L OYOLA THE CHURCH OF. Knowing God is more important than knowing about God.

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1 THE CHURCH OF S AINT I GNATIUS L OYOLA A ROMAN CATHOLIC C OMMUNITY INSPIRED BY THE TRADITION OF ST. IGNATIUS, S T. HEDWIG AND S T. MARY'S ANNUNCIATION PARISHES. e, the blended Catholic community of St. Ignatius Loyola, draw strength from Word and Sacrament, W especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. Modeling Christ s work, we embrace our commitment to God s call. We remain faithful to the shared acts of prayer, study and service. Together we extend Christ s hospitality to others and light the path of peace for generations to come. Knowing God is more important than knowing about God. Karl Rahner, S.J.

2 T H E S U N D A Y L I G H T Page 2 View our information video at com Advent Season Don t forget to check our grocery rebate program. Details can be found in the vestibule of the church. Your support is deeply appreciated. PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS - ADVENT VESPERS Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. Advent Vespers will be prayed each Sunday evening at 7:00 PM. Please join us as we celebrate the evening prayer of the Church. CHRSTMAS WAFER (OPLATKI) The word Oplatek derives from the latin word Oblatum, meaning sacred bread. Made of unleavened dough, it first began to be used in the 10th century as a liturgical wafer, with a religious motif engraved on a side. Families gather on Christmas Eve and share the wafer with a simple blessing ritual as their traditional Christmas Eve meal begins. The wafers will be available after all Masses this weekend. Everyone is welcome to share in this rich Polish tradition which expresses a tender love for the Christ- Child. Any donation will be deeply appreciated! BE AN ANGEL THIS ADVENT As is tradition in our parish, the Angel Wreaths have been placed in the back of the church and chapel. If you have not already taken an ornament, please consider doing so. The item should be newly purchased. Wrap the gift and attach the ornament to the outside of the package. Please do not wrap used items. The deadline for returning the Angel gifts is today, Sunday, December 7th. If you were not able to return your gift by Noon Mass on Sunday, you can drop it off at the Rectory from 1:00-3:00 PM. If you have any questions or for some reason you are unable to return your gift by the deadline, please contact Jenn Frusciante at Remember to be an angel this Advent. In recognition of our need to give, and the many needs of our church and parish, and in gratitude for God s gifts to us, we declare our willingness to return a portion of our Treasure to our parish, as part of our total Christian stewardship. Sunday Tithe $11, This Week s Expenses $9, PENANCE SERVICES Tuesday, December 16th - 7:00 PM at St. John the Baptist, Larksville Sunday, December 21st - 7:00 PM at St. Ignatius Loyola Church W E E K L Y M E D I T A T I O N John the Baptist is our model and mentor today as he cries out: Prepare the way of the Lord! We can assist him in getting ready for the coming of the Lord by attending to our own need for repentance and conversion, and remembering that our God is great and deserving of all our praise. Let us be aware that the Lord is always coming into our hearts and lives if we are but open and willing. Our preparation for that momentous arrival takes on even greater meaning as we embrace this Advent season. Don t forget! Food Collection each and every weekend at the vestibules of Church and Chapel.

3 Page 3 D E C E M B E R 7, QUESTION OF THE WEEK Second Sunday of Advent - Patience Reading I Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 (promise of salvation) Reading II 2 Peter 3:8-14 (Christ will come in judgment) Gospel Mark 1:1-8 (John the Baptist) Key Passage The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Adult With whom could you be more patient this week, as God has been patient with you? Child With whom could you be more patient? The Altar Breads and Wine for this week are offered in memory of Norma Agati as requested by Daughters & Family FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH Masses will be celebrated on Monday at: 7:30 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:00 PM in the Church RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Sunday, December 7th - Grade 4 Family Morning and Class Mass. All members of Grade 4, both private and public schools, and their families are strongly encouraged to attend the family morning beginning at 9:15 AM in Conlan Hall with a continental breakfast and followed by the class Mass at 10:30 AM. Saturday, December 13th - First Penance Celebration - 11:00 AM in the Church. The prayer service will be followed by a reception in Conlan Hall. Sunday, December 21st - No class for Grades 1-6. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 11th. COFFEE & DONUTS Coffee and Donuts will be served after the 10:30 AM and Noon Masses today. Please stop down in Conlan Hall to visit with parishioners. Sanctuary Candles Burn this week In Memory of Norma Agati By Daughters & Family In Memory of Monahan, Fisher & Murphy Families By-Agnes Fisher RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS COLLECTION DECEMBER 13TH & 14TH Your generous contribution helps us to care for our retired sisters and enables our younger sisters to continue in active ministry, writes a religious sister. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection provides vital support for the retirement needs of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. It also helps ensure that younger members can continue the good works of their elders! Envelopes for this collection can be found in your packets of envelopes mailed to you for December. Please make checks payable to St. Ignatius Loyola Church, as we will forward one check to the Diocese. Prayer Cards We encourage you to spend quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the week with a special prayer intention in mind. Just pick up a card after your visit to Church and send it off to the one in your prayer. The cards may be used on First Fridays by those attending Eucharistic Adoration. Think gospel! Please make room for your neighbor in church and slide to the center of the pew.

