Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA January 8, 2012

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2 Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA January 8, 2012 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Where is the newborn King? asked the Magi. Where indeed? asks a world that tramples the sacred and bows down before the mundane. What is our answer? St. Gregory the Great once said, When the King of heaven was born, the heavens knew that He was God. They immediately sent forth a star; the sea knew Him because it allowed Him to walk upon it; the earth knew Him because it trembled when He died; the sun knew Him because it hid the rays of its light. We who know of Him set out like the Magi to see and do Him homage. We have an inexplicable desire, a longing in our hearts, to know the One sent to us by the Father, the One in Whom our hearts will find rest. We know that He can truly set us free; only He reveals that which is beau ful and true. So we come week a er week offering symbolic gi s of gold, incense and myrrh to Jesus, our King, our High Priest, the God-Man who lays down His life and reconciles us to the Father. We come not just to know of Him, but we come to know Him in mately, to love and serve Him. This is our joy! To a world that asks, Where? may our joy reveal the truth. He is here, known and made manifest in His Mys cal Body! A word of thanks to our local Catholic Workers. This year they served 118 guests through numerous sea ngs for a Christmas Eve meal in their Corpus Chris House s dining room at 41 W. Vine Street. They will con nue to serve meals every Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm with home-made soup, bread, dessert, fruit and coffee. Keep up the great work. For many years our parish hosted the overflow shelter in our school between Christmas and New Year s Eve. The Catholic Workers provided the volunteers. This year s overflow Winter Shelter was moved to the YWCA. During the week leading up to Christmas Eve, our Catholic Workers helped to host an average of 20 women every evening as well as a few children. Forty percent of those involved in this ministry were from our congrega on. Thanks! Consider joining the Catholic Worker Movement. Our local Catholic Worker House will host a second week at the YWCA beginning February 13. Volunteers are needed to serve between 6:45 pm and 7:00 am. Through your hands may Christ s love be known and Christ s will be done! Join me this Sunday a ernoon at 2:00 pm for the Annual Twel h Night Concert at St. Leo's. Our choir will par cipate in this fun a ernoon. Next year, St. Mary s will host this wonderful event! Catechism Ques on of the Week: What is the principal fruit we receive in consuming the Holy Eucharist? a) Grace for the forgiveness of sin, b) An in mate union with Christ Jesus, c) Bodily nutrients, or d) An increase in faith (see CCC 1391) With family, friends and those you meet, please discuss the following Ques on of the Week: To whom will I point out the Lamb of God; to whom will I bring Jesus? In Christ s Peace, Mass Inten ons for the Week Saturday, January 7: 5:30 John Conroy (Joe & Amy Clupp) Sunday, January 8 (The Epiphany of the Lord): 8:30 Parishioners & Friends (Fr. Leo) 11:00 James Joseph Quinn - Living (Quinn Family) Monday, January 9 (The Bap sm of the Lord): 12:05 Dr. Steve Centola - Fourth anniversary of his death (Karen Morrise e) Tuesday, January 10: 12:05 Anthony Mazzuca (Joanne Skinner) Wednesday, January 11: 12:05 Leo Walle (Grace Rogers) Thursday, January 12: 12:05 Voca ons Friday, January 13: 12:05 Leonard Stratchko (Olga Stratchko) Saturday, January 14: 8:00 Dennis & Alicia Jurick - Living - Third wedding anniversary (Joe & Amy Clupp) 5:30 Frances Marie Freeman - First anniversary of her death (Bereavement) Sunday, January 15: 8:30 Richard Peris Sr. - First anniversary of his death (Bereavement)) 11:00 Parishioners & Friends (Fr. Leo) Important Dates January 8 Religious Educa on (school) - 9:40 am 8 Choir Rehearsal (music room) - 10:00 am 9 Building & Grounds Commi ee (library) - 7:00 pm 9 Marriage Enrichment Mee ng (chapel) - 7:00 pm 9 Prayer Shawl Ministry Mee ng (DR) - 7:00 pm 10 Mothers Group (chapel/nursery) - 9:30 am 10 RCIA (library) - 6:45 pm 10 Praise & Worship (chapel) - 7:30 pm 11 Women of Grace (school) - 7:00 pm 12 Short Staff Mee ng (kitchen/church) - 9:30 am 12 Women of Grace (school) - 10:00 am 12 Choir Rehearsal (music room) - 7:00 pm 13 Community Meal (cafeteria) - 5:30 pm 14 Youth Choir Rehearsal (church) - 9:00 am 14 Wedding (church) - 2:00 pm 14 Confessions (church) - 4:00 pm 15 Religious Educa on (school) - 9:40 am 15 Legacy Project Open Forum (church) - 9:30 am 15 Undecora ng (church) - 1:00 pm 15 Youth Ministry Music Video Shoot (chapel/school) - 4:00 pm

