Spiritual Battle: Good vs. Evil Focus of Faith and Spirits Session

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1 The Allentown in the Year of Our Lord VOL. 29, NO. 21 NOVEMBER 30, 2017 The Season of Advent An Advent wreath is depicted in a stained-glass window at Christ the King Church in Commack, New York. Advent, a season of joyful expectation before Christmas, begins Sunday, Dec. 3 this year. The Advent wreath, with a candle marking each week of the season, is a traditional symbol of the liturgical period. (CNS photo/gregory A. Shemitz) Spiritual Battle: Good vs. Evil Focus of Faith and Spirits Session By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer God wants and desires us to freely choose him, said Father Stephen DeLacy, presenting the Faith and Spirits session Spiritual Battle: Good vs. Evil Nov. 20 at Allentown Brew Works. Father DeLacy, director of the Office of Vocations in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, explored how we are daily engaged in spiritual battle. He examined such questions as Does Satan really exist? Can I lose salvation? and How does sin affect me? The of Allentown Office of Adult Formation offered the discussion. Mary Fran Hartigan, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization and director of the Office of Adult Formation, and Rick Dooley, assistant director, attended. Father DeLacy said there are three types of persons: human, angelic and divine. Angels are not limited physically, we are they are smarter and more powerful than we are, Father DeLacy said. Demons Please see BATTLE page 6 }} Catholic Q&A, a new regular column, begins in this issue of The A.D. Times on page 3. Readers are invited to submit questions about our Catholic faith that will be answered by the of Allentown Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization. Please your questions about the Catholic faith to CLE@allentowndiocese.org. Questions for the column will be chosen from those submitted and answered in the next possible issue. Left, Father Stephen DeLacy presents Spiritual Battle: Good vs. Evil during a Faith and Spirits event Nov. 20 at Allentown Brew Works. (Photos by Ed Koskey) Above, listening to Father Stephen DeLacy s presentation are, from left, Lee Duffy of Whitehall, and Fran Roposh, Denise Kilanowski and MarySue Kotula, all of Orefield. Do You Have Any Questions? C ATHOLIC Q&A Questions may be edited for space, clarity or other considerations. Questioners must include their name and town or parish, but questions will be published anonymously.

2 2 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Published biweekly on Thursday by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at P.O. Box F Allentown, PA Phone: , Ext Fax: adtimes@allentowndiocese.org President Bishop Alfred Schlert Secretary for External Affairs Matt Kerr Editor Jill Caravan Staff Writers Tara Connolly Tami Quigley Design & Production Marcus Schneck Advertising Contact Lori Anderson Office Assistant Priscilla Tatara MISSION STATEMENT As part of the Catholic Press, The A.D. Times is the official newspaper for the Roman Catholic of Allentown, serving Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties. The A.D. Times proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the People of God through evangelization, catechesis and the teaching of the Church, the extension of Christ s presence in the world today. It endeavors to nourish, strengthen and challenge the faith of its readers by continually providing news information, formation, inspiration, religious education and Catholic identification. Under the patronage of Mary, Mother of the Church, The A.D. Times serves the Church so that the Kingdom of God might become a reality in our society transformed by His Good News. POLICY STATEMENTS The A.D. Times will consider all editorial copy and photos submitted in a fair and objective manner. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit any submission. Any advertising copy accepted does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or endorsement of The A.D. Times and/or its publisher. The A.D. Times reserves the right to reject any advertising copy submitted. DEADLINES Advertising copy must be received by Monday of the week before publication. News copy must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. MEMBERSHIPS Catholic Press Association, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Catholic News Service, Washington, D.C. Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 POSTAL INFORMATION The A.D. Times (USPS ) is published on Thursdays, biweekly January to May; triweekly June to September; biweekly October to November; and triweekly in December, at a subscription cost of $20 per year by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. at 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Allentown, PA Periodicals Postage paid at Allentown, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA Culture of Encounter: Family Holy Hours The Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry is partnering with 12 parishes in each deanery to offer a monthly Eucharistic holy hour specifically for families from November 2017 through October Bring your whole family to encounter Christ. Stay for a few minutes or for the whole hour. Babies, toddlers, children, teens, young adults, and adults are all welcome. Prayer resources will be provided for both children and adults in English and Spanish. Some Holy Hours will provide an opportunity for silent prayer, while others will have planned prayer services. Holy Hours at parishes with a large Hispanic population will be bilingual. Pick up a postcard at the parish for the schedule, or visit org/encounter. To sign up for text mes- La Oficina de Juventud, Adultos Jóvenes y Ministerio de Familia se ha asociado con las doce parroquias en cada decanato para ofrecer mensualmente una Hora Santa de Adoración Eucarística específicamente para las familias desde noviembre de 2017 hasta octubre de Cultura del Encuentro: Horas Santas Familiares Traiga a toda su familia al encuentro de Cristo. Quédese unos minutos o durante toda la hora. Bebés, niños pequeños, niños, adolescentes, adultos jóvenes y adultos son bienvenidos. Se proporcionarán recursos de oración para niños y adultos en inglés y español. Algunas Horas Santas brindarán una Spring 2018 Confirmation Schedule The diocesan Office for Divine Worship has announced the spring 2018 confirmation schedule as follows. All confirmations will begin at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi, all Allentown. Thursday, Feb. 8 St. Ann, Emmaus. Tuesday, Feb. 20 Immaculate Conception BVM, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. John the Baptist, and SS. Peter and Paul, all Allentown. Wednesday, Feb. 21 St. Peter, Coplay, Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist, both Whitehall. Thursday, Feb. 22 Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown. Tuesday, Feb. 27 Notre Dame of Bethlehem. Wednesday, Feb. 28 St. Anne, Bethlehem. Thursday, March 1 St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall and Annunciation BVM, Catasauqua. Tuesday, March 6 St. Thomas More, Allentown. Wednesday, March 7 St. Rocco, Martins Creek and St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl. Thursday, March 8 Assumption BVM and Queenship of Mary, both Northampton; St. John Fisher, Catasauqua. Tuesday, March 13 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. Wednesday, March 14 St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; St. Ursula, Fountain Hill; Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, Incarnation of Our Lord, and SS. Simon and Jude, all Bethlehem. Thursday, March 15 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. Tuesday, March 20 Assumption BVM, Bethlehem. Wednesday, March 21 St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony; SS. Peter and Paul, Lehighton; Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, both Jim Thorpe. sage reminders, text your Deanery s code The next upcoming holy hours are: Berks Deanery Sunday, Dec. 3, 11:15 a.m., Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 610 Pine St., Bally. Northampton Deanery Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m., St. Anne Church, 450 E. Washington Ave., Bethlehem. Schuylkill/Carbon Deaneries Sunday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m., Divine Mercy at St. Casimir Church, 229 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Lehigh Deanery Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m., St. John the Baptist, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall. oportunidad para la oración silenciosa, mientras que otras tendrán servicios de oración planificados. Las horas santas en las parroquias con una gran población hispana serán bilingües. Recoja una postal en la parroquia para el horario, o visite Thursday, March 22 St. Joseph, Coopersburg. Tuesday, April 10 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem. Wednesday, April 11 All Saints, McAdoo; St. Richard, Barnesville; St. John XXIII, Tamaqua. Thursday, April 12 St. Joseph, Summit Hill. Tuesday, April 17 St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven. Wednesday, April 18 Holy Infancy, Bethlehem. Thursday, April 19 St. Mary, Hamburg and St. Mary, Kutztown. Tuesday, April 24 Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont; St. Matthew the Evangelist and St. Michael the Archangel, both Minersville. Wednesday, April 25 St. Clare of Assisi, St. Clair; Holy Cross, New Philadelphia; St. Stephen, Port Carbon; St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick, both Pottsville. Thursday, May 3 Snow date. VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR The of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest, deacon or employee/volunteer of the /Parish Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the of Allentown for more information about this program. The fullness of compassion should be extended to these victims by the Church. To speak directly to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, please call the direct line To learn more about the of Allentown s Youth Protection Programs, Sexual Abuse Policy and Code of Conduct, please visit and click on Youth Protection at top right. COORDINADOR DE ASISTENCIA A LAS VÍCTIMAS La Diócesis de Allentown provee asistencia a cualquier persona que, como menor de edad, fue abusado sexualmente por un sacerdote, diácono o empleado/voluntario de la Diócesis/Parroquia. Los padres, tutores, niños y los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual están invitados a contactar la Diócesis de Allentown para obtener más información sobre este programa. La plenitud de compasión debe extenderse a las víctimas por la Iglesia. Para hablar directamente con el coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas por favor llame a la línea directa Para obtener más información acerca de los Programas de Protección de la Juventud, Política de Abuso Sexual y el Código de Conducta de la Diócesis de Allentown, por favor visite y haga clic en Protección de la Juventud en la parte superior derecha.

