December 4, 2011 Thank you to all those who helped make the Community Thanksgiving Dinner a success. More than 300 meals were served or delivered to shut-in residents of the community and the free will offering generated a total of $847.00. Gross revenue was $588.90 which will be divided equally and given to Viroqua's two food pantries. Thank you also to the area businesses that provided food and supplies, or made cash donations to help purchase the food.
On Sunday, 4 December, 7:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church we will celebrate the annual “Caroling of the Choirs.” Church choirs from the area bring beautiful seasonal music to your ears. This annual event brings great cheer to all who participate. Please join us for a wonderful evening.
On Thursday of this week the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses on Thursday will be at 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Please join us in praise of God for the sinless nature of Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother too!
The PCCW is again helping Vernon Manor with some small Christmas gifts. Please have your donated small items marked Man or Woman. They will be delivered to the Manor December 19th. Suggested items: Chapstick, socks, footies, lotion, soft candy, coin purse, comb, books, playing cards, baseball caps, after shave, artificial flowers, crossword or word game magazines with large print, room freshener, all occasion cards, jewelry, tissues with aloe, scented soaps, handkerchiefs, pop, stationary, mini photo album, etc. Please no--cash, shaving cream, rain scarves or opened or used colognes, lotions, or cosmetics.
The PCCW will this year be collecting for Toys for Tots
The feast of St. Nicholas is traditionally celebrated in many cultures as a day in which small gifts are given to children. The PCCW is celebrating this early “Christmas” by aiding the Toys for Tots program. We ask you to join us in giving all kinds of toys; large [basketballs and riding toys], medium [games, dolls, balls, and trucks], small [crafts, DVDs and coloring books]. Baskets for collection will be in the Atrium from November 12-December 12 of course including the feast of St. Nicholas-- December 5/6. All toys must be new and unused to comply with state standards. What an opportunity for children to pick out toys with family finances in mind and share in the true meaning of Christmas--giving gifts of love and care.
This weekend, Makalya Rose Herricks will be welcomed into the Christian community through the Sacrament of Baptism. Makalya Rose is the daughter of James and Ashley (Hansen) Herricks. Welcome to this community of Faith.
LIBRARY NEWS...As you begin your Advent season preparing for Christmas, don’t forget to stop by the parish library and pick up some inspiring reading for the season. There are many seasonal books, especially for children, as well as some videos and DVDs to help remind you of the real reason for Christmas. And as you are decking the halls, if you come across any materials you may have checked out in the past, be sure to return it on your next trip to church.
Let us all remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."
The Advent and Christmas seasons are a time to draw near to Christ, opening our hearts and minds to who Jesus is and why He came to live among us on that night in Bethlehem so many years ago. The website "americancatholic.org" offers free daily online minute meditations at: http://www.americancatholic.org
An online Advent calendar with daily meditations and other Advent resources may be found at: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/adventca.html
Additional Advent prayers, meditations, music, devotions and children's Advent activities and projects can be found at:
http://www.catholicmom.com/advent.htm
Project Milk is seeking donations to help provide milk to the orphans of Casa Hogar in Peru. Please see the poster on the bulletin board for details on how to help. Because the project is overseen by the diocesan Office of Ministries and Social Concerns, your donation to Project Milk does not incur any administrative costs so all money donated goes toward the project. Additional information and donation forms can be found on the bulletin board in the Atrium.
A training session for new Eucharistic ministers will take place in December. If you wish to participate but have not already done so, please volunteer for this ministry by calling the parish office by Monday, December 5 so that the training may be scheduled.
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday, 3 December, 5:15 p.m. +Carl Downing (Ed & Pat Klos)
Sunday, 4 December, 8:00 a.m. *For the People of Saint Mary Parish
10:30 a.m. +Janie Cina (Larry & Lila Cina)
Monday, 5 December, 8:00 a.m. +Rosemary Johnson
(Dave & Sue Fanta)
Tuesday, 6 December, 8:00 a.m. +Sara Christianson
(Teresa, Tony & Mary Demoret)
Wednesday, 7 December, 8:00 a.m. +Janice Erickson (Avis Aasen)
Thursday, 8 December, 8:00 a.m. *For the Members of the PCCW (PCCW)
Thursday, 8 December, 5:15 p.m. * For the People of Saint Mary Parish
Friday, 9 December, 8:00 a.m. +Frank Finley (Rich Finley Family)
Saturday, 10 December, 5:15 p.m. + Gerald Stoltz
(Roger & Joyce Humfeld)
Sunday, 11 December, 8:00 a.m. +*For the People of Saint Mary Parish
10:30 a.m. +Marjorie Dolan
(Dan & Lorraine Groh)
FINANCIAL REPORT
Weekend 27 November 2011
Adults: $2,714.00
Youth: $3.00
Offertory: $284.26
Christmas Flowers: $10.00
Total: $3011.26
DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL
Target: $41,739.00
Pledged: $17,945.00
Cash to date: $13,268.75
"We Belong To Christ"
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
To date, $349,659.50 has been paid in cash to the Capital Campaign. This parish has responded generously to this worthy effort. Please continue to pay on your pledge.
The pledge is a five year commitment.
Thank you to all who participated.
New pledges may still be made.
Call Father Francis for a pledge card.