DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT ST ANTHONY

471 ST ANTHONY RD, FT RECOVERY, OH 45846 PO BOX 107, COLDWATER OH 45828(mailing)

Sunday, December 24, 11 a.m. Liturgical Ministers

Lector: Marty Knapke Comm Dist: Tracy Muhlenkamp, Rodney Homan, Donna Sudhoff

Servers: Kayla Alig, Ben Marchal

Conner & Blair Muhlenkamp Ushers: Isaac Sudhoff, Ron Muhlenkamp Gift Bearers: Jeff & Ellen Sudhoff Rosary: Julie Brackman

Mass, Wednesday, December 20 at 8 p.m. Lector: Paul Welling; Comm. Distr: Mandy Diller, Rodney Homan, Ellen Sudhoff; Servers: Camille & Karlee Knapke, Evan Homan, Kendrick Tebbe Christmas Vigil, Sunday, December 24 at 10 p.m. Lector: Jacob Muhlenkamp; Comm. Distr: Alan & Rose Post, Steve Muhlenkamp; Servers: Joel Muhlenkamp, Ashley, Molly & Erica Post; Ushers: Mitch Alig, Jim Timmerman Gift Bearers: Jim & Janie Timmerman; Rosary: Roger & Vicky Knapke

Stewardship Offering December 10, 2017 $810.00 Loose 218.00 Total $1,028.00 Immaculate Conception $281.00 National Basilica Trinity Dome $45.00 Religious Retirement $586.00 Permanent Improvement $720.00

CYO: The boys defeated Mary Help of Christians 47 to 40, and while the girls lost to Holy Trinity Black, they found joy in every player’s accomplishment! The boys are off today, Dec. 17. The girls take on Chick-azuma-bastian at 2:30. No games are scheduled for Dec. 24 or Dec. 31. On Jan. 7, the boys will take on St. Augustine, Minster, at 12:30 and the girls will play Holy Trinity Purple at 2:30.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: On Dec. 20, we will have confessions for Grades 3-12 beginning at 7 pm. Adults are welcome to avail themselves of the sacrament after all of the students have gone. Mass will follow at 8 pm. There are no classes scheduled for Dec. 27 or Jan. 3.

CHRISTMAS POINNSETTIAS Families are invited to make a donation In memory of a special person or family. Place money in envelope with names and place in collection.

GUATEMALAN MISSION RAFFLE WINNER #369, Seth Fullenkamp, St. Joseph Parish.

From Father Walling: THANK YOU VERONICA HOMAN! After over 25 years of service to St. Anthony Church, Veronica will be retiring. I am looking for someone to take over the weekly church cleaning duties. A full description of the job can be found at our cluster website www.coldwatercluster.org (under bulletins) or ask for a copy at the cluster office. Please contact myself or Ellen Homan, Business Manager, if interested.

PLEASE SEE CLUSTER SECTION FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CLUSTER WIDE.

ST MARY 3821 PHILOTHEA RD, COLDWATER, OH 45828 PO BOX 107, COLDWATER, OH 45828(mailing)

Sunday, December 24, 9:15 a.m. Liturgical Ministers

Lector: Amy Welling Comm Distr: Jeff Timmerman, Barb Uhlenhake, Eric Brockman Servers: Lilly, Katelyn, Lauren & Gena Vagedes Gift Bearers: Frank & Carol Vagedes

Ushers: Alex Uhlenhake, John Brockman

MASS: Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m Servers: AJ Kunk, Kaci Schmitmeyer, Jack & Olivia Broering,

Christmas Vigil, Sunday, December 24 at 11 p.m. Lector: Mindy Bettinger; Comm. Distr: Amy Welling, Jen Uhlenhake, Barb Gaerke, Esther Homan, Jay Uhlenhake; Servers: Kyle, Isaac & Courtney May, Drew Moorman Gift Bearers: Gerry & Mary Vagedes

Stewardship Offering December 10, 2017 $1,180.00 Loose 192.00 Total $1,372.00 Immaculate Conception $229.00 National Basilica Trinity Dome $66.00 Religious Retirement $288.00 Permanent Improvement $418.25

WEDDING BANNS 2nd Banns for Sarah Niekamp (St. Henry) and Joseph Knapke (Coldwater).

CHRISTMAS CHOIR PRACTICE Monday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 pm.