3 November 30, 2017 Choosing Godparents for Baby s Baptism Editor s note: Catholic Q&A is a new regular column in The A.D. Times from the of Allentown Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization. Please your questions about the Catholic faith to CLE@allentowndiocese.org. Questions for the column will be chosen from those submitted and answered in the next possible issue. Questions may be edited for space, clarity or other considerations. Questioners must include their name and town or parish, but questions will be published anonymously. Question: Can you please clarify for me, something that is confusing regarding choosing godparents for baby s baptism in the Catholic Church. Having been born and raised in the Catholic faith and a practicing Catholic, it was always my understanding that as long as one godparent is Catholic, that it was OK to have the other godparent be a non-catholic person to be the godparent. Can you please reply as to whether I am correct? I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you. Answer: Thank you for your question regarding who may be considered as a godparent for a Catholic baptism. A non- Catholic person may not be a godparent at a Catholic baptism. Only a practicing Catholic who meets the qualifications of a confirmed Catholic, age 16 or older, and has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, may be a godparent or sponsor for baptism. A non-catholic baptized Christian can participate in the Rite of Baptism as a Christian witness, however a Catholic godparent must also be present. The godparent name is entered into the parish record book as the official godparent or sponsor for baptism. Though it is ideal to select two Catholic godparents, (one female, one male) the Church only requires that there be one godparent. The role of a godparent is more than being a relative or friend who encourages Christian behavior. The godparent represents the Church, the community of faith, into which the child is being baptized, and will assist the child to grow in that community. For a Catholic baptism, only The A.D. Times 3 C ATHOLIC Q&A a Catholic can take on this responsibility. Below is a Canon Law citation regarding the selection of godparents. Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it. Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. Can To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must: 1) be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function; 2) have completed the 16 th year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause; 3) be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; 4) not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; 5) not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. 2 A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

4 4 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Collection Helps Aging Sisters, Brothers and Priests in Religious Orders Catholics in the of Allentown will have the opportunity to give to those who have given a lifetime as part of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to be held in parishes Dec Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C., the annual appeal benefits 32,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious congregations lack adequate retirement funding. Last year, the of Allentown contributed $33, to the collection. In 2017, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, Cistercian Fathers, Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart and Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood received a combined total of $285, in financial assistance made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious. Additionally, the of Allentown, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the of Harrisburg, also distributes funding to local religious communities to support retirement needs. The 2016 collection raised almost $30.7 million. Roughly 94 cents of every dollar aids senior religious. In June, the NRRO distributed $25 million to 390 religious communities across the country. Communities use these funds to bolster retirement savings and subsidize expenses, such as prescription medications and nursing care. Throughout the year, additional funding is allocated to assist religious communities with the greatest needs and to promote ongoing education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery. We are humbled and profoundly grateful for the love and support of Catholics across the nation, said Presentation Sister Stephanie Still, the NRRO s executive director. Despite this generosity, many religious communities still struggle to provide for aging members. Only 41 of the 539 communities submitting data to the NRRO in 2016 were adequately funded for retirement. Traditionally, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests known collectively as religious served for small stipends that did not include retirement benefits. Today, hundreds of religious communities lack sufficient retirement savings. Compounding the funding shortage are the rising cost of care and the decrease in income that has resulted from the declining number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry. In addition to providing assistance for day-to-day needs, collection proceeds underwrite initiatives to help religious communities address the factors underlying their retirement shortfalls. These efforts have facilitated solutions such as collaborative care facilities, strategic partnerships with health-care providers and numerous cost-saving measures. I visit many religious communities and see the good works that members young and old provide, said Sister Still. Generosity to the annual collection ensures our office can furnish support to help these communities care for older members while continuing their ministries and witness. Visit to learn more. About the Retirement Fund for Religious Why We Ask In 1988, Catholic bishops of the United States launched the Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) to address the significant lack of retirement funding for Catholic sisters, brothers, and priests in religious orders. For most of their lives, elder religious worked for little to no pay. There were no 401(k) plans or pensions. Religious communities are financially responsible for the support and care of all members. Income, earnings, and expenses are managed separately from the parish and diocesan structures of the Catholic Church. The funding shortage is compounded by rising health care costs and decreased income. And, as more religious reach retirement age and leave compensated ministry, income will further decline while care needs increase. By 2027, religious past age 70 are projected to outnumber religious under age 70 by more than three to one. There are more than 32,000 religious past age 70 living in the United States. In 2016, the average annual cost for their care was more than $42,000 per person. Since 2009, the annual cost to support senior women and men religious has exceeded $1 billion. In 2016, 67 percent of the religious communities providing data to the National Religious Retirement Of- fice (NRRO) had a median age of 70 or higher. The average annual Social Security benefit for a religious is $6,116.22, while the average U.S. beneficiary receives $16, How Donations Help Catholics in the United States have donated more than $816 million to the RFR since the first appeal. Roughly 94 percent of donations to the RFR aid elder religious, with the remainder used to administer and promote the appeal. Since 1989, more than $775 million has been distributed to support the dayto-day care of elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. An additional $91 million has been allocated toward self-help projects initiated by religious communities, including collaborative health care facilities. In addition to direct financial assistance, proceeds from the annual appeal underwrite educational programming, services, and resources that enable religious communities to evaluate and prepare for long-term retirement needs. Support from the Retirement Fund for Religious helps religious communities care for senior members while continuing important ministries to the People of God. DVDs of Vespers Service, Ordination/Installation Available for Purchase A limited number of DVDs of the Solemn Vespers Service and the Mass of Ordination and Installation of of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert are available for purchase. The two-dvd set costs $10. To purchase a set, send a check for $10 payable to of Allentown to: DVD Office of Communications of Allentown P.O. Box F Allentown, PA Be sure your name and address are on the check or a return address label.

