BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHEDRAL Mother Church and Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg The Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017

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1 BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHEDRAL Mother Church and Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg The Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017 Coat of Arms of The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, J.C.L. Bishop of Greensburg It s easy and comfortable to recognize Christ in the expected places and ways. When we enter the peace of a Church, for example, we expect to find God. When we sit and pray in our homes, we expect to find God and have God listen to our prayers. The Third Sunday of Advent However, living our faith means that we take up the mission of Christ ourselves, and that we look for ways to reveal Christ to others. Especially in these final days before Christmas when lines are long and tempers are short, we can sometimes forget that our mission is like John the Baptist s: to bear witness to the light of God s love. We do this in our response to those around us: taking time to listen to someone who s hurting, visiting someone who might be forgotten, doing with a little less ourselves so that others might have more, taking time to pray, remembering to give thanks, offering a helping hand, reorganizing our priorities, praising the goodness of God that is revealed in so many ways all around us. Lord, come and save us. ON DECEMBER 22 AT 12 NOON Please set some time aside to help decorate our Church for Christmas on Friday, December 22. You are invited to join us for pizza in the Social Hall prior to decorating. We will enjoy lunch together and then begin to decorate the Church after the daily Mass. Join us for an hour or so, we always have such a great time as we all work as a Parish Family in joyful anticipation of Christ's arrival. We need strong volunteers who can help carry poinsettias and trees. Many hands make light work Liturgical Schedule (subject to change) Sacrament of Reconciliation Every Saturday at 11 AM till completed, or any time by appointment. Daily Rosary Monday - Friday 11:30 AM Daily Mass Schedule Monday - Friday 12:10 PM and Saturday: 8:00 AM Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 7:00 PM Holy Day Vigil Mass 5:30 PM Parish Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Phone (724) Fax (724) Greensburg Catholic Cemetery Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM 4:00 PM Phone (724) Aquinas Academy Phone (724) Website Online Giving:

2 SPIRITUALITY Isaiah 61:1-2a, The servant of the Lord announces good news: a year of favor and a time of vindication. Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, The Almighty has done great things: reversing injustice and fulfilling the promise of mercy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice! The one who calls us is faithful and will accomplish what was foretold. John 1:6-8, John comes to testify to the light and not to himself. Saturday, December 16, :00 AM Joseph Emrick ( Roskosh Family) 11:00 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:30 PM Gertrude B. Hoke (C. Tamoliunas Family) Sunday, December 17, 2017 The Third Sunday of Advent 7:00 AM For the Living and Deceased Members of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral 9:00 AM James H. Bailey Jr. (Caranese and Espisito Families / Neighbors) 11:30 AM Timothy and Daniel Johnston (Family) 7:00 PM Alphonse and Dorothy Vigliotti and Kathy (Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Henderson) Monday, December 18, :10 PM Cicely Nicely Monsour (Michele Franklin) Tuesday, December 19, :10 PM Mrs. Priscilla Brandt (Sisters of Our Lady of Charity) Wednesday, December 20, :10 PM Bill and Dorothy Wilcox (Suzanne English, Daughter) Thursday, December 21, :10 PM James Manoledes (Manoledes Family) Friday, December 22, :10 PM Mary L. Nauman (Alice Makar) 1:30 PM Aquinas Academy Prayer Service Saturday, December 23, :00 AM Burkley - Stevens Family (Edith Burkley) 11:00 AM Regional Advent Reconciliation Service 5:30 PM Barry Vitula (Steve Krisnosky) The Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:00 AM Cicely Monsour (Raymond) 9:00 AM Mary McKelvey (Luttner) 11:30 AM Mary Nauman (Anna L. Van Fleet) There will be NO 7:00 PM Mass on Christmas Eve. Below is the Christmas Schedule. 4:00 PM Christmas Vigil Mass 10:30 PM Christmas Evening Mass at Night Bishop Edward C. Malesic, Presiding Monday, December 25, :00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Mass 11:30 AM Mass There is no 7:00 PM Mass on Christmas Day The Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God: Sunday, December 31 4:00 PM Vigil Mass (will satisfy the Sunday Obligation) Monday, January 1, :00 AM Mass (not a Holy day of Obligation)

