ST. RAPHAEL T H E A R C H A N G E L

830 S. Westhaven Drive · Oshkosh, WI 54904 · www.raphael.org

DECEMBER 9, 2012

Second Sunday of Advent

Rev. Doug LeCaptain ........................ Pastor

Rev. Luke Ferris ............... Associate Pastor

Vinal Van Benthem....... Pastoral Associate

MASS SCHEDULE

WEEKEND Saturday .............................................. 5:00 pm

Sunday ............ 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am

............................................................... 5:00 pm

Reconciliation

Saturday .............................................. 4:00 pm

WEEKDAY

Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays…...8:00 am

at Franciscan Courts Thursdays & Fridays .......................... 7:15 am at St. Raphael Church

PARISH TELEPHONES Church Office .................................. 233-8044

Fax..................................................... 233-2360

Office Hours ..............8:00 am - 4:30 pm

(Monday - Friday) Lourdes Academy ....................... 426-3626

This weekend

Basket Raffle Ticket Sales

Christmas Tree Sales

Knights of Columbus Christmas Sign Sale

Life Teen Fundraiser in the Gathering Space

Retirement Fund for the Religious Collection

(envelopes available in the pews)

2 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

DEAR PARISHIONERS... As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath, we want to share with you some of the history of the Christmas wreath. In pagan times, people would gather around wreaths in the winter as a symbol of hope that spring would soon return. Christians built on this by seeing the wreath as a symbol of God's love for us. The circle of the wreaths means that God's love has no beginning and no end. We put the four candles near the wreath as a sign that the darkness is receding because Christ Himself is coming at Christmas. I encourage you to have one in your home as we await the coming of Christmas.

The retired religious and retired diocesan priests need our help. For years religious sisters and brothers have worked in schools, hospitals, and other ministries for very little pay and usually no retirement benefits. For those that went to Catholic schools, think about the Sisters and Brothers who taught and administrated the schools. The religious orders were built on the premise that there would always be more Sisters and Brothers to care for the elderly in their community and to continue the mission. For many of the orders there are very few new members, and they have many more retired than active. Given the ministry and work they have done for so many years for so little, we now need to help them out to cover the cost for those in retirement. We see this as an opportunity to care for those who have built up our Catholic community and nation through education, heath care, and many other ways through ministry.

We now find that the diocesan priests are in a similar situation. We have more retired priests than active priests in the diocese. The retirement plan was set up so that there would always be more priests in active ministry c o n t r i b u t i n g t h a n r e c e i v i n g t h e b e n e f i t s . Y e s , t h i s d o e s s o u n d l i k e social security. The Priests Retirement Fund is running low and we are being asked to help out this fund for the short term. Two years ago it was changed so that each diocesan priest now will have his own retirement fund, similar to our lay employees. It will take years to change over from the pension fund to individual accounts. In the mean time we need some help.

Please keep in mind this is about supporting the men that have served in this diocese and it’s parishes. Recall the priests that have served here at St. Raphael, since 1972, and are now retired, Fr. Dave Barret, Fr. Andrew Nelson, Fr. Bob Groher, Fr. Joe Bestler, and Fr. Gerald Foley. Four of the five are still living and are retired. We are eternally grateful for their ministry among us.

This second Sunday of Advent is the collection for those retired. Through the Retirement Collection, we are able to Share in the Care of our retired sisters, bothers and religious order priests through the National Retirement Fund for Religious, as well as of the retired senior priests of our own diocese. Envelopes are available in the pews to make your contribution. Please be generous in helping those who have given so much over the years. Fr. Doug Fr. Luke Vinal

PS: Have you taken 69 minutes to listen to the Matthew Kelly CD? Pick it up on the way out the church door today!