5 November 30, 2017 By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer J.M. Barrie ( ), creator of Peter Pan, penned the words, Be kinder than necessary. This sentiment was taken to heart and made tangible recently at St. Joseph Regional Academy, Jim Thorpe, where the eighth grade class turned a Turkey Feather War into an act of kindness for the local food bank just before Thanksgiving. Eighth-grade teacher Colleen Hebding said her class recently began the fundraiser to offset the cost of its endof-year class trip to New York City. They provided each grade in the school with a large, paper turkey. as well as 50 paper feathers. Students were asked to pay $1 for two feathers. Purchased feathers are displayed proudly around the classroom s paper turkey. The winner of the Turkey Feather War Melissa Gilbert s sixth-grade class raised the most money, winning an ice-cream party hosted by the eighthgrade class, as well as the title of Turkey Feather War Champions. The winner was announced at a Nov. 17 assembly, but something even more special was announced that day: the eighth-graders were happily donating the money to Shepherd House, Inc., Lehighton, a local organization that helps the needy throughout Carbon County. We informed the students that because of their generosity, we would like to pay that kindness forward, said Hebding. The A.D. Times 5 Turkey Feather War turns into act of Thanksgiving kindness Giving the money to Shepherd House really warmed my heart. Students of St. Joseph Regional Academy, Jim Thorpe, with the check presented to Shepherd House, Inc., during a Nov. 17 assembly, from left: front, Ryan Berube and Matthew Kuznicki; second row, Kamryne Smith, Madison Bukics and James Sargent; third row, Rhiannon Dempsey and Jason Weng; fourth row, Logan Bauer, Bruce Cullen, Andi Hoherchak, Lizzie Snerr and Mackenzie Swift; and back, Maura Kelly, Taylor Saba, Lauren Reaman, Jenna Goff, Rhiannon Brady and Ashlyn Klitsch. (Photo courtesy of Colleen Hebding) Students surpassed the $500 goal, and raised $634 through the annual schoolwide event. Hebding said she recently attended a Diocesan retreat at St. Mary, Hamburg, where the theme was be kind, not nice. She returned to the classroom and shared with her students our duty, as Christians, to be kind to others without expectation or reward. During their discussion, she asked if they would like to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the turkey wars to a local charity. The students unanimously agreed. At that point, we had no idea how much money had been raised, Hebding said. I ve been thinking about Catholic identity and what it means to walk with Christ, she said. This reflection helped me realize that, during this time of year, we should be focusing on others. Education The of Allentown has a vibrant and vital 21 st century Catholic school system. Our schools emphasize academic excellence and Catholic formation. Fully 96 percent of our high school students go on to college. Our schools enhance evangelization. When non-catholics attend Catholic schools, the result often is the student and his or her family embraces the faith. Stanley Haupt, the executive director of Shepherd House, was humbled by the generosity of the students. He stopped by to meet them and receive the check. We realized it was the best thing to do in this season of giving, said eighthgrader Taylor Saba. Giving the money to Shepherd House really warmed my heart, said seventh-grader Jenna Goff. Hebding is extremely proud of her students. Our students exemplified the Christian spirit and have begun the process of carving out a Catholic identity for themselves through their charitable giving. Because of the student s generosity, a turkey feather war evolved into an act of kindness and peace for others. As for raising money for the eighthgrade class trip, Hebding told her students, God will provide other opportunities to fundraise, but when presented with an opportunity to do the right thing, the right thing should always prevail.

