DECEMBER 11, 2011 - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

ZâtÜw|tÇ TÇzxÄá

Catholic Church & School 215 Second Street West + Chaska, Minnesota + www.gachaska..org + (952) 227-4000

NORMAL PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday ~ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For times other than those listed, please call the Parish Office.

DAILY MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK: WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK: Monday, December 12th~ 8 a.m. Saturday, December 17th ~ 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 13th ~ 8 a.m. (Word & Communion Service) Sunday, December 18th ~ 8 a.m. Wednesday, December 14th ~ 5:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Thursday, December 15th ~ 5:30 p.m. . Noon (in Spanish) Friday, December 16th ~ 9:20 a.m. 6:15 p.m. Saturday, December 17th ~ 9:20 a.m. (at Auburn Manor)

Thanks to Guardian Angels Church for being this weeks sponsor

12/04/2011 #5332 Bill Paal 12/05/2011 #5104 Dave Reedy 12/06/2011 #5257 Charles Kuehl 12/07/2011 #5159 Bruce Borman 12/08/2011 #4965 Tony Koll 12/09/2011 #4963 Patrick Dempsey 12/10/2011 #4840 Jason Biwer

Church & School Staff Listed Alphabetically

E-Mails for Staff: FirstInitialLastName@GAchaska.org Example: DEbert@GAchaska.org

Fr. Doug Ebert, Pastor 227-4000 Sara Anderson, Bookkeeping/Music Assistant 227-4000 Rev. Mr. Jim Bauhs, Deacon 227-4092 Amy Gallus, School Principal 227-4010 Fr. Thomas Joseph, Sacramental Minister within the Latino Community 227-4093 Emily Klinker, Director of Faith Formation 227-4007 Maria Koehn, Latino Administrative Assistant 227-4015 Lori Reznick, School Administrative Assistant 227-4010 Jean Rief, Pastoral Associate 227-4095 Miguel Salinas, Parish Analyst/Room Scheduling 227-4004 Jennifer Salwei, Accounting 227-4001 Teresa Schmidt, Director of Worship 227-4084 Gary Van Eyll, Parish Director 227-4002 Paul Meger, Maintenance Supervisor 227-4013

Lay Leadership Positions TRUSTEES Steve Rasmussen 448-5922 Mark Sanda 277-4283 Bill Meyer, Trustee Emeritus PARISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Jeoff Will 361-3024 FINANCE COUNCIL Travis Olson 448-5113 FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION Ed Hajek, eahajek@yahoo.com 960-4940 SCHOOL COMMISSION Tom Tierney, thomas.tierney@gmail.com 239-8799WORSHIP COMMISSION Gerry Olsen 442-4361 PASTORAL CARE COMMISSION Becky Porspakka 546-1190 PARISH LIFE COMMISSION Linda Forner 448-3312 ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION Paul Meger 448-6912

PRAYER LINE, Jessica Oberpriller 952-381-4246 or jessica.oberpriller@gmail.com

Mass Intentions for This Week (Monday, December 12, 2011 - Sunday, December 18, 2011)

Monday (8 a.m.) Living & Deceased members of the Urban Fritz Family Wednesday (5:30 p.m.) Jerome Kelzer ┼ Thursday (5:30 p.m.) Joe & Audrey Lano ┼ Friday (9:20 a.m.) - - - - - Saturday (9:20 a.m.) Priest Intention (at Auburn Manor) Saturday (5 p.m.) Russell & Darlene Schmid ┼ Sunday (8 a.m.) Parishioners of Guardian Angels Sunday (10 a.m.) Rose Tellers ┼ Sunday (6:15 p.m.) Corey Jensen ┼

Next Weekend’s Readings (December 18th) First Reading - I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm - For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading - To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel - Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Knights of Columbus Calendar Raffle Results

Congratulations! Please call Steve at 952-448-3127 to collect your winnings.

Lay Minister Schedule

December 17th & 18th

Coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses this weekend is sponsored by Loaves & Fishes. Come join us in St. Francis Hall!

Hospitality after next Sunday’s Masses will be sponsored by the School Advisory Committee.

From Father Doug During the Advent season we prepare for the

celebration of Jesus’ birth and for the unknown time when He will come again. In our Sunday readings, we hear much about John the Baptist and his message of repentance.

