St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish

Transcription

1 St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish December 9, 2018 MISSION STATEMENT We Worship ~ We Teach ~ We Care 5112 Pocono Crest Road PO Box O Pocono Pines, PA Mass Schedule: Saturday 4:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am & 10:30 am Saturday Confessions 3:00 pm

2 December 9, nd Sunday of Advent St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff GOSPEL MEDITATION Did you need to pinch yourself awake during the first few lines of this Sunday's Gospel? John the Baptist received quite a prelude today as Luke described the religious and political leadership of the time period. Scripture is divinely inspired, and we believe that everything that made it into the Bible is there for a reason. These lines remind us of an important truth. The Christmas story isn't a fairy tale or nursery rhyme. It's not a parable we say to give meaning to the holiday. At Christmas, God's presence is made tangible in a precise moment in time. The birth of Christ is a historical event. As precursor to Jesus' preaching, the ministry of John the Baptist is also a historical event. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John's call to repentance and the forgiveness of sins happened in a particular time and place. But that does not mean it is limited to first century Palestine! God continues to move in our daily lives. What we hear in today's Gospel - and what we anticipate at Christmas - occurs in our daily lives. God works in concrete ways in time and space. He did that 2,000 years ago, and He continues to do so today! This Sunday, examine your own Christmas preparations. Is there anything you need to repent of before the Christmas season? Are there low points in your life, valleys to "be filled" by the love of God? Are their mountainous obstacles in your spiritual life? How can they be "made low"? Are you making decisions that have moved you away from God? This Advent season is the time for them to "be made straight and made smooth." Prepare the way in your heart for Christ today! Reverend Sean G. Carpenter ~ Pastor Deacon Frank Gisoldi Deacon Tom Amoroso Melissa Laverty Pastoral Associate ~ St.MaxMelissa@outlook.com Coordinator of Religious Education Marion Colvin Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net John Marcinkowski, Jr. Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net Visit us on the Wednesday, December 12th Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe In 1910 Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945 Pope Pius XII declared Her to be the Empress of all the Americas. She appeared to an Indian convert named Juan Diego on December 9, She left a marvelous portrait of herself on the mantle of Juan Diego. This miraculous image has proved to be ageless and is kept in the shrine built in her honor, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

3 December 15th through December 23rd Saturday 4:00 pm Joseph A. Puglia, Jr. by Christine Gilmartin Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners 10:30 am Patrick Grace by Judy Grace Monday 9:15 am Maria Motyka by Chris Motyka Tuesday 9:15 am Resi Burke by Chris Motyka Wednesday 9:15 am Dot Cambria by Rusty Gravatt Thursday 9:15 am Schott Children & Grandchildren By June Schott Friday 9:15 am Communion Service Saturday 4:00 pm William Binns Jr. by Bill and Eileen Binns Sunday 8:00 am Derek John DeVito by Marie DeVito 10:30 am For The Parishioners He is always with us. Jesus promised this when he gave the disciples the same mission he gives to each of us: Go...Walk with each other. Do not be afraid to embrace God s gift of life. Whatever storms or trials we face, we are not alone. He is with us. USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Lie Activities Respect Life Reflection Saturday: Gn 3:9-15,20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6 Monday: Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Next Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3: :15 am mass will still be celebrated when we have a funeral mass that day. Confessions -Saturday 3 pm First Friday Adoration held after 9:15 am Communion Service each month. Weekly Collection 11/25/18... $ 4,801. Thank You for Your Generosity.

4 Faith Formation ADVENT SCRIPTURE STUDY FAITH FORMATION NEWS Sunday, December 9th, at 2 p.m.: Advent Penance Service at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco, for Gr. 6-8 Saturday, December 22: Celebration of the Sacrament of First Reconciliation Sunday, December 23 No Class Sunday, December 30 No Class Sunday, January 20 No Class Saturday, March 30: First Communion Retreat, 10 a.m. Sunday, April 28: Celebration of the Sacrament of First Communion, 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, June 9: Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. Mass GOD BLESS OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST PENANCE THIS MONTH Prayers are requested for our second grade students celebrating the Sacrament of First Penance on Sat., December 22, at 12 p.m.: Chloe Cosentino Damarion Daguio Gianna Masotti Rory Murphy Christopher Pimpinell Ajay Reese Teacher: Mrs. Ann Negvesky RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CANCELLATION PROCEDURES Parents, in the event of inclement weather, you will receive an from Melissa, Coordinator of Religious Education, if classes are cancelled. If you do not receive regular s from the parish, kindly contact the parish office to ensure we have your most recent address. You may also call the parish office on Sunday morning to check if classes are cancelled Through December 18, every Tuesday morning at 10:15 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Hall. During the Advent season, we will discuss the Infancy Narratives of Jesus according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. For more information, call or stop by the parish office. JEFF CAVINS BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and now Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact June Schott at ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE Our parish is partnering with Most Holy Trinity Parish, 236 PA-390, Cresco, for its Advent Penance Service. The service takes place this Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity. Religious education students in grades 6-8 are expected to attend the service in place of regular classes that day. Our parish will then host the Lenten Penance Service this Spring. HAVE THE BEST ADVENT EVER Visit DynamicCatholic.com/best-advent-ever to sign up to receive free daily Advent reflections to help you to experience Advent in a whole new way. NEW VOTIVE CANDLES The St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Family warmly thanks parishioners Maurice and Jo-Ann Berger for their generous donation of our new votive candle display in the narthex just in front of the statue of our parish s patron saint, St. Maximilian Kolbe. The beautiful display features electronic candles. CHILDREN S ADVENT CELEBRATION Children of all ages from our parish and their families are welcome to gather for a special Advent party that includes food, music, crafts and more. Sign up is required by contacting Melissa in the parish office at or by at St.MaxMelissa@outlook.com