6 6 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Battle }}Continued from page 1 are fallen angels. Father DeLacy said angels are a higher species than humans, and angels were tested when they were told they would have to worship the second person of the Trinity when God became man. A third of the angels rebelled, and St. Michael the Archangel led the charge to drive out the bad demons. He explained because of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, humans have a fallen nature. The devil is always looking to see if he can entrap us and bring us down. The devil is not like God in any way. Father DeLacy said Adam and Eve had a friendship with God, but the serpent tempted Eve into doubting the love of God and she ate the fruit. Adam, he said, should have been defending his bride and the garden, but instead stood there cowering as the serpent tempted Eve. But God shows mercy right away, and gives the promise of the savior. God never leaves us without help. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden caused our human nature to be altered. Therefore we are all born with original sin we re born fallen and rebelling, Father DeLacy said. Each of us is damaged by original sin with the tendency to rebel against God. We need to let Jesus intervene in our lives to save us from sin. We need to let Jesus intervene in our lives to save us from sin. Delphy DeFalcis of Orefield listens to Father Stephen DeLacy at the session sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Adult Formation. Father DeLacy said baptism is performed with water on the head or immersion, during which an adult is held down long enough to need a breath. This reminds us in baptism the old self of sin dies with Christ and rises with him in new life. What happens at baptism is the relationship is healed between us and God. Father DeLacy said the punishment for not repenting and overcoming sin is addiction, or staying in sin. The goal of evil is to enslave us, he said, to sins such as sexual sins, drinking and drug addiction. Jesus overcomes sin by dying on the cross. Every time we celebrate the Mass, Jesus says, Come, follow me. We join with him on the cross. Father DeLacy said Isaiah had a vision of heaven in which he hears angels singing, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, and those words are part of the Mass. We re all fallen. We re all works in progress that must repent all our lives. We unite ourselves to the cross in the act of active repenting, and we are free. When we unite with Christ we push deeper and deeper into heaven. However, there are forces trying not to let this happen. The devil in most cases is only allowed to tempt us. He draws us into sin, then shames us about our sin, Father DeLacy said. There is no room for shame in the Christian world. Angels, he said, have specific missions of good. Demons can in some cases recognize our vice to rebel against God, Mike Sanzo of Orefield listens to Father Stephen DeLacy speak. Listening to Father Stephen DeLacy at the evening session are, from left, Kitty Edgar of Bethlehem, Marie Kessler of Allentown, Leona Burke of Bethlehem and Michael Realo of Macungie. for example, lying. They can rest in these and the vice becomes larger. With a demon resting in a lie, a person s ability to repent is compromised, he said, adding this is not possession. We need to call on the name of Jesus to rebuke the vice and close that door on the demon. We need to rebuke the lies and rebellion. Our Lord wants to give you freedom and evil wants to hold us back. The need to repent is real sin can be mortal. The sanctifying grace is our ability to hold God within us. But mortal sin breaks our unity with Jesus, and we re in danger of going to hell, he said. There is a realness to God s justice. If we re habitually in mortal sin, we need to call upon our Lord God to save us. It s super easy to repent go to confession. God died on the cross to save us. God wants his mercy to be that easy, that quick. Of confession, Father DeLacy said, It s Jesus absolving you, working through the priest, to draw you back into unity with him. Religious Education and Adult Formation Father DeLacy received a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1997 from West Chester University; prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia; and was ordained in He served as a parochial vicar and then school minister for Archbishop Carroll and Pope John Paul II high schools before being named to his current position. He has done a number of retreats at the Malvern Retreat House, and has been a Theology on Tap speaker and young adult ministry leader. There is no charge for attending Faith and Spirits and no registration is required. Food and beverages are available for purchase from the menu. All adults are welcome to Faith and Spirits events, and are encouraged to come alone or bring a friend. For questions or more information, visit or contact the Office of Adult Formation by adultformation@ allentowndiocese.org or call , ext Adult Formation offers enrichment opportunities through the Institute for Catechesis and Formation. The Institute for Catechesis and Formation offers workshops in specific areas of ministry, e.g., liturgical and Master Catechist Certificate. Provides regional faith-based events with opportunity for discussion. Serves as a resource to parishes seeking to help adults deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith. Switch to an Online Subscription To transfer your print subscription of The A.D. 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7 November 30, 2017 The A.D. Times 7 Death Father James Burdess, Pastor of St. Joseph, Summit Hill Father James Burdess, 59, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Summit Hill, died Nov. 19 at Holy Family Villa for Priests, Bethlehem. Born in Pottsville, Father Burdess was the son of the late Robert and Ann Marie (Mokelar) Burdess Szalku. Surviving are brothers Robert Burdess III, Edgewood, Maryland, and Joseph Burdess and his wife Beverly, St. Clair; halfsisters Terri Barvitskie, Phoenixville, and Tracey Weigel, Camp Hill; numerous nieces and nephews; and many greatnieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Michael Burdess and Stephen Burdess, and stepbrothers Frank Szalku, Raymond Szalku and Peter Szalku. Father Burdess attended St. Patrick School, Pottsville; St. Mary School, St. Clair; and graduated from Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Penn State University, and master of divinity and theology degrees from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton. He was ordained to the priesthood June 4, 1988 by Bishop of Allentown Thomas Welsh at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. His first priestly assignment was assistant pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Allentown, followed by assistant pastor, St. Peter Parish, Coplay and assistant pastor, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield. His first pastoral assignment was SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Tower City, followed by pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Tremont; pastor, St. Nicholas Parish, Weatherly; and pastor, St. Joseph Parish and the former St. Stanislaus Parish, Summit Hill. During the course of his priestly ministry he served as CCD regional coordinator, Lehigh County; advocate, Diocesan Tribunal; member, Diocesan Ecumenical Commission; and member, advisory board, Marian High School, Tamaqua. Vigil Service was held Nov. 26 at St. Joseph Church, Summit Hill. Msgr. John Chizmar, vicar forane of the Carbon Deanery and pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony, presided. Homilist was Father Bernard Ezaki, assistant pastor, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton. Mass of Christian Burial for Father Burdess was celebrated Nov. 27 at St. Joseph Church, Summit Hill. Main celebrant was Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert. Homilist was Most Rev. William Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop, Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Main concelebrants were: Msgr. David James, vicar general; Msgr. Gerald Gobitas, secretary for clergy, chancellor, and rector of Holy Family Villa; Msgr. Edward Domin, pastor, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; Father Allen Hoffa, administrator, St. Joseph, Summit Hill; Father John Little, Holy Family Villa; Father Ezaki; and Most Rev. Skurla. Interment took place in St. Joseph Cemetery, White Bear, Summit Hill. EWTN Programs Now On Demand Miss today s Mass or the day s Catholic news? Stumped by a faith question from a co-worker, neighbor or family member? Looking for some wisdom from Mother Angelica, a good book to read, or a religious gift? With EWTN On Demand, anyone with an internet connection can now access over 12,000 programs whenever and wherever needed free of charge. EWTN On Demand has something for everyone, said EWTN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Warsaw. From news shows like EWTN News Nightly, The World Over and EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, to classics like Mother Angelica Live, Fr. Spitzer s Universe and Called to Communion, EWTN On Demand has you covered. Other programs in the lineup include Daily Mass, EWTN Bookmark, Vaticano, Life on the Rock, EWTN Live, At Home with Jim and Joy, Threshold of Hope and Battle Ready. Find them all at ondemand. And keep checking back as EWTN will continue to add more programs to the on-demand lineup. Special Purpose Entity Program Did you know that you can redirect your state taxes to fund a needbased scholarship for a student in any of our Diocesan schools instead of sending your money to Harrisburg? Anyone who pays Pennsylvania state income tax and qualifies as an Accredited Investor is eligible. This is defined as having individual income of $200,000 or $300,000 of joint income in each of the two most recent years, or a net worth of $1 million, excluding your primary residence. For more information, call the Office of Education at , ext

8 8 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Council of Stewards Implore Holy Spirit at Evening Prayer An estimated 100 stewards gather Nov. 20 for Evening Prayer to implore the Holy Spirit for greater guidance. Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert, center, presides at an Evening Prayer for the Council of Stewards at St. Mary, Kutztown. Members of the council have made a gift of $500 or more to the Bishop s Annual Appeal and other diocesan ministries. (Photos by John Simitz) Stewards listen to Bishop Alfred Schlert as he thanks them for their day-to-day work of Christ manifested in the various forms of the Church s outreach and their faithfulness to the Bishop s Annual Appeal and other diocesan ministries. Bishop Alfred Schlert thanks Tony Martocci during the light reception honoring stewards for their dedication and support to parishes, schools and other diocesan ministries serving the Allentown. Tony Balistrere, right, principal of Berks Catholic High School, Reading, chats with Francis Bodner during the reception. Above, Paul Acampora, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development, enjoys conversation with Mark and Anne Kuna after Evening Prayer. Left, Retired Judge William Ford, right and George Kinek partake in light refreshments with other stewards after Evening Prayer. There are four circles in the Council of Stewards: Circle of Faith, $500-$999; Circle of Hope, $1,000- $2,499; Circle of Charity, $2,500-$4,999; and Bishop s Circle, $5,000 and over.

9 November 30, 2017 Youth & Young Adults The A.D. Times 9 CYO Spelling Bee draws 36 participants to SS. Peter and Paul, Lehighton Seventh-grader Kyle Kenton of Trinity Academy at the Father Walter Ciszek Education Center, Shenandoah is watched by spectators as he spells a word during the Diocesan Catholic Youth Orgainization (CYO) Spelling Bee Nov. 5 at SS. Peter and Paul, Lehighton. The event drew 36 participants. CYO is one component of a parish s youth ministry program and is coordinated by the Diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry (OYYAFM). (Photos by Ed Koskey) Left, sixth-grade winners of the spelling bee are, from left: champion Rylee Denion, St. Michael the Archangel School; Luke Sterns, St. Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua, second place; and Emma Lieberman, St. Michael the Archangel School, third place. Eighth-grade winners of the spelling bee are, from left: champion Liam Skopal, St. Theresa School, Hellertown; Dominic Chewey, St. Michael the Archangel School, Bethlehem-Coopersburg, second place; and Jacob Challenger, St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven, third place. These kids have worked very hard to get to this competition. Some of them have competed in their schools and then again in their respective districts to even qualify to reach the Diocesan Spelling Bee. Just getting here is a tremendous accomplishment and one each participant should be proud to have achieved, said Daniel Jones, CYO coordinator with OYYAFM. Left, seventh-grade winners of the spelling bee are, from left: champion Ella Laski, St. Michael the Archangel School; Christian Fragassi, St. Joseph the Worker School, Orefield, second place; and Julia Pohl, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Bethlehem, third place. Below, pronouncer Claudia Feller gives a word to a competitor. Just getting here is a tremendous accomplishment and one each participant should be proud to have achieved. Liam Skopal of St. Theresa School reacts with a variety of eye movements as he spells different words. Right, sixth-grader Angelique Kozlowski of Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl waits her turn to spell. Left, sixth-graders Benjamin McCabe of St. Ann School, Emmaus, left, and Diego Mihura of St. Thomas More School, Allentown, await their turns. Eighth-grader Michael Miller of St. Michael the Archangel School listens to others spell.

10 10 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 World Invest in Love, Pope Says on First World Day of the Poor VATICAN CITY (CNS) People have a basic choice in the way they live: either striving to build up treasures on earth or giving to others in order to gain heaven, Pope Francis said. What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes, the pope said in his homily Nov. 19, the first World Day of the Poor. Between 6,000 and 7,000 poor people attended the Mass in St. Peter s Basilica as special guests, the Vatican said. While almost all of them live in Europe, they include migrants and refugees from all over the world. Among the altar servers were young men who are either poor, migrants or homeless. The first reader at the Mass, Tony Battah, is a refugee from Syria. Those presenting the gifts at the offertory were led by the Zambardi family from Turin, whom the Vatican described as living in a precarious condition and whose 1-year-old daughter has cystic fibrosis. In addition to the bread and wine that were consecrated at the Mass, the offertory included a large basket of bread and rolls that were blessed to be shared at the lunch the pope was offering after Mass. Some 1,500 poor people joined the pope in the Vatican s audience hall for the meal, while the other special guests were served at the Pontifical North American College the U.S. seminary in Rome and other seminaries and Catholic-run soup kitchens nearby. Preaching about the Gospel parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30), Pope Francis said the servant in the story who buried his master s money was rebuked not because he did something wrong, but because he failed to do something good with what he was given. WASHINGTON (CNS) The chairman of the U.S. bishops Committee on Communications has urged the Trump administration to keep current net neutrality rules in place because an open internet, he said, is critical to the nation s faith communities and how they interact with their members. Without open internet principles which prohibit paid prioritization, we might be forced to pay fees to ensure that our high-bandwidth content receives fair treatment on the internet, said Bishop Christopher Coyne of Burlington, Vermont. Nonprofit communities, both religious and secular, cannot afford to pay to compete with profitable commercialized Pope Francis leads grace before eating lunch with the poor in the Paul VI hall after celebrating Mass marking the first World Day of the Poor at the Vatican Nov. 19. (CNS photo/paul Haring) All too often, we have the idea that we haven t done anything wrong, and so we rest content, presuming that we are good and just, the pope said. But to do no wrong is not enough. God is not an inspector looking for unstamped tickets; he is a Father looking for children to whom he can entrust his property and his plans. If in the eyes of the world, the poor they have little value, he said, they are the ones who open to us the way to heaven; they are our passport to paradise. For us it is an evangelical duty to care for them, as our real riches, and to do so not only by giving them bread, but also by breaking with them the bread of God s word, which is addressed first to them. content, he said in a Nov. 28 statement. The concept of an open internet has long been called net neutrality, in which internet service providers neither favor nor discriminate against internet users or websites. Neutrality means, for example, providers cannot prioritize one type of content over another, nor can they speed up, slow down or block users access to online content and services. On Nov. 21, the current chairman of the Federal Communications Commission announced his proposal to roll back rules on neutrality put in place in 2015 by the Obama administration. Bishop Coyne urged that the current rules remain in place. Strong net neu- Where the poor are concerned, the pope said, too many people are often guilty of a sin of omission or indifference. Thinking it is society s problem to solve, looking the other way when passing a beggar or changing the channel when the news shows something disturbing are not Christian responses, he said. God will not ask us if we felt righteous indignation, he said, but whether we did some good. People please God in a similar way to how they please anyone they love. They learn what that person likes and gives that to him or her, the pope said. In the Gospels, he said, Jesus says that he wants to be loved in the least of our brethren, including the hungry, the sick, the poor, the stranger and the prisoner. In the poor, Jesus knocks on the doors of our heart, thirsting for our love, he said. True goodness and strength are shown not in closed fists and crossed arms, but in ready hands outstretched to the poor, to the wounded flesh of the Lord. Before joining his guests for lunch, Pope Francis recited the Angelus prayer with thousands of people in St. Peter s Square. The previous day in Detroit, he told the people, Capuchin Father Solanus Casey was beatified. A humble and faithful disciple of Christ, he was known for his untiring service to the poor. May his witness help priests, religious and laypeople live with joy the bond between the proclamation of the Gospel and love for the poor. Pope Francis told the crowd that he hoped the poor would be at the center of our communities not only at times like this, but always, because they are at the heart of the Gospel. In them, we encounter Jesus who speaks to us and calls us through their suffering and their needs. Offering special prayers for people living in poverty because of war and conflict, the pope asked the international community to make special efforts to bring peace to those areas, especially the Middle East. Pope Francis made a specific plea for stability in Lebanon, which is in the middle of a political crisis after its prime minister announced his resignation. He prayed the country would continue to be a message of respect and coexistence throughout the region and for the whole world. Strong Net Neutrality Protections Called Critical to Faith Community trality protections are critical to the faith community to function and connect with our members, he said. These protections are essential to protect and enhance the ability of vulnerable communities to use advanced technology, and necessary for any organization that seeks to organize, advocate for justice or bear witness in the crowded and over-commercialized media environment, Bishop Coyne said. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement that under his plan, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet. Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices. Sermon on the Screen: Priest Plays Himself in Lady Bird Movie WASHINGTON (CNS) Part of a voice-over in the trailer for Lady Bird playing over scenes from the movie and in between dialogue comes from a homily delivered to Catholic high school students attending a school Mass in the beginning of the movie. We re afraid that we ll never escape our past. We re afraid of what the future will bring. We re afraid we won t be loved, we won t be liked and we won t succeed, the priest says. Not all of the sermon, even what was shown in the trailer, made it to the final cut of the coming-of-age movie, but that s OK with Claretian Father Paul Keller, who spoke these words. Making connections, that s what preachers do, he told Catholic News Service Nov. 20 in a phone interview while he was at the airport in Ottawa, Ontario, awaiting a flight to Los Angeles. The priest looks natural addressing the movie s students in the congregation because he really is. He has celebrated Masses before at the church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Altadena, California. It s a real church not a Hollywood set. Moviegoers won t be trying to remember what other movies they have seen the priest in as they might do for the two actors portraying priests in the movie, directing school plays with students from the fictional all-girls Immaculate Heart School, where the main character, Christine Lady Bird McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) attends, and the neighboring Jesuit high school. In the movie credits, Father Paul Keller is listed as playing Father Paul Keller, a priest who is never actually named in the movie because his role is celebrating four Masses, shown in quick cuts during the movie s school year. The Internet Movie Database page for Lady Bird describes him as a priest in real life. It is precisely as a priest in real life residing at San Gabriel Mission, not far from the church used in the movie that Father Keller got his role. The parish priests weren t available for the shoot, so they asked nearby priests who have helped out at the parish if they could do it. Father Keller, originally from Iowa, was recently named provincial prefect of spirituality for the Claretian Missionary Fathers, which in his words means he s in charge of morale and that he travels a lot. His schedule also is flexible, so he was free for what turned out to be a 12-hour day on the movie set. His new role in the order s province also meant he just cut short his time ministering in Tanzania to Bishop Coyne said: Robust internet protections are vital to enable our archdioceses, dioceses and eparchies, our parishes, schools and other institutions to communicate with each other and our members, to share religious and spiritual teachings, to promote activities online, and to engage people particularly younger persons in our ministries. The FCC is scheduled to vote on Pai s proposal at its monthly hearing Dec. 14. Observers predict the vote will fall along party lines. Chairman Pai is Republican as are Commissioners Brendan Carr and Michael O Rielly. Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel are Democrats. five months instead of five years. For the movie, the priest gave four homilies and a small portion of one was used in the film, but he also led the congregation of actors in prayer and distributed ashes for an Ash Wednesday service that made the cut. The CNS classification for the film is L limited adult audience citing its underage nonmarital sexual activity, mature themes, a same-sex kiss, a scene of marijuana use and frequent coarse language. CNS reviewer Kurt Jensen said the film shows a very strong old-school moral compass at work but the problematic material he cites requires thoughtful discernment by grown viewers wellgrounded in their faith.

