The Sunday Good News. PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Prepare His Way

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1 The Church of Saint John Bosco December 9, 2018 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Prepare His Way O God, help us to be aware of the rough ways in our relationships with family, friends and strangers, with co-workers, co-learners and with those in authority. Help us smooth out the bumps, and with your grace may we become less, so that you can be more present in us. May we carve out a space in ourselves where the Prince of Peace, the Wonder Counselor, can be born. By all these Advent works may we prepare a roadway for a truly holy Christmas. ~ Edward Hays Make Straight the Crooked Ways In every prayer I utter, I rejoice as I plead on your behalf at the way you all have continually helped promote the gospel from the very first day. I am sure of this much, that he who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus.My prayer is that your love may more and more abound that you may learn to value the things that really matter up to the very day of Christ. How many are busy writing greeting cards to relatives, friends and acquaintances. The thoughts expressed, speak of a deep, deep concern for the joy of Christ s presence to touch their lives. At times we might not think twice about the reason for sending a card. Consider the reasons St. Paul referred to as he wrote the Philippians. He wrote about his prayer for this new Christian community. He offered encouragement for them to grow in their lives as disciples of the Lord. That prayer motivates us as we begin this second week of Advent. Advent reminds of the past coming, but directs us to today and tomorrow where the Lord is leading us. May we find a quiet moment to reflect upon Paul s wish for us today as we anticipate the coming of Christ with His grace and peace. May we seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of our advent. MASS SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS The following is the Christmas Mass schedule so that you may plan accordingly. 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Vigil Mass: Saturday, December 22, 4 PM Sunday Masses: December 23, 7:30, 9 & 11:30 AM Masses CHRISTMAS: HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Monday, Christmas Eve, December 24: 4 PM, 6 PM and 10 PM Tuesday, Christmas Day, December 25: 9 AM ONLY. THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD Confirmation Class Sunday, December 9, 6-7:30 PM, Gym SPRED... Tuesday, December 11, 6:30 PM Families in Faith... Sunday, December 16, 4-6:30 PM, Kitchen Hanging of the Greens...Monday, December 17, 4:30 PM Red Cross Bloodmobile...Tuesday, December 18, 1-6 PM Penance Service... Wednesday, December 19, 7 PM

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS 1,115 families receive envelopes. 405 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of Dec. 1/2 Sunday Mass Attendance: 838 Total Sunday Offering: $10, Thank you for your generosity! SECOND COLLECTION RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS This weekend s second collection is for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests ministered for years for little to no pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate retirement savings. Your gift to today s second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to provide medications, nursing care, and more for tens of thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous. Faith Formation Corner Family ornaments are due next Sunday, December 16th. Our older students will hang the ornaments on a tree inside the entrance of the church where they will remain through the Christmas season. Please be sure to label your child s ornament if you wish to have it returned in January. Our parent group, Families in Faith, will prepare and serve dinner to guests at Divine Providence Shelter on December 16. Dinner will be prepared here at SJB in the kitchen from 4:00-6:30 PM, and dinner will be served at 7:00 at Divine Providence. All are welcome! Our Level 1 students, under the direction of Mrs. Christine Ashton, will have their Class Mass next Sunday, December 16th, at 9:00. They will participate as greeters and gift bearers, and will share a special song with the congregation. Confirmation Class will meet this Sunday, December 9th from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Gym. All students must attend, and should bring Decision Point books and red folders to class. Please note that paperwork is due at this time, including the Confirmation Agreement form, student and sponsor form, sponsor eligibility card (if sponsor is not a parishioner at St. John Bosco), and Baptismal Certificate. Please contact the Faith Formation office with any questions. With the winter weather approaching, please remember to check our parish website, Facebook page, and for any updates and announcements. Please also follow instructions on the Faith Formation page of the parish website to be added to SJB Faith Formation on the Remind App. BREAKING BREAD MISSALS The new BREAKING BREAD MISSALS were placed in the pews at the beginning of Advent, December 1-2, 2018, and will be used until NOVEMBER 30, If you would like to make a donation to defray the expense of the new missals, please use a plain envelope