Parish Mission St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a welcoming faith community inspired by God s love to serve others, share our gifts and nurture souls.

Transcription

1 Parish Mission St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a welcoming faith community inspired by God s love to serve others, share our gifts and nurture souls. FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, & JOSEPH December 30, 2018 To all who are tired and need rest; to all who mourn and need comfort; to all who are friendless and need friendship; to all who are discouraged and need hope; to all who are homeless and need sheltering love; to all who sin and need a Savior; and to whomsoever will, the Parish of St. Vincent de Paul opens wide its doors in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Parish of St. Vincent de Paul -Dingman Township, Pa. - Our Vision We are a Spirit-filled community of welcoming believers, helping each other spiritually, financially and practically. We show compassion, gratitude and appreciation toward God and one another as we dream big, spread joy, and share our tears and laughter. 101 St. Vincent Dr. Milford, PA Mon., Tues., & Fri. 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.; Wed. 9:00 a.m. Noon; Closed Thursday Phone: (570) Fax: Office stvoff@ptd.net Pastor s stvfrjb@ptd.net Faith Formation Office:(570) ;stvreled@ptd.net Parish Website: stvdepaulchurch.org Facebook: St. Vincent de Paul Parish Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Daily Mass: listed below Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. or by appointment Welcome new parishioners, please call or visit the to register WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY, December 29, p.m. CHRISTMAS NOVENA of MASSES SUNDAY, December 30, 2018 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 8:30 a.m. FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 11:15 a.m. CHRISTMAS NOVENA of MASSES MONDAY, December 31, 2018 Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 9 a.m. CHRISTMAS NOVENA of MASSES TUESDAY, January 1, 2019 The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God 11 a.m. FOR ALL PARISHIONERS WEDNESDAY, January 2, a.m. GERARD STEWART/ The Stewart Family THURSDAY, January 3, 2019 NO MASS FRIDAY, January 4, 2019 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 9a.m. CHRISTMAS NOVENA SATURDAY, January 5, 2019 Saint John Neumann, Bishop 4 p.m. THOMAS HANNIGAN/ St. Vincent de Paul Crafters & Stitchers SUNDAY, January 6, 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord 8:30 a.m. SHAINA COHEN/ Hilary Messina & Family 11:15 a.m. FOR ALL PARISHIONERS GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE December 30, 2018 The Holy Family "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers." As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, this Gospel exposes us to a strange tension. While this family is one we can look to for an example, they are not quite the same family unit as everyone else. There is an otherness to Jesus, something profound. And yet, perhaps on second thought, are our families so different? When Mary and Joseph encountered Jesus in the temple, "they were astonished." But at what? Mary's response is surprised. They're not astonished that Jesus is preaching in a place for respected teachers. They're not astonished that their son has captured the attention of the wisest men of the time period. They're astonished at his seemingly disobedient behavior! "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." All our children have an "otherness" about them, something that makes them unique and different. They are distinctly not "me." What will our own children become? What temple will they wander off to? Who will they astound?

3 December 30, 2018 FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, & JOSEPH C Pastor s Corner: Grief is the price we pay for love Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, Queen Elizabeth II, offering her condolences to the people of the United States, wrote: My thoughts and prayers are with you all now, and in the difficult days ahead. But nothing that can be said can begin to take away the anguish and the pain of these moments. But then she added a much-needed, quite maternal insight: Grief is the price we pay for love. The church does not celebrate the Holy Family to set Jesus, Mary and Joseph above the shortcomings of our own families. None of us come from families composed of a saint and two utterly sinless souls; all of us come from families that do not measure up; and most all of us come from families marked by some shame. This feast does not exist to make us feel even worse. If we have lived long at all, we know that no one can love us like family, and no one can hurt us like family. And this is as true of the Holy Family as it is of our own. Indeed, pondering the Holy Family reveals the depth of Queen s Elizabeth s words, Grief is the price we pay for love. When Joseph and Mary bring their newborn to the Temple, Simeon warns the mother: Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (Lk 2:34-35). Scripture scholars typically do not follow Christian piety in seeing this as a prophecy of Mary s future suffering. They understand Simeon to be saying that a sword of division will enter her heart just as it must the heart of every disciple, compelling a choice for, or against, the Christ. Of course, the traditional and the exegetical readings might both be true. Mary chooses to cling to Christ in love, and, doing so in a fallen world, she suffers the consequences. Not being sinless, we cannot imagine the depth of love realized between these two, who cherished each other without any taint of sin. Mary, the creature, and Jesus, the uncreated Son of the Father, shared an intimacy that God had intended for all. Yet, after the Fall, it could be experienced by no one else. Despite all the joy he must have known in his mission, Joseph would have lived each day of his earthly life as the porter, the one who protects the door of the bridal chamber, never fully entering into the mysterious depths of God s love, of God who is love. Do not ponder this family in shame. Find instead a solace. No one can love us like family, and no one can hurt us like family. All of us know how right the queen was. Grief is the price we pay for love. Surely then, in this fallen world, we can find consolation, knowing that even this family, which we so rightly call holy, paid the very same price. New Year s Greetings: I want to take this opportunity to wish all Parishioners and Friends of St. Vincent de Paul Parish a very Happy and Blessed New Year. I pray that you will overcome all obstacles in the New Year to make the approaching year to be the best of all the years you have experienced. I pray that the New Year will be the year when you come through as a good example for family, friends and parishioners in living and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in 2019! : The will resume normal hours on Wednesday, January 2, at 9:00 A.M..