Repentance isn’t about groveling in our unworthiness; it is about recognizing our limitations. It isn’t about self-loathing; it is about self-fulfillment beyond our individual ego. It involves humility, but true humility involves honest assessment – we live in the mystery of good and evil inclined toward both. In repentance we admit that we need help to grow toward what is good – we truthfully acknowledge our sinfulness.

Most of us want to look good, but our real challenge is to be good. Repentance is an exercise of holy humility where we can recognize and build upon our talents as we deal with our weaknesses. In repentance we see that our talents are a gift and we are not the source of this goodness; God is the source of our gifts and all that is good. In the story of creation, God calls creation good – our human problem is that we want to decide what is good, and our personal desires easily cloud our judgment and can lead to despair. Identifying our need for God in faithful pursuit of what is good stimulates our hope for redemption and its message of divine love. Repentance helps us to better appreciate our gift of life – created in the image and likeness of our loving and faithful God.

We will soon celebrate God becoming one of us; this is something to keep in mind when we are prone to condemning humanity or each other. It is not our human nature that is

wretched, but we may choose to engage in wretched behavior. Though not perfect, we are still valued by God who, as one of us, specifically told us that he came for sinners. In repentance, we know that our claim to righteousness is often tainted in self-righteousness. Our human nature on earth is one of imperfection that remains loved and wanted by God; we are offered perfection through the merits of our Savior whose birth we are preparing to celebrate.

We are blessed to have God as our final judge, for human nature is clouded with misunderstanding, and things we easily misunderstand are the motives of another. God’s merciful justice is like that of a loving Father, and Jesus teaches us to be as children. Both adults and children can become selfish, but such childish behavior isn’t what is being pointed to. Jesus teaches behavior of trust and quick forgiveness that reflects a relationship of love.

God knows it is not our adult nature to behave as children, but adult relationships of trust are well-modeled in a loving parent-child relationship and its role recognition. Repentance helps us trust our God who made us, loves us, and wants us forever – no matter how bad things may be. Wherever we are, repentance gets us solidly on the path to the Kingdom – it prepares the way. On the way, when Jesus comes again, our hope will be fulfilled; our problems will be forever resolved in the resurrection and redemption promised to loving people of FAITH.

Parish Calendar & Events

For the most updated calendar information for events at G.A., please check our online calendar at

www.GAchaska.org/churchcalendar MON

12

8 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Daily Mass, Church

Angels Choir Christmas Rehearsal, Choir Loft Daughters of Isabella Christmas Party, SFH Prayer Shawl Ministry, Parish Office Christmas Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft

TUE

13

8 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

Word & Communion Service, Church Baptism Prep Class, Sanctuary

WED

14

8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 8 p.m.

GA Middle School Honor Roll Breakfast, Gym Daily Mass, Church Faith Formation, School 6:15 Mass Musicians Rehearsal, Church

THU

15

8 a.m. 12 noon 1:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

Quilters, SFH Senior/Grandparents Luncheon, SFH School Christmas Concert (dress rehearsal), Gym Daily Mass, Church School Christmas Concert, Gym Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft

FRI

16

9:20 a.m. 11:45 a.m.

Daily Mass, Church Holy Family Choir Rehearsal, Church

SAT

17

9 a.m. 9:20 a.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m.

Overeaters Anonymous Group, Parish Office Mass at Auburn Manor Weekend Mass, Church Spanish Prayer Group, SFH

SUN

18

8 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 3:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m.

Weekend Mass, Church Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft Weekend Mass, Church Sunday School Singing at Mass Weekend Mass in Spanish, Church Holy Family High School Concert, Church Weekend Mass, Church

Mass Intentions … Mass intentions may be for the living and the departed, with a ┼ designating in the bulletin a deceased person. There is a $10 suggested donation per Mass intention. Permission from the sick person or his/her family must be granted before a name’s inclusion in these prayers. To schedule a Mass intention, call Jean in the parish office.

Baptism …Sacramental preparation is required for all parents. Godparents and Grandparents are also encouraged to attend. Baptismal prep sessions are given every other month and Baptism Masses are held once a month. Call Jean in the parish office to schedule a child for Baptism and the parents for baptismal prep.