MASS AND CONFESSIONS Wednesday, Dec. 20th. Please allow the CCD students to go first.

CHRISTMAS POINNSETTIAS Families are invited to make a donation In memory of a special person or family. Place money in envelope with names and place in collection.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Howard Hartings family for the donation of the new outdoor nativity scene. It is very beautiful

UPCOMING EVENTS: Christmas Mass Schedule: Sunday, Dec. 24th 9:15 AM Mass. Sunday evening, Christmas Eve Mass @ 11PM. Christmas Morning Mass at 9:15 on the 25th.

IT’S AN EXCITING EVENT FOR ST. MARY CHURCH! Our very own parishioner Jarred Kohn will be ordained into the priesthood on Saturday

May 19, 2018. Charter buses will be available for any St. Mary parishioner who would be interested in attending the ordination Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. There will be no charge. If you feel you would like to give, a free will donation will be accepted. We would like to get a tentative count of the number of interested parishioners who are wanting to attend, so please leave your name and the number of seats you would like to reserve by contacting Marjorie Hess at marjgary@bright.net or phone at 419-678-2103. Contact Marj by Dec. 1. We will get a more definite count after the first of the new year. St. Mary’s parishioners only please.

PLEASE SEE CLUSTER SECTION FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CLUSTER WIDE. ************************************************************************************** Parish Life Coordinator Donna Hemmelgarn--419-678-8188 rdhemm@hometowncable.net Music: Peg Muhlenkamp --419-678-3635 Diane Geier--419-678-4470 DRE: Sue Homan --419-678-3858 Hall Rental: Cluster Office--419-678.4802 Maintenance: Rick Hemmelgarn --419-678-8188 Home Bound: Rose Ann Siefring--419-678-3108 Parish Council Pres. Kevin Welling--419-942-3254 Call for Prayer: Julie Spoltman-- 419-678-3194

MASS INTENTIONS –birthday(b), death date(d), wedding anniversary(w)

HOLY TRINITY

Day Date Time Intentions

Sat. Dec. 16 Third Sunday of Advent Vigil 5 p.m. Louis Froning(b), Clete Wilker(d), Deb Geise Tangeman(b), Herb Gaerke(d)

Sun. Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent

7 a.m. 9 a.m. Jeanette Zehringer(d), Clarence & Loretta Rinderle(w)

10:30 am Members of the Parish

12 noon 6 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 18 Late Advent Weekday 7:15 a.m. James Wagner(b), Virginia Kraft(St. Ann)

Tues. Dec. 19 Late Advent Weekday 7:15 a.m. Greg Buening(b)

Wed. Dec. 20 Late Advent Weekday 7:15 a.m. Ivo Siegrist(b), William Short Sr.,(d)

Thurs Dec. 21 Late Advent Weekday St. Peter

Canisus, Priest & Doctor of the Church

7:15 a.m. Ollie Risch(b), Beck Arling(b), Dale Droesch(Holy Name), Howard ‘Hap’ Huwer(d)

Fri. Dec. 22 Late Advent Weekday 7:15 a.m. Sharon Tobe(d), Alfred Will(d), Thelma Bruns(b), Herbert Forsthoefel(d)

Sat. Dec. 23

Late Advent Weekday 7:15 a.m.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Vigil 5 p.m. Adele Stelzer(b),Ruth Lawler(d), Rolly Weis(d), Bernard Muhlenkamp(d)

Sun. Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent

7 a.m.

9 a.m. Deacon Cletus Homan(b) 10:30 am Wayne Snider(d)

12 noon Members of the Parish

NO 6 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 24 The Nativity of the Lord

(Christmas) Vigil 5 p.m.

12 midnight

ST MARY

Sun. Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent 9:15 a.m. Clete Knoth(b), Jason Grieshop(d), Rita (Noll) Zumberge(b), Anna Moeder(d), Members of the Parish

Wed. Dec. 20 Late Advent Weekday 8 a.m. Traditional Latin Mass

Wed. Dec. 20 Late Advent Weekday 7:30 p.m. Mass with confessions before and after Mass

Sun. Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:15 a.m. Virginia Meyer(b), Members of the Parish

Sun. Dec. 24 The Nativity of the Lord

(Christmas) Vigil 11 p.m. Craig Spoltman(d), Carl & Bertha Harting(w)

ST ANTHONY Sun. Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent 11 a.m. Terry Muhlenkamp, Members of the Parish

Mon. Dec. 18 Late Advent Weekday 10 a.m. Traditional Latin Mass

Wed. Dec. 20 Late Advent Weekday 8 p.m. Mass with confessions before and after

Sun. Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent 11 a.m. Marita Post(b), Members of the Parish

Sun. Dec. 24 The Nativity of the Lord

(Christmas) Vigil 10 p.m. Members of the Parish

DAILY READINGS

Sun. Dec. 17 Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11/Luke 1/1 Thessalonians 5:16-24/John 1:6-8, 19-28

Mon. Dec. 18 Jeremiah 23:5-8/Psalm 72/Matthew 1:18-25

Tues. Dec. 19 Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a/Psalm 71/Luke 1:5-25

Wed. Dec. 20 Isaiah 7:10-14/Psalm 24/Luke 1:26-38

Thurs Dec. 21 Song of Songs 2:8-14/Psalm 33/Luke 1:39-45

Fri. Dec. 22 1 Samuel 1:24-28/1 Samuel 2/Luke 1:46-56

Sat. Dec. 23 Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24/Psalm 25/Luke 1:57-66

Sun. Dec. 24 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Psalm 89/Romans 16:25-27/Luke 1:26-38

HOLY TRINITY LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

Saturday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday/Christmas

Eve

December 23 December 24 December 24 December 24 December 24 December 24

5 p.m. 7 a.m. 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12 noon 5 p.m.

Lectors Doug Bertke Dan Fullenkamp Scott Dippold Holly Emerine Dee Irish Diane Wellman

Megan Stephenson Dave Muhlenkamp Denny Riethman Tessy Huwer, Susan Pallone Connie May

Comm. Distri.

Irene Lamm Barb Klosterman Stacy Schwieterman Shawn Rose Mackenzie Alt Michelle Wilker

Vickie Lefeld Payton Kunk Savannah Seibert Bradley Sanning Nancy Clune Patty Wynk

Connie May Dan Pottkotter Karen Stammen Cindy Schmidt Dolores Cron Tim Berkenstock

Kathy Moeder Ruth Pottkotter Jill Timmerman Rob Schmidt Amy Day David Bertke

Terry Pottkotter Diane Roessner Brittany Walterbusch Nick Schmitmeyer Dan Forsthoefel Patti Depweg

Elaine Rosenbeck Dan Wellman Mark Schmitt Melissa Homan

David Schmidt Tim Wellman Kathy Schulze Pam Hoying

Jerolyn Schulze Charlene Wenning Erin Seitz Betty Kahlig Hank Schwieterman Nick Wenning Shaun Seitz Irene Lamm

Servers

Anthony Jones Luke Ontrop Macy May Caroline Moorman Ryan Leugers Hannah Huwer

Mallory Kremer Juliet Pallone Alex May Jay Muhlenkamp Alex Mestemaker Matthew Kahlig

Claire Kunk Abigail Pleiman Allison May Mitchell Niekamp Rachel Miller Robert Kahlig

Emily Prenger Courtney May Kaitlyn Noonan Olivia Milligan Simon Kaiser

December 25 at 12 midnight Lectors: Mauri Cron & Ken Hoying

Comm. Distr. Karen Hoying, Allison May, Susan Jenkins, Dolores Cron, Charles Selhorst, Cindy Giere, Cindy Hemmelgarn, Linda Eyink, Luke Klosterman

Servers: Ben Wenning , Trey Wolters, Megan Wolters

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

December 18 December 19 December 20 December 21 December 22 December 23

7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m.

Weekday Servers

John Muhlenkamp Miles Pottkotter Shanna Schmitmeyer Jasmine Schulze Jake Seitz

Shane Ontrop Jack Riethman Darin Schmitmeyer Abigail Schwieterman Cole Seitz

Tyler Overman Lily Schoenherr Joshua Schoen Luke Schwieterman Caleb Stammen

Brandon Penno Josie Schmidt Laci Schritz Brady Mathewson Brooke Stammen

Choirs Mixed at 6:30 pm

Folk at 7 pm Mixed at 6:30 pm Mixed at 6:30 p.m. Cherub & Youth

2-4 pm

HOLY TRINITY 108 E. Main St., Coldwater, OH 45828

WEDDING BANNS 2nd Banns for Sarah Niekamp (St. Henry) and Joseph Knapke (Coldwater).

