The Sunday Good News

Transcription

1 The Sunday Good News The Church of Saint John Bosco November 27, 2016 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly A PRAYER FROM ST. JOHN PAUL II O God, You are our Creator. You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds. To You arises the praise of every creature. O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live. To do Your will is our task. To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart. To You we offer our homage. Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth. Free us from all the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will. Never allow us to stray from You. O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day. O God, author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples. Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen. You know the time in which we are living. It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith Let us cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. For twenty centuries, faithful Christians have listened to and read Saint Paul s exhortation. No one can deny that his inspired word is not true. Because of the long time span though, we may have fallen asleep. We are encouraged to begin this new period of advent with an eager enthusiasm, seeking ways to discover the presence of the Christ of history, as well as the Christ who is and is coming. Advent summons us to look with a new set of eyes at what the coming of Christ means for us in He comes in the gift of friends. He comes in the gift of prayer. He comes from those in need who ask us to be light to overcome their darkness. As daylight grows short, may we be light for others to see that the coming of the Lord is even more important now than advent We pray the words of Revelation Come Lord Jesus. FIRST FRIDAY Friday, December 2, is the First Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated as usual at 8:00 AM. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held following Mass for those who desire quiet time for prayer. CONGRATULATIONS We extend our prayerful congratulations to BISHOP JOSEPH C. BAMBERA, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, on being elected as the Chair of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the USCCB. The Bishops of the United States were meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, for their Fall General Assembly. THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD Confession... Monday, November 28, 6:00-7:00 PM SPRED Meeting for Volunteers... Tues., Nov. 29, 7:00 PM Spiritual Reading, The Five Givens, # Thursday, December 1, 1 & 6:30 PM, Room 2 Resilient Heart... Tues., Dec. 6, 6:30 PM, All-purpose Rm Advent Reflection & Film... Wednesday, December 7, 1 & 6:30 PM Spiritual Reading, The Gift of Years, #3... Tues., December 13, Room 3 Confirmation Class... December 18, 6:00-7:30 PM Parish Pastoral Council... Thursday, January 12, 6:30-8:00 PM... Multi-Purpose Room, (Snow Date, January 19) STJB Book Club... Sunday, January 15, 12:30 PM Parish Finance Advisory Board......Tues., Jan. 17, 6:00-7:00 PM, Multi-Purpose Rm Liturgy Committee... Wed., Jan. 18, 6:30-8:30 PM, Multi-Purpose Rm

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS COLLECTION TOTALS will be published in next weekend s bulletin. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, this edition went to press too early to include financial information. Thank you for your kind understanding CARE AND EDUCATION OF PRIESTS SECOND COLLECTION The Second Collection next weekend, (December 3/4), is for the Care and Education of Priests. Thank you for your generosity to this monthly diocesan collection. MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL EARLY ENROLLMENT Early enrollment for the school year at Marian is beginning. The Shadowing Program is open for any student in public or Catholic school who is interested in seeing what the Marian family is all about. Call the Studies Office to set up a shadow date ( , ext. 2217). Early registration fee is $90 up to and including December 8, Marian Day. After that date, registration fee will be $125. The Sunday Good News Faith Formation Corner There will be no Faith Formation or CLOW on Sunday, November 27. Class and CLOW will resume on Sunday, December 4. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful adult and teen team of volunteers who work with our children. We always welcome new volunteers as teachers, substitutes, chaperones, and aides. If you ve ever thought about sharing your gifts and talents with our program, please contact the Faith Formation Office. Please keep our Level 2 students and their teachers and families in your prayers as they continue to prepare for their First Penance on Tuesday, December 13. 8th Level students must turn in Information forms, sponsor information and eligibility cards, and Baptismal certificates by December 4. Please contact the Faith Formation Office if you need assistance obtaining your child s Baptismal Certificate. The December Confirmation Class will meet on December 18 from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Gym. HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT/SCHOLARSHIP TEST The Placement/Scholarship Test for interested Public and Private School 8th Graders is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, at 8:30 AM. Call the Guidance Office to register for the test at (570) CHRISTMAS COOKIES NEEDED The Conyngham Historical Society in conjunction with their Christmas in the Valley 2016 House Tour on Sunday, December 4, will serve participants of the tour light refreshments immediately following the house tour at the Conyngham Borough Building. They are in need of Homemade Christmas Cookies to serve. If you are making your cookies and can make a small tray for this organization, they would be very appreciative. Cookies may be dropped off at the Borough Building on Main Street in Conyngham on Saturday, December 3, between 9 AM and Noon. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society. Adult Faith Development ~ Growing in Understanding and Wisdom Cultivating Inner Stillness in the Season of Advent Reflecting on Advent images of Waiting Anticipation Expectancy and viewing Four Chambers with its simple question Disillusioned with so much of life as one filled with fear and unhappiness, Film Director Imanuel Goncalves goes on a journey to discover what can bring more happiness into our world. His 30-minute documentary explores four stories of living life to the fullest with compassion, courage, vision, and wonder. He invites his audience to come with me and step inside the four chambers and allow yourself to answer this simple question: What if I could leave everyone I ever met in a better place than when I found them; bring more happiness into our world? Come join us for this ADVENTure and reflection on Four Chambers on Wednesday, December 7 at 1 pm and 6:30 pm in the All-purpose Room. Please call Sr ext. 5 to reserve your seat. Leave your name and choice of showing. Looking forward to seeing you there.

