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SUNDAY - December 20(Fourth Sunday of Advent)Religious Education ClassesDiscovery (7th & 8th Grade)9:30am - 10:45am/NDES Café; YH6:00pm - CRHP #7/SEASRMONDAY - December 213:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/HFCTUESDAY - December 22Intercessory Prayer Groupafter Liturgy of the Hours/chapel3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/HFCWEDNESDAY - December 2310:00am - NDE Prayer Service/ChurchNoon - Church Office is Closed3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/HFC4:00pm - Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament (until 6pm)/HFC

5:30pm - Pray the Rosary/HFC7:00pm - CRHP #7/SEASR7:00pm - Bible Study/SJRTHURSDAY - December 24Church Office is ClosedFRIDAY - December 25Merry Christmas to AllChurch Office is ClosedSATURDAY - December 264:00pm - Reconciliation/HFC (until 5:00pm)SUNDAY - December 27(First Sunday of Christmas)No Religious Education Classes9:30am - 10:45am/NDES Café; YH6:00pm - CRHP #7/SEASR

SUNDAY - December 20Fourth Sunday of Advent8:30 am – GUY FIDELIE† (Fidelie Families)GIOANBAOTIXITA TRAN† (Diep Tran)ROSALIA ACUNA - INT (Jimmy Acuna)11:00 am – Missa PRO POPULOMONDAY - December 218:00 am - RAYMOND PRZYBYLSKI† (Joe Przybylski)

ROSEMARY BROOKS† (Hattie Nickell & Family) ANTON BUI† (The Bui Family) DOMINICO BUI† (Van Bui)

TUESDAY - December 228:00 am - Liturgy of the HoursWEDNESDAY - December 236:15pm - PARIS PRIGMORE - INT (Nancy Prigmore)

JAMES and CARLA SCHMEHL - INT (Pattie Redder)

JOE CORTEZ† (The Atchley Family) LISA LAUER† (M/M John Kapraun)

THURSDAY - December 24(Christmas Eve Mass)4:00pm - AL and BONNIE KOCHER† (Rita Vokes)

GILBERT CONTRERAS† (Socorro Contreras) JAMIE HALL† (Ed & Pam Hall) TOM FOLEY† (Ed & Pam Hall)

7:00pm - SOULS in Purgatory (Jimmy Ho) ROSE CUBA† (The Cuba Family) RITA O’HEARN† (Matt O’Hearn) KAREN FOSTER† (M/M Tom Ostovich)

Midnight - FRANKLIN TOLENTINO† (M/M Davy Tolentino)

ED GEORGE COOK† (M/M Robert Eisenbach) DOMINICO HOANG† (Van Bui)

FRIDAY - December 25Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)9:30am - HAILEY KIM - INT (Gina Snowden)

JO BEARDEN - INT (M/M John Horn)SATURDAY - December 266:00 pm - ALEX DREHER† (M/M Dale Dreher)

JOE SOKORA† (Maryann Sokora) Deceased and Living Members of Catholic Life Insurance Branch 81 (Catholic Life Insurance Branch 81)

SUNDAY - December 27First Sunday of Christmas8:30 am - BEN CONNORS† (M/M Kevin Connors)

LAWRENCE HOLUB† (Lynda James Family) CLARA HERRING† (Lynda James Family) RITA O’HEARN† (Matt O’Hearn)

11:00 am - Missa PRO POPULO

(SJR-St. Joseph Room; HFC-Holy Family Chapel; PH-Parish Hall; NDE Cafe-Notre Dame Elementary Cafeteria; NDHS - NDHigh School; CR-Conference Room; WR-Workroom; BR-Brides Room; MR-Music Room)

WEEKEND CONTRIBUTIONSDec. 12 & 13: ...................................................$11,491.16Special Collection: ..................................................$330.00

