MONDAY, DECEBER 8

--Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of

Obligation, Masses at 8:00 am and 7:00 pm

--Parish Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

--Office Closed

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

--Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 7:00 pm

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

--Heart to Heart Christmas Breakfast, 8:30 am, Hemingway’s

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

--Hispanic Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

--Parish Christmas Dinner, 5:00 pm

PRAYERS FOR OUR

MILITARY PERSONNEL

Please pray for the following friends and

family of Sacred Heart in the military: Carlo

Lorge, Don Bowmaker, Will Hornback, Ken

Austin, Jason Jennings, Susan Kerr, Jenna Murphy, Emilio

Valdez, David Lukansky, Daniel Newsome, Donald Moor,

Kathy Pohl, Peter Pohl and Thomas J. Peebles.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR

PARISH AND COMMUNITY

Thomas McGann, Santi Gagliardi, Manuel

Perez, Ruth Mort, Dan Osredker, Glen Lawson,

Florence Zeman, Mary Bridges, Mary Lawson,

Charles Turner, Joe Petersen, Ruth Adams, and

Joe Miller. May they experience God’s grace

and healing power.

DECEMBER 6th

/7th

– SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Liturgies This Week

Saturday 12/06 4:00 pm +Julia McGann

Sunday 12/07 9:30 am +Angie Pohl

12:30 pm

6:00 pm

Monday 12/08 8:00 am No Mass

Tuesday 12/09 8:00 am +Thomas McGrath

Wednesday 12/10 8:00 am +Doug Batson

Thursday 12/11 8:00 am

Friday 12/12 8:00 am

Saturday 12/13 4:00 pm +Frank & Angie Pohl

Sunday 12/14 9:30 am +Thomas McGrath

12:30 pm +Rodolfo Rodriquez

6:00 pm

MINISTERS FOR DECEMBER 13th

/14th

4:00 pm - Lector: M. Michael Ushers: J. Sebek,

Julie Sebek Servers: A. Fearman Eucharistic

Ministers: M. Otradovec, P. Otradovec, D. Meyer, M.

Meyer Mass Captain: Kellner

9:30 am – Lectors: J. Farrar, S. Herron Ushers: T.

Bowmaker, D. Brown Servers: A. Collison, O.

Francka Eucharistic Ministers: L. Bazyn, M.

Batson, K. Bacon, T. Beier, Tony Beier Mass

Captain: Frey

Sharon Latham will deliver food to The

Kitchen for My Brother’s Keeper Program during

the month of December. Thank you for your

continued support.

Altar Supply Sponsor for the Month:

Linda & Sherry Bazyn In Memory of

Russ, Brian & Tim Bazyn

SACRED HEART MISSION STATEMENT

Sacred Heart Family is joined together by Christ to celebrate our oneness through common prayer life, and is sent forth to teach and serve. Our purpose as a parish is to portray in our lives the teachings of Jesus Christ by giving compassion and reconciling love to all through our prayer and action.

OUR GIFT OF GRATITUDE TO GOD

Date Weekly Envelopes Maintenance Plate Collection Other Gifts Total

November 29nd

/30th

$ 927.00 $ 35.00 $ 296.53 $ 143.00 $ 1,799.06

November Actual $ 6,352.00 $ 1,184.00 $1,643.74 $1,848.00 $11,027.74

JOHN THE BAPTIST’S CALL TO REPENTANCE IS ECHOED IN THE US BISHOPS PASTORAL LETTER ON

STEWARDSHIP: “CHRISTIANS MUST BEG GOD FOR THE GRACE OF CONVERSION: THE GRACE TO

KNOW WHO THEY ARE, TO WHOM THEY BELONG, HOW THEY ARE TO LIVE – THE GRACE TO REPENT

AND CHANGE AND GROW, THE GRACE TO BECOME GOOD DISCIPLES AND STEWARDS.”

MESSAGE FROM FATHER TOM

In a few weeks many people

will be on the road travelling

home to visit family and

friends. Hopefully it’s a good

feeling, this “going home.” For

some there may be a hint of

apprehension wondering what they will find.

