Readings for the Weekend, December 31st & January 1st Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 When the time had come, God sent the beloved Son born of a woman, so that we might become adopted children. We are no longer slaves but heirs of God whom we call, “Abba, Father!” Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 On the eighth day, Mary’s child was circumcised and was given the name Jesus, that is, “God saves.” Mary “kept all these things, reflecting them in her heart. PRAY FOR THE SICK: Gail Ballard, Baby Ethan Bean, Michael Blake, Carol Briton, Joshua Burks, Jewel Burns, Julie Bussey, Rhonda Ciovacco, Frances Conley, Darlene Cruce, Rosemary Dempsey, Harold Dill, Lawrence Dill, Albert and Elizabeth Duchock, Carolyn Dunbar, Faye Nell Erwin, Mary Fadlevich, Liddie Fowler, Charles Franklin, Joe Gagliano, Allen Greene, Sandra Green, Katie Gunter, Brenda Hawkins, Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Haynes, Rachel Helms, Guy Hicks, Betty Sue Horton, Sheri Irvin, Betty Jay, Paul Johnson, Charles Jones, Frank Jones, Angie Kononcheck, Barbara LaDay, Jim Lee, Kenny Lee, B.J. Long, Theresa Lucia, Marie Mackinaw, Don Maddox, Laura Maddox, Julio Martinez, Sr. Ann McDaid, Buddy Meadows, David Meadows, Louise Meadows, Jo Melton, Mary Milko, Rick Nogosky, Charlene Plunkett, Glenda Powers, Brittney Pugh, Pete Ragusa, Vita Russo, Anita Salchert, Kim Sloan, Baby Jack Smith, Liz Smith, Betty Spence, Nora Spence, Ed Suchey, Catherine Sullivan, Louis Sullivan, Mildred Tidwell, Linda Towers, Mike Vines, Katie VonHagel, Lillian White, Cheri Wolfe and Gatham Wyatt. Please keep these, all the sick and their caregivers in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list please contact the church office. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS: especially our families, friends and loved ones who are currently in harms way: Dominic Angeles, Darryl Balcom, Michael Miller, and Barbara Salvagio. Please keep all of our brave men and women in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list please contact Pegi in the Church office. FURNITURE NEEDED: If anyone has any household furniture they would like to part with (i.e. bed, table, sofa, etc.) please call the Church office. SERRA CLUB OF BIRMINGHAM EVENTS : The Serra Club of Birmingham, the Catholic Lay Ministry for Vocations for the Catholic Church, will Celebrate the Christmas Party for the Seminarians of the Diocese of Birmingham at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Dec. 27. The 1st meeting in 2006 will be a Mass & Dinner Meeting on Jan. 3rd at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood, beginning with 6:00 p.m. Mass, followed by Dinner & the Meeting. The Guest Speaker will be Rev. Dr. Chris Rosko. His topic will be “Stem Cell Research”. Guests are welcome to attend the Dinner Meeting at no charge. (There was an error in a previous Dinner Meeting announcement about charging Guests; mea culpa.) If you are interested in attending the Dinner Meeting, please telephone Lita Hess, Membership VP. The 2nd Tuesday, Jan. 10, will be the Serra Club’s HOLY HOUR For VOCATIONS at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Sorrows Church from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The 3rd Tuesday, Jan. 17, will be the Mass & Lunch Meeting, also at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, beginning with 11:30 a.m. Mass, followed by Lunch & Meditation. COME CELEBRATE LIFE The 2006 UNITED FOR LIFE RALLY & MARCH, sponsored by The United For Life Committee, will be held on January 21, at 11 a.m. at Brother Bryan Park, 22nd Street South at 10th Avenue, B’ham, AL. Bring Your Children. Come Celebrate Life. Join others in Prayer & Support for Life. Reception following at Her Choice Women’s Center 1605-11th Avenue South, B’ham, AL Jan. 22 is the Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade….The National Rally for Life will be in Washington., D.C., on Jan. 23rd. www.UnitedForLifeFoundation.org www.sanctityoflifeministries.org

PASTOR’S CORNER

I wish everyone in the Parish a very holy, healthy and happy Christmas! May God pour out his richest blessings upon you this Christmas and always. I love you! THANKS to Larry and Monica and all who helped with the Christmas party at the Rectory last Sunday. The kids seemed to have a good time and Newman is now in psychiatric therapy! A great big “God bless you” to Maria Whitaker and all her helpers for making this years Pathways dinner a success. Santa was a big hit! I am very proud of Anita Skocik and her crew for their continued work at the Firehouse Shelter. Thanks for your concern for the poor. Words cannot express the thanks that I owe to all who have helped my sister in her time of desperate need. She is overwhelmed by the love and concern of so many in our Parish family. Who knows? We might make a Catholic out of her yet! Thank you ALL! I will be on a brief vacation December 26-29. Daily Masses will resume on Friday, December 30th.

CHRISTMAS, The angels announced tidings of great joy for all people. How is Jesus born in you this day? Celebrate Emmanuel in a special way. (Luke 2:1-14)…. For our church leaders that they may be bearers of joy and instruments of peace, we pray. (Vocation View sponsored by the Serra Club)

SPIRIT is extremely grateful to Charles and Peggy Blanchard, Anthony and Sara Jean Brooklere, and Father Bean for being wonderful hosts for our Galloping Gourmet last Sunday. We enjoyed warm appetizers on a cold night at the Blanchards, an astounding baked chicken dinner at the Brookleres, and scrumptious desserts at Father's. We appreciate being welcomed into the homes of these parishioners, who, among many others, are true friends of and supporters of St. Patrick Youth. May God bless each of you for your generosity and hospitality.

MANY THANKS to all who purchased fruit baskets from SPIRIT. We sold more than 150 baskets and are grateful for the generosity of each and every person who bought baskets. We hope you enjoy your fruit! If you have not picked up your basket, please do so this weekend.

SPIRIT ICE SKATING! We'll brave the cold weather outside -- for more cold weather inside! -- when we go ice skating Friday, December 30. SPIRIT Youth, if you have your information form this weekend, please give it to the Youth Director or the office BEFORE Monday, December 26. The fee is $8 and includes skates. We'll meet at St. Patrick at 6 p.m., skate at the Pelham Civic Complex, and return by 10 p.m.

KNIGHTS TO SPONSOR ST. PATRICK MEN’S RETREAT - Knights of Columbus Council 10567 will sponsor a St. Patrick men's retreat on Friday, January 27 and January, July 28. The theme of the retreat, which is open to all men 18 and older who are parishioners at St. Patrick, will be "Becoming a Saint" and will be held in the St. Joseph Hall on the Church campus. The first session will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday night and the final four sessions will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The retreat is being planned by Council members Ronnie Muro, Phil Troha, Phil Neely, John Sokira and Louis J. Muro. To sign up to attend, contact Ronnie Muro or fill out the form on the enclosed flyer and return to one of the retreat committee members.