Saint Paul Parish 820 Carbon Road Greensburg, PA 15601 A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg Fr. Lawrence Manchas Pastor December 16, 2018 PARISH WEEKLY CALENDAR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Youth Ministry Grades 9-12 4:30PM Grades 6-8 6:300PM Penance Service at Holy Cross 2:00PM MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 Rosary after Mass Cub Scouts 6:45PM Penance Service at St. Bruno 7:00PM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Good Shepherd Meeting 4:30PM Weight Watchers 6:30PM Penance Service at St. Paul 7:00PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Home School Group 10:00AM Midday Rosary 12:15PM Boy Scouts 7:00PM Children s Choir Rehearsal 6:00PM Choir Rehearsal 7:00PM Penance Service at St. Benedict 7:00PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 HEMPFIELD MANOR MASS & ANOINTING 10:00AM Penance Service at Our Lady of Grace 7:00PM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21 Our Lady s Rosary Makers 10:00AM Office Closes at 11:00AM and stays closed until 12/27 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 Men s Group Meeting at Panera 7:00AM No Individual Confessions today. Fr. James Morley Parochial Vicar 3rd Sunday of Advent LITURGICAL SCHEDULE WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM WEEKDAY MASSES: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM RECONCILIATION: Saturday: No Individual Confessions today ADORATION: Second Friday of each month at St. Paul in the Church, 8:30AM-12:15PM followed by Benediction. Also, at the Adoration Chapel at St. Bruno: Monday-Tuesday Wednesday-Friday 9AM-3PM; Thursday 9AM-7PM; First Friday 9AM-7PM. Children s Holy Hour Thursdays at 4:00PM. PARISH DIRECTORY PARISH OFFICE:......724-834-6880 FAX NUMBER:......724-834-1492 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL HELP LINE:...724-420-3279 AQUINAS ACADEMY MAIN OFFICE:....724-834-7940 WEBSITE... www.pbcatholic.org PARISH STAFF COORDINATOR OF FAITH FORMATION:... Sue Craig DIRECTOR OF MUSIC:...Glenn Buzzard BUSINESS MANAGER:... Ginny Buzzard DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE... Bob Stauffer OFFICE MANAGER:... James Mosser WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR:...Anthony Concannon SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Youth Ministry All Grade Christmas Party 4:30PM
St. Paul Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 The Prayer Chain is ac vated every Tuesday evening. If you know someone needing the prayer chain, or if you would like to volunteer your me on the chain, please call either of the leaders listed below: Philomena Lillie 724-832-8521 or Audrey & Mike Lucotch 724-834-2113. SACRAMENTAL RECONCILIATION During the seasons of Lent and Advent local Catholic Churches band together to provide services for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We at St. Paul join with St. Bruno, Our Lady of Grace, St. Benedict, and Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and Holy Cross to provide this opportunity for you. These service start today and run through Saturday December 22, the schedule is on pages 1 & 5 of this bulletin. The Reconciliation Service at St. Paul will be on Tuesday, December 18th at 7:00PM. Because of the availability of the sacrament elsewhere on December 22nd, it will not be offered here, individually, that day. Anyone can attend a Reconciliation Service at any Parish. See pages 1 & 5 for the schedule of services. ST PAUL YOUTH MINISTRY CHECK IT OUT! This is an open invitation to all students in grades six through twelve to join us on Sunday evenings to discover what God is calling you to do as the young church. Saint Paul Youth Ministry is focused on forming our young people through the study and practice of their faith and to challenge them to embrace the life of the church through prayer, service to our community and social activities. Below is our schedule for the next few months. Grades 9-12 meet 4:30-6:00PM and Grades 6-8 meet 6:30-8:00PM except where noted differently. DECEMBER 2018 December 16 December 23: All Grades 4:30-6:00PM Christmas Party JANUARY 2019 January 6: All Grades 6:00-7:00PM January 13 January 17 & 18: Grades 9-12, March for Life January 20 January 27: All Grades 6:00-8:00PM J 18: 46 A M L... The March for Life Rally will take place at noon at 12th Street on the National Mall, in Washington DC. Following the Rally, the March will begin on Constitution Avenue between 12th and 14th Streets at approximately 1:00PM. Join in the largest pro-life rally ever. People of all ages are