2011-12-25-2012-01-01 - St. Cecilia Catholic Community

CHRISTMAS 2011
St. Cecilia Catholic Church
2900 Hoover Avenue
Ames, IA
FAITH FORMATION
Faith Formation Office Hours:
Mondays 8:30am – 7:30pm & Wednesdays 8:30am – 8:15pm
Tues., Thurs. & Fridays 8:30am – 3:30 pm
Faith Formation
Classes will Resume the week of Jan. 2, 2012
NO FAITH FORMATION week of Jan 9 due to Catechist in-services
SECOND GRADE PARENTS: - First Eucharist Parent MeetingMon., Jan 16 at 6:15PM in the Social Hall
OR
Wed., Jan 18 at 4PM in the Social Hall
Middle School Youth Ministry
Merry Christmas from the EDGE!
Our next EDGE Night will be Wed., Jan. 11;
EDGE Casino Night, 7-9PM. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus
Happy New Year from EDGE!
Join us on Fri., Jan. 27 for Roller Skating at Spinning Wheels in Ogden!
Cost is $12 and Drivers are needed! Please sign up by Mon., Jan 23
CONFIRMATION
Jan. 8 & 17: Confirmation Retreat Team Meetings, Contact Anna to join!
Mandatory 10th Grade Confirmation Retreat: Jan. 20-22, 2012
10th Grade Rite of Covenant: Sun., Jan. 29
Next Confirmation Class: Feb. 5
9th Grade Confirmation, 4-6PM (St. Louis Room)
10th Grade Confirmation, 7-9PM
Life Teen Mass for all Parishioners & Families, 6PM
High School Youth Ministry – Grades 9 -12
Jan. 8: Follow the Recipe (A Life Night on the Visible of Invisible Reality of
the Sacraments), 7-9PM
Jan. 15: Alpha Omega (A Life Night on the Sacraments of Initiation), 7-9PM
Enjoy your Christmas Vacation!!
Catholic Heart Work Camp Update
Feb. 4: Amore Meal Fundraiser
Mar. 1: 2nd payment Due ($300)
Small Group Ministry
High Schoolers are encouraged to join a weekly small group bible study.
To join a small group, please contact the Faith Formation Office to receive
your Group Leader’s information!
View the St. Cecilia Youth Ministry calendar at
www.stcames.org/youth-ministry. Have you found us on Facebook? Search
for “StCecilia LifeTeen”! www.saintcecilialifeteen.net
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
No Bible Study on December 26 & 27 or January 2
There will be Bible Study on January 3
Mon., 6-7PM (Spanish) in St. Louis Room
– Evangelio según San Juan
Mon., 7:30-9PM in the St. Louis Room – Isaiah 40 - 55
Tues., 10-11AM in the St. Louis Room – Letter to Ephesians
Social time begins at 9:30AM
Wed., 6:30PM, St Cecilia Good Shepherd Center, Jewell
(Sunday readings)
NCYC Show & Tell: Stop by the Social Hall after all the masses on January
14–15 to hear more about our experience at the National Catholic Youth
Conference. Our 90 participants will be available to show you their pictures,
trading items and give witness to their encounter of Christ at NCYC 2011.
Theology on Tap: Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to join
ToT at Olde Main Brewing Co. at 7PM on Jan 2. Topic is: Faithful
Citizenship. Join the Facebook Group "St. Cecilia Theology on Tap" for
more information. Come and bring a friend! See you there!!
Christmas, 2011.
We thought we knew where to find you;
we hardly needed a star to guide the way,
just perseverance and common sense:
why do you hide yourself away from the powerful
and join the refugees and outcasts,
calling us to follow you there?
Wise God, give us wisdom
We thought we had laid you safe in the manger;
we wrapped you in the thickest sentiment we could find,
and stressed how long ago you came to us;
why do you break upon us in our daily life
with messages of peace and goodwill,
demanding that we do something about it?
Just and righteous God, give us justice and righteousness.
So where else would we expect to find you
but in the ordinary place with the faithful people,
turning the world to your purpose through them.
Bring us to that manger, to that true rejoicing,
which will make wisdom, justice and righteousness alive in us.
(Stephen Orchard. The Complete Book of Christian Prayer p. 378)
May our celebration once again of the birth of Jesus be also a renewed birth
of his Spirit in each of us enabling to see him in the persons and life
circumstances of every human being we encounter, especially the poor, the
outcast and all those we tend to label “as not like us” or avoid for whatever
reason.
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Praying an abundance of Christmas grace for you and your loved ones at
Christmas and in the New Year.
In Christ’s love,
Father Jim Secora
BAPTISM PREPARATION
All parents seeking baptism for their child are expected to attend a
preparation session even though they may have attended
previously. Please call 233-3092 for registration.
Godparents are also expected to attend.
Next session is Feb. 9, 2012 at 6:30PM in the St. Louis Room.
** Note: Sessions are normally scheduled on the second Thursday of
the even numbered months.**
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of
great joy. . .For today. . .a savior has been born for you who is
Christ the Lord.”
God appears in surprising ways and in Christ we are given courage and
challenged to do unbelievable things. Are you ready to seek Christ in
the waters of Baptism? If you are an adult or know an adult or child over
the age of 7 interested in becoming a Catholic and celebrating Baptism,
Confirmation or First Eucharist with this community, contact Jo Anne Dalhoff
at RCIA@stceciliaparish.org or call the parish office at 515-233-3092.
Parishioners are also needed to support this ministry.
******************
Period of Inquiry
“What does it mean to be Catholic?”
St. Cecilia Church is now offering a seven-week series of Catholic
understanding and formation. This series will be repeated several times
during the coming year on Thursdays from 7 - 8:30 PM in the St. Louis
Room.
Session #1: Thursday, January 12, 2012
RCIA & The Structure of the Church
Presenter: Jo Anne Dalhoff, Pastoral Associate
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SCHOOL NEWS
School News
Monday, 01/02: Classes Resume
Wednesday, 01/04: 9 AM-All School Mass and 2:15 PMEarly Dismissal
Wednesday, 01/11: 9 AM-All School Mass and 2:15 PMEarly Dismissal
Thursday, 01/12: End of 2nd Quarter
Monday, 01/16: Teacher In-Service/NO SCHOOL OR PRESCHOOL
Monday, 12/19 to Friday, 12/30:Christmas Break—
NO SCHOOL OR PRESCHOOL
Monday, 01/02: Classes Resume
Scrip: Orders received by 9AM on any Mon. will be ready to be picked up by
9AM on Fri. Order forms are available in the Narthex, the School Office, the
Parish Office and on the School web page. Profits from Scrip sales benefit all
education programs at Saint Cecilia, the Day School and Faith Formation
Classes. Please support St. Cecilia education by purchasing Scrip
certificates. For more information on Scrip, please contact Connie Vaclav at
232-8343, vaclav@iastate.edu or go to www.glscrip.com.
Mark your Calendars for Gala 2012!
February 11, 2012, Gateway Center Hotel. Plans
are underway for the 2012 Gala and we’d like to
hear from you! Please go to the following link for
more information and a brief survey about Gala:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B83J7QXIf you prefer, you may pick up a
paper copy in the office to fill out. The 2012 Gala co-chairs are Lisa and Troy
Weary, Matt and Jessica Loecke, and Nate and Lezli Pelzer.
Bread for the Journey #38
Communion Procession (Part ii)
If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your
sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your
sacrament that you receive. To that which you are you
respond “Amen” (“yes, it is true!”), and by responding to it you assent to it.
For you hear the words, “the Body of Christ” and respond, “Amen.” Be then
a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true.