4 MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS Please call the rectory and sign up for the Christmas and New Year s Masses by December 15th. If you need any days for off for the January, 2015 schedule, please call the rectory no later than December 10th. Thank you CALENDARS We wish to thank Maher-Collins Funeral Home for their generous donation of our parish calendars. Calendars will be available after Masses this weekend - one per household. YOUTH NEWS Youth Group December Meeting and Christmas Party Sunday, December 14th from 6:00-8:00 PM for both Junior and Senior High We ask each youth group member attending to bring a $5.00 exchange gift appropriate for a girl if you re a girl or appropriate for a boy if you re a boy. Mark it BOY if you re a boy, and GIRL if you re a girl. Pizza and wings will be served for dinner. If any parents/guardians wish to bring a dessert for the party, it would be much appreciated. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Mary s Ministry will continue to distribute lap robes and prayer shawls free for those in need: homebound, nursing homes, and bereavement. Please contact the Rectory at with your request. May God and Our Blessed Mother bless you and your loved ones. ATTENTION - DATES FOR USE OF FACILITIES Several different groups will be using the facilities. In order to accommodate each group effectively, the church staff requests that all groups schedule all upcoming events well in advance to prevent any conflicts. If you wish to reserve a particular room, (either Church, Conlan or Bergan Parish Center) please stop in the office and fill out the required form. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Nothing can be reserved without this form. ADVENT CONCERT In a 66 year choral history of songs for the season, the Catholic Choral Society will present an Advent Concert tonight (Sunday) at 7:00 PM at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with a snow date of December 9th at 7:00 PM. The group will be singing sacred Advent and Christmas music as well as other Christmas pieces. The Catholic Choral Society will host the Nativity of Our Lord Youth Choir directed and accompanied by David Tighe. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday Feast of the Immaculate Conception (see schedule on page 3) Scouts - 7:00 PM Bergan Parish Center (3rd FL) Tuesday Mary s Ministry Social 5:30 PM - Conlan Hall Scripture Study - 7:00 PM Page 4 Thursday Children s Choir - 6:45 PM Loyola Singers - 7:00 PM - Church Contemporary Ensemble - 7:30 PM Friday Scripture Study - 8:15 AM Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - 1:00 PM Saturday First Penance and Reception - Church & Conlan Hall - 11:00 AM Mary s Prayer Shawl Ministry - 12:30 PM ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES FOR UPCOMING BULLETINS: BULLETIN DEADLINE In Memoriam DECEMBER 21ST DECEMBER 28TH JANUARY 4TH DECEMBER 10TH DECEMBER 15TH DECEMBER 19TH Donald Eagen John Wysocki Teach us to give and not to count the cost. Ignatius of Loyola

