Bulletin and Insert December 6, 2015

Transcription

1 Bulletin and Insert December 6, 2015

2 Our Lady of Peace rd Avenue Conway, PA Fr. Jim Kurtz, OFM Cap, Pastor Jim Weiland, Deacon Mass Schedule Saturday: Vigil-4:00pm (1 st weekend of Nov. thru Palm Sunday) 5:30pm (remainder of the year unless otherwise noted) Sunday: 8:30am and 10:30am Weekdays: Mon., Tues., Wed., and Fri. 9:00am (unless noted otherwise in the bulletin) Holy Days: See Schedule in Bulletin Office Hours Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm Sacraments Baptism Parents are required to attend a Preparation Class, normally held on the second Sunday of every other month. Date and time of baptism are arranged at this session. In order for a child to be baptized parents must be a registered member of the parish for at least three months prior to the baptism. One parent must be a practicing Catholic who actively participates in the life of the Church including regular attendance at Mass. Please call the parish office in advance to register for the class. Rite of Reconciliation Saturday: 3:00pm (1 st weekend of Nov. thru Palm Sunday) 4:30PM (Easter to 1 st weekend of November) Anytime by appointment Marriage Marriage requires a period of spiritual preparation. Couples should make an appointment with the priest at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. Pre-marriage classes, as well as meetings with the priest, are necessary. One party to be married must be a registered parishioner and practicing Catholic who actively participates in the life of the Church including regular attendance at Mass. RCIA We welcome those who are interested in becoming Roman Catholic Christians. To enter a program of formation and prayer contact the Religious Education Office. Ministry to the Sick/Elderly Please call the Parish Office if a relative has been admitted to the hospital. Those unable to attend Mass because of age, sickness or disability, may receive Holy Communion at home. If you know someone who would benefit from a visit, please call the Parish office. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be administered prior to going into the hospital or at home by calling the Parish Office. Sponsors To act as a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation requires a person to be a registered member of the parish for at least three months and to actively participate in the life of the Church including regular attendance at Mass. With Our Lady of Peace as our model of faith, hope, and love, we are a committed Catholic Christian people working together for God through worship, education, and service to achieve spiritual growth. As a parish family devoted to Christ, we welcome others to our faith community. December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent

3 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Reflecting on God s Word How many towns do you suppose have a newspaper called The Herald? It s a good name for a newspaper because it refers to one who proclaims significant news. It also can refer to a person who comes before to announce what will follow, a forerunner like John. The angels who heralded the good news of Jesus birth fit into a long line of heralds who proclaimed that God s promises would at last be fulfilled. This week everyone seems to be announcing good news. Isaiah and the psalmist herald and describe others heralding glad tidings. Mark proclaims the gospel [or good news ] of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1). He also depicts John as a herald in the tradition of Isaiah. And Peter speaks eloquently of God s promise and patience. Can we bring ourselves to hearken to their words and believe them? Do we have any good news of our own to proclaim? Virginia Stillwell Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Living God s Word Unlike those who were baptized by John, we were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). If that is so, then what sort of persons ought we to be? Like Isaiah, John, and Peter, we ought to be both heralding and hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:12). Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 8 th. A Vigil Mass will be Monday, Dec. 7 at 5:30PM and Masses on Tuesday are 9AM and 7PM. ********************************* SPECIAL MASS A Mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace at 9AM on Saturday, December 12 th to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. ********************************* Just a Reminder... In the most recent packet of envelopes is a blue envelope to be completed if you would like to make a Christmas Memorial Flower Donation. Please print the name of the family member to be remembered or honored on this envelope (or enclose a sheet of paper if needed), along with your donation and drop it into the collection basket or mail to the parish office before December 14 th. The names of the memorials/honoree and donors will be published and distributed at all the Christmas masses. The donations for the flowers are $10, $15, and $20 per plant. If you do not have this envelope or have misplaced it, please call the parish office at ************ Oplatki ************ We will be selling Oplatki, the traditional Christmas Wafers after all masses. They will also be sold in the parish office, Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm. Each envelope of four wafers is $2. Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors Altar Ministers and Servers With the celebration of Christmas not far away we ask that you volunteer to assist at one of the Masses on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A sign up sheet for the Greeters has been posted near the Reconciliation Room. The Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors can volunteer on the sign up sheets posted on the podium at the side entrance in the back of church. Altar Ministers and Servers can also find their sign up sheet on the podium at the side entrance in the back of the church. Your willingness to assist at one of the Christmas masses will truly make our celebration a special and beautiful one. The Light is on for You! The Light is On for You! is an initiative of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to encourage Catholics to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a wonderful opportunity to set aside our sinful ways and to draw closer to our Lord. Confession will be available on Wednesday, December 9 from 6PM to 9PM in every Catholic parish in the Diocese (including Our Lady of Peace Parish). Regional Advent Penance Opportunities Sunday, Dec. 13-7PM - St. Cecilia, Rochester Monday, Dec. 14-7PM-Our Lady of Peace, Conway Tuesday, Dec. 15-7PM - Our Lady of Fatima, Hopewell Wednesday, Dec. 16-7PM -St. Francis Cabrini, Center Thursday, Dec. 17-7PM - SS Peter & Paul, Beaver Saturday, Dec Noon - St. John the Baptist, Monaca Baptismal Seminar On Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015 at 9:30AM, there will be a Baptismal Preparation Program for those parents who have recently given birth or are expecting in the near future. The program addresses the importance of baptism as well as the responsibilities of parents in sharing the faith with their children. Please call the parish office at to register. Mark your calendar As a way for the parish to show its appreciation for all those who volunteer in the parish, an Appreciation Dinner will be held in Stephens Hall on Saturday, January 9, Invitations will be mailed the first week in December.

4 Adult Bible Study Every Wednesday at 7PM in Room 5 of the Education Building is a Bible Study on various topics of the Bible. We are currently studying The Prophets through a DVD series by Ascension Press. This is a great series that helps to learn about the famous Prophets from the Old Testament and links it to how their message can help us today. Our Bible Studies are free for parishioners to attend. Immediately following at 8:15PM is a study on Church History. You are welcome to join one or both studies. CCD Resumes CCD resumes on Sunday, December 6 and Monday, December 7 for all CCD students. Angel Tree This is the last day to take a tag from the Angel Tree. All left over tags will be advertised on the Facebook page for parishioners or parish groups to purchase those gifts. All Angel Tree gifts are due to the office by Sunday, Dec. 13. They will be delivered on Monday, so please have them in on time. We have no way to deliver the late gifts. All donations for Bishop Lippert s Orphanage need to be made out to Our Lady of Peace. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Deschaine at ext 2. Website Changes Have you checked out the new website ( In addition to a weekly blog by Fr. Jim, we also have our Ministers Schedules posted online. If you would like to see when you are serving but can t find your paper, just go to the Parish website to find out. Our site is also mobile friendly and can easily be viewed from your smartphone or tablet. Stay tuned for our Parish App coming soon. If you would like to see something added to the website, please let the office know and we will see if we can make it happen. If you have not checked out the new site, please take a look! 3 in 1 Youth Group Our next Youth Group meeting will be on Sunday, December 13 at 6:30PM at St. John s, Baden. We will have a Christmas Party and everyone is asked to bring a $5 grab bag and an appetizer. Please RSVP to Cindy Deschaine at ext 2 or olopdre@verizon.net for planning purposes. Home Study Advent Event We will have a Home Study Event on Sunday, Dec. 6 following the 10:30AM Mass in Stephens Hall. All Home Study students are required to attend the events in addition to the computer work for their grade level. Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas will make an appearance at the end of the 8:30 & 10:30AM Mass on Sunday, Dec. 6 in honor of his Feast Day. All children in attendance will receive a small treat from him. Mary s Mantel As you may have read in the bulletin, in September we started a new undertaking through the Apostolate Committee called Mary s Mantle, in which we asked for volunteers to make afghans which will then be distributed to the shut ins from our church and those from our church that are in nursing homes. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we have now delivered about 40 afghans. Even though right now both the shut in list and the nursing home list have been delivered to, as new people are added to the lists we will keep delivering the afghans. Those receiving these handmade gifts are so surprised and touched that we remember them, and those making the afghans are a truly blessed group of women who are giving of their time and talents to make someone happy. If you can still donate afghans please do so. We are delivering as needed and will tell you who received your afghan when they are delivered. The people receiving afghans will also know who made this lovely gift for them. Thank you again for your help and generosity in making this successful. UPCOMING EVENTS/TRIPS AT OLOP Spain and the Portuguese Riviera including Fatima...Our Lady of Peace Church is sponsoring a trip to Spain including Costa del Sol and the Portuguese Riviera leaving June 9-21, This exciting trip starts in Spain's dynamic capital city of Madrid and continues on to historic Cordoba, Grenada's rolling hills with olive groves, classic country beauty in Ronda, the "Garden of the Architect" with waterfalls, courtyards, and secret gardens in Seville, and Costa del Sol an absolutely beautiful resort area with cascading flowers and whitewashed buildings. From there we travel to Portugal and the Portuguese Riviera where we will enjoy exploring Lisbon, perhaps walk the beach promenade in Cascais or shop for hand woven works and tapestries. We will travel Portugal's Silver Coast, a region filled with sleepy villages, rich vineyards and centuries old castles. We will visit the medieval walled city of Obidos and fishing villages, then visit Fatima, the world famous Marian pilgrimage site. A $ per person discount will expire Dec. 10th. Please call or for more information. Other News and Events Catholic Hospice is reaching out & inviting you to consider volunteering with us. We hope to have people who share in our mission and are open to encountering one of life s most rewarding experiences, join our volunteer team. If Patient Care is not your primary interest, we are welcoming people who enjoy fundraising or clerical work to join our team as well. Volunteer training for Patient Care will be held on Friday, Dec. 18 from 9AM to 4PM at the Sewickley office. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, call Robyn Aguzzi at or raguzzi@catholichospicepgh.org. Friendship Ridge Christmas Day Volunteer Request: Mass will be celebrated on Christmas Day at Friendship Ridge at 10AM. Volunteers are needed to escort residents to and from Mass beginning at 9:15AM. Liturgical cantors and instrumentalists are also welcome. If you can assist, or for further information, please call Father Bill at x 234. Thank you and God Bless you. Saints Peter and Paul PTG presents the 29 th Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour, Dec. 6. Tour beautiful homes, enjoy complimentary refreshments at the SS Peter and Paul Activity Building and take in the wonder of our children s Live Nativity. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tour begins at 370 East End Ave. Doors open 3:30PM, homes open at 4PM. Call for info A recital of sacred and secular Christmas music will be presented Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2:30PM at St. Monica Parish, Chippewa Twp. Featured musicians will be Randy Hutchinson, organist, and Nate Goodrich, violinist. Mr. Goodrich has performed in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. CCD Administrative Assistant - St. Margaret Mary Parish in Moon Twp is currently taking applications for an Administrative Assistant for their CCD program. Specifications for this job include: 25 hours/week, flexible scheduling, summers free. The applicant must be computer literate, organized and knowledgeable of Catholic teaching. In accordance with Diocesan regulations on Safe Environment, the person hired for this position must complete Child Abuse, State Police and Fingerprinting clearances. Position opens in January. Please submit resume now to: dre@stmargaretmarymoon.org.

