P O B O X 6 7 · I R E L A N D , I N 4 7 5 4 5 - 0 0 6 7 P H O N E : ( 8 1 2 ) 4 8 2 - 7 0 4 1 FA X : ( 8 1 2 ) 4 8 2 - 3 6 9 9

November 29, 2015

First Sunday of Advent

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Website: http://stmary.irelandindiana.com

St Mary Church - 812-482-7041

Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor…….gkaiser@evdio.org Rev. Jeff Read, Associate Pastor, Ext 24 jread@evdio.org Deacon John Huether……...jhuether@evdio.org Dianne Gogel, Secretary, Ext. 21 dgogel@evdio.org Sherri Hartley, Secretary, Ext. 22 chartley@evdio.org Stan Heim, Property Manager, Ext. 36 sheim@evdio.org Lauren Emerson, Preschool Teacher, Ext. 40 Holy Trinity Catholic School West Campus lemerson@evdio.org Martha Schmitt, DRE, Ext. 45 mjschmitt@evdio.org Ann Nagy, Music Director, Ext 25 anagy@evdio.org Charlene Sermersheim, Music……812-482-7837 Annette Witte, Cleaning ……………812-630-7870

Precious Blood Church - 812-482-4461

Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor Office…Ext. 128……….Rectory…...Ext. 650 Rev. Jeff Read, Associate Pastor Office...Ext. 137……...Rectory…..Ext 650

Parish Contacts

Bereavement Meals, Sherri Hartley……………….. …………………………………………………..812-482-7041 Church Decorations, Janet Schitter ……………………………………………….....812-482-3500 Finance Council, Audrey Wehr……812-639-3393 Ireland K of C, Grand Knight, John Wilz ……………………………..……………..……812-631-8543 Ireland K of C Building Rental - Allen Reckelhoff ………………………………………………….812-482-4700 Meals for New Moms, Karen Fromme…………... …………………………………………………..812-482-5265 Parish Nursing, Deb Brescher……..812-639-1882 Parish Council, Jamie Clark……...…812-482-9104 Prayer Line, Bev Himsel……………...812-639-1384 St. Anne’s Society, President, Bonnie Meadows ………………………………………...………..812-634-1483

St. Mary’s Mission Statement: St. Mary Church is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Je-sus Christ.

St. Mary Church

Readings for the Week of November 29, 2015

Sunday: Jer 33:14-16/Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14/1 Thes 3:12-- 4:2/Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Monday: Rom 10:9-18/Ps 19:8-11/Mt 4:18-22 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17/Lk 10:21- 24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-6/Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14/Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-6/Mt 9:35--10:1, 5a, 6-8 Next Sunday: Bar 5:1-9/Ps 126:1-6/Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/Lk 3:1-6

2 Bulletin deadline is Monday at 9:00am

St. Mary Church Mass Schedule Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 7:00am & 9:15am

Monday, Thursday & Friday at 7:30am Wednesday at 6:00pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Mary Church Saturday 4:30-5:20pm; 1/2 hour before weekday Masses

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 1/2 hour before weekday Masses

Anointing of the Sick: Notify the parish office if there is a need for Father Gary or Father Jeff to administer Anointing of the Sick.

Sacrament of Baptism: The joy of having children is fully realized in their Baptism within the faith community. Call the Parish Office regarding Baptism appointments. First time parents, please stop by and pick up a baptism video.

Sacrament of Marriage: Parishioners who wish to be married at St. Mary Church are asked to contact the parish office six months prior to setting a date. This will provide time for prayer, prepara-tion and paperwork.

Homebound Parishioners: Communion calls are made on Monday mornings to parishioners’ homes. Call the parish office if you would like a visit from our Eucharistic Minister.

Mass Intentions

Sat-Nov 28 5:30 pm Kathleen Schwenk Sun-Nov 29 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish

9:15 am Thomas Kunkel

Mon-Nov 30 7:30 am Lee Gress

Wed-Dec 2 6:00 pm John & Herman DeKemper

Thurs-Dec 3 7:30 am Allen Brescher Fri-Dec 4 7:30 am Randy Schmitt

Sat-Dec 5 5:30 pm Bob & Kurt Lichlyter Sun-Dec 6 7:00 am Members of St. Mary Parish

9:15 am Albert & Alberta Renner

Upcoming November Events

29: Ireland Sportsman Club Shoot. Ham Shoot noon –3:00pm;

closed match 3:00pm; chicken dinners starting at 11:00am.

29: Healing Mass at Holy Family Church. Worship 3:30pm with

Mass at 4:00pm. Celebrant, Fr. Noel Mueller. Call Charlie Mendel at

812-482-7502 or www.evansvillecharismaticrenewal.org. Come and

bring a friend.

