Christy Kakassy, Ssusan M. Owens, Diane Schofield, John Tiller, and all those in nursing homes.

MARRIAGE We are unable to accommodate all of the requests for weddings at Stella Maris. To marry here, at least one party to the marriage should be an active parishioner, regularly attending Mass for one year before asking to schedule a wedding. As Catholics, we believe that God has a plan for marriage. Cohabitation before marriage is not part of God’s plan and decreases the chances of success in main-taining a permanent union. Cohabitating couples should separate and live apart before requesting the Sacrament of Matrimony. More information is available from the parish office regarding guidelines for weddings and parishioner status. Diocesan policy requires at least six months’ notice before setting a wedding date.

SACRAMENTAL POLICY In order to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation, students in Grades 2 and 8 must attend TWO FULL YEARS of religious instructions if they are NOT in our Catholic School system. No more than THREE (3) classes can be missed during the year of sacramental preparation.

The facilities and services of Stella Maris Parish are available to its active members. This includes use of the Church for Baptisms, Weddings, and other sacramental events and includes parishioner status in our parochial schools. Active membership is determined by three things: being registered in the parish for a sufficient period of time, faithful attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, and the use of the envelope system in support of the parish. N.B. If you are attending Stella Maris but not receiving envelopes, then you are not registered. Please call the Parish Office for registration information.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THE SICK IN OUR PARISH

If anyone wishes to receive Communion and is unable to come to Mass, call Deacon Jason Vaughan at 843-883-3044

BAPTISM

To schedule a Baptism please contact Deacon Jason Vaughan at 843-883-3044.

NURSERY

The Nursery in the parish hall remains closed until further notice.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

November 28st – December 5th

Sat., Nov. 28th 5:30pm Mass Ints. Clydie & Sumter DeBrux – 50th Wedding Anniversary Sun., Nov. 29th 8:00am Mass Ints. Alice & John Saunders –50th Wedding Anniversary 9:30am Mass (c) For the People 9:30am Mass (h) lPatricia Rodriguezl 11:30am Mass lMurray Comptonl 5:30pm Latin Mass lMarie Chastainl Mon. Nov. 30th 6:30pm Mass Ints. Jim Nolan Family Tues., Dec. 1st 8:00am Mass lTimothy Healy Kennedyl Wed., Dec. 2nd 8:00am Mass Ints. Bryan White Thurs. Dec. 3rd 9:00am Mass Ints. Kitty Riley Fri., Dec. 4th 8:00am Mass lMarion Gajdosikl

FIRST FRIDAY 4:00pm Latin Mass lMurray Comptonl Sat., Dec. 5th 4:15 – 5:00pm CONFESSIONS

TODAY’S SCHDULE

November 28th – 29th

EX. MIN. HOLY COMMUNION LECTORS HOST FAMI LIES

5:30pm c Christen Hall Jon Tirpak 8:00am c Warren Tawes Mary Ellen Way 9:30am c Vincent Sottile 9:30am h Anthony Stith 11:30am c Matt Story Howard Stone

SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK

December 5th – 6th

EX. MIN. HOLY COMMUNION LECTORS HOST FAMI LIES

5:30pm c Nelson Little Thomas Knisley 8:00am c Cathy Burton Tom O’Rourke 9:30am c Vincent Sottile Miller Shealy 9:30am h Don Smith 11:30am c Matt Story Howard Stone

MONEY MATTERS

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the collection counting has been postponed until next week. Look to the next bulletin for the figures.

Stella Maris

Roman Catholic Church

We welcome all visitors who have come to worship God with us today. And we hope that your visit is safe and enjoyable.

1204 Middle Street, P.O. Box 280 Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina 29482

Rev. Msgr. Lawrence B. McInerny, J.C.L. Pastor Rev. David F. Michael Parochial Vicar Mr. Jason Vaughan, MA, MS Deacon, Pastoral Associate & D.R.E. Mr. John Byrnes School President Mrs. Susan Splendido School Principal Mrs. Ann Thompson, LMSW Registration, Counseling & Activities Mrs. Elizabeth Bolchoz Sanford Communications Coordinator Mr. Huey Waldon Director of Liturgical Music Mr. Stephen M. Collins Associate Musician Mrs. Winnie Van Meir Secretary to the Pastor

