St. Philip’s Church

218-444-4262 www.stphilipsbemidji.org

Parish Staff

Pastor: Fr. Chuck Huck 441-4901 Parochial Vicar: Fr. Don Braukmann 441-4902 Deacon/Bookkeeper: Deacon Kermit Erickson 441-4903 Director of Development: Maggie McCalip 441-4906 Director of Music & Liturgy: Aana Freihammer 441-4905

Director of Preschool & Elementary Faith Formation/Safe Environment Coordinator: Kris Jensen 441-4944 Parish Administrative Assistant: Robb Naylor 441-4904 Director of Youth Ministry/Middle & High School Faith Formation: 441-4908 Events Coordinator: Susan Lucas 441-4907

Parish Office Coordinator: Tammy Johnson 441-4900 Facility Maintenance Supervisor: Larry Mack Maintenance Support Staff: Greg Allen Jim Shaw Retired Priest in Residence: Msgr. Bill Mehrkens

St. Philip’s School Staff 218-444-4938

Principal: Carol Rettinger ext. 4941 School Office Staff: Jean Patnode 441-4940 Kerry Frauenholtz 441-4942 Denise Kern 441-4943

Sister Parishes

St. Charles Pennington Saturday at 4:00 PM

(Fishing Opener to Labor Day)

Holy Spirit Newman Center BSU/NWTC

Sun at 7:00 PM, Tues at 7:00 PM, Thurs at 5:30 PM (School year only)

1701 Birch Lane NE 218-444-4762

St. Philip’s Clothing Depot

218-444-3835 Tuesday through Saturday

9:30 AM to 3:00 PM Manager: Norma Himmelright

Diocese of Crookston

Victim Assistance Coordinator: Louann McGlynn 218-281-7895

Your Parish Representatives:

Parish Council Members: Sarah Bofferding, Kevin Erpelding, Anita Froelich, Jim Gorham, Gary Gregg, Cynthia Haskin, Brent Rud, Drew Weaver, Theresa Wilander

Finance Council Members: Jeff Cwikla, Claude Sand, Shannon Schmitt

School Council Members: Jaclyn Bergerson, Tiffany Fankhanel, Christine Louvar, James Marcotte, Trudy Peterson, Laura Schwindt

Trustees: Joann Gardner, Hank Krigbaum

2nd Sunday in Advent Greetings, December 6, 2015

Browse the internet and it is amazing what you will find. Here is an article captioned: Why Jesus is better than Santa Claus

Santa Claus lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere. Santa Claus rides in a sleigh...JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa Claus comes but once a year...JESUS is an ever present help. Santa Claus fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa Claus comes down your chimney uninvited... JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa Claus...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name. Santa Claus lets you sit on his lap...JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa Claus doesn't know your name, he says "Hi little boy or girl what's your name?" JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address

too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. Santa Claus has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa Claus can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa Claus says "You better not cry". JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa Claus may make you chuckle but... JESUS gives you joy that is your strength. While Santa Claus puts gifts under your tree... JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

Pope Francis has declared a “Year of Mercy”. We start a Year of Mercy in the Advent season since Advent is a time of Hope, a time of Peace, a time of Joy and a time of Love. The virtue of Mercy deepens those feelings. We are asked to practice Mercy throughout the Advent season and into the New Year. In simple terms: thinking of others, avoiding judgment, seeking and giving forgiveness, and giving thoughtfully. Here is an idea that may help: each evening and morning: try placing a crucifix on your pillow as a reminder to say morning prayers and remove it at night as a reminder to say night prayers.

We will be talking during the course of this year about the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy. They are opportunities to be with and for others. A year of mercy starts with a recognition that God has great mercy for us as a son or daughter of His. His forgiveness is complete all we need to do is accept it. Please mark your calendar and come for the parish reconciliation service next week. Or call and schedule a time with Fr Don or I.

