January 1, 2017 CHURCH 50 Leopard Road, Paoli, Pa 19301 Phone 610.64 4.165 5 Fax 610. 64 4.1928 SCHOOL 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, Pa 19301 Phone: 610.64 4.1670 Fax: 610. 64 4.0201 Mary Kay Hennessy, Pr incipal Mary, The Holy Mother of God MASS & WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5 :30 PM Sunday Masses : 7 :30, 9, 11:30 AM; 1:30 PM Spanish; 6PM Youth Mass Monday -Friday: 6:30AM & 8 AM ; Saturday 8 AM Reconciliation: Saturday 4-5 PM; Thursday 7-8 PM or by Appointment Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament : Thursday 8:30 AM 8 PM ; Saturday 4-5 PM CLERGY Rev. Michael J. Lee, O.Praem., Pastor Rev. Carl W. Braschoss, O.Praem., Parochial Vicar Deacon John P. Lozano Deacon William M. Masapollo (Retired) Today s readings include another account of the story of Jesus birth. Numbers reminds us that we are blessed. We are looked upon with kindness and grace. The Psalm and Galatians remind us of the blessings given through God s Son. Luke tells of our ultimate blessing, that Mary, a human being like us, gave birth to a child who is God s Son. Mary, a young mother, watches all that is happening around the birth of her son. She listens as the shepherds bring messages from angels, a message she also received from an angel, about her son. Yet Mary remains silent. She keeps all this news about her son to herself. She reflects on all these experiences. The only thing she shares is the name of her son, Jesus, a name given him before he was even conceived. Her silence leaves us wondering if this is how one responds to such a great blessing. Blessed News Both Numbers and the Psalm describe being blessed, like the experience of our father s face lighting up as he sees us. Blessings are received with gestures and expressions of kindness and grace. In Galatians we are reminded that we too are children of God. As children, our Father s blessing is sought and cherished. The shepherds arrive and repeat the message of the angels. They bring news from angels that this child is both Son of God and son of Mary. This small, helpless, impoverished infant is the Savior, the Lord and King for whom all have been waiting. He is the blessing that lights the sky and the face of all who see him. This Son, this Lord and King, rests in his mother s arms as she reflects on all these things. Answer To Our Prayer There is lots of news from various sources in these readings. Moses, Paul, angels, shepherds, all have some news about this child. But there is no news from Mary. Mary is silent and reflective. The shepherds message is amazing, but she had heard this message before and her response then was to say yes. Yes to the uncertainty, the unknown, the blessing. Her response now is to reflect, keeping all these things in her heart. She said yes and now that yes is real in her infant son. She holds the fulfillment of that earlier promise in her arms and she is powerfully aware of how small and vulnerable that promise is. She knows that her son, God's Son, is the answer to the prayers of so many for so long, and she knows how fragile that answer is. Her son needs to be loved and nurtured. As Mary knows and we will learn, the answer to a prayer is only the beginning. Today's Readings: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 J. S. Paluch Company
Page 2 January 1, 2017 Mary, The Holy Mother Of God Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Sunday, January 1, 2017 Vigil Samuel Wallwork 7:30 Members of the parish 9:00 Deceased members of Pollack and Grant Families 11:30 Dominic Coyle 1:30 pm Spanish Mass 6 pm Joan Anthony Monday, January 2 No 6:30 AM Mass 8:00 Amerigo Muscella Tuesday, January 3 6:30 Dick Brill 8:00 Josephine Pogorzelski Wednesday, January 4 6:30 For the Unemployed 8:00 Mary Lyons and the Lord s Blessing on Corinne Kerrigan Thursday, January 5 6:30 Beatrice Corcoran 8:00 Delfino Finocchio Friday, January 6 6:30 John Feiler 8:00 For the Armed Forces 9:00 Bob Lee Saturday, January 7 8:00 Anthony Cimeo Sunday, January 8 Vigil Janet Hogan 7:30 Members of the parish 9:00 Thomas Morelli 11:30 Albert and Kenneth Fuchs 1:30 pm Spanish Mass 6 pm James Klinges Our Vision St. Norbert Parish aspires to become one in Christ as a community of fervent disciples, who listen attentively for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and who lovingly embrace Jesus, present in the poor, the alienated and the spiritually hungry. Stewardship Kept By The Lord The blessing included in the First Reading from the Book of Numbers is one with which most of us are familiar. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you In the Jewish culture this has been known for centuries as the Aaronic blessing as it was dictated by God Himself to Aaron. It is important to note that it begins with The Lord bless you. All blessings come from God. One error we make is to conclude that blessings always mean happiness or security or prosperity. God knows what blessings we need, even if we do not. The key for us is to be grateful for whatever blessings we may have. That mind set is at the hub of stewardship knowing all blessings come from the Lord, and our need to be appreciative of them. To be kept by the Lord is to turn our lives over to Him, to know that He is with us and that He loves us, PRAYERS & READINGS Pray for Healing: Corinne Kerrigan, William A. Ross, Anne Sullivan, Steve Siple, Kathleen Paleudis, Patty Kundert, Joe Monte, Brad Moser, Carole Mahon, Carol Vanchina, Matthew Rice, Debra Ulicny, Joe Mensick, Greg Kleckner, Maria Palfy, Pasquale Marino, Ryan Schlecht, Julian D Orazio, William Denney, Elena Prota, Maria Morales, Michael Fullam, Arlene Martino, Kitty McQuaid, Aaron Gelstine, Timothy Shannon, Courtney Patterson, Mary Corcoran, Gwen Murphy, William Wilbur, Tim Dippel, Alice Bowman, Dorothy Wilson, Ed Rofi, Guillermo Ramirez Maldonado, Rudy Spina, Karen Hastings, Edward McCarthy, Charlie Keller, Helen Gelstine, Nancy Lowe, Steph Walsh-Beilman, Peter Lim, Peg & Ed Welsh, Ann Sassaman, Narciso Jasso, Clare Rossmeisl, Diana Reyes, Frank Henriquez, Phyllis McCullough Rest in Peace: Robert Stemper Prayers For Our Troops: Pvt. Matthew Cress, USA; Pfc. Jessica Flowers, USA, Pvt. Michael Flowers, USA; Lt. Cmdr. Rob Kersey, USN; Capt. Dan Kohli, USMC; 1st.Lt. Spencer Lahiff, USMC; Sgt. Justin Lansford, USA; Pvt. Bryan McCormick, USA; Maj. James Merenda, USAF; Sgt. R. J. Paski, USA; Sgt. Matthew Paski, USAF; CPT Brian Wallin, DO, USA blesses us, and does indeed keep us ever in His care. The truth is that to be blessed by God is one of the greatest gifts we can receive. It is available to all of us without exception. During this continued Christmas season, it is well to remember and repeat the classic statement by the character Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens immortal A Christmas Carol: God bless us, every one, for certainly He does. catholicsteward.com On 1 January 2017, the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will begin its work. It will help the Church to promote in an ever more effective way the inestimable goods of justice, peace, and care of creation and concern for migrants, those in need, the sick, the excluded and marginalized, the imprisoned and the unemployed, as well as victims of armed conflict, natural disasters, and forms of slavery and torture. Every such response, however modest, helps to build a world free of violence, the first step towards justice and peace. Pope Francis 50th World Day of Peace READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Wednesday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b- 5; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-28 [23, 31-34, 36, 38] Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Sal 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 2:1-11 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
