Parish Clergy. Staff. Office Telephones. Mass Schedule. Celebration of the Sacraments. Safe Environment Coordinators

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1 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 4, 2015 Rev. Louis F. Vallone Rev. Robert J. Zajdel Parish Clergy Staff Rev. Regis J. Ryan Deacon Robert J. Stein Mr. John Fatula, Director of Religious Ed. Ms. Elna Johnson, Director of Music Mrs. Mary Ann Jones, Director of Finances Mrs. Janice Lipa, Parish Secretary Mr. Wayne Summers, Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Steven Swank, Youth Minister Safe Environment Coordinators Mr. John Fatula, Sunday School Mr. Steven Swank, Parish (Vatican News) Office Telephones Parish Office/Residence Parish Fax Religious Education (Sunday School) Youth Ministry Religious Ed/Youth Ministry Fax Music Ministry Bingo (Social Hall/Mother of Sorrows) Cemeteries (St. Mark s/st. Mary s) Pizza Kitchen (Fridays) Mass Schedule ~ Low Gluten Hosts Available For Communion ~ ~ See Priest Before Mass ~ Saturday Vigil... 4:30 PM Church - (St. Mary) Sunday... 7:30 AM Church 9:30 AM Chapel - (Mother of Sorrows) 11:30 AM Church Weekday Schedule Monday Friday... 9:30 AM Church Confessions: Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM and 5:30 PM 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 PM (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 the 7:30 a.m. Mass every Sunday at the Church at St. Mary s, and by request. 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. CHURCH: 1011 Church Ave CHAPEL: One Desiderio Way, McKees Rocks, PA 15136

2 Saturday Vigil, Jan. 3: Anniv - Andrew Litterini (Family) THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, Jan. 3 to Sunday, Jan. 11, :30 PM Church Sunday, Jan. 4: 7:30 AM Church Albert & Agnes Gerger (John & Betty McDermott) Sunday, Jan. 4: Dolly LaCivita (Robert Julian) 9:30 AM Chapel Sunday, Jan. 4: 11:30 AM Church Roxey DeMarco (Kathy Richardson) WEEKDAY MASS 9:30 A.M. CHURCH Monday, Jan. 5: Parish Family of Saint John of God Monday, Jan 5: Miraculous Medal Novena Prayers - Recitation of the Rosary begins at 6:30 P.M., Church Tuesday, Jan. 6: Mass of Thanksgiving (Family) Tuesday, Jan. 6: St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church. Wednesday, Jan. 7: Sean Ruane (Barbara Meyer) Thursday, Jan. 8: Charlotte Schriner (Bruce & Christina Mazar) Friday, Jan. 9: Richard Hitrik (Mary Bond) Friday, Jan. 9: Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following 9:30 AM Mass, St. Mary s Church. Saturday Vigil, Jan. 10: 4:30 PM Church Ann Brooks (Anna Ritter) Sunday, Jan. 11: John Taylor (Mike & Danielle Skoncey) 7:30 AM Church Sunday, Jan. 11: 9:30 AM Chapel Elizabeth Spadaccia & Lucille Renschler (Angela & Marian) Sunday, Jan. 11: 11:30 AM Church Christine Calabrese (Husband, Joe & Daughters, Angelica & Ariana) 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. BLESSING OF HOMES FOR EPIPHANY The Sunday after New Year's Day is the Feast of the Epiphany. In imitation of the Magi, who, according to Matthew's Gospel, came to the home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we ask Christ to visit our home and to bless all who dwell there. Following is the blessing prayer to say as you inscribe with a piece of chalk above the door, 20+C+M+B+15: EPIPHANY PRAYER 20 + C + M + B + 15 Lord God of heaven and earth, You revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Chalk available in the Sacristy) Readings for the Week of January 4, 2015 Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 Monday: 1 Jn 3:22--4:6/Mt 4:12-17, Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10/Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18/Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19--5:4/Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13/Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21/Jn 3:22-30 Next Sunday: Is 55:1-11/1 Jn 5:1-9/Mk 1:7-11 PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (MONDAY THRU FRIDAY) Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday Noon SANCTUARY CANDLE - WEEK OF JANUARY 4 ST. MARY S - PARISH FAMILY OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD Mother of Sorrows - PARISH FAMILY OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD

3 YOUTH GROUP NEWS Teens in grades 8-12 are invited to the Silver Ring Thing: No Strings Attached Tour on Friday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 to 9 P.M. at SS Simon & Jude Parish. This stage performance incorporates high energy music, videos, skits, special effects, and comedy and is about guys, girls, dating, love, second chances, and the best choices. Tickets are only $6 if reserved in advance online or $8 each if purchased at the door. To register go to For more information, contact Steve at swankymca@gmail.com or DUE TO EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE, THE ATTENDANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY AS WELL AS FOR DECEMBER 28 WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK. AND THE WINNERS OF THE STEELER FOOTBALL POOL FOR THE GAME ON DECEMBER 28 WILL BE IN NEXT WEEK S BULLETIN. QUOTE FROM THE POPE From my point of view, God is the light that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of divine light is within each of us. Pope Francis BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS The next class will be held Sunday, Jan. 11, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in Mother of Sorrows Chapel. For more information or to register, please call John Fatula at 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 Jan. 5 (Mon.) - Miraculous Medal Novena Prayers - Recitation of the Rosary begins at 6:30 P.M. in St. Mary s Church - held on the 1st & last Monday of each month. Jan. 6 (Tues.) - St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church. MONTHLY FOOD COLLECTION Our parish will collect non-perishable food as well as paper products and soap for the F.O.R. Food Bank. You may bring your donation with you to any Mass next weekend, Jan. 10/11. Thank you for helping us to help others. 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 We wish to extend our sympathy to the Family of Jean Pirro and Antonio Magliocco whom God has called home. Please remember them and all our dearly departed and their families in your prayers. May the Angels lead them into paradise, may the martyrs receive them at their coming, and take them to Jerusalem, the holy city. Jan. 7 - WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO in MOS Social Hall - Doors open at 5 PM Early Birds, 7 PM and Regular Games begin at 7:15 PM. Jan. 9 (Fri.) - Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following 9:30 AM Mass, St. Mary s Church. Jan. 9 (Fri.) - PIZZA KITCHEN AND IT S FALAGONE FRIDAY! To order please call on Fridays, 8 AM to 1 PM. Orders must be picked up by 3:30 PM. RACHEL S VINEYARD Rachel s Vineyard, a weekend retreat designed to heal the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion, will be held January 23-25, 2015 at the Spirital Center in Bethel Park. In a confidential and supportive atmosphere, Rachel s Vineyard demonstrates God s love, forgiveness, and compassion to women and men struggling with abortion s aftermath. Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Pittsburgh co-sponsor this retreat. To register or for more information, call Toni Jester at Registration information is also available at

4 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 4, 2015 YEAR-END STATEMENTS MEN S RETREAT We will be mailing to you a list of your contributions for 2014 by January 31, If you do not receive envelopes, you will not receive a report. If you receive envelopes, but didn t use them, you will receive a report marked $0.00 contributions, and the computer may deactivate you. You may be removed from the envelope list. And your status is reduced to inactive parishioner, which means that you will not qualify for things like sponsorship certificates and a number of other things. Of course, you always have the right to come to Church, receive the sacraments if you are spiritually disposed and call upon the clergy for pastoral service. But you will lose some of the privileges of active participation. Since we will not compute the report till the end of January, you have time to make contributions for the 2014 year, but you must make it clear to us that it is to be credited to the 2014 account. We have started the 2015 contribution records already. Has all the stress of Christmas caught up with you and dragging you down? All the pressure we put upon ourselves to complete everything we wanted or perhaps we should say what we wanted to do for Christmas preparations can exhaust us and cause us to miss the meaning of Christ becoming man. Now is the time to re-energize ourselves and search for the peace that was meant to come with Christmas. St. Catherine s/st. John of God men s retreat will be the weekend of Jan Feb. 1 at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery in Pittsburgh. The retreat is a way that we can focus our lives and work to strengthen our relationship with our Lord. The most important relationship we will ever have in our lives. For more information please contact Deacon Bob Bittner at SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS There will be no Sunday School on Jan. 4. Classes will resume for all students next Sunday, Jan. 11, CHRISTMAS MUSIC 2014 The Saint John of God Adult Choir will present a short program of selected Christmas Anthems next Sunday, January 11 (Baptism of the Lord) before the 9:30 A.M. Mass in the Chapel at Mother of Sorrows. Additionally, Masses throughout the Season will feature Cantors, Soloists, and Hand Bells. DOES YOUR MARRIAGE NEED A RE-BIRTH? Begin the New Year by making a new effort to renew your marriage. Retrouvaille has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels including disillusionment and deep misery. For confidential information about or to register for the upcoming program beginning with a weekend on January 16, please contact Retrouvaille at or 3041@retrouvaille.org. More information is available at ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL PROGRAMS The weekend of January 17/18 is very special because the second collection will be used to carry on the much needed services to students with special needs provided by St. Anthony School Programs and DePaul School for Hearing and Speech. This collection is a two-fold win. Not only does it help two very unique and nationally recognized education programs for special needs children, all proceeds collected will be credited towards our Parish Share Assessment for Since we have met our goal for 2014 this collection will be automatically be deposited in our savings at Catholic Institute and not be taxed. SECOND COLLECTION Next weekend, Jan. 10/11, the second collection will be for the Parish Share Program. Thank you in advance. And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, Who is my judge. Therefore, I will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Therese de Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

