Staff. Safe Environment Coordinator. Scheduler of Ministries. Jeri Stotlemyer, (Vatican News)

Transcription

1 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 10, 2017 SAINT JOHN OF GOD Office Telephones Parish Office/Residence Parish Fax Deacon Leonard Thomas Music Minister Cemeteries (St. Mark s/st. Mary s) Social Hall (Bingo and Pizza Kitchen) Mass Schedule Celebration of the Sacraments Infant Baptism: Call office to schedule. Adult Baptism: The R.C.I.A. program sees to the needs of adults who wish to become Catholic. Reconciliation (Confession): 3:30 PM to 4:15 (Church) and following the 4:30 PM Mass (Church) and by appointment. Holy Eucharist: Available for those who are sick and confined to home. Call the Parish Office and we will bring the Eucharist to you. Anointing of the Sick: Available for those who are seriously ill or anticipating surgery after Mass every Sunday at the Church. Marriage: Anyone who wishes to marry should contact the Office at least six months prior to the desired date. Inactive Catholics: Are lovingly welcome back to the faith. New Parishioners are joyfully invited to join our community. Please call the Parish Office. ~ Low Gluten Hosts Available For Communion ~ ~ See Priest Before Mass ~ Saturday Vigil...4:30 PM Church Sunday...9:45 AM Church Weekday Schedule Monday Friday...9:30 AM Church Confessions: Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM an 5:30 PM Rev. Louis F. Vallone Rev. Robert J. Zajdel Parish Clergy Rev. Regis J. Ryan Deacon Leonard Thomas Staff Ms. Elna Johnson, Director of Music Mrs. Mary Ann Jones, Director of Finances Mrs. Janice Lipa, Parish Secretary, parish@sjogparish.com Mr. Wayne Summers, Maintenance Supervisor Safe Environment Coordinator Mrs. Karen Vinci-Stack, Scheduler of Ministries Jeri Stotlemyer, sjogscat@gmail.com (Vatican News) Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday Noon CHURCH: 1011 Church Ave. McKees Rocks, PA

2 ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, Dec. 9 to Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 Saturday Vigil, Dec. 9: 4:30 PM Church In Honor of the Infant Jesus (Rosemarie) Sunday, Dec. 10: 9:45 AM Church Harry Wagner (Family) WEEKDAYS 9:30 AM CHURCH Monday, Dec. 11: Louise & Robert Gibson (Family) Tuesday, Dec. 12: Stella & Joseph Ravas (Joseph & Margaret Ravas) Tuesday, Dec. 12: St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church Wednesday, Dec. 13: Irene Urschler (Anna Ritter) Thursday, Dec. 14: Ken & LoRaine Sholder (Jim & Pat & Family) Friday, Dec. 15: Parish Family of Saint John of God Saturday Vigil, Dec. 16: Antonetta Presutti (Family) 4:30 PM Church Sunday, Dec. 17: Anthony Cassiani (Family) 9:45 AM Church Readings for the Week of December 10, 2017 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Next Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, [8]/ 2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 Is 35:1-10/Ps 85:9ab-14 [Is 35:4f]/ Lk 5:17-26 Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/ Jdt13:18bcde, 19 [15:9d]/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8,10 [1]/ Mt11:28-30 Is 41:13-20/Ps 145:1, 9-13ab [8]/ Mt 11:11-15 Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-6 [cf. Jn 8:12]/ Mt 11:16-19 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac, 3b, [4]/ Mt 17:9a, Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-54 [Is 61:10b]/ 1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, SANCTUARY CANDLE - WEEK OF DECEMBER 10 ST. MARY S - IN MEMORY OF MARY ALUISE BY FAMILY Saint John of God, Pray for us. AN OPEN INVITATION OF WELCOME Non-Catholics and non-parishioners are always welcomed guests. Inactive, unsure or irregular Catholics are lovingly encouraged to reconnect with the Faith. New parishioners are joyfully received in our community. Please call the parish office. Our hearts are large and there is plenty good room for all. DDDDDDDDDDD SOMETHING IS MISSING! That s right, the angel tree is missing this year. Don t worry the Ladies of Charity will be looking to our parishioners in January and February for help with a new project. We hope you will be as generous with this project as you have been in the past with the angel tree. More info will follow after Christmas. To help those in need this Christmas, may we suggest that a donation can be made to our parish St. Vincent de Paul or our parish Ladies of Charity or you can bring a small gift for the needy children of the neighborhood to the 4:30 P.M. Mass on