marked with your name, envelope number and intention and place it in the collection basket during December. The donation to help with this necessary but expensive cost is $10. VALLEY FOOD PANTRY CHRISTMAS FOOD DISTRIBUTION: The Valley Food Pantry's annual Christmas Food Distribution will take place on Saturday, December 15th. We have been asked to collect baking supplies such as sugar, flour, frosting, cookie and cake mix. Please place items in the collection box located in the vestibule by the coat rack. Your support and generosity now and throughout the year is greatly appreciated by over sixty families who benefit from the Valley Food Pantry. Thank You! DIOCESAN VOCATION OFFICE CALENDAR OF YOUTH EVENTS, Project Andrew Dinner... Thursday, December 27, 2018 International Student Leadership Institute (ISLI), Camp Ladore, Waymart... February 15-17, 2019 Come and See Vocation Retreat, Villa of Our Lady Retreat House, Mount Pocono... March 8-10, 2019 Bold Choices Young Adult Retreat, St. Gabriel s Retreat House, Clarks Summit... April 12-13, 2019

3 MINISTERS OF COMMUNION, LECTORS, AND ALTAR SERVERS Volunteers are needed to serve at Masses for Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24 at 4, 6, and 10 pm; Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25 at 9 am; New Year s Eve at 4 pm and New Year s Day at 9 am. Please sign up in the sacristy as soon as possible. CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR PRISONERS Please help our parish give Christmas cards to the inmates of Lackawanna Prison again this year. Those wishing to participate are asked to write a brief Christmas greeting on their cards and sign them with their first name and the name of our parish. Do not seal the envelopes. Please leave completed cards in the box on the windowsill across from the parish office by December 15 GLOVE, HAT AND SCARF COLLECTION We are collecting winter gloves, hats, and scarves for the men and women clients we see each month at the Salvation Army. There are more men than women. Please deposit your unwrapped gift in the basket provided. Thank you in advance for your generosity. USHER BADGES/LANYARDS The parish has purchased Usher badges/lanyards to be worn when serving at Mass so that those attending can easily identify you if they are in need of assistance. They are hanging in the usher room. Please wear one when you serve and then return it to the usher room after Mass. Thank you very much for your generous service to our parish. PRAYER SERVICE AT HOLY DORMITION FRANCISCAN FRIARY Sunday December 9 at 2pm: Emmanuel Moleben and Concert -- Come to Holy Dormition Franciscan Friary in Sybertsville for a service of hymns and Scripture readings to help us prepare for the coming of Emmanuel, meaning God With Us, that is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ -- followed by a concert of Christmas hymns in English and Slavonic sung by Byzantine Cantors of NEPA. Enjoy refreshments afterwards. The Franciscans are on Rt 93 at Main St, down the street from Gould's Supermarket. For information or to contribute to the social, holydormition@gmail.com or call Fr Jerome THANK YOU to Maylath Valley Health Systems, Inc., for sponsoring our 2019 Calendars. The calendars are available in the narthex, one per family please. Annual Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, December 18, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm., St. John Bosco gym. Give the gift of life - plan to donate blood. COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... Freeland Community Choir - Concert, Sunday, December 9. 3 PM, St. John s Church, Washington St., Freeland; 7 PM, Conyngham United Methodist Church, Main St., Conyngham. Free will offering. Good Shepherd Church, Drums - Sunday, December 9, Craft and Vendor Show, 11 AM-4 PM. Food and beverages available for purchase. If you are a crafter or vendor and would like to participate, call Jackie at (570) for more information. Holy Family Academy is selling their annual Eagle Cards. The cost is $10 with various vendors on the card. For more information call Hazleton Philharmonic Orchestra - Sounds of the Season Christmas concert, Saturday, December 15, 7:00 PM, Wiltsie Center, Hazleton, 7:00 PM; Adults, $10; Children under 10, $5. Call (570) for more information. WE REMEMBER PAGE 3 Saturday, 4:00 PM December 8 Rosemary Veglia By Esther and Philip Zelenak Sunday, 7:30 AM December 9 Thomas Bernotas By Dorothy Staudenmeier Sunday, 9:00 AM December 9 Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Sunday, 11:30 AM December 9 Anna and Robert McKenna By Mr. and Mrs. Terry Gallagher Monday, 8:00 AM December 10 Rose Ann Peak By Tom and Elaine Zarosky Tuesday, 8:00 AM December 11 Michael Waskovich, Jr. By Joanne Brown Wednesday, 8:00 AM December 12 Tom Chipelski, Sr. By Michael and Dolores Sinko Thursday, 8:00 AM December 13 Steven Kokinda By Robert and Sylvia Serafin Friday, 8:00 AM December 14 Dolores Olexa By Linda Johnson Saturday, 4:00 PM December 15 Robert Martonik By Tim and Emily Martonik Family Sunday, 7:30 AM December 16 Martha and Andrew Kanyock By Jane Kanyock Sunday, 9:00 AM December 16 Rosie Walters By Marianne Horwath Sunday, 11:30 AM December 16 Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco The Tabernacle Candle burns this week in memory of ROBERT MARTONIK given by wife, Mary Susan and family.

