My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is Born!!

Transcription

1 My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is Born!! I pray that each and every one of you has a most Joyous and Blessed Christmas. If you are going to be away from the parish over Christmas, I pray for your safe journey. If you are going to be here, please note these Mass times: Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:30 p.m. If you know a shut-in living near you or perhaps someone who may have been away from Church for some time, why not invite them to join us for the celebration of our Lord s birth. We are indeed blessed to have Bishop Pilla as the principal celebrant and homilist for 10:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. His presence along with the beautiful music of our choir will be a wonderful celebration of the Lord s Nativity. As the days to Christmas rapidly approach, might I suggest that we reflect on one of the themes presented by our Holy Father for the Year of Mercy. He reminds us that as we seek mercy in our lives, we should also be instruments of mercy. He asks that we reflect upon and act out the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy: Spiritual: To admonish the sinner To instruct the ignorant To counsel the doubtful To comfort the sorrowful To bear wrongs patiently To forgive all injuries To pray for the living and the dead Corporal To feed the hungry To give drink to the thirsty To clothe the naked To visit the sick To visit those in prison To shelter the homeless To bury the dead Perhaps, in the days ahead, we might reflect on these and think about ways that we might live them out in our lives. I look forward to seeing you this Christmas and assure you of my prayers for you. It is a blessing to serve you as your pastor. Fr. Winkel, Fr. Hubert, Deacon Chordas, Mr. DiBacco and the entire parish and academy staff joins me in wishing you a most Blessed Christmas. May the Blessings of the Infant King be with you this Christmas Season. Father Ireland

2 PAGE 2 PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Through our Roman Catholic Faith, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is committed to welcoming, engaging, and serving a diverse population in the Heights and Hillcrest areas. Established in 2010, through a merger of St. Margaret Mary and St. Gregory the Great Parishes, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is a vibrant center of Catholic worship, education, Faith formation, service, evangelization, and community life. Through these apostolates, we seek to enable our members to establish and nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ and carry forth His mission in the World. FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 1545 S. Green Rd. S. Euclid, OH Phone: FAX: office@sacredheartofjesusparish.org website: Father Dave R. Ireland, STD Pastor Father Thomas J. Winkel, M.Div Senior Parochial Vicar Fr. Hubert Stambuli In residence Deacon David N. Chordas Permanent Deacon SUNDAY SATURDAY: 4 P.M. VIGIL MASS SCHEDULE SUNDAY: 8, 10, 11:30 A.M. & 5 P.M. WEEKDAY MONDAY FRIDAY: 6:45 A.M. & 12:10 P.M. FRIDAYS (DURING SCHOOL YEAR ONLY) THERE IS A MASS AT 8:45 A.M. SATURDAY: 6:45 A.M. FIRST SATURDAY (MONTHLY): 8 A.M.(IN EXTRAORDINARY FORM) FOLLOWED BY ROSARY, DEVOTIONS AND CONFERENCE FOR THE SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART Confessions for Christmas: Monday, December 21 Tuesday, December 22 Christmas Mass Schedule: December 24 ~ December 25 ~ 3 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. 3 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. 4 p.m. with children s choir 10 p.m. (Midnight Mass) (a mini-concert will precede this Mass at 9:45 p.m.) 8, 10, 11:30 a.m. THERE IS NO 5 P.M. TODAY Parish Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday Office is CLOSED Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bulletin Deadline: Friday, 5:00 p.m. New Parishioners Registration after Sunday Mass in the Parish Office, or by appointment. Baptisms: First and third Sundays of each month at 1:00 p.m. Pre-registration required. Parents expecting their first child should arrange to attend the required Pre-Baptism class. These are offered at the parish on the 4th Sunday of January, April, July and October at 1:00 p.m. in Mary s Room. Pre-registration is required. Call the Parish Office. Marriages: Engaged couples should make their arrangements with the priest at least 6 to 12 months in advance of their wedding. Funerals: Call the Parish Office to arrange date and time. Holy Communion for the Homebound: Please call the Parish Office whenever a family member is seriously ill or hospitalized. Arrangements can be made to bring Holy Communion to the homebound weekly or monthly. Music Director: Mark Langley ( ) Sponsor Requirements: All requests for sponsor certificates must be directed to a priest. Individuals must be registered and practicing members of this parish, at least 16 years of age, and have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If married, the marriage must have been accepted by the Catholic Church. Sacred Heart of Jesus Academy 4478 Rushton Road, South Euclid, OH , FAX office@sacredheartofjesusacademy.org Website: Principal: Mr. William DiBacco PSR Religious Education Classes Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. For Information about the program call the Parish Office ( ) Sts. Margaret and Gregory Credit Union 1499 Dean Drive, South Euclid, OH , FAX Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Parish Pastoral Council Please direct your questions or suggestions for the Council to: parishcouncil@sacredheartofjesusparish.org