3 The Epiphany of the Lord From the Parish Office Stewardship Tithing: God s Plan for Giving A Grateful Office Staff. Tithing weekend of December 25, 2011: $19, Christmas offering: $16, Tithing weekend of January 1, 2012: $18, From Fr. Leo. The three wise men who came from the East to pay homage to the infant Jesus brought Him rich gils of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as part of their worship. What gils have I brought to this celebra on to offer to the newborn Savior? Comment from the Pews. Tithing gives me much more joy not happiness but real joy! My child s good deed for the week. Several of our children offered these as their the in addi on to their financial gil: I let my brother use the paint roller. I cleaned the kitchen floor. Opportuni es for Non-St. Mary s Por on of Tithe. January 8 Aid to the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe La n America and Africa Thank you to the anonymous parishioner who had lunch delivered to the parish office staff right before Christmas. Your generosity... and ming... were very much appreciated! Adver ser of the Week St. Anne s Re)rement Community Our thanks to St. Anne s and all our sponsors for adver sing in our bulle n. Please patronize them and thank them for adver sing. It is because of them that our bulle n is possible. Ques on of the Week. To whom will I point out the Lamb of God; to whom will I bring Jesus? John 1:35-42 Catechism Ques on of the Week. What is the principal fruit we receive in consuming the Holy Eucharist? (CCC 1391) a. Grace for the forgiveness of sins b. An in mate union with Christ Jesus c. Bodily nutrients d. An increase in faith Legacy Project. As you are aware, the Development and Preserva on Commi ee presented two plans for renova ons to the school and convent: Op on A and Op on B. Now that you have had some me to review and digest the proposed plans, we d like to hear more from you. There will be two open forums: Sunday, January 15 at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. Ask ques ons... make comments... offer sugges ons! Just a reminder that you may go to our website for more informa on on both op ons ( ; click on Legacy Project on the very top line). If you are unable to a end one of the open forums, there are three ways you can express your opinion, share your comments or ask ques ons: 1. the Development and Preserva on Commi ee at legacyproject@stmaryslancaster.org. 2. Call and leave a voice mail message at ext Drop a wri en note in the sugges on box in the back of the church. The Development and Preserva on Commi ee is dedicated to preserving our past, addressing the expressed needs of our parishioners today, and enhancing our facility for future genera ons. However, no progress can be made un l we are confident that everyone has had the opportunity to share his or her thoughts. Again, your par cipa on is key. Thank you. 7th Annual Stewardship Recogni on Party Sunday, January 29 Dinner: 3:00 pm at St. Mary s Cafeteria This event is hosted by the staff of St. Mary s and is for all of St. Mary s volunteers who have given of their me, talent or treasure! If you have volunteered at St. Mary s for even just an hour, you are invited to a end! Entertainment in the gym provided by: Jonathan Burns

4 Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA January 8, 2012 Liturgy Contact Don Peris or DPeris@verizon.net Rediscover Catholicism! It is easy to be a follower, but to be a disciple means to be a student to be humble, docile, and teachable, and to listen. All this requires discipline. Christ invites us to a life of discipline not for His sake, but for our sake; not to help Him, but to help us; not to make Him happy, but to allow us to share in His happiness. Ma hew Kelley, Rediscover Catholicism (Please enjoy this book handed out at Christmas.) Praise & Worship. Tuesday, January 10, 7:30 pm in the convent chapel Adora on & Confession "God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." St. Maximilian Kolbe Scripture Readings. January 15 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42 Rediscovering the Faith. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, the Church o en welcomes home those who have been away from the Church. When people return, they o en have ques ons and concerns. In an effort to welcome these Catholics and address their ques ons, a new web resource has been developed, "Rediscovering the Faith." Do you know someone who wants to come home to the Catholic Church, but is struggling with their faith? If so please pass this informa on along to them. This website contains resources to help them rediscover the faith and answer ques ons about the Church and Church teachings. All are invited to explore this site and contact a local parish. h p:// how-we-teach/new-evangeliza on/outreachand-ministry/rediscovering-the-faith.cfm January 8 The Epiphany of the Lord. This feast commemorates the manifesta on of God through Christ to the whole world symbolized by the Three Magi from the East. This feast day originated some me in the third century in the Eastern Church. By the fourth century, the feast ranked in importance with Easter and Pentecost. When introduced into the Western Church in the fourth century, the focus of the feast shi ed from Christ s Bap sm to His birth. In the United States, the Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday nearest January 6. January 9 The Bap sm of the Lord. In submi ng Himself humbly to the Bap sm of St. John the Bap st, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be bap zed, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which frees us from the darkness of sin and incorporates us into the Church, the life of Christ on earth! His Bap sm, therefore, was necessary--not for Him, but for us. Learning Together: A Closer Look at Liturgy. How does prayer at liturgy differ from other forms of prayer? Liturgy is defined as the work of the Church. It is what the Church does that makes it uniquely itself. The Church is the assembly of believers, gathered by God to do worship in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore the prayer of the Church is communal prayer, not individual prayer. It comes from our individual prayer. It arises from our habit of prayer as individuals and as groups outside of liturgy. Our prayer during liturgy is the prayer of the assembled Body of Christ. It is a collec ve prayer, which we offer to God by the right (and the duty) that comes from our Bap sm. When we gather to pray at liturgy, we come not as a group of individuals, but as the Church itself. Living the Eucharist. Living the Eucharist is a new program designed to help par cipants have a more profound experience at Sunday Mass. It will help you to grow in your Catholic faith and help you live more fully as disciples of Jesus. Tuesday Morning Small Chris an Community invites you to join them: to deepen your understanding of the Mass, pray the upcoming Sunday Mass readings using the lec o divina method, and renew your commitment to live life more fully as a disciple of Jesus throughout the week. Gatherings are to be held for 6 weeks during Lent, star ng Tuesday, February 14, 10:00-11:30 am. Call Lois Cassidy, , or Romaine Hohenwarter, , for more informa on or to sign up for this 6-week study. Living the Eucharist is designed to be a parish-wide program, and this is our pilot program. We hope to present it for the en re parish for Lent Learn more and see a video: h p://

