L OYOLA THE CHURCH OF. Knowing God is more important than knowing about God.

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1 THE CHURCH OF S AINT I GNATIUS L OYOLA A ROMAN CATHOLIC C OMMUNITY INSPIRED BY THE TRADITION OF ST. IGNATIUS, S T. HEDWIG AND S T. MARY'S ANNUNCIATION PARISHES. e, the blended Catholic community of St. Ignatius Loyola, draw strength from Word and Sacrament, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. Modeling Christ s work, we embrace our com- W mitment to God s call. We remain faithful to the shared acts of prayer, study and service. Together we extend Christ s hospitality to others and light the path of peace for generations to come. Knowing God is more important than knowing about God. Karl Rahner, S.J.

2 T H E S U N D A Y L I G H T Page 2 OFFERTORY ENVELOPE NOTICE: Due to recent vandalism, we are asking parishioners to no longer place offertory envelopes in the mailbox in front of the rectory. Please deliver envelopes by hand, mail, or in church. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you, as always, for your continued support of our parish community. ADVENT CANDLE BEARERS Help us light the candles of our parish Advent Wreaths - be a candle bearer! Individuals as well as families of any size are welcome to carry a candle! Sign-up sheets will be located in the back of the Church and Chapel. Sign up for a Liturgy of your choice! In recognition of our need to give, and the many needs of our church and parish, and in gratitude for God s gifts to us, we declare our willingness to return a portion of our Treasure to our parish, as part of our total Christian stewardship. ADVENT EVENING PRAYER Please join us each Sunday evening during Advent at 7:00 PM to celebrate this brief but important prayer of the Church. Make this a part of your journey to Christmas. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE Sunday, December 18th - 7:00 PM at St. Ignatius Loyola Church Sunday Tithe $12, This Week s Expenses $10, AN ADVENT CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Catholic Choral Society of Scranton will present an Advent Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 PM in the Church. Music Director is Ann Manganiello and Accompanist is Jean Shields. Featured performers will be the St. Ignatius Adult Choir and Handbell Choir. Free admission. Don t forget! Food Collection each and every weekend at the vestibules of Church and Chapel.

3 Page 3 D E C E M B E R 4, ATTENTION HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS, CARE GIVERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Mary's Ministry will be distributing Christmas flowers the third week in December to our parishioners currently in nursing homes or homebound. We ask all family members, friends, or care givers to please contact the Rectory with names of homebound and nursing home parishioners who should be added to our list to be remembered. Eucharistic Ministers serving the homebound and nursing homes are asked to pick up their flowers for Christmas distribution on Friday December 9 th after 1PM at the rectory or after masses on Saturday December 10 th or Sunday December 11 th in the sacristy. W O R D L E A R N I N G A B O U T O U R F A I T H The Altar Breads and Wine for this week are offered In Memory of Norma Agati as requested by Agati Edmunds Family RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Sunday, December 4th - Grade 7 Family Morning/Class Mass. All Grade 7 students, both public and private schools, and their families are strongly encouraged to attend. The morning will begin at 9:15 AM in Conlan Hall with a light continental breakfast and family activity followed by the class Mass at 10:30 AM. Sunday, December 10th - First Penance Celebration, 9:30 AM in the Church. Families are expected to be in Church by 9:20 AM. Sanctuary Candles Burn this week ADULT FAITH FORMATION As we prepare for the Advent Season to celebrate the Nativity, we remember that the Holy Family was homeless in Bethlehem - There was no room at the inn. Sister Kathleen Smith, R.S.M. will speak on contemporary homeless women and children. She is the director of McAuley House in Plymouth, the old St. Vincent s Convent and will be our guest speaker on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 PM in Bergan Hall. All are welcome to learn some facts about women and family homelessness in the Wyoming Valley and the Church and see our response as baptized followers of Jesus. S T O R I E D S T R E E T S - D O C U M E N T A R Y O N T H E H O M E L E S S Storied Streets, explores homelessness across America by telling the stories of those who live it every day. The documentary film profiles the homeless and the formerly homeless and their struggle to survive. Their stories are real, raw and compelling. The film will provide a window into their struggles, question stereotypes and change the way you feel about homelessness. Join us in Bergan Hall on Wednesday, December 14 th from 7 PM to 8 PM. As always, no registration needed, just join us! In Memory of Josephine Gaudio By Family In Memory of Norma Agati By Agati Edmunds Family W E E K L Y M E D I T A T I O N Today s readings encourage us to think in harmony with one another so that with one voice, we may glorify God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist continues to preach telling all that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He baptizes them with water, but tells all that there is one mightier than him who is coming and will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. We encourage you to spend quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the week with a special prayer intention in mind. Just pick up a card after your visit to Church and send it off to the one in your prayer. The cards may be used on First Fridays by those attending Eucharistic Adoration. Think gospel! Please make room for your neighbor in church and slide to the center of the pew.

