Email: gshepoffice@comcast.net Good Shepherd Braddock Avenue at Frazier St. Braddock, PA 15104-1612 Sacred Heart 1600 Brinton Road Braddock Hills, PA 15221-4902 Phone: 412-271-1515 FAX: 412-271-1222 Website: www.goodshepherdbraddock.org Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 9 AM - 4 PM Friday: 9 AM - 2 PM Mrs. Michele Catone Parish Secretary Email: gshepoffice@comcast.net Mr. Frank Koncerak Director of Maintenance Madonna del Castello Parish 2021 S. Braddock Avenue Swissvale, PA 15218 Phone: 412-271-5666 FAX: 412-271-2335 Website: www.madonnadelcastello.org Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM Edward Kapsha Music Director EKAPD5965@gmail.com Kelly James Parish Secretary Marcia Murello Coordinator of Religious Ed. madonnadelcastello1920@gmail.com St. Maurice Parish 2001 Ardmore Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Phone: 412-271-0809 FAX: 412-271-2415 Website: www.stmauriceparish.org Twi er: @StMauriceFH Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 9 AM - 12 PM 1 PM - 4:30 PM Norman E. Chapman, CAGO Director of Music nchapman@saintmauriceparish.org Cheryl Kirkland Director of Religious Education ckirkland@saintmauriceparish.org Jo Ann McLaughlin-Klemencic Director of Evangelization jklemencic@saintmauriceparish.org Kelley Rodgers Business Manager krodgers@saintmauriceparish.org Word of God Parish 7446 McClure Avenue Swissvale, PA 15218 Administrative Office: 2021 S. Braddock Ave Pittsburgh PA 15218 Phone: 412-241-1372 FAX: 412-271-2335 Website: www.madonnadelcastello.org Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM Deacon Ron Demblowski Pastoral Associate wordofgodpa@gmail.com Michael Burke Music Director Karen Flynn Parish Secretary wordofgod1994@gmail.com CLERGY TEAM Fr. Larry Adams. Administrator Fr. Jeremy Mohler.. Parochial Vicar Fr. Vincent Kolo... Parish Chaplain Joseph M. Dougherty... Deacon Keith Kondrich.. Deacon Judy Kosar, LaVerne Caprara Secretaries jkosar@saintmauriceparish.org lcaprara@saintmauriceparish.org Fr. Daniel A. Adjei Student Priest In Residence Marcia Murello Coordinator of Religious Ed. BULLETIN DEADLINE: Friday at 4:00 p.m. January 6, 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord
This Week s Mass Schedule and Intentions (Confessions: 7:30 p.m., Monday at St. Maurice & Noon, Saturday at Word of God) Date Time Location Intention Requested By Saturday, Jan. 5 4:00 PM St. Maurice +James & Geraldine Niro Vincent & Linda Nese 5:30 PM Madonna del Castello For the People of our Four Parishes Sunday, Jan. 6 8:00 AM Good Shepherd +Albert & Cecelia Dudas Daughters 9:00 AM Word of God +Homer McCartney Kathy & Ryan 10:00 AM St. Maurice +Frank Kassalen Ruth Kassalen 11:00 AM Sacred Heart +Jarrett Zilko Family Monday, Jan. 7 7:00 PM St. Maurice +Charles Caputo Betty Tuesday, Jan. 8 9:30 AM Sacred Heart +Edward Stamerra Anita Cioppa Wednesday, Jan. 9 9:30 AM Sacred Heart +Michael Yazvac Daniel & Jacquelyn Morgan Thursday, Jan. 10 9:30 AM Word of God +Elmer Furman Ladies of Charity Friday, Jan. 11 9:00 AM St. Maurice +Ruth Jordon Friends of the Lunch Bunch 9:30 AM Madonna del Castello +George & Mary Fedak Family Saturday, Jan. 12 4:00 PM St. Maurice +Dorothy Placone Mary Jane & Ron Bentz 5:30 PM Madonna del Castello +Edward Prebehalla & Nicolina Donofrio Linda Prebehalla &Angela Bottles Sunday, Jan. 13 8:00 AM Good Shepherd For the People of our Four Parishes 9:00 AM Word of God +Agnes Mondry Larry & Pat Furry 10:00 AM St. Maurice Spec. Int. Alannah Enfield Eric & Marilena Enfield 11:00 AM Sacred Heart +Bernard Thiem Alan & Janet Kondas From Fr. Larry s Desk... New Year s is a time when we often take a moment to reflect on the year that has just passed, and think a bit about what might be before us in the upcoming year. As I reflect on this past year, I think about all the things for which I m really grateful. Among them, I m grateful for the welcome that the parishes of Braddock, Forest Hills, and Swissvale have extended to me, Fr. Vince, and Fr. Mohler. I am truly awed by the way you have greeted us since our arrival in October. The parishioners of each parish, in their own way, have expressed their welcome of us. And, in Christian