“Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say rejoice...The Lord is nigh...” Phil. 4:4-5

This week the Colorado Department of Health relaxed regulations governing Churches. We are going back to 6-foot social distancing in the Church and Brownstein Hall. We will keep 9-foot social distancing in Dwyer Hall and ask that those spots be reserved for our at-risk community. If you feel uncomfortable consider coming to a weekday Mass--there are never crowds at 6:45 am. Please continue to register for Mass ahead of time, and wearing a mask the entire time you are here. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome while they are worshiping God.    

Please join us on the first Saturday of every month (starting December 5th) to renew our dedication to our Lord through the intercession of Mary. We will begin with Mass at 9:00 am followed by adoration, confessions, and a Rosary at 9:30 am. Adoration will conclude at 10:30 am.

The First Saturday devotions were encouraged by our Lady when she appeared to Sr. Lucia, one of the visionaries at Fatima.

CCC 1457 "According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation to faithfully confess serious sins at least once a year."
Saint Mark (Highlands Ranch)                      Thursday, December 10th, 6:30 pm
Ave Maria (Parker)                                        Tuesday, December 15th, 6:30 pm
Our Lady of Visitation (Kiowa)                       Thursday, December 17th, 6:30 pm
Saint Francis of Assisi (Castle Rock)             Tuesday, December 22nd, 6:30 pm

Weekly confessions will be held after the 9 AM Mass on Saturdays.

Free entrees, free appetizers, free drinks - OH MY! 

Did you see it? The Parker/Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree Showcase Passports are now available! Help support our local businesses and our 8th Grade fundraiser. Chuck-full of our favorite places and great deals! https://www.parkershowcase.org/amcs 

Missals for the 2021 Liturgical Year will be available for purchase at the parish office.
The cost for Missals (Large or Regular print) is $6.00 each, CASH or CHECK only. 

Contact - Tish Estrella: testrella@avemariacatholicparish.org

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring the sale of Poinsettias of Remembrance to be placed around the altar during the Christmas season. Your support in decorating our church is greatly appreciated. A card with your special intentions (deceased loved ones, prayers, thanksgiving, etc.) will be in an intention binder and placed near the altar with the poinsettias. A Mass on Christmas Eve will be offered for your intentions.

Please fill out the form below and place it in an envelope with your payment (cash or check) 1) in the box on the poinsettia table in the entrance area of the church, or 2) drop it off at the parish office. You can also mail it to: Ave Maria Catholic Parish, c/o poinsettia sales, 9056 East Parker Rd., Parker, CO 80138.

The cost of each plant will be $15.00. Checks can be made payable to: Ave Maria Catholic Church.

Orders must be received by December 15, 2020. Poinsettias will NOT be available to take home after the Christmas season this year. 

Net proceeds will be donated to Little Sisters of the Poor.

Questions contact: Janie Bertagnolli at 720-530-6789 or janiebertagnolli@mac.com.
DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM 

GIVING TREE

The Giving Tree is up and everyone is urged to take a tag and bring back your unwrapped donation by Sunday, December 20.  We have two very local Catholic charities—Ave Maria’s St Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities based in Castle Rock.  

There are lots of gift card requests and the returned cards may be dropped in the mailbox in the Gathering Space.  Many are for gift cards that charities use in their work. We hope to have every tag taken and all the donations returned.  

Thank you in advance for being an Ave Maria Samaritan.   

Call Alice Ramsey 303-841-7839 if you have any questions.

ADOPT A FAMILY
The Samaritans of Ave Maria are once again sponsoring the Adopt-A-Family program. Drop off to the Parker Task Force is December 11th.  Gifts should not be left at the church. Questions? Please call Mary Anne Watson at  303-549-8399.

YEAR-END GIVING

Our Church continues to move forward with its important work. In the midst of all that is going on, many of our friends and supporters are looking forward to the future when they can enjoy community with friends and resume their regular activities.

In response to the current situation, Congress recently enacted several tax law changes. This link offers resources to help you with your tax planning and offer ideas for you to consider if you are thinking about making a gift in support of our mission during this time. Please consult your personal tax advisor and family on the decisions best for you.

Click here for more information.

FREE Estate Planning Resources
Have you planned for your future? As Catholics, we are called to be stewards for the people and things that God has blessed us with so that we can spread the good news of the Gospel for generations to come. In that spirit, the Diocese of Colorado Springs has partnered with FreeWill to provide three free tools to our faith community so that you can best support your future.

The first is a tool to write your legal will, at no personal cost. Writing your wishes down now is so important and a true gift to your family. You can complete this important task in the comforts of your own home by becoming a good steward for your future, taking care of your loved ones by visiting FreeWill.com/DioCS.
The other two tools help you to create real-time, tax-wise gifts to support our parish— and your financial savings. Go to FreeWill.com/QCD/DioCS to learn more about how to create a gift from your IRA, or FreeWill.com/Stocks/DioCS to learn more about donating appreciated stocks.