DAILY MASSES. 9:00AM Mon, Wed & Friday 8:00AM Tues, Thurs & Saturday SATURDAY VIGIL MASSES SUNDAY MASSES

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1 Serving the communities of Bon Air, Carrick, Baldwin and Overbrook Office: 3198 Schieck St. Pittsburgh, PA Phone: (412) ~ Fax: (412) Web: holyapostlesparish.org ~ holyapostles@holyapostlesparish.org Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm ~ Monday ~ Friday CLERGY Pastor Parochial Vicar Deacons Reverend Stephen A. Kresak ~ skresak@holyapostlesparish.org Reverend Levi D. Hartle ~ lhartle@holyapostlesparish.org Michael J. Babcock ~ mbabcock@holyapostlesparish.org James R. Grab ~ jgrab@holyapostlesparish.org Timothy B. Zenchak ~ tzenchak@holyapostlesparish.org PASTORAL STAFF Administrative Assistants Mary Ann Negley ext. 201 mnegley@holyapostlesparish.org Kathleen Schmidt ext. 204 kschmidt@holyapostlesparish.org Bulletin Editor Judy Lee ext. 200 bulletin@holyapostlesparish.org Maintenance Jeff Jenney, Len Lis Music Director Social Minister Eileen Hite ehite@holyapostlesparish.org Mary Spinabelli ext.202 mspinabelli@holyapostlesparish.org Julene Pegher Office Cleaning Office Secretary Judy Lee ext. 200 jlee@holyapostlesparish.org Religious Education REA: Lori Mandela lmandela@holyapostlesparish.org RE Secretary Rosina Zilionis ext. 222 rzilionis@holyapostlesparish.org Youth Ministry Deacon Tim ext. 207 tzenchak@holyapostlesparish.org Safe Environment Lou Ann Shannon safeenvironment@holyapostlesparish.org DAILY MASSES 8:00AM Wednesday & Friday 9:00AM Mon, Wed & Friday 8:00AM Tues, Thurs & Saturday 9:00AM Tuesday St. Wendelin St. Albert St. Basil St. Norbert SATURDAY VIGIL MASSES 4:00PM 4:00PM SUNDAY MASSES 8:00AM 9:00AM 10:30AM 11:30AM St. Basil St. Albert St. Wendelin St. Norbert St. Basil St. Albert CONFESSION 11:00AM - Noon Saturday St. Basil The sacrament of reconciliation is always available to those seeking it by making an appointment with a priest. December 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

2 December 17 Through December 24 SUNDAY THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 4PM ST. ALBERT Arlene Kelch : Elaine & Donna 4 PM ST. BASIL Robert Goodworth : JoAnne Betz 8 AM ST. WENDELIN Wilma M. Moeslein : Family 9 AM ST. NORBERT Living & Deceased of Holy Apostles Parish 10:30 AM ST. BASIL Kelly Lynn & Chuck Brindle : Margie Brindle 11:30 AM ST. ALBERT Lee Hickey : Family & Friends MONDAY WEEKDAY December 18 9 AM ST. ALBERT Ella Jarmulowski : Geneo & Debbie Simeone TUESDAY WEEKDAY December 19 8 AM ST. BASIL Eileen (Koontz) Mangold : Nieces & Nephews 9 AM ST. NORBERT Jim Hanlon : Family WEDNESDAY WEEKDAY December 20 8 AM ST.WENDELIN Ryan Graham : Mom & Family 9 AM ST. ALBERT William Jenks : Family THURSDAY WEEKDAY December 21 8 AM ST.BASIL Henry Caruso : Wife & Daughter FRIDAY WEEKDAY December 22 8 AM ST. WENDELIN Norm Bertha : Wife & Family 9 AM ST. ALBERT Amalia Sendel : Family SATURDAY WEEKDAY December 23 8 AM ST. BASIL Special Intention Sr. Mary Lou : Rosemary Kenny SUNDAY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT 4 PM ST. ALBERT Laura Lancia : Mom, Dad, Kamara and Jim 4 PM ST. BASIL John Mendyk : Arlene Oehling 8 AM ST. WENDELIN Paul Eiben : Wife & Family 9 AM ST. NORBERT Wayne Cuddy : Family 10:30 AM ST. BASIL Living & Deceased of Holy Apostles Parish 11:30 AM ST. ALBERT Bethany Rose Granato : Jerome & Roberta Milius SUNDAY CHRISTMAS EVE 4 PM ST, ALBERT Living & Deceased of Holy Apostles Parish 4 PM ST. NORBERT Living & Deceased of Holy Apostles Parish 6 PM ST. WENDELIN Living & Deceased of Holy Apostles Parish 10PM ST. BASIL Living & Deceased of holy Apostles Parish This week our parish Sanctuary Candles are lit for the following intentions. St. Albert Church 3198 Schieck St. ~ Pittsburgh, PA Bethany Rose Granato From GrandParents And Milius & Zirngibl Families From Jerome & Roberta St. Basil Church 1735 Brownsville Rd. ~ Pittsburgh, PA Helen Mead From Carla & Kevin St. Norbert Church 2413 St. Norbert St. ~ Pittsburgh, PA Wayne Cuddy From Mike, Deb, Michael, Kim, Mark & Cheryle St. Wendelin Church 2728 Custer Ave. ~ Pittsburgh, PA Josephine & Frank Walters From JoAnne