11 November 30, 2017 The A.D. Times 11 St. John the Baptist Restores Grotto for Spiritual Renewal Year By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer St. John the Baptist, Allentown opened a year of parish spiritual renewal Oct. 28 with a deep desire to strengthen parish life, increase their spirituality and refurbishing their Our Lady of Fatima Grotto. Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert was the main celebrant at the Mass in honor of the parish as they set out on their parish renewal year One Community: Connecting, Reaching and Building in Mary, Mother of Peace. It is so powerful to come together to be able to commit ourselves to renewing our parish, he told parishioners. Reflecting on the day s scriptural readings, Bishop Schlert said the central theme of readings focuses on the greatest commandment in the Bible, namely to love God and express it in action by loving him in our neighbor. What better words could there be to begin a renewal, he said. Everything we do as a family of faith begins and ends with the love of God and love of our neighbor, said Bishop Schlert. He then said the purpose of growing closer to God is to form an intimate relationship with him that will spur them to love their neighbors. If we don t love God, then we don t love our neighbor. If we don t love our Everything we do as a family of faith begins and ends with the love of God and love of our neighbor. neighbor, we don t love God. It is the fundamental piece of all that we do, said Bishop Schlert. As a family of faith centered in the Holy Eucharist, he asked them to grow to love God better and to not just be focused on their parish itself. We should overflow the love of God and love of neighbor, said Bishop Schlert. In addition, he emphasized that the parish has always been a bedrock of the faith in the city of Allentown that has produced priests and consecrated religious. Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It is so essential to our faith to have the sacraments and the Gospels preached to us. As you renew yourselves, renew the vocational picture of Allentown, said Bishop Schlert. After the Mass, Bishop Schlert blessed the parish s newly refurbished Our Lady of Fatima Grotto that was built in 1957 as memorial of the Golden Jubilee of the parish, which was consecrated Oct. 14, The grotto is a replica of one of the six apparitions of the Blessed Mother who appeared to Portuguese children Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Lucia Dos Santos. Our Lady of Fatima apparitions occurred in Fatima, Portugal, where she urged the children to tell others to return to the Gospel through prayer, sacrifice and conversion. Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert incenses the altar before celebrating Mass at St. John the Baptist, Allentown to begin the parish year of renewal. From left are: Father Mark Searles, chaplain at Allentown Central Catholic High School; Father Robert Kosek, pastor; Msgr. Robert Kozel, pastor emeritus; and Father Dominik Kalata, pastor emeritus. (Photos by John Simitz) Parishioners of St. John the Baptist pray together as they kick off One Community: Connecting, Reaching and Building in Mary, Mother of Peace. The parish choir sings during the Mass. Father Dominik Kalata concelebrates Mass at St. John the Baptist in observance of the parish renewal year he initiated. A side view of the grotto. Above, the grotto of Our Lady of Fatima was refurbished with new paint, landscaping and lighting. Right, parishioners receive a blessing from Bishop Schlert during the blessing of the newly refurbished Our Lady of Fatima grotto.

12 12 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Spotlight on Seminarians for the of Allentown Robert Rienzo, Pre-Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer Describe why you entered into discernment for the priesthood or when you heard the call from God. I first heard the call to enter the priesthood during my senior year of college. I was encouraged by good friends, some of whom were discerning themselves. I attended St. Thomas More School, Allentown and then went to Emmaus High School, where I graduated in I studied at the University of Notre Dame, where I earned a degree in anthropology and premedical studies in I finished a master s degree in education in 2016 through the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program at Notre Dame. During my senior year in college, I wrote a Gospel reflection for FaithND, a network through the ND alumni association that distributes a daily Gospel reflection to the wider Notre Dame community. I received positive feedback from that reflection, including a comment from the rector of my dorm at the time that read Maybe I ll see you preaching one day. That comment stuck in my mind as I continued to grow in my relationship with God. Over the next three years, my friends and family encouraged me with what they saw were talents, skills and dispositions that could be put to good use in the priesthood. When I moved to Philadelphia to start my third year of teaching, I received spiritual direction in the Allentown, which also was encouraging, and so I decided to apply to the seminary. I was supported by many mentors, both priests and laity. Over the course of the next three years, I took advantage of many discernment retreats to better understand God s call for me. Describe your parents, family and friends that have been important to your life. My grandparents were devout in their Catholic faith. They set a good foundation for me. My parents sacrificed much to help me be successful in my youth. My extended family and I have been close and they have been supportive as I explored my calling to enter the seminary. Finally, my friends at college were extremely meaningful in showing me the joys of living a virtuous life. What are some of your interests or hobbies? I enjoy cooking, running, hiking, listening to music, acting, playing sports, playing board games, singing and being in the company of my friends and family. What is life like as a seminarian? As a seminarian, our life is rooted in prayer. We have a very structured day that helps us to be joyful. We spend time in both private and communal prayer. We eat meals in community, go to class together, study, and spend our free time exercising and socializing. Robert Rienzo, diocesan seminarian, enjoys a taco at Alinea while on a trip to Chicago, Illinois. Holiday Mass of Remembrance planned St. Ann Parish, Emmaus, will celebrate a special Holiday Mass of Remembrance Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. to celebrate the lives of our departed loved ones in the midst of the busy holiday season. All are invited to honor their deceased beloved by adding their name/s in the special Remembrance Book from 12:15 until 12:50 p.m., and then celebrating Mass, which will begin promptly at 1 p.m. Deceased will be prayed for and their names read during Mass. For more information, call Annmarie at Death Religious sister Sister Mercita Glowacki, 95, of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Third Order Regular of St. Francis, died Nov. 26 at St. Joseph Villa, Reading, where she had resided since During her ministry in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia and Washington, D.C., she served as an elementary teacher, nurse, supervisor, group mother, housekeeper, in clerical work, as a nutritional assistant, school aide, hospitality staff member and in a ministry of presence. In the of Allentown Sister served at Sacred Heart, West Reading; St. Elizabeth Infirmary and St. Joseph Villa, both in Reading. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 29 at St. Joseph Villa, followed by burial in Bernardine Franciscan Sisters cemetery, Mount Alvernia, Reading.

