23 November 2014 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

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1 ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1125 Romine Avenue McKeesport, Pennsylvania Telephone: MARK (6275) Fax: Father Rowan Hall: Parish Nurse: x102 Religious Education & Youth Ministry: x105 Mon Yough Catholic School: Victim Assistance Hotline: November 2014 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE PASTOR Reverend Daniel T. Straughn, S.T.L. O GOD, come to my assistance! O LORD, make haste to help me! LIBERTY SITE (LB) 3210 Liberty Way McKeesport, PA MASS SCHEDULE Mon., Wed. & Fri.... 8:30am Sat. Vigil...6:00pm PORT VUE SITE (PV) 1125 Romine Avenue McKeesport, PA MASS SCHEDULE Tues., Thurs. & Sat.... 8:30am Sunday... 8:00am Sunday... 11:00am SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 5:15pm Saturdays at our Liberty site and anytime upon request. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Classes are held at our Port Vue site for Grades K-8 on Sundays from 9:30am 12 Noon, September thru April. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Engaged couples are to participate in a Marriage Preparation Class. Please contact our Administration Center six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM SAINT MARK PARISH MISSION STATEMENT (Promulgated January 2014 by the People of Saint Mark Parish) We are Saint Mark Parish, a family of brothers and sisters alive in Christ. Protected by Saint Mark the Evangelist, we continue to thrive with Strength, Vibrancy, Humility and Sacrifice. The Grace of the Holy Spirit guides us; the Eucharist nurtures us; and we embrace our mission to spread the Gospel message to all. Baptisms are the 1st Sunday and 3rd Sunday of the month after the 11:00am Mass. Pre-Baptism Class is required. Please contact our Administration Center three months prior to the anticipated birth. OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 9:00am to 12:30pm 1:00pm to 4:00pm BULLETIN DEADLINE: Friday 12:00 Noon Submit requests to stmarkparish1101@comcast.net

2 SAINT MARK PARISH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 23 NOVEMBER 2014 Rosary prior to daily morning Mass MONDAY, 24 November 2014 COMMUNION SERVICE (Intention Fulfilled Privately) 8:30am Agnes Potocsnak Vayda... LB (Elizabeth Gantner) TUESDAY, 25 November :30am Debby Pikula... PV (Mick and Family) WEDNESDAY, 26 November :30am Robert Johnson... LB (Johnson Family) THURSDAY, 27 November 2014 THANKSGIVING DAY 9:00am The People of Saint Mark Parish... PV FRIDAY, 28 November 2014 (No Mass or Communion Service) SATURDAY, 29 November :30am Margaret Pancurak... PV (Debbie McGlaughlin) 6:00pm The People of Saint Mark Parish... PV SUNDAY, 30 November :00am George T. Legin, Husband... LB (Mary Frances Legin, Wife) 11:00am Gloria E. Johnston... PV (Michael, Megan and Molly) Low Gluten Hosts available please see Priest before Mass Baptism Instruction Class The next Baptism classes for parents is offered: Monday, 5 January 2015 Saint Mark Parish Monday, 2 March 2015 Corpus Christi Parish Read the Bible Pray over Sacred Scripture You can keep whatever you find Readings for the Week of 23 November 2014 Sunday: Ez 34:11-12, 15-17/1 Cor 15:20-26, 28/Mt 25:31-46 Monday: Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5/Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Rv 14:14-19/Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Rv 15:1-4/Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Rv 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a/Lk 21:20-28 Friday: Rv 20:1-4, :2/Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Rv 22:1-7/Lk 21:34-36 Next Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 Saint Mark Common Grounds The Coffee House is open after 8am Mass. Please join us for fun and fellowship! Stewardship 16 November 2014 MCKEESPORT, PA Offertory Collection... $5, Thank you! Second Collection: THIS Weekend This weekend a second collection is taken for the Retirement Fund of the Religious. Parish Administration Center CLOSED Thanksgiving Day Holiday Our Parish Administration Center is closed Thursday, 27 November and Friday, 28 November, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. If you have an emergency, please call and follow the prompts accordingly. Donations Saint Mark Parish Grotto Refurbishment: Gary, Diane and Brianne Antonella Ken and Kathy Wojcik Anonymous Saint Mark Parish Food Bank: Anonymous..$20.00 Anonymous..$50.00 Saint Mark Parish Youth Group/REP: Joyce Witt...Misc. Supplies Kathy Wojcik..Misc. Supplies Sanctuary Lamp/Altar Bread & Wine This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Liberty site burns for Staff and Volunteers of Saint Mark Parish. This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Port Vue site burns in memory of Kathy Engstler from Janice Hemminger. This week the Altar Bread and Wine is offered in Thanksgiving for the life and love of Camilla Peggy Straughn. Activity Schedule Monday, 24 November :30-7:30pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, LB Tuesday, 25 November :30pm, Contemp. Praise and Worship Practice, PV Wednesday, 26 November am, Miraculous Medal Novena, LB 7-9pm, Choir Practice, PV Thursday, 27 November :00am, Thanksgiving Day Mass ADMINISTRATION CENTER CLOSED Friday, 28 November 2014 ADMINISTRATION CENTER CLOSED Sunday, 30 November :15-10:30am, Handbell Practice, PV Come, Holy Spirit!