3 The Sunday Good News BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY NEWS In addition to many other helpful topics to assist those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, especially during the holiday season, the following new Care Notes have recently been received and are available. CHECK OUT THE CARE NOTE PAMPHLET STAND NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH. We are grateful to those who have given offerings to our Parish Bereavement Ministry to supply these Care Notes. Where is God in my Suffering? Giving New Life to your Christmas Celebration How Christmas Memories can bring Healing to your Grief Find the Healing Strength to Forgive When God Feels Far Away Climbing up from Depression Prayers that bring Comfort in Time of Grief When your Prayers go Unanswered Moving through the Darkness of Grief CHARISMATIC MASS The next Charismatic Mass and Healing Service at St. John Bosco Church is scheduled for Thursday, December 1, at 7:00 PM. Father Michael Kloton will preside and Sue Shaw will begin her music ministry at 6:45 PM. Light refreshments will follow in Room 3. Questions? Call Arlene at (570) An Altar Candle burns this week for Andrew Alday given by the Alday Family. BAPTISMAL WELCOME We extend prayerful congratulations and a warm welcome to our newest parishioner who was baptized by Father Ric on November 20: Laini Grace Kalinchok, daughter of Matthew and Melissa Kalinchok. May she continue to grow in age, wisdom and love before God and others. COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Conyngham: Drive-thru Living Nativity. Journey with us to Bethlehem (14 different scenes). Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 6:00-8:00 PM. CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Hazleton: 18th Annual Christkindlfest at Christ Lutheran Church, 210 W. Green St., Hazleton. December 3 and 4, 12:00-5:00 PM. Fontanini Nativity Display, Tannenbaum Tea Room & Shop, crafts, baked goods. CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY: Benefits Conyngham Valley Historical Society. Sunday, December 4, 1:00-4:00 PM. $10 per ticket. Featuring six locations decorated for Christmas; refreshments at Conyngham Borough Building. DESIGNER PURSE & CASH BINGO: Benefits Stripes & Strikes Travel Softball. St. John Bosco Parish Center. Sunday, December 4. Doors open 1:00 PM; Games begin at 2:00. Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Call Mary Ann (570) or Ann (570) to reserve your spot. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BENEFIT: Chris Pavlick Sings Sinatra, Saturday, Dec. 10, 6-9 PM, the Pines Eatery & Spirits, 8 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Call (570) press 3, for reservations by Dec. 2. Full buffet; cash bar; $25 per pp. HAZLETON PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Sounds of the Season, December 9, 7:00 PM, Wiltsie Center, Hazleton. Call (570) for more information and tickets. Tickets, $10. HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY TOY AND GIFT CARD BINGO: Sunday, December 11, 601 N. Laurel St., Hazleton. Doors open 12 PM; Early Birds 1 PM; Games 1:30 PM. Admission $10. Call (570) to reserve your ticket. AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: St. John Bosco Parish Center, Monday, December 12, 1-6 PM. Blood Donors needed. WE REMEMBER PAGE 3 Saturday, 4:00 PM November 26 Joseph Ganc By Chip & Sandy Brestowski Sunday, 7:30 AM November 27 Living & Deceased Members Of St. John Bosco Church Sunday, 9:00 AM November 27 In Thanksgiving By Bill & Janet Schneider Sunday, 11:30 AM November 27 Joe & Irene Gans By Joseph & Patricia Bobeck & Son Monday, 8:00 AM November 28 Thomas Marnell By Thomas Price Tuesday, 8:00 AM November 29 Special Intention By John & Jeanette Donahue Wednesday, 8:00 AM November 30 Alice Nocito By Sylvia Mariani Thursday, 8:00 AM December 1 Margaret McCallus By Joe McCallus Thursday, 7:00 PM December 1 CHARISMATIC MASS James Stagg By John & Linda Lease Friday, 8:00 AM December 2 Carl Leypoldt By Margaret Fetchen Saturday, 4:00 PM December 3 Art McCormick ByBob & Arlene Stagg Sunday, 7:30 AM December 4 Living & Deceased Members Of St. John Bosco Church Sunday, 9:00 AM December 4 A. Joseph Pizzi By Tony & Marge Pizzi Sunday, 11:30 AM December 4 George A. & Helen C. Kattner By June Leitner The Sanctuary Candle burns this week in memory of Mark Milbank and Lowe Family by Lee Krieger.

