SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH

Transcription

1 SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH Founded BRYN MAWR AVENUE BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA Website: Phone: MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Monday Friday: 7:30 a.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions): Saturdays 4:15 to 4:45 PM, also by appointment Reverend Monsignor Gerard C. Mesure, J.D., J.C.D., M.A. Pastor Director of Parish Outreach Peggy Haley Reverend Sean P. Bransfield, J.C.L., M.A., M.Div. Parochial Vicar Director of Liturgical Music Berthilla Wiscount Reverend John A. McGinnis Retired Priest Coordinator of Religious Education Peggy Haley Deacon Michael J. Kubiak Weekend Assistance: Rev. Gregory Finn OSJ and Rev. Quan Tran NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to Saint Matthias Parish! Please see one of the priests after any weekend Mass or call the Rectory if you are interested in registering at Saint Matthias Parish. RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. SICK CALLS: Emergencies Please call the Rectory. Hospital Visitation The Parish Priests will be happy to visit any Parishioner who is hospitalized. Please contact the Rectory, since hospitals do not contact the Rectory. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered most Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are made in advance at the Rectory. Sponsors must provide proof of eligibility by a letter from their respective Pastors. First-time parents attend a Pre-Jordan Meeting prior to Baptism, which is arranged at a mutually convenient time. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Arrangements must be made with the parish at least six months before the date of the Wedding. D E C E M B E R 2 3, 2018 F O U R T H S U N D A Y O F A D V E N T 075 Saint Matthias - 1

2 December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 22 Late Advent Weekday 8:00 Richard Frank Vita *5:00 Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo & Mr. William V. Hyland, Jr. Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 Daniel Campbell 10:30 Anna & Joseph Preziosi *7:00 Gift of the Life of Patricia Finn Thorton Monday, December 24 Late Advent Weekday 8:30 Parishioners of St. Matthias 4:00 Parishioners of St. Matthias 6:00 Parishioners of St. Matthias Midnight Parishioners of St. Matthias Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) 8:30 Parishioners of St, Matthias 10:30 Parishioners of St. Matthias Wednesday, December 26 St. Steven, the First Martyr 7:30 Bob Tuckett Thursday, December 27 St. John, Apostle & Evangelist 7:30 Marino Zollo Friday, December 28 St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church 7:30 Hans Steinbeis Saturday, December 29 Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 8:00 Catherine O Connor 5:00 Ernest Augustine Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 8:30 Rev. Charles Gormley 10:30 Bernadette Ginkiewicz 7:00 Parishioners of St. Matthias * Extra ordinary support through the Saint Matthias Day Program. Sacrificial Giving ~ Stewardship Sunday Collection totals will be updated in future bulletins, due to early holiday publishing deadlines. Thank you for your continued sacrificial generosity! LIVING LIGHTS: On the side of the Sanctuary near the statue of the Sacred Heart is a place where three candles burn for special intentions. If you wish to have one of these candles burning for your intention, please bring your donation and intention to the sacristy or the rectory office. The donation for these candles is $10. This week s candles are lit for: Our Youth, Marriage & Family. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH: Lorraine Beaulieu, Richard & Mary Jane Breen, Sister Margaret Donohue, R.S.M., Martha Eckert, Louise Grato, Peggy Haley, Raymond Hinson, Dr. Joan Hurlock, William Kelly, Chadd Kraus, Eleanor Kuhl, Ann Ledgister, Terry Leibfreid, Rev. James Moore, S.J., Mrs. Agata Pacellia, Michele Smith, Jim Trainer, Rev. Thomas Wheeler, S.J. We also pray for those served by our Parish in Inglis House and Bala Nursing Home. Please help us keep this list current: if you wish to have someone s name added to/removed from the Sick List, kindly contact the Rectory. MEMBERS OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Patricia Black, Andrea Constantino, Mike DeMonte, Maggie Duffy, Brian Fogarty, Peggy Haley (ex-officio), Ed Kiefski, Claudia Martinez, Ray Nepomuceno, Gina Sullivan, H. Nelson Keyser (finance council rep.), Berthilla Wiscount (ex-officio), Megan Zak December, Evangelization In the Service of the Transmission of Faith That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. VERSE OF THE DAY December 23, 2018 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4: Saint Matthias - 2

