St. Edward Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 120 St. Edward Lane, Herminie, PA A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

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1 St. Edward Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 120 St. Edward Lane, Herminie, PA A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg Year C - Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Richard J. Ulam, OSB Administrator pro tem rulam@dioceseofgreensburg.org Rev. Joseph E. Bonafed Pastor jbonafed@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. John D. Zombar Deacon jzombar@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mrs. Cheryl Hall Coordinator of Catechesis chall@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mrs. Robin Stahl Director of Music Ministry rstahl@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mrs. Glenda E. Sekerchak Administrative Secretary gsekerchak@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mrs. Lisa Arch Secretary for Catechesis larch@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. Jack Heinzic Custodian Mrs. Donna Bricker Rectory Domestic MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Sunday 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Regional Mass at St. Barbara Church in Harrison City, Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Weekdays - Tues & Thurs 10:00 a.m. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Confession on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Parents must attend a Baptism Class. Please call the parish office to schedule. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Contact the pastor and arrange date at least 1 year in advance. Attendance at Marriage Prep. Program is required. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (R.C.I.A) Adults interested in becoming Catholic should contact the Faith Formation Office. MINISTRY TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND Communion calls to the sick and homebound and those confined in nursing homes are made regularly. Please notify the parish office. CONTACT US: Parish Office: Parish Fax: SVDP Help Line: Parish Mission Statement We, of St. Edward, are a large parish family diverse in age, community and background. We are united by a shared Catholic faith, offering hospitality and opportunities for spiritual growth. Our baptismal commitment is continually renewed by living and proclaiming the word of God, through stedward@dioceseofgreensburg.org Parish Web: Diocesan Web: our celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The proclaiming of our faith is found in our example and participation in the world. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we strive to grow in Christ during our journey of a lifetime.

2 ST. EDWARD PARISH, A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust DECEMBER 23, 2018 HERMINIE, PA FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SAT: DECEMBER 22 6:00pm John Walt, John Ross and Brother Damian Murkley (Leo & Connie) SUN: DECEMBER 23 9:00am For the Living & Deceased Members THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD MON: DECEMBER 24 5:00 PM Priest Intention MIDNIGHT Priest Intention TUE: DECEMBER 25 10:00 AM For the Living & Deceased Members WED: DECEMBER 26 No Mass Today THU: DECEMBER 27 10:00am Harry V. Rosensteel (Anni) (Merlino Family) FRI: DECEMBER 28 No Mass Today SAT: DECEMBER 29 6:00pm Larry Jaffre, Sr. (Anni) (Mary Ann Ereditario) SUN: DECEMBER 30 - Feast of the Holy Family 9:00am For the Living & Deceased Members These two short days before Christmas remind us of God s powerful promises on the brink of fulfillment. We are not the only ones waiting and wondering what is yet to come, especially in these uneasy times. We have the perspective of history on how earlier promises bore fruit, as well as our own yearnings. Do we believe that there are promises still to be fulfilled, and if so, how do we demonstrate that? FIRST READING: Micah predicts that a great ruler will emerge from the lowliest of places: Bethlehem, the place of King David s birth (Ephratah is the ancient name of Bethlehem). The word Bethlehem means house of bread in Hebrew; an apt birthplace for the one John will call the bread of life. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. SECOND READING: The author of Hebrews builds, here, on the assertions of Psalm 40. A new kind of worship is now available; one not tied to sin offerings of burnt animal flesh. Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, has offered his body as the once and final sacrifice to redeem all. In this passage, we are reminded that the Incarnation is directly tied to redemption. GOSPEL: For the second time in Advent, we hear the story of Elizabeth and Mary encountering each other. We refer to the mother of Jesus as the blessed mother. Here, Elizabeth notes that reality when she cries out, in the Spirit, that her cousin is blessed. Mary is blessed in two ways. First, because she has demonstrated a stunning faith in God, and second because she is the chosen one who will bring the Son of God into the world. The Parish Offices will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, and 27. We hope your Christmas is blessed with a real sense of just how near the Lord always is to you ~ and just how much He loves you.