5 OLOP SCHEDULED CONFESSIONS PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS Wednesday, Dec. 9, The Light is on for You, OLOP, 6-9PM Saturday, Dec. 12, 3:00PM Monday, Dec. 14, Communal Penance Service, 7:00PM Tuesday, Dec. 15, following 9:00AM Mass Wednesday, Dec. 16, following 9:00AM Mass Friday, Dec. 18, following 9:00AM Mass Saturday, Dec. 19, 3:00PM Monday, Dec. 21, following 9:00AM Mass; 7-8PM Tuesday, Dec. 22, following 9:00AM Mass; 7-8PM Wednesday, Dec. 23, following 9:00AM Mass (last scheduled opportunity prior to Christmas) Christmas Mass Schedule Masses for Christmas are as follows: Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 th : 4:00PM (in church) and also 4:00PM (in Stephens Hall); 7:00PM & 10:00PM Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 th : 8:30AM & 10:30AM Christmas Second Collection On Christmas Day there will be a second collection taken up at all the masses for the support of Children and Youth, an annual diocesan collection. This worthwhile collection benefits the following programs and organizations of the diocese. 1. Support of adolescent formation and youth ministry programs. 2. Support of the Department for Religious Education/CCD. 3. Support of elementary education of the youth of the diocese. 4. Support of various programs related to youth including the Department of Persons with Disabilities and the Ozanan Cultural Center. Besides benefitting the above programs and organizations this collection also benefits Our Lady of Peace Parish. The contributions made toward this collection will be credited to our Parish Share Assessment for As you know, all the monies received over and above our Parish Share Assessment stays within our parish and is not taxable income by the diocese in the following year. When the second collection is taken up at the masses on Christmas we ask that you be as generous as circumstances permit for the benefit of children and youth throughout the diocese as well as Our Lady of Peace Parish. IMPORTANT INCOME TAX INFO Please have all envelopes for Sunday Contributions as well as Parish Share payments in no later than December 27 th if you wish to have them credited on your 2015 contribution statement. If they are not received by the above date, they will be credited to your 2016 statement. Our system does not allow us to back-date payments. PARISH SHARE 2014 This year s assigned goal was $68,103. That amount is determined as 17.6% of the ordinary income (offertory contributions) from the previous year. As of 12/1/15 contributions total $51,702. $16,401 is still needed to meet our goal. Thanks to all those who have contributed this year. This is an excellent tax free way to contribute to the parish and any money over our goal stays within our parish! Taxes and Giving at Christmas and Year s End Many people enjoy using Christmas and year s end as a special time to give to their parish Church and also positively impact their federal and state income taxes. Christmas and year-end giving provide many advantages to you, the donor. C All gifts made on or before December 30 are tax deductible for the tax year in which your gift is made. C The knowledge that your gift is assisting your parish Church and advancing the mission of the Catholic Church here on earth. C Celebrating the joy of Christmas by giving in the true spirit of the season. C A last reminder to make that special gift or increased gift that you ve wanted to make during the year. C If you itemize, your gift will lessen your tax liability for the tax year in which your gift is made. C If you do not itemize, your Christmas gift may be just the right decision to allow you to itemize and lower your tax bill (check with your tax advisor). C Carry Over Deduction - depending on your age, income and size of your gift, you may be able to carry over your charitable gift tax deduction to subsequent years. C Most importantly, make a return to God of your blessings at Christmas and assist Our Lady of Peace Church in attaining its spiritual and programmatic goals: serving God s people here on earth. Church Decorating for Christmas Make this one of your family s pre-christmas activities. WE NEED YOUR HELP on Sunday, December 20 th following the 10:30AM Mass. You don t have to be an expert or even very creative. The gift of your time or your family s time, heart, and hands is what we need to decorate our church for the Birth of Christ.

