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December 21, 2014
Fourth Sunday
of Advent
Diocese of Shreveport
Sacred Heart
Of Jesus
Catholic Church
MISSION STATEMENT: We, the parish of Sacred Heart, are
committed to enriching the Spirituality of the parish family,
the Christian community, and all brothers and sisters created
in God’s divine image and likeness. We are called by the Holy
Spirit, under the leadership of our Bishop and Pastor, to assist
others through the development and promotion of various
ministries. We pray for Divine guidance that we may serve
others with truth, courage, forethought and compassion.
Parish Council 1998
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH (687-1818)(St. Mary's 687-5121) - Pastor
Rev. John Paul Crispin, FMH (687-1818) - Parochial Vicar
Rev. Thomas John, CMI (635-2126) - Schumpert Chaplain and Priest-InResidence (For Emergency Only Call 286-8799)
Deacon Clary Nash (635-2121) - Community Coordinator
Mary Chauvin (635-5446) - Director of Religious Education
Rey Pangatungan - Youth Group Coordinator, sclifeteen@gmail.com
Sarah McIntyre - R.C.I.A. Coordinator
Elaine Smith (emsmith29@comcast.net) - Bookkeeper
Libby Campbell (libbyac@comcast.net) - Secretary/Bulletin Editor
WEEKEND MASSES
Saturday Anticipated
4:30 p.m.
Sunday
9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES Monday thru Friday — 9:30 a.m. in Rectory
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION MASSES
Night before the Holy Day at 6:30 p.m. & 12:05 p.m. Day of the Holy Day
unless otherwise notified
RECONCILIATION
Confessions
— Anytime by appointment
Saturday – 4:00 p.m. — Seasonal Penance Services
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday — 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION
Pre K 3 through High School — Sunday at 10:15 a.m. (September – May)
LIFE TEEN YOUTH GROUP
Life Nights (6th—12 grade) — To Be Determined
Established 1966
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, La 71109
P. O. Box 19467 (71149-0467)
Office: 318-635-2121
Fax 318-635-5226
Email: sheartchurch@comcast.net
Parish School of Religion
318-635-5446
Life Teen Youth Group
318-464-6761
Gabriel Hall/Activity Building
St. Vincent de Paul Society Pantry
318-635-2202
www.sacredheartshreveport.org (live web cast) or
www.lifecastpro.com/members/sacredheart/
BAPTISM: Parents should call the church office at least
three months before anticipated date of birth to make
arrangements for the seminar.
Both parents and
Godparents are expected to attend, whether baptized in
another church or by another priest.
MARRIAGE: All couples are required to contact the
office six months prior to anticipated wedding date. PreCana is required for all engaged couples and should be
attended at least three months before the wedding.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK & MINISTRY OF
CARE: If you or someone you know is seriously ill, or
hospital bound, and would like the Anointing of the Sick,
please call the parish office to make arrangements to
have a priest come and visit. Eucharist can also be
brought to homebound parishioners by an Extraordinary
Minister.
R.C.I.A.: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Sessions,
for those interested in exploring the Catholic faith, take
place September through May on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in
the rectory.
BIENVENIDO A LOS RECIÉN LLEGADOS!
WELCOME NEWCOMERS!
Por favor rellene un formulario de censo situado en el vestíbulo de la
Iglesia. Usted puede poner el formulario en la cesta de la colección,
enviarlo por correo a la Oficina o llamar a su información a la Oficina
de la parroquia durante las horas de oficina.
Please fill out a census form located in the Vestibule of the Church.
You may put the completed form in the collection basket, mail it to
the office or call your information in to the parish office during
office hours.
Nosotros le damos la bienvenida a nuestra familia.
We welcome you to our family.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
The child to be born will be called holy,
the Son of God.
—Luke 1:35
✟ BENJAMIN H. HOLLEY, III
12/22 MON.
9:30 a.m.
12/23 TUES
9:30 a.m.