5 Parish Life at St. Max Sun, Dec. 9th - St. Max Advent Penance Service- 2 pm (will be held at Most Holy Trinity) Tues., Dec. 11th - Scripture Sharing - 10:15 am - Prayer Shawl Meeting - 6:30 pm - Women s Cornerstone - 6:30 pm Wed., Dec. 12th - Bereavement Support - 10 am - Men s Cornerstone - 7 pm Sat., Dec. 15th - Immaculata Prayer Meeting - 2 pm God made our faces round; only we can make them long. When you fast, do not look somber, as the hypocrites do...i tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ~Matthew 6:16 Footprints by Margaret Fishback Powers Jay Crandall ~ Daniella Maldanado Betty Colburn ~ Bill Gleason Darrin Rockefeller ~ Kyle Brennan Sr. Marietta ~ Lou Larson ~ Robyn Mappa Joseph McKenna ~ Louis Siroco Bob Ruezinsky ~ Fr. Urban Margaret Broderick ~ Cecilia McIlvenny Frank Ware ~ Richard Snell - Kim Maria Giganti Michael F. Romano ~ Vivian Kanopp Violet Sloat ~ Marin Stober ~ Kathleen Hanratty Jennifer Royall ~ David Mancuso ~ Paul Fulton Deacon Frank ~ Antoinette Gisoldi ~ John Schriever Lisa Champney ~ Rosa Santos ~ Leslie Fox Crystal Martinez ~ Penny Staph ~ Carolyn Donahue Sharon Jones ~Terry & Jeanie Howe ~ Gunner Gonzalez Irene Halupa ~ Alice & Eileen O Neill Jim McLaine ~ Samson Colborn ~ Darlene Delaney Joan Harrigan ~ Jamie Nderitu ~ Maurice Berger Grace Bush ~ Tom Schoettle ~ Sal Rullis Parish Life WHY DO WE DO THAT? CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED Question: On many Sundays, especially during Advent and Lent, we hear a reading from one of the prophets. What is significant about them for us? Didn't Jesus fulfill all their predictions? Answer: Lent and Advent are the times of the church year when the prophetic word forms an important part of the liturgical season. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, and Zephaniah are just some of the prophets who offer powerful and essential lessons for Christians of any era. Prophets do not predict the future. They are very much concerned about the present, calling Israel to follow once again the word of God. The prophets witness to a life of faith. In the midst of an intense relationship with God, the prophets are very aware of their unworthiness to embrace this call from God and struggle to accept the mission God entrusts to them. The prophets speak on behalf of God. Each testifies that the word spoken is not from them but from God. At times, this lands them in trouble with their audience. Jeremiah, for example, felt betrayed by God as the prophetic message was delivered. People did not like the message because of their sin-filled lives, and their displeasure was taken out on the prophet. While tempted at times to "throw in the towel," the prophets remained true to the life of faith and persevered in the proclamation of God's word. In modeling these virtues and calling us to greater fidelity, the prophets offer an example and message that are still important to us today. Prayer Shawl Ministry On the first and third Tuesday of each month, a group of volunteers meet to give their time and their talent so that others may experience the power of prayer, love and compassion. Individuals may participate by prayerfully creating these shawls or by donating the materials needed to make the shawls available to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as those in celebration and joy. Anyone interested in this ministry of blessing for givers and recipients are encourage to call Carolyn at or to calico51791@gmail.com.