If we have a hymn of thanksgiving after communion, it should be sung by the
entire assembly while standing (rather than as a “meditation” by the choir or
cantor alone)—as directed by the liturgical books.
The communion procession has a purpose: to bring those who are to receive
communion to the Table. While it has become common for those not receiving communion to join in the procession and receive a “blessing” instead,
perhaps this is a good time to rethink this practice. While some argue that
including everyone in the procession is an act of hospitality, it also ‘says’
something that is not true: that everyone can and may receive the Eucharist.
It also changes the meaning of the rite, making the reception of communion
and the reception of a blessing somehow equivalent.
Catholic Messenger Series-- Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Communion Rite (Part
3) by Deacon Frank Agnoli, Davenport, IA. Permission granted for reprinting.
St. Cecilia Parish is blessed to offer scheduled Eucharistic Adoration each
Sun. at 6PM through Sat. at 12PM noon continually throughout the day and
night. At least one adorer is needed to cover each of those hours. With 2
adorers on the same hour, there is rarely a need to find a substitute. Starting
Jan.10, 2012, the adorers who regularly cover the Tues. 6AM hour will be in
warmer climes until late Apr. This would be an ideal hour for someone to try
an hour on a trial basis, but could also continue on as the 2nd adorer. The
hour will be covered by substitutes if necessary, but someone who can cover
the hour would be greatly appreciated. Orientation and substitute help are
provided, and Eucharistic Adoration is suspended in cases of inclement
weather. Call Cyndi Volcko 451-4749 for more information.
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MEETINGS & EVENTS
St. Gerard's Circle will meet on Thurs., Jan. 5 at 7PM. in the South Social
Hall. Jo Anne Dalhoff will be our speaker, talking about the "Duties of a
Pastoral Associate". If you have any old religious items you would like to
donate, please bring them as we will be sending a box to the missions.
Adult volleyball will resume on Tues., Dec. 27. They meet every Tues. at
7PM in the St. Cecilia gym. Drop in and play for fun. All skill levels welcome.
Any questions contact Jim Schoenrock 232-1149.
Fellowship For Parents/Playgroup will no longer meet due to lack of
interest. If you are interested in playgroup but the time does not work, please
email Jon Ryan at sjryan2@isunet.net or 232-2075 and we will try to
reschedule. Thank you.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes at St.
Cecilia's Catholic Church meet from 10-11:30AM and
7-8:30PM on Thursdays and are usually one tutor to
one student depending on numbers. Please contact
Lloyd Anderson (515-296-1002) for morning classes or
Karl Gwiasda (232-7582) for evening classes.
Saint Cecilia Life Teen cordially invites you to attend our 3rd Annual
Amore Dinner on Sat.., Feb. 4! Support a Saint Cecilia teenager attending
Catholic Heart Work Camp in the Summer of 2012. We will treat you to an
elegant Italian dinner and excellent service. Our Special is Spaghetti
Marinara donated by Barilla, served with house salad, garlic bread, fabulous
desserts and wine. Please call 232-3514 to make your reservation by Wed.,
Feb. 1. Walk-ins will also be welcome.
Eucharistic Adoration will be suspended from 12PM Noon,
Saturday, December 17, until 8AM Tuesday, January 3.
Food at First, which provides free meals in Ames nightly, is seeking
donations of used or new Corelle dishes of any color or pattern for use in
the program. Many of the heavy glass dishes have been accidentally
broken and need to be replaced. Please call Doreen Berg (956-3414) for
pick-up of your donation. (Note: St Cecilia volunteers cook and serve the
Food at First meals every Tuesday night.)
Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids seeks a Campus Minister to
work 40 hours/week during the 10-month academic year. This is a full-time
position with a full benefits package. Requirements include a Bachelors
degree (Masters preferred) in ministry, scripture, or theology or religious
studies, acquaintance with contemporary issues in Catholic higher
education, and a significant understanding of the essentials of young adult
ministry. Please submit cover letter (include salary requirements), resume
and references as MS Word or Adobe Acrobat attachments to:
hr@mtmercy.edu with the subject line “Campus Minister.” Only applications
emailed to this address will be considered.