13 November 30, 2017 The A.D. Times 13 Calendar Editor s note: , fax or mail church-affiliated items for the Calendar page (Calendar, Retreats, Socials, Festivals, Bazaars, Trips) to: , adtimes@allentowndiocese.org; fax, ; The A.D. Times, P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA Items must be received by Thursday of the week before publication. Please type or print. Please notify The A.D. Times if bingos and other regularly listed events are cancelled for the summer or other holiday periods, and again when they resume. The A.D. Times publishes only newly announced, churchaffiliated trips on a regular basis. The entire previously announced repeating trip list is published only as space permits. Please notify The A.D. Times when seats are filled for a trip so it can be removed from the repeating list. Please do not send items again after they are published. For more information, adtimes@allentowndiocese.org or call , ext Friday, Dec. 1 The Mission and the Music, Juniata College Concert Choir, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, 7 p.m., $10, free for concert sponsors and supporters, benefit the parish s medical missions to Haiti, Believe! family Christmas musical, auditorium, Bethlehem Catholic High School, 7 p.m., tickets at door, adults $5, students $3, under 3 free; also Saturday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 Theology of the Body Seminar, Office of Adult Formation, St. Mary, Kutztown, 9:30-11:30 a.m., presenter Sara Hulse, $20, , ext. 2021, Living Grace, A Celebration of Advent, Gathered in Grace women s conference, church hall, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., registration 7:45 a.m., $20, www. michelegiletto.com, White Christmas, presented by Munopco Music Theatre, at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown, 8 p.m., adults $25, seniors (62+) $22, students (w/id) $15, box office , code 1702 to receive $2 off per adult or senior ticket; also Saturday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Dec. 3 and 10, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 Holiday Champagne Brunch, McGlinn Conference Center, Reading, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $50 per person, benefit Clare of Assisi House, serving the needs of women upon release from prison, Reading, Breakfast with Santa, Men of St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 9 a.m.-noon. Spaghetti Dinner, parish center, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., adults $8, children $3.50. Women s Advent Reflection, St. Mary, Ringtown, 1 p.m., with reflection by Father Brian Miller, followed by fellowship, , Advent Vespers, choir, Holy Guardian Angels, Reading, 4 p.m. Christmas Nut Rolls Sale, deadline for orders, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, $15 per roll, pickup Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 in parish office, payment due with order, Tuesday, Dec. 5 Serra Club of Bethlehem Charter Night, Silver Creek Country Club, Hellertown, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 Friendly Fifties Christmas Luncheon, St. John Byzantine Church, Northampton Community Center, doors open 11:30 a.m., with sing-a-long with Roger Seremula. Legatus Evening With Bishop Schlert, Lehigh Valley Chapter for Catholic senior-level business executives, St. Thomas More, Allentown, Mass 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at Lehigh Country Club, 7:15 p.m., jknowles@legatus.org, Thursday, Dec. 7 The Ethical Impact of Technological Advancements: Convenience or Intrusiveness? Forum for Ethics in the Workplace, Salesian Center, DeSales University, Center Valley, breakfast 7:30 a.m., $25 per person, $175 per table of eight, program 8 a.m., closing 9 a.m., lore.mcfadden@desales.edu, , ext. 1244, Friday, Dec. 8 Simbang Gabi (Filipino Celebration) Berks County, Holy Rosary, Reading, potluck night, also Dec. 15 and 16; Christmas Mass, party and potluck Saturday Dec. 30, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 Prayer Pilgrimage, peaceful prayer to end abortion, Helpers of God s Precious Infants; Mass, Notre Dame of Bethlehem, 8 a.m., followed by rosary at Allentown Women s Center, , Infants-of-Allentown. Organ Concert with Michael Seroka, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, 2 p.m., followed by tour of St. Joseph Church 2:45 p.m. Christmas Recital, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, 7 p.m., with David Gross, Catherine Fronheiser and Neil Fronheiser, free. National Appeal for Retired Religious, Diocesan parishes, also Sunday, Dec. 10. Sunday, Dec. 10 Christmas Dance featuring Walt Groller, Holy Family, Nazareth, at Holy Family Club, 2-6 p.m., tickets $10 each, kitchen open for cash sales, , Christmas Concert, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 3 p.m. Constantia, choir from Philadelphia Korean Catholic Church, benefit concert for Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, Precious Blood Chapel, 1094 Welsh Road, Reading, 3 p.m., concert followed by silent auction. Wednesday, Dec. 13 Shower for the Unknown Babe, parish activity center, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, 7 p.m., bring items to benefit Mary s Shelter, Bethlehem diapers newborn up to 5, wipes, baby wash, lotion, diaper cream, new baby clothing up to 2T, new or gently used baby items (include all pieces). Saturday, Dec. 16 Christmas Vespers, White House Chapel, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 7 p.m., free will offering, www. stfrancisctr.org, stfranciscenter@gmail.com, ; also Sunday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 Breakfast, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, 7:45-11:30 a.m., adults $8, children 6-12 $4, under 6 free. Festival of Lessons and Carols, Advent vespers, St. Benedict Church, 2020 Chestnut Hill Road, Mohnton (Plowville), 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28 Mass of Holy Innocents, Tridentine Mass, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown, 7 p.m., followed by Respect Life Reception. Saturday, Dec. 31 New Year s Eve Celebration, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown, dinner 6:30 p.m., music 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., tickets $30 per person, Retreats First Tuesdays Simply Prayer, mornings of prayer, reflection and sharing, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 9:30 a.m.-noon, free will offering, , stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Sunday, Dec. 3 Women s Advent Reflection, Eucharistic adoration, St. Mary, Ringtown, 1 p.m., reflection by Father Brian Miller, followed by fellowship, , Wednesday, Dec. 6 Advent Day of Prayer, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., $50, facilitated by Father Jack Barron, register questions mleonowitz@ jesuitcenter.org, Please see CALENDAR page 14 }}

