St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin
November 30, 1997

First Sunday of Advent

"The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah" (Jer 33:14). With these words from Holy Scripture we open the season of Advent, a time of joy and wide-eyed excitement that the Lord is coming into our lives right now to fulfill his promise: righteousness, justice, security, strength. It's already here -- but not yet!
Because Jesus came in history, will come in glory, and is now coming in Word and Sacrament, these gifts are already among us; as Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is in your midst" and "the kingdom of God is already within you."
Yet, because of our human condition that tends toward sinfulness, these gifts are not yet here. We have to work at accessing them into our everyday existence.
This is why Jesus in the Gospel this weekend counsels us: "Be on guard. ... Be on watch. ... Pray constantly for the strength ... to stand secure before the Son of Man."
This is why St. Paul says to us in the second reading: "May the Lord increase you and make you overflow with love for one another and for all. ... May he strengthen your hearts. ... We beg and exhort you ... to conduct yourselves in a way pleasing to God."
The Word of God this weekend truly puts us in touch with the tension of spiritual growth. On the one hand, "men will see the Son of Man coming" with his power and his grace and his mercy; rejoice, people of St. Anthony's, in hope and eagerness -- God is really here in our lives, in our parish, in our neighborhood!
On the other hand, don't forget to change what is necessary for opening your minds and hearts to this presence. As the responsorial psalm says, "All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees."
What is this covenant? What are these decrees? In a word, make your daily behavior the behavior of Jesus in regards to prayer and worship, respect and compassion, morals and social justice.
Advent, then, will truly be a celebration of God coming to you.
--Father Benet OFM

Thank You

to the planners and participants of our All-Parish Meeting last Sunday. We eagerly look forward to implementing the objectives and strategies.

Offering

Envelopes $3,838.00
Loose Collection 552.06
Children's Envelopes 8.00
TOTAL: $4,398.06
Campaign for Human Development: $1,128.35
COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET:

This Week Cumulative
(11/23/97): (Week #21):
$5,453.06 $114,523.29
$4,398.06 $95,264.35
-1,055.00 -19,258.94
"Now, my brothers and sisters, you must learn to conduct yourselves in a way pleasing to God" (1 Thes 4:2). As we prepare our hearts for Jesus, we must ask ourselves: How are we living out our call to stewardship? Although at times, it may seem to be an uphill struggle, there is a great joy and peace that comes from a life of sharing our God-given gifts.

DID YOU KNOW???

A Brief Look at the History of Advent (Part 4)
An accident of history contributed to the final development of the season of Advent as we know it today. For years some outlying churches in the Frankish territory of Gaul had begun to use liturgical books from Rome. These had probably traveled northward across the Alps with monks and pilgrims impressed with the way things were done in Rome. ...
In the 10th century, the church in Rome suffered a serious decline and a period of chaos because of abuses in leadership. Clergy and people lost interest in the liturgical life of the church. Only the new Cluniac monasteries were able to keep alive a religious spirit associated with the church's worship. Eventually, at the end of the 10th century under orders from the Roman emperors Otto I, II, and III, the church of Rome began to reform its weakened liturgical practices by borrowing liturgical books from monastic centers up north. More next week. Greg Dues. Catholic Traditions and Teachings.
--compiled by Brother Richard OFM

Marriage Encounter
Advent means "waiting." Waiting implies preparation. Prepare yourselves for the coming of the Lord Jesus by enriching your marriage and fulfilling your dreams through a Marriage Encounter. Call 469-7371 to register for upcoming weekends.

