St. Gabriel the Archangel - St Gabriel Parish

St. Gabriel the Archangel
900 Geiger Street · Neenah, WI 54956 · 920-722-4914
E-mail: stgabriel@tcces.k12.wi.us · www.stgabrielparish.com
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ST. GABRIEL PARISH
The Week Ahead
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
Coffee and rolls will be served in Stingle Hall after Mass.
Liturgy of the Word for Children.
Just Christmas Sale after Mass
No IMAJN Mass at St. Margaret Mary.
6:00 p.m. - Liturgy of the Hours
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
6:30 p.m. - 1st Reconciliation & Parish Penance Service
6:30 p.m. - Rosary
6:30 p.m. - Winter Brake Meeting
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
9:00 a.m. - Social Concerns Meeting
6:30 p.m. - 1st Reconciliation & Parish Penance Service
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
9:00 a.m. - Bible Study
6:30 p.m. - Bible Study
SATURDAY, DECMEBER 17
Confessions 3:30 to 4:00 pm.
Just Christmas Sale after Mass
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
Coffee and rolls will be served in Stingle Hall after Mass.
Liturgy of the Word for Children.
Just Christmas Sale after Mass
5:00 p.m. - IMAJN Mass at St. Margaret Mary.
6:00 p.m. - Liturgy of the Hours
Rite of Acceptance --
Consider Standing with Someone!
This weekend we join the RCIA participants in celebrating
the Rite of Acceptance during the 4:30 pm and 10 am
Masses. At these times, the individuals who have been
inquiring about the Catholic faith will publicly announce
their intent to continue their journey towards full initiation
into the Catholic Church. In turn, we as a parish community
“accept” them and offer our support and witness during
their journey. A “Signing of the Senses” will take place
during the Rite of Acceptance.
During the Signing of the Senses, Fr. Larry will invite
parishioners to stand in the aisles with the RCIA
candidates as a sign of the community’s support. If you
feel comfortable doing so, please walk over and stand in
the aisle with one of the RCIA candidates and be a
visible and beautiful sign of our parish’s love and
support for them. Please make this important group of
people feel especially welcomed this weekend and
remember them and their faith journey in your prayers!
If you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact
RCIA Director Natasha Nowak at natchatnow@gmail.com
or contact the Parish Office.
Ethan Thomas, son of Kristopher &
Traci Braaten
NEENAH
INTRODUCTORY RITES
THE COLLECT
This week, I offer you some reflections on the last part
of the Introductory Rites, the Collect (formerly called the
Opening Prayer). This prayer is not long, but it does
include four distinct parts. The first part is the invitation.
The priest says, “Let us pray.”
The second part is the silence that follows. The
purpose of this time of silence is not to allow the server
time to bring the missal to the priest; it is a time when all in
the assembly should be praying. It is an opportunity for all
to remember those intentions and petitions which they bring
to the celebration of the Mass. It has taken some time for
most of us to get used to this practice. Often, we may be
uncomfortable with the silence. “Why isn’t anything
happening? Did someone forget to do something?” we may
wonder. The truth is that while the Mass is part of the
Church’s public prayer, we also come to worship as
individuals and it is important that each of us simply
answers the invitation “Let us pray” by doing exactly that.
It is true that we are doing so as individuals, but we are also
together, doing the same thing as one.
The third part is the praying of the Collect prayer
itself by the priest with his hands extended. As the name
suggests, this prayer “collects” all of the individual prayers
that were made in the silence of our hearts and lifts them up
to God.
The fourth part is the acclamation “Amen” done by
the people. Normally, the Collect prayer itself falls into
four parts. The first part is a direct address to God often
with modifying adjectives such “almighty” or “ever-living.”
The second part describes a characteristic of God or an act
of God in history. The third part is a petition, a request
made of God on behalf of the praying community.
Sometimes the consequences of that request will be
reflected in the prayer. The last part is the conclusion.
Normally, the prayer is addressed to God the Father, so the
conclusion is “through the Son in the Holy Spirit.”
The Collect for the Christmas Mass during the Night
(Midnight Mass) is a good example in which we can see
this four part structure:
1. Address to God: O God,
2. Act of God in history: Who have made this most
sacred night radiant with the splendor of the true
light,
3. Petition: Grant, we pray, that we, who have known
the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight
in his gladness in heaven.
4. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
With the conclusion of the Collect, we also conclude the
Introductory Rites, the first of the four major divisions of
the Mass. Next week, we begin our reflections on the
Liturgy of the Word.
Fr. Larry
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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 11, 2011
CFC NEWS
Regular CFC classes this week for grades 1-6.
R.O.C.-Gr. 8 meets in Stingle Hall on Wednesday from
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sacrament of First Reconciliation will be celebrated at 6:30
p.m. on Monday and Wednesday evening.
Future Dates:
Dec. 18 L.I.F.E.-Gr. 9 meets from 4:00-5:45 p.m.
Dec. 18 L.I.F.E.-Gr. 10 meets from 6:00-7:45 p.m.
Dec. 19/21 Regular CFC classes for Grades 1-6.
Dec. 19/21 R.O.C.-Gr. 7 meets from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Mon.
in the school library and Wed. in Stingle Hall.
STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE
For the benefit of those who didn't attend Father Larry's
Installation Mass, Bishop Ricken had a nice homily that ties
into stewardship. The Bishop mentioned that 7% of
Catholics are "fully engaged", a statistic I would like to
believe is low. This distinction is not meant to be
exclusionary; similar to examination of the conscience
before reconciliation, reviewing where you are at can
improve your faith life.
Bishop Ricken defines a "fully engaged Catholic" as having
the following characteristics. Some of this is my
paraphrasing and commentary, but basically the
characteristics are:
1. Prayer - attending mass weekly. Spending 15-20
minutes a day in prayer.
2. Study - scripture, tradition, and church history This
would include activities such as Bible study groups and
retreats. One retreat I can highly recommend is "Women
Celebrate" in February. Not because I attended (of
course), but from seeing the positive changes and
strength I saw come out from it.
3. Evangelization - this is one area I need to work on
myself. Think about how the church would grow if we
each invited one lapsed catholics back into the church.
These are our brothers and sisters, literally and
figuratively.
4. Stewardship - sharing your time, talent, and treasure.
The topic that is dear to my heart. There is much joy to
be found in giving.
One area where you can help out with developing
Stewardship at St. Gabriel is by offering your witness. If
you are willing to share your story with the parish, please
contact me (Tom Knott) at 850-8110 or der8110@aol.com.
IN SYMPATHY
One of our parishioners, Alice Kosmerchock
recently died. Please remember her and her family
in your prayers.
FREE ministry to traveling Catholics. For nationwide
Mass times and locations visit www.masstimes.org
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MON., DEC. 12 7:00 A.M. Communion Service
TUES., DEC. 13 7:00 A.M. Pat Green
WED., DEC. 14 7:00 A.M. Eleanor Schulz
THU., DEC. 15 7:00 A.M. Communion Service
8:15 A.M. George Ruhl
FRI., DEC. 16 7:00 A.M. Celia Allen
SAT., DEC. 17 4:30 P.M. Parish
SUN., DEC. 18 8:30 A.M. Frank Waitrovich
10:00 A.M. Gary & Don Sendek
Adult Envelopes
December 4, 2011
Envelope Giving (318)……...…..$15,598
Loose Offertory..………………. 620
Total Sharing..…………………. $16,218
Last week’s Debt Reduction….$1,546
YTD Income $419,732
YTD Expenses $410,270
Christmas Scrip Tip – Gift card giving!
$152,487
End of Year Donations:
With the last day of the year falling on a Saturday, the
diocese has issued specific guidelines we must follow for
end of year charitable donations. Please do not ask us to
make an exception for donations given after Dec. 31 since
IRS regulations do provide penalties for a parish that
knowingly gives a receipt for contributions recorded in the
wrong year. Please note the following when planning for
your 2011 charitable contributions:
Offerings received on Saturday, December 31 at the 4:30
Mass will be counted for 2011. Offerings received on
Sunday, January 1 will be counted for 2012.
We are told we must post and deposit Saturday's and
Sunday's deposit separately. If a check was received in
January, we must post it in 2012 regardless of the date on
the check. The only exception is if a check is mailed and
postmarked for December. These donations can be
counted in 2011.
So much shopping left to do, so little time! Let our Scrip
program make your gift giving easier! Order gift cards
today for over 250 retailers – Aeropostle, American Eagle,
Amazon.com, Best Buy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cabela’s,
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Disney, Gander Mountain, I
Tunes, Outback Steakhouse, Pottery Barn, etc. Orders
received by 3pm on Wednesday, Dec. 14 will be ready for
pick up on Thursday, Dec. 22 after noon.

ST. GABRIEL PARISH
4:30 p.m., Saturday, December 17
A. & B. Keuler
8:30 a.m., Sunday, December 18
C. Bauer, K. Solowicz
10:00 a.m., Sunday, December 18
C. Vitale, M. DuBois
4:30 p.m. Saturday, December 17
J. Olson, P. Makovec, M. Broeren, N. Haga, C. Deprey
D. Doty, J. & S. Harness, L. Stuck
8:30 a.m., Sunday, December 18
J. Swoboda, A. Shelley, J. Meulemans, B. & J. Bestler,
N. Handevidt, C. & M. Jurasewicz, S. Lange
10:00 a.m., Sunday, December 18
L. Malinoski, L. Lindstrom, D. & S. Dixon, J. & S. Folts,
T. Lehrer, J. Zwicky, D. Tews
&
4:30 p.m., Saturday, December 17
Laux / Yost
8:30 a.m., Sunday, December 18
Chancellor / Choir
10:00 a.m., Sunday, December 18
Knapinski / Folk
Sacramental Life:
Baptisms: Class for those requesting Baptism for the first
time is held once a month. Please call the Parish office for
dates and times and to register.
Reconciliation: Private Saturday 3:30-4:15 p.m. or by
appointment. Advent Penance Service and individual
confession times are listed on the bulletin cover.
Marriages: Arrangements must be made 6 months in
advance. Contact Pastor.
RCIA: Adults interested in becoming Catholic participate in
the RCIA Process. Call the Parish Office for information.
Anointing of the Sick: Call the Parish Office for individual
appointment.
Registration of New Members: New members are welcome
to the Parish and are asked to call the Parish Office.
Hospital Visitation: Please notify the office when you or
someone you love enters the hospital. Fr. Larry and Pam
Mullins make regular visits to the area hospitals.
Twenty-four hour help: is available for unplanned
pregnancy. Call 731-4354.
St. Vincent de Paul Help line: 729-4571
We had a very successful launch of the CD of the Month Club at
St. Gabriel! If you would still like to sign up to receive these great
Catholic CDs, please go to www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org and
click on the CD of the Month Club. Enter promo code
101190 so that St. Gabriel receives credit. Any questions,
contact Bob Kroll at bkroll707@att.net or 213‐2875.
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NEENAH
Courtesy Announcements
Relax, Pray, Listen and Reflect - 2012 Holy Name Retreat
House Schedule is now on-line and taking reservations.
There will be some additions to this schedule but sign up now
and receive a 10% discount. Reserve your retreat today! Visit
http://www.holynameretreathouse.org
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR - All who desire a
deeper personal relationship with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ will want to attend the upcoming Life in the Spirit
seminar at St. Bernard Parish. The seminar will be conducted
in an atmosphere of prayer, praise and openness to the Gifts
of the Holy Spirit (from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). We will meet
for eight consecutive Mondays starting Jan. 9 - Feb. 27, 6:30
- 8:30 pm in the Activity Center. Come to the Information
session on Jan. 9, 6:30 pm or call St. Bernard Parish, 739-
0331, to register or get more information or email
jkresal@stbernardappleton.org. I will ask the Father and He
will give you another Helper who will stay with you forever.
He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. John 14: 16.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Neenah Community Band Concert, "Showcasing the '40s",
Popular, Patriotic and Christmas Music, Sunday, December
11, at 2:30 p.m. at Pickard Auditorium.
Attention Young Musicians!
Join the Folk Guitar Group for a musical prelude before the
4:30 Christmas Eve Mass. We are looking for children or
teenagers for instrumental or vocal:
Solos
Duets
Trios
Small ensembles
Contact Sherry Zwicky at 886-0083 or
szwicky@sbcglobal.net by Wednesday,
December 21 if you are interested in participating.
FYI - There will also be musical prelude prior to the
8:30 Mass on Christmas Day.
How to Cope with the Holidays
­ We Will Never Forget You
by Margaret H. Gerner, M.S.W.
We are all at different places in our grief, especially when it
comes to the holidays. Some of us are very newly bereaved
and we can't even think of a holiday celebration this year.
For some of us this will be our second, third or later holiday
season and we know that it is possible to, at least, survive
the holidays.
Just as no one can live our lives, no one can live our grief
and no one can tell us how to grieve. See yourself as
knowing what is best for you. Don't let others take that right
from you by succumbing to their disapproval. Handle the
holidays, whether it is your first or your twenty-first, the
way that is best for you. You will be the one who will grow
from it.

ST. GABRIEL PARISH
NEENAH
Meet Our New Pastoral Associate
Mrs. Pam Mullins
Hello, my name is Pam Mullins and I am
very excited about becoming part of the St.
Gabriel ministry team. My husband, Tom and I have 8
children in our combined family. Three of our children are
married; we have four in college and one at St. Mary
Central. We are also expecting our first grandchild in early
January.
I have been in full-time ministry for the last eleven
years. When I started my training for pastoral ministry, I
felt that God was calling me to help not only myself but also
others to utilize their God given gifts to serve in the name of
Jesus. Over the years I have been involved in numerous
ministry areas. Visiting those in hospitals, assisted living
and homebound has been a true joy in listening to and
praying with the church family that can’t always join us for
Mass. I have also worked with many young families as they
prepare for the Baptism of their children and the joys/
stresses of a growing family. One of my first ministry
experiences as a volunteer was visiting other mom’s through
Elizabeth Ministry.
When it comes to growing in our faith, I have really
enjoyed developing numerous small groups. Traditionally,
the goal of small groups has been to grow in knowledge of
the Bible and our Catholic Faith. I have also enjoyed,
focusing small groups on the needs of the parish and larger
community. Some of the needs I have focused on are grief,
cancer support, single parenting, married couples, praying
for school age and/or adult children and divorce support.
When we share similar stories with others, we come
together for support and end up growing in our relationship
with Jesus at the same time.
I look forward to meeting the St. Gabriel families and
walking our faith journeys together. May the Holy Spirit
guide each of us as we walk our journey of life.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the
Patroness of all the American continents is
December 12th. You are welcome to join St.
Therese Parish, 213 E. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton in
celebration.
Our Lady of Guadalupe/Virgen De Guadalupe
Sunday-domingo, December 11th-11 de diciembre
Misa-Mass 11 AM
Procession-Procesión 12:30 PM
Feast-Fiesta 12:45 PM Parroquial-Activity Center
Misa-Mass 7 PM
Rosary-Rosario 10:30 PM
Song Vigil-Las mañanitas 11:00 PM
December 12th / 12 De Diciembre
Misa-Mass 6 PM
If you have any fleece in at least 1 1/2 yard pieces, we
can use them to make blankets for Project Comfort.
Please drop off your fleece in the parish office.
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Yell to the Youth News &
Events for St. Gabriel Youth Ministry
John the Baptist: Act II
Here comes this wild character again in today’s Gospel.
You remember - we met him last week, eating bugs and
wearing a scratchy camelhair outfit. Looked like it had
been a while since he and bathwater had gotten acquainted.
Basically one scary guy.
And yet, like a train wreck, people can’t take their eyes
off him. Something about his message, his passion, are so
compelling, that people just had to know more about him.
Are you for real? WHO are you? WHAT are you? Are
you Elijah? Are you the Christ?
John’s reply? You. Have. No. Idea. This was a big
moment. A tipping point in the history of the cosmos. This
untamed and unkempt man in the desert was here to make
an announcement. John is saying, If you think I am shaking
things up, wait until you see the One coming after me!
So, what about this whole scene? Here we are,
watching and listening from a safe distance 2000 years
later. After all, Jesus is just that little plastic figure in the
manger. Just that little light-up display for us to argue
about in a park or at city hall. Seems pretty harmless.
Have we packaged up and sanitized our Jesus into a
cute little story for children? Then we’ve missed the boat.
