Theotokos

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. For this Holy Day of obligation, we will have Masses:

Today: 5:30 & 11:00 p.m.

Friday: 7:30, 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

After the 11:00 p.m. Vigil Mass tonight (which typically ends about 11:45) there is a New Year’s party in the Social Level. Everyone is invited to attend. Drinks to toast the New Year and refreshments are served.

Chris Essink

Chris began working at St. Columbkille in August of 1993 as the housekeeper just a few months after Fr. Stillmunks became the pastor. For the last several years she has served the parish as Bulletin Editor and with Athletics. Today is her last day as she is retiring.

Fr. Damian said, "We wish her well and I want to extend a deep thanks to her for the outstanding bulletins she has prepared for us week after week. Chris took great pride in her work and it made all of us in the parish look better because of her dedication. She has also assisted with our athletic program and many know her from the kind smile and generous welcome she gives to all who come looking for a uniform or a schedule."

Thanks Chris!!

Another Lend A Hand Project

The Lend A Hand ministry keeps active doing projects for people who need some extra help.

On this project, the original green steps were 8” rise and 6” treads. This made the stairs difficult to negotiate. The new steps have a 5” rise and 11” treads and a railing for extra security.

Thank you for your service to the parish

and the community!

Feast of the Holy Family

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.

Today we are reminded of the importance of family. As stewards of our Time it is important to make certain we are spedning time with God and with our families.

In our Stewardship Renewal, Adults would typically answer the quest of "How will I Transform the World in my family?" with answers about teaching their children or praying with them or having family meals.

Children would typically answer the question by saying they need to do activities like hiking or sledding or Game Night or Movie Night. The children of our parish say that they need to spend time with their families. They are wise children.

95 and Still Serving

Yesterday Mary Burns turned 95. Over the last year she has helped keep others warm by knitting 90 stocking caps for others.

Happy Birthday Mary!

Merry Christmas!

Children's Choir

For weeks the Children's Choir has been preparing for the 5:00 Christmas Eve Mass. Monday was their last chance to prepare.

They checked and double-checked where they would stand.

They also fine-tuned the songs.

Come tonight to Worship, Celebrate & Pray!

Kindergarten Concert

A week ago when the Kindergarteners arrived for their concert they were greeted by the Paparazzi and a lot of people who wanted to take their picture.

Everyone got involved in the concert...

... even Santa Clause.

Thank you for singing for us!

Prayer & Fasting

On Sunday the Gospel reading was about the visitation, when John the Baptist leapt in the womb of Elizabeth when the pregant Mary arrived with Jesus in her womb. The daily readings yesterday & today also celebrated this exchange.

Today the US Bishops have asked that we pray and fast that, just as Mary and Elizabeth recognized the life in their wombs, any National Health Care Plan will recognize and protect that life as well.

Christmas Parties at School

Friday was the last school day before Christmas break

and a busy day for parties.

Some classes had Musical Chairs...

... or stories..

... or relays ...

... or crafts ...

... or maybe even a skating party.

But each had treats.

And each class prepared their room to be cleaned over the break.

Have a fun Christmas!

Decorating Help Needed

Art & Environment needs all the hands they can get for "Christmas Set Up" on Monday, December 21st at 6:30 p.m. Please Come even if you can only stay for a short time. Call Maureen at 331-3545 or egermier@msn.com.

Preschool Concert

Tuesday night the preschool classes gathered.

And got ready for their concert.

They looked very nice.

And it was fun to get to sing for everyone.

Hallelujah!!

Advent Stockings

The Advent theme at school this year is: May the love of the Christ child fill our world with warmth. K-3 students took home paper stockings. As they have done good deeds at home, they have decorated them and brought them back to school. These signs of good deeds have been hung on the door of their classroom.

They are asking for donations of socks - all sizes. The socks will be donated to the Holy Family Door Ministry. Donations will be accepted through Friday, December 18. They are helping to make someone else's world warm this year.

Parish Reconciliation Service

In Advent as we prepare for the coming of Christ, we encourage Reconciliation with Him. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. is our Parish Reconciliation Service. Fr Wee has invited nine priests to participate and hear confessions.

Normal Reconciliation times are:

aaaaaMonday-Thursday - 5:00-5:20 p.m.
aaaaaSaturdays - 3:30-4:30 p.m.

There will also be these additional times next week:

aaaaaTuesday, December 22 - 11 a.m. to noon & 6:30 to 8 p.m.
aaaaaWednesday, December 23 - 11 a.m. to noon & 6:30 to 8 p.m.

There will not be Reconciliation on Christmas Eve.

Other Area Reconciliation Services:

Friday, December 18 3:30 p.m. St. Mary—Bellevue
Sunday, December 20 2:30 p.m. St. Matthew—Bellevue
Monday, December 21 7 p.m. St. Mary—Bellevue

Christmas Letter

We got a Christmas letter from one of our seminarians, John Norman, who is studying in Rome:

Dear Family and Friends,

My parents have passed on so many greetings, intentions, and prayers. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I am so grateful for everything that you have done for me. One of the most common questions I’ve received since beginning my studies here in Rome is ‘How’s it going?’ so I’d like to take a moment to share some of my experience.

Well, I’ve moved to a foreign country (Italy) with a foreign language (Italian) and it is hard. I’m learning another language, which I don’t speak very well. This makes it hard to make friends with the many international students, though I’ve made some very good friendships with the other English-speakers here. I’ve also found that I’m on the other side of the immigration counter, as I have to apply for residency while I live here. (The process is long and complicated and frustrating like it is in the States.) Even harder though, is the inability to walk into a store and ask for help finding something because I am just learning the vocabulary. I never knew that a language barrier could be such a hard, frustrating issue (and it’s not for lack of effort).

Now, when you think of studying in Rome, one of the graces is living up the hill from the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and it is a great gift. This Sunday the children of Rome came to St. Peter’s for the noontime Angelus address, bringing the little baby Jesus from their family’s nativity set for the Holy Father to give his blessing. He seeks to teach us. He leads us. Most importantly, he is a father to us and he is a living example of holiness for us. ...

(Click here for the rest of the letter)

Catholics Come Home

Starting Friday, the Archdiocese is running a series of commercials aimed at getting people back to the Church. This is one of them.

Please pray for their success.

Postcards for Darfur

Last weekend we reached our goal to get 1,000 postcards signed reminding him of hiw campaing pledge of "unstinting resolve" to end the genecide in Darfur and encouraging him to make this a priority of his administration.

Girls Soccer

The Parish Fourth Grade Girls Soccer Team placed 2nd in their league.
Great Season!!! Congratulations!!

Wreath Ceremonies

Monday the 8th Graders led the school in some Wreath Ceremonies.

The service included explaining the parts of an Advent Wreath and creating a Living Wreath.

The 8th Graders led the school in prayer and song.

Thank you!

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Join us in prayer after Saturday's 6:30 Mass.

December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe, the patroness of pregnant women and unborn babies. Following the 6:30 Mass there will be an Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and prayer.

Pleading prayer for help from Our Lord's mother and adoration of our Lord's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity are our greatest weapons in this fight for a Culture of Life.

Happy Club & First Grade

On Monday the Happy Club gathered for their Christmas gathering.

They were treated to entertainment by the First Grade Class.

They sang a number of songs.

The Happy Club sent the singers away with a Thank You Candy Cane.

Then Fr Wee showed pictures from his trip to the Holy Land.

It was a fun and festive meeting.