St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish

Transcription

1 St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 5112 Pocono Crest Rd. PO Box O Pocono Pines, PA Parish Office: (570) Web Page: Mass Schedule: Saturday ~ 4:00 p.m. Sunday ~ 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Saturday Confessions ~ 3:00 p.m. December 17, 2017 The Third Sunday of Advent Our Mission Statement We Worship ~ We Teach ~ We Care

2 December 17, 2017 The Third Sunday of Advent Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 REJOICE Isaiah proclaims truly good news to us! God s coming brings not sadness, guilt, fear, wrath, or condemnation. No, God s coming is a source of comfort and joy. Saying it once is not enough, for today s readings are full of joy. Mary s Magnificat substitutes for our psalm today, and our second reading encourages us to rejoice, to give thanks and praise. This is the root meaning of the Greek word for Eucharist. We are urged to rejoice and give thanks, because the coming of the Lord brings joy, healing, liberty, release, vindication. It makes the very earth spring up with new life! Good tidings! Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff Reverend Sean G. Carpenter ~ Pastor Deacon Frank Gisoldi Deacon Tom Amoroso Melissa Laverty Pastoral Associate ~ St.MaxMelissa@outlook.com Coordinator of Religious Education Marion Colvin Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net John Marcinkowski, Jr. Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net Our Christmas Mass Schedule We hope that all members have received our Advent and Christmas schedule in the mail by now. But to those who did not, and also to visitors who may be with us at that time, please note that there will not be an 8 am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24th. There will be a 10:30 am Mass for the Sunday obligation. Christmas Eve Masses on Sunday, Dec. 24th: 5 pm - Family Liturgy 8 pm - Mass During the Night Christmas Day Mass on Monday, Dec. 25th 10:30 am - The Nativity of The Lord TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio, characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin America today. While in Europe the presepio was reserved mostly to the homes of wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico, you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way, the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems, and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all kinds. Sometimes there is a double presepio, presenting both Nativity and Crucifixion. In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take care to have a presepio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have markets where people from the countryside sell plants and figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate for the children of the poor who come down to help create the nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows the small infant who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at New Year with a toddler Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presepios and crèches honoring the Nativity. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

3 Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wed Thursday Friday Dec. 16th through Dec. 25th 4:00 pm William H. Binns Jr. by Bill & Eileen Binns 8:00 am Joyce Kovich by Her Family 10:30 am For The Parishioners 9:15 am Ronald F. Gatti by Fran Yuskaitis 9:15 am Derek John DeVito by Marie DeVito 9:15 am Edward Guanta by Otilia Guanta 9:15 am Susan Ann Wanko by J. George Wanko 9:15 am Communion Service Weekly Collection 12/03/17. $ Diocese Collection for Care & Educ Thanks For Your Generosity Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday Sunday 4:00 pm Susie Mastrorille by Mary Ann Giovia 10:30 am John Marcinkowski Sr. by Immaculata Prayer Group CHRISTMAS MASSES: Sunday 5:00 pm 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Liturgy Mass During The Night Monday 10:30 am The Nativity of The Lord *9:15 am mass will still be celebrated when we have a funeral mass that day. Saturday Confessions - 3 pm First Friday Adoration will be held after the 9:15 am Communion Service each month. St. Max Office Hours Monday - Wednesday 9 am to 4 pm Thursday - 9 am to 12 pm Friday - Closed The Office will be closed Christmas week and will re-open on January 2nd, 2018 ~Give Him your trust. Jesus doesn t have your trust unless you give it to him. He will never force it. ~Choose to make Jesus first in your life. Choose Him first in your finances, interests, relationships & schedule, and even in your troubles. ~Give Jesus your heart. One important way you give Him your heart this Christmas is by giving you resources to His work. Jesus doesn t need your money, but he wants what it represents ~ your heart. ~Bring other people to Jesus. God wants a family more than anything else and He wants children who choose to love and trust Him. Tell someone about what Jesus has done in your life. Invite someone to Jesus this Christmas.