The Saint Cecilia Social Justice Committee has
been working with members of the Holy Family Cluster (of
Wright County) to assist their sister parish in Haiti.
Another medical mission trip is being made in January; a
St. Cecilia parishioner, Sarah Ledvina, will accompany
them on this trip. We are collecting the following for ALL ages. These items
must be current & sealed to get through customs: Vitamins (chewables/
infant drops/adult)—Need lots(poor nutrition); Tylenol, Aspirin, Motrin, similar
(Pain/fever); Tums/Pepto Bismol/Maalox/Anti Diarrheal—Lots of GI distress;
Anti-Fungal/Antibiotic/Hydrocortisone creams; Chapstick, Hand cream
(DRY, parched skin); Allergy meds (Claritin/Zyrtec etc.). Please bring these
items to the parish office by Dec. 31.
Coffee and donuts will be not be served on December 25 or
January 1 due to the holidays.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Stewardship: Dec. 25: The shepherds who heard the joyous news from
Part one: Section Two
Chapter One - I believe in God the Father
Article 1— I Believe in God the Father, Creator of Heaven &
Earth, Paragraph 7. The Fall
III. Original Sin
The consequences of Adam's sin for humanity
IV. "You Did Not Abandon Him to the Power of Death"
411 The Christian tradition sees in this passage an announcement of the
"New Adam" who, because he "became obedient unto death, even death on
a cross," makes amends superabundantly for the disobedience of Adam.
Furthermore many Fathers and Doctors of the Church have seen the woman
announced in the Protoevangelium as Mary, the mother of Christ, the "new
Eve." Mary benefited first of all and uniquely from Christ's victory over sin:
she was preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God
committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life.
the angels on the first Christmas night and then hurried to find the infant
Savior must surely have been changed by that experience. How has His
coming changed my life?
Jan. 1: The first reading today recalls God’s special blessing upon the
Israelites. The Lord has been gracious to us as well, pouring into our hearts
that spirit which know Him as Father and makes us His children. May we,
like Mary, treasure these things in our hearts and live gratefully!
Nativity of the Lord
"Today is born our Savior, Christ the
Lord." This is our response to the psalm today.
At first some sticklers for English grammar
might take exception to the present tense in the
sentence. After all, wasn't Jesus born more
than two thousand years ago? Yes, that's true. In Bethlehem in Judah in a
stable a child was born. He was heralded by angels and honored by shepherds. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, hardly an
auspicious beginning for the King of all the world. But Christmas is much
more than remembering the birth of a child two millennia ago. That is because his birth has real effects for each of us today! The birth of Christ affects our lives. That is why we proclaim, "Today is born our Savior."
Think about it. In the run up to Christmas many of us opened our hearts
and our wallets to those in need. Why did we do that? We did it because we
believe what Jesus taught us: to love our neighbor as ourselves. In doing so,
Christ is born in our hearts.
Many of us sent greeting cards with good wishes to others. Why did we
do that? Because we believe what Jesus taught us: to announce the good
news to others. In doing so, Christ is born in our hearts.
We come to worship on Christmas day just as we do on any Sunday.
Why do we do that? Because we believe what Jesus taught us: to love God
with all our heart, and mind, and soul. In doing so, Christ is born in us.
When Christ is born in us, he is born again in the world. As men and
women baptized in his name, we carry him in our hearts to others: to those
who walk in darkness, to those who are burdened, to those who feel
forsaken. Today is born our Savior!
At Home with the Word 2012 is available in the parish office for $5.00.