INTENTION OF THE CELEBRANT
12/24 WED. (FR. THOMAS)
4:30 p.m. ✟
EDWARD G. KOCMICH, JR.
12/25 THU. (FR. FRANCIS)
9:00 a.m.
12/26 FRI.
9:30 a.m.
12/27 SAT. (FR. THOMAS)
4:30 p.m.
12/28 SUN. (FR. FRANCIS)
9:00 a.m.
12/28 SUN. (FR. FRANCIS)
11:30 a.m.
by: Glenda Holley
by: Loraine & Ed Kocmich, III
✟ KARLA SEPULVADO & DOUG LEONE
by: The Family
INTENTION OF THE CELEBRANT
✟ ANTHONY LACOUR
✟ JUAN SALVO SR. & JR.
by: Patricia Terrell & Family
✟ JOHN JOSEPH
by: Marilyn & Robert Crosby
by: Arlene McEwen
& THEIR FAMILIES
by: Glenda Holley
12/29 MON
9:30 a.m.
ALL MILITARY
12/30 TUES
9:30 a.m
INTENTION OF THE CELEBRANT
12/31 WED. (FR. THOMAS)
4:30 p.m.
PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART
& FAMILIES
01/01 THU. (FR. JOHN PAUL) 12:05 p.m.
PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART
& FAMILIES
DECEMBER 27
SATURDAY—4:30 P.M.
READERS
DECEMBER 28
SUNDAY—9:00 A.M.
DECEMBER 28
SUNDAY—11:30 A.M.
MARY NASH
MARY FRENCH
GERALD BEASLEY
CHARLES LYLES
MICHAEL ROY
PAT JOHNSON
LEMS
MARY HERNANDEZ
LARRY FRENCH
TERESA HOWARD
JENNIE TAYLOR
PATRICIA LACOUR
MARILYN CROSBY
ALTAR SERVERS
WALTER RECKER
SAMANTHA WHITE
JONATHAN WHITE
CEDRIC PINKNEY
GREETERS
BRIAN GALLIEN
RICHARD GUZMAN
MARILYN CROSBY
WEEK OF DEC.
28, 2014—JAN. 3, 2015 - (SICK & SHUT-IN—OLLIE BENNETT) (NURSING HOME - JOE & KAY DERNOVISH)
The Sanctuary Lamp Burns
Dec. 21st thru 27th, 2014
In Loving Memory Of
“Anthony LaCour”
by : Debra & Alan Freyer
HAVE A BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT?
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:
1-888-411-1333
Free. Confidential. 24 Hours
SUICIDE HOTLINE — 1-877-994-2275
Please e-mail to: libbyac@comcast.net or drop it off at the
church office or you may drop your written message in the
Sunday collection. Deadline for submission is 10:00 a.m. on the If you are on vacation or just out of town on business and would
Monday before you would like it published in the Sunday like to find a mass near you. Go to www.MassTimes.org or
Bulletin. Thank You!
call 734-794-2100.
TO ALL PARISHIONERS AND
THEIR FAMILIES:
The Sacred Heart Staff would like to
wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Very
Happy New Year. May the best of your
past be the worst of your future. God
Bless all of you, We are looking forward
to 2015. Fr. Francis, Fr. John Paul, Fr. Thomas John,
Deacon Clary, Elaine, Mary, John and Libby
Weekly Collection Needed:
Actual Weekly Collection—Dec. 13 & 14, 2014
Actual Weekly Collection—Dec. 20 & 21, 2014
$ 4,721.00
TBA
TBA
Attendance for Dec. 13 & 14, 2014—TBA
Attendance for Dec. 20 & 21, 2014—TBA
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we have a second collection for
“Diocesan Infirm Priests’ Fund.” Please be generous and remember that
A six-week series entitled “Calling Catholics Home” is being 100% of this collection will stay in our Diocese to help take care of our
priests that have dedicated themselves to our care.