St. Norbert Bulletin Page 3 From Our Pastor A New Year Challenge to You... Keep Me Honest! How often have you made and broken the New Year s Resolutions you have made in the past. We begin in earnest and day-by-day our minds and bodies drift away from what we believe we need to do in the coming year. I decided to come clean with the resolutions I plan on this year and in making them public I am challenging myself knowing not only that God is watching but that the entire parish is also watching. Let me list 10 New Year s RESOLUTIONS that I hope to work on this coming year. Granted there may be times that I fail, but I will continue to work on these because I realize they are important: 1. Spend one hour a day before the Blessed Sacrament 2. Lose ten pounds so I can fit into som e of those clothes that seem to have shrunk in my closet 3. Walk one half hour a day as the doctor suggested 4. Visit m y fam ily m ore often, especially m y sister Catherine who is in the nursing home 5. Pray for those in the parish w ho have drifted away from the practice of their faith and pray that through my/our efforts returns will happen 6. Time to visit those in nursing hom es and those who are unable to come to Church We couldn t do it without you Thanks To You All This year we welcomed over 3000 people into our church for Christmas Eve and Day. It was a glorious time with all the families, singles, relatives, and friends together as the Body of Christ celebrating His coming. All the smiling faces and particularly the excitement among the children (of all ages) made me thank the Lord one more time for all of you and the cast of hundreds that with grace and style made everyone feel at home in God s house, our house. In particular, I d like to thank all Welcoming Ministry greeters, ushers, lectors, ministers of Holy Communion, musicians, servers, sacristans, church cleaners, our maintenance staff, deacons, priests, and everyone who welcomed people from afar and right here in our area. We couldn't do it without you. Your love and dedication bless this parish and bless our Lord. God bless and thank you! And have a safe and Happy New Year! Fr. Mike 7. Become m ore reverent and respectful and reverent in God s house 8. Focus on becom ing m ore conscious of m y health 9. Discover the w onder and m ystery of parishioners 10. Let God be God! I challenge you to make a similar list that will allow you to draw closer to God and to those who are in need of the love of God. Let s see how our lists looks for each of us come June of 2017.. Father Mike Thank You Christmas flowers donated in loving memory of: Edward Joseph Cabral, Ida & Dominic Giovannini, Joseph & Joey Guest, Frank Boyle Vincenzo & Antoinetta Volpi William & Woolsey Families Deceased members O Brien & Hogan Families, Colleen & Janet Hogan, Kristin Quigley, Chick McDonnell, Jeanne & Alan Petty, Domenic & Rose DiFilippo and George & Florence Caldwell, Joseph & Florence Boschi, Fred & Ann Di Monte, Michelle Di Monte, Dr. Diane Di Monte
Page 4 January 1, 2017 News & Events Blessed By... Your Generosity A sincere heartfelt Thank You to all who gave so generously to this year s Giving Tree Project! It was our best year ever, said Marsha Mendenez, with over 700 bagged gift items and more than 500 gift cards delivered before Christmas. According to our Volunteer Coordinator Ed Grady, Toys being delivered to Birthright making a Merry Christmas to Moms and their children. One anonymous non-parishioner donated $10,000 for food, clothes and toys for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All told, over $45,000 from Outreach Envelopes and the Giving Tree was given to over 15 organizations and 28 individuals and families, including Birthright home for women and their newborns; St. Agnes food bank; St, Mary s; St, Joseph s House; Paoli Needs; Bethesda Project: Bainbridge, Sanctuary, Mary, Dominic and Spruce St. Houses; Aid for Friends; St. Gabe s Our House Ministry; St. Norbert In-Reach, Out-Reach and our Homebound. This is an outpouring of your love to those we serve by being family to others in our community. Special thanks to our tireless organizers Carol Coyne, Marsha Menendez and their elves of the Helping Hands Ministry. To find out how you can volunteer and help in the future contact Marsha Menendez at 610.247. 