News and Events from your Parish Office as of December 13, 2013.

The next Children’s Bible School will be tonight, December 13th from 6:00 to 6:45 PM in the Benedict House. All children ages 3-8 are encouraged to attend this fun-filled evening to learn more about the true St. Nick!

St. John School Christmas Program is tonight, December 13thstarting at 7:00 PM at St. John Church. Please join our students from Kindergarten through fifth grade as they sing selections including “What Child is This?”, “We Are Called”, “Away in a Manger”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” If their rehearsals are any indication, this will be a very memorable Christmas program! Please join us!

The Men’s Support Group is meeting this Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 AM at Galvin’s Restaurant. Our speaker this month will be none other than Fr. Linh. I haven’t heard the subject but it probably will have something to do with Fr. Linh’s appreciation of the Christmas season.

Christmas Gift for Seminarians - The Vocations Committee will be taking up a special collection after all the Masses on December 14-15. Funds collected will be a Christmas gift for the Seminarians of the Dioceses, including our own Shawn Bohac. Please help support our Seminarians!

"Silent Night, Glorious Dawn" Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 PM at St. John's. Various musicians/groups will be performing along with readings, and prayers to meditate and reflect upon the mysteries and wonders of the Advent and Christmas seasons. A reception will follow the program.

Christmas Memorial Poinsettias - Remember your loved ones this Christmas by purchasing a poinsettia in their memory. Cost is $15 per plant which will be used as part of the Christmas decorations at our churches. To order, use the special envelope that came with your monthly OSV envelopes. In addition, an order form is available in this weekend’s bulletin. Deadline to be included in the special memorial section in the bulletin is December 15.

Advent Mission 2013 - THE GREAT ADVENTure! Join Fr. Alan Carter the evenings of December 16 & 17 at 6:30 PM at St. John Church. See this weekend’s bulletin for more information!

Walk to Bethlehem this Advent Season! This Advent, we’ll be walking to Bethlehem! Each week, watch Mary and Joseph “walk” (around the church) on their way to Bethlehem. Report back to the church (on dark purple tickets located in church) how much you walk each week so that they can “arrive” in Bethlehem by Christmas.

Purchasing gift cards for the holidays? Order your cards online with SCRIP! Help raise funds for St. John School by placing your order online atwww.ShowWithScrip.com using St. John's enrollment code: 3EL89CE222467. Need your order soon? We have several cards in stock. Contact Jennifer Hernandez at 817-637-4384 for more information.

The Angel Tree Project Update - Members from the Youth Ministry along with students from the Georgetown Newman Center delivered a LOT of gifts to the local Salvation Army If you have NOT returned your gifts yet, please drop them off directly at the Salvation Army Center located at 100 Washington Square (next to Goodwill) in Georgetown no later than December 16th. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

We need your help decorating for Christmas! On Sunday, December 22nd at 2:00 PM, we will be decorating St. John Church as we prepare for a glorious Christmas celebration. Bring your gloves, clippers and outdoor vacuum (if you have on) since we’ll be setting up trees and greenery along with other items. In addition, on Monday, December 23rd at 10:00 AM, we need help transporting Liturgical items and decorations to John L. Hill Chapel for the Christmas Eve Mass. Finally, after the Christmas Eve Mass, we need help transporting these items BACK to St. John in time for Midnight Mass that evening. The more hands we have, the faster we can get it done. Stewardship at its best! The Arts’ & Environment Committee thank you in advance for your support and assistance. If you have any questions please call Susan Craft at 502-863-2046 or scraft089@yahoo.com.

Bible Study Resumes Week of January 6, 2014. It's not too late to join the Catholic Way Bible Study as we resume classes on Monday, January 6th at 9:30 AM or on Tuesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM. We'll pick up with Lesson 12. For more information, contact Anne Dadds (502) 570-2738 or Sam Newcomb (502) 867-4838.

Holy Land Trip. As we approach the birth of Our Savior, wouldn't you like to explore yo ur spiritual roots with an unforgettable pilgrimage to the Holy Land, March 10-20, 2014, led by Fr. Linh. Will you ever have this opportunity again? It's not too late to sign up. Pick up a brochure in the back of church and call Proximo Travel toll free 855-842-8001 for more information.

Mark your calendars for:

• Children’s Bible Study, Friday, December 13 at 6:30 PM in the Benedict House.

• St. John School Christmas Program, Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM in St. John Church

• Breakfast with Santa, Sunday, December 15 from 8:00 AM to Noon at Galvin’s in Georgetown.

• Silent Night, Glorious Dawn Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 15 at 7:00 PM St. John Church.

• Advent Mission December 16 & 17 at 6:30 PM at St. John Church

• Light is On Prayer Service with Communal Penance December 18 at 6:30 PM in St. John Church

• Decorating the Church December 22 at 2:00 PM

• Christmas Mass Schedule:

  • Christmas Eve Mass 6:30 PM at John L. Hill Chapel, Georgetown College Campus

  • Christmas Midnight Mass at St. John Church

  • Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 AM at St. John Church

  • Christmas Vespers at 8:00 PM at St. John Church

• St. John School Open House, Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

• Third Annual Winter Gala, Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington.