St. Joseph Catholic Church 2011 Darling Avenue, Waycross, GA 31501

Fr. Bob Cushing, Pastor: (478) 284-5235 frbobcushing@gmail.com Church Secretary: Barbara Grace Albert (912-286-0491) sjcwaycross@att.net Music Minister: Timothy Remmel (912-281-9787) timothy15434@gmail.com

Religious Education Coordinator: Lacey Gruver (912) 282-0493 lgruver1976@gmail.com Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Jason Strickland (912) 387-6781 jason@jason.com.mx

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Loretta Coar (912) 390-9116 loretta_coar65@att.net Loaves and Fishes Outreach: (912)283-5221

Office number: (912) 283-7700/Office fax (912) 283-7929 Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am—4:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Joseph-Catholic-Church/117872604905966

First Sunday of Advent

December 2, 2018

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

Jesus said: “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength … to stand before the Son of Man!” [Luke 21: 36]

Advent begins, a season of preparation, preparing our hearts and homes for the feast of Christmas. I love this season as much as I need it! To stay vigi-lant we have to help each other to keep in shape or else we will get bowled over. It is back to basics, spiritual boot-camp time again! Time to make some serious choices, or else the anxieties and terrors of the world will absolutely take us where we do not want to go. Time to stand up and believe in Christ’s promises.

The light is stronger than the darkness, love is stronger than hate, hope stronger than apathy. Next week we will hear John the Baptist’s call, “Prepare ye the way for the Lord!” Plan now to attend the parish Penance Service on Monday night next week (Dec 10), to find a prayer book for the wonderful readings of Advent, to make your family Advent Wreath and light the candles and say the prayers. Yes, we will buy our gifts and plan our feasts and parties, but also we will make time to be still, to accept waiting and wondering, as we become light, love, and life for those around us, that Christ may be born in us in the miracle of Christmas.

Questions for the week: In what ways am I run-ning toward God? In what ways am I running away? What spiritual practices will make waiting fruitful for me?

Your Pastor, Fr. Bob

Primer Domingo de Adviento

2 de Diciembre, 2018

Queridos Feligreses y Amigos:

Jesús dijo: “Manténganse vigilantes en todo mo-mento y recen para que tengan fortaleza…para pararse delante del Hijo del hombre!” [Lucas 21: 36]

Comienza el Adviento, una estación de preparación, preparando nuestros corazones y hogares para la fiesta de la Navidad. ¡Yo amo esta estación tanto como la nece-sito! Para estar vigilantes necesitamos de la ayuda de cada uno para mantenernos en forma o de lo contrario nos derrumbaremos. ¡Hay que echar atrás a lo básico, campo de aprendizaje spiritual de nuevo! Tiempo de hacer serias elecciones, o si no las ansiedades y temores del mundo absolutamente nos llevaran donde no queremos ir. Es tiempo de pararnos y creen en las promesas de Cristo. La luz es más fuerte que la oscuridad, el amor más fuerte que el odio, la esperanza más fuerte que la apatía. La próxima semana oiremos la llamada de Juan el Bautis-ta diciendo, “¡Preparen el camino del Señor!” Planeen par-ticipar en el Servicio Penitencial de la parroquia el lunes en la noche la próxima semana (10 de diciembre), para encontrar un libro de oraciones para las maravillosas lec-turas de adviento, para hacer una corona de Adviento y encender las velas diciendo las oraciones. Si, comprare-mos nuestros regalos y planearemos fiestas y celebracio-nes, pero también tenemos que hacer tiempo para estar quietos, para aceptar esperar y maravillarnos, al volvernos luz, amor y vida para los que nos rodean, para que Cristo nazca en nosotros en el milagro de la Navidad.

Preguntas de la semana: ¿En que maneras estoy co-rriendo hacia Dios? ¿En qué manera me estoy apartando? ¿Qué practicas espirituales harán el esperar fructífero pa-ra mí?

