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Daily Readings
Weekly reading
Readings for the week of December 21, 2025
- Sunday: Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (7c, 10b) / Rom 1:1-7 / Mt 1:18-24
- Monday: 1 Sm 1:24-28 / 1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd / Lk 1:46-56
- Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 / Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 / Lk 1:57-66
- Wednesday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 / Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 / Lk 1:67-79
- Thursday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5 / Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 (2a) / Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 /
- Mt 1: 1-25 or 1:18-25 Night: Is 9:1-6 / Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 (Lk 2:11) /
- Ti 2: 11-14 / Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12 / Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12 / Ti 3:4-7 / Lk 2:15-20
- Day: Is 52:7-10 / Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 (3c) / Heb 1:1-6 / Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
Pastor Message and Prayer
12/25
READ MATTHEW, CHAPTER 1, VERSES 18 TO 25
Don't forget the gift in the manager
Matthew's description of Jesus' birth is very differnt from that of Luke. Luke tells us of the journey to Bethlehem, the child in a manger, the shepherds, and the angels' song. In Matthew's story the actual birth of Jesus is mentioned in six words found within a subordinate clause: "until she had borne a son." Matthew devotes his narration not to the main even of Jesus' birth but to all the unusual circumstances witin Jesus' family.
Mary becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit and without Joseph's involvement. Joseph struggles with what to do and plans to dismiss Mary until he receives a message in a dream. Rather than focus in on the actual birth, Matthew describes all the family issues which surround it.
"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way."
MATTHEW 1:18
This approach of Matthew is helpful as we celebrate Christmas.
Today most of us will gather with family and friends. The main event will usually be a festive meal. But the people who sit around our table will bring with them their own issues and many of them will be difficult. Sickness, divorce, economic hardship, or grief may well be gathered around our table. It is important for us to be attentive to such burdens. A few minutes to listen or a simple acknowledgement that we recoginize their pain can express our care for those who share this day with us. Of course, the main event will be the holiday meal with good food, stories and toasts. But, like Matthew, we can attend to what lies at the periphery of the celebration. There in the difficult issues of human life, it is also possible to celebrate Christmas.
Whom will I see over the holidays who I know is carrying a heavy burden?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, as I celebrate your birth today, allow me to recognize the pain of the people around me and support them in your name.
Fr. Joachim
BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!
SPECIAL MASS TIME AS FOLLOWS:
DECEMBER 24TH CHRISTMAS EVE WILL BE AT 4PM AT ST. MARY'S & ST. JOHN'S
DECEMBER 25TH CHRISTMAS - ST. MARY'S 8:30AM (NO MIDNIGHT MASS)
ST. JOHN'S 10:15AM
St. Mary Mass Times
Saturday 6:00pm
Sunday 8:30am
Daily Mass Times
Wednesday 8:30am
Wednesday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9am-9:30am
Friday 8:30am
First Friday 8:30am Healing Mass and Adoration
Confession Times
Saturday from 5:30-5:50 or
by appointment by calling the Rectory at 815-858-3422
St. Mary Office Hours
Wednesday 8:30 am- 3:30 p.m.. by appointment
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
