December 17, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 1

ST. JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH 13485 Spring Hill Drive • Spring Hill • Florida • 34609 ~ Telephone: (352) 688-0663 ▪ Fax: (352) 686-7937

Please call the Parish Office at (352) 688-0663 for information regarding any of the following:

Baptism for Children: Parent preparation. Matrimony: If you are contemplating marriage at St. Joan of Arc Church, please be mindful that there is a six month prior notice request required. RCIA/RCIC: Rite of Initiation into the Catholic faith. Ministers of the Eucharist: Please notify the Parish Office if you, or someone you know is sick, in the hospital, homebound or shut-in. Martha’s Helpers: Services for our homebound. “In His Footsteps” Soup & Sandwich Lunch: Served on the second Thursday of each month from Noon - 2:00 p.m. in our Parish Hall and on the fourth Thursday of each month for the homebound only. Parishioners in need of assistance: St. Vincent de Paul Society (352) 556-3670 Mary & Martha’s Gift Shop: Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed during all Masses & Wednesdays in August Emergencies Only: (352) 666-3156

Eucharistic Liturgies

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and Spanish Mass: 1:00 p.m. Daily Mass: 9:00 a.m. • Monday through Saturday

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & by appoint-ment Pastoral Team

Rev. Patrick Rebel, Pastor Rev. Jerry Murphy, Assisting Rev. Edward Reiter, Assisting Rev. Michael Kouts, Assisting Deacon Lee Hinderscheid Deacon Fred LaPiana Deacon José Cruz Anne Cofone, Business Manager/Secretary Mary Jo Waggoner, Director of Faith Formation Joyce Thorpe, Director of Music Nancy Lovelock, Youth Minister

Parish Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Closed daily 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.) Phone: (352) 688-0663 E-mail: jchrchca@tampabay.rr.com Website: www.StJoanofarcfl.com

Religious Education/Faith Formation

For information on all programs of: Rel. Ed. & Youth Ministry: (352) 686-7864 Rel. Ed. StJoanRelEd@gmail.com Youth Group: SJOA-Youth@TampaBay.rr.com

Notre Dame Catholic School Phone: (352) 683-0755 • Website: www.ndcsfl.org

Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017

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Tercer domingo de Adviento Si esta lectura de Isaías nos suena familiar pudiera ser porque también está en el Evangelio de Lucas. Éste es el pasaje que le dan a Jesús para que lea en la sinagoga; son los versículos a los cuales se refiere cuando dice: “Hoy mismo se ha cumplido este pasaje de la Escritura, que ustedes acaban de oír” (Lucas 4:21). No en balde la escuchamos ahora que estamos a la expectativa de celebrar su nacimiento. La profecía de Isaías está en la cúspide de su cumplimiento. Esa buena nueva de júbilo, de curación, de libertad y de justificación está ya aquí en la persona de Jesús. ¿Qué es ese “año de gracia” que anuncia Isaías? El año de gracia era tradicionalmente un tiempo durante el cual se cancelaban las deudas, la tierra era redistribuida equitativamente y se les concedía la libertad a los esclavos. En ese año se reconocía que todos los bienes de este mundo, toda la creación viene de Dios y que en definitiva es Dios quien tiene la soberanía sobre toda la humanidad. ¿Qué implicaciones tiene eso para nosotros en la actualidad? ¿Qué sucedería contigo y con todo lo que posees? Obviamente depende de nuestro estrato y de los bienes que poseamos. Pero tal vez deberíamos de considerar todo eso desde la perspectiva de Dios. Dios. Todos y cada uno de nosotros somos importantes para Dios. Consecuentemente, los pobres, los de corazón quebrantado, los oprimidos y los cautivos son un agravio hacia Dios. El consejo de san Pablo a la primera comunidad cristiana de Tesalónica es un buen consejo para nosotros también: “Vivan siempre alegres”, pues hemos sido redimidos por Jesús. “Oren sin cesar”, pues así es como podemos comunicarnos con Dios. “Den gracias en toda ocasión”, pues todo lo que tenemos se nos ha sido dado. “No impidan la acción de Espíritu Santo”, pues es el Espíritu Santo quien nos forma, nos vigoriza y nos santifica para que podamos actuar conforme a la voluntad de Dios (1 Tesalonicenses 5:16–19). También fue el Espíritu que inspiró a Isaías y a Pablo para que escribieran las palabras que hoy escuchamos. Pregunta de la Semana ¿Cómo puedo ayudar a llevar un “año de gracia” al mundo, a la comunidad y a todas las personas que conozco?