3 In order to meet our budgetary needs, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral requires an average of $18,000 per week in the regular offertory collection. Sunday Offertory $14, Votive Candles $ Immaculate Conception $2, Families receiving envelopes 1, 635 Envelopes used this week 331 Parishioners using Online Giving 74 Thank you for your generosity and support of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish! Make your 2018 contribution a bit easier by checking out the Online Giving website at Online Giving is an easy way to make your weekly contributions ( If Online Giving is not an option for you, please consider writing a check for added security as opposed to putting cash in your weekly envelope. Our Lady of Grace: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 4, 7 & 11 PM Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 10 AM Solemnity of Mary, Monday, January, 1, 10 AM St. Bruno: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 4 PM & Midnight Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 11 AM Solemnity of Mary, Monday, January 1, 9 AM St. Benedict: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 6 & 10 PM Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 9:30 AM Solemnity of Mary, Monday, January 1, 9:00 AM Holy Cross: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 5 & 10 PM Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 9 AM Solemnity of Mary, Monday, January 1, 10 AM St. Paul Parish: Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 6 & 10 PM Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 9 AM Solemnity of Mary, Monday, January 1, 9 AM Holy Cross: Sunday, Dec.17 2 PM Saint Bruno : Monday, Dec. 18 St. Paul : Tuesday, Dec. 19 Saint Benedict: Wednesday, Dec. 20 Our Lady of Grace: Thursday, Dec. 21 * Saturday December 23 will be the last opportunity for confessions before Christmas. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral : Saturday, Dec AM Baptismal Congratulations In acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ, the Tabernacle Candle will burn from December 16 through December 22 in loving memory of James, Daniel and Timothy Johnston from their family. A child is a precious gift from God and baptism is God s gift wrapping. We recently welcomed Devin Mae Rumbaugh and Jordan Lawrence Russell into the parish community through the saving waters of Baptism. We rejoice for them, their parents and all who celebrate their newborn lives in the family of God. I have held thee in the palm of my hand Isaiah 51:16 Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this year s Magi Ministry another successful year! Your donations of time, talent and treasure were truly appreciated! Thank you to all who helped on Friday and Saturday with all of the preparations and festivities. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and everyone involved helped to give our neighbors a brighter Christmas. Through your generosity we were able to serve an overwhelming number of families in need at this special time of the year. A very special thank you is in order to everyone who baked such a beautiful array of cookies, the turn out of baked goods was so generous and heartwarming! All of our families were deeply touched by such a wonderful event. Thank You, God Bless and have a Blessed Christmas!

4 Visit the Lighthouse kiosk/kids Corner and consider giving a book or CD as a Christmas gift to someone you know. Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Thank you for your continued support! New Titles Arriving in time for Christmas! $3 Booklets -How to Pray the Rosary -Pope Francis -The Cure d'ars -Purgatory: A Mystery of Love $4 CD's -The Mystery of Christmas (Fr. Larry Richards) -God Made Man (Fr. Shannon Collins) -Glory to the New Born King- Christmas Carols -The True Meaning of Christmas (Venerable Fulton J. Sheen) -Marriage & Family- Love Unveiled (Dr. Scott Hahn) -From White Supremacist to Catholic Writer (Joseph Pearce) -Trials of St. Patrick 4-CD Audio Drama ($30) -Brother Francis 5-CD Audio Drama ($25) $5 Books -Arise From Darkness: When Life Doesn't Make Sense -The Acts of the Apostles: Study Bible -Meet Your Mother -Meet Your Spiritual Father -New Testament & Bible Basics for Catholics Combo Pack ($9) Calendars Help Us Mark Time. Calendars for the year 2018 will be distributed on the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Mary, The Holy Mother of God. A special thanks to those funeral homes who provide us with these beautiful calendars. May we see time as a gift from God. May we treasure the time we share with family and friends. May we take the time to share our gifts with those in need. As you are aware, every year the second collection at all Christmas Masses has been for those people living within our own diocese who are less fortunate than we. This collection is titled the Children and Family Services Appeal. On the coming Christmas Feast, which reminds us of the gift of God's own Son, Jesus Christ given to each of us without question of our merit or eligibility, We ask you to support the Children and Family Services Appeal and make your contribution toward changing the future of an individual, a family or a child through the good work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg Hunger and Poverty Don t Discriminate. How Could We? The Bethlehem Project has put up the Tree of Hope in front of the parish to raise funds to help those facing homelessness in Greensburg and the surrounding areas. During the season of Advent donations will help light the 3,000 lights on the tree in front of BSC. Each individual light represents a one dollar donation. The goal is to receive enough donations to light the tree in totality. The tree reminds us that all donations, large or small, together bring hope to those facing homelessness. Anyone wishing to donate to the Tree of Hope should send their donation to: Bethlehem Project, Tree of Hope Blessed Sacrament Cathedral 300 N. Main Street Greensburg, PA WE NEED YOUR HELP! This is the last week before Christmas! Many openings need filled! Sign up sheets can be found in the sacristy and ushers room for the upcoming holy days. Please sign up early so that all Masses are covered. The rosary is prayed Monday - Friday beginning at 11:30 AM in the Church. Everyone is invited to participate.

