The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 30, 2018 Church of St. Anne A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust + A Parish in the Diocese of Greensburg 1870 Rostraver Road, Rostraver Township, Pennsylvania 15012 The Reverend Vincent J. Gigliotti, Pastor ~ vgigliotti@dioceseofgreensburg.org EUCHARISTIC LITURGIES Weekends: Satur day...................... 4:30PM Sunday............................. 8AM & 11AM Weekdays & Holy Day Consult Mass schedule inside the bulletin. Sacrament of Reconciliation The Sacrament is celebrated on Saturdays at 12:00 Noon or by appointment. Parish Telephone Numbers Parish Office......................... 724-872-3555 Fax................................ 724-872-3373 Office of Faith Formation.............. 724-872-3486 Website: www.stannerostraver.org The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Monday, December 31, New Year s Eve @ 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, New Year s Day @ 9:00 a.m.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 30, 2018 Page 2 FAITH FORMATION-ORGANIZATIONS MINISTRIES-PRAYER GROUPS Faith Formation ~ Grades 1, 2 & 3: Students attend class every Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. according to a previously mailed schedule. Faith Formation ~ Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8: Students attend class on biweekly Mondays from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. according to a previously mailed schedule. Please Note: Schedules are also available on the Website, www.stannerostraver.org. Baptism Preparation Class (Pre-Jordan): Parents and sponsors are required to participate before the day of Baptism. To register for an upcoming class, call the Office of Faith Formation, 724-872-3486. * * * * * * * * * * New Society: Members meet Tuesdays at 12:00 noon for afternoon fellowship, unless otherwise planned. Christian Mothers: Members gather trimonthly and attend the 8:00 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of the month followed by a business meeting, unless otherwise planned. Holy Name Society: Members attend the 8:00 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of the month followed by a business meeting, unless otherwise planned. * * * * * * * * * Sr. High Youth Ministry ~ Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12: Monthly meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month, unless otherwise planned. Respect Life Ministry: Mary Harris ~ 724-872-6777 Outreach Ministry: Are you a housebound parishioner needing company; a caregiver needing a break from an everyday routine? Please call the Parish Office, 724-872-3555. Prayer Shawl Ministry: Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise planned. * * * * * * * * * Disciples of Prayer: Do you need someone to pray for you or for your special intentions? Please call the Parish Office, 724-872-3555. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Gatherings are held every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise mentioned. Call the Parish Office, 724-872-3555, for more information. Service Men and Women Prayer Requests: As we would like to remember those parishioners or family members who are serving in an area of conflict, please notify the Parish Office so that we can keep them in prayer. Prayer Requests: General requests will be mentioned at Mass during the General Intercessions and should focus on a) the needs of the Church, b) for public authorities and salvation of the whole world, c) for those burdened by any difficulty, d) for the local community. Please email your requests to Father Vince, vgigliotti@dioceseofgreensburg.org. FAITH FORMATION Parents are reminded to refer to the previously mailed schedule for future class dates and times or to the Website, www.stannerostraver.org. Choose Formation and CCD & Children s Liturgy of the Word. A holiday recess is being enjoyed by students in both levels of the Faith Formation program. Classes resume: - Sunday, January 6, for students in grades 1, 2 & 3; - Monday, January 7, for students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. SHOE DRIVE Hello, my name is Faith. I am undertaking a project of collecting gently worn, used and new shoes so that they would be given a second chance and make a difference in people s lives around the world. At the entrances of the Church, boxes are available for you to donate shoes to be distributed throughout the network of microenterprise (small business) partners helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son in law school. Donations of shoes gives gratification to those families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It s a win-win for everyone. Thank you. IT S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN: We will be sending out to all families the annual Income Tax report of the contributions for the year, 2018, by January 31, 2019, so that you will be able to reflect on your gift giving and which you may also use for your income tax, if needed. Thanks, as always, to those who so generously support our Parish financially. YOUNG ADULT AND CHILDREN ENVELOPES are available in the Church vestibule. Please be sure to write your name on the envelope weekly. **LESSONS AND CAROLS** The Lessons and Carols Service is composed of Lessons (readings) from Scripture, followed by the singing of Advent Hymns or Christmas Carols after each session. Both the Lessons and the Carols reflect the love, peace and happiness of the Christmas season! Lessons and Carols will take place at Holy Family Parish, 225 N. Second Street, West Newton, 15089, next Sunday, January 6, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. LIVING GOD S WORD The Feast of the Holy Family gives us pause to ponder on the phenomenon of family. If we can duplicate the love Mary and Joseph and Jesus had for each other, there s no telling what the positive and rich effects might be.