4 Parish Life CCD CLASSES AT ST. MAX September-May, Pre-K/K-Grade 12 Sundays, 9-10:15 a.m.: Grades 1-5 Sundays, 10:25-11:30 a.m.: Pre-K/K Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Grades 6-8 Youth Group (Grades 9-12): Schedule Varies If you still need to register your child, forms are available in the Parish Office and by the upstairs exits. You may also print out a form from the parish website StMaxKolbePoconos.org. As we celebrate the Christmas season, kindly note there will be NO CCD CLASSES on Sunday, December 24 and Sunday, December 31. Classes resume Sunday, January 7 for all students. CCD CANCELLATION PROCEDURES In the case of inclement weather, please listen to Radio Stations: WSBG (93.5 FM); Magic 93 (93 FM) WVPO (840 AM); WARM (590 AM) TV Stations: WNEP (Channel 16); WYOU (Channel 22); WBRE (Channel 28) or Blue Ridge (TV13). You can also call the parish office to check. Parish Life Sign up online to have THE BEST ADVENT EVER Visit DynamicCatholic.com/best-advent-ever to sign up to receive daily Advent reflections. The Best Advent Ever is a free program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season and allows you to experience Advent in a whole new way. Sign up today! JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL ADVENT CONCERT FOR ALL AGES! Monday, December 18, at 7 p.m. Experience the power and comfort that God s hope has to offer during Advent! Through traditional favorites and inspirational original songs for the whole family, Mark Smeby, a Nashville-based Christian recording artist, will demonstrate how the saving power of God s love offers us new perspectives and allows us to fight the tidal wave of hopelessness that may surround us. Everyone is invited to attend this free concert that also features some of the musicians and choir members of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. DON T MISS THE ANNUAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS PARTY! Don t miss the Parish Christmas Party, sponsored by the Knights, on Sunday, December 17, at 2 p.m. All ages welcome. Sign-up at the exits and bring along a dessert to share. SCRIPTURE SHARING Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. in the parish hall. All are welcome to join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the upcoming weekend. TEEN NIGHT On Friday, December 29, from 6-9 p.m., the Five Loaf House, 133 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, is hosting a Teen Night for ages 13 and up. Enjoy pizza and refreshments while getting to know teens from other area congregations and learning how you can help those in need in your own community. For more information or to sign up, contact Pastor Steve Gray at

5 Parish Life Parish Life Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the 7 pm in the parish hall. ~ ~Facebook at KnightsofColumbus Pocono Pines THIS SUNDAY DEC. 2 pm The K of C is hosting a Christmas Party Santa is coming to St. Max at St. Max Sun., Dec. 17th - K of C Christmas Party - 2 pm Mon., Dec. 18th - Mark Smeby Concert - 7 pm Tues., Dec. 19th - Scripture Sharing - 10 am Thurs., Dec 21st - Choir Practice - 7 pm Sunday, Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve - Please check the mass schedule listed for Dec. 24th & 25th inside the front cover of this bulletin. Third Sunday of Advent - December 17th Old Calendar: Third Sunday of Advent; Gaudete Sunday. "Rejoice: the Lord is nigh." As Christmas draws near, the Church emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts over all that the birth of our Savior means for us. O Jesus, Lover of Children, bestow Your Most precious graces on those whom You have confided to our care. Prayers for Military and Government Service HA Valerie Novak ~ Sr. Airman Charlie Maldanado Jake Yuskaitis ~ Staff Sgt. William D. Olsen Alston Smart, Jr. ~ Eugene Maslar, Jr 2nd Lt. Mark Gaido ~ Lt. JG Michael Huf Airman Patrick Alminde Seaman Nicole Beckman ~ Cpl. John P. Bramley Lt. Col. Christopher Yuskaitis Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. - Major Thomas M. Smith 2nd Class Petty Officer DC2, Jeffrey Royall Sgt. Amber Keppol ~ Sgt. Andrew Malave Sgt. Matthew Ponce ~ MK1 Katie Stodnick Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Oplatki Christmas Wafers are Here Please see John Marcinkowski after mass or come to the Parish Office. THE SYMBOLISM The significance of the Oplatki Christmas wafer is in that it shadows the Eucharistic meal that Catholics participate in at each Mass. Just as we share in the Eucharist as one family in Christ and receive Christ s love through the Eucharist, the Oplatki allows for one s immediate family to come together and share the love they have for one another. This symbolism is deepened by the fact that the name of the town where Jesus Christ was born, Bethlehem, means "House of Bread," which makes the Oplatki tradition an especially beautiful way to celebrate the charity and unity so characteristic of the Christmas season. Week of December 17th Sanctuary Light Is Available for $20 for two weeks Bread and Wine For The Unborn Altar Flowers Available for $100 for one week

