VOL.

4 JANUARY 14-15, 2012 ISSUE 3

Welcome to Good Shepherd Chapel

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pastoral Council Executive Board
(COL) JEFF LEPAK, PRESIDENT jeffrey.john.lepak@us.army.mil HERMAN GONZALEZ, VICE-P herman.gonzalez1962@gmail.com LOREN SIMPSON, SECRETARY simpsgm@knology.net TINA RABY, FINANCIAL ADVISOR gritstwo@yahoo.com

Scripture - Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:10) - Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. (Psalm 40:7a) - Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15a) - Where are you staying? He said to them, Come, and you will see. (John 1:38) Reflection - Where is Jesus staying in your life? Have you answered His invitation to Come and you will see? - Do you recognize your capacity to be another Christ (members of Christ) to those that you meet? - Do you take time to stop and listen to hear the message the Lord is speaking to you? - Do you have time to simply be and not to always do? We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they havefor their usefulness. When man is reduced to his function he is placed in a servile, alienated condition. He exists for someone else or even worse for some thing else. Hence he cannot enjoy life. The ethos of our society certainly places an enormous emphasis on "having fun," but our whole concept of joy is mendacious because it is servile. Even the fun that we have is for a purpose. It is justified not by its gratuity, its simple celebration of the gift of life, but by its utility. Why then aren't we happy? Because of our servility. The whole celebration is empty because it is "useful." We have not yet rediscovered the primary usefulness of the useless. From this loss of all sense of being, all capacity to live for the sake of living and praising God, all thankfulness, all "Eucharistic" spirit, comes the awful frustrated restlessness of our world obsessed with "doing" so that even "having fun" becomes a job of work, an operation, a veritable production, even a systematic campaign. 1
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Pastor: Fr. Joseph Lea (267) 243-5861 Co-Pastor: Fr. Aniekwe (706) 791-4307 NCOIC: SSG. Clarence Slaughter (706) 791-4308 Deacons: - George Foster (706) 860-2379 - Mike Marchek (706) 855-2107 - David Kriegel (706) 869-9781 PLC: Lola Rivera (706)-993-1816 stmichaelparish@ymail.com RE Coordinator: Sherry Wodicka (706) 726-0651 swodicka24@gmail.com Music Director: Sonia Rivera (706) 627-0637 MCCW: Kim Besel mccwfg@yahoo.com Knights of Columbus: Allen Larson larsonlair05@hughes.net Youth Ministry: Nisa Vera nisa_vera@yahoo.com EME: Judy Kriegel, (706) 869-9781 Altar Servers: Alex Besel adbesel@gmail.com, (706) 855-9275 Lectors: Tom Dean, (706) 860-6946 Ushers/Greeters: Ron Shannon (706) 868-5960 Flowers Ministry: Fran Simpson francespsimpson123@yahoo.com Welcome Sunday: Adriana Gramer adriclanger@gmail.com Editor: Lola Rivera (443) 223-1125 lolarivera@ymail.com

Parish Staff and Ministries

Merton, Thomas, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, Doubleday: New York, 1989, p. 308, 9. Retrieved from For the Ride Home by Ted Bergh, ParishVision Llc 2011 Visit ParishVision.org.

Patron of Throat Illnesses COMING UP!!

Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. St. Blaises feast day is on February 3rd. Father Joseph will do two special Blessings of the Throats on this day at 8:45am (blessing only), and 11:30am (Mass and blessing). Mark your calendar!

Volunteer Opportunities
Adult Altar Servers Wanted
We are looking for adults altar servers to assist at Mass, specially at Saturday 5pm and Sunday 8:30am masses. Please, contact Alex Besel at adbesel@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming an altar server. This is a great opportunity to serve our Lord.

Mens Retreat in February!

Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat is offering an Annual Mens Retreat on February 17-19 to prepare for the coming season of Lent. The goal of this retreat is to make this Lent a more meaningful and fruitful experience. We will reflect on our spiritual life, the three traditional meetings with Jesus, the Lenten reception of the Sacrament of Penance and the expectation for a season of grace. Our Parish is willing to pay for the men interested in attending this retreat. A $35 deposit is required upon registration. The check will not be cashed if the registrant attends the retreat. Contact Lola Rivera if you would like to attend this retreat. The deadline to register is February 5th, 2012.