4 PAGE 4 A MATTER OF SEASONS I used to laugh at Dad when he d insist on celebrating for weeks after Christmas. It s Christmastime; we have to celebrate, he d declare as he poured the wine or passed out dessert. I thought it was just an excuse to eat and drink, but now I recognize his wisdom. He had a real appreciation of the season of Christmas and relished it as a time of rejoicing. Actually Christmas is a feast requiring weeks of preparation as well as celebration. Advent is that time of preparation. It is a season of darkness. The days grow shorter as we approach the winter solstice. The trees are barren, the earth cold and dull. We focus our attention on the end times in our liturgical celebrations. Luke predicts that nations will be in dismay and people will die of fright. He exhorts us to be vigilant and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent. John the Baptizer admonishes us to prepare the way of the Lord. Advent calls us to repentance, to recognition of our weakness and need for forgiveness. It is a time for grief over the year that is ending the things undone, the sins committed, the pain experienced. But it is also a time of hope. Our grief intensifies our longing for God. The prophets not only admonish us, but console us as well. Isaiah assures us that the winding roads shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke tells us that our redemption is near at hand. Mary embodies hope promising fulfillment. Dad was right. We have to celebrate Christmas. But first we have to get ready for the celebration. We need to enter the silent darkness of Advent before we can emerge into the light of Christmas joy. Mary Ann Miller Liturgy Committee Chair VIEW FROM THE PEWS GIVING TREE: Bring in your unwrapped gift by December 9. Thank you for making a child s Christmas brighter! HANGING OF THE GREENS: Just a reminder. The garland and lights will be hung from the beams of our church Monday, December 17, beginning at 4:30 PM. We are in need of men who are comfortable on ladders to be present and to assist with this important task this year as we prepare for the Christmas Season. We are grateful to those who have already volunteered to be present and assist with this project. HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME VISITATIONS Due to the HIPAA laws, we have no way of knowing if you have a loved one in a nursing or rehab center or if anyone is home bound or in the hospital. At this time of year if you would like to have someone visit your loved one, please let us know so we can arrange a visit for them to receive the Sacraments. MATRIMONY - Engaged couples who are registered members of St. John Bosco Church and who are contemplating entering into the Sacrament of Matrimony in 2019 or 2020 are asked to call the Parish Office at , Ext 3 or 4, to arrange an appointment with the Pastor. Please allow at least 9 to 12 months for the completion of the necessary preparations and instructions. Do not enter into any other commitments (reception hall, photographer, band or DJ, etc.) before confirming a wedding date and time in the parish. In addition to your meetings with the priest, you will also be expected to participate in a Pre-Cana Conference and with the online FOCCUS instrument. Your understanding is appreciated. It will enable us to serve you properly.