PARISH STAFF Administrative Assistant ......................................................... Jill Eaton Coordinator of Social Communications .............................................. Coordinator of Music and Liturgy ................................. Karen Dean Executive Secretary .................................................. Deb Ransbottom Facilities Management .................................................Mike Sheridan High School Youth Ministry .......................................... Tanya Heilke Financial Department ............. Anne Glowcheski, Mark Lindekugel Religious Education Dep. ..................... Debbie Peters, Steve Weigand ............................................................................................... and Kelly Vidmar Religious Education Secretary .............................................. Ann Olig

PARISH LEADERSHIP Deacons - Greg Grey, John Ingala

Dir. of Bus. Admin. & Development - Jeff Thorkildsen

Pastoral Associate - Sr. Margrit Immoos

Spiritual Director - Sr. Anne Marie Lom

Trustees - Josh Adrians, Mike Boettcher

CITYWIDE RECONCILIATION SERVICES Tuesday, December 11 – 7:00 pm at Most Blessed Sacrament (St. Peter Church Site);

Thursday, December 13 – 2:00 pm at St. Jude (Sacred Hear Church Site)

DECEMBER 9, 2012 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVEMT | 3

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Sunday, December 9

Knights of Columbus Christmas Sign Sale

Senior Christmas Party Ticket Sale

10:00 am St. Vincent De Paul Meeting

5:00 pm Mass

Monday, December 10

8:30 am RU Support

6:30 pm Scouts

6:30 pm RCIA

6:30 pm Baptism Class

6:30 pm Human Concerns Committee

Tuesday, December 11 No RE, CIC, Conf. Class

1:00 pm Little Rock Scripture Study

6:30 pm Worship Commission Meeting

7:00 pm City Wide Reconciliation

(Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Peter Site)

Wednesday, December 12

9:30 am Women’s Spirituality

5:30 pm Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

6:00 pm Stepping Stones (Kodiak Jack’s)

6:30 pm Confession (till 8:00 pm)

Thursday, December 13

7:15 am Mass

9:00 am ProClaym Meeting

2:00 pm City Wide Reconciliation

( St. Jude, Sacred Heart Site)

5:00 pm Senior Christmas Party

7:00 pm Knights of Columbus

7:00 pm Adult Choir

7:00 pm Men’s Choir

Friday, December 14

7:15 am Mass & Rosary

6:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Party

Saturday, December 15

Oshkosh Community Food Collection

11:00 am Young Adult Cookie Decorating

Sunday, December 16

Oshkosh Community Food Collection

9:00/11:00 am Pre/K RE Sessions

5:00 pm Mass

Stewardship of Sharing

Week Ending 12/02/2012

Budgeted Expenses: $ 26,230

Offertory Collections:

Envelopes $ 20,382

Loose Collection $ 1,783

EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) $ 1,535

Other Revenue $13,430

Total $ 37,430

Surplus $10,900

Attention Young Adults in your 20's & 30's!

Join us at St. Raphael's on Saturday December 15th, 11am-1pm for a Christmas Cookie Exchange!

Bring your friends and family and 2-3 dozen of your favorite cookies to decorate, share, and swap. We will supply frosting & sprinkles, but if you have any special cookie decorations, please bring them along too!

RSVP by sending us an email: OshkoshYA@gmail.com Like us on Facebook to receive updates and more information: www.facebook.com/OshkoshYA

Angels for the Trees In the past, St. Raphael parishioners have been invited to bring an angel ornament to church to be put on one of our Christmas trees. Recently it was pointed out that we have welcomed many new parishioners since then and it would be a good idea to extend the invitation again. So, if you have NOT already had the opportunity to do so, bring an angel ornament to be a part of our Christmas environment any time over the weekend of December 22 & 23 and place it on the par-ish tree in the Gathering Space. All angels are welcome!

The Christ Child Society would like to thank St Raphael Church and their parishioners for making our bake sale in November such a HUGE success! The proceeds will help us continue our mission for helping needy children in our area.

God Bless! The Christ Child Society Bake Sale Committee

4 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

CHECK OUT OUR BULLETIN BOARDS!

For events in the Oshkosh community and our diocese, please check out our three bulletin boards located close to the parent room and Sacristy.

While it is not snowing yet…Please be

advised that in case of inclement

weather, refer to our website

www.raphael .org, for any class

cancellations. If the Oshkosh Public

schools are closed or dismissed early

due to weather, religious education

classes will be cancelled. Please feel

free to call the office if you have any

questions. Feast of Our Lady of

Guadalupe

You are invited to our Guadalupe

Celebration.

December 12, 2012 Dinner at 5:30 pm

Oshkosh West Madrigals will perform during Dinner 6:15-7:15 pm

Prayer Service and Presentation

Fr. Luke will bring to life the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance to Juan Diego. Come and enjoy a typical meal and

treats connected with this celebration.

There is a sign-up board in the Gathering Space. Please indicate the number of people that will be attending and if you are willing to bring a dessert.

