Holy Spirit Parish Update

WELCOME Visitors and Newcomers - We welcome you to Church of the Holy Spirit. New parishioners are encouraged to join by completing a family registration form located in our welcome center in the vestibule of the church or on our web-site at the address below, and returning it to the parish, through the collection basket or to the Church Office.

http://www.holy-spirit-church.com/welcome_to_holy_spirit.htm

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Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday, December 8^th

This is a Holy Day of Obligation

Masses: 8:10am and 6:30pm

Vigil Mass: 6:30pm, Monday, Dec 7th

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"NAME TAG WEEKEND December 12 & 13"

December 12 & 13 is "Name Tag Weekend". Every member of Holy Spirit parish is invited to wear a name tag at the Saturday vigil Mass and the Sunday Mass on the SECOND weekend of every month. Many of us have name tags from work or school. Wear that one. If you don't have one, then make one. Make sure all of the children make one for themselves too. This will help us know each other and will help us welcome newcomers. Loving your neighbor starts with knowing their name. Wear a name tag and be a great neighbor.

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Parish Penance Service

Thursday, December 17^th, 6:30pm

There will be 5 priests available for Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation - Penance:

This sacrament involves sincere sorrow for violating one’s intimate friendship with God, and desire to be reconciled with God and the faith community. Confession of sins is made to an ordained priest, who grants absolution (assurance of God’s forgiveness). The penitent must then make satisfaction for his or her sins (such as through prayer, an offering, works of mercy or patient acceptance of a burden).

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This Week at Holy Spirit

Thursday	Dec 03	6:30pm	“Be A Friend” Cancer Support Meeting	CR
Friday	Dec 04	9:00am	Home School Group	PH
Saturday	Dec 05	8:00am	Serra Club Meeting	CR
Saturday	Dec 05	9:00am	Breakfast with Santa	PH
Saturday	Dec 05	7:30pm	Korean Mass	Ch
Sunday	Dec 06	11:00am Mass	Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sunday	Dec 06	1:00pm	Deanery Wide Life Teen Event	PH
Monday	Dec 07	7:00pm	Men’s Club Meeting	PH
Monday	Dec 07	6:30pm	Vigil Mass - Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation
Tuesday	Dec 8	8:10am & 6:30pm	Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation
Thursday	Dec 10	7:00pm	Pastoral & Finance Council Meeting	PH
Saturday	Dec 12	9:00am	Angel Tree Sort and Pack	PH
Sat-Sun	Dec 12&13	All Masses	Name Tag Sunday
Thursday	Dec 17	6:30pm	Parish Penance Service	Ch

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Faith Formation for Children Calendar:

Sunday, December 6	Faith Formation Classes	9:25 to 10:35 at MCPS
	First Reconciliation Class	Church 9:25 to 10:35 AM
Sunday, December 13	Faith Formation Classes	9:25 to 10:35 at MCPS
	Confirmation Class #4	Conference Room 3:30 PM
	Presentation of Candidates	LIFETEEN Mass 5:30 PM
Thursday, Dec. 17	Parish Penance Service	Church 6:30 PM
Sunday, December 20	Faith Formation Class	MCPS 9:25 to 10:35 AM
Sunday, December 27	NO FAITH FORMATION CLASS
Sunday, January 3	NO FAITH FORMATION CLASS
Sunday, January 10	Faith Formation Classes	9:25 to 10:35 at MCPS
	Confirmation Class	Conference Room 3:30 PM

Faith Formation for Adults Calendar

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Youth Ministry

TEENS: Just a reminder that if you are in grades 7-12, we have so much going on!

LIFETEEN (Grades 9-12)

LIFE TEEN is for our high school teens with meetings on Sunday nights after our LIFE TEEN Mass. We also have retreats, conventions, and other great experiences.