Upcoming December Events

5: Breakfast with Santa at the Dubois County Museum beginning at

9:00am and sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 243. Reservations need-

ed by November 28 by calling Kim Mehringer at 812-481-1039 or

Cheryl Sermersheim 812-630-9891.

Precious Blood Church - Mass Schedule

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 8:00am

Saturday - 4:00pm

Sunday - 8:00am & 10:30am

The Daughters of Isabella Jasper Circle #140 will hold their Christmas Party on Monday, December 14, in the St. Joseph Par-ish Center. Doors will open at 5:30pm, with dinner being served at 6:30pm. Cost is $7 for members and $9 for prospective members and guest. Reservations are due by November 30. Call Regent Kathy Schneider at 812-482-2994 or Betty Mehringer at 812-482-3661. Dues for 2016 may be paid that evening. Dues are $15. A free will offering for the needy will be collected as well.

Happy Birthday to the following parishioners who will be

celebrating their 80+ birthday in the month of December:

Tom Hohler, Dec 4; Leona Werner, Dec 6; Elfrieda

Merkley, Dec 15; Dottie Jerger, Dec 17; Clara Mae Braunecker,

Dec 19; Leo Schnaus, Dec 22; Paul Schitter, Dec 25; Charles

Durcholz, Dec 26; Dolores Klem, Dec 29; and William Pryor, Dec

31. May God continue to bless you on your special day.

Congratulations!!

3 The Angel Tree is up. Pick an ornament and bring in your unwrapped gift to the parish office.

St. Anne’s Giving Tree is up and full of angels. This year,

we are helping adults in a handicap home and families and

children in need. If you cannot buy everything off of the orna-

ment, buy as much as you can and bring the ornament and gift

(unwrapped) to the parish office by December 4.

On December 8th, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and it will mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. As

we celebrate the Mercy received by God and focus on how we can share mercy to others. Let’s us look at the Corporal Works of Mercy.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the sick;

ransom the captive; bury the dead.

There are many opportunities here in our own community to live out our faith. Our faith grows deeper as we make the Corporal Works

of Mercy. We are connected with God in a deep spiritual way when we actively live out our faith.

A few opportunities include helping serve meals with the local Community Meal program, helping with the Angle Tree gifts or the

Koatz4Kidz program, volunteering at the St. Vincent DePaul Store, working with Habitat for Humanity, visiting the imprisoned and

helping in out with our Parish Bereavement meals.

Feeling spiritual sick? Embrace God’s Mercy and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God will heal your soul. Make

your faith a vibrant one and ask yourself what have I done for God lately? After all, everything we have, we owe to God.

Fr. Gary

The St. Anne Society “Hometown Favorites” Cookbooks

can be picked up at the parish office. Stop and pick up a cook-

book or two, $10 a piece. These will make great gifts for Christmas.

Santa Claus is coming to town on Saturday,

December 5, from 4:00-8:00pm between American

Family Insurance and Studio Expressions by Jessi-

ca. Free cookies and milk for the kids, served by elves! Kids, come in

your PJ’s and have your picture taken with Santa. A cookie walk will

also be available. Buy you cookies for Christmas. If you would like

to bake and donate cookies, drop them off at the parish office on Fri-

day, December 4 before 4:00pm or at the event on Saturday between

2:00pm and 4:00pm. Please bring cookies in bags - - a dozen per bag.

Bicentennial souvenirs will also be available for sale. All proceeds

will benefit the Ireland Bicentennial event, August 26-28, 2016.

There are open hours in the Divine Providence Perpetual Eucharis-tic Adoration Chapel for:

Sunday at 8:00am to 9:00am Monday at 4:00am to 5:00am 3rd Wednesday at 5:00am to 6:00am

Please spend an hour with Jesus dp@adorationmanager.com

A weekend of Healing and Hope with Immaculee Ilibagiza, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, December 11 & 12. Come hear Immac-ulee speak and share about overcoming struggles, the power of forgiveness, the miracles of the rosary and so much more. A survi-vor of the Rwanda massacre and author of the best seller’ “Left to Tell”, is one of the most sought after speakers and retreat masters in the world today. For more information and to register go to http://www.immaculee.com/events/appearances.php or call 812-867-3718. According to a St. Mary Parishioner, Immaculee is a speaker everyone should hear.

St. Mary Parish would like to remember our service men and women who will not be home for the holidays. If you have a daughter/son, brother/sister or close rela-tive that you would like to receive a card for Christmas, email or give their address to Sherri or Dianne in the parish office and we will start a list with names and addresses. Leinenbach, Trent (son of Tim & Charlene Leinenbach) PSC 831 Box 10348, FPO, AE 09363

St. Mary offers Sunday School for preschool

through Kindergarten during the 9:15am Mass in

the basement of the Social Hall. Children have fun

while learning about God.

