St. Joseph Catholic Church 2011 Darling Avenue, Waycross, GA 31501

Fr. Bob Cushing, Pastor: (478) 284-5235 frbobcushing@gmail.com Church Secretary: Barbara Grace Albert (912-286-0491) sjcwaycross@att.net Music Minister: Timothy Remmel (912-281-9787) timothy15434@gmail.com

Religious Education Coordinator: Lacey Gruver (912) 282-0493 lgruver1976@gmail.com Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Jason Strickland (912) 387-6781 jason@jason.com.mx

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Loretta Coar (912) 390-9116 loretta_coar65@att.net Loaves and Fishes Outreach: (912)283-5221

Office number: (912) 283-7700/Office fax (912) 283-7929 Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am—4:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Joseph-Catholic-Church/117872604905966

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2018

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out …

“The moment I heard your voice, the baby within me stirred for joy!” [Luke 1:41b-44]

Are you ready for Christmas? Are you filled with the Spir-it? Then we can do what Elizabeth did when Mary came to visit: Notice how your whole body receives the good news of another person. Behold how amazed and touched we are at the gifts of another’s presence! Just like Mary and Elizabeth, we cannot help but want to share the mystery of new life hap-pening within us.

This is our final Advent lesson in basic spiritual formation: #1- Pay attention! #2- Be amazed! #3- Tell someone and share the good news. Now for those of us who have been too busy to let God’s Word touch & transform us, we have all the days of Christmas to share our extras, to challenge ourselves by anonymous acts of mercy for others, and to turn to God, humbly seeking His face.

Some of us are not ready for Christmas. Some have lost a job, a father or spouse or friend or a brother who has been deported. We are dealing with major grief and so we feel un-comfortable with much of the fuss and merry-making. Please understand that we need our own space to be quiet and en-counter God’s love in a different way.

Question for the week: Who supports and affirms the Spirit’s stirrings within you? How do faith-sharing conversa-tions affirm and deepen your faith?

Word for the week: Blessed (gratitude because we feel God’s touch)

Please make an effort this week to invite others to come to Christmas Mass with you. God has given us so much in the gift of His Son. Let us share what we have been given.

Thank you for your Christmas cards and thoughtful gifts that bespeak affection and appreciation. Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Fr. Bob

Cuarto Domingo de Adviento

23 de Diciembre

Queridos feligreses y Amigos:

Isabel, llena del Espíritu Santo, exclamó…

“¡En el momento en que oí tu voz, el bebe dentro de mi saltó de gozo!” [Lucas 1:41b-44]

¿Estás listo para la Navidad? ¿Estas lleno con el Espíritu? Entonces podemos hacer como Isabel hizo cuando María la fue a visitar: Notar como todo tu cuerpo recibe las buenas no-ticias de otra persona. ¡He aquí como nos maravillamos y somos tocados con los regalos de la presencia de la otra perso-na! Como María e Isabel, no podemos esperar pero queremos compartir el misterio de nueva vida sucediendo en nosotros.

Esta es nuestra última lección de Adviento en la formación espiritual básica: #1- Pongan atención! #2 Maravíllense! #3 Dile a alguien y comparte las buenas nuevas. Ahora para aquellos de nosotros que hemos estado demasiado ocupados para dejar que la Palabra de Dios nos tocara y transformara, tenemos todos los días de Navidad para compartir nuestras extras, para retarnos con actos anónimos de misericordia pa-ra otros y para volvernos a Dios, humildes buscando su ros-tro.

Algunos de nosotros no estamos listos para Navidad. Al-gunos han perdido el trabajo, un padre o esposo o amigo o hermano ha sido deportado. Estamos lidiando con una pena mayor y nos sentimos poco confortables con toda la bulla de la felicidad. Por favor entiendan que necesitamos nuestro propio espacio para estar quietos y encontrarnos con el amor de Dios en una manera diferente.

Preguntas de la semana. ¿Quién apoya y afirma los movi-mientos del Espíritu dentro de ti? ¿Como las conversaciones de compartir la fe afirman y profundizan tu fe?

