Welcome to Saint Thomas More University Parish

Transcription

1 Saint Thomas More University Parish A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust Moving from Maintenance to Mission 1200 Oakland Avenue, Indiana, PA Facebook (stmup) Office Hours: M-F 9 am 4:30 pm Phone: December 30, 2018 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Bishop of Greensburg: The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL Pastor: The Rever end Alan N. Polczynski Parochial Vicar: The Rever end Andr es C. Gumangan SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST Mass Times Saturday... 6:00 pm Sunday... 10:00 am & 7:00 pm Christmas Schedule: Christmas Vigil....4:00 & 10:00pm Christmas Day... 10:00am SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Tuesdays 6:00-6:30 pm or call for an appointment. Please see inside bulletin for changes to schedule. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call the Parish Office, , ext. 113, at least four months prior to the birth of your child. Baptisms will be scheduled within Mass on the first and third Sundays of the month or outside of Mass by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please call the Parish Office for an appointment, , ext. 113, at least one year prior to your anticipated wedding date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Fr. Alan, ext. 116 or Fr. Andy, ext. 120 SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about vocations to the priesthood or religious life, please call or the Diocesan Office for Clergy Vocations at , ext or ext NEW PARISHIONERS & IUP STUDENTS Welcome to Saint Thomas More University Parish To register, go to: or contact the Parish Office.

2 PARISH STAFF Reverend Alan N. Polczynski, Pastor Phone Extension: Reverend Andres C. Gumangan, Par ochial Vicar Phone Extension: Cindy Schillinger, Pastor al Associate & Dir ector for Campus Ministr y Phone Extension: cschillinger@dioceseofgreensburg.org Alexandra Stossel, Inter im Dir ector for Litur gy & Music Phone Extension:115 astossel@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mary Beth Palko, Director for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & Youth Ministry Phone Extension: mpalko@dioceseofgreensburg.org Diane Cawley, Par ish & Financial Secr etar y Phone Extension: dcawley@dioceseofgreensburg.org Bill Strittmatter, Maintenance & Physical Plant Manager Phone Extension: 122 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Saturday, December 29 6:00pm + Michele Kelly - Sarah Furgiuele 10:00am + Barbara Nania - Tom and Doreen Makielski 7:00pm + Anna Yarup - Robert and Josephine 6:00 pm Vigil + Vito and Velia Iafrate -Marcoline Family OFFICE CLOSED Holy Day of Obligation 10:00am - Pro Populo Wednesday, January 2 - Saints Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church Thursday, January 3 - Christmas Weekday No Mass Friday, January 4 - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 12:10pm + Shirley Conaway - Family Saturday, January 5 6:00pm - Jackie O Block - Peter and Nettie Urso Sunday, January 6 - The Epiphany of the Lord 10:00am + Rose Contrucci - Susan and Joe Kovaleski 7:00pm - Pro Populo Readings for the Week Saturday / Sunday Sir 3:2-6, / 1 Jn 3:1-2, / Lk 2:41-52 Monday 1 Jn 2:18-21 / Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday Wednesday 1 Jn 2:22-28 / Jn 1:19-28 Thursday 1 Jn 2:29-3:6 / Jn 1:29-34 Friday 1 Jn 3:7-10 / Jn 1:35-42 Next Saturday / Sunday Is 60:1-6 / Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12

3 AROUND THE PARISH Golden Yardage Raffle See page 5 of the bulletin to see how to get a chance to win one of these nativity scenes. A Note from the Pastor On behalf of Fr. Andy (who celebrated a birthday on Nov. 30 th ) and me (who celebrated a birthday on Dec. 6 th ), we wanted to thank all those who have offered birthday, Advent and/or Christmas greetings, gifts, cards and prayers to us. We are grateful for your kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Merry Christmas, and may you have a blessed New Year! Annual Parish Epiphany Party & Brunch ALL ARE INVITED to join us on Sunday, Jan. 6th immediately following the 10:00am Mass for our Annual Parish Epiphany Party & Brunch! Please drop off any covered dish treats in the Parish Lounge / Kitchen before 10:00am Mass. Your culinary contribution is a tremendous help! There will be good food and socializing! Come celebrate the Christmas Season with the entire parish family as we rejoice on this great feast! PRAYER CHAIN & PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRIES For those in need of prayer or a prayer shawl, please contact the Parish Office, extension 113. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) If you are interested in joining the Catholic Church, please contact the Parish Office, extension 113. HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Catholic Charities, Indiana Office Catholic Charities 24 Hr. Hotline Saint Bernard Regional Catholic School Saint Vincent de Paul Society Helpline Rev. Gregorio D.C. Soldevilla, Jr., Catholic Chaplain at IRMC Suicide Prevention WEBSITES Parish Website: Diocesan Website: US Conference of Catholic Bishops Website: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Website: Knights of Columbus, Council #1481 Indiana Like us on Facebook (stmup) This Week at STMUP Sunday, December 30 Please join us for coffee and donuts after the 10:00am Mass. No Youth Ministry Tuesday, January 1 NO - CGS Levels I, II and IIIB Wednesday, January 2 2:00-4:00pm - Prayer Shawl Ministry [Cry Room] NO - CGS Level I and II Thursday, January 3 NO - CGS Level II Sunday, January 6 Please join us for the annual Epiphany Party after the 10:00am Mass.

