Saint James Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg 306 Saint James Lane New Alexandria, PA 15670 The Reverend Monsignor Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L.,VG, Pastor Rectory Office: (724) 668-2829 Social Hall: (724) 668-2323 Education Center Fax: (724) 668-7327 Website: www.stjamesnewalexandria.org Bulletin Deadline: Monday at 4:00 PM First Sunday of Advent - December 3, 2017 Mass Schedules Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM Sunday Mass at 9:30 AM Daily Mass: Monday Friday at 8:00 AM Holy Day: Vigil at 7:00 PM Day at 8:00 AM Sacraments Marriage: Six Month Notification is Required Baptism: By Appointment Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 4:00 PM or By Appointment Saint James Parish Mission Statement We, the parish family of Saint James Church, New Alexandria, consis ng of diverse, dedicated hard working people, hold firm the tradi ons and beliefs of our Catholic faith. Our Mission is to keep this faith alive and growing through the love of the Eucharist, the Sacraments, and the Word of God. Responding to our Bap smal call we are devoted to fostering spiritual forma on, strengthening Chris an values, evangelizing and caring for all. As we travel on our Journey of a Life me, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we help the community strive to seek the Kingdom of God.
First Sunday Fourth of Advent Sunday, Sunday December of Lent 3, 2017 March 6, 2016 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. ~ Mark 13:33 ~ Whoever is in Christ is a new creation; Liturgical the old things Services have passed of The away; Week behold, new things have come Saturday, December 2 Corinthians 2, First 5:17 Sunday of Advent 4:30 pm For the People Sunday, December 3, First Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Bernard J. Morelli (Philip Eva Meloy) Liturgical Services Monday, December 4, Weekday 8:00 am Ed of Ruth The Halula Week Saturday, (Daughter March 5, Judy Vigil: Fourth Ron Cramer) Sunday of Lent Tuesday, 4:30 pm December Piwinsky Family 5, Weekday (Stella Sheffler Family) Sunday, 8:00 am Valorie March 6, Baum Fourth Sunday of Lent 9:30 am (Anna, For the Jean People Ron Carnhan) Wednesday, Monday, December March 7, Saints 6, Weekday Perpetua and Felicity 7:00 8:00 pm am John Andrew Wagner Nalevanko (By (Family) Tuesday, 7:00 pm Advent March 8, Evening Lenten of Weekday Reflection Thursday, 7:00 pm December Emily Morelli 7, St. Ambrose, Bishop Doctor (Son, of the Bernie Church Ruth Ann Morelli) Wednesday, 8:00 am Aiden March O Rourke 9, Lenten Weekday 7:00 pm (Grandparents Renewed Health: Ron Kathy Judy McNaughton Cramer) 7:00 pm Immaculate (Jerry Conception Anna Marie Vigil Suman) Thursday, For March the People 10, Lenten Weekday Friday, 8:00 am December John Wagner 9, Immaculate (Family) Conception Friday, of March the Blessed 11, Lenten Virgin Weekday Mary 8:00 am Mary Special Ragan Intention (Joe for JoAnn Lori L. Ragan) Bird Saturday, December (Joe 10, JoAnn Second Ragan) Sunday of Advent 4:30 7:00 pm Annabell STATIONS Sarni OF THE CROSS Saturday, (Marty, March 12, Dorothy Lenten Paul Weekday Strosko) Sunday, 9:00 am December DCCW Mass 11, Second Sunday of Advent Saturday, 9:30 am For March the People 12, Vigil: Fifth Sunday of Lent 4:30 pm For the People Sunday, Ministers March 13, of Fifth the Sunday Week of Lent 9:30 am Julio Rosa Malavez Altar Servers: (Joe Rose Mary Kuznicki) Thur. 7:00 p.m. Deana (Daylight Cierra Savings Henderson Time Begins) Fri. 8:00 a.m. Ray Anna Marie Mowery Sat. 4:30 p.m. Ministers Jessica Palko for the Mark Week Suman Sun. 9:30 a.m. Dave