14 14 The A.D. Times November 30, 2017 Calendar }}Continued from page 13 Friday, Dec. 8 Sunday, Dec. 10 Mary and the Eternal Womb of Mercy, Advent retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, $185, org, stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Weekend Directed Retreat, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, $200, questions mleonowitz@jesuitcenter.org, , register Monday, Dec. 11 Enjoying Life: The Spirit of Christmas, St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, 6-9 p.m., $30, preregister 10 days before retreat Tuesday, Dec. 12 Come to the Manger, twilight retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 6:45-9 p.m., $25, stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Friday, Dec. 15 Thursday, Dec. 21 Five-Day Advent Directed Retreat, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, $540, questions mleonowitz@jesuitcenter.org, , register Friday, Jan. 12 Sunday, Jan. 13 Capturing the Movement of God in Our Lives, women s spirituality weekend retreat, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, $175, , stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Tuesday, Jan Years of Faithful Service, breakfast and a speaker to mark 70th anniversary, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem, 8:45 a.m.-noon, $35, facilitator Sister Marguerite Stewart, , stfranciscenter@gmail.com, Bazaars/Festivals Saturday, Dec. 2 Christmas Craft Bazaar, Holy Guardian Angels, Reading, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 Sunday, Dec. 3 Christmas Boutique, auditorium, Sacred Heart School, Bath, Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 Christkindlmarkt, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., food, Christmas yard sale, basket auction; Organ Concert with Michael Seroka 2 p.m., followed by tour of St. Joseph Church 2:45 p.m. Socials Sundays Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m. Bingo, Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl, 1 p.m., doors open 11 a.m., Second Sundays Bingo, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, 12:30 p.m., doors open 11 a.m. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) online Advent and Christmas resources: prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/index.cfm and org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/ christmas/index.cfm. Thursdays Bingo, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 Sunday, Dec. 3 Tricky Tray, Sacred Heart, Bethlehem, Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-1:50 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 Coach Handbag Bingo, Home and School Association, Trinity Academy, Shenandoah. Sunday, Dec. 10 Bingo, St. Mary Annunciation BVM, Catasauqua, 1 p.m. Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 618, Shenandoah at St. Stephen Hall, 2 p.m., doors open noon, accessible to handicapped. Sundays, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 Meat Bingo, social hall, St. John the Baptist, Allentown, 1 p.m., doors open noon, $11 for 15 games, refreshments available, Thursdays, Jan. 11, May 16 Bingo, Family Center, St. Thomas More, Allentown 6:30 p.m. Trips Editor s note: Trip listings include sponsoring group, destination, cost and contact information. Call the sponsor for other details, such as times, dining location, itineraries and what is included in the cost. Send church-affiliated trips to adtimes@allentowndiocese.org by Thursday of the week before publication. Newly announced 2018 Thursday, Jan Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Mohegan Sun, Wilkes-Barre, $25, Wednesday, March 14 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Steel Magnolias, Hunterdon Hills Dinner Theatre, $89, Tuesday, March 20 Friendly Fifties, St. John Byzantine, Northampton to Neil Diamond, Mount Airy Casino, $65, Tuesday, May 22 Friendly Fifties, St. John Byzantine, Northampton to Elvis Jailhouse Rock, Mount Airy Casino, $65, Wednesday, May 30 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Cruise Around Manhattan, $108, Wednesday, June 13 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Jesus, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster, $113, Thursday, June Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Jesus, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster, $104, Sunday, July 29 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Nunsense, Hunterdon Hills Dinner Theater, $100, Wednesday, Sept. 12 Friendly Fifties, St. John Byzantine, Northampton to The Shirelles, Mount Airy Casino, $65, Wednesday, Sept. 5 Wednesday, Sept. 19 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park, Thursday, Oct. 11 Saturday, Oct. 13 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to tour of Finger Lakes region, New York, Trips Editor s note: Trip listings include sponsoring group, destination, cost and contact information. Call the sponsor for other details, such as times, dining location, itineraries and what is included in the cost. Send church-affiliated trips to adtimes@allentowndiocese.org by Thursday of the week before publication. Previously announced Tuesday, Dec. 5 Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to Christmas Show, Mount Airy Casino, Mount Pocono, $62, St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Anne, Bethlehem to Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, $149, Wednesday, Dec. 6 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Christmas show, Sight and Sound, Lancaster, $105, deadline Friday, Nov. 10, Prime Time, St. Thomas More, Allentown to Christmas Show, American Music Theater, Lancaster, $79, Marie Thursday, Dec. 7 Queenship of Mary, Northampton to Miracle of Christmas, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster, $104, , Wednesday, Dec. 13 Golden Agers, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall to Home for the Holidays, American Music Theatre, Lancaster, $88, Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to Home for the Holidays, American Music Theater, Lancaster, $92, Thursday, Dec Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Home for the Holidays, American Music Theater, Lancaster, $87, St. Thomas More, Allentown to Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, $107, Wednesday, Jan. 10 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, $25, suemueller45@gmail.com. Friday, Jan. 19 St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to March for Life, Washington, D.C., $10 (donations accepted), suemueller45@gmail. com, Thursday, Feb. 1 Thursday, March 1 Travel Club, Assumption BVM, Slatington to Costa del Sol, Spain, $3,411,

15 November 30, 2017 The A.D. Times 15 Students Pray at Fatima Shrine Rosalie Novack, director of religious education of St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish, Minersville, and some of the students and faculty of the Parish Religious Education Program, gathered at the parish Fatima shrine on Oct. 10 to pray the rosary in commemoration of the Fatima Centenary. St. Ambrose All Saints Lock-In Students enjoyed traditional fall festivities and explored the meaning of sacrifice during the annual All Saints Lock-In Oct at St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven. The lives of the saints, often illustrated by extraordinary sacrifice, challenged the students to reflect on their unique call to holiness. The Luminous Mysteries of the rosary, reflecting on some of the most miraculous moments of Jesus public life, took on new meaning as students prayed using glow bracelets and necklaces to represent the Hail Mary and Our Father prayers. Students also played Halloween-themed games, painted pumpkins, enjoyed a camp fire and outdoor movie, rested in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament during midnight adoration, and participated in Sunday morning Mass. Merchants Bank Donates to School Merchants Bank donated $5,000 in scholarships through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, to the ICS Pre-Kindergarten at Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl for the school year. Pictured in back are, from left: Jill Tyminiski, pre-k teacher; Sister Maria Luz, principal; Rocco DelVecchio, CEO of Merchants Bank; and Nina Arant, program manager scholarships. Sunday Scripture Sunday, Dec. 3 First Sunday of Advent First reading Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, Second reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel Mark 13:33-37 Sunday, Dec. 10 Second Sunday of Advent First reading Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial Psalm Psalms 85:9-14 Second reading 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel Mark 1:1-8 Sunday, Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent First reading Isaiah 61:1-2a, Responsorial Psalm (Psalms) Luke 1:46-50, Second reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel John 1:6-8, 19-28

16 16 The A.D. Times Sports November 30, 2017 St. Thomas More Clinches CYO Volleyball Tournament Title The girls volleyball teams from St. Thomas More, Allentown and St. Anne, Bethlehem compete Oct. 28 during the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) volleyball tournament at Notre Dame of Bethlehem. From left are Laura Nelson (No. 25), Simone Reyes (No. 24), Kaitlyn Janny (No. 30), and Lilly Paranee (No. 20). (Photos by Ed Koskey) Elizabeth Williams (No. 28), right, volleyball player for St. Anne, Bethlehem, attacks the ball during the team s match against St. Thomas More. Volleyball players from La Salle Academy, Shillington (blue) congratulate the team from St. Thomas More, who advanced to the championship match. Fans cheer during the championship match between St. Thomas More. Allentown and St. Anne, Bethlehem. St. Thomas More defeated St. Anne 2-1 to claim the title. Above, members of the volleyball team from St. Thomas More, Allentown, who won the CYO Volleyball Tournament, are from left: front, Jillian Schmidt, Alexa Lehman, Carly Rohrbach, Lauren Nelson and Hannah Horvath; back, assistant coach Stephen Reynolds, coach Jenny Kozuch, Reilly Blair, Elena Pursell, Kaitlyn Janny, Caleigh Nelson, Kylie Heinze, Kara Wang and coach Jessica Reynolds. Right, members of the volleyball team from St. Anne, Bethlehem, who placed second in the CYO Volleyball Tournament, are from left: front, Stella Fazil, Andrea Falteich, Adriana Dias and Lilly Paranee; back, coach Anne Cleaver, Vanessa Speciale, Nicole Meehan, Elizabeth Williams, Simone Reyes and coach Elizabeth Williams.