3 A Christmas Message from our Pastor Dear Parishioners, At Christmas we can often experience a sense of wonder that may evade us the rest of the year. At Christmas we can sense that there is more to life than what we may experience in our day-to-day routine. At Christmas we can often better sense the presence of God in our lives. I pray that you will experience the loving presence of God not just during the Christmas season but also throughout the New Year. I pray that we will all come to a greater realization of Jesus powerful presence and action in the people and events we encounter each day. On behalf of Father Bransfield, Father McGinnis, Father Finn, Father Tran, Deacon Mike, and everyone here at Saint Matthias Parish, I wish you and your loved ones a Holy and Merry Christmas. Fr. Mesure Priest Celebrant Schedule: Monday, Christmas Eve December 24, :00 PM Fr. Sean Bransfield 6.00 PM Msgr. Gerard Mesure Midnight Fr. Sean Bransfield Tuesday, Christmas Day December 25, :30 AM Msgr. Gerard Mesure 10:30 AM Fr. Gregory Finn Priest Celebrant Schedule: Dec 29 & 30 5:00 Fr. Sean Bransfield 8:30 Msgr. Gerard Mesure 10:30 Fr. Sean Bransfield 7:00 Fr. Quan Tran Infant Clothing Collection December 2 nd to January 7 th (Benefiting Mother s Home in Darby) Mother s Home is a residential shelter which provides a safe haven for vulnerable, pregnant women in crisis who chose life as a sacred gift. Founded in 1991 as a program to provide hope and support for young women who choose life for their unborn child despite ongoing obstacles. Mother s Home provides shelter for up to 22 women during their pregnancy and the first 6 months after their babies are born. You can drop-off your donation (unwrapped, please) in front of the Saint Joseph Altar beginning December 2 nd. Thank you for your kindness. With another Fiscal Year coming to a close, may we ask you to consider making a special donation to Saint Matthias Church. All donations are taxdeductible on your income taxes if you itemize your deductions. Please consider making this special end-of-year donation before December 31, and may God continue to bless you and your families! It s that time of the year when we as a parish get together to share our diversity So be sure to SAVE THE DATE! Saint Matthias Parish International Supper Saturday, February 2, 2019 after the 5 PM Mass All are welcome! We celebrate our cultural diversity and our unity in Christ 075 Saint Matthias - 3

4 St. Matthias Church 2018 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS EVE Monday, December 24, :00 PM & 6:00 PM Vigil Masses for Christmas MIDNIGHT MASS Preceded by a choral and instrumental prelude at 11:30 PM CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday December 25, 2018 Masses 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM No Evening Mass Saturday December 29, :00 PM Vigil Mass THE HOLY FAMILY of JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH Sunday, December 30, 2018 Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM New Year s Eve Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Monday, December 31, :00 PM Mass New Year s Day The Octave Day within of the Nativity of the Lord, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Masses 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM No Evening Mass Save the Date! Friday, January 4, 2019, 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM Friday night is Family Night in our parish gym. It is a chance to play basketball and other games along with other families. (Children cannot be dropped off. Parents must stay with their children.) Saturday, January 5, Feast of Saint John Neumann Sunday, January 6, Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2019, PREP - 8:45 AM - Monday, January 14 - Bible Study resumes Sunday, January 27 - First Reconciliation Sunday, January 27 - Renovation Project Kickoff February 2 - International Supper Liturgical Ministry Schedule December 29 & 30, 2018 Lectors 5:00 PM Therese Trainer 8:30 AM Eileen Keenan 10:30 AM Bridgette Sutton 7:00 PM Pat Black Minsters of Holy Communion 5:00 PM Dolores DiGiacomo & Therese Trainer 8:30 AM Deacon Mike & Eileen Keenan 10:30 AM Mike DeMonte & Peggy Haley 7:00 PM Victoria Britt & Pat Black Altar Servers 5:00 PM Nestor Delgado & Nathan Tran 8:30 AM Logan & Jace Rothberg 10:30 AM Emily Donoghue, Keira Gibbons & Angela DeMonte 7:00 PM Nestor Delgado & Nathan Tran Greeters 5:00 PM Dolores DiGiacomo, Maria Preston, Pat & Connie Cerone 8:30 AM Claire Mamo, Miriam Mitchell, Jenny Custer & Mary Bloguszewski 10:30 AM Margareta & Mike DeMonte 7:00 PM Kathleen Johnson Counters Schedule Nelson & Mary Ellen Keyser Where: St. Margaret Parish 208 N. Narberth Ave. Narberth, PA When: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM January 6, 2019 HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS Questions? Contact the vocation Office: // cgallagher@archphila.org 075 Saint Matthias - 4