Faith DirectDecember 4: .....................................................$20,416.05Retired Religious Fund: ..........................................$891.00Christmas Day: ...................................................$1,196.00www.faithdirect.net (church code: TX420)Thank you for all the generous gifts that you provide for our parish. Please consider using our secure electronic giving program Faith Direct. Faith Direct will automatically process any offertory or second collection donations of your choosing. It is the most convenient way to make sure that the parish receives your gift regularly. No more checks to write or envelopes to worry about. You can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net using our church code: TX420, or by mailing a paper enrollment form available in the parish office. www.faithdirect.net (church code: TX420)

Those for Whom We Pray Parishioners, Family & Friends

Doug Allison, Nicholas Allison, Vic and Angie Allison, Jason Amos, LeRoy Anderle, Dennis Anderson, Melissa Anderson, Ricky Arnold, Wanda Baltine, Elizabeth “Beth” Bater, Kim Baumhardt, Jo Bearden, Al Belgrado, Tommy & Sheryl Berend, Deacon Vincent & Pat Blake, Cyndi Boone, Francisco Borja*, Frank Borja, Rocky Bray, Blanie Burns, Brent Burns, Maxine Butler, Ivy Cadotte, Delbert & Noralene Catlin, Socorro Contreras, Macy Cooke, Kim Corbin, Patricia Creel, Gladys Crews, Grace Ann Crocker, Johnnie & Nellie Deal, Faye Dominy, Lilian Dove, Patrick Dulsky Eleanor Edwards, Sam Dilizio, Carol Faustina, Jathan Fields, Johnnie Fields, Hilda Figueroa, Jerry Fletcher, Clara Foster, Linsye Franklin, Cherie Franks, Margie Frazier, Kimberly Fulford, May Gagne’, Delilah Garza, James & Marian Geary, Mary George, Ray, Donnie & James Grube, John Guess, Courtney Shook Gysell, Teresa Harner, Carol Harrison, Brandie Heberts, Diana Henderson, Floyd Hilbers, Daniel Holoubek, Jean Hoing, Don & Jean Isbell, Nelda Jansen, Jeremy Johnson, Regina Keezer, Jonathan Kegley, Claudia Kelly, Anita Kortbawi, Marion Kuehler, Jeff Langen, Kristen Langen, Marion Lauer, Leroy Lay, Cecilia Susie LeBus, Ken Lewis, Brittany Lindemann, Art Litteken, Martin Litteken, Shirley Litteken, Karen Lowe, Tim Lowe, Gloria Lucio, Brian Lucore, John Luig, Sr., Abel Mahesh, Cindy Majewski, Eloise Majewski, Rusty Maley, Ryan Maley, Owen and Pat Mansfield, Marilyn Marak, Marcel Marchon, Marlene Marshall, Ryanne Martinez, Mary Jo Matysek, Kristi Melsteade, Mike &Virginia Michonski, Carolyn Morath, Tina Morian, Kristal Mullholland, Dorothy “Dot” Myers, Daniel McBrayer, Kelly Nguyen, Caleb Nichols, Dr. Sam Nilasena, Rita O’Hearn, Richard O’Malley, Fr. James O’Toole, Patti Palmer, Mollie Paterakis, GenJoe Petz, Jr., Michelle Piro, Karen Poirot, Millie Prentiss, Paris Prigmore, Dale Probst, Rowdy Ramans, Aubrey Reaves, Sherry Ridgway, Lucia Rodriguez, Billy Rogers, Brandon Rollo, Lori Ross, Herb & Darlene Roussel, Robyn Sanders, Steve Schade, Nelda Schreiber, Dan Shine, Charles Simons, John Sitler, Bette Skurkey, Jeff Smith, Lance Smith, Linda Snyder, Chris Sonsini, June Sphon, Annette Ste. Marie, Sr. Patricia Ste. Marie, Gary Stevens, Mary Lou Sweeney, Sister Devota Sweeney, Johanna Sweeney, Don Thomas, Jesse Thomas, Brittny Tolentino, Ida Toth, Paul Townsend, Debbie Tucker, Gayle Vieth, Kennith Vieth, Monica Vu, Dorothy Ward, Sandy Ward, Logan Wilson, Mary Wilson, Chrystal Witman, Dorothy Wolf, Jerry Wright, Sr., Diane Wright, Signe Yelland, Adam York, Dan York, & Lucy York. * New this week Because of space limitations, names will be taken of the prayer list after 3 months. Please call the church office if you would like the name returned to the list. Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish“One Family of Faith”

