SUNDAY 15 DEC 7 PM - Confirmation Years 1 & 2 7:30 PM - Point Catholic Student Supper, Newman Center

MONDAY 16 DEC / Nm 24:2-7, 15-17/Ps 25:4-9/Mt 21:23-27

6:30 AM - Discipleship Group/Advent Readings, Rectory 8:15 AM - Mass, St. Stephen Parish 5:30 PM - Haiti Team Meeting, Rectory 7:30 PM - Point Catholic Women Bible Study, Newman Ctr.

TUESDAY 17 DEC / Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-7, 7-8, 17/Mt 1:1-17 8:15 AM - Mass FSB (+Domaszek & Kosobucki families) 10 AM - Discipleship Group/Advent Readings, Rectory 4 PM - Salvation Army Meal Ministry 6:30 PM - Communal Reconciliation Service, Church

WEDNESDAY 18 DEC / Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-25

8:15 AM - Mass, FTM (+Monica Omernick) 6 PM - Campus Ministry Discipleship Group, Newman Center 6 PM - Pastoral Council, Kostka Hall 6:30 PM - Discipleship Group/Bishop Barron Book 9 PM - Late Night Mass, FSB Newman Center Chapel

THURSDAY 19 DEC / Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25/Ps 71:3-6, 16-17/Lk 1:5-25

8:15 AM - Mass, FSB (+Art & Stella Zagrzebski)

9 AM-3:30 PM - Eucharistic Adoration - 3 PM - Divine Mercy Chaplet

4 PM - Finance Council Mtg., Rectory 4 PM - Christmas Tree Setup, Church 7:30 PM - Point Catholic Men Bible Study, Newman Ctr.

FRIDAY 20 DEC / Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-6/Lk 1:26-38

8:15 AM - Mass, FSB (+Dorothy Glodowski)

SATURDAY 21 DEC / Zep 3:14-18/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21/Lk 1:39-45

9 AM - Reconciliation

4th Sunday of Advent 21/22 DEC Is 7:10-14/ Ps 24:1-6/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24

5 PM Saturday, FSB (+Roger Patoka)

8 AM Sunday, FSB (+Stan Wysocki) - 7:30 - Rosary

10 AM Sunday, FSB (+Jim Pieczynski) 6 PM Sunday, FSB (for the parish)

Advent 1 2 3 4 December 15, 2019 www.HolySpiritStevensPoint.org

FSB: Fr. Steve Brice

FTM: Fr. Todd Mlsna

FDL: Fr. Dennis Lynch

FPS: Fr. Placid Stroik

FDP: Fr. Don Przybylski

ADVENT STUDENT SUPPER

This special event will be held at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday, December 15th at the Newman Center. We’ll say farewell to Zach Laughlin, our departing Campus Minister and our student choir will perform Christmas music! No R.S.V.P. necessary - Don’t miss out on great food and a joyous oc-casion!

A LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S CAMPUS MINISTRY FUN!

MISSION STATEMENT Disciples called to worship,

sent to serve.

VISION STATEMENT By the year 2023, Holy Spirit Parish will:

provide worship opportunities where all are welcome and welcomed; where each person feels supported and encouraged to meet Jesus in a real and personal way; where we are strengthened to go forth to share our talents and resources with oth-ers within and beyond our parish.

support parish committees with prayerful consideration and utilization of the gener-ous gifts of time, talent, and treasure of-fered by the members of our parish.

engage and awaken people of all ages to the lifelong process of seeking Jesus through faith growth experiences.

invite all to feel welcomed and cherished as members of our parish family, and to deepen our connections through minis-tries of compassion, small group gatherings and fellowship events that reflect the love of Christ.

empower Holy Spirit Parish, according to the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church, to meet the needs of all Creation with love, prayer, and service through acts of Social Justice and Charitable Works in our community, nation, and world.

honor the uniqueness of each university student and empower them to become disciples ready for the challenges of the 21st century.

provide every family. who would like, the opportunity for a Catholic School Education.

PASTORAL COUNCIL Justine Brilowski, Casey Davis,

John Eckendorf, Bill Fehrenbach, Mary Ann Krems, Bob Ostrowski, Paul Peterson,

Joanna Slattery, Kevin Weinfurter, Ginny Williams, Susan Zach

FINANCE COUNCIL Chairs: John Clifford, Vern Schroth

Rectory: 838 Fremont St., 344.9117 Newman Center: 2108 Fourth Ave., 345.6500

Dear People of Holy Spirit Parish:

“Go tell John what you see and hear.” (Matthew 11:4)