4 FAITH FORMATION Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are found the accounts of the events surrounding Jesus birth. These accounts give us facts, but they offer us an even greater treasure than facts. The most important task of the catechist is simply to prepare a quiet space and help the children be prepared to listen to God s Word. This aim has been addressed since the children first arrived in the fall; by Advent they have settled into their work and consequently have become more and more capable of focusing and listening. Our role is then to proclaim the lofty and powerful texts, and to stir wonder over the mystery of the Incarnation. The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Birth of Jesus and Adoration of the Shepherds, The Adoration of the Magi and The Presentation in the Temple. With each of the narratives we invite the children to engage in their own personal reflection using these materials: the Bible, the accompanying white scripture booklet which includes a map on the first page marking the site of the particular event in red, a candle and extinguishing tray, a simple yet beautiful diorama, three-dimensional handmade or store bought realistic figures stored in a box and the raised surface map of the land of Israel to serve as a reference point into the introduction to the reading of the text. W orking with the material is the most important work of the children...but also encourages their own artwork accompanied by prayer cards that focus on the prayers contained in the infancy narratives. Excerpts taken from Sofia Cavalletti s The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey Revised and Updated. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, Chapter 10 Youth Ministry The next Youth Ministry will be on Sunday, January 6th from 5:00-7:00pm. It will be an Exploring Our Faith Night. Hope to see you there! The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Gospel: ~Luke 2:41-52~ REFLECTION: The joyful mysteries of the holy rosary culminate in this remarkable story that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus (CCC 534). But it can be hard sometimes to understand just how it found a place also in the list of the seven sorrows of Our Lady. Is it sorrow or is it joy? And, of course, the answer is that it is both, but in a mysterious way that points to a central facet of Christian faith: obedience, embraced with love, leads us to joy, but often through sorrow. The moral delicacy of this story the dramatic tension between duty and love leaves us in awe of the figures, especially Mary and Jesus (not to neglect Joseph). Jesus must be obedient to his Father in heaven and so expresses this in preview of his later ministry by remaining in his Father s house, to listen to and question the elders. While the first commandment to honor God is first for a reason, grounding all the others, including the fourth to honor father and mother, in this case we see the perfect father and mother, Joseph and Mary, who love God fully in the very Son they seek in great anxiety. He seems almost severe in his response, and they are left somewhat bewildered. Jesus, in the end, is obedient to them and returns to Nazareth. What Mary pondered afterward was likely just this remarkable tension: the obedience to God s plan that Jesus shows to his Father and which she owes to Jesus as God, must be prior to any lesser loves, even the holiest of loves. And from the sweet sorrow of that deepest of sacrifices will come the greatest joy. On any electronic device, visit Enter Parish Code: B H F W H C Apple users can now download the ios App Android users please go to and follow the instructions to access Formed

5 Golden Yardage Raffle Guess the number of yards of Gold Tulle that were used to decorate the Reredos (sculpture on the wall behind the altar) and have a chance to win one of these 3 items. The cost per guess is $2.00 and you can submit as many guesses as you want at $2.00 per guess. The person with the closest guess without going over will choose first, second closest guess chooses next and then third closest guess will get the item that remains. Tulle will be removed from the Reredos and measured the week of January 14. Winners will be nofied and also published in the bullen the weekend of January Please place your guess and $2.00 per guess in one of the envelopes available in the Narthex or Parish Office. Your guess can be submied by placing in the Vove Candle slot or returning them to the Parish Office. Deadline for guesses is January 13. Name: Phone Number: Total No. of Yards: yds yds yds yds yds Up to 5 Guesses per $ 2.00 per guess Extra Guess forms available in the Office

