NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE
We have once again received an invitation from St. Ignatius Church (Calvert and Madison) to their annual New Year’s Eve Interfaith Prayer Service. Music begins at 8 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. The prayer service follows (8:30-9:30). No tickets are needed for this inspiring service. A reception for all follows in St. Ignatius Hall.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Mass on New Year’s Day in honor of the Motherhood of Mary will be celebrated at St. Ann’s at 10 am, January 1, 2009. This is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace. We invite you and your family to begin the New Year in prayer and fellowship here at St. Ann’s.
DVD’S ARE HERE
For those who ordered copies of St. Ann’s 135th Anniversary DVDs, they are ready. See Elaine Cousin or Quawandra Brown after Mass. (Cost - $15). Our thanks to Dino Grier for sharing his talents so generously!
YEAR-END GIVING
We are all given just a few short years to “Build up the Kingdom.” Sharing your blessings through a gift to our church at Christmas can further our mission to be an anchor of hope in this community. All gifts made before December 31 are tax deductible this year. Pray on this and thank you for your continued generosity in the midst of economically challenging times.
IN SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the Pindell family at the loss of their dear brother and uncle Edgar Pindell. Mr. Pindell and his wife Bea lived for many years across the street from the Anchorage and watched over St. Ann’s, assisting us in many ways. May God grant Edgar eternal rest after 94 years of faithful service to the Lord and comfort his family at this time of sorrow.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Our Christmas Eve celebration begins this Wednesday, December 24th at 7:30 pm. Our only Christmas Mass at St. Ann’s follows at 8:00 pm. There will be NO MASS at St. Ann’s on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th. Instead there will be a combined Mass for St. Ann’s and St. Wenceslaus at St. Wenceslaus Church, 2111 Ashland Avenue at 9 am on Christmas Day.
Be sure to invite family and friends to worship with us. Invitations are on the Ushers’ table. Let us gather as a faith community tomorrow evening to proclaim the greatest gift ever given to our world. O come let us adore him, Christ the lord!
SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH GROUP
Classes for St. Ann’s Sunday School, Confirmation class and SAY G will resume on January 11th, 8:45-9:50 am in the Anchorage. During the new year we encourage all parents recommit themselves to religious education of their children and teens by bringing them to class regularly each Sunday.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Memorial poinsettias ($7.00 each) to decorate our church this Christmas are still available. Please mark the special envelopes on the usher’s table with your name, the names of those in whose memory the flowers are donated and the amount enclosed. All donations are due TODAY!
SOS: SERVE OUR SISTERS
Can you help Kay Bee and Dottie Stokes-Wallace from St Wenceslaus to prepare a dish and/or serve the women at the newly renovated “My Sisters’ Place”, A Catholic Charities day center for homeless women and children? Pans are available from Kay. The serving date is Saturday, December 27 at 3 pm. My Sisters’ Place is located at the corner of Franklin and Cathedral Streets (the former Our Daily Bread building). Call Kay if you can help (410-426-8455). A few good women are needed!
THURSDAY MASS / BIBLE STUDY
There will be not Thursday evening Mass and Bible Study on Thursday, December 25th or January 1st. Mass and Bible study will resume on January 8th. What a great resolution for the New Year - to grow in faith in 2009 through weekly Bible Study.
New E-mail Address
stannchurch1@verizon.net
CHRISTMAS READINGS
First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS
First Reading: Genesis 15:1-5; 21:1-3
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
DECEMBER/JANUARY CALENDAR
Sun., Dec. 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent No Sunday School, Confirmation Class, or SAY G
Wed., Dec. 24 Christmas Celebration Christmas Carols, 7:30 pm, Christmas Mass, 8:00 pm A blessed Christmas to all!
Thurs., Dec. 25 No Mass at St. Ann’s on Christmas Day 9 am Mass, St Wenceslaus
Sat., Dec. 27 Serve our Sisters at Our Sisters’ Place, 3pm
Franklin and Cathedral Streets
Sun., Dec 28 Feast of the Holy Family 10 am Mass CHRISTMAS BREAK No Sunday School, Confirmation Class or SAY G
Wed., Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Interfaith Prayer Service for blessings on the New Year, 8 pm, St Ignatius Church No tickets required.
Thurs., Jan. 1 Feast of the Motherhood of Mary and World Day of Prayer For Peace 10 am Mass at St. Ann’s Blessings on the New Year!
Sun., Jan.4 Feast of the Epiphany 10 am Mass No Sunday School, Confirmation Class or SAY G Christmas break.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 SHIRLEY SMITH
3 GWENDOLYN NEALE
7 ARTHUR “DINO” GRIER
9 PEGGY DAY
11 JOHN G. BOSTON
14 ERIC BUNDY
21 QUAWANDRA BROWN
22 PATRICIA WARREN
22 RENEE TURNER
24 ANGELA DAY
25 LILEMA BUNDY
28 VICTOR MARCH, JR.
AFRICAN PROVERB::: :: ::: : : God’s gifts are greater than human gifts......... . . .........(IBO) — (Ghana )