Please consider a quick stop at the church for a visit with Jesus in the Tabernacle? It is a Year of Mercy… It is out of Mercy He died on the cross for us…

Enjoy an Advent season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Look for the daily presence of Jesus,

Blessings on your day! Fr Chuck

Monday, Dec 7 8:05 AM Morning Prayer (Chapel) 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Adoration (Chapel) 5:45 PM Hospital Ministry Mtg (St. Kateri Rm) 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 32 (Social Hall)

Tuesday, Dec 8 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Adoration (Chapel) 3:30 PM Little Flowers (Social Hall) 7:00 PM Men’s Basketball (Gym) 7:30 PM Marian Devotions (Chapel)

Wednesday, Dec 9 8:05 AM Morning Prayer (Chapel) 9:30 AM Rosary for Our Schools (Chapel) 12:00 PM Finance Council (St. Kateri Rm) 6:00 PM Reconciliation (Chapel) 6:30 PM Faith Formation, Grades 1-11

Thursday, Dec 10 9:00 AM NET Retreat 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Adoration (Chapel) 5:00 PM Liturgy Committee Mtg (St. Kateri Rm) 5:00 PM Birthday Party for Jesus (Social Hall) 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal (Greg/Grt Rm) 7:00 PM Prayer and Praise (Chapel)

Friday, Dec 11 8:05 AM Morning Prayer (Chapel) 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Adoration (Chapel)

Saturday, Dec 12 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (Church) 4:30 PM Reconciliation (Chapel)

Sunday, Dec 13 8:35 AM Rosary (Chapel) 9:00 AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word (St. Greg/Grt Rm) 9:00 AM Preschool Sunday School (Pre-K Classrooms) 10:15 AM Rosary (Chapel)

Monday, Dec 7 8:30 AM Mass: +Leo Olmschenk 6:30 PM Vigil Mass (Immaculate Conception): +Leon Eide

Tuesday, Dec 8 Immaculate Conception of Mary 8:40 AM Mass: For the People 6:30 PM Mass: +Mary Hoody 7:00 PM Mass (Newman): +Leo Kueber

Wednesday, Dec 9 8:40 AM Mass: +Erick Bohlman & Laurene Bohlman

Thursday, Dec 10 7:00 AM Mass: +Alberta Crosbie 10:30 AM Mass (Neilson Place): +Dick Naylor 10:30 AM Communion Service (Gold Pine) 5:30 PM Mass (Newman): +Bea Schulke

Friday, Dec 11 8:30 AM Mass: +Fr. Frank Kulhawik

Saturday, Dec 12 8:30 AM Mass: Special Intentions for Ben Peterson 5:30 PM Mass: +Emelia Gonshorowski

Sunday, Dec 13 7:30 AM Mass: For the People 9:00 AM Mass: +John Pogatchnik 11:00 AM Mass: Special Intentions for Emily Jansen 7:00 PM Mass (Newman): +Leo Kueber

MASS INTENTIONS For December 7 to December 13

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

Bible Readings for the Week of Dec 7 ~ Dec 13

Monday, Dec 7 ●Is 35:1-10 ●Ps 85:9ab,10,11-12,13-14 ●Lk 5:17-26

Tuesday, Dec 8 ●Gn 3:9-15,20 ●Ps 98:1-4 ●Eph 1:3-6,11-12 ●1:26-38

Wednesday, Dec 9 ●Is 40:25-31 ●Ps 103:1-2,3-4,8,10 ●Mt 11:28-30

Thursday, Dec 10 ●Is 41:13-20 ●Ps 145:1,9,10-11,12-13ab ●Mt 11:11-15

Friday, Dec 11 ●Is 48:17-19 ●Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 ●Mt 11:16-19

Saturday, Dec 12 ●Zec 2:14-17 ●Ps Jdt 13:18bcde,19 ●Lk 1:26-38

Sunday, Dec 13 ●Zep 3:14-18a ●Ps Is 12:2-6 ●Phil 4:4-7 ●Lk 3:10-18

*Please note the change in Mass times on Tues., Dec. 8 (Immaculate Conception). Daily Mass is at 8:40 AM rather than the usual Tuesday Mass time of 12:10 PM. ~ Advent Parish Reconciliation Service ~

Monday, December 14 at 6:30 PM

INFORMATION & ACTIVITIES BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS

Parents or prospective parents who wish to present a child for Baptism are asked to attend a baptism preparation class.