Because along with Jesus, we too are here to “bring glad
tidings…to heal…to proclaim liberty…and release…and to
announce a year of favor.” In a time of uncertainty, terror
and despair, we dare to bring a message of joy, and turn the
priorities of the world upside down for the sake of love.
Sugar coat your Christmas cookies, not your Savior.
For any suggestions or questions, contact Steve Pable,
CFC Director & Youth Minister, at spable@tcces.k12.wi.us
or 725-0660.
Recognizing the Baptist Among Us
By: Kristina M. DeNeve
Evangelization and Welcoming Director
Diocese of Green Bay
Who has been like John the Baptist for your faith? Who has
helped you experience God? Who told you the Good News,
that you are completely loved just the way you are, that any
wrong you ever do can be forgiven, that death will not be the
end of your journey here on earth? In spite of their own
human limitations, these precious people told you of a love
that is truly limitless and unconditional.
One reason why Catholics don’t use the language of “being
saved” is because we know our faith journey takes a lifetime.
We need regular experiences of God’s love as well as the
reminders of where we need conversion. We need people to
be John the Baptist for us today. And so do others need us to
be John for them. We are all pregnant, caught between this
moment and the fullness to come.
As you continue the flurry of December activities, let John the
Baptist intercede for you. What you do for yourself and others
DOES prepare the way. It IS proclamation.

ST. GABRIEL PARISH
St. Gabriel Parish invites you to a
free showing of the movie
Courageous on
Wednesday, December 21
at 6:30 pm. We will meet at
the Fox Cinema at 400 Third Street
in Menasha. The free offer is open
to the first 100 people that call the office and
register (722-4914). Courageous will turn our
attention to the important social influence
wielded, either for good or ill, by fathers and
their impact on their children's lives.
Courageous is produced by the same churchbased
studio that did the movies "Fireproof" and
"Facing the Giants". The movie is rated PG-13,
so we recommend this only for those 13 + age
group. We hope to see you at the movie.
Attention Parents, Due to the overwhelming
response TCCES had to our early enrollment last
year, TCCES is excited to offer an early enrollment
incentive for students entering kindergarten, 6th and 9th
grades for the 2012-13 school year. Early enrollment will
take place between Nov. 21 and Dec. 21, 2011. This offer is
being extended to both existing TCCES students and new
students. Early enrollment allows you these benefits:
A deduction in your tuition of:
$100-Kindergarten $150- 6th Grade $200-9th Grade
Application of your $50 non-refundable registration fee
toward your tuition bill (typically this fee does not apply
towards your tuition).
Call Jennifer Miller today at 722-7796 or visit
www.tcces.org for more information!
URGENT NEED FOR BAPTISMAL INFORMATION
When a child is baptized, we have a baptismal registration
form on which we take down the necessary information for
our records. Unfortunately, we had a recent experience in
which this was not done. We are very sorry, but we must
correct it.
On Sunday, October 23, after the 10:00 AM Mass, a precious
little girl named Olivia Lee was baptized. We did not have
all the necessary information we needed. We appeal to her
parents (or anyone who knows this family) to step forward
and call the parish office so that we can make this right. We
sincerely apologize for this mistake and appreciate any help
that anyone can give us.
Cursillo Alumni
Are you struggling to fulfill your fourth day?
Would you like the support of a small group
reunion closer to home? If you are interested in
participating, please contact Mary Koslowski at
725-6989 or knitter128@yahoo.com, or Sherry Zwicky at
886-0083 or szwicky@sbcglobal.net.
St. Gabriel’s
1 st Annual
JUST
CHRISTMAS
NEENAH
Fair Trade and Alternative
Gift Market
Dec. 10/11 and 17/18
Following each Mass
Find the perfect gift for someone who seems
to have everything.
Find a heartfelt gift for someone who believes
in helping the poor.
Put your Catholic Social Teaching
into action!
Featuring:
Fair Trade Handicrafts, chocolate and tea
from around the world!
Food For the Poor Gift Catalogs and gift
cards!
The Appleton and Oshkosh Warming
Shelter donation gifts!
Friends of Haiti and Helping Hands gift
ideas!
ESTHER, our local interfaith social justice
organization!
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