St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501

Telephone (228) 864-2272 Fax (228) 864-2273 Email: stjohnthee@cableone.net

Staff: Rev. Joseph Uko, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. and anytime on request

First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015

ADVENT ABCs If motivation is the key to success, then the season of Advent starts our liturgical year out right by focusing our attention on the ultimate reason for our hope and all we do as Christians. The first reading and the Gospel reassure us that the Messiah will cover the earth in justice at the end of time. This may be a frightening prospect to those who are blamewor-thy, but to the Lord's "holy ones" it is a reason to "stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand" (Luke 21:28). The scriptures also reveal the ABCs of arriving at our goal. In the full text of today's psalm each verse starts with a suc-cessive letter of the Hebrew alphabet--from "A" to "Z." That made it easy to learn by heart the psalm's instruction on following God's way of faithful love. Today's New Testament scriptures also instruct us in what we must do "to be blameless in holiness . . . at the coming of our Lord Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 3:13). "COME, LORD JESUS!" We are to "be vigilant," expecting Christ to come into our lives at every moment. We are to "abound in love for one an-other," working constantly for the coming of Christ's love into our relationships and communities. And we are to "stand erect" and pray without fear for the coming of the end of time, when the Lord Jesus will come bringing perfect justice and peace. Christians in the first centuries of the church prayed the acclamation, "Come, Lord Jesus!" The Advent season invites us to enter into this spirit of hopeful expectation for the "advent" of Christ's reign. During this season of Advent we remember Jesus' first coming in time, we anticipate Christ's coming at the end of time, and we pray with hopeful expectation for our lives right now: "Come, Lord Jesus!" Copyright (c) 2006, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015

I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.

— Jeremiah 33:15

THE COMING KINGDOM Jeremiah could see it coming—the kingship of Jesus and the restoration of Jerusalem. But was anybody lis-tening? Is anybody listening now? It must have been tough being a prophet, but Jeremiah was persistent in his message because he knew that it needed to be heard. Also persistent in his message is Paul as he encour-ages the Thessalonians—and all of us—to live in accor-dance with the kingship that Jeremiah foretold. He en-courages us to conduct ourselves in ways of holiness so that we may be well prepared for the king’s coming. Fi-nally, Jesus himself tells us to be ever diligent so that we may gain favor before our God and King. Jeremiah could see the kingship of Jesus coming. As we begin the season of Advent, Paul and Jesus tell us not only how to prepare for the Kingdom, but how to live it day to day. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church!

If you are new to the parish and have not yet reg-istered, please call 864-2272.

C.C.D. (Grades K-12) ................ Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus...... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary..................... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A. .................................................Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul................... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart............................... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon

Happy birthday wishes to– Terri Goad, Kayla Brewer, Annie Hosli & Mac Rouse celebrate Nov. 28; Cassie Smith & Abigail Lorena Williams celebrate Nov. 29; Renee Ward & Lance Horton celebrate Dec. 1 Janet

McDonald & Elenita Ramos celebrate Dec. 4. May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays!

We are in need of a CCD teacher. Please call Linda Hebert at 832-7551 for more information.

St. Vincent De Paul There will be a 5th Sunday Second collec-tion at all Masses this weekend for our St. John’s St. Vincent De Paul. In these difficult times please be as generous as

you feel you can. Every little bit is a help. May God bless you for your continued generosity!

Bible Study will resume Monday, November 30th at 1pm and Thursday, December 3 at 6pm.

First Friday Adoration, December 4 - Adoration, 8:00am until 5:00pm, ending with Benediction. The sign up sheet is on the center table. We would like to see at least 2 peo-ple per hour. Please sign up to spend an hour with Jesus. First Saturday Devotion, December 5 - The schedule is 8:30am Confession; 9:00am Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Meditation and Benediction.

Thank you to everyone for helping to make the Thanks-giving Food Drive a success!! Your generosity is always overwhelming!! Your gifts will be a great help to feed the hungry in our community.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Henrietta Caranna and family in the loss of her daughter in law Nadine Caranna and to the Lambert family in the loss of Paul Lambert. May God reward Nadine and Paul with Eternal Rest, Light and Peace and may He comfort their

families in their sorrow.