The next session will be on December 6. Please call the Parish Office at 444-4262 to register, or for more information.

Week #22 Contributions (received the weekend

of 11/29/2015)

STEWARDSHIP - A

Envelopes $11,079.00 EFT Env. $ —- Loose Plate $ 753.94 Children’s $ 40.15 Total $11,873.09 HABIT OF THE HEART

Fiscal Year to Date (Week #22)

Amount Contributed Envelopes $ 316,152.29 Loose Plate $ 20,190.27 Children’s $ 1,159.36 Total $ 337,501.92 YTD Budget $ 366,982.00

(91.97% of budget)

STEWARDSHIP OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 ~ June 30, 2016

St. Philip’s extends best wishes to Matt Hemstad and Marisa Mullan, who celebrated the sacrament of Marriage on November 27th at St. Philip’s.

The St. Philip’s Catholic Community welcomes through the waters of baptism, Izabella Theresa Gish, daughter of Joe & Laura Gish, Dezerai Alexandra Puffe, daughter of Dustin & Patricia Puffe, and Lilith Grace Ruport, daughter of Zach and Michelle Ruport.

May they be filled with the Holy Spirit!

St. Philip’s extends condolences to the families of Roger Knopps, Dale Stebe, David Wright, husband of Mary Ann Wright, and Dawn Kern, daughter of Jim and Coleen Wiltse. May they find

rest and peace, & may their families find comfort in God’s love.

Watch your mailbox for collection envelopes to arrive in your home the last part of December as we’re switching to a bi-monthly mailing format for our envelopes. Parishioners using Sunday collection envelopes will receive a packet of envelopes mailed to their homes every two months. EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) parishioners will receive one mailing including only the special collection envelopes. We are switching to this format as it will provide additional flexibility and convenience while saving us money and time. The bi-monthly format allows for making regular changes regarding new members and deceased or moving members rather than making those changes on an annual basis. It also saves us from the annual process of mailing boxes (1st class postage) for parishioners who do not pick up their boxes. As always, thank you for your ongoing support. Your regular use of the collection envelopes allows St. Philip’s to be the vibrant parish that it is.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Save the Date: Jennifer Fulwiler will be speaking at the Real Presence Radio Banquet in Fargo on Mon., Feb. 29th, 2016. Watch your bulletin for more information or call 701-795-0122 for more details.

PLEASE RETURN…

If you have a parish purchased copy of either book “Rebuilt” or “Intentional Disciple” that you are not using would you be willing to bring it back to the parish. We have need of a couple copies. Thank you!

SMMA Video

Last weekend was the St. Mary’s Mission Appeal. Many thanks to all who have already turned in their pledge to this wonderful outreach! If you didn’t have the opportunity to view the SMMA video, it can be viewed online at www.crookston.org/SMMA.

From the Bemidji Community Food Shelf

To St. Philip’s Catholic Church,

I am grateful that 30 years ago 8 congregations made a decision to work together. Thanks Be To God, for His steadfast love endures forever.

I will be starting my 8th year as President of the BCFS Board. The spirit of working together has expanded to over 16 congregations, plus many groups, organizations, and businesses have been very generous in their in-kind gifts, volunteering, and of course donations.

The Lord has blessed us with a new building and land that has opened endless possibilities to serve the food needs as an emergency food shelf.

The reason I am writing you is that for the first time we have had to dip into our cash reserves, and find ourselves in needing to get the word out about this need.

Along with this request we are looking at how we can hold down our costs and at the same time continue to meet the needs that God has placed before us.

