Saint Regis Parish. December 23rd, 2018 Fourth Sunday of advent. *** OFFICE HOURS *** Mon.- Thur. 8:30am to 4:00pm Fri...

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1 December 23rd, 2018 Fourth Sunday of advent Saint Regis Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 517 Homewood Avenue Trafford, PA Phone: Fax: A Parish of the Diocese of PARISH STAFF Fr. David Nazimek, Pastor (ext. #205) dnazimek@dioceseofgreensburg.org Ms. Florence Gradisek, Liturgy & Music (ext. #209) fgradisek@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mrs. Karen McDade, Faith Form. & Media Mgr. (ext. #208)kmcdade@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. Michael Daversa, Business Manager (ext. #204) mdaversa@dioceseofgreensburg.org Ms. Joyce Miller, Parish Secretary and Sacristan (ext. #206) jmiller@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. Steve Spang, Maintenance Manager *** OFFICE HOURS *** Mon.- Thur. 8:30am to 4:00pm Fri... 8:30am to 12:00pm BAPTISM...3rd Sunday of the month at Mass (Parents must attend Baptism Preparation). Call Karen at ext. #208 RECONCILIATION...Saturday(4:00pm) or call Fr. Dave MATRIMONY...One year notice required OUR MISSION.. We are the family of Saint Regis, a diverse faith-filled community of caring people. We commit ourselves to be Christ-like to one another, promoting active participation by all in building the parish faith community. Unified through Word and Worship, we answer the call to love and serve God. We resolve to share our faith through prayer, outreach and service.

2 Exposition and Adoration 2nd Wednesday each month Parish Schedule from Monday Dec. 24th. to Sunday December 30th. Monday December Christmas Eve Mass w/chimes 9:00pm Christmas Eve Mass w/ Chorale & Hand Bells OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday, December 25.. Christmas Day Mass/Schola CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES COLLECTION -OFFICE CLOSED Wednesday, December OFFICE CLOSED Saturday, December No Confessions -- Mass Sunday, December 30..9:00am Knights lead the Rosary Mass Regional Mass at St. Barbara Sunday at 6:00pm Readings for the Week on Pg. 3 The St. Regis votive light is lit this week in prayer for Lucy DiFrank from Ann Endler Masses Intentions this week MON 12/24/18 9:00pm TUE 12/25/18 Christmas Eve The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) Minister Schedule MINISTRY SAT 12/29/18 SUN 12/30/18 WED 12/26/18 No Mass ALTAR SERVERS EUCHARIS- TIC MINISTERS Cody Blank Jack Blank Elizabeth Brobeck Olivia Brobeck Nancy Baric Dawn Blank Darlene Mazak Shirley Ratkus Charlotte Steich Paula Ziemski Mike Ziemski GREETERS Jim Cortazzo Eva Jane Schneider Christian Adams Jalyn Adams Nicholas Gensamer Nathan Kravetz Anthony Barilla Chris Brobst Kathy Capets Vic Capets Arlene Eathorne Cookie Lutz Patrick McDermott Carol Richardson Tammi Bloom Carol Pizarro THUR 12/27/18 FRI 12/28/18 SAT 12/29/18 SUN 12/30/18 Lucy Petrini (Charlotte & Mike Steich) No Mass Harry K. Price (Mike & Paula Ziemski) Albert & Mary Zubak (Daughters) LECTORS Joyce Brobeck Bruno Mediate (1)

3 The Fourth Week of Advent for this year is very short just Sunday, December 23 and part of Monday, December 24. With the Church s Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve, the Season of Christmas begins. AND SO very soon we shall be placing the image of the Child Jesus in the manger of our Christmas cribs. The figure of that tiny baby reminds us that God has not only blessed us by creating us, but He also chose to become one with us. God can work through human lives and make them extraordinary. Mary and Elizabeth had faith to believe God s promises; they were prepared to trust God s word. The story of the Visitation which we read in this weekend s Gospel is more than a nice story. It is an invitation to deepen our faith and trust in God s love. It is a call to recognize the presence of Christ in the people whom we meet, and to allow Jesus to shine through our often fragile human lives. Mary and Elizabeth were unique in what God asked of them. We too have a unique calling. As someone once said, we are all meant to be mothers of God, because Jesus needs to be continually born in our lives. We, who appreciate the wonder of Christmas, will do all in our power during this season to promote love and friendship and good will wherever we may be. We will do it not just because it makes life more pleasant all around, but because it is a way of ensuring that Jesus will indeed be present in the midst of our Christmas, His birthday celebrations. On behalf of the Parish Staff, our thanks to each of you for all that you do for our Parish, and may the Lord s blessings continue to be upon each of you now and always. Merry Christmas, Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with each of us. A Message from the Office Let us Pray for the Conversion of the World & for Peace The end of 2018 is almost here, many will enjoy some holiday cheer. St. Regis is ready to welcome our Lord, His promise of love-not of the sword. Your cards, gifts, and greetings, at this Christmastime, makes us feel special-hence this little rhyme. Fr. Dave and his staff would like you to know, we love all of younow how bout some fried dough! Merry Christmas and Thank You Weekly Offertory for 12/23/18 Figures not available this week due to early bulletin deadline (Christmas) Readings for the week of December 23, 2018 Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14 Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, [12]/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8 [7]/Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Sm 1:20-22,24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (cf. 5a)/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52 Next Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 [cf. 5a]/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52