NEWLY BAPTIZED Max Grey and Axel Haze Bruns, sons of Greg and Alyssa (Tobe) Bruns; Savannah Rebecca Rammel, daughter of Tyler and Anna (Koenig) Rammel, Aubrey Anne Schmitmeyer, daughter of Nick and Samantha (Broering) Schmitmeyer; and Terese Marie Tobe, daughter of Dustin and Alicia (Wellman) Tobe.

COLUMBIAN SQUIRES collecting new/gently used toys at Santa House downtown in Coldwater or contact 678-3288. Money canisters located in local businesses. Money goes to Holy Trinity Food Pantry.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL Those wishing to donate money for the Christmas Flowers in memory of a deceased loved one may do so by putting the donation in an envelope marked Christmas Flowers and your loved one’s name. Place in the collection basket before Dec. 18, and the names will be printed as a Christmas memorial. THANK YOU to all the supporters of the Angel Tree. Over 212 gifts were returned this year. May God bless all of those who donated.

Holy Trinity Stewardship December 10, 2017

Envelopes $7,841.00 Loose 1,705.00 Total $9,546.00 Immaculate Conception $2,641.42 Basilica Trinity Dome $1,670.06 Reli. Retirement $4,990.00 Permanent Impr. $1,898.00

HOLY TRINITY

Cluster Office 419-678-4802 CCD Office 419-678-3328 CCD Administrator: Charmaine Bettinger cbettinger@coldwatercluster.org

Music: Ron Johnson rjohnson@coldwatercluster.org Maintenance: Rob Schmidt Youth Ministry: 419-678-3328

Susan Jenkins: 1heartafterhis@gmail.com/ Taylor McGee: tmcgee@coldwatercluster.org

Parish Council President: Larry Schmitmeyer:419-678-4914

Call for Prayer: 678-4084 Church Basement Rental:

Brenda Wellman: 678-4802

DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 150TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORICAL BOOKLETS are free for the taking; they can be found near the bulletin shelves.

BULLETIN FLASHBACKS (Enjoy the history)

December 9, 1984: Missing-a large frying pan is missing from the kitchen in the church basement. If borrowed, please return as soon as possible. December 11, 1966: Did You Eat Meat on Friday? What penance did you do instead of abstinence from meat? All of us have an obligation to do penance. But now it is left to our choice. Does this freedom of choice frighten us or does it just leave us blank as what to do? December 17, 1967: Congratulations to the 80 high school girls who made the retreat at Maria Stein. These girls are to be complimented for their wisdom and their concern for their spiritual life. For a teenager to take off a weekend from other activities and devote it to spiritual things is at times very difficult. These girls were willing to do it. May God bless them. May the fruits of the retreat in their daily lives, particularly, in their awareness of others. December 19, 2004: Catholic Returning Home will be offered at Holy Trinity Parish beginning January 3 for six consecutive Monday evenings from 7-8:30 PM, Fr. Yauss Center. December 20, 1992: Open House: parishioners are invited to celebrate the Octave of Christmas by stopping by the rectory for refreshment and good cheer. You are invited to come by each evening, December 26-January 1 from 6-9 PM December 22, 1957: Christmas Carols: under the direction of the Sisters a special recording of Christmas hymns has been made by our own children of Holy Trinity Grade School. These recordings will be played over an outside loud-speaker system from 10:30 to 11:30 Christmas Eve and again from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Christmas afternoon and every evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. between Christmas and New Years at which time the Church will be open to view the crib. We especially urge you to bring the little ones.

The beautiful pewter magnet/ornament that commemorates our parish's 150th anniversary is still available in the cluster office for $12.

CCD NEWS Charmaine Bettinger 419-678-3328

cbettinger@coldwatercluster.org

(www.coldwatercluster.org/calendar.php)

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS Dec. 17th: Pre-School students sing prior to 10:30AM Mass.

Last class for both Pre-School and Kindergarten students.

Dec 20th: Afternoon classes: 1st grade play 3:45 PM in church.

Students report to classes as normal.

6:30PM Session: Grades 1-4 Crib Blessing—all families

welcome. 6:30PM in church.