4 Flower Donations The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Mass Schedule: January 1, New Year s Day at 11 a.m. There will be no classes 12/23 1/2/19. Christmas Break will run from Sunday Dec. 23 through Wednesday, January 2, Classes will resume on 1/6 and 1/9. We would like to wish everyone a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Youth Group Gatherings and Events Join us to feed, grow and live your faith! Young people in grades 8-12 gather in the Parish Hall on alternating Sunday evenings unless otherwise noted.* January 6 Epiphany Celebration 6:30 8p.m. January 18 March For Life Washington D.C. Check us out on Christmas Sharing Tree 2018 Thank you to everyone shared their generosity with the families who participated in our Annual Sharing Tree! It is through your gift of love that 53 local children from 19 families were provided a bountiful Christmas! DUE TO EARLY BULLETIN PUBLICATION DEADLINES, THE COLLECTIONS FOR 12/23, CHRISTMAS, and 12/30 WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YEAR. Flower Donations for Saturday / Sunday Mass are being accepted for Please fill out an envelope (located in the narthex or the Parish Office) with your request and donation and return to the parish office. You may also arrange for flowers to be placed at the Tabernacle or by the Holy Family or St. Vincent de Paul statues. In addition, Tabernacle Candles may be lit for a week for the intentions or memory of a loved one. If you have any questions, call or stop by the parish office. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 30. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through your pastor before April 2, Forms are available in the Narthex. Daily Mass Schedule & Parish Activities During Inclement Weather: For the safety and consideration of all involved we will observe the following during inclement winter weather: If the Delaware Valley School System cancels school due to snow or ice or other weather issues, Daily Mass, parish meetings and Faith Formation classes will be cancelled. If DVSD delays the opening of school due to snow, ice or other weather related issues the time of the Daily Mass will be delayed as well. Therefore, if DVSD issues a 2 hour delay, Mass will be delayed 2 hours hence, Mass would begin at 11:00 AM. This Inclement Weather Mass Schedule does not apply to Saturday Evening and Sunday Masses. I hope that everyone would consider their safety and the safety of others when inclement weather occurs on Saturday or Sunday! The Lord does not want you to kill yourself or others by driving when the roads are treacherous. If He desires you in heaven, he will call you His way! It is important to check with the radio, TV or computer announcements for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather. If Faith Formation classes are cancelled on Sunday, a REMIND notice will be sent by the Faith Formation office.

5 The Parish of St. Vincent de Paul ~~The Lifestyle of Generous Hearts ~~ Dec. 2th: $6202. We Share On-Line Donations: $ Dec. 9th: $5678. We Share On-Line Donations: $ Dec. 16th: $4901. We Share On-Line Donations: $ St. Vincent s Loaves and Fishes Last 2 week total: $ Total for Fiscal Year: $ Weekend Mass Attendance First Sunday in Advent: 4:00p.m.: 119 8:30a.m.: :15a.m.: 190 Second Sunday in Advent: 4:00p.m.: 107 8:30a.m.: :15a.m.: 170 Third Sunday in Advent: 4:00p.m.: 138 8:30a.m.: 74 11:15a.m.: 129 Total: 464 Total: 432 Total: 341 Faithful Stewards In cooperation with the Diocesan Office of Parish Life, our Parish Council, Finance Council and Generous Hearts ministry has been working on a new initiative to bring the U.S. Bishops pastoral vision on stewardship to life in our parish. In the U.S. Bishop s pastoral letter on stewardship, they confirm that Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Beginning in January, we will feature a monthly Faithful Stewards section in our bulletin. We welcome your comments and thoughts on this initiative. A Summary of the U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Stewardship "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Pt 4:10). What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more. As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. Disciples as Stewards Let us begin with being a disciple - a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. As members of the Church, Jesus calls us to be disciples. This has astonishing implications: Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost. Christian disciples experience conversion - life shaping changes of mind and heart - and commit their very selves to the Lord. Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live. Jesus' disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards.

