Announcements

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

Dear Parishioners,

    In the Gospel of Mark Jesus tell us: “This is the time of fulfillment.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel.”  We believe in the gospel and we believe we can help end the suffering that so many people go through everyday of their lives.  Human life and human dignity come from God but we are the ones who make sure that humans are treated with equality and justice.  We can begin to end poverty in this country.  Through quality Catholic agencies and organizations we can begin to heal the pain that so many of our people struggle with every day: where will I get my next meal, when will I be evicted, and what medicine will I have to give up next wee?

     January is known as Poverty Awareness Month and the Catholic Church wants to end poverty in the US.  There are currently 46 million people who fall below the poverty line for a family of four which is $22,314 per year.  Every culture and every age group is affected by poverty; no one is immune to it.  As Catholics we are called to assist one another through our love and mercy.  Catholic social teaching is a part of our scripture and tradition.

    The Hebrew prophets ere the first to announce God’s love for the poor and gave them the covenant of love and justice.  Jesus Christ then teaches us, “to bring glad tidings to the poor…liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the bind” (Lk 4:18-19).  Jesus always identified himself with the least of the people: the poor and the hungry.  Jesus Christ came so that we all might have life eternal.  If you would like to find out more about how to end poverty in the US please visit the link: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/povertyusa/

God bless,

Father Rafael

NOVENA TO ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, OUR PATRON SAINT

January 8-Januray 17, 2012

It wills start on January 8, the birthday of St. Maximilian Kolbe.  He is the Patron Saint of drug addition, families, journalists, prisoners and the pro-life movement.  During this Novena, we will pray at each Mass a special prayer to St. Max for the intentions in your heart.  See the church bulletin for more details.

Winter Mass Schedule - Starting November 26, 2011

Monday – Friday  8:00am

Saturday Vigil English  3:00pm

Saturday Vigil English  4:30pm

Saturday Vigil Spanish  6:30pm            

Sunday English   7:00am

Sunday English   8:30am 

Sunday English   10:15am 

 Sunday English   12:00 Noon

Sunday English   5:00pm

Confessions on Saturday  2:00pm—2:45pm, 5:30-6:15pm and by appointment

FAMILY MASS

Come!  Come!  Come to St. Max!  On January 8, 2012, St. Maximilian Kolbe will introduce the Family Mass at the 10:15am Mass.  The Welcomer, Lectors, Hospitality, Altar Servers and Choir will involve the youth of our parish from all families here at St. Max.  The first Sunday of each month at the 10:15 am Mass will be designated the Family Mass, where children and their families will be involved in the Mass.  If your child is interested, please contact Cindy K. at 743-6877 or cindyrk@stmaxcatholic.org.

The Charismatic Mass

We hope you join us where the Holy Spirit is alive and on fire within our hearts and souls! The Charismatic Mass is celebrated the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. following Benediction. Everyone is invited to the Holy Eucharist. This Mass is in English and Spanish.

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS SERVING IN THE DIOCESE

O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, live in the priests serving in the Diocese of Venice, act in them, speak in and through them.

Think your thoughts in their minds, love through their hearts. Give them your own disposition and feelings. Teach, lead and guide them always. Correct, enlighten and expand their thoughts and behavior. Possess their souls, take over their lives. Replace them with yourself. Incline them to constant adoration and thanksgiving; pray in and through them. Let them live in you and keep them in this intimate union always.

O Mary, Immaculate Conception, Mother of Jesus and Mother of priests, pray and intercede for them.

Amen

"SERVANTS OF THE SPIRIT" PRAYER GROUP

Come and join this spirit-filled prayer meeting in English every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. The Holy Spirit is calling you to join. Call Joan and Harold Meeks at 941-743-3929 or Ana Romillo at 941-626-5046 if you have questions.

The Prayer Group in Spanish meets at the same time in Room 106 / El Grupo de Oracion en Español se reune a la misma hora en el salon 106.

ST MAX GIFT SHOP, Please visit, shop and enjoy...

Remember, the gift shop is a great way to share our stewardship of treasure, because each donation goes to the parish Catholic Faith Appeal assessment.  Stop in after Mass on the weekend or during the week through the parish office.  Beginning the weekend of  Mass cards/Mass Intentions will be available in the Gift Shop.

The gift shop is celebrating one year!  

PRAYER FOR EMPLOYMENT

God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance.  Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

BEREAVEMENT(Grief Support)

This ministry provides support to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Volunteers are needed to assist the coordinators with the planned grief sessions for seven weeks twice a year. For more information or to apply, call the parish office (743-6877).

MASS INTENTION

If you would like to reserve a Mass Intention, you may do so in the gift shop on weekends and in the parish office during office hours; $15 for Mass Cards.

SANCTUARY CANDLE

If you would like to reserve one of the two Sanctuary Candles in memory of someone, please come to the parish office or you may do so in the gift shop on weekends.

COURTYARD BRICKS

If you would like to purchase a courtyard brick, please pick up an order form in the south side entrance (by the parish office) of the church.

Parishioners consider volunteering

How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? Psalm 116

The parish is blessed to have many volunteers supporting its many ministries and/or organizations with their time, talent, and treasure. We encourage our parishioners to consider volunteering with the parish because there is always a need for more assistance. However, in order to become a volunteer with the parish, there are diocesan requirements that must be fulfilled. All volunteers must complete required paperwork, attend one Safe Environment workshop and receive proper training. Volunteers applying for a position with children and vulnerable adults such as Faith Formation, Homebound Eucharistic Minister, and Children's Choir, etc. must be fingerprinted.

If you feel that the Lord is calling you to a particular ministry, please call Paulina or Maria at the parish office (743-6877) for additional information.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION -What can help you have peace of mind in your senior years? Ensuring that you have health care surrogacy, a living will, durable power of attorney and a will or trust will give you that needed peace of mind. We would be pleased to help you. All of our services are free and without obligation. For more information call Joseph Citro, Executive Director, Catholic Community Foundation, at 941-441-1124.

RAFFLE -Monthly Cash Prize of $500

Proceeds to benefit the CFA/St. Max Parish

Drawings on the following dates after 5:00 pm Mass:

     Feb. 19, 2012

       Mar. 18, 2012

       Apr. 15, 2012

       May 20, 2012

One winner drawn each month on dates listed from all ticket entries. Do not need to be present to win. $ 5.00 per ticket, 6 for $ 25.00. Tickets can be purchased in the parish office and in the gift shop.

REMEMBER ST. MAX IN YOUR WILL -Have you thought about leaving a gift for the Church in your will? Your gift by way of bequest ensures that our Church will continue Christ’s saving work in the world. 

PRISON REFORM
THE CHURCH OF THE SECOND CHANCE-The Just Matters Module that was postponed will be held in January on Monday mornings from 9:00am to 11:30am. We will have the opportunity to see more clearly how our faith is connected to this timely subject by reading, prayer and reflection in a small group setting.  Please contact Joan Laliberte at 941-627-6407 to join us or for more information.

COUPLES WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS

EPIPHANY PARISH, VENICE

February 11, 2012

All couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years of marriage are invited by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to a special Anniversary Mass in their honor. The celebration Mass will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Epiphany Parish in Venice. Family and friends may join in the celebration at the reception immediately following the Mass in the Parish Center. Please call the parish office for reservations no later than February 6, 2012.