From today’s Gospel, John tells us: “From his fullness we have all received,
favor upon favor.” Consider attending Lincoln Highway Christian
Experience Weekend at Pilgrim Heights and thank God for the favors he
has extended you. The Men’s CEW is Feb 24-26 and the Women’s CEW is
Mar. 2-4. We invite you to come join us. We are making preparations now to
celebrate the blessings God has given you. Call Alan Christy 515-231-8099.
Parish Office will close at Noon on December 30 and will be closed on
Monday, December 26 and January 2.
Student Tuition Organization (STO) Charitable Contribution
If you have charitable contributions to make before 12/31, please consider
St. Cecilia Parish and STO. Iowa tax law gives a STO tax credit of 65% of
the cash contribution. E.g, if you contribute $100 you will receive a $65 tax
credit meaning a cost of only $35 to you. And if you itemize on your Federal
Income Taxes, you can list the $100 contribution there as well and receive
credit according to your tax bracket. If you are in 25% Federal tax bracket
you will receive an overall credit of 90% meaning a $100 contribution will
cost you only $10 after the $90 credit. Please contact your tax preparer to
determine your specific tax impact.
COMMUNITY
©2011 Liturgical Publications Inc
Poverty IS too often a reality for many Iowa families: There are many
people in poverty across Iowa. These people are in your community
struggling to get by day-to-day. You may not know who they are, but they
are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Nearly 12 percent of Iowans are living
in poverty. January is National Poverty Awareness Month. Throughout
Iowa communities, Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) assists people through
services that provide education and set goals that can help break the cycle
of poverty. For more information, visit LSI at www.LSIowa.org or join us on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa
END OF YEAR GIVING—
Need year end deductions? The Student Tuition Organization of Iowa
helps fund catholic school for elementary children who need help with the
tuition. Log On to www.OurFaithSTO.org for more information and
deadlines. If you choose, you may contribute directly to the St. Cecilia
School Tuition Fund in Ames. Just make check payable to St Cecilia and
indicate “school tuition fund”. REMINDER: ALL YEAR END
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ST CECILIA MUST BE POSTMARKED before
January 1, 2012 In order to reflect on your 2011 Contribution Statement.
Thanks to all of you, St Cecilia is able to pass on the Catholic Heritage to
those in central Iowa.
Many of our parishioners re-evaluate their giving to St. Cecilia Parish
at year end. For some families, it may be in thanksgiving for the many
blessings they received during the year. For others, it is to take advantage
of tax incentives. Whatever the case, and because IRS regulations are strict
and date sensitive, it is important for you to give your money on or before
Dec. 31. Please call the Parish Office at 233-3092 if you have questions.
Request from Bethesda Community Food Pantry: We are experiencing a
great need for our services at this time. Ours is a community food pantry,
offering food to anyone who asks. This is an all-volunteer effort – our costs
are not included in the church budget and we have no paid staff. Food can
be dropped off in the marked bin inside the west door of the church.
Financial contributions can be mailed to: Bethesda Community Food Pantry,
c/o Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Avenues Ames, IA
Does your spiritual life need a new focus in 2012? A Christian
Experience Weekend (CEW) can help. The CEW weekend is an adult
renewal experience offering participants a better understanding of old and
new aspects of their Christian faith. The 2012 weekends will be Jan. 27-29
for women and Feb. 17-19 for men at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church
in Ankeny. If you have questions, call Debbie Landuyt at 597-2263 or the
parish office at 964-3038. More information is also available at
www.olih.org/cew
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Your Financial Stewardship
12/6-12/12
YTD
Contributions
Year Ago
Building Improvement fund
$ 458,971
$ 444,141
$ 35,630
$ 30,634
$ 22327
$ 105
Mass Schedule
Weekend: Saturday 5:00PM; Sunday 8:30AM, 10:30AM
& 5:00PM (Misa en Español)
Weekday: Tuesday-Friday 8:00AM & 5:30PM (Chapel)
NOTE: During the school year, Wednesday Mass will be
at 9:00AM in the Church.
Saturday, December 24
4:00PM: Priest’s intention
6:30PM: Priest’s intention
10:00PM: Priest’s intention
Sunday, December 25
10:00AM: Priest’s intention
5:00PM: Priest’s intention
Misa en Español (Chapel)
Tuesday, December 27
8:00AM: John Vaclav †
5:30PM: Vasana Patricia Teresa Ripperger
Wednesday, December 28
8:00AM: Jack Urbance
5:30PM: Trudy Johnson †
Thursday, December 29
8:00AM: Robert G. Ross †
5:30PM: Alvera Irlbeck
Friday, December 30
8:00AM: Bob Miller †
5:30PM: Anna Marie Carr
Saturday, December 31
5:00PM: Raymond Evans †
Sunday, January 1
8:30AM: Parishioners of St. Cecilia
10:30AM: Priest’s intention
5:00PM: Quinn Boylston †
Misa en Español (Chapel)
Tuesday, January 3
8:00AM: John Richardson
5:30PM: Roberta North
Wednesday, January 4
9:00AM: All-School Mass
Jason Darland
5:30PM: Mark Anderson
Thursday, January 5
8:00AM: Bridget C. Ross
5:30PM: Linus Putz †
Friday, January 6
8:00AM: Leo Blanchet †
5:30PM: Lori Reecer
Saturday, January 7
5:00PM: Susan Mullay
Readings for the Week of December 25, 2011
Sunday:
Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or
1:18-25
Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14
Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20
Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
Monday:
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22
Tuesday:
1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Mt 2:13-18
Thursday:
1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35
Friday:
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Col 3:12-21
or 3:12-17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22-40 or
:22, 39-40
Saturday:
1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
Next Sunday: Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
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Reconciliation
Saturday 3:30-4:30PM and by appointment.
Parish Office
Hours ............. Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-4PM
Friday 8:30AM-2:30PM
Phone ...................................... (515) 233-3092
Fax .......................................... (515) 233-6423
Priest Residence ..................... (515) 233-9477
www.stceciliaparish.org
Parish Staff
Pastor ............................Father James Secora
jsecora@stceciliaparish.org
Pastoral Associate………JoAnne Dalhoff
jdalhoff@stceciliaparish.org
Deacons ............. Gary Aitchison, Alan Christy
John McCully and Ron Smith
Director of Music & Liturgy ....Robert Hauser
bhauser@stceciliaparish.org
Business Manager ......Char VanKerckvoorde
cvankerc@stceciliaparish.org
Administrative Assistant ..............Kathy Best
kbest@stceciliaparish.org
Receptionist…………………………Dawn Cowles
dcowles@stceciliaparish.org
Faith Formation
Phone ...................................... (515) 232-3514
Fax……………………………….(515) 232-2875
Director of Faith Formation…..Tom Primmer
tprimmer@stceciliaparish.org
Youth Ministry Coordinator ....... Anna Steele
asteele@stceciliaparish.org
Administrative Assistant ............. Patty Streit
pstreit@stceciliaparish.org
School
Phone ...................................... (515) 232-5290
Fax……………………………….(515) 232-2875
Principal ........................... Brandt Snakenberg
bsnakenberg@stceciliaschoolames.org
Administrative Assistant ...........Lois Vidimos
lvidimos@stceciliaschoolames.org
Birthright
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer opportunities held in the Chapel.
Scriptural Rosary Monday 7:00AM
Intercessory Prayer Group Sunday 9:00-10:00PM
Rosary Monday 7:30PM*, Tuesday-Friday before 8:00AM
Mass (*The rosary is said for Pro-life the first Monday of each
month.)
Christians in the Spirit Tuesday 7:15-9:00PM
Chaplet of Divine Mercy Friday 3:00PM
Liturgy of the Hours Saturday 7:00AM
Eucharistic Adoration The chapel is open daily, keypad
access only between 10:00PM & 6:00AM.
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