6 JANUARY 2019 SUNDAY 30 Feast of the Holy Family Mass: 8:30a.m. 11:15a.m. MONDAY 31 Closed K of C New Year s Eve Party 7pm 1 am JAN. 6 JAN. 7 Faith Formation Classes Resume Crafters & Stitchers Ministry Mtg. 10a.m. Feast of the Epiphany Mass 8:30a.m. 11:15 a.m. 6-7pm R.C. JAN. 13 JAN. 14 K of C Breakfast 9a.m. -1p.m. Crafters & Stitchers Ministry Mtg. 10a.m. K of C Mtg 7p.m. TUESDAY JAN. 1 Closed WEDNESDAY JAN. 2 Re-opens The Solemnity of Mary/World Day of Peace Mass 11a.m. THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY JAN. 3 JAN. 4 JAN. 5 No Senior Club Meeting This First Friday Adoration 9:30a.m.- Noon First Saturday Rosary Noon Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus. All are welcome Feast of the Epiphany Mass 4:00p.m. JAN. 8 JAN. 9 JAN. 10 Faith Formation Classes Resume JAN. 11 JAN. 12 9:45a.m. Share the Sunday Readings 6:30p.m. Mass 4p.m. Pastoral Council Mtg. 7p.m. JAN. 15 JAN. 16 JAN. 17 JAN. 18 JAN. 19 9:45 a.m. Mass 4p.m. Share the Sunday Readings 6:30p.m. JAN. 20 JAN. 21 Food For Families 2p.m. Crafters & Stitchers Ministry Mtg. 10a.m. 6-7p.m. R.C. JAN. 22 JAN. 23 JAN. 24 JAN. 25 9:45 a.m. Share the Sunday Readings 6:30p.m. JAN. 26

7 TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH Monday, Dec 31, 2018 MEMORIAL OF SYLVESTER I, POPE -Old friends remembered On New Year s Eve, tradition has us questioning, rhetorically, whether old friends should be forgotten, but that goes against the grain for Catholics who try as a community to preserve the memory of those who have served the Lord with distinction. Some, like Pope Sylvester I, have rather sparse legacies which is surprising for one of our longest reigning popes ( ). But we do know that he enjoyed the Roman emperor Constantine s favor and was able to expand the church s influence and dedicate many churches, including the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. Take time to consider your own legacy of faith today, and then raise a glass for all the forgotten Christians who put their faith into practice in each generation. TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 (204). All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. Tuesday, Jan 01, 2019 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD / OCTAVE DAY OF THE NATIVITY Make a free and fresh beginning Turning a new page on the calendar always invites a fresh perspective even more so when it s a brand-new calendar! So lose your chains. You re invited today to let go of the old year, both what we have done and what we have failed to do. Time to give and receive pardon for offenses. Time to craft resolutions and adopt new habits. Time to become people of justice and peace. On this eighth and final day of Christmas, accept the gift of your true identity: a free child of God, heir to a land of relentless hope. TODAY'S READINGS: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 (18). You are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019 MEMORIAL OF BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZUS, BISHOPS, DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH Let your light shine God... wants you to become... lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven, wrote Saint Gregory Nazianzus (329-c. 390), the monk who was an Emily Dickinson of the early church happiest in seclusion writing poetry and theology on the love of God. But his lifelong friend and fellow monk, Saint Basil the Great (c ), was more active than contemplative, talking Gregory into becoming a bishop to help fight heresy. Gregory wasn t cut out for leadership, however. He resigned, resenting Basil for not seeing his true talents. Do we let our own light shine as brightly as it could? TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28 (205). I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one coming after me. Thursday, Jan 03, 2019 MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS What s in a name? How you talk about someone by name shows the regard or lack of it you have for them. God gave the Israelites the commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Honoring the name of God, though, means more than not using it casually. It also involves showing respect for the One the name represents. That there is a feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus should come as no surprise. Devotion to Jesus name goes back many centuries, and the Franciscan saints Bernardine of Siena and John of Capistrano helped to make it popular. Honoring the name honors Jesus the person and his presence in your everyday life. TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:29 3:6; John 1:29-34 (206). Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Friday, Jan 04, 2019 MEMORIAL OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON, RELIGIOUS Losing leads to finding Elizabeth Ann Seton ( ) was canonized in 1975, the first U.S.-born person to be so. Her life was relatively short and filled with more than its share of grief and loss. Always a deeply religious woman, her losses deepened her faith and motivated her to convert to Catholicism as an adult. This was a rather dramatic step to take in early American society, where Protestant-Catholic relations were not all that positive, to put it mildly. Sometimes our life experiences lead us to take actions of which others will disapprove. If we are motivated by charitable love and compassion, however, our inner voice will guide us to make the right decisions, whether we gain the approval of others or not. TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42 (207). When Jesus turned and saw them following him, he asked, What are you looking for? " Saturday, Jan 05, 2019 MEMORIAL OF JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP Striving for greatness English wasn t a second language for John Neumann ( ), it was a seventh or eighth. Along with his native Slovak, he mastered at least six more European languages. As if that weren t enough, when he was bishop of Philadelphia, he saw how Irish immigrants struggled with American English, so he learned Gaelic to help them out. Lots of new arrivals to America have trouble with English. Wouldn t it be saintly if we, like John Neumann, worked to learn a new language so we could help? Greatness, Jesus reminds us, is about serving those in need. Qué bueno! TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51 (208). Jesus said to Nathaniel, You will see greater things than these TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com.Free daily and app available online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe.