Sample Intercessions for December 24, 2006 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 24, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• 2,950 US soldiers have died in the three years and nine months of fighting in Iraq; 22,000 US military personnel have been injured; 245 Coalition soldiers have been killed; at least 50,000 Iraqis have died. The last two US military casualties in Iraq were of a 43 year old from Hilo, Hawaii, and a 19 year old from Newark, New Jersey.
• Immigration raids by the US government targeting meat-packing facilities throughout the country resulted in fear, distrust, and chaos, with hundreds losing their jobs and being separated from their families to be detained or deported.
• The search continues for two climbers who have been missing for 12 days on Mount Hood in Oregon. A third climber was found dead on Sunday.
• The Pacific Northwest continues to experience heavy winds and cold, leaving many without electricity for days. Several die from downed trees.
• San Jose continues to have near freezing overnight temperatures, filling up local homeless shelters and putting those who remain on the streets at risk.
• Visitors will be filling local churches for Christmas Masses. Travelers will be far from home.
• Family gatherings and the holiday season are not always joyful times for those in strained relationships, those grieving the loss of a loved one, those terminally ill, those with family far away, or those alone or abandoned.
• Kwanzaa begins on December 26.
• Parish staffs and liturgical ministers will be stretched to their limits by the rare calendar event of the 4th Sunday of Advent coinciding with Christmas Eve.

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
With prayers for a world waiting in hope,
let us turn to the Lord, and we shall be saved.

Reader:
For the Church
still waiting for unity,
still hoping for renewal,
still searching for steadfast faith: [pause]
May all the faithful be blessed by the sound of the Gospel
proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For all nations
still waiting for peace,
still hoping for an end to war
still searching for common ground: [pause]
May all peoples be blessed by the sound of understanding
between clans and tribes, rulers and races.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those who have lost hope,
still waiting for a job,
still hoping for a cure,
still searching for a place to call home: [pause]
May those without joy this season be blessed
by the sound of God's promise for them fulfilled.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For travelers and visitors, families and friends,
still waiting for welcome,
still hoping for reconciliation,
still searching for a way to mend what has been broken: [pause]
May everyone we encounter this season be blessed
by greetings of peace, compassion, and hospitality.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and those who care for them,
still waiting for results,
still hoping for a miracle,
still searching for courage and comfort,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May all the sick be blessed by the sound of God's healing word
and the strength of our prayers.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May all who have died be blessed by the sound of God
welcoming them home.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
You are near to us, Lord,
as close to us as the child in the womb of her mother.
And yet we wait in expectant hope for your coming.
Attune our ears to hear your voice in all those we meet,
and open our eyes to see your abiding presence in our world.
Hear our prayers and make us turn to you
that we may leap for joy at the sound of your saving Word,
Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

Picturing Mary - December 21, 2006

Picturing Mary is a stunning new, high-definition documentary to debut December 2006 on public television (in the Bay Area it will air on KQED on December 21, 2006, at 9:00p). It explores how images of the Virgin Mary reflect numerous traditions, devotional practices, and cultures. The one-hour program leads viewers on a pictorial journey through history from earliest Christian times to the present day. It presents a fascinating array of art from twelve locations in eight different countries.

The documentary is a joint effort of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign and New York Public Television station Thirteen/WNET. The program is narrated by actress Jane Seymour and features quotations read by actor James Keach.

For background information, visit www.picturingmary.com.

DVD copies will be available for purchase at $19.95 a copy from USCCB Publishing, or telephone 1-800-235-8722.

New Bishop of Monterey - Bishop Richard Garcia

Christmas has come early to one of our own San Jose priests! Bishop Richard J. Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento, has been named by Pope Benedict XVI as the successor to Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan, to become the next Bishop of Monterey. Bishop Garcia was a priest of the San Jose diocese before he was ordained a bishop for the Sacramento diocese in 1998. The announcement was made by the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, this morning in Washington, DC.

Read the press release (PDF) from the Diocese of Monterey here.
Read Bishop Ryan's pastoral letter of welcome (PDF) to Bishop Garcia here.
Read Bishop Garcia's biography (PDF) here.

What Heaven Is and Is Not

The first half of Advent had been a traditional time when the Church looked toward the "end times" and what will happen when Christ comes again. This focus on the "end" also included an emphasis on death (the Dies Irae that became the traditional Requiem sequence was first the sequence for the First Sunday of Advent). In a disucssion about music and funerals, Neil, who writes at Todd's Catholic Sensibility blog, talks about a recent Advent sermon by Anglican priest and theologian Samuel Wells that discussed three things that heaven is not and three things that heaven is.

Heaven is not the “continuation of a person’s eternal soul....Can anyone look at Jesus on the cross and say 'death is nothing at all'? Can anyone look at the aftermath of a suicide bombing in a market square and imagine the words 'I have only slipped away into the next room'? Our death is the end of us. Our hope lies not in pretending otherwise, but in knowing that our death is not the end of God.”

Heaven is not “our reabsorption into the infinite....God is wholly absent from this understanding of heaven. Jesus seems to have achieved nothing of any significance in his cross and resurrection, at least as far as our death and life thereafter is concerned. Perhaps the reason that the verses usually entitled 'Death is nothing at all' and 'Do not stand by my grave and weep' have become so enormously popular in our contemporary culture is that they offer pictures of continuity beyond death that require no belief in God or reference to Jesus whatsoever. The trouble is, they do so by denying the reality of death, and the pictures they offer, of heaven as a waiting room or as a disembodied wind, are so bleak as to offer little or no real hope at all.”

Heaven is not the “reconstitution of our fleshly bodies....This is less of a mistake than the first two, and it may sound obvious in an age where cremation of dead bodies is relatively commonplace, but it’s still worth stating. The funeral sermon that says 'I’m sure Peggy’s up there now watering and pruning her roses just as she did down here' seems to be assuming that heaven is basically a continuation of our present physical life in all it prosaic mundanity. To be sure, heaven is a physical existence, but the bodies of the saints are not simply embalmed versions of the ones we have here.”

The problem in common with these three views is that they “lose their credibility when they deny the overwhelming horror of death,” and, then, unsurprisingly, “they lose any sense of wonder when they ignore the overwhelming glory of God.”

So what is heaven?

First, heaven is worship:
“The reason we put so much care and attention into the way we worship at Duke Chapel is because we believe that the way we worship is the most significant way we depict and anticipate the life of heaven. Every Sunday Christians gather together and depict and anticipate the life of heaven. That’s why worship matters so much – because in eternity, that’s all there’ll be. And worship isn’t just some abstract ideal. Everything depends on who we worship. And the book of Revelation makes it absolutely clear who we worship – we worship the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb on the throne, Jesus, the one who gave his life because God loved us too much to leave us to oblivion and obliteration, the one whose resurrection gave us the life of heaven for which we long and on which our hope depends.”

Second, heaven is about friendship:
“The heart of God is three persons in perfect communion. And yet at the table there is a fourth place – a place left for us to join the communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is heaven – the experience of being invited to the table of friendship to join the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At last we discover, not just what God can do when left to do it on his own, but what is possible when in perfect communion humanity and all creation join the everlasting dance of the Trinity.”

Finally, heaven is a banquet:
“This is maybe the most common picture of all in the New Testament – heaven as a great feast, a banquet celebrating the marriage of heaven and earth, the perfect union or communion of God and all God’s children. Just imagine a fabulous meal where there were no allergies, no eating disorders, no inequalities in world trade, no fatty goods, no gluttony, and no price tag.…We are made friends with God and one another when we eat together in worship. In eating together we recall the transforming meals Christ shared before, during and after his passion, and we anticipate the great banquet we shall share with him.”

Link to Neil's entire post and the full sermon here.

Adapting Simbang Gabi for your Community

You've done Las Posadas. So now try Simbang Gabi. Here's some background information directly from the Philippines and the schedule of Masses in the Diocese of San Jose.

Below is an article by Diana Macalintal that originally appeared in Simple Gifts, Vol. 6, No. 6, December, 2000.

Adapting Music for Liturgy: Simbang Gabi

On one of my visits to the Philippines I took a walk in one of the barrios, a small village town where some homes still used gas lamps for light. The sun had long gone, and the dirt road was empty of the occasional jeepney or carabao. The moon had not yet risen, but the sky was filled with starlight. Still, all around me was pitch black except for a spot of light in the distance. As I walked toward the light, I saw it came from a star, a parol, hanging from the eave of the neighbor’s porch. Like those travelers long ago, I was drawn to that bright star and led to a place of welcome and shelter from the darkness. It was the Advent season in the Philippines, and the parols hung brightly from every house signaling the family’s welcome of the Word made flesh.

During the nine days before Christmas, Filipinos traditionally celebrate Simbang Gabi, or “church of night” by having Mass each day in the early morning which includes catechesis and food. The custom is also called misa de gallo or “mass of the rooster” because the original celebration took place at dawn before the start of the farming day and at the end of a long night of fishing. The missionaries who began Simbang Gabi used it as a way to catechize and evangelize and to pass on the traditions of the Filipino people. Food and music are integral parts of every gathering, so a fiesta of food and Christmas music would follow the Mass each day. Simbang Gabi is often called the longest Christmas party in the world! Though Christmas carols are sung during these Advent-time masses, the focus is on joyful longing and thanksgiving today for the one who is still to come. Today, Simbang Gabi is usually celebrated at night to accommodate the modern work schedule, though the elements of prayer, catechesis, food and music are still at the heart of the celebration.

Most people today would find it difficult to devote the nine evenings before Christmas to gathering together for Mass. However the Latino community has made it a priority by celebrating Las Posadas during this time. Perhaps with some catechesis, preparation, and the enticement of food and festivity, more communities can spend the days before Christmas in prayer and celebration rather than at the malls and gridlocked highways. Here is one way to incorporate the tradition of Simbang Gabi into your community.

Each evening Mass would use the readings of the day and retain the restrictions of Advent. However a festive song of praise would follow Communion which would lead directly into more feasting and music in the parish hall or at a parishioner’s home. As part of the homily, an activity is prepared that highlights the Filipino traditions and connects it to the spiritual preparation for Christmas. The “O Antiphons” also begin on December 17th. They are each day’s antiphons for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. They are also the Gospel Acclamation verses for each day’s Mass (see Lectionary #202). Be sure to sing the corresponding verse of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” as part of each day’s celebration.

Day One – December 16
The first reading for the Saturday of the second week of Advent speaks of Elijah and the fiery chariot in the sky. Build your own parol using wooden dowels, string, glue, and rice paper or luminaria paper. A parol is a three-dimensional star illuminated by a lit candle or light bulb inside. Some Filipino stores will have designs for parols. (Here's a web site that shows you how to make your own parol.) As a song of praise, sing “We Three Kings” or Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ Be Our Light” (OCP).

Day Two – December 17
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, or “rejoice!” The Gospel today challenges us with the question “what must I do?” John the Baptist tells us “let the one with two coats give to the one who has none.” As part of the day, collect clothing to be donated to a local shelter. As a community take these clothes and a potluck supper to the shelter to share in a fiesta with those most in need of rejoicing. For the Sunday Mass, use Bob Hurd’s “I Want to Praise Your Name” (OCP) as a song of praise. Or script the Gospel reading so that the assembly can sing the refrain of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” at various points.

Day Three – December 18
The Gospel tells of Joseph’s dream of how Mary is to bear a son and name him Emmanuel, “God is with us.” Take some time at the Mass to reflect on how you were named. Invite some parents to share how they named their children and what those names mean. Discuss in small groups the importance of being named a “Christian.” Sing “You Are Mine” (GIA) by David Haas as a song of praise.

Day Four – December 19
Today’s Gospel story of Zechariah the priest becoming mute is highly dramatic and vivid in its images. Members of the community may want to “proclaim” this Gospel through a short play that involves the children and the elders of the community. For a song of praise, try “I Will Sing/Cantaré” by Julie and Tim Smith (RPI).

Day Five – December 20
What have you conceived this year? What do you hope will come to birth in you this Christmas? Create a litany of life, inviting the assembly to share in a word or a short phrase something that has been born in them or something they hope to bring to birth. As a response after three or four phrases, sing the last line of the Bernadette Farrell’s “God Beyond All Names” (OCP) which reads “in our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth.”

Day Six – December 21
As we near the end of the year, today’s readings challenge us to see again those against whom we have not removed judgement. What steps can we take to be able to say “you have no further misfortune to fear”? What would it take for us to say to them “blessed are you among women, blessed are you among men”? As today’s activity, write a forgiveness letter to someone you have yet to forgive. You don’t need to send it, just write it. During the Christmas season you may want to consider sending the letter along with your Christmas card to that person. As a song of praise, sing “Healing Is Your Touch” by Monica Brown (RPI).

Day Seven – December 22
Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth this day gives us a chance to look at how we greet one another. In the Filipino culture, elders are greeted with a “mano po.” The younger person takes the elder’s hand and lifts it to his and her own forehead while saying “mano po,” which literally means “your hand, please, Sir/Ma’am.” It is both a greeting and a blessing. As part of the sign of peace today, invite the assembly to give “mano po” to the elders of the community. These last few days before Christmas, use the spiritual “Soon and Very Soon” as your song of praise.

Day Eight – December 23
Children and their parents are the central image in today’s readings. It may be a good time for parents to tell their children their hopes for them and also to say to them how they see the “hand of the Lord” upon them. Or ask each person to write an imaginary letter to themselves from God their Father. Have them imagine how God would answer the question about them “what will this child be?”

Day Nine – December 24
This Fourth Sunday of Advent, have a procession of stars using the parols that your community made the first night of Simbang Gabi. These parols can be processed in at the Sunday Mass and left up for the Christmas season beginning that night.

Make a 3-D Paper Snowflake

Can't figure out how to make your own parol? Then try this really easy project for making three-dimensional snowflakes. Imagine stringing several large snowflakes on vertical strings, like we do with paper cranes, in the vestibule. Could be a fun, inexpensive, easy way to decorate for Christmas.

What Lies Beneath: Finding Easter in Christmas

This article by Diana Macalintal originally appeared in Simple Gifts, Vol. 6, No. 6, December, 2000.

Stare at a Christmas tree sometime. Or step back from your front door and take another look at your Christmas wreath. Once you get past the initial thought of “yet another Christmas season,” what do you see? Do you see “the wood of the cross on which hung the Savior of the world”? Do you see the “sacred head surrounded by crown of piercing thorn”? In the red holly berries do you see the “blood of the new and everlasting covenant”? What lies hidden in the idyllic scenes of Bethlehem is the blood of Gethsemane, the crown of Calvary, and the empty tomb of the garden—spring Easter lilies hidden beneath the winter snow.

In the liturgical year, the two major seasons are Easter and Christmas, with Easter being the pre-eminent celebration. In the first three centuries of the Church, Christians celebrated an annual memorial of Christ’s resurrection. But it wasn’t until the fourth century when the Church began to celebrate Christ’s birth. These earliest Christians understood what one Christmas carol tries to teach, “Christ was born to save.”

Today, in some ways, Christmas has surpassed Easter in importance and in energy exerted by liturgy teams, environment crews, and music ministers. Worse yet, the Christmas that we celebrate is too-often watered down and tamed of its deeper, daunting, and awe-full implication that this birth leads all of us to ultimate death and sacrifice. What we see is a harmless infant bundled in swaddling clothes; what is hidden is the linen wrappings that had swaddled the lifeless body of the God-Man. What we hear is the angel’s greeting to stupefied shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”; what is hidden is the angel’s greeting to grief-stricken women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Go quickly and tell his disciples.” What we taste is the Christmas feast; what is hidden is a bit of bread and a sip of wine shared at a final meal with friends. What we adore is a wooden manger cradling the child of Mary; what is hidden is the veneration of the wood “on which hung the Savior of the world. Come, let us worship.” O come, let us adore him.

Why is it important to keep Easter in mind when preparing our Christmas celebrations? When we rediscover the hidden images of Christmas, we reclaim the true power of this birth. The Incarnation becomes more than just a day in the year or an isolated season in the liturgical calendar. It becomes a way of life. The spirit of Christmas becomes more than just goodwill to all. It becomes a reminder of our commitment to the Word made flesh, a Word that brings glad tidings to the poor, proclaims liberty to captives, gives sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and favor to all. This is the word, the good news, that Jesus died for. When we celebrate Christmas, we welcome that Word once again and recommit ourselves to live and die for that Word. When we celebrate the birth of the child Jesus in this way, we are really celebrating the life, passion, death, and resurrection of the adult Christ our Savior. We can make the connection between these two seasons every year in the songs and acclamations we choose, in the homilies we preach, and in the renewal of our baptismal promises.

After several years of unwrapping the hidden meanings of Christmas, maybe our children will know that the best gift one can give is their life for another, maybe our youth will have something to live for and something to die for, maybe those searching for the Christ-child will find the Body of Christ alive and risen among us. Merry Easter!

You Have More Power Than You Think

Here's an interesting interpretation of the Gospel story of the feeding of the 5000. It's a good reminder to all of us that giving from our surplus and our need is a year-long activity.

a different kind of advent calendar

Realizing that the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve are only 10 days away, you may be needing a different kind of Advent calendar by this time.

4th Sunday Advent/Christmas Eve transition help

Q: This year’s Christmas schedule is crazy with the Fourth Sunday of Advent falling on the same day as Christmas Eve! How can our parish use our time most effectively to help keep everyone sane?

A: Most communities have a Sunday night mass, and most communities schedule a Christmas vigil Mass early in the evening. This year’s situation would make it wise for your community to cancel the usual evening Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Instead offer the opportunity for the community to gather that afternoon to help decorate the church. The choir could even rehearse during the decorating to help add to the Christmas mood and anticipation. In addition, use the same eucharistic prayer acclamations during both Advent and Christmas, adding more instrumentation and harmonies for Christmastime. Use more Christmas carols and less “choir pieces” to help ease the burden of additional rehearsals and to increase assembly participation.

Multi-Faith Christmas Concert - December 16 and 17, 2006

On Saturday, December 16, and Sunday, December 17 from 7:00p to 9:00p, there will be a multi-faith Christmas concert celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ and his message to us, “Feed My Sheep.” Performers will include Alexandra Mena from Mission City Opera (Saturday only) and Isaac Hurtado from Opera San Jose. Others include Caritas Choir from Holy Family Catholic Church directed by Bruce M. Wiley and Zion, Directed by Christy Williams. There will be a bell choir and several youth groups as well. This is a charitable event for Toys for Tots and the Second Harvest Food Bank, so please bring a donation (no money will be accepted). This is an event for families and will conclude with a sing-a-long of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. There will be refreshments following the concerts.

Christmas Concert

“Feed My Sheep”

to benefit Toys for Tots and Second Harvest Food Bank

December 16, 2006, 7:00p

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

1336 Cherry Avenue, San Jose

December 17, 2006, 7:00p

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

4977 San Felipe Road, San Jose

National Migration Week - January 7 - 13, 2007

Prayer for Migrants and Refugees
Mary Most Holy,
you, together with Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus,
experienced the suffering of exile.
You were forced to flee to Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod.
Today we entrust the men, women and children
who live as migrants and refugees to your maternal protection.
Grant us the grace to welcome them with Christian hospitality,
so that that these brothers and sisters of ours
may find acceptance and understanding on their journey.
Teach us to recognize your Son
in the migrant who labors to bring food to our tables,
in the refugee seeking protection from persecution, war, and famine,
in the woman and child who are victims of human trafficking,
in the asylum seeker imprisoned for fleeing without documents.
May all those who are far from their place of birth
find in the Church a home where no one is a stranger.
We ask this in the name of your blessed Son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Oración por los migrantes y refugiados
María Santísima,
tú, junto con san José y el niño Jesús,
experimentaste el sufrimiento del exilio.
Te viste obligada a huir a Egipto para escapar de la persecución de Herodes.
Hoy confiamos a tu materna protección a los hombres, mujeres y niños
que viven como migrantes y refugiados.
Concédenos la gracia de acogerlos con hospitalidad cristiana,
para que estos hermanos y hermanas nuestros
puedan encontrar aceptación y comprensión en su camino.
Enséñanos a reconocer a tu Hijo
en el migrante que labora para llevar el alimento a nuestras mesas,
en el refugiado que busca protección de la persecución, el hambre y la guerra,
en la mujer y el niño o niña que son víctimas del tráfico humano,
en el que busca asilo y está preso por huir sin documentos.
Que todos aquellos que están lejos de su país natal
encuentren en la Iglesia un hogar en la que nadie es extranjero.
Pedimos esto en el nombre de tu bendito Hijo, Jesús, nuestro Señor. Amén.


