106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel.

(620)724-8717

Weekly Bulletin

of

Saint Michael Church, Girard

www.stmichaelgirard.com

MASS SCHEDULE
GIRARD Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:00 am ARMA 4:00pm 8:00 am

Notes From the Pastor:

CONFESSION Sat. 2:00-2:45pm 3:15-3:45pm Weekdays before Mass; anytime by appointment.

STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Faith Paoni Secretary Rectory Office Hours Tues-Fri 9AM-Noon Closed on Mondays Tel. (620) 724-8717

One of the most important expressions of love is presence. You wanted always to be present to the person you love, to be near, to be in constant contact. God has expressed that love to all of us. He is always present. Thats why we call him Emmanuel, God is with us. Always! For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16) Once more as we celebrate this Christmas we are not just proclaiming an event. We experience Gods presence among us. We experience his love and compassion. Thats the reason why he became human like us in all things except sin. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) God lives like us, shares our joys and sorrows and spread his light in the midst of our darkness. May every one of us continue to experience this love of God this Christmas and throughout the coming year. We thank our Arts and Environments Committee and all who came to decorate our church last Tuesday: Nancy Hofer, Faith Paoni, Denny Heidrick, Eileen Bland, Sienna Paoni, and the Curran girls: Kassie, Keelie, and Kenzie. We also thank our kids and their parents who participate in the dramatization of our Christmas gospel. Thank you to our instant production staff with Michelle Puckett and Barb Duling and some of our parents. Thank you to Shane Duling for singing Silent Night. Thank you to Ruth and Dan Duling and our musicians and choir for their extra effort in preparing for this celebration! May God bless you always. May you have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! Fr. Roger

Next Saturday Altar Servers: 5:30 PM Volunteers

Next Sunday 10:00 AM Volunteers

Ushers E. M. H. C. Lectors: Gift Bearers:

*** Deanne VanLeeuwen Michelle Puckett Dave & Jean Diskin Family

*** Nancy Hofer Karen Zerngast Jim & Joan Davied

Mass Schedules & Intentions for December 24th-January 1st:

December 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January 01 Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 12:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:00 AM 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 8AM-6PM 8:00 AM 9AM-4PM 7:00 AM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Black Family Greg Evans Pro Populo Jackie Amershek Greg Evans Elsie Elmer No Intention Greg Evans Eucharistic Adoration No Intention Eucharistic Adoration Greg Evans Frank Doue Greg Evans Pro Populo Greg Evans Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Arma Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

The Fact of Christmas Nothing is so incredible, so astonishing, as the fact of Christmas. Imagine the infinite God who waved His hand and the Milky Way sprayed into existence--that One entered the world a helpless infant in a stable rich with the smell of cow dung. But what is He had not? What if Jesus had never come and Dec. 25 was just another day closer to years end? What if Winter Festival, that cold Christmas substitute we keep hearing about, really were all we had to celebrate at this time of year? If Christ had not come, we would never know the sunshine of Gods love, nor reflect that love back to Him. If Christ had not come to show us the Father, life would have no purpose. Our lives, without the light of Heaven radiating down, would have little meaning. If Christ had not come, we would have neither forgiveness of sin nor victory over sin. We would have no sure hope of eternal life. But Jesus offers absolute certainty, telling His followers, I am the resurrection and the life. If you have not already, turn to Him and discover the astonishing incredible fact of Christmas. Written by: Marcel Normand, St. Joseph Parish

collections Last Week Contributions Children's Offering Operating Expense Over/ (Under)
Saint Michaels Upcoming Events Finance Council Tony Stonerock-Chair TBA Rosary Altar Society Next meeting, TBA At 7pm in the Hall. Helping Hands Need help or want to volunteer, Call Carrie Smith, 724-6684 Parish Council Dale Coomes-Chair TBA Knights of Columbus 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm St. Michael Parish Hall Daughters of Isabella Call Marilyn Bradshaw, 724-7133 That Man in You Friday mornings at 6am

July 2011 to date $72,628.40 $481.89 $61,482.59 $11,627.70

$2,878.60 $24.00 $0.00

In the Beginning(week 40) Celebrate! Dont be surprised at how Chris looks after birth. Chris head may be misshapen and the skin may be discolored with patchy looking rashes. Chris, like all babies, is made in the image and likeness of God. Even though childbirth is frightening, it helps to keep positive support people around you. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy His favour. Luke 2:14 March for Life - Topeka Join Bishop Jackels and Fr. John Lanzrath for a one-day pilgrimage to Topeka to take a stand for life on January 23, 2012, for the March for Life Topeka. Busses will leave the Wichita area at 7:30am on the 23rd. This years event will be held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka and the cost for the trip is $35, which includes Mass with Bishop Jackels, a breakout session for adults and youth, a catered lunch, a Rally and a rosary on the Capitol steps. Registration forms can be found at www.respectlifesocialjustice.org. The deadline to register is Jan. 3rd. Warming Souls Join the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice in providing shelter to the Wichita areas homeless during the month of February in an effort called Warming Souls. Due to the Cathedral renovation, Holy Savior has graciously opened their facility to assist us in offering an evening meal, a warm place to sleep, and breakfast in the morning. If you or a group from your parish are interested in helping to provide food, or to give a donation, please contact the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice at 316-269-3935 or email grafa@catholicdioceseofwichita.org. A Meal in HIS Name St. Michaels new ministry A Meal in HIS Name will be every Thursday night. This meal will be for the people of Girard and the surrounding area. A hot, free meal will be served to all who come to St. Michaels Hall Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:00pm. Perhaps, this can be your niche in volunteering your time/talent/treasure to the church. The success of this ministry depends on your support. We need volunteers who can contribute a few hours weekly/monthly to help with shifts for cooking, set-up, greeting, serving & clean-up. To volunteer for this worthy ministry or to get more information contact Marita Lopeman at 620-362-3168 or the parish office at 620-7248717.

Christmas Reminders May the Christmas presents remind you of Gods greatest gift -his only begotten Son. May the Christmas candles remind you of him who is the light of the world. May the Christmas tree remind you of another tree on which he died for you. May the Christmas cheer remind you of him who said, Be of good cheer. May the Christmas feast remind you of him who is the bread of life. May the Christmas snow remind you of the cleansing power of Christ. May the Christmas bells remind you of the glorious proclamation of his birth. May the Christmas carols remind you of his glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind. May the Christmas season remind you in every way of Jesus Christ your King.

st. michael, defend us in all our battles We Thank our advertisers whose support makes this publication possible:
Madl Hair Design 122 1/2 E. Forest Girard, KS 66743 724-4466
Derailed Commodity 208 N. Weichert Girard, KS 66743 620-395-2141

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