St. Patrick’s Mass Times Sat. 5:30 pm; Sun. 9:30 am 215 N. 7th St.

Missouri Valley 712-642-2611

Email: stpatsch@loganet.net

www.movalleycatholics. wordpress.com

Deacon Mike Carney 712-310-2921 cell

DeaconMichaelCarney@ gmail.com

St. Anne’s Mass Times Sat. 4:00 pm; Sun. 8:00 am 112 W. 3rd St,

Logan 712-644-2520

Email: stanne@iowatelecom.

net www.logancatholic. wordpress.com Deacon Dennis Lovell

402-689-8940 cell

Fr. Raphael

Masabakhwa

712- 644-2535

Dec. 3 & 4, 2016

Second Sunday of Advent

Weekly Calendar

Saturday, Dec. 3: 4:00 pm Mass St. Anne for Marge Diggins 5:10 pm Rosary St. Patrick 5:30 pm Mass St. Pat’s for All Parishioners

Sunday, Dec. 4: 8:00 am Mass St. Anne for Suzie Pinter 9:30 am Mass St. Patrick for Dave Kleveter 7:00 pm St. Patr ick Men’s group-library

Monday, Dec. 5: 7:00 pm KC meeting @ St. Patr ick library Tuesday, Dec. 6: 8:00 am Mass St. Patrick for Dave Jones 9:00 am Mass St. Anne for All Parishioners 7:00 pm KC meeting @ St. Anne 7:00 pm “Prepare!” presentation @ St. Patrick Wednesday, Dec. 7: 10:00 am Mass Longview for Sick 9:00 am Mass St. Anne for Suzie Pinter 6:00 pm Immaculate Conception Vigil Mass @ St. Patrick for All Parishioners REP evening classes @ St. Patrick after 6 pm Mass Thursday, Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary 8:00 am Mass St. Patrick for Kathryn Glynn 9:00 am Mass St. Anne for Souls in Purgatory Friday, Dec. 9: 8:00 am Mass St. Patrick for Marjorie Gore 9:00 am Mass St. Anne for Alvin Dinkel 6:30 pm “Pause, Read, Reflect, Pray” @ St. Anne Saturday, Dec. 10: 2:00-3:00 pm Reconciliation @ St. Anne 4:00 pm Mass St. Anne for Frank C. Robinson 5:10 pm Rosary St. Patrick 5:30 pm Mass St. Pat’s for Marie Mickey

Sunday, Dec. 11: 8:00 am Mass St. Anne for Mathilda McEvoy 9:30 am Mass St. Patrick for Bud Skalla 3:00 pm “He is the One!” presentation @ St. Patrick 7:00 pm St. Patr ick Men’s group-library

ST. BRIDGET CEMETERY This cemetery is owned and maintained by the Roman Catholic Church. Buyers agree to respect and abide by the policies of the Catholic Church as outlined by the Diocese of Des Moines, and will not use in a way contrary to or in conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Scripture Readings for the Week Sun., Dec. 4: Reading I: Isaiah 11:1-10 Reading II: Romans 15:4-9

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 Mon., Dec. 5: Reading I: Isaiah 35:1-10 Gospel: Luke 5:17-26 Tues., Dec. 6: Reading I: Isaiah 40:1-11

Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14 Wed., Dec. 7: St. Ambrose Reading I: Isaiah 40:25-31 Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30 Thurs., Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary Reading I: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Reading II: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Fri., Dec. 9: Reading I: Isaiah 48:17-19 Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19 Sat., Dec. 10: Reading I: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Gospel: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 Sun., Dec. 11: Reading I: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Reading II: James 5:7-10

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 Please pray for the Sick Especially: David Holmes, Ellen Untz, Marilyn Clinkenbeard, Harold Dickman, Nancy Loftus, Burnith Chalfant, James Kirlin, Dave Jones, Darci Homan, Jennifer Small, Holly Leonard, Cindy McKeighan, Paul Lane, Mary Alice Coyle, Vicki Ramirez Hassebroek, Barb Hinchey, Rocky Perez, John Finken, Mary Kirlin, Jerry Powell, Doris Jensen, Mary LaPlante, Muriel Alger, Allie Backes, Kelly Tucker, Carol Gdowski, Lori Dickman Colberg, and others you know. To request prayers, call the office or email: stpatsprayernet@msn.com ************************************************

“Like” us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stannescatholicchurch-1096592487086793/ https://www.facebook.com/St-Patrick-Church-413364078832607/

185TH STREET & TERRACE STREET, HONEY CREEK, IA

PLOTS AVAILABLE 712-642-2611

Your business card could appear here. Call the church office to make arrangements.

If you would like to make a donation, (perhaps in memory of a loved one) towards the cost of the Poinsettias that adorn our sanctuary during Christmas season, please put your donation and the name of the person in an envelope and mark it “Poinsettias”. Drop the envelope in the collection basket. The names will be in the Christmas bulletin.

