Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690

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1 Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania January 8, 2017 The Epiphany of the Lord Fr. James Loew, O.S.B. Pastor, (724) Fax: (724) Sr. Mercy Francis, S.M.I. Pastoral Minister Mr. James Peterman Coordinator of Religious Formation (724) or (724) Katie Tylinski (724) Youth Minister Coordinator ktylinski@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cardinal Maida Academy Mr. Mark Talarico, Principal School Phone (724) School Fax (724) Patti Donghia-Albert Music Director Baptisms By appointment. Baptismal preparation is necessary. Call for classes Marriage Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance. No marriage dates will be given until meeting with the priest and all preparation is ready. Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Weekday Mass Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:15 a.m. School Mass Holy Day Mass Schedule Holy Day ~ 9:00 am, 6:00 pm Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 Friday Closed Confessions Saturday ~ 3:15-3:45 pm or by appointment Pastoral Council Mission Statement We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multicultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. We are committed to building up the Body of Christ through Word, Worship, Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region. We willingly accept our obligation to be the Light of the World for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal divisive wounds among God s People and to join with all people of good will in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all.

2 ST. GERTRUDE PARISH Treasures From Our Tradition This year, in the United States the celebration of the Epiphany falls on January 8, but the traditional date for the Epiphany is January 6. The date we know as January 6 was established as the solstice in Egypt in 1996 BC, but the Egyptian calendar lost a full day every 128 years. Twenty centuries later the actual solstice had migrated to December 25. People still kept January 6 for the solstice celebration, but December 25, matching nicely with the Roman pagan feast of the Unconquered Sun, launched an extended solstice holiday. By the time of the early church, the whole period of twelve days was celebrated just about everywhere. Christians began to celebrate Christ as the true light of the world in four themes: the Nativity, the manifestation to the Gentiles, the baptism of the Lord, and the wedding feast at Cana. That was entirely too much for one day to handle. A twelve-day season was ready to be adapted, so Christians borrowed from the pagan calendar for their own season of light. Thus early Christian celebrations of the Christmas season extended from one date for the solstice, December 25, to the older date, January 6. The darkest time in the Northern Hemisphere could now be filled with the Christian observance of the arrival of the Light of the World. Readings for the Week Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34 Today s Readings First Reading -- Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm -- Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second Reading -- The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel -- Magi from the east arrive looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). The Star of Bethlehem The unfolding of the story of the Incarnation continues today as the Church celebrates the Epiphany. The tale of the magi from the East is one of the most fascinating in all of scripture. It has much to teach us about what we can come to expect, even in circumstances and places that may seem insignificant or small. Bethlehem was a tiny town, what we might refer to today as a town without even one stop light. Yet it is over this seemingly insignificant place that the guiding star stops in its own search for the place where the Savior would be born. Too often we fail to recognize the fact that the star of Bethlehem comes to rest in our everyday lives, where we can experience God's presence, manifested in ever new ways. Epiphany calls us to shake off our stupor and recognize the One who comes to save us. Knights of Columbus council #6715 Knights of Columbus wishes to announce the three winners of their recent ways and means project, their Christmas Raffle. The large olive wood last supper was won by Tammie George; the medium olive wood last supper was won by Pauline Rukis and the small olive wood last supper was won by Loretta Tedeski. Congratulations to the three winners. The council wishes to thank all those that supported this project.

3 The Epiphany of the Lord January 8,2017 Memorial Candle ~ John T. Lucas by Ida Altar Servers Schedule January 14th & 15th 4:00p.m. ~ Ashley & Brianna Scanga 8:00a.m. ~ Casey & Renee Tomiczek 10:30a.m. ~ Joseph Collini Cheyenne Sippel Collection for December 24th & 25th Envelopes ~ $5, Loose Collection $ Church Restoration ~ $2.00 Children s Collection ~ $5.00 Utilities ~ $57.00 Christmas ~ $7, Children and Family Services Envelopes ~ $ Loose ~ $ Collection December 31st & January 1st. Envelopes ~ $6, Loose Collection $ Church Restoration ~ $75.00 Children s Collection ~ $1.00 Utilities ~ $44.00 Holy Christmas Envelopes ~ $3,815 Pro-life Mass and prayers at Connare Center, Jan. 27 The Greensburg Diocesan Council of the National Council of Catholic Women invite all who are unable to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., to pray with them Jan. 27 at the Bishop Connare Center, Greensburg. The schedule is: Rosary for Priests at 11:30 a.m.; Mass celebrated by Msgr. Larry J. Kulick at noon; exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the conclusion of Mass until Closing Prayer and Benediction at 4:30 p.m. Other prayers will include Rosary for Life, 1:30 p.m.; Stations of the Cross for Life, 2:15 p.m.; Divine Mercy Chaplet, 3 p.m.; and Litany for Life, 3:30 p.m. No reservations are needed, and you may participate at any time during the day. For more information, call Greensburg DCCW president Millie Krinock at Spaghetti Dinner The bi-monthly spaghetti dinners are resuming. Ministries to provide dessert and/or work in January: January 12 Men s Club, Knights of Columbus, Finance Council; January 26 St. Vincent de Paul, choir, Contemporary Choir. Volunteers are always needed, so please consider becoming a volunteer and helping out! Phone Tree For Prayers We have parish members who have joined us in our chain of prayers and we will pray for your needs. They will be praying always in the name of Jesus Chirst, Our Lord. If you have a request for special prayers, you can begin the phone Tree for Prayers by calling Fran Milie at or Josephine Moliterno Thank you A heartfelt THANK-YOU from our homebound and nursing home parishioners to all those who thought of them this Christmas by baking cookies, making soup, donating funds, and helping to prepare the gift bags. Remembering those from our parish community who cannot be with us is so important and was very much appreciated. With the joy of Baptism we welcome into the family of God: Vito Emmanuel Troilo and Vienna Noelle Troilo Son and Daughter of Jason Edward Troilo and Nancy Lyn Snyder. We offer our love and best wishes to these children and their families.