5 D E C E M B E R 7, Monday REMEMBERING December 8-13 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Tuesday See schedule on page 3 7:30 Kathleen & Andrew Rogan-ALM Girvan Family 12:10 Martin Finley-ALM Wife & Children Wednesday 7:30 Eugene W. Mulligan-ALM Family 12:10 Catherine Zardeski-ALM Veronica & Frances Krispin Thursday 7:30 Anthony & Victoria Marks-ALM Mary Marks 12:10 John Devitt-ALM Peggy Yanklunas Friday 7:30 Joseph Scheidel Family-ALM Family 12:10 Gerald Maier-ALM Wife Saturday 7:30 John Larkin-MM Page 5 CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PARTY St. Ignatius Church will hold its annual Children s Christmas party, following the Noon Mass on Sunday, December 14th in Conlan Hall. This event is sponsored by the Holy Name Society. Refreshments will be served, and each child will receive a toy along with a gift from Santa. This event is open to all children of the parish. MARY S MINISTRY CHARITY HOLIDAY SOCIAL - DECEMBER 9TH Reminder - Mary s Ministry Charity Holiday Social will be held from 5:30-7:30 PM in Conlan Hall. A light supper meal will be served from 5:30-6:30 PM followed by a delightful musical program presented by Changing Habits, an outreach music ministry from Gate of Heaven Parish, directed by Marilyn O Connell. In place of an entrance fee, participants are asked to contribute a wrapped Christmas present for an adult woman to be donated for residents at McAuley House and Ruth s Place. Please attach a removable tag indicating the package contents. Gifts will be collected at the door. Contact Jean Marie Ash at if you wish to attend and have not made your reservation. ATTENTION HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS, CARE GIVERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Mary s Ministry will be distributing Christmas flowers the third week in December to our parishioners currently in nursing homes or homebound. We ask all family members, friends, or care givers to please contact the Rectory at with names of homebound and nursing home parishioners who should be added to our list to be remembered. Eucharistic Ministers serving the homebound and nursing homes are asked to pick up their flowers for Christmas distribution after Masses on Saturday, December 13th or Sunday, December 14th in Bergan Parish Center. EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF COMMUNION TRAINING Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training will be held on January 8, 15, 22 (Thursdays) from 6:30-9:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville. To register, please call the parish at Please note that it is necessary for candidates to attend all three sessions. COMMUNICATIONS 101 Trying to find out what s going on in our parish? Check out these new features. The St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Community Commission has been working to establish new ways to communicate the many things happening here in our parish to you. You can check out our Twitter account for a daily dose of inspiration or news about the Catholic world. Our new SIL Parish Life newsletter will give a more in depth view of parish happenings in quarterly installations. We also now have our parish calendar available online via Google calendars at and posted in the back of the church and chapel. If you have any ideas or suggestions for our newsletter or other initiatives feel free to contact us at SILparishlife@gmail.com 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS If you wish to add to your 2014 contributions, please do so on or before January 11, Statements will be ed to all parishioners who have provided us with their address. All other statements will be mailed before the end of January. Wife & Children 4 PM Joseph Stochla-LM Sharon Hollock 5:30 PM Ellen Wasilewski-LM Mary Butkiewicz Special Note! Please send us your address and help us cut down on paper and postage.

6 D E C E M B E R 7, Page 6 MINISTRY SCHEDULE December 13 & 14 B U L L E T I N B O A R D Saturday 4:00 PM D. Fisher & P. Ochman D. Duesler, K. Hungarter, M.A. Yendrzeiwski, N. Bellas, J. Duesler, M. Fiske, P. Kiwak J. Callaghan & M. Tietje Saturday 5:30 PM J. Gallagher & M. Girton M. Heffers, J. Stretanski, N. Janoski, W. Janoski A. Larralde & M. Savage Sunday 7:00 AM Lector S. Barnes P. Podesta, T. Thackara, E. Turcan Sunday 8:30 AM S. Verdone & S. Arbogast without Sunday we cannot live CRAFT SHOW Cyrenian s of St. Leo s/holy Rosary, 33 Manhattan Street, Ashley, will hold their Annual Craft Show today, Sunday, December 7th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Cost of table is $25.00 (includes 8 ft. table and chair.) Each vendor is asked to donate one craft for chances. Electric outlets available on first come basis. Call Jackie Lehman at to reserve your table. PILGRIMAGE Father Finn, pastor of St. Barbara s Parish in Exeter, will be conducting a Holy Land Pilgrimage in early October, If you have an interest in possibly joining him and others from the Diocese of Scranton, you can contact him at or by ing him at mykfinn1977@aol.com. HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL NEWS The placement/scholarship test for interested public and private school 8th grade students will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 8:30 AM. Please call the Guidance Office to register at Seasonal Concert will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 3:00 PM. All are welcome! The Social Concerns Corner Check Here Every Week for the Latest Food Bank Information The Food Bank is in Need of the Following Items: Tuna, Soup, Cereal, Peanut Butter & Jelly Macaroni & Cheese M. B. Vender, D. Castellani (PLEASE PLACE ITEMS IN THE MARKED BASKETS ) P. Castellani Monetary donations are also accepted, please make checks L. & N. Vender payable to the Al Beech West Side Food Bank. Continued on page 7 THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! Just a reminder! Be sure to check your on-line/mailed copy of liturgy schedule often.

7 Page 7 T H E S U N D A Y L I G H T B U L L E T I N B O A R D MINISTRY SCHEDULE Continued BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge, a program of Catholic Social Services, which serves children in five counties throughout NE Pennsylvania, is in great need of Big Brother Big Sister volunteers. Though the agency currently serves approximately 400 children, there are also approximately 250 children on the waiting list. Those children are in great need of mentors. All it takes is an hour or two per week, and it can truly help change the life of a child. For information, call , Ext. 398 or visit EVENING OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 PM in the Chapel of Christ the King at King s College. In this service, we listen to the Scripture lessons which recount the promise of a Messiah and the Incarnation. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other song that reflects the lesson s message and a brief prayer. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Rob Yenkowski at THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS The Slovak Heritage Society of N.E. PA cordially invites you to celebrate The Feast of St. Nicholas today, Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 PM at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 663 N. Main St., Wilkes- Barre. Come and join us for a wonderful afternoon of singing Slovak Christmas Carols and sharing Christmas memories. Slovak hospitality will follow. CHRISTMAS PLAY The Christmas play will be presented at St. John the Baptist Church, 126 Nesbitt St., Larksville on December 24th at 4:00 PM. The title is: Camillus the Clumsy Christmas Camel Living Nativity The Rev. Gerald Gurka s new play intersects legends of the 3 Kings, their Camels and Mary s Flowers on the First Christmas. For more information, please call without Sunday we cannot live Sunday 10:30 AM R. & T. O Connor M. Butcher, M. Hosey P. Kupetz P. Kasson & S. Roper Sunday 12 Noon A. Piccone & M. McGinley N. Frusciante, V. Piccola K. Smedley Special Servers Readings for the Week Monday Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday Is 40:25-31; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Friday Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Saturday Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Check us out! us at SILOffice@aol.com or browse our home page at