4 W O R S H I P L I T U R G Y A N D P R A Y E R QUESTION OF THE WEEK Second Sunday of Advent - Our need to change Reading I Isaiah 11:1-10 (the rule of Emmanuel) Reading II Romans 15:4-9 (prayer of encouragement) Gospel Matthew 3:1-12 (John the Baptist) Key Passage This is the one [John the Baptist] of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Matthew 3:3) Adult What do you need to change so that others can learn from watching you that Christ walks among us? Youth What could you do so that others will see in you what it means to follow Jesus? Feast of The Immaculate Conception Wednesday, December 7th 5:30 PM Mass of Obligation at Saint Ignatius Church Thursday, December 8th 7:30 AM Mass of Obligation at Saint Ignatius Church 12:10 PM Mass of Obligation at Saint Ignatius Church 7:00 PM Mass of Obligation at Saint Ignatius Church CHRISTMAS MASS INTENTION ENVELOPES Special Christmas Mass Intention envelopes can be found in your monthly packets to remember both living and deceased family members and friends. Please write the names of your loved ones on the back of the envelope. The envelopes will be placed on the altar during all of the Christmas Masses to remember your intentions. Please place the envelopes in the collection basket. Thank you. CHRISTMAS WAFER (OPLATKI) The word Oplatek derives from the Latin word Oblatum, meaning sacred bread. Made of unleavened dough, it first began to be used in the 10th century as a liturgical wafer, with a religious motif engraved on a side. Families gather on Christmas Eve and share the wafer with a simple blessing ritual as their traditional Christmas Eve meal begins. The wafers will be available after all Masses this weekend. Everyone is welcome to share in this rich Polish tradition which expresses a tender love for the Christ Child. Any donation will be deeply appreciated! ATTENTION: MINISTERS, LECTORS & SERVERS SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS Please call the rectory and sign up for the Christmas and New Years Masses by December 11th. If you need any days off for the January, 2017 schedule, please call the rectory no later than December 12th. Thank you. Page 4 Monday Pierogies - 8:00 AM - Conlan Hall Buildings & Grounds Meeting 1:00 PM Bell Choir - 6:30 PM - Church Finance Council - 6:30 PM Bergan Parish Center (1st Floor) Tuesday Pierogies - 8:00 AM - Conlan Hall Rosary Makers - 11:30 AM Conlan Hall Senior Citizens - 1:30 PM Conlan Hall Mary s Ministry Social - 5:30 PM Conlan Hall Scripture Study - 6:30 PM Wednesday Adult Faith Formation - 7:00 PM Thursday Children s Choir - 6:45 PM Contemporary Ensemble 7:30 PM Friday Scripture Study - 8:15 AM Saturday First Penance - 9:30 AM Church & Conlan Hall Prayer Shawl Ministry - 12:30 PM IN MEMORIAM Scott Roper Teach us to give and not to count the cost. Ignatius of Loyola Charles Fetko