Palabra para la semana: Bendita (gratitud porque nos sen-timos tocados por Dios)

Por favor hagan un esfuerzo esta semana de invitar a otra persona a venir a la Misa de Navidad con ustedes. Dios nos ha dado tanto en el regalo de Su Hijo. Compartamos lo que nos han dado.

Gracias por las tarjetas de Navidad y los pensados regalos que demuestran afecto y apreciación. Tengan una feliz peque-ña Navidad.

P. Bob

St. Joseph Offertory December 16, 2018 Offertory $2,400.00 Children’s Circle $ 43.00 Our Lady of Guadalupe $420.00 $2,863.00 Rainy Day Fund $123.00 Retirement Fund $491.00

Religious give thanks. A religious writes,” When we see the generous response of so many thousands of persons in order to help us, religious men and women, we are left speechless.” Senior sister, brother, and reli-gious order priests across the country send heartfelt thanks and prayers for your donation to last week’s Re-tirement Fund for Religious collection.

Los religiosos les agradecen. Una hermana religio-sa escribe “Cuando vemos la respuesta generosa de tatos miles de personas que nos quieren ayudar, a reli-giosas y religiosos, nos quedamos sin palabras”. Las hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes de órdenes religio-sas, de edad avanzada, en todo el país, envían sus más sinceros agradecimientos y oraciones por sus do-nativos a la colecta de la semana pasada para el Fon-do para la Jubilación de Religiosos.

Second collection at Christmas Masses: Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Savannah. Many of us were blessed by a Catholic education and we have an oppor-tunity to share that blessing with many children in our larger church this Christmas day.

Segunda Colecta en las Misas de Navidad: Escuelas Católicas de la Diócesis de Savannah. Muchos de nosotros fuimos bendecidos con una educación católica y tenemos una oportunidad de compartir esa bendición con muchos niños en nuestra iglesia este día de Navidad.

Financial Stewardship: In an effort to awaken our congregation to more generous fiscal responsibility, these stark figures are shared to be accountable and transparent. They clearly reveal how far behind we are in covering our operational costs year-to-date. These num-bers do not show other designated offerings like gifts to Loaves and Fishes or the Rainy Day Fund. These alarm-ing figures are given to you that you might respond gen-erously to help us out of our deficit with a special gift to the parish offertory this Christmas. Please remember your parish on your Christmas gift list!

Offertory through 12/16/18: $95,680

Parish Operating Expenses- $121,614

through 12/16/18

Budget Shortfall- - $25,934

Corresponsabilidad Financiera: en un esfuerzo por despertar a nuestra congregación a una responsabili-dad financiera más generosos, estos números duros son compartidos para ser transparentes y responsa-bles. Ellos claramente revelan cuán lejos estamos de cubrir nuestro costo operacional hasta esta momento en el año. Estos números no muestran otras ofrendas designadas como regalos a Panes y Peces o al Fondo del Dia Lluvioso. Estos números alarmantes son com-partidos con ustedes para que ustedes respondan ge-nerosamente a ayudar con el déficit con un regalo es-pecial a la ofrenda de la parroquia en esta Navidad. ¡Por favor recuerde su parroquia en la lista de regalos de Navidad!

Ofertorio hasta el 12/16/18: $95,680

Gastos de Operación de la Parroquia: - $121,614

Hasta el 12/16/18

Déficit presupuestario: - $25,934

“Christmas Presents” for you: Your box of envelopes for the collections has your name on it in the church foyer. Thank you for “wrapping up” your gift to the parish each Sunday. If there is NOT one there for you, give your name and address to Fr. Bob or Barbara so we can get your envelopes to you! Catholic Calendars are also avail-able as our gift to you, in English, Spanish and bilingual as well.