Thank you for your partnership, prayers, and of course your support.

Bill Beyer

* * * * * * Pro-life People Are Against Violence!

As members of the pro-life movement, we are saddened and outraged by the violence committed at Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs.

From its inception, the pro-life movement in America has been committed to non-violence, and as members of the pro-life movement we reaffirm that commitment today.

We respect the human lives of the born as well as the unborn; we respect the lives of those who disagree with us as well as those who agree with us; we respect the lives of those who try to stop abortion and those who perform abortion.

In short, violence against human lives is not an acceptable way of resolving this problem or proclaiming our message. No person who carries out, intends to carry out, or justifies in theory such acts of violence has any part in our movement, our organization or our efforts. We will continue to work to advance a climate of understanding and non-violence.

Fr. Chuck Huck and Fr. Don Braukmann, St. Philip’s Catholic Church Bemidji, MN

FAITH FORMATION

NEWMAN NEWS For Students attending BSU and NTC

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Do you know of someone who is ill or homebound that may like a visit from us? We would love to call on them, so please be our eyes and ears so that these folks don’t fall through the cracks! Often times, the only way we are notified of a need is through friends and neighbors of the person who is reluctant to notify us themselves. If you know of someone, call Tammy at the Parish Office, 444-4262 and we will arrange for a visit.

Preschool Children and their Families are invited to Jesus’ Birthday Party!

Thursday, Dec. 10th 5:00 to 7:30 St. Philip’s Social Hall

5:00 to 6:00 ~ Supper Mac-n-Cheese & Chicken Nuggets 5:30 to 7:30 ~ Christmas Crafts and Activities 6:30 ~ Christmas Carols 6:50 ~ Reading of the Christmas Story 7:00 ~ A Birthday Cake for Jesus

”Tubs of Christmas Love”

St. Philip’s Church is again filling, “Tubs of Christmas Love” during Advent. The food and gifts collected will be shared with local low-income families or those experiencing hardship.

l From Nov 28th - Dec 12th there will be green/red plastic “Christmas Tubs” near the l Advent Giving Tree that will serve as Christmas Baskets.

l The lid on each tub will have a label identifying the number of family members, ages of the children and may have some other specific information.

l The tub can be filled with items appropriate for a holiday meal, and/or a gift certificate for perishable food including items such as turkey, pie, etc. A family game or small gift items could also be included.

l Simply take a tub, fill it, and return it to the tree (on weekends) or to the parish office (during the week). Keep the label attached to the lid. Return the filled tub by December 13th.

l Please detach, and fill out the information slip on the side of the label, and drop in the box or collection plate.

l Feel free to partner with another family or your workplace to fill one!

Bi-Cap, CEP, Headstart, and Hope House have provided the names this year.

The schedule for the rest of the semester:

Sunday, Dec. 6th 7 PM Mass

Tuesday, Dec. 8th 7 PM Holy Day Mass (Immaculate Conception) Sacrament of Reconciliation to follow.

Thursday, Dec. 10th 5:30 PM Mass 6 PM Christmas Meal!

Sunday, Dec. 13th 7 PM Mass (last Mass of the Semester!)

40 Days for Life 2015 Fall Worldwide Campaign Results: (total numbers reported are since 2007)

* 607 individual cities involved since campaigns began in 2007 * 675,000 prayer volunteers from within 18,000 different churches (since 2007) * 834 babies saved; total babies saved: 11,165 * 9 workers quit; total workers: 127 * 4 facilities closed; total facilities closed: 64

www.40daysforlife.com Video: Blessed Are The Peacemakers found at the website in response to the Colorado Springs event on Friday, November 27.

We are very blessed at St. Philip’s Faith Formation to have people who are called to help our children and youth grow in the Catholic Faith.

They come from many walks of life: High Schoolers, High School seniors, college students, adults with children in Faith Formation and adults who do not.

