Opening Prayer

All powerful God,
Increase our strength of will for doing good.
That Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
And call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
Where he lives and with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Upcoming Events:

St. Anne Giving Tree: St. Anne’s Women’s Group is sponsoring the giving tree for our local nursing home and adult care home residents. Gift ideas are written on each card. Please bring the gifts back to the church by noon on sunday, December 18th wrapped with the card attached to the gift. Gifts will be delivered the night of December 18th so it is very important that they are returned on time. This is often the only gift that these residents will receive. If you take a tag and find that you are unable to purchase a gift please contact Janette Stover at 989-736-6919.

St. Catherine Giving Tree: St. Catherine council of St. Vincent de Paul is again sponsoring a giving tree for needy families in our area. Tags with names on them will be on the tree, in the gathering area of the church. Please take as many tags as you feel comfortable with and return the gifts with the tags attached, no later than Dec. 10th. Thank you so much for your time and generosity.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS: We are now accepting Christmas Flower Donations, please print the name of your loved ones that you would like to honor or in memory of on your parish envelope in your box. There are envelopes available if you need them in the back of the church.

DIFIBRILLATOR TRAINING SESSIONS: Training sessions to use the New AEDs (defibrillators) that are in St. Anne & St. Raphael will be held as follows:
St. Raphael – after 4:30 pm mass on Saturday, Dec. 10
St. Anne – after 11:00 am mass on Sunday, Dec. 11
All are welcome to attend these training sessions.

Weekly Holy Hour With the Lord:
Wednesday’s from 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: St. Anne Church
“Again, I say to you, If two of you agree on Earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:19)
Brought to you by: St. Anne’s Catholic Women

Friday Night Bible Study with Steven adams & John MacMaster
Day: Friday’s (Beginning 12/2) | Time: 7:00pm
Where: Maria Hall at St. Anne Church
Join Steven and John this Advent with a bible study series on Friday nights. Soup and bread will be provided.

World Youth Day ~ A Pilgrimage to Portugal
The Diocese of Gaylord is leading a pilgrimage for young adults ages 18 to 35. Celebrate World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal from July 30 until August 7, 2023. Join Pope Francis and Bishop Walsh for a memorable pilgrimage with days of catechesis, festival, prayer and the Sacraments. Pilgrims will end the pilgrimage with a 24-hour prayer vigil and Mass with the Holy Father. Cost is $2,999 plus airfare. Must register by November 30, 2022. For more information contact: Ami Peterson at 231-340-1743 or apeterson@dioceseofgaylord.org

Catechism Quote for the Week:
Incarnation

CCC 461: “Taking up St. John’s expression, “The Word became flesh”, The Church calls “Incarnation” the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. In a hymn cited by St. Paul, the Church sings the mystery of the Incarnation: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. and being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”

CCC 462: “The Letter to the Hebrews refers to the same mystery: Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, Lo, I have come to do your will, O God.”

CCC 463: “Belief in the true Incarnation of the Son of God is the distinctive sign of Christian faith: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” Such is the joyous conviction of the Church from her beginning whenever she sings “the mystery of our religion”: “He was manifested in the flesh.””

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Numbers 461-463.