5 The Epiphany of the Lord Religious Educa on Contact Anne Barnes or Classes begin promptly at 9:40 am in the school building. January 8 Class 15 Class 22 Class / First Penance Student & Parent Mee ng at 9:45 am in the gym 29 Class Adult Educa on Diocesan Ins tute. The Diocesan Ins tute for Cateche cal and Pastoral Forma on exists to provide a program of academic and pastoral forma on for Catholic laity interested in service to the Church and personal enrichment. The Ins tute will assist laity in their life-long journey of forma on, growth and service by deepening their understanding of scripture, theology and authen c spirituality. To learn more, go to RCIA Contact Tim or Michele Quigley or tsquigley@gmail.com Tuesday, January 10, 6:45 pm in the Marian Library Youth Ministry Contact Silvia Doe or stmarysyouth@hotmail.com January 8 Party to celebrate the new year (high school) 15 Music video shoot! Your chance to be on the big screen! (grades 7-12) 22 Rosary Army and diocesan safe environment program (high school) 23 (Monday) March for Life in Washington, DC (advanced registra on required for seat on bus grades 7-12)) May the Christ Child bring you and your family Christmas joy and peace and may His love guide you each day of the new year! Catholic School News Catholic Schools Week January 29 February 5. The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service. Resurrec on Catholic School Open House. An Open House will be held on Tuesday, January 31, from 9:00-11:00 am and again from 6:30-7:30 pm. Please call the school at if you have any ques ons or to set up a me to tour Resurrec on. Lancaster Catholic High School Open House. Families interested in learning more about a superior high school educa on in a Catholic environment are encouraged to visit the school on Sunday, January 29, at 1:00 pm. Details are available at A second Open House will be held on Thursday, February 2, for those unable to a end on January 29. Contact Amanda Dugan, Communica on Director, at for more informa on. From St. Mary s Archives From Lancaster New Era of January 26, 1914: A year ago Rev. T. F. X. Dougherty was installed rector of St. Mary s Catholic Church [as the 28th pastor], and Sunday morning, by way of an anniversary observance, he read his annual report to the congrega on, at its conclusion commen ng on the spiritual and temporal affairs of the parish. He said the membership has increased and extraordinary interest is manifested in all church work. The parochial school, which celebrated its 40th anniversary on the 13th of December, is in a flourishing condi on, and offers free tui on and free books to all pupils. The parish debt has been reduced from about $21,000 to a li le over $14,000. The parish total income for the year 1913 was more than $15,000. Under the direc on of Father Dougherty the choir of the church has become a feature. Father Dougherty is a man of broad ideas, and having the courage of his convic ons, is always ready to express his views. Every me we share the message of God s grace, we offer people a chance to have their own epiphany. We can go so far as to say that just by living out the gospel, our lives can become an epiphany a glorious manifesta on of the power of God to transform human hearts! The Word Among Us, January 2012

