St. Alphonsus Catholic Church 2111 Market street Wheeling, WV 26003 December 6, 2015 Pastoral Staff Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary MASSES Mon Tues Thurs Fri 7:00 am Wed Communion Service 7:00 am Saturday Vigil Mass 5:30 pm Sunday Masses 7:00 am & 10:30 am MONTHLY MASSES St. Alphonsus Mass Association (1st Friday of month) 7:00 am Polish Mass (3rd Sunday of month) 9:00 am NOVENAS Miraculous Medal - Tuesday after 7:00 am Mass Novena to St. Jude - Fridays after 7:00 am Mass Divine Mercy Chaplet - 1st Friday at 5:30 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday 4:30 5:00 pm or by appointment SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Contact the parish office 6 months before desired date. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Call the parish office for an appointment. NEW PARISHIONERS We WELCOME new parishioners! Please complete a registration form on the table in the rear of the Church. Mail Registration to the office or drop in the collection basket. Rev. Fr. Douglas A. Ondeck, Pastor (ondeck.douglas@gmail.com) Rev. Mr. George Smoulder, Permanent Deacon Bobbi Taylor, Parish Secretary Sister Anna Marie Cole, CSJ, PSR Coordinator Beverly Pockl, Vocalist David Alfred/Caroline Lakomy, Church Organists Parish Phone: 304-232-4353 Parish Fax: 304-232-1993 Parish E-Mail Address/Web: saintalphonsuswheeling@gmail.com www.stalswheeling.org PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 am to Noon; 1:00 to 3:30 pm Friday 9:00 am to Noon
December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent PUT ON JOY Today, Baruch speaks of the splendor that lies ahead for the city of Jerusalem and for all of us, regardless of where home is for us. Throw off strife, he tells us, and put on joy. Like a favorite old sweatshirt, joy fits, and how warm it keeps us, even when the winds blow cold. Paul knows of this joy as he pens his le er to the Philippians, praying that they may grow in their ability to discern what is righteous and good. And Luke speaks to us of John, who was foretold by Isaiah and who sings a similar song Prepare the way of the Lord, for salva on is at hand. A man ahead of his me, Baruch spent his days joyfully awai ng a distant glory. On this Second Sunday of Advent, Paul and John know that this glory is upon us. TODAY S READINGS First Reading Stand on the heights, Jerusalem; see your children rejoicing that they are remembered by God. A merciful and just God leads Israel in joy (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading May your love increase in knowledge to discern what is valuable that you may be blameless for the day of Christ (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11). Gospel John proclaims a bap sm of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All flesh shall see the salva on of God (Luke 3:1-6). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent; Hanukkah begins Monday: St. Ambrose; Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tuesday: The Immaculate Concep on of the Blessed Virgin Mary Wednesday: St. Juan Diego Friday: St. Damasus I Saturday: Our Lady of Guadalupe TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION By now, trees are beginning to appear in living rooms throughout the parish. To a complete outsider to our culture, it must seem an odd thing indeed. The roots of this custom are in liturgical drama: religious plays performed in the churches and town squares of medieval Europe. The favorite theme for this me of year was the Paradise Play, a drama c history of the human race from the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The language and music varied from place to place, but one feature was always in place: a great tree decorated with apples. As a prop, it provided lots of material for the actors: the tempta on, shelter for the manger, and a reminder of the wood of the cross. Soon people began to bring paradise trees into their homes, decora ng them with gi s and lighted candles. Many Germans give credit to Mar n Luther for transforming the Paradise Tree into the evergreen Christmas tree. Walking home on a starry Advent night, he was so awed by the beauty of the night that he hauled a pine tree inside and decorated it with lighted candles. Americans were holdouts. It took un l 1856 for the Commonwealth of Massachuse s to decriminalize Christmas decora ons, the old Puritan dislikes falling before the waves of Irish and German immigrants with tradi ons firmly in hand! FORGIVENESS God forgives like a mother who kisses the offense into everlas ng forgiveness. Henry Ward Beecher A BUSY MOTHER Only a er the Last Judgment will Mary get any rest; from now un l then, she is much too busy with her children. St. John Vianney
