Weekly Newsletter
For the Week of Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Weekend Masses Continue as Scheduled (Dec 17 & Dec 18)
Dear Parishioners, sorry if there was confusion this last week when the weekday schedule was temporarily changed but Weekend Masses will continue as normal this weekend. Thanks, Kellie Trudeau, Pastor's assistant
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, Dec. 17:
4 pm at St. Mary's, Chewelah
6 pm at Sacred Heart, Springdale
Sunday, Dec. 18:
8 am at Holy Ghost, Valley
10 am at St. Mary's, Chewelah
Saying "Yes"
Pastor's Letter by Fr. Vincent Gilmore, Dec. 18, 2022
Throughout this Advent time, we have been focusing our attention on what it means to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Part of our Advent journey is about leading us to that moment of faithful surrender so that we can become a selfless conduit of God’s grace for others. That's what Mary did with her “Yes,” that’s what Joseph did with his “Yes,” and that’s what we can do with our “Yes.” People who say “Yes” to eagerly accomplish the Lord’s will can change the world. Saint Catherine of Siena challenged Christians in the fourteenth century to be such heroic witnesses of faith when she said, “If you were to become who God intends you to be, you would set the (world) on fire.”
Joseph’s dilemma with the pregnancy of Mary is the subject of this Fourth Sunday of Advent’s Gospel. Joseph is an interesting figure in the Gospel. We don’t know much about him except what we read in the Gospel of Matthew. In many ways, Joseph is a hidden yet essential part of the Gospel message. God needed Joseph to provide a nurturing home for Jesus and a caring husband for Mary. It takes a man of outstanding qualities to offer his life for such a mission and to do so humbly, quietly, respectfully, sacrificially, and so forth. Joseph worked day in and day out to provide for the family he accepted when he said “Yes” to God.
Please join us this Wednesday evening for a special Faith Night as we draw closer to Christmas. This will be the last opportunity to go to confession before Christmas - I will be hearing confessions from 4:30-5:30 pm. Mass will be at 5:30 pm. Then, beginning at 6 pm, there will be a special Christmas pageant put on by the children of our parish with a festive potluck dinner to follow. Please join us for this special evening.
Christmas is upon us! Already next weekend. It is time of great grace as we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus in the flesh as a little baby born of Mary. Please take note of our Christmas Mass schedule. Christmas Eve Masses: 4pm at St. Mary’s, 6pm at Sacred Heart (Springdale) and 10pm St. Mary’s. Christmas Day Mass will be 9am at Holy Ghost (Valley).
All-Parish Christmas Party and Pageant
Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 pm
Confessions at 4:30 pm, Mass at 5:30 pm
This Wednesday is our All-Parish Christmas Pageant and Potluck starting at 6 pm, making for a special Faith Night. More than 16 of our religious education students will participate in the Christmas Pageant in St. Mary's sanctuary starting immediately after mass. Please come enjoy this wonderful story and song program as our young students portray characters in the Nativity story. A potluck Christmas dinner will follow in St. Mary's Parish Hall. Please bring something to share - everyone's invited to this wonderful celebration. Confessions will begin at 4:30 pm this Wednesday with mass following at 5:30 pm, and the pageant at 6 pm.
Catholic Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
4:00 pm at St. Mary's, Chewelah
6:00 pm at Sacred Heart, Springdale
10:00 pm at St. Mary's, Chewelah
Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022
9:00 am at Holy Ghost, Valley
Upcoming This Week
Sacred Heart Christmas Decorating
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, 7 pm
Parishioners are invited to help decorate Sacred Heart after mass on Saturday, Dec. 17. Finger foods are welcome.
St. Mary's and Holy Ghost Christmas Decorating
Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
St. Mary's Parishioners are invited to help decorate St. Mary's sanctuary after 10 am mass on Sunday, Dec. 18 in preparation for Christmas. There will be coffee and donuts available in the parish hall as well.
Holy Ghost Parishioners are invited to decorate the Holy Ghost sanctuary after 8 am mass at Holy Ghost as well.
Third Tuesday Rosary
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, 1 pm
The Prayer Group that meets every Tuesday leads a rosary at St. Mary's every Third Tuesday of the month at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome this Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Holiday Parish Office Hours
The parish office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 30 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. There will be mass and adoration both days. Please note bulletin announcements are due by Tuesday evening each week.
Chewelah Food Bank no longer supported by 2nd Harvest
The Chewelah Food Bank would like to get the word out that they will no longer receive monthly deliveries of food from 2nd Harvest, which has stopped delivering to rural food banks outside of Spokane. Please consider making a donation to help this holiday season. The Food Bank is open every Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm or drop off your donation at mass to be delivered the next week.