5 D E C E M B E R 4, Page 5 Monday REMEMBERING December 5th - 11th C O M M U N I T Y G R O W I N G T O G E T H E R PIEROGI PICKUP Last Day for pick up is Tuesday, December 6th from 4:00-7:00 PM. As usual, any help will be greatly appreciated. For questions and information, call Mike at or :30 Bernadine & Christopher Rishcoff-ALM B. & E. Rishcoff 12:10 Mary, Michael & Richard Schultz-ALM Family Tuesday 7:30 Eugene W. Mulligan-ALM Family 12:10 Jacques DeNee-MM Mother, Helen Wednesday 7:30 Eileen M. Jordan-ALM Christopher Jordan 12:10 Norma Agati-ALM ALM Agati Edmunds Family 5:30 pm Richard Donnelly Kopicki Family Thursday - Immaculate Conception 7:30 Mary Graham DeSarro Family 12:10 Ann M. Brennan Everett Davis 7:00 pm Kevin Jordan Bette Marley MARY S MINISTRY CHARITY HOLIDAY SOCIAL FEATURING SOUNDS ABOUND QUARTET, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 TH Reminder - Mary s Ministry Charity Holiday Social will be held from 5:30 7:30 PM in Conlan Hall. A light supper meal will be served from 5:30-6:30 PM followed by a special Christmas treat. In place of an entrance fee, participants are asked to contribute a wrapped Christmas Present for an adult woman to be donated to residents at McAuley House and Ruth s Place. Please attach a removable tag indicating the package contents. Gifts will be collected at the door. Contact Elaine Whipple at by Sunday, December 4 th if wish to attend and have not made your reservation. YOUTH NEWS Youth Group December Meeting and Christmas Party Sunday, December 11th from 6-8pm for both Junior and Senior High. We ask each youth group member attending to bring a $5 exchange gift appropriate for a girl if you re a girl or appropriate for a boy if you re a boy. Mark it BOY if you re a boy, and GIRL if you re a girl. Pizza and wings will be served for dinner. If any parents/guardians wish to bring a dessert for the party, it would be much appreciated. Please contact Jenn Bale (570) if you have any questions. Friday 7:30 Joseph Scheidel Family-ALM Family 12:10 William Chmielewski-ALM Wife & Daughters Saturday 7:30 Andrew & Kathleen Rogan-ALM Jane Girvan 4 pm For the People of the Parish 5:30 pm George Evans Loyola Singers S E R V I C E H E L P I N G O T H E R S RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS - DECEMBER 11TH Aging religious need your help. Thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests spent years working in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies - often for little pay. Their sacrifices leave their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps provide prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Please give to those who have given a lifetime in next weekend s second collection. Envelopes can be found in the packets mailed to you. Please make checks payable to St. Ignatius Loyola Church as we will forward one check to the Diocese. Sunday 7:00 am Irene Hannagan Popowycz Family 8:30 am Bette Van Brunt Thad & Theresa Wadas 10:30 am Loretta Saxton Mark & Debbie Sobeck 12:00 pm Wesley Egleberger Marian Olshefski For full parish calendar go to:

6 D E C E M B E R 4, Page 6 MINISTRY SCHEDULE December 10 & 11 Saturday 4:00 PM C. Urban & B. Matus T. Crawford, B. Gabriesheski T. Jagoda, N. Bellas, M. Girton K. Hungarter, H. O Brien B. Davis & R. Frey Saturday 5:30 PM P. & M. Pisaneschi K. Smedley, A. Naylis M. B. Zelinsky C. Hoidra & A. Larralde Sunday 7:00 AM Lector P. Podesta M. Fiske, E. Turcan, T. Verbyla Sunday 8:30 AM R. Garman & J. Girvan A. Maurer, J. & J, Lyons A. Lacina & M. Lyons THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS The Slovak Heritage Society of N.E. PA cordially invite you to celebrate The Feast of St. Nicholas on Sunday, December 4th at 2:00 PM. The event will take place at St. Matthew s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 663 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Come and join us for a wonderful evening of singing Slovak Christmas Carols and sharing Christmas memories. Slovak hospitality will follow. HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL NEWS Placement/Scholarship Test for interested public and private school 8th graders will take place on Saturday, December 10th at 8:30 AM. Please call the Guidance Office at for more information. CHRISTMAS COOKIE PLATTER This event will be held on Saturday, December 10th and is sponsored by the Youth Ministry of Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Buttonwood section of Hanover Township. Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM in the church hall, 420 Main Road. Platters are $35.00 and will include 75 cookies and approximately 20 different varieties. Platters must be pre-ordered by calling COOKIE WALK St. Michael s Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 North Main St., Pittston, is having a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 11th in the church hall from 10 AM to 1 PM. All homemade cookies will be featured. Some of the cookie varieties include: Peanut butter, Chocolate chip, Thumbprint, Kolachi, Italian ricotta, Pepper, Linzer, Cherry winks and many more. Fill a container (provided) with cookies and pay $8.00 per pound. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend! Food Pantry News During the month of December, our Food Pan- try is requesting donations of personal items in addition to our usual food and monetary donations. Following is a list of requested items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand cream, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, soap, band aids, shampoo/conditioner, combs, dis- posal razors, toilet paper, shaving cream, tissues. Regular and travel size items are welcome and can be left in the food collection bins in the Church and Chapel. As always, thank you for all that you do to support our Food Pantry. Continued on page 7 Just a reminder! Be sure to check your on-line/mailed copy of liturgy schedule often.