3 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 23 NOVEMBER 2014 PARISH SHARE Update To enable us to continue and thrive, we need to work together. Please be generous! Total Assessment: $73, Total Paid: $53, Donations to Parish Share are not assessed as income for the parish. Also, once we meet our assessment, anything above that amount is ours to keep (again, non-assessed income). Please be generous! Thank you!!! If we do not meet our assessment by donations, we have to pay the balance with funds from our operating account and/or savings account. Please be generous! THANKSGIVING OFFERING A Gift for our Food Bank and Charitable Activities In the pews at both of our worship sites are Thanksgiving Envelopes for donations toward our Saint Mark Parish Food and Charitable Activities. You can return your donation on any Sunday or at our Thanksgiving Day Mass. Give Thanks and Share! For what are you grateful? For what are you thankful? We all have an opportunity to share our blessings and thanksgiving at our Thanksgiving Day Mass, celebrated 27 November. Let's share with our family so we all can offer praise and thanksgiving to God for all of our many blessings! Kindly remember Saint Mark Parish in your Will or ask for Donations to our parish in lieu of flowers at your funeral. Thank you! And God bless you! CCM and Ladies Guild News Board Meeting: Monday, 24 November, 1pm, LB. Orders for upcoming soup and hoagie sale (6 December) are taken after all Masses the weekends in November. Annual Christmas Party and Buffet Dinner: Monday, 8 December, in Father Rowan Hall. The dinner, which is provided by Winzek Catering Service, at a cost of $18.50 per person, is to be followed by entertainment. Reservations must be made by 1 December, by calling either Joyce at or Janice at Liturgical Calendars Liturgical Calendars are available 29/30 November. Donations are accepted and appreciated. Our thanks to Willig Funeral Home for providing the calendars. Thanks and Gratitude! While we trust my Mom, Camilla Peggy Straughn, is rejoicing in the Lord in Glory, and while we find great consolation in our faith, my family and I still are grieving the absence of such a wonderful woman of faith and love, and such a cherished wife and mother. Mom truly lived her life in the heart of God, always aware of God and His love, and perpetually commending herself and others to the care and protection of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the providential care of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to all who shared in Mom s life, supported and prayed for her when she was suffering, and lifted her up to the Glory of God in prayer and tears with us her dear family. Thank you to all who are offering Mass Intentions for Mom, and thanks to all who are offering donations for the charities close to her heart. While Mom is separated from us, she is not altogether gone. She is with us in a more profound way we now need to allow ourselves to be more aware of her presence and her amazing love. Keep praying for us. Thank you! And God bless you! Love, Father Daniel Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my Trust in You. Come, Holy Spirit! ADVENT SERIES 2014 First Week of Advent: Clay in the Potter s hands (offered by Maureen Crossen) Third Week of Advent: We are called to magnify God's Love in our world (offered by Colleen Crossen) Fourth Week of Advent: A dwelling for the Lord (offered by Maureen Crossen) All Ministry is to support and effect unity, strength and vitality. When we work together as the Body of Christ Head and Members, Priest and People for the sake of one another and our entire family, we allow the glory of God to shine in us and through us, and it is easier and better for everyone. Thanks for working together for the sake of our entire Saint Mark Parish Family. Love, and live for others, and we all will certainly live more joy-filled lives. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON FOR YOU Experience God s Mercy this Advent The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Wednesday, 10 December from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at our Liberty site. Consider making a commitment this Advent to experience the healing grace of God s forgiveness and love. Confessions always are available on Saturday at 5:15PM at our Liberty site and anytime upon request.

