Announcements
Here we are at the third Sunday of Advent ~ “Gaudete Sunday”. Having passed the midpoint of advent, the mood is lightened a little, hence the rose advent candle. The change in color provides us with the encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation and prayer...for CHRISTMAS!
The December issue of The Messenger is here! Click to download your copy.
Knitters and Quilters will meet this Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Parish Center. Bring a sack lunch.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place in church at 7:45 AM on Saturday, December 10th. Rosaries will be available. Everyone is welcome and urged to attend.
The Rev. Joel T. Ireland will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of his ordination on December 11, 2011. Congratulations! Thanks to all who contributed a monetary gift in thanksgiving of his ordination to the priesthood.
CASA MARIA WILL MEET ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH AT 5:30 PM IN PARISH CENTER. Your help is needed to prepare sack lunches for the homeless and disadvantaged of Tucson. Volunteers can always use a few “eggstra” hands and as always “shelled” hard boiled eggs. Join them for fellowship and to help with this good work. We still need your continued help in bringing boxes to help transport the lunches!
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS - the special beauty of St. Michael’s Christmas worship is the work of many people. Not all can be directly involved, but all can contribute to the Christmas Flowers and Decorations. Please use the Christmas Flowers envelope for floral donations.
ECW Luncheon - On Wednesday, December 14th, ECW women will have their Christmas Pot-Luck Luncheon. All women are invited to attend this delicious pot luck luncheon which follows the meeting at 10:30am. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of church. Please join us and bring a friend.
The Middle School’s Christmas Program, Luminaria Christmas, will be held on this Wednesday, December 14 at 7PM. It is a wonderful evening rich with music from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes, the band and choir. The grounds are lit by beautiful luminarias, the music is presented in different venues, and there are usually hot chocolate and goodies available. Don’t miss this wonderful Christmas program. Admission is free.
Pathway to Joy ~ 2012 It is not too late to return your pledge cards for 2012. If you have misplaced your card or maybe did not receive one, don’t hesitate. There are extra cards In the back of church.
Shopping @ St. Michael's
BAZAAR "SPILLOVER SALE," Parish groups, Dec. 18 – Did you miss that special gift at the Bazaar? There’s a second chance to purchase from some of the Parish groups Dec. 18, after morning Masses.
Don’t forget your “Angel Food” for last minute Christmas gifts in an attractive gift-ready box. This is an affordable means of sharing the fund raising effort by your parishioner volunteers. Just stop by the church office for your Angel Food. Share the goodness and sweetness of St. Michael and All Angels Church.
A GREAT Holiday Gift Idea ~ The Book of Pipes. THE BOOK OF PIPES is a historical listing of those living and deceased, who have made a difference in our lives, community, and the world. Each name memorialized will correspond to one of the 2,900 pipes in our American Classic Æolian-Skinner Pipe Organ (considered the finest organ in southern Arizona). Each pipe will play forever to the Glory of Almighty God in memory of or in honor of the person to which it is assigned. The funds raised go toward ensuring that beautiful music is heard and taught within the adobe walls of St. Michael’s church. This is a wonderful way to memorialize, to honor, and to give thanks to someone in your life and remember them during this holiday season. Forms for the Book Of Pipes are located in the back of church.
Opportunities for Giving
Ben's Bells Kindness Coins. Happy Holidays! As you may have seen by now, Saint Michael's Angels (SMA) have placed 4 Christmas trees on our beautiful campus; two as you enter the church and two in front of our school. We are pleased to have decorated each of these trees with Ben's Bells Kindness Coins. These kindness coins are part of Ben's Bells' Kind Kids Program, an outreach program that educates and inspires children to recognize the importance of kindness and empowers them to create a culture of kindness in their school and beyond. Our hope this holiday season is for all students, teachers, church members, parents and members of our community to recognize acts of kindness that they have personally experienced by taking a kindness coin from one of the trees and presenting it to the individual who performed the act of kindness. Our holiday wish is to give everyone a way to show gratitude for kindness they see in others.
Angel Tree tags are available for pick-up from the Christmas tree at the back of church. There are only 5 tags left, please take one today! Be sure to sign the sheet on the usher’s table so that we will know what children’s names have been taken. This year we have approximately 35 children. You have been so generous with your gifts for the children. It is a real blessing for me to be involved. As usual, each child will receive a clothing gift and a toy … book ….game…etc. This year I need your gift, unwrapped, and returned to the office or brought to church no later than Wednesday, December 14. Please remember to include the tags for return if any of the items are the wrong size or color. Most stores will give these when the gift is purchased. For any of you who would like to participate but are unable to shop, let me know and I will be glad to take care of it for you. May God Bless all of you during this wonderful time of the year. Please call me if you have any questions or have any problems with your gifts. Thanking you in advance for your generosity!
Thank you and have a blessed holiday!
“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.”
- Harold Kushner
Peace, slow down, enjoy the season and especially reflect on the Real Reason for the Season! Amen.
