MASS SCHEDULE

Weekends Saturday....5:00 pm; (7:00 pm Spanish) Sunday .....9:00 am, 11:00 am; (1:00 pm Spanish ) Weekdays Monday - Friday 8:00 am; (7:00 pm Spanish) First Saturday ..... 8:00 am Holy Day of Obligation Masses 8:00 am, 6:00 pm, (8:00 pm Spanish) Confession Saturday ............. 3:30 - 4:30 pm Scanlan Building 2nd floor or by appointment Baptism Preparation English: Call the Parish Office to register Spanish: 1

st & 2

nd Sat., 2:00 pm (Scanlan)

Baptism English: 4

th Saturday at 9:00 am

Spanish: 3rd Saturday at 9:00 am

Marriage Preparation English: Contact the Parish Office Spanish: Contact a Deacon Anointing of the Sick First Friday during 8:00 am Mass Call Parish Office for home/hospital anointing Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday - Friday.........9:00 am - 3:00 pm Last Friday of the month - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, after 7 pm Mass - Saturday 6:00 am Mission Churches Mass Schedule Saint Paul’s - Hurricane (171 S. Main) Sunday Mass—12:30 pm San Pablo Mission - Beryl Junction (721 S. Highway 18) Sunday Mass—4:00 pm Saint Christopher’s - Kanab (39 West 200 South) Daily Mass—8:00 am, Sundays— 9:00 am Zion Park - Springdale (Canyon Community Center, 126 Lion Blvd.) SCAP…Sundays at 8:00 am Palm Sunday through December 1

st

Church Office 157 North 200 West / PO Box 188 St. George, UT 84771 Ph:435-673-2604 / Fax:435-688-2704 Email: office@sgcatholics.com Office Hours Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed from 12 noon-1:00 pm

Saint George

Photo: Bob Parks

259 WEST 200 NORTH, ST. GEORGE, UTAH 84770—WWW.SAINTGEORGECATHOLICS.COM

December 20, 2020 / 4th Sunday of Advent

CATHOLIC CHURCH Rev. David Bittmenn, Pastor

Rev. Kelechi Alozie, Parochial Vicar

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

*Earlier deadlines all of December.

Please call the Parish Office for specific dates.

STEWARDSHIP / CORRESPONSABILIDAD

Gratitude in Action: Our Way of Life / Gratitud en Acción: Nuestra forma de Vida

The season of Christmas offers so many opportunities for prayer, for reflection, for giving and sharing, and for gratitude and thanksgiving. It is a time of celebrating that “good news” of the first Christmas so many years ago. In our prayer and reflections during the season, we are reminded of the true meaning of the season and from where true and lasting joy arises. It is not in the gifts, not in the music, not in the food and festivities. True, lasting joy lies with the infant born that first Christmas in a cold, crude manger, nestled in a smelly stable among dusty, dirty animals. Love was born of love. Our Christmas giving and sharing may be symbolic in a small sense of the great gift God gave us in the birth of His Son, Jesus. The gifts we give may also be likened to those offered to the infant in the stable. Perhaps the greatest gift we can give during this season, that of self, may somewhat resemble God’s selfless, redemptive gift of His Son to a sinful world. The Advent and Christmas liturgies are filled with beautiful stories of faith and love, as well as challenging situations, faith-filled courage, and warnings to be alert and aware of the final day when we will be asked to make an accounting of our life lived while on this earthly journey. Stewards are grateful for this season of Christmas, its beauty, its promise, and the opportunities to give to God and all of God’s children, especially those who struggle in want – want of body, want of mind and want of spirit. We are called during Advent and Christmas to ponder the “reason for the season” as we prepare for Jesus’ coming this Christmas. We pray for grace to experience His presence in a more personal, more intimately spiritual way. We pray Jesus will remain with us in a “spirit of Christmas” throughout the coming year so we might encourage that same spirit among all those we meet or those with whom we live and work daily. Sharing Jesus’ ways, His spirit, His words, can impact this dark world through which we are passing toward a world eternal in His loving presence and embrace. “The Christmas ideal is different. Yes, take care of your health. But understand how important it is and central to the Christmas message, to be merry, to have a hopeful, positive, and optimistic attitude, even if your health is bad or if life is not at its best. The infant Jesus is lying in a barnyard crib, and yet the emotional atmosphere is glorious and full of hope. What a lesson for us living in a time of worldwide conflict and personal challenges.”1 1The Soul of Christmas by Thomas Moore