4 PAGE 4 November 26-27, 2016 Dear Parishioners, Who was St. Andrew? Reflections from the Deacon s Diary Saint Andrew was the first disciple of Jesus. He was the younger brother of Saint Peter and was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. The brothers were fishermen by trade. Jesus called them to be his disciples by saying that he would make them fishers of men. The Gospel of John teaches us much about St. Andrew who was originally a disciple of St. John the Baptist. When John pointed to Jesus and said, Behold the Lamb of God! Andrew understood that Jesus was greater and immediately left John to follow Jesus. He visited in Jesus home and later brought his brother Simon Peter who Jesus also called to be an apostle. It is believed that Saint Andrew and Saint Peter continued their trade as fishermen until Christ called them to a closer relationship, and they left all things to follow Jesus. After Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, St. Andrew the Apostle preached the gospel in Asia Minor and in Scythia as far as Kiev. Not much is mentioned in the Book of Acts regarding the life of Saint Andrew. Saint Andrew was martyred by crucifixion at Patras in Achaea in Greece. Because St. Andrew deemed himself The Sunday Good News unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ had been crucified, he asked to be tied to a Crux decussata or an X shaped cross. The Apostle Andrew did not die right away but instead he was left to suffer for two days while he continued to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ until he finally died. Although little is mentioned in the Book of Acts regarding the life of St. Andrew, much can be learned through St. Andrew's life. He and Saint Peter gave up their lifelong careers and lifestyles, leaving everything behind, to follow Jesus. Their undying faith in a difficult world is an inspiration to all Christians. His relics consist of a small finger, the top of his cranium and pieces of the cross. These are kept in a shrine at the Church of St. Andrew in Patras. Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, Russia and Greece. Scots celebrate Saint Andrew's Day around the world on the 30th of November. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of St. Andrew. If you pray the novena to St. Andrew from his feast day to Christmas day he will intercede for you and take your prayer request to God. Yours in Christ Jesus, Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SEASON MEMORIAL CANDLES AVAILABLE CHURCH WINDOW CANDLES - 18 votive candles available. December 24, January 8, Offering: $20 each. They may be donated IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE, FOR A SPECIAL INTENTION or IN THANKSGIVING. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one, living or deceased, during the holiday season. The intention and donor will be listed in the Christmas Bulletin, December 24-25, 2016, UNLESS REQUESTED OTHERWISE. The Altar Sanctuary Candles will be lit at all 24 scheduled Christmas Season Masses celebrated between December 24, 2016, and January 9, The Church Window Candles will be lit (24 hours a day) throughout all 17 days of the Christmas Season, December 24, 2016, through January 9, Contact the Parish Office at (570) , Ext. 3, if you are interested in reserving a candle. GIFT CARDS NEEDED Often throughout the year, due to our location on a main highway, we receive requests from needy parishioners, travelers and others from the area for assistance. Our outreach is normally limited to food assistance. We usually give $25 GIFT CARDS to Gould s Supermarket, WalMart or occasionally a gas station. In the past a parishioner who died in the past year was extremely generous in donating many of these certificates. Our Parish St. Vincent DePaul Fund also provides these gift cards. If you would like to donate a gift card that can be given to a needy person or family when there is a real need, simply purchase them and drop them off at the parish office or place them in the collection basket in an envelope marked for the needy. Whatever you can do will be appreciated. MEMORIALS AVAILABLE WOODEN VESTMENT STAND: Donation, $400 A gold plaque engraved with the intention and donor will be placed on it. A picture is available in the Parish Office. WHITE VESTMENT WITH BLUE TAPESTRY: Donation, $500 An embroidered tag will be sewn inside the vestment with the intention and donor. A picture of the vestment is available in the office. ST. JOHN BOSCO BOOK CLUB will meet Sunday, January 18, at Tom s Kitchen at 12:30 PM to discuss Mitch Albom s The Magical Strings of Frankie Presto. You are invited to join in the discussion. Any questions, call Arlene at (570)

