Rev. James Loew, O.S.B., Administrator WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday Vigil - 5:30 PM ~ Sunday - 9:30 AM WEEKDAY MASS: Tuesday and Thursday - 8:30 AM [Except 2nd Thursday of the Month] & Saturday - 8:30 AM (Consult Bulletin) Parish Office Hours Monday thru Friday: 9 AM to 4 PM Phone: 724-845-8191 Fax: 724-845-5480 Parish Office Directory Financial Secretary Anne Troya atroya@dioceseofgreensburg.org Parish Secretary/Bulletin Editor Sharon Robson srobson@dioceseofgreensburg.org Pastoral Minister Sister Vinaya Kurian srvinayactk@gmail.com Regional Director of Faith Formation Katie Tylinski ktylinski@dioceseofgreensburg.org 724-212-6740 Asst. to the Regional Director of Faith Formation Jim Peterman jpeterman@dioceseofgreensburg.org Music Director George Pecoraro gpecoraro@dioceseofgreensburg.org St. Catherine Cemetery Parish Property Rentals Alex Nemeth anemeth@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cardinal Maida Academy Patricia Visnick, Principal pvisnick@dioceseofgreensburg.org 724-568-3304 SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements must be made at least six months in advance of the anticipated date. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptism preparation must be scheduled in advance. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday 9:00 AM Parish Mission Statement ~ We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multicultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. We are committed to building up the Body of Christ through Word, Worship, Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region. We willingly accept our obligation to be the Light of the World for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal divisive wounds among God s people and to join with all people of good will in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all.
MASS INTENTIONS We are very much in need of January Mass Intentions. Please call the parish office if you would like to schedule a Mass (724-845-8191). BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Cardinal Maida Academy will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 9 th at St. Gertrude s Parish. All you can eat pancakes will be served from 9 to noon. All are welcomed! Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa and make a craft. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children 3 to 12 and free for children under 3! Please contact the school office with any questions 724-568-3304. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS PARTY / STEELERS GAME Will be held on Sunday, December 16th at 3:30 PM in St. Gertrude Hall. Open to Knights of Columbus Members, Guests and All Parishioners. Come and celebrate the Christmas Season and watch The Steelers vs. The New England Patriots. Food and drinks will be provided. The cost of $5 per person or $10 per family and can be paid at the door. CATHOLIC CHARITIES COUNSELING Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg offers faith-based assistance with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, interpersonal conflicts, recovery support, parenting and family issues, anger management and other personal and family issues. Counseling is provided by licensed, professional and experienced therapists. Fees are low, and many insurances accepted. Offices are located in Greensburg, Indiana, Uniontown, Kittanning and New Kensington. For more information or an appointment, please call 724-8 3 7-1 8 4 0 o r e m a i l counseling@dioceseofgreensburg.org. Joey Becker Betty Favero Evelyn Sesko Lucy Skura Francis Coccimiglio Skip Bergstrom Martha McMasters Ron Rollinger Mary Nigra Scott McGuire Carl Kochik ~Jennie Musial Joseph Blumer Ann Miccolis John Macioce Anna Marie Oberdorf Please pray for the sick and shut-ins Dolores Carino Marty Rattay Donetta Klanica Franci Strapac Robert Coleman Thomas Mills Tom DiFiore Pat Lauffer Carolyn Schrecengost Robert Anselmo Stella Romano Margie Breski Vickie Callen Gene Vigna Mark Krafick Stephanie Muhs Angelique Conrad Louis R. Ferretti and Loretta Jean Dentzel Douglas Stewart Jennifer Hempel Kulick Beth Schrieber Jaden Minik ~Robert Venturini ~John Varine ~ Veronica Goglio ~ Steve Pityk ~ Tom Blanciak, Sr. ~ Anna Zeise ~ Abigail Elizabeth Marsh ~ William Mason SISTERS OF CHARITY COUPON FUNDRAISING BOOKS Enjoy 2019 coupon books are available from the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill through Dec. 29 for $30. For additional information or to reserve a book, call Sister of Charity Agnes Steedle in Greensburg at 724-836-0406, ext. 6646, or Sister Patrice Hughes in the Pittsburgh area, 412-343-1382. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Happy New Liturgical Year! Advent is a time of preparing spiritually for Christ s birth. With this in mind, please take note of the following scheduled Penance Services for our Deanery: Thursday, December 13 th ; 7 PM at St. James, Apollo Monday, December 17 th ; 7 PM at St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell Tuesday, December 18 th ; 7 PM at Mt. St. Peter, New Kensington Wednesday, December 19 th ; 7 PM at Christ the King, Leechburg
THE KISKI VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND Presents a Benefit Christmas Concert Marconi Club, Leechburg Sunday, December 16 2:00 PM Benefit: Leechburg Food Bank ANNUAL CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES APPEAL The annual Children and Family Services Appeal collection to support the work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg will be taken at all Christmas Masses in the diocese Dec. 24 and 25. Christmas reminds us of the gift of God s own Son, Jesus Christ, given to each of us without question of our merit or eligibility. You are asked to support this appeal and make your contribution to help change the future of an individual, family or child through the good work of our diocesan Catholic Charities. KING of HEARTS Cosmic Bingo is scheduled for February 10, 2019. The Bingo Committee asks that you please continue to donate PA Lottery scratch tickets, and please also consider donating a themed gift basket for the basket raffle table at the February Bingo. Let s make this the biggest and best Christ the King Bingo fundraiser ever! Tickets are on sale now! Contact Franci (724) 845-7360 or the church office (724)845-8191. Please get your tickets early, seating is limited. December 1 & December 2 Adult Envelopes $ 4,236.00 Monthly $ 578.00 Loose $ 169.00 Votive Candles $ 107.81 Cemetery Maintenance $ 251.00 Utility/Energy $ 281.00 Thanksgiving $ 15.00 Immaculate Conception $ 35.00 Christmas Flowers $ 485.00 Christmas $ 40.00 Solemnity of Mary $ 10.00 Disaster Poverty Relief/CRS $ 3.00 Sincere thanks for your financial stewardship. Please remember your parish in your will. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10 Glittery holiday ads can blind us to our stewardship values and distort our needs and wants. It is important that during this season of endless buying we remember that each of us also has the need to give back to God and to those that are in need. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Altar Servers LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE Hospitality Ministers of Holy Communion Lectors SATURDAY DECEMBER 15 5:30 PM Jack Blumer Claire Coldren Casey Coldren Carole Defilippi Mary Lee McGee Anne Troya Maryjane Gruber Christine Vigna Patt Woodward Linda Harvan SUNDAY DECEMBER 16 9:30 AM Anthony Blackgrove Alyssa Shinko Nathan Shinko Andrew Balbo Kathy Balbo Daniel Logero Kathleen Daugherty Patricia Huskuliak Sisters of Mary Immaculate Valerie Zanotti If you have any suspicion about the sexual abuse (or any other type of abuse) of a minor child by anyone please contact PA Childline immediately at 1-800-932-0313. If the alleged abuser is functioning in a parish, school or diocesan position as clergy, religious, paid staff or volunteer you are also requested to contact the Bishop s Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct after you have called the Childline number and made the report. The Bishop s Delegate may be reached at 724-837-0901, Ext. 1221.