3 Holy Apostles Parish Stewardship SATURDAY: December 9, 2017 (BOTH MASSES).Regular.$4, SUNDAY: December 10, 2017 Regular 8:00 AM..$3, Regular 9:00 AM..$1, Regular 10:30 AM.. $1, Regular 11:30 AM. $2, MAIL IN AND DROP OFFS Regular $3, TOTAL REGULAR OFFERING. $16, ( Details can be obtained at the Parish Office ) Total Combined Parish Share Program The four previous balances have been combined PSP GOAL $ 198, SATURDAY: December 9, 2017 (BOTH MASSES ) $ SUNDAY: December 10, :00 AM $ :00 AM $ :30 AM. $ :30 AM.$ MAIL IN AND DROP OFFS.... $ TOTAL PSP OFFERING $1, PSP COLLECTED TO DATE... $145, TOTAL STILL DUE. $ 52, (Details can be obtained at the parish office) Let Us Pray! O Lord, giver of life and source of freedom, I know that all I have received is from your hand. Gracious and loving God, You call us to be stewards of Your abundance, the caretakers of all you have entrusted to us. Help us to always use Your gi s wisely and teach us to share them generously. Send the Holy Spirit to work through us, bringing Your message to those we serve. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Jesus Christ in our lives. We pray with grateful hearts, in Jesus name. Amen. Holy Apostles Ministries, Meetings & Happenings Saturday & Sunday, December 16 & 17 Christmas Cookie Sale (After all Masses at all the Churches) Sunday, December 23 Nativity of Jesus Play Holy Apostles Youth Group (at the 4 PM Mass At St. Albert Church) Wednesday, January 3 Men s Fellowship Meeting 7:30 PM (St. Albert Church Chapel) Sunday, January 7 Feast of the Epiphany Christmas Concert 7 PM Holy Apostles Parish Choir (St. Basil Church) Monday, January 8 Nar-Anon Family Meeting 6:30 PM (St. Albert the Great Church Chapel) Monday, January 8 Senior Outreach Meeting 6:30 PM ( Faith Formation Building) Saturday & Sunday, January 13 & 14 Food Bank Collection (at all Churches after all the Masses) Monday, January 15 Ladies of Charity Meeting 6:30 PM ( Faith Formation Building) Wednesday, January 17 Ladies of Charity Mat Making Session 12 Noon ( Faith Formation Building Upper Floor) Need more information? Lost your bulletin? You can always check the Holy Apostles Website! The site is full of up-to-date information, as well as wonderful pictures of our parish events! Check it out!