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 30, 2018 Page 3 A Note of Gratitude Yearly, we send a check in the amount of $500.00 to the Westmoreland County Food Bank based in Delmont, Pennsylvania, who distribute goods throughout the County, in addition to the $125.00 monthly donation to the local Rostraver Food Bank at Fells Methodist Church. A letter was recently received: On behalf of the Westmoreland County Food Bank, thank you for your generous donation. Your financial support helps us continue our mission to enable all Westmoreland County residents who are hungry or at risk of hunger to have ready access to food. The generous support makes it possible for our organization to exist and feed over 31,000 people annually through the county. In 2017, the Food Bank distributed over nine million pounds of food to our neighbors in need. You may never meet the people you have served or see the true impact you have made in someone s life, but please know that you have made Westmoreland County a better place to live for those who fight the terrible plight of food on a daily basis. Your generosity and compassion are truly inspiring to all of us. Sincerely, Jennifer Miller Interim Chief Executive Officer REFLECTING ON GOD S WORD One of the all-time great Christmas movies is It s a Wonderful Life! The classic scene is the final one. The townspeople are gathering in George Bailey s living room. They re pouring money onto a table, all with the intention of rescuing George from financial ruin. It s not long before George s brother enters the picture. Having heard of the hard times George had been going through, he secured a leave from the military, hopped a plane, and flew all day and night to make it to Bedford Falls. He wanted to be of help. Seeing the people and the mountain of money, he raises his glass and toasts his brother, the richest man in the world! George Bailey was rich, all right, but not because he was suddenly inundated with money. He was rich because he had family and friends who loved him and cared about him. There s much to be said for the benefits and blessings of family. Rev. Richard Zajac Copyright 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Due to early submittal of the bulletin, Parish Stewardship totals for December 23, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, will be reflected in the bulletin on Sunday, January 6. ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK Rostraver Drug Store Support our advertisers who make our bulletin possible. BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we welcome the new year of 2019, may it be a time of blessing and hope for all this coming year. As we reflect on the past, we see the joys, disappointments, blessings and challenges, and through it all we continue to celebrate the love of God. That love that gives us hope is the through it all, God s presence in our midst. Peace and blessings to you! A Note of Thanks My sincere appreciation to those who sent get-well cards, spiritual Masses and offered prayers for me. It is nice to be home. Sincerely, Dolores Ridgway IN OUR PRAYERS, LET US REMEMBER all of the homebound of the Parish and all of those who need our prayers. 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 age 70-1/2 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 on the withdrawal for gifts to specific charities. For information, contact your IRA administrator or The Catholic Foundation at the Diocese of Greensburg, jdimario@dioceseofgreensburg.org or call 724-552-2504. TAKE TIME TO SMILE! Jennifer was taking an afternoon nap so she would be able to be awake to see the New Year end later that night at the big party that had been planned. After she woke up, she confided to Clayton, her husband, I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year s present. What do you think it all means? Wow, let me just say, you ll know tonight, Clayton answer with a big smile. At midnight, as the New Year was chiming in, and people right and left were kissing their sweethearts, Clayton approached Jennifer, kissed her while holding her a long time, then he handed her a small package. Ecstatic and delighted, she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: The Meaning of Dreams. PARISH STEWARDSHIP ~ Sunday, December 16, 2018 323 Regular Sunday Envelopes: $ 7,437.00 3 Young Adult Envelopes: $ 3.00 Loose: $ 427.00 Votive: $ 423.40 Poor Box: $ 22.75 2 Catholic Accent Envelopes: $ 35.00 16 Christmas Flower Envelopes: $ 270.00 added to that previously reported, $ 2,705.00, for a total of $2,975.00 12 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: $ 160.00 Weekend Collection Total: $ 8,778.15 Online Giving, 12/13/17, through 12/19/17, 15 families, Weekly Sunday Collection: $ 380.00 1 Family, Christmas Flowers: $ 30.00 Total: $ 9,188.15
