St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish

Transcription

1 St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish December 2, 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 2, st Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception Holyday of Obligation - 9:15 am Mass The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast celebrating Mary's conception without sin. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." (Lk 21:36) St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff 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 GOSPEL MEDITATION Tribulation. Wildfires. Tsunamis. Moral corruption. Disease. War. We tend to associate these things with the end times, and perhaps for good reason! In today's Gospel, Jesus says: "People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world." Not exactly putting us in the Christmas spirit, is it? During Advent, we anticipate a celebration of Christ's first coming. There is a quiet stillness about our waiting, or at least we try to encourage that in ourselves. Perhaps we have an Advent devotional or we take time to pray together as a family around the Advent wreath. But Jesus did not come only once into history. During Advent, we remember that he will come again. You may remember the rapture craze in the early 2000s, when a series of books and movies envisioned a future where Jesus was coming soon and all the true believers had been whisked away. Everyone else had one more chance to repent before things really went to hell...literally, in this case! But is that what Jesus is talking about here? The truth is, we don't know what Jesus' Second Coming will be like. The actual return of Christ - though sudden and perhaps frightening to some - should not frighten us. Despite all the stories we may have heard about the apocalypse, the advice of Jesus is not to hang our heads or cower in fear. "Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." In a certain sense, we are already living in the end times. We already encounter great tribulation. We all find it easy to get distracted or discouraged in the grind of daily life. Today's Gospel reminds us that vigilance for God's presence is needed now.

3 December 1st through December 9th Saturday 4:00 pm Therese Bennett by Carpenter/McGruder Families Sunday 8:00 am Ronald Sharky by Alberta Scalia 10:30 am For The Parishioners People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world...and then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. ~Luke 21:26-27 Monday 9:15 am Noel Brouse by Joe Ewaski Tuesday 9:15 am William Schott by William Henkel Wednesday 9:15 am Deceased Family of Matijczak Olgg Szczesniak by Daughter & Sister Thursday 9:15 am Maria & Ted Szczesniak by The Szczesniak Family Friday 9:15 am Communion Service Saturday 9:15 am Holyday of Obligation - The Immaculate Conception Blanche Sowinski by Marion Colvin 4:00 pm Joseph A. Puglia Jr. by Christine Gilmartin Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners Saturday: Rv 22:1-7; Lk 21:34-36 Sunday: Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thes 3:12--4:2; Luke 21:25-28, Monday: Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21, Friday : Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31 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 10:30 am Patrick Grace by Judy Grace 9:15 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 11/18/18... $ Capital Improvement Diocese Collection for Care & Education 95. Thank You for Your Generosity.

4 Faith Formation ADVENT SCRIPTURE STUDY FAITH FORMATION NEWS Parents, mark your calendars for the following dates: Saturday, December 8: First Penance Retreat, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, December 9: 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 Saturday, December 22, at 12 p.m.: Chloe Cosentino Damarion Daguio Gianna Masotti Rory Murphy Christopher Pimpinella Ajay Reese 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 for the day. 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 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. GET YOUR ADVENT CANDLE SET Advent candle sets are available by the exits for a donation of $5. Get yours today while supplies last. During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS WEEKEND Gifts of clothing new with tags for the children served by the Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Food Pantry are due back to the parish by this Sunday, December 2. Be sure to return the original Christmas tag from the Giving Tree that includes the child s name when you drop off your gift. Thank you for your generosity to the children in our community.