4 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 23 NOVEMBER 2014 Pilgrimage to Saint Anthony Chapel If you are planning to join us for the Advent Pilgrimage to Saint Anthony's Chapel 2 December, please return your registration form and payment by 23 November. You may use the collection basket or drop off at the Office. Questions, please see or call Judy Zajicek at Youth Group Toy Drive Our Saint Mark Parish Youth group is collecting new toys for the Saint Mark Food Bank toy drive. There will be a tree with leaves on it in the back of each worship site. Each leaf will have the age and gender of a child. Please pick a leaf off the tree, return with an age appropriate toy, and place under the tree at either worship site before the end of November. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Any questions, please call Lori DiMarco at Saint Mark Parish 50/50 In your offertory packet, there is a special envelope marked 50/50 Drawing--Donation $5.00. At the end of each month, one lucky winner is drawn to win half of the take. 5 for 5 Tickets! Saint Mark Parish "5 for 5" tickets are available. The drawing dates are: December 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, Congratulations to our October winners! The following numbers won: 7 October October October October October Christmas Cards For Shut-Ins Our Christmas mailboxes are out beginning 29/30 November. Please take a card or two and mail it to the shut-in whose address is on the envelope. During this Advent and Christmas season, please keep all of our shut-ins in your prayers. Thank you! Little Blue Advent Books The Little Blue Books for Advent will be available at each worship site this weekend. Please take one! HELP NEEDED: Christmas Decorating of our Worship Sites Christmas decorating of both worship sites is 13/14 December. Your help is needed and appreciated! Our Port Vue site is decorated on Saturday, 13 December at 10:00AM. Our Liberty site is decorated on Sunday, 14 December 10:00AM. Please come! HELP NEEDED: Volunteer Van Driver We are in need of a van driver for our 11:00AM Mass. Flexible monthly schedule. If interested in helping, please call Marty Hopkins at Thank you! Oplatki Christmas Wafers Oplatki Christmas Wafers are on sale after all Masses. Four wafers in one package for just $2.50. Wafers can be purchased in the Sacristy at our Port Vue site, in the Vestibule at our Liberty site, or at our Parish Office. Looking for a great Christmas gift? SAVE THE DATE and take a sentimental journey with The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Sunday, 19 April 2015 at Youghiogheny Country Club. Tickets are $50.00 per person and includes valet parking, a sit-down dinner, followed by an evening of dancing to a live orchestra. For tickets please contact Amy Sullivan at asullivan@monyoughcatholic.org or at Proceeds to benefit Mon Yough Catholic School. SCRIP Orders Saint Mark Parish Enrollment code: 72777C99396L4 Orders for gift cards using the scrip program are due on the following dates: 30 November, 8 December, 15 December. To order, use paper order forms or online: shopwithscrip.com. Ladies of Charity-collection for shut-ins We are collecting socks, slipper socks, etc. for shut-ins for Christmas gifts. Collections boxes are at entrance to both sites. Your generosity is appreciated. Saint Mark Parish Holiday Pierogi Sale We are ordering pierogies from Polish Pierogi, a very popular pierogi in the Pittsburgh area! They also supplied our Parish Festival this past year. THE CHOICES ARE: Potato & Cheese Potato & Bacon Sweet Cabbage Pierogies are $8/dozen Orders due Sunday, 29 November 2014 MUST BE PREPAID Pick-up is Saturday, 13 December 2014, 2-4pm in Father Rowan Hall. Any questions please contact Anne Laychak at Please use the form below to order. Thank you for supporting our parish! Holiday Pierogi Sale Name: Telephone: Dozen Potato & $8.00 $ Dozen Potato & $8.00 $ Dozen Sweet $8.00 $ Please place order form in Offertory basket. Thank you for your support!

5 SAINT MARK PARISH MCKEESPORT, PA To live our Faith, we need to know our Faith! " They called the Church together and reported what GOD had done with them and how He had opened the door of faith..." (Acts of the Apostles 14:27) Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." Jesus insists that in ministering to others' physical needs, we are truly serving him. "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me," he tells us. And in a similar way, what we fail to do for them, we fail to do for Christ: "What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." This means that we have been given both a gift and a task. The gift is the chance to encounter Christ in our brothers and sisters. The task is to be sure we don't neglect the encounter. The corporal works of mercy provide us with a kind of guide for how to live out this important mission from Christ. These works include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the imprisoned, and burying the dead. Based on the words of Jesus in today's Gospel, it's an important part of the Christian life to look for ways to engage in these kinds of bodily ministries. Traditionally, these "corporal" works are complemented by a set of "spiritual" works. The spiritual works of mercy ensure that we don't minister to the body at the expense of the soul. They include admonishing the sinner, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, comforting the sorrowful, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving all injuries, and praying for the living and the dead. By engaging in these diverse works of mercy, we serve others, love Jesus, and hope to "inherit the kingdom prepared for [us] from the foundation of the world." ( 2014 Liturgical Publications, Inc.) Thanksgiving Day Blessing O God of all things in heaven and on earth, you give all your people in the world the gift of life, the gift of family, the gift of work, and the gift of rest. On this, our national day of Thanksgiving, we turn all our thoughts to you, from whom all blessings flow. Bless all our work, our friends, and our families both near and far. We humbly ask for the ability to continue our work for your kingdom and the ability to gather freely to worship you without fear. We ask you to give our years ahead your blessing and protection. We ask all this through Christ the Lord, your Son and our brother. Amen.