6 SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF DEC 12 AND DEC 13 Sat. 4:00PM Mass Extraordinary Ministers: Altar Servers: Lector: Jeanne Lesko Needed Maria Angeloni Sheila Shillingburg Needed Victor Franc Sun. 8:30AM Extraordinary Ministers: Altar Servers: Lector: Teri Fleeson Santino Guandolo Dave Folmar Pat Russo Zach Sutton Deacon Jim Sun. 10:30AM Extraordinary Ministers: Altar Servers: Lector: Diane Marr Mitchell Deschaine Bernard Stock Denise Marr Kylee Salyers Sue Hendrickson 2016 Calendars have arrived! Thanks to Poland Funeral Home, 2016 Calendars are in the back of the church for anyone who would like them. Thank you to Jean Poland! Donations were made to the Memorial Fund in honor/memory of: Frank J. Halicek by Sylvia Heater Antonio DiBernardo by M/M Nicola DiTommaso Charles & Sally Laughlin by Susan Laughlin Donations were made to Parish Share in honor/memory of: Maria Pati FINANCIAL REPORT NOVEMBER 22, 2015 Offertory Collection 173 $3, Offertory Collection not in envelopes $ Online Giving $1, Total $4, REMINDER: Weekly operating expense for running the parish is $7,500 Religious Retirement $1, FINANCIAL REPORT NOVEMBER 29, 2015 Offertory Collection 228 $5, Offertory Collection not in envelopes $ Online Giving $1, Total $6, REMINDER: Weekly operating expense for running the parish is $7,500 MASS INTENTIONS FOR DEC 5- DEC 13, 2015 SATURDAY DECEMBER 5 VIGIL - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 4:00PM ` John Meyers (Anniv of Death) - by Dolores Meyers SUNDAY DECEMBER 6 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30AM Florence Lintio (Anniv of Death) - by Jean & Nick Macaluso 10:30AM Donald Skip Persuitte (Anniv of Death) - by Donna Persuitte Mon. Dec. 7 Vigil-Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) 5:30PM ` James & Helen Remas - by Donna & Mike Adams Tues. Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) 9:00AM ` Barb Schuett - by Rudy & Liz Trombetta 7:00PM ` John Dvorzak - by Dvorzak Family Wed. Dec. 9 9:00AM ` Eugene Litzinger (Birthday Remembrance)- by wife, Brenda Thur. Dec. 10 9:00AM No Mass Fri. Dec. 11 9:00AM ` Ed Meder - by Art & Patti Columbe SATURDAY DECEMBER 12 VIGIL - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 4:00PM ` Sophie Oriszko (Anniv of Death) - by Sophie & Bill Campbell & Family SUNDAY DECEMBER 13 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30AM For All Living & Deceased Parishioners 10:30AM Deceased Members of Adamoski & Dermotta Family - by Mary & Gene Adamoski ********************* IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING MASS INTENTIONS: If you have the Mass intention scheduled and would like to take up the gifts at that Mass, please arrive 15 minutes early for Mass and inform the ushers that you would like to take the gifts up. Thank you. OFFICE PHONES - Dial 724 and the number below Parish Office/Parish House Fax olop@verizon.net OLOP website: Facebook: OurLady ofpeace Conway Diocese of Pittsburgh Sexual Abuse Hotline: PARISH ADVISORY COUNCILS: Finance Council Members: Jim Angeloni, Patti Columbe, Dom Rinaldi and Bonnie Makarewicz Parish Pastoral Council Members: Jim Angeloni, Stanley Duplaga, Jerry Fleeson, Pat Keeley, Steve Lesko, Anita Myers, Chris Petukauskas, Jean Pittman OLOP Library - regular hours: Monday thru Friday, 10am to 4pm and evenings by appointment (Cindy at )

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8 Our Lady of Peace January Raffle Tickets Our Lady of Peace Movie Night Sold after all masses every weekend Christmas for a Dollar Friday, December 11 7:00PM Rooms 4 & 5 (Education center) Also on sale Monday thru Friday, 9AM to 4PM in the Parish Office Donation: $5/each Tickets are good for the ENTIRE month of January 2016 and numbers are based on the evening (7PM) 3-digit PA daily lottery drawing. Great gift idea for: hair stylist, dentist, paper boy/girl, neighbor/co-worker, or as an easy stocking stuffer! America is in the midst of the Great Depression, and the Kamp family is struggling to get by, especially since Mrs. Kamp s untimely death nearly a year ago. The older children do their best to take care of the family, but it s the younger children who struggle the most. Now with their mother gone and their father overwhelmed by doctor s bills, the Kamp siblings expect a Christmas without presents. But when the father scrapes together a dollar in coins to use for Christmas gifts, everything begins to change. Warm up your Christmas season with this touching reminder that the most meaningful gifts come from the heart. Popcorn will be provided. You may bring an appetizer or a dessert to share and any spirits that you would like to have for yourself. Questions: Call Cindy Deschaine