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Church of theAssumption

Church of St.Anthony

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Twinned Parish News

Parish Christmas CarolingCome help spread Christmas cheer and join us for some Christmas caroling this Friday, December 15th. We will meet at the St. Anthony parish center at 5:00 PM. Visits will include the Hilltop Nursing Home, the St.

Anthony Manor and other homes in the parishes. All ending at a final home for a time of gathering. Members from both parishes are welcome! Kindly RSVP to Janet at 444-1619 or at either parish office.

Joint-Parish Social ConcernsWe are looking for members of both parishes that would be willing to take part in a social concerns committee arranged with the help of Catholic Charities. This committee will help address needs within the parishes including financial assistance, job finding, multicultural needs and more. If you are interested in helping our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, please contact either parish office. Advent Penance ServicesReconciliation services for the parishes are on Sunday, December 10. St. Anthony’s will have theirs at 4:00 PM and Assumption’s will be at 7:00 PM. In confession you can get rid of the obstacles that come in between you and the Lord and make straight his path to you. Take advantage of this advent penance service to ready your heart!

Allergy Sensitive IncenseJust a note to the parishioners that we are using incense that is listed as “ideal for those with allergies and sensitive to smoke.” We will also try keeping the fans on for better air circulation.

Open House Party at the Rectory!!Save the date for an open house Christmas party for the parishioners of St Anthony's and Assumption at the Assumption rectory on December 19th from 4-7pm. No need to bring anything. Just come and enjoy food and fellowship as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Adult Faith Formation“Uncle Fred’s” next Faith Talk will be this Thursday, December 14, at St. Anthony’s at 6:30. Come join us, there’s always more to learn! All are welcome!

A Message from Father AaronThe Kindness of the Father

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our psalm this second Sunday of Advent is a beautiful prayer. “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” The Father’s kindness has been given through so many ways as he has shown amazing patience and forgiveness to the sinner throughout the course of salvation history. He is the same God who shows his kindness to the repentant sinner today. This great season of Advent is a wonderful time to receive God’s kindness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, however, is at times misunderstood or overlooked. It is one of the greatest gifts we have as Catholics and God waits to give it to us. It is like a parent anxiously waiting to give the precious gift of love and embrace to their child if the child would only come home to receive it. The Father longs to show us his kindness and mercy in his power to forgive all of our sins, regrets, failures and heal the wounds of our soul. Our souls possess a deep need to be healed and set free from sin. Let this Advent be the time to let go, be forgiven and set free. One might say: “I confess only to God.” Yes, you can say to God “forgive me” and say your sins, but our sins are also committed against the brethren, and against the Church. That is why it is necessary to ask pardon of the Church, and of the brethren in the person of the priest. Another might say, “But Father, I am ashamed ….” Shame is also good when we have done wrong. It is healthy to feel a little shame, because being ashamed is salutary. When a person feels no shame about doing wrong they are headed down a “crooked path.” Confession helps one to be freed of the burden of regret and guilt and “get things off of their chest.” Scripture says, “Go and tell your sins to a priest.” This Sacrament gives an assurance in knowing that Christ has forgiven our sins through the minister of his Church. So many times people walk out of the confessional feeling refreshed and renewed in mind and spirit! Please do join us for our Advent Reconciliation Services this Sunday at St. Anthony’s at 4pm and Assumption at 7pm. May we all seek and find the kindness of the Father through Reconciliation this Advent and so prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming.

May God bless you, Father Aaron

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Baptized in Christ The Assumption Church welcomes its newest members through the waters of baptism, Cora Gen Berg and Reid Everett Magedanz. Cora is the daughter of Beth and Darren Berg and Reid is the son of Molly Finders and Matt Magedanz. May the Lord grant many blessings upon these families!

Thank You to Catholic United FinancialThe treat bags handed out last weekend in honor of St. Nicholas were greatly appreciated! In addition, a huge thank you for the generous donation to the faith formation program. It is also much appreciated. Half of the generous donation was from matching funds for the fall dinner fundraiser. CUF is a not-for-profit company that sells life insurance, annuities, and retirements products. CUF provides grants, scholarships, and other programs that support the Catholic faith and volunteerism.

Finance/Parish Council MeetingsDue to the short advent and the general busyness of the Christmas season it was decided to postpone the finance and parish council meetings. This will make it easier on the parishes, the staff and council members. The meetings have been rescheduled January 16th.

Anointing of the SickThe Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is scheduled for after the 5:30 Mass, next Saturday, December 16th.

Adoration AnnouncementThe Assumption Church’s perpetual adoration still has an open hour on Tuesday mornings at 1-2 a.m. Please call Rita Haan at 453-7865 or Rose Becker at 453-7496 if interested.

Christmas DecoratingDecorating of the inside of church for Christmas will take place immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass on December 24th. All help is welcome!

Christmas FlowersAnyone who wants to contribute to Christmas Flowers in memory of a loved one can submit their donation with their name, the name of their loved one and the parish it’s for in the Sunday collection, drop it off at the offices or mail in it.