McNaughton Ray Mowery ALTAR SERVERS: 7:00 pm Lectors Ray Eucharistic Anna Marie Mowery Ministers Thur. 4:307:00 pm p.m. Jessica Peggy Palko Slezak Mark Suman 9:30 am Dave Karen McNaughton Bennett, Mike Ray Stango, Mowery LECTORS EXTRAORDINARY Marion Cowan MINISTERS: 4:30 pm Dottie Bacher Fri. 8:00 Mary a.m. Bartolini, Bill D Angelo Mike Stango, Nicole Wells 9:30 am Mary Ruth Kay Ann Rosborough Morelli, Jan Hankinson Barb Volek, Maryanne Fran Disciascio Moyer, Ruth Ann Morelli COLLECTION STEWARDS: Sat. Helen Ellis, 4:30 p.m. Maryanne Nicole Moyer, Wells Ruth Ann Morelli Maryann Nalevanko, Betty Nemchik Bill D Angelo Sun. 9:30 a.m. Gene Bartolini Fran Disciascio, Mike Stango, Chuck McNaughton From Our Pastor Collection Stewards - The Karen Reverend Bennett, Betsy Ahearn, Monsignor Ruth Ann Morelli Larry J. Kulick, JCL From Our Pastor: The Reverend Monsignor Larry J. Kulick, JCL, V.G. GOD HAS A DIFFERENT PLAN The new Church year begins with a plea for God s visitation. Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, the prophet Isaiah cries in today s First Reading. This Sunday s readings are relatively brief. Their language and message are purposefully simple. We are called to be aware of the serious mood and penitential aspect of the Liturgy today as the people of Israel recognize their sinfulness, their failures to keep God s covenant, their inability to save themselves. While the Advent season is a season of preparation it also is penitential as well. During Advent we should see our own lives in the experience of Israel. As we examine our consciences, can t we, too, find that we often harden our hearts, refuse God s rule in our lives, wander from His ways, and withhold our love from Him? Saint Paul reminds us in today s Epistle that God is faithful. He is our Father. He has heard the cry of His people. He came down from heaven for Israel s sake and for ours to redeem us from our exile from God, to restore us to His love. In Jesus, we have seen the Father. God, our Father has let His face shine upon us. He is the good shepherd who comes to guide us to the heavenly kingdom. No matter how far we have strayed, He will give us new life if we turn to Him, if we call upon His name. As Saint Paul says today, He has given us every spiritual gift especially the Eucharist and penance to strengthen us as we await Christ s final coming. He will keep us firm to the end if we let Him. So, in this season of repentance, we should heed the warning repeated three times by our Lord in today s Gospel to be watchful, for we know not the hour when the Lord of the house will return. Receiving the Sacrament of Penance during Advent is an important way to prepare for the coming of Christ and take to heart the theme of this First Sunday of Advent. Advent Evening of Reflection On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Saint James Parish is honored to be hosting a special Advent Evening of Reflection sponsored by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The members of the Western Pennsylvania Region of the Order will be present for this special event. Bishop Malesic will be the presider at the Evening Prayer. Following Evening Prayer, there will be a special presentation on the Holy Land. This presentation will include a special opportunity to reflect on the importance of the Holy Land in relationship to the life of Christ and the mystery of his incarnation which the Advent Season prepares us to celebrate. A reception will immediately follow in the Parish Social Hall. We encourage all parishioners and the public to join us for this special Advent Evening of Prayer.
SAINT JAMES CHURCH EVANGELIZATION CORNER By: William D Angelo Formation Director (724) 771-7333 MASS ATTENDANCE: We count everyone because everyone counts. Weekend of November 18, 2017 November 19, 2017 4:30 p.m. - 109 9:30 a.m. - 101 Total - 210 Community Thanksgiving Service - November 19, 2017 Total - 48 Thanksgiving Day - November 23, 2017 Total - 69 Weekend of November 25, 2017 November 26, 2017 4:30 p.m. - 117 9:30 a.m. - 91 Total - 208 Adoration - 16 Choir Practice There will be Choir Practice on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 in preparation for the Advent and Christmas Season. All are welcome to join us! Religious Education Youth Ministry There will be NO Religious Education program on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 due to the Advent Evening of Reflection being held at our Parish. Thank you. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday, December 8, 2017 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This doctrine of the Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary from the moment of her conception was kept entirely free from the stain of original sin by a singular grace and privilege of God. December 8, 2017 is a holy day of obligation. That means that all Catholics are obligated to attend Mass. The Mass times for the Holy day will be: Thursday, December 7, 2017 - Vigil Mass at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017-8:00 a.m. Parish Office Closed In commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Parish Office will be closed on Friday, December 8, 2017. Holy Name Society News Sunday, December 10, 2017 is Holy Name Sunday. A meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. before Mass. All men of the parish are invited to attend. STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Collection Report November 18, 2017 November 19, 2017 Adult Envelopes: $2,900.00 Children: $ 2.00 Loose Offering: $ 87.00 Fuel Maintenance: $ 120.00 Candles: $ 112.25 All Saints: $ 30.00 Thanksgiving: $ 60.00 Donation: $ 60.00 Mission Sunday: $ 5.00 Diocesan Poverty: $ 465.80 Mission Co-Op: $ 35.00 Retired Religious: $ 30.00 Total: $3,907.05 99 Adults 1 Child - 41% out of 242 who choose to use Regular Sunday envelopes. STEWARDSHIP REPORT November 18, 2017 November 19, 2017 Income Budget Difference $ 3,371.25 $3,557.69 $ - 186.44 STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Collection Report November 25, 2017 November 26, 2017 Adult Envelopes: $2,775.00 Children: $ 2.00 Loose Offering: $ 164.00 Fuel Maintenance: $ 96.00 Candles: $ 516.56 Mission Co-Op: $ 10.00 Retired Religious: $ 20.00 Thanksgiving: $ 433.00 Advent Offering: $ 20.00 Diocesan Poverty: $ 10.00 Special Donation: $ 725.00 Total: $4,771.56 97 Adults 1 Child - 40% out of 242 who choose to use Regular Sunday envelopes. Income Budget Difference $ 4,731.56 $3,557.69 $ + 1,173.87 The Advent Offering Donations to this envelope may be made from the sacrifices we make during this Advent season. For example it may be abstaining from something we enjoy or usually do during the year, and directing the resources we would normally commit to these activities/items to our parish. Donations made to this offering help make up for the weeks our offertory collection was under budget and may be placed in the regular offertory collection anytime during the Advent season. Thank you for considering giving to this collection.
SAINT JAMES NEWS Sympathy We commend to your prayers the soul of Mike Nalevanko, brother of our parishioner, Tom Nalevanko and brother-in-law of Maryann Nalevanko who recently passed away. And for.. Eleanor Patrick Lenz, sister of our parishioner Mary Lou Carter and sister-in-law of Bill Carter who passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. My God receive their souls into His everlasting Kingdom and grant comfort and peace to their family and friends. Christmas Flower Offering In Memory and Honor of our Loved Ones The second collection on the weekend of December 9 and 10, 2017 will help to defray the cost of our Christmas flowers and decorations. It also gives you a chance to remember your loved ones in a special way by having our Church decorated so beautifully for Christmas. Please remember to mark your envelope with your intentions, which will be printed in a special Christmas Flower bulletin insert. If you do not receive offertory envelopes you may use a white envelope with your name, intentions and offering. Oplaki - Christmas Wafer Bread of Unifying Love The holy wafers are shared with all present, each breaking a piece from the other at the Christmas Vigil meal, wishing health, happiness, and good fortune, and after this life an eternal crown in Heaven. The Oplaki are now available for you to take on the table at the entrance of the church. There are four wafers in each Nativity envelope (3 white - 1 pink). A basket is available for your donations for the Oplaki. Glory to God in the highest Peace to all God s people on earth Advent, Christmas and New Year s Day Schedule Every family that is registered in the parish should have received a mailing from Saint James Parish last week. This mailing includes all Mass times and important events that are scheduled for our parish this holiday season. If you did not receive a schedule, please contact the Parish Office and let us know. There will also be extra mailings placed on the table inside the entrance of the church for any visitors that would like to have a copy of our schedule. Thank you. THE SANCTUARY LAMP The Sanctuary Lamp acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ in the tabernacle is burning during the month of December 2017: In Memory of: Julius Benko Requested by: Marty, Dorothy Paul Strosko Christmas Party Saint James Social Hall Saturday, December 16, 2017 Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please remember to return your reservation form that was in last week s bulletin. There is a box at the entrance of the church by the bulletin board. You may use the box or place your reservation in the collection basket. We hope you are able to be with your Parish Family for this special holiday event. We had a wonderful time last year! Thank You Monsignor Larry would like to extend a word of special thank you to our Arts Environment Committee members who helped decorate the church for Thanksgiving and in preparation for the Advent season. Your help is greatly appreciated! 