Parish News
COME JOIN US FOR ADVENT! Please make time in your busy schedule for participating in our special parish Advent events:
1. Stay for a few minutes after the 8:00am Mass for the Jesse Tree ceremonies every day.
2. Come to church on Thursday at 6:00pm for Advent Evening Prayer (escort from Chariton available).
3. Call Tom Moran at 353-4791 if you or your family would like to light the Advent Wreath at a Sunday Mass.
4. Reserve at least one of the evenings of Dec. 18, 19, 22, or 23 at 7:00pm for an Advent Home Mass.
LADIES' SODALITY Installation of Officers and Christmas Party will take place this Friday, December 5, with Mass in church at 5:30pm.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: In December the Grief Support Group will meet as follows:
The morning group meets on Tuesday, December 9, at 10:30am in the West Meeting Room.
The evening group meets on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:30pm in the friary. For information call Kate or Barb at 353-7470.
PARISH VOLUNTEER NETWORK: To obtain, track, and call on volunteer help in our parish, we have established the "Parish Volunteer Network" coordinated by Rosemary Beheiter and Alberta Stackle. If your organization or group needs volunteers for a project or if a parishioner has a need for a special service, the network will find what you need. Just call Rosemary at 846-3220 and leave a message or get in touch with Alberta (832-2767).
CHRISTMAS CARDS: Call Betty Harre at 352-4582 for Christmas cards of St. Anthony's Christmas window; a limited supply is available.
CHRISTMAS BASKETS: Requests for Christmas Baskets will be taken from December 1 to December 12 by Sharon Kitchell (773-3863). The baskets can be picked up in the Meramec Cafeteria on Saturday, December 20.
DON'T THROW IT AWAY! Your leftover crafts, sewing supplies, and never-finished projects can help our choir raise money for our parish and for choir supplies. For more information call Dorothy at 776-1412.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Your December envelopes include one for Christmas floral decorations. Please fill it as generously as you can and return it with your other envelopes.
If you do not have a church envelopes, place a plain envelopes in the collection basket with your name, address, and "in memory of" on it.
Single poinsettias average $10.00; some pots will be multiples. The large flower arrangements are $50.00 each. All other donations will be used for trees and other decorations.
A memorial listing will be displayed prominently in the church and will be published as a bulletin insert after Christmas.

- Border #b6

NEWS ABOUT PARISHIONERS

CONGRATULATIONS to the five children baptized on
November 21, 1997: Andrew Peter and Daniel Joseph Wildridge, sons of Bruce and Pam; and Dylan Conrad, Tyler Steven, and Benjamin Adam Tinker, sons of John and Jeanine.
RESTING IN PEACE: Eleanora Bovier, 84, buried
November 26, 1997.
SANCTUARY LAMPS: One sanctuary lamp is lit
this week in prayerful remembrance of Leo and Pearl Barthel, and the other in memory of Eldridge and Gertrude Artz, both at the request of Joan Barthel.
FLORAL MEMORIALS: The flowers for Christ the
King were given as a memorial for the beloved deceased of the Mount Family and of the Eagle Family.
MEMORIAL REQUESTED: A prayerful remembrance
in flowers is requested for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
QUILT WINNER: M. Clever
REGULAR RIDE NEEDED: A parishioner needs a
ride to work Monday through Friday from Grand and Meramec to Lucas-&-Hunt and West Florissant. Hours of work are from 7:30am to 4:00pm; call Tom at 352-9415 (home) or 595-8290 (work).

QUINCY UNIVERSITY

Quincy University, a Catholic, Franciscan- influenced, liberal arts university in Quincy, Illinois, will be hosting two free receptions for prospective students and their families: Monday, December 15, 6:30-8:00pm, at the Cheshire Inn; and Tuesday, December 16, 6:30pm, at the Holiday Inn in Collinsville. More information? Call 1-800-688-4295.

WORLD AIDS AWARENESS DAY

Monday, December 1, is World AIDS Day, a time to reflect upon the AIDS crisis, to pray for the AIDS victims and their families, and to heighten our own awareness and efforts in the face of this epidemic. Three events in the St. Louis area will commemorate this World AIDS Day:
1. We are displaying in our church this weekend some panels from the AIDS Quilt to prompt your prayerful remembrance of all those who are living with or have died from this disease, to remind you that every human being is somehow touched by AIDS, and to call forth your caring and compassion.
2. The "Rock" HIV/AIDS Ministry will sponsor its 2nd annual World AIDS Day Prayer Service on Sunday, November 30 at 4:00pm in St. Alphonsus "Rock" Church, featuring saxophonist Vondell Henderson.
3. The AIDS Interfaith Network of Saint Louis is sponsoring "A Celebration of Life" on Monday, December 1, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Congregation Temple Israel (Ladue Road at Spoede).

WOMEN ARTISTS' ALERT!

