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Parish Founded 1846 Diocese of Cleveland Nelson J. Perez, Bishop 527 BEALL AVENUE WOOSTER, OHIO 44691 Phone: 330-264-8824 / 330-264-8822 Fax: 330-262-4633 Email: stmarywoosteroffice@gmail.com Website: stmarywooster.org facebook.com/stmarywooster Religious Education Office: 330-264-5838 School Office: 330-262-8671 Daycare & Preschool: 330-262-2752 Parish Office Hours: Mