FEAST Of MARY, MOTHER Of GOD And WORLD DAY Of PEACE

The last hours of one year and the first hours of the New Year are Universally symbolized by people getting together at parties. At the very same time, the Church proclaims to the world a serious and deep message, which, in many cases, because of the parties, is easily overlooked. But nonetheless, the message is to be proclaimed.

The first aspect of the Church’s message is Mary, Mother of God. Mary gave flesh & blood to the Son of God. She enabled His presence to walk among us here on this earth. He experienced the good and the bad of humanity — Just as we do. He hungered and cried. He felt pain and joy.

The second aspect of the church’s message is the World Day of Peace. We all say we want “peace”. Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is something that exists in and among men and women and not in some ideal place. As Pope Benedict XVI says in the World Day of Peace Proclamation: “The truth of peace calls upon everyone to cultivate productive and sincere relationships; it encourages them to seek our and to follow the paths of forgiveness and reconciliation, to be transparent in their dealing with others, and to be faithful to their word.”

The Holy Father closes his proclamation with these words: “ With confidence and filial abandonment, let us lift up our eyes to Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace. At the beginning of this New Year, let us ask her to help all God’s People, wherever they may be, to work for peace and to be guided by the light of the truth that sets man free (cf. John 8:32). Through Mary’s intercession, may all mankind grow in esteem for this fundamental good and strive to make it ever more present in our world, and, in this way, to offer a safer and more serene future to generations yet to come”

Our Mass schedule for the Feast of Mary, Mother of God and World Day of Peace is:

Saturday, Dec. 31st	5:30 pm
Sunday, Jan. 1	10:00 am 5:00 pm

Lock-In

An invitation from the Youth Group of St. Mary’s to all Students from 9th grade up.

Are you a Star Wars fan? Want to watch a bunch of Star Wars Movies? For just $5.00 per person we will provide 6 or 7 movies, pizza and snacks. Bring a friend or two. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. But we really don’t want to sleep!!

Lock in on Tuesday, December 27th . Starting at 12 noon – ending at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 28th. To be held in the Parish Hall.

For more information, contact Crystal or Marie at 821-7842 to make your reservation.

Vincentian Fathers Celebrate Christmas

Fr. Kane & Fr. Marty, along with Fr. Lynch from Tallassee, will leave for Gloverville, SC on Tuesday, 27^th of December to celebrate Christmas with Fr. Jack Lawlor, C.M. who serves as pastor in our Lady of the Valley Parish. Father Lawlor, who is 87 years young, served as a missioner in China in the 1940’s & 1950’s where he spent a good bit of time under house arrest by the Communist regime. The priests will return to Alabama on Wednesday, 28^th December.

St. Mary’s Visited by the Local Mystery Worshiper

Recently, Candice Hacker visited St. Mary’s for the 11:15 Sunday mass. In case you missed the writeup in the OA News, here is the article. You’ll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.

Acrobat is available here.

Lazarus Ministries: Deliver boxes

Meet in the Parish Hall for Christmas box (food and gifts) deliveries. All are welcome!

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