⁓Carole Drake Pastoral Assistant and Community

Outreach

La temporada navideña ofrece muchas oportunidades para la oración, la reflexión, el dar y compartir, la gratitud y la acción de gracias. Es el momento de celebrar esa “buena noticia” de la primera Navidad de hace tantos años. En nuestra oración y reflexiones durante la temporada, se nos recuerda el verdadero significado de la temporada y de dónde surge la alegría verdadera y duradera. No está en los regalos, ni en la música, ni en la comida y las festividades. La alegría verdadera y duradera reside en el bebé que nació esa primera Navidad en un pesebre frío y tosco, acurrucado en un establo maloliente entre animales polvorientos y sucios. El amor nació del amor. Nuestro dar y compartir en Navidad puede ser simbólico en un pequeño sentido del gran regalo que Dios nos dio en el nacimiento de Su Hijo, Jesús. Los obsequios que damos también pueden compararse con los que se ofrecen al bebé en el establo. Quizás el mayor regalo que podemos dar durante esta temporada, el de nosotros mismos, puede parecerse un poco al regalo desinteresado y redentor de Dios de Su Hijo a un mundo pecador. Las liturgias de Adviento y Navidad están llenas de hermosas historias de fe y amor, así como de situaciones desafiantes, coraje lleno de fe y advertencias para estar alertas y conscientes del último día en que se nos pedirá que rindamos cuentas de nuestra vida vivida. durante este viaje terrenal. Los corresponsables están agradecidos por esta temporada de Navidad, su belleza, su promesa y las oportunidades para dar a Dios y a todos los hijos de Dios, especialmente a aquellos que luchan por la necesidad: falta de cuerpo, falta de mente y falta de espíritu. Durante el Adviento y la Navidad se nos llama a reflexionar sobre el "motivo de la temporada" mientras nos preparamos para la venida de Jesús esta Navidad. Oramos pidiendo gracia para experimentar Su presencia de una manera más personal e íntimamente espiritual. Oramos que Jesús permanezca con nosotros en un “espíritu navideño” durante el próximo año para que podamos alentar ese mismo espíritu entre todos aquellos que conocemos o aquellos con quienes vivimos y trabajamos a diario. Compartiendo los caminos de Jesús, Su espíritu, Sus palabras, puede impactar este mundo oscuro a través del cual estamos pasando hacia un mundo eterno en Su amorosa presencia y abrazo.

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Pastor’s Message / Mensaje del padre: Father David Bittmenn

The Mother of God appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Not all of what Mary told the three children was made public immediately. This material became known as the three “secrets” of Fatima. The first two secrets were made

public in 1941. The third secret was not to be made public until 2000. Between 1941 and 2000 many people speculated on what this third secret could be. Some of the speculations were grandiose, along the lines of an impending great apostasy, a warning of a nuclear holocaust, or about Satan entering the Church. In 2000 Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI) commented on these overdone speculations. “A careful reading of the text of the so-called third “secret” of Fatima, published here in its entirety long after the fact and by decision of the Holy Father [St. Pope John Paul II], will probably prove disappointing or surprising after all the speculation it has stirred. No great mystery is revealed; nor is the future unveiled. We see the Church of the martyrs of the century which has just passed represented in a scene described in a language which is symbolic and not easy to decipher (www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_message-fatima_en.html).” In the same document the future Pope Benedict XVI clarified that the information from Fatima was important because it lead back or reaffirmed the revelation of Scripture. Something of this same disappointment was present among some who originally heard the words of this weekend’s second reading. The reading mentions a “mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through prophetic writings….” Some people had grandiose speculations about this mystery of the prophets. It did not seem to describe a crucified Messiah called Jesus of Nazareth. Today various kinds of grandiose speculations are alive and well. In some quarters waiting for Christmas is seen as preparing for perfection. If the decorations, the guests, or the food are off a bit, Christmas is threatened. So prepare now and prepare with a vengeance. Advent does not need these grandiose speculations to stir the preparation it asks. Advent seeks a preparation that understands as St. Paul did the words about a “mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through prophetic writings….” The prophets longed to understand life through Christ. They had bits and pieces and through them they prepared the way of the Lord. We know the words of the prophets and of Christ himself, but from time to time they are bits and pieces. Let us set about applying these words to our lives and our experiences. Through this preparation Christmas will not need any sense of grandiose sentimentality.

La Madre de Dios se apareció a tres niños en Fátima, Portugal en 1917. No todo lo que María les dijo a los tres niños se hizo público de inmediato. Este material se conoció como los tres "secretos" de Fátima. Los dos primeros secretos se hicieron públicos en 1941. El tercer secreto no se hizo público hasta 2000. Entre 1941 y 2000 mucha gente especuló sobre cuál podría ser este tercer secreto. Algunas de las especulaciones eran grandiosas, en la línea de una gran apostasía inminente, una advertencia de un holocausto nuclear o sobre la entrada de Satanás en la Iglesia. En 2000, el cardenal Josef Ratzinger (más tarde Benedicto XVI) comentó estas especulaciones exageradas. “Una lectura atenta del texto del llamado tercer ‘secreto’ de Fátima, publicado aquí en su totalidad mucho después del hecho y por decisión del Santo Padre [St. Papa Juan Pablo II], probablemente resultará decepcionante o sorprendente después de todas las especulaciones que ha suscitado. No se revela ningún gran misterio; ni se devela el futuro. Vemos a la Iglesia de los mártires del siglo que acaba de pasar representada en una escena descrita en un lenguaje simbólico y difícil de descifrar (www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregation/cfaith/documents/ rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_ message-fatima_en.html).” En el mismo documento el futuro Papa Benedicto XVI aclaró que la información de Fátima era importante porque remontaba o reafirmaba la revelación de la Escritura. Algo de esta misma decepción estuvo presente entre algunos que originalmente escucharon las palabras de la segunda lectura de este fin de semana. La lectura menciona un “misterio que se mantuvo en secreto durante mucho tiempo, pero que ahora se manifiesta a través de escritos proféticos....” Algunas personas tenían grandiosas especulaciones sobre este misterio de los profetas. No parecía describir a un Mesías crucificado llamado Jesús de Nazaret. Hoy en día, varios tipos de especulaciones grandiosas están vivas y coleando. En algunos lugares, la espera de la Navidad se considera una preparación para un gran sentimentalismo. Si las decoraciones, los invitados o la comida se desvían un poco, la Navidad se ve amenazado. Así que prepárate ahora y prepárate con ganas. El Adviento no necesita estas grandiosas especulaciones para agitar la preparación que pide. El Adviento busca una preparación que entienda, como lo hizo San Pablo, las palabras sobre un “misterio guardado en secreto durante siglos pero ahora manifestado a través de escritos proféticos…”. Los profetas anhelaban comprender la vida a través de Cristo. Tenían pedacitos y trocitos y a través de ellos prepararon el camino del Señor. Conocemos las palabras de los profetas y del mismo Cristo, pero de vez en cuando son pedacitos. Comencemos a aplicar estas palabras a nuestras vidas y experiencias. A través de esta preparación, la Navidad no necesitará ningún sentimentalismo grandioso.

EVENTS and MASS INTENTIONS Please visit our website for more announcements or email us at sgcc.bulletin@gmail.com for questions or submissions.

PARISH EVENTS Monday 10:00 am Everyday God (every other week) Kuzy - Rm 3 7:00 pm RCIA Scanlan, FL2 3:30 pm Holy Rosary—please join us Hurricane

Tuesday 9:00 am Marian Hour - Our Lady of Peace Church

6:00 pm CCD Scanlan 7:00 pm Neo Catechumenal Way Kuzy - Rm 3

First Tuesday 6:30 pm Knights of Columbus Kuzy - Rm 1 6:30 pm Women’s Group Kuzy - Rm 3

Second Tuesday 1:00 pm Women’s Group Lunch at Harmons Santa Clara

Wednesday

12:00 pm Bulletin Deadline (11 days prior to publication date) 6:00 pm Holy Spirit Prayer Group Kuzy - Rm 3 7:00 pm Clases Biblicas CERS Scanlan, FL2

Third Wednesday

6:30 pm 4th Degree K of C Kuzy - Rm 1

Thursday 9:00 am Prayers for the Unborn Church 6:00 pm CCD Scanlan

Second Thursday 1:30 pm Mass at Sterling Court, St. George 324N 1680E

Friday First Friday 8:00 am Anointing of the Sick at Mass Church

Last Friday 7:00 pm Nocturnal Adoration Church

Saturday 7:00 pm Neo Catechumenal Way Kuzy - Rm 3

First Saturday 8:00 am Mass in Honor of Our Lady Church 9: 30 am Pro-Life Presence Bluff & 600 S

After Last Friday 6:00 am Nocturnal Adoration ends with Mass Church

First Weekend At all Masses - Renovation Fund Collection

Third Weekend At all Masses - K of C Food Drive Last Weekend - At all Masses - DDD Collection

Sunday 9:00 am CCD Scanlan 11: 00 am CCD Scanlan 5: 00 pm Rosary Church

First Weekend

At All Masses - Renovation Fund Collection

Third Weekend At all Masses - K of C Food Drive

Last Weekend - At all Masses - DDD Collection

Our Lady of Grace Candle

burns this week in memory of

Caren Leigh Olson

MASS INTENTIONS

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday - Friday

9 am - 3 pm

Stephen Ministry

Christ caring for People through People Walking with Others during Troubled Times

Saint George Catholic Church

Saturday, 12/19

5:00 pm U Michael Nevin

U David Zudis

U Alfred Jankus

U Micala Hicks Sile

7:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Sunday, 12/20

9:00 am Diane Prietryga by Scott Family

Rita, Nate & Family

11:00 am U Carol Collins by Joan C.

U Lucille Kennedy by Joan C.

1:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Monday, 12/21

8:00 am Dan Sorensen by Tom & Susie

Peter Roche & Family

7:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Tuesday, 12/22

8:00 am U Robert Kowalski by Karen K.

8:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Wednesday, 12/23

8:00 am U Tom Walsh

7:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Thursday, 12/24

8:00 am Felipa, Ben & Family

5:00 pm Kelly & Kim

7:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

12:00 am U Ann McKee

Friday, 12/25

9:00 am U Dolores Pallota

11:00 am U John C. Burgess

1:00 pm (Spanish) Pro Populo

Rectory…………..673-7354

Pastor........................ Rev. David Bittmenn Parochial Vicar……..Rev. Kelechi Alozie Retired……………… Rev. Glenn Dare

Office……….……..673-2604

Business Manager ..... Don Drake (ddrake@sgcatholics.com)

Bookkeeper ................. Kelli Callister (kcallister@sgcatholics.com)

Receptionist………...Nora Escatel (office@sgcatholics.com)

Maintenance……… Call Office

Deacons Rigoberto Aguirre ...................... 628-9107 Rogaciano Tellez ........................ 652-9219 Jesse Robles (jrobles@sgcatholics.com)…909-953-0240 Baptismal Preparation Registration (English)

Deacon Jesse Robles……Call the Office to register

Pastoral Assistant and Community Outreach Carole Drake………435-673-2604 Ext 104 or 435-668-9202

(cdrake@sgcatholics.com)

Religious Education Coordinator

Mariana Lawrentz …720-227-8319 or 673-2604 (mlawrentz@sgcatholics.com)

Newman Catholic Club Veronica Gonzales, President: veronica.gonzales@dmail.dixie.edu Online Giving Link …….please visit our website

Bulletin Ministry……….sgcc.bulletin@gmail.com

Thrift Store (Jackie Rickman)………673-1029

Gift Shop (Sharon Rawlins)………688-1948

Parish Council …… parishcouncil@sgcatholics.com Safe Environment…Carole Drake, Local DSE

435-673-2604 or cdrake@sgcatholics.com

Weekly Collection Report

Collection (9/13)...…..…….............................$ 8,481

Capital Improvement Project (August) Kuzy Hall Renovation Loan……………..$343,076

Renovation Fund Collections …………...$19,898

ANNOUNCEMENTS and REPORTS Please visit our website for more announcements or email us at sgcc.bulletin@gmail.com for questions or submissions.

LOOKING AHEAD

December 23 - 27 Office Closed

December 31 - January 3 Office Closed

January 2 Pro-life Presence Bluff & 600 S.