CALLING CATHOLICS HOME
offered every Tuesday beginning February 10, 2015 in the
Parish Library at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Office
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The sessions are for non-practicing
Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning
Bill Hall
Teresa Pizzolato
to the Church. If you know someone who as left the Church, New Requests
Mary Hall
John Ponce
please invite them to join us. For more information call the Continued Prayers
Billy Hamm
Julianna Ponce
Cathedral Office at 221-5296 or w.callingcatholicshome.com
Anonymous
Sharon Hamm
Pete Posey
COLLECTION ENVELOPES FOR 2015
Collection Envelopes for 2015 are ready to be picked up in
the Narthex of the Church. They are placed alphabetically
by last name on the boxes. If you need envelopes, please
fill out the information on the form on the table. Collection
statements for the year 2014 will be sent after the first of
the year. Thank you, Elaine Smith
HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
12/1 Gerald Beasley
12/1 Esther Brooks
12/1 Christian White
12/2 Heather Mobley
12/4 Ronald Bowman, III
12/4 Jayce Mitchell
12/5 Mike Stemplinski
12/6 Joe Daniel Callicoatte
12/6 Tricia Morgan
12/7 Carter Draper
12/9 Nick Hall
12/1 Ed Kocmich, III
12/12 Sam Maranto
12/15 Larry French
12/15 Rita Frugé
12/15 Samuel Mack
12/15 Jerry Rodrigues
12/17 Jennifer Hill
12/22 Dennis Chauvin
12/22 Angelica Roque
12/23 SheaShawna Frank
12/23 Jeannette Guastella
12/23 Jerry Longoria
12/24 Seth Campbell
12/25 Melissa Moore
12/25 Gloria Edwards
12/25 Aiden Hall
12/25 Rose Mary Mason
12/25 Eleanor Terrill
12/26 Larkin Krieg
12/27 Michael Hernandez
12/28 Albert Butscher
12/28 Luther Hall
12/30 Michael Cernigliaro, Jr.
12/30 Jessica Metoyer
12/30 Mary Williams
12/31 Jean Woods
Our Birthday List & Anniversary List is generated from our Shelby
Program. If you wish your name and your family’s name to appear in
our Birthday List and you are a parishioner of Sacred Heart. Please
pick up a Census Form in the Foyer of the Church fill it out and place
it in the basket at any Mass.
Shirley Abrams
Katy Addington
Bob Austin
Bunny Austin
Mary Balthazar
Bridget Bagley
Olivia Belle
Ollie Bennett
Auril Bennit
Ann Boddie
Randy Brosset
Paul Byrd
Phoebe Carmody
Milagros Carson
Chris Chauvin
Liz Clark
Amy Coates
Betty Conner
Jerry Cormier
Margaret Cotner
John Darien Davis
Bryan Davzat
Amy Dupay
Raleigh Durr
Jimmie Gallien
Ricky Garrard
Gwen Gilmore
Vincentee Goncer
Jeannette Guastella
Delores Hawthorne
Ramon Haydon
Brigg Henderson
Patty Hermes
Marnie Hostetter
Ralph Hutson
Dwain Istre
Pat Johnson
Karen Oleksik
Gloria Kerry
Bill Kraeger
Kyle Kraeger
Indiana LaCour
Lowell Lawson
Linda Leonard
Tim Leone
Christie Lloyd
Clyde Loston
Janeane Lucia
Rose Malarcher
Fr. André McGrath
Angie McIntyre
Sr. Merida, D.C.
Randy Mobley
Elizabeth Anne Moore
Kristyn Monroe
Thomas Lee Palmer
Don Parker
Laurie Pierpont
Donna Powell
William Print
Tammy Rhodes
Margaret Richter
Mike Rogers
Carol Romero
Devan Rost
Francis Rost
Tom Ruesch
James Russom
Eddie Sanders
John Smith
Craig Stratton
The Tarpley Family
Helen Toney
Jerry Toney
Stena Tuminello
VanderLinden Fly.
Larry Vickers
Mary, Darrell, Chelsey
& Charity
Debbie Walpole
Joetta Waterman
Daryl Williams
James Wood
Lisa Woodruff
Jessie Woods
Jeanette Yount
PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN,
Brian Cormier, Sgt. David Duncan, Corp. Adam C. Henson, Lt.
Sgt. Joey Martinez, GL6 Shannon Martinski Montes, Sgt. Andrew
Montes, Sgt. Terrance Laborde, Capt. Nicholas Smith, Darnell
Gillie, Erik Restevio, Aaron Schmidt, and PFC Charles Gilmore,
and women who are serving our country, here and abroad, and for
their families awaiting their safe return.
To add someone to our prayer lists, please call Margaret Cotner
at 686-3652. Please call back to let us know when the name should
be removed from our prayer list. “Our Policy” - names will be
removed after four (4) weeks or if it needs to be on longer please
call us.
You are invited to remember your loved ones with a donation to the
Christmas Memorial Flower Fund. You have an envelope in your December packet of envelopes or you can use envelopes from the small
white
basket in the Narthex
of the Church.
There will be a Memorial
Dec. 24—Christmas
Eve Mass—4:30
pm
Flower
Insert in the bulletin
for Christmas.
Dec.
25—Christmas
Day Mass—9:00
am Please put your list of names
in the11—Safe
envelope
with your name
or how youHall—10:30
want it signed
Jan.
Environment
Class—Gabriel
am on the outside. 25—Blood
All envelopes
need to Hall—10
be returned
Jan.
Drive—Gabriel
am toto2 the
pm Church Office by
Wednesday,
December
17, 2014, so that
we canam
have
time to
Feb.
7—Confirmation
Retreat—Gabriel
Hall—10
to 2enough
pm
get your
loved Marriage
ones listed
on the insertbetween
that will9 be
in theMasses
bulletin. If
Feb.
8—World
Day—Dessert
& 11:30
you want
to place them in the collection
basket, thatam
is the
easiest way
Feb.
15—Confirmation—Bishop
Duca Presiding—9
Mass
to get11—Bishop
them to theDuca’s
office. Pro-Life
Thank You
All!
Mar.
Banquet—Bossier
Civic Center
Mar. 29—Easter Egg Hunt—10:30 am—Gabriel Hall
IN SYMPATHY, please pray for Dorothy A. Walsh
Womack, who died in Christ on Sunday, December 7,
2014. Dottie was born on March 24, 1929. Dottie was a
long time member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and
was a member of the Ladies Guild and Friends in Faith &
Service Organizations. She was preceded in death by
her husband William Dolton Womack, sons, Michael A and Terry A
Womack and a brother Ronald Walsh.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathy W. Butler and husband Dr. Jeb
Butler, daughter Carol W. Robertson and her husband Richard
Robertson, 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and sisters, Patti
Dunn and Nancy Brown. To honor Dorothy you may make donations to
TODAY’S READINGS
Volunteers of America Adoption Services or Sacred Heart of Jesus
St. Mary’s
Christmas
Tickets
areO$2
each are
or athe Church. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through
First
Reading
— WeRaffle
are the2014:
clay and
you,
Lord,
book of we
10 for
Drawing
will be
Dec. 25, 2014 following
potter:
are$20.
the work
of your
hands
the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
the 9 am Mass in Vandegaer Hall. Please contact Roberta Moses
(Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7).
or Deacon Clary if you need tickets.
IN SYMPATHY, please pray for Carla Rae Ebarb, who
Psalm — Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face
ST.(Psalm
VINCENT
and we shall be saved
80). DE PAUL
Second Reading
God is
faithful;
by the
GodBig
youHeart”
were
The—"Little
Church
with
called to fellowship
with
the
Son
(1
Corinthians
1:3-9).
always applies throughout the entire year!
Gospel — Be
watchful!
Be alert!
