Roman Catholic Parish

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2020 F

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Rev. Paul F. Chateau, Pastor

United in Faith, Love and Service to Others Oak Park Worship Location,

Rectory, and Parish Office 13500 Oak Park Blvd. • Oak Park, MI

48237

Ferndale Worship Location 241 Pearson St. • Ferndale, MI 48220 Parish Office Phone Number

248.545.2310

Parish Fax 248.545.2312 Parish Email

[email protected] Parish Website

www.omoph.org

Mass Schedule

Sunday 9:00 am in Oak Park and 11:00 am in Ferndale MASKS MUST BE WORN

CAPACITY LIMITED TO 75 PEOPLE Please visit our website www.omoph.org

for COVID 19 Guidelines

Sacraments:

Baptism, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation Please call the parish office at 248.545.2310 Marriage—Must be active and registered members of the parish (for at least 6 months prior to scheduling)

call the parish office at 248.545.2310.

First Communion and Confirmation Please contact Natalie LaCroix, DRE at 248.374.9045

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Christmas Day December 25

9:00 am in Oak Park and 11:00 am in Ferndale COVID19 Safety Precautions will be followed Capacity limited to 75 people & Masks must be worn

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Dear Parish Family, Since March our lives have been impacted dramatically. Many have tried to follow the directions of the authorities and really contained their social interaction. Others have strongly objected to what they feel is an infringement on their personal freedom.

Whatever anybody feels, the COVID19 virus is virulent with the greatest number of cases to date.

Of course, all of this has had a tremendous impact on our parish and the community. We didn’t really have a Lenten sea- son and now our Advent and Christmas season are very much contained. Our advent theme “Waiting for the Light” is poignant. If ever we needed a sense of God’s presence and Christ’s light we need it now.

Life always brings ups and downs. We are confronted with so Continued on page 5

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Saturday, December 19, 2020

Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Rev. Charles E. Cushing (1989)

Sunday, December 20, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent 9 am – Oak Park

Rhoda Hurley by Cornelius Henderson Jim Podzikowski by Family

Rev. Lawrence Ducharme (1996) 11 am – Ferndale

Michael and Sara Rayis Family by Muneer Rayis Allison Schapley by Ed and Judy Dupke

Living and Deceased members of the Kemling and Baracka Families by Dolly Kemling Monday, December 21, 2020

Rev. Leo J. Smith (1988) Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Those with beautiful feet by Rev. Edward Prus Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Rev. Joseph B. Howard (1991) Thursday, December 24, 2020 Rev. Ronald J. Alder (2014) Friday, December 25, 2020

The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas 9 am – Oak Park

Margaret Palarchio by Shirley Oleinick Philip Palarchio by Shirley Oleinick Lisa Denardo by Shirley Oleinick Jeremy Oleinick by Shirley Oleinick Albert Palarchio by Shirley Oleinick 11 am – Ferndale

George and Gaynell Kearns by Barbara Theriault Saturday, December 26, 2020

Vigil of the Feast of the

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Rev. William Lucken (2016)

Sunday, December 27, 2020 The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 9 am – Oak Park

Rhoda Hurley by Cornelius Henderson Jim Podzikowski by Family

Kent Schoenbach by Barbara Schoenbach

Blanquita (Chit) Valdepenas by Rose Pacis and Family 11 am – Ferndale

Michael and Sara Rayis Family by Muneer Rayis Ben Evola by Nancy Evola and Family

George and Gaynell Kearns by Barbara Theriault

Pray for Our Sick, Their Families and Caregivers, and the Special Inten!ons of Our Parishioners

Jim Podzikowski, David Doig, Andy Doig, Euna Feschuk, Chuck Yodhes, Marilyn Serapiglia, Bernard Leke

Pray for Our Men and Women Serving in the Military

1st Lt Jacob Ashmore-USAF, Cpt Jonathon Ashmore-USMC, Sgt Cory Berry-US Army, LtCOL Thomas Goedert-USMC, Matthew Pelletier-USAF, Sgt Douglas Raven-US Army, COL David Rogers-US Army, COL Thomas Rogers-US Army, PFC Edy Silveira de Souza-USMC, Staff Sgt. John W. Tomassi-USAF, AB Ashley N. Vozel-USAF, SSG Noah Reiter-US Army, HM2 Maura Curtin—Navy, CPT Matthew Carey-USAF, HN Autumn- Kyoko Cushman--US Navy