3 ST. EDWARD PARISH TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS! APPLES AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND - The Youth Ministry students will be selling the remainder of the Apples this weekend after Mass. Thank you for your support. ALTAR SERVERS & MASTERS OF CEREMONY - If you have not picked up your Christmas Gift from the parish, please stop by the priest sacristy after Mass this weekend. FAITH FORMATION CLASSES - Classes resume next Sunday, December 30th from 10:15pm - 11:30pm for students from the parish in grades 1-5. JANUARY TICKETS - We still have 94 tickets to sell by the end of the year. We will be selling the remainder this weekend and next weekend, December 29/30. All ticket stubs and money are due in the parish office by January 1, OPLATKI WAFERS - The blessed Christmas Bread is available in the church vestibule this weekend on the bulletin table. A donation of $2.00 is requested per envelope. A nice tradition to begin in your family. CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS - Remember your deceased loved ones this Christmas season through the Christmas Flower donations. Additional envelopes are available on the bulletin table. FAMILY NEEDED! - We still need a parish family to carry the Offertory Gifts for the Christmas Midnight Mass. A sign-up sheet is available on the bulletin board or you may call the parish office at Thank you for volunteering! USHERS FOR CHRISTMAS LITURGIES - Our parish ushers are asked to sign-up on the church bulletin board in the vestibule for a Mass they will be attending on Christmas to help with Ushering RELIGIOUS CATHOLIC CALENDARS - Through the courtesy of Nickels Funeral Home, the 2019 Catholic Calendars are available on the bulletin table. Please thank them for their generosity. HOLY WATER BOTTLES - If you still have your Holy Water Bottles from your House Blessing Kits from last year, please return them to the church ASAP so we can utilize them again this year. CHURCH TAX DEDUCTION - We close our financial books for 2018 on December 31 st. If you wish to make a donation to your parish for your 2018 Income Tax purposes, please make your offering as soon as possible. Thank you. CHRISTMAS VISIT & VESPERS - St. Emma Monastery, Greensburg, will hold Visit and Vespers Dec. 29 from 1-4:30 p.m. The event will feature the Bethlehem Express train, carols, cookies, tours of the monastery s bed and breakfast, and more than 300 Nativity scenes. The Bethlehem Express will also be in operation, with viewing of the Nativity scenes, Jan. 5 from 1-3 p.m. Admission is free. For information, COACHES & PLAYERS NEEDED FOR 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. HELP WANTED - St. Anne Home in Greensburg is hiring RN s, LPN s, Nurse Aides, Dietary Aide s and Maintenance Personnel for their newly completed expansion and modernization facility. Excellent benefits, pension and tuition reimbursement available. Please call and ask for Human Resources. You may also visit In the year 2020, our parish here at St. Edward will celebrate 100 years! Mark your calendar for October 25, 2020 when Bishop Edward Malesic will celebrate our 100th Anniversary Mass here at St. Edward at 3:00 PM. Many events will be happening throughout the next 2 years and many volunteers will be needed. More news will follow in the upcoming bulletins CATHOLIC CHARITIES ~ GREENSBURG Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling available at Catholic Charities Faith-based assistance with anxiety, grief, loss, relationship, and many other personal and family difficulties. Counseling provided by licensed, professional staff Low fees. Many insurances accepted. No waiting list. Please call or counseling@dioceseofgreensburg.org. Please check out their website at A Prayer for Christmas Lord of light, shine on us; Lord of peace, dwell in us; Lord of might, protect us; Lord of love, enfold us; Lord of wisdom, enlighten us. Then, Lord, let us go out as your witnesses, in obedience to your command; to share the good news of your mighty love for us in the gift of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Eleventh Century Latin Hymn

