Third Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent
December 14th, 2008
St. Xavier Parish Home Page
In the world of business, a mission statement describes the purpose of an organization. This statement is meant to reflect the essence of the organization and its goals. As he wrote the verses in today's first reading, the prophet probably had no idea that he was presenting something of a mission statement for Jesus. But there really is no more concise picture of what he came to do for us.
How many times did Jesus bring glad tidings to the lowly? Think of the comfort he gave to the women at the well (John 4:4-26), How many times did he heal the brokenhearted? Think of the widow of Nain, whose son was brought back to life (Luke 7:11-16). What of the multitudes he liberated from captivity to sin and sickness -- and not just in the first-century Israel! We have all been touched by Jesus and the good news he proclaims.
But there's something more here. Jesus' mission statement is ours as well. We are called to bring the "glad tidings" of God's love to the world. We are called to care for the brokenhearted. and to tell people that the "favor of the Lord" is for every one (Isaiah 61:1-2) Remember, Jesus didn't come just to lift us up. He also came to show us how to live.
We are halfway through Advent, so maybe it's a good time to evaluate your own progress -- just as a business evaluate their strenghts and weaknessess from time to time. How are you doing at fulfilling your mission? Have you been working to bring glad tidings to people? If so then thank the Lord and to tell him that you want to go even further. Imagine the grace and peace that can flow from every act of kindness, every gentle word of encouragement, and every work of service you do. It won't take long before "justice and praise" spring up whereever you to go (Isaiah 61:11).
2009 CALENDARS Calendars are available at all entrances of church. We thank the Knights of Columbus for their generosity in providing these for us.
Nursing Home Christmas Tree
It is time for the Nursing Home Christmas Tree. The tree will be located in the foyer of the church. The tags on the tree will have the residents name of number of the Nursing home they are in and the items they want for Christmas. Please take a tag, purchase and wrap the gift and return to the tree as soon as possible. Please attach the tag to the gift. This will be a project of the 7th grade Religious Education class. For more information please contact Sue Todd 226-1832.
Meetings This Week
Wed. Dec 17, 5:00 pm - Finance Council
Thurs. Dec 18, 7:00 pm - Parish Council
Please pick up the Financial Statements in the sacristy so that you may be prepared for the meeting.
KNIGHTS NEWS
Notes from December 2nd Meeting
Fred House was chosen as Knight of the Month and Harold and Peg Boller Family was chosen Family of the Month.
The Free Throw contest will be held January 24th at 10 am in the St. Xavier School Gym. Mark your calendars now and start practicing.
SHOWER FOR BABY JESUS
St. Xavier students will once again participate in a shower for Baby Jesus on December 19. Students will offer wrapped baby gifts at Mass. The gifts will be taken to the school cafeteria where they will be opened adn distributed to Birthline later that day. PTO will provide donuts for the shower.
JUST IN TIME
That inexpensive "CHRISTMAS GIFT", that is sure to be a treasure. Our Parish Cookbook will be available after each Mass, starting November 30th, giving you 500 recipes to enjoy from our St. Xavier Parishioners. The cost for the cookbook is $10. The Parish Office, the St. Xavier's School Office, Ladies Circles, I, III, IV and Women With A Mission, will have cookbooks available to sale. Checks for the cookbooks are to be made out to St. Xavier Cookbook. Anyone wanting cookbooks delivered can call 717-9291.
Thanks for making this fundraiser a success by all of your support.
DIVERSITY SCHEDULE
DTL Meeting, Dec. 9th 6:30-7:30 pm
American Chiness Buffet
Diversity In-School Session
December 16th, 9:30 am - 10:50 am
Building C, 3rd Floor
Diversity Evening Session
December 17th
Please contact Eve Coberly for more information.
POINSETTIA MEMORIAL TREES
Would you like to remember a loved one during Christmas by providing a poinsettia plant for our traditional Memorial Tree? If so, please fill out the form found in the bulletin along with $9.00 per plant and send to Ellen Westerhaus, 335 West Chestnut, Junction City or place it in a separate (marked) envelope and drop it in the collection basket or by the parish office. Please make checks payable to St. Xavier's Art and Environment. Your loved ones will be remembered at a Mass, and their names will appear on a handout that is available Christmas Eve. If you have questions you can call Ellen at 238-7409. Orders will be taken till December 21st.
[Include Names of Loved ones to remember. ( 1 plant per family )]
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH'S
"RESPECT LIFE MEMORIAL"
A lasting gift to each other and our Community
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
What a great way to acknowledge and respect all life from conception to natural death. You can become a part of our "Respect Life Memorial" by purchasing a brick which will be placed in the Memorial that will be constructed beside the church on the Washington Street side.
Please complete a separate form (found in bulletins or at the Parish Office) for each brick. Attach a check for minimum donation of $75.00 per brick payable to Knights of Columbus. Drop in the collection or mail to:
St. Francis Xavier Parish
Attn: Knights of Columbus
P.O. Box 399
Junction City, KS 66441
You may choose a message of 1, 2, or 3 lines in length (no difference in cost) and up to 20 characters per line. (Our engraver automatically centers each line.)