Christmas Eve, Fr. Ryan s traditional and legendary Christmas Eve Mass. The Light is Still On for You THIS WEEK! This Wednesday, December 13, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available in every parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, including St. John of God Parish, the Church at St. Mary s. Now is the time. God is waiting to offer you forgiveness, healing and peace. The light is on and the confessional door will be open. ADVENT EVENING OF REFLECTION The Ladies of Charity of Saint John of God Parish invites everyone to an Advent Evening of Reflection this Thursday, December 14, in the Gathering Place at 7:00 P.M. Sister Althea Anne Spencer will be the Presenter. Everyone is welcome. BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS The class will be held this Sunday, Dec.10, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. in the Gathering Place at St. Mary s. To register or for more information, please call Tom Adams at

3 ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS Our next 412 activity will be Holiday Lights Mini Golf at Fun Fore All in Cranberry on Friday, Dec. 15 (please note the date change) at 6:30 P.M. Join us for 36 holes of miniature golf AND a Christmas lights extravaganza! All youth in grades 5-8 AND their parents & siblings are invited! Cost per golfer is $10 for one course or $15 for both courses (18 holes each). For any questions, contact Steven Swank at or swankymca@gmail.com. ST. MALACHY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS The last class sessions for this catechetical term will be held next Sunday, Dec. 17 and Monday, Dec. 18. Students will receive their semester evaluations at these class sessions. PARISH WEEKEND ATTENDANCE December 2 / 3 Saturday Sunday Total Weekend Attendance PARISH FINANCIAL TOTALS For the Weekend of December 2 / 3 Regular Offertory Collection...$5, (This is ordinary income from contributions for the general running of the parish. It is subject to a 17.6% tax to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.) PARISH SHARE PROGRAM PSP Assessment for $?? PSP Collected beginning12/1/17... $ 0 Remaining on 2018 Goal... $?? (We have not yet received our assessment for 2018, but all contributions to Parish Share beginning Dec. 1 will be allocated to our assessment for Please continue to use your monthly envelopes at the same rate - it is a year round campaign for us. God bless you for your cooperation.) ATTENTION: ALTAR SERVERS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS Sign-up sheets are in the Sacristy at St. Mary s for those ministers who are available to serve one of the Christmas Masses. Please sign-up soon so we know who will be there. QUOTE FROM THE POPE We are all beggars before the love of God, a love that gives meaning to our existence and offers us eternal life. Pope Francis The Rosary is prayed at 9:00 AM before the 9:30 AM Mass Monday through Friday in St. Mary s Church. THE WEEK AHEAD Dec. 11 (Mon.) - Bible Study, 6:30-7:30 PM in Gathering Place at St. Mary s Dec. 12 (Tues.) - St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Dec WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO in MOS Social Hall - Doors open at 5 PM Early Birds, 7 PM and Regular Games begin at 7:15 PM. Dec. 15 (Fri.) - Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following 9:30 AM Mass, St. Mary s Church. Dec. 15 (Fri.) - PIZZA KITCHEN! To order please call on Fridays, 8 AM to 1 PM. Orders must be picked up by 3:30 PM. HOSPITAL Please pray for all parishioners who are in the hospital. Also for all those ill at home, in nursing homes, and shut-ins; that they may continue to receive the Lord s Blessings. SYMPATHY Please remember all our dearly departed and their families in your prayers. May the Choirs of Angels receive them, and may they with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting. HELP DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS Check your calendar. Can you help? On Thursday, Dec. 21, we will be decorating the Church for Christmas immediately following the 9:30 A.M. Mass in St. Mary s and will finish with last minute details on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 11 A.M.. We invite and welcome anyone who would like to help us with this endeavor. Your help will be very much appreciated. CHRISTMAS WAFERS (OPLATKI) The Christmas Wafers (Oplatki) are available after all Masses or at the parish office. The cost is $3.00 for a package of four.

