The holy family of jesus, mary and joseph FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (17B) SECOND READING: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40 FROM FATHER JUSTUS ALAETO The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph The presence of Christ elevates our individual lives and families! We just celebrated the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of that celebration, the mysteries of incarnation continue to unfold in all aspect of our lives. The Church sets aside this Sunday, within the octave of Christmas, to celebrate the humble, but great family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, known as the feast of the “Holy Family.”

destroyed the image of Mary when she was found with child. He listened to God’s will. He strived for the best to happen between himself and Mary, with regard to the unborn child, Jesus Christ; by listening to God, was fulfilling God’s plan of glory, blessings, and favors from the Lord.

In every family, there is always time for joy, crisis and challenges. It is not a different experience from the life of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. A Family crisis is rather a time to bring the power and life of Christ deeply into the family, so that the Spirit of Christ will elevate and transform the family to an ideal Holy Family. It is a time to seek God’s will in that family, just This Holy Family is described as “Holy” in the sense like St. Joseph did when he discovered that the pregthat, by the virtue of the mystery of incarnation, God nancy of Mary was not from him. He was never hostile entered it, sanctified it, and elevated it above others. The to Mary, nor brought down the image of the family to characters of this Holy Family are Jesus, Mary, and Jothe public, nor did he advice Mary to abort the baby. seph, but Jesus was the reference point of its elevation. Seeking God’s will was his priority, and the end was The members of this household were brought together in joyful with blessings. The secret of the success of the a special way by God the Father, for the realization of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was that of His plan to redeem us. As a way of cooperating with knowing, trusting, and appreciating God. They respected God’s will, each member of this household lived by the God, feared God, and were faithful in walking in the virtue of absolute obedience to God. Certain good qualiways of God throughout their life. ties are remarkable in this Holy Family. Their lives characterize holiness, humility, justice and faithfulness. Beloved brethren, the presence of Jesus elevated the Every Christian individual and family ought to possess face of the Holy Family, and the same presence of the above marks by the virtue of our baptism. Jesus as Christ can elevate each of our families if we invite the reference point of God’s plan stood for Holiness, in Christ in our lives and families with great devotion, the life of Virgin Mary is found faithfulness, while Joobedience to God’s will, and faithfulness to the Lord’s seph is known as one that is devout, stands for justice, invitation. The first step towards this blessing might be and fears the Lord even to the extent of handling the considering daily family prayer in our various homes! Holy Family crisis with an attitude of a loving father, Happy Feast Day of the Holy Family! husband, and protector of his family. He never MERRY CHRISTMAS & THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE ROSARY GUILD Did you know that only the monies from our rosary sales and from your donations buy our supplies to make more rosaries. In the last 4 years our Rosary Guild members made and donated 24,000 rosaries to places like Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, Bolivia, India, Haiti, our own parish, our 2 hospitals, St Anne’s, St. Ritas, Klamath Falls and wherever the military needed them. AGAIN WE SAY “THANK YOU” New members are always welcome. We meet on Mondays 6-8pm. in the Hall Nursery and Thursday mornings 9:30-11:30 in the Parish Office. Come join us on either day. You’ll find a cheerful, busy group of ladies. Supplies may also be taken home to work on. Due to the Holy Days we will begin again after January 1, 2015. Questions? Call Bertha 541-245-6981 SOLEMNITY OF MARY December 31: Monday, 5:30 p.m. (English), 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) January 1: Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.(English), 10:15 a.m. (Spanish) 1

The Parish Office is closed Thursday, January 1, 2015

NO CONFESSIONS Will be heard Saturday, January 3. Please call the Parish Office if you desire confession.

THANK YOU LITURGICAL MINISTERS! This special season is a good time to recognize and thank our 170 scheduled liturgical ministers - lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, sacristans and ushers who serve our Masses so beautifully and faithfully. They make it look effortless, but behind their reverent service are hours of training, prayer, preparation, and commitment to serving as scheduled. Today, and throughout this coming year, please take a moment to thank a Liturgical Minister for their service, for you are blessed by it. And may God richly bless them as well with joy in their service.

PLEASE PRAY for the sick of our parish especially: Kim George, Victor Eakin, Ramona Rosales, James Herndon, Richard Davidson, Benjamin Tatum, Beth Curl, Sgt. Joseph Lowery, Joan Bain, Sharon Anderson, Kathy Kim, Paul Zeleznik, Jeffrey Techau, Carmen Aitken, James Bright, Donna Becker, Lisa Young, Eileen Van Dyck, Pamela Demian, Marie Casilio, John Kuchler, Dick & Beverly Handley, Patti Wittenbrock, Jennifer White, and Shizuka McCue. Please pray for the deceased of our parish especially: +Rita Morrell, and +Jennifer Ferrin Galster

PATRICIANS There is no Patricians in December -join us Monday, January 19 in the Parish Hall at 9:30. Come enter our discussion on a Catholic topic.