Letter from Bishop Gerald R. Barnes
Bishop of San Bernardino
Chair, USCCB Committee on Migration

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I invite you to join in the 26th annual observance of National Migration Week, January 7 to 13, 2007. The theme for 2007 is Welcoming Christ in the Migrant, which is at once an invitation and a challenge to provide welcome for the migrants, immigrants, refugees, human trafficking victims, and other people on the move who come to our land seeking justice and peace. Our theme reminds us of Jesus' scriptural admonition to us:

'Lord, when did we see you a stranger...and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' (Mt. 25: 44-45)

This reminder is particularly timely as our citizens and leaders grapple with the complexities and many dimensions of the migration experience. Our nation's legitimate security concerns have been distorted by some who would foment anxiety, fear, and a distrust of migrants. The present immigration reform debate has lost much of its reason and is often being fueled by raw emotions. Scriptures and Catholic Social Teaching call upon all of us to examine the issues and respond to the strangers among us as we would to Jesus Himself. The Holy Family found safety and new lives in Egypt during their time of great need. Many migrants today follow similar paths as they embark on their journey of hope.

I invite you to welcome Christ in the migrant through prayer, education, and parish outreach. To assist you in this expression of faith, a wide variety of resources for parishes and schools has been developed and are available on the USCCB/MRS National Migration Week web site. The enclosed poster, prayer card, and parish guide are available in larger quantities. Additionally, we encourage you to become informed and active in the Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope campaign.

When we reach out to aid and comfort the newcomers to our land we are indeed offering ourselves and our gifts in service to the Lord. This is not only our Christian duty but a privilege, knowing that we too have been adopted into God's family. May you be richly blessed by your faithful acts of hospitality in Christ's name.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Gerald R. Barnes

4th Sunday Advent/Christmas schedules

My awesome administrative assistant, Bernard, gathered 4th Sunday of Advent / Christmas schedule information from many of the parishes and most especially from Dorothy Carlson and the volunteers of Holy Spirit Parish who did much of the work. From all their efforts, here are the schedules for the 4th Sunday of Advent to Christmas transistion from all 52 of our parishes. If you're looking for a parish to celebrate in, please contact them to confirm their schedule in case it may have changed. If you're doing the weekend marathon at your parish, then you can compare your schedule with some of these schedule and either cry or rejoice.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 4:30p (English Saturday)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bi-Lingual; Bishop McGrath principal celebrant)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Spanish)

Catholic Community at Stanford University
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 10:30a (English)

Chinese Catholic Community
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 2:00p (Tri-lingual)
Christmas Day Masses
• Midnight (Tri-lingual)
• 3:00p (Mandarin)

Christ The King
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (Vietnamese)
• 7:00p (Multilingual)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:30a (Spanish)
• 10:00a (English)
• 12:00p (Vietnamese)

Church of the Ascension
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Church of the Resurrection
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Church Of The Transfiguration
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 10:00a (English)

Five Wounds
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bilingual)
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (Portuguese)
• 12:00p (Portuguese)

Holy Cross
Christmas Eve Masses
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Italian)
• 6:00p (Spanish)

Holy Family
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:30p (Saturday)
• 8:00a
• 9:30a
• 11:15a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:15a (English)

Holy Korean Martyrs
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Korean)
• 10:30a (Korean)
• 1:00p (English)
• 2:30p (English)

Holy Spirit
Christmas Eve Masses
• 3:00p (English)
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:30p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)

Most Holy Trinity
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (Vietnamese)
• 6:00p (English)
• 8:00p (Spanish)
• 10:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)
• 12:30p (Tagalog)

Our Lady Of Guadalupe
Christmas Eve Masses
• 7:30p (English)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)

Our Lady Of Peace
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:30p (Spanish)
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (English)
• 5:00p (English)
• 6:30p (Spanish)
• 8:00p (English)

Our Lady Star of the Sea
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:15a (Spanish)
• 10:45a (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bilingual)
• 9:00a (Bilingual)

Queen Of Apostles
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Sacred Heart (Saratoga)
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Sacred Heart Of Jesus
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 5:00p (English Saturday)
• 6:30p (Spanish Saturday)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Spanish)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Spanish)
• 9:00a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)

Saint Anthony
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:45a (English)

Saint Athanasius
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (English)

Saint Brother Albert Chmielowski
Christmas Eve Masses
• 9:00p (Polish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Polish)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Polish)
• 12:30p (Polish)

Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 Masses)
• 6:00p (Youth)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 12:00a (Bilingual)
• 7:15a (English)
• 8:45a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:15p (Spanish)

Saint Christopher
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 6:30a
• 8:00a
• 9:30a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 Masses)
• 5:45p (Children)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Clare
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:45a
• 9:00a
• 10:30a (Family)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 2:00p (Cantonese/Mandarin)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:30p (Family)
• 8:00p
• 10:00p (Portuguese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Chinese)
• 7:45a (English)
• 10:30a (Family)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 1:30p (Cantonese)
• 3:00p (Mandarin)

Saint Cyprian
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)

Saint Elizabeth
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• 12:00a (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)

Saint Frances Cabrini
Christmas Eve Masses
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Francis Of Assisi
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:30p (English)

Saint John the Baptist
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:30p (English)
• 7:00p (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 9:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:30p (English)
• 4:45p (Vietnamese)
• 7:00p (English)

Saint John Vianney
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Spanish)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)

Saint Joseph (Mountain View)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Indian)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Multilingual)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Spanish)

Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Julie Billiart
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• mdnight (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (Bilingual)

Saint Justin
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 10:30a
• 12:15p
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (Family)
• 10:30p Carols
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint Lawrence the Martyr
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 8:00a
• 10:00a
• 12:00p
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 12:00p (English)

Saint Leo The Great
Christmas Eve Masses
• 7:oop (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Spanish/English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)

Saint Lucy
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:15p (Saturday)
• 7:00a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:15p
• 7:30p
• 9:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight
• 7:00a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a

Saint Maria Goretti
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
• 9:30p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 6:30a (Vietnamese)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)
• 3:00p (Vietnamese)

Saint Martin (Sunnyvale)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (Vietnamese)
• 8:00p (English)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Martin of Tours
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:00a
• 8:30a
• 10:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a

Saint Mary (Gilroy)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 11:00p (Bilingual)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:15a (English)
• 9:45a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Mary Of The Assumption Croatian Mission
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Croatian/English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Croatian)

Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Los Gatos)
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 masses)
• 6:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:15a (English)

Saint Nicholas
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Patrick Proto-Cathedral
Christmas Eve Masses
• 3:30p (Vietnamese)
• 5:30p (Vietnamese)
• 7:30p Bilingual (English And Spanish)
• 9:00p (Vietnamese)
• 11:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:00a (Vietnamese)
• 8:45a (Vietnamese)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 5:00p (Vietnamese)

Saint Simon
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 10:45a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:30a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint Thomas Aquinas
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English - at Saint Albert the Great)
• 5:00p (English - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 6:00p (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 8:00p (Spanish - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Gregorian - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 7:30a (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 9:00a (English - at Saint Albert the Great)
• 9:00a (Spanish - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 10:30a (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 10:30a (English - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 12:00p (Gregorian - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)

Saint Thomas of Canterbury
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 9:00a (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)

Saint Victor
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:15a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint William
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)

Santa Teresa
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:00a
• 10:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Sample Intercessions for December 17, 2006

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 17, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• 60 Iraqis were killed and 220 were hurt in one car bomb in Baghdad Tuesday morning.
• 43 US troops have been killed in Iraq so far in December. The total number of US military casualites since the beginning of the war in 2003 is 2,933.
• A Philadelphia high-school student commits suicide at school. Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Over 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.
• The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as "Gaudete" Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice." The Sunday's opening antiphon and the second reading inspire this title.
• December 21 is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
• Hanukkah continues through the week while Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi continue through December 24.

