Soooo let s get a handle on this idea of discipleship, shall we?

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1 December 2019 HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody, and welcome to the Year of Discipleship in the PNCC and at St Stan s! In the words of our national PNCC Sub-Committee on Future Directions recently given to us....as our Lord said to His disciples Follow Me for His public ministry, He continues to call us to follow Him and wants our relationship with Him to grow and strengthen as the days, months and years goes by. Our PNCC is calling us to renew our Discipleship in our Lord this year and as we begin Soooo let s get a handle on this idea of discipleship, shall we? Not to long ago I was watching a Netflix presentation about the Masons, with a focus on their place of origin, Freemasons' Hall in Great Queen Street, London. As I became drawn into the narrative of this society s founding and growth, I was struck by how clearly they laid out the expectations of a mason. By contrast, I was struck by how often our Church is hesitant to name the expectations of discipleship for its members. Our Future Directions Sub-Committee has begun laying out these expectations and will continue that effort throughout the year. I d say, it all boils down to five basic opportunities to grow and strengthen our relationship with Jesus here at St Stan s. Worship We worship God together, through his Son Jesus. Worshipping regularly is a part of who we are as Catholic Christians. The people of God join together in the house of God to worship and honor God (Psalm 150). Worship is about community: the Christian community gathers to worship, to pray together, and to continue its growth in the faith. Grow We become affiliated with a parish society, Bible study, the School of Christian Living to grow in faith and our walk with Jesus. Jesus went to the synagogue as was His custom (Luke 4:16). Synagogue for Jesus was a place of discernment, learning scripture, and growing in the knowledge and love of God and neighbor. We join with other PNCC-ers here in order to grow together. Mission We are called to love our neighbors. We are encouraged to be involved in some mission emphasis. Jesus had a special place in His heart for the poor, marginalized, outcast, and lost. We are called to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in our world. We seek to love and serve others and believe this is vital in our Christian walk. Talents and Abilities All of us have talents and abilities that can be used for the glory of God. Some have the gift of teaching or leading. Others have the gift of administration, or may be gifted in finance and can help the church to be faithful stewards of the gifts offered for ministry and mission. Some have the gift of compassion, or love to send cards to those who are sick. Some feel called to reach out to the unchurched, while others have the gift of hospitality. Yes, all of us have some God-given gift, talent, or ability that we can use for the glory of God. Proportional Giving Stewardship is a spiritual discipline and an act of worship. Our offering is a recognition that everything we have and are is a gift to us from God. We are all blessed. We are all called by God to offer our first-fruits and our [portion] to God for the work of His kingdom (Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Our offering at a regular percentage of giving is an act of gratitude, an act of obedience, and an act of our covenantal agreement with God. Our offering is used, then, in ministry and mission on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ. So let s take time to reflect on these five expectations as we undertake a life of Catholic Christian discipleship. After all, God proved he loves us so much by giving His only begotten Son to live among us, to teach us of God s love and kingdom, to die that we might be forgiven, and to rise that we may have eternal life. God has promised to be with us always. Discipleship, then, is our faithful response to this God who so loves the world (John 3:16) Bishop Bernard

2 Page 2 Breakfast with Santa Once again the YMS of R along with the Cathedral Youth Group delighted everyone with a successful breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 9 th. The men from the YMS of R served a delicious buffet of breakfast foods which included scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, home fries and much, much more. After everyone had their fill, Santa arrived with treats for the little ones. The Cathedral UYA provided the goodies and pictures for the young children and the young at heart. It was an enjoyable morning for all. Santa went back to the North Pole but will return next year on December 8 th, so keep the date open Offering Envelope The 2019 Offering envelopes have arrived. You may pick up your yearly envelopes on the table in the church hall after mass on Sunday. They are in alphabetical order. You can also pick them up during the week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by coming to the Parish Office door next to the rectory. Please call so we know when you are coming. Bishop Bernard Still Young at Heart At the District 1 PNU Christmas Party, held on Dec. 13 th, Bishop Bernard won a stuffed Christmas elf. Rumor has it that he enjoyed the prize so much, he carried it with him the whole night and has even named it. It was heard that Stinky was its name. Bishop's Christmas Spirit was seen that night! Thank You Angels! Thank you to all the angels who donated toys for the United Neighborhood Center s Toyland. Your donations helped to make some children s Christmas a little brighter and were greatly appreciated. Thanks to the SOCL students and teachers who made the angels for the tree and a special thank you to Jennifer Gerardi and June Sarnowski who packed all the toys for delivery and to Jennifer Gerardi who played Santa and delivered the many bags of toys to the United Neighborhood Center. God Bless you all! 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by One Year and Still Going This is the 1 st Anniversary of the revived St. Stan s Newsletter. We hope you have enjoyed the information, stories and pictures throughout this past year. We have tweaked things here and there, but if there is something more that you would like to see, or you have an article or pictures, submit them to office@saintstanislauspncc.org. or give the office a call with your suggestion. If you are picking up a paper copy and would like to see the newsletter in brilliant color, go to our website and sign up. Go to scroll down to Connect to Us Today!, click on Read More, and fill out the form with your address. Then every month the latest newsletter will be sent to you via !