6 AROUND OUR REGION AND DIOCESE St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Blouses, Sweaters, Shirts $1 - CLOSED until January 2, Located in the Bi Lo Plaza on North 4th St. (Indiana). Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10am - 4pm; Tue. 10am - 5pm; Sat. 10am-3pm. Knights of Columbus December 31 - State Scholarship and Grant Application Deadline January 2-7pm - Officers meeting [Lodge] January 18 - March for Life, Washington DC January Collection in Support of Vocations [STMUP] January 20 - NFL Playoffs and Hot Sandwiches Party [Lodge] March for Life! Please join us, Indiana March for Life group on Friday, January 18th, as we travel by bus to Washington, D.C. on the anniversary of the Supreme Court s infamous Roe v W ade decision. We will petition Congress to protect the right to life of every born and pre-born human being. For bus reservations and/or further information, call Bill Ager at Deadline for bus reservations is January 10, Seating is limited! CALL NOW! Natural Family Planning Natural Family Planning CM-BBT instruction will be Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Catholic Charities office in Greensburg. Please call at least one week prior to the instruction date to preregister. Contact Mary Ann Newhouse at Catholic Charities at , ext for additional information or to register for this or an upcoming class. For more information about Natural Family Planning and the CM-BBT method, visit and link into Natural Family Planning under Services. Church Tours Holy Family Church, Latrobe Holy Family Parish, Latrobe is offering guided tours of their church from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 5 the church will be decorated for the Christmas Season. Reservations are not required, but please arrive by 1:00. Each tour is approximately 45 minutes. The next scheduled tour will take place during the Easter Season. The date will be announced. Group tours may be scheduled for weekdays and some Saturdays. To schedule a group tour or for more information contact Charlene Nicholson at cmnicholson54@gmail.com or We look forward to seeing you! Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Parish Liturgical Schedule Week of December 31 - January 6 Monday, December 31 7:30am Mass 7:00pm Vigil Mass Tuesday, January 1 10:00am Mass No Eucharistic Adoration Wed., January 2 7:30am Mass Thurs., January 3 7:30am Mass 7:00pm All Night Adoration Friday, January 4 10:00am Mass Saturday, January 5 7:30am Mass 8:30-10:00am Confessions 4:00pm Mass Sunday, January 6 8:00am Mass 10:00am Mass CYO Boys High School Basketball League The diocese is looking for coaches and players for a CYO high school boys basketball league. The league is open to Diocese of Greensburg parishioners in grades 9-12 who meet eligibility requirements. The season will run from January through the CYO state tournament in March. Games will be played Thursday and Saturday evenings at the Queen of Angels Catholic School gym in North Huntingdon. Contact Jeff Wilkins for details at wilkinsjjj@windstream.net. All coaches must comply with diocesan clearance policies. Painting with a Purpose Fundraiser Catholic Charities will host a fundraiser Painting with a Purpose Feb. 5 from 6-8pm. at Painting with a Twist, Greensburg. Doors open at 5:30pm. The event is for people over the age of 18. Cost is $35. Register at event/

7 STEWARDSHIP Reflections for Pope Francis The Holy Family - An authentic School of the Gospel When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. The nuclear family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is for each believer and especially for families an authentic scholl of the Gospel. Here we admire the fulfillment of the divine plan to make of the family a special community of life and love.... The classic traits of the holy Family are: reflection and prayer, mutual understanding and respect, and a spirit of sacrifice, work, and solidarity. From trhe exemplary witness of the holy Family, each family can find precious guidance... And can draw strength and wisdom for each day s journey. Our Lady and Joseph teach us to welcome children as a gift of God... It is in a united family that children bring their existence to maturity, living out the meaningful and effective experience of freely given love, tenderness, reciprocal respect, mutual understanding, forgiveness, and joy. Angelus, December 27, 2015 Reflection: Being a family often challenges us. What are some ways that I can be a witness for family life? Prayer: God our loving Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Family, which teaches us how to make our families places of love. Help us to make our families into true domestic churches, where all find a place at the table of love. Year End Charitable Giving As the end of the year approaches, there are ways you can make a gift to support your parish and receive a tax benefit, even if you don t itemize deductions. If you are 70 ½ or older and required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA by the end of the year, present law allows use of an IRA charitable rollover without having to pay tax on the withdrawal for gifts to specific charities. For information, contact your IRA administrator or The Catholic Foundation at or jdimario@dioceseofgreensburg.org Council Members at St. Thomas More University Parish Pastoral Council Jeffrey Balencic jbalencic@verizon.net Lori Campbell loricampbell101412@gmail.com Lynn Contrucci elcrpc@comcast.net Judi Duffy duffyedd@aol.com Jane Kolb jpkolb813@gmail.com Tim Petro timpetro@verizon.net Molly Reddinger macarr@hotmail.com Joe Schillinger schillinger75@verizon.net Finance Council Joe Marcoline joemarcoline@hotmail.com Angie Quinn theqzoo@gmail.com Edel Reilly edelmreilly@yahoo.com Ann Marie Riscinto nariscinto@comcast.net Gary Ryan gryan903@gmail.com STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Due to early bulletin deadline Collection totals for Dec , Christmas and Dec will be posted in the Jan. 5-6 bulletin.