Monday, December 28, 2015

A Few Announcements: Bible Study, New Year's Eve and Guatemala Visit

Father Mallory's Sunday Lectionary Bible Study Class has a new schedule, starting TODAY (Monday 12/28). The morning session will now be Mondays at 10 AM in the Parish Center, The evening session will continue to be Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.



Also new: Father Mallory is now hosting a Sermon Talkback session during Coffee Hour in the Parish Center, after the 7:45 AM and 10:15 AM masses. To participate, look for the table with the sign.

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You are invited to join us for New Year's Eve! Get ready to "jump into the New Year!" The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 5 PM, followed by "Soup and Snacks." Two different soups will be served; just bring a snack to share and join us. You will still have time to visit other parties and be home in time to ring in the New Year. No sign-up sheets - just come on in!


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There will be a Guatemala Lenten Delegation / Team Visit beginning February 23, 2016. If you want a direct, intimate expereince, would like to meet some of the CPR health leaders in the Ixil area in the northern highlands, and also make connection sin Antigua, Guatemala, where St. Michael's Rector Emeritus Fr. smith and spouse Terri are expecting you, please join us. This trip will be good for first-timers, as well as more experienced international volunteers. For more information see the Advent issue of The Messenger, and contact Guatemala Project coordinator Ila Abernathy.




Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas Photos and A Note From the Office

Please keep the soul of Ross Roberts in your prayers this Christmas Eve. Ross died suddenly this past week.  The Memorial Mass for Ross will take place Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 10:30 am.

May his soul and all the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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Family Mass, Christmas Eve




Church Entrance, Christmas Eve


The Choir performs a new Oratorio 
by A F Schultz.

The following is a poem sent to me by a very good friend, I would like to share it with you for this Christmas Season and the whole year.

"I will light candles this Christmas:Candles of peace .........Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens .........Candles of love to inspire all my living ...........Candles that will burn all the year long." (from a Poem by Howard Thurman)

Peace and Joy to All,

As always,

Nancy

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Christmas Schedule 2015




Christmas Schedule

Lighting the candles on Christmas Eve

Thursday, December 24th

Vigil of the Nativity

Christmas Eve Children's Mass

Christmas Eve

5:00 PM
Family Mass with Christmas Story for Children and Setting Up of the Creche
10:00 PM
Prelude: Carols of the Incarnation
10:45 PM
Solemn Procession and High Mass


Thursday, December 25th

The Nativity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ


Christmas Day

10:00 AM   Solemn Procession and High Mass

(There will be no other Masses
on Christmas Day)


The church office closes at 1 PM on Wednesday the 23rd, and will reopen on Tuesday the 29th.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Per Mother Clare, announced at today's Parish planning meeting:

Islamic Center of Tucson is hosting an interfaith program at 5 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 17.  To car pool from St. Michael's, meet Mother Clare in the church parking lot at 4 p.m.  We westside folk can just join the St. Michael's group at the Islamic Center, 901 E. First Street, before 5 p.m.  Mother Clare says the Islamic Center was a gracious host to 4th graders from St. Michael's, and she is very committed to our supporting them in this venture.

From the Facebook event listing:

The Islamic Center of Tucson invites you to join us for an evening to bring together the many faiths and cultures in our community. Let us unite together in our humanity against all violence and bigotry.
This is open to all people in Tucson who support peace, love and justice for all people.

These are hard times in this country, not just for Muslims, but many of the minorities that reside here. We aim to make the ICT a place where all people feel comfortable and safe and extend that feeling to the greater Tucson community as well.


Who: The Entire Tucson Community

What: A gathering of peace and unity.

When: Thursday, December 17th | 5:00 PM

Where: Islamic Center of Tucson | 901 E 1st St.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Reminders!


Only a single Mass ~ 9 AM Mass  ~ this Sunday.

11:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM: Parish Summit Meeting ~  gathering together to find out about ourselves as a parish.  Discovery and Dream!  This is a very important meeting! Lunch will be served.

1:00 PM Funeral Mass for Bob Howe, this Saturday, December 19.