We extend a warm welcome to you. We thank you for sharing in the celebration of Joy during the liturgy of the Mass this weekend. If you are visiting, we hope that you have found nurturing and support for your faith in our parish and beyond. If you are New to our parish, we extend a special welcome to you and pray that your will find a warm home here (you may register online by visiting our website or stopping by the church office during the week). All OLQP parishioners are invited to join fully in the life of our parish. There are many ways to serve our community through the various ministries that are available here at Our Lady Queen of Peace.

Again, thank you for coming today…

PRAYER for OUR TROOPSLord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Our Lady Queen of Peace 4th Sunday of Advent

Daily ReadingsMonday (Advent Weekday)Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18 * Lk 1:39-45Tuesday (Advent Weekday)1 Sm 1:24-28 * Lk 1:46-56Wednesday (Advent Weekday)Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 * Lk 1:57-66Thursday (Advent Weekday)2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 * Lk 1:67-79Friday (Nativity of the Lord)Is 52:7-10 * Heb 1:1-6 * Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14Saturday (St. Stephen, the First Martyr)Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 * Mt 10:17-22Sunday (Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 * Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24 * Lk 2:41-52

Parish Activities

PRAY FOR PRIESTS THIS WEEKListed below are the Priests of our Diocese for whom we are asked to pray for daily.12/21 - Rev. Eric Michael Groner, SVD 12/24 - Rev. Albert Haase, OFM 12/26 - Rev. Keith Hathaway12/22 - Rev. Juan Guerrero, CORC 12/25 - Rev. Msgr. E. James Hart 12/27 - Rev. Allan Hawkins12/23 - Rev. Pedro Romero Gutierrez, OFM Cap.Eternal Father, we lift up to You these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER - DECEMBER

Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving.

Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus

a sign of certain hope.

December 20, 2015

Family Life Center UpdatesUpdated as of:

12/01/15 - $2,920,942.60GOAL: $3,000,000

AMOUNT PLEDGED: $2,900,251.68 (Includes $876,000 received in Grants and Gifts from

outside of our parish)

FAMILY LIFE CENTER INCOME/EXPENSES:Contractor Expenses Only

TOTAL BUILDING COST WITH EQUIPMENT: $2,974,341.00

DESIGN PHASE/ARCHITECT: $126,000.00TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR FLC: $44,557.00

TOTAL CONTRACT SUM: $3,144,898.00All E-Giving will be done through ‘Faith Direct’ our online giving program. Online enrollment forms are available in the Narthex. Or go directly to www.faithdirect.net to enroll. For the Capital Campaign online enrollment, use Church Code: TX508. To afford the greatest tax benefits for our parish, Campaign gifts are processed through the Diocese of Ft. Worth Advancement Corporation.

The thoughts and prayers of our parishare with the family and friends of

+Rita O’Hearnmother of Matt O’Hearn

+Paul Townsendfather of Randall (Edith) Townsend

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.And let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

• • •Catholic CharitiesNorthwest Campus907 Holliday StreetWichita Falls, Texas 76301VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Ask how you can help!Purple Care Hope Bags are available in the Narthex with a suggested “grocery list”.

Thank you for all your generous gifts that you provide for our parish. This is the best time of the year to join Faith Direct, our online giving program. Join before the end of the month and your contributions will begin January 2016.

Pease consider using our secure electronic giving program Faith Direct. Faith Direct will automatically process any offertory or second collection donations of your choosing. It is the most convenient way to make sure that the parish receives your gift regularly. No more checks to write or envelopes to worry about. You can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net using our church code: TX420, or by mailing a paper enrollment form available in the parish office.