Dec. 20th (continued) 6:30PM Session: Grades 5-8 Coffee House. Students drop

off and pick up at Auditeria.

8:00PM Session. Grades 9-12 Coffee House. Students drop

off and pick up at Auditeria.

Dec. 21st-Jan. 9th: Christmas Break. Classes resume Jan. 10th

Jan. 3rd: Teacher Inservice Carpool will leave church

parking lot at 6:30PM. The annual St. Mary’s Deanery

Religious Education In-Service meeting will be held at 7 PM

on Wednesday, January 3rd at Holy Redeemer Parish (the

Parish Hall building, attached to the Church) in New Bremen.

All DREs/CREs/AREs and catechists are welcome to attend.

Speaker will be Denise Warnecke from the Archdiocese office

of Evangelization and Discipleship; and her topic will be

“Christian Meditation for Children”. And remember, this

event helps you receive requirements needed for Catechist

Certification! Please register for this event with your parish

DRE/CRE; and thanks for all you do to help educate our

parishioners in the Catholic Faith!

Jan. 10th: Religion Classes Resume.

Jan. 17th: Cluster First Communion Parent/Student Meeting.

6:30PM. No 3:15 Session for 2nd grade only. Parents/students

meet in the church basement.

NEEDED: Two 7th grade teachers to teach the 2nd half of the year.

6:30-7:30PM session. Classes begin Jan. 10th. Please call Charmaine

or email if you are willing to teach the 2nd half of the year.

CYO SCORES

Boys Holy Trinity (HT) Black 46 & Chick-azuma-bastian Royal Blue 53;

HT Blue 37 & Nativity & St. Rose Pink 41;

Girls:

HT Pink 29 & Chick-azuma-bastian Purple 27;

HT Black 49 & St. Anthony 23

HT Purple 36 & St. Johns, Nativity & St. Rose Navy 12

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS Wednesday evenings 7:30-9 p.m.

Taylor McGee tmcgee@coldwatercluster.org or 419-678-3328

Wed., Dec. 20 8th Grade Youth Group No Youth Group on December 27. Snacks: Dec. 20 Cheryl Hart, Holly Emerine

CLUSTER INFORMATION

FROM FR. WALLING: THANK YOU, ELLEN HOMAN! Staff position open. Ellen who has been business manager for our Coldwater cluster parishes for the past ten years, has decided to retire. Ellen’s dedication and hard work has been a great blessing for me as pastor and for our entire cluster, and she will be missed. I am now beginning the search to hire a new business manager for the cluster. Persons interested in applying for the position, please contact me and include a statement of interest along with a resume and references by Friday, January 5, 2018. For a description of what the job involves, go to our cluster website www.coldwatercluster.org (under bulletins) or ask for a copy from the cluster office.

DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT COLDWATER CLUSTER HIGH SCHOOL

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

Sunday Evenings 7:30-9 pm Susan Jenkins

1heartafterhis@gmail.com or 419-678-3328

CHRISTMAS PARTY…Sun., Dec. 17, 7:30-9 pm. Come expecting to have a great time! Bring an appetizer, or sweets and a white elephant gift. Also, dress warm!!! (Note: white elephant is something you already own; should be appropriate). COFFEEHOUSE PRESENTATION for CCD Wednesday, December 20 Set-up/Practice 3pm; Presentations at 6:30 and 8pm NEXT HS YOUTH MEETING Sunday, January 7.

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM! CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION BEFORE CHRISTMAS! (Confessions at Holy Trinity, Coldwater) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Saturday Dec. 18th Dec. 19th Dec. 20th Dec. 23

6:30-7:05 am 6:30-7:05 am 6:30-7:05 am 3-4:30pm 7:55-8:30 a.m. 7:55-8:30 a.m. 7:55-8:30 am 5:30–7 pm 5:30–7 pm

LATIN MASS , Fr. Witt will be offering the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) on Mondays at 10 am at St. Anthony and Wednesdays at 8 am at St. Mary, Philothea. This will be in addition to the regular morning Mass at 7:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity, Coldwater. If you are interested, please send him an email to determine the best time. He is also looking to train Altar Boys to serve the TLM. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact him at the cluster office or awitt@coldwatercluster.org