You doImagine
not know
when
Fourth
Sunday
of Advent:
how
Mary
the time willfelt
come.
13:33-37).
at the(Mark
birth of
Jesus: excited, awed, frightened.
Deep faith was her light in the darkness, for Jesus
was born during the night of the year when darkness
is the longest. In faith is found real, lasting, and deep joy of
Christmas. READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Christmas is a time of love and gift giving...thank you so
Monday:
2:1-5;
Ps 122:1-9;
MtPaul,
8:5-11
much for yourIsgifts
to St.
Vincent de
so that those who
Tuesday:
Is
11:1-10;
Ps
72:1-2,
7-8,
12-13,
17;
do not have clothes or food will be blessed
this Christmas
by
Lk
10:21-24
your generosity.
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Wednesday:
Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37
As we are entering the winter months, we desperately need
Thursday:
Is 26:1-6;
118:1,
8-9,We
19-21,
children's winter
clothesPsand
coats.
had25-27a;
very little left
Mt
7:21,
24-27
from last year. A donation receipt can be provided for your
Friday:
27:1,St.4,Vincent
13-14; Mt
2014 taxes. IsIn29:17-24;
NovemberPsyour
de 9:27-31
Paul fed 98
Saturday:
Is
30:19-21,
23-26;
Ps
147:1-6;
households, which included 99 children, 125 adults, and 9
MtFood
9:35 —
10:1,
5a,higher
6-8 than usual totaling
senior citizens.
costs
were
Sunday:
Is 40:1-5,
9-11; Psof85:9-14;
3:8-14;
$856.89 buying
4,575 pounds
food! 2 Pt
Thanks
to your
generous monetary
donations, we didn't have to turn anyone
Mk 1:1-8
died in Christ on Thursday, December 4, 2014. Carla
was born on April 30, 1959. She was a lifelong resident
of Shreveport. She was employed at Eye Care for
many years. Carla was preceded in death by her father
Eugene Shewmake, Sr. She is survived by her daughter Sarah Ebarb and her son Will Ebarb, and her two
grandchildren Gabe & Kendall. She is also survived by her mother Mary
Powell (of this parish) and her step father Billy Powell. She is also
survived by Robert Ebarb & his mother Betty Ebarb. She was truly loved
and will be missed by many. May her soul and all the souls of the
faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
R.C.I.A.
(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
R.C.I.A. - called “the Heart of the Church”, helps
others come to Jesus Christ through the truth in the fullness of the
Catholic Church. “You are asked to invite anyone” you know that is
interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. You can find us in
the Rectory after the 9 a.m. Mass at 10:10 am. This Sunday our class
is “Mary the Mother of Jesus” by Mary Nash. Next Sunday, Dec.
28th, there is NO MEETING for Christmas Holiday. If you are interested
away that needed food. Other expenses in November in RCIA call the Church office at 318-635-2121 or Sarah McIntyre at 318
were $362.23
utilities
for 6 families,
$100 rent for one -347-0198. Maybe you would like to be a sponsor. All sponsors must
SAINTSforAND
SPECIAL
OBSERVANCES
be active, practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and 16
family, and $30 for gasoline for a family in need.
Sunday:
First Sunday of Advent
Our Thanksgiving food basket drive was a huge years or older.
Monday: World AIDS Awareness Day
success! We gave out 74 Thanksgiving baskets with a turkey
Wednesday: St. Francis Xavier
LIVING CHRIST IN YOUR MARRIAGE
serving 112 children,
adults, and 10 senior citizens with
Thursday:
St. John 107
Damascene
3,700
pounds
of
food.
Do
you
realize
that
we
do
more
(A Day of Adult Formation in Your Marriage Convenant in Christ)
Friday:
First Friday
ThanksgivingSt.
baskets
than large
churches in our area?! The
Saturday:
Nicholas;
First Saturday
turkeys cost $162. We got a huge deal from the Food Bank When: Saturday, February 28, 2015
buying each turkey for $2.50! Thank you SO much for your Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
support of our outreach program for the needy. We couldn't Time: Begins at 9 a.m., concludes with 4 pm Vigil Mass
Registration: $40
do this without your support.
