December 11, 2022 | Third Sunday of Advent, Year A
Opening Prayer
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church:
The earth rejoices in hope of the Savior’s coming
And looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness That hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which your presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever 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.
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: 6:30 – 7:30pm
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.
Catechism Quote for the Week:
The Signs of the Kingdom of God
CCC 547: “Jesus accompanies his words with many “mighty works and wonders and signs”, which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah.”
CCC 548: “The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father’s works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. But his miracles can also be occasions for “offence”; they are not intended to satisfy people’s curiosity or desire for magic Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons.”
CCC 549: “By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God’s sons and causes all forms of human bondage.”
CCC 550: “The coming of God’s kingdom means the defeat of Satan’s: “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus’ exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus’ great victory over “the ruler of this world”.The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ’s cross: “God reigned from the wood.””
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Numbers 547-550.
BECOME A KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
FREE MEMBERSHIP – Now through December 31st
It will make you a better husband, a better father,
a better Catholic and a better man!
Calling all Catholic men 18 and older. Now is a great time to join the Knights of Columbus. If you can please scan the QR code, enter your information and use the FREE code BLESSEDMCGIVNEY for a FREE membership as an online member. The Knights are a Catholic fraternal organization that actively supports the teachings and values of the Catholic Church. Whether you have 2 hours a year or 2 hours a month, show your support for our faith and sign up.
Call Joel Kendzorski, Diocesan Membership Director, if your interested in joining or to answer any questions you may have. Phone (989) 766-2124