8 Page 8 T H E S U N D A Y L I G H T Do not think that God is further from you when you are in the midst of the busyness which your vocation entails than he would be if you were enjoying a tranquil life. Frances de Sales

9 PARISH SCHOOLS Good Shepherd Academy: Principal, Mr. James Jones Phone: Holy Redeemer High School: Principal, Mrs. Anita Sirak Phone: YOUTH MINISTRY Our parish offers a comprehensive Youth Ministry, in conjunction with the Regional Youth Ministry, including community building, service, religious education and socialization. Watch the bulletin for ministry information. THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS This is a process the Catholic Church uses to bring adult members into the faith. Anyone interested in becoming a part of this process or in obtaining more information can call Tony Butel at This journey in faith is concerned with the total formation of the person into living and serving with the Church community. BAPTISM Expectant and new parents are asked to participate in a seminar on Baptism. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Tony Butel. Godparents are welcome to attend, though it is not required. Please call the rectory to register at your earliest convenience. The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is on the third Sunday of every month except during Lent. MARRIAGE Congratulations! You are asked to contact one of the parish priests at least six months before the date of your marriage so that the appropriate preparations can be made for this special celebration. VISITATION OF THE SICK Please call the office for visitation of the sick at home, in the hospital, or health care facility. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. RELIGIOUS FORMATION Grades 1 6 Good Shepherd Academy on Sunday morning from 9:15 AM to 10:20 AM. Grades 7 8 Released Time Confirmation Program High School Sunday Evenings (Monthly) NEW PARISHIONERS Please register by calling the rectory. Those moving should inform the office as soon as possible. DEVOTIONAL LIFE The Rosary is prayed after the 7:30 AM Mass daily and before the 8:30 AM Mass on Sundays at the Chapel of St. Ann. Eucharistic Adoration is held the First Friday of the month at Saint Ignatius Church beginning at 12:45 PM concluding with Benediction at 4:00 PM. (September May) MINISTRY COUNCILS Pastoral Council Father Polednak, Father Roche, Deacon O Connor, Tony Butel, David Baloga, Michelle Butcher, Pat Cole, Robert Dupre, Joe Evan, Randy Granger, Tom Hamill, Molly Kachmar, Debbie Lyons, Maria Scappaticci Finance Council Father Polednak, Bob Gabriesheski, Tom Kopec, Jack Lenahan, Mary Lewis, Jean Michalek, Lou Mondy, Art Piccone, Sue Rhoads, Lisa Rinker, Susan Shoemaker, Kay Smedley, Stanley Swaintek PARISH STAFF Pastoral Outreach Deacon John E. O Connor Religious Formation Mrs. Carmella Faust Religiouseducation1@yahoo.com Mrs. Patty Kopec Youth Ministry stignatiusyg@gmail.com Worship R.C.I.A. Receptionist Main/Business Office SILOffice@aol.com Maintenance Cemetery Clerks Visiting Clergy Pastoral Associate tbutel51@gmail.com Assistant Pastor alexjroche@gmail.com Pastor vicpole@gmail.com Jennifer Frusciante Kim Gnall, Loyola Singers Mrs. Elaine Blesing, Contemporary Ensemble & Children s Choir Director Mrs. Carmella Faust, Handbells & Accompanist Mrs. Pat Fennell, Accompanist Mrs. Jane Gaudio, Cantors Mrs. Caprice Ryman, Accompanist Mr. George Andresky, Accompanist Mr. Anthony Butel Mrs. Jen Carey Ms. Mary Lewis Ron Gaylord Ms. Mary Lewis, St. Ignatius Mrs. Jen Carey, St. Mary & St. Hedwig Rev. Joseph Adonizio Msgr. David Bohr Rev. Daniel Issing C.S.C. Rev. Anthony Urban Rev. Richard Zavacki Deacon Chase Pepper, C.S.C. Mr. Anthony Butel Rev. Alex J. Roche, S.T.L. Rev. John V. Polednak, V.E.