THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 13TH, 2009

Special Prayer Requests: Please pray for the repose of the souls of parishioners Auggie Fields and Josette Davis.

Parish Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, but closed on Thursday afternoons from 12 to 4:30 PM for staff development, training and administrative meetings.

Last Week’s Collection: Regular Collection: $11,641.25, Building Fund: $2,594.00, Christmas: $95.00, New Year’s $10.00, Religious Retirement: $1,103.00, Immaculate Conception: $62.00, Human Development: $40.00, Flowers: $25.00, Candles: $134.30. Total: $16,304.55.

Mass Attendance: Holyday: 6:00 PM Vigil: 150, 8:30 AM – 175, 6:00 PM 142. Total: 467. Sunday: 5:00 PM: 308, 8:00 AM: 272, 10:30 AM: 419. Total: 999

Christmas flower envelopes are now available in the gathering space for any flower intentions for this holiday season.

FLOWER INTENTIONS: Evergreens for this week are in memory of Angela Ferreira by Joe & Isabel Ferreira.

Safe Environment Program at PBOC

Precious Blood is committed to ensuring a safe environment for our children and for upholding the “National Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People” as established by the

U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

All adults who work with children must:

¨ Attend the “Protecting God’s Children Program

¨ Be screened by Law Enforcement

¨ Adhere to the DOC Code of Conduct (copy available in the

Gathering Space)

¨ Read and sign the DOC Sexual Abuse Policy and Procedures

For more information on how to report an allegation of abuse,

go to www.catholic-doc.org and click on “Sexual Abuse Policies and Procedures” on the left side bar. Then click on “How to

Report an Allegation of Sexual Misconduct by Church Personnel.”

Safe Environment Coordinator: Renee Faiella, 843- 485-3515

Diocesan Office of Child Protection Services:

843-853-2130, Ext. 209

Diocesan Victim Assistance: 1-800-921-8122.

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS: December 13 – 19

Congratulations to Father Pat on the Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood, December 15!

Happy Birthday To: Dominick Casciano, Bonnie Chandler, Gary David, Lorraine Dwyer, Cindy King, Christopher Noury, Bobby Felton, Larry Felton, Don Lundgren, Debra Voltaire, Bess Lochocki, Gene Mayeaux, Sammy Owens, Luis Poggi, Kathleen Trotta, Joan Greco, Jacob Sheely, Virginia Yorzinski, Judy Zachar, Martin Brennan, Roy Elmendorf, Nathan Gladfelter, Jack Graham, Sean Graham, Samuel Insignares, Kenneth Polakowski, Richard Preedom,

Geoffrey Callahan, Eugene McCoy, Emily Pierce, Mary Louise Schmidt, Margaret Shah, Nancy Bachman, Cindy Bindner, Tom Gillease, Yolanda Ryan.

To: Gertrude & John Kramer, Pamela & Clayton Naar, Andrea & Charles Stanford.

NEW! CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS

Need a Christmas gift for the person who has everything? Or want to give a gift that keeps on giving? Our new gift cards are the answer!

This year send gift cards to your friends notifying them that you are giving a Christmas dinner in their honor through our Outreach Ministries or Father Pat’s Lunch Kitchen. Each gift card costs $10, and the money raised will supplement the holiday baskets we deliver to needy families in our community or for the special meals we’ll be serving in the Lunch Kitchen.

Gift cards are also available for contributions to the Columbarium Fund, Outreach Ministries or the Building Fund

in honor of friends on your Christmas list.

The gift cards, which come with envelopes suitable for mailing, are printed in Christmas colors and can be purchased from the church office.

Spread the spirit of Christmas with gift cards from PBOC.

Service Men and Women are always in need of mail from home. Please drop a line to the following:

* TSgt. Justin Campbell, CATT/ITAM-A Box 70022,

FOB Warrior K1, APO AE 09338

NEW ► WO-2 Michael Theo, 4^th LAR S-2 Det A, Unit 40650,

FPO AE 96427-0650

NEW ► Sgt Tayna Tucker, CFLCC SJA, APO AE 09306

NEW ► Major Stephen J. Ryan, CJTF 82 CJ9, APO AE 09354

If you would like to add someone to this list, call Phyllis Bieger at 237-3444. *Please Note: These addresses could change.

Also, please call Phyllis or the parish office to let us know when any of these servicepersons have returned home.

AID TO OUR MILITARY: We request for our troops donations of such items as sandwich crackers, cheezits, trail mix, pop tarts, ramen noodles, chips, etc. Our knights continue to mail these care packages we put together. Your prayers are also requested for their safe return. – John Glinka

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

To prepare our hearts for Christmas, Father Pat invites us to this healing sacrament. He will be available at these additional times:

Monday December 21 10:00 – Noon

Tuesday December 22 10:00 – Noon

Wednesday December 23 10:00 – Noon

Today’s Gospel provides a blueprint for good stewardship: “Let the man who has two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same.” (See Luke 3:11).