4 Gaudete is Latin for REJOICE Isaiah says I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul. The psalm is from the Magnificat of Mary, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Paul s letter to the Thessalonians opens with Brothers and Sisters, rejoice always. The readings and the psalm provide another theme for us today, a more important one. That theme is witnessing. Isaiah, Mary and John the Baptist bear joyful witness to what God has done and will do for them. Isaiah joyfully witnesses to God s actions on behalf of his people regardless of their weaknesses. Mary s joyful witnessing is focused on what God has done for his people and what he will do for them. John the Baptist s witnessing is different in that he came to testify to the light that is Christ. His witnessing is to stand up giving testimony to the greatness of God and Christ by speaking the truth. As we prepare for the coming for Christ into our lives once again, we too can bear joyful witness to what he has done, can do and will do, not only for us but for all people who open their minds, hearts and lives to Him. John s type of witnessing is what makes him a great Advent figure because he not only prepares the way for Jesus but he provides us with an example of how to do the same, how to Be Christ in Christmas. I read an article not too long ago that made me really think. It was about what Christmas cards say about the person who sent them. I really like sending Christmas cards with a little something in them as much as I like receiving them. What I read made me a little annoyed. It basically said that when you receive Christmas cards, you shouldn t judge the people who sent them based on the picture on the card, the design of the kind of paper. I thought to myself, no kidding. I do know people who do such things. I am always so grateful knowing that someone thought about me, sat down to take the time to write in or sign the card, sometimes put a little note or something in it, seal it, address it, and take it to the mail box, just to let me know they were thinking about me. What an incredibly thoughtful gesture, especially when text messaging, , Twitter and Facebook are cheaper and easier. Any card and every card, makes me feel loved. Sending Christmas cards is important to me every year. I would love to send every member of our parish an individual card but given that there are almost fifteen thousand of you, I would have to start in March for the following Christmas and spend half of my salary to do it. I always try to find ones that reflect my thoughts and feelings about Christmas that year and about the people I am sending them to. My hope is that when the people I send cards to opens them, they know that they are loved by the Lord and by me. That same article I read stated: Christmas cards are like books in that you can t read them by their covers. It s what s inside the message that counts. The Family we love T he Friends we find The Faith we hold The Life we re given The Hope of heaven The Joy of grace The gift of Jesus May these seven wonders of Christmas remain with you throughout the year. Merry Christmas! Although I cannot send you all a Christmas card, I do send you all the Christmas message I would choose for each of you this year! Fr Steve Celebrations of Life s Journey Together we welcome Alyssa Marie Backo and all children who were baptized into our Faith & Family Congratulations to the Parents & Godparents If you need to prepare for the baptism of your infant, and you have not had the preparation seminar, please contact Deacon Mike at (412) , extension 206 to schedule a time. We will work to schedule a time that is convenient for both mom and dad to attend. Sponsors are also welcome. If you already have had the training, just call Deacon Mike and he will get you on the schedule for your newest arrival. Please remember members of our parishes who are in nursing homes, the homebound, the sick and their caregivers in your prayers. May God s mercy shine on them. Our sympathy is extended to the families of: Louise Burkley Grant to Them O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light shine on Them.

