Fr. Erik Pohlmeier, Pastorepohlmeier@holysouls.org

Fr. Tom Marks, Associate PastorDeacon John Hall

Deacon Lawrence H. JegleyAnne Thomisee, Director of Religious Education

Lynn Bauman, Music DirectorDenise F. Morbit, Director of Youth Ministry

Laura G. Humphries, Parish Life CoordinatorMary Carman, Facilities & Events Coordinator

Shelley Tienken, Business ManagerNan Connell, Accountant

Cindy Stabnick, Church SecretaryEdna de Noble, Pastoral Secretary

Ileana Dobbins, Principal

Church Office .......................... (501) 663-8632School ..................................... (501) 663-4513Cafeteria ................................. (501) 663-6125Extended Care ........................ (501) 663-7438

Website: www.holysouls.orgE-mail: office@holysouls.org

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - December 21, 2014

Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

Parish Office HoursMonday-Friday 8 a.m. to 12 Noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENTOur Lady of the Holy Souls Parish is a family of believers seeking toknow, love, and serve God as a faith community. To celebrate thepresence of Christ among us, we will enhance the communityatmosphere of our parish and develop stewardship of time, talent,and treasure.

Christmas Message from Fr. ErikChristmas is a time for seekers. Picture Joseph knocking on doors for a place to stay while Mary wondered

where she might settle in to have a child. Imagine shepherds and magi following a star and angels’ voices, wonderingwhat they would find. These are scenes that surround us in these days and call us to be seekers as well.

What was in the heart of those who lived these strange occurrences? Somewhere in their heads they knew ofprophesies, of a God who said he would come to them. But those words seemed ancient and removed. What didthat have to do with real life now?

To believe sometimes takes too little effort but to seek is something else entirely. To seek is to act on some hopeeven if it is faint. To seek is to knock on more doors until something opens, to cross a desert because a star ispointing. To seek is to be unsure and yet to go.

For the seekers of that first Christmas the Child was more than they imagined. Even greater than strange starsand angels’ voices was a Crib that carried the Light of the World. God always rewards those who seek him.

We are here again this year. What do we seek?

We may be unsure and think of other things that demand our attention. The light may seem dim and the voicelow, but the Child in the manger is calling even now. Listen to his voice and the promise of Jesus will be fulfilled.Seek and you will find.

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Church (CH); Parish Hall (PH); Allen Center (AC);Gathering Room (GR); Eucharistic Chapel (EC);

Benedict House (BH); School (S)Reflection for Sunday’s Readings

Monday, December 22:7am Mass, CH;School Closed

Tuesday, December 23:7am Mass, CH;School & Church Office Closed

Wednesday, December 24,CHRISTMAS EVE:

4:00pm Christmas Vigil Mass, CH;6:00pm Christmas Children’s Mass, CH;12am Midnight Mass, CH

Thursday, December 25,CHRISTMAS DAY:

10am Christmas Mass, CHFriday, December 26:

7am Mass, CH;School & Church Office Closed

Saturday, December 27:8am Mass, CH;2:45-3:45pm Confessions, CH;4pm Mass, CH

Sunday, December 28:8am Mass, CH;10am Mass, CH;5:30pm Mass, CH

Liturgical Notes . . .

*To read Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/122814.cfm

CALENDAR

LITURGICAL MINISTERSSATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 4PM MASSServers: B. & T. Anderson, C. & M. M. Menz;EMC: K. Mondy; Lectors: D. Menz, H. Wortsmith;Ushers: R. Anderson, J. MetzgerSUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 8AM MASSServers: J. Bowers, W. O’Malley, J. Riley, I. Todd;EMC: C. Odom; Lectors: R. Keogh, A. M. Maddox;Ushers: R. Grafe, R. Pollard10AM MASSServers: P. & T. Fitz, E. & G. James;EMC: M. Lipsmeyer; Lectors: L. Hess, P. James;Ushers: M. O’Malley, B. Turner5:30PM MASSServers: R. Gatlin, S. Mammarelli, M. Mansfield,J. Wilkinson; EMC: C. Stabnick; Lector: M. Hightower;Ushers: W. Morris, P. Stabnick

This Week at Holy Souls . . .

“O Lord, stir up your power, we pray you, andcome; and with great might help us, that with thehelp of your grace, your merciful forgiveness mayhasten what our sins obstruct. We ask this inJesus’ name, who lives and reigns with youforever and ever. Amen.”(An adult then lights all of the candles on the wreath.)

Advent Wreath Prayer4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Feast of the Holy FamilyDecember 28, 2014

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Adults: How do your family members know that youare a compassionate person?

Children: What family member needs yourcompassion and kindness right now?