On the receiving end there may be similar joy

or even a similar sense of foreboding because of

previous or unhealed hurts. In today’s first

reading, the prophet Isaiah writes to the exiles

who are going home to Jerusalem, to Israel.

Imagine the excitement, the joy, but also the

sense of uneasiness. Home! Jerusalem! But

what will they find? Is anything left? What will

be the reaction of those who had been left

behind for so many years? Will they accept us

back? And there were probably similar concerns

among those who awaited them. The prophet,

however, in the use of the passive tense,

reminds his readers that God will be acting to

help with the transition. God will “fill in” the

valleys and level the mountains. The question

for the readers is, “Will you prepare the way?”

“Will you be the heralds of the good news?’

And that’s what God asks of us. God will help

us but will we respond? Will we proclaim the

good news that God is “for real” by the witness,

not just of our words, but also by our lives? We

may wonder what people will think of us if we

truly live Gospel values but we must trust that

God will be there with us in the process. As

Peter wrote, let us “hasten” the coming of

God’s Kingdom by “conducting [ourselves] in

holiness and devotion.”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday – Genesis 3:9-15,020;

Psalm 98:1, 2-3abcd-4; Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday – Isaiah 40:1-11;

Psalm 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13;

Matthew 18:12-14

Wednesday – Isaiah 40:25-31;

Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10;

Matthew 11:28-30

Thursday – Isaiah 41:13-20;

Psalm 145:1, 9-13ab;

Matthew 11:11-15

Friday – Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab;

Judith 13:18bcde, 19;

Luke 1:39-47

Saturday – Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11;

Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19;

Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

Sunday – Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11;

Luke 1:46-50, 53-54;

John 1:6-8, 19-28

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Mass for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are as follows: Wednesday, December 24 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 24 10:30 pm – Carols Will begin at 10:00 pm Thursday, December 25 9:30 am – English Thursday, December 25 12:30 pm – Spanish

SACRED HEART CHURCH 50/50 RAFFLE

Sacred Heart Fund(FUN)Raising Committee will be holding a 50/50 Raffle. The drawing will take place at the Christmas Party on December 20th. You need not be present to win.

Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member or by calling the office at 869-3646. Funds raised are to aid in paying down the building debt.

THE KITCHEN LIBRARY

Beginning November 16th thru December 13th, you can donate a book from Borders to “The Book Garden Library” for the residents at The

Kitchen, Inc. Stop by Borders and/or Borders Express to select your donation. Your support will help the residents grow in literary knowledge.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, is Monday,

December 8. Mass times are at 8:00 am and 7:00 pm on the Holy Day. The office

will be closed on December 8.

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES

The Sacrament of Penance is a prayer of praise and worship. This sacrament is a powerful sign, through which Jesus forgives our sins. We know we are reconciled to God and to our church community. We receive

God’s help to do God’s will, to avoid all forms of sin, and to live as God’s people. For this reason, we celebrate Reconciliation even if we do not have serious sin. Please join us for this special time of healing as we await the birth of Jesus, Son of God. Advent Communal Penance Services for Churches in the Springfield area are: Holy Trinity, Tuesday, 12/09, 7:00 pm St. Joseph the Worker, Sunday, 12/14, 4:00 pm SEAS, Monday, 12/15, 7:00 pm St. Agnes, Tuesday, 12/16, 7:00 pm St. Francis of Assisi, Wednesday, 12/17, 7:00 pm St. Joseph, Sunday, 12/21, 7:00 pm

ANGEL DUSTERS

The “Angel Dusters” would like to get together and do a thorough cleaning of

the Church before the Christmas holiday. They would like to meet

after the Seniors Breakfast on Wednesday, December 17th. If you can help with this ministry,

please give Dee a call at 869-3646. The more the merrier and the cleaner. Thank you for your continued efforts to keep God’s house beautiful.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

With Christmas less than a month away, it is

not too early to be thinking about honoring

your loved ones, living and deceased, in a

special way by donating for Christmas Flowers in the

Church. If you wish to make a contribution, please place

it in the envelope marked “Flowers” and include the

names of your loved ones to be remembered.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (OLG)

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Patroness of the Americas, will be celebrated on Friday, December 12th, starting with Mass at 7:00 pm, honored with the presence of our Bishop James.