4 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Diocese of Pittsburgh 111 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA November 30, 2017 Dear Brother Priests and Deacons: Recently we were informed that a pastor of one of our parishes has granted a dispensation for the obligation of participating at Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This dispensation was issued in the parish bulletin and has found its way into the electronic media. Subsequent to the release of this information, we have received inquiry from other pastors seeking a clarification regarding the permissibility of such an action. I am writing this letter to you so we can bring clarity to this matter. DECEMBER 10, 2017 AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS: A High School Silent Retreat Have you ever allowed God to speak to you through silence? What does it mean to find Him as the source of your authentic happiness? Find out through Authentic Happiness: A High School Silent Retreat. Father Mike Ackerman will lead this retreat for high school men, February 3-4 at Martina Spiritual Renewal Center. It will include Mass, adoration, dynamic talks, and solid brotherhood. No cost. To register, visit PGHPriest.com by January 22, First and foremost, it needs to be recognized that only the diocesan bishop is the interpreter of law in his diocese. This authority is not delegated to any other person by the church. The reason for such a principle is to maintain communion within the church, with the diocesan bishop as the chief shepherd of the faithful and the parishes which have been entrusted to his care. Secondly, a dispensation by its nature is a relaxation of an ecclesiastical law. Pastors may grant a dispensation from an ecclesiastical law only to a specific individual, when the individual requests it of the pastor and a just cause, which has been verified by the pastor, exists. Pastors may not grant a general dispensation which individuals may apply to themselves. Only the diocesan bishop has such authority. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Third, it is clear from previous correspondence to you that no dispensation from the obligation of participation at Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent is being granted by the diocesan bishop. It has been the consistent practice in the diocese that a dispensation from the obligation of attendance at Mass only is considered in a time of some natural disaster or other major cause that might exist which requires a dispensation. Such does not exist in this case. The celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Advent is an important part of the liturgical year and should be celebrated as such. To do otherwise, minimizes the importance of this final Sunday before the celebration of Christmas. All are invited to join Bishop David A. Zubik and the Hispanic/Latino Catholic Apostolate for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Mass this Tuesday, Dec. 12. Ceremonies will begin at 5:30 P.M. with Eucharistic Adoration, followed with the Rosary at 6:30 P.M., and then, we will greet her with the singing of Las Mananitas. A procession into the Cathedral will follow with a color guard of flags of many nations. Mass will begin at 7:00 P.M. and a reception will follow. All are invited to attend. For more information call Finally, I would inform you that you may not grant a dispensation from the obligation of participation at Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent and instruct your parishioners regarding the importance of the celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas and the need to participate in these sacred days in the Church. With every personal best wish, I am, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS / BISHOP S PROJECT Sincerely Yours in Christ, Very Reverend Lawrence A. DiNardo, VG,JCL Vicar General/General Secretary It is once again time for the annual Bishop s Project sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Crafton Council 875. Last weekend, Dec. 2/3, envelopes were placed at all doors of the Church with stickers that you can use on your Christmas cards and letters. We ask that you replace the stickers with a donation that you can afford to give. You can return your donation in the collection basket at Mass. Those who may prefer to mail theirs in may do so. Just put SJG on the envelope so we may get credit for the mailing. All proceeds help the McGuire Home and St. Anthony Programs that serve the needs of children with special needs.

5 ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH STEEPLE CHASE SUPER BOWL POOL Super Bowl Sunday is February 4, Again, the SJOG Steeple Chase is offering two pools for the Super Bowl. There are 100 blocks in each pool. $35 pool will have a total payment of $1,700 : $100 1st qtr., $500 half time, $100 3rd qtr. and $1,000 final. $100 pool will have a total payment of $5,000: $500 1st qtr., $1000 half time, $500 3rd qtr. and $3,000 final. For the $100 pool only you will get 4 sets of numbers ~ a different set of numbers for each quarter. The names and numbers for each pool will be randomly drawn in advance. You will receive a copy of your completed pool prior to the Super Bowl. Don t be left out. The pools fill up quickly. Purchase a square for yourself or partner with a friend. Consider buying some as Christmas or birthday gifts. Deadline is Friday, January 19, OR AS SOON AS THE POOLS ARE FILLED, WHICH- EVER COMES FIRST. Name your block and fill out the form below. All proceeds benefit the St. John of God capital improvement fund. Questions?? Call Terry at SUPER BOWL POOL PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT COMPLETELY, DROP IN COLLEC- TION BASKET (SJOG OR SCAT) OR PARISH OFFICE MAIL SLOT, OR MAIL TO: SUPER BOWL POOL, 1011 CHURCH AVE., MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH. QUESTIONS??? CALL TERRY AT ($1,700 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) ($5,000 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) (PLEASE PRINT) I would like to name my square(s) Name Address, City, State w/zip Phone STEELERS FOOTBALL POOL WINNERS December 4, 2017 Steelers vs. Bengals Half Time Score: Steelers 3 Bengals 17 T & D owned by Dolly Bafile $100 CLOVERLEAF owned by Stella Churchill $100 VLB owned by Victoria Batcha $100 Final Score: Steelers 23 Bengals 20 MOLLY BOW-WOW owned by Ellie Brown $150 TANC owned by Constance Tancosh $150 HINES 57 owned by Mary Pongratz $150 Congratulations and Let's Go Steelers! SANTA LAND RAILROAD Want to get a warm season s glow? Stop by to see the elaborate Santa Land Village Railroad display in St. Philip Parish at the Ascension Worship Site, 114 Berry St., Pgh, The schedule for visitations is as follows: Thurs., Dec. 14, 5-8:30 pm; Fri., Dec. 15, 5-8:30 pm; Sat., Dec. 16, 12-4:30 pm and 6:30-9 pm; Sun., Dec. 17, 12-4 pm; Wed., Dec. 20, 5-8:30 pm; Thurs., Dec. 21, 5-8:30 pm; Fri., Dec. 22, 5-8:30 pm; Wed., Dec. 27, 5-8:30 pm; Thurs., Dec. 28, 5-8:30 pm, Fri., Dec. 29, 5-8:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 30, 12-3:30 pm and 5:30-9 pm. For more information, please call St. Philip Parish at DIVORCED AND SEPARATED SUPPORT GROUP If you are enduring the acute pain and profound sense of loss associated with separation or divorce, you need not go through this alone! You will find support, comfort, and healing by joining the Separated and Divorced Support Group that is sponsored by Saints John & Paul Parish in Wexford. The group meets for 13 weeks on Monday evenings from 7-9 PM in the lower level of the Cardinal DiNardo (Social) Center beginning January 8, If you have questions, please contact Ralph Joy at Ralph.r.joy@gmail.com or Sts. John & Paul address is 2586 Wexford Bayne Rd., Sewickley, PA. The church is very easy to find and is located approximately 1/2 mile west of the I-79 Wexford exit. Please keep our Priests, Seminarians, Deacons and all Religious in your prayers.