5 Ministers of Holy Communion 4:00 PM Ray Nepomuceno & Deacon Mike 6:00 PM Therese Trainer Midnight Dave Fabry & Eileen Keenan Altar Servers 4:00 PM Mia Linh Shanley, Nathan Tran & Roman Nepomueno 6:00 PM Chris Hyland Midnight Roman Nepomuceno & Teddy Eisienstein Greeters 4:00 PM Ray, Rox, & Mia Nepomuceno & Peggy Haley 6:00 PM Midnight Ray, Rox, & Mia Nepomuceno & Dave Fabry December 25 Christmas Day Lectors 8:30 AM Kathy Johnson 10:30 AM Monique Timberlake-Brady Ministers of Holy Communion 8:30 AM Charles & Peg Lamb 10:30 AM Deacon Mike Altar Servers 8:30 AM Jim & Bridget Carney 10:30 AM Katie Timberlake Liturgical Ministry Schedule December 24 Christmas Eve Lectors 4:00 PM Vanessa Kraus 6:00 PM Therese Trainer Midnight Eileen Keenan In Thanksgiving for Christmas Traditions! In Thanksgiving for Christmas Traditions Be with us, Lord Jesus, as we celebrate the joy of Christmas traditions. Thank you for each one that brings us closer together. For trimming trees and hanging stockings, for wrapping gifts and welcoming guests, for preparing meals and sending seasonal greetings. Make each tradition an opportunity to deepen our awareness of your presence in our lives. Enlarge our capacity for hospitality, generosity, and joy. Attune us to the traditions of our Church and, through them, draw us together in faith, hope, and charity. In your sacred name we pray. T h Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future Renovation Project Save the Date!! Sunday January 27, 2019 Monsignor Mesure and The Renovation Project Committee have completed all first phase Pastor Receptions all held at the Convent, our soon to be New Parish Center. The Committee is now planning for an All Parish Kick-Off on Sunday, January 27, 2019, following the 10:30 Mass. Please save the date and plan to attend this celebration. Monsignor Mesure is grateful to the Committee for their personal dedication, commitment and generosity of time and treasure, to make the dream of this Parish Center a reality. Committee Members: Patricia Black Ed Kiefski Maggie Duffy Autumn Mendel David Fabry Jack Yura Bob Haenn As we enter this holy season and prepare for the birth of Our Savior, both in our hearts and our homes, our Project Committee will take a short break and will gather again after the New Year to prepare for the January Kick-Off. Anyone who, for tax or IRA distribution considerations, would like to take advantage of making their pledge/gift to this project before year s end are encouraged to do so by calling the Parish Office Holy Martyrs Catholic Church Celebrating 70 Years January 6, 1949 to January 6, 2019 Mass, January 6 at 10:30 AM Continental Breakfast Reception following Mass in the Parish Hall ALL ARE INVITED 120 Allison Road Oreland, PA holymartyrschurch@gmail.com 075 Saint Matthias - 5

6 THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Good to have you with us! Been away from Church? Welcome home! We offer a profound welcome to all our visitors, family members and friends of our parishioners who are with us to celebrate the great Feast of Christmas! For some of our visitors and friends, perhaps it has been a while since you last attended Mass or went to Confession. No matter how long you may have been away from Church, no matter what the reason, you will find a warm welcome here at Saint Matthias Parish! God never forces Himself but He is always inviting you (and so do we!) to come back to Him, to draw closer to Him. In the New Year, join us for Holy Mass (Masses are at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening and at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sundays). Confessions are heard on Saturday, 4:15 p.m. and by appointment. Come, see what Jesus is all about and what we strive to be all about. We are a vibrant worshiping and caring community! Of course, the decision is yours, but once you meet the friendly, faith-filled people who are Saint Matthias Parish, we re sure you will want to keep coming back again and again, growing in your relationship with God, our loving Father. If you wish more information on coming back to Church, we invite you to visit the following website: If you have any questions, or would like to speak to one of our priests, call the Rectory, The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. To fit the number scheme, when you reach number 9, representing the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, the originator combined 6 to make 3, taking the 6 fruits that were similar: the fruit in each parenthesis is the that was not named separately. There are actually Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost. The "True Love" one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because truly Love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary, to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators. According to Ann Ball in her book, HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS: The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-- ---Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity]. t The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles. THE HISTORY OF The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed. 075 Saint Matthias - 6