SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 6, 2020

a CACINA Parish

second Sunday of advent December 6, 2020

Volume 4, Issue # 49

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 In today’s gospel we find the unique example of that radically transformed heart and the totally configured soul to Christ Jesus, namely, John the Baptist. He is indeed the role model for all those who call themselves Christian. We, like John are also called to go forth and “announce” the coming of Christ. Like John we too are called to “proclaim” the Good News by our lives; to encourage our brothers and sisters to “prepare the way of the Lord!” The changes within the heart of John the Baptist enabled him to decrease while Christ within him increased. John, totally transformed and configured to Christ interiorly, had become the herald of the only Son of God. Not just a messenger but a herald of the Good News of Salvation! John the Baptist left us an extraordinary pattern for that type of change within that sketches the face of Christ in us and in our actions for all to see as we “cry out” as well “prepare the way of the Lord.” John’s interior transformation helped him believe that he was not even worthy to untie the sandal straps of the One who is to come, the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world! John’s renewed heart prompted him to cry out that this Lamb of God would baptize with the Holy Spirit while John could only baptize with water. There are great blessings in striving to imitate the interior life of John the Baptist. There is so much to be gained by imitating the example John and the changes within that enabled him to make such a difference outwardly for those who awaited the Savior. John ultimately “decreased” so completely that he would shed his blood for love of Christ.

The person of John the Baptist “cries out” for us to “prepare” for the birth of Christ. He appeals for change - change within! Whatever that might mean for each and every one of us, we must strive to make those changes in our personal lives that will make us more pleasing to our loving God and Father. John the Baptist is a paradigm of the transforming grace of God. So, one full week of Advent has already passed. One more candle of the Advent Wreath has been lit. Through today’s Scripture readings hopefully more light from the gospel has been shed upon us and we are more aware of the need for change within. Hopefully, the outward changes of the Advent season will continually remind us of how we are called during this holy season to “change” within us those aspects of our lives that do not “announce” or “proclaim” Christ in our world. Hopefully we will find many opportunities to be renewed within in the common and ordinary duties of our state in life whatever that might be.

Just as it would be a tragedy to allow the beauty of the change of seasons to pass us by because of distraction or indifference, it would be even more tragic to allow the season of Advent pass us by this year without striving to “change” within so as to become more completely configured to Him who loved us to much as to die for us so we could live eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven. We must pray that every external sign of Advent will allow us to pause and ask ourselves the question: what changes must I make within me during this holy season that will make me a herald of Christ in the world today?

May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, intercede for us as we strive for that total transformation within her that yielded to that response of hers to the will of God which echoes to this very day: “I am the maidservant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word.”

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, December 6, 2020 HYMNS GATHERING #415 All Are Welcome OFFERTORY #44A A Voice Cries Out COMMUNION

#322 Look Beyond

#61 On Jordan’s Bank

SENDING

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READINGS 1st Reading

Isiah 40: 1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm: PS 85 Lord, let us see your kindness; Lord, let us see your kindness.

2nd Reading

2 Peter 3: 8-14

Gospel Acclamation: R: Alleluia, Give the Honor and the Glory to the Lord Gospel

Mark 1: 1-8

Reflections of the Week: Who are the prophets among us who proclaim the presence of God in our midst?

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 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 DEC BERNARD ESTERBERG AND RICHARD HAMILTON

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, 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 11/29/20 – 19 COLLECTIONS: $305.00 INTERNET: $0.00 ACTUAL MONTHLY EXPENSE: $2,062.61 MONTHLY INCOME (PLUS/MINUS) -$1,757.61

Bulletin Submissions Due by Thursday, Midnight