March 2, 2014 Website: www.olmcc.com Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

December 20, 2015

Our Lady of the Mount 1227 Scenic Highway

Lookout Mountain, GA 30750

Pastor

Fr. Thomas B. Shuler 706-820-0680, ext. 204

423-637-4850 (cell)frtomshuler@olmcc.com

www.olmcc.com

Mass Times

Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Mon-Thurs. 8:30 a.m.

Thursday Novena 9:00 a.m.

Saturday 5:30 p.m.

Confessions

Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.

Religious Ed

Sundays

10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Saint Katharine Drexel 109 New England Rd.

Trenton, GA 30752

Mass Times

Sunday 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday 5:00 p.m.

Confessions

Wednesday 4:30 p.m.

O COME, O COME,

EMMANUEL

December 20, 2015 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mass Intentions for the Week

December 19 - Luke O. Morin, Jr. (D)

December 20 - Kennedy Smith (D)

Readings for Next Sunday, December 27th

First Reading Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

Second Reading Colossians 3:12-21

Gospel Luke 2:41-52

Family life is rooted in the unconditional love of God

as witnessed by the Holy Family.

Pope Francis’

May Prayer Intentions

That, rejecting the culture of indifference, we may

care for our neighbors who suffer, especially the sick

and the poor.

That Mary’s intercession may help Christians in secu-

larized cultures be ready to proclaim

Jesus.

Altar Flowers

Altar care and flowers this week are provided by Bar-

bara Law & Ellie Mahoney. Thank you to all of our

Altar Care volunteers who keep our altar looking

beautiful throughout the year. December 22 - Delin Brown

December 24 - Heaven Scroggins

December 25 - Hal Hill

Pope Francis’ December Prayer Intentions

That all may experience the mercy of

God, who never tires of forgiving.

That families, especially those who suffer,

may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of

certain hope.

No PRE Next Sunday

There will be no Parish Religious

Education classes next Sunday,

December 27th. PRE classes will

resume on Sunday, January 10th.

Communion for the Sick & Homebound

Call the office to arrange for the Eucharist to be

brought to those who cannot attend Mass.

In the Hospital

If you or someone you know will be going in the hos-

pital please call the office, or have a family member

or hospital chaplain call for you. Federal privacy

laws prevent hospitals from notifying us.

In an emergency

Please call Fr. Tom’s cell phone directly

at (423) 637-4850.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Thursday, December 24th

5:00 p.m. Christmas Concert at OLMCC

5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass at OLMCC

8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass at SKD

Friday, December 25th:

9:30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass at OLMCC

“My Soul Magnifies the Lord”

Luke 1:39-55 When Mary visits Elizabeth, she ex-

claims, “Blessed is she who believed that there would

be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the

Lord” (v.45). Blessed was Mary for her hope and her

faith. Blessed are we, to have this same hope and

faith in the fulfillment of God’s promise to his follow-

ers!

The way that Mary’s faith was fulfilled was amazing.

It wasn't quite the royal birth that one would expect

for the King of Kings. Instead, it was quite radically

the opposite. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church

notes, “In this poverty heaven’s glory was made man-

ifest” (525, cf. Luke 2:6-7).

It makes you think, doesn’t it? Perhaps your faith is

shaken when things don’t seem to be going according

to plan. The situation of the Lord’s birth certainly

wouldn’t match most parents’ hopes. But God has a

plan, and he never fails. And what joy this brings!

Even in the dark of winter or the dark of a spiritual

winter, we can find joy in the fulfillment of our hope

and faith.

Our souls can magnify the Lord - he is coming!

Welcome to Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church

Brother Anselm

Richard Collins

Patty Coulter

JJ Davenport

Mamie Everette

Archie Fortune

Battle Glascock

Nancy Maclellan

John McLellan

Pete O’Brien

Anne Shafer

Ginny Stone

Ellen Whitaker

Coy Williams

Ransom

Prayer List

As previously announced the prayer list has been audited. Please contact the office with needed changes.