St. Anne’s Responsibilities

Hot Breakfast: 1st Sundays of the month Join us December 4!

Sat. Dec. 10 4:00 pm Mass Lector: Tammy H. EMHC: Dave & Julie E. Hospitality: Matt G. Money Counter: Dave E. Sun. Dec. 11 8:00 am Mass Lector 1: Brendan S. Lector 2: Mark G. EMHC: Russ K. & Joe E. Servers: Ava G. & Grant G. Hospitality: Roger & Carol S. Money Counter: Wayne R. Communion to Homes: Kyle H. Communion to Westmont: Sandy K. December Chairpersons: Russ & Peg Kurth Financial Report Tithe $1,819+ Plate $229= $2,048 Building Fund envelopes= $4,623 ADA Goal = $19,791. Pledges thus far= $18,631 (63 gifts) Still need $1,160

St. Patrick’s Responsibilities

Sat. Dec. 10 5:30 pm Mass

Sacristan: Mike Kenealy

Lector: Dana Orten

EMHC: Mike & Susie Kenealy

Gift Bearers: Ron Kyle family

Server: volunteers

Hospitality: Hansen family

Counters: Brent H. & Susie K.

Sunday, Dec. 11 9:30 am Mass

Sacristan: Pat Kocour

Lectors: Mike Oehler, Lisa McDermott

EMHC: Michele Wilson, Pat Kocour, Sharon Buss, Rich Lubash

Servers: Jackson Tennis, Kiera Hochstein

Gift Bearers: Dillinger family

Hospitality: John Meier, Steve & Linda Van Riper

Counters: Larry K. & Roger S.

Financial Report Tithe $1,945+ Plate $108= Total $2,053 Children’s Collection=$2.44

Dear Friends: December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mary was conceived without sin). It is a holy day of obligation for all Catholics. It is also the Patronal Feastday of the United States of America. This holy day commemorates God’s choice of Mary to bear the Son of the Most High from the moment of her conception. God’s choice of Mary was not a consequence of her personal holiness. Mary did not earn the right to become the Mother of God by moral obedience or any saintly works. She was chosen by God for her high calling from the first instant of her life. This doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a perpetual reminder that God always takes the initiative in bringing about God’s purposes. God does not over-ride our human freedom when marking someone out for that person’s life. But God takes the lead in laying out the possibilities for that person’s life. Like Mary’s Assumption into heaven, Mary’s Immaculate Conception was professed by the faithful long before Pope Pius IX declared it dogma in 1854. The Eastern Church gave honor to Mary’s conception as early as the eighth century, and a commemoration was added to the universal calendar of the Catholic Church in 1708. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a solemnity well suited to the Advent season. We see the hand of God preparing the way for God’s Son, choosing Mary, and keeping her free from sin from the very moment of her conception. The Vigil Mass will be at St. Patrick’s, Wednesday December 7th at 6:00 pm. Thursday December 8th Mass will be 8:00 am at St. Patrick’s, and 9:00 am at St. Anne’s. ****************************************************************************************** An aspect of the season of Advent is the preparation for Chr istmas when Chr ist’s first coming to us is remembered; this remembrance directs our mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent is both a beginning and an ending. The Church ends and begins the liturgical year by directing our thoughts to the end of the world and the great event which will take place on the last day, i.e., the second coming of Christ. Let us not resist Christ’s first coming, so that we may not dread his second coming. He will come whether we wish it or not. Do not think that because he is not coming just now, he will not come at all. He will come, you know not when; and provided he finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of his coming will not be held against you. During Advent we are invited to look and listen, to pay attention, to turn from self to God through service of neighbor. We are invited to examine the areas in us that are dark. How dark is our darkness? How dark is the darkness around us? One of the ways we shall try to bring light into other peoples’ lives this Advent is by our Project Emmanuel. This is to assist our Food Pantries in providing food to those most in need. Keep bringing food items to church. ********************************************************************************************** The Hour of God: Usually the term hour has a neutral significance. It is purely an indication of time. However , in the Scriptures, the “hour of God” has a special religious significance. The hour of God indicates a turning point in a life, or in human history, through God’s special intervention. The Lord asks us to be vigilant and ready because we cannot know in advance the “hour of God,” the hour of God’s coming to us with a special intervention. I am now old enough and wise enough to know that I cannot demand or produce this hour of God. God will come to me and to you in a way and at an hour of God’s choosing. Sometimes we are tempted to stand like animal trainers, with our hoops. We urge God to come, to jump through our hoops, and now! But in the end we discover, sadly sometimes, that God is not a trained animal. God chooses the moments and the means. Ours is only to be ready for these special moments. Sometimes God’s hour seems to come at the very limit of our endurance. However, part of our trust in God is that God will come to us, in the best possible time. And in the best possible way. I have to let you be you, and you have to let me be me. And we have to let God be God. (From: “A Life-giving vision - how to be a Christian in today’s world” by John Powell, S.J.). ********************************************************************************************** NB: If you would like to make a donation, (perhaps in memory of a loved one) towards the cost of the Poinsettias that adorn our sanctuary during Christmas season, please put your donation and the name of the person in an envelope and mark it “Poinsettias”. Drop the envelope in the collection basket. The names will be in the Christmas bulletin. **********************************************************************************************

