Third Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2020

a CACINA Parish

third Sunday of advent December 13, 2020

Volume 4, Issue # 50

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 Violence and crime always seem to be coming into our living room on TV, but the stories on TV and in the newspaper only overshadow the tragedies that occur year after year, especially at Christmas. What should be the most joy-filled time of year is often the most lonely and despairing for many people. The suicide rate is at its highest at Christmas. For many, this may not be the worst of times, but it is not the best of times either. In our own lives there may be tragedy.

Forget that the first three people who celebrated Christmas did not have it very easy. St. Paul tells us today to rejoice always. But how can I rejoice when I am out of work, losing my house, sick, my marriage is not working out, the kids aren’t doing well in school, there was a death in our family? Or when I see a neighbor, or someone I love, in these situations? So what is there to be joyful about?

Paul’s call might sound a little distant, if not totally empty, to some of us. Paul is not calling us to some Pollyanna approach to life that ignores the hard and unpleasant realities. Just do a brief study of Paul’s life and, compared to him, most of us have it easy. So what made life bearable for him, what kept him going in spite of everything?

There is a clue in the second sentence; he says, “Never cease praying.”

Paul was many things: apostle, missionary, preacher. But above all, he was a man of faith, and a man of prayer. He had a union and a communication with God, and when you have that, you have everything.

Faith can move mountains: Mountains of difficulties, troubles, despair. Prayer can work wonders. Without prayer, you cannot know God. You cannot know someone whom you do not talk to.

One of the greatest obstacles to a union with God is that we are too complicated. We are waiting to get to this particular stage when we are going to pray, waiting until we aren’t so busy, until we are older, wiser. But if you are like that man, whose head was under water, when you come up for air you will pray. If you are looking for God you do not have to look far. Just pray, and He is there!

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 13, 2020 HYMNS GATHERING #38 O Come, O Come Emmanuel Vs. 1-4

A OFFERTORY #640 Baptized In Water Vs. 1-3 COMMUNION SENDING

#65 Come, Lord! Maranatha Vs. Week 1 1-4

#52 Alleluia! Hurry The Lord Is Near Vs. 1,3,4 *************

READINGS 1st Reading

Isiah 61: 1-2A, 10-11

Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 46-48, 49-50, 53-54 2nd Reading

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

Gospel Acclamation: Isiah 61:1 Gospel

John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Reflections of the Week: What images of light and darkness speak to you this Advent? Where is your community? In the midst of poverty, unemployment, sickness…or is your community beginning to thrive?

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 DEC 10 BERNARD ESTERBURG AND RICHARD HAMILTON DEC 28 SHELLI AND KELVIN MUNCY

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 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 STREAM Thursday, December 24, 10:00 pm, Midnight Mass Friday, December 25, No Mass – Merry Christmas Sunday, December 27, 10:30 am, Mass– The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph LIVE STREAM

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 12/6/20 – 16 COLLECTIONS: $445.00 INTERNET: $ 90.00 ACTUAL MONTHLY EXPENSE: $2,062.61 MONTHLY INCOME (PLUS/MINUS) -$1,527.61

Bulletin Submissions Due by Thursday, Midnight