St.

Marys Catholic Church

New to the Parish?
Welcome! Were glad you will be joining us. If you would like to register with the parish, please fill
out this form and drop it in the collection basket. You may bring it by the parish office or send it to us.
December 3, 2017 1st Sunday of Advent Fr. Cory Sticha-Pastor
Name:______________________________________________________________________________
P.O. Box 70 www.SaintMarysMalta.org Office: (406) 654-1446
Address:____________________________________________________________________________ Malta, MT 59538 RE Center: (406) 654-1311
Phone number:_______________________________________________________________________ office@SaintMarysMalta.org Fax: (406) 654-1467

Email address:_______________________________________________________________________ MASS SCHEDULE

You may also use this for a change of address. 12/4: Malta - 5:30 PM: NO MASS
12/5: Malta - 8:30 AM: Repose of the soul of Charlie Mosby & His Family r/b Darlene Froman
Thanks! 12/6: Malta - 8:30 AM: Repose of the soul of Willis McKeon r/b Rene Wasson
12/7: Hi-Line - 10:00 AM: Ben Riggs r/b Julie Howell
Womens Monthly Lunch 12/8: Malta - 12:00 Noon (Holy Day of Obligation): Poor Souls in Purgatory r/b The Ulrichs
12/9: Malta - 5:30 PM: Wilma Mavencamp r/b Maynard & Mary LaFond
ATTENTION LADIES OF THE PARISH: We will again be getting together once a month for lunch on
12/10: Dodson - 8:30 AM: Myrtle Hould r/b Helen DePuydt
the second Friday of every month, at 11:30 at the GN. Please mark your calendars and join us for a good
Malta - 10:00 AM: For all parishioners
meal and great fellowship!
Saco - 12:15 PM: Bee Sunby r/b Brian DePuydt

Popes Universal Intention

For December: The Elderly. That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may ap- Knights of Columbus # 2124 Parish Council of Catholic Women
ply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations. Next Meeting: Next Meeting:
First Tuesday of the month Second Sunday of the Month
December 5, 2017 December 10, 2017
Send Us Your Announcements!
Please contact Fr. Cory at frcory@SaintMarysMalta.org if you have any bulletin announcements!

Weekly Eucharistic Adoration

Confessions: Saturdays 4 - 5 p.m., 1/2 hour before Mass Intentions: As Catholics, we have a long
daily Mass (Tues., Weds., and Fri.) or by tradition of having Masses celebrated for those we 1st Friday of the Month: 9 AM to 4 PM (Sign-up in the back of the church or just show up!)
appointment offer up in prayer. The Mass is the ultimate form of Other Fridays: 9 to 10 AM
prayer, and each Mass is celebrated for an
Anointing of the Sick: Please contact Fr. Cory as
intention. We ask $10.00 per mass intention.
soon as possible for anointing.
Please consider having Masses celebrated for
Baptism: Normally celebrated at weekend Masses.
family and friends on special occasions and
Parental sessions are required. Collections Totals For 11/26 2017 Care and Share
anniversaries, as well as those who are in need of
Marriages: Six month couple preparation period prayers. Masses are also encouraged in memory of 11/26 Needed Goal Remaining Past Due
required. Please contact Fr. Cory before scheduling those loved ones who have died, especially on the Malta: $1313.10 $2721.00 Malta: $22,210.00 $13,399.00 $59,244.37
marriage date. anniversaries of their deaths. Please contact Fr. Dodson: $218.00 $441.31 Dodson: $2,849.00 $0.00 $5,044.79
Cory for more information. Saco: $121.00 $441.31 Saco: $1,911.00 $541.00 $0.00
 Stewardship and Development Thoughts from Judy Held
President, Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana
Stewardship Thought: Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. -
MARK 13:33
We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. Our lives are so busy, many of us
are planning our time - our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a
gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every
day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to what God is saying to you.
Stewardship of Treasure: Appreciated stock makes a great gift to benefit our parish! You could even
receive a generous Montana income tax credit for doing so in 2017. Ask the Catholic Foundation of
Eastern Montana for information: 800-332-9998, ext. 120 or judy@catholicfoundationmt.org.
Advent Penance Service
The Penance Service will be Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30 PM at St. Marys. Receiving the Sacrament of Con-
fession is a great way to prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Our Lord on Christmas! Fr. Jose from St. Pauls
Mission will also be available to hear Confessions.
Scripture Readings 12/3/2017-12/10/2017
12/3 First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 63:16-17, 19, 64:2-7; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37
12/4 Monday of the First Week of Advent; St. John Damascene, Priest
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122:1-9; Matthew 8:5-11
12/5 Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10-21-24
12/6 Wednesday of the First Week of Advent; St. Nicholas, Bishop
Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 15:29-37
12/7 St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor
Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Matthew 7:21, 24-27
12/8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Patronal Feast of the USA)
Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38
12/9 Saturday of the First Week of Advent; St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147:1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-8
12/10 Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85:9-14; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

Considering Becoming Catholic?