Just a note.....If you have any plastic bags that you would like to recycle......the food pantry could use them.  Just drop them off at church or the office.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Casa Maria Reminder - 12-11-15


boiled eggCasa Maria Sandwich making is this Friday, December 11th. Come join the fun!

St Michael's Parish Center, 602 N. Wilmot Rd.

Kitchen opens at 5 PM. Come anytime after that!

Please bring one or two dozen hard cooked, peeled eggs. Also please bring medium sized boxes for transporting the lunches. Fruit boxes from Costco or banana boxes are ideal.

If you can deliver sandwiches once or twice a year, please let us know!

NEXT CASA MARIA: FRIDAY JAN 8TH.

Casa Maria is every 4 weeks...

boiled egg
Casa Maria Sandwich making is this Friday, July 24th. You all have been so faithful since April; thanks are not enough! In Sept we'll have student help. BRING FRIENDS! Come join the fun!

St Michael's Parish Center, 602 N. Wilmot Rd.

Kitchen opens at 5 PM. Come anytime after that!

Please bring two or three dozen hard cooked, peeled eggs.We need extra eggs! We receive no extra eggs from the School students in the summer.

Also please bring medium sized boxes for transporting the lunches. Fruit boxes from Costco or banana boxes are ideal.

Maurice will deliver the sandwiches. (Thanks to Byron for July!) If you can deliver sandwiches once or twice a year, please let us know!

NEXT CASA MARIA: FRIDAY JANUARY 8TH.

Casa Maria is every 4 weeks...
Dec 11th  
Jan 8th  2016
Feb 5th  
March 4th
April 1st
April 29th
May 27th










Thursday, December 03, 2015

Bazaar Updates

Our latest flyer is already out of date! Note the following musical performance times:

Michael Leeming, 3:30 p.m. Sat.  (time change)
Tilahun Liben, 4:30 p.m. Sat. (music of Ethiopia)

Please see the flyer below for more music details and info on food, parish artists and writers, and much more!


Click on the flyer above to view full size version.



Tuesday, December 01, 2015

International Holiday Bazaar on KGUN Morning Blend ... and Stuff for Sale!

See the video here:
http://www.kgun9.com/morning-blend/st-michaels-international-holiday-bazaar

Also:

Volunteers are pricing donated items for the St. Michael's recycled gift boutique and trinket table at the Bazaar. I think we made some sales this morning!










Monday, November 30, 2015

Notes from the Parish Office - Cyber Monday Edition

The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner took place this past week (of course).  Many thanks to everyone and especially Katrina Noble, Karen Roehm (Katrina's sister) Leslie Duaime of course Lisa Sharpe. It was so heartening to arrive at the kitchen and finding Lisa at the helm.  A good time was had by all. Opportunity for giving came, as all the leftovers were packed up and taken to Casa Maria early Friday morning by Ila.  Any pies or cakes left over were used to coffee hour on Sunday. Nothing went to waste. We all have so much to be grateful for! Hence: "Thanksgiving."

For those of you who know Patty Benedict, she has moved back to Arizona. Patty is living with her son and family in Marana.  She says she might be brave enough to drive to St. Michael's for a service. Ann Ireland was seen this weekend attending Mass at Tuller School. The Rev. Joel Ireland was presiding. No wheelchair, no walker and NO cane. It was heard that she may be shopping for a new car. It just goes to show...that we are not in charge! Amen!

On a note of sadness ~ Bob Howe passed away this morning. Bob has been a fixture here at St. Michael's since 1963. It is impossible to list all Bob has done for St. Michael's, but we as a parish are grateful for his service and dedication to St. Michael's. May the soul of Bob W. Howe, and all the souls, through the mercy  of God, rest in peace. Amen!

The funeral for Bob will take place, Saturday, December 19th at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow.

+++++ please take note: The Angel Tree is in the back of church decorated with names of children whose parent (s) are incarcerated. The tags give the child's name, age and gift suggestions.

The shoe boxes for the Rotary "Shoebox Campaign" are in the back of church. Inside are directions for gifts. These shoe boxes are take to Nogales, Sonora Mexico. Gifts are for infants to age 12.