Notitas del Diácono Notes from the Pastor

How to Celebrate Advent The third week of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for “rejoice.” The opening antiphon for Gaudete Sunday is Gaudete in Domino semper. This means, Rejoice in the Lord Always. The joy of Gaudete Sunday is seen in the use of rose as the liturgical color. We can see this on the Advent wreath and the priest vestments. The Sunday gospel reading reveals the reason for our joy. It is the identity of Jesus. He is the Word made flesh, He is also the Christ, the Son of the living God. Preparing the Way by Confessing Our Sins Advent is also about the theme of reconciliation and the call to repentance. This call is not about dwelling on our sins or being burdened by them. It is about bringing them to God in sorrow and hoping for for-giveness. Most parishes have advent reconciliation services. There are also opportunities for individual confession during the week. It is a good time to seek Jesus in this sacrament. It also allows us to receive Him in the Eucharist on Christmas with a renewed spirit. Counting the Days The days before Christmas are marked by a heightened awareness of the importance of prayer. Christmas Novenas, ancient ways of preparation are prayed throughout the Catholic Community throughout the world. It can take on community-wide and creative dimensions.

Adapted by Our Sunday Visitor by Amy Welborn

December 17, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 3

T M S . J A P J , , ,

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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Third Sunday of Advent Thursday: St. Peter Canisius; Winter begins Saturday: St. John of Kanty

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio, characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin America today. While in Europe the presepio was reserved mostly to the homes of wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico, you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way, the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems, and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all kinds. Sometimes there is a double presepio, presenting both Nativity and Crucifixion.

In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take care to have a presepio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have markets where people from the countryside sell plants and figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate for the children of the poor who come down to help create the nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows—the small infant who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at New Year with a toddler Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presepios and crèches honoring the Nativity. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

PROPER UNDERTAKING Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven. —Georg C. Lichtenberg

REJOICE

Isaiah proclaims truly good news to us! God’s coming brings not sadness, guilt, fear, wrath or condemnation. No, God’s coming is a source of comfort and joy. Saying it once is not enough, for today’s readings are full of joy. Mary’s Magnificat substitutes for our psalm today, and our second reading encourages us to rejoice, to give thanks and praise. This is the root meaning of the Greek word for Eucharist. We are urged to rejoice and give thanks, because the coming of the Lord brings joy, healing, liberty, release, vindication. It makes the very earth spring up with new life! Good tidings! Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — As a garden makes its growth spring up, so will G make justice spring up before all the nations (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11).

Psalm — My soul rejoices in my God (Luke 1:46-50, 53-54).

Second Reading — Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).

Gospel — I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:6-8, 19-28). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8a-d; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

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SATURDAY • Dec 16 4:00 p.m. Irene Perosino (D) req by Husband Domenico —————————————————————-———— SUNDAY • Dec 17 7:30 a.m. LiLiane and Warren Trachtman (D) req by Mario and Yanick Tryfonos 9:00 a.m. Kathy Ruland (D) req by Sharon Barle 11:00 a.m. Russell Martocci (D) req by Loving Wife 1:00 p.m. The Parish Community —————————————————————-———— 9:00 a.m. MONDAY • Dec 18 Diane Campagma (D) req by Grandma Sadie —————————————————————-———— 9:00 a.m. TUESDAY • Dec 19 Vincent Grande (D) req by Monica and Joseph Kalva —————————————————————-———— 9:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY • Dec 20 John Rowan Simmel, II (D) req by Eileen Vitaliti and William Weickerf —————————————————————-———— 9:00 a.m. THURSDAY • Dec 21 In Thanksgiving for our Priests —————————————————————-———— 9:00 a.m. FRIDAY • Dec 22 In Thanksgiving for our Deacons —————————————————————-———— SATURDAY • Dec 23 9:00 a.m. For Peace in our World 4:00 p.m. Helen Jasinski (D) req by Family —————————————————————-———— SUNDAY • Dec 24 7:30 a.m. Nancy Bednarski (D) req by Mom and Dad 9:00 a.m. The Parish Community 11:00 a.m. Roland Brassard (D) req by Jeane and Sam DeMoura 1:00 p.m. Annamae Bautz (D) req by Val and Ralph Johnson *****************************************************************

Christmas Eve Masses 4:00 p.m. Fr. Ray O’Neill (D) req by Herb and Marie Duphiney 10:00 p.m. Annamae Bautz (D) req by Val and Ralph Johnson ***************************************************************** MONDAY—Christmas Day Masses 10:00 a.m. Ted Hartman (D) req by Wife Pat 11:30 a.m. Por las intenciones de nuestras familias

Stewardship Report for Nov 19. 2017 A endance: 835

Envelopes Used: 306 Envelopes : $5604.50 Offertory Cash $1203.00 Second Collec on: $537.00 Total: $7344.50 CCHD: $150.00 - Thanksgiving: $192.00

In today’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist answers some Pharisees when he says “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am unworthy to untie. And we all know that the works of Jesus were acts of love and forgiveness. Therefore, if we believe in Jesus as our savior and our God, we too must perform generous acts of love; and we do that by loving God and our neighbor.

The best and most acceptable way to love God is to begin and end each day of our lives in prayer. During morning prayer we should ask God how we can love Him that day. Let us be open to His answer, which many times are His calls to us to give of our talent and treasure to people and organizations in need. At evening prayer, let us look back at our day to see how we answered God’s call.

An awesome example of God’s call to us is service to those in financial trouble. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joan’s answers God’s call each time they visit a home that needs financial assistance. This is a great gift of their time and talent to those who might otherwise lose their homes, go hungry, or be without water or electricity.