Masses for the Week THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH Saturday, December 29 4:30 p.m. Donald Ruscitti Dan & Lorraine McCartan Sunday, December 30 8:00 a.m. Louis Damich-Matt Damich 11:00 a.m. Deceased Members of the Loftus Family Dr. & Mrs. Richard Gobbie THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOORS ARE LOCKED FOR DAILY MASS & FOR PRIVATE PRAYER DURING USUAL CHURCH HOURS. PLEASE USE THE ELEVATOR LOBBY DOOR AT THE SIDE ENTRANCE TO ENTER THE CHURCH FOR DAILY MASS OR IF YOU WISH TO PRAY PRIVATELY. Monday, December 31 ~ New Year s Eve SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 5:00 p.m. For World Peace Tuesday, January 1 ~ New Year s Day 9:00 a.m. Parish Family Thursday, January 3 8:00 a.m. Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Arnold Fantauzzi-Cindi & Fred Friday, January 4 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Private Adoration 8:00 a.m. Anthony Spadolini Cousins, Dolores & Dom Vesio THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Saturday, January 5 4:30 p.m. Parish Family Sunday, January 6 8:00 a.m. Thomas Vitale, Sr. Frank & Sandy Lorenzo 11:00 a.m. Joseph Fasekas-Glen & Family SUNDAY & DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Sunday: 17: Sir 3:2-6,12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22,24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3,5-6,9-10; Col 3:12-21 or Col 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2,21-24; Lk 2:41-52 Monday: 204: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2,11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: 205: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday: 205: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 See 510: Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Mt 23:8-12 Thursday: 206: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Ps 98:1,3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Friday: 207: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1,7-9; Jn 1:35-42 See Sir 26:1-4,13-16 (737.14) or 1 Cor 13:4-13 (740.3) Lk 10:38-42 (736.3) or 737-742 Saturday: 208: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51 See 1 Cor 9:16-19,22-23 (722.4) Jn 10:11-16 (742.10) or 719-724 Sunday: 20: (Vigil & Day) Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Beloved, we are God s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. 1 John 3:2a
Diocesan and Community Events **ST. SEBASTIAN REGIONAL SCHOOL NEWS** Thank you for all you have done and given support to St. Sebastian Regional Catholic School and our communities in 2018. May God bless you in this Christmas season. CHURCH TOURS HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, LATROBE Located at 1200 Ligonier Street, Latrobe, 15650, and decorated for Christmas, guided tours will be offered this Saturday, January 5, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Reservations are not required, but please arrive no later than 1:00 p.m. Each tour is approximately 45 minutes. The next scheduled tour will take place during the Easter Season. Group tours may be scheduled for weekdays and some Saturdays. For more information about group tours, contact Charlene, cmnicholson54@gmail.com or 724-532-4135. OUTREACH MINISTRY FOR LGBT people and families will be held on Thursday, January 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Vincent Grove, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, 15650. For more information, contact Alecia Moss, leashmo@hotmail.com or 724-433-1857. DIOCESE LOOKING FOR COACHES, PLAYERS FOR CYO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE The league is open to Diocese of Greensburg parishioners in grades 9 through 12 who meet eligibility requirements. The season will run from January through the CYO state tournament in March. Games will be played Thursday and Saturday evenings at the Queen of Angels Catholic School gym in North Huntingdon. Contact Jeff Wilkins for details, wilkinsjjj@windstream.net. All coaches must comply with Diocesan clearance policies. JEREMIAH DAYS~VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT for boys in grade 6 through 8 and their parents The Office for Priestly Vocations is hosting this event on two Saturdays in 2019: February 9 and April 13, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Barbara Parish, 111 Ramaley Road, Harrison City, 15636. MELCHIZEDEK PROJECT~VOCATIONS DISCERN- MENT for young men in grades 9 through 12 The Office for Priestly Vocations is hosting this event on four Sundays in 2019: February 17, March 10, April 14 and May 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Greensburg Catholic Junior-Senior High School, 911 Armory Drive, Greensburg, 15601. Please contact vocations@dioceseofgreensburg.org to register for either of the Vocation Discernment events. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OFFERS COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES 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, call 724-837-1840 or Email counseling@dioceseofgreensburg.org