ALSO, MANY THANKS TO YOUTH OF OUR CHURCH
WHO HELP LIFT ALL THOSE TURKEYS AND FOOD
BASKETS
FOR
THE
PEOPLE!
CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART
THANK YOU, BETTY CONNOR, FOR THE BEAUTIFUL
LAP QUILT YOU SO LOVINGLY MADE FOR THE
Christmas! ’Tis the season for kindling the fire of
BENEFIT OF SVDP. IT TRULY WAS A LABOR OF hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart.
LOVE!
SVDP Memorial Book is in the Rectory.
—Washington Irving
ECHOING MARY’S DECISION
Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Statistics for S.H.
Sacred Heart Pledge Goal - $20,500.00
2014 Pledged so far - $20,500.00
Amount paid so far - $17,785.00
We are at 87% of Pledge Paid (As of 12/11/14)
We are at 100% of Goal Pledged (As of 12/11/14)
Thank you Michael Roy for heading our Stewardship Drive.
We have met our pledge of $20,500.
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — I will fix a place for my people.
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16).
Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
(Psalm 89).
Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Jesus
Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27).
Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it
be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38).
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56
Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14;
Lk 1:57-66
Wed:
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29;
Lk 1:67-79
Thurs:
Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29;
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25]
Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14;
Lk 2:1-14
Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12;
Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20
Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6;
Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]
Friday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab,
16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22
Saturday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5
or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or
Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday:
Fourth Sunday of Advent; Winter begins
Tuesday: St. John of Kanty
Wednesday: The Vigil of Christmas
Thursday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Friday:
St. Stephen; First Day of Kwanzaa
Saturday: St. John
CONTINUAL CHRISTMAS
A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
—Benjamin Franklin
The angel Gabriel today confronts Mary with a mystery.
The mystery of salvation in Christ is not a mystery that is
solved, but a reality beyond our comprehension that we
must choose to enter into. In the liturgy of the Eastern
Church, everyone waits to see if Mary will enter into the
mystery: God waits, Adam and Eve and all the souls of the
dead who long for paradise wait, angels wait for new
heavenly companions. And there is much rejoicing when
her decision is “yes.”
We have less dramatic choices offered to us, but the
mystery of our salvation in Christ is by no means “solved.”
We may understand it a bit better due to Mary’s “yes.” We
may be a bit closer to it through the passion, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. But it still remains a mystery to
which we all must give our own “yes.” Soon we will be
singing “O come, let us adore him.” May our Advent
prayer, our echo of Mary’s “yes,” continue then, so we may
enter into the mystery of our salvation in Jesus Christ, God
among us. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
By the year 800, when anointing was defined as
the proper office of priests, very complicated rituals
began to take shape. Perhaps this was to reassure the
laity, who had memories of an earlier practice, that
the new way was not only better, but impossible for a
layperson to conduct. Blessings and sprinkling of
holy water, the singing of as many as seven psalms,
penance, anointing of all the senses, viaticum, all
capped off by the clothing of the sick person in penitential garments, were part of the rite. This proved
unwieldy, and creative spirits got to work. By the
1500s people made distinctions between visiting the
sick, anointing, and viaticum.
The attempt of the Church to be faithful to the
image of a healing Christ has some complicated
history, including centuries when the celebration was
rare. Most sick people had no access to the rites at all;
only monastics or the well‑off had much hope of this
care. Today, those unhappy days are long behind us,
and the care of the sick is an essential task in every
parish’s life. As Christmas approaches almost
everyone comes in contact with someone who is a
candidate for pastoral care. You live out the best of
our tradition when you arrange for a sick person to
receive Holy Communion or the sacrament of the sick
and the consolation of regular contact with the faith
community.
—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.