Christmas wouldn’t happen unless Angels, shepherds, Wise Men, and us ... “go and tell what we have seen and heard.” The first Sunday of Advent we were told to “Stay Awake!” Don’t let the troubles of the past or the fears of the future cause you to grow unconscious of the beauty and joy God is working in the present. The Second Sun-day of Advent the Gospel told us how to stay awake: Repent! We need to recon-cile. We all have things we are not ready to face alone and so we push them out of sight. But just as with driving, things hidden in our blind spots can cause serious damage. This is the week for bringing things out into the light! There are commu-nal penance services at St. Bron’s on Monday (7 p.m.) , Holy Spirit on Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) and St. Stephen’s on Thursday (6:30 p.m.). I am also in the reconciliation room Saturday mornings starting at 9 a.m. All priests are most willing to come whenever and where ever a person needs the Sacrament. So feel free to call and set up a time that works for you. All this brings us to the third week of Advent: “Go tell what you have seen and heard.” For a person feeling hopeless it doesn’t take miraculous power to help. Even the light of a single candle can shatter profound darkness. You may feel you are the most ordinary of people. You may feel you have too many problems of your own to be of help to others. Today’s Gospel urges each of us to share what light we do have, to share what we have experienced of God’s love and mercy, to “Go and Tell.” I’ll begin by telling a little more of the story of some good people. We give thanks and fond farewell to our Director of Campus Ministry, Zach Laughlin, this week-end. Zach’s time with us officially ends Dec. 31st, but he’ll be going home right after Christmas liturgies here. Zach’s big heart is moved by many passions. We’ve spo-ken of his desire to reach the unchurched. He also has great concern for the environ-ment and believes developing new practices in agriculture can help farmers and the earth. He is going to return to Stevens Point after Christmas to pursue some leads he has for turning his vision into a career. We will bless Zach on his way at the 10 a.m. liturgy, 6 p.m. liturgy and 7 p.m. Student Supper. At the 5 p.m. Saturday liturgy, this weekend, we recognize a UWSP senior who is graduating this semester. It is Jessica Enstad who is also stepping into the Director of Campus Ministry position here at Holy Spirit Parish. In addition to graduating after just seven semesters of study, Jessica is receiving the Chancellor’s Leadership Award. We are blessed to have her taking on leadership of our Campus Ministries. Taking her place as Student Director of Social Justice is Elizabeth (Lizzy) Novak. Elizabeth is a sophomore religious studies major and hopes someday to work as a parish Youth Minister. Christmas is only ten days away! We are offering a child/family friendly Christmas Eve liturgy for a second year. The Mass upstairs will begin at 4 p.m. Downstairs, the Children’s choir will begin singing at 4 p.m. with Mass following at 4:20 p.m. While I’m downstairs with the children’s liturgy, Fr. Don Przbylski will be presiding upstairs. By popular demand he has agreed to sing the Polish lullabye at the manger. The Celebration Choir will lead us in praise at the 7 p.m. Mass and begin caroling at 6:30 p.m. Fr. Don will preside at the 9 p.m. liturgy which will allow me to be rested for the Christmas Day celebration at 9 a.m. If you will be traveling for Christmas..... “Go tell what you have seen and heard!”

Parish Prayer Partners

Did you know that Holy Spirit Parish has a team of volunteers providing intercessory prayer for those in need of healing? Lottie Wysocki leads our group of Prayer Partners and they are ready and willing to pray! If you, or someone you know, is in need of prayer, there are three ways to make that happen. Call Lee at the parish office at 344-9117, Lottie at 344-4205 or add your information to the Book of Petitions located in the south alcove in Church.

time, talent and treasure

Elsewhere

FRANCISCANS DOWNTOWN: The movie Miracle on 34th

Street will be shown on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Also at Franciscans - Fr. Placid Stroik will offer the Sacra-

ment of Reconciliation on Thursday, Dec. 19th between 2 and 3 p.m.

Please take time this week, to review and complete your Respond to the Spirit materi-als. Bring them to Mass next weekend or drop them at the rectory office. They can be

placed in the baskets at any church entranceway. Thanks to all who’ve already returned materials! PARTICIPATION AT MASS

Dec 7/8 5 p.m. — 296 8 a.m. — 242

10 a.m. — 304 6 p.m. — 145

HOLY SPIRIT PARISH GIVING

Dec 7/8………….$15.994.21

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Target……………….$118,185

Pledged/Contributed..…..$44,325 Under Target……..$73,860

Number of Contributors — 196

Construction Zone Weekly The exterior of our new Ministry Center is almost complete. All that remains are the roof shin-gles on the Carport Canopy on the west side of the building and a couple of the exterior entry door units.

Recently the painters have completed painting all the walls in the new addition. All the new wall finish is comprised of an orange peel texture with primer paint and a finish coat of paint.

Currently ceramic tile workmen are busy installing the new ceramic tile floors and walls in the center’s men’s and women’s restrooms.

With the drywall and the wall painting completed workers are now installing the suspended ceiling grid. Work in the new office areas and some of the new suspended ceiling lighting fixtures have also been installed. The majority of the new center’s ceiling tiles will be 24”x 24” size with the exception of the Multi Purpose Hall in which the suspended ceiling will have 48”x 48” large ceiling tiles. The Ministry Center interior

finishing is moving along nicely and Ellis Construction is steadily moving us closer to the project’s completion date!

PCCW Cancellation

The next PCCW Board Meeting, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 16th, has been cancelled. Carolyn Laude, PCCW Presi-dent, invites members to spend the time off for Advent reflection, family time or volunteer work with our church community. Please direct all pressing matters to Carolyn at 715-498-1346.

