Saint Philip Parish December 23, 2012 Year of Faith Fourth Sunday of Advent

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1 Saint Philip Parish December 23, 2012 Year of Faith Fourth Sunday of Advent 50 West Crafton Avenue Pittsburgh PA STAFF Rev. Walter W. Dworak, Pastor School Principal Geri Marr, S.C ext.# 4 gmarr@spsangelway.org; Coordinator of Religious Education Walter Schulte ext. #6 stphilipreled@gmail.com Director of Music Tim Ignatz ext.#7 St. Vincent de Paul Society ext. #2 Parish Office PHONE: FAX: parishoffice@saintphilipchurch.org Church Website: School Website: Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 4:00 p.m. Sunday:7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.-12:00noon Daily Mass: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: Anticipated Mass 4:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon 7:00 p.m. (except Christmas and New Year s Day) Devotions Mission Statement Both as a community of the Body of Christ and as individuals who are attempting to follow and obey Him, we do so by reflecting the Light of Christ through the prism and life of our beloved Apostle Saint Philip. Like him, we, too, are working to bring others to Christ as did he, Sunday: 3:00 p.m. Rosary & Devotions saying, come and see Jesus of Nazareth along with Tuesday: 8:25 a.m. Our Lady of Miraculous us (John 1:43 ff). We also are present and at work in Medal Novena our community ministering as did Saint Philip who Sacrament of Reconciliation helped to feed the hungry multitudes (John 6:5ff). And Saturday between 12:30-1:00 p.m. and after the Saturday evening anticipated Mass. Appointments most important of all, we gather for worship, prayer, can be made for private reconciliation by calling and celebration of the Eucharist as did Saint Philip the Parish Office. when he met with the risen Christ and his disciples in

2 Bell Tower Super Bowl Pool Regular season football is still underway, and we don t know who will play in this year s Super Bowl yet. But, we do know the game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013 between the AFC and the NFC. We hope the AFC champ is the Steelers; but even if it isn t we are having a Super Bowl Pool. The cost is $50 per block. There are 100 blocks in the pool. We will have 4 payouts: 1 st Quarter score - $ nd Quarter score - $ rd Quarter score - $375, and Final score is $1,000. The names and numbers will be randomly drawn in advance. You will receive a copy of the completed pool prior to the Super Bowl. Don t be left out. We already have blocks sold!! Purchase a block for yourself or partner with a friend. Consider buying some as Christmas gifts. (We have certificates for you to give). Please fill out the form below and return to the parish office. Thank you. Bell Tower Super Bowl Pool $50 each Total enclosed I would like to name my block(s) Name Phone number Sat./Sun., December 22/23: Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:00 P.M Richard Robertson (wife, Sue) 7:00 A.M. Marie Warchol (friends & family) 10:00 A.M. Kim Harbaugh (friends) 12:00 Noon Patricia Edwards (Kroneberg family) Monday, December 24: Late Advent Weekday 8:30 A.M. Col. (ret) Arthur F. Crum Jr. (Joan & Chris Crum) Vigil of Christmas 4:00 P.M. All living & deceased members (Children s Mass) 6:00 P.M. All living & deceased members 12:00 Midnight All living & deceased members Tuesday, December 25: Christmas Day 7:00 A.M. All living & deceased members 10:00 A.M. All living & deceased members (Please note: There is not a 12 Noon Mass on Christmas Day.) Wednesday, December 26: St. Stephen 8:30 A.M. Mary A. Goyke (Janine Goyke) Thursday, December 27: St. John, Apostle 8:30 A.M. Pauline & Humbert Streppa (family) Friday, December 28: The Holy Innocents 8:30 A.M. John Sebesta (family) Saturday, December 29: The 5th day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 8:30 A.M. Special intentions of Paul & Claudia Korol (Andrew Sherbaugh Jr.) 12:30 P.M. Confessions 2:00 P.M. Wedding Bianca Barnabei & David Goodwin Sat./Sun., December 29/30: The Holy Family 4:00 P.M Sam Barker (family) 7:00 A.M. Harry & Dorothy Phillips (family) 10:00 A.M. Tom Clayton (family) 12:00 Noon Captain Jason West (family) Sanctuary Light Burns this week for: John Sebesta Requested by: family