5 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Update as of December 3, 2018 GOAL: $59,000 RECEIVED TO DATE: $32, or 55% of goal NEEDED TO REACH PARISH GOAL: $26, PARTICIPANTS: 156 out of 1131 gave/pledged or 13.7% of parishioners We are grateful to all who have already participated. If everyone would give something we could reach our goal. Please prayerfully consider what you can offer to the Appeal this year. GREY DOG RAFFLE $25,000 IN CASH PRIZES - MORE CHANCES TO WIN! 25 cash prizes will be awarded. GRAND PRIZE is $10, $500 PRIZES 1 - $5,000 PRIZE 8 - $250 PRIZES 4 - $1,000 PRIZES 5 - $200 PRIZES Tickets are $ and are available before and after all Masses and in the parish office during the week. You may also call (570) , Ext. 3, to order one and it will be mailed to you. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS: An envelope is in your set to help defray the cost of flowers and decorations for our sanctuary for the Christmas Season, December 24 through January 13. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one, living or deceased, for the holidays. Clearly print the name of the person(s) that you desire to have remembered on the envelope and return it to the parish office by Sunday, December 16, so the intention may be printed in the Christmas bulletin. The typical donation is $25 but any offering is gratefully accepted. The poinsettias may also be donated for a SPECIAL INTENTION or IN THANKSGIVING FOR BLESSINGS RECEIVED. FLOWER BOUQUETS DURING ADVENT: Usually during the Advent Season no flowers are used in our sanctuary. However, on the third Sunday of Advent, December 15-16, Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, flowers are permitted. The bouquet would be a mixture of pink and purple. If you are interested in donating a bouquet in memory of a loved one, for a special intention or in thanksgiving, please call the parish office. Donation: $50. The intention and donor will be printed in the December bulletin unless requested otherwise. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SEASON MEMORIAL CANDLES AVAILABLE CHURCH WINDOW CANDLES 15 candles still available. Offering: $20 each. Candles may be donated IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE, FOR A SPECIAL INTENTION, or IN THANKSGIVING. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one, living or deceased, during the holiday season. The intention and donor will be listed in the Christmas Bulletin UNLESS REQUESTED OTHERWISE. The Church Window Candles will be lit 24/7 for 16 days/nights. To reserve your candle, contact the Parish Office, (570) , ext. 3. REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD Your prayers are requested for EVELYN HORWATH, a parishioner of St. John Bosco Church, who recently died. May she and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. BAPTISMAL WELCOME We extend prayerful congratulations and a warm welcome to Emily Grace Rostocki, daughter of Ryan and Allison Rostocki, who was baptized by Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr., on Sunday, December 2. May Emily Grace continue to grow in age, wisdom, and love before God and others.

6 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILATION - CHRISTMAS SEASON In preparation for the Christmas Season, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) will be available at Saint John Bosco Parish at the following times. You are encouraged to make a thoughtful confession prior to Christmas. MONDAYS OF ADVENT December 10 & 17: 6-7 PM in the Church SATURDAYS OF ADVENT December 15 & 22: 3-3:45 PM in the Church ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE Wednesday, December 19: 7 PM (six priests available) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21 Noon until 1 PM and 6-7 PM No Confessions will be available on Christmas Eve, December 24. The last opportunity for this Sacrament will be on Saturday, December 22. A Penance Service will be held on Wednesday, December 12, at 7 PM at Good Shepherd Church, Drums, and at least four priests will be available. There will be a Penance Service at Holy Rosary Church, Hazleton, Monday, December 17 from 6 to 7 PM. A number of priests will be available. ANNUNCIATION PARISH ADVENT HOLY HOUR Annunciation Parish, Hazleton, is holding an ADVENT HOLY HOUR. Join us for an evening of Advent prayer with guest musician and artist, Michael Corsini. Eucharistic adoration, confessions and quiet mediation. What a perfect way to prepare our hearts for the coming Christmas mysteries! Monday, December 10 starts at 7:00 pm. This is a FREE event; however, a freewill offering would be appreciated. For more information about Michael Corsini go to MUSIC MINISTRY Rehearsals Choir Monday, December 10, 7:00 PM Children s Choir Tuesday, December 11, 5:30 PM Bell Choir Tuesday, December 11, 7:00 PM GIFT CARDS NEEDED Often throughout the year, due to our location on a main highway, we receive requests from needy parishioners, travelers and others from the area for assistance. Our outreach is normally limited to food assistance. We usually give $25 GIFT CARDS to Gould s Supermarket, Walmart or occasionally a gas station. If you would like to donate a gift card that can be given to a needy person or family when there is a real need, simply purchase them and drop them off at the parish office or place in the collection basket in an envelope marked for the needy. Whatever you can do will be appreciated. D A I LY R E A D I N G S Sunday Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6 Monday Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Thursday Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Friday Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Joseph Molitoris RCIA TEAM CALENDAR Date of Session: December 9 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Presenter: Fr. Ric Topic: Sacrament of Reconciliation ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to FIERRO FUNERAL SERVICE, INC. Bulletin Advertiser Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!