THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 20^th, 2009

Special Prayer Requests: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Laura Kennel, granddaughter of parishioners Albert & Marilyn Kennel.

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.

Holiday Office Hours:

Thurs., Dec. 24: Open 8:30 AM – Noon

(Closed Noon – 4:30 PM)

Fri., Dec. 25: Closed – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Mon., Dec. 28: Closed

Thurs., Dec. 31: Open 8:30 AM – Noon

(Closed Noon – 4:30 PM)

Fri., Jan. 1: Closed – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last Week’s Collection: Regular Collection: $10,019.56, Building Fund: $3,980.00, Christmas: $585.00, End of Year $1,160.00, Religious Retirement: $110.00, Immaculate Conception: $113.00, Christmas Flowers: $290.00, Candles: $209.74. Total: $16,467.30.

Mass Attendance: Sunday: 5:00 PM: 379, 8:00 AM: 241, 10:30 AM: 372. Total: 992

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

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.

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

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

†

Dec. 24: 6:00 PM Family Vigil

Dec. 25: Midnight

10:30 AM

A Note of Thanks:

The family of Lee Neubauer would like to acknowledge with great appreciation Father Pat, the Knights of Columbus and fellow parishioners for their acts of kindness and sympathy. All of the prayers, meals, cards and visits will not be forgotten. We are so grateful for the PBOC congregation.

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS: December 13 – 19

Happy Birthday To: Joe Lazzara, Joshua Rana, Walter Spall, Anna Loftus, Ann Marie Patterson, Michael Quinn, Pat Richardson, Eric Silvestri, William Louro, Jeffrey Purtell, Ed Ronan, Jack Bieger, John Gurzenski, Mak Kelliher, Ryan Michael, Pamela Mills, Jessica Mohan, Virginia Wilson, Eileen Birchenough, Carol Lawlor, Martha Rosenquist, Pam Aubin, Fedora Consentine, Elizabeth Joseph, Hawley MacKenzie, Rosemary Real.

To: Jean & Joseph Ripard, Pat & Jack Shriver, Sarah & Ralph Justice, Michelle & Bruce Crull, Lynn & Wayne Welden, Connie & Paul Gilroy, Cindy & Dennis Smith, Christine & Harold Schwartz, Betty & Jack Seibert, Maria & Arturo Robles, Cathy & Robert Stanton.

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

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

FPO AE 96427-0650

* Sgt Tayna Tucker, CFLCC SJA, APO AE 09306

* 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

The Gospel today tells of the Virgin Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying off to help her cousin Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior gave her time and love to

others as well.

STEWARDSHIP – A CHRISTIAN WILL

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.

Respect life

The annual "Stand-up for Life" rally will be held in Columbia on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The march forms at 11:00 AM at the Russell House on Green Street, and the rally is at the capitol steps at 12 Noon. A bus will leave Wal-Mart parking lot on Rte. 544 and 17-bypass at 6:30 AM. For reservations call Susan Mevissen at 488-0428. A free-will offering of $15 is requested. Young children ride free.

The Pro-Life Prayer Vigil sponsored by Grand Strand Citizens for Life will be held on Friday, January 22, at 7:30 PM at "The Father's House". This church formerly was "The Purple Church" and is located on 17-bypass near Farrow Parkway. The prayer vigil marks the 37th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision that led to the legalization of abortion in all 50 states.

OUTREACH

CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE

We delivered food to 71 families.  The generosity of our parish made this possible. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped collect, sort, and deliver.  Merry Christmas!   - 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 75 people Oriental Stir-Fried Beef with Vegetables, Steamed Rice, Assorted Cakes & Pies and Sweet Tea. On Thursday we served 64 people Pulled BBQ Pork on Buns, Potato Salad, Tossed Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Assorted Cakes & and Sweet Tea.

Saturday breakfast is served every Saturday morning, 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Last weekend we served 60 people Pancakes Sausage, Bacon, Fruit Cocktail, Cereal, and OJ/Coffee/Milk. We thank everyone who helps to make these meals a pleasure for all who come!

HELP NEEDED! A few more volunteers are needed to help at Father Pat’s Lunch Kitchen. If interested, please call Vittoria at 979-0849.

FELLOWSHIP

THANK YOU! The Fellowship Committee would like to thank Father Pat,  Office Staff, Richard Duff, Knights of Columbus, Senior Youth, Confirmation Students and all parishioners who helped make this year’s Christmas Party a great evening!

- Mary Jane and Jim Barnett

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY AND MASS

Our annual party will start at 9:00 PM (Mass will be at 11:00 PM with Fr. Jim Gerrety presiding.) This will be a pot luck event, just like last year. (Already committed are: Sausage & Peppers, Baked Ziti and Italian Meatballs.) Please advise John Moyik (237-1611) or Gabe Timpano (235-2867) if you will be attending. See flyer in back of church for more specifics. The $5 donation will cover the shrimp, cheese, wine, salad, champagne, etc.

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)

· 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 10:30 Mass monthly.

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

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 - 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.

Note: The next General Meeting will be Thursday, January 7^th.

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

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Congratulations to our December honorees:

Knight of the Month: Rocky Gray

Family of the Month: Jack & Betty Seibert

Youth of the Month: Jamie Barnett

Many times during the course of the year, the Knights of Columbus calls upon the members of PBOC to help support our charitable causes.  In this season of giving, Council 11028 would like give you, the members of PBOC, our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all that you do.  We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all our Brother Knights and the members of PBOC, their families and friends a most Blessed and Merry Christmas and the Happiest and Healthiest of New Years.

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.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Dear Precious Blood of Christ Parish Families,

As we near the end of this leg of our journey here at St. Michael School, we have encountered Jesus in the families we have adopted for Christmas, in the joy of laughter we shared as we decorated our rooms and sang songs for our Christmas program, in the healing power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and with grateful hearts for the Holy Eucharist, the holy sacrifice of the mass, and your gifts of prayer, time, talent, and treasure. Emmanuel has come! Emmanuel is coming! O come, Emmanuel!

With warm G.A.T.O.R. (Giving All To Our Redeemer) regards, Mrs. Miriam Jones

VOCATIONS - The Diocese of Charleston and the Oratory are sponsoring a discernment retreat January 28-1, 2010 at the Oratory in Rock Hill. The retreat will allow participants to discern a possible vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life. Men and women ages 18-55 are eligible. For more information and applications please call the Vocations Office at (843) 402-9115 ext. 22.

DIOCESAN PHYSICIAN’S GUILD – Are you a Catholic Doctor? Do changes in research and health care practices raise ethical questions in your mind? Would you like to join with other Catholic doctors in serving the Church? Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone cordially invites you to the inaugural meeting of a diocesan physician’s guild to be held January 30^th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Columbia. The event will begin with lunch and conclude with anticipated Mass at 5:30. For more information call 843-853-2130.

GIVE A UNIQUE GIFT WHILE SUPPORTING BISHOP BAKER HIGH SCHOOL

Embroidered golf shirts are available in Columbia blue and in white, and sweatshirts in Columbia blue with front and back embroidery.  Unisex sizes M, L, & XL.  FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME.  Call Larry Flood @ 361-4156.

Local news

The Bread of Life Kitchen at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church will have a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day, serving from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM. All are welcome! Please join us to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

December 21 - 26

Monday Song of Songs 2:8 / Luke 1:39-45

Tuesday 1 Samuel 1:24-28 / Luke 1:46-56

Wednesday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66

Thursday 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 / Luke 1:67-79

Friday Isaiah 52:7-10 / John 1:1-18

Saturday Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59 / Matthew 10:17-22