St Lucy Bulletin
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday
December 22, 2024
The 2025 Calendars and Offertory Envelopes are now available in the church
Holy Days Schedule
Christmas Vigil Masses
St. Francis Xavier – 6:00 PM * St. Lucy – Midnight
Christmas Day Masses
St. Francis Xavier – 8:30 AM * St. Lucy 11:00 AM * Holy Trinity 1:15 PM
New Year’s Eve Mass
St. Francis Xavier – 5:00 PM
New Year’s Day Masses
St. Francis Xavier 8:30 AM * St. Lucy 11:00 AM * Holy Trinity 1:15 PM
CHRISTMAS CONCERT – Tonight -December 22 at the Nativity in Biloxi.
STORY OF CHRISTMAS – Holy Family in Pass Christian will be presenting “Noel, A Night of Everlasting Love” on December 28 at 5:30 pm.
THE MONTH OF DECEMBER is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season known as Advent and are represented by the liturgical color purple — a symbol of penance, mortification, and the sorrow of a contrite heart. The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical color changes to white or gold — a symbol of joy, purity, and innocence.
SPANISH MASS REMINDER – A bilingual Mass will be celebrated on Sundays at 4:00 o’clock at Holy Trinity in Leaksville. The 11:00 o’clock Mass at St. Lucy will return to being celebrated entirely in English.
ADULT CATECHISM – Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm.
MONDAY – Adoration at 8:30 am followed by Mass at 9:30
TUESDAY – Mass at 8:30 am followed by Bible Study
CHRISTMAS CHOIR PRACTICE AND RECRUITING – If you would like to be a part of the Christmas Choir, please note that there will be practice on Tuesdays from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Oakenmanor. Contact Alicia Rollings if you are interested in helping. She can be reached by texting 507-215-3174
FRASSATI FELLOWSHIP is the Diocese of Biloxi Young Adult Ministry. This is open to any young adult (18-35) in any season of life. If you have any questions, text Marianne at 832-274-5325.
FRIDAYS – Join us every Friday at 3:00 PM in the church for Holy Hour, Divine Mercy, and the Rosary. Everyone is welcome to attend. For any questions or further information, please contact JoAnne Bowie or Barbara Robicheaux.
MERCY CROSS CENTER – in Biloxi, is requesting the following donations: Backpacks, men’s clothing and shoes, tents, sleeping bags, sheets and blankets, zippered pouches, new underwear for men and women, socks, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, books, puzzles, playing cards, colors and coloring books. The center is located at 390 Crusaders Dr. in Biloxi. There is a collection box in the back of the church if you would like to bring your donations here. They will be brought to the Center around the middle of January.
PLEASE PRAY – for our sick and homebound friends, family, and parishioners who are unable to celebrate the liturgy with us.
CHURCH CLEANING MINISTRY – Thank you to all who have been participating. You are all greatly appreciated.
Upcoming Readers – subject to change as needed
December 22 – Erwin
MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS –
December 25 Christmas –
December 29 –
DID YOU KNOW? – There is an exhibit at the George County Museum on churches in George County. It is located on the Courthouse’s first floor and is open Tuesday – Thursday from 10 – 4. Check it out!
PILGRIMAGE – Fr. Marascalco will be the Spiritual Director for the 2025 Tour of Cusco Machu Picchu. Visit Saint Martin de Porres. Enjoy Peruvian Cuisine. Ride the Hiram Bingham Train. Enjoy a pachamanca lunch in the Sacred Valley, a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration, and champagne brunch aboard the elegant Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. Experience world-class food in Lima, and visit Cusco, Shrines of St. Martin de Porres, Rose of Lima, and Juan Macias. Try to solve 8 unsolved mysteries of Machu Picchu with your visit. Lima is the food capital of South America. Some of the best restaurants in the world are located in Lima, Peru. Find out why Anthony Bourdain visited Lima for Peruvian cuisine during his first TV season! Feed your body and soul on this premium food and faith pilgrimage tour sampling world-famous Peruvian cuisine. Why don’t join Fr. Marascalco and book the new Peru Food and Faith pilgrimage for 2025 — Perfect for Catholic Foodies!
If any parish organizations have news to be included in the bulletin, please contact Cathy Tindall (CaTTyT46@gmail.com or call/text 601-530-6151). Parish information can be found on our website (www.stfxstl.org). Our website now has language options. If you would like your native language included, please see Fr. Marascalco or Cathy Tindall
St. Lucy Biography
St. Lucy was a Christian martyr who lived in the Roman Empire in the third century AD. She was born in Syracuse, Sicily, to a wealthy and noble family. Her father died when she was young, and she devoted her life to God and vowed to remain a virgin.
St. Lucy dedicated her life to Christ and she loved the poor. She frequently delivered wheat and bread to the needy, homebound, and Christians hiding in the catacombs, often in the darkness of night to avoid detection.
As Lucy reached the age of marriage, her mother arranged a marriage between Lucy and a pagan suitor. However, Lucy had already consecrated her life to God and vowed to remain a virgin.
Lucy’s refusal to marry angered her rejected suitor, who reported her Christian beliefs to the Roman authorities during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Lucy was subsequently arrested and faced brutal persecution.
According to legend, her eyes were gouged out, and she gave them to her suitor. Miraculously, God restored her sight. For this reason, St. Lucy is often depicted holding a small plate with two eyes on it. The authorities’ attempts to execute her by fire failed, leading to her eventual martyrdom by the sword in 304 AD.
Today, St. Lucy is regarded as the patron saint of the blind and those with eye disorders. Her feast day is celebrated on December 13th, and she remains an inspiration and role model for Catholics.
Learn More: To learn more about St. Lucy, visit https://christianapostles.com/St-Lucy