Mailing Address: PO Box 948 Arma, KS 66712

100 South 8th Street Arma, KS 66712 Tel. (620)347-4525

Weekly Bulletin

of

Saint Joseph Church, Arma

www.stjosepharma.com

Notes from the Pastor:

MASS SCHEDULE
GIRARD Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:00 am ARMA 4:00pm 8:00 am

CONFESSION Sat. 2:00-2:45pm 3:15-3:45pm Weekdays before Mass; anytime by appointment.

STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales/Marcel Normand Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Judy Smerchek Secretary Rectory Office Hours Wednesdays 9AM-Noon Tel. (620) 347-4525

Wow Christmas is almost here. Some of us are still not done with shopping and still busy preparing for the Christmas meal, not to mention Christmas parties and activities here and there. In the midst of this excitements and kind of commotions, I wish to emphasize once more this important message for this Advent: GOD IS FAITHFUL! Our Gospel reading for today is a fulfillment of Gods promise. This promise has been made hundreds of years ago and is being carried out patiently but surely through the ages until its fulfillment in the annunciation of the birth of Jesus through Mary. From our first reading we can also have a glimpse of a deeper meaning of Gods plan. David wanted to build a house for the Lord which would house the arc of the covenant. Initially the prophet Nathan approved of the plan, but God sent him the message that Yahweh was more concerned with turning David's family into "His house" than with residing in a house Himself. In other words, God's presence in families is more important than is His presence in buildings. This eternal presence of God in the family of David is fulfilled in Jesuss birth and the church that he established. He lives with us forever. Along this line I invite you to reflect on our church here in Girard and in the Diocese of Wichita. It is true the body of Christ, the church, is so human. But human as we are, we are empowered to let the divinity and holiness of Christ be seen in our Church through each one of us. Do I see myself as part of the Diocese of Wichita or I care only for St. Michael, my church. And do we feel Gods presence here in our own church? What and how could I contribute to make Gods presence felt by everyone? The birth of our Jesus make this a reality! Our Blessed Mother did her part. Saint Joseph did his part. God is calling us to do our part, to participate of Gods divine intervention through every moment of our lives. Reminder again that we will be decorating our church for Christmas after the 8AM mass this Sunday. If you can help please come or stay after the 8AM mass. Thank you again! May God bless all that we do and help us grow in our love for Him and one another! Fr. Roger

Next Saturday Altar Servers: Ushers E. M. E. Lectors: Gift Bearers 4:00 PM Trevor Graham Dustin & Dave Ashmore Cindy Ashmore Laurie Graham Mary & Georganne Galichia

Next Sunday 8:00 AM Clelands Bill Harman & Joe Broyles Terri Cleland Marcel Normand Frank Grano & Mary Jo Anderson

REMINDERS: Penance Service - St. Michael, Dec. 18th at 6:00pm December 24 Saturday, Christmas Eve. 4:00 PM - Arma 5:30 PM - Girard, with dramatized Gospel by our CCD kids December 25, Christmas, Midnight Mass 12:00 MN - Girard December 25, Christmas Day 8:00 AM - Arma 10:00 AM - Girard God bless you all! Fr. Roger +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Decorating St. Joseph Church Decorating of the Church will be Sunday, December 18th following the 8:00am Mass. Anyone that can stay to help with the decorating please do so. It takes a lot of people and all help will be appreciated. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bazaar Planning Committee A planning committee is being formed for a Spring Bazaar. If you are interested in being on the planning committee please contact Karen Pryor at 347-4613. The first meeting will be on January 10, 2012, following the 5:30pm Mass.