Ski Trip Deposit is due by Monday, Nov 30th

Coming Up:

- Saturday, Dec. 5

Breakfast with Santa

(Set up Fri Dec 4 6-8pm, Work Sat Dec 5 8am-12pm)

- Sunday, Dec. 6

Deanery Wide Event – 1:00-6:00

- Saturday, Dec. 13

Christmas Party

Edge (Grades 7 & 8)

“The EDGE” is for our middle school youth group. We have an EDGE night on the 1st Wednesday night every month and other functions including mass together.

Coming Up:

- Saturday, Dec. 5

Breakfast with Santa

(Set up Fri Dec 4 6-8pm, Work Sat Dec 5 8am-12pm)

- Friday, Dec. 18

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights - $ due now

If you haven’t made it to any of our youth group functions for LIFE TEEN or The EDGE-Give it a try!

If you have graduated from high school but are not quite married with kids and would like to be involved in bible studies, activities, conferences, and other events specifically for you, please contact Denise Katz at youthminister@holy-spirit-church.com.

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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

This Saturday, DEC. 5TH

9:00 - 11:00am in the Parish Hall

- Wear your favorite Christmas Pajamas

- Play in Santa's Bouncy Palace

- Donuts and Juice

- Shop for family in Santa's Secret Shop

- Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa and the elves!

All ages welcome but party is geared to younger ages.

Don't forget to bring money for shopping in Santa's Secret Shop,
no more than $5.00.

Grades 6 and above needed as helpers.
Call Evelyn at 277-1989.

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SENIOR SPIRITS

December 7, 2009; 11:15-11:30; Sommers Place at Sturbridge Shopping Center. We’ll order from the menu and everyone will pay for his or her own meal. Please contact Jane or Nancy Goins @ 272-1810 or email bjgoins@bellsouth.net We look forward to hearing from a lot of people.

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St. Paula’s Pals

St. Paula’s Pals will have a Christmas Luncheon on
Wednesday December 9th at 11:30am at Garrets Restaurant.

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Be An Angel

We’re wrapping up our Angel Tree program.

Thanks so much for your support so far.

· Please return all food and presents to the gallery before Friday Dec. 11th.

· We will sort and pack all day Saturday, Dec. 12^th, 9:00am. (Please sign up)

· Caravan to Catholic Social Services on Monday morning, Dec. 14^th, 9:00am. (Please sign up)

Thanks to all who have helped us help make Christmas brighter for those in our community. If you have any questions, please call Rae Reilly at 279-9403.

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Come Join Us…..

Putting out the Trees!

Tuesday December 15^th, 5:30pm in the Church

We could use a few good strong men!

Decking the Halls and Tree Trimming!

Monday December 21^st, 9:30am in the Church

All hands on deck to make our Church Beautiful!

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O come let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord

†

December Vigil of

Reparation and Adoration

In honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

through the Immaculate Heart of Mary

First Friday December 4, 2009

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary at 8:30 p.m.

Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 9:00 p.m.

Followed by all night Eucharistic Adoration

First Saturday December 5, 2009

Benediction at 8:45 a.m.

Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 9:00 a.m.

Followed by the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

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Retirement Fund for Religious

Retirement Fund helps senior religious. “As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement Fund,” notes a woman religious. Your tax-deductible donation supports the care of elderly and frail religious and helps to provide such basic necessities as prescription drugs and medical services. Please give generously to next week’s second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. http://www.retiredreligious.org
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PRAYER LINE MINISTRY

There are may needs and concerns. Let us pray for one another. If you would like to be a part of the Prayer Line Ministry or place someone on our prayer line, please call Helen Frey 277-8609 or Maureen Moore 279-5848.

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK

If you are ill and would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick and/or the Eucharist, please contact the parish office to make arrangements. Please contact the parish office prior to hospitalization, surgery or during illness.

