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 - Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) December 16, 2018 PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Richard J. Ulam, OSB Administrator pro tem rulam@dioceseofgreensburg.org Rev. Joseph E. Bonafed Pastor jbonafed@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. John 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 16, 2018 HERMINIE, PA THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Gaudete Sunday) SAT: DECEMBER 15 6:00pm For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Edward Parish SUN: DECEMBER 16 9:00am Ernestine Ostroski (Anni) (Family) MON: DECEMBER 17 TUE: DECEMBER 18 10:00am William & Lea Filtz (Family) WED: DECEMBER 19 THU: DECEMBER 20 10:00am AnnaMary Upholster (Anni) (Kathy & Greg) FRI: DECEMBER 21 SAT: DECEMBER 22 6:00pm John Walt, John Ross and Brother Damian Murkley (Leo & Connie) SUN: DECEMBER 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:00am For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Edward Parish STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION December 9, 2018 Adult Envelopes (197 donations from 620 families) $5, Teen/Children s (7 donations) $10.00 Loose $ Monthly (22 donations) $ On-Line Giving (29 families) $1, Total $7, Amount budgeted for Weekly Offertory $7, Over / (Under) + $ Thank you for your generosity!! St. Paul reminds us that our God is an abundant God, the ultimate giver of gifts. He promises to give us all that we need. When we trust that God will take care of us, it is easier for us to share what we have been given. Today s readings continue the themes of hope and expectation, adding the element of rejoicing for Israel, for those awaiting the Messiah and for us. But there is also a summons to repentance and reformed conduct. The good news is tempered with a call to responsibility on our part. Like those before us, we are urged to hope and rejoice. In addition, we must ask the question: What should we do? FIRST READING: Zephaniah prophesied fifty years before Isaiah, yet his message is similar. This joyous text hails the day of the Lord, which us on the horizon. Then, God as savior will be in the midst of the people. This passage is the perfect start of Gaudete Sunday. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. SECOND READING: This exquisite passage from Philippians reminds us that the path of the disciple of Christ is one of great rejoicing. Why? Because there is nothing of concern that we cannot place in the hands of God so that we may dwell in his peace a peace that is beyond human comprehension. GOSPEL: The people see in John a mighty power, and ask him for direction on how to live their lives. Nothing in this would be startling news: share with each other, be fair, avoid the cruelty of extortion, practice being satisfied. However, his news that there is one even greater coming after him would have been attention getting. This will be a new baptism, not with water but with fire that would eliminate all the chaff dividing the true from the false. This message, superficially frightening, is an affirmation of the Messiah and therefore a cause for joy. Today is a day of joy in the midst of our spiritual preparations for Christmas. We move into the second part of Advent with a sense of joyful expectation, an awareness that the fulfillment of God s great plan for us is near. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.

3 What s Your Catholic I.Q.? Test your knowledge of the Christian mysteries FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION TODAY - A special collection will be taken at all Masses this weekend for our parish Food Pantry. Our Food Pantry along with the Westmoreland County Food Bank provides the food that is distributed here at St. Edward for over 175 families on a monthly basis. God will bless your generosity during this special season of Advent. YOUTH MINISTRY APPLE SALE TODAY - Our parish Youth Ministry students are selling local fresh Pennsylvania Apples this weekend after Masses in the church vestibule just in time for Christmas! They make wonderful Apple Pies! You can also include them in your fruit baskets! A bag of 8 fresh apples will sell for $4.00. QUEEN OF ANGEL SCRIPS Get your last minute Gift Cards this weekend in the church vestibule to do your Christmas shopping or for Christmas gifts. MIDDLE YOUTH MINISTRY - Students in grades 6-8 will meet on Monday, December 17th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in Edwardian Hall. RCIA SESSION - Continues on Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30pm in the parish meeting room. NEW MASTER OF CEREMONY TRAINING - Deacon John will train students in grades 9-12 who would like to become a Master of Ceremony for the parish on Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30pm in the church. Parents are asked to stay for the training. PARISH CHOIR REHEARSAL - Continues on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00pm in the church. 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. ALTAR SERVER CHRISTMAS GIFTS - Masters of Ceremony and Altar Servers are invited to stop by the priest sacristy after all Masses next weekend, December 22/23 to pick up their Christmas gifts from the parish. 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. COPING WITH HOLIDAY GRIEF - The holidays are a difficult time for those who are alone, or who have recently lost loved ones. Care Notes are available in the church vestibule on the bulletin table with various topics to comfort you during this time of year. These are free to those who may need them. SPECIAL THANK YOU! - A very special thank you to the following 10 parishioners who came out to clean the church last Monday morning: Rose Munnell, Debbie Franzetta, Tony Gillott, Vicki Gillott, Lori Namestka, Marlene Short, Marilyn Puklavec, Arlene Merlino, Katie Forsythe, and Ann McWilliams. May God bless your Stewardship to the parish. 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. 1) The Eucharist we receive at mass is the body, blood, soul and of Christ. 2) Although there are sacraments, most Catholics may only receive six in their lifetime. 3) After the Mass, the consecrated hosts are placed in the. 4) is one of the patron saints of first communicants. 5) Marriage is a sacrament of vocation true or false? 6) The Holy Oil used for anointing at Confirmation and Baptism is called. 7) The Mass has two main parts: the Liturgy of the and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 8) If you commit a mortal sin, you should. 9) If God calls you to a vocation, you will know and respond. 10) at Mass is an ancient way to praise and worship God as a community. 11) The bread and wine only change into Christ s body and blood if you believe it does - true or false? 12) At Mass, the begins when the priest asks the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into Christ s body and blood. 13) Jesus continues to forgive, heal, and spiritually feed Catholic today through the. (Answers on votive light page)