3 DECEMBER 20, 2015 PAGE 3 STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Collection 12/13/2015-$12, wk Avg.-$ Collection 12/14/2014-$13, wk Avg.-$12, Direct Deposit for the month of November: $2, Total for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception: $2, Thank you for your kindness. Father Ireland The following were written by the children who used their envelopes this week (19 envelopes were received from the children of the Academy & PSR). These good deeds for God statements are duplicated here as the children wrote them: Automatic Giving There are two ways to participate: sign up at the Credit Union or Do-It-Yourself on a home computer. If one or the other of these options appeal to you, please contact Eileen Gerome in the Parish Office ( ). Giving my pets water and food. Wrapped my brother s and sisters birthday presents. Made sure I came to Mass even after I was sick. Helped put up the Christmas decorations. Thank you, children, for sharing these with us. God Bless you!! Father Ireland Please be as generous as you are able Ford F-150, extended cab 72,470 actual miles $3,800 or best offer (Had 66,243 miles whenit was purchased.) fair Condition All inquiries should be directed to our Business Manager, Tony Flowers ( ). The vehicle was purchased from a private owner in 2010 and has received light usage since then, driven exclusively by parish maintenance personnel on parish property. If interested, the truck is can be seen Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m....from 12 Noon on Wednesday the 23rd until Sunday the 27th at 9 a.m. We wish you a very Merry Christmas!! OPLATKI ~ CHRISTMAS WAFERS Packages of 3 Oplatki wafers are available while our supply lasts in the Parish Office for a donation of $3 per package. The centuries-old custom of breaking and sharing this Christmas Bread serves as a reminder that Christ is the Unseen Guest in our homes. If this is not your family s tradition, why not think about beginning a new tradition. Each wafer is imprinted with the story of Oplatki and the package tells the story of Oplatki and the ritual associated with the custom of breaking and sharing this Christmas Bread. Thank you! The Women s Guild thanks everyone who participated in our annual Giving Tree event this year. Once again we collected a tremendous amount of beautiful and useful items that the less fortunate children in our diocese are sure to enjoy (32 large bags of clothes and 16 boxes of toys/books). Special thanks to the school children and staff at our Academy for their donations and help, and to those who brought much needed baby items for Birthright, Inc. (10 bags of baby clothes and 2 large cartons of diapers.) Several people shared their time and talent to hand crochet and knit many beautiful baby blankets which most certainly will be treasured by the new mothers. May God bless you for the kindness you have shown to others this holiday season. May He fill your hearts with peace and joy.