Region 2 Faith Formation Calendar of Sessions Fall 2018 (6:00-7:30 PM at the former St. James School) Grades K-5 December 16 th You will be e-mailed a calendar with these upcoming dates for the next semester. Parents are invited to attend the Faith Formation (Grades K-5) Christmas party. The Christmas party will take place during the second half of the evening at 6:45 PM and anyone interested in bringing snacks for the party: not just cookies but healthy snacks too would be greatly appreciated. The snacks can be brought at 6:00 PM when you bring your child(ren). Be sure to check KDKATV for snow cancellations. FUSED 4 ~ November/December LIFETEEN/EDGE CALENDAR EDGE: Grades 6 th -8 th /LIFETEEN: grades 9 th 12 th St. James Parish Underground/Upper Rooms ~ 6:00-7:30 PM December: ~ 9 th Session (EDGE Movie Night Note the time difference for EDGE: 6:00-8:15 PM) ~ 16 th EDGE/LIFETEEN Christmas Party at CTK/Caroling at Bishop Morrow ~ 23 rd NO Youth Mass ~ 30 th NO SESSION You will be e-mailed a calendar with upcoming dates. On December 16 th EDGE and LIFETEEN will be going to go Christmas Caroling at Bishop Morrow as well as have their Christmas Party at Christ the King for those who have registered. Permission slips are needed if you haven t completed one yet. Please meet at the Christ the King hall at 5:40 PM and we will finish up at 8:00 PM. 6 th -12 th graders: Please make sure that you are subscribing to our specific LIFETEEN or EDGE and LIFETEEN AND EDGE classes on remind.com. Not sure? Text Katie Tylinski at 724-212-6740 to find out. Be sure to check KDKATV for snow cancellations as well. WINTER RETREAT All youth of the Diocese in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for the Diocesan High School Winter Retreat, Fully Known, sponsored by the Diocese of Greensburg. Come pray, share, learn, and take time to be with God. Join us March 1-3, 2019 at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant. Register now at the FUSED 4 Youth Ministry Office. The cost of the retreat is $120. You may apply for Francis Funds in the amount of $60. For more info about Francis Funds visit: https:// www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/formation/pages/francisfund.aspx. Applications must be submitted by January 1, 2019. After $60 from Francis Funds and $30 from FUSED 4 Youth Ministry subsidization; your cost for the retreat is $30. The cost includes all lodging, meals and supplies for the weekend. If you do not apply for Francis Funds you will be responsible for paying $90. Francis Funds will require a letter from your pastor so please request this from him well in advance. In order to register for the retreat, you must turn in your check payable to St. James. Please register for the retreat by Sunday, January 20 th. No refunds. NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is the largest Catholic youth gathering in the U.S., with over 20,000 young people, clergy and religious, and adult chaperones attending from all over the country. A pilgrimage of faith, NCYC is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers addressing a wide variety of topics including Catholic spirituality and prayer, social justice issues, sexuality and leadership. NCYC features a huge interactive village where hundreds of exhibitors, musicians, games, hot meals and learning centers of all types will be available throughout the conference. NCYC 2019, will take place in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 21 through Nov. 23, 2019. Information is available here: www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/ NCYC. This event is for current 8 th -11 th graders. NCYC registrations will be accepted until January 20 th, 2019. In order to register for the NCYC you must turn in your check payable to St. James in the amount of $100. Cost is $785 but you are eligible to apply for Francis Funds in the amount of $235. If you don t apply for the Francis Funds you will be responsible for the entire amount. The application for Francis Fund must be submitted by January 1, 2019 For more info about Francis Funds visit: https://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/formation/pages/francisfund.aspx. We will be fundraising as well. No refunds. If finances are an issue for the retreat or NCYC, please see Katie. You can earn money towards them by volunteering at BINGO at Our Lady Queen of Peace on a Youth Ministry weekend.
Monday, December 10 8:30 AM Mass at St. Gertrude Tuesday, December 11 St. Damasus I 8:30 AM Daniel Gruszka by Sister, Cynthia Roemele Wednesday, December 12 Our Lady of Gaudalupe 9:00 AM Mass at St. Gertrude - School Mass Thursday, December 13 10:30 ANOINTING MASS Friday, December 14 Anthony and Anna Sulava by Ruth Sulava 8:30 AM Mass at St. Gertrude Saturday, December 15 St. Lucy St. John of the Cross 8:30 AM Christ the King Parishioners THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Saturday, December 15 5:30 PM John and Ann Yajko by Yajko Family Sunday, December 16 9:30 AM Ruth Erb by Don and Paul Erb AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubilation of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand waiting for the arrival of God s salvation. And we find Paul meditating joyfully on what really matters. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on tiptoe looking for God s salvation, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. It can t get any better than this, can it? Well, yes, it can. For a voice calls out in the desert. Here is the beginning of the salvation of God.
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