4 FUSED 4 ~ JANUARY EDGE CALENDAR (Grades 6th-8th ~Christ the King Parish ~ St. Joseph Room in the basement of the church offices at CTK~ 6:30-8:00 PM) 4 TH NO Session ~ 11 th Session ~ 18 th Session ~ 22 nd Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 25 th -- Session FUSED 4 ~ JANUARY LIFETEEN CALENDAR (Grades 9th-12th ~ St. James Parish Underground/Upper Room ~ 6:30-8:00 PM) 1 st NO Session ~ 8 th No Session ~ 15 th Session ~ 22 nd Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 29 th -- Session Please put this in the parish sec on of the bulle n: FUSED 4 Café is on Thursday, January 12 th from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Upper Room at St. James Social Hall. Br. Canice O.SB. a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey will be our speaker. Topic: Angelology. He is sure to not disappoint! This is open to parents of the 6 th - 12 th graders and any adults/young adults. Cost is free! Desserts are welcome! Refreshments will be served. Music by pianist Michael Hill. 6 th -12 th graders: We will be going snow tubing at Hidden Valley on Saturday, February 11 th. We will meet at St. James at 4:00 PM and return around 10:30 PM. Cost is $23 for snow tubing (includes dinner). If you volunteered with the Golden Agers dinner then your cost is only $13. Money, permission slips and snow tubing release and waiver agreement (found in back of church) are due by Sunday, January 29 th. 9th-12th graders: Winter Retreat-Fulfilled: Take me out of your busy life and make some quality me for God! The Winter Retreat is scheduled for February th. The cost of the retreat is $60.00 (includes all lodging, meals and supplies for the weekend). FUSED 4 Youth Ministry is paying $65 towards the retreat as the total cost is $ For more informa on about the retreat visit: h p:// Deadline to register for this event is no later than February 11th, We will meet at St. James at 4:45 PM on Friday and will return around 1:15 PM on Sunday. Don t miss out on a fantastic weekend! If finances are an issue, please see Katie. Attention those in 8 th -12 th grades as of January 1 st, 2017: The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is an exciting, biennial three -day experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes general sessions, and workshops addressing a wide variety of topics including Catholic spirituality and prayer, social justice issues, sexuality and leadership. There are also opportunities for reconciliation, daily liturgy, prayer experience, and special activities such as concerts, a dance, and comedy club. The thematic park is a unique venue incorporating traditional exhibits with interactive educational and recreational activities and vendors. Visit A $100 deposit is due by Sunday, January 15 th. Please note that the deadline has been extended. We will be doing a combination of fundraising and applying for Francis Funds to help to cover the total cost of $760/person to help reduce your out-of-pocket expense.

5 Saturday, January 7th, Vigil The Epiphany of the Lord 4:00p.m. Andrew and Marie Cronauer Sunday, January 8, Epiphany of the Lord 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Mary & Chester Rukas Monday, January 9, Baptism of the Lord 8:30a.m. Anthony Callipare Tuesday, January 10, Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Wednesday, January 11, Weekday 8:30a.m. Carmine & Marty Botti 9:15a.m CMA School Mass Thursday, January 12, Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ the King Friday, January 13, Weekday 8:30a.m. Margaret A. Grimm Saturday, January 14, Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Saturday, January 14, Vigil, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00p.m. Kathy & Frank Bruno Sunday, January 15, The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Cynthia Rametta Ball