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December 11th, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Advent
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We take hope today that through the Eucharist, we too can taste and feel Jesus' fulfilled promise, "I am with you always even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20)
Bishop John Noonan
Proclamation of the Year of the Eucharist
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"Stay with us, Lord"
(Luke 24:29)
Lord Jesus,
Your Presence fills us with hope and joy.
You are the human voice of the Father,
Teaching us,
Healing us,
Forgiving us.
In pouring out Your life for us,
Even to death on the cross,
You opened the gates of resurrected life to all people.
Now, today, in this Eucharist,
We encounter You anew.
You draw us into communion with You,
Transforming us through your Body and Blood.
Stay with us, Lord.
Be our nourishment and strength.
Send us forth as servants to the world
And witnesses of your Eternal Love.
Amen.
Our Prayer for the Year of the Eucharist by Frank VandeLoo
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Every year St. Margaret Mary has a living nativity outside of the church in late December. This year it is outside of the church on Thursday Dec 21 & Friday Dec 22. It takes place from 7-9pm on both nights.
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All need to pray for the support of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. One way to foster vocations is to use the Elijah Cup as a focal point at daily prayer. Anyone interested in praying for an increase in vocations is welcome to take the cup home for a week. This includes families with or without children, young adults, empty nesters and singles. If you are interested please call Kristie Altman at 407-647-5171 or sign up at
https://stmargaretmary.org/elijah-cup
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Monday, December 11 - 7:00pm (in the Church)
Fr. Walsh, in his homily yesterday, encouraged all of us to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Join us tonight in the Church for a communal Penance Service with individual confessions.
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Incense will be used at all Sundays of December (Advent) and the following Christmas Masses: 9:00pm and 11:00pm on Christmas Eve, and 9:30am and 11am on Christmas.
For those of you who have
allergies or a sensitivity to incense, you may want
to consider participating at the 8:00am Sunday Mass,
when incense will NOT be used.
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Would you like to assist with the liturgies during Advent by lighting a candle on the Advent wreath at the beginning of Mass? Please contact Lisa Weis at
[email protected]
with your name, phone number and preferred Mass time. The remaining two weekends of Advent are December 16/17 and 23/24.
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Due to the 4th Sunday of Advent falling on Christmas Eve the only Masses for the 4th Sunday of Advent are:
Saturday 12/23: 5pm - Sunday 12/24: 8am & 9:30am
There will be no Noon or 6pm Mass because of Christmas Eve.
Christmas Mass Times:
Christmas Eve: Sunday 12/24: 4pm, 6pm, 9pm & 11pm
Christmas Day: Monday 12/25: 8am, 9:30am, 11am
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New altar server training begins Thursday, January 18, in the Parish Hall and continues for four additional weeks on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 8pm. Every new server must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the first session. New servers are expected to attend all five sessions.
For more information and to register, go to
http://stmargaretmary.org/altar-server-registration
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A huge thank you to our St. Margaret Mary families for your overwhelming support of the Parish Thanksgiving and Christmas Stores. Through the generosity of your time, talent, and treasure we helped 352 local families, including 446 children, meet their holiday needs. Your gifts truly reflect the spirit of the season of Advent. We would also like to give a big thank you to the bakery department at the Winter Park Village Publix and Oasis Spices.
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One of the foundations of social justice is taking care of the homeless. On the 1st Wednesday of every month, volunteers prepare hot meals and desserts starting at 8:00am and then at 2:15pm. These items are delivered to the Coalition for the Homeless in downtown Orlando, providing a hot, healthy dinner and a snack for a later meal.
Contact Colleen Nunez at 407-647-2579 or
[email protected]
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Thank you for your generous donations of diapers for Baby Basics. There is a need for diapers of all sizes, and more than half of our clients request size 5 & 6 diapers. The distributions are the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, however, diapers can be dropped off in the Parish Hall any time.
For more information go to
http://stmargaretmary.org/baby-basics
.
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This week the food pantry collection is for Christian Service Center. The food pantry has had a 100% increase in people seeking assistance lately, largely due to an influx of refugees from Venezuela, and we are expecting an even greater impact from people displaced by the hurricane in Puerto Rico.
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Did you know that the most requested item by homeless people is socks?
When you are shopping this season, please consider buying a pair or a package of socks so that those who have no homes can keep warm through the winter.
All donations will be provided to homeless shelters in Central Florida.
You can leave your sock donations at the Church exits before Mass the weekend of December 16th/17th, or any time in the Parish Hall during December.
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Women's Winter Bible Study
Galatians: Set Free to Live from Jeff Cavins and Gayle Somers. Begins, Thursday, January 18, 9:30 am. Paul's letter to the Galatians speaks directly to our hearts today and addresses the extraordinary gift of salvation that Jesus has won for us. St. Paul's epistle reveals the merciful love of God for his children and will reignite your own love for God. For more info go to: https://stmargaretmary.org/womens-winter-bible-study
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Stocking Stuffer Service Project
Children in Faith Formation, grades Pre-K through 12, and Family Faith December 17, 10:45 am, Parish Hall
In conjunction with the parish sock collection on Dec 16/17, we ask every family to bring, a pair of men's tube socks and an assortment of small toiletries such as shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, lotion, soap, etc. These items can be for adults and children. We will gather for prayer and to assemble the stockings for the Apopka Farmworkers. We need to assemble 250-300 stockings, so we need everyone to "toe the line" and be part of this. for more info, contact
[email protected]
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Annual Seniors'
Advent Dinner
Tuesday, December 12th
Doors Open at 5:30 pm; Dinner
served at 6:00 pm.