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PRAYER LISTS

The Church calls us to lift our brothers and sisters up in prayer when they are sick or struggling. The Parish continues to receive word about our parishioners who are ill, and we also receive requests about their well-being by others and ask why their names are not published. Since some of the members of our parish request that their names not be published when they are ill it becomes difficult. We strive to respect everyone’s privacy along with trying to provide prayer support to all. We hope to list the members of our parish who are currently in need of our prayers, a visit, a note, or a phone call. To add a name to the listing, please contact the person first to make certain they want such information published and then contact the parish office at 248.545.2310. If you wish prayer during a time of illness or difficulty for yourself or for a family member, please contact the office by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 248.545.2310. Names will be kept on the list for 4 weeks.

Contact the parish office, at 248.545.2310, if you wish a name to remain on the prayer list for an additional four weeks.

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O+! M"##"-2—Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish is a welcoming and nurturing Catholic community building up the Body of Christ through prayer and service.

O+! V"#"-2—Our vision is to be an extraordinary spiritual gathering place where people of all backgrounds and ages are welcome to question and learn, pray, worship, and serve. In community through prayer and worship, we hope to continue to grow together in our understanding and appreciation of God’s love. We strive to change and improve our lives and the lives of others.

How do you live out our mission and vision?

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God of wisdom and strength, we await you. Like David, we await your prophetic guidance and the peace you promise. Like Mary, we await the liberation of all people and the fullness of your kingdom. Do not keep us waiting. Deliver us from hatred, ignorance, and apathy. Bring us your justice and your healing. Give us your wisdom, compassion, and courage.

Show us your light. We await you, for you alone can save us. Come quickly, Lord! Do not delay. We await you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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5, 27, 29; Romans 16:25–27; Luke 1:26–38. God chose David, the youngest son in his family and a mere shepherd, to be king. David was a skilled and competent leader, but he was also devout. As he acknowledges all that God has done for him, he expresses his wish to do something for God, namely, to build God a temple. God replies that he needs no such favors from David. God then elevates the king still further by promising that David’s descendants would rule over Israel forever.

Mary, an insignificant woman from a Galilean village, would never have imagined how much God would favor her. She does not think there is anything important she could do for God, but the angel assures her that there is. Though startled and hesitant, Mary accepts God’s will. She is ultimately elevated even above King David. She both bears God’s Son and becomes part of the new era that this long-awaited descendant of David brings about.

We are God’s favored ones, too. God strengthens us to live devoutly. He speaks to us in the law and the prophets and now also in the letters of the Apostles and in the Gospels. He sent his Son to reveal his extraordinary love. The love of God is a mystery that broadens and deepens the more we enter into it. We are surrounded and uplifted by this endless love. God invites us to bear that love in the world so that all will know his grace and favor.

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28; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8abcd; Luke 1:46–56.

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John the Baptist was Elijah for the people of his day. In every age, we need prophets to help us purify our hearts and prepare for the fullness of God’s presence. Pray with an image of John the Baptist. In what ways should you purify yourself to prepare for the day of the Lord? Today’s Readings: Malachi 3:1–4, 23–24; Psalm 25:4–5ab, 8–9, 10 and 14; Luke 1:57–66.

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Luke 2:15–20.

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© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on April 10, 2020.

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This Fourth Sunday of Advent begins the conclusion of the season of Advent. Today's gospel is the beautiful story of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38). The angel Gabriel is sent by God to Nazareth to a virgin named Mary who is betrothed to Joseph. The angel greets Mary with "Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you, blessed are you among women." Mary is troubled by this greeting and what did it mean. Gabriel tells Mary not to fear for she has found favor with God. The angel continues that Mary is to conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus.

Mary now questions the angel how this can happen since she did not know man. Gabriel answers the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. This child will be called the Son of God. Mary is informed that her kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son. Mary then said, "I am the maidservant of the Lord.

Let it be done to me as you say." The angel then left her.

This story of the Annunciation shows us the awesome power of God and the faith of a young girl in God. Mary opens her whole life and future to bring the gift of a child into the world. Like any parent Mary must have wondered what will be the future of her son. Now she waits and prepare for the birth of her child.

St. Anselm (1033-1109) presents, "It is fitting that the conception of the God-Man should be of a most pure mother, that the purity of the virgin-mother, than which, under God, there was none greater, should be hers to whom God had design to give His Only Son, whom He had begotten, equal to Himself, from His own Heart, that He should so give Him to her to be at same time Son of God and the Son of Man.

Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church writes, "The virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel received the Word of God her heart and in her body and gave Life to the world, is acknowledged and honor as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer." "... she is endowed with the high office and dignity of the Mother of the Son of God and therefore she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit." (#53)

"For Gabriel is announcing to her the advent of a new age, the fulfillment of the promise in the divine Messiah who will be born of her womb." (The Teaching of Christ p.113)

St. John Paul II (1920-2005) gives a stark insight into the impact of Gabriel's announcement to Mary. "When the archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin of Nazareth the birth of the Son, revealing that His Reign would be unending (cf. Lk 1:33) it was difficult to foresee that those words augured such a future; that the Reign of God in the world would come about at such a cost; that from the moment on the history of the salvation of all humanity would have to follow such a path." (Crossing the Threshold of Hope pp. 67-68)

During these last days and nights of Advent keep a spirit of hope, faith, joy, and peace. Be on watch! Stay awake! Listen to the voice in the wilderness and be open and maybe surprised by what God might ask of you to bring into the world while waiting for the light. The light is so very near!

By Leonard Piasta, Faith Formation Chairperson

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Readings:

Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd]/Lk 1:46-56

Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79

Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25. Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14. Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20. Day: Is 52:7-10/

Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14

Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22

Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 [cf. 1] or Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 [7a, 8a]/Col 3:12- 21 or 3:12-17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Observances:

Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent

Monday: St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church Wednesday: St. John of Kanty, Priest

Thursday: Christmas Eve

Friday: The Nativity of the Lord (holy day of obligation) Saturday: St. Stephen, the First Martyr

Next Sunday: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph ©LPi

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A BIG THANK YOU to all of those who have continued to support our parish. Offertory is down and the COVID-19 pandemic con?nues to have a direct impact on our ability to pay our monthly bills. Contributions may be mailed to the parish office at 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237. You may also securely and safely donate online via our website or from the parish mobile app. Call Chuck White, Finance Council Chair, at 734.635.2598, if you have any questions about online giving.

O//)!$-!3 /-! FY 2020-2021:

Dec. TD YTD

Offertory Amount $5,624 $101,108 Over/(Under) Prior Year $1,159 ($15,514) Over/(Under) Budget $624 ($13,892) Week of 12-06-2020 Offertory: $5,624

On-line giving totaled $2,115.00 and drop off, mailed in, and dropped in offertory basket envelopes totaled $3,509.00 for a grand total for 1 week of November deposits is $5,624.00.

THE 2020 CSA GOAL FOR THE PARISH IS: $33,695.00 AS OF 12-07-2020:

104 PLEDGES RECEIVED; 95 FULLY PAID TOTAL PLEDGED: $45,280.00

TOTAL PAID: $42,113.34 REFUND DUE PARISH: $8,418.34

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The Good News is that we made our 2020 CSA Goal.

The bad news is that as a parish we are struggling to recover from the dire financial effects of the pandemic.

To give you a snapshot please consider the following information:

For this fiscal year, parish weekly donations are lower than last year (see above)

lower than our budget (see above)

The Good News is that now that the CSA goal has been met, 100% of your future CSA donations will fully aid the parish. If you want to help the parish and get the biggest bang for your buck we ask that you consider making all future donations to CSA, instead of weekly or Christmas offertory. Checks must be made payable to the Archdiocese of Detroit – CSA or AOD – CSA.

BE ASSURED THAT THESE DONATIONS WILL BE DEPOSITED IN OUR PARISH SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

If you have questions or would like additional information please contact Chuck White, Finance Council Chair, at 734.635.2598 or Vicki Mazurek, Director of Finance, at 248.545.2310.

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My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, my spirit rejoices in you,

my Savior, for you have looked upon

me with favor.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

you, the Almighty, have done great things for me, and holy is your name.

You have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation.

You, O God have shown strength with your arm and scattered the proud in their conceit, Casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the humble.

You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Israel, for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham, Sarah, and their children for ever.

Continued from the front page

On and on it goes and we try to carry on. The emergence of approved vaccines may soon lighten the health threat we as a world have been living with for most of 2020.

Hopefully, just as Mary and Joseph faced difficulties, through the lens of faith, hope and love we will see the light of a new day.

Try to remember that with Christ in our lives it is all good.

May your closing days of Advent and the upcoming Christmas season be blessed and happy.

Blessings, Fr. Paul

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