5 Christmas Festival of Carols and Praise There aren t enough adjectives to describe Saturday night s experience at St. Paul Cathedral. Amazing, inspirational, and festive are just a few. An expanded Praise Band, our parish choir, and choirs from throughout the Diocese combined to lead the singing of favorite Christmas carols and familiar Festival of Praise songs with the backdrop of our beautiful cathedral and attendees. As hosts of the event, the Holy Apostles FOP team was in full force greeting people, coordinating transportation, setting up refreshments, and much more. The witness speaker was our own parishioner, Mike Woshner, a lifelong member of St. Basil, who talked about the support he s had in life from his family, his faith, and his church. He said that he s not fond of change, but the merger to create Holy Apostles Parish has worked well. With the Lord s help, we ve gotten through the negative and we re not just surviving, we are thriving. He talked about how old and new parishioners are rejuvenated and re-energized. There is excitement as we have met new people, combined ministries, and created new programs. He said that we still have challenges and there will be more to come, but we will handle them. Mike said he has never been prouder to be a man of faith. Not surprisingly, Bishop Zubik was presider and homilist (it WAS his church, after all!) He began his homily by extending thanks to Fr. Steve and Fr. Levi and said that this is what On Mission for the Church Alive is all about. His goal is to see every single parish as full as the cathedral was tonight and that it can happen with the help of the Holy Spirit. He went on to say that each person s life is a story with ups and downs, and that all of our stories become a mosaic in the Body of Christ which is our church. The Bishop asked us to pray to be: 1) Collaborative to work together, 2) Courageous to stand proud for Jesus, and 3) Compassionate to model Jesus. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and more beautiful music closed the evening. While on my rounds taking photos, I was able to talk to a few people. One couple from Wexford had never been to a Festival of Praise and both were looking forward to the experience. A woman from Washington, PA really enjoyed the evening. Another couple from McKeesport was there for the first time and said they would consider coming to one of our regular Festivals of Praise. A man from Castle Shannon had a connection to Holy Apostles (he grew up at St. Wendelin) and was happy to have attended. Walking out to catch the bus home, I felt like I had received a beautiful Christmas gift. Thanks to everyone who worked to provide such a perfect evening. STRENGTH from HEAVEN Saturday January 13, :00 PM - 8:30 PM We are pleased to have Father Mike Ackerman join us again to preside over the January Festival of Praise service. Brian Hartle will share witness to the love and support Jesus is always willing to provide. The Festival of Praise team and Praise Band, lead by Father Levi Hartle, has put together a service that has attracted many people from throughout the area and the entire dioceses. Join us in worship and become a part of this joyful experience. The service is truly a motivational evening with an inspirational homily, witness talk, songs of praise and worship, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and ending with Eucharistic procession and Benediction. HOLY APOSTLES PARISH Website: praise@holyapostlesparish.org Questions: call CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS EVE. 4 PM St. Albert the Great 4 PM St. Norbert 6 PM St. Wendelin 10 PM St. Basil CHRISTMAS DAY 8 AM St. Wendelin 9 AM St. Norbert 10:30 AM St. Basil 11:30 AM St. Albert the Great OPLATEK The Oplatek, Christmas Wafers are in all four Churches and at the Parish Office. Look for them near the Advent Wreath. A donation of $3.

6 THE DEACON S CORNER Deacon s Corner After spending time in prayer and discernment, and after speaking with a few key people in the parish, we have decided to return to a once a week meeting. Our thanks to Stephanie Logue for her great article on what Nar- Anon is all about. The weekly meetings will begin anew: January 8, 2018 In the St. Albert Chapel area 3198 Schieck St., Baldwin, PA Meetings begin at 6:30 pm. THANK YOU I received a call this past week from a friend who has a friend, whose child came home and said, I am addicted to heroin. She was asking for advice as to what to do. I informed her that I am not trained in this area and she needed professional advice. We discussed a starting point. I have continued to search and found a good starting point. It is on the internet. Go to the related topics tab. Select treatment in the pull-down menu. On the left, the third bullet down. what to Do If Your Teen or Young Adult Has a Problem with Drugs. There are many resources on this subject, but this appears to be a good starting point. You have no way of knowing what influences your child will come against when they walk out the front door. My advice is to have a plan. Read and plan now; pray hard that you will never need to put your plan into action, but be prepared. Grandparents should consider reading up a little on what to do. Having information ready if needed is a good thing. Deacon Mike In Christ: We Are One, we Are Sent Thank you to all volunteers, men, women and children, who participated in our Day of Service on December 2nd. With our help, we prepared 140 gift bags to be delivered to Holy Apostles Parish homebound parishioners. It was a warm and wonderful way to let them know they are part of our parish family and we care. The senior Outreach Committee is in the process of updating any changes to our homebound parishioners. Please let us know of the changes to your loved one s status by calling the parish READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Friday: Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1: Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 New Parishioner Registration Form NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: ( ) COMMENT:

