What is our responsibility to these poor and vulnerable? As a matter of charity, we can share. In justice, we can write and/or call those who have the power to make change. These are our brothers and sisters.
Luke tells us in one of the Christmas Gospels… that “there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn.”
(Luke 2) During the weeks of Advent we can reflect on this dynamic and ask who and what we “welcome” and “what we have no room for” in our inner souls and in our outer worlds. Do we dare look more closely? Those things we make room for tell something about our values and priorities. As innkeepers, we are accustomed to welcome the wants and needs of our relatives and friends, but what about the poor, the lonely, the hungry, the grieving, the ill, those we don’t know well but for whom we can take time to make room in our lives? What about the person who needs a ride to the doctor or would have you pick up something for them at the grocery store? These are the things that will make room in your heart for Jesus when Christmas arrives and they won’t have cost you a penny… just time and a kind thought.
One ‘Ohana Gathering
One ‘Ohana is today (Sunday) December 6th. It will begin with lunch at noon just like the last time. We will again have lunch, prayer, age-related activities and shar ing. The theme is great for the Advent/Christmas Seasons. This is the season when those with means will spend and rejoice. Those without money and support usu ally suffer even more. Come and find out how we can reach out to others, using our time and talent.
Confirmation Class News
The First-Year Confirmation Class will be attending a Retreat on Saturday, December 19th in Kamiano Hall. (The exact times will be noted in next week’s bulletin.) Breakfast and lunch will be served. We ask you to please pray for the students during their time of reflection.
Advent Evening Prayer
We will again have the Liturgy of the Hours / Evening Prayer on the Wednesdays of Advent at St. Michael’s, on December 9th at 5:30pm, followed by a simple meal. Please join us as we prepare for Jesus’ coming.
One Catholic Ohana Goes Global
Please help celebrate Christmas Mass with those who live in the dump at Payatas, Philippines. Anyone who can give a monetary donation, can do so the next three weekends: Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. Put any cash in an envelope marked “Mass at the Dump” or checks payable to St. Michael’s Church, with a note on the memo line “Mass at the Dump.” Thank you for your generosity.
How to Subscribe to Email Updates
St. Michael’s Parish as part of the North Kona Catholic Community (NKCC) is doing its part to help save the environment and save money. We are giving you the option of delivering the bulletin online via our website and/or via email. If you would like to receive an e-version, please go to http://onecatholicohana.org/get-email-updates.html.
Once you have signed up, please remember to look in your junk-email folder for your confirmation email in the event that it might have been filtered there. Also, please add This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in your address book to prevent future emails from NKCC from being filtered.
Again – Please Note New Website and Email Address:
website – www.onecatholicohana.org
email address – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bulletin Advertisers!
If you currently have an active advertisement in the bulletin and wish to advertise in the new website, email your advertisement to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We require that your ad be 468 x 120 pixel, jpg. Your ad will appear randomly at the footer of the page with a link to your website, if applicable, so don’t forget to also include your site address in your email submission. Thank you!
Next Infant Baptism Session
The next Baptism session will be Dec. 20th (instead of January). Baptisms will be held the following weekend of Dec. 26th-27th. This session is for parents and godparents who plan to have their child baptized.
- Mass First: Attend the 11am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 20th at St. Michael’s. Please arrive no later than 10:45am so you can sit in the front row. Parents and child will be presented to the faith community, then your child will be anointed with the Oil of Catechumens. You cannot miss this part of the Baptism ceremony. If you miss the Mass and the anointing, you must wait until the next session to have your child baptized.
- Class After Mass: The Baptism Class takes place immediately following the 11am Mass, at approximately 12:15pm. All paperwork must be turned in to the parish office no later than Thursday, Dec. 17th. This includes the Baptism Form and a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate. Call the parish office to request a Baptism form.
Eucharistic Ministers Sign-up
Attention all Eucharistic Ministers! Please sign-up for Christmas Masses – sign-up sheets are posted in the kitchen. No one has signed up for the midnight Mass! The last day to sign up is Sunday, December 13th.
Saturday Evening Mass – Please Note
The Saturday Mass on December 12th will be held at 4pm (instead of 5pm) on that day only. The Christmas Parade will take place that evening from 5-7:30pm and Alii Drive will be closed.
Help Us Clean God’s House
We clean our house in preparation for Christmas, help us clean God’s house on Saturday, Dec. 19th at 9am. We will be cleaning the chairs in the tent to remove the grime and dust. Bring: cleanser, scrub pads, liquid soap, and clean cloths to dry off the chairs. Thank you!
Christmas Quilt Winner!
Sally of Lake Havasu City, Arizona won the beautiful Christmas Quilt that was raffled off by the “Holy Kapa” Quilting Group at their recent Christmas Bazaar. She had bought her ticket just two hours prior to the announcement of the winner. Congratulations, Sally!
Holiday Office Closures
Please note that the parish office will be closed for the holidays on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24th and 25th, and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 31st and January 1st.
