THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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1 Saturday Vigil, Dec. 12: Infant Jesus (Rosemarie) Parish Family of Saint John of God Dolly Musmanno (Family) THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sat., Dec. 12 to Sun., Dec. 20, :30 PM Church 7:30 AM Church 9:30 AM Chapel 11:30 AM Church Andrew Martonic (Leona Szymbosskey Surly) WEEKDAYS 9:30 AM CHURCH Monday, Dec. 14: Bernice Karkoski (Allene & Jaime Slavinsky) Monday, Dec. 14, 6:30 PM, Advent Communal Penance Service, 6:30 PM, Church Tuesday, Dec. 15: Tony Carpeloti (Teddy & Ang Mancini) Wednesday, Dec. 16, 8:30 PM, Chapel: Bill Stropkaj (Dom & Sue Barbaro) Wednesday, Dec. 16: Nick Pekular (William Tony Family) Thursday, Dec. 17: Ann Mack (Jim Keenan) Friday, Dec. 18: Richard Coperich (Sandy Suslowicz) Saturday Vigil, Dec. 19: 4:30 PM Church Agnes Fedio (Margaret Palmer) Melvin Mixter (Family) Parish Family of Saint John of God Antonetta Presutti (Family) 7:30 AM Church 9:30 AM Chapel 11:30 AM Church Readings for the Week of December 13, 2009 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Lk 7:18b-23 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Heb10:5-10/Lk1:39-45 YEAR OF THE PRIEST PARISH PRAYER God, give us worthy priests in sufficient numbers. Parish Office Hours: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Monday thru Friday) Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday Noon COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE Some of our young members will be celebrating the Sacrament of Penance for the first time this Monday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 PM in St. John of God Parish, St. Mary s Church. This will take place during an Advent Communal Penance Service to which the entire parish family is invited and encouraged to participate in. This will be the perfect opportunity to go to confession before Christmas. If you cannot make the Monday Advent Communal Penance Service, you are most welcome to come to the Penance Service at our Sister Parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Crescent Twp. on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 PM. BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS The program will be held this Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in Mother of Sorrows Chapel. To register or for more information, call John Fatula at SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM We wish to welcome into God s Family the newly baptized: Enzo Anthony Incorvati. May you continue to grow in God s love. ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS MONASTERY RETREAT WEEKEND Jesus Tell Me A Story To Guide Me! Our Sister Parish of St. Catherine of Siena will once again sponsor a men s weekend retreat in January open to all the men in St. John of God Parish as well. The theme of this year s retreat is based upon the parables of Jesus. The date of the retreat weekend is January 29-31, This is a wonderful weekend to experience the Holy Trinity in a unique way to each individual. For those who say their life is too busy, Mother Theresa would tell others to pray longer when their lives are too hectic and busy. Brochures are available at the St. John of God parish office if you are interested. For more information, please call Bob Bittner at CHRISTMAS WAFERS (OPLATKI) The Christmas Wafers (Oplatki) are available after all Masses or at the parish office. The cost is $3.00 for a package of four.