Please bring enough to feed 8-12 people.

Looking for a great

Christmas Gift?

We have Aaron Rodgers, Donald

Driver & Wisconsin Badgers

Commemorative Throw Blankets

for sale, $40 each. The proceeds

will help benefit our Middle & High School Youth

Ministry programs. These blankets are on display

in the Good Samaritan Hall.

Other Religious Education News...

We are in need of a 5th Grade Catechist! A catechist is needed for our Wednesday, 4:15 pm Religious Education class. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Kelly at 233-8044.

COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Sunday, December 16th

Noon to 4 pm Christmas Caroling at area Nursing Homes

Meet at church by noon, wear your best Elf, Santa or Christmas hats!

Jingle Bells and music sheets provided. “Service is Love made visible”

Life Teen Mass Sunday, December 9 5:00 pm 2012-2013 Life Teen “Radiant Joy”

“Look to God that you may be Radiant with Joy!” Psalm 34: 5-6

Reverence… What does it mean to be Reverent? Is it just by kneeling at Mass? No, reverence is so much more. Come see how we can be reverent each and every day. The Core...

Breakfast with Santa @

Fr. Carr’s Place 2B

7:30 a.m. December 24

All youth and their

families are welcome to

help seat, serve and assist

loca l fami l i es th i s

Christmas Eve morning. Names of those wishing to

help are due to the Middle School office by Friday

December 21 Call 233-8044 or email:

steve.weigand@raphael.org

WORKING WITH THE SCRIPTURES –

“Winding roads shall be made straight.” Obviously St. Luke didn’t live in the Midwest. Here in Oshkosh folks

are actually celebrating some straight roads that have been made winding with the completion of the last series

of roundabouts to be constructed over Hwy. 41. It’s exciting because back when I first started working in

Oshkosh my drive to work consisted of a 20-mile stretch on a four-lane highway with another 20 miles on a two-

lane; and while the four-lane highway was new, straight and a relatively easy drive, the two-lane ran through

farmland and forests with curves and hills that required a watchful eye and quick reflexes. Needless to say,

everyone was thrilled when the expanded highway was straightened out and made more level, but other

construction projects continue to test the patience of drivers in Milwaukee. And if you’re traveling through

Green Bay you’d better know your way around because there’s likely to be a new detour every day.

Sometimes life feels like those roads. Our job is going great and life is good. Then the detour signs go up. The

plant shuts down; sales dry up; customers stop calling; the company is bought out and expectations change.

We’re afraid that at any moment we might find ourselves out of a job, crashing into those detour signs, sliding

into unemployment or worse. If we’re lucky we keep the job, or get a new one, and things seem OK for awhile.

But then new signs go up and we realize that we’re going to have to go through it all again!

It’s the Highway Department’s job to help travelers by keeping the roads in good repair and providing clear road

signs, but whose job is it to help with detours in the workplace? Well, maybe it’s ours. If we’re in management

we might help by clearly explaining new management practices and procedures. If we’re in Human Resources

we might lobby for outplacement services for employees when a business prepares to close. “The winding roads

shall [indeed] be made straight…” but sometimes it’s up to us to help with the straightening…

Vinal Van Benthem

DECEMBER 9, 2012 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT | 5

Immaculate Conception Paul Turner

“The Immaculate Conception” is a title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The expression means that Mary was conceived without sin. The conviction that Jesus was born of a virgin is a distinct belief, even though many Catholics erroneously think that the Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus.

Contributing to the confusion is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception during the season of Advent. While the faithful are preparing to honor the birth of Jesus, we commemorate the conception of Mary. The choice of December 8 for the Immaculate Conception does not directly relate to Advent; it corresponds more to the traditional date for the feast of the birth of Mary, September 8, which coincides with the dedication of a Jerusalem church in honor of the mother of Mary. The feast for the conception of Mary is backed up from that day nine months. In a similar way we celebrate the Annunciation on March 25, nine months before the birth of Jesus.

Belief in the Immaculate Conception asserts that God preserved Mary from all sin from the moment of her conception, thus preparing a pure vessel for the incarnation of the Son. This belief is not expressly contained in the Scriptures, but it enjoys a widespread following in the church’s tradition. Although the Immaculate Conception of Mary has been affirmed since the earliest centuries of Christianity, it was not formally proclaimed a dogma of the church until 1854. December 8 is now a holy day of obligation in the United States, which is placed under Mary’s patronage with this title.