4 VOTIVE LIGHTS DECEASED + Keith Carvallis, Veronica Carvallis, Carmine Cortazzo, Sr., Mary Korpar, Denny & Ann Merlino, Ivan Mikovich, Ernestine & Joseph Ostroski, Linda & John Rycman, Jessica Strasser, Mary Lou Tatsch, Luigi & Carmela Veltri, Steve Yelich. SPECIAL INTENTION - Fr. Joe Bonafed, Angie Cortazzo, Alan Gaber Family, A, N & A Grebur, Diane Ramsey, Rohac Family, Rumbaugh Family, Chester Stepinsky. 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. REJOICE! The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. Zephaniah 3:15b READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Tuesday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Wednesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Thursday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Saturday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Next Sun: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Third Sunday of Advent; Las Posadas begins Tuesday: International Migrants Day Friday: St. Peter Canisius; Winter begins Today has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. The Latin tag is derived from Paul s appeal in the second reading to rejoice always in the Lord, and the Latin Mass text based on that reading. The irony and paradox of this Christian joy is underlined by the fact that Paul wrote those words in prison. But from there he could see the progress of God s work. Is it obvious to us? We feel that this is not the time for joy when there is so much suffering and moral evil. It is interesting, then, that the first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who is almost exclusively concerned with gloomy visions of Judgment Day. Today the Church selects the only optimistic text in Zephaniah, in which the prophet has been touched by the spirit of joy. This, we are assured on all sides, is the season of joy. Let us recapture that feeling of joy in our lives and reflect it to those who are joyless. Answers for IQ: 1) divinity 2) seven 3) tabernacle 4) Imelda Lambertini 5) True 6) Chrism oil 7) Word 8) go to Confession 9) when you are open and ready 10) Singing 11) True 12) consecration 13) sacraments

5 ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Special Advent Penance Services continue this week in our area. Please take time to prepare yourself for the birth of Jesus. Through realization of our faults, reconciliation with those we have hurt, and declaration of our love for God, we prepare to receive the gift of Christ. These are offerings we make in His name. Monday, Dec (Seven Dolors) 6:30pm Monday, Dec (Immaculate Conception) 6:30pm Tuesday, Dec (St. Agnes) 6:30pm Wednesday, Dec (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) 6:30pm NEWS FROM CHERY HALL Coordinator of Catechesis Faith Formation News grades 1 to 5 Our next class will resume on Sunday, December 30 after Mass, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Congratulations to our second grade students who received their First Reconciliation on Monday, December 10. Middle Youth Ministry grades 6 to 8 Will meet on Monday, December 17 in Edwardian Hall from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Please be sure to read the prayers our eighth grade students composed to the Saint whose name they are choosing for Confirmation! Saint Sarah, I pray to you.. May your bravery, faithfulness and willingness to follow God be as contagious as laughter. Give me the strength to pursue my faith as courageously as you and find the happiness and laughter in all God gives me. ~Laney G. CHRISTMAS EVE: Monday, December 24 CHRISTMAS DAY: Tuesday, December 25 5:00 PM 12:00 AM Midnight 10:00 AM High School Youth Ministry grades 9-12 Students are sponsoring an apple sale after Mass this weekend, Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. Please support our youth by purchasing apples, applesauce and apple butter! All proceeds benefit our Middle and High School Youth Ministries! Thank you! 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 ST. EDWARD JANUARY TICKET We still have 168 tickets to sell! Sellers are needed for our New Year Cash Special January ticket to benefit the parish. Can you take a pack of 5 or 10 tickets to sell to family, friends, neighbors? Cash prizes of $5000 will be given away during the month of January. Each ticket is $10. Winning number taken from the 3 digit PA Daily Lottery at 7pm. The seller of the January 31st ticket will win $100. All remaining tickets will be available to purchase the weekend of December 29/30. These make great Christmas gifts on a tight budget and also great Stocking Stuffers! Please take a packet of 5 or 10 tickets to sell to help the parish! Tickets are available in the parish office or by calling Our next High School Youth Ministry meeting will this Saturday, December 15, after the 6:00 pm Mass, 7:00-9:00 pm for a fun night of food and games please bring a friend or two! Please let Cheryl know that you will be attending. Attention Youth in grades 8 to 12 NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) will be held in November 20-23, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This conference is held every two years and is an educational, prayerful, safe and interesting trip for all those who attend. Please contact Cheryl if you are interested in receiving more information about this exciting trip, first deposit will be due in January. ADVENT AROUND THE WORLD INDIA - Mango leaves are typically used for Advent decorations, and instead of decorating pine trees, mango & banana trees are trimmed. PHILIPPINES - Advent is marked by attending Mass nine days in a row (called Simbag Gabi, night mass, or Misas de Aguinaldo, gift Masses ), starting on December 16. EUROPE - In Alpine countries, children carry a statue of Saint Joseph to a different home each night during Advent.