Mass Schedules & Intentions for Dec 17th-25th:

December 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:00 AM 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 8AM-6PM 8:00 AM 9AM-4PM 7:00 AM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Frank Doue Greg Evans August & Mary Bogina Pro Populo Elsie Elmer Iside Stefani Greg Evans Eucharistic Adoration No Intention Eucharistic Adoration Greg Evans Black Family Greg Evans Jackie Amershek Pro Populo Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Arma Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

collections Last Week Contributions Operating Expense Over/ (Under)

Saint Josephs Upcoming Events Finance Council Next Meeting TBA St. Ann Altar Society Wednesday, January 18th 6:00pm, weather permitting Parish Council Next Meeting TBA Knights of Columbus 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm St. Michael Parish Hall

July 2011 to date $28,086.64 $26,188.81 $1,897.83 $0.00

$1,288.00

Parish Pastoral Council Officers: Chair Pat Westhoff Members at Large Emil Pronier, Betty Rons & Marcel Normand Secretary Karen Pryer Worship Committee: Chair Music Eucharistic Ministers Lectors Sacristan Ushers/Greeters/Collectors Rosary Altar Society Parish Finance Council: Chair Members

The Legend of the Poinsettia Years ago, it was the custom in Mexico to bring gifts to the Church to lay at the feet of the Infant Savior. There is a legend told about a young boy who had no gift to bring or no money to buy a gift. Among all the children in the village, he alone had nothing to offer the Holy Child. For fear of going into the church with no gift to offer, he knelt down outside to pray his prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Gods Son to the world, and as he prayed, his tears fell upon some shrubs where he was kneeling. When he rose to his feet, the plants had burst into bloom with beautiful red blossoms. He gathered the flowers in his arms and took them to offer to the Holy Child. Among all the gifts laid at the Christ Childs feet, this was the loveliest of all. In Mexico, this plant is called the Christmas Eve Flower because it is always available to make beautiful their lovely churches and cathedrals at Christmas time.

Think Before Giving There is another mistake that many of us make throughout the year. Jesus and Christmas time always help us correct that mistake. When Karen Pryer Jesus came as our Savior, He didnt give us money, clothes, or any Jan Harman material possessions. He came to give us Himself - - His time, His Joann Black care, His tenderness, His healing, His teaching, His Church, His comMarcel Normand passion, His forgiveness, His love - - in all its fullness. Most of us Larry Pronier think we have to give others something material at Christmas. This Bill Harman may be well and good, but it is not the best gift we can give others. Helen Normand The best gift is that of ourselves. Our kindness, our care, our fidelity, our gentleness, our patience, our forgiveness, our moral support, our understanding, our faith, our love - - in all its fullness. Children hurt Fred Bogina at Christmas because a parent abandons them, wives and husbands Bill Harman, Judy Wingebach, Linda Broyles hurt because their spouses force them to live like single persons - never at home with the persons they say they love the most. Think carefully and wisely the kinds of gifts you will give this Christmas. Warming Souls Join the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice in providing shelter to the Wichita areas homeless during the month of February in an effort called Warming Souls. Due to the Cathedral renovation, Holy Savior has graciously opened their facility to assist us in offering an evening meal, a warm place to sleep, and breakfast in the morning. If you or a group from your parish are interested in helping to provide food, or to give a donation, please contact the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice at 316-269-3935 or email grafa@catholicdioceseofwichita.org.

March for Life - Topeka Join Bishop Jackels and Fr. John Lanzrath for a one-day pilgrimage to Topeka to take a stand for life on January 23, 2012, for the March for Life Topeka. Busses will leave the Wichita area at 7:30am on the 23rd. This years event will be held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka and the cost for the trip is $35, which includes Mass with Bishop Jackels, a breakout session for adults and youth, a catered lunch, a Rally and a rosary on the Capitol steps. Registration forms can be found at www.respectlifesocialjustice.org. The deadline to register is Jan. 3rd. Christmas Call to Sharing 2011 I know that I felt the support and encouragement of many here in the diocese when I was in the seminary. I thank you and your predecessors whose gifts allowed me to freely respond to my vocation. Please consider a gift of gratitude this year to the Christmas Call to Sharing.

st. joseph, defend us in all our battles

We Thank our advertisers whose support makes this publication possible:

Madl Hair Design 122 1/2 E. Forest Girard, KS 66743 724-4466

Please support our Parish Bulletin! Advertise Here!

Please support our Parish Bulletin! Advertise Here!

Hickory Bend, LLC