SHARING OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS: On Evangelization in the Modern World, apostolic exhortation of Pope Paul VI: #75(continued) We live in the Church at a privileged moment of the Spirit. Everywhere people are trying to know Him better, as the Scripture reveals Him. They are happy to place themselves under His inspiration. They are gathering about Him; they want to let themselves be led by Him. Now if the Spirit of God has a preeminent place in the whole life of the Church, it is in her evangelizing mission that He is most active. It is not by chance that the great inauguration of evangelization took place on the morning of Pentecost, under the inspiration of the Spirit. It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization: it is He who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is He who in the depths of consciences causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood.[118] But it can equally be said that He is the goal of evangelization: He alone stirs up the new creation, the new humanity of which evangelization is to be the result, with that unity in variety which evangelization wishes to achieve within the Christian community. Through the Holy Spirit the Gospel penetrates to the heart of the world, for it is He who causes people to discern the signs of the times- signs willed by God- which evangelization reveals and puts to use within history.

SAVE THE DATES! We will be having a Cluster Mission on January 22-24 from 7-9 pm each night. Peter Andrastek from Evangelical Catholic will share with us The ONE Thing . . . that will change your life!

PATRIOTIC ROSARY on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary, Philothea. Please pray for our country. (No patriotic rosary on Dec. 26)

TAX SAVINGS Are you eligible for additional tax savings by gifting investments to the parish? You may benefit from transferring securities or donating funds from a retirement account to the parish. For more information, contact Ellen Homan, Business Manager.

YOUNG ADULTS interested in Catholic community and formation! We are looking to start a young adult group in Mercer County for those ages 19-30ish. Through bible studies and fun outings we are looking to grow closer to Christ and community! If you are interested please contact Taylor McGee at 419.678.3328.

PRAYER “The Our Father, Part 2: If the first part of the Lord’s Prayer is our chance to offer ourselves to God, the second part is our chance to ask God to give us what we need to make his kingdom come and his will be done. It’s our chance to ask for his part in the divine exchange. And since the kingdom of God is all about our loving each other as God loves us, this is our way of asking our Father to help our relationships. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are telling our Father that we need his nourishment and his strength—both in the Eucharist and in our everyday lives. His “bread” help us keep our peace on bad days as well as good days. His presence in us helps us to treat each other with love and mercy. So by telling us to ask for his bread, Jesus is promising to feed us with everything we need to get through the day. Life is first and foremost about relationships—our relationship with God and our relationships with each other. And experience tells us how easy it can be for us to say or do hurtful things to each other. So when we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” it’s our way of admitting that we have hurt other people. It’s also our way of asking for the grace to forgive those who have hurt us. There is nothing more beautiful than being in unity, and there is nothing more inspiring than seeing our wounded relationships healed and restored. How wonderful, then, that when he tells us to make this prayer, Jesus is promising to heal our relationships. Temptation is all around us, always trying to divide us from God and from each other. When we ask our Father to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we are asking God for the grace to say no to these temptations. We know how refusing to forgive, holding on to a grudge, and seeking revenge can damage our relationships. But we don’t always see how much these negative, divisive thoughts can come from the devil, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). But the good news is that by tell us to make this prayer, Jesus is promising to guard and protect us. “The Simplicity of the Divine Exchange”, Word Among Us, November 2017, pg 7-8.

DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW CONTEST Sunday, January 21 at the PALACE (High School gym). Girls and Boys ages 9 to 14 (age as of 1/1/2018). Registration begins at 1pm. Contest begins at 1:30. Pick up forms at Middle School office or at the event. Call Gary Hoying with questions 419.678.2696

MASSES ON CHRISTMAS WEEKEND: Christmas is one of those very special holy days that remains a holy day of obligation no matter when it falls. Christmas this year falls on a Monday so we are privileged to attend one Mass to fulfill our Sunday obligation and a second Mass to fulfill our Christmas obligation. Here are some options: #1, Saturday evening and Sunday evening; #2, Saturday evening and Monday; #3, Sunday morning and Sunday evening; and #4, Sunday morning and Monday.

WATCH OUR MASSES ON LINE: 5 pm (Saturday) and the 9 a.m. & 10:30 am (Sunday) Masses on-line. Viewers can watch the Masses live or check in later to watch the archived recording. Access to these Masses can be found on our website (www.coldwatercluster.org).

www.formed.org If you are a reader of ebooks, formed.org has a huge selection of books for your enjoyment. There are works of nonfiction regarding the Catholic faith and theology, practical living, prayer and devotion, and parenting. There are also classic and contemporary works of fiction. Check them out. Use parish code 7222be to start your own account!

OUR BULLETIN SPONSORS FOR THE WEEK

Howell, Gast-Schlater & Co., L.P.A. Roessner Energy Products

Stepping Ahead Community Sports & Therapy Center

GENERAL INTEREST INFORMATION

CASC (Catholic Adult Singles Club). For more information call 419-678-8691.

Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics 2291 St Johns Rd, Maria Stein

www.MariaSteinShrine.org To register for any of these events call 925-4532

Nativities and Classic Advent Calendars Exhibit now

through Jan. 7 (Closed Dec. 24-26, 31 and Jan. 1): Collection of Tim and Katheleen Nealeigh. Shrine of the Holy Relics Gathering Space. Come see a variety of Nativities and Advent Calendars from different cultures. ***Special Presentation: December 21 at 7 PM “Nativities Through the Ages” led by Matt Hess***

COLDWATER AMERICAN LEGION BREAKFAST Sun, Dec. 17, 8 am–12 p.m.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Serving Friends and Family in Celina have teamed up with Salvation Army and they are looking for people to ring bells at Walmart and Chiefs in Celina. If you are able to help for a one hour shift, please contact Denny Glass at 419.586.3767.

ST. SEBASTIAN HOLY HOUR Monday, December 18th at 7pm. Come and pray with us in the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ giving Him the glory, honor, and praise He deserves as we prepare for His Birth on Christmas.

PRO-LIFE AD To commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing abortion, the Mercer County Right to Life Chapter will once again purchase a full-page ad in the Daily Standard. For a $5 donation, your name, along with several hundred others, will be included in the Pro-Life Ad. If you wish to participate in this year’s Ad Campaign, please send $5.00 along with the name or names as you wish it to appear in the newspaper to Janet Gels, 507 N 2nd St., Coldwater, OH 45828 by January 6, 2018. Make checks out to Mercer County Right to Life. Please don’t wait until the last minute to turn in your name. This ad will appear in the newspaper Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

MARIA STEIN SHRINE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is the rock on which the Sisters of the Precious Blood founded our ministry. As we look toward our future, it is imperative to our legacy that we continue our emphasis on prayer. The Adoration Guild continues to carry out our tradition on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoon from 1-5pm. New members are not only welcome, but also needed to continue this ministry. Volunteer musicians are welcome and needed for occasional Saturday morning masses and other services. To learn more about either of these volunteer opportunities, contact Susan Jenkins at s.jenkins@mariasteinshrine.org.

IS YOUR MARRIAGE HURTING IN ANY WAY? Has your marriage grown cold, distant, unloving or uncaring? Then please consider Retrouvaille-a program to help heal and renew marriages. Retrouvaille is for marriages that have lost some of their spark, for marriages having difficulties in communication and even those marriages on the edge of separation or divorce. The next program begins Jan. 12-14 in Cincinnati. Call 800.470.2230 or go to Retrouvaille.org for more info. Other weekends and locations are available

GRIEFSHARE SESSIONS Mondays, Jan. 2- March 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm at Precious Blood Rectory, Chickasaw(contact Herb at 419.953.5398 or email hiwilker@mercy.com ) or at St. Henry CCD Center, Tuesdays, Jan. 9-April 3, 3:30-5 pm (contact Pat at 678-4118 or email shclusteroffice@hotmail.com) Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. It’s a place where you can be around people who understand how you are feeling and are able to offer you encouragement. (materials donated by Hogenkamp Funeral Home)

SAVE THE DATE 2018 MEN’S CONFERENCE Saturday, April 28 at Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Flyer available online under special events at www.coldwatercluster.org. Presented by CMG Booking (the Catholic Speakers Organization) and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

COUNTY AL-ANON MEETINGS for family/friends of Alcoholics--

Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Montezuma Church of Christ, 71 S. Canal St., and Fridays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Holy Trinity church basement, Coldwater; County AA meeting (Alcoholic Anonymous) for alcoholics Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Montezuma United Methodist Church, 70 S. High St. and Fridays from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. in Holy Trinity church basement, Coldwater.