Advent is a season to prepare for Christmas - when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered and is a season when that remembrance di-

rects the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation. Drop something you usually do at this time of year but do not en-joy. Choose an Advent custom and make it part of your daily routine.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Advent is a time rich in family traditions. Many of them have been so effectively absorbed into our culture that their religious origins are hidden. Some of us will set candles in our windows tonight. The custom began in Ire-land during the so-called “penal” days, extending from 1691 to the “Catholic Emancipation” in 1829 and beyond. There were harsh penalties and fines for not attending the government church. Priests were forced into hiding, but people were resourceful and determined in guarding their faith. At Christmas, Irish families, particularly in the countryside, placed a lighted candle in the cottage win-dow and left the door unlatched, hoping that a priest might come by and celebrate the Christmas Mass for them. The possibility of the Mass coming into the family home gave rise to other Irish customs at the beginning of Advent. The cottage received a fresh coat of whitewash, the threshold was swept especially clean, and fresh curtains were hung in the windows. The house was scrubbed until it gleamed, including all the pots and pans, and all garments and table linens were laundered. The custom of the Irish window candle was so admired in Catholic Europe that it was widely copied there, and now finds a welcome in households that may not exactly expect a priest to wander in! —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

The 2016 Diocesan Directory will be available in late January. It includes information about our bishop, priests, deacons, religious men and women, as well as informa-tion about diocesan ministries, parishes and schools. Cost is $10 per directory. Please send order and payment to: Gulf Pine Catholic, 1790 Popps Ferry Rd, Biloxi, MS 39532

Christmas at the Cathedral BILOXI – The 3rd Annual “Christmas at the Cathedral” concert series will take place at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, 870 Howard Avenue, during the month of December. Admission is free and the concerts are open to the public. Schedule… • Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus-Friday, Dec 4 at 7pm • On a Wing and a Prayer Liturgical Concert, Vigil

Mass- Saturday Dec 5 at 4pm • Long Beach High School Chorale-Sunday Dec 6 at

2pm • MGCCC Jackson County Campus Chorale-Thursday

Dec 10 at 7pm • USM Gulf Coast Civic Chorale-Sunday Dec13 at

2pm • MGCCC Jeff Davis Campus Chorale-Tuesday, Dec

15 at 7pm

The Young at Heart will gather for their Christmas celebration including lunch and fellowship on Thursday, December at 10 at noon in Presentation Hall. The main dish will be provided. Please bring your favorite vege-

table, salad or dessert dish to compliment the meal. Please plan to come enjoy some delicious food, good company and exciting games of bingo.

Jubilee Year of Mercy November 29, 2015

First Sunday of Advent Besides a new liturgical year, this Advent features an additional “beginning”—next week’s opening of the Jubi-lee Year of Mercy, a graced opportunity to contemplate more profoundly and live more concretely the mystery of God’s unconditional love. Pope Francis says that mercy, as the bridge connecting God and the human family, opens our hearts to welcome God’s love for us sinners and our eyes to recognize others, especially society’s least loved and most vulnerable, as brothers and sisters en-trusted to our care. Today’s scriptures provide a perfect Jubilee preparation. Jeremiah comforts us with the prom-ise of God’s justice; Paul challenges us to abound in love for all; Luke bids us anticipate Jesus’ future coming as the joyful advent of our redemption. But in a unique way, this Jubilee Year’s Advent reminds us that Jesus, whose com-ing we await, is already present among us, in those for whom we need to become instruments of God’s mercy.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

The Annual Altar Society Christmas Lunch is Wednes-day, December 2nd at 11:30 at White Cap. Altar Society dues are due in December. Dues are used for Masses for deceased members, cleaning Altar linens and purchasing oasis for the flowers.

Advent Prayer

Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts

for the coming of your Son. Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,

so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak,

and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Gary Dauro Sunday: 8:00am– +Matthew & Thelma Serpa +Stephen Flagg 10:30am– +Joe D’Angelo; +Ken Canova +Richard Beede; +Betty McGuire 6:00pm–People of the Parish Monday: +Gloria White Tuesday: +Margaret Dubuisson Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday +Jenny Lizana Friday: +Deanne Fasold

Collections: Nov. 21-22 Identifiable: $3850 Unidentifiable: $669 ACH: $200 Catholic Campaign for Human Dev. : $411

Thank you for your generosity!