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Understanding My Value ToMy Church Community

Laura Humphries, Parish Life Coordinator

PARISH COUNCILNOMINATIONS

Nominations Deadline: January 4Election: January 25 & 26

It is time for Parish Council Nominations; there arefour commissions on the council: Liturgy, Parish Life,Education & Formation and Social Concerns. Thereis one position open on each commission which servesfor a term of three years. Serving on the council is animportant part of parish life; the council assists thepastor in making decisions about many activities thatgo on at the parish. The responsibilities of the positiondo not take up a large amount of your time, but it is agood way to give of your time and talent to benefityour parish. The council meets once a month.Nomination forms will be in the church vestibule, onour website, or you may email your nomination tooffice@holysouls.org. Nominations will end January4th. Elections will be held the weekend of January24 & 25. The first Parish Council meeting for newmembers will be in February.

Our Final Exam

Like a merciful teacher, Jesus lets us know ahead oftime what is going to be on our “Final Exam.” We willbe “graded” on how well we have responded withcompassion to those in need. How? Jesus couldn’t beclearer: by feeding the hungry, giving drink to thethirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked,caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned.Sometimes we make our faith too complicated or tooabstract and so give ourselves an excuse for not doingmuch of anything. But Jesus’ criterion for being afollower of his is very simple and very concrete. Weneed ask only this: what specific compassionate deedwill I do today for a brother or sister in need? Jesus,help me to reach out today to someone in need,knowing that in doing so, I am really doing it for you.

An excerpt from Living With Christ

My Grandmother used to say that you always neededto be ready for your “final exam” because you neverknew when God was going to call you home. She wasready and is praying for me to be ready as well! Thisreflection really spoke to me and I knew I needed toshare it with you. What will we say when God asks ushow we treated our neighbors? Were we com-passionate? Did we give off the top or only what wasleft? We are all human and it is fairly easy to makeexcuses as to why we do what we do or don’t do whatwe didn’t do. Of course, God knows the truth, he isone we cannot fool. Let us pray that this Advent andfor all time we are the people that God calls us to be,that we are generous to all God’s people and that wewant what God wants.

Fr. Erikinvites you to join him on

ADORATIONof the

Blessed Sacrament

New Year’s Evefor a

Holy Hour of Adorationfrom 11:00 p.m. till Midnight

Please be sure to thank the generous advertisers inour bulletin. Through their participation, our parishreceives our weekly bulletin free of charge. Also checkout our web page sponsors.

HOLY SOULS MEN’S CLUB29th Annual

Shrimp and Oyster

Order tickets online at www.holysouls.orgor in the church office.

Dinner Tickets $25.00 eachCorporate/Group Table $500.00

DinnerJanuary 10, 2015

Allen Center ~ Dinner 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.

FeaturingAN EVENING AT MONACO

AFTER PARTYDownstairs in the Gym

Mass attendance, December 6 & 7 1,169

Diocesan Second Collections – National Retired Religious $ 5,825

Weekend Collections – December 6 & 7 $ 60,356Total Dec. Collections $ 60,356Total Dec. Budgeted Collections $ 235,000

Actual Collections (7/1/14 - 11/30/14) $ 540,287Budgeted (7/1/14 - 11/30/14) $ 535,000Excess 5,287

Children’s collections - Dec. 2014 $ 143

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COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock is committed to protectingchildren and young people. If you are aware of abuse or havebeen abused by clerics, Church volunteers or Church workers,please contact the Vicar General for the Diocese of Little Rockat (501) 664-0340 ext. 361, and the State of Arkansas Hotline

for Crimes against Children at 1-800-482-5964. For pastoral assistance pleasecontact the Victim Assistance Coordinators for the Diocese of Little Rock.Drs. George & Sherry Simon at (501) 766-6001. Diocesan Offices: 2500 N.Tyler Street, Little Rock, AR 72207.

The attendance and collection figures forDec. 13 & 14 will be printed in the next bulletin.

Thank you for supporting our church!

Holy Souls This & That . . .

Christmas HolidaysThe Church Office will be closed for the ChristmasHolidays starting on December 23rd. We will reopenon Monday, January 5th. In case of an emergency,please call 373-8600.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 2510:00 a.m. Christmas Mass

(Carols beginning at 9:30 a.m.)

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORDChristmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24

4:00 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass(Carols beginning at 3:30 p.m.)

6:00 p.m. Christmas Children’s Mass(Carols led by Children’s Choirsbeginning at 5:30 p.m.)

12:00 a.m. Christmas Midnight Mass(Lesson and Carols led by Parish Choirbeginning at 11:00 p.m.)

