HNM FAMILY BULLETIN-December 06, 2007 (To Download in MS Word Click Here)

Thurs. Dec. 6

• PTG Board mtg. 6:30 p.m.      

Fri. Dec. 7

• First Friday Mass (dress uniform) We will commission our new student Lectors, Hospitality and Eucharistic Ministers at this Mass.
• Report Cards issued
• The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Vigil is at 7:00 p.m. We celebrate that Mary was full of grace from the beginning of her existence. This special grace prepared her to be the Mother of God.   

Dec. 8-9

• Paper Drive

Wed. Dec. 12

• Our Lady of Guadalupe This feast day reminds believers of the nearness Mary to the poorest of the poor. The celebration commemorates the apparition of Mary to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian who was among the poorest of his village near what is now Mexico City.

Thurs. Dec. 13

• No p.m. Kid’s Club
• Christmas Program - The holiday season is such a busy time of the year that we sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas. With the birth of Jesus coming soon, the angels are trying to share the “Free Gift” of love and grace that only the Christ Child can bring. However, they find it difficult to give this gift, as the shoppers are too rushed in their holiday shopping. Who will stop and receive this precious gift from our Lord? Join us at 7:00 p.m.  to experience God’s free gift of perfect love.
              
  Costumes are simple. Except for the cast members, each child needs to be dressed as an adult Christmas shopper. Students should report to their classroom at 6:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the program, all students will go back to their classrooms, where you may pick them up and then enjoy the refreshments prepared by the room parents.

Fri. Dec. 14

• Mass (dress uniform)K – 4, Field Trips

ADVENT ACTIVITY
The Jesse Tree is another popular family tradition for celebrating Advent. This annual activity traces the ancestry of Jesus through the Old and New Testaments. The Jesse Tree is named for the father of King David. Its scriptural foundation is based on Isaiah 11:1, “A root shall sprout from the stump of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of its roots.” A Jesse Tree can be made of cardboard or can be a small artificial tree. The symbols that are placed on the tree represent the key figures in salvation history. For instance, the symbols might be an apple for Adam, an Ark for Noah, a sacrificial lamb for Abraham and Isaac, a ladder for Jacob, a Temple for Solomon, a stalk of wheat for Ruth, carpenter tools for Joseph, a crown of stars for Mary, and a pair of sandals for John the Baptist. The symbols are placed on the tree each day during Advent along with a corresponding scripture reading. By participating in the Jesse Tree activity adults and children learn about God’s plan of salvation step by step.

First Sunday of Advent - Year A
December 9, 2007
Read Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 3:1-12

Gospel Summary
In Matthew's Gospel, we learn of John's continued warning for us to be ready for Jesus when he comes again. It is not enough that we are sons and daughters of Abraham, but by our own desire, we want to live a life pleasing to God. The Gospel challenges us to bear fruit. It was not enough for the Sadducees nor is it enough for us to simply follow the rules and rituals of our faith. The very actions of lives must show what we believe about our faith.

Reflection for Families
We Christians come in daily contact with other people whether at work, in our neighborhoods, or school. We have opportunities throughout the day to witness to our faith by our actions and words, but what greater audience do we have than our own children? They watch us and listen to us. They imitate our every action
and mimic our expressions. It is important that we witness our faith to all we meet, but no audience is more important than our families. Sometimes we need to take some quiet desert time like we find in Sunday’s Gospel in order to focus our lives more intentionally on what is truly important.

Bringing the Gospel Into Your Family
Continue using the Advent wreath as a tool for prayer. Light the second candle today and offer one suggestion of something you will do this week to take some quiet, reflective time. Think of at least one way you (individually or as a family) will create peace for yourself or someone near you.

Discussion Starters
1. It's hard for me to slow down, but I know I need to when . . .
2. One way others (especially my family members) see the Kingdom of God in my actions is when . .
3. In order to prepare the heart of our family for Christmas we need to . . .emphasis of Sunday's Gospel is on the second coming of Jesus. Matthew refers to three events that show we do not know when Jesus will return, but the message is clear: we are to be ready! The first reference Matthew makes is to Noah and the flood. People were occupied with their daily lives - eating, drinking, and marrying. In the second example, men were working in the field and women were grinding at the mill. Some were taken and some remained. In the final example, the master of the house could have prevented the robbery if only he had known when the thief would come. This Gospel is a stern caution for each of us to live in preparation for Jesus' return.

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