DID YOU KNOW Sacred Heart Catholic School’s mission is to provide an excellent academic education grounded in Catholic religious principles and values, thereby creating a life-long love of learning and a respect for all people and all creation as gifts of God?

CHARITABLE GIFTS YEAR END CUTOFF Donors must deliver or mail gifts on or before December 31, 2014 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2014. Checks that are placed in the church offering on January 1, 2015 will not qualify, even if predated in 2014 or actually written in 2014.

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7:00 a.m. DAILY MASS INTENTIONS M. Dec. 29: The Fazio Family T. Dec. 30: +Frank Maynarich W. Dec. 31: No Mass Th. Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary F. Jan. 2: Jane Horton 8:30 a.m. DAILY MASS INTENTIONS M. Dec. 29: +Janice Gnos T. Dec. 30: +Enrico Console W. Dec. 31: No Mass Th. Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary F. Jan. 2: +Steve Rayburn S. Jan. 3: Bishop Liam Cary

May the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus be with you all this Christmas Season. You are in our prayers. ~~ Legion of Mary

PRAYER SERVICE FOR HEALING On the first Saturday of every month following the 8:30 a.m. Mass a prayer service for those afflicted with a chronic or a temporary illness, of body or soul, a prayer service is offered. Come and receive the laying of hands by one of our Priests and pray and be prayed for.

Bible Study on break — will resume January 8, 2015

CHRISTMAS SEASON DECORATIONS Many thanks to BJ Buxton and her team for the planning, creativity, and hard work which has made our parish radiant with beauty this Advent and Christmas season. A parish that is thoughtfully and beautifully decorated for the church seasons is a wonderful gift to all of us here! Thank you so much!

LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC MEDIA Check out our new Kiosk With dozens of CDs, Books & Pamphlets on many aspects of our Catholic Faith. New titles available weekly! It is available in the Hall on Sundays, during Coffee and Donuts. HEALTHY NEW YEAR! On behalf of the staff, students, and parents of Sacred Heart Catholic School, I would like to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and the richest blessings this joyous season. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support of our mission. Yours in Christ, Patrick M. Gross Principal PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF FAMILY AND HOME Saint Joseph, protect our home. Pour forth from heaven blessings on our family. Remain in our midst. Help us to live in love and harmony, in peace and joy. May the wholesome fear of God strengthen us, that virtue may adorn what we do and our way may lead to heaven. To you this day I give the key to our dwelling place. Lock out all things that could do us harm. Lock my home and my loved ones with me in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. This I beg of you, that our days may be like your days in the holy home at Nazareth. Amen

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THANKS FOR THE GIVING TREE! Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, many persons are blessed this Christmas by the gifts donated to St. Vincent de Paul and Magdalene Home through our parish's Giving Tree. Because of all of you, many folks this Christmas season will experience the inner warmth and joy of being cared about and the outer warmth of winter garments. And that warms our hearts! God bless you, and a Merry Christmas to all!

ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS The Altar Society wishes you and your family a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year. As we rejoice in the birth of our Savior, we are thankful for all the graces and blessings this blessed day brings. See you next year, Monday, January 12 at 11:00 a.m.

SECULAR FRANCISCAN MEETING The Secular Franciscans wish everyone a blessed and joyous New Year! We will meet Sunday, January 18th with prayer and study of the third chapter of The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis. God bless you all! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ADVERTISE ON OUR BULLETIN Due to your ads our parish receives this bulletin free of charge, and fellow parishioners know which businesses in Medford to support if possible. To place an ad call 1-800-867-0660. Thank you.

OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAIN CHURCH seeks an experienced Youth Minister to coordinate a comprehensive program for youth in grades 7-12 and families, including faith formation, preparation for Confirmation, retreats, community service and social activities. Experience and proven ability in Religious Education as well as motivating and organizing youth and adult volunteers is required. Ability to plan, organize and manage programs is required. Send resume and cover letter to Our Lady of the Mountain Parish Office, 987 Hillview Dr. Ashland, OR 97520 or email at [email protected]

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SACRED HEART YOUTH MINISTRY To obtain Sacred Heart Youth Ministry Information Contact: Whitney Compton at [email protected], For Whitney's’ cell phone please e-mail her for her Mobil number. Youth and Young Adult Ministry Announcements:

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NEW YEARS GREETING 2015 From the office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year!!! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Co 5:17). Brothers and Sisters in the journey of life we No Confirmation Wednesday December 31st must stop the mundane and remember we are made new 2014 creations in Christ not only once a year but each day we Youth Group – There will be no MS/HS Youth wake up. The New Year is a perfect time for us to stop Group this Sunday January 4th 2014. the day to day and reflect on the graces we receive by Youth Mass – Youth Mass will be celebrated on virtue of our baptism. I pray you and your families have January 4th 2014 a Blessed New Year; remembering each day you wake Young Adults – Should you wish to join our up: you are made a new creation by the grace of God. Young Adult Group and receive our email May the Lord Bless and Keep you in this New Year. (coming this January 2015) please contact WhitTotus Tuus Maria, Whitney Kay Compton. ney Compton Via E-mail.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Today is the Feast of the Holy FamilyThe shared lives of Mary, Joseph and Jesus give us a model for our own family life. As a family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph were singularly focused on doing God’s will. They made serving him a priority in everything they did. Mary said ‘yes” at the Annunciation, willing to bring shame on her family since she was not yet married. Joseph followed an angel’s advice and left everything to lead his family to Egypt to protect Jesus. Jesus stayed in the synagogue to be with his Father, knowing that his parents would worry about him. If we take time as a family to read and meditate on these stories, they can be windows into our lives as parents and children. Here are some at-home Family ideas you may like to try:Meditate on and discuss the stories: One way to really celebrate the life of the Holy Family is to imagine that we are part of it. Read one of the stories at the beginning of Gospels of Mark or Luke and put yourself in the shoes on one of the family members. What thoughts, feelings, and fears do you experience as you imagine yourself in the story? Read the stories together. End with, “How can we be more like the Holy family?” Write family letters: Use the Feast of the Holy Family as an opportunity to say thank you to your children, parents, and grandparents. Write letters to each other and as a family write letters to the members of your extended family. Holy Family crafts: Make a Holy family scrapbook; Holy Family tree; Holy Family paper-bag puppets or check out other ideas on these family-friendly websites; catholicicing.com; catholicmom.com; catholicculture.org; Religious Education classes resume on Sunday January 4th, 2015. Any questions call Mary Stallard (541-779-4661)

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS May your heart be alive with the joy of HIS Love, your days be touched by the beauty of HIS GRACE, and may your tomorrows be filled with the hope of HIS PROMISE. Christmas blessings! Regent Connie Moyer & officers. We gather Tuesday January 5th, at 8:00 a.m. for the. Rosary in the church followed Mass. We then gather in the parish hall, with a light snack and meeting at 9:30. Bring a snack to share - coffee and tea provided. Representatives from the parish quilt group will be our guest speakers. Remember your items for our annual donation to Magdalene Home. Dues will be collected - $25.00 for the year. All ladies of the parish are invited. 5

DON’T SAVE THE DATE The Fiesta Dinner has been moved to February. PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART Special thanks to each of you for supporting the many activities the Knights of Columbus is involved in to bring about good will within the parish and beyond. It is with pleasure that we announce the election of Jose Mendoza as Knight of the Year. Also, our pleasure in announcing the Bryan Hadley Family is elected as Family of the Year. Blessings to each of you in the New Year. John Meenaghan, Grand Knight, Council 1594

WELCOME HOME PROGRAM INVITES CATHOLICS BACK Sacred Heart parish invites those baptized and confirmed Catholics who have been away from the church for any amount of time to come back to the practice of their faith by participating in the Welcome Home Catholics program.

Topics will include faith and doubt; marriage, annulments and sexuality; prayer, Mary and the saints; reconciliation and confession; the Holy Mass and the Eucharist; and living a Christian life.

Welcome Home Catholics is a free program designed to reintroduce people to their faith in an informational and supportive environment.

This program is not a Bible study or forum for debating church doctrine, nor is it an introduction for those seeking to join the Catholic Church for the The first meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tues- first time. day, Jan. 13th, at the Sacred Heart Parish Offices, The decision if and when to return is up to the indi517 W. 10th St., Medford. vidual and will be respected. For more information, Sessions will continue on Tuesdays for six weeks. contact the parish offices at 541-779-4661. A video/discussion format will be used with guest speakers and others who will share their experiences as returning Catholics.

You are invited to come, pray the rosary at 8:00 a.m. Monday - Saturday.

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Or you are welcome to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet after morning Mass.

Pray before, after, or both!