Mass ScheduleChristmas

The collection at all Masses on Christmas Eve andChristmas Day will be for the Clergy Welfare Fund.This fund provides retirement and health care benefitsto retired and infirm priests around our diocese. Ourpriests spend every day of their adult lives as humbleand devoted servants, doing God’s work and servingus until age or infirmity calls them to retirement. Yourcontributions to the Clergy Welfare Fund make ourpriests’ retirement possible. Please share with themthe generosity that they continue to share with us.

CHURCH NURSERYCLOSED ON CHRISTMAS

As a way for our nursery staff and volunteers tocelebrate Christmas with their families, the churchnursery will not be open for the Christmas Vigil andChristmas Day Masses.

Music for Christmas EveWe will have 3 distinct services on Christmas Eve thisyear. The 4pm Mass will feature our Handbell Quartetplaying familiar Carols and Congregational Carols. The6pm Mass will be lead be Holy Souls Advanced Children’sChoir singing and leading Carols.

At Midnight, pre-service will begin at 11pm with a Serviceof Nine Lessons and Carols lead by our Parish Choir andString Quartet. This service is heard each year at Christmason National Public Radio sung by the Kings College Choir,Oxford, U.K. A beautiful service of readings and carolsalternately sung by the choir and congregation tells thestory from Adam and Eve to the birth of our Lord. Pleasecome at 11pm and enjoy this inspirational service.

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Pray for the SickPlease pray for all our sick and shut-ins and

their families who care for them -- especially . . .Jessica Odle Remsing; Aidan Remsing; Jeffery Bowers;Jimmy Fox; Rose Bartsch; Carl Grummer; Phil Marks; GregKitterman; Luke Siria; John Lock; Larry Cross; Mill ieMcManus; Fred Kittler; Dorothy Ehlebracht; Karyl Bearden;Angelo Paladino; Debbie Odle; Jerry Hood; Billy Martin;Harold Medlock, Sr.; Diane Newland; Pat Dierks; NathanBaltz; John Berky; Fran Jansen; Jim Henry; Isabel Dela Cruz;Curtis Racher; Janet Foster; Jeanne Kreth; Randy Prickett;Ron Grafe; Jean Murley; Clint Dunaway; and Bill Rogers.

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date, names willremain on the list for four weeks. To continue for another fourweeks, please call the church office.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

General Petition:That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peaceand hope to all people of good will.

Mission Petition:That parents may be true evangelizers, passingon to their children the precious gift of faith.

December, 2014

WE NEED MORE!

What Is Your Vocation?For men, ages 16 and up

“Come and See” Discernment Retreat: January2-3, 2015 at St. John Catholic Center, 2500 N. TylerStreet, Little Rock. For more information, visit us atdolr.org, contact the Vocations office at (501) 664-0340 or by email at mgallaher@dolr.org. Registrationbegins at 11 am in Fletcher Hall on Friday, January 2.This retreat is FREE. The “Come and See” DiocesanPriesthood Discernment Retreat is given by theseminarians of our diocese. This retreat is rooted inprayer and consists of talks, discussion panels,vocational videos, and personal testimonies. The goalis to provide the participant (men age 16 and up) withan opportunity to explore more deeply a possiblecalling to the Diocesan priesthood.

For women, 16 to 35 years of ageWake Up the World to the Joy of ConsecratedLife! A Women’s Religious Vocation DiscernmentRetreat will be held January 3-4, 2015 at the Dioc-esan Pastoral Center, 2500 N. Tyler St. Come seethat Sisters are Real People! The retreat is for youngwomen 16-35 years of age who want to learn anddiscern about Religious Life. Sponsored by the Dioc-esan Offices of Vocations, Youth & Campus Ministry,& Minister for Religious, the retreat will include talkson Religious Life by Sisters from congregations serv-ing in Arkansas; time for prayer & reflection; and op-portunity to speak with the Sisters. The Retreat is free.Registration deadline is Dec. 22. For RegistrationForm and more information see http://www.dolr.org/events/womens-religious-discernment-retreat or con-tact Sr. Joan Pytlik, Minister for Religiousjpytlik@dolr.org or 501-664-0340, ext. 384.

WE NEED MORE!Building and Grounds by the NumbersMary Carman, Facilities & Special Events Coordinator

Building Fund

Amt. $_________Check #________

HOLY SOULS CHURCHName________________________________________________________________

I’ve given online

In the month of November, $2,667.50 was donated for theBuilding Fund.