Su Pastor, P. Bob

St. Joseph Offertory November 25, 2018

Offertory $3,426.00 Children’s Circle $46.00 $3,472.00

Parish Mission Prayer

Father of Mercy, your Holy Spirit has called us from many lands and cultures to become the faith community of St. Joseph Parish. You gather us to proclaim your Word of Mercy for all through prayer, sacrament, and service. O Holy one show us how to nourish this commitment through faith formation, hospitality, and stewardship, so that through us your compassion may embrace the cross of all the needy, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Oracion de la Misión Parroquial Padre de Misericordia, tu Santo Espíritu nos ha llamado de muchas tierras y culturas para formar la comunidad de fe de la Parroquia de St. Joseph. Nos uniste para procla-mar tu palabra de misericordia para todos a través de la oración, sacramentos y servicio, O Santísimo, muéstranos como alimentar este compromiso a través de la form ación de fe, hospitalidad y corresponsabilidad, para que a través de nosotros tu compasión ellos abracen la cruz de todos los necesitados, por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amen

Please notify Barbara Albert in the Parish Office when you change your home phone, cell number, mailing address, or email address. It is very important that we have the correct infor-mation on file. Just call Barbara at 912-283-7700 or email her sjcwaycross@att.net. Thank You!

A sledge hammer was recently found on the parish grounds. Please contact Barbara in the Church Office 912-283-7700 if you are missing this tool.

Christmas Flowers Order Form

You will find some green and white Christmas

Flowers order forms in the Church foyer. Please

take one home if you would like to donate some

flowers in honor or memory of someone this

Christmas. The cost is $20.00 per flower and order

form must be turned in by December 16, 2018.

Just return the flower flyer with your donation in

the collection basket. Thank You!

Loaves and Fishes Sunday: Thank you for bringing your non-perishable food items for the poor this Sunday to assist our food pantry. This practice goes back to the earliest days of the Mass.

Domingo de Panes y Peces: Gracias por traer co-mida que no se daña para los pobres este domingo para ayudar a nuestra despensa. Esta práctica se re-monta a las primeras Misas.

Our parish family grieves the passing of Dr. Paul John

Kalla, the father of Loretta Coar our Youth Minister. He

died on Sunday, November 25, 2018 . We extend condo-

lences to Loretta and her family, who so loved him. May he

rest in peace. Amen

Para las intercesiones de los Fieles las intencio-

nes especiales tienen que ser entregadas por es-

crito al sacerdote bastante antes de la Misa para ser

prudentemente utilizadas con la ayuda del lector.

Cartas de Referencia para su Abogado para defender a

los miembros de su familia de ICE: el P. Bob puede

escribir esas cartas de referencia para usted. [No le pre-

gunte si usted no viene a esta iglesia o si es a último mo-

mento.] Dele un pedazo de papel con su nombre y una

lista de quien está participando en la iglesia; entonces él

puede escribir una carta y Ms Barbara Albert la tendrá pa-

ra usted en un día o dos en la oficina.

You’re invited to pray the Rosary in English next week at Debbie Cahill’s home. Please join us in prayer on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 10:00 am. Her home is located at 433 Loblolly Lane in Waycross. Please contact Ann Johnson with your prayer intentions at 912-614-3988.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE ILL, ESPECIALLY PARISHIONERS: Joyce Bachofner, Ann Inman, Arcelia Saucedo, Eliza-beth Smith, Peggy Thomas, Judy VanDruff, Carlene Murray, Rose Mary Fulford, Dorothy Gaskill, Bob & Kathy Odam, Colleen Matich, Debbie Cahill, Leslie Bennett, Abraham Gomez, Tom DiBiase, Glenn & Shelly Chase, Clinton Vaughn, Morgan Hess & Ann Marie Hess, Genevieve Martin, Keith Fullenkamp, Bill & Glenda Brewington, Adrienne Butler, and Phyllis Buck, Lucy Todd, and Carol McCloskey.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY: LT. Tim Boyce, U.S. Navy, Rann Howell, Colonel Mark B. Parker, and Ethan Stanley.

PLEASE PRAY FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS OF OURS: Robert Cushing Jr., Pat Marsh, Hannah Phillips & Family, Lindsay Joyce, Patricia Carter, Connie McAlpin, Roger Gaskill, Michael McAlpin, Jason McCullum, Paul Tang, Michael Driggers, Maurice Hannah, Earl Black, Tom Grizzaffe, James Kenneth Cox Jr., Lonny Joseph Waring Jr., Merinda Mixon, Annie Burns, Toby Foster, Bill Caballero, Harris Lott, Florence Struempler, Francis Ann Cook, James Stokes, Cindy Taylor, Kris Kruse, April Snider, Rob-in Johnson, Thomas Williams, Angel Sinai Gomez, Kim Messenger, William Willis, Sandy Wright, Ashley Hoffman, Sue Rossi, Brittany Alderman, Betty Denyko, Sr. Chris Cullen, MFIC, David Greg Russell, Chloe Robinson, William Martin IV, Michelle Rio, Bobby Ziolkowski, Stan Stipe, Joseph McHendry, Dr. Richard Lynch, Rose Parisee, Adri-an Arnold, Erin Crosby, Rosa Maria Santos, Mervyn Humphreys, Ida Cook, Becky Griffin, Claudia Tay-lor, Megan Schultz, Dora Bullard, Millie Bailey, Ed-may Tardif, Ken Jorishie, Joyce McAneny, Kevin Wehling, Gara Baker, Jane Foreman, Wanda War-ing, John Stephens, Craig Carter, Dallin Thorton, Elizabeth Peacock, Don & Marilyn Sanderson, Bill Byrd & Family, Ghioto Family, Chris Garafola, Mar-lene Brooker, and Willie Character.

Office for the Protection of Children and Young

People, toll free reporting hotline: (888) 357-5530

GED Classes: Coastal Pines College offers free General Educational Development (GED) classes. Do you want to pass the GED exam? This is your chance to get a high school equiva-lency diploma! Basic skill classes can increase your self-confidence in reading, writing, and math at NO COST. Daytime, afternoon, and evening sets of classes. Call Ware County Adult Ed Center for Lauri Sanatana at 912-285-6041 or tsantanta@coastalpines.edu .

Our parish family extends condolences to Maria Con-

treras for the loss of her mother, Rosa Contreras, who

died Monday, “Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and may your perpetual light shine upon her!” Advent Wreaths help us mark the times of prayer and make us mindful of how God is coming into our lives. In your bulletin are the weekly prayers for the simple candle lighting.

Las Coronas de Adviento nos ayudan a marcar el tiempo de oración y hacer presente el como Dios está viniendo a nuestras vidas. En su boletín están las ora-ciones semanales para el simple encendido de las ve-las.

Anointing of the Sick will be available after the 6 PM Mass this Wednesday night, Dec 5.

Unción de los Enfermos estará disponible después de la Misa de las 6 PM este miércoles en la noche, 5 de di-ciembre.

Previews of coming attractions:

Advent Confessions Night: Monday, Decem-ber 10, 6:30 PM

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Tuesday, December 11, 9:30 PM Rosario & 10:00 pm Mariachiis – 2 AM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Convivio: Wednesday, Dec 12, 6:00 PM in Church and Parish Hall

Las Posadas: Sunday evening, Dec 16, 5:30 PM in the Parish Hall

Christmas Decorations of the Church: Sat-urday, Dec 22, 9 AM

Christmas Masses: Monday, Dec 24 Family Mass at 6 PM, Caroles at 10 PM, “Midnight Mass” at 10:30 PM . Tuesday, Dec 25 10:30 am Bilingual Mass

Antelación de futuras atracciones:

Noche de Confesiones de Adviento: lunes 10 de diciembre, 6:30 pm

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: martes, 11 de diciembre a las 9:30 PM Rosa-rio y 10:00 PM Mariachis—2:00 AM

Misa y Convivio de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: miércoles 12 de diciembre, 6 PM en la Iglesia y el Salón Parroquial .

Las Posadas: domingo en la noche, 16 de dic, 5:30 PM en el Salón Parroquial

Misas de Navidad: lunes 24 de dic, Misa familiar a las 6 PM, Villancicos a las 10PM “Misa de Medianoche “a las 10:30 PM . Mar-tes 25 de diciembre, 10:30 am bilingual Misa

Council of Catholic Women

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Spirituality, Leadership, Service

Our next Christmas Party/Meeting is Tuesday, December 4,

2018 at 6:30 PM. We are having a Christmas demonstration

of how to make a Christmas Wreath and Table centerpiece.

The program will be presented by a floral designer from

Sapp’s Florist. We are asking our members to bring a Christ-

mas ornament, festively wrapped, to exchange having a val-

ue of $5.00. We also want you to wear your favorite Christ-

mas sweater and have fun with many women of the Parish.

Hors D’oeuvres will be served.

Looking for that last minute gift? CCW is having a Christmas

Bazaar on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 9AM to

3:00PM. We will feature beautiful handmade gifts with

affordable prices. Bring your family out and come shop for

that special something to complete your Christmas lists.

Coffee and breakfast foods will be also served, as well as a

delicious lunch for a minimal fee. Tables are still available

for $15.00 each or 2/$25.00, and you keep your profit. We

are still looking for Parishioners who are crafty artisans to

join us. If you have used items that you wish to sell, you too

are welcome! Bring your clearly priced items to the Parish

Hall, on Friday, December 7, 2018 at Noon and set up. If in-

terested, please call Joy 285-4616.

A big Thank You to all the CCW members who baked for the

Bake Sale!

Monthly RCIA Meeting next will meet on Tuesday night, December 18, at 7:15 PM in the Parish Hall. This week it is all about Jesus! Would you like to ex-plore the rudiments of the Catholic Church and discov-er how we Roman Catholics walk the way of faith? Contact Fran McElroy (mommac48@gmail.com or 267-496-1965) or Fr. Bob [ frbobcushing@gmail.com & 478-284-5235] or the church office (283-7700) for more info.

This Week at St. Joe’s

12/03/2018 Monday 9:00 am Mass; 6:15 pm Catechists Mtg. 12/04/2018 Tuesday 12:10 pm Mass; 6:30 pm CCW Mtg.; 7:00 pm K of C; 7:15 pm RCIA Sponsors Meet in Office 12/05/2018 Wednesday 1:00 pm Bible Study; 4-6 pm Adoration; 6:00 pm Mass; 6:45 pm Sacrament of the Sick; 7:15 pm Evangelization Meeting 12/06/2018 Thursday 9:00 am Mass; 6:00 pm Choir Practice 12/07/2018 Friday No Mass; Office Closed 12/08/2018 Saturday 1:00 pm Memorial Service for Philip Funk at his home 1928 Danielle Drive in Waycross; 5:00 pm- 5:45 pm Confession; Immaculate Conception 6:00 pm English Mass; 2nd Collection Rainy Day Fund; 12/09 /2018 Sunday 9:00 am PRE/Youth; Second Sunday of Advent10:30 am Mass-English; 5:00 pm-5:45 pm; Confession; 6:00 pm Mass-Spanish; 2nd Collection Rainy Day Fund

Bulletin Deadline: All announcements and news items for the next Sunday's bulletin need to be given to our parish secretary (Barbara).[sjcwaycross@att.net] by Monday morning.

December 1, 2018 6:00 pm English Mass-Saturday Lector: Frank Hoffman EM: Ann Johnson and Lillie Morris Server: Lee Tipps and Zachary Chase Usher: Bob Scheuing and Dave Cahill Intention: Marilyn Bonacci (RIP) December 2 2018 10:30 am English Mass-Sunday Lector: Barbara Miller EM: Socorro Martinez, Connie Barefield, Eloise Purdom, Anna Saucedo, and Patrick Brennan Server: Seth Cheshire and Natalie Romero Usher; Michael Hackett and Joseph Johnson Intention: Pro Populo December 2, 2018 6:00 pm Spanish Mass-Sunday Lector: Elsa Hernandez EM: Montse Diaz, Vicente Rodas, y Juanita Sosa Server: Marisol Calvillo and Emilio Castillo Usher: Francisco Velez y Abel Rodriquez Intention: None December 8, 2018 6:00 pm English Mass-Saturday Lector: Ann Johnson EM: Linda Robison and Frank Hoffman Server: Fran McElroy and Zachary Chase Usher: Mike Frawley and Joe Robison Intention: June Ann Blanski (RIP) December 9, 2018 10:30 am English Mass-Sunday Lector: Bill Brewington EM: Eloise Purdom, Socorro Martinez, Connie Barefield, John Chancey, and Loretta Coar Server: Lauren Hackett and Emma Hackett Usher: Joseph Johnson and Roney Petersen Intention: Pro Populo December 9, 2018 6:00 pm Spanish Mass-Sunday Lector: Guadalupe Zambrano EM: Vicente Rodas, Magdalena Santana, y Francisco Velez Server: Valentina Diaz y Noelia Aguirre Usher: Vicente Rodas y Abel Rodriquez Intention: None

A Memorial Service for Philip Funk will be held at his home at 1928 Danielle Drive in Waycross at 1 PM next Saturday, December 8. The parish expresses our condo-lences to his wife Carol and family at their tender loss. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may your per-petual light shine upon him.”

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation this coming Saturday, December 8, because it is the patronal feast of our country. It is different from the Second Sunday of Advent Mass. You are thinking: Can a person fulfill both obligations by attending a Saturday even-ing Mass? The short answer is “no” because only one obli-gation is fulfilled by participating at a Mass. This coming weekend we are called to participate in two Masses. Tough choices to prepare a way for the Lord!

La Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción es una fiesta de obligación este próximo sábado, 8 de diciembre, por-que es la fiesta patronal de nuestro país. Es diferente a la Misa del Segundo Domingo de Adviento. Estas pensando: ¿puede una persona cumplir con las dos obligaciones vi-niendo a Misa el sábado en la tarde? La contestación bre-ve es “no” porque solo una obligación se cumple al partici-par en la Misa. Este próximo fin de semana estamos lla-mados a participar en dos Misas. ¡Escogencia difícil para preparar el camino del Señor!

Congratulations on The Bishop Gartland Service Award: last Sunday given to Jason Strickland (Hispanic Ministry Coordinator and member of el Coro) and Lacey Gruver (our Coordinator for PRE) by the Bishop in Savannah. We are delighted to have had them represent the best of our Parish as worthy stewards of God’s grace! We thank them for their generous service to our community of faith and are proud of their witness. Congratulations, dear friends!

Felicitaciones por el Premio al Servicio del Obis-po Gartland: este pasado domingo le fue otorga-do a Jason Strickland (coordinador del Ministerio Hispano y miembro de el Coro) y a Lacey Gruver (nuestra coordinadora de ERP) por el Obispo en Sa-vannah. ¡Estamos fascinados de que ellos represen-taran lo mejor de nuestra parroquia como merecedo-res servidores de la gracia de Dios! Les damos las gracias por su generoso servicio a nuestra comuni-dad de fe y estamos orgullosos de su testimonio. ¡Felicitaciones, queridos amigos!

”The time of Advent that we begin again today returns us to the horizon of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the Word of God. A hope that does not disap-point, simply because the Lord never disap-points! He is faithful!”

Word from Pope Francis

Palabras del Papa Francisco "Thanksgiving day comes only once a year, but God's goodness and love fill our hearts with gratitude all year long."

51 fruit baskets and 10 food boxes were delivered by 5 teams on Monday, November 19. We were able to reach out to nursing homes, shut-ins, hard-working pa-rishioners and the needy, among others.

Catholic Mass from the Cathedral of St. John the Bap-tist in Savannah is available every evening at 6 pm via the Satilla Faith and Community TV Channel 15 on Vyve Broadband in Waycross, thanks to Callaway Advertising.

Reunión del Ministerio Hispano: para prepararse para las fiestas venideras que se llevara a cabo durante la ERP el próximo do-mingo, 2 de diciembre a las 9 AM. ¡Por favor venga y participe!

“El tiempo de Adviento que comenzamos hoy nos lleva de nuevo al horizonte de es-peranza, una esperanza que no desilusiona porque esta fundada en la Palabra de Dios. Una esperanza que no nos desilusio-na simplemente porque el Señor nunca de-silusiona! Él es fiel!”