Mary, Help of Christians Bulletin
December 28, 1997

Welcome

WELCOME! Welcome to all who celebrate the Mass with us today. May God's grace and peace fill all of us so that we can serve one another in unity and love. If you have a question, a prayer request or any need, please speak to one of the priests, the parish ushers or with any parishioner.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP MOVE HANDICAPPED PARISHIONER

Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, December 30th to help pack & move the belongings of a handicapped parishioner from her trailer in Riverside to a storage facility in Fairborn. We will meet in the church parking lot at 9:30 AM. If you are able to give any or part of the day, it will be appreciated. For more information please call Mary Jo Martin at 767-7682.

THANK YOU FROM THE WOMEN'S NETWORK

The Women's Network thanks everyone who participated in the Gifts for Baby Jesus project sponsored by the 5th grade class at MHC school. With all the gifts we will be able to better service our very special clientele. Thank you for being so generous.

PARISH LIBRARY

The library is located in St. Francis Hall and is open on Sundays from 8:30 AM to 1:15 PM. There are books, audio and video tapes on many subjects, including special ones for Teens and Children. Anyone interested in donating books, audio or video tapes, please call Linda Knueve at 879- 5303 or Pat Scanlon at 878-0461. We are currently looking for books on "Advent" and "Lent".
Fr. John recently suggested a book that would be nice to have in our Parish Library. "Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to John Paul II" by Father Richard P. McBrien. Published by HarperCollins, 1997. The cost is $29.50. Is anyone interested in donating this book to our library? A book donated in the name of a loved one makes a nice Christmas gift for someone who has everything.
The library will be closed for New Year Holidays today, Sunday, December 28th. We will reopen on January 4th, 1998. The library volunteers wish each of you a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

THANK YOU FROM THE DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA

A special thank you from the Daughters of Isabella for the most generous spirit that abides in our Parish. Your gifts, through the Giving Tree, have helped make Christmas for over 50 families. For some your gifts were the only ones under their tree. Everyone who participated in this special project should feel proud for a job well done and greatly appreciated.

REMEMBER YOUR PARISH IN YOUR WILL

Only you can divide your property as you want it divided. A Bequest to your Church can be a living memorial to the nobility of your life. A Bequest to your Church is exempt from estate and inheritance taxes, and reduces the amount of the estate to be taxed. Your attorney will be happy to assist you.

New Year's Eve Dance

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Dayton Council 500, Wednesday, December 31st, from 9:00 PM through 1:00 AM at Bainbridge Hall, 4th & Bainbridge St., near the Oregon District. Hors d'oeuvre's, party favors and champagne at midnight. Cost: $20.00 per person, 21 & over please. For more information and reservations call 224-8566, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM or leave message & number, or e-mail Michael-Anne@msn.com.

CHURCH HISTORY COURSE TO BE OFFERED

You are invited to attend a four-week CHURCH HISTORY Course at St. Joseph Parish Center beginning on Thursday, January 4 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Father Edmund Hussey, Pastor of St. Raphael Church will be the facilitator. The course will examine Church History through a series of "snapshots" of the church through the centuries. REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY! Flyers with additional information and Registration Forms are available in the back of church. For more information call: Sister Angela, 327-4057.

IS YOUR MARRIAGE HURTING IN ANY WAY?

If your marriage has become unloving and uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold and distant, then please consider and inquire about Retrouvaille. Retrouvaille is a program designed to help heal and renew troubled marriages, even those marriages to the point of separation and/or divorce. The next scheduled program begins January 9th,10th,11th at the Kings Island Inn. For more information and/or registration call (513) 922-6045 (Cincinnati)/767-7053 (Dayton)/(513) 398- 3137 (Cincinnati), or write to: Retrouvaille, P.O. Box 1215, Fairborn, OH 45324.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

Give the gift that will keep on giving - some quality time on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. Open to all married couples. Next dates: January 16-18 & February 13-15. For information call: Dick & Joanne, (513)731-6890 or George & Terri, (800)484-1696 code 4460.

CATHOLICS "COME HOME PROGRAM"

COME HOME- An invitation to Catholics in the Greater Dayton area who feel separated from the Catholic Church, to come and tell their story and take a look again at the Church. If you would like to refer persons for an invitation to Come Home, call 225-8901 or send their name(s) to Come Home Program, Trinity Center, 266 Bainbridge Street, Dayton, Ohio, 45402, before January 31st, 1998. MHC is a sponsoring parish for Come Home.

CATHOLIC WOMEN OF CINCINNATI SPONSORING

"CONTINUE WITH CONFIDENCE" SCHOLARSHIP

Catholic Women of Cincinnati is accepting applications for the "Continue with Confidence" Scholarship to be awarded in May of 1998 to an active, practicing, Catholic woman, age 25 or older who wishes to begin or continue her undergraduate college education. This $2,500.00 grant is intended for a candidate who would not be able to attend college without this financial assistance. Deadline for application is March 30, 1998. For more information or to receive an application contact Carolyn Sweeney at 984-8842.