When Mary is depicted as the Immaculate Conception, she is often shown wearing a crown of stars as the woman in Revelation 12 and standing on a snake, reversing the temptation of Eve. Mary, the Immaculate Conception, is the exalted queen of heaven who manifests God’s power over sin.

Copyright © 2003 Resource Publications, Inc., (408) 286-8505, Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo.

The Knights of Columbus want YOU to Keep Christ in Christmas. Magnets, window decals and yard signs will be available during the holiday season to emphasize this theme. You can find these items available at the Christmas tree sale area! They are asking for a donation for the items: $5.00 for yard signs and $3.00 for window decals and magnets.

6 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

The Human Concerns Commission wants to thank

the parishioners for all of their generosity

throughout the year for the many services

offered through the church. Christmas is a

particular time of need for many. Fr. Carr’s

Place2B is one of those in need. Fr. Carr’s hosts

the “Christmas Eve breakfast with Santa” for

children and teens. They are in need of some small

gift items to include in the gift bags for the

children. If you are able to donate a small gift

item for these children, please drop the item off

at the parish office by December 20, or directly

at Fr. Carr’s Place2B on North Koeller anytime until

December 23. The Christmas wish list includes:

sleds, dolls, doll stroller, board games, art sets,

sports equipment and balls, matchbox cars, sleeping

bags, Legos, puzzles, movie passes, fast food

coupons, haircut coupons, jewelry, hair and curling

irons, bath and body items, and retail gift cards.

These items do not need to be wrapped. Thank you

for your generosity.

Good Samaritan Fund

Our parish uses this fund in coordination with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and other helping agencies to provide assistance to people who have emergency requests.

Individuals or families who benefit from this fund often have no other options and are in danger of "falling between the cracks."

Anyone may benefit from this fund which is available throughout the year, but parishioners receive special consideration.

Please make check payable to St. Raphael Church*,

memo Good Samaritan Fund, and deposit it in the regular collection basket.

Day by Day Warming Shelter “Giving Help & Hope Day by Day.”

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)

You have a chance to help those less fortunate in our community, and get a wonderful meal in the process. On Tuesday, December 18 from 5 to 9 pm Qdoba Mexican Restaurant in Oshkosh will donate 10% of any sale – dine in or carry-out – that is accompanied by a special Day By Day fundraising flyer.

The f l ye r can be found on l ine a t www.warmingshelter.com or by searching for Day By Day Warming Shelter Oshkosh on Facebook. Please help Day By Day provide the most basic of human needs to their guests this winter by treating yourself, family or friends to a delicious meal at Qdoba (Oshkosh location only). Qdoba is located at 1900 Menard Dr., Oshkosh (near IHOP on South Koeller St.).

Day by Day Warming Shelter in Oshkosh: “Giving Help & Hope Day by Day.”

Merry Christmas! Back by Popular Demand!

This December, the Parish Council is raffling wonderful gift baskets to benefit the Day by Day Warming Shelter and Bella Medical Clinic.

For $1, or 6 chances for $5, you have the opportunity to win fabulous gift baskets, now thru December 16. Winners will be announced after the 5pm Mass on Sunday, December 16.

HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS

Work with the Worship Environment Team on Thursday, December 20 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Help set up and decorate trees, help set up the Nativity Scene and help put out poinsettias.

Snow Removal Help Needed Your help is greatly needed to shovel snow at church on weekends during the winter months. Please call the parish office as soon as possible at 233-8044. Schedules will be made out according to sign up.

Have you gotten your Christmas Tree Yet?

(Sale ends December 16th)

DECEMBER 9, 2012 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT| 7

The following children will be baptized at St. Raphael this weekend:

Grant Ryne, son of Brent & Sara Frees

Isabella Rhiannon, daughter of Jeremy & Bobbie Moore

Lawson Michael, son of Andrew and Jamie Schneider

Welcome, Little Ones!

Eugene Hetzel and JoAnne Price were married this weekend at St. Raphael Church. Please keep them in your prayers as they make a commitment to each other in married love.

“Jolly Ole Saint

Nicholas”

St. Raphael Seniors Christmas Holiday Dinner wi l l be held Thursday, December 13, 2012 in Good Samaritan Hall. This event will start with a Social at 5:00 pm with dinner to follow. Our guests this year will be the Lourdes Madrigal Singers. Dinner will be catered by The Roxy Catering. For ticket information, please call the parish office at 233-8044.