7 Page 7 MINISTRY SCHEDULE Continued ATTENTION: GERRITY S & SHUR-SAVE MARKET SHOPPERS If you shop at Gerrity s or other Shur- Save Markets and have not designated your community rewards in support of St. Ignatius Parish, please call our project administer, Patti Kupetz ASAP at and give her your Gold Card number and name on the card and she will be able to register you for our parish. The income we receive helps support some of our outreach service projects. Second Sunday of Advent Sunday Is 11:1-10; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12 Monday Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday Is 40:25-31; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Friday Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Sunday 10:30 AM B. Hazlak & R. Dupre P. Kupetz, A. Calderone D. Mosca, M. Butcher J. & M. O Connor, E. Whipple C. Griffin & M. Vodzak Sunday 12 Noon S. Arbogast & S. Verdone N. Frusciante & T. Gazowski T. Scott BINGO St. Faustina Kowalska Parish will sponsor a Bingo on Sunday, December 4th. The event will be held at 1010 Hanover St., Nanticoke. Doors open at 12:30 PM and games begin at 1:45 PM. Beverages and snacks will be available. A NOTE FROM THE OFFICE! This concerns anyone submitting information for the bulletin via . Kindly call the office at to alert us when you send an announcement, as we are not always logged in to our . Thank you for your cooperation! BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS PLEASE SEE PAGE 8 FOR BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES. THANK YOU! Check us out! us at SILOffice@aol.com or browse our home page at

8 Page 8 BE AN ANGEL THIS ADVENT As is tradition in our parish, the Angel Wreaths have been placed in the back of the church and the chapel. If you have not already taken an ornament, please consider doing so. The item should be newly purchased. Wrap the gift and attach the ornament to the outside of the package. Place it in the Angel Sleigh in the church or under the Angel Wreath in the chapel. Please do not wrap used items. The deadline for returning the Angel gifts is this Sunday, December 4th. If you still need to drop off your gift and were not able to bring it to this weekend s Masses, you may drop it off at the Rectory on Sunday, December 4th from 1:00-3:00 PM. If you have questions or for some reason you are unable to return your gift by the deadline, please contact Jenn Bale at Remember to be an angel this Advent. CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PARTY St. Ignatius Church will hold its annual Children s Christmas party, following the Noon Mass on Sunday, December 18th in Conlan Hall. This event is sponsored by the Holy Name Society. Refreshments will be served, and each child will receive a toy along with a gift from Santa. This event is open to all children of the parish CALENDARS We wish to thank Maher-Collins Funeral Home for their generous donation of our parish calendars. Calendars will be available after Masses this weekend - one per household CONTRIBUTIONS If you wish to add to your 2016 contribution, please do so on or before January 6, Statements will be ed to all parishioners who have provided us with their address. All other statements will be mailed before the end of January, ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES FOR UPCOMING BULLETINS: BULLETIN DECEMBER 18TH DECEMBER 25TH JANUARY 1ST DEADLINE DECEMBER 8TH DECEMBER 15TH DECEMBER 22ND