Mass will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. All parishioners are invited to participate and to bring their favorite dessert to share. We will provide the meat and drinks.

ADDITIONAL DONATIONS FOR NOVEMBER 2008

Springfield Catholic School $ 815 World Missions Sunday $ 5 Seminary Collection $ 10 Flowers $ 86 Catholic Cemeteries $ 349 All Saints Day $ 114 St. Vincent de Paul $ 175 Fund Raising for Coffee $ 150 Capital Fund Campaign $2,181 Catholic Campaign $ 26 Immaculate Conception $ 6 Christmas Collection $ 6 Solemnity of Mary $ 6 Total $3,929

SACRED HEART CHRISTMAS PARTY

This year the Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 20th following the 4:00

pm Mass. Smoked turkey and dressing, beef brisket, drinks and bread will be provided. Each

one is asked to bring two dishes to share – veggies, salads or desserts. This year is special in many ways. Again this year, we will be celebrating La Posadas. Around 5:00 or 5:30 pm, Joseph and Mary will go to three doors at the church. At the first and second door they will be turned away, but at the third they will enter the hall. After they enter the hall, we will have

dinner. After dinner, the children will have the Piñata, the choir will sing Christmas Carols, and Santa will visit. Please make

an extra special effort to participate in this wonderful expression of the Christmas

holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone at the party.

HEART TO HEART LADIES CHRISTMAS

BREAKFAST

The Heart to Heart Ladies Group will hold their Annual Christmas Breakfast at Hemingway’s in Bass Pro Shops on Saturday, December 13

th at

8:30 am. Please plan on joining

the ladies at this most enjoyable time of the year. All ladies of the parish are automatically members and

are invited to attend. We do hope to see you there – PLEASE COME.

REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES

The brick campaign is a wonderful opportunity to honor the memory of a loved one by purchasing a brick in their name. Memorial bricks make great gifts for religious, family members and friends. Also, make sure you get one for yourself. The

cost of the brick is $200. Payments can be made by making arrangements at the office. The bricks already purchased are on display in the entrance hall. Contact the office to request a brochure to purchase a brick. What a wonderful way to support your parish.

GIVING TREE

The Giving Tree will be located in the Gathering Space and will be hung with ornament tags listing items

needed by Birthright, Crosslines and Rare Breed. Please help by taking an ornament for

whatever you wish to supply. Place the gifts under the tree with the ornament tag

attached. Gifts for Crosslines must be here by Sunday, December 14th for delivery on the 15th. Gifts for

Birthright and Rare Breed will need to be under the tree by Monday, December 22nd for delivery on the 23rd. If you do not like to get out and shop, please consider a Wal-Mart or K-Mart gift certificate. Please call the office with any questions. It is always amazing at the generosity and love shown by the parishioners at Sacred Heart. Please know that each of these organizations greatly appreciates all that we do to assist them at this time of the year, and throughout the year.

ST. AGNES YOUTH RALLY

St. Agnes Cathedral Youth Program will sponsor a youth rally

to be held Saturday, December 13th

at the Palotti Center and St.

Agnes gym. The theme for the rally will be “Passion for Faith”

and will feature speaker Pedro Vu

from Fort Worth, Texas. The

event will be open to youth in

grades 7-12 and the cost for the

entire day will be $15. The day

will begin at 9:00 am and will

conclude at 9:00 pm. Special

features of the rally will include inspirational talks, breakout

sessions, great music, celebration of the Eucharist, Adoration of

the Blessed Sacrament, 2 great meals and, of course, a t-shirt.

You may call the St. Agnes Parish Office at 831-3565 to register

or contact Iris Bounds at 890-7423 or Lisa Peters at

ldp898s@yahoo.com. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see

many of you there.

Singles Reaching Out

Singles Reaching Out invites all adult singles to a Christmas

Gathering and Gift Exchange on Saturday, December 20th at 6:30 pm at

Holy Trinity Parish. Please bring two canned goods or non-perishable food items for “The Kitchen”, a holiday finger-food to share and a $5 gift to exchange. If you have any questions, please call Carolyn at 882-4754 or visit their website at www.singlesreachingout.org.