What they all have in common is a desire to guide the children and youth along their faith journey and to share our faith and beliefs with them.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Susie Griggs Elli Morin & Family Lisa Martin & Family Abby Aylesworth Julie Maus Jackie Gibbons Abby Gibbons Amy Gish Preschool Sunday School Sophia Djonne Sarah Djonne Sarah Haman Jennifer Parks Elementary Tatiana Smerkar Madison Maki Madisen Erpelding Sarah Blumenshein Amy Gish Cory Gish Tami Erickson Jackie Whiting Sara Wielenberg Jenny Djonne Sarah Winkle Peter Hartmann

Nancy Neis Stephanie Rupp Angie Nistler Doris Swedmark Amy Zimmermann Kate Mischke Deb Hemstad Kim Nei Denise Kern Middle School Brad Arel Erik Fitzgerald Katrina Marcotte Nicole Kieson Patty Nagle Melissa Columbus Steve Pfleger Stephanie Bunich Andrea Bunich Mark Studer Kelly Brevig Elizabeth Mathews High School Stephanie Downey Sue Hengel Cathy Lalli Grant Frenzel Renae Donaghue

Susan Dondelinger Rich Marsolek Kelley Hengel Dave Hengel Courtney Beise Haskins Amy Bofferding Theresa Wilander Jodi Maki Pat Snell Sandy Oustad Bob Revering Lorie Erpelding Kevin Erpelding Kari Frenzel Herb Bromenshenkel Connie Mangiamele Shannon Schmitt Jamie Hoffman Michele Minogue

It is God’s wish that we grow in our faith. Mother Teresa

ST. PHILIP’S SCHOOL

December 5/6 � Our Advent Prayer services are held on the Mondays of Advent beginning at 8:35 AM in the gym and focus on the Nativity

Story. Guests are definitely welcome. On the Fridays of Advent, our students gather at 8:35 to make special gifts for others.

� Individual classroom Advent Projects are to fill a Tub of Love.

� This week’s school Mass is on Tuesday, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day. Our 4th graders are our ministers. Other Holy Day Masses are on Monday, December 7 at 6:30 PM and on Tuesday, December 8 at 6:30 PM.

� Students in grades 3 through 8 will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation during the first two weeks of Advent. The parish Reconciliation Service is planned for Monday, December 14. What a great way to make room for Jesus.

� Fridays with the Father will have their dinner on Monday, December 14.

� All 7th and 8th graders will attend the NET retreat on Thursday, December 10.

� Our Christmas program “The Miraculous Christmas Wish Radio Show” will be presented on Wednesday, December 16. There is an afternoon performance at 1:00 PM and an evening performance at 6:30. Get in the spirit.

� The first oral round of the Geography Bee will be held on Thursday, December 17.

� We have a two week Christmas Break. The last day of classes for 2015 will be on Friday, December 18. Classes resume on Monday, January 4, 2016.

� Volunteer Opportunities: hot lunch servers; parish committee members; classroom volunteers.

� To volunteer your services, please attain your Safe Environment Certification by going to: www.crookston.org and following the prompts for Safe Environment. Thanks for your cooperation.

Servants of Shelter ~ Opportunity to Volunteer

In response to homelessness in Bemidji, Servants of Shelter was formed by several churches in Bemidji to provide safe nighttime shelter to the homeless, as well as three meals a day. Each week, the shelter moves from church to church and can host up to 20 homeless people at a time. All of the guests go through a background clearance so that volunteers and guests can be given the best assurance of personal safety.

Each year for many years, St. Philips has served as a host to the Servants of Shelter program during the week of Christmas. We work around the school calendar so that we can host while St. Philip’s School is not in session. This year, we have an opportunity to host for more than the traditional one week and will serve the needs of the homeless from Sunday, December 20 through the morning of Wednesday, December 30th. On Christmas Eve and Christmas day we find alternate accommodations for the guests as we need our entire facility to serve the huge Christmas Mass crowds.