If you have considered entering the Catholic Church, nows the time! We are seeking those in the Malta,
Dodson, and Saco areas who are interested in becoming Catholic. Whether youve never been baptized, or
are currently a member of another Christian denomination, we want to hear from you! Contact Tom
DePuydt in Saco at 674-5560, Leona Kienenberger in Dodson at 383-4459, or Brenda Rummel in Malta
at 301-0936.
Drinking the Spirit
Drinking the Spirit is a great opportunity for us to gather as adult Catholics to grow in our Catholic faith
and as a community. Each month we will have a different Catholic topic with a presenter. Questions and
discussions are encouraged. We are each responsible for our own "beverages" and food. This should be a
relaxing and enjoyable way of learning about the Catholic faith. Please plan on joining us, spread the
word, and bring a friend!

Please Pray For Our next Drinking the Spirit will be on December 4th, 7 PM at the Tin Cup. Fr. Bart Stevens of St.
Anthonys Parish has been rescheduled to speak on his conversion to Catholicism and journey to the
Janeen Brookie, LaVonne Compton, Gerry Williams, Gloria Coombs, Linda Berg, Myrtle Hould, Jeanie
priesthood! All are invited to join us to hear his story!
Engebretson, John Murray, Terry Stiles, Payton Kill Eagle, Mary Kelly, Roberta Pospisil, Karen Boos
and those from our local area serving in the military.
For the repose of the souls of Bill Starkey, Lila Raymond, Lester Metz, Dolores Andrews, Nancy
Parish Council
Soennichesen, the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and for comfort and peace for their families.
Regina Webb (Malta) Cliff Merriman (KofC) Tom DePuydt (Saco)
Anyone who needs to have prayers said for someone can call: Dianne Salsbery at 654-1443 or 654-4675; Charlie Mears (Malta) Wilma Mavencamp (PCCW) Leona Kienenberger (Dodson)
Jean Niebur at 654-2822. Names will be listed in the bulletin for one month unless specified. Shawn Bleth (Malta)
 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
HAPPENINGS
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Luke 18:16
Dates to remember:
December 3rd: The first Sunday of Advent.
The first purple candle in the Advent Wreath
symbolizes Hope with the Prophets Candle
reminding us that Jesus is coming.
December 4th: Drinking the Spirit at the Tin
Cup at 7:00 p.m. Evangelical Protestant to
Married Catholic Priest: An Unusual Story of
Gods Grace. The speaker is Fr. Bart Stevens
from St. Anthonys Parish in Laurel MT.
December 8th: Holy Day of Obligation. This
is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Mass will be at 12:00 noon. There will be one
hour of Eucharist Adoration for those who wish
to stay for any amount of time, 10 minutes or the
whole hour if you like.
December 10th; The Second Sunday of Advent.
The second purple candle symbolizes Faith with
the Bethlehem Candle Reminding us of Mary
and Josephs Journey to Bethlehem.
December 13th: Advent Penance Service;
The penance service with follow the 6:00 p.m.
Religious Education Meal. This service will be
considered the class for the week. It is encour-
aged that all adults and youth attend the service.
Fr. Cory and Fr. Jose from Hays will be availa-
ble for confession following the short service.
December 17th: The third Sunday of Advent.
The pink candle symbolizes Joy with the
Shepherds Candle reminding us of the Joy the
world experienced at the coming of the birth of
Jesus.
December 20th: This is the last RE class of
2017. Classes Resume on January 3rd 2018!
December 24th: The forth Sunday of Advent.
The last purple candle symbolizes Peace with
the Angels Candle reminding us of the mes-
sage of the angels; Peace on Earth, Good Will
Toward Men.
December 25: Merry Christmas!!
If there are any adults willing to facilitate an adult
group study, contact Brenda. We have many dif-
ferent programs to choose from. Your group can
pick there own days, times and places to gather.
Small groups are a great way to grow in your faith
and your understanding of the Catholic Churches
teachings.
The Immaculate Conception
Who does the Immaculate Conception refer to?
There's a popular idea that it refers to Jesus' conception by the Vir-
gin Mary. It doesn't. Instead, it refers to the special way in which
the Virgin Mary herself was conceived.
This conception was not virginal. (That is, she had a human father
as well as a human mother.) But it was special and unique in anoth-
er way. . . .
Does this mean Mary never sinned?
Yes. Because of the way redemption was applied to Mary at the
moment of her conception, she not only was protected from con-
tracting original sin but also personal sin. The Catechism explains:
493 The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God the
All-Holy (Panagia), and celebrate her as free from any stain of
sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new
creature. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every
personal sin her whole life long. Let it be done to me according
to your word. . .
How does this make Mary an icon of our own destiny?
Those who die in God's friendship and thus go to heaven will be
freed from all sin and stain of sin. We will thus all be rendered
"immaculate" (Latin, immaculatus = "stainless") if we remain faith-
ful to God.
Even in this life, God purifies us and trains us in holiness and, if we
die in his friendship but imperfectly purified, he will purify us in
purgatory and render us immaculate.
By giving Mary this grace from the first moment of her conception,
God showed us an image of our own destiny. He shows us that this
is possible for humans by his grace.
John Paul II noted:
In contemplating this mystery in a Marian perspective, we can say
that "Mary, at the side of her Son, is the most perfect image of free-
dom and of the liberation of humanity and of the universe. It is to
her as Mother and Model that the Church must look in order to un-
derstand in its completeness the meaning of her own mission.