4 VOTIVE LIGHTS DECEASED + Keith Carvallis, Veronica Carvallis, Carmine Cortazzo, Sr., Elizabeth Olson, Ernestine & Joseph Ostroski, Frank & Irene Pavsek, Linda & John Rycman, Jessica Strasser, Mary Lou Tatsch, Luigi & Carmela Veltri, Steve Yelich. SPECIAL INTENTION - Fr. Joe Bonafed, Angie Cortazzo, Billie Joyce Coulson, Billy Coulson, Faletto Family, Faltz Family, Alan Gaber Family, Kinzel, Dennis Krevokuch, Kuttler Family, Rohac Family, Rumbaugh Family, Sekerchak Family, Chester Stepinsky, Heather L. Zarisky. RESERVED VOTIVE LIGHTS DECEASED + Paul P. & Rose Adams and Catherine M. Adams, Antonich Family, Adolph & Jennie Baloh, Andrew Bencloski, Violet & Richard Bencloski, William & Mary A. Beran and Anna Marie Beran, Sylvester Boban, Dorothy Bolam & Arthur Meneghini, Frank Boltin, Sr. Family, William P. Bregar, Laurie Lynn Burns and Martin J. & Elsie Garcar, Anthony & Elizabeth Cambruzzi, Ralph & Gloria Delose, Gregory & Ethel Diffendal, Virginia Falcsik, Bill & Joanne Gilchrist, Justino & Helen Gioannini, John Hazlinsky, Thomas & Margaret Hazlinsky, Sr. and Thomas Hazlinsky, Jr., Albert & Anna Lazar, Rita McArdle, Erna, Richard and Cindy McGrew, Mary D. Moran, Patrick & Wilmina Moran, Mike O Neill, William & Patricia Radziwon and Sandy Foster, Matt Rendulich, Grace (Boots) Sabljak, Paul Slobodnjak, Eugene Stefanacci, Stefanacci Family, Ralph J. Vincent. SPECIAL INTENTION - Nancy & Glenn Merlin, TJ Owens. MEMORIES AND DREAMS Throughout our lives, we retain the language and habits of our native region and family of origin. Should we return to our home after a long absence, we quickly revert to its familiar speech and practices. Our deep memory is reflected in old stories and words and speech patterns. This familiarity runs like an underground river and accompanies us wherever we go. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:42 READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; 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 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Next Sun: Sir 3:2-6, or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 Not only do we remember, we are incorporated into and made part of a greater memory. In remembering and recollecting, we are in turn gathered up and re-collected. Today we remember Mary, a small figure travelling the country roads to visit Elizabeth. All the great pronouncements and dreams of the prophets point to this time when the Lord s words to Mary would be gathered and fulfilled. The memories of her people are alive in her, and memories of her nourish our own living faith. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: Vigil of Christmas Tuesday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Wednesday: St. Stephen; First Day of Kwanzaa Thursday: St. John Friday: The Holy Innocents Saturday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket

5 REMEMBER OUR MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY A warm welcome to all who have come to worship with us this Christmas. Christmas presents all of us with the opportunity to renew friendships, to celebrate with family and to give thanks to our God who has blessed us so richly. Please know that we are honored by your presence among us. Our parish serves the needs of the community in many different ways. We offer preparation for sacraments, education for children and adults, social activities, assistance to those in difficulty, comfort to the sick and those who mourn a loss. If we can be of service to you, or if you would like to join the parish, please do not hesitate to call on us. May the gift of Jesus Christ Fill your hearts and homes With Joy and Peace this Christmas Season CHRISTMAS MUSIC Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen. Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on Earth among men of Good Will. Many families have been blessed this past year, During this gift giving season, we give our biggest and best gifts to those whom we love dearly. Be generous to God and His church too, for it is the place where our children were baptized, received the Holy Eucharist and celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage. Make a special gift to St. Edward Church this Christmas Season. Thank you for your continued generosity. Our Director of Music Ministry, Mrs. Robin Stahl would like to invite everyone to come 1/2 hour early for the 5:00pm and Midnight Mass. Planting Grace will be here for the 5pm Mass and the Parish Choir will be singing at Midnight. During that time, the choirs will alternate hymn singing with our parishioners and guests at St. Edward. The Parish Choir will also be singing the 10:00am Mass on Christmas morning. Come early as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Our Savior. CHRISTMAS EVE: Monday, December 24 CHRISTMAS DAY: Tuesday, December 25 5:00 PM 12:00 AM Midnight 10:00 AM GIVE HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS Children & Family Services Appeal Poverty never takes a holiday. Take a moment from your busy holiday preparation to think of those who have no food, no home, no hope. Please open your heart and give generously to the second collection at all Christmas Masses for Catholic Charities through the Children and Family Services Appeal. Your donation supports people living within our own diocese who are less fortunate than we. Help people in need have a Merry Christmas and a more hopeful New Year. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD ~ Holy Day of Obligation New Year s Eve: Monday, December 31 6:00 PM New Year s Day: Tuesday, January 1, :00 AM