Guests arrive at 4:00 each afternoon and leave at 8:30 in the morning. We schedule our volunteers for four hour shifts, and have two volunteers on each shift. That means that we need no less than 8 volunteers each day of the shelter, plus people to provide meals. We are proud to say that we have a long list of parishioners that have filled shifts over the years, and we consistently receive a yes when we call them to work each year. However, we always need a new group of volunteers to cover this great ministry.

If you are willing/able to volunteer, please contact Kay at 556-3031 or Paula at 368-1081. We will do everything we can to find a shift that works well for you. We will also have sign-up sheets after Mass on the weekend of December 12-13.

“Whatsoever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.” Mathew 25:40

You are invited…

BOOK SALE AND SIGNING by our own Peter Marino

Mr. Marino has spent his later years writing a wide variety of stories and poetry. Please stop by his table in the narthex after all Masses next weekend, December 12 & 13 — Mr. Marino will be there to sell and autograph his works, with all the proceeds going to St. Philip’s School! They are delightful reads, just in time for Christmas giving!

Christmas Flowers for St. Philip’s Church will be supplied, in part, through the generous donations given by parishioners in memory of deceased loved ones, or in honor of the living.

If you wish to make a memorial, please use your Christmas Flower Offering envelope in your box of offertory envelopes. Or place your donation in an envelope clearly marked Christmas Flowers. Please indicate the name of the deceased person/(s) your gift is in memory of or the name of the living person(s) your gift is in honor of.

Please place your envelope in the collection basket or turn it in to the parish office as soon as possible. All memorials will be published in the parish bulletin after the Christmas season.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE Week of December 12-13

Saturday, Dec 12 5:30 PM

Sunday, Dec 13 7:30 AM

Sunday, Dec 13 9:00 AM

Sunday, Dec 13 11:00 AM

SACRISTAN Trish Jones Al Foley Joe Bofferding Mary Lou Peters (sub req.)

LECTOR Germaine Cheslock Robb Naylor

Darla Sathre Judy Stai

Susan Baird Phil Hodapp

Kari Frenzel Marcia Fivizzani

INTERCESSOR Amy Buckanaga John Bloberger Ben Baird Barb Nyberg (sub req.)

ALTAR SERVER Aidan Spaeth Emma Spaeth Ava Spaeth

Lucas Huewe Evelyn Cordts

Charlie Maus Sophia Morin Bridget Westrum

Joshua Nyberg (sub req.) Nick Nagle Anna Glen

CAPTAIN Robb Naylor Jane Foley Jim Gorham Karen Williams

EMHC

Terry Jones Kell Lovell Laura Schwindt Eileen Gothman Germaine Cheslock Marleen Webb HELP NEEDED

Joyce Berg Barry Karpinski Pat Gavin Al Foley Walter Schuiling HELP NEEDED HELP NEEDED

Thomas Kern Steve Pfleger Clark Chambers Nicole Kieson Ben Baird Leslie Downs Brent Rud Stephen Steele Megan Luke

Carol Rettinger Mary Herried Dotty Forrest Rita Lauderbaugh Susie Balstad Courtney Haskins Jennifer Noble Chris Nyberg Jane Baukol

HOSPITALITY - Usher

Chris Hanevold Terri Chmielewski Mark Moris HELP NEEDED

Ron Hendricks Jim Schneider HELP NEEDED Jim Gavin

Mark Froelich Zach Froelich Ron Arel Bob Schlichting

Mike Doty Aidan Chadwick Samantha Nagle Al Swedmark

HOSPITALITY - Fellowship

Dianne Dockendorf Matt Dockendorf

June Aitken Bob Aitken Gerri Daigle (sub req.) Cathy Lalli

Annette Jones Rita Lauderbaugh Nancy Lauderbaugh Jan Busch

HOSPITALITY - Greeter

Kathy LeMoine HELP NEEDED

Vi Hendricks Marjorie Bloberger

Darlene Stepaniak Darlene Weber

Wanda Doty Jan Busch