HSP Christmas Dinner Planning

Planning for this year’s Christmas Dinner for the community is in full swing. There are sign up sheets with descriptions of tasks on tables at the

church’s Fremont entrance. If you are able to offer an hour or two of service on the 25th, please sign up now. For more information, please contact Mary Ann Krems at 715-344-2453 or jmak@charter.net.

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HOLY SPIRIT WORSHIP

Solemnity of CHRISTMAS 4P Christmas Eve in Church 4:20P Christmas Eve for families in Kostka Hall - Children’s Choir con-cert at 4:00

7P Christmas Eve - Celebration Choir concert at 6:30

9P Christmas Eve

9A Christmas Morning

Feast of the HOLY FAMILY 5P Saturday, Dec. 28 8A, 10A & 6P Sunday, Dec. 29

Solemnity of MARY, MOTHER OF GOD 6:30P Tuesday, Dec. 31 8:15A Wednesday, Jan. 1

Solemnity of the EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 5P Saturday, Jan. 4 8A, 10A, 6P Sunday, Jan. 5

As we remember the Magi bringing their gifts to Bethlehem, this is the weekend we invite parishioners to bring contributions for the Christmastide Giving Project.

Christmastide Giving Project T he Christmastide calendar

offers an opportunity for par-ish members of all ages to honor the season of Jesus’ birth and His birth in us. As we focus on what’s most important to this season we attempt to reflect the generosity and compassion of Christ through our generosity and compassion.

The calendar on the next page identifies items that are requested by community organizations. This year’s project will benefit Portage County Prenatal Care Coordination, Operation Boot-strap, Family Crisis Center, Kid’s Closet and Franciscans Down-town.

The Christmastide giving project is something families can plan and work on together. Clip the calendar and keep it displayed in a prominent place. All or a few of the items can be donated. The

plan is to purchase the requested items throughout the season and collect them at home in boxes or bags. As each item is added to the collection, spend a moment in prayer for those who depend on your generosity as well as for the organization volunteers and staff who respond daily to the needs of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters in Christ.

Finally, the bags and boxes of do-nations will be collected on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the end of Christmastide, the day we remember the gifts given by the Magi.

PORTAGE COUNTY PRENA-TAL CARE COORDINATION

(PNCC) PNCC is a Public Health nursing program serving women whose pregnancies are at risk or high risk due to a variety of factors, medical, social/emotional, and economic. Regis-tered nurses provide assistance throughout the pregnancy, the birth experience and the 6 weeks following birth, to meet the criti-cal needs of the mother and in-

fant for food, clothing, hous-ing, medical care, personal safety and educational/economic support.

OPERATION BOOT-

STRAP Operation Bootstrap is an all volunteer social ser-vice agency unique to Portage Co. Bootstrap helps families with basic needs, food , cloth-ing, shelter, heat, electricity, water, gas or bus passes and emergency medications in crisis situations. It offers as-sistance that is NOT available elsewhere in the community via referrals from agencies, halfway houses, pastors and school staff.

FAMILY CRISIS CENTER (FCC) The FCC provides

victims of violence, including domestic abuse and sexual assault, free and confidential assistance and shelter. A 24-hour toll-free crisis line, walk in services, culturally specific services for Hmong and Span-ish speaking clients and ser-vices for youth in crisis/runaways, are all available.

KIDS CLOSET Kid’s Closet is a unique outreach service, with no eligibility require-ments, of Evergreen Church that offers assistance to low income and other mothers in need, with infant/children’s clothing in all sizes, and with personal care items.

FRANCISCANS DOWN-

TOWN Franciscans Down-town opened in 2014 as a place of hospitality, rest and inspiration, sponsored by Franciscans OFM. Offering a refreshment area, quiet space, restrooms, conversation, read-ing material and movie dis-cussions, the volunteers per-sonally welcome all guests to a safe, warm place regardless of their path in life.

CELEBRATING RECONCILIATION Holy Spirit Parish will cele-brate the sacrament of Rec-onciliation on: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. Other opportunities to cele-brate this sacrament will be held on: Monday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., at St. Bronislava, Plover. Thursday, Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m., at St. Stephen Parish.

Reconciliation also will be offered at 9 a.m. Saturdays at Holy Spirit.

LATE-NIGHT MASS Amid the hectic pace of De-cember, a mid-week break for silence, scripture and song might be just what we need. That’s what Late-Night Mass offers at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Newman Center Chapel.

ADORATION Spend time with the Lord Thursday mornings and af-ternoons in church. Benedic-tion is at 3:30 p.m.

CHILDREN SING ON CHRISTMAS EVE A children’s choir will offer a program prior to the 4:20 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

Children in Grades K-6 are invited to sing or play their instruments as part of this Christmas Eve Choir.

Register your child by emailing mhofer@uw-sp.edu or calling 344-9117

Attend 2 rehearsals in church:

Sunday Dec. 15, 11:20 a.m.

Monday Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m.

Advent & Christmas