One way to love our neighbors is to help them when they are in desperate need. Contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society go directly to the fund that supports the needy. Let us please be generous in our financial giving to St. Vincent de Paul and to St. Joan of Arc Parish, just as God has been so generous to us.

“It is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi

December 17, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 5

IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS

On November 12th, our St. Joan of Arc Parish Council hosted a luncheon in our parish hall to honor the veterans of our Parish. Our parishioner and Parish Council member, Dr. Michael McKenzie, suggested the luncheon and was instrumental in organizing the entire day. We were blessed with a wonderful turn out of veterans and their spouses. Three guest speakers, who are military veterans, shared their military experiences. We were also blessed that three parishioners, who are World War II veterans joined us (pictures with the cake). The lunch provided a variety of foods for all the guests as well as wonderful desserts that were provided and served by our Council of Catholic Woman. Our Knights of Columbus also assisted with the beverages.

The Springstead High School ROTC Cadets joined us and unveiled a banner thanking and honoring all veterans. All who attended were very grateful for the luncheon and for all of the wonderful words that were shared.

St Joan of Arc was very proud to have this function for our veterans who have given up everything to serve our God and our great Country.

The Parish Council will put this function on the calendar each year, so we can celebrate and thank these men and women who have given up so much to keep America safe.

We keep all our Veterans past and present in our prayers for all they do and ask God to continue to bless them and the United States of America!

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

December 24th

Christmas Eve Masses: 4:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.

December 25th

Christmas Day Masses: 10:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.—Spanish

January 1st Solemnity of Mary,

Mother of God Monday, 10:00 a.m.

The office will be celebrating Christmas Break from December 18 through January 1.

May your Christmas season be filled with blessings and peace.

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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Last week our readings urged us to cast off sin and to pursue holiness eagerly. God’s grace helps us do this and prepares us for limitless, everlasting glory. Today’s readings confirm the great joy of this endeavor and provide specific advice on how to proceed: by becoming poor. The prophet Isaiah describes the savior who comes “to bring glad tidings to the poor.” We are the poor people in need of glad tidings. Following the example of John the Baptist, we acknowledge that we are poor; we are “not worthy” of the Lord’s attention. Even so, Jesus delights in caring for us. Recognizing how poor we are, and yet how great is God’s love for us, we can only “rejoice always,” as Saint Paul advises. We continue our Advent journey, becoming poor by emptying our hearts of sin and giving thanks to God for helping us grow in holiness.

THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Children who are poor make toys out of the unlikeliest things: milk cartons, nails, bottle caps, sticks, plastic bags, corn cobs, clothespins. Folks who have plenty consider these things trash—in fact, some poor children literally make their toys out of trash. Their abject need gives them a different perspective, seeing blessing where the rich see only waste. Material poverty is a scourge on our planet, and we must never make excuses for it. We must work tirelessly for decent conditions for every human person. As we work, we can learn from the special perspective of our brothers and sisters who do not have enough to live. We can see how depending on others for resources can transform a rich person’s trash into a poor child’s treasure.

SPIRITUAL POVERTY On this “Rejoice!” Sunday in Advent, we can pray in a particular way for an end to material poverty. Today’s readings assure us that the kind of poverty God desires for us is spiritual poverty, a radical knowledge that all things come from God. Where material poverty can wound the human spirit, spiritual poverty cultivates boundless joy. John the Baptist provides a startling model for us. In all sincerity, he admits that he is not worthy to touch Jesus’ sandals. John says this not to charm the crowds by being coy and self-deprecating. No, John embraces the truth that God is the source of all goodness. We are utterly dependent on God for all good things. We cannot do anything to earn God’s favor; God simply provides for us because we need God. This is massively good news! No one could possibly care for us like God does. At our very best, we merely reflect God’s brightness into the world. God’s brilliant joy is exactly what we are called to. As Saint Paul says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.”

MASS INTENTION REQUESTS Offering Mass for a special intention has been a long standing tradition in the Catholic Church. It is usually considered that special graces are received by the person who the intention is for. Masses are said for many reasons; for a deceased person, for a living person, in honor of someone’s birthday, in honor of someone's anniversary, etc. The name of the person or persons we are praying for is mentioned in the general intercessions, by the priest at Mass and in our weekly bulletin. If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, living or deceased, please go to the Parish Office. A Mass Card will be given to you as a reminder of the time and date you requested.

We welcome into our church the newly Baptized in Christ: Aiden Sookra, Frank Adam Fratello, Elizabeth Del Valle and Anastasi A. Nucci

The “In His Footsteps” Soup and Sandwich Campaign will be held

after each of the Masses this weekend.

Thank you for your generous support to our program.

Priests’ Mass Schedule for Dec 23/24 (subject to Change)

4:00 pm—Fr. Paul— 7:30 am—Fr. Pat 9:00– Fr. Paul—11:00—Fr. Ed

1:00 pm—Fr. Pat

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be present at our parish on December 30! We will have a parish procession beginning at 11:00 a.m. and we would like as many parishioners, especially children, to participate. This is open to the entire parish community. Please come experience your faith.