FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

a CACINA Parish

first Sunday of advent November 29, 2020

Volume 4, Issue # 48

Celebrants: Our Pastor - Father Victor Ray Chapel at 3803 Haines Road North St. Petersburg, Florida Sunday, Mass at 10:30 am Live Stream: YouTube and Facebook

Wisdom From Our Pastor Today is the first Sunday of Advent and of a new liturgical calendar, year B. Remarkably, as we begin a new liturgical year today, we move from the gospel according to Matthew’s to the gospel according to Mark, the shortest of the four canonical Gospels.

Advent is a season of hope and a period during which as Christians we await the fulfillment of the promise of God through his prophets. In addition to being a season of hope, it is equally, a season of patience and prayer. During these four weeks, what are we expected to do? We are expected to prepare for the birth of the messiah. It suffices to note that while we prepare physically, the most important must be the spiritual preparation.

Our first reading from Isaiah is both a prophetic message, as well as a prayer of hope. Isaiah begins by acknowledging the greatness of God: “O Lord you are our Father, Our Redeemer is your ancient name…” Then, he makes a petition to God: “Why leave us to stray from your ways…Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down…?”

This is a prayer of hope. As Isaiah rightly demanded, God will not keep silent until we are saved. That salvation is what our hope in Christ will accomplish for us. Therefore, when Isaiah asks God to tear the heavens and come down, he expects God to come quickly.

This is Our Lord’s prayer, “…Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” It is also Paul’s petition, “Maranatha!” It is the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: “Come, Lord Jesus” (CCC 2817).

God’s power and salvation is what we hope to see at the end of this season. That is, when God’s word would become flesh and born of a virgin.

The gospel of today is a clarion call to be awake and alert. Only the Spirit of God can help us do this faithfully. Therefore, rather than obey the spirit of this world this season, we must obey the Spirit of God, who sustains us. So, let us to have our minds fixed on him.

It suffices to note that if we light up our houses and streets, without lightening up our lives spiritually for Christ to walk into it; if we prepare all things and places without preparing a manger for baby Jesus in our lives then, our preparation would not be complete.

Finally, as we eagerly anticipate the coming of the Lord this season, our hope and expectation should prompt us to be always awake and vigilant. It should make us prepare adequately in order to avail ourselves of Jesus’ mercy. Therefore, our constant prayer during this season as Paul constantly prayed should be: “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!”

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

Father Victor Ray

The Daily Prayer of Saint Teresa Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of You. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus.

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.

All of us at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community want to take a moment to extend a Very Warm Welcome to everyone who is visiting us for the first time this morning.

Whether you are just having a look, or are searching for a place to worship, we are delighted to have you here. Enjoy the rest of your worship time with us, and

May God Bless You! Cream Cards available in the Pew Pocket to follow along with the Mass.

Sunday, November 29, 2020 HYMNS GATHERING #38 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

A OFFERTORY #536 Abba! Father COMMUNION SENDING

#352 Seed Scattered And Sown #41 People, Look East *************

READINGS 1st Reading

Isiah 63:16B-17, 19B, 64:2-7

Responsorial Psalm: PS 80 Lord make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2nd Reading

1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

Gospel Acclamation: R: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Gospel

Mark 13: 33-37

Reflections of the Week: In this time of pandemic, in what experiences of your life have you come to realize the preciousness and limits of time?

Let Us Pray For

Rick Hamilton, Al Abrams, Patrick Ellingham, Richard Harper and Family, Bill Hartwig, Bp. Peter Hickman, Mary Judi and Larry Howard, Lyn Kovar, Ron Little, D.A. Marx, James Meeks, Essy Obuchowski, Kelsi and Ben Patton, Wayne Retke, Betty Rodrigues, Dee Spano, Mark Talboom, Greg Reuss, Melvin Baker

PRAYERS RECEIVED BY THE AIR WAVES Bruno Fernanda, Jack/Susan/Billy Fabien, Wesley, Javier, AnnMarie Shahana, Eugene, Eoghan, Nelson, Annette/Don Husband, Beverly, Victor Adolfo, Mike Ifeanyi, Daughter/Sister Tequila, Ann, Aditya, Amanda

DEVOTIONAL CANDLE LIGHTED FOR Ivy Villafana, Helen Savard, Cassandra Koogler, Dr. Patrick Ellingham, Howard Laubscher, Earl “Bud” Miller For all those that need a Prayer, Raise your Right Hand Toward Heaven and know that the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community is beside you in your Prayer.

For all of our Parishioners that follow us through Electronic Media. Prayers for your specific request that you have sent us have been place in our Prayer Basket!

An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

Upcoming Celebrations BIRTHDAYS DEC 9 REV ROBIN WHITLOCK DEC 9 RICHARD HAMILTON DEC 16 ANTHONY GUERRIER DEC 24 FLORENCE JEAN PIERRE DEC 27 BUDDY BAKER DEC 31 RONALD MAGRAY

ANNIVERSARY DEC 7 FRANK MATZELLE AND JAMES MEEKS

For all those Celebrations that I have missed, Forgive Me and I sincerely hope they were all Wonderful. Wishing you all the Happiness and Repeat of your Special Day!

church calendar Rosary Prayer Video on the Zoom Zone Calendar every Sunday Sunday, November 29, 10:30 am, Mass– 1st Sunday of Advent LIVE STREAM Monday, November 30, 6:45 pm, Zoom – F.A.S.T. Committee Annual Kickoff Sunday, December 6, 10:30 am, Mass– 2nd Sunday of Advent LIVE STREAM NO HOUSE OF MINISTRY MEETING IN DECEMBER Sunday, December 13, 10:30 am, Mass– 3rd Sunday of Advent LIVE STREAM Wednesday, December 16, 6:30 pm, Christmas Triduum Thursday, December 17, 6:30 pm, Christmas Triduum Friday, December 18, 6:30 pm, Christmas Triduum Saturday, December 19, 9:00 am, Feeding Breakfast at Booker Creek Park Sunday, December 20, 10:30 am, Mass– 4th Sunday of Advent LIVE

Online Giving Use Online Giving our online giving platform to make paperless donation to our church. You can give, through this website by using your credit card, debit card or electronic checking, and set up one-time or recurring donations.

-To Access our Online Giving AccountVia Smartphone: Our app at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community click on “Online Giving” Via Website: www.stoccc.org click on “Online Giving” MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT 11/22/20 – 20 COLLECTIONS: $290.00 INTERNET: $ 480.00 ACTUAL MONTHLY EXPENSE: $2,062.61 MONTHLY INCOME (PLUS/MINUS) -$346.61

advent theme for 2020 is “A World Full Of Promise” Christmas message for 2020 is “Jesus The Gift To The World”

Advent 2020 Daily Reflections, Practices & Prayers is available by request

Bulletin Submissions Due by Thursday, Midnight