Un “Regalo de Navidad” para usted: su caja de sobres para las colectas tiene su nombre en la entrada de la iglesia. Gracias por “envolver” su regalo para la parro-quia este domingo. Si NO hay un sobre para usted, ¡dele su nombre y dirección al P. Bob o a Barbara para que le hagamos llegar sus sobres! Calendarios católicos están disponibles como un regalo nuestro, en inglés y español y bilingüe también.

Monthly RCIA Meeting next will meet on Tuesday night, January 29, at 7:15 PM in the Parish Hall. Contact Fran McElroy (mommac48@gmail.com or 267-496-1965) or Fr. Bob [ frbobcushing@gmail.com & 478-284-5235] or the church office (283-7700) for more info.

Catholic Mass from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah is avail-able every evening at 6 pm via the Satilla Faith and Community TV Channel 15 on Vyve Broadband in Waycross, thanks to Callaway Advertising.

You’re invited to pray the Rosary in English next week at Debbie Cahill’s home. Please join us in prayer on Wednesday, January 2, 2018 at 10:00 am. Her home is located at 433 Loblolly Lane in Waycross. Please contact Ann Johnson with your prayer intentions at 912-614-3988.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE ILL, ESPECIALLY PARISHIONERS: Joyce Bachofner, Ann Inman, Arcelia Saucedo, Eliza-beth Smith, Peggy Thomas, Judy VanDruff, Carlene Murray, Rose Mary Fulford, Dorothy Gaskill, Bob & Kathy Odam, Colleen Matich, Debbie Cahill, Leslie Bennett, Abraham Gomez, Tom DiBiase, Glenn & Shelly Chase, Clinton Vaughn, Morgan Hess & Ann Marie Hess, Genevieve Martin, Keith Fullenkamp, Bill & Glenda Brewington, Adrienne Butler, and Phyllis Buck, Lucy Todd, Carol McCloskey, and Nathan Brooks.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY: LT. Tim Boyce, U.S. Navy, Rann Howell, Colonel Mark B. Parker, and Ethan Stanley.

PLEASE PRAY FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS OF OURS: Robert Cushing Jr., Pat Marsh, Hannah Phillips & Family, Lindsay Joyce, Patricia Carter, Connie McAlpin, Roger Gaskill, Michael McAlpin, Jason McCullum, Paul Tang, Michael Driggers, Maurice Hannah, Earl Black, Tom Grizzaffe, James Kenneth Cox Jr., Lonny Joseph Waring Jr., Merinda Mixon, Annie Burns, Toby Foster, Bill Caballero, Harris Lott, Florence Struempler, Francis Ann Cook, James Stokes, Cindy Taylor, Kris Kruse, April Snider, Rob-in Johnson, Thomas Williams, Angel Sinai Gomez, Kim Messenger, William Willis, Sandy Wright, Ashley Hoffman, Sue Rossi, Brittany Alderman, Betty Denyko, Sr. Chris Cullen, MFIC, David Greg Russell, Chloe Robinson, William Martin IV, Michelle Rio, Bobby Ziolkowski, Stan Stipe, Joseph McHendry, Dr. Richard Lynch, Rose Parisee, Adri-an Arnold, Erin Crosby, Rosa Maria Santos, Mervyn Humphreys, Ida Cook, Becky Griffin, Claudia Tay-lor, Megan Schultz, Dora Bullard, Millie Bailey, Ed-may Tardif, Ken Jorishie, Kevin Wehling, Gara Baker, Jane Foreman, Wanda Waring, John Ste-phens, Craig Carter, Dallin Thorton, Elizabeth Pea-cock, Don & Marilyn Sanderson, Bill Byrd & Fami-ly, Ghioto Family, Chris Garafola, Marlene Brooker, Wesley Sowell, and Jennifer Raulerson.

