANKHARDANKHARD CCCCHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN’’’’SSSS EEEEDUCATIONDUCATIONDUCATIONDUCATION FFFFUNDUNDUNDUND IIIINVESTNVESTNVESTNVEST ININININ THETHETHETHE FFFFUTUREUTUREUTUREUTURE OFOFOFOF OOOOURURURUR CCCCHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN Help us to meet our goal of $20,000 in matching funds for our Elementary School Scholarship Fund to help those in need. If anyone is able to match our goal, dollar for dollar, or if anyone would like to make a donation to-wards this education fund, contact Fr. Stan.

NNNNEXTEXTEXTEXT WWWWEEKEEKEEKEEK IIIISSSS OOOOURURURUR MMMMONTHLYONTHLYONTHLYONTHLY FFFFOODOODOODOOD DDDDRIVERIVERIVERIVE Your donations are shared with Catholic His-panic Social Services and are collected on the

first Sunday of each month. Requested items are rice, beans, canned meats, vegetables and disposable adult briefs (L and XL) for our senior services.

Please, NO GLASS containers! Thank you.

SSSSOUPOUPOUPOUP KKKKITCHENITCHENITCHENITCHEN EEEEVERYDAYVERYDAYVERYDAYVERYDAY CCCCAFÉAFÉAFÉAFÉ ANDANDANDAND MMMMARKETARKETARKETARKET SSSSTTTT. C. C. C. CECILIAECILIAECILIAECILIA’’’’SSSS OOOOUTREACHUTREACHUTREACHUTREACH MMMMINISTRYINISTRYINISTRYINISTRY

Our next date is Saturday, January 6 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. To volunteer call Elaine at Ext. 10.

Goal ..................... $216,000.00 Pledged ............... $184,513.00 % of Goal .......................... 85% % of Households ............... 34% Total payments .... $179,907.00

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Cursillo/Ultreya MeetingCursillo/Ultreya MeetingCursillo/Ultreya MeetingCursillo/Ultreya Meeting The first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at St. John XXIII Church, 13060 Palo-mino Lane, 239-561-2245

Welcome to our New ParishionersWelcome to our New ParishionersWelcome to our New ParishionersWelcome to our New Parishioners

Mrs. Amy Moncada,

Mr. and Mrs. Blaine and Sara Ward.

Stir The FireStir The FireStir The FireStir The Fire Mobile Catholic Book Fair

AFTER ALL MASSES Next week-end, in the Parish Hall

“Stir The Fire” in your spiritual life with one of many Catholic books

that will be available for purchase after all Masses, January 6 and 7.

Spiritual reading will help you to have a closer relation-ship with Jesus Christ, to love Him more, and to help you better know your Catholic Faith.

Safe Environment Training Is Mandatory For Safe Environment Training Is Mandatory For Safe Environment Training Is Mandatory For Safe Environment Training Is Mandatory For NewNewNewNew VolunteersVolunteersVolunteersVolunteers The Diocese of Venice is committed to provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable

adults. To that end, per-sons working with children or visiting vulnerable adults are required to be fingerprinted (this process includes a background check) and to receive training in recognizing po-tential signs of abuse. The

next training will be held at St. Columbkille, Thursday, January 18 or Saturday, January 20, 2018. Please call 239-489-3973 to register.

Senior LuncheonSenior LuncheonSenior LuncheonSenior Luncheon

Let’s celebrate 2018 together!

Monday, January 8, after the 12:10 PM Mass

Come for FUN and FELLOWSHIP!

Please RSVP to the Parish Office by

Thursday, January 4.

Be ready for IN THE WORD

Please bring cans of food to donate. Centering Prayer is Saturday, from 1:00 -2:00 PM

Centering Prayer is a contemporary form of the Chris-tian contemplative tradition.

All women are invited to a breakfast sponsored by Magnifi-cat, a ministry to Catholic women. Breakfast is Saturday, January 13, 9:30 AM at the Holiday Inn Airport, Gulf Coast Town Center. Please send $20.00 to Magnificat Fort Myers to Joanne Tarantino, 7768 Jewel Lane, Unit 102, Naples, FL 34109, 239-200-8592 or Barbara Tay, 646-296-2335. Requests must be postmarked by January 5.