Something to think about: You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus: (a) an old lady who looks as if she is about to die; (b) an old friend who once saved your life; (c) the perfect partner you have been dreaming about. Which of these would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car, and also knowing that you profess to be a good practicing Catholic? This is a moral/ethical dilemma. What’s your take???

Advent Peace, Blessings and Good things! F�. Mas�b���w�, R.

Holy Father’s December Intentions That the scandal of child-soldiers may be eliminated the world over. That the peoples of Europe may rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life. 10th Anniversary Event Iowa Catholic Radio is celebrating 10 years on December 8th and everyone is invited to our anniversary event. The evening begins at St. Ambrose Cathedral for Mass at 5:30 pm celebrated by Bishop Pates. A social time begins at 6:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Downtown, followed by 7 pm dinner. Radio personalities Jack Williams from EWTN & Iowa Catholic Radio’s own Jon Leonetti serve as emcees with the keynote address presented by Gary Zimak. Register now at iowacatholicradio. com or call 515-223-1150. Your donation works for Aging Religious “I read that roughly 95% of donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious aid senior religious,” a donor writes. “That’s wonderful when we truly want our donations to work.” Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care, and more. Please support next week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, and give to those who have given a lifetime. ******************************************

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION By appointment and 2:00-3:00 PM on 1st Saturdays @ St. Patrick and 2nd Saturdays @ St. Anne. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK (ANOINTING) Anointing is available upon request for serious illness, before surgery & in emergency any time. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM To have your child baptized, you must be a registered parishioner in good standing for at least 3 months. Baptismal requests must be made at least one month before the desired date. A baptismal class is required for first time parents and other parents who have not had a formal baptismal class. Please call the office to schedule. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY To be married at the parish, you or your intended spouse or your parents must be a registered parishioner in good standing for at least six months before a date can be requested, with a minimum of six months for marriage preparation. The couple needs to talk with a priest or deacon six months before the anticipated wedding date. If a prior marriage is involved; 1 year notice is necessary. PASTORAL VISITATIONS Please call the parish office when a parishioner is admitted to any of the area hospitals/care centers, and desires Holy Communion or a visit. Due to a confidentiality law, hospitals no longer alert us to this information. If a homebound parishioner would like a pastoral visit, or to receive the Eucharist, call the parish office. The Eucharist is taken to the care centers on Sundays by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Updates: Please let the parish offices know if you have a change in phone, email or address, or if you wish to join a ministry.

Fruit cakes available in St. Pat’s hallway. Also available at Fisher’s Petals & Posies and Valley Drug.

*************************************************************************************** HOT Breakfast Please join us on Sunday, December 4 at St. Anne for our monthly hot breakfast being served after 8 am Mass. All proceeds go to the Building Fund! Good food, good fellowship :) *************************************************************************************** Weekly Advent Series St. Anne’s: Friday, December 9 at 6:30 pm: Second of the Advent weekly Friday sessions of Pause, Read, Reflect, Pray with Fr. Raphael. These sessions are designed to help us slow-down in preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Cut through the noise of Christmas commercialization and put your focus squarely on the coming of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Join these Advent sessions and enter the celebration of Christmas recollected and un-rushed. St. Patrick’s: Saturday, December 6 at 7 pm in the library. Second week of Advent session is Prepare! Discuss John the Baptist’s call to “Prepare the way.” Celtic-themed prayer and reflection on the “Light and Darkness.” Contact Deacon Mike 712-310-2921; deaconmichaelcarney@gmail.com to register so enough materials will be present for everyone. If you need transportation, let Deacon Mike know. ***************************************************************************************

PROJECT EMMANUEL-2016 ADVENT PROJECT

Harrison County Food Pantry, Mo. Valley, needs: Toilet paper, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, canned fruit, tuna, pork & beans are the most needed items. Other suggested items include: disposable diapers, baby powder, baby shampoo, baby wipes, laundry soap, tissues, sanitary products, paper towels, deodorant, trash bags, plastic wrap, foil, food storage bags, disposable razors, cleaning materials, children’s cereal, flour, sugar, cooking oils, juice, jello/pudding, and mac-n-cheese. Monetary donations are also accepted. Items may be placed on the altar of St. Patrick church. West Central Development in Logan needs: Most needed items: canned fruit, juice, canned chicken, dish soap, hand/bath soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toilet paper. Other suggested items include: any non-perishables.