Long Term Planning Update

Members of the LTP have attended two meetings at the Diocese to

complete required steps from the Diocese as we proceed with the

project. On September 9, the LTP members met with the Diocesan

Building Commission; a general review of the plan was discussed,

specific questions were answered related to the overall design. On

October 29, LTP members attended a meeting to complete a review

of the financial plan; the project costs were reviewed. The next step

with the Diocese will be completed in January 2016. At that time,

we will communicate the next step in the process.

2015 Irish Sweepstake Winners for November 22

Congratulations to our $100.00 winners,

Maurey and Lori Werner.

(2016 tickets are ready for pickup in the back of church)

Deanery Penance Services

December 13 at 4:00pm at St. Henry Church December 15 at 6:30pm at St. Joseph Church December 16 at Noon at St. Joseph Church

4

This Week’s Parish Events

Sunday [11/29]: Advent Begins - There are Little Blue Books in the back

of church. These books have daily thoughts about Advent and the Christmas Season. Give 6 minutes a day in prayer for the next 43 days. You can do more if you wish but the main thing is to pray every day. Children’s Liturgy of the Word for grades 1 and 2 dur-

ing the 9:15am Mass. No Sunday School for children in preschool and Kinder-

garten during the 9:15am Mass - Thanksgiving break.

Monday [11/30]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Quilting at 5:00pm in the rectory basement.

CRAVE Bible Study at 6:15-8:00pm in the Rectory. Servants of the Holy Spirit at 7:00pm in the Library.

Ireland K of C 20/20 Drawing at 8:00pm.

Tuesday [12/01]:

Communion & Liberation at 6:30pm. Choir Rehearsal at 6:30pm. New choir members, can-

tors and instrumentalists are welcome. Contact Ann Nagy Director of Music, by emailing her at anagy@evdio.org or by calling St. Mary Parish Office at 812-482-7041, ext 25 or Precious Blood Parish Office at 812-482-4461, ext 311.

Wednesday [12/02]:

Rosary at 11:30am in the church. All are welcome. Quilting noon to 4:00pm in the rectory basement.

Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm. St Anne’s Sewing Room open 6:00pm in the rectory.

Religious Education 6:00-7:00pm for middle school stu-dents and 7:15-8:15pm for high school students.

Thursday [12/03]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am.

St. Mary/Precious Blood Bus Trip will leave immediate-ly after Mass.

Friday [12/04]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am.

Saturday [12/05]: Ireland K of C Christmas Party at the Ireland Sportsman

Club. To make reservations, contact John Wilz at 812-631-8543 by December 1st.

**2016 Irish Sweepstakes Tickets can be found in the back of church. First drawings will be January 4 - one for $500 and one for $100. Please pick your tickets up and turn them in as soon as possible.

December 3: St. Mary Church/Precious Blood Church Bus Trip. December 5: Ireland K of C Christmas Party. December 7: St. Anne Christmas Meeting will follow the Vigil Mass for the Holy Day. Entertainment, food and a $3-$5 orna-ment exchange will follow the meeting. All St. Anne members are invited to attend. December 8: Long Term Planning Meeting at 6:30pm. December 13: Breakfast with Santa 7:30am until ? Come take pictures, have something to eat, crafts and much more. More details to come. December 20: Confirmation here at St. Mary Church

St John Bosco Youth Group

High Schoolers, Wednesday Night Bosco at 8:30.

Middle Schoolers, Monday after school at the St. Joe Parish Center -

study and recreation.

Holy Hour and Adoration - Divine Providence Adoration Chapel

(West side of Precious Blood Church) - every Wednesday - 5:00-

6:00pm.

This month’s stewardship envelopes include one

designated as “Christmas Flowers.” Money received

from this collection helps to decorate our church for

Christmas and throughout the year. If you would like to make a dona-

tion in memory of a loved one, please mark this envelope with their

names. Your loved ones’ names will be listed in our special Christ-

mas insert. If you do not receive envelopes and would like to make a

donation, put your donation in an envelope and mark “Christmas

Flowers” on it. The deadline is December 15.

Please consider sharing your time and talents by joining the St.

Mary Church Adult Choir. Practices are each Tuesday at

6:30pm. Both vocalists or instrumentalists are welcome to join.

If you are not able to make a full year commitment, please consider

joining for the Christmas Season only. Information may be obtained

from any choir member, Charlene Sermersheim or Ann Nagy. Ann’s

contact information is email: anagy@evido.org. Office phone is 812-

482-7041, ext 25.