Page 5 5632 Sunrise Drive • Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Family Faith FormationFamily Faith FormationFamily Faith FormationFamily Faith Formation

For Sacraments and Formation info contact:

Kelli at Ext. 20 or kbonner@saintcecilias.net

Linda at Ext. 19 or lsigl@saintcecilias.net

Mary at Ext. 18 or mzalud@saintcecilias.net

"Jesus the Healer of Souls and Bodies""Jesus the Healer of Souls and Bodies""Jesus the Healer of Souls and Bodies""Jesus the Healer of Souls and Bodies" Presenter: Dr. Mary HealyPresenter: Dr. Mary HealyPresenter: Dr. Mary HealyPresenter: Dr. Mary Healy

January, 11th ~ St. ColumbkilleJanuary, 11th ~ St. ColumbkilleJanuary, 11th ~ St. ColumbkilleJanuary, 11th ~ St. Columbkille Tickets are $15.00Tickets are $15.00Tickets are $15.00Tickets are $15.00

Please join us and bring a friend or two! In this talk Scrip-ture professor Mary Healy will explain why healing was central to Jesus’ ministry, and what Scripture reveals about the Lord’s healing power in our own lives. Dr. Mary Healy is professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and is an international speaker. Her doctorate is in biblical theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. She is an author, her other books include Men and Women Are from Eden: A Study Guide to John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World. She was appointed by Pope Francis as one of the first three wom-en ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Please register online by clicking the button on your right Or mail a check payable to Faith & Wine Lee County. Include attendee name(s), address, telephone number, email and parish to:

c/o Julie Richards Payable to: Faith and Wine Lee County 6946 Pickadilly Court Fort Myers, FL 33919

We encourage you to register now and strongly rec-ommend that you pay by Friday January 5th.

Kelli, Mary and Linda in the Faith Formation depart-ment wish you and yours the blessings of a Joyous and Happy New Year. Family Faith Formation and Preparation for Eucharist and Confirmation resume January 14.

THE DIVORCED DESERVE ANSWERS There is no such thing as “Catholic divorce” but Catholics do civilly divorce. We are here to help, and to encourage healing through the Sacraments where you will personally encounter Christ—with all His love and tender mercies. And that is REALLY good news. Our groups meet on Monday evenings in the parish hall. Please contact Kelli 239-939-3635 EXT. 20 or kbonner@saintcecilias.net if you would like to join us in February for our next group.

Welcome HomeWelcome HomeWelcome HomeWelcome Home If you are returning to the Church or desire to refresh and discuss the foundations of our Catholic faith. Join us on Sundays at 12:00 PM, January 7 to February 4, in the Parish Hall. For more information please contact

Kelli Bonner at (239) 936 - 3635 ext. 20

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Staffed by the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales

Fr. Stanley J. Dombrowski, OSFS Pastor

Fr. Francis J. Hanlon, OSFS

Parochial Vicar

Pastoral Staff

Jill Bitterman Coordinator of Worship

Kelli Bonner Director of

Faith Formation and Sacramental Prep

Jeanne Conklin Business Administrator

Sherry Cross Coordinator of Music

Ruth Ahearn Mary Jo Nardello

Office Assistants

Pam Klaas Coordinator of Pastoral

Ministry

Elaine Long Administrative Assistant

Linda Sigl Faith Formation Secretary

Mary Zalud Youth Coordinator

As the year 2017 is ending, it’s typical to look back, and reflect on the differences we made in someone’s life, by the things we did or didn’t do. Together we can make 2018 an outstanding year. We can give more smiles, hugs, and our time to help someone in need. Get involved with our church community, and you’ll be surprised to see, the biggest changes will be in your life. It’s what we are all called to do.

The Knights Corner

God Bless Interested in becoming a Knight of Columbus? Please contact our Grand Knight Tom Tarantelli 518-320-2628 or our Fraternal Benefits Advisor Bobby St.

Romain 239-201-5799 for more information.

"Today, the Knights of Columbus is providentially positioned to play a key role in the new alliance between the Church and the family called for by Pope Francis … What is necessary now is our greater involvement in the renewal of parish and family life."

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

Celebration Courtyard pavers are a special way to honor loved ones, those who have passed or to celebrate milestones such as baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries or graduations. Some parishioners have shown an interest in buying bricks to express gratitude for prayers answered. What a great way to give God praise for special bless-ings! Each concrete brick purchased is laser engraved with your custom message-with or without clipart—and will become a part of our CELEBRATION COURTYARD locat-ed just outside our new facility. Go to: Polarengraving.com/StCeciliaCatholicCommunity.