5 INFORMATION AT A GLANCE Sunday, December 17, :10 AM Faith Formation 1:00 PM Bethlehem Basket Raffle Drawing [Social Hall] 2:00 PM Regional Reconciliation Service at Holy Cross Church 6:00 PM Youth Ministry Christmas Party Monday, December 18, :00 PM Regional Penance Service at St. Bruno s Tuesday, December 19, :00 PM Regional Penance Service at St. Paul s Wednesday, December 20, :00 PM Regional Penance Service at St. Benedict s 7:00 PM Cathedral Choir Rehearsal (Church) Thursday, December 21, :30 PM Aquinas Academy Prayer Service [Church] 7:00 PM Women s Faith Sharing [FC-EAS] 7:00 PM Regional Penance Service at Our Lady of Grace Friday, December 22, :00 NN Pizza / Decorating for Christmas [Social Hall, Church] Saturday, December 23, :45 AM Catholic Men s Fellowship Meeting [Social Hall] 11:00 AM Regional Advent Penance Service at BSC [Church] No Faith Formation or Youth Ministry Scheduled Becoming a Member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Welcome! It is a great joy to welcome new members to our parish community. Please register as soon as possible in order to participate in our various programs, ministries and activities. Just drop this form in the collection basket and we will send you a detailed registration form. If you are already a member and have changed any of your personal information please call the Parish Office or return the changes on the form. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Membership Request / Change Name: Address: Contact Number: Address: New Registration Moving Change Address/Phone Please drop this form in the collection basket. Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle Rector ext.12; rriffle@dioceseofgreensburg.org Matthew J. Morelli Parochial Vicar ext.25; mjmorelli@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. William J. Hisker Permanent Deacon ext. 27; bhisker@dioceseofgreensburg.org Katie Zuzik Pastoral Associate ext. 11; kzuzik@dioceseofgreensburg.org Kathi Probo Director of Faith Formation ext. 35; kprobo@dioceseofgreensburg.org Christopher Pardini Director of Liturgy and Music ext. 21; cpardini@dioceseofgreensburg.org Linda DeFrancesco Financial Secretary ext.23; Julie Stauffer Receptionist ext. 10; jstauffer@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cindy Cope Coordinator of Cemetery Services ext. 16; ccope@dioceseofgreensburg.org Bill Wilson, Maintenance ext. 24; wwilson@dioceseofgreensburg.org Jan Brubaker, Custodian Contact the Parish Office; jbrubaker@dioceseofgreensburg.org Parish Pastoral Council Mark Bartels Andy Benedict Kelly Carr Linda Cooper David Fidazzo Kirsten Lieberum Judy McChesney John Mickinack Paul Niemiec Betty Rua Mike Rzempoluch Finance Council John Kline Judy Komarinski Ed Nemanic Nancy Rottler Nazzi Zola Prayer Chain JoAnne Hudock SVdP Membership Betty Rua: SVdP Food Pantry Baptisms By appointment only. Please call Kathi Probo in the Parish Office or Kathi at kprobo@dioceseofgreensburg.org at least three months in advance of the Baptism. A class for parents is required to reflect on the meaning of the sacrament, to review the ceremony, and to highlight the importance of the family s commitment to practicing the Catholic Faith. Sponsorship Forms Forms for our parish members to serve as sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation must be filled out in person at the Parish Office. To serve as a sponsor, you must be at least 16 years old and a practicing Catholic who has received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. If you are married, it must be within the guidelines of the Catholic Church. Please call the Parish Office to make an appointment to fill out the form. Weddings Please call Kathi Probo in the Parish Office or kprobo@dioceseofgreensburg.org at least six months in advance. Do not set a date until you have contacted the Office of Faith Formation. Pre-marriage prep. classes are required. Contact the Office of Faith Formation for more information on classes.