“Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior.”
+ Isaiah 45:8 [Entrance Antiphon, 4th Sunday of Advent]
Dear Parishioners,
The Entrance Antiphon for this weekend’s Mass tells us to let the heavenly dew of Christ come down upon us and give us life. May this grace-filled dew seep into all of the places that are barren, lifeless, cracked, and hardened by sin so that He may make us a new creation. This is what Christmas is all about.
Peace be with you as we await the coming of our Savior together,
Fr. Hottovy
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Handy Links:
- Eucharistic Adoration Sign-Up
- Parish Website
- Parish Facebook Page
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House Schedule
Attachments:
Altar Society’s Catholic Women Reading Together Flyer
Emmaus 2021 Winter Seminar Flyer
:: NEW & UPDATED PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
Men’s Club Christmas Tree Set-up: The Men’s Club needs volunteers SUNDAY (December 20th at 1pm) to set up artificial Christmas trees in the sanctuary. This includes getting the boxed components out of the garage storage area and assembly. No tools or experience required.
Advent Confession Times
Additional Confession times: Sat, Dec 19th, Confessions will be heard from 9am-Noon (and 3-4 & 4:45-5:15)and before daily Masses December 21, 22, 23, and 24 (6am-6:20am and 7:45am-8:05am). Note: confessions are being heard in the sacristies.
Christmas Mass Times
Thu, Dec 24th: 3pm and 5pm
Midnight Mass (at 12-midnight)
Thu, Dec 25th: 8, 10, and Noon
You will notice that there are two Christmas Eve Masses. Bishop Conley has given special permission for Christmas Vigil Masses to be celebrated earlier so that Masses are less crowded—allowing for social distancing and ensuring everyone has a chance to attend.
Note: The 3pm and 5pm Christmas Eve Masses will be live-streamed and available for later viewing.
The Knights of Columbus, Fitzgerald Council 833 will again sponsor the Candy Cane Project at the all the weekend Masses of the 19th and 20th.
Miniature Candy Canes will be given out after each of these Masses for a free-will donation. All proceeds will, again, go to the Giving Tree project with any unused moneys to the school for use at their discretion. We expect to have volunteers at each of the church doors.As most of the parishioners are aware, this is a difficult time for all of our parish families. We call upon those that have, help those who have little.
Formed.org programming for the Third Week of Advent
Tip: Search: "Advent" in Formed.org to see current programming.
Sign-up or Sign-in by a simple search for St. Teresa Parish. Register for free with your email address.
In addition to programs listed in last week's bulletin, the following have been added:
- Adventus: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
- This inspiring and special documentary allows Catholics all around the world to unite and make a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land to see the places associated with Christ’s Birth.
- Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession
Prepare for Christmas by making a good Confession! This program explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God's love.
Many of the current Advent programs are found on the Formed.org homepage or see previous bulletin announcements.
Seminarian of the Week
Dominic Winter is the son of James & Cheryl Winter of St. Joseph Parish in
Lincoln. He is studying Theology 3 at St. Charles Borromeo. Remember to pray for Dominic and for his formation.
Welcome by Baptism: Samuel Anthony DeLeon, son of Carlos & Emily. Congratulations!
Please Pray for the repose of the soul of Jack Lang, father of Steve Lang & Greg Lang.
Parish Office Hours
Christmas Week & New Year
December 21, 22, 23: 9am-4pm
December 24 and 25: Closed
December 28, 29, 30: 9am-4pm
December 31st and January 1st: Closed
The Thrift Shop will be closed December 25th & 26th and January 1st & 2nd. Welcome to our new volunteer coordinator: Renee Cunningham.
:: REPEAT PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS (for your convenience) ::
Holy Land Rosaries
Rosaries of Olive Wood which were handmade by Christians in the Holy Land are available for purchase in the Parish Office (a minimum donation of $10 is requested). All proceeds go directly to the support of Christians in the Holy Land. These make wonderful gifts for
sacraments, Christmas, and all occasions!
Advent Giving Wreath We are encouraged to stop by the Advent Wreath(s) to choose gifts that we are able to give to such charities as Lincoln Right to Life and Catholic Social Services. Please turn them in unwrapped.
Community Announcement
Operation Lifesaver Nebraska wants to spread the word in the city of Lincoln: On January 1, 2021, BNSF Railway will begin operating trains on the tracks that run along Hwy 2 between Lincoln and Nebraska City. The tracks have been out of use for 17 years; it is important that we are aware of this change.
Year of St. Joseph
From Catholic News Agency
“Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph Tuesday in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The
decree said that Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that ‘every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.’ [The Pope has] granted special indulgences to mark the year.”
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Look for upcoming parish activities that will help us to learn more about humble St. Joseph and how we can imitate him.
Dispel the darkness by having your candles blessed! The burning of blessed candles discourages disease and demonic presences. If you would like your candles to be blessed, please bring them to the rectory during office hours (9-4, Mon-Fri).
Missalettes
New Missalettes—which begin on November 29th—are available in the vestibule. Please keep the missalette that you take, and use it each week.
Online Giving: Online giving is a safe way to give to the parish without using envelopes. We encourage this practice! If you need help beginning, please call the parish office.The link for online giving is in the upper-right hand corner of our parish website. www.stlfchurch.org
An Altar Society Prayer Line has been established to lift up our prayers to God as a community. Leva Orationes Deo is Latin for lift up prayers to God. Requests can be made by e-mailing levaorationesdeo@yahoo.com or calling the first caller for the phone prayer line: Mary Pat McBride at 402-314-1296. All intentions will be sent by e-mail to the Altar Society e-mail list. If you want to participate in the phone prayer line, please contact Mary Pat.
:: NEW DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
What does the Word of God teach about how we are to speak to and about others? The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies is presenting Redeeming Communication: Christian Speech in a Hostile World, from 9am-12pm on Saturday, January 23, at St. Michael Parish in Lincoln. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Learn more and register at www.emmausinstitute.net.
:: REPEAT DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
The annual Mass of the Holy Innocents will be celebrated on Monday, December 28th. All are invited to attend this Memorial Mass, especially those families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death or abortion. Reading of names will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Mass at 7:00 p.m. This year, the Mass will take place at Cathedral of the Risen Christ Church due to the pandemic and social distancing measures. The Cathedral is located at 3500 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln. If you would like your child's name to be remembered & placed on the banner, please call the Office of Family Life at 473-0620 before 5:00 p.m. on Fri. Dec. 18th. If you placed your child's name previously, it will remain on the list.