3 Page 3 Wreaths Across America On Saturday, December 15th at noon, at St. Stanislaus Cathedral Cemetery and at more than 1,400 memorial sites including Arlington National Cemetery, a large number of people gathered as one nation to Remember, Honor, and Teach. The Cathedral Youth Association with the guidance of Don Blackledge and Maria Hughes, sponsored Wreaths Across America at our Cathedral Cemetery. The ceremony was opened by Don Blackledge with prayers and remarks by Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky and Bishop Bernard Nowicki. Judge Thomas Munley of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, and our own Fred Aebli, a Retired Major in the Marine Corps, spoke about our veterans and their dedication and service to our country. With participation in Wreaths Across America, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we REMEMBER the Fallen, HONOR those who serve and TEACH our children the value of Freedom. Before the wreaths were placed on the individual graves of our veterans, 7 wreaths were placed in front of the Grotto of Christ Benign. Six wreaths were in memory of those who served and are serving in the different branches of the military, The United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. The final wreath is in honor of the 93,129 United States servicemen whose last know status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. After the ceremony, the many participants which included the young people from the Cathedral UYA, Cathedral parishioners and participants from our local community, placed wreaths on over 470 graves at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, as well as over 30 that were ordered to be placed on graves at other cemeteries. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America. May God Bless those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice, all veterans past and present and all service men and women today who are still working to keep our country free.

4 Page 4 Lighting the Advent Candles On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the SOCL students were the active participants in the lighting of the Advent Wreath ceremony before Mass. The Pre-K and Kindergarten class had the honor of lighting the Advent candles, while the older students sang an Advent song, A Waiting Carol, which included the use of small percussion instruments played by the young men of the older class. It was a moving experience to see the littlest ones helping to light the candles. Happy Birthday, Jesus For the first three Sundays in Advent, the Pre-K and Kindergarten Classes were learning about the Birth of Jesus starting with the announcement to Mary that she will have a Baby, to the birth of Jesus and the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds. The last Sunday in Advent was a birthday party for Jesus complete with cupcakes and a visit from St. Nick. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and even ended with singing Sto Lat which is always sung at a Polish birthday party. A Model Wigilia In a response to a request from the older students of the School of Chirstian Living to learn more about our traditions, both the young people and adults participated in a model Wilia, Christmas Eve supper in Poland. Mrs. Barbara Nowicki started the program with a YouTube video of a traditional wigilia in Poland with the babci preparing the meal as Barbara explained why we do certain things. It continued with A Polish Christmas Poem by Robert Strybel which is a variation of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Twas the day before Christmas is a step by step telling of the preparation for Wigilia through going to Midnight Mass. As SOCL News the poem was read, the teachers handed the SOCL students all the things needed for Wigilia including the straw, white table cloth, candle and opłatek which Bishop Bernard broke and shared first and then the students shared with all the participants. Next were replicas of the various dishes served which included barszcz (red beet soup), herring, fish, kapusta (cabbage) and of course pieorgi. For dessert everyone got a taste of makowiec, poppy seed cake. Święty Mikolaj visited with a gift and candy cane for all the SOCL students. It was too bad that Joe Nasser missed this part, and no one knows where he went. Some Polish Christmas carols were sung and the poem ended with everyone going to Pasterka, the Shepherds Mass. The program ended with another YouTube video of a modern wigilia in Poland. We thank all the teachers, Barbara Nowicki, Lu Ann Kaszuba, Jessica Notari, Tera Notari, Kim Herrera, Miranda Rybek and Christina Nasser, for making this Advent season, Birthday Party for Jesus and Model Wigilia a meaningful time for the SOCL students and parish. As the last line of the poem states: May the joy of Wigilia, so Polish and dear, Be with you and your family throughout the New Year!

5 Page 5 Christmas at the Cathedral Christmas services began with Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 3:00 p.m. which included the Living Nativity reenacted by the members of the Cathedral UYA. Mary and Joseph were portrayed by Elizabeth Pfohl and Jacob Gerardi. Both played these parts when they were younger and now, being senior members this was their finale. The rest of the members were Matthew Pfohl Innkeeper; Ethan Stankowski Prophet; Olivia Pfohl Lead Angel; Celeste and Kaitlyn Gingerlowski, Braelyn Reed Angels; Austin and Lucas Stankowski Shepherds; Ryan Notari, Brandon Reed and Jacob Stankowski Kings; Jessica Notari and Brielle Reed Narrators. The St. Stanislaus Bell Choir under the direction of Mary Stankow- ski added to the solemnity of the Mass with a beautiful rendition of Do You Hear What I Hear. Before the Pasterka, the Shepherds Mass, a prelude of Angels We Have Heard on High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and O Little Town of Bethlehem was played by Josh Stankowski on viola and Adrianna Howden on oboe with Beth Howden at the organ. The Clergy and the Cathedral Chorale began the Mass with procession to and the blessing of the manger singing the Polish Carols, Wśród Nocnej Ciszy, Pójdźmy Wszyscy do Stajenka, and Cicha Noc. During the incensing of the altar, Jack Ostroski sang O, Holy Night in Polish. For the Offertory Hymn, the Cathedral Chorale sang an inspiring anthem, Christ s Lullaby, with a solo by Joan Scheuneman and Adrianna Howden on the oboe. There was a special surprise for Post Communion, when the Choral and congregation sang What Child is This accompanied by Leslie Doyle on the guitar. On Christmas Day, there was a glorious prelude of Christmas Carols performed by Jack Partyka on the trumpet and Beth accompanying on the organ. Barbara Nowicki sang I Wonder as I Wander at the Offertory. The music of all three masses enhanced the liturgy of the season to make Christmas a spiritual experience. Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

6 Page 6 Special Vestments Used at Pasterka For the Shepherds Mass, Bishop Bernard donned a jeweler s refurbishing of Episcopal artifacts from the Diocesan chancery. The jeweled crozier carried by Bishop Bernard is an insignia of his office which was first borne by the late Bishop John Misiaszek, Ordinary of the Central Diocese from The jeweled miter worn by Bishop is another insignia of the Episcopal office retrieved from the Diocesan Chancery. The miter was a gift to the Diocese from a former primate of our Church in Poland, the late Prime Bishop Thaddeus Majewski. Both pieces of regalia have been set with amethysts, the traditional gem of the episcopacy. The 100 years old gold vestments which Bishop Bernard wore were and taken from our Cathedral vestment collection. The YMS of R will be hosting the Valentine Dance on Saturday, February 09, Cost for this event is $35.00/person or $70.00/couple. A buffet dinner from 7:00-8:00 pm is served. The ladies from the ANS Catering are already preparing this luscious buffet which will include some Polish favorites. The event is B.Y.O.B. (beer and soda provided), with music and dancing by The Jeffrey James Band until 12:00a.m. For tickets, information, and reservations please contact Jake January Anniversaries Jan 3 Carl & Lu Ann Kaszuba Jan 20 Bruce and Shirley Melesky Youth Center Addition Update Despite the bad weather we have had this past month, the addition to the Youth Center is on schedule for completion. The brick laying has been completed in early December. The drain piping and gas piping were installed along with the two heaters and thermostats. The man door, preparations for the garage door track and the garage door itself were installed along with all the caulking. A tent barrier was set up inside the Youth Center to contain the dust while the doorway to connect the Youth Center and addition was being cut. The double door was installed and brick work inside was finished off. All electrical work was completed. Topsoil was put down along side of the addition, grass seed was planted and a straw mat place on top. The exterior brick was cleaned and driveway was paved. Except for some finishing touches, the project will be complete for the New Year. Then comes the moving of the overflow items in the Youth Center to the addition. January Birthdays Jan 1 Chad Oliver Nicole Karcheski Paul Cimino Jan 2 Joann Valvano Jan. 4 Julie Orzell Mary Berezinsky Jan. 6 Marie Jarocha Jan. 8 Kevin P. McConlogue Jan 9 Jocelyn Herrera Jan 11 Paul Gorgol Lydia McConlogue Lucas StankowskiJan 12 Michael Fick Jan 13 Christopher Stankowski Jan 14 Austin & Ethan Stankowski Jan 15 Kathleen Michalina Jan 17 Carol Olster Jan 19 Kevin Karsnak Ralph Crispino Jan 20 Vienna Piazza Randy Crispino Jan 21 Vito Gerardi Anna El Abid Jan. 23 Jillian Aebli Brielle Reed Jan 28 Darlene Navarra Jan 29 Joseph R. Ross Madison Matylewicz PJ Cimino

7 Page 7 Mark Your Calendars! Here are some of the upcoming events, so mark your calendars to keep them in mind. January 1 st Circumcision of Our Lord 10:00 am Holy Mass, lower chapel January 2 nd - Holy Name of Jesus 8:30 am Holy Mass, lower chapel January 3 rd Basketball starts in the Youth Center January 4 th One Hot Meal 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Youth Center Come enjoy a meal or be a volunteer. January 6 th Feast of the Epiphany 8:00 am Holy Mass, Cathedral 10:00 am Holy Mass, Cathedral 11:15 M Holy Mass, Tripp Park Chapel January 10 th Basketball Practice starting at January 11 th Basketball games in the Youth Center starting at January 17 th - Basketball Practice starting at January 18 th - Basketball games in the Youth Center starting at January 27 th Music Scholarship Sunday January 31 st - Basketball Practice starting at February 1 st - Basketball games in the Youth Center starting at February 2 nd Candlemas Day Mass 8:30 a.m. One Hot Meal 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Youth Center Come enjoy a meal or be a volunteer. February 9 th Valentine Day Dance in the Youth Center 7:00 p.m. February 16 th - Anniversary of the Death of Bishop Hodur 10:00 a.m. Mass March 6 th Ash Wednesday Distribution of Ashes at Noon and 7:00 p.m. Masses Fridays 12 noon Stations of the Cross, chapel, lower Cathedral Wednesdays 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross with Benediction, Cathedral. January 18 th 25 th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 24 th - Basketball Practice starting at January 25 th - Basketball games in the Youth Center starting at For a better you ask God, Not a Gym