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Maria G. Rossello 

December 7th 

     

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 






Angelus Bell

The Angelus

    Ring Out the Good News        

 

December, 2011  _______________________________________

Greetings!

 

After my father died in 1959, my mother decided that our family should spend Christmas with her family in Elkader, Iowa.  I am sure that she hoped that my father's absence would be less painful if we celebrated in a different but familiar and loving environment.  It was with mixed feelings that I left for Iowa, leaving some presents at home, since there was not room to carry everything.

 

I remember attending Midnight Mass in the small and very old Church of St. Joseph in Elkader.  This was the first time I had ever celebrated Christmas away from our home parish of St. Thomas in south Minneapolis.  These are some of the things I can still remember about that Christmas celebration.  In the sanctuary there were several aluminum Christmas Trees.  They were the ugliest Christmas trees I had ever seen.  The manger scene in the church was much smaller than the one back home and much less attractive.  The choir that sang at Mass had enthusiasm but not much talent.  I was no great musician myself but even I realized that the music that Christmas was "nothing special."  My memories from our home parish of St. Thomas made the celebration at the Church of St. Joseph a disappointment.  Yet, that Christmas was one of the most special that I can recall.


 Continued Fr. Sieg's article 

 

Christmas Memories

by Georgia Fritz  

My favorite Christmas memories are those experienced as a child.  Weeks of preparation and anticipation preceded the season which was all about the newborn Jesus.  For us children the season began on the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th when the elaborately robed gentleman visited our school with bags of candy, nuts, and fruit for everyone.  Gifts were rare, but those we found under the tree on Christmas morning, we believed were from the baby Jesus.

 

Creche   

 

 Visiting the Creche before midnight mass was always special, as was the Christmas program where we all showcased our "musical talents".  We celebrated with extended family on Christmas Day followed by the feast of St. Stephen on December 26th, which was my uncle's names day.  

 

 We all played games and cards while the women and older girls prepared a fabulous feast for all of us to share.  Christmas goose and lots of treats come to mind.  The season ended on Jan. 6th, the feast of the Three Kings, and also my grandmother's birthday.  Then we took the tree down and put the decorations away for next year.           

 

 
Christmas in Chimbote

Christmas in Chimbote Peru - 2004

by Michelle Nohner 

 

Christmas in Chimbote, Peru is celebrated very differently than it is in the United States.  For Peruvians, Christmas doesn't include all of the hustle and bustle that we have become so accustomed to over the years.  In Chimbote, the season purely revolves around the Nativity Story and the precious birth of Jesus. 

 

At Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Christmas season begins with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception.  Evening Mass is held outside the main church and begins with Gabriel appearing to Mary from the church's steeple.  Gabriel, an elegant angel dressed in pure white and Mary, a young lady dressed in a light blue period robe with a headdress, enact Luke 1:28-38.

 

Read more of Michelle Nohner's article 

 
 

Christmas Market 

 German Christmas     

      By  Marion Anderson      

One tradition that we've really kept is the German Christmas.

 

I was born in Germany and lived there for 20 years before I moved to the United States with my husband Jim in 1984.

"Something my Mom always cooked is rolled beef (Rolladen), She stuffed really thin slices of beef with spices, bacon, onions, and mustard. She made German potato balls (Knoedel) or Spaetzle (a homemade noodle) and some red cabbage."

 

Introducing German traditions and foods to my family (Jim, Daniel and Sarah) is an important part of our holiday. I've tried all through their lives to always instill the German traditions that I had with them. I do have to respect their values and their American traditions just like they do mine. My kids are just lucky they get both worlds."

 

German Christmas begins just like here on the 1st Advent Sunday. It begins with advent wreaths and calendars. In Germany the wreaths have all red candles, but we now have taken on the Catholic colors from America," pink and purple.

On Sundays, we'll have a special half-hour session when we just come in and light the candles and have a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies. We do that for the four weeks before Christmas, every Sunday afternoon."

 

   

 
Upcoming Events Calendar
 

Knights of Columbus Parish Pancake Breakfast for Sister Parish

Join us on Sunday, December 4th from 8:00-12:30 p.m. for this Pancake Breakfast in Archangels Hall. A free will offering will go to Sister Parish in Chimbote, Peru.

 

Rite of Welcome 10:30 a.m. Mass - December 4th 

RCIA candidates, Rite of Welcome will be at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 4th   

 

Teen & Family Mass

Sunday, December 4th at  5:00 p.m. in the church. Take this opportunity to worship God in his Body and Blood through powerful music and a beautiful community.


Fun & Active Adult Potluck

Thursday, December 8th for all parishioners age 55 and better are invited to Archangels Hall for a potluck lunch. Gather time is 11:30 a.m., and lunch will begin at noon. We will have a gift exchange ($5 gift) and fellowship. For more infromation, please call either Jo Hoffman at 447-3845 or Arlene Martin at 447-0612.

 

Important Chimbote Mission Trip Meeting

Have you ever wondered what life is really like in Chimbote, Peru? We are coordinatig a mission trip to Chimbote, Peru for mid-March 2012. Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Notre Dame 1. Please contact Michelle Nohner (952-447-0845) for more information.    

   

Immaculate Conception, December 8th 

Holy Day of Obligation

School Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Mass, both in the Church

 

Reconciliation Service Schedule for Advent

Saturday's: December 10 & 17 - 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Church

Thursday, December 22 - 7:00 p.m. - Church & Library

  

Parish & School Offices Closed

December 23, December 26th and January 2nd 

 

Christmas Mass Schedule

December 24th - 4:00 p.m. Church

                              Prelude 3:30 p.m. 

                              4:15 p.m. Archangels Hall

                              Prelude 4:00 p.m. 

                              10:00 p.m. Church

                              Prelude 9:30 p.m. 

December 25th - 8:30 a.m. Church

                              Prelude 8:00 a.m.  

                              10:30 a.m. Church

                              Prelude 10:00 a.m. 

 

Mary Mother of God Mass Schedule

December 31st  - 5:00 p.m.

January 1st - 8:30 a.m.

                      10:30 a.m.

                       5:00 p.m. Teen & Family Mass

 

"May we who are aflame with the Spirit, shine like bright torches before Christ when he comes."

(Mass Prayer for December 17)


Sincerely,


Fr. Tom Sieg

Church of St. Michael

  Questions or comments regarding this newsletter? Email us at info@stmichael-pl.org or call 952-447-2491.

 

Interested in writing a story for The Angelus?
Contact Christi Fletcher at
cfletcher@stmichael-pl.org
  
 
Church of St. Michael · 16311 Duluth Ave. SE · Prior Lake, MN 55372