Parish Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 – 4:00; Friday, 9:00 – Noon

Parish Office 843-883-3108 Fax 843-883-3160 Jason Vaughan 843-883-3044 Ann Thompson 843-607-0135

Diocesan Office of Child Protection Services 843-261-0430 Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister 843-856-0748

St. Vincent De Paul Society Help Line: 843-814-1229

Parish Website: stellamarischurch.org

FORMED WEBSITE: formed.org/register (Access Code: R8ZH23)

Especially: Warren Connell, Linda Cornelius, Mike Costanzo, Rosalea Donahue, Maggie Dull, Amber Firestine, Paul Flaherty, Marion McLellan

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

November 29, 2020

PARISH NEWS

MASS IN THE HALL

With our increased Mass attendance, we have resumed the 9:30am Mass in the hall starting last Sunday (November 15th) on an experimental basis, depending on the response. Wearing masks is strongly recommended. Those who arrive together may sit together. All others are asked to maintain proper distancing. Saint Roch, pray for us, that we may be preserved from all diseases of body and soul.

STELLA MARIS VIRTUAL ANGEL TREE

This year our annual Angel Tree is going virtual. We are working to provide $50 Target, Wal-Mart or Amazon gift cards to our friends at St. James-Santee, Simmons-Pinckney Middle School and Mental Health Outreach. Although some of us will miss shopping for an individual child or group of children, this is the safest and best option during COVID-19 and these children are still very much in need. Please know that we are working with people we have worked with for years who take care in giving us names of children they personally know are in need. Your generosity is greatly appreciated especially during these difficult times. Please sign up using this sign-up genius link (which is also on the Stella Maris website): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C48A5A92E5-stella. The link is on the Stella Maris website. Gift cards are due by December 13th. Sign-up is encouraged but not required. GIFT CARDS IN ANY AMOUNT WILL BE ACCEPTED. You are welcome to just drop off gift cards and your gift card will be matched to a child. Gift cards can be dropped off on Sundays and placed in the gift card containers in the Church or the hall. They can also be dropped off at the church office during the week. If you prefer to donate money to be used towards the purchase of gift cards that is perfect! Venmo @Carin-MacLean or cash or check made out to Stella Maris with Angel Tree in the memo. Questions, call or text Carin MacLean 843-725-9277 or Melissa Darby 843-813-7105. We will be happy to pick up any donations from your home if you are not able to make it to the church.

STELLA MARIS WOMEN’S CLUB

Please come help us celebrate the birth of our Baby Savior! Stella Maris Women’s Club will host a baby shower in His honor on Tuesday, December 1st in the Stella Maris Catholic Church parish hall at 6:30pm. Gifts will be going to pregnant women from Birthright of Charleston. This is an event you don’t want to miss! We will discuss the three trimesters of pregnancy from conception until birth and, we will explore the challenges Mary may have faced during her pregnancy. A gift registry has been set up at Target. Please copy and paste this web address: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/giftgiver?registryId=61921b1fe5e94a8eb1a466a173385931&lnk=registry_custom_url If you would prefer to shop elsewhere here is a list of needed items: diapers (preemie to size 3), baby lotion and baby bath wash, onesies, sleepers, receiving blankets, and swaddle wraps from preemie to 12 months, bibs, socks for boys and girls up to 12 months, books, and maternity clothes (especially larger sizes). A light plated dinner with dessert will be provided. If possible, please RSVP to iopgator@gmail.com so that we can plan for you. Parish members wishing to help support Birthright of Charleston can drop gifts or monetary donations off at the Stella Maris Parish Hall Office.

WOMEN’S CLUB

Calling all STARGAZERS in the parish. If you have a telescope and you are willing to help the Women’s Club with a special program on Tuesday evening, January 6, 2021, please email Patty Fournier iopgator@gmail.com.

LADIES ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) Our Lady of Knock Division 1 are selling Infinity Chapel Veils in an effort to share the beautiful tradition of veiling when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. These lovely lace infinity scarfs quickly convert to a veil. They are offered in white, black and liturgical colors and are available for $15 each or 2 for $25. We can arrange for non-contact drop off or mailing. Please email us at laohladyofknock1@gmail.com.