Prayers of the Faithful ….If you would like a name included in our Prayers of the Faithful for the sick, please call the Parish Office.

Penance...Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and anytime by appointment.

Matrimony...Pre-registration required at least one year in advance; marriage preparation course is required. Initial contact: Dan & Richie Klein (home) 952-448-4406, (cell) 612-743-3541, or e-mail: Weddings@GAchaska.org.

Anointing… If you wish to receive an anointing please call the parish office.

Communion for the Homebound...When we come together to pray at our Eucharistic liturgy, we do not forget the members of our community who are unable to be with us because of ill health. We remember them in our prayer, and we wish to include them in our Holy Communion. Members of our community bring the Blessed Sacrament to them to comfort them and to unite them with us in the Eucharist. We are not always aware of those who have this need. Please call the Parish Office to let us know if you or a member of your family would like to have Holy Communion brought to them. That way we can schedule a time for our ministers to visit and bring the Sacrament.

Hospital, Nursing Home, Homebound Visits...Churches are no longer notified by hospitals or nursing homes when a parishioner is admitted unless the family has requested it. If you or a family member are homebound, hospitalized or in a nursing home and would like a visit from a member of the pastoral ministry staff, please call Jean Rief in the parish office.

Parish Information

Stewardship Report for December 3 & 4, 2011 Week 23 of our fiscal year

The Daughters of Isabella are having a Members Only Christmas Party at 6:00 p.m. in St. Francis Hall on Monday, Dec. 12th. You may bring a guest. We would like to extend an invitation to the Knights of Columbus and a guest of their choice to join us. Merry Christmas!

Envelope offering $ 9,875 Electronic offering 6,550 Total offering $ 16,425

In Honor/Memory Of If you would like to help in the purchase of poinsettias for our worship space in memory of a loved one, donations can be put in the Sunday collection or dropped off/brought to the parish office. Please mark your envelope/check “Christmas Flowers”

Did you know that GA has a can recycling program? Please drop off your aluminum cans in the shed behind the church! This is a great way to support the ministries at GA. Thank you!

Faith Formation Education for the Mind~Body~Spirit

A special Thank You to all the families and friends who gave a memorial to Guardian Angels School on behalf of

the memory of Darlene Schmid. We are very

appreciative of the thoughtful donations.

Two Great Ways to Celebrate Christmas with MUSIC!

GA Kindergarten through 8th grade Christmas concert. Thursday, December 15th.

Performances at 1:30 & 7:00 p.m. in the school gym. Featuring the

school choir & band!

~AND~ Holy Family Catholic High School Music Department Presents: Prepare the Way: 2011 Christmas Concert

Come join us in celebration of the Advent season on Sunday, December 18th at 3:30 p.m. at Guardian Angels Church. We will be performing winter themed songs along with traditional Christmas carols to celebrate the coming of Christ. The concert will feature three of our curricular choirs; the Chorus, Camerata, & the Chorale. Happy Holiday season and we hope to see you there.

This is our last week of Faith Formation programs for the 2011 year! Our Wednesday Evening Program will be celebrating the Advent season in many ways this week, making wreaths, calendars, cards for home bound, playing advent jeopardy, and the list goes on and on! As a reminder there are no FF programs until January. Enjoy some family time together, read Scripture, pray the Rosary, read Advent meditations. May this Advent and Christmas be a holy one with your family. Gentle Reminder -

Calendar updates for Faith Formation the Advent / Christmas Season

♦FF grades 1-10 have their last session for 2011 will be on Wednesday, December 14th

♦Sunday School and Latino FF will have their last session for 2011 on Sunday, December 18th

♦There are no Wednesday classes December 21st and 28th, January 4th

♦There are no Sunday (Sunday School and Latino FF) classes December 25th, January 1st

♦RCIA will meet on Sunday, December 4th , Dec. 18th ♦There is a catechist meeting on Wednesday, January 4th ♦Saturday, January 7th Confirmation going to Net Ministries Lifeline Mass and presentation bus leaves at 4:30 p.m.