Come enjoy an evening of
good food, great music,
entertainment & much more.
This annual event is a gift
from the St. Margaret Mary
Catholic School and is free of
charge.
NO RSVP NEEDED-JUST COME
AND BRING A FRIEND!
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Do you have a special or unique crèche (nativity scene), perhaps even a simple one that has been in your family for many years? Would you like to share your crèche and its story with the parish? Then please participate in our parish display of Christmas crèches on the feast of the Epiphany. Deadline for registration of nativity scenes is
Friday,
December 23. For more information go to
https://www.haitiministry.com/creche-exhibit
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Alternate Christmas Giving
Haiti Christmas Livestock Program
Please consider an alternate Christmas gift to support our Haiti Ministries. Gift cards supporting the livestock program will be available for purchase this Advent to support our sisters and brothers in Haiti. Cards will be available after Masses starting December 9/10, at the church office, and online at
http://stmargaretmary.org/HaitiGiftProgram
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There will be a bake sale during the display of nativity scenes in the parish hall on January 6 and 7. Please consider helping us raise funds for our brothers and sisters in Haiti by contributing to the bake sale. Baked goods of all kinds are appreciated. Drop off will be from 2-5 on Saturday, January 6th at the Parish Hall. For more information please check the parish web site or contact Vicki Emery: 407-644-0944 or
[email protected]
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ADVOCACY - SOCIAL JUSTICE
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Florida Voting Restoration Amendment
Your Help Is Needed Giving Floridians A Second Chance-Please Support the Voting Restoration Amendment on the 2018 Ballot! Florida is one of only three states with a lifetime ban on voting. The Restoration Amendment will modernize Florida's criminal justice rules by bringing our state in line with others nationwide. For more information please go to:
https://stmargaretmary.org/voting-restoration-amendment
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2017 Homeless Memorial Service
December 19, 2017, 11am
First United Methodist Church of Orlando
142 E. Jackson St. Orlando, FL 32801
IDignity and Homeless Services Network will honor homeless persons who died in 2017 at this year's Annual Homeless Memorial Service, names of those who have passed in 2017 will be read aloud and a candle will be lit to honor and remember each life represented.
https://stmargaretmary.org/homeless-memorial-service
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Homily Rewind: 2nd Sunday of Advent
Prepare the way of the Lord! The theme of Advent is preparing our hearts for Christmas. Fr. Walsh challenges us to examine ourselves and to clear our hearts through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Is the Lord knocking at your door? Is He challenging you to embrace the loving forgiveness of the Father and accept the gift of His peace.
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Amplify Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
All High School students are invited to join us for our Amplify Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! Dec. 17 from 7:00-8:30pm. We'll have Christmas games, music, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and much more. We'll have gift card prizes for best/funniest ugly Christmas sweater! All are welcome to join us so bring a friend and come celebrate!
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Wednesday, Dec. 13th 6:30-8:00pm
ALL Middle School Ice Skating!
Come join us for our final Revive night of the semester at Winter in the Park Ice Skating. The rink is located at 150 New York Ave, on the corner of New York Ave. and Morse Blvd. in Downtown Winter Park.
Cost: $11 to skate (includes skates)
This is a family event and parents are more than welcome to attend! See you there!
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Sunday, Dec. 17, 10:45-11:45 AM
All middle school students are invited to join us for our next Journey Together Middle School Catechesis class! We'll be talking about the being Made for Mission!
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As Advent continues, remember our Elizabeth Ministry. We strive to follow the example of Mary and Elizabeth by sharing the sacredness of life with women in the childbearing years. We celebrate new life by providing meals after adoption or delivery of a new baby, bring Holy Communion if in the hospital with a sick child, offer prayers for all the joys and sorrows. For more info contact Michelle Spyckaboer [email protected] or visit our website https://stmargaretmary.org/ministries/family-matters/elizabeth-ministry
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No Special Needs Ministry meeting this month.
Next meeting, Thursday, Jan. 25, 1-3pm.
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Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30pm in the Upper Room
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December 18th from 10:00-11:30 am.
Please note ....We will be meeting at Panera's across from the church at 10:00am for a casual lunch (pay on your own).
We invite you.... If you are; a cancer patient, a cancer survivor, the spouse or related to someone dealing with cancer to join us. We are made up of all of the above groups. Our mission is to listen, support and learn from each other. We welcome all.
For more information call Deacon Bill at
407 647-3392
or
[email protected]
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In December this group will be meeting
on December 18
th
in the Family Life center
from 11:00am to 12:30pm.
You are invited to join other widows and widowers for the purpose of bringing together the members of our parish who have lost a wife or husband. The group offers an atmosphere of support and understanding with encouragement through sharing and prayer.
For more information please contact Karen at
[email protected]
or call
513-319-9997
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Parish Vision Statement
Called into relationship by the Holy Spirit and
Centered in the Eucharist,
St. Margaret Mary Parish is a welcoming community,
Sent by Christ to serve.
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