charity, I want to thank you for your welcome! I have begun to come to know you through our shared experience of the past two months, and I look forward to continuing to get to know you in the year to come! I would also like to offer a word of thanks to Carol Funk. Over the past 40 years, Carol has served the parishes of Braddock in a number of roles. Carol has decided that 2019 will be the beginning of her retirement. On behalf of all of us, I d like to express our gratitude to Carol for her dedicated service to our faith communities. Thank you, Carol, and blessings to you as you begin your retirement! Blessings, Fr. Larry
MEMORIAL FUND In memory of Michael (Lefty) & Frances (Francie) Sabol, Robert (Jeep) & Elaine Payne, John & Caroline Vavra, Paul Challinor, Lillian (Lil) Totter, Alden (Mac) McEwen, Margaret (Mudge) Comunale, Catherine (Kitty), Andy and Junior Sabol, Mildred (Millie) Plavetic, John & Elizabeth (Betty) Plavetich, Jim Payne, Sr., Paul Sabol and Duane Novack from Danny & Mary Payne. MORNING OF REFLECTION: meets Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at 10:15 AM in the Parish Center. Please read book two of Mere Christianity. New people are always welcome. Refreshments will be served. FOOD FOR THE NEEDY: Next weekend, food for the needy will be collected at all Masses. We ask that you be generous in responding to this collection. Please make sure the food is nonperishable, in good condition, and has NOT EXPIRED. CHRISTMAS FLOWER FUND: Thank you for your very generous response to the Christmas Flower Fund! We appreciate your support and hope that you enjoyed the festive decorations in our Church and that they enhanced your spiritual experience of the Christmas Season. THANK YOU: St. Maurice parishioners have been overwhelmingly generous in donating gifts for the 2018 Giving Tree Project. So many kind words were received when delivering donated gifts. Individuals and organizations are always touched by your kindness. A total of 437 gifts were donated to the following: 46 - Angels Place in Swissvale for children and single parents; 50 - Steel Valley Center in Homestead for families in crisis; 30 - Genesis for expectant mothers and newborns; 204 - LGAR elderly resident facility; 105 - gifts for parish families and local community. SPECIAL THANKS: There are pages of people to thank for the success of the Giving Tree Project every year: all parishioners who have always come through with generous gifts, for all their help, the school children who carried the gifts from the Parish Center to Keane Hall and decorated the angels for the tree, the Service and Outreach committee for taking on the project next year, and Peggy Zezza for assisting with Saint Vincent de Paul gifts. Big thanks to all volunteers who come out for the packing party year after year, and to Pat Lanigan and the staff at Lanigan Funeral Home and Tom and Maureen Murphy and their family for always delivering the gifts. Leslie Diersen, Giving Tree Organizer THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: will meet Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 7:30 PM. CHURCH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: will be taken down Sunday, January 13, at 12:00 Noon. The Worship Committee will be grateful for any volunteers who can help with this project; the more the merrier. Thank you. YOU ARE INVITED: The Ushers and Knights of Columbus will be dismantling the crèche Sunday, January 13, at 12:00 Noon. Any and all Parishioners are welcome to lend a hand. The Offertory Collection for 12/22 & 23: $8,580.25 The Offertory Collection for 12/25, 29 & 30: Please see next week s bulletin. Prayer Line 412-277-0693 or 412-871-3245 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Sunday, January 6, 2019 11:00 AM - Baptism Seminar - Parish Center Tuesday, January 8, 2019 10:15 AM - Morning of Reflection - Lawrence Room 7:00 PM - RCIA - Parish Center Parlor Thursday, January 10, 2019 7:00 PM - Bible Study - Parish Center Friday, January 11, 2019 8:30 AM - NET Confirmation Retreat - Campus Sunday, January 13, 2019 11:00 AM - MS & HS Youth Event - Parish Center
Madonna del Castello The Altar Candles are in memory of SAMUEL C. MAZZELLA from Guy & Pat Mazzella. The Tabernacle Lamp is in memory of SAMUEL C. MAZZELLA from Guy & Pat Mazzella. The Altar Bead & Wine are for SAMUEL C. MAZZELLA from Guy & Pat Mazzella. The Altar Flowers are for SAMUEL C. MAZZELLA from Guy & Pat Mazzella. MADONNA COLLECTIONS Dec. 16...$1,802.00 Dec. 23...$2,988.00 Christmas...$2,661.00 Christmas Charities...$1,156.00 Christmas Flowers...$960.00 Dinners and Cookies can be purchased after the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass at Madonna in the hall. Dinners are in containers and include: Eggplant, Stuffed Shells, Plain Sauce, Rollatini & Meatballs. Everything is homemade. For more info call 412-271-5666. Anyone who would like to have any or all of the gifts celebrated in memory of or tribute to a loved one(s) at Madonna del Castello Parish, should complete the form below, place information and money in a plain envelope and deposit the sealed envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or deposit in mail slot. Madonna del Castello Memorial/Living or in Tribute to Request I would like to offer: Altar Flowers ($50) Altar Candles ($10) Altar Bread ($25) Tabernacle Lamp ($10) Altar Wine ($25) Complete Offering ($120) In Memory of Living In Tribute to From Phone Child Protective Services Law: Report any acts of child abuse to Commonwealth of PA Hotline 1-800-932-0313. Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline: 1-888-808-1235. Diocesan website, www.diopitt.org, under Protecting God s Children. Sessions available on-line. Diocesan Safe Environment Certification: Contact Kelly James at the parish office. Prayer & Praise Group meets at 7:00p.m. the 2nd & 4th Thurs. at Madonna; information call Mike, 412-241-1254. Pro Life Corner: The right to life is the first human right. Abortion is killing someone that cannot defend him or herself. -Pope Francis WORD OF GOD THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK IN WORD OF GOD PARISH LITURGIES, we will use the Altar Candles in memory of HOMER McCARTNEY from Kathy & Ryan McCartney. IN YOUR CHARITY, please pray for the souls of CAROL IANNACE, wife of the late Michael; ANDREW KRIVI, husband of Susan; and GEORGE WINTERMANTEL, brother of Rose Kelly, who were buried recently from Word of God Parish. May their souls rest in peace with Christ. WORD OF GOD COLLECTIONS Dec. 16...$5,841.00 Dec. 23...$6,632.00 Christmas...$8,080.00 Christmas Charities...$2,079.00 Christmas Flowers...$1,621.00 THIS WEEK Saturday 6:30 PM Parish Family Social - Madonna Sunday - Parish Family Socials 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Library & Gift Shop open 10:00 AM Parish Family Social - Word of God Monday 7:30 PM Reconciliation-St. Maurice (following Mass) Wednesday 10:30 AM Legion of Mary - Swissvale Towers 7:00 PM Bible Study - Madonna Parish Hall Thursday 10:00 AM to Noon - Library & Gift Shop open 7:00 PM Prayer & Praise Group - Madonna Saturday 12:00 PM Reconciliation - Word of God Next Sunday - 2nd Collection - Utilities 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Library & Gift Shop open Parish Family Social-Sat., Jan. 5 & Sun., Jan. 6: Hosted at Madonna by Ladies of Charity, and at Word of God by the Readers. Thank you to the Nied and Kutch Funeral Homes for donating calendars. Blank Envelopes: Please be sure your name is on your offering envelope if you want credit for your contributions. The Ladies of Charity warmly thank all the kind parishioners who contributed so many gifts (over 190!) for the Giving Tree families at Word of God & Madonna del Castello Parishes. Through your generosity, 47 families, including 54 children, received gifts. Many of them may not otherwise have been remembered or received anything. Several gift recipients were overwhelmed. One said, "I don't know how to thank you. I just lost my job, and you don't know what this means to me and my children. Please thank all the parishioners for us." Through your kindness, the children at Angel's Place and women at POWER were also remembered with caring gifts. May God bless your generous hearts, and may your love for Christ in His beloved needy ones shine throughout our community!
GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH BRADDOCK, PA THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, where the Magi find the newborn king and offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In the spirit of the Magi, please put your gift in the St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box so that comfort and peace can once again be given to a newborn child. If you need help, call: 412-437-8370 ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! Gifts for a King As the wise men followed the star they were convinced that it would lead them to something amazing, a great king who had come into the world. They certainly could have been caught off guard when they gazed upon the sight where the star led them. Instead of a powerful ruler they were looking at a newborn baby surrounded by his mother and foster father. Yet, they didn t hesitate to lay their precious gifts before the Lord and do him homage. And after honoring the newborn king, they went in haste to return to their homeland, sharing the good news of the coming of the Messiah as they travelled along. The witness of the wise men is one we are invited to follow as we journey On Mission for The Church Alive! We all are being asked to come before the Lord with the gifts we have to offer. These gifts aren t gold, frankincense and myrrh, but the gifts of our hearts and lives that we are able to share with God, the Church and others and enrich our parishes. Even more, as we journey from our faith communities through our family, work and social relationships we also look for opportunities to share the good news of God-with-us with all we meet. What gifts do you have to share? Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed. REST IN PEACE In your charity, we remember all those who have died, especially: Anna Yurinko and Margaret Welsh. May the angels lead you into paradise. Happy Birthday wishes go out to Harry Lucas who will celebrate his 96th birthday on January 9th. God bless you Harry! CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS Robert & Susan Csukas Andrea Leyko Nancy Moucheron Leona Zolnierzak SAVE THE DATE FOR BINGO Our Good Shepherd Social Club will sponsor their next bingo on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Hall. Plan to be there and bring your friends for a fun afternoon. SAM PRESENTATION Wed., Jan.16, 6:30 p.m., St. Michael Church, 750 Wall Ave, Pitcairn, PA 15140. Please join the Substance Addiction Ministry at 6:30 p.m. in the church to pray the Rosary for Recovery. At 7:00 p.m. Dan L. will share his personal story from alcohol addiction and jail time to recovery through AA, spirituality, rebuilding family relationships and acquiring gainful employment. Dan has worked with young adults desiring recovery from addiction. For more information or questions please contact Noreen at 412-296-1709. TV MASS FOR THE HOMEBOUND Make Sundays complete for someone who can t get to church because of age, illness or weather conditions. Sunday TV Mass will be shown at 6:30 AM on: WINP (ION) channel 46 Comcast Cable, channel 4 Verizon Fios, channel 16 Dish Network, channel 16 or 216 DirecTV, channel 305 EWTN-12:00 Noon everyday To watch the Mass online anytime on Sundays, visit www.heartofthenation.org Stewardship: Time - Talent - Treasure Due to early bulletin deadlines for the Dec. 23, 30 & January 6 bulletins we will publish the collections as soon as possible.
This Friday, January 11, we will welcome the NET (National Evangelical Team) youth ministers to our Parish for our 8 th grade Confirmation Retreat. This group of 11 ministers take a year off of their college studies or careers to travel around the country giving retreats to young people and doing their best to share their love of God with others. We are blessed to have the NET Ministers at our parish again this year. Please keep our Confirmandi in your continued prayers as they journey toward their Confirmations this Spring. CALENDAR: 1/6/19 Religious Education classes resume, 8:30 AM 1/11/19 NET Confirmation Retreat, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM at St. Maurice MS & HS Youth Breakfast: Sunday, January 13, 11:00 AM 12:00 PM, Lawrence Room in Parish Center at St. Maurice. We will have breakfast, and then games that pit middle school versus high school youth in part two of the Battle Royale. What will happen when age groups go head to head? Join us to find out, and bring your friends! RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA Catechumens (the term used to refer to those individuals who have not been baptized) have completed the learning and praying Period of Inquiry and are now entering the Period of Catechumenate (meaning one being instructed in faith). Over the next several weeks, we will dive deeper into our faith and continue to learn more about God, our Church and ourselves. Please keep our three Catechumens in your continued prayers. EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING Items needed: chalk and a small bottle of holy water. Gather with family members, friends, and perhaps some neighbors at the front door. In the (+) name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Tradition names the magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. With chalk, their initials sign this doorway, along with four crosses of the seasons, and the numerals of the new year. [20 + C + M + B + 19] Let us pray: Christus mansionem benedicat. May Christ bless this house, Amen. Leader (or other Reader): A reading from the Letter to the Galatians. So then, while there is time let us do good for all people, especially those who are of the household of faith. The Word of the Lord. (Thanks be to God.) Each room is sprinkled with holy water. Living room: Bring us to live with you one day in heaven. Kitchen: You prepare for us a rich feast. Dining room: Feed us at the heavenly banquet. Bedrooms: In you alone we rest securely. Bathroom: You cleanse us from every impurity. All return to the front door to pray together. Our Father... All are sprinkled with holy water. Bless this household through all days to come, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR 2019 We invite you to request any additional Mass intentions for our four parishes for 2019. Mass intention forms can be picked up at the back of the church, and can be placed in the collection basket. If you wish to mail in your intention form, for Masses at any of our parishes, please mail them to: Madonna del Castello Parish, 2021 S. Braddock Avenue, Swissvale PA 15218, Attn: Kelly. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly at 412-271-5666. Word of God Parish Library/Canterbury Corner Gift Shop News Looking for a spiritually uplifting way to start the New Year? Start by reading a small but mighty book of reflections and spiritual readings for every day of the year! Embrace a Spirit of Aging, is written especially for people over the age of 50 by Rev. Robert G. Duch, a retired Pittsburgh priest, who in the past served as pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Swissvale. The cost of the book is only $10.00. Celebrate Epiphany on January 6 th with a visit to the Parish Library to view the Fontanini Nativity display with over 200 sculpted figures in the Tuscan tradition. Children especially will enjoy looking at the lively scene that re-creates the life of the townspeople of Bethlehem, the beautiful story of Christ s birth, and the visit of the Magi. Book Sale in February: The Library will hold a used book sale in February date to be announced later. Donations of books and videos (especially children s) will be accepted during regular operating hours starting in January. Library and Gift Shop regular hours: Sundays 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m. & Thursdays 10:00a.m.-Noon. Location: First floor of the Parish Center at 7436 McClure Avenue in Swissvale. For more information, call 412-271-4830 or 412-243-1078. LOOK FOR THE LIGHTGHOUSE MEDIA Let our focus be on 'pleasing' God in the New Year: Never forget that you are God's individual creation and therefore a gift He has bestowed on the world. Be humbled by the fact that He certainly has you in the palm of His hand. Without Him you are nothing. Be happy with who and what you are. God made you and loves you. If you feel you need to change to please Him, you can do it. Just ask for His help. The choices you make are your responsibility. Sometimes our choices hurt us. Embrace them and learn from them and move on. Thank God for the experience. Always count your blessings, not your troubles. You can make it through whatever comes along. Grace will be there, but it only comes one day at a time. Don't fret about the future. Don't take things too seriously, especially yourself. Miracles happen; you are one - I am one - we all are one. Please be sure to place your suggested donation in the money slot on the display so the ministry can be selfsupporting. Homebound: Please contact the parish office so we can bring you Holy Communion on a regular basis. If you have homebound parishioners who are neighbors, please let us know. Student Contest: Open to students in grades 4-12. Cash prizes on local, state and national levels. This annual contest is sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Contest themes include: Here I am Lord, I come to do Your will, or Doing my best to do good. Categories of art, essay, poetry, computer art, music or photography can be used. Entries can be made in one or more categories. For info. contact local contest chairperson Lisa McCann at ljmccann114@gmail.com or call 412-519-8762. Deadline is January 25. Readings for Sun., Jan.13, Baptism of the Lord 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord. 2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3: 4-7 Jesus Christ saved us and renewed us with the Holy Spirit. Gospel Reading: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist. Question for reflection: At his baptism God calls Jesus, beloved Son. How can you thank God for making you a beloved child too?