Judy Allen William Allen Brian Bacuzzi Peter Bacuzzi Theresa Barlow David Bell Jr. Mary Anne Bishop Ashley Blair Grace Bush Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Buddy Cospelich Rhonda Cospelich Socorro Crabbe Kevin Crane Jennifer Davis Maurice DuBois Nicole Gilbert Mark Guiffria Dan Goad Lorraine Goad Anna Grice Vickie Grice Jessi Hebert Howard Harrien Mary Herrin Mary Hickman Annie Hosli Darron Johnson

Bethanie Jones Roy Jones Margaret Jowers Mary Kealy Jerry Keyhea Lizzie Keyhea Kemberly Lacap Gary Lacy Charlene Langley JoAnn Liner Faye Lizana Kathy Lizana Carol Loften Patty Loften Walter Lolley S. J. Marengo Andrew Matner Celeste McInnis Blayze McKinney Rhonda Mires Margaret Moran Donna Neal Gloria Newman Angel Nichols Roseann Painter Trey Patterson Masella Phillips Jay & Sheila Poolson

Casey Ramey Sherrie Ramey Doris Ransom Taylor Rayburn Gary Reeves Dr. Frank Rice Sharon Rogers Ellis Salloum Ken Saxon Austin Seymour John Simmons Donna Smith James Smith James Smith, Jr. Carolyn Soles Karen Stafford Rick Stinnett Herman Strock Marvin Thompson Joye Travis Becky Truxillo Bennye Turner Felecia Vann Vanessa Vincent George & Evelena Watson Lee Wetzel Winkey Williams Addie Wittmann Betty Zimmerman

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Prayer is the door through which all God’s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila

If you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at 864-2272.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The days are coming when the LORD will fulfill the promise made to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 33:14-16). Psalm — To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Psalm 25). Second Reading — May the Lord make you increase and abound in love that you may be blameless in holiness; conduct yourselves so as to please God (1 Thessalonians 3:12 — 4:2). Gospel — There will be signs and you will see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory. Be vigilant (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Inter-national Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

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, 25-27a; 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 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: First Sunday of Advent Monday: St. Andrew Tuesday: World AIDS Day Thursday: St. Francis Xavier Friday: St. John of Damascus; First Friday Saturday: First Saturday

Ireland - Land of A Hundred Thousand Welcomes awaits you! Father Louis Lohan and Father Mike Austin have organ-ized an eight night/nine day trip to the amazing Emerald Isle. Walk the land of Father Louis’ family working farm. See the Mighty Cliffs of Moher. Attend a Medieval Banquet in Bunratty Castle. Step back in time in Adare, with its Irish Thatched Cottages. Tour the Victorian Mansion of Muckross House and Gardens. See the coun-try side surrounded by mountains, lakes, woods and rug-ged coastline as we meander around the King of Kerry. Receive the gift of gab once you kiss the Blarney Stone. Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent estate of Kilkenny Castle. See the Monastic Settlement of Glendalough and the Village of Avoca and much more! Dates: May 13 – May 22, 2016. Cost $3,850.00 per person, double occu-pancy. For more information email: Irelandwelcome-syou@gmail.com or call Paula at 228 697 7814.

Calendar of Events Dec 7 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Vigil Mass 6pm 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Mass 7am & Noon 21 Penance Service, 6pm 24 Christmas Eve, Masses 4pm & 9pm 25 Christmas Day, Masses 8am & 10:30am 27 St. John the Evangelist Feast Day 31 New Years Vigil Mass 6pm Jan 1 New Years Day Mass 8 am & 10:30am

We really appreciate those who donate toward the flowers for our church. Sometimes dona-tions are made in honor of an event (anniversary, birthday, etc.) or in memory of a loved one. If you would like to have flowers

placed in church, please contact the parish office at 228 864-2272.

2016 European Shrines Tour with Father Joseph Uko Come join our group for a once in a lifetime pilgrimage experience in some of Europe’s awe inspiring Shrines and Cathedrals. Dates: April 25-May 7, 2016 Places and Shrines to see: Lisbon, Alcobaca, Fatima, Braga (Portugal), Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, San Ignacio de Loyola, Barcelona (Spain), Lourdes, Carcas-sonne (France) Cost: $2,999.00 per person Includes:1.Daily breakfast, 6 dinners, lunch on your own) 2. Round trip airfare from Gulfport 3. Cost of land tour 4. Airport transfer to hotel in Lisbon and hotel to airport in Barcelona. How to Book: Call Rose Morrissey at 866-843-4835 (except July 23-August 9, 2015). Book by September 15, 2015 with a $250 non-refundable deposit and receive a $100 early booking discount. Trip Insurance: Available for $209.00 per person For More Information, please contact: Cynthia Dominguez at 228 896-4905 or email Cyn-thia.d1973@yahoo.com