5 Saint John Bosco Parish Family Fully Alive #Making Mercy Real by Offering to Light our Church Advent Wreath Advent is a season of joyful expectation; a time of waiting and longing for the coming of our Savior. Weekly lighting an Advent candle on a wreath of four is a wonder-filled church and home ritual of keeping God s time and joyful anticipation. There are four Mass weekends in Advent. Our participants for November 26/27 are: 4:00 PM - Natale Family - Joe, Megan, Adeline 7:30 AM - Randy Yacowatz 9:00 AM - Zapotocky Family - Larry, Annmarie, Larry, Tommy, Daniel 11:30 AM - Eden and Amy Triano Volunteers are needed for the next three weekends. Call Sister Marilyn at (570) , ext. 5. GOD RECYCLES. The Lord God made you out of dust. (Genesis 2:7) DO YOUR PART: AIM FOR ZERO WASTE... Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Notes from the Field ~ Laudato Si ~ Showing Mercy to Earth, Our Common Home Dear Parish Family, As Season 3 of ARISE, Together in Christ came to an end, various groups made plans to continue, through the winter months, engaging ARISE sessions Step 4 - Invitation to Act. Session 3 focused on the communal principles of Catholic Social Action. Small groups responded by purchasing Bread for the World Christmas cards which urges decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Others added gift cards to our Valley Pantry Thanksgiving Food Collection while help with shipping costs of care package to Philippines was offered. Hazleton s Catholic Social Service Homeless shelter will be receiving 25 individual Christmas gift bags plus members will be serving a holiday meal December 12. There is also a need for future volunteers to prepare and serve a few evening meals during the winter months. Volunteers are needed and always welcome. Call Catholic Social Services at (570) Interested in ARISE SJB Social Actions? Call Sister Marilyn at (570) , ext. 5. MARCH FOR LIFE 2017 The 44th Annual March for Life will be held in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 27, This yearly peaceful pilgrimage attracts more than 1/2 million people from throughout the United States. We are interested in co-sponsoring a bus to the March this year. The trip is primarily geared to our young people, Grade 8 and High School. Students from other parishes from the Great Hazleton Area will also be on the bus with us. To defray the cost of the bus transportation, meals (light breakfast, snacks on the bus and dinner at Catholic University of America) and a visit to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, we will have a second collection (pocket change collection) January Participants must bring their own bag lunch/beverage to eat on the bus prior to the March. Students who desire to participate will be asked to pay a minimal fee to reserve their seat. Only students and 3 adults will be permitted from St. John Bosco Parish. First come, first served. A waiting list will also be taken. Please call the Parish Office at (570) and leave your name, contact information and date and time you called. Also, any parishioner who would like to make a donation towards this trip or help in sponsoring a young person is encouraged to do so. The trip will be chaperoned by adults. Further details will be given to participants regarding Permission and Contact Information, what to bring and wear, information for an excused absence from school, what not to bring on the trip, etc. This is a wonderful way for our young people to become informed of Respect for Life issues and to realize and appreciate the huge number of people of all ages and from all races and creeds that are seriously concerned about respect for the sacredness of all life, from conception until natural death. Those from our 8th grade Confirmation Class would receive 8 hours of credit towards their Confirmation Christian Service Hour Requirement. ADVERTISE in the BULLETIN It s good for you, good for potential clients, and good for our parish! We are currently soliciting ads so don t miss this great opportunity. A bulletin ad is a unique and cost-effective way to reach an engaged audience who are happy to learn about and patronize your business or professional office. Space is limited, so call the Parish Office, (570) , ext. 3, TODAY! PARISH SOCIAL COMMITTEE We would like to form a St. John Bosco Social Committee of adult men and women to create opportunities for adults and families to have fun together. The committee would be responsible for developing and coordinating a social activity or two throughout the year that promotes joyful Christian fellowship and community. They should be able to draw in other adults to volunteer to join them in working on a social activity. If you are interested the only attributes that are needed is that you are outgoing, personable, and