4 MINIS- TRY ALTAR SERVERS EUCHA- RISTIC MINIS- TERS Red indicates Euch. Min. to Gillen Hall GREET- ERS Mon 12/24/18 Ashley Boardwater Natalie Boardwater Zach Conley Maya Roman Pat Beltram Dawn Blank Romeo DeMarco Kathy Gisi Marjorie Hoehn Colleen Jones Patrick Malley Shirley Ratkus Juan Roman Susan Roman Gene Scarberry Louise Scarberry Debbie Comer LECTORS Rod Gisi (1) Stephanie Malley (2) Christmas Minister Schedule Mon 12/24/18 9:00pm Jordan Dawson Nicholas Gensamer Luke Painter Nancy Baric Pauline Kljucaric Cookie Lutz Darlene Mazak Karen McDade Stephanie Williams Mike Ziemski Paula Ziemski Ann Endler Norma Jean Sudina Marge Samek (1) Steve Samek (2) Tues 12/25/18 Nathan Litzinger Ryan Litzinger Aidan Sanders Christina Casper Maribeth Colbaugh Michael Colbaugh Mary Ann Hussey John Mock Nancy Morgan Betty Buchin Travis Barkefelt God Sent Us a Savior information, God would have sent us an educator. technology, God would have sent us a scientist. money, God would have sent us an economist. pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer But our greatest need was forgiveness, So God sent us a Saviour. -Roy Lessin If, as with Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; If we consider ourselves so important that we must fill every moment of our lives with action: When will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the burning desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the Shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each of us there is a desert to travel, a star to discover, and a being within ourselves to bring to life. Our Parish is pleased to welcome Talula Jean Jennings into the St. Regis family. Talula s parents are David and Sherry (Colarusso) Jennings. He godmother is Wendy Colarusso and Nicholas Jennings is her Christian witness. Please remember them in your prayers. We look forward to watching her grow in faith and stewardship within our Church community. There are five 500 Club tickets available for anyone interested in joining!! The 500 Club The St. Agnes Feast Day Special tickets are now on sale in the office. Drawing date is January 21st (the Feast Day of St. Agnes) at 7:00pm (PA Lottery). $15 donation to win $1500! Five numbers on each ticket and only 200 tickets. Remember this is the first of four specials we will run this year to replace the calendar ticket. A nice Christmas gift for someone or even a stocking stuffer!

5 Dawson Family Update.A sincere thank you to all who donated clothing, furniture, money, gift cards, or their time to the Dawson family. Your generosity is always exemplary and appreciated. At this time, the Parish is not accepting any more clothing or furniture. God bless all of you and all people, especially during this Christmas season of giving. As the end of the year approaches, there are ways you can make a gift to support your parish and the church 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 The annual Children and Family Services Appeal collection to support the work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg will be taken at all Christmas Masses in the diocese Dec. 24 and 25. Christmas reminds us of the gift of God s own Son, Jesus Christ, given to each of us without question of our merit or eligibility. You are asked to support this appeal and make your contribution to help change the future of an individual, family or child through the good work of our diocesan Catholic Charities. Please consider a gift this Christmas to the Children and Family Services Appeal, the second collection at all Christmas Masses Dec. 24 and 25. PROVIDING HELP, CREATING HOPE HUNGER AND POVERTY DON T DISCRIMINATE Bingo will be held at St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City, on Wednesday, January 2. All paid admissions will receive two chances to win $300. There is a $1000 consolation prize for the All-Nighter game. Must go $1400 Jackpot. Packages start at $27. Doors open 5:00; games 6:45.Handicapped accessible. Full kitchen/free coffee. Call for more information. 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. Our Lady of Joy Parish in Plum Borough is opening its doors to anyone who needs a place to go for a hot meal and some fellowship on the holiday. Brunch will be served in the parish hall from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. All welcome, including families, but we especially want to reach out to those who might otherwise be alone. There will be music, prizes and a great deal of fun! There is no charge for the brunch, but reservations are needed to make sure we prepare enough food for everyone. Please call: or altomars@aol.com Do you have family members who are away from the Church? Are you not sure what to say to them when they are home for Christmas? Fallen-away friends and family will most likely be more willing to share about matters of faith and be open to invitations during the special, grace-filled time of Christmas. In a recent study, 47% of the adults surveyed said that they were more open to matters of faith during the Christmas season. The study also found that the most effective method for bringing people to church is through personal invitations by family or friends. There is a spirit during Christmas that fills people with openness toward one another. This is the perfect time to reach out, to invite, to ask simple questions: Why did you stop going to Church? Would you be open to coming with me sometime to X (Mass, adoration, or any other Catholic event)? How do you feel about God these days? Questions, rather than statements begin conversations. And Christmas is a time of grace that may just allow conversations to turn into baby steps back to the Church. Emmanuel: God is with us. Merry Christmas If you have any suspicion about the sexual abuse (or any other type of abuse) of a minor child by anyone - please contact PA Childline immediately at If the alleged abuser is functioning in a parish, school or diocesan position as clergy, religious, paid staff or volunteer you are also requested to contact the Bishop s Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct after you have called the Childline number and made the report. The Bishop s Delegate may be reached at , ext