PARISH FINANCES

DECEMBER 12TH THRU DECEMBER 13TH

OPERATIONS &

MAINTENANCE

WEEK 23

BUDGET

CONTRIBUTED

LAST WEEK

$9785.00 $9795.00

RETIREMENT FUND

FOR THE

RELIGIOUS $2520.00

PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS CONTRIBUTING: 41%

AVERAGE PER FAMILY: $227.79

PARISH FINANCES

DECEMBER 5TH THRU DECEMBER 6TH

OPERATIONS &

MAINTENANCE

WEEK 22

BUDGET

CONTRIBUTED

LAST WEEK

$9785.00 $6736.00

PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS CONTRIBUTING: 38%

AVERAGE PER FAMILY: $172.72

2016 Pledge Cards If you have not mailed your pledge card or dropped it

in the collection basket there is still time. We’re a

parish family and we need everyone’s participation

no matter how small. Our goal is 100% parish partic-

ipation. Additional pledge cards are available in the

narthex or you may call the office to request one

mailed to your home.

Liturgical Minister Schedules

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th

Lector, Eucharistic Ministers,

& Altar Servers: Volunteers Needed

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th

Lector: Ron Elliott

Eucharistic Bill Brown

Ministers: Mac Ferguson

Ramona Glascock

Suzanne Haynes

Larry Parks

Jim Sabourin

Mary Voges

Altar Servers: August Anderson

Graham Anderson

Carley Braman

Scott Hill

Ruthie Towns

Dylan Willingham

Lawton Willingham

Greeters: Rich Boschi

Andy Stockett

Doug Thompson

Mark Voges

Christmas Second Collections

The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day second collec-

tion will benefit Catholic Charities Atlanta, a 62 year

legacy in Georgia of charity for

our most needy brothers and

sisters and a mission inspired

by our Catholic faith. Many of

the clients are members of the

working poor who work several

jobs and long hours to support

their families. Many of these in-

dividuals are also facing a life

crisis, are alone and frightened.

Catholic Charities Atlanta staff help to identify their

problems and provide them with the resources to put

them on the path to independence.

Catholic Charities services are aimed at empowering

people to utilize their strengths and resources to

meet their individual and family needs. Please give

generously where it truly counts. Please support

Catholic Charities to provide help and create hope for

individuals and families facing challenges in our com-

munity, struggling on the margins of society, and liv-

ing in poverty.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Today’s Readings: Micah 5:1– 4a; Psalm 80:2 – 3, 15 –16, 18 –19; Hebrews 10:5 –10; Luke 1:39 – 45. The readings for today help us reflect on the Incarnation while providing insight into God’s plan for salvation. A key theme this week is obedience, a word that comes from the Latin oboedio (to listen to). We learn in the Second Reading that Jesus’ coming into the world completes the old sacrificial system. From the beginning, he was obedient to God’s plan and offered himself as sacrifice. By doing his Father’s will, Jesus sanctifies us, freeing us from death. The obedience of Mary and Elizabeth stemmed from their faith. Both offered their bodies in cooperation with God’s desire for salvation. Their offering teaches us that

discipleship requires surrender and trust. Today, many hear the word obedience in a negative light. Take some time this week to think about the ways you listen to the Word of God and act on it. In Baptism, you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit, and in our daily activities, Christ is made present in our families, parishes, and communities. Because Christ is alive within us, we, like Mary and Elizabeth, participate in God’s plan of salvation. We need to be vulnerable to God’s will and listen to where we are called to be a loving presence. As we approach Christmas, consider how “the child leaped in [Elizabeth’s] womb” at the presence of Jesus. When have you leaped with joy at Christ’s presence?

Leap with JoyO Lord of Hosts,you care for your Chosen Peoplelike a Shepherd who cares for his flock.Your love for us is so greatthat through the Incarnation of your Son,

Jesus,you saved us from sin and death,so that we might have a share in the

heavenly Kingdom.Through the power of your Holy Spirit,grant us fervor to do your willand, like Mary, humbly receive your love

and grace.May this grace and the joy of Advent fill usand move us to bless your wonderful deeds.As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, and

await his glorious return,open our hearts to receive your

Eternal Word,and like John the Baptist, may we leap

with joy in your presence.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, December 20, 2015Listen