2 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 13, 2009 YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS The Youth Group will deliver Christmas flowers to area nursing homes after school this Friday, December 18 (meet at the Youth Center at 3:15 PM with your permission form). All teens in grades 9-12 are encouraged to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to help others! Teens in grades 9-12 are invited to visit the Pittsburgh Créche and then go ice skating at the PPG Rink on Tuesday, December 29. Rink admission is $7 per person plus $3 for skate rental. To sign-up, contact Steve at or PARISH WEEKEND ATTENDANCE Dec. 5 / 6 Saturday Sunday Total Weekend Attendance... 1,091 PARISH FINANCIAL TOTALS For the Weekend of Dec. 5 / 6 Regular Offertory Collection...$ 6, (This is ordinary income from contributions for the general running of the parish. It is subject to a 17.6% tax to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.) PARISH SHARE PROGRAM PSP Assessment for $??????? PSP Collected as of 12/1/09... $ Remaining of 2010 Goal... $??????? We have not yet received our assessment for 2010, but all contributions to Parish Share as of Dec. 1 will be allocated to our assessment for Please continue to use your monthly envelopes at the same rate - it is a year round campaign for us. God bless you for your cooperation. ATTENTION: ALTAR SERVERS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS Sign-up sheets are in the Sacristy at St. Mary s and Mother of Sorrows for those ministers who are available to serve one of the Christmas Masses. Please sign-up soon so we know who will be there. SANCTUARY CANDLE - WEEK OF DECEMBER 13 ST. MARY S - IN MEMORY OF MARY C. BEASOCK BY HUSBAND AND FAMILY MOTHER OF SORROWS - IN MEMORY OF PAT FUNWELA BY WIFE, RITA AND FAMILY ST. JOHN OF GOD SCHOOL NEWS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Hosted By St. John of God School & Stowe Twp. Volunteer Fire Department THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, AM to 2 PM St. John of God Social Hall Adult Breakfast $5.00 & Children $3.00 Tickets are available at the door. Includes Pancake and Sausage breakfast and age appropriate gift ~~ Picture with Santa available All proceeds will benefit the Grady family whose two boys have the terminal illness called Battens Disease. Let us keep the Grady family and all families who are struggling with terminal illness in our prayers. THE WEEK AHEAD Dec. 14 (Mon.) - Mass at Chartiers Manor Nursing Home, 814 Chartiers Ave., 1:45 PM Dec. 14 (Mon.) - Miraculous Medal Novena Prayers recited in St. Mary s Church - Rosary begins 6:30 PM. Dec. 15 (Tues.) - St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church. Dec. 16 (Wed.) - WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO in MOS Social Hall - Doors open at 5 PM Early Birds, 7 PM and Regular Games begin at 7:15 PM Dec. 16 (Wed.) - Cub Scout Mtg, 6-7:30 PM, Gathering Place - Call Jeff Kotek, for information. Dec. 18 (Fri.) - Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following 9:30 AM Mass, St. Mary s Church. Dec. 18 (Fri.) - PIZZA KITCHEN CLOSED! Back January 8, HOSPITAL Please pray for all parishioners who are in the hospital, especially: Caring Heights - Howard Beasock Broadmore Assisted Living - Stephanie Domka Ohio Valley - Ruth Ann Ondo, Rosemary Homer, Josephine Dzadony, Stanley Bialek Suburban General - Ruth Ondo 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 Phyllis Vayo, Albert Clements, Sally Roman and Joseph Orlich (husband of Steffie Orlich) whom God has called. Please remember them and all our dearly departed and their families in your prayers. May the Choirs of Angels receive them and may they with once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.

3 ADVENT MUSICAL PROGRAM ONE VOICE, Pittsburgh s premiere Christian vocal ensemble, will perform their 2009 Advent musical program at Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, 200 Grace St. in McKees Rocks (Stowe Twp.) this Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2 PM. A free-will offering will be taken, with a light reception to follow. For more info, please call MAKE A GIFT THROUGH AN IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER In most years, if you are over the age of 70 1/2, you must take a required minimum distribution from your IRA. In 2009, however, you may instruct your IRA custodian to withhold the normal required distribution. As usual, the amount of any distribution is taxed as ordinary income. However, federal legislation enacted on October 3, 2008 extends the opportunity for you, for the remainder of 2009, to make a direct distribution from your IRA to a qualified charity, such as St. John of God Parish or School. Such distributions, up to $100,000, are not subject to income tax. For more information about how you and our parish or school can benefit from an IRA charitable rollover, contact the parish office or Paul Stabile, the Director of Planned Giving for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, at MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES St. Joseph Parish in Coraopolis is now offering oneday Marriage Preparation Courses (prepared in conformity with Diocesan guidelines) on the following dates: January 23, 2010; April 24, 2010 and August 21, To register for any of these classes, you either call St. Joseph Parish at or download a registration form from their website at Class size is limited to 40 couples per session. ANGEL TREE: Reminder To Those Who Took An Angel All gifts must be returned by this Sunday, Dec. 13. If you forgot your gift, please bring it to the parish office on Monday morning, Dec. 14. CHRISTMAS FLOWER DELIVERY Those who are delivering Christmas flowers to our shut-ins can pick them up this Thursday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 18 from 11 AM to 1 PM both days at the Pizza Kitchen. The flowers may be delivered at your convenience. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, :30 P.M., St. Mary s (The 4:30 P.M. Liturgy will be the traditional children and family celebration. Small gifts to be shared with the needy children of the neighborhood may be bought to the altar when the children gather for the homily) Midnight, St. Mary s Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, :30 A.M., Mother of Sorrows 11:30 A.M., St. Mary s CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS Bingo: There will be no Bingo on Wednesday, Dec. 23 and Wednesday, Dec. 30. There is Bingo this Wednesday, Dec. 16. Parish Office: The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 26. Pizza Kitchen: The Pizza Kitchen will be closed on Friday, Dec. 18, 25, 2009 and Jan. 1, Sunday School: There will be no Sunday School on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Classes will resume for all students on Sunday, Jan. 10, ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CHARITIES COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH A longstanding tradition in the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Christmas Day is the Charities collection for Children and Youth. The proceeds from this collection are used to support a number of programs in our Diocese, which serve many children and young people who depend on our generosity and our loving concern for them. This collection will be taken at all Masses celebrated for Christmas in St. John of God Parish. Also, this collection is a two-fold win. Not only does it help children and youth, but all proceeds collected will be credited towards our Parish Share Assessment. Since we have met our Parish Share goal for 2009, this money will stay in the parish and not be taxed by the Diocese.

4 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 13, 2009 STEELERS FOOTBALL POOL WINNERS December 6, 2009 Steelers vs. Raiders Half Time Score: Steelers 10 Raiders 6 Spike owned by Charlotte Schriner $100 Lina owned by Lina DiLisio $100 Final Score: Steelers 24 Raiders 27 R L C owned by Robert L. Cramer $150 RIP owned by Carol Rippole $150 CONGRATULATIONS and LET S GO STEELERS! STEEPLE CHASE SUPER BOWL FOOTBALL POOL Regular season football is still underway, and we don t know who will play in this year s Super Bowl yet. But, we do know the game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010 between the AFC and the NFC. We hope the AFC team is the Steelers, but even if it isn t, we are offering two versions of a Super Bowl pool. There are 100 blocks in each pool. One pool will cost $30, will have two payouts for a total $1,500: $500 half time, $1,000 final. The other pool will cost $100, will have four payouts for a total $5,000: $500 1st quarter, $1,000 half-time, $500 3rd quarter, $3,000 final. (Payment plan available for $100 pool only) 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. Purchase a square for yourself or partner with a friend to buy one. Consider buying some as gifts. Name your block and fill out the form below. Go Steelers! Questions call Terry or Charlotte SUPER BOWL POOL PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT COMPLETELY, DROP IN COLLECTION BASKET OR PARISH OFFICE MAIL SLOT, OR MAIL TO: SJOG PAR- ISH, SUPER BOWL POOL, 1011 CHURCH AVE., MCKEES ROCKS, PA (PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE FOR $100 POOL ONLY) Square(s)@$30/square ($1,500 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) Square(s)@$100/square ($5,000 payout) =$ (AMOUNT ENCLOSED) I would like to name my square(s) Name Full Address w/zip Phone A THANKSGIVING THANK YOU FROM SR. THERESA At times in our lives it is important to take time to reflect on how God has graced us. I know that this is a busy time of the year for you as families and, yet, so many of you have contributed to making this Thanksgiving one of HOPE and JOY for so many in our parish. Through your generous contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Ladies of Charity and to the Parish of St. John of God, many of our families have been served. I want to thank the F.O.R. Center who have helped us once again this year. Also, thank you to St. John of God School students who decorated the Thanksgiving boxes which were used to pack food. Also, for all those who helped in any way at the free Thanksgiving Dinner held at the American legion, Post 618 (serving, donation of turkeys, transportation, monetary, etc.) thank you. Your thoughtful generosity is very much appreciated. As you can see this Thanksgiving was indeed a gift from and for the entire parish. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Sunday, December 20, AM to 1 PM At the V.F.W. Post Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks Adults $6.00 ~~~ Children 12 & under $3.00 Tickets are available by calling Barb O Toole at Sponsored by the McKees Rocks Fire Dept. HOLY FAMILY SOCIAL SERVICE OUTPATIENT COUNSELING SERVICES Who can help when you re struggling to make it through the day? Sometimes life can become overwhelming and you find yourself searching for a guiding hand, a sympathetic ear and a safe, confidential place to get help for you or your family. Our counseling service can be your road to recovery. Holy Family offers individual, family and couples counseling. Most insurance plans including UPMC, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Care Behavioral Health and Value Behavioral Health are accepted. A sliding fee scale for those without insurance coverage is also offered. For more information or to schedule an appointment call: x222 Monday - Friday 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Counseling hours: Monday - Thursday 8 AM to 7 PM; Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline

5 PASTOR'S CORNER Fr. Lou Vallone A regularly scheduled Town Hall Meeting was held following the evening Mass on the Immaculate Conception. Here are some of the areas that were discussed: 1. This year's phase of the repair of the center steeple of the Church at St. Mary is complete. Of the $250K project, all but $38K was covered by insurance. The next stage to put crosses on the needle steeples and caps on the projections is scheduled for after July 1, and to be less than $40K, all of which will be our responsibility. The "Steeple Chase" fund raising efforts are going great, with many more activities and raffles planned. Great job to one and all. 2. We have once again gone over our Parish Share Assessment; therefore we will begin crediting all PSP income to 2010, even though we won't get the total until sometime in March. I project that it will again be in the vicinity, but hopefully less than, $100K. 3. We continue to live within our means on a balanced budget for general operating and maintenance of plant and programs, but we still face a $1 million debt that grows by about $50K in interest each calendar year. 4. Two parishioners have recently remembered the parish in their wills, and have specifically designated the bequests to the PSP campaign. We are most grateful. We are now approaching 3,000 funerals since the founding of the parish in If each and every one of those (on the average) had willed $1000 to the parish, we would have realized $3 million in income we did not get. That would have paid off our debt, and had us halfway to a complete renovation of the Church. There are many ways to contribute to the parish in deferred giving - annuities, insurance policies, bequests, stock contributions, IRA rollovers, that would benefit the giver from a tax stand point and the parish from a future income stability standpoint. One does not have to be a millionaire to make a difference. We know that in tough economic times like these, you need your money to survive. But when you are done with it, we would appreciate you sharing with us. Contact the rectory for more information. 5. There are changes in the cemeteries. The good news is that we have renovated the burial chapel at the St. Mary Cemetery to look less like a garage and more like a chapel. This was done for less than continued next column... $5K and contributions will be accepted. The bad news is that our manager, Bob Dudek, who has done an outstanding job for the past year and a half has retired. Andrew Burkholder, his assistant will be interim manager. A couple of the other church cemeteries in the area have expressed interest in some sort of sharing arrangement with us. Perhaps we may investigate forming a Sto-Ken-Rox cemeteries association to steward resources more practically. Stay tuned. 6. A discussion was held regarding the noise level at the Chapel at Mother of Sorrows during the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass. While I am sympathetic to those who would benefit from a more reverent and serene atmosphere, I would rather have a noisy occupied church than a quiet empty one for Mass. How about we all try to meet in the middle: parents and children might try to be a bit more attentive and restrained, and others might try to be more tolerant and patient for the sake of the future. 7. The short version is that although we are still challenged with a number of issues, all in all we are a vibrant, active, stabile parish doing what the Lord expects of a Catholic parish: to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in our community. That is the best fourth anniversary present I could hope for. Thank God and thank you! COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PROGRAM A McKees Rocks Community Holiday Program will be presented this Sunday, December 13, at 7 PM at the First Baptist Church of McKees Rocks (622 Russellwood Ave). A reception of light refreshments will follow. Several local Churches and the Father Ryan Arts Center are involved. Our St. John of God Adult Choir will sing Advent anthems. There is no charge. Everyone is welcome