Christmas Gift Ideas!There are still Assumption Church mugs and playing cards available in the back of church for sale.

Christmas Pageant The Christmas pageant will be at 5:00 on Saturday, December 23rd. The students will be practicing the songs during their faith formation classes. Hopefully parents will hear them practicing at home too!

�����������Wednesday, December 13:

5:45 pm Mass: † Christine Maul

Friday, December 15:

7:00 am Mass: † Frank Lahr

Saturday, December 16:

5:30 pm Mass: People of the Parish

Sunday, December 17:

8:00 am Mass: † Kathleen Mathies

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1�!�%���%�3��4��Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary

����� ���������5+�)�*,��������4�����Lectors: Lona Brutger & Jason Huschle

Ushers: Leander Thielen, Chad Kuechle,

Tom Lenz & Josh Bischof

Ministers of Communion:

Deb Huschle, Stacey Moehrle & Volunteer

Servers: Eric Bauer, Ellaree Anderson,

Peyton Thull & Nathan Lang

Music: Marlene Fischer

Rosary Leader: Lorraine Vivier

5+�)�*,����-��&4�����Lectors: Dave Ruhland & Elaina Stommes

Ushers: Reuben Stommes, Paul Heibel,

Gene Bischof & Ken Nistler

Ministers of Communion:

Sharon Schettler, Donna Bischof

& Jenni Evens

Homebound: Jeanne Schmitz

& Sheri Zieglmeier

Servers: Amber Scherer, Leya Teicher,

Ethan Nohner & Mykayla Ballard

Music: Guitar Group

Rosary Leader: Marge Kuechle

*Weekday Rosary: Rose Becker

���������������Parish IncomeLoose PlateAdult Env. Youth Env.VotiveBazaarTotal

Bazaar YTD: $15,838Monthly Auto Drafts: $1755

Thank you for your donations!

12/3/17231.50

2638.0022.0018.50

825.00$4090.27

December 10: RCIA Class, 12:00 pmDecember 14: Uncle Fred "Faith Talk" at St. Anthony, 6:30December 15: Caroling, 5-7 PM, meet at St. Anthony’sDecember 17: Graces & Gifts Fellowship, 9:00 RCIA Class, 12:00 pmDecember 19: Open House Christmas Party, 4-7 pm, rectoryDecember 20: Christmas Pageant Practice, 3:00-5:00December 21: Uncle Fred "Faith Talk" at Assumption, 6:30December 22: Faith & Fun (grades 3-6) December 23: Christmas Pageant, 5:00December 27: Children's Choir Practice (grades 2-8), 10-11December 28: Youth Gathering (grades 7-college age), 5-8 pmDecember 29: Children's RCIA Class, 11:00-12:00January 7: Junior High Youth Rally, 9:00-4:00

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Baptized in Christ The Church of St. Anthony welcomes its newest member through the waters of baptism, Emrie Alayna Ertl. Emrie is the daughter of Matt and Kayla Ertl and was baptized on December 10th. May God bless Emrie and her family!

1st ReconciliationCongratulations to the 2nd graders who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this past weekend!

Finance/Parish Council MeetingsDue to the short advent and the general busyness of the Christmas season it was decided to postpone the finance and parish council meetings. This will make it easier on the parishes, the staff and council members. The meetings have been rescheduled to January 18th.

Anointing of the SickThe Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is scheduled for after the 10:00 AM Mass, next Sunday, December 17th.

Giving TreeDuring the Christmas season we try to find ways to help those most in need

among us. One way we can help is to take a food shelf envelope from our giving tree in the back of church. All donations will be given to our local food

shelf to help the needy in our local area.

Christmas FlowersAnyone who wants to contribute to Christmas Flowers in memory of a loved one can submit their donation with their name, the name of their loved one and the parish it’s for in the Sunday collection, drop it off at the offices or mail in it.

Lectors NeededThe new lector schedule will be soon made out and we are looking for new lectors to join this ministry! If you would like to become a lector please call

Heidi at 250-1091.

St. Anthony Christmas PageantWe hope to see you at this years’ Christmas Pageant pageant on the December 23rd as the kids give us a special reminder that Christmas is more than decorations and shopping! Pageant practice is at 5:30 PM on the 23rd, the pageant is at 7:00 followed by a reception with Christmas cookies and a

hot chocolate bar with all the fixings!

Year-End GivingThe end of the year is not far away, and it is time to start thinking of strategies to maximize the tax benefits of year-end giving. Remember that only gifts made by December 31st can help reduce the amount of taxes you owe next April. These gifts can come in many different ways: gifts of cash, grain, securities and appreciated assets, from retirement plans, a charitable remainder trust or life insurance. Please consult your professional tax advisor

for tax strategies for your personal situation.