Stepping Stones, a social support group for those who have lost a loved one, meets for dinner every second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. The December get-together will be at Kodiak Jack’s in Oshkosh on Wednesday, December 12 at 6:00 pm. Please call Sheila Fink at 376-3644 if

you plan on attending or would like more information about Stepping Stones. Please join us for support and sharing.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

12:00 –1:30 PM

Bundle up the kids in the sleigh and head over to

the Sacred Heart Gymnasium for a good cause!

Pancakes and sausage with St. Nick

($5 adults, $3 kids 3-12)

A Christmas Tree Forest

A Gingerbread Castle

Cookie Decorating

Christmas Crafts

Live Petting Zoo/Nativity Zoo

Proceeds to benefit Bella Medical Clinic

Thought for the day… Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.

8 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

Readings for the Week of December 9, 2012

Sunday: Bar 5:1-9, Phil 1:4-6, 8-11, Lk 3:1-6 Monday: Is 35:1-10, Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11, Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab, Lk 1:26-38 or 1:39-47 Thursday: Is 41:13-20, Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19, Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11, Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a, Phil 4:4-7, Lk 3:10-18

©Liturgical Publications Inc

PARISH LIFE

Mass Intentions

Sunday, December 9 7:30 am Leah Verstegan † 9:00 am Zeta Hoppenjan † Ruth Hightdudis † 11:00 am Doug Posorske † Nenatte Donovan † 5:00 pm Edmund & Anne Casse † Sadelle F. Shevlin † Monday, December 10 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Tuesday, December 11 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Wednesday, December 12 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Thursday, December 13 7:15 am Franklin Zelhofer † The Flink Family Friday, December 14 7:15 am John Murphy † Saturday, December 15 5:00 pm Jim Williamson† Ted Gruse † Sunday, December 16 7:30 am William Gonyo † 9:00 am Amy Griesbach † 11:00 am Brent Vroman † 5:00 pm For our parishioners †

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENT

LITURGICAL ROLES

DECEMBER 15 & 16, 2012

GREETERS 5:00 pm M. Kation, E. Miller, M. McCourt, T. Eklund Family 7:30 am S. & C. Juedes, C. Kleinschmit, T. & C. Kniep 9:00 am J. Day, R. & L. Case, M. & C. Vanden Heuvel 11:00 am A. Meyerhofer, M. Johannes, C. Anderson Family

USHERS 5:00 pm T. Mettlach, B. Feig, J. McCourt, T. Eaton 7:30 am D. Dwyer, E. Wilke, C. Hayes, D. Shikoski 9:00 am J. Grover, R. Luft, J. Wheeler, G. Brantmier 11:00 am L. Robinson, R. Kuklinski, H. Schwartz, E. Schwartz

SERVERS 5:00 pm Charlie Grey, Robert Grey, Hana Eaton 7:30 am Tyler Budde, Jack Thomas, Thomas Munson 9:00 am Abigayle Giese, Jordyn Giese, Natalie Roesch 11:00 am Connor Barfknecht, Carver Schmidt, Austin Walsh

LECTORS 5:00 pm K. Mettlach, J. Adrians 7:30 am A. Kriegel, G. Lemieux 9:00 am E. Michels, J. Lucas 11:00 am K. Johnson-Thiel, C. Byron SACRISTANS 5:00 pm M. Malchow 7:30 am D. Timmer 9:00 am P. Florek 11:00 am T. Glasnapp 5:00 pm B. Meyer MUSICIANS 5:00 pm Annemarie/Kim/Jim 7:30 am Jenna/Kate 9:00 am Adult Choir/Elizabeth/Kathryn 11:00 am Karla/Molly/Sydney 5:00 pm Ekklesia

CHRISTMAS EVE – Monday, December 24, 2012 Mass at 4:00, 7:00 & 10:00 pm CHRISTMAS DAY –Tuesday, December 25, 2012 Mass at 8:30 & 10:30 am.

“What time is Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve?”

Since this and other questions like it start coming in around this time we thought we’d try to answer them here so that you can mark your calendar.

NEW YEAR’S EVE - Monday, December 31, 2012 Mass at 4:00 pm NEW YEAR’S DAY - Tuesday, January 1, 2013 Mass at 11:00 am