NEWS FROM OTHER SOURCES

CHRIST OUR KING/STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Christmas Tree Lot

COK/SM School is proud to offer the finest Blue Ribbon Frasier Fir Christmas trees fresh from a North Carolina Farm. The Knights of Columbus will also offer-ing beautiful fresh wreaths. Visit us at the corner of Camellia Drive and Coleman Blvd. on field beside school from noon on Friday after Thanksgiving and then Monday/Thursdays 3-8pm, Friday 3-9pm Sat. 9-8pm and Sun. 1-7pm.

ECCO FOOD DRIVE

St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the parishioners of Stella Maris for once again providing generous support of the East Cooper Charitable Outreach (ECCO) food drive. This has particular meaning this year at Thanksgiving as many in the community are in need because of the ill-effects of COVID. Your assistance will be welcomed by many. For your information, we provided almost 1,100 lbs. of groceries for clients that will be paired with “free” turkeys to make a more joyous Holiday for many.

SMART SENIOR IN HOME TECHNOLOGY

Smart Senior in home Technology Services: We educate, set up, show, tutor and teach you or your loved ones how to use personal home technology. We help take the stress out of staying connected.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My dear people,

Happy New Year! Today, with the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new year of grace and don’t we need all the graces of God we can get? This, of course, is not to say we have not received many graces in the year that is passing.

Two days before Thanksgiving I was able to visit my family’s beloved Rebecca, age 95. With much affection, I call her “my black Momma” and she has referred to me as one of her “white children.” In setting up the visit by telephone, I told her about my struggle through the COVID-19 virus in July and how often I recalled childhood sicknesses, how weak I was with the mumps and how she cared for me and tended to me while my parents were at work. A most loving woman of faith, Rebecca began to recount all her blessings despite her being confined to her home for most of the year due to the pandemic. She is not even able to get to her church, the center of her life, but she is, nevertheless, grateful for many blessings: the roof over her head, the heat in her house, the food on her table and her faith, not necessarily in that order. As we all know, there are many people in the world suffering every year and not just emotionally. Rebecca was visibly moved as she recalled the images of starving children with distended bellies. We have so many reasons to be grateful. To paraphrase Jordan Peterson: we should avoid over-valuing what we don’t have and under-valuing what we do have.

By no means, do I wish to minimize the pandemic. Recently, I sense that the toll of the stress is filtering up to me in my as a pastor. People of all ages and walks of life are presenting with emotional struggles (such as depression), substance abuse and other psychological issues. While the underlying problems may well have been there all along, the uncertainty and social isolation of the pandemic surely exacerbates the problems.

As mentioned last week, I have been trying to get back into more reading. The Scriptures are the best. As you know, I am always refer-ring you to the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament, especially the Psalms. As a pious Jew, the Lord, Himself, prayed them and they con-stitute the major part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours (her official prayers). Other reading preferences depend upon personal interests. I, for one, obviously enjoy history. Recently, I came upon some scholarly advice: ‘ … pursue an intimate knowledge of the past because other-wise you will be helpless before the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press and the microphone.’ Sound like 2020? Naw, that’s C.S. Lewis speaking at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford in 1939!

Friday of this week is the First Friday of the month, a day of special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Before the pandemic, we observed Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the Thursday night before. We have not been having adoration all night during the pandemic. However, I have received requests for Eucharistic Adoration of some form. This Thursday night you are invited to a Eucharistic Holy Hour commencing after the 6:30 P.M. Mass and concluding around 8:00 P.M. with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed our loving Savior

Sacrament. When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed our loving Savior is especially present to us, “Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity” in a very close manner. Don’t we need that presence now? Come, if you can, enjoy the peace. Don’t worry about thoughts or words, just be there for the dialogue: Cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaks to heart.)

Given the travails of 2020, I sense (and share) a palpable desire to get to Christmas quickly. Please don’t forget Advent, that time of prayerful, penitential and hopeful preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Early in the pandemic shutdown, I wrote about the consolations of music. Some of you responded in agreement. May I suggest you pull out the album or cd’s of Handel’s Messiah or search it out on Spotify or your music source of choice? Listen carefully to the first parts espe-cially, Israel’s hopes and longings for a Messiah are not that much different from ours. Human nature does not change much. May our Advent be blessed.

Saint Roch, pray for us that we may be preserved from all diseases of body and soul.

Father McInerny