Prayer Shawl MinistryFirst and Third Tuesday (9:30-11:30am) & First and Third Thursday (7-9pm)The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not meet during the month of December.If you or someone you know is in need of a prayer shawl or lap robe please request one at the church office.

• • •RELIGIOUS FUND for RELIGIOUS: Dec. 12 and 13Religious give thanks. “We cannot begin to repay all who contribute,” writs a Catholic sister. “So we pray to God, who is never outdone in generosity, to reward you.” Heartfelt thanks for your donation to last week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. May God bless you for your goodness!

Our Lady Queen of Peace 4th Sunday of Advent

Parish Announcements JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCYDecember 8, 2015

toNovember 20, 2016

“It is a favorable time to heal wounds, a time to offer

everyone the way of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.”

(Pope Francis)

IndulgencesThis is how an indulgence is defined in the Code

of Canon Law  (can. 992) and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 1471): «An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints». An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.

In general, the gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions, and the performance of certain prescribed works. To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed.

A  plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace need to fulfill the following.  1. Have the interior disposition ofcomplete detachment from sin, even venial sin; 2. Have sacramentally confessed their sins; 3. Receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required); 4. Pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.

Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

NEW Entry Canopy for Church/Open VestibuleWe are planning to build a covered entrance area for the Church which will protect the wooden entrance doors from the West sun that causes much wear on the doors. This will provide for a more aesthetically appealing entrance to the Church building. You may see the plans in the Narthex. Our parish family celebrates the 60th Anniversary of its founding in April 2016. This will be wonderful addition for our beautiful church as we celebrate our 60th Anniversary.

The estimated cost of this will be around $140,000. If you want, you have an opportunity to make a memorial donation of $5000 and above in memory of a loved one who has passed away or in honor of a loved one. A plaque will be placed in the new entrance to permanently honor their memory. Those of you who want to make a year-end donation please make it to the Building Fund.

Special Memorial Donation can be made to the following items:† Cross $10,000.00† Statue of the Welcoming Jesus (in the niche) $10,000.00† Statue of Mary (under the Bell Tower) $10,000.00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION2015 END OF YEAR-GIVING and TAX DEDUCTIONS

✓ CHECKS Must be dated and mailed with a postmark on or before December 31, 2015✓ CREDIT CARD GIFTS are effective on the date the card is charged✓ ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER is effective on the date of the transfer✓ STOCKS transferred electronically are effective on the date of the transfer✓ Please make gifts to: Building Fund

For more information, call Deacon Jim at the church office.

Prayer Ministry Teams are available after weekend Mass in the Holy Family Chapel to pray for your personal Intentions. Please enter through the entrance across the Saint Joseph Room.

Kid’s Corner

For more information Call Greg Brown 696-1253

greg@olqpwf.org

December 20, 2015

Notre Dame Catholic School is in need of a GOLF CART for transportation use between our Upper and Lower campuses.

If anyone has one they would like to donate, please contact NDCS Business Manager Julie Thar at 940-692-6041. Our school would greatly appreciate this generosity.

Kids’ Corner, Fourth Sunday of Advent, 2015Sister Ginny says…People hurry to catch a plane,Especially when they’re late.People hurry to make an appointment.They hurry to make the date.

Kids hurry to get homework done.They hurry to go and play.They hurry outside to see their friendsAnd hurry to hear what they’ll say.

The reading today tells us that Mary hurried.She hurried to Elizabeth one day.Through the hills of the Holy LandShe hurried to find a way.

When Mary came to her cousin-friend,Elizabeth was so glad with the meetingThat the babe she carried within her wombJumped in joy with a greeting!

So, let’s all hurry, let’s rush to pray,“Come, Lord Jesus, come soon,Our hearts are open for you, dear Lord.Our hearts have plenty of room!”We always have room for Jesus.

Please come and join us for Open Youth Hall.Enjoy the Game Room, Study or just hang out.Mondays: 3-5pmWednesdays: 3pm until Verso L’alto starts

• • •Registration forms and calendar available online at www.olqpwf.org (Please note that a Form A for 15/16 must be completed for this school year if not yet completed through our summer activities since June of 2016. Form B must be filled out additionally for each event youth participate in thought the year.)