6 Parish Life Prayers for Military and Government Service HA Valerie Novak ~ Sr. Airman Charlie Maldanado Alston Smart, Jr.~ Eugene Maslar, Jr ~Sgt. Matthew Price 1st Lt. Mark Gaido ~ Lt. JG Michael Huf Airman Patrick Alminde ~TECH Sgt. William D. Olsen Seaman Nicole Beckman ~ Cpl. John P. Bramley Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. - Major Thomas M. Smith 2nd Class Petty Officer DC2, Jeffrey Royall Sgt. Amber Keppol ~ Sgt. Andrew Malave Sgt. Matthew Ponce ~ MK1 Katie Stodnick Parish Life Youth Group Events. December 15th (Saturday) Toys for Tots will be held at Pocono Elementary Center in Tannersville, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please contact Karen Lynott if you are interested. Karen's address is karenmlynott@gmail.com. December 30th, (Sunday) Christmas Caroling to a few of our parishioners that are home bound in the area - 3 pm. Hot chocolate and cookies in the church hall after caroling Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the 7 pm in the parish hall. ~ ~Facebook: Knights of Columbus Pocono Pines RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS I remember growing up in Catholic school and having to make construction paper Advent wreaths every single year! The little yellow flames would be cut out and held until each new candle was lit. Great idea, except for the fact that the chance you could find the flames greatly diminished as each week passed. I will bet over 50% of the wreaths never received a 4th flame! Of course by then, most kids in elementary school had moved on to Christmas. Christmas was not a day. It was an entire experience of vacation from school. You may or may not have an Advent wreath in your home or office, but those flames are rather insignificant to the flame that should be burning in our hearts during this season. How are you finding ways to light your fire? How are you preparing the way for Christ to come into your life and the lives of those around you in a more profound way? The ritual of an Advent wreath is a good idea for anyone. But don't think that your preparations are done simply because you have one. You are called to be a flame to others during this season, reminding them of why we celebrate this time at all. Each person is a candle to be lit, and you have the gifts, given to you by God, to light them. At Christmas, you want God to look at you and see all the light generated by those He lit through you. Now is the time. Don't wait until Advent is almost over. You might not be able to find your own flames if you wait too long. The Polish community at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish would like to thank all who came to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Poland regaining Independence. We are grateful for your presence at our celebration and our presentation on the history of Poland. We would like to extend a special thanks to Father Sean Carpenter, Melissa Laverty and John Marcinkowski for assisting in making this a very successful event. The Polish community is taking a rest but will be planning another event in the future and we hope to see you all there. Week of December 9th Sanctuary Light In Memory of Ed & Helen Nidweski by Ed & Roseann Nidweski Bread and Wine 75th Birthday Blessings Deacon Frank Gisoldi Advent Candles & Wreath Special Intention Bulletin submissions can be ed to mcol@ptd.net or brought into the parish office. Please submit two weeks prior to publication date otherwise we cannot promise publication date desired. ~ Thank You

7 Around The Diocese Out of the Box Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. ~ Luke 3:4-5 Let s see: Advent wreath, check. Sunday Mass, check. Said grace at dinner last night, check. But wait a second. Valley filled? Mountains made low? How does all that happen? Sometimes we get caught up in a checkbox kind of faith. This might actually be helpful at certain times in our lives, especially when the kids are little. But to-do lists can only go so far. At some point, we have to step outside our boxes and into the reality of God. Only God can fill the valley of death with new life. Only God can take down those mountains of sin. Watch, during this season of waiting, how God surprises you, and surpasses all of your expectations. Light two candles on your Advent wreath. (From ADVENT FOR FAMILIES 2018) Donate Your Passenger Seat to Help Save Lives Volunteers are needed to drive cancer patients to treatment! All you need is a good driving record, a current, valid driver s license, complete an American Cancer Society training course, access to a safe and reliable vehicle, proof of adequate auto insurance and availability - Mon. thru Sat. during the hours of 7 am & 7 pm Contact cancer.org/drive or In this week s Second Reading St. Paul offers a prayer for the Philippians so that they may "discern what is of value." What do you value most in this life? LIHEAP - Helps low-income families pay their heating bills. To apply, you will need the names of people in your household; their dates of birth; social security numbers for all and a recent heating bill. Apply online at: or request one by calling the LIHEAP After your application is processed, you will receive a written notice that will tell you if you qualify and the amount of your grant. Around The Diocese VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY JANUARY Thru APRIL 2019 Tax time is just around the corner! Once again, AARP together with RSVP will join forces to assist county residents complete their simple tax returns at no cost. Services will be offered at the following locations: Tannersville - St Luke s Ambulance Bldg.; Smithfield Library; Middle Smithfield Township Bldg.; Hugh Library, Stroudsburg Volunteers must be comfortable with using computer and enjoy working with people. There will be a twoweek training period, beginning in January. If you are interested in learning more please contact Emily at the RSVP office by calling St. Maximilian Kolbe is a Welcoming Roman Catholic Parish If you would like to join our parish, registration forms may be found in our church narthex and in the parish office or if you prefer, register online at You may also call the parish office ( ) and we would be happy to send you a registration form. FOOD PANTRY NEWS Location: Five Loaf House 133 Fire House Rd., Pocono Pines Next Distribution date - December 10th &11th Monday - 8:30-11:00 am; 12:00-2:00 pm; 4:00-5:00 pm; Tuesday - 8:30-11 am Food Donations are accepted on Mon/Tues only, from 9 am -11 am, or call Elaine Madere has closed the furniture side of her charity. She will be accepting essential household items. She no longer will be taking clothes, baby items, furniture and decorative items. The next distribution at the Clymer library for this year will be December 7th through December 10th, from noon on Friday and closes at noon on Monday. It is open to all in need. If you have donations contact Elaine at or her at elainemadere@yahoo.com St. Maximilian Parish greatly appreciates the support of the advertisers allowing our congregation to receive this bulletin at no cost to the church. While we appreciate their support, we are not liable for any of their actions, fees, or services.