3 December 23, 2012 St. Philip, pray for us! Page 3 The older I get, the more I reminisce. I suppose it s because less time awaits me in the future, while the years I ve lived are starting to pile up considerably. Unlike young people, I have a lot more Christmases to remember. But like everyone else, I have both good and bad memories. One sorrowful memory is the death of my dad two days before Christmas. His death at that time brought back memories of my childhood. A classmate of mine in grade school who lived across the street from me lost his grandfather a few days before Christmas. I still remember how the family took down their Christmas tree and placed it on the curb for pick-up. I guess they decided they could not keep the trappings of Christmas joy when they were now in mourning over their loved one s death. At the time, I felt sorry for my classmate. I would be getting gifts. And he wouldn t even be celebrating Christmas. Now, years later at the time of my dad s death, I would know his sorrow because someone I loved had died at a time many of those around me would be joyfully celebrating the Birth of Our Lord. I also have many good memories, just as you do. Decorating the Christmas tree, getting presents and visiting relatives were all happy occurrences. I remember being disappointed when my parents began to take down the Christmas tree. I wanted it to stay up a long time. Of course, I didn t get my way. Christmas can t last forever even though I wanted it to. I also have happy memories of Midnight Mass. The church was always decorated beautifully. And because that time of night was so quiet as we walked to and from church, the words of Silent Night rang true for me. Somehow even the time of the Mass made Christmas special. Midnight was an uncommon hour. But then, the birth of Christ was uncommon extraordinary, in fact. One could almost imagine the shepherds watching their flocks by night and being filled with awe at the appearance of the angel proclaiming to them that the Messiah had been born. What are your memories of Christmas? Hopefully, despite the sad moments you may have had, you also knew great joy, especially the joy that comes from knowing the true meaning of Christmas. Even more importantly, what memories are you helping to create for your children and grandchildren? I hope that one day they will not just remember the presents they received and the family gatherings, but also the religious celebrations and the true meaning of Christmas that you instilled within them. When we help young people understand what this great feast is all about, we give them a special gift that will remain in their memories and be cherished with the arrival of each new Christmas Day. It s a gift our parents and loved ones gave us. How can we not give it in turn to others? Merry Christmas! New Years Eve Party The American Legion Post 145 (next door) cordially invites parishioners to join them for a New Years Eve Party. Doors open at 8:00 P.M., and dinner is served at 9:00 P.M. followed by danceable music, especially line and oldies. Snacks, pop and beer will be provided (BYOB). Tickets are $20 per person and includes everything. For questions or reservations, call Bob or Geri Gentile at Please remember in your prayers Col. (retired), Arthur Crum Jr., brother of Joan Crum, who entered into eternal life recently. May he rest in peace. Father Walt, Father Wilt and the parish staff wish you and your family a Blessed and safe Christmas.

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5 PARISH EVENTS THIS WEEK Wednesday, Dec. 26: 7:00 P.M. Catholic Men s Fellowship (Parish Center) 7:00 P.M. Cantor Rehearsal (Choir Loft) 7:20 P.M. Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft) Sunday Collection (12-16) Parish Share Organ Fund Bell Tower Thank you for your generous donation. Thursday, Dec. 27: 6:45 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul Society (Kelty Hall) Saturday, Dec 29: 9:15 A.M. Legion of Mary (Rectory) JUST A REMINDER! The second collection on Christmas is for the Children and Youth services of our Diocese. If you choose to use the designated envelope, you will also help our parish. Because we have already paid our Parish Share for this year, the money you contribute stays with us and is not subject to assessment by the Diocese as income unlike the red Christmas collection envelope for the parish. Whatever donation you place in the red envelope stays with the parish and is also subject to the Diocesan tax for next year s Parish Share drive. If you use the white envelope for Children and Youth, the Diocese matches whatever donation you give and gives it to that charity. So if you donate to this second collection, you are really giving twice. If you are only able to make one contribution this Christmas, please consider giving only to the Children and Youth collection because it benefits not only this worthy charity, but also our parish. Lottery Calendar: Calendars for the St. Philip Lottery Calendar Fundraiser are now available for Please call Tom Bronder at to order your calendar, or if you have any questions. The calendars make wonderful gifts for the holidays. You can support our school fundraiser, and give a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. A few calendars will be available at the parish office for pickup only. Thank you. Attention Business Owners Help parents to be able to choose a quality school for their children. You can give from your state tax bill. That s right, you can direct your taxes to our school and it costs your little or nothing. Go to newpa.com and click on OSTC or Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit. There is currently $40 million dollars in tax credits available. Register with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) at newpa.com and fill out the application. It is so simple. Any questions, please call Dr. Ron Bowes at Please make St. Philip Parish your favorite charity and remember to include St. Philip Parish in your will. ST. PHILIP LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE Sat. Dec. 29 /Sun. Dec. 30 Altar Servers 4:00 P.M Alex Gamble, Katelyn Gamble, Jack Weaver 7:00 A.M. Adult Server 10:00 A.M. Hope Grefenstte, Arabella Hunt, Jonah Hunt 12:00 Noon Joey Feola, Anastasia Bergstedt, Carmen Worrall Lectors 4:00 P.M. Jeff Gamble 7:00 A.M. Beth Ayres 10:00 A.M Simon Grefenstette 12:00 Noon Harold Murock Eucharistic Ministers 4:00 P.M. Bill & Carol Solt, Art Bannon, Walter Schulte, Sue Solt-Lonsinger 7:00 A.M. Rosemary Mulkerrin, Gerri Allen, Mary Jo Auth 10:00 A.M Bill Cullen & Susan Kelly, Joe Allen, Dennis Wilkinson, Janine Rutherford 12:00 Noon Mike Calorie, Marie Kelly, Paula Kelly, Marie Smith, Dorothy Koger Don t forget: when you get that new laptop, digital camera or cell phone the old ones can be donated to St. Philip Parish Bell Tower Fund. Just drop off at the parish office or give to any usher at Mass. Thank you!