4 PAGE 4 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT & CHRISTMAS LITURGICAL & SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT LITURGICAL MINISTERS ~ WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 26 & 27 LECTORS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS SERVERS Saturday: 4:00 p.m L. Hart S. Wolf M. Chordas S. Orteca Sunday: 8:00 a.m. M. Quandt M. Weldon K. Winters P. O Neill ~ Adult Servers ~ 10:00 a.m. B. J. Kennedy B. Mapel J. Verni D. Miklic S. Matz 11:30 a.m. J. Horton P. Urbon B.& A. Worsdall J., J., & K.Krych 5:00 p.m. J. Madigan M. Razayeski A. Mullins T. Miller J. Cole AJ Mullins Sanctuary Group #4 Helen Gervinski MASS INTENTIONS Monday, December 21 Late Advent Weekday Optional: St. Peter Canisius, Priest & Doctor of the Church 6:45 a.m. Carmella DiFranco 12:10 p.m. George & Beatrice Suchy Tuesday, December 22 Late Advent Weekday 6:45 a.m. Bill Schaefer 12:10 p.m. Carolyn J. Clark (Anniversry) Wednesday, December 23 Late Advent Weekday Optional: St. John of Kanty, Priest 6:45 a.m. Florence Wank 12:10 p.m. Marie & Biagio Brigneli Thursday, December 24 Late Advent Weekday 4:00 a.m. Priest s Intention 9:45 p.m. Mini-concert 10:00 p.m. Priest s Intention Friday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 8:00 a.m. Priest s Intention 10:00 a.m. Priest s Intention 11:30 a.m. Priest s Intention There is NO 5:00 p.m. Mass today. Saturday, December 26 St. Stephen, the First Martyr 6:45 a.m. Marie Geier 4:00 p.m. Amelia C. Prcela Sunday, December 27 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:00 a.m. Ruggiero Marinucci (Anniversary) 10:00 a.m. Bill Rupp (Annivaersary 11:30 a.m. Gregory Higgins 5:00 p.m. Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus LITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR CHRISTMAS December 24 Vigil of Christmas 4 p.m. Lector: L. Hart Extraordinary Ministers: S. Gatchel D.& M. Razayeski 10 p.m. Lector: T. Bell Extraordinary Ministers: S. Wolf, T. Miller B. Krajnak December 25 Christmas Day 8 a.m. Lector: M. Guzan Extraordinary Ministers: M. Weldon 10 a.m. Lector: H. Gutter Extraordinary Ministers: M. Chordas P. DeVito B. J. Kennedy 11:30 a.m. Lector: J. Madigan Extraordinary Minister: J. Palache READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19/Heb 10:5-10 Lk 1:39-45 Monday: Sg 2:8-14/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21/Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-8/Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 Lk 1:57-66 Thursday Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29 Lk 1:67-79 Friday Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-3, 11-13/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7 Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1-6/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3-4, 6, 8, Mt 10:17-22 Next Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52

5 DECEMBER 20, 2015 PAGE 5 PRAYER APOSTOLATES PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS... Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Abbé Weaver Rev. John Lyons/Rev. Angelo Zonta, CSJ Michael Petosek, St. Mary Rev. Leonard Bacik Rev. Justin Freeman, O.de M. Adam Nestor, St. Mary Rev. Matthew Glaros/Rev. Frank Kosem John Mulhollan, St. Mary Rev. Thomas Haren/Rev. Kevin Liebhardt Peter Morris, St. Mary Our Holy Father, Pope Francis Jesus Ramirez-Moreno, St. Mary Rev. Dennis Kristancic Rev. Roger Massawe Jose Cortes-Morales, St. Mary Marian Movement of Priests This Apostolate meets every Thursday evening at 7 o clock in the Chapel to pray for vocations to the priesthood and for those who are already ordained and ministering among God s people. You are most welcome to join them any Thursday. Bible Study continues to meet on Monday mornings at 10 o clock in Mary s Room. This group is always ready to receive new members who are seeking an opportunity to share the Word of God with fellow parishioners. Please stop by any Monday morning. We ll be happy to see you. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart If your family would like an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus enthroned in your home, please call Father Ireland at the Parish Office ( ) to arrange for him to come to your home and lead this beautiful devotion. Eucharistic Adoration Let us Love with the Heart of Christ Consider coming to the Adoration Chapel one day a week to pray ~ to pray with your family and be with the Lord. If you would like to become a Perpetual Adorer, please call Kay Sutula at and leave your name and phone number. LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK, THE CHRONICALLY ILL, THE HOSPITALIZED & THE HOMEBOUND We pray for Carol Caroscio, Robert Laws, Whitey Sassano and Gia Worsdall May God grant them healing in mind and body, and strength to endure their suffering. We pray also for our elderly and homebound parishioners, especially: Therese Caporale, Santina DelBalso, Luisa Gaudio, Helen Gervinski, Aida Kinczel, William & Carole Schaefer and Clara Stanko Please submit your prayer requests to the office by 5 p.m. on Fridays Sacred Heart of Jesus has 3 gentlemen preparing for the entrance into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil: two of them, Giovanni Luciano and Earl Stovall, are seeking baptism; one of them, Steven Simske, is seeking full communion in the Catholic Church through reception of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Please keep these men in your prayers as they journey closer to the Easter Vigil and their Initiation into the Catholic Church. Community Recitation of the Rosary Rosary for Peace: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays ~ Church Family Rosary: 7 p.m. monthly on first Tuesday ~ Church., led by members of the Knights of Columbus. DECEMBER PARISH HAPPENINGS December 21 & December 22 December 24 December 25 Confessions 3-4 & 7-8 p.m. Christmas Eve Vigil Masses at 4 & 10 p.m. The 10 p.m. Mass will be preceded by a miniconcert which begins at 9:45 p.m. Masses at 8, 10, and 11:30 a.m. There will be NO 5 p.m. Mass.