welcome to attend. It is not unusual to see many families with small children & babies in strollers at this event. Elderly, disabled and others who are concerned about Right to Life issues and legislation attend too. The tide is turning, be part of the wave! Bus(es) will leave our parking lot by 6:30AM and will return around 11:30PM. The excursion will cost $20.00/person and will cover coach bus accommodations, and a box/bag lunch. There will be a comfort stop on the way to the March and a dinner stop on the way home. The dinner meal is on your own. On the trip home we pass the hat to tip our bus driver. If interested contact Paul Whalen (724-836-3096) for additional information and to make your reservation. Dress for the weather, this is an outdoor rally & march. There is also a Diocesan Youth bus that will leave January 17th for an overnight excursion. If interested please contact Sue Craig in the Parish Office 724-834-6880. PICTURE FROM MARCH FOR LIFE JANUARY 2018 MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 15 4:30PM Rocco Blasiole (Family) Sunday, December 16 9:00AM Frank Kansky (Family & Friends) Monday, December 17 8:00AM Thomas & Josephine Tylka (Tom & Pat Hart) Wednesday, December 19 8:00AM Joseph & Mary Hakala (Daughters Jean Walker & Maureen Miller & Families ) Friday, December 21 8:00AM M/M Andrew Patrick (Donna Stahl) Saturday, December 22 4:30PM Mary Petrill (Patricia Surovy) Sunday, December 23 9:00AM Stroker & Parana Families ( Marie Parana) Page 2
Liturgical Minister Schedule MASS ALTAR SERVERS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION LECTORS SATURDAY DECEMBER 22 4:30PM Chiara Arcara Aidan Coughlin John Henry, Walt Moore, Jackie Noll, Kathy Kuchta, Sue Craig, Matt & Lisa Crowe Mike Kuchta SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 9:00AM Andrew Mikan Ava DeGuffroy Jeff Peterinelli, Alex Androkites, Jack Yurko, Gene & Kathy Morris, Tom Myers Matt Lucotch MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 6:00PM MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 10:00PM Sam Shaffer Caleb Crowe Natalie Schaer Anna Vitale Landon Burnette Matthew Ulishney Caterina Arcara John Henry, Matt & Lisa Crowe, Jeanne Shaffer; Catlyn, Vince & Luke Ream Jeff & Stephanie Peterinelli, Mario Vitale, Joan & Mark Ulishney, Sharon Highberger, Brenda Concannon Don Schaer Carol Whalen OPLATKI TRADITION CONTINUES The tradition of this special bread goes back to its roots on the European Continent. Communities would band together making the bread with enough to spare and share, so that those who could not afford to make it for themselves could still partake of the Oplatki. Oplatki is available in the vestibule for a donation of only $2.00. FATHER ANTHONY CARBONE ANNOUNCES THE 2018-19 MISSIONARY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CHRISTMAS ARTWORK CONTEST: There will be 22 winners whose artwork will be displayed at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. Entries must be received by January 31st. Flyers are available in the vestibule for those wishing to participate. GENEROSITY APPRECIATED! We have a new Book of Gospels to be used at all of our Masses. The book was given in memory of Anne Morelli and it was provided to us by Irene DiPietro. Thank you, Irene, for your kindness. RELIGIOUS CALENDARS As is their tradition, the Bacha Family and the Bacha Funeral Home, have provided us with religious calendars for 2019. They list all of the holy days and feast days of the saints, etc. Through their generosity there are always an abundance of the calendars. So please, take what you need for your home, work and for those whom you visit. As always, we appreciate the generosity of the Bacha Family & Bacha Funeral Home. OFFICE CLOSING FOR THE HOLIDAYS With the upcoming Christmas Season there will be several days where the Parish Office will be closed. There will be early closing at 11:00AM on Friday 12/21; then the office will remain closed through 12/26. We will re -open on Thursday 12/27 at 8:30AM. We will be closed Monday and Tuesday 12/31 and 1/1 for New Years and the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary. Any emergencies should be called into the office number which will connect you with the answering service. They will contact one of the priests or office staff. Please only use this service for true emergencies. Mass times will be listed in the bulletins and on our website pbcatholic.org. COLLECTION DATE WEEKLY BUDGET WEEKLY OFFERING Money Matters WEEKLY +/- ANNUAL +/- ENVELOPES USED WEIGHT WATCHERS AT ST. PAUL PARISH Let s face it losing weight is not for sissies! If you ve thought about joining Weight Watchers and just can t decide, please call Sue at the parish office for more information, 724-834-6880 ext. 14. All are welcome to join Weight Watchers here at St. Paul Parish, every Tuesday at 6:30. Come and checkout a meeting for free to learn more about the program. The cost is $156 for a twelve week session. Next session begins Tuesday, January 8, 2019. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION December 9, 2018 $9,150.00 $7, 464.75 +$1,685.00-28,643.00 253 $1,576.00 SECOND COLLECTIONS FOR DECEMBER December 24-25, Christmas Masses: Children & Family Services Appeal. See page 5 for details. December 29-30: Local Charities Collection. Page 3
Readings & Reflections-1st Week of Advent REFLECTION: GAUDETE... REJOICE! Today has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. The Latin tag is derived from Paul s appeal in the second reading to rejoice always in the Lord, and the Latin Mass text based on that reading. The irony and paradox of this Christian joy is underlined by the fact that Paul wrote those words in prison. But from there he could see the progress of God s work. Is it obvious to us? We feel that this is not the time for joy when there is so much suffering and moral evil. It is interesting, then, that the first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who is almost exclusively concerned with gloomy visions of Judgment Day. Today the Church selects the only optimistic text in Zephaniah, in which the prophet has been touched by the spirit of joy. This, we are assured on all sides, is the season of joy. Let us recapture that feeling of joy in our lives and reflect it to those who are joyless. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. TODAY S READINGS First Reading: Your God will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals (Zephaniah 3:14-18a). Psalm: Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 12:6). Second Reading: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4-7). Gospel: Whoever who has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. Whoever who has food should do likewise (Luke 3:10-18). Gaudete!!! The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38 Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 Rejoice!!! TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Years ago, the trick question on religion quizzes would be to name all the liturgical colors, or the colors of the vestments worn at Mass. Rose is a color seldom seen, used at most two days a year. Today, Gaudete Sunday, is one of those days. The name of the day is drawn from an opening verse in the old Latin Mass texts: Gaudete is Latin for Rejoice! This year s Gospel certainly reflects that mood as Elizabeth feels her infant within her leaping for joy at the presence of Mary. Mary s visit to her aged cousin is an act of compassion between women, as two kinswomen who are bearing children into the world share their joy. Some churches retain the custom of having the priest wear rose vestments today, and many will use a rose candle in the Advent wreath. Violet is the official color for Advent and Lent, but many parishes employ different hues for each season, trying to keep them distinct. In medieval times, dye was costly, and poor parishes used unornamented plain cloth for vestments. Dyes were expensive and some colors, particularly purple, difficult to achieve. In England, purple dye was made from mollusks, yielding at best a deep indigo or blue and not the desired violet. Thus, the color of Advent in the British Isles has long been a deep blue, reminding many people of Mary s presence at the heart of the Advent mystery. That theology is largely unplanned: it s all because of the clams! James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING SESSIONS AVAILABLE AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES Natural Family Planning CM-BBT instruction will be Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Catholic Charities office in Greensburg. Please call at least one week prior to the instruction date to preregister. Contact Mary Ann Newhouse at Catholic Charities at 724-8371840, ext. 1658 for additional information or to register for this or an upcoming class. For more information about Natural Family Planning and the CM-BBT method, visit www.ccharitiesgreensburg.org and link into Natural Family Planning under Services. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS RAFFLE TO BENEFIT BETHLEHEM PROJECT The Bethlehem Project, a ministry of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral (BSC), will hold a Home for the Holidays Raffle on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The Bethlehem Project helps those facing homelessness in Central Westmoreland County. Two types of tickets are available: a Sports and Leisure raffle ticket with a chance to win Penguins Tickets, Steeler Tickets or a wine and liquor basket; and a Basket Raffle ticket with a chance to win one of many prizes. A $10 donation is suggested. For tickets or more information on the raffle or about Bethlehem Project contact Katie Zuzik, at BSC at 724-834-3710 ext. 11 or kzuzik@dioceseofgreensburgh.org. WEDDINGS: Planning your wedding is a monumental task. But, before you set the date please contact the Parish Office at 7247-834-6880. You will need to talk to Father Lawrence, and then confirm a date that the Church will be available. Because Marriage is a serious step in life and it is a Sacrament, Marriage Preparation is necessary. Please contact the Parish Office at least 6 months prior to the anticipated time when you want the wedding to occur to allow time for the preparatory meetings. Page 4
SEASONAL MASSES & LITURGIES Penance Services December 16: Holy Cross, Youngwood, 2:00PM December 17: St. Bruno, S. Greensburg, 7:00PM December 18: St. Paul, Carbon, 7:00PM December 19: St. Benedict, Marguerite, 7:00PM December.20: Our Lady of Grace, Greensburg, 7:00PM December 22: Blessed Sacrament, Greensburg, 11:00AM Christmas Eve Masses December 24: 4:00PM St. Bruno 6:00PM St. Paul 10:00PM St. Paul Midnight St. Bruno Christmas Day Masses December 25: 9:00AM St. Paul; 11:00AM St. Bruno New Year s Eve Masses December 31: 4:00PM St. Bruno; 6:00PM St. Paul New Year s Day Masses January 1: 9:00AM at St. Bruno & St. Paul You can also find out more about Mass & Liturgy times by visiting the Diocesan Website and search by finding Mass times. Events Around the Diocese DECEMBER 16: RETREAT AT MOUNT ST.MACRINA. A Christmas preparation retreat featuring Benedictine Father Cyprian Constantine will be held at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, Uniontown, December 16 from 1:15-5:30 p.m. (includes dinner). Offering is $35, and the registration deadline is Dec. 12. To register for either retreat, call 724-438-7149 or email hpmsm@verizon.net. ON-GOING UNTIL DECEMBER 29: ENJOY 2019 COUPON BOOKS BENEFIT SISTERS OF CHARITY. Purchase your Enjoy coupon & fundraiser book from the Sisters of Charity. Deadline to purchase is December 29, 2018. JANUARY 26: WORLD YOUTH DAY. Mark your calendar. The Diocese of Greensburg is sponsoring a trip for young adults (ages 18-39) to a one-day Catholic festival at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with World Youth Day in Panama. Cost, including overnight accommodation, is $160 per person, $95 per person for double occupancy. Visit www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/wyd for information. Registration deadline is January 3. ANNUAL CHILDREN & 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. ADVENT DEVOTIONALS The Advent devotional books are in the vestibule for your use. As usual there is no charge for them, so take what you need for your household and others who are friends & family. Catholic Mediterranean Cruise May 10-20, 2019 by Catholic Cruises and Tours, and The Apostleship of the Seas of the USA A 10-Night Catholic Mediterranean Cruise with Fr. Joseph Vella on Holland America s Konsingdam, departs Civitavecchia, Italy May 10, 2019. Daily Mass is offered. Ports of Call include: Cartagena, Malaga, and Barcelona, Spain Gibraltar, British Territory Marseille, France Monte Carlo, Monaco Livorno, Italy. Prices begin at $3552.00 for 2 passengers which includes all port fees and taxes. A deposit of $600.00 will reserve your cabin. Also Ask about Snap Fares... A Lower, non-refundable rate. Deadline to book your tour is April 14, 2019. For additional information or reservations contact Doug or Eileen at 860-399-1785, or Eileen@CatholicCruisesandTours.com YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIVING As the end of the year approaches, there are ways you can make a gift to support your parish and the church and receive a tax benefit, even if you don t itemize deductions. If you are 70 ½ or older and required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA by the end of the year, present law allows use of an IRA charitable rollover without having to pay tax on the withdrawal for gifts to specific charities. For information, contact your IRA administrator or The Catholic Foundation at 724-552-2504 or jdimario@dioceseofgreensburg.org Page 5