�����������Tuesday, December 12:

9:30 am Mass: † Kathleen Mathies

Thursday, December 14:

8:30 am Mass: CCW Members

Friday, December 15:

9:30 am (Communion Service at Hilltop)

Sunday, December 17:

10:00 am Mass: †Tom & Adeline Mathies

����� ���������+�)�*,����-����4�����Lectors: Holly Geislinger & Haylee Geislinger

Ushers: Earl Dockendorf/Alex Birr,

Ralph Huberty/Brandon Donnay,

Tammy Winter & Joe Rathmann

Ministers of Communion:

Precious Body: Mary Ann Hesse

Precious Blood: Rich Hesse & Linda Faber

Homebound: Betty Vossen, 764-9163

Servers: Reyse & Cambel Hesse,

Henry Landwehr & Max Geislinger

Rosary Leader: Maynard & Jeanette Walz

Children’s Liturgy: Kaila Schmitt

& Rose Condon

���������������Parish IncomeAdult Env.Loose Youth Weekly Auto VotiveBuilding Auto Building FundTotal

��������������Mondays: Mary’s Cenacle, 2:00 Mission Quilting, 12:30-4:00Thursday: Thrift Shop, 9-12Saturday: Thrift Shop, 9-12

��� ������� �December 3-16:

Don Schneider, Jim Schreifels, Cat Zadra and Jay Schoenecker & families.

*Please call Theresia at

764-7251 to unlock .

Thank you to all our cleaners!

New Parish Center 12/5/17Total Project Goal 1,896,954.00Expenses Paid ($1,740,802.27)Remaining Bills (est.) 50,000.00Loan $113,000.00 Unpaid Pledges $80,804.23

December 10: Advent Penance Service, 4:00 PMDecember 13: Faith Formation Classes, 6:30-7:30 Parish/Student Adoration, 6:30-7:30December 14: Uncle Fred "Faith Talk" at St. Anthony, 6:30December 15: Caroling, 5-7 PM, meet at St. Anthony’s

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12/3/172750.00218.00

9.00 310.0033.0035.00

100.00$3455.00

Daily ReadingsMonday: Is 35:1-10/Lk 5:17-26Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Jdt

13:18bcde, 19/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30

Thursday: Is 41:13-20/Mt 11:11-15Friday: Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19

Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Mt 17:9a, 10-13Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 /1

Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

SacramentsMarriage- Couples should contact the parish at

least 6 months prior to wedding date.

Baptism- Parents/expecting parents should contact the parish office to sign up for a baptismal

prep class and to schedule a meeting with Father. Call either parish office to schedule.

Anointing of the Sick - contact the parish office when anointing is needed.

**Early Bulletin Deadlines**December 16-17 bulletins are due December 11December 23-24 bulletins are due December 15

December 30/31 bulletins are due December 21Announcements are due by noon each of these days.

Traveling Chalice and Madonna“THE EUCHARIST SHOULD BE AT THE HEART of every vocational journey: it is here that the love

of God touches us in Christ’s sacrifice, the perfect expression of love, and it is here that we learn ever anew how to live according to the ‘high standard’ of God’s love. Scripture, Prayer and the Eucharist

are the precious treasure enabling us to grasp the beauty of a life spent fully in service of the Kingdom.” -Pope Benedict XVI. Thank you to Steve Schmitt of Assumption Parish for hosting the

Traveling Chalice and Madonna this week. May the Advent season bring profound graces open hearts and minds to the coming of Jesus!

Joint Parish Youth DaysThere are two days of activities for the kids planned for this Christmas break:-The younger kids (grades 3-6) have an afternoon of fun planned for them at the very start of Christmas break on December 22 after the early out from school at the Assumption church. Get excited about Christmas with Faith and Fun!-The older group will meet on December 28, 5-8 PM, for an evening of worship music and adoration with a movie to follow. Open to 7th graders to college aged.

**Contact Heidi Geislinger for more info and to RSVP: 237-8957 or hgeislinger@gmail.com.

Jr. High Youth RallyThe JH Youth Rally for 6th-8th graders is on Sunday, January 7th at St. John's University. The day includes a keynote presentation, recreational

activities, lunch, and Mass. Registration forms are available from their faith formation teachers or from

the website.

Please Pray ForBishop John Kinney, Lori Crozon, Jane Anderson, Tim Eder, Jackie Boulton Family, Theresa Welle, Jeff Pauls, the Ertl Family, Alexis Vossen, Jerry Weinmann Jr., and Laura Miller.

Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find

lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen.

Advent Schedule

December 10: Parish Penance Services4 PM at St. Anthony, 7 PM at AssumptionDecember 16: Anointing of the Sick after 5:30 Mass at AssumptionDecember 17: Anointing of the Sick after 10:00 Mass at St. AnthonyDecember 19: Open House Party at Assumption Rectory December 23: Christmas Pageants5:00 PM at Assumption, 7:00 PM at St. AnthonyDecember 24: 4th Sunday of Advent Masses:8:00 AM at Assumption. 10 AM at St. AnthonyChristmas Eve Masses: 4:00 PM at St. Anthony, 7:00 PM at AssumptionDecember 25: Christmas Day Masses: 8:00 AM at Assumption10:00 AM at St. Anthony

Youth Activities!