Upcoming Parish Events

1st Sunday of Advent

"But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your

heads because your redemption is at hand." Jesus instructs His disci-

ples to take this posture of confidence in the midst of a terribly dis-

turbing situation. Describing His second coming, Jesus says that on

seeing this event unfold, "People will die of fright." And yet the disci-

ples are supposed to be pillars of strength. While others cower in fear,

the Lord's followers are somehow immune, with heads raised high.

Why?

Well, presumably, because those who follow Christ--those who

earn the distinction of being disciples--have nothing to fear. On the

contrary, when they have to "stand before the Son of Man," it will be a

happy occasion. But here's the catch: "disciple" is more than an empty

title. If we want to be counted among this confident crew, there are a

few things for us to do. Today's Gospel spells out these tasks, which

are all perfect things to pursue during Advent.

First, we have to make sure that our "hearts do not become

drowsy." We are called to stay awake in a spiritual sense, not allowing

"carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life" to numb us.

We need to avoid whatever might reduce our ability to recognize

and relate to Jesus, because we don't want His appearance to catch us

"by surprise like a trap." Advent is an ideal time to examine our lives

to determine what activities, priorities, or pastimes might be putting

our hearts to sleep. Secondly, we need to pray. We need to ask Jesus

himself for "the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent

and to stand before the Son of Man." We can't do it alone. But with

Christ's help, we can be true, fearless disciples.

Liturgical Ministers for December 5 & 6

Servers: 5:30 pm Tanner Egbert - Reagan Egbert 7:00 am Ethan Lents - Gabe Schmitt 9:15 am Ross Peter - Ty Weisman

Extraordinary Ministers: 5:30 pm Linda Ackerman - Ruth Small - Diane Gress Marvin Schepers - Adam Schmitt 7:00 am Joe Jerger - Jenny Hayes - Audrey Wehr Diana Mehringer - Annie Voelkel 9:15 am Linda Schmitt - Deb Brescher - Abby Meadows Brian Gehlhausen - Joyce Gehlhausen Lectors: 5:30 pm Brian Seibert 7:00 am Karen Schwenk 9:15 am Jenny Clark

Lectors Website: http://lectorsproclaim.org (Year C)

Ushers: 5:30 pm Linda Eisenhut - Gina Scherle 7:00 am Clint Gogel - Phil Gogel 9:15 am Dave Hasenour - Stan Vollmer

Liturgy of the Word: 9:15 am Kylie Seibert

Sunday School: 9:15 am Holly Reckelhoff

Thank You!! This bulletin is furnished to the Parish without charge. The advertisements that appear completely defray all publishing costs with which the church would otherwise be burdened. Please patronize these sponsors as a “thank you” for their kind generosity.

Koatz4Kidz is taking donations of good used or new outer wear for adults, children and infants until Monday, Decem-ber 7. St. Mary is a drop off location for this event. Because

of our shortage of room for the drop off box in the back of church, you can bring your items to the parish office or put them in a bag and place on the parish office porch. Free coat distribution will be Satur-day, December 12, 9:00am to 1:30pm at Precious Blood Church Gym-nasium. Donations of new gloves and knit caps are also needed.

Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience with other engaged cou-

ples that affords time alone together to plan for sacramental marriage.

Trained facilitators lead the program, with is sponsored by Catholic Char-

ities. Weekends are February 13-14, April 9-10 and September 17 & 18,

2016 at the Sarto Retreat Center. Call Catholic Charities at 812-423-5456

or visit http://www.charitiesevv.org/-encounter.html

An Evening of Adoration in celebration of the Ordination to the

Diaconate of Ambrose Wanyonyi on Friday, December 4, at 6:00pm

(Evansville Time) at Holy Spirit Church Annunciation of the Lord

Parish, Evansville. This evening of prayer and worship before the

Blessed Sacrament is our opportunity to pray for Ambrose as he con-

tinues into the Sacred Order of Deacon.

Please save “Empty Prescription Bottles” with lids and deposit them in

the box in the back of church. Please remove the labels if possible. “The

Malawi Project Inc.” provides bottles for over 700 medical facilities in

Africa. The Sisters at the Monastery will take care of the bottles. “Thank

you” for your help.

Dr. D’Ambrosio will be at Precious Blood Church on Wednes-day, December 2, 7:00-8:30pm, talking about “Is God a Grumpy Old Man?”. His talk touches on topics that many shy away from: drugs, alcohol, and sin. But most importantly, it presents a posi-tive image of a relationship with Christ as empowering, exciting, even fun! All are welcome...not just the youth.

Great Stories...Sense of Humor...Challenging….Inspiring