9307 or marsha@menendezfamily.com Thank you for giving on God s behalf! Did you receive your Christmas gift? The Lamb s Supper We hope you enjoy our Christmas Gift to you this year: The Lamb s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Scott Hahn, PhD. With our Pastoral Objective of Focusing on Sunday, there is no better way to see the Lord s gift to us unfold each Sunday. St. John Paul II called the Mass Heaven on Earth and this book will take you back to see how early Christians participated in our heavenly liturgy while making today s Mass alive and current for all of us, said Fr. Mike. If you didn t pick up your Christmas Gift from us, please see one of the Ushers or Greeters or stop by the Parish Office. Also, please check out more titles and pamphlets for you in the Lighthouse display and our St. Norbert book case in the Narthex. Calling All Teens... Just For You I wish I would have known about this retreat before! Caroline I was hesitant about going at first, but am so glad I went. I won t miss it next year! Zach Join other high schoolers for our annual Xanten Retreat on Jan 20-22. Xanten is where our patron St. Norbert had a profound encounter with Jesus and changed his life. This year s Xanten theme is Into Narnia and promises to be a retreat experience like none other. Xanten XIII will be held at Daylesford Abbey. Registration Online: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=2734a5 Contact: Clare Kane at 610-644-1670 ext. 127 or ckane@stnorbert.org 50 + Group Kickoff to... Celebrate 2017 Start the New Year off right at a family style lunch of soups, salads, pastas and more with the 50+ Group on Tuesday, Jan 24 at 11:30 am at San Nicola, Paoli. Cost: $23 each not including drinks (all non-alcohol drinks included). Deadline & RSVP: Jan 20 w ith cash or check payable to the St. Norbert 50+ Group, Parish Office, 50 Leopard Road, Paoli PA 19301 using the form below. Contact: Nina Gallacher at 484.318.1107 or ngallacher9@aol.com Name(s): Phone Number: Email: Number of Guests (@ $23 each): Total Enclosed: (cash or check payable to St. Norbert 50+ Group) Divorced & Separated You are not alone! A free Catholic ministry offering welcome, support and direction in navigating this most stressful, confusing and painful time. Sundays Biweekly Jan 9 through June 11 7:15 to 8:45 pm Topics Covered: Anger, Depression, Loneliness, Forgiveness, Finances, Children, and more... Cost: $20 (for series) Contact: Cathy Peacock at 610.644.1655 ext. 141 or stepsforhealing@gmail.com Sessions Held at Daylesford Abbey 220 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301, Phone: 610.647.2530
St. Norbert Bulletin Page 5 Around Our Parish The Dec 11 Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast was one of the best ever with a packed church and a festival of dancing, food and music. Mark your calendar for Sunday, Dec 10, at 11:30 am Mass for this year s celebration (1-6). The School Nativity program in mid-dec was quite the production. Gathered around the manger were angels and the Holy Family (7). There were rams, sheep and shepherds (8-10); a King from the East bearing a gift (11); and scripture read by a town Crier (11); all celebrating the birth of Our Lord (12). Wonderful!
Page 6 January 1, 2017 Post Holiday Blues... Need Prayer & Healing? Festival of Praise (FoP): Join us this coming 1st Friday, Jan 6 at 7:30 pm in the Oratory for our monthly FoP gathering. Lead by FireHill Worship, this evening is a wonderful time to gather, sing contemporary Christian worship songs and praise Our Lord in the company of friends, family and the St. Norbert area community. Come and bring a friend. Prayer & Healing Night: This powerful evening on Thursday, Jan 12, at 7:30 pm, offers you the opportunity to gather in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament while having our St. Norbert Prayer Team pray with you or those you know suffering from sickness, distress, personal issues like loss of jobs, marital problems, and other stresses of daily living. Confession available. Contact: Pete Radice at prfr@comcast.net or 610.265. 5787 Gethsemani Evenings: Know someone in addiction recovery that wants to explore their Catholic faith? Come and check out our Gethsemani 12 Step Spirituality Faith Sharing Group Sunday, Jan 10, 7:30-8:30 pm, in the St. Norbert Oratory. Open to people in 12 Step programs (AA, Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, etc.). Held the 2nd Sunday of evermonth. Contact: Martin K 610.291.1140 Gethsemani Addictions Prayer Nite: We all know someone who is affected by addiction of some kind whether alcohol, drugs, pornography, eating, spending etc. Join us Thursday, Jan 19, 7 pm in the Oratory to pray for family members and loved ones suffering from addictions and those supporting them in recovery. Confessions and Adoration available. Contact: Mark Christmyer at mchristmyer@stnorbert.org or 610.644.1655 ext.131 Help Provide... Aid For Friends From a single mission by one person Rita Schiaverone Aid for Friends has grown into a service that delivers meals prepared by parishioners like ours for the homebound. For some, this is their only meal of the day. In the last 2 years, St. Norbert has collected 3,000 meals mostly from the IHM Sisters at Camilla Hall. Barrie Fila keeps the Sisters stocked with food tins, Patricia Thomas picks up the meals and brings them to our freezer and Maryann Glass delivers the m eals to tw o parishes in Phoenixville or sites in Northeast Philly. Contact: Ruth Finley at 610.644. 1655 ext 116 or Ruth@stnorbert.org Upcoming Events Weekly: Sundays: EDGE 10:05-11:15 am Youth Group Room; Youth Group following 6 pm Mass; Dads Basketball, 7-9 pm, Gym Mondays: Becoming Catholic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 7 pm. Contact: Lorrie Grady at 610.644.4999 or lhg905@verizon.net or Hank Fila at 610.513.9768 or hankfila@gmail.com or Joseph Abraham at 610.420.3251 or abrajos@hotmail.com Tuesdays: Dawn Seekers Bible Study, 8:30 10 am, Parish Office Dining Room; Walking With Purpose, 9-11 am, Starts Oct 4, School Dining Room,Contact: Lisa McGowan at mcgowanlh@gmail.com Young Adults Faith Sharing, Parish Office Lower Level, 7:30-9 pm, Contact: Joseph Abraham at 610.420.3251 or abrajos@hotmail.com Wednesdays: JCREW Youth Group, 7-9 pm, Youth Group Room Thursdays: Adoration 8 :30am 8 pm, Oratory with Reconciliation 7 8 pm; Legion of Mary, 9-10:30 am, Sacristy Meeting Room. NOTE: No January Christian Practice of Yoga Saturdays: Reconciliation 4-5 pm or by appointment; Adoration 4-5 pm Upcoming: Jan 2 Parish Office & School Office CLOSED Jan 5 Confirmation Parents Meeting, 7-8:30 pm School Dining Hall Jan 6 Festival of Praise, 7:30 pm Oratory Jan 9 CYO Meeting, 7-9 pm Parish Office Dining Room Jan 7 & 8 Clothing & Food Collection, Narthex & Gy m Jan 8 Gethsemani 12 Steps Spirituality Night, 7:30-8:30 pm, Oratory. Contact: Martin K 610.291.1140 Jan 11 Knights of Columbus, 7:30-9:30 pm, Parish Office Meeting Room Jan 12 Prayer & Healing, 7:30 pm, Church Jan 14 Ministry Appreciation Breakfast, 8:30-11 am, PAC Ctr. Jan 15 50+ Senior Topics, Charles DeFeo, OP, Solving Life s Problems With Catholicism, 3 pm, School Dining Hall, FREE Jan 19 School Winter Band Concert, 7-8 pm Jan 19 Gethsemani Addictions Prayer Night, 7-8 pm, Oratory. Contact: Mark Christmyer at 610.644.1655 ext 131 or mchristmyer@stnorbert.org Jan 20-22 Youth Group Xanten Retreat, Da y lesford Abbey, Contact: Clare Kane at 610.644.1670 ext. 127 or ckane@stnorbert.org Registration: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=2734a5 Jan 21 Respect Life, 8:45-10 am, Parish Office Dining Room Jan 24 Celebrate 2017 Luncheon, 50+ Group, San Nicola Restaurant, 11:30 am, Contact: Nina Galacher at ngallacher9@aol.com or 484.318.1107 Jan 30-31 Catholic Schools Week, stay tuned for tours Visit StNorbert.org Calendar Solving Life s Problems with Catholicism Charles DeFeo, OP, on Sunday, Jan 15 at 3 pm in the St. Norbert Dining Hall sponsored by 50+ Senior Topics. FREE