♦Saturday, January 7th 2010 regular schedules resume – please see calendar on our website if you have any questions http://www.gachaska.org/files/gachaska/files/FF%20Calendar%202011-2012.pdf

Christmas Masses

4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass We begin with special Christmas music by the Angels Choir and Little Ringers and Congregational Carols at 3:30 p.m. All children are invited to participate in the entrance procession and bring a gift to place before baby Jesus during the blessing of the manger (see information below).

6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass This mass will be lead by a cantor and there will be no incense at this Mass.

7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass in Spanish

11:00 p.m. Christmas “Midnight Mass” Adult choir and instruments will lead Midnight Mass. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes early to hear the beautiful prelude music and join in the congregational carols. At the Midnight Mass the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ is proclaimed.

8:00 a.m. Christmas Morning Mass This Mass will be lead by a cantor & there will be no incense.

10:00 a.m. Christmas Morning Mass This Mass will be led by the choir and will include festive instruments.

The Christmas Eve/Day Masses will run about an hour long. Two exceptions will be the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass and the “Midnight Mass” which will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. If you are allergic to incense, be sure to attend either the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass or the 8:00 a.m. Christmas Day Mass. Because Christmas day falls on a Sunday there will NOT be a 6:15 p.m. Mass on December 25th.

Merry Christmas!

Need updated addresses of pastNeed updated addresses of past clergy for your Christmas card list?clergy for your Christmas card list?

Fr. Conran Schneider OFM Auburn Courts 501 Oak St. N #326 Chaska, MN 55318

Fr. Paul Jarvis 13900 Biscayne Ave. W Rosemount, MN 55068

Fr. Larry Johnson 4287 46th Ave N. Robbinsdale, MN 55422

Deacon Gregg Sroder 873 6th St E. Saint Paul, MN 55106

Gifts to Donate at the 4:00pm Christmas Eve “Children’s Mass” This year at Guardian Angels we are trying something new! At the 4:00pm Christmas Eve mass all the children will be invited to join in the entrance procession at the beginning of Mass. The children will process up to the manger as part of the Blessing of the Manger at the beginning of Mass. The children are also invited to bring a

small, unused, and unwrapped gift to place before baby Jesus. These gifts will be donated to one of the following charities: Love Inc., New Beginnings, or the Food Shelf. Acceptable gifts would include but are not limited to:

There will be an announcement shortly before mass asking the children to come to the back of the church.

The Food Shelf Any non-perishable food item

New Beginnings Diapers, wipes, bottles, baby blankets, infant clothing, etc

Love INC. Hats, mittens, socks etc

This weekend! After Masses in St. Francis Hall.

A special “Thank You!” to all who

helped make our Guardian Angels Giving Tree a huge success again this year. We collected gifts for

146 individuals.

May God bless you as you have blessed others!

A SIMPLER CHRISTMAS

♥Forget the “ideal” Christmas complete with snow, carols, angelically-behaved children, and the perfect presents, food, and decorations. Put the emphasis on Jesus.

♥If there is a Christmas chore or activity that you hate, either stop doing it or stop complaining. If you still do it and you still complain, don’t expect sympathy!

♥If you dread writing and mailing Christmas cards, don’t bother. If you want to greet people in a simpler way, use Internet sites such as catholicgreetings.org and send e-cards with a few clicks of your mouse.

♥If you are hosting a Christmas dinner for family and friends, don’t do everything yourself. Tell the people living with you they can all pitch in - assign tasks if necessary - & ask guests to bring their favorite dish.

♥Don’t spend what you don’t have. Set a dollar limit and stick to it.

♥Consider a family gift exchange, or donate to a favorite charity in honor of friends and family. Place gifts under a parish or community giving tree. Give coupons representing your gifts of time and talent to those you love. Buy gifts that are faith-related from your local Catholic/Christian bookstore.

♥Create your own traditions: make a Christmas nativity scene; light Christmas candles; go with the family to Midnight Mass; read the Christmas stories out loud (in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2); help serve dinner in a shelter.

♥Don’t expect too much from others. Don’t expect them to be in a certain mood or to behave in certain ways, or to give you the right gifts.

♥Don’t do anything to excess: gift-giving, partying, drinking, eating.

♥Don’t fight with family, particularly over who does or does not go to church; don’t bring up old grudges. Copyright © 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.