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
Shout for joy, for God is in our midst!
Therefore, let us make our requests known to God.

Reader:
For the Church
whose strength and courage is the Lord: [pause]
May God renew us in his love
and sing joyfully because of our care for one another.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For all nations
among whom the Lord dwells: [pause]
May they soon cry out with joy and gladness
that war is ended and peace begun.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those who cannot rejoice,
who have lost their home, their job, their hope in life: [pause]
May the peace of God which is beyond reason
guard their hearts and minds in Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those most in need this season,
without the basics of food, clothing, or dignity: [pause]
May we share with the person who has none
during this season and all throughout the year.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and those who care for them,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May the good news of John the Baptist
lead them through their dark night
to the healing light of Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they be gathered into the eternal dwelling of God,
rejoicing in the Lord always.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
You are near, Lord, closer to us even than our own breath.
And yet we wait in expectant hope for your coming.
Free our world from all fear and anxiety,
and hear the prayers and petitions of your people,
for you have baptized us with the fire of your Holy Spirit
and given us a joy that can change the world.
We ask this in your holy name, Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

Christmas in the Ballroom - December 17, 2006

Ann Assarsson & Friends proudly present the 4th Annual Christmas in the Ballroom! They invite you and your family to join them for hot cider and cookies as we celebrate the traditional music of the season! This year’s concert will take place at the beautiful and newly renovated San Mateo County History Museum! Leave holiday stress behind and surround yourselves with the charming sights and sounds of “Christmas in the Ballroom!”

Christmas in the Ballroom

Sunday, December 17, 2006, 7:30p
San Mateo County History Museum

2200 Broadway, Redwood City

Ann Assarsson, soprano

Ivy M. Depner, soprano

Kristen Sharpley, soprano

Andrew Roberson, baritone

Paul Ziller, tenor

Trond Gilbert, piano

General Admission - $10
includes hot cider and cookies

To reserve tickets, please contact Ann at (650) 704 4211.

Santa Clara Chorale Holiday Concerts - December 9 and 10, 2006

I'm a proud Alto II member of the Santa Clara Chorale, a local choir made up of people of all ages who love to sing. There are also several music ministers from our parishes who participate in the chorale. We sing three concerts during the year as well as other shorter performances at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph's "Season of Hope" (December 14, 2006) and other venues in the Santa Clara County...even on the radio! (We'll be live on KBAY 94.5 this Saturday around noon broadcasting from Christmas in the Park, downtown San José.)

The Chorale is proud to present its annual Holiday Concert, this year titled, "Comfort and Joy." My first encounter with the Chorale was attending one of their holiday concerts at the invitation of Ray Crisologo, one of the Chorale members and music director at Saint Lawrence the Martyr. This year's concert will be even more fun with drums, flute, and organ in the beautiful Mission Santa Clara de Asis on the campus of Santa Clara University. You'll even get a chance to sing some favorite Christmas carols and holiday songs. Please come join us, rain or shine, for this fun holiday event.

Santa Clara Chorale Holiday Concert

Comfort and Joy

Saturday, December 9, 2006, 8:00p

Sunday, December 10, 2006, 4:30p

Mission Santa Clara

500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara

on the campus of Santa Clara University

$20 General Admission

$15 Seniors over 60

$15 SCU Faculty and Staff

$5 Students 18 and under

Purchase tickets online, by phone at 408-369-1289,

at the door, or through this Word document

The Santa Clara Chorale offers the community the opportunity to grow musically and perform regularly in programs that bring significant choral music from the past and present to growing audiences in the beautiful Mission Santa Clara setting. Since its beginnings in 1963, the Chorale has performed in numerous locations in the Bay Area and carried its music abroad in several concert tours, most recently in the summer of 2006 to Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna. If you'd like to audition, click here. We rehearse Monday nights at Santa Clara University.

Season of Hope free concert series

The 11th annual performance series located in the 200-year-old Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph offers nourishment for your spirit by presenting a soul-satisfying multicultural musical event for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season. This event is a wonderful collaboration between various arts organizations and the San José Cathedral Foundation’s Office of Social Ministry. By fostering the spirit of hope all through the year, the Cathedral provides food, shelter, medical care, and a job search program to those in need, regardless of race or creed, crossing all cultural boundaries.

Performances are free and scheduled for December 12-23, 7:00p and 8:00p each evening.

• December 12, 2006: San José Youth Chamber Orchestra, Barbara Day Turner, Advisor, Susan Stein, Director
• December 13, 2006: Castillero Middle School, David Finch, Music Director, Michelle Crivello, Dance Director
• December 14, 2006: Santa Clara Chorale, Thomas Colohan, Music Director
• December 15, 2006: San José Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, Yair Samet, Conductor
• December 16, 2006: Presentation High School, Yanos Lustig, Director
• December 17, 2006: Steinway Society of the Bay Area, Martan Mann, Pianist
• December 18, 2006: Leland High School Chamber Choir and Orchestra Presents Schubert’s “Magnificat”, Rian Rodriguez, Director
• December 19, 2006: Harpers Hall Celtic Harpists, Verlene Schermer, Director
• December 20, 2006: Cathedral Basilica San José Fire Department Choir, Julie Wind, Director, Maranatha Hope of Glory Soloists, David Wells, Director, Interfaith sing-a-long carols and narration of the Nativity story
• December 21, 2006: Patric Nikolas, Award Winning Jazz Pianist, International Russian Music Piano Competition, Vice President
• December 22, 2006: Jennifer Muhawi, Opera Sopranoist, Holiday Carols with Pianist James Ramsey
• December 23, 2006: Bella Sorella Opera Duo, Susanna Uher Jimenez and Nava Dague Jimenez

Sample Intercessions for December 10, 2006

Second Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 10, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• James Kim of San Francisco was found dead in the Oregon wilderness after leaving his stranded car to find help for his wife and two children.
• Typhoon Durian hits the Philippines, the fourth typhoon in four months, killing an estimated 1000 people and leaving 67,000 homeless.
• Hundreds of civilians and military continue to be killed by bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• A San José father kills his two-year-old daughter by giving her a lethal dose of a date-rape drug.
• December 10 is International Human Rights Day.
• December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a solemnity in the city of San José.
• Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 15.
• Las Posadas begins on December 16.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) and Saint Lucy (December 13).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights.
Let us cry out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Reader:
For the Church,
partners in proclaiming the Gospel,
bearers of God's crown of glory: [pause]
May we cry out at the top of our voice
and proclaim the strong and gentle presence of God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For world and church leaders,
shepherds of people entrusted to their care,
overshadowed by the splendor of God: [pause]
May they cry out from the mountaintops
and proclaim the end of slavery to war, prejudice, and injustice.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those robed in mourning and misery,
left homeless or hopeless by natural disater,
left orphaned and widowed by tradegy: [pause]
May they be wrapped in the cloak of justice,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For prophets and revolutionaries
and all unafraid to let their voice be heard: [pause]
May they cry out in the desert of apathy
and proclaim the swift coming of the Lord
who does not delay his promise.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and all in need who look to us
to speak a word of comfort,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May Our Lady and Mother strengthen their hearts
with the promise of God's mercy.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they see the salvation of God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
Father, you sent your Son to lead us on the straight path.
Complete the good work begun in us,
for you have promised to lead us in joy
by the light of your Son's glory,
with mercy and justice for company.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) provides a free email reflection for liturgical musicians based on the Sunday readings for any members of the association. Parish members may then reprint the reflection for use in their own parish. Below is a sample of one of the reflections.