6 Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA Family Life Contact Joe Clupp or jclupp@msn.com A Marriage Made for Heaven. Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has stated that, Voca ons to the priesthood and religious life come from lifelong, life-giving, faithful marriages. How can you strengthen your marriage? Come to an informa on session a er Mass on January 7/8 and learn about A Marriage Made for Heaven program for couples, which will begin January 28. For more informa on, please contact Joe Clupp. Mothers Group. Paren ng Sharing Panel: Join us for our next mee ng on Tuesday, January 10, 9:30-11:00 am, in the chapel where we will have a paren ng discussion with our panel of parishioners who are wonderful, experienced mothers. This is a great opportunity to ask ques ons and share your own experiences. We always welcome new members! Childcare is provided, but infants/non-separa ng children are always welcome to stay with their mothers. Contact Marissa Schwartz, , or Vivi Listyowardojo, , for more informa on. Voca ons Contact Fr. Raymond LaVoie x 282 or frlavoie@hbgdiocese.org Na onal Voca on Awareness Week. The Church will celebrate Na onal Voca on Awareness Week from January During this week consider what you might do to help foster voca ons to the priesthood or religious life. Take me to pray for voca ons. Reflect on your own voca on and strengthen your personal rela onship with Christ. Educate young people about the importance of silent prayer and taking the me to truly listen to God s voice in our hearts. Offer a Mass for voca ons or for our seminarians. Pray the rosary with the inten on of voca ons. Pray for young people who may be considering a religious voca on. Talk to your children or grandchildren about voca ons. They offered Him gi s of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Is God calling you to give Him the gold of your freedom, the incense of your prayer, and the myrrh of your love through a voca on to the priesthood or consecrated life? Contact Fr. Leo in the rectory or Fr. Lavoie at the number listed above. Please pray for... Men currently in the applica on process for the Diocesan priesthood. Parents of our seminarians, priests and religious. The inten on of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every voca on, help us to say Yes to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salva on. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Blessed John Paul II January 8, 2012 Pro-Life Contact Anne Marie DiCarlo or dicarloanne@comcast.net St. Mary s Pro-Life Mass Saturday, January 28 8:00 am Annual March for Life. The 39th Annual March for Life will be held in Washington, DC on Monday, January 23, for the purpose of protes ng the evil of abor on in our na on. Catholics Defending Life of Lancaster, PA will again be sending buses to this pro-life event. Bus seat reserva ons are absolutely necessary, with a deadline of January 15. Individual bus fare is $20, with free and discounted seats available. Family and group rates are also available. Buses will depart from St. Leo s Church at 8:30 am, following Mass at 7:00 am. If you want to a end the March, please phone Anne Marie DiCarlo, , for a reserva on and bus trip details. If you are unable to a end the March, please consider making a dona on or sending an individual or a family in your place. Pray for your spiritually-adopted baby. Month 3 I grabbed my hand! Your spiritually-adopted baby can now squint, swallow and move his tongue. He sleeps and awakens. Fingernails and toenails form and he now has his own unique set of fingerprints. Sensi ve to touch, he will ghtly grasp an object placed in the palm of his hand. He breathes amnio c fluid to help develop and strengthen the respiratory system, but he gets the oxygen he needs through the umbilical cord. The baby you are praying for weighs one ounce and is 3 inches long. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn child that I have spiritually-adopted who is in danger of abor on. Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

7 The Epiphany of the Lord In & Around the Diocese Special Order of Malta Event. On Friday, January 20, at 7:00 pm, the Order of Malta will sponsor their Annual Sanc ty of Life Mass at St. Leo the Great Parish, 2427 Marie a Avenue, Lancaster. The principal celebrant and homilist will be the Diocese of Harrisburg s former Bishop, the Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Rhoades. You are invited to come together and worship as a Catholic community of Lancaster County as we pray for the sanc ty of life from concep on to natural death. Basketball Free Throw Contest. For boys and girls between the ages of 10-14, this free throw contest is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus #867. It will be held at St. Philip s Church on January 29, from 1:00-5:00 pm. Contact Tina McComsey, leprechaun1827@yahoo.com, for more informa on. Community News PA CareerLink. Join the PA CareerLink of Lancaster County for its grand re-opening on Thursday, January 12, 12:00-7:00 pm, at 1016 N. Charlo e Street, Lancaster. S ll unemployed? Looking for a be er job? Stuck in your job search? Missed a job because of lack of training? The staff at the PA CareerLink can help you in your job search and offer informa on regarding the top 100 jobs in Lancaster County as well as the employment trends for our region. For more informa on, visit A Moment with Mary Mary is not an idol. The only savior is God, Jesus Christ, but Mary is the human instrument, the daughter of Adam, the daughter of Israel, a people s embodiment, sister of our race, who by her holiness was able to incarnate in history God s divine life. The true homage that a Chris an can make to Mary is, like her, to make the effort to incarnate God s life in the fluctua ons of our flee ng history. Archbishop Oscar Romero

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