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 Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 24, 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.
Fourth Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, Sunday December of Lent 24, 2017 March 6, 2016 The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Whoever is in ~ Christ Luke 1:35 is a ~ new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come Liturgical Services of The Week 2 Corinthians 5:17 Saturday, December 23, Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:30 pm For the People Sunday, December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:30 am For the People Liturgical Services 4:30 pm Christmas Vigil Mass For our of Youth The Week Monday, Saturday, December March 5, Vigil: 25, The Fourth Nativity Sunday of the of Lord Lent 12:00 4:30 Midnight pm Midnight Piwinsky Family Mass (Stella Sheffler & Family) Sunday, For March the People 6, Fourth Sunday of Lent 9:30 am For our the People Homebound and Ill Tuesday, Monday, December March 7, Saints 26, St. Perpetua Stephen and Felicity 7:00 8:00 pm am Joan Andrew Ebert Nalevanko (Family) Tuesday, (Sam, March Mary 8, Lenten and Brett Weekday Stoner) Wednesday, 7:00 pm December Emily Morelli 27, St. John - Apostle and Evangelist (Son, Bernie & Ruth Ann Morelli) Wednesday, 8:00 am Kathleen March 9, Foster Lenten Weekday 7:00 pm (Stanley Renewed & Health: Barb Volek) Kathy McNaughton Thursday, December (Jerry 28, & Anna The Holy Marie Innocents Suman) Thursday, 8:00 am Nick March Guido 10, Lenten Weekday 8:00 am (Bernie John Wagner & Ruth (Family) Ann Morelli) Friday, December March 11, 29, Lenten Fifth Weekday Day within the 8:00 am Octave Special of Intention the Nativity for Lori of L. the Bird Lord 8:00 am George (Joe & Ann & JoAnn Nemchik Ragan) 7:00 pm (Frank STATIONS & Betty OF Nemchik) THE CROSS Saturday, December March 12, 30, Lenten Sixth Weekday Day within the 9:00 am Octave DCCW of Mass the Nativity of the Lord Saturday, 4:30 pm John March Gonda 12, Vigil: Fifth Sunday of Lent 4:30 pm (Eleanor For the People Cocivera) Sunday, December March 13, 31, Fifth The Sunday Holy Family of Lent of 9:30 am Jesus, Julio & Mary Rosa and Malavez Joseph 9:30 am For the (Joe People & Rose Mary Kuznicki) (Daylight Savings Time Begins) Ministers of the Week Altar Servers: Ministers for the Week December 24, 2017 ALTAR SERVERS: Sun. 4:30 p.m. Jessica Palko & Mark Suman 7:00 pm Ray & Anna Marie Mowery December 25, 2017 Midnight 4:30 pm Jessica Dave & Palko Georgette & Mark McNaughton Suman 9:30 9:30 am am Dave Cierra McNaughton & Deana Henderson & Ray Mowery LECTORS & EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS: 4:30 pm Dottie Bacher Lectors Mary Bartolini, & Eucharistic Mike Stango, Ministers Nicole Wells 9:30 am Mary Kay Rosborough Barb Volek, Maryanne Moyer, Ruth Ann Morelli December COLLECTION 24, 2017 STEWARDS: Sun: Helen Ellis, 4:30 Maryanne p.m. Nicole Moyer, Wells Ruth Ann Morelli Betsy Ahearn, Fran Disciascio, Peggy Slezak December 25, 2017 Midnight Mary Kay Rosborough Karen Bennett, Barb Volek, Mike Stango From Our Pastor 9:30 a.m. Dottie Bacher The Ann Kutch, Reverend Lynda Aldridge Monsignor Bill D Angelo Larry J. Kulick, JCL From Our Pastor: The Reverend Monsignor Larry J. Kulick, JCL, V.G. GOD S PROMISE The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God s name, poetically turns around David s plan to build a house for God, and announces God s plan to build a house, that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it s amazing what we are given - so different from what we ever could have imagined. Parish Office Closed The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2017 and Tuesday, December 26, 2017 for the Christmas holiday. On behalf of Monsignor Kulick and the staff of Saint James Parish, we wish everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas. Lectors & Ministers (Continued) December 30 & 31, 2017 Altar Servers: Sat: 4:30 am Ray & Anna Marie Mowery Sun: 9:30 am David & Georgette McNaughton Lectors: 4:30 am Jane Strittmatter Karen Bennett, Nicole Wells Mary Bartolini 9:30 am Peggy Slezak Ann Kutch, Jan Hankinson Lynda Aldridge Communion to the Sick: Lynda Aldridge Collection Stewards: December 31, 2017 - Joe Ahearn, Barb Volek, Bernie Merenda
SAINT JAMES CHURCH EVANGELIZATION CORNER By: William D Angelo Formation Director (724) 771-7333 MASS ATTENDANCE: We count everyone because everyone counts. Weekend of December 16, 2017 & December 17, 2017 4:30 p.m. - 144 9:30 a.m. - 81 Total - 225 Choir Practice There will be NO Choir Practice on Tuesday, December 26, 2017. Thank you! Religious Education/Youth Ministry There will be NO Religious Education or Youth Ministry classes on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. Thank you. Christmas Message As we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I would like to encourage you to enter into this Christmas with a spirit of hope, peace, joy and love. At Christmas, we come together in solemn worship to give glory and honor to God through the sacred liturgy of the Church as a people of faith united in our belief in the mystery of the Incarnation. At our Christmas Masses, we reaffirm our belief that God who is always true to His promises has sent to us so great a Redeemer, one who has restored to us the gift of eternal life by His suffering, death and resurrection. Christmas is the time of the year when we naturally pause to give thanks to God for His gift of love and to reaffirm our faith in this gift. We have received not only the precious gift of His only Begotten Son, but through His providential plan, we have been reborn by Baptism into the life of the Church and afforded His special graces through the gift of the Sacraments. May this Season of Christmas, lead us to encounter Jesus more deeply. May it increase our joy and praise of God. May it lead us, through the witness of our daily lives to share this Good and Joyful News that was acclaimed by the angels on that first Christmas night. Along with my deep and sincere gratitude for all you do and share with our parish and with me, please be assured of my prayers at Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Monsignor Kulick Stocking Stuffer Tickets Please remember to return all money and stubs for the stocking stuffer tickets either by placing them in the collection basket or dropping them off at the Parish Office by Wednesday, December 27, 2017. The drawing will begin on January 1, 2018 and we would like to have everything turned into the Parish Office before the first number is drawn. Thank you! Rosary Altar News The Rosary Altar Society will celebrate Rosary Altar Sunday on Sunday, January 7, 2018. They will be reciting the Rosary at 9:05 a.m. Following Mass they will have a meeting in the church social hall with refreshments. All women of the parish are invited to attend this meeting, any new members are always welcome. We hope to see you there! 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 December Prayer Intention from Bishop Edward C. Malesic For all men and women in the military, many of whom are serving in violent, warravaged parts of the world. May God in his infinite mercy comfort and watch over them and their loved ones at home.
SAINT JAMES NEWS Sympathy We commend to your prayers the soul of our parishioner, Anna M. DeMary, who recently passed away and was buried from our Parish on Thursday, December 21, 2017. My God receive her soul into His everlasting Kingdom and grant comfort and peace to her family and friends. 2018 Calendars The 2018 Calendars are available in the back 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! STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Collection Report December 16, 2017 & December 17, 2017 Adult Envelopes: $3,263.00 Children: $ 2.00 Loose Offering: $ 152.00 Fuel & Maintenance: $ 93.00 Advent: $ 125.00 Word Among Us: $ 59.00 Candles: $ 113.00 Christmas Flowers: $ 405.00 Immaculate Conception:$ 8.00 Solemnity of Mary: $ 10.00 Christmas: $ 205.00 Oplaki: $ 42.00 Catholic Accent: $ 72.00 Children & Family: $ 35.00 Total: $4,584.00 98 Adults & 1 Child - 40% out of 242 who choose to use Regular Sunday envelopes. STEWARDSHIP REPORT December 16, 2017 & December 17, 2017 Income Budget Difference $4,477.00 $3,557.69 $ + 919.31 Saint James Christmas Party Saturday, December 16, 2017 Thank you to our Rosary Altar Society and Holy Name Society members and all those who worked to make our Christmas Party such a wonderful event. We had a terrific attendance and it was a beautiful evening for all those that attended. Thank you!
NEWS IN THE DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG Opioid Abuse Education Program Mother of Sorrows Murrysville Mother of Sorrows, Murrysville, will hold an Opioid Abuse Education Program in the social hall on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. for an awareness evening that will include a presentation by Dr. Paul Niemiec, Director of Counseling for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg. Dr. Niemiec will present the facts of opioid abuse, followed by discussion and questions. Monsignor Gaston will then lead a prayer service. The evening will conclude with a light reception. Reservations are not necessary. Saint Vincent Basilica Rosary Altar Society January 8, 2018 6:00 p.m. Presentation by Father Anthanius Cherry, OSB For more information please contact: Marian Wisneski at lksjjw@gmail.com Diocesan High School Winter Retreat All youth of the Diocese of Greensburg in Grades 9-12 are invited to join us for the Diocesan High School Winter Retreat, I am the Vine, You are the Branches, February 23-25, 2018 at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, sponsored by the Diocese of Greensburg Office for Evangelization and Faith Formation. Come pray, share, learn and take time to be with God. This event is eligible for the Francis Fund. The application for Francis Fund must be submitted by January 2, 2018. Visit www.dioceseofgreensburg.org for more information. Saint Emma s Monastery Saint Emma s gift shop has the largest selection of Catholic items in the area. This includes a large variety of items for First Communion and Confirmation. They have Communion books, rosaries and cases, photo albums and frames, crucifixes and first Communion crosses, bibles and an assortment of many gift items. In addition they have brand new dresses for Communion or Flower Girls. Saint Emma s gift shop is located at 1001 Harvey Avenue (Route 819) in Greensburg. Please call 724-834-3060 for holiday hours. The Greensburg Garden Center God Knows Us A God who draws near out of love walks with His people...we could never have imagined that the same Lord would become one of us and walk with us, be present with us, present in His Church, present in the Eucharist, present in His Word, present in the poor...and this is closeness: the shepherd close to His flock, close to His sheep, whom He knows, one by one. Pope Francis Educational Tax Credit Program If you or your business owes at least $3,500.00 in taxes to the State of Pennsylvania in 2017, there is a limited opportunity for you to redirect your tax dollars to provide Tuition Assistance and help our parish in the process. The opportunity lasts through December 31, 2017. Please contact Monsignor Kulick for more information. The Greensburg Garden Center will host a concert by the Westmoreland County Community College Choir, led by Mr. Roderick Booker on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Saint Vincent Basilica. Tickets can be purchased at the garden center office for $20.00 or $25.00 at the door - children 12 and under are free. This event will fund scholarship and other educational programs. For information or reservations please call 724-837-0245. Church of the Good Shepherd - Kent Holiday Table Pierogi $13.00 for 2 dozen To order, please call 724-479-3881 Blessed is he who possesses Bethlehem in his heart, and in whose heart Christ is born daily. Saint Jerome