6 PAGE 6 From Respect Life Committee FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT & CHRISTMAS Academy News Jesus comes to show how we ought to relate to God and others. read Hebrews 10:5-7 Dear Parishioners Matthew 2:1-18 tells us that King Herod was greatly troubled when he learned the Messiah wold be born in Bethlehem, and he sent for the Magi to find the Child. When the Magi did not report back to Herod, he ordered the killing of boys two years of age and younger in Bethlehem. During the octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the memory of these small children who died by Herod s decree. On Monday, December 28, an evening Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus will be celebrated in honor of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Holy Innocents, although far fewer in number, remind us of the millions of lives now lost through abortion. The Spiritual Adoption cards distributed at Mass ask us to consider praying for one unborn child whose life may be at risk. Please come December 28 at 7 p.m. Mass of the Holy Innocents St. Gregory the Great Church Refreshments will be available after Mass. Watch Special Christmas Programming Join EWTN Global Catholic Television Network in celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. EWTN is proud to to bring you LIVE Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses from Rome and the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. Watch EWTN on Time Warner Cable channel #18, DISH Network channel #261 or DIRECTV channel #370. Program Schedules are available in the back of the Church. For more information, go to As we approach Christmas vacation, I would like to share some thoughts about recent events at the Academy. Our halls and classrooms dressed up in Advent wreaths and calendars, mangers, Santas and reindeer. Students did good deeds of mercy, prayed, went to Confession, and prepared themselves for the birth of our Lord. Students truly do know that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. In the spirit of mercy, (we are now in the Year of Mercy as proclaimed by Our Holy Father, Pope Francis), a few of our 7 th grade students raked and bagged leaves for one of our elderly parishioners last week, without grumbling and without pay. This exemplifies what Sacred Heart students are all about. Thank you boys for your kindness. The Christmas Band Concert was performed by students in grades 4 to 8 last Tuesday, December 15. The evening program for families was well attended. Our Band Director, Mr. Eduardo Mandujano did an excellent job orchestrating the concert A huge thank you to Mrs. Marilyn Freas for the wonderful Christmas Music Program. Hats off to those students who performed. Another great job!! The dedication of both Mrs. Freas and Mr. Mandujano to our Academy and the students is very much appreciated. Thank you, Fr. Ireland, for your commitment to the students of the Academy. Besides hearing confessions for grades 3 to 8, Father also visited the classrooms in the spirit of St. Nicholas, attended the Music, and Band programs, and read the Story of the Bambinelli to students in K to grade 3 The last day of school was Friday, December 18. Students will be on Christmas vacation until January 3. School resumes on Monday, January 4. The faculty and staff of the Academy join me in wishing every one of you a very blessed Christmas. The Child to be born will be holy, He will be the Son of God. Luke 1:35 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!! With My Prayers, William DiBacco, Principal