• • •Verso L’alto (9th-12th)7pm-9pm in the Youth Hallwww.olqpwf.org/versolaltoRegistration and Calendar in Narthex, online, or in the office. Anyone interested in preparing or providing a meal for Verso L’alto please contact Greg or see website for sign up.

• • •Discovery (7th-8th)9:30am-10:45am in Youth HallDecember 20th  Christmas white elephant gift exchange, all are invited, please bring a wrapped gift, approximately $12 www.olqpwf.org/discoveryRegistration and Calendar in Narthex, online, or in the office

• • •Keep up with what’s going on at www.olqpwf.org/youth“The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.”

— Saint Gregory the Great

facebook.com/OLQPyoungchurchtwitter: OLQPyouth

Instagram: OLQPyouth

Discovery (7th-8th)9:30am-10:45am in Youth HallDecember 20th  Christmas white elephant gift exchange, all are invited, please bring a wrapped gift, approximately $12www.olqpwf.org/discoveryRegistration and Calendar in Narthex, online, or in the office

• • •Register NOW for MSM’s Discovery and HSM’s Verso L’alto. Registrations will be available online  www.olqpwf.org/discovery andwww.olqpwf.org/versolalto in the Narthex and available in the Narthex. 2015-2016 Form A (if not already on file) and a Form B will also be needed in addition to the registration if filled out online.

• • •Youth ChoirYouth Mass Sunday December 20th 11am.

• • •Service Project (graphic on website if you want)Caroling and Cookies at Promise Nursing FacilityGather at OLQP youth hall a noon to bake cookies (please bring dough), we will travel to Promise Nursing facility and spend the afternoon caroling and making crafts with the residents and of course sharing cookies! We will return by 4:15pm Please sign up, registration online, in the narthex and in the office.

• • •Camp Fort Worth reunionSunday December 27th 9:30am - 9 pmsign up at www.campfortworth.org/reunionALL REGISTRATION IS DONE THROUGH THE ABOVE SITE NOT OLQP, register by  December 16th  to be guaranteed an EPIC reunion shirt. Contact Greg prior to December 22nd if you will be riding the bus to the reunion, bus will leave at 8amand return at 11pm

• • •OLQP Catholic Youth t-shirts available in the office! Suggested Donation: $10 per t-shirt

YOUNG ADULTSPlease contact Greg Brown at 940 247 1721

Dear PadreWearing liturgical colors can be a reminder of the season.

My pastor encourages us to wear liturgical colors to Mass: violet during Advent and Lent, red on Pentecost, and so forth. I notice some parishioners take this to heart, but I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is this something we’re all supposed to do?

The color of the priests’ vestments are dictated by the feasts and seasons of the Church’s liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. The colors are listed in the calendar published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the colored squares in the calendar section of this bulletin indicate each day’s color(s). Today, for example, is the fourth Sunday of Advent, so the liturgical color is violet.

Paragraphs 345-347 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal explain when and why each color is worn. This document is available from the USCCB’s website, usccb.org, but easier still is asking a member of your parish staff about the meanings and symbolism of each liturgical season and color.

Dressing to match the color of the feast or season is certainly not required by the Church, but it’s a common tradition in our culture—consider red Santa hats and green on St. Patrick’s Day. Sometimes the seasons of the Church are lost in the daily hustle and bustle. Wearing something violet as you shop for or wrap Christmas gifts would be a lovely personal reminder of the true meaning of the season.