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Share the Word Bible Study

Tuesday Mornings, 8:45am

Conference Room

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Influential Southern Catholics

Join us at St. Bede’s Parish Hall on Sunday December 6th at 6:30pm as we continue our series on Influential Southern Catholics. We will look at the Georgia Martyrs, five Franciscan missionaries who gave their lives for the faith of the Church and Christ. Refreshments will be served. Contact Tom Riello (334) 221-4575 if you have any questions.

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SUNDAY NURSERY

The Sunday nursery is available during the 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. Masses each Sunday for children walking to age 3. Families who use the nursery are asked to volunteer to help in the nursery one Sunday every 8 weeks.

The Archdiocese requires all adults who have direct contact with minors to complete the Child Protection class prior to volunteering. Child Protection classes are offered the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.

Please see the nursery workers following Mass for additional information and our information sheet.

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Be A Friend Ministry

CANCER

Have you or someone you know been recently diagnosed? Be A Friend Ministry is here to assist you. We will help during this time of need, with prayers, meals, taking you to appointments, or just talking. Just give us a call! Louise - 279-6593

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Wanted: Used Baby Bottles

We are collecting Baby Bottles for a fundraiser for C.O.P.E.

If you have any old bottles and would like to donate them,

Please bring them by the Church Office.

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Christmas Trees are HERE!

The Knights of Columbus, Holy Spirit Council 12150

is selling gorgeous, premium, 6' to 12' Fraser Firs

Prices range from $60 to $140

At the church entrance.
December 5-6 and 12-13

9:00am - 7:00pm

Profits go to support charities for children.
For more information call
David Kelly, 850-3934 or
Rick Regaller 273-7969

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Montgomery Area Perpetual Adoration Chapel

There are still hours that need adorers at our 24 hour - 7 day’s a week Adoration Chapel located on the campus of Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic Church. If you can help, please call Priscilla Berry at 293-7019 or Joan Lynch at 288-6620.

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Liturgical Ministers Schedule

is published on-line for your convenience at

Click Here

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SEASON SIGN UP

All Ministers of Holy Communion, Proclaimers, Ushers, and Altar Server. We have a sign up board in the Vestibule for you to let us know when you are available from Saturday, December 19th through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 10th.

Our fellow Parishioners are counting on you to make this Most Holy Season of Christmas special for all of them. This cannot be done unless you volunteer more than once during this period.

Stop by after Mass and sign up this weekend so that a schedule may be printed and sent to everyone and be ready for the bulletin.

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Lighting the Parish Advent Wreath

A sign up sheet is up for those who would like to have your family light the Parish Advent Wreath at the beginning of any of the Masses Advent.

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Need an Advent Wreath or Candle for your home?

The Gift Shop, in the Library, and the church office have Advent Wreath sets and Candles for sale.

Advent Wreath set (includes candles): $10

Set of 4 candles only: $2.50

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Pro-Life Rosary at Beacon Clinic

on Monticello Court.

Join us praying the rosary

every Tuesday 8:15am - 10:15am

& Thursday 10:15am - 1pm.

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RETIREMENT LIVING

Are you 62 years of age or older? Or mobility impaired?

Are you trying to make ends meet on a limited income?

Do you enjoy a quiet environment, like people, activities

and good food? Then check out

SETON HAVEN

and enjoy retirement for a lifetime!

Located at 3721 Wares Ferry Road, Montgomery, AL, we are a 100 unit apartment community offering safety, comfort and affordable living. All units are one-bedroom, with a full kitchen, separate living room with a dining area, and a separate bathroom. All residents must be physically and mentally capable of caring for themselves or otherwise providing for their own care. We are not an assisted living facility. We have monthly activities, pot luck meals and serve a hot lunch five days a week.

Check out the best kept secret in town.

Please call 272-4000, to make an appointment.

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Baby Jesus needs a bed,

He has no place to lay his head...