9 PARISH SCHOOLS Good Shepherd Academy: Principal, Mr. James Jones Phone: Holy Redeemer High School: Principal, Mrs. Anita Sirak Phone: YOUTH MINISTRY Our parish offers a comprehensive Youth Ministry including community building, service, religious education and socialization. Watch the bulletin for ministry information. THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS This is a process the Catholic Church uses to bring adult members into the faith. Anyone interested in becoming a part of this process or in obtaining more information can call the Rectory at This journey in faith is concerned with the total formation of the person into living and serving with the Church community. BAPTISM Expectant and new parents are asked to participate in a seminar on Baptism. Please call the Rectory at Godparents are welcome to attend, though it is not required. Please call the rectory to register at your earliest convenience. The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is on the third Sunday of every month except during Lent. MARRIAGE Congratulations! You are asked to contact one of the parish priests at least six months before the date of your marriage so that the appropriate preparations can be made for this special celebration. VISITATION OF THE SICK Please call the office for visitation of the sick at home, in the hospital, or health care facility. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. RELIGIOUS FORMATION Grades 1 6 Sunday morning from 9:15 AM to 10:20 AM. Grades 7 8 Released Time Confirmation Program High School Sunday Evenings (Monthly) NEW PARISHIONERS Please register by calling the rectory. Those moving should inform the office as soon as possible. DEVOTIONAL LIFE The Rosary is prayed after the 7:30 AM Mass daily and before the 8:30 AM Mass on Sundays at the Chapel of St. Ann. Eucharistic Adoration is held the First Friday of the month at Saint Ignatius Church beginning at 12:45 PM concluding with Benediction at 4:00 PM. (September May) MINISTRY COUNCILS Pastoral Council Father Chmil, Father Roche, Deacon O Connor, George Andresky, David Baloga, Nancy Bellas, Michelle Butcher, Pat Cole, Robert Dupre, Maura Fennell, Gloria Galante, Tom Hamill, Molly Kachmar, Cynthia Liskov, Maria Scappaticci Finance Council Father Chmil, Bob Gabriesheski, Tom Kopec, Mary Lewis, Lou Mondy, Art Piccone, Lisa Rinker, Kay Smedley Buildings & Grounds Committee - Pat Clemente, Matt Fiske, Ron Gaylord, Carl Kachmar, Tom Kopec, John Schwartz, Jared Urbanski Word Coordinating Team Jennifer Bale, Pat Cole, Carmella Faust, Mary Fiske, Bessmarie Frey, Erin Keating, Ruth McEvoy, Arthur Piccone, Danielle Taylor Worship Coordinating Team Father Chmil, George Andresky, Elaine Blessing, Cindy Liskov, Debbie Lyons, Kathleen McCarthy, Nick Mirigliani, Denise Mosca, Stephanie Olmstead, Peggy Yanklunas Community Coordinating Team - Father Roche, Mary Bednarek, Kate Corgan, Nancy Flannery, Betty Habler, Molly Kachmar, Nancy Larralde, Sally McGinley, Roberta McHale, Helen O Brien, Mike Stretanski Service Coordinating Team - Deacon O Connor, Tom Hamill, Pat Kupetz, Tom Scappaticci, Bob Tuttle, Mary Beth Vender PARISH STAFF Pastor john.chmil@yahoo.com Assistant Pastor alexjroche@gmail.com Pastoral Outreach Rev. John J. Chmil Rev. Alex J. Roche, S.T.L. Deacon John E. O Connor Religious Formation Mrs. Carmella Faust Religiouseducation1@yahoo.com Mrs. Patty Kopec Youth Ministry stignatiusyg@gmail.com Worship Receptionist Main/Business Office SILOffice@aol.com Maintenance Sacristan Cemetery Clerks Visiting Clergy Jennifer Bale Mrs. Carmella Faust, Director of Liturgy Kim Gnall, Mixed Choir Ensemble Mrs. Elaine Blessing, Contemporary Ensemble & Children s Choir Director Mrs. Pat Fennell, Accompanist Mrs. Caprice Ryman, Accompanist Mr. George Andresky, Accompanist Mrs. Jen Carey Ms. Mary Lewis Ron Gaylord Matt Fiske Ms. Mary Lewis, St. Ignatius Mrs. Jen Carey, St. Mary & St. Hedwig Rev. Joseph Adonizio Rev. Anthony Urban Rev. Richard Zavacki