FR. JOHN M. HAMROGUE, CSsR sundaybulletin@liguori.org

Adult FormationOur Lady Queen of Peace 4th Sunday of Advent

R.C.I.A.Thursday Evenings7-9pmSaint Joseph Room

December Sessions24 - No Class (Christmas Eve)31 - No Class (New Year’s Eve)January 2016 Sessions7 - Sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist14 - Morality21 - Human Life Issues28 - Sacrament of Marriage and Sacrament of Holy Orders

• • •Worldwide Marriage EncounterAs we continue to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas let us live in his love in all we do, especially in our marriage relationship. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is January 22-24, 2016. Dates fill fast. To apply, visit our website at: http://www.dfwme.org/apply. For more information e-mail apply@dfwme.org or call 469-444-0904. Para mas informacion de Encuentro Matrimonial en Espanol, escriba a emmdfw@gmail.com o visite http://www.seccion15.org/

• • •Rachel’s CornerChristmas can be very difficult when you are dealing with the pain of abortion. Surrender your pain to God during a Rachel weekend retreat, and let the Lord show you His healing mercy. Feel the joy of Christmas again.

Rachel Ministries • 817-923-4757Next retreat February 26

Feast of the Holy Family - December 27, 2015The Feast of the Holy Family is dedicated to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, commemorating their life together in Nazareth and calling us on the first Sunday after Christmas.

The Church presents the Holy Family to us as a model for our own family life. Joseph was the head of the Holy Family and provided for Mary and Jesus with the work of his hands. He was obedient to the angel who told him to take Mary as his wife, what to name the new child and again when told to flee with them to Egypt. He

taught Jesus the carpentry trade and what it was to be a man in the society in which they lived. (www.aquinasandmore.com)

• • •St. Peter Canisius (1597)Feast Day - December 21Born in Holland, Peter joined the Jesuits in 1547, and worked to safeguard the faith through his writings and teachings. His work, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, is still used today.

Volunteers Needed!Baptism Facilitator Couples

• Must be Safe Environment Certified (or willing to become certified)• Classes are once a month on the first Sunday (unless otherwise

indicated).• Rotating Schedules

If interested, please call the church office.

December 20, 2015

GOOD NEWS!FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)Mi 5:1- 4 / Heb 10:5-10 / Lk 1:39-45

Not long ago, I had the great opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Israel with a group of people. We began our journey each day in prayer. We visited many holy sites; we walked where Jesus walked. Each day our chaplain celebrated liturgy in one of the many churches that mark the location of significant stories in the Bible: where Jesus was born, where he died, where he celebrated his first miracle, at Cana. The prayer was profound, and the members of the group quickly became friends. We still greet each other with gladness and affection.

One of the more moving experiences was a visit to the Church of the Visitation. Located at the top of a small hill, the church welcomes visitors with a wide plaza and a wrought-iron entryway. Immediately to the right of the courtyard is a tall bronze statue of Mary and Elizabeth greeting each other. The figures are slender and visibly pregnant. The artist captured their joy with a slight arch in their backs, their arms beginning to ascend, and their heads lifted up as though laughing in delight. The statue made us smile.

I think about that statue now and believe this is how we should always greet the Lord—with delight, joy, and an understanding that we are pregnant with his grace and presence. We are called to reveal that presence to the whole world. In these last few days before Christmas, reflect on the ways you will show your joy in the Lord’s coming.

Mary Katharine Deeley sundaybulletin@liguori.org

Unwrap the gifts from your FatherGod loves to give his children gifts, especially at Christmas. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). This year, unwrap your heavenly gifts…

JOY - “Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6). We are joyful because God gave us the gift of himself. Celebrate by talking about God with others. For example, tell how he has blessed you in the last year.

PEACE - “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people” (Luke 2:10). Is it possible to live in the world and not be afraid? Yet peace is what the angel advised Zechariah, Mary and the shepherds at the Incarnation. Take the angel’s advice and “be not afraid.” Accept the gift of peace’ avoid worry and doubt.

LOVE - When God sent his Son to our rescue, he gave us an incomprehensible gift of love. This gift calls for a response, as he invites us to share in his love. “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). Share love at Christmas by spending time, not money, on those you love.

The St. Joseph Health Care Trust assists individuals who are medically uninsured/underinsured and who meet eligibility criterion. This includes assistance with prescriptions, dental services, physician visits, and other services. For more information please call Stella at (940) 552-0347. (This program is administered through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth.)