STEWARDSHIP – A CHRISTIAN WILL

We are very grateful that more than half of our parish families have embraced the Annual Pledge component of our Planned Giving program. It has enabled us to be much better stewards of your financial support. If you have not yet done so, please join with those who have by the end of this year. In doing so, you help us be better stewards of your financial support.

From the time when the program was implemented, an increasing number of parishioners have asked for guidance with their stewardship responsibilities for their loved ones and the Lord’s work beyond their lifetime on earth. This is particularly important given that approximately 2 of every 3 adults are without valid wills.

There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that your personal property and accumulated wealth will be shared exactly as you personally desire. Whether your estate is large or small, you should make certain it will be properly distributed to those you love. If you wish to remember our parish or diocese, this can be done when you prepare or update your will.

A Christian Will that provides those you care about with a legacy of love and a clear idea of what is most important in your life can bring great peace of mind to you and your loved ones - particularly if it is understood and implemented within a broader understanding of your personal, spiritual and emotional wishes.

Next month, we will launch a program to provide all interested adult parishioners with a better understanding of what Christian Wills are, why you should have one, and the resources available in our parish to help you make one.

Further information will be found in upcoming bulletins.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Church Debt 11/30/09 $248,938.90

PLC Debt 11/30/09 $1,359,058.36

Average weekly Collections for November

2008 2009

1^st Collection $11,087.72 $10,439.75

2^nd Collection $3,461.02 $2,153.75

Prayer & worship

FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION for January will be held on January 8^th, due to the Holyday on Friday, January 1^st.

MINISTRY OF CARE

Let us know of your loved one confined to home, in the hospital or recovering from surgery and now home. Our ministry is to unite the sick and recovering followers of Christ with the Body of Christ, they are not ALONE. Please call the parish office at 237-3428, Christine at 237-2096, or Anne at 237-0401.

OUTREACH

CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE

Food will be distributed to families on Saturday, December 19th. We need volunteers to deliver food. If you can help, meet at Founders Hall at 9:00 AM. Again, thank you to all that have helped. - Pat and Jim Richardson, Food Drive Coordinators

TO BENEFIT FATHER PAT’S LUNCH KITCHEN

Our family cookbook, Meet Me In The Kitchen, is finally published. This is the fourth edition published with 500+ copies having been sold throughout the country. The current book has 30 more recipes and costs $15. Out of 200 printed there are only 50 copies available. All profits will be donated to Father Pat’s Lunch Kitchen. Help to support this worthwhile cause. If you want to see a copy, stop in at the parish office.

To order, please, contact Yvonne Pannucci (by phone) 235-0455; (by email) vpann@sc.rr.com or (the post office) 42 Tara Drive Pawleys, Island, SC 29585. Thank you.

Fr. Pat’s Lunch Kitchen continues to serve on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with people coming together to enjoy sharing meals and friendship. Last Wednesday we served 94 people Quesadillas with Turkey, Guacamole & Sour Cream, Sautéed Zucchini with Tomatoes and Basil, Assorted Desserts and Sweet Tea. On Thursday we served 101 people Chicken Vegetable Soup, Italian Subs, Pizza, Cole Slaw, Assorted Desserts and Sweet Tea. Special thanks to Amy Kidowicz and her 1^st Grade Class from Waccamaw Elementary School who helped serve the hungry on Thursday.

Saturday breakfast is served every Saturday morning, 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Last weekend we served 52 people Eggs, Biscuits, Grits, Bacon, Fruit Cocktail, Cereal, and OJ/Coffee/Milk.

We thank everyone who helps to make these meals a pleasure for all who come!

FELLOWSHIP

In Prayer We Will Always Be Together

O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. Mabel will present her LUKE AND CAROLS program at our Christmas party on Tuesday, December 15 at 1:00 PM in Room 2 of the PLC. Bring some finger foods to share (little sandwiches, dip and veggies, cheese/crackers, cut up fruits, cookies, etc.) A festive glass of wine and dessert will be provided. Use your imagination to make a glorious $2.00 gift for our grab bag at the door! We hope to see many of you ladies join us. Bring a friend or neighbor along. Call Mabel at 235-0080 or Betty at 237-9298 for any questions.

PrimeTimers

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Friday, December 18^th at 1:00 to 3:00 PM, PrimeTimers Luncheon. All those who have attended a meeting since September 2009 are welcome to join us in the Parish Life Center. We will have lunch and enjoy a festive afternoon with prizes and surprises. For more information, please call: Barb Call at 237-4554 or Linda Caswell at 237-5743.