SEPARATED, DIVORCED OR WIDOWED?

When we grieve the loss of a love, it affects us on all levels: physically, emotionally and spiritually. Join us on a journey to face grief and explore it. Our speaker, Catherine Grade Strathern, Ed.D., will guide us as we learn practical, down-to-earth ways to deal with grief in all areas of our lives. Recover your zest for life at this healing FREE presentation, FACING GRIEF AND LIVING THROUGH IT, on Sunday, January 11 at 7:00 PM. Join us in the Family Life Center at St. Peter Parish. For more information or a free brochure, call Dayton's Family Life Office at 937-222-0227.

INTERESTED IN WORK AFTER RETIREMENT?

Are you at least 55 years of age and looking for a job to help out with those unforeseen bills? Are you looking for a positive way to spend 20 hours a week while making some money at the same time? Are you really not interested in complete retirement and looking for a way to continue working in some capacity?
If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions, the Senior Aides Employment and Training Program in conjunction with the St. Vincent DePaul Society can help you. The program has a wide range of employment opportunities. Some jobs are available with the St. Vincent DePaul Society. You may call the Senior Aide office, located at the new Montgomery County Job Center at 224-1464 during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Or you may stop at the St. Vincent DePaul office, also located at the Job Center, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Monday through Friday.

WIN-WIN-WIN

Donate your used vehicle, get a tax credit, help someone become self- sufficient. Your donation of a used vehicle helps support work at the St. Vincent Hotel/DePaul Center (a 501 (c)(3) organization). All donated vehicles are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. The process simply involves you signing over the title and us arranging to pick up the car. Receipts provided. For more information about the DePaul Center or the Car Donation Program contact 222-3661.

IF YOU'VE BEEN CONSIDERING HELP...

Seeking help when we need it is a sign of strength and good sense. Professional counseling helps us to see our worries in constructive new ways, leaving us free to solve our own problems. Sometimes that's the difference between struggling with a concern or resolving it now. Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley offers professional, confidential counseling for family, marital and personal concerns. Appointments are currently available. For further information, contact the Centerville office at 434-3802.

HOLY FAMILY

1) Sirach 3, 2-6. 12-14
2) Colossians 3, 12-21
3) Luke 2, 41-52
Yes, it would be quite a shock to find that your missing child had gone off to Church or Sunday school. Mary and Joseph find the young Jesus in the temple discussing God's will and law with the elders. It is never too early to start looking for God's direction in our lives. (It is never too late, either!)
Next Sunday's readings will be: 1)Isaiah 60, 1-6; 2)Ephesians 3, 2- 3. 5-6; 3)Matthew 2, 1-12.

Mass Intentions for the Week

TODAY: 7:00 AM Sunday Mass
9:00 AM For the Parish
10:30 AM Michael Viet Su Nguyen, off. Linda Haman
12:00 PM Sunday Mass
MON: 7:00 PM Rosemary Bolger, off. George & Shirley Spence
TUE: 7:00 AM Thomas Chambers, off. ISP
9:00 AM Betty A. Smith, off. Rick, Denise, Richard & Kathryn Wetzel
WED: 9:00 AM Tim Bloomster, off. Bob & Kitty Lantz
5:00 PM Mass for Peace
THU: 7:00 AM Mass of the Solemnity
9:00 AM Mass of the Solemnity
10:30 AM Mass of the Solemnity
12:00 PM Mass of the Solemnity
FRI: 9:00 AM Carl Windisch, (Anniv.) off. Marcella Windisch
SAT: 8:00 AM Gloria Lamaureaux, off. Ed & Joann Trefethen
5:00 PM MHC Purgatorian
SUN: 7:00 AM Sunday Mass
9:00 AM Sunday Mass
10:30 AM Dave Eckert, off. Lawrence R. Smith
12:00 PM Sunday Mass

NATIONAL MARRIAGE DAY AT MHC

Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary any time during 1998 are asked to please notify the parish office, 878-8353, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. On February 15th, 1998, "National Marriage Day", these couples will be honored at all Masses. The deadline to notify the parish office is Monday, January 19th, 1998.

THANK YOU

A great big THANK YOU goes to all who helped with the Advent decorating this year. A special thank you goes out to the following: Frank Minnick, Jennifer Mattachione, Terese DeSimio, Martha Miller, Rick and Cathy Williams, Maryanne Wells, Cindy Keep, Karen Bonneau, 5th, 6th and 7th grade CCD classes, and the MHC school. Thank you for all your time and talents extended during this busy Advent season.

Liturgical Assistants

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - JANUARY 3/4

5:00 C. Stroble, E. Gulbransen, C. Gay, J. Carchedi, T. Metzmaier, S. Borchers, L. Cherpeski
7:00 M.J. Martin, J. Lorenzetti, A. Cavo
9:00 P. Gros, A. Smith, G. Martin, R. Dean, M.L. Dean, M. Lokai, C. Mihlbachler, M. Mihlbachler, L. Marshall
10:30 Deacon Max Roadruck, L. Pierce, P. Pitstick, P. Pitstick, A. Meyers, R. Meyers, R. Wimsatt
12:00 Deacon Max Roadruck, V. Hobbs, P. Hobbs, S. Watern, R. Selner, S. Takacs

LECTOR COMMENTATORS - JANUARY 3/4

LECTOR COMMENTATOR
5:00 M. Ludwick M. Burns
7:00 B. Lorenzetti R. Green
9:00 G. Leigh M. Miller
10:30 D. Wetzel M. Ellis
12:00 C. Fogle K. Gros

SERVERS SCHEDULE - JANUARY 3/4

5:00 M. Eviston, K. Eviston, K. Ehret
7:00 J. DeSimio, J. Weaver
9:00 D. Snow, J. Snow, M. Pitstick
10:30 Ma. Turner, Mi. Turner, D. Zeller
12:00 R. Henterly, D. Henterly, L. Vu

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministry training can help you to lead a Christian life...what was Jesus like as a caregiver? How does He teach us to serve others? Come to Stephen Ministry training and find out. Classes begin January 12th, 1998. Applications are in the foyer of the church or contact Anne Rusen, 879-8803.

HOLY SMOKE

Incense will be used:
Epiphany (January 4) at 9:00 & 10:30 AM.

Coffee and Donuts

There will be no Coffee and Doughnuts available after Sunday Masses today, December 28th. The Religious Gift Shop in the Usher's Room will be closed also.

This Week

TODAY: 9:45 AM - Transportation Sunday to 10:30 AM Mass
7:00 PM - Scripture Study until 8:30 PM, SFH

MON: 7:00 PM - Boy Scouts, Sch APR
7:30 PM - Rosary, Ch
8:00 PM - Prayer Group, Ch

TUE: 7:00 PM - Cub Pack Committee until 9:00 PM, Sch Lib
7:30 PM - Bible Study, ER

WED: MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
EVE OF THE SOLEMNITY OF
9:30 AM - Mom's Gp until 11:45 AM, SFH
12:30 PM - Mom's Bible Study, SFH
PARISH OFFICE CLOSING AT 1:00 PM
5:00 PM - Mass for Peace

THU: NEW YEAR'S DAY
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
7:00 AM - Mass of the Solemnity
9:00 AM - Mass of the Solemnity
10:30 AM - Mass of the Solemnity
12:00 PM - Mass of the Solemnity

FRI: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
5:30 PM - K of C Fish Fry until 7:30 PM, K of C Hall

SAT: 7:30 AM - Rosary, Ch
10:00 AM - Benediction, Ch
10:15 AM - Confessions until 11:00 AM

SUN: 7:00 AM - Coffee & Doughnuts until 12:00 Noon, AD
9:00 AM - REL ED: 3-5 yrs
10:30 AM - REL ED: Grade 1-12 & Adult
7:00 PM - Scripture Study until 8:30 PM, SFH

School News

School will be closed during Christmas Break, December 22-January 2. Classes resume Monday, January 5.
Alumni Association Meeting: All former MHCS students are invited to attend the Alumni Association Meeting set for Thursday, January 8, 1998, 7:00 PM, in the school cafeteria. A Welcome Home Alumni Mass is being planned for May 17, 1998.
Save your Meijer's Receipts! Save and bring to the school or church your receipts from the Dayton and Springfield Meijer Stores that are dated between September 29 and through December 13, 1997. MHCS can receive up to $1,000, if we receive enough receipts (we can earn $5 for every $100 in receipts).

STEWARDSHIP

Due to Holiday scheduling, the figures for Sundays, December 21st, 25th and 28th were not available at the time of this printing. The figures for December 21st will appear here in the January 4th bulletin and the figures for December 28th will appear here in the January 11th bulletin.

Religious Education

"He (Jesus) went down with them then, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them."
The Sunday morning Religious education are: Early childhood ages 3-5 meet from 9:00 to 10:00 AM; grades 1-12 meet from 10:30 to 11:45 AM. Fee: $25 per student; $75 maximum per family. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay. All classes, with the exception of the high school are held in the school. High school sessions are held in St. Francis Hall. The Religious Education program is on break for the Christmas season. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 4th.

TODAY'S COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

The next session will be held on Sunday, January 4th, 1998. Please join us, 10:30 AM in the school cafeteria.

Baby Sitting

There will be NO Babysitting available today, Sunday, December 28th.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

Parents of unbaptized children, ages 3-6, wishing to have them baptized should call the Religious Ed office, 878-7325, to arrange for baptismal preparation for the children.

Youth Activities

HS LIFE Community--Every Wednesday, Open House, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, SFH-- Come, play games and socialize! Next Meeting: January 7th, 1998, 7:00-9:00 PM, SFH.... JH GROUP....Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 13th, 3:30-6:00 PM, SFH...For more information, call Holly Gros, Youth Minister, 878-8092.

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Mary, Help of Christians Bulletin December 28, 1997