enjoy working with other adults. Parish social events do NOT have to be fundraisers, however, they are generally intended to be financially self-supporting. The Committee would meet occasionally to plan an event for the Parish to develop better community spirit. These social activities may be a bus trip, themed dance, New Year s or Halloween party, Valentine dance, St. Patrick Dinner Dance, establishing a couples or singles club, Seder Supper, Mardi Gras celebration, Parish family picnic, pot luck dinner, movie night, Easter Egg hunt, Night at the Races Social, etc. These are just some thoughts; none have to done. The committee would gather to share ideas for the good of our Parish. To volunteer to be a part of this Committee, contact the Parish Office with your name and contact information. The Parish Pastoral Council surfaced this idea from a survey taken here a few years ago of what you would like to see happen in our Parish. We need interested volunteers to take this to the next step.

6 Resilient Heart ~ Spiritual & Emotional Self-help and Support in Coping with: Mid-life/Long-life Transitions, Loss, and Grief In the midst of winter I finally learned that within me was an invincible summer. Join us in SJB s Multi-purpose Room from 6:30 to 8:00 PM to explore the topics: Tuesday, December 6 Making Christmas Your Saving Feast Trust and Lean on God Tuesday, January 10 SNOW DATE: 1/17 Resilience: Trusting your ability to bounce back Taking the Time you Need to Grieve Tuesday, February 14 Transition Limbo ~ Understanding the Space Between Endings and Beginnings These themes offer a larger meaning to our often unspoken life questions. Why is this happening to me? Why now? Please reserve your space by calling Sister Marilyn at (570) ext. 5. CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY 2016 Sunday, December 4, 2016, 1:00-4:00 PM. Six homes, decorated inside for Christmas, will be featured. Refreshments at the Conyngham Borough Building during the tour from 1:00-5:00 PM. Donation: $10 per ticket. Sponsored by the Conyngham Valley Historical Society. Tickets and a program listing and describing each home to be visited in our area (along with a map) are available at the Parish Office. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to Noon and from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. We encourage you to get into the Christmas spirit by visiting these local homes, decorated for this holy season, while supporting the work of the Conyngham Historical Society. GLOVE COLLECTION SJB Salvation Army Committee is collecting winter gloves for the adult men and women clients of the Salvation Army, Hazleton. A basket will be in the church nartex until December 20 for your donation. Thank you for all that you do! SPIRITUAL WORK OF MERCY Occasionally, we receive a request for instruction in the Catholic Faith for a teenager who received Baptism as an infant or child but who did not have further instruction or Faith Formation. The person does not readily fit into our Faith Formation classes or our RCIA process for adults. If you would be interested in meeting with the candidate for 1/2 hour once a week to teach basic prayers and the basic beliefs of our Church with preparation for First Penance, First Eucharist and/or Confirmation, please contact the Parish Office and leave your name and contact information. Instruction materials would be provided. Our Church does much in the way of Corporal Works of Mercy. We encourage adults to be involved in Spiritual Works of Mercy, too. SPRED MEETING The next SPRED meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, at 7 PM in the parish center. This meeting will be a planning session for just the volunteers. Our next meeting to include our friends will be announced at a later date. If you d like to volunteer, you are encouraged to attend the session on November 29. See you then! Thank you ~ Bob Rock, (570) , bobrock@ptd.net, and Father Hockman RCIA CALENDAR D A I L Y R EA D I N G S Date: Sunday, November 27 NO SESSION THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Sunday Is 2:1-5; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44 Monday Is 4:2-6; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22 Thursday Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21, First Friday Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31 First Saturday Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Scott Green Date of Session: Sunday, December 4 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Presenter: Deacon Maurice, Tom Topic: Sacraments of Matrimony, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to Bulletin Advertiser LIFE EXPRESSIONS WELLNESS CENTER Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!