6 ANNOUNCING THE ANGEL WAY MEMORIAL BRICK GARDEN TO BENEFIT THE BELL TOWER PROJECT The ANGEL WAY MEMORIAL BRICK GARDEN is a new project at Saint Philip that will allow you to personally establish a permanent link from the past and the present into the future. We are beginning a commemorative brick campaign that will allow you to display your message in the garden along Angels Way in the courtyard. Our Memorial Garden will be a peaceful place for contemplation where parishioners can sit, pray, and visit with God. It is also a joyful place where the voices and footsteps of our children echo before and after many parish activities. The Purpose of the Project The immediate purpose of this project is to raise funds to pay off the debt we incurred to make the emergency repairs to the Bell Tower and thus ease the effect of the debt on the parish s annual budget. To accomplish this goal, we are offering engraved bricks to members and friends of Saint Philip Parish. This brick campaign provides you with an opportunity to memorialize an event in someone s life, to honor a loved one, or to permanently honor someone who has entered God s heavenly kingdom. Whatever the reason, donating one or more bricks is a wonderful way to honor and recognize someone special in your life. There is a great interest in this project, and we anticipate that the bricks will sell quickly. Types of bricks and cost: Text on Your Brick: For a 4x8 brick, you may have three lines of text with 16 characters or spaces per line. For an 8x8 brick you may have five lines of text with 16 characters or spaces per line. With the 8x8 Corporate Brick, you may have your logo and 2-3 lines of text (depending on the size of the logo). The lettering will be engraved, and not painted, to better create a permanent memory. Ordering: Order forms will be available shortly. Look for them in vestibules of the Church or the parish office.

7 Religious Education News Gospel Reflection This Gospel passage is one that we are all familiar with; what is interesting is that Mary is making haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This leads to the question of why is Mary making haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth? She is making haste to share the good news of what God has done in her life, but more importantly to be of service to Elizabeth and rejoice at what God has done in Elizabeth s life. As we near the Solemnity of Christmas, perhaps we too have been making haste, but is it the holy haste to share the Good News that Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem and have our hearts ready to welcome Him? Or has the haste been to make sure that everyone on our Christmas list has gotten what they wanted and to make sure that all is ready for the perfect Christmas? It is not that our preparations for Christmas are not important because they too can be an expression of our love for those in our lives, but they can cause us to lose focus that the reason for all these preparations are Jesus. Let us remember this week to make haste in spirit to Bethlehem to come, adore, and worship Him. Adult Education The Adult Education Program on the Gospel of Luke will resume on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7 P.M. in the Hope House. We will be discussing the chapters 12 and 13 of Luke. New comers are still welcome to join us, even if you have not been for the first part of the Gospel of Luke. Year of Faith In honor of the Year of Faith declared by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, I have been offering a series of talks on the Creed to the parish. Our next talk will be on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7 P.M. in the Hope House. The topic will be part one on Jesus Christ of the Nicene Creed. I hope to see you there. Baptismal Preparation Classes Parents who are expecting their first child are required by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to attend a Baptismal Preparation class prior to the birth of their first child. Sessions are held in the Hope House at 1:15 P.M. by appointment. The next scheduled class is Sunday, January 27, Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment at , ext. 5. The Seven Pillars of Catholicism This is the final part of seven installments that will appear weekly between now and Christmas. In his book Rediscovering Catholicism, Matthew Kelly talks about the seven pillars of Catholicism. The seven pillars are: Reconciliation, Daily Prayer, Mass, Bible, Fasting, Spiritual Reading, and the Rosary. Kelly mentions that these pillars are what make Catholicism the amazing faith that was, is, and will continue to be; the problem is that some people have forgotten about these practices that give life to our faith. For this reflection, I will focus on the seventh pillar: the Rosary. Of all the elements that are part of Catholicism, one is an identity marker of Catholicism is the Rosary. While this prayer may seem to be repetitive with all the Hail Mary s, it is important to know that this is one type of prayer in which the same phrase or prayer in this case is repeated. This is also a scriptural prayer because the first part of the Hail Mary combines what Gabriel said to Mary at the Annunciation and Elizabeth said to Mary at her arrival. The last part is the prayer of the Church where we ask Mary to pray for us. Matt Kelly talks of the beauty of this prayer: [Some] Catholics today have abandoned the rosary today because we have been seduced by complexity. We give our allegiance and respect to complexity, but simplicity is the key to perfection. Peace in our hearts is born from simplicity in our lives. (268) Perhaps that is part of the reason why some of us gloss over this prayer-it appears too simple; however, in my own experience of praying the rosary, I find that its simplicity does help me to keep peace in my heart. Why don t you try praying a rosary this week for peace in your own heart and that of your family and friends? Advent Preparation for Christmas Pray the following Christmas this week (concludes on Dec. 24). Opening Prayer (for each day): Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment, At which the Son of God was born, Of a most pure Virgin, At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem, In the piercing cold, At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires: (Mention your intentions here). Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen. December 23: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God! December 24:O Thou that sits upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Thy face, and we shall be saved. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be (after each day s antiphon). -Walter Schulte