6 Parish Life Theresa Spicci ~ George Ondrajka Jay Crandall ~ Daniella Maldanado Betty Colburn ~ Amy Hatlee Kathleen Chambers ~ Claire Abbazio Fr. Paul Mullen ~ Haydee Melendez Darrin Rockefeller ~ Kevin Kret ~ Bobbie Morin Temi Miller ~ Bill Gleason ~ Nancy Gordon Fr. Urban ~ Kyle Brennan ~ Joseph McKenna Margaret Broderick ~ Joan Harrigan Cecilia McIlvenny Frank Ware ~ Richard Snell ~ Fran Yuskaitis Michael F. Romano ~ Kim Maria Giganti ~Lou Larson Msgr. Jerry Sherba ~ Sr. Marietta ~ Lurita Soprano Samson Colborn ~ Antonia Lucia ~ Violet Sloat David Mancuso ~ Paul Fulton ~ Deacon Frank Antoinette Gisoldi ~ Leslie Fox ~ Vivian Kanopp Lisa Champney ~ Rosa Santos ~ Bob Ruezinsky Parish Life Give a Lasting Commemorative Gift Our Commemorative Gift Program has 4 Pine Trees available, that will be planted in our Prayer Garden. The cost of sponsoring one of these trees is $500. St. Max will provide an engraved marker alongside each tree in that is sponsored. Typically this would be in memory or honor of someone - family or friend. Sponsorship forms are available in the parish office. St. Max Prayer Shawl Group The next meeting will be on January 6:30 pm. Prayer shawls are knitted & crocheted by the group and are given to those who have illness or have recently been hospitalized. Join us in this ministry with your time and talent or by donating yarns or funds for the group to purchase additional supplies. ~Thank You. God s grace: EVERYTHING for NOTHING, when we don t deserve ANYTHING....the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. ~Psalm 84:11 Footprints by Margaret Fishback Powers He is always with us. Jesus promised this when he gave the disciples the same mission he gives to each of us: Go. Walk with each other. Do not be afraid to embrace God s gift of life. Whatever storms or trials we face, we are not alone. He is with us. USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, Respect Life Reflection Immaculata Prayer Group Join the Prayer Group on Saturdays at 2 pm for Prayer - Song - Praise The next meeting will be on December 16th. There will not be meetings on Dec. 23rd, Dec. 30th or Jan. 6th. Meetings will resume on January 13th. If you would like more information, please call Diane , or Peggy

7 Around The Diocese RUDY LUCENTE WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 pm ST. LUKE S CHURCH 818 MAIN ST., STROUDSBURG, PA Get into the Christmas Spirit and join us at the church for a recital featuring the organist who performs at both Macy s on the famous Grand Court Organ (previously known as the Wanamaker organ) as well as the organ at Longwood Gardens, the maestro, himself, Mr. Rudy Lucente. Join Fr. Sean Spiritual Highlights of Italy October 8-17, 2018 ~ $2,689./pp Reserve by Dec. 6, 2017 and receive $100./pp discount. Call Marge McCauley *Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity* Meals-on-Wheels has a waiting list of more than 60 consumers in need without service available, mostly in Pocono Summit, Tobyhanna and West End. If you can help with delivery of meals, please contact the RSVP office at a.s.a.p. LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial help to households suffering from heating crises. This federal program helps such low-income households to pay their heating bills. Forms for this program are available in the parish office or apply online at: If you have a heating emergency, please call the local Monroe County Assistance Office, toll free at or Around The Diocese March for Life - Bus Trip To Washington, D.C. January 19, Bus will leave from Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville at 5:45 am & return approximately 9:30 pm. Cost is $25 & includes a buffet dinner. Additional info, available. Contact Tom Whitehead at Early reservations are required to ensure retaining the bus. Villa of Our Lady Retreat House in Mt. Pocono is in very great need of volunteers to help in the dining room and kitchen during meals on the weekends. If you have 2 or 3 hours to offer please contact Sister or josand64@ptd.net Ecumenical / Interfaith BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE Salem United Church of Christ located off Old Route 940 in Pocono Pines will hold a Blue Christmas service for those who are dealing with pain or loss during this holiday season. The service takes place Thursday, December 21, at 6 p.m., followed by refreshments. All faith denominations are invited to attend. FOOD PANTRY NEWS Location: Five Loaf House 133 Fire House Rd., Pocono Pines Next Distribution date - Dec. 11th & 12th Monday - 8:30-11:00; 12:00-2:00; 4:00-5:00 Tuesday - 8:30-11 am Food Donations are accepted on Mon/Tues only, from 9 am -11 am, or call If you have furniture & household goods in good condition, contact Elaine or elaine-madere@yahoo.com ~Thank You St. Maximilian Parish greatly appreciates the support of the advertisers allowing our congregation to receive this bulletin at no cost to the church. While we appreciate their support, we are not liable for any of their actions, fees, or services.