If you would like to receive these email reflection, consider joining NPM or getting your pastor or music director to join. Check the NPM website for more information and join today! If you are already a member of NPM and want to begin receiving these email reflections, contact Kathleen M. Haley, Membership Services Director, at haley@npm.org.


Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2006

“A voice of one crying out in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
Luke 3:4b

Reflection

Do you ever feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness? I sure do sometimes, for any number of reasons on a given day. However, this Sunday’s Gospel reading strikes me in a new way today.

Perhaps we are called to be “voices in the wilderness.” We are often so caught up in our work as ministers that we forget that it is all about Jesus. Perhaps we are to use our voices to say, “It is not about me, it is about Jesus,” especially at this time of the year.

We pastoral musicians proclaim the Lord to others. When we work to get ourselves out of the way – our likes and dislikes, our egos, even our “favorite songs” – we more clearly point the way to Jesus. We “prepare the way of the Lord” by supporting our assemblies in singing God’s praise. Pointing the way toward the Lord is just the kind of reminder we need during our busy Christmas preparations.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we prepare the way and make clear the path for you to come among us soon, help us keep our focus on you.

Jim Wickman
Pastoral Associate for Liturgy
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Washington, DC

Copyright © 2006, National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians is a weekly service of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, 962 Wayne Ave., Suite 210, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone (240) 247-3000. Fax (240) 247-3001. E-mail npmsing@npm.org. Parish members of NPM may reprint this material for use in their own parish.

Theology on Tap - Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 10, 2006

Are you curious about the truth behind Our Lady of Guadalupe? This Theology on Tap lecture presented by Sr. Gloria Inés Loya of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and Lupita Vital of the Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of San José, will delve into the mystery of Our Lady of Guadalupe and provide insight into some of our sacred beliefs about her. Prepare to be enlightened!

Theology of Tap

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sunday, December 10, 2006
3pm - 5PM (en Español)
6pm - 8PM (In English)

Acapulco Restaurant

1299 Lawrence Expressway, Santa Clara

(Between El Camino Real and Benton Street)

Free Admission
Must be 21 or over to attend

For more information and directions visit
www.TOTSILICONVALLEY.COM

International Human Rights Day - December 10, 2006

December 10th is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and the International Human Rights Day (established by the United Nations in 1948). While there are many areas in which we can focus our worship on that Sunday, at least two seem most urgent:

• the concerns about detainee abuse and torture by our own government, and
• concerns about the people of the Darfur region of Sudan.

To help you plan for your worship, the Santa Clara County Council of Churches offers these links and good worship resources for your consideration and use. We also encourage you to invite worshipers on December 10th to sign the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement of conscience.

DARFUR: Click here for excerpts of prayers for Darfur by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others. Click here to sign up to receive more resources for prayers for Darfur.

HOLY CROSS: Click here to download resources from the Sisters of the Holy Cross for this Sunday.

ACTION: Go here to view the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, sign online, and download copies to distribute in worship on December 10.

DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: To read the full text go here.

LECTIONARY BASED WORSHIP RESOURCES and SERMON NOTES for December 10 which focus on detainee abuse, including Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Litany for Human Rights are included below. These come from the Presbyterian Church. More can be found here.

Call to Worship
One: This is a time to prepare for the One who is and is to be.
Many: Eternal God, help us get ready.
One: This is a time to shine a light into the dark corners.
Many: Help us know your truth.
One: This is a time to open our eyes and our hearts.
Many: Help us care about your people.
One: This is a time to make crooked ways straight and rough places smooth.
Many: Help us help enact your justice.

Introduction to the Prayer of Confession
Today is Human Rights Day. The day marks the United Nations General Assembly's adoption, on December 10, 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of human rights. The commemoration was established in 1950 when the United Nations General Assembly invited all states and interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.

Torture is a human rights violation. On this Human Rights Day, we pray for justice and healing for people throughout the world who have been tortured. We pray for people who inflict torture, for they too are tormented. We pray for ourselves, confessing all we have done or left undone that may have contributed to the suffering of our sisters and brothers. We pray in the name of the One who was tortured, died, and rose to save us all. I invite you to pray together.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)
God for all peoples, we pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who endure torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. In their pain may they experience your presence and care, binding their wounds and providing support.

We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who inflict torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. May they experience your presence and care, binding the wounds that they receive as they wound others. Open them to see the dignity of each person. Strengthen them to seek ways to break free from violence.

We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who authorize torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Break the hold of fear and anger upon them. Inspire them to seek other ways to advance their causes.

We pray for ourselves, confessing our responsibility for acts of torture that violate our sisters and brothers and degrade us and our values. Guide us to know about torture, care about torture, and act to end torture. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection reveal that your love is indeed stronger than torture and fear.
(Time of silence for personal prayer and confession)
Amen.

Words of Assurance (based on Malachi 3:1-4)
Those who confess their sins will receive God's mercy, and their transgressions will be no more.
For God's love in Jesus Christ cleanses and purifies, melting away all that is imperfect so that we may live as God intends.

Passing of the Peace
One: In Christ we have been forgiven, freed, and made whole. Let us witness to God's gift of peace by sharing it with friends, neighbors, even enemies. The peace of God be with you.
Many: And also with you.

Litany for Human Rights
One: Someone is shouting in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make a straight path for God to travel! Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth (Luke 3:4-5)."

Many: God of justice, your messenger calls us to prepare your way, to make your paths straight.
One: But the world is not ready to receive you. The roadway is choked with the material possessions of people who have become rich from the labor of those who are denied access to resources because of their race, ethnicity, gender, class, or nationality.

Many: God of peace, your messenger calls us to prepare your way.

One: But fearful threats exist. The highway is barricaded with armaments. The valleys are filled with land mines that kill innocent children, women, and men.

Many: God of compassion, your messenger calls us to prepare your way.

One: But not everybody will be free to greet you. Some languish in prison or under house arrest. Some endure torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Many: Many women are imprisoned in their homes, abused by their husbands and without means of escape because they are denied legal and economic recourse. Many children are chained in sweatshops or sold into prostitution.

One: How then shall we prepare the way?

Many: In the name of God and for the sake of God's people, we proclaim in word and deed that all human beings are born with fundamental human rights.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will strive to guarantee the dignity and worth of the human person and the equal rights of all.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will work for a world in which human beings enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will work for a world where no one is ever subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

All: Then we will go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before us shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. And every valley shall be filled, and the crooked shall be made straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

One: Let us take a moment of silence to remember those whose human rights are being denied or whose worth as children of God has been denied for any reason.

(Moment of silence)

All: Amen.
---

Sermon notes based on the Lectionary:
The need to prepare for the gift of salvation is the theme and the goal of this day's lectionary passages. Written in diverse circumstances for diverse audiences, they all point to the need to be ready for the power of God that brings truth to light, instills compassion, and overcomes injustice and sin. In other words, these passages point to God's promise given to all people in Jesus Christ.

December 10 is both the second Sunday in Advent and Human Rights Day. If we follow Karl Barth's dictum to preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, we cannot help but take note of what Scripture has to say to the daily reports of human rights abuses throughout the world.

This year the headlines and our consciences lead us to focus on one class of abuses in particular: torture. This is not because torture is the most pressing abuse of human rights — the most pressing abuse is the one being perpetrated right now and right here, wherever you are. However, torture is a fundamental issue because it systematically denigrates the image of God that is stamped on each individual. It also violates God's command not to take advantage of those who are at our mercy, and certainly prisoners are completely at our mercy. It is irrelevant whether or not they are our enemies; God still commands us to treat them as human beings, even to love them. Torture undoes this command.

Thus, we focus on torture because it is an urgent issue of our day, because it is fundamental to our faith, and because it is a case study in how to approach sin, including social sins. This approach is summarized as Know, Care, Act.

Know: The first step in being able to act to end the horror of torture, or any sin, is to know what is going on and not turn away. The song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79) speaks to God's intention "...to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." Of course, Zechariah is foretelling John the Baptist's mission, which perhaps is the mission of all of us who prepare the way for the One who is and is still to come.

One reaction the preacher might be wise to anticipate is how difficult it is for people to hear the message that torture has not only been inflicted by our enemies, but also by those employed by or allied with the United States. This revelation causes dissonance for believers. How could this happen on our watch? How widespread is the abuse? Is it a matter of isolated incidents, or is there systemic abuse that points to a policy of torture? Before we can end torture we need to acknowledge what is happening. This is uncomfortable in part because in a free society we all bear some complicity. …

Stopping torture is not a "feel good" issue. It runs counter to much of the secular, sentimental lead-up to Christmas. Again, it is important for the preacher to acknowledge how hard it is to hear about torture. It is equally important to look at the painful realities because knowing helps create empathy that can lead to action.

To know is the first step in preparing the way for God's gift of salvation.

Care: Of course, it is not enough to know about atrocities. We must also care about those who suffer. One way for a preacher to help people care is to allow the voices of the survivors and those who have worked to end torture to speak for themselves. Examples of short quotes can be found among the resources at www.no2torture.org, a Christian-based organization. Additional quotes are available in many news sources almost daily. With some introduction and music, these quotations can serve as the core of a sermon that is an interpretation of Luke 1:79, and they resonate with Paul's word in the Epistle commending those who "share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Philippians 1:7)."

It is important to lift up our concern not only for the survivors of torture, but also for those who condone or inflict torture. They too are harmed by the act. Torture degrades those practice it; thus, if we wish to show compassion for our troops, we must ensure that they have explicit orders to refrain from cruel, unusual, and degrading treatment in all circumstances. Lack of clarity must never be construed as implicit permission to torture. In addition, torture enrages the families and friends of those who are tortured, creating an impetus for retaliation that puts our troops and our security at greater risk. Support for our troops and our nation requires that we never act in ways that are contrary to the basic tenets of our faith.

To know is to care; to care is to act on behalf of those who are harmed.

Act: Fortunately, the Word of God never leaves us with condemnation or despair, but leads us to face even the grim reality of torture so that we might experience healing. The lectionary passage in Malachi poetically articulates this tough but grace-filled process, describing the renunciation of sin as a purifying fire where layers of our old self are melted away by God's love. This is painful. It hurts to lose our outer, protective shell that prevents us from knowing or caring. God melts away our layers of denial so that we may better absorb God's saving love.

This process may break our hearts as the pain of those who suffer touches us. But God does not leave us broken; out of brokenness come healing and wholeness. In the end, to know and to care, motivates us to act and there is much we can do. The preacher can leave the congregation on a note of hope.

…

Of course, our ultimate hope is in the saving power and love of God, who gives "light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and guide[s] our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79)."

--
resources provided by Diana Gibson, Codirector, Santa Clara County Council of Churches

Filipino Lectionary Online

SAMBUHAY is a Filipino Sunday lectionary that can now be accessed via the Internet for a yearly subscription. This might be useful for your lectors who serve at Filipino Masses.

To access the missalette via the Internet, log on to www.rome67ad.com and you will find the button of SAMBUHAY Online on the left side of the page. Choose what kind of language/dialect you want. Then, you will be shown the available Sundays and Solemnities to be downloaded. Before you can download, you will be asked your username and password. Thus, it is better to pay the subscription beforehand so that you can access the published missalette anytime.

Subscription to SAMBUHAY is PhP 12.00 (about $0.25 USD) per issue/per edition. Subscription to English Edition costs PhP 984.00 (about $20 USD) while Tagalog Edition costs PhP 840.00 (about $17 USD) for one year subscription.

SAMBUHAY, the Sunday Missalette, is a pastoral ministry of the priest and brothers of the Society of St. Paul to aid you in your liturgical services. The Society of St. Paul is a congregation of religious Brothers and Priests whose primary apostolate is to spread the Good News through the Modern Media of Social Communication. Found in 28 countries worldwide, they reach out to people of all ages with materials for the nourishment of both the spirit and mind.

Blessing of Travelers

Don't forget to bless your travelers during this time of year!

(Adapted from the Book of Blessings, "Blessing of Pilgrims")

Loving and gracious God, you always show mercy to those who love you,
and you are never far away from those who seek you.
Remain with your servants as they travel far from home,
and guide their way by the light of your Word.
Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night,
and as their companion on their journey, bring them to their destination in safety.
May they see your face in everyone they meet,
and know the depth of your love on every road they walk.
At the end of their journey, may they return to us once again
with renewed faith and hearts full of joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Blessing of Brains" and Surviving Comps

This time of year, students are stressing not just about the holidays but also about final exams, papers, and tests at the end of the fall quarter. Here are two things that might help your students feel supported during this time of year.

Two summers ago, I was in the same boat, stressing over comprehensive exams. It was one of the most academically and pyschologically difficult things I had to do. After I got through it, I thought no one should have to stress like that alone. So I put together a little web site called "Surviving Comps" that has some tips that helped me get through my comps.

When I was a campus minister at UCLA and at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, we would do a "blessing of brains" on the Sunday before finals. These were always the best-attended Masses of the year. Consider doing a "blessing of brains" at an upcoming Sunday gathering or youth group meeting. You can even make up little card or bookmarks with this prayer for the students to take home.

A Blessing of Brains

God, Creator of all things and of human intellect,
bless these students with orderly thinking,
curiosity for the work of your creation,
and a creative spirit in their studies.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, help them remain focused.
Give them eyes to see the connections between their study
and its value for life and service to others.
Energize them and get their brains working.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to give them flexibility of thought and expression,
good memory and calm nerves,
the ability to organize their thinking
and comprehend theories and facts
that they may express them with flair and clarity.
May your Spirit help them
to overcome moments of discouragement
and to rejoice in their accomplishments.