Movie Night on the Lawn: The Nativity Story
It was the cruelest of times. Under Herod’s torturous reign, families struggled to survive and yet, in the midst of utter turmoil, a young woman’s faith was put to the test. Join Mary and Joseph on an incredible journey of hope and discovery. Epic in its scope, yet intimate in its portrayal of this historical family. Date: Friday, Dec. 11 at 7pm / Site: St. Michael’s Church grounds, Alii Drive
Please bring a canned good or dry food item
for our Food Pantry – Mahalo!
Best Kept Secret
North Kona Catholic Community has a Bereavement Ministry. At any time but certainly at this time of year when families gather to give thanks and to anticipate then praise the arrival of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it may bring sadness in the remembrance of loves ones who have departed our mortal world. I’ve answered the call to be your bereavement minister and continue to be available to meet and listen with anyone wishing to seek solace. I am consistently supported by those with whom I’ve ministered in their appreciation of our time spent and how it helps in my own understanding of loss in the greater scheme of God’s plan for us. If you are one who is suffering over the loss of someone dear, please do yourself the favor of contacting me for an appointment. The only down side is that you spend less than an hour in exploring your feelings with someone who is in the same place. I’m available for you most any day. Steve Lopez: 938-8949.
Success Seminar
The University of the Nations presents a free “Success Seminar” on Wednesday, Dec. 9th from 8-9:30am, at the University of the Nations campus located at 75-5851 Kuakini Highway. The speaker is Dr. Harold Finch, author of “The Three Keys That Open the Door to Great Success.” For more information, contact Andy Huddleston: 896-2515 or Dave Bateman: (360) 280-8400.
Saint Juan Diego
How well Mary’s own words describe Juan Diego: “God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” (Luke 1:52?) Through him, for the diverse peoples of the Americas, indigenous and immigrant, the Mother of God became known as their Mother, too. Cauahtlatzin, his given name, means “One Who Speaks Like an Eagle,” and Juan Diego faithfully delivered the Virgin’s request that a church be built at Tepeyac where she had appeared to him. To the skeptical bishop’s request for a sign, Our Lady showed Juan Diego roses blooming through stony ground, despite winter’s cold. When he unfolded his tilma to present them to the bishop, imprinted there was Mary’s image! Her blue sash and the flower over the womb were traditional Aztec symbols of pregnancy and new life. But her features were those of a mestiza, indicating mixed Aztec-European heritage. Thus to people too easily prone to a “clash of cultures,” Our Lady of Guadalupe remains the enduring icon of unity-in-diversity, the fruit of our one baptism into Jesus, her Son. - Peter Scagnelli, © Copyright, J.S. Paluch Co.
Holiday Schedule
Dec. 8th (Feast of the Immaculate Conception):
- Masses at St. Michael’s – 7am / 12noon / 6pm
- Mass at Immaculate Conception – 6pm
Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve):
- Masses at St. Michael’s – 6pm / 8pm / 12midnight
- Mass at St. Paul’s – 8pm
Dec. 25th (Christmas Day):
- Masses at St. Michael’s – 9am / 11am
- Mass at Immaculate Conception – 8am
- Mass at Holy Rosary – 10am
* Simbang Gabi Masses at St. Michael’s Dec. 16th—24th; Las Posadas processions at St. Paul’s Dec. 16th—24th
Youth News
- The One Catholic Ohana Youth Group will not meet this weekend. Instead we will be meeting on Sunday, Dec. 6th from 12noon to 3:30pm for the next One ‘Ohana gathering at St. Michael’s.
- Dec. 13th marks the last Youth Group gather ing for the year 2009. Meetings resume on Sunday, Jan. 17th, 2010.
- Middle School Youth Group will continue to meet regularly at 6pm on Monday evenings at Immaculate Conception Hall.
- Check out what we’re up to by searching for One Catholic Ohana Youth Group on Facebook.
Heritage Books Available at the Gift Shop
nkcc_book1
Stop by to pick up your copy as a keepsake or a Christmas gift! St. Michael’s Church will soon be demolished, and proceeds from the book sales will go toward our Building Fund. Cost = $20 each; mail orders = $22.50 each.
Reviews: www.hawaii247.org;
About St. Michael's Heritage Committee
Stewardship Report: Week of Nov. 28th-29th
|
|
# of Attendees |
Total Contributions |
|
St. Michael’s |
|
|
|
Saturday 5pm |
188 |
$1,039.00 |
|
Sunday 7am |
216 |
$1,451.00 |
|
Sunday 9am |
324 |
$3,119.00 |
|
Sunday 11am |
130 |
$823.00 |
|
Sunday 4pm |
100 |
$464.00 |
|
Sunday 6pm |
302 |
$557.00 |
|
Immaculate Conception |
43 |
$266.00 |
|
Holy Rosary |
51 |
$325.00 |
|
St. Paul |
12 |
$104.00 |
|
Totals = |
1,366 |
$8,148.00 |
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