Building Fund Balance $121,400

The Building and Gounds Committee will be meeting in thenew year to review the Parish Capital Improvements andMaintenance Assessment. Items to be slated fordiscussion:

1) Lighting upgrade for sanctuary of church

2) 1992 section of school roof replacement

3) Security update for Parish Hall and Church

4) Parish Hall parking lot resurfacing

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPBegins Saturday, February 7th

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one andexperiencing grief please come to our Grief SupportGroup which will begin, Saturday, February 7th at9:30am in the Parish Hall. The goal of the group is tohelp you on the journey through grief and to help youknow that we do not get over a loss but learn to livewith it, we go through it. This loss experience is partof our life journey in all aspects, physical, behavioral,cognitive, emotional and spiritual. We all grievedifferently and there is no time table for grief so theloss doesn’t have to be recent to join the group. Pleasecontact Laura in the church office if you would like toattend the group.

REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please call AnneThomisee in the church office.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecall Anne Thomisee in the church office.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:45 to 3:45pm and Wednesdays before FirstFriday from 4:30 to 5:00pm or call the church office for anappointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open from 7am-4pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,& Friday). Please enter through the chapel door after 9am. OnWednesday, the Church is open from 9am till after the 5:30pmMass. Adoration is on Wednesday from 9am till 5pm.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

HOSPITAL STAYSPlease call the church office if you or someone you know is inthe hospital. We want to visit you and pray for you while youare in the hospital.

NURSERYThe Nursery is available in the Parish Hall for your youngchildren (age 5 and younger) for all regular weekend Masses.

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“I in them and you in me, that they may be broughtin perfection as one, that the world may know

that you sent me.” (John 17:23). Holy Souls Catholic Church

BLOOD DRIVESunday, January 48:30am – 12:30pm

Parish Hall

To schedule an appointment, please go to www.redcrossblood.org

and enter sponsor code: HSOULSor contact Cindy at 663-2032 or

cstabnick@holysouls.org.

All participating donors will receive a T-shirt.

The Shrineof

Our Lady of the Holy SoulsThe Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Souls has niches wherethe photos of our deceased loved ones are placed. The chapelis a place of prayer for our loved ones, uniting our prayers asa community with the prayers of Mary our patron and all thesaints of heaven.

You are invited to bring unframed photos to be displayed.We have purchased frames and ask that you bring photosthat are either 4” x 6” or 5” x 7” as no other sizes can beaccommodated. If your picture is not either of those sizes,you may have copies made at Walgreens, Walmart, etc.The photos will remain in place for a minimum of one month.Then they will be scanned and placed in a digital frame inthe chapel where their picture will be display for the entirehistory of our shrine. Please bring photos to Church Office.

SENIOR HIGH CYM

CYM Wednesdays will resume on Wednesday,January 7th, 7-8:30 pm. If any alum are in town on collegebreak, please feel free to come by! Dinner served.

Denise will be at MSM for first lunch with lunch on Friday,January 9, 2015! Join in the MSM gym and then join uswith Mass in the chapel.

Sunday, January 11th will be our Youth Mass at 5:30pm followed by dinner and a movie at the BenedictHouse. Over around 9 pm.

Scripture Study will resume on Sunday, January 18th,6:30-8 pm in the Benedict House.

JUNIOR HIGH CYM

Join us for Scripture Study Sunday, January 18, 6:30-8pm in the Benedict House.

CYM will meet on Friday, January 23 from 3-5 pm at theBenedict House.

The Valentine’s Dance: Friday, February 6, 7-9 pm inAllen Center. $5.

Winter Lent Overnight Retreat: (IF WE HAVE ENOUGHCHAPERONES) Friday, February 27-Saturday, February 28.

Liturgy Schedule and Mass Intentions

To read the daily reading online,go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, December 22 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-567:00 a.m. Mass Kathleen Waldorf by Holy Souls Parish

Tuesday, December 23 ST. JOHN OF KANTY - Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-667:00 a.m. Mass Joe Fetzek by Virginia Fetzek

Wednesday, December 24 CHRISTMAS VIGIL - Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25]4:00 p.m. Mass Holy Souls in Purgatory by Holy Souls Parish6:00 p.m. Mass Expectant Parents by Holy Souls ParishMidnight Mass Homebound of Parish by Holy Souls Parish

Thursday, December 25 THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD - Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]10:00 a.m. Mass Parishioners by Holy Souls Parish

Friday, December 26 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-227:00 a.m. Mass Elsie Rhein by Edith Treadway

Saturday, December 27 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-88:00 a.m. Mass Leigh Berrington Green by Neil & Regina Dobbins4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Julius & Ann Bovick by Fran Jansen

Sunday, December 28 HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH - Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5; Lk 2:22-408:00 a.m. Mass Horace Dobbins by Neil & Regina Dobbins10:00 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Corrin Buckner by Roberta Cagle