On April 19, 1998, the Archdiocesan Committee on Women in the Church will be honoring twelve women for their outstanding contributions to the Archdiocese. In preparation for this celebration, we are seeking artwork to illustrate the award, the brochure, and for stationery. This art project is open to all women of the Archdiocese (high school, college, and beyond and all submitted artwork will be displayed at the Awards Celebration. The deadline is November 30, 1997 (art will be accepted after this date for the display only). For more information and specifications, please contact Mary Jo at 227-7445.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Have a Catholic foreign exchange student in your home this next semester. Call 1-800-848-2121, ext. 12, for details.

Socials

1. 8TH ANNUAL BENEFIT POKER TOURNAMENT for St. Mary's High School, Friday, December 5, beginning at 6:30pm, sponsored by St. Mary's Fathers' Club; call 845-6000 for details and reservations.
2. 4TH ANNUAL WURSTMARKT of St. Stephen of Hungary Parish at St. Mary of Victories Church (Third and Gratiot Streets), Sunday, December 7, from noon to 5:00pm; homemade sausage, sauerkraut, dumplings, etc.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday, December 1, Advent Weekday
6:30 John C. Wortmann
8:00 Kenneth Wild
Tuesday, December 2, Advent Weekday
6:30 Leo F. Schwald
8:00 Helen & Herman Hartlieb
Wednesday, December 3, St. Francis Xavier
6:30 Dorothy Paulis
8:00 William Losermann
Thursday, December 4, Advent Weekday
6:30 Charles Ruth
8:00 Anthony Frischer
Friday, December 5, Advent Weekday
6:30 Eleanor Behnen
8:00 James W. Breedan
10:30 Catherine Jacko
Saturday, December 6, St. Nicholas
6:30 Loretta Schueck
8:00 Ann Lansing
Sunday, December 7, SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
4:30 (Saturday) Violet Yaeger
6:00 For the Parishioners
8:00 Henri Bouchard
10:30 Loretta Schueck

Liturgical Assistants

Week of December 1-7

LECTORS:
6:30 Weekdays, Dec. 1-6: Georgia Berry
8:00 Weekdays, Dec. 1-6: Sr. Virginia
Sunday, December 6-7
4:30 Matt Halbauer, Philipa Krueger
6:00 Ken Dames
8:00 Doris Eagan, Gene Rombach
10:30 Family Mass
6:30 Weekdays, Dec. 9-13: Alberta Stackle
8:00 Weekdays, Dec. 9-13: Joe Sestric
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
4:30 Hosts: Robert Donahue, Jackie Kappler
Cups: Ed & Wanda Meyer, Tony Minnick, Arch Rutherford
6:00 Rich Steger
8:00 Hosts: Sue & Valerie Geldmacher
Cups: Doris & Bill Kamper, Mike Mount, Dave Bergfeld
10:30 Hosts: Pat Penrose, Janice Leight
Cups: Theresa Mayer, Brenda Boyer, Gloria & Steve Derickson, Jerry & Phyllis Forchee

This Coming Week

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:00 a.m. - Ladies' Sodality Mass
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
6:00 p.m. - Ladies' Sodality Commissioners' Party
6:30 p.m. - Building Commission (L)
7:30 p.m. - Prayer Group (E)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
6:30 p.m. - Bingo (L)
7:30 p.m. - Al-Alon Meeting (F)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
10am - 4pm - Franciscan Mothers' Party (L)
7:00 p.m. - Pastoral Council Meeting (F)
7:00 p.m. - Finance Council Meeting (F)
7:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting (F)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
All Day: Christmas Basket Preparation (M)
6:00 p.m. - ADVENT PARISH EVENING PRAYER
7:00 p.m. - ADVENT HOME MASS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
All Day: Christmas Basket Preparation (M)
9:00 a.m. - Exercise (L)
3:00 p.m. - Holy Hour (Ch)
7:00 p.m. - ADVENT HOME MASS
8:00 p.m. - Men's Club (L)
8:00 p.m. - AA Meeting (F)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20
All Day: Christmas Basket Distribution (M)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
9:00 a.m. - Mass at Chariton Apartments
Coffee and Donuts after 10:30 Mass

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St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin November 30, 1997