God our Wisdom, in whom we live, move, and have our being,
bless your sons and daughters.
Bless their brains and every part of their lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ask Sister Mary Martha

"Let us be a church that is not gloomy and without joy. We should be able to laugh."

That's what our diocesan Pastoral Plan says. So here's one fellow blogger who knows how to find the hilarious in the holy things of our Catholic life. I love how she makes the saints real down to earth people (even if they were known for levitating). Ask Sister Mary Martha says, "Life is tough. But Nuns are tougher. If you need helpful advice just Ask Sister Mary Martha. She'll help you. Just don't expect any sympathy."

My kind of sister....

But remember, this is the Internet. Don't be surprised if she isn't really a nun. And if her/his kind of humor doesn't suit you, then take her/his advice, and "give it up for the poor souls in purgatory."

Classifieds (non-liturgy): office manager

Let's face it. Sometimes working for the Church doesn't pay all the bills. Here's an announcement from a friend that might help you or someone you know.

General Contractor Office Manager position
Donatelli Castillo Builders Inc., in San Jose is seeking an office manager to support a medium size construction office. Duties include:

• Administration
• Payroll
• Bookkeeping, A/R, A/P
• Knowledge of construction accounting
• Well versed in Windows environment including Word, Excel, Act, American Contractor.

Full time position, benefits. Fax resume to 408-289-8714, attention Chris Donatelli, or email chris@dcbuild.com.

Let us remember...the liturgical leaders

As we mark the 43rd anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium today, December 4, please remember the following liturgical leaders in your prayers. Below is their date of death and location of ministry.

Thanks to Gary Feldhege, music editor for Liturgical Press, for beginning and maintaining this annual remembrance.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

• Virgil Michael, OSB +1938 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Estelle Hackett, OP +1948 Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids, MI
• Michael A. Mathis, CSC +1960 University of Notre Dame
• H. A. Reinhold +1968 Sunnyside, WA / Diocese of Pittsburgh
• Leonard Doyle +1970 Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN
• Tom Carroll +1971 Liturgical Conference/Archdiocese of Boston
• Bob McGill +1973 Diocese of Fort Worth, TX
• Martin B. Hellriegel, P.A. +1981 Archdiocese of Saint Louis
• Ernst Langenhorst +1983 Diocese of Fort Worth, TX
• Urban Gertken OSB +1987 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Jane Marie Murray, OP +1987 Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids, MI
• Eugene Walsh, SS +1989 Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Larry Gully +1990 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Shawn Sheehan +1990 Liturgical Conference /Archdiocese of Boston
• Robert Hovda +1992 Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
• Theophane Hytrek, OSF +1992 Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI
• Mark Searle +1992 University of Notre Dame
• Michael Marx, OSB +1993 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Mary Perkins Ryan +1993 Liturgical Conference
• Jacques Berthier +1994 Taizé Community, France
• Jan Vermulst +1994 Composer
• James Dunning +1995 North American Forum for the Catechumenate
• Jerome Theisen, OSB +1995 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Frank Winkels +1995 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Robert Edward Kreutz +1996 Composer
• Elmer Pfeil +1996 Archdiocese of Milwaukee
• Omer Westendorf +1997 Composer
• Sue Seid Martin +1998 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Michael H. Hay +1999 Archdiocese of Chicago
• Norita Lanners, OSB +1999 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• John B. O'Donnell +1999 Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada
• Leon Roberts +1999 Composer
• Leonard Sullivan +1999 Archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan / National Liturgy Office, Canada
• Gerard Farrell, OSB +2000 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• William Heidt, OSB +2000 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Bill Leonard, SJ +2000 Liturgical Conference / Boston College / Archdiocese of Boston
• Cecile Gertken, OSB +2001 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Ted Marier +2001 Archdiocese of Boston
• John Joseph O'Flaherty +2001 Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada
• Ade Bethune +2002 Newport, RI, Diocese of Providence
• Patrick Byrne +2002 Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario / National Bulletin on Liturgy, CCCB
• Godfrey Diekmann, OSB +2002 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Nicholas Doub, OSB +2002 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Peter Mazar +2002 Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, IL
• Mary Anthony Wagner, OSB +2002 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Mary Elizabeth Bagnell +2003 Diocese of Brooklyn / Diocese of New Hampshire
• Aelred Tegels, OSB +2003 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Paul L. Cioffi, SJ +2004 Georgetown University
• Denis Hurley, OMI, +2004 Archbishop of Durban, South Africa
• Frank Kacmarcik, Obl.S.B. +2004 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Clarence Rufus J. Rivers +2004 Diocese of Cincinnati, OH
• Kenneth Edward Untener +2004 Bishop of Saginaw, MI
• James F. White +2004 University of Notre Dame
• William J. Deering +2005 Diocese of Evansville, IL
• Brother Roger Schutz +2005 Taizé Community, France
• Frederick R. McManus +2005 Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. / Archdiocese of Boston
• Nancy J. Bannister +2006 National Association of Pastoral Musicians
• Teri Dlugosch +2006 Diocese of Saint Cloud, MN
• Aidan Kavanagh, OSB +2006 Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN
• Francis Kline, OCSO +2006 Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC
• Bartholomew Sayles, OSB +2006 Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Mary Luke Tobin, SL +2006 Sisters of Loretto, Nerinx, KY
• Aloysius John Wycislo +2006 Diocese of Greenbay, WI

Pope Benedict XVI prays "in their shoes"

Pope Benedict XVI just completed a controversial trip to Turkey. In the wake of his comments about Islam made during an academic conference and the protests that followed, his visit carried much more meaning. The Pope's actions and statements with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, seem to have brought us one step closer to reconciliation with not only the Church of Constantinople but also with the Islamic people. (The following clip quoted from Reuters.)

His first visit to a mostly Muslim country, held under tight security for fear of protests by nationalists and Islamists, was highlighted by a series of conciliatory gestures culminating in a stop on Thursday afternoon in Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque.

"The Pope's dreaded visit was concluded with a wonderful surprise," wrote daily Aksam on its front page.

"In Sultan Ahmet Mosque, he turned toward Mecca and prayed like Muslims," popular daily Hurriyet said, using the building's official name.

His gestures, including support for Ankara's bid to join the European Union and praise for Islam as a peaceful faith, seem to have persuaded the Turks to move beyond the tension following his speech quoting a Byzantine emperor as calling Islam violent....

Catholic officials also presented the mosque visit, where Benedict stood in silent prayer while Istanbul Grand Mufti Mustafa Cagrici prayed aloud, as a key moment of reconciliation.

"I would compare the Pope's visit to the mosque to Pope John Paul's gestures at the Western Wall," said veteran Vatican mediator Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, referring to Pope John Paul II's prayers at Jerusalem's Western Wall in 2000.

"Yesterday, Benedict did with the Muslims what John Paul did with the Jews."

Read more about this on Rocco Palmo's Whispers in the Loggia, a Roman Catholic news blog, by clicking here and here. He also has some great pics of the Pope's visit.