Lastly: St. Michael's International Holiday Bazaar will take place this Saturday 3 PM ~ 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM ~ 3 PM. Enjoy music, good friends and shopping for unusual holiday gifts while helping over 25 non-profit organizations!

Peace, slow down and stay happy!

Nancy

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Notes from the Parish Office

May the soul of Betty Malody and all departed souls, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen

Betty passed away last week after a long illness. Betty will be greatly missed as a long time parishioner, volunteer, wife, mother, grandmother and most importantly a good friend to all.

Her funeral will take place sometime after Christmas.  The family headed for a stay in Mexico at a place that Betty, and her beloved husband Bob, loved so much. They are taking some quiet time and comfort with each other. Our prayers are with them.
___________________________________________________________

Just a reminder, Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and the in gathering of pledges for Stewardship 2016.  If you have not received a pledge card or misplaced it, there are pledge cards in the back of church.
___________________________________________________________

Angel Food Candy is ready for pick-up.  It is not too late to place an order.
You will be glad you did! Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
___________________________________________________________

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Holy Eucharist will be offered at 10:30 am followed by Thanksgiving dinner in the Smith Parish Center.
Take time in thanksgiving for family, friends and each other.

Dear Lord bless the lonely, sick, suffering, refugees and all of God's children. Amen !

Nancy

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Angel Food! Photos by Our "Senile" Warden!

Have you ordered your Angel Food yet?  Thanks to all the volunteers that made and packaged this year's batch of delicious Angel Food candy. Toffee, nuts, chocolate and toasted coconut = YUM! $14.00 a box. Proceeds benefit St. Michael's.













All photos by Ke Chiang Hsieh.


Sunday, November 01, 2015

Announcements for Week Ending November 8th, 2015

The All Souls Novena begins on Monday, November 1 and concludes on Thursday, November 12. During this time, your deceased loved ones will be remembered at all the Masses. There are envelopes in your contribution envelope box or on the usher’s table for listing your deceased loved ones whom you would like remembered at Mass. Simply complete the cards and drop them in the collection basket or at the parish office.

Altar of Remembrance
In case you haven’t noticed…..there is an Altar of Remembrance in the back of church on the west side. The purpose is remembering our loved ones and friends who have died. The altar will remain in place during the All Soul’s Novena ending on Thursday, November 12. You are welcome to place pictures of your loved ones on this altar (and remove them on November 12th or earlier if you wish).



You are invited to join us for Taize Service on Tuesday, November 3rd.  The service begins at 6:45 pm in church.  Taize service is the first and third Tuesdays of the month. If you have never attended Taize, join us and find out what you have been missing.  You will be glad you did.

LOOKING AHEAD…Mark your calendars for next Sunday, November 8.  ECW will conduct their famous “Casserole ~ Bake Sale.”  All men and women of the parish are invited to prepare their special casserole and baked goods for the sale. All parishioners are welcome to stop by the “Casserole ~ Bake Sale” on Sunday, November 8th, and purchase a delicious casserole for dinner and a tempting dessert.  All the goodies are made by the best cooks and bakers at St. Michael’s.

Last call for International Bazaar Parish Artists and parish service groups.  The Bazaar Dec. 5 and 6 has limited space, which is filling up fast with new non-profit vendors.  If you are planning to participate and haven't contacted Jim Steinman at jsteinman7@gmail.com, and Ila Abernathy, ilaa@mindspring.com, 623-3063 to indicate which days you will be there and what you will sell, you aren't signed up.  Do join us, but let us know!  The Publicity team (Jim S. and Katrina Noble) are doing a great job.  Not a parish artist and just want to come and help? Please let us know; we need you!