Weekly Collection Report

Collection (12/06)...…..…….......................$ 9,709

Capital Improvement Project (November) Kuzy Hall Renovation Loan………...………..$0

Renovation Fund Collections …………...$ 2,125

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Last Friday (December 25) 8pm - Saturday 6am Mass will Follow

Adoración del Sagrado Sacramento Último viernes del mes (25 de diciembre)

8 p.m. – sábado 6 am. Celebración de la Misa

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We are one community nourished and transformed by the Eucharist.

As the body of Christ, we are led by the Holy Spirit to know, love and serve God and one another.

Somos una comunidad alimentada y transformada por la Eucaristía.

Como cuerpo de Cristo, somos guiados por el Espíritu Santo para conocer, amar y servir a Dios y unos a otros.

The Gift Shop is open during the week Tuesday - Friday 10am - 2pm.

Saturday ONLY after the 5pm Mass and after all the Masses on Sunday. So long as everyone wears their FACE MASKS and no more than 4 people in the Gift Shop at a time to keep social distance.

Guidelines are posted as you walk in for you to read. This is subject to change if there are any problems. Always check the calendar on the Gift Shop door.

The Advent Season is here. We have a variety of advent wreaths, advent candles, ornaments, books, jewelry and much more. Come look for that special gift. The Gift Shop will be CLOSED for the Christmas holiday-Thursday, December 24 - Sunday, January 3, 2021. We will reopen Tuesday, January 5, 2021 normal business hours.

Christmas Masses/Misas de Navidad

December 24 5:00 pm (English/ingles) Must call for reservation 7:00 pm (espanol) Debe llamar para hacer reservaciones

12 Midnight Mass (English/ingles) December 25 9:00 am (English/ingles)

11:00 am (English/ingles)

1:00 pm (español) December 31 7:00 pm Vigil Mass (español)

ANNOUNCEMENTS and EVENTS

Scripture Readings for the Week of December 20th

Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45

Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/Ps/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd]/Lk 1:46-56

Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66

Thursday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79

Christmas Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25

Midnight Mass: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

Christmas Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18

Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22

Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 /Col 3:12-21

Next weekend’s second collection benefits the Diocesan Development Drive (DDD)

If you have DDD envelopes, you may use them for this collection. You may also contribute to DDD through our Parish online giving.

GIVING and CARING ALWAYS This time of uncertainty and doubt, changing former ways of doing things and accepting new ways of accomplishing what needs to be done, has created challenges for all of us. Basic needs and expenses continue. Life and its unfolding, ever-changing events happen daily. We are continuing to serve our parish family daily, especially during unexpected life events. As much as possible, we attempt to maintain a balanced and “normal” schedule of what you expect from your Church. We appreciate your communication with us and your ongoing monetary support. Some of you have changed your method of contributing to the support of our parish through Online Giving. This method recognizes your faithful, uninterrupted support of the parish and our ability to meet our continuing needs. Some of you mail your contributions to Saint George Catholic Church, P.O. Box 188, St. George, UT 84771. These mailings are a welcome surprise on our daily visits to the post office. We have had the opportunity to see some of you when you personally deliver your contributions to the parish office Monday through Friday from 9 am – 5pm. Your familiar faces are a joy, allowing us to reconnect with friends not seen for a while. Whatever continuing method of financial support you have chosen for our parish, your family, together with the services we continue to offer during this challenging time, we remain connected. Through your connectedness with us, you contribute to the joy of your parish staff as we continue serving God and each other. THANK YOU!! Stop by and see us, or give us a call. We are always ready to assist!

“Everyday God” 2021 schedule January 11 March 22

January 25 April 5 February 8 April 19 February 22 May 3 March 8 May 17 Kuzy Hall Room #3, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

“El ideal navideño es diferente. Sí, cuida tu salud. Pero comprende lo importante y fundamental que es para el mensaje navideño de ser feliz, tener una actitud esperanzada, positiva y optimista, incluso si su salud es mala o si la vida no está en su mejor momento. El niño Jesús está acostado en la cuna de un corral y, sin embargo, la atmósfera emocional es gloriosa y llena de esperanza. Qué lección para nosotros que vivimos en una época de conflicto mundial y desafíos personales”1.

1The Soul of Christmas by Thomas Moore ⁓Carole Drake

Asistente pastoral y alcance comunitario

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Knights of Columbus Food Collection This weekend

We always need canned meats, cereal, canned fruit, spaghetti and pasta noodles, cooking oil, and mayonnaise.