7 ADVENT FESTIVITIES Stockings for the Military At this time of the year, we are often so busy with our own Christmas preparations that we forget about the people who aren t able to celebrate at home with their families specifically the overseas members of the military. Fr. Steve s idea was to remember them by sending them Christmas stockings filled with personal care items, snacks, puzzle books, and a Christmas card. Holy Apostles parishioner, Kevin Clancy, who is crew chief with the 171 st Air National Guard, helped to coordinate the effort. He told me that he regularly transports troops and supplies to the Middle East and is able to get provisions to the troops that need them the most. On the evening of December 6, approximately forty volunteers gathered to fill the stockings that will be shipped for Christmas. It was a large and efficient assembly line that resulted in 40+ bulging stockings. Members of the Baldwin Independent Volunteer Fire Company lent their hands to the effort, even providing the Santa hats that topped the completed stockings. There is talk of our parish adopting a troop and regularly sending them care packages. A sincere thank you to all who sacrificed their time to help those who sacrifice so much for us. PARISH OFFICE HOURS The Parish Office will be closed on TUESDAY, December 26, The Parish Office will be open WEDNESDAY, December 27, 9 AM to 12 Noon THURSDAY, December 28, 9 AM to 12 Noon And FRIDAY, December 29, 9 AM to 12 Noon CARRICK COMMUNITY COUNCIL The Carrick Community Council s beautification committee is organizing a litter pick up December 23rd to help the neighborhood look better for guests that might be visiting over the Holidays. Meet the group at Rite Aid parking lot at the top of Nobles Lane at 11 AM. Bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided. Consider giving or your time during this Christmas season. Thank You! St. Sylvester Geritol Bowling League We are looking for bowlers! Tuesday s 12 noon at Princess Lanes. If interested contact: Joe Knorr or Joe Pope Gilmary Council #3868 Grand Knight Bernard Komoroski )

8 Prepare the Way of the Lord Dear Parish Family,, 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. An Advent Prayer Gracious God, you sent an angel to the Virgin Mary. She conceived through the power of Spirit and brought forth a Son, Jesus. Send your Spirit to overshadow us, that we may be your servants, doing your will in all things. During this advent season of preparing for Christ and longing to be with those we love, it can be very difficult for those of us who have lost loved ones. Certainly, those of us who have lost grandparents and parents will remember what they used to do and where they used to sit during family Christmas celebrations. Sometime, these memories bring us a sense of joy and peace, but if our loss is recent, they can be very painful. It is different for everyone who has lost loved ones, but perhaps the greatest sadness is felt by those who have lost their spouse and feel so alone. So many in our parish have suffered this loss and face this challenge even now. If you know a widow or widower who does not have any family to celebrate with, please invite them to join us for a least one of our Christmas celebrations! No one should be alone and feel isolated and sad when the most amazing love and joy is coming into the world! Remember, Jesus said, You are the light of the world, and He was referring to us as we embody Him in this world. Celebrating with family around the Christmas Tree is a wonderful experience, but for me the greatest celebration is by far the Masses that we gather for with the parish family. Let s share this celebration with everyone we can find and make sure that no one misses the joy and comforting love that Christ has to bring them this season! By the gift we share with Mary, may we bring forth your beloved Son in our world. Through us may people hear a word of compassion, a word of reconciliation, And a word of good news. Invite someone to Mass next weekend! Cut out the invita on below and give it to someone special. To: From: This is a personal and hear elt invita on from me and my family of Holy Apostles Parish to come and join us each weekend at Church. Will you come and pray with us? WE ARE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!

9 CCD NEWS CORNER Children s Corner (young & old) IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE: The Confirmation date has been changed to Monday, March 19, 2018 The date for First Communion is Sunday, May 6, 2018 A note regarding the dates was sent home with 8 th and 2 nd graders on Sunday, December 3 rd. The CCD Advent Project collecting hats, gloves, mittens and tube socks. continues thru Sunday, December 17th. All items can be for adult and children sizes and must be NEW. Handmade/crochet/knitted items are most welcome! Please drop your donations at the CCD Office. We are also continuing our tradition of the Candy Cane Gram. Extra forms are available in the CCD Office. Last day to request a Candy Cane Gram is Tuesday, December 12 th. Grams will be distributed on the last class day, Sunday, December 17 th. December class schedule: December Class 24 - No Class - Merry Christmas! 31 - No Class - Happy New Year! CCD continues to collect can tabs And cancelled stamps! Thank you!

10 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Norbert Church # Schieck St. Pittsburgh, PA TELEPHONE CONTACT PERSON Judy Lee SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2016 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 10 TRANSMISSION TIME Thursday 12:30 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 7 (page 7 has ads on bottom 2.65 ) SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS One Page 2 sided in color has been added