2018 Calendars The 2018 Calendars are available at the entrance of the church. Every home in the parish should have one of these Catholic Calendars with valuable reference information on the last pages announcing Holy Days of Obligation for 2018. They contain beautiful artwork and scripture readings for each month. We extend a sincere thank you to P. David Newhouse Funeral Home and Qwik Stop Mini Mart for providing these calendars to us for so many years, we are extremely grateful for their kindness. Please be sure to take one home! Rosary Altar News Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Marian Prayers Our Rosary Altar Society will sponsor our monthly devotions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Marian Prayers on Monday, December 11, 2017 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Church. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and all four mysteries of the Rosary will be prayed. There will then be a period of quiet time for private prayer and Adoration. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. with closing of our afternoon with Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 3:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us in this time of prayer as we pray for the intentions of the Church, our world and country along with your own private intentions.
NEWS IN THE DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG Admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders It is with joy and thanksgiving to God, the Diocese of Greensburg announced that Bishop Edward C. Malesic called Mr. Mark R. Dunmire to be Admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders. The Rite of Admission to Candidacy was celebrated on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM in Saint Margaret Mary Church, Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Please keep Mark in your prayers as he made the commitment to enter into holy orders. In addition, please continue to pray for all people discerning God s call in our Diocesan formation programs. Holy Family Parish Latrobe Holy Family Parish, Latrobe is offering guided tours of their newly restored church from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2017. Reservations are not required. Group tours are available. Groups of 15 or more may make arrangements to purchase a homemade lunch which will be served in the church social hall at a cost of $8.00 per person. To schedule a group tour with/ or without lunch contact Charlene Nicholson @ 724-532- 4135 or cmnicholson54@gmail.com. New Middle School Priesthood Discernment Group Jeremiah Days is a new opportunity for middle school aged boys and their parents or guardian to gather to learn, discuss and pray about a vocation to the priesthood. The group will meet on January 27, 2018; April 28, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. at Saint Barbara Church in Harrison City. To register please email Fr. Tyler Bandura at: tbandura@dioceseofgreensburg.org Advent Prayer God of power and mercy, open our hearts and remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share His wisdom and become one with Him when He comes in glory, for He lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit for ever and ever. Amen Sacrament of Penance The Sacrament of Penance is a special way in which we prepare ourselves this Advent season to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord. It is important that we take advantage of the opportunities that are offered at this time of the year. Receive this special grace of this Sacrament and let us open our hearts to receive Christ. Regional Advent Penance Services There will be several priests to hear your confessions, please plan to attend on one of these dates: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Saint Joseph - Derry Monday, December 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Saint Bartholomew, Crabtree Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Saint James, New Alexandria Monday, December 18, 2017at 7:00 p.m. Saint Rose, Latrobe Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Saint John, Latrobe Christmas in Salem Crossroads ~ Renew the tradition ~ Sunday, December 3, 2017-5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Buses running 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Come to Christmas in Salem Crossroads. Step back in time and experience once more the spiritual joy of Christmas. Take an inspirational pilgrimage, a walking journey through the past. As you travel the road to Bethlehem, contemplate live vignettes depicting scenes from that first Christmas ~ The Prophecy, the Annunciation, Caesar's Decree, Mary and Joseph's journey, the Nativity, and more. Soft, lighted walkways, dramatic music, live animals, and the night itself will uplift you and renew the spirit of Christmas in your heart. Tickets are: $10.00 for adults $3.00 for children 5-15 Under 5 is free For tickets: http://christmasinsalemcrossroads.org