WEB SITE

Our Parish has so many wonderful events!

NEW on the Web Site is the Women’s Club Christmas Luncheon. It was a fun time with great food, great company, and great prizes! Take a few minutes, and look at some of the many photo albums we have. Just go to church web site - http://pbocchurch.com and look under the Parish Activities column, and click on, “Photos of Parish Events.”

YOUTH MINISTRY

Sr. Youth Group (SYG)

· Sunday, December 13^th – SYG Christmas Party! We will go to dinner and a movie. Meet at PLC Parking lot at 4:00. Contact Renee for details.

· SYG Sunday, December 20^th – Immediately following 10:30 Mass – Need help decorating Church for Christmas. Please contact Renee with any questions. No Sunday evening SYG on the 20^th.

· Wednesday morning coffee meetings: 6:45 AM at Starbucks in Litchfield.

Confirmation Class (7^th, 8^th & 9^th Grades)

· Be thinking about and researching what you’d like to choose for your Confirmation name over the Christmas break!

Youth Music

· Jr. & Sr. Youth Group Choir Rehearsals Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 PM in church.

· Children’s Choir: Tuesdays 4:00-4:30 PM. We sing at one children’s 10:30 Mass monthly.

Any K – 6^th Graders interested in Children’s Choir, please contact Renee Faiella in the parish office.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ADVENT PROGRAM

Fr. Robert Karris, O.F.M., Th.D. of The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in N.Y. will have a special presentation on the Gospel of Luke this Monday, December 14 at 9:15 AM. All are invited to attend.

Women’s club

The Women's Club would like to wish all members, parishioners, family and friends a very Happy, Healthy, Blessed Christmas and New Year!

Save the Date! Women's Club Auction - January 20, 2010.
Please save those gifts you cannot use, redecorating items, household items. All items must be in great condition, in the box when possible. You bring them, everyone bids on them. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Pennies from Heaven
I found a penny today
Just laying on the ground.
But it's not just a penny,
This little coin I've found.
Found pennies come from heaven,
That's what my Grandpa told me.
He said Angels toss them down.
Oh, how I loved that story.
He said when an Angel misses you,
They toss a penny down.
Sometimes just to cheer you up,
To make a smile out of your frown.
So, don't pass by that penny,
When you're feeling blue
It may be a penny from heaven,
That an Angel's tossed to you.

This is the season of giving. The coin containers in the gathering space and the chapel are there for you. Let us count your coins, saved in that special jar or piggy bank, to give to the needs of the church. In the past the coins have helped in the purchase of pews and for the Columbarium fund. The act of sharing 'pennies', when seen by the children of the parish, could be a step in learning to give.

To submit information in the bulletin for the Women's Club, contact Debbie Desh at 235-3742.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Greatest Christmas Gift for a Catholic Man. 

Are you male?  Are you 18 or older?  Are you a practicing Catholic?  Then give yourself the greatest gift for Christmas, a gift that will last a lifetime.  Join one of the world's largest fraternal benefits organizations founded on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.  Join the Knights of Columbus.  For membership information contact Council Membership Director, Tom Dalton, at 235-8295 or Grand Knight, Tom Cardea, at 237-4120.

Fourth Degree members and interested Third Degree members don't forget the annual 4th Degree Christmas Drop In this Sunday, December 13, from 2:00-5:00 PM at the Willbrook Home Owners Club House.  Fourth Degree members are asked to bring a covered dish that will feed five.  Come and enjoy some good old Christmas fraternity.  Who knows, you might even get the urge to sing a Christmas carol.

Local news

“A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S COMING”

Presented by St. Michael’s Music Ministry, Sunday, December 20^th, 3:00 PM at St. Michael Church, featuring the Children’s Choir, Adult Choir and Life Teen Band along with five instrumentalists. Special harp prelude at 2:45 PM by Monika Vasey, professional harpist and music instructor.

YMCA ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGE – Ages 18 and Up

January 11^th through March 1^st. Monday nights 6-10 PM, at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. For costs & details, contact Matt Jordan 843-545-9622. Register by January 8^th at Georgetown County YMCA.

December 14 - 19

Monday Numbers 24:2-7,15-17a / Luke 14:25-33

Tuesday Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13 / Matthew 21:28-32

Wednesday Isaiah 45:6c-8,18,21c-25 / Luke 7:18b-23

Thursday Genesis 49:2,8-10 / Matthew 1:1-17

Friday Jeremiah 23:5-8 / Matthew 1:18-25

Saturday Judges 13:2-7,24-25a / Luke 1:5-25