Each box should contain no more than one letter or punctuation mark. Leave a blank box to indicate a space between words. You may use upper and lowercase letters. Please PRINT NEATLY.
Any questions please call: Bill Semanko 785-762-2812
December 14th, 2008
St. Xavier Parish Home Page
In the world of business, a mission statement describes the purpose of an organization. This statement is meant to reflect the essence of the organization and its goals. As he wrote the verses in today's first reading, the prophet probably had no idea that he was presenting something of a mission statement for Jesus. But there really is no more concise picture of what he came to do for us.
How many times did Jesus bring glad tidings to the lowly? Think of the comfort he gave to the women at the well (John 4:4-26), How many times did he heal the brokenhearted? Think of the widow of Nain, whose son was brought back to life (Luke 7:11-16). What of the multitudes he liberated from captivity to sin and sickness -- and not just in the first-century Israel! We have all been touched by Jesus and the good news he proclaims.
But there's something more here. Jesus' mission statement is ours as well. We are called to bring the "glad tidings" of God's love to the world. We are called to care for the brokenhearted. and to tell people that the "favor of the Lord" is for every one (Isaiah 61:1-2) Remember, Jesus didn't come just to lift us up. He also came to show us how to live.
We are halfway through Advent, so maybe it's a good time to evaluate your own progress -- just as a business evaluate their strenghts and weaknessess from time to time. How are you doing at fulfilling your mission? Have you been working to bring glad tidings to people? If so then thank the Lord and to tell him that you want to go even further. Imagine the grace and peace that can flow from every act of kindness, every gentle word of encouragement, and every work of service you do. It won't take long before "justice and praise" spring up whereever you to go (Isaiah 61:11).
Nursing Home Christmas Tree
It is time for the Nursing Home Christmas Tree. The tree will be located in the foyer of the church. The tags on the tree will have the residents name of number of the Nursing home they are in and the items they want for Christmas. Please take a tag, purchase and wrap the gift and return to the tree as soon as possible. Please attach the tag to the gift. This will be a project of the 7th grade Religious Education class. For more information please contact Sue Todd 226-1832.
Meetings This Week
Wed. Dec 17, 5:00 pm - Finance Council
Thurs. Dec 18, 7:00 pm - Parish Council
Please pick up the Financial Statements in the sacristy so that you may be prepared for the meeting.
Notes from December 2nd Meeting
Fred House was chosen as Knight of the Month and Harold and Peg Boller Family was chosen Family of the Month.
The Free Throw contest will be held January 24th at 10 am in the St. Xavier School Gym. Mark your calendars now and start practicing.
St. Xavier students will once again participate in a shower for Baby Jesus on December 19. Students will offer wrapped baby gifts at Mass. The gifts will be taken to the school cafeteria where they will be opened adn distributed to Birthline later that day. PTO will provide donuts for the shower.
That inexpensive "CHRISTMAS GIFT", that is sure to be a treasure. Our Parish Cookbook will be available after each Mass, starting November 30th, giving you 500 recipes to enjoy from our St. Xavier Parishioners. The cost for the cookbook is $10. The Parish Office, the St. Xavier's School Office, Ladies Circles, I, III, IV and Women With A Mission, will have cookbooks available to sale. Checks for the cookbooks are to be made out to St. Xavier Cookbook. Anyone wanting cookbooks delivered can call 717-9291.
Thanks for making this fundraiser a success by all of your support.
DTL Meeting, Dec. 9th 6:30-7:30 pm
American Chiness Buffet
Diversity In-School Session
December 16th, 9:30 am - 10:50 am
Building C, 3rd Floor
Diversity Evening Session
December 17th
Please contact Eve Coberly for more information.
POINSETTIA MEMORIAL TREES
Would you like to remember a loved one during Christmas by providing a poinsettia plant for our traditional Memorial Tree? If so, please fill out the form found in the bulletin along with $9.00 per plant and send to Ellen Westerhaus, 335 West Chestnut, Junction City or place it in a separate (marked) envelope and drop it in the collection basket or by the parish office. Please make checks payable to St. Xavier's Art and Environment. Your loved ones will be remembered at a Mass, and their names will appear on a handout that is available Christmas Eve. If you have questions you can call Ellen at 238-7409. Orders will be taken till December 21st.
[Include Names of Loved ones to remember. ( 1 plant per family )]
"RESPECT LIFE MEMORIAL"
A lasting gift to each other and our Community
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
What a great way to acknowledge and respect all life from conception to natural death. You can become a part of our "Respect Life Memorial" by purchasing a brick which will be placed in the Memorial that will be constructed beside the church on the Washington Street side.
Please complete a separate form (found in bulletins or at the Parish Office) for each brick. Attach a check for minimum donation of $75.00 per brick payable to Knights of Columbus. Drop in the collection or mail to:
Attn: Knights of Columbus
P.O. Box 399
Junction City, KS 66441
You may choose a message of 1, 2, or 3 lines in length (no difference in cost) and up to 20 characters per line. (Our engraver automatically centers each line.)
Each box should contain no more than one letter or punctuation mark. Leave a blank box to indicate a space between words. You may use upper and lowercase letters. Please PRINT NEATLY.
Any questions please call: Bill Semanko 785-762-2812
posted by George | 8:00 PM