5 STEEPLE CHASE SUPER BOWL POOL It is time to plan for Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, Again, we are offering two versions of a Super Bowl pool. One will cost: $35 the other will cost $100. 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. (Payment plan is available for the $100 pool only.) (Final payment due January 15, 2015). 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. Purchase a square for yourself or partner with a friend. Consider buying some as Christmas or birthday gifts. Name your block and fill out the form below. Questions?? Please call Terry at SUPER BOWL POOL PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT COMPLETELY, DROP IN COLLECTION BASKET OR PARISH OFFICE MAIL SLOT, OR MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE and MAIL TO: SJOG PARISH, SUPER BOWL POOL, 1011 CHURCH AVE., QUESTIONS??? CALL TERRY AT ($1,700 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) ($5,000 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) (PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE FOR $100 POOL ONLY) (PLEASE PRINT) I would like to name my square(s) Name Full Address w/zip Phone UPDATE: SUPER BOWL POOL Football fans know that watching a game can be more fun when you own a square in a football pool. Be in on the fun!! The 1st $35 Super Bowl Pool is filled... And a 2nd $35 pool has been started! The $100 pool still has squares available. If you missed purchasing a square in either or both pools, or if you would like to add your name to yet another pool, here is your opportunity. Questions??? Call Terry at PROTOCOL FOR REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE Follow these steps when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a minor has been abused while in a church entity: Notify the Pastor, Fr. Lou Vallone, of the occurrence: If not available, please notify the Parish Safe Environment Coordinator, Steven Swank: or John Fatula: The Pastor reports the occurrence to the proper civil authorities (911). The Pastor reports the occurrence to the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline: A written report must be made within 48 hours of the telephone report and sent to the Allegheny Department of Human Service, Office of Children, Youth and Families. A copy of the guidelines can be found at the Parish Office. The Pastor will then notify staff personnel of the occurrence and that a report has been made, and who the reporter is. The Child Protective Services Law of Pennsylvania grant immunity from civil suits for those who make a good faith report of suspected child abuse. Please keep our Priests, Seminarians, Deacons and all Religious in your prayers. CHILDREN OF ETERNITY You are children of eternity. Your immortal crown awaits you, to reward your duty and love. You may indeed sow here in tears, but you may be sure there to reap in joy. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