5 Parish Life at St. Max Mon, Dec. 3rd - K of C Meeting - 7 pm Tues, Dec. 4th - Prayer Shawl Meeting - 6:30 pm Sat., Dec. 8th - Holy Day Mass - 9:15 am - First Penance Retreat 10:30-2 pm Sun, Dec. 9th - St. Max Advent Penance Service will be held at Most Holy Trinity - 2 pm Keep you light shining. God will put it where it can be seen. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of the light. ~John 12:36 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 Grace Bush ~ Tom Schoettle ~ Sal Rullis Parish Life WHY DO WE DO THAT? CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED Question: What significance does the Advent season have for our Christian faith journey? What are we joyfully anticipating and expecting? Answer: Advent is a season of joyful anticipation and expectation. But for what specifically? Certainly not for the birth of the Christ Child - that occurred more than 2,000 years ago. This season links us with all those who lived in the era of longing for the coming of the Messiah. But he has come and lived among us. Some are joyfully anticipating the many gifts that they will buy and share with others, along with the many gifts they will receive in return. Others enter into the overblown commercialism - decorating, partying, writing cards, and all the endless customs that go with the season. What if the anticipation and expectation were to focus on how we can continue to make present the living Christ in each and every moment of our daily lives? Yes, Jesus came among us 2,000 years ago. But how do we continue to make that presence real in our world? Jesus himself set the agenda for us. We are to proclaim good news to the poor and give liberty to captives, sight to the blind, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and freedom for those who are oppressed and abused. What would the Advent season look like if this, rather than materialism, was the main focus of our joyful anticipation and expectation? Try it and see what results. It may surprise all of us..a Rewarding Ministry If you would like to be involved in this meaningful ministry of bringing Holy Communion and giving comfort to those who are unable to attend mass, please consider this ministry. A few hours once or twice a month on a Friday afternoon is all it takes. Jesus' words, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). There is more joy in serving than in being served. If you are not a Eucharistic Minister at this time, that is not a problem - training will be available soon. Please call the Parish office if you would like to offer your assistance. ~Thank You

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 Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the 7 pm in the parish hall. ~ ~Facebook: Knights of Columbus Pocono Pines INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK As we begin our Advent journey in preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth and in anticipation of his coming again in glory, we are reminded of our need to be vigilant and prepared. This short season of Advent can be a mini-retreat for us who find ourselves living in a world that is often counterproductive to developing mature, focused, and meaningful relationships with God. Being a Christian and standing firm in our faith requires a strength that can only come from prayer. These four short preparatory weeks can help us look back to what God has done in history, to what God continues to do in our lives today, and to what God promises for the future. May we use this Advent time wisely, calling us to greater holiness. 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. Parish Life RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS Waiting is not always so easy. If you lack patience, like me, you probably want whatever is going to happen to just happen already. I remember waiting on the births of my children. There was the time I sat with my dying father in the hospital. One year, we waited to see if our oldest child got into the college of his choice, or any college at all, which was nerve-wracking. So, to make the time pass more easily, and because it is prudent and wise, we make preparations. We put together nurseries, go over last will and testaments, and look through endless college mailings. Then, when the event finally happens or our fate is unveiled, the preparation ends. Either you have prepared well or you didn't. Unlike events in our lives that only happen once, we have been through Advent many times before. Even though this is the case, when Christmas arrives many of us will think we missed it again, and next year will be the year we really get into Advent. Of course, there is no promise of next year. What if you knew this was your last Advent ever? I once read a book about how to live your life as if you only had one year to live. The author said that doing this provides incentive for a real commitment to living life to its fullest. You notice things for the first time. You make plans that you always put off. You tell people what you always wanted to say. I hope all who read this have many wonderful years ahead of them. However, let's approach this Advent like it is our last. I bet Christmas will seem that much sweeter. And who knows, we may find a new and improved way to live all year long. -- Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS 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 Week of December 2nd Sanctuary Light In Memory of Ed & Helen Nidweski by Ed & Roseann Nidweski Bread and Wine Available for $25. for one week Advent Candles &Wreath Available for $25. for one week (During Advent this will take place of Altar flowers). ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR

7 Around The Diocese Scripture tells us, God is love (1 John 4:16). The God who is love was revealed among us when he sent his Son into the world. The world in which God revealed himself was not a kind and receptive place. It was, and is, a world lost in sin and rebellion against its Creator. But that is the world God loved, and that is the world - our world-into which he sent hi Son. In Jesus, the hold Child of Bethlehem, the God who is love was revealed among us as one of us. The loving heart of Jesus was, and is, the loving heart of God himself, the loving heart of God in human flesh. Finally, his soul sorrowful and his heart weighed down by human guilt and shame, Jesus carried our sins in his own body to the cross. There on that cross, the loving heart of God was revealed for the world to see. Lord, through this Advent season and beyond, lead us to walk in love. (From ADVENT DEVOTIONS -Henri J. M. Nouwen) 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 CATHOLIC QUOTES - WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL "The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before." -- Jan Richardson 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. Ecumenical / Interfaith 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 Lackawanna County s Area Agency on Aging provides resources for grandparents and other older adults who are raising younger family members. Parents a Second Time (PAST) offers support groups and other assistances to families in the county and in surrounding areas. Please consider sharing these resources with parishioners or providing a bulletin announcement to advertise these opportunities. 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. Distribution at the Clymer library for the rest of the year is as follows: November 9-12, and December 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 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.