Immaculate Conception
There will be a Vigil Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception at 6:30 pm Sunday night (Dec. 7) at Sts. Peter & Paul.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Friday, Dec. 12th. Bishop Gettelfinger will be celebrating Mass at 5:30 pm.at Nativity Church, 3635 Pollack Ave., Evansville, that day. Reception with Mexican food follows in the cafeteria. Everyone is welcome to join in this celebration on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Bulletin Deadline
The deadline for information to be printed in the Dec. 21 bulletin is Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Ultreya Christmas Gathering
Ultreya will meet on Monday, Dec. 15th at 7 pm in Sts. Peter & Paul cafeteria. Bring an appetizer or finger food to share. All Cursillistas invited! Betty Sue Weber will be the witness speaker for the gathering.
YOUTH BREAKFAST UPDATE
We are proud to announce a profit of $700 from the Youth Breakfast at Holy Cross on November 23rd. It is comfort-ing to know that our future leaders are already learning to work hard and be good examples in the parish. We had over 40 people volunteer to help at the breakfast, and they spent the morning diligently working and serving others. The youth came to the breakfast with positive attitudes and adult-like behavior, taking care of things that they knew needed to be done. Thank you students, for your generous donation of time and talent. You should have a good feeling knowing you have helped us earn money for the “March for Life.” Remember the next breakfast is coming up next weekend, December 14th at Sts. Peter & Paul!
SOURCE + SUMMIT 2009!!
Our February 27, 28 & March 1 Retreat Team is beginning formation NOW! Please join Fr. Burns and members of the 2009 retreat team for Mass at Holy Spirit on Lodge Ave. in Evansville, on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 pm. Snacks and a brief organizational meeting will follow in the back meeting room at 7:00 pm. Any young person 13 years of age or older or any adult who would like to become a part of this fantastic weekend please join us. For more information contact Gail at 812-426-1912 or Freedby-Christ247@aol.com or Fr. Gary at gkaiser@evansville-diocese.org.
Youth Christmas Gathering
Youth Group December Gathering will be Christmas Carol-ing/Pizza Party on Sunday, Dec. 14th. For caroling, meet at River Oaks Princeton at 4:30 pm. Pizza will follow from 6-7:30 pm at St. James Madden Hall. Pizza will be ordered so it is necessary to make your reservation by tomorrow, Dec. 8th. Please call Connie Baehl at 768-5662 or Mich-ele Elpers 768-5832 with family name, number coming, etc. You will then be asked to send your checks to cover the cost —$3 per person. Make checks payable to St. James Youth Group. Families/youth are responsible for their own transportation.
SCRIPS
We will place our last Christmas order on Monday, December 15. All orders must be in our parish office by 9:00 a.m. that day. Make your list and check it twice, so you can get your needed SCRIP cards here in time!! Order on weekends or during the week at the Parish Office, 8-2.
NEXT WEEKEND, Dec. 7 & 8:
There will be a Vigil Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception at 6:30 pm Sunday night (Dec. 7) at Sts. Peter & Paul.
On Dec. 8th, Masses at Holy Cross will be at 8:15 am and at 7:00 pm.
Immaculate Conception is a Holyday of Obligation for Catholics.
Nutcracker performance at Mater Dei
Mater Dei will host a presentation of Children’s Center for Dance Education’s production of The Children’s Nutcracker at 7 pm Dec. 5th at the Kempf Auditorium at Mater Dei. Many of the dancers are students from area Catholic Schools. The Mater Dei Concert Choir will also be featured. Call 1-800-411-9990 or tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are $9, under 1 free. Bring a copy of this announcement and get $1 off each ticket
Tulip Tree Health Services of Gibson County, Inc.
Sat., Dec. 6th will be a busy day — and Tulip Tree Family Health Services wants to help you start it off right with breakfast and door prizes! All proceeds benefit the Tulip Tree Family Health Clinic. Enjoy an Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast on Dec. 6 from 7 to 10 am. Tickets are $5 each and will be available that morning at Applebee’s or in advance by calling Marla Scott, 729-7542. Register in person that morning for door prizes to be given away every hour.
Parish Office
The Holy Cross Parish office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after (November 27 & 28).
St. James Dressing
St. James has frozen ready-to-bake dressing for sale. $12 per gallon. It is available for pickup during school hours. Use Madden Hall entrance. 867-2661
Cheese Balls
Psi Iota Xi will again be making cheeseballs on Decem-ber 13th. $4.50 each or 3 for $12. Call Mo Dix 753-4111 or Jackie Bent 753-4164.
Winter Clothing Distribution
The recent Winter Clothing Distribution at the First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Branch during October was very successful. Due to the volume of gifts and larger than expected requests, they are continuing distribution through Novem-ber and likely to December 17th. So if you thought about donating some winter clothing to this drive and just didn’t get around to it, now’s your chance. They have expressed appreciation for the many great donations and seek your con-tinued support.
Ministry Volunteers for the Christmas Season
It’s still some time yet until the Christmas holidays are here but we would like to get our Ministry Schedule completed soon. There have been a couple of volunteers but we are in need of many more. Lectors are set for all Masses except Dec. 31, but all other ministries are open. Mass times are: Dec. 24, 10 pm; Dec. 25, 8:45 am; Dec. 31, 4:30 pm; Jan. 1, 8:45 am. If you would like to volunteer, please call the office 753-3548.
Fr. Hilary Vieck Calendar
Fr. Hilary Vieck has selected 12 prints from his many paintings for a new 2009 art calendar. For more info or to order call 812-847-7821. You can also order by email: roachfranklin@att.net. They are $12 ea plus $1.50 postage. Proceeds go to the Greene Co. Food Pantry.
Choir News
We are in need of Christmas Choir singers and instrumentalists for the Full Choir at the Christmas Carol Service and 10 pm Mass December 24th. It will be a fun time of singing the songs that we already know. Please call Sandy Hasenour (753-4318/483-8411) if interested in partici-pating in this celebration of Christ’s birth.
Christmas Bazaar Dec. 6th at FBCS
Kappa Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority will sponsor its 27th Annual Christmas Bazaar at Fort Branch Community School cafeteria and gym on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 am—3 pm. Santa will be giving treats to the chil-dren. Refreshments and lunch will be available. Admis-sion is $.50 with all proceeds being used for charitable projects in the area. Anyone wishing to rent a table space or for more info may call Debbie Schaefer at 753-3310 or Lorinda Wallace at 753-4595. Space rental is $20, with table provided $35.
SCRIP News
GLSCRIP has notified us regarding increased percentages for the holiday season. Macy’s is giving a 2% bonus increasing their cards from 10% to 12%. Sears and K-Mart are giving a 6% bonus increasing from 4% to 10%. Staples is giving a 5% bonus increasing from 5% to 10%. It’s a great time to add to your SCRIP stock and take advantage of these bonuses. Dick’s Sporting Goods has increased their percentage from 5% to 8% on a permanent basis.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Because of the Thanksgiving Holiday any information for the Nov. 30th bulletin MUST be into the parish office no later than Wed., Nov. 19th. Thank you.
Ecuminical Service
Holy Cross Church is hosting the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service this year. We encourage all who can to come out next Sunday evening and show our support as we join in unison with the other churches in Fort Branch in prayers of thanksgiving.