St. Alphonsus Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Monday, December 7th at 6:30pm Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00am It s Here! Chris an Mothers & Ladies Guild Christmas Party! Tuesday, December 8th 6:00pm Perkins Holy Day of Obligation Donut Social is this weekend! Sunday, December 6th a er the 10:30am Mass St. Alphonsus Parish Christmas Dinner BAKE SALE COMING!!! FUNDRAISER FOR ST. ALPHONSUS! Beginning on December 19th & 20th there will be a Bake Sale every 3rd Saturday & Sunday in the lobby by the glass doors and in the back of the Church To donate please call Mary Ellen at 304-242-1415 to let her know how you can help! All proceeds go to the Church Maintenance Fund Columbia Hall Sunday, December 13th 3:00pm Food, Fun, Door Prizes Menu includes: Roast Beef & Ham, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Butter, Fruit Tray, Cake, Coffee. Tea & Pop All for $10 per person 12 & under $5 Tickets available for sale after each Mass and in the office Last day to purchase tickets is Wednesday, December 9th Service provided by the men of St. Alphonsus The office will be closed Tuesday, December 8th for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary If you ordered Nut Rolls, please make sure you have sent in your money in for the order to be placed! Money must be paid by December 7th before order goes in. These will be delivered the week before Christmas! In gratitude for their gifts received from God, parishioners and visitors made this joyful return to the Lord to help continue His work at St. Alphonsus Parish: November 21st & 22nd Collections $2,903.00 Candles $205.00 November 28th & 29th Collections $2,635.86 Candles $251.15 Thanksgiving $575.00 Catholic Charities $684.00 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! December 13th Na onal Appeal for the Re rement Fund for Religious
Explore the World of STEM in a Fun, Hands-on Environment Franciscan University's Gizmo Expo offers unique learning opportunity for local youth. STEUBENVILLE, OH A Gizmo Expo will be held at Franciscan University of Steubenville to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for elementary students. The expo will be held on Friday, December 4, from 5:30 7:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Center. It will feature interactive gizmos designed by Franciscan University engineering students based on lesson plans written by education students. The expo aims to give young students experience with engineering to inspire them to explore the field in the future. This hands-on event is open to community members of all ages, and all students are encouraged to come and explore. Organizers Dr. Justin Greenly, assistant professor of engineering, and Dr. Megan Reister, assistant professor of education, say the Gizmo Expo is a great opportunity for children to explore science concepts and be introduced to engineering, for teachers and homeschooling parents to acquire lesson plans and instructions for their own coursework, and for scout troops and other youth organizations to do the same. Parents will be able to take home the lesson plans and design plans used to create the gizmos. This year, 14 engineering students and 19 education students, working in 5 teams, participated. This will be the second Gizmo Expo sponsored by Franciscan University. For questions, contact Dr. Greenly at 740-284-5283 or jgreenly@franciscan.edu. Vigil and Feast Day Masses for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. Alphonsus Monday, December 7th at 6:30pm & Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00am St. Michaels Parish Tuesday, December 8th at 7:30am, 8:45am & 7:00pm St. Vincent de Paul Parish Monday, December 7th at 6:30pm & Tuesday, December 8th at 7:30amm 9:00am & 6:30pm Our Lady of Peace Monday, December 7th at 7:00pm & Tuesday, December 8th at 8:45am Cathedral Tuesday, December 8th at 12:05pm Bereavement Gathering Grief from a Faith Perspective If you, or someone you know has lost a loved one and may benefit from a gathering for those grieving, please join us. Facilitator, Fr. Dennis ; sponsored by Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Join us at 6:00pm at St. Alphonsus. No December meeting. Next gathering will be January 25, 2016. Northwood Health Systems Job Opportunities This non-profit organization provides assistance to many people in the local community. One of the programs consists of working with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Make a difference in someone s life; get paid for it. Human Resource Dept. 304-234-3500 ext. 2248
Saturday, December 5 5:30 pm Donald Little (Wife) Sunday, December 6 7:00 am Saad Family (Charley Sadd) 10:30 am People of the Parish Monday, December 7 7:00 am Betty Wheeler (The Wheeler Family) Tuesday, December 8 7:00am Mr. & Mrs. John Condron (Friends) Wednesday, December 9 7:00 am Communion Service Thursday, December 10 7:00 am Jack & Mary Lou Gavin (Family) Friday, December 11 7:00 am Goldie Lucille Brautigan (Joe & Emily Leffe) Weekend Ministry Schedule (Dec 12-13) Saturday, December 12, 5:30 pm Reader: P. Romanek Eucharistic Ministers: L. Blazier H. Christman Sr. J. Viconic Server: J. Bischof Sunday, December 13, 7:00 am Reader: M. Bosold Eucharistic Minister: J. Ryan Server: Sunday, December 13, 10:30 am Reader: P. Holt Eucharist Ministers: J. Sengewalt D. Lemery B. Henry Server: K. McGonigal Saturday, December 12 5:30 pm Albert Vidonic (Sr. Jeanne) Sunday, December 13 7:00 am People of the Parish 10:30 am Liza Hess-Gebhard (Morgan Family) Please continue to pray for our military men and women who serve us and their families: Lcpl. Bandon Collins USMC Sgt. L. Joey Henry USMC PFC Jeremy Labuda Sr. Airmen Jordan Lucey Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Pelsh USMC Specialist E-4 John Niebergall Williams Please Also Pray For Josh Bischof, Cynthia Botizan, Rosemarie Bursee, Bernadette Czerwonka, Bob Heller, Richard Henry, Luke Jordan of the Yankovich Family, Jane Murray, Karleigh Ryan, Dustin Ronevich, Debbie Respole, Mary Schlosser Bishop Hodges Norma Campbell, Stella Czyzewski, Tony Hadom, Stella Rogerson Elmhurst Evelyn Nikolaus Good Shepherd Sara Baker, Mary Bohlman, Selma Hughes, Mary Rushkevich, Betty Weckerley Mound View Nursing Home Sophie Skrzypek Peterson Elizabeth Bissett, Frank Dombrowski, Rose Lewandowski, Diane Moore, Blanche Richard, Leonard Rycerz, Robert Sengewalt, Welty Richard Teachout, Dorothy Coss Home Joan Carp, Beverly Heller, Betty Rycerz, Harry Zelkowski
From the announcement by Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, President, Pon fical Council for Promo ng the New Evangeliza on The logo represents a summa theologiae of the theme of mercy and the mo o which accompanies it. The mo o Merciful Like the Father (Luke 6:36) serves as an invita on to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn, but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure. It is an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon His shoulders the lost soul, demonstra ng that it is Christ's love that brings to comple on the mystery of His incarna on culmina ng in redemp on. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love that has the power to change one s life. One par cular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in His great mercy, takes humanity upon Himself, His eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, his or her own humanity and the future that lies ahead. The scene is enclosed in a mandorla, an element typical of ancient and medieval iconography that recalls the coexistence of the two natures, divine and human, in Christ. The three concentric ovals, with colors progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ Who carries humanity out of the darkness of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker color suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father Who forgives all. The logo is the work of Father Marko I. Rupnik. The logo has been registered in the interna onal forum in order to safeguard its rights and to prevent any inappropriate use. It is obvious that permission must be granted by the Pon fical Council for any nonreligious use of the logo and that any infringement will be duly prosecuted.
St. Alphonsus Parish School of Religion Students & Teachers in acɵon! A Special Thank You to KaƟe McGonigal for her me and talent on these photographs!