6 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 4, 2015 A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR What shall I ask for the coming year What shall my watchword be What should thou do for me, dear Lord What can I do for thee? Lord, I would ask for a holy year Spent in thy perfect will Help me to walk in thy very steps Help me to please thee still. Lord, I would ask for a trustful year Give me thy faith divine Taking my full inheritance Making thy fullness mine! Lord, I would ask for a year of love O let me love thee best Give me the love that faileth not Beneath the hardest test. Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer Teach me to walk with thee Breathe in my heart the Spirit s prayer Pray thou thy prayer in me! Lord, I would ask for the dying world Stretch forth thy mighty hand Thy truth proclaim, thy power display This year in every land. Lord, I would ask for a year of joy Thy peace, thy joy divine Springing undimmed through all the days Be thy days of shade or shine. Lord, I ask for a year of hope Looking for thee to come And hastening on that year of years That brings us home to you. Amen SCRIPTURE REFLECTION Epiphany of the Lord The prophet Isaiah returns one more time in this Christmas season, now on the feast of the Epiphany. In the final chapters of Isaiah (chapters 56-66), the prophet is proclaiming God's word to the Israelites who have returned to Jerusalem after the Exile in Babylon. What at first was a joyful return, has turned inward. Those who have taken up positions of power after returning to Jerusalem have marginalized even the Israelites who remained in the land during the Babylonian Captivity, not to mention the people of other nations whose defeat of Babylon actually facilitated Israel's restoration. In response, Isaiah proclaims that God's salvation is for all. Every nation will stream to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Isaiah's message is reflected in Matthew's Gospel as he tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Christ comes for everyone! The followers of Christ in Matthew's community are not only the Jews who became Christians, but also the Gentiles who came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. In Matthew's Gospel this latter group is represented by the Magi, who come from afar, while the Jewish Christians, who believe in God's word, are represented by Joseph, the faithful spouse of Mary. While the Epiphany is a great and joyous feast, it contains a cautionary message as well. God's salvation is for everyone. That means that no one can be excluded from the invitation to follow Christ. And once they choose to do so, they become our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If that is the case, when we demean, cast aside, or ignore others, we open ourselves to the same condemnation with which Isaiah castigated the powerful in Jerusalem in the sixth century BC. If we add statues of the Magi to our Nativity scene, it also means that we must add the stranger, the foreigner, the person not like us, to our life in Christ. Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." - Mt 2:1b-2 REGARDING ST. MARK & ST. MARY CEMETERIES Please be advised that St. John of God Cemeteries, St. Mark & St. Mary, will be closed during inclement weather. For your safety, please do not attempt to visit either cemetery when the weather is bad. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

7 PASTOR'S CORNER Fr. Lou Vallone It is FINALLY, and STILL, Merry Christmas. While the world has already left it far behind on December 26, we of the Church are only in the midst of the celebration cycle of the wonder of the Incarnation. This weekend we in the United States liturgically honor the Epiphany, while the rest of the world will wait until the calendar date of January 6 to wrap up the 12 days of Christmas with the remembrance of the Magi paying homage to the Infant God-among-us. The most identifiable symbol of the Nativity is of course the crèche or presepio, the stable scene as the visual representation of that night in Bethlehem. The tradition was started by St. Francis of Assisi who first presented it with live people and animals acting out the roles. And every since, from the simplest set that only has Mary, Joseph and Jesus, to the most complex, with dozens of figures of shepherds and angels and oxen and sheep and Magi and drummer boys and Santa and who knows what all; from the larger than life size such as the one in downtown Pittsburgh (a recreation of the one in the Vatican) to the tiny one that I have on a key chain, Christians have marked the season by erecting crèches inside and outside churches, inside and outside homes in living rooms and on lawns, on nightstands and mantles and car dashboards. It is so prevalent, that often we have civil law suits to remove them or prevent them from being displayed in courthouses and fire halls and public squares and other secular locales. In many places in Italy, families make collections of them from year to year, and display the collections in their homes. People then spend the 12 days of Christmas visiting each other and marveling over (and competitively comparing) the number and beauty of each one's assemblies. Since being a pastor, I have always given my staffs a different presepio each year as a personal gift, and some of those who have ministered with me have taken up the habit of displaying their collections. In fact, some of them from former parishes contact me each year asking if they can be included on the new ones that I give out so their collections can grow. So, if you have already taken down your Christmas tree and the underlying crèche - shame on you! It is far too early. Put it back up till Christmas is truly over on January 7! And maybe, if you have a small presepio, stick it on a bookshelf or mantle or end table and leave it out all year round. The Word became flesh to dwell among us each and every day of each and every year, including the 2015 one that began Thursday. Merry Christmas, Blessed Epiphany, and Happy New Year! A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE by Bud Ozar The Magi in today s Gospel were led to Jesus by a star. Who are the stars your children follow? Don t let it be the tabloid stars. Resolve in this New Year to be the guiding star in the life of your children. Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline 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.