6 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 10, 2017 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24, :30 P.M., St. Mary s (The 4:30 P.M. Liturgy will be the traditional children and family celebration. Small gifts to be shared with the needy children of the neighborhood may be bought to the altar when the children gather for the homily) 8:00 P.M., St. Mary s Midnight, St. Mary s Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, :45 A.M. St. Mary s CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS Parish Office: The Parish Office will be closed for ordinary business the week of Christmas, Dec. 25 through Dec. 29 returning on Tuesday, Jan. 2, Please hold all calls during this time unless it is an emergency. Pizza Kitchen: The Pizza Kitchen will be closed on Friday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 29. We will be back in operation the following Friday, Jan. 5, ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CHARITIES COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH Second Collection at all Masses Celebrated for Christmas A longstanding tradition in the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Christmas Day is the Charities collection for Children and Youth. The proceeds from this collection are used to support a number of programs in our Diocese, which serve many children and young people who depend on our generosity and our loving concern for them. This collection will be taken at all Masses celebrated for Christmas in St. John of God Parish. Also, this collection is a two-fold win. Not only does it help children and youth, but all proceeds collected will be credited towards our Parish Share Assessment. Since we have met our Parish Share goal for 2017, this money will stay in the parish and not be taxed by the Diocese. PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (MONDAY THRU FRIDAY) ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! Prepare the Way of the Lord - Advent is our annual time of anticipation and expectation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and, ultimately, at the end of time. During this season we make many preparations so that we can be ready to meet the Lord. We prepare our hearts through prayer and reconciliation to be a fitting place of welcome for Jesus to dwell. We also prepare our homes as places of warm hospitality to welcome neighbors and strangers alike with a loving and generous heart. This Advent, we also find ourselves anticipating the changes that will soon be upon as part of the On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative. How are you preparing for the new realities in our parishes? Will your heart meet these changes with resistance or with the resolve to do what it takes to foster new life in your community and help grow the Church? Take some time this Advent to prepare the way of the Lord as he comes to make us and our Church ever more alive! Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed. FINANCIAL AID A Financial Aid and Scholarship Seminar will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in the school library for parents interested in learning about Bishop Canevin s financial aid application process, guidelines, and qualifications, and scholarship opportunities. To register please call , ext A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE by Bud Ozar Why is it so hard to forgive, yet so east to get even? Listen to John the Baptist in today s Gospel and repent of the anger and ugly feelings which block your ability to forgive. This Christmas give a gift which makes a difference. Give forgiveness. ANTHONY J. SANVITO, Inc. FUNERAL HOMES Cremation & Pre-Arranged Funerals Now Offering Pet Cremation Coraopolis McKees Rocks

7 ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH PASTOR'S CORNER Fr. Lou Vallone Tomorrow, December 11, I will mark my 12th anniversary as Pastor of St. John of God and my 11th at St. Catherine of Siena. (Both were six year terms. I was not renewed in either of them. Math isn t the Diocese s strong point, it seems.) Beginning with my first pastorate in 1981, I wrote the following article as a commitment to my ministry. I have done so in each of the six parishes I have served as Pastor. As is my custom, I repeat that commitment yearly. It will be up to you to decide whether I live up to it or not. "I have practiced many a year And have come a long, long way just to play for you. So many will be the blessings And so short will be the time That I stay with you." The pop singing duet Seals & Crofts always began their concerts with this signature song: a musical promise of commitment to the time spent together with the audience, a pledge to give their all in talent and energy to form a relationship with their listeners. By this song, they signaled their feeling that their music was not merely a commercial arrangement (you buy the ticket, we sell the melody) but rather the communal sharing of an experience, in which the artists were as dependent upon the response of the hearers as were the hearers upon the artists for providing good music. If this is true for musicians, it is more so for priests. We have all practiced many a year: through seminary training and internships and the experiences of our past assignments. We have come a long, long way from our homes, families, friends, lives and previous parishes, each with but one thing in mind: to play for you. That is to say, we wish to cherish and serve the people and community that we are sent to on behalf of the diocese, the bishop, the Universal Church, the the diocese, the bishop, the Universal Church, the Pope, but most of all on behalf of the One High Priest, Jesus Christ. Every priest is but a human being; each as such is different from all others in ability, weakness, personality, skills, faults. But all are the same in that they are committed to giving and doing their best for the flock that has been entrusted to their care, within the limits of their individuality. Some of the things that priests do are similar: celebrating Mass; marrying; baptizing; burying; counseling; visiting the sick; teaching and preaching the faith; witnessing by words and actions their belief and love of God for His people. Above and beyond that, to some are given the responsibilities of administration or education or some other charge. But no matter what it is we do, we are dependent upon the good will, cooperation, acceptance, tolerance and support of our people. Like singers, our ministry is empty if it is not interactive and relational with the parishioners. We make the music together, or it is not made at all. "You can say that I'm your friend You can see my life begin and end. I love you, Yes, I do. You'll always be special to me." Happy Anniversary, Fr. Lou!!!! Thank you for being our Pastor and for all you do for Saint John of God Parish St. John of God Parish Membership Form Name Address City Zip Phone CHECK ONE: New Registration Change of Address Moving out of Parish Want Envelopes Please drop Membership Form into the offertory basket or mail to Rectory.