Parish Mission Prayer

Father of Mercy, your Holy Spirit has called us from many lands and cultures to become the faith community of St. Joseph Parish. You gather us to proclaim your Word of Mercy for all through prayer, sacrament, and service. O Holy one show us how to nourish this commitment through faith formation, hospitality, and stewardship, so that through us your compassion may embrace the cross of all the needy, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Oracion de la Misión Parroquial Padre de Misericordia, tu Santo Espíritu nos ha llamado de muchas tierras y culturas para formar la comunidad de fe de la Parroquia de St. Joseph. Nos uniste para proclamar tu palabra de misericor-dia para todos a través de la oración, sacramentos y servicio, O Santísimo, muéstranos como alimen-tar este compromiso a través de la form ación de fe, hospitalidad y corresponsabilidad, para que a través de nosotros tu compasión ellos abracen la cruz de todos los necesitados, por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amen

Thank You

I would like to express my gratitude to my par-

ish family for all the cards, prayers, rosaries

prayed, and warm words of sympathy that have

been expressed to me at the passing of my father.

This has been a very difficult time for me and

your words of comfort have meant a great deal

to me. Thank you all for helping me through this

difficult time. I am so grateful to be a member of

this parish and to have people like you walk with

me through life’s difficult moments.

Loretta Coar

CHANGE of MASS TIMES NEXT MONTH! By ac-clamation the change in the Sunday Mass times in the new year were approved last Sunday at the 11 AM Mass, but the Saturday night crowd is still discerning what’s best for the community and if we should adapt this change of Mass time from 6 to 5 PM as well. So the buzz of the consultation process and the forming of consensus is still going on as this goes to press. Forming consensus is less adversarial and a more Christian way to make a decision than just “taking a vote.” In the give and take of discernment, people of faith can work together in an exercise of faith for-mation to grasp the common good. The proposed Mass schedule – if approved – will go into effect on the first weekend of January.

PROPOSED: Saturday evening Mass may be at 5 PM (instead of 6)

ACCEPTED: Sunday morning Mass in English will be at 9 AM - followed by PRE at 10:30 AM

Sunday Mass in Spanish will be at 12 Noon

¡CAMBIO de LAS HORAS DE MISA EL PROXIMO MES! Por aclamación el cambio de las horas de las Misas el domingo en el nuevo año fueron aprobadas el pasado domingo en la Misa de las 11 AM, pero la gente del sábado en la noche todavía está pensando que es lo mejor para la comunidad y si debemos adop-tar este cambio de Misa de las 6 a las 5 PM también. Así que la bulla del proceso de consulta y la formación de un consenso todavía está en movimiento al imprimir este boletín. El formar consenso es menos adversarial y una manera más Cristiana de hacer una decisión que solamente “hacer una votación” En el dar y tomar del discernimiento, la gente de fe puede trabajar junta en un ejercicio de formación de fe para agarrar el bien co-mún. El propuesto cambio – si es aprobado- se llevará a efecto en la primera semana de enero.

PROPUESTA: La Misa seria a las 5 PM el sábado en la tarde (en vez de a las 6 PM)

ACEPTADO: La Misa del domingo en Ingles será a las 9 AM seguida de ERP a las 10:30 AM

La Misa en español será a las 12 del mediodía.

Word from Pope Francis

“This Christmas, let us ask Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, to help us see in our neighbor the face of Jesus, God made man.”

“Esta Navidad, pidámosle a María, Madre de Jesús y madre nuestra, que nos ayude a ver en nuestros vecinos el rostro de Jesús, Dios hecho hombre.”

Palabras del Papa Francisco

Diocesan Youth Conference

DYC

Attention high school aged youth (grades 9-12).

The diocesan youth conference is scheduled for

the first weekend in February (Feb. 1-3). The cost

is $125.00 per participant which includes all meals

and lodging for the weekend. However, you are re-

sponsible for only paying half that amount ($62.50)

the other half is paid for out of youth group fund-

raisers. Ms. Loretta must book hotel rooms soon so

please let her know if you are interested in attend-

ing this fun filled faith event.