It’s time to get ready for the Christmas season. Please consider supporting St. Michael’s School by purchasing your holiday greens through our annual fund raiser.  Wreaths, centerpieces, garland, etc. can be delivered to the school for pick up (first week in December) or directly mailed to your family, friends and co-workers as a gift. Order forms are available in the church office and school office.  Orders are due by Wednesday, November 4.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

St. Michael's International Holiday Bazaar - A Call for Participants


Dear new and former Bazaar participants:
We’d like to invite you to participate in the 2015 International Holiday Bazaar at St. Michael’s, Dec. 5 (Saturday evening, 3 - 7 p.m., optional) and Dec. 6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Please join us. Former participants, note a slight name change.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Socially-committed, non-violent non-profits, Parish groups, and Parish artists only. Space is free for non-profit groups. Parish artists donate 10% of their gross to the Church’s Social Action Committee.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW NOW
[your application]
(return this by e-mail or regular mail, even if you have already talked with us)
Do you plan to participate?
If so, please list the following:
Contact person
– name, e-mail, and phone number(s):
Group name, mailing address
(other address information), what you plan to sell, and who benefits:
Participation dates: Saturday and Sunday? Sunday only?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saturday setup,
between 1 and 3 p.m., for 3 p.m. start. A morning option will be arranged.
Sunday setup:
between 8 and 9 a.m. preferred. Between 10 and 11 a.m. is possible (we'll save space ONLY if you indicate you are choosing this option).
Food groups:
Sunday only. Plan to start serving around 11:00 a.m. Church coffee hours will provide basic refreshments until then. St. Michael's Social Action Committee does the Saturday free reception. You are responsible for your own Health Department permits.
Loading / unloading:
Drive around the back (N. side) of the church, down a drive that says "Do not enter." There are breeze way doors on the north and east sides of the drive.

SATURDAY EVENING.
ALL GROUPS (except one potential food group) WILL BE INSIDE. SUNDAY ONLY GROUPS WILL BE OUTSIDE, in the adjacent patio.

REMINDERS:
Socially-committed, non-violent non-profits, Parish groups, and Parish artists only. Space is free for non-profit groups. Parish artists donate 10% of their gross to the Church’s Social Action Committee. Refugees sponsored by any of the non-profit refugee groups are very welcome. You can leaflet but MUST have stuff to sell.
You do not have to be a 501 C-3 nonprofit if you are known to us or can demonstrate that you meet the criteria (we love small programs).
Sunday only is an option, but Saturday only is not.
We provide one 6-foot table, and you do the rest. We do our best to allocate space so that each group will have at least 9 feet of space, even inside on Saturday night.
You take all your money home – no percentages to us.
We do ask you to report how much you gross, so we can know the success of the event. If you have a terrific day and want to make a voluntary small contribution to help cover costs, we won’t turn it down.

INDOOR SPACE is at a premium but we fit everyone inside on Saturday evening. Groups coming Sunday only will be outside unless they make special arrangements.
Saturday groups who want to spread out can have more space if they opt to move outside on Sunday (Guatemala Project does this). We can’t control the weather but will make sure outside groups are under sheltered walks if it is rainy.

MUSIC
– Still a work in progress, but Mzekala has confirmed for Saturday, and Ted Warmbrand for Sunday. We think some of our other Sunday favorites will return.

SECURITY –
You are welcome to leave your tables set up indoors over Saturday night. We do not hire special security, but the coordinators will be the last to leave and will make sure the hall and all entrances to the adjacent patios are locked. Most of us like to cover our items with a sheet or cloth.

SAGE ADVICE –
Variety in pricing and in articles for sale seems to help. So does being present for the entire event. If you come late with one product, expect a small return.
Fine arts traditionally have not done well, but someday there will be an exception.
Low-cost items generally sell well, but there have been many "high-end" exceptions.

THE MORE THE MERRIER
(until we reach 30 groups total) – Please encourage your favorite groups that meet the criteria to participate. Variety and enthusiasm help us all.

PAST RETURNS:
Last year, among all groups, around $6200 changed hands. In 2007, before the economic downturn and before alternative shopping events were so common, the total was over $9,000. However, amounts for individual groups have varied considerably.

PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION.
ILA ABERNATHY (520) 623-3063, ilaa@mindspring.com
[Note – we have a new committee. Once initial contacts are made, you will be notified of a new contact person.]