For Christmas this year consider donating a crib (new or used) to C.O.P.E. (Crisis Outreach Pregnancy Emergency, 2158 Madison Ave.,
(834-2673) For more info. call John 538-2913 or Sue 270-9947

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A Pilgrimage to Catholic France

In celebration of the Year of the Priest, join Father Patrick Driscoll on a special pilgrimage tour of several famous French Catholic sites including Lourdes, Paris, Lisieux (St. Therese), Nevers (St. Bernadette), Ars (St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests), Paray-le-Monial (St. Margaret-Mary), La Salette, Turin, and Oropa. The cost is $3,299.00 for double occupancy, from Atlanta Airport, and includes airport tax. The dates are Monday, May 24 to Friday, June 4, 2010. The pilgrimage coordinator is Marc Karam, (334) 727-8991. The travel agency is Laura Massoni Travel, (858) 201-6424.

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LIGHT UP A LIFE CHRISTMAS TREE

St. Margaret’s, a service of Catholic Social Services, is sponsoring the “Light Up A Life” Christmas Tree Lighting again this year. Funds raised will benefit programs for the frail elderly sponsored by St. Margaret’s Services. The community holiday tree is located outside on the front lawn of St. Bede Church on Atlanta Highway so everyone can share its beauty and meaning.

A light can be purchased in honor or remembrance of someone special for a donation. To know that each light is purchased for a loved one makes this tree truly special.

Contribution Envelopes are available in the vestibule.

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Enjoy Fall with a fresh batch of Camp Stew

On sale in the Church Office

$6.50 each Qt.

Proceeds go to the Civitan Club Charities

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Pastor’s Corner

Advent: A time for coming near

Advent which is derived from a Latin word which means “a coming toward (or near),” focuses the church’s attention on the three comings of Christ:

(1) in the past at his birth at Bethlehem,

(2) in the present, especially in his presence in the community gathered for the Eucharist and in the sacrament itself, and

(3) at his Second Coming.

We need no special reminder during Advent of the feast that celebrates the Lord’s initial coming at Bethlehem. We are given ample advance notice of the approach of Christmas in commercial advertising, which used to begin in earnest after Thanksgiving but now begins after Halloween, in seasonal music on the radio and television, and in the multiple lights and decorations that appear on our houses and streets, and in malls and department stores.

We do believe in the Second Coming as well as Christmas, but only notionally, that is, as an idea that has little or no meaningful connection with our everyday experience.

It is the coming of Christ in the present that is the most spiritually engaging of the three comings we celebrate in Advent.

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy pointed out that, when Catholics gather for the Eucharist, Christ is present in the worshiping community itself, in the Word that is proclaimed, in the persons of the various ministers, and uniquely in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Christ also comes to us in the present even apart from the Eucharist, through what this column once referred to as “the stable door of ordinary human experience.”

Advent is a time, therefore, for redirecting our sense of expectation of the Lord’s three comings away from “out there” to “right here.”

We are reminded of this in the series of classic questions posed to the Lord in the parable of the sheep and the goats, “When did we see you hungry and feed you…?” (Matthew 25:37).

But Advent also reminds us that we are “coming toward” a richer and fuller future, when Christ will come again to make all things new. Seen from a different angle, there is also a “coming toward” on God’s part, which is why our most fitting Advent attitude is one of hopeful expectation.

“The message of Advent,” this column previously declared, “is that the blessings of the Kingdom will ‘come toward’ us only to the extent that we ‘come toward’ those most in need of our love and support.”

For this reason the primary spiritual challenge of the Advent season is to redirect our sense of expectation, particularly of Christ’s Second Coming, from “out there” to “right here,” in our ordinary daily experience when and where we encounter the neighbor or community of neighbors in need.

It is a lesson to be learned in Advent this year and every year, when the church bids us to begin anew along the path of Christian discipleship.

2009 Richard P. McBrien. Fr. McBrien is the Crowley-O’Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.

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Minimum Pledge Goal:	$3,000,000
Pledges as of Dec 2:	$3,014,277
Payments Received:	$614,970

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