CCD Teachers Needed

We are currently looking for two CCD teachers to teach Pre-k and 6th grade students. You do not need experience in teaching, just the enthusiasm to teach our Catholic doctrine. Training, instructional books and guidance will be provided. Please, contact Sherry Wodicka today to help (706) 726-0651, swodicka24@gmail.com.

DESIGNATED OFFERING
St. Michaels is conducting a designated offering this weekend for the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Monument. Please know that this offering is directed by the office of the Chief of Chaplains. Parish Council Financial Advisor, Tina Raby

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Adoration on Wednesday
Join us for adoration this coming Wednesday at 18:30pm. We meet every week to spend and dedicate an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. This is a great way to increase your faith and help you with your prayer life.

Volunteer Wanted!
We are looking for volunteers to coordinate the following ministries: Evangelization Please, contact Lola Rivera if you are interested in coordinating this ministry, or if you need more information @ stmichaelparish@ymail.com.

Confessions
Private confessions at St. Michaels are available for you before Mass on Saturdays 4pm and Sundays at 8am in the confessional box located in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, but also face-to-face and by appointment at your convenience. Confessions are available in Spanish when Father Joseph celebrates mass.

PARISH HAPPENINGS

GRACE Scholars
Would you like to help a family receive a Catholic education at Aquinas High School, St. Mary on the Hill School or Immaculate Conception Catholic School? You can do this simply by redirecting some or all of what you owe in state income tax to GRACE Scholars. You make a donation and your tax bill is reduced by that amount! To see how easy it is visit www.gracescholars.org or www.aquinashigh.org or c a l l 7 0 6 -7 3 6 - 5 5 1 6 o r e ma i l k s t r i c k land@aquinashigh.org

Wedding Anniversary & Marriage Vow Renewal

Send us an email if you are celebrating your wedding anniversary next month, lolarivera@ymail.com. We also encourage you to let us know if you would like to renew your marriage vows at Mass, at least two weeks in advance. Requests can be submitted at: stmichaelparish@ymail.com

PLCs Office Hours

The Parish Life Coordinator is available to assist you the following days: Mon thru Fri : 8am to 12pm. After hours assistance only by appointment at (706) 993-1816.

Rachels Vineyard Ministry

Every New Year brings with it the promise of hope and change. So if you have feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt, depression, emotional or spiritual problems due to a past abortion know that you are not alone. The Rachels Vineyard Ministry is here to help with professional counseling, Post Abortion Healing Retreats and emotional support. The next retreat is scheduled for March 9-11, 2012 near Augusta, Ga. For additional information, please contact Stephanie May 912-201-4059 scmay@diosav.org. Complete confidentiality will be honored at all times. Why not make 2012 your year? There is help, hope, and healing waiting for you.

Collecting Surveys Now!

St. Michaels is conducting a survey at this moment to rediscover this parish as a community of faith, grace, and service. We need to know how you feel and how we can meet your needs. Your input will help us improve our mission. This is survey per household. Please visit our website to complete your survey. Your input is very important to us. Please contact

Volunteers Name Tags

All volunteers are asked to pick up their name tags in the Sacristy behind the door before each mass to wear during Mass. Please return name tags after Mass.

Pro-Life Rosary
Join us to pray the Pro-life Rosary on February 1st at 6:00pm, right before adoration. Join us!

Pro-Life Mass & Rosary FACILITATOR: FATHER JOSEPH LEA

For your information, there is a Mass the first Saturday of each month at Saint Mary on the Hill, 9:15 am followed by a ProLife Rosary at Preferred Health Center right after (approximately 10:15am). This activity is not organized by our parish, but you are invited to participate to support the Right to Life.

Starting 24 January 2012

Abortion Alternatives
Birthright of Augusta (706) 733-LOVE Birthright national (1-800) 550-4900 Augusta Care Pregnancy Center (706) 724-3733

LUNCH IS PROVIDED!!! Sign up today stmichaelparish@ymail.com

Post-Abortion Alternatives
Rachels Vineyard 1-877-HOPE-4-ME

PRO-LIFE Prayer Rally in Augusta

Pro-life Prayer Rally to commemorate the thirty-nine years of legalized abortion on demand and the Row v Wade decision. Saturday, January 21st, 2pm-3:15pm. Near west Augusta Care Pregnancy center at intersection of Walton Way Ext. Scott Nixon Blvd/ Pleasant Home Rd.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School Opening House this Month

Immaculate Conception Catholic School will have an Open House on Tuesday, January 31st, 9am-11am, and 5pm-7pm. Parents interested in enrolling their child for the 2012-2013 school year should plan to attend. You will have the opportunity to visit classrooms and teachers and take a tour of our campus. Our school offers a Catholic Education to students n grades PreK (3) through 8th grade. Visit our website www.icaugusta.org, or call (706)722 -9964 for additional information.

Prolife speakers, Music and Prayer

All are welcome, we request your presence to come and stand for the Sanctity of all Life. Parking available. This event is sponsored by the Alleluia Community Pro-Life. Information: Gare or Nancy Garner, (706) 793-8090.

& MINISTRIES NEWS

Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW)
Faith Study The MCCW faith study will NOT meet this Monday, January 16 because of the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. We will meet again next week on Monday, January 23. February Monthly Program--Concert by the Augusta Youth Chorale Mark your calendars now for Thursday, February 2 for a concert by the Augusta Youth Chorale! This will be our monthly program and is open to the entire parish as well as members of other faith communities. Please invite your families, friends, and neighbors. Keep watching the bulletin for more information. We Are Still Collecting Hygiene Items and Laundry Soap! We are still collecting hygiene items and laundry soap for Catholic Social Services, our designated charity. We have just found out that they have run out of many hygiene items and are desperate for donations. Please help by donating toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc. and small bottles of laundry detergent. We will have a box in the back hallway where you can deposit your gifts. Thank you!!

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Knights of Columbus
Monthly Meeting Please know that our next meeting will be on Tuesday February 14, 2012 in Bldg. 13 at 1830. Social and the meeting starts at 1900 hours. Contact the Grand Knight Al Larson if you have any question at larsonlair05@hughes.net.

Welcome Sunday will be celebrated on January 29th at 10am!!!

Please, contact the Welcome Sunday Coordinator for more information, Adriana Gramer at adriclanger@gmail.com

Families Wanted
Our Parish is looking for families who would like to bring up the gifts at each mass. Please contact Ron Shannon if you are interested at ronshannon@hotmail.com.

YOUTH MASS
January 29th, 2012 at 10 AM Mass.
Youth are encouraged to do the readings, serve as Ushers, sing in the choir, and present the gifts during Mass. Please contact the Ministry Coordinator if you are interested in participating. We have choir practice on Thursdays at 6:30pm. Contact Nisa Vera if you have any question @ nisa_vera@yahoo.com.

Choir Rehearsals
Choir practices are on Thursdays in Building 13, located in the Religious Education Complex. Children: 6:30-7:15pm Adults: 7:30-8:30pm Singers and musicians are welcomed! Contact Sonia Rivera at (706) 627-0637

EME, Lectors and Ushers Schedule

The new schedule for Lectors, EMEs and Ushers has been mailed. The Schedule can also be found on the St. Michael's Website and Facebook page. A copy is also posted on the bulletin board and the rear of the Chapel.

New to our Parish? Parish Council Meting

St. Michaels Parish Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 7th, 2012. The meeting will be at Good Shepherd Chapel (GSC), social room at 5:30 pm. Please take a minute and fill out our registration form. You can find these forms in the counter located in the social room. You may give the form to the Parish Life Coordinator, or to the chaplain assistant on duty. You can also download the form from our website if this is more convenient for you, and send it to stmichaelparish@ymail.com. Welcome!

CYM Monthly Meeting

Mark your calendar. Our monthly meeting is coming up! Join us on January 22nd at 1300hrs (after CCD) in building 13 at the RE complex. Lunch will be provided.

Altar Servers Training!!!

There will be Altar Server Training session on February 4th, from Noon 1300 at Good Shepherd Chapel. All current and new servers must attend. A schedule will be drawn up and distributed at that time. For more information please contact Alex Besel at adbesel@gmail.com or (706) 8559275.

Access Parish updates, Council meetings minutes, current newsletters, and more

http://stmichaelparishfg.blogspot.com/ REMINDER
This is a courtesy reminder from Father Joseph Lea. Ministry heads and volunteers should use the chain of command to inform of any concern, questions and matters. If you need help or need assistance, please contact the Parish Life Coordinator, Lola Rivera. If she is not available or you cannot reach her via phone or email, please contact one of the Deacons or our Pastor if the deacons are not available. Do NOT go directly to the Chaplain Assistant. Chaplain Assistants assist chaplains. Thank you for your cooperation.

IMPORTANT: When writing checks for our weekend collections, please make sure you write the check to CTOF.

St. Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance

The annual MCCW and Knights of Columbus St. Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance is coming up on Saturday, February 11. Laura Pizzi is in charge of this event and is looking to form a committee to help her put it all together. The first organizational meeting will be on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30 pm right after adoration in the chapel.

Page 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ADULTS PROGRAMS Coffee and Theology
Coffee and Theology is a religious education for adults that meets on Sundays at 11:30am at the RSO Bld. 29601. Contact Tom Dean (706) 860-6946 if you have any question.

Bible Study
St. Michaels Bible Study is on Tuesdays at 7:30pm in the activity room. We are studying a Bible Study on the Books of Hebrews.

CCD Registration
CCD registration is open throughout the year. Please know that in order to receive the Holy Sacrament of First Communion or Confirmation, children need to attend Religious Education as required. Contact Sherry if you have questions.

CHILDREN PROGRAMS Volunteers Needed

We are in need of several Catechists and substitute teachers to help with the CCD program, grades Pre-K through High School. Co-Teachers and assistants are needed too!! Contact Sherry Wodicka @ Swodicka24@gmail.com or (706) 592-6478.

Januarys Calendar
Classes resume on January 8th. Classes: Jan 8, 22 and 29. Jan 8th: Three Kings Visit CCD Jan 28th: First Communion Workshop Jan 29th: Confirmandis and Deacon Dave

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host by the Divine Power of God thrust into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Religious Education Coordinator Office Hours

The Religious Education Coordinator is available to meet with parents for registering children in the CCD program, or to answer any question related to First Communion and Confirmation, Sherry Wodicka is available to assist you at the RE Complex, building 7 the following days: Mon Wed- Fri : 9am to 12pm. After hours assistance only by appointment at (706) (706) 592-6478.

LITURGICAL LIFE
Weekend Masses Saturday 17:00 Sunday 08:30 & 10:00 Daily Mass Mon, Wed, Thurs. 11:30 Mon-Friday DDEAMC 11:45 Reconciliation Saturday 16:00 Sunday 08:00 Rosary Saturday 16:30 Sunday 08:00 Communion (Sick/ Homebound): Deacon George Foster Weddings Deacon George Foster Baptisms Deacon Mike Marchek Liturgy Deacon David Kriegel Adoration Wednesday 18:30 Religious Education (RE) Sunday 11:30 (RSO and RE Complex)

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY

Please remember in your prayers all those who are deployed, their families and friends during their deployments. If your love one is one of them, or you know any deployed military personnel send us his or her name, so we can include it in our daily prayers. Send your prayer request to stmichaelparish@ymail.com. CW2 Clarence W. Raby, III SFC Nathan Varner COL William Walker CPO Ron Amaya SrA James Varner

PRAY FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Please pray for our expectant mothers and their babies. If you are a member of St. Michaels Parish and expecting a baby, or have a friend or relative who is a expecting a baby, please send us her name to add it to our list @ lolarivera@ymail.com.

Kirsten Fontimayor

Lamiaa Chamid

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Please pray for our sick and their families. If you know of any parishioner who is sick or is hospitalized, please send us the name to add it to our list @ stmichaelparish@ymail.com.

Deacon George Foster

Jose M. Megias-Gonzalez

Anointing of the Sick

If you are in need of this sacrament, or if you are going to be hospitalized, please contact the Parish Life Coordinator at (443)223-1125 or parishlifecoordinator@saintmichaelparishfg.org

Bulletin Announcements
Please know that all weekend announcements should be sent Sunday at 5pm to stmichaelparish@ymail.com. Announcements received after the deadline, they might not be announced.

Stewardship
Attendance: 454 Offering: $2,088.16

Pulpit Announcements
Please know that all weekend announcements should be sent by Friday noon to stmichaelparish@ymail.com.