Fr Bob’s Christmas Party is this Thursday night at 6 pm at the Rectory. He invites members of Pastoral Council, Finance Coun-cil, Stewardship Committee and Catechists to bring light finger foods for sharing Christmas cheer this December 27. Office for the Protection of Children and Young People,

toll free reporting hotline: (888) 357-5530

This Week at St. Joe’s

12/24/2018 Monday 6:30 pm Christmas Pageant Family Mass-Vigil; “Midnight Mass” 10:30 pm with Carols at 10:00 pm; 2nd collection Diocese of Savannah Catholic Schools; Church Office will close at 1:00 pm 12/25/2018 Tuesday 10:30 am Christmas Day Bilingual Mass; 2nd collection Diocese of Savannah Catholic Schools; Church Office Closed 12/26/2018 Wednesday 9:00 am Mass; Church Office Closed 12/27/2018 Thursday 12:10 pm Mass; 6:00 pm Choir Practice; 6:00 pm Fr. Bob Christmas Party 12/28/2018 Friday No Mass; Office Closed 12/29/2018 Saturday 5:00 pm- 5:45 pm Confession; 6:00 pm English Mass; Seminarian Sunday 12/30/2018 Sunday No PRE/Youth; 10:30 am Mass English; 5:00 pm –5:45 pm Confession 6:00 pm Mass Spanish; Seminarian Sunday

Bulletin Deadline: All announcements and news items for the next Sunday's bulletin need to be given to our parish secretary (Barbara).[sjcwaycross@att.net] by Monday morning.

Merry Christmas

December 23, 2018 10:30 am Sunday-English Mass Lector: Dan Booker EM: John Chancey, Anna Saucedo, Loretta Coar, Eloise Purdom, and Rose Lopez Server: Seth Cheshire and Natalie Romero Usher: Roney Petersen and Michael Hackett Intention: Pro Populo December 23, 2018 6:00 pm Sunday-Spanish Mass Lector: Maribel Rios EM: Vicente Rodas, Magdalena Santana, y Francisco Velez Server: Carolina Morfin and Alexa Alvarez Usher: Francisco Velez and Abel Rodriguez Intention: None

December 24, 2018 6:30 pm Monday-Pageant Family Mass-Vigil Lector: Ann Johnson EM: Eloise Purdom, Connie Barefield, Socorro Martinez, John Chancey, and Lillie Morris Server: Lee Tipps and Zachary Chase Usher: Mike Frawley and Joe Robison Intention: None December 24, 10:30 pm “Midnight Mass” -Monday Car-ols at 10:00 pm Lector: Barbara Albert EM: Patrick Brennan, Vicente Rodas, Montse Diaz, Louise Walker, and Magdalena Santana Server: Fran McElroy Usher: Al Santos and Dave Cahill Intention: None

December 29, 2018 6:00 pm Saturday-English Mass Lector: Frank Hoffman EM: Ann Johnson and Lillie Morris Server: Lee Tipps Usher: Bob Scheuing and Dave Cahill Intention: Marilyn Bonacci (RIP) December 30, 2018 10:30 am Sunday-English Mass Lector: Frank Hoffman EM: Socorro Martinez, Connie Barefield, Eloise Purdom, Anna Saucedo, and Patrick Brennan Server: Lauren Hackett and Emma Hackett Intention: Pro Populo December 30, 2018 6:00 pm Sunday-Spanish Mass Lector: Maribel Rios EM: Vicente Rodas, Magdalena Santana, y Francisco Velez Server: Juanita Sosa, Montse Diaz, y Vicente Rodas Usher: Francisco Velez and Abel Rodriguez Intention: None December 31, 2018 6:00 pm Monday- English Mass Lector: Barbara Albert EM: Linda Robison and Ann Johnson Usher: Mike Frawley and Joe Robison Intention: None January 1, 2019 7:00 pm Tuesday -Spanish Mass Lector: Luci Rios EM: Vicente Rodas and Socorro Martinez Usher: Francisco Velez and Able Rodriguez Intention: None

December 25, 2018 10:30 am Tuesday- Bilingual Mass Lector: Guadalupe Zambrano EM: Juanita Sosa, Socorro Martinez, Loretta Coar, Frank Hoffman, and Rose Lopez Server: Valentina Diaz and Natalie Romero Usher: Vicente Rodas y Abel Rodriguez Intention: Pro Populo

December 22, 2018 6:00 pm Saturday-English Mass Lector: Gus Karle Family Member EM: Marian Williams and Linda Robison Server: Fran McElroy Usher: Mike Frawley and Joe Robison Intention: Barbara & Gus Karle (RIP)

A Posadas Poem from Thomas Merton

Into this world, this demented inn,

in which there is no room for him at all, Christ has come on invited.

But because he cannot be at home in it,

because he is out of place in it,

his place is with those who do not belong,

who are rejected by power

because they are regarded as weak,

those who are discredited,

who are denied the status of persons,

tortured and exterminated. …

With those for whom there is no room,

Christ is present in this world.

He is mysteriously present in those for whom

there seems to be nothing but the world at its worst.

GRACIAS, POSADAS PARTICIPANTES! Tu presencia y atenci n a nuestra celebraci n fue memorable, no solo porque viniste, sino porque la hiciste tuya: desde preparar la deliciosa comida y los postres hasta cantar y rezar, e incluso limpiar despu s. Nos hiciste sentir orgullosos! Padre Bob y Jason

THANK YOU, POSADAS PARTICIPANTS! Your pres-ence and care for our celebration was memorable not just because you came but because you made it your own: from making the yummy food and desserts to singing and pray-ing and even cleaning up afterwards. You made us proud! Fr Bob and Jason

Un Poema de Posada de Thomas Merton

Dentro de este mundo, de esta posada demente

en la que no hay espacio para Él del todo,

Cristo ha venido sin invitación

pero como él no puede sentirse a gusto en él,

porque está fuera de lugar en él,

su lugar esta con aquellos que no pertenecen,

que son rechazados por el poder

porque son vistos como débiles,

aquellos que están desacreditados,

que son negados su estatus como persona,

torturados y exterminados… …

Con aquellos para quienes no hay lugar en la posada

Cristo está presente en este mundo.

Él está misteriosamente presente en aquellos para quienes

parece no haber nada, pero lo peor del mundo.

Previews of coming attractions:

Christmas Decorations of the Church: Saturday, Dec 22, 9 AM

Ramon and Lucia Diaz’ 25th

Anniversary Mass: Satur-day, Dec 22, 3 PM

Christmas Masses: Monday, Dec 24 Family Mass at 6:30 PM,

Carols at 10 PM, “Midnight Mass” at 10:30 PM

and Christmas Day Bilingual Mass at 10:30 AM – Tuesday

9 AM Mass -Wednesday, Dec 26.

12:10 PM Mass- Thursday, Dec 27

6 PM English Mass for New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, Monday.

7 PM Spanish Mass for New Year’s Day, Jan 1, Tuesday.

Avance de futuras atracciones:

Decoración de Navidad de la Iglesia: sábado 22 de diciembre, 9 AM

Misa de 25 Aniversario de Ramon y Lucia Diaz: sába-do, 22 de diciembre, 3 PM

Misas de Navidad: lunes 24 de dic. Misa familiar a las 6:30 PM,

Villancicos a las 10PM “Misa de Medianoche” a las 10:30 PM

y Misa del día de Navidad bilingüe a las 10:30 AM - mar-tes

9 AM Misa -miércoles, 26 de diciembre

12:10 PM Misa jueves, 27 de dic.

6 PM Misa en Ingles para la víspera del Ano Nuevo 31 de dic.- lunes

7 PM Misa en español para el día de Año Nuevo, 1 de enero- martes.

Happy 36th

Birthday, Jason Strick-land, next Saturday, December 29! Our Hispanic Ministry Coordinator is awesome. Congratulations!

Feliz Cumpleaños 36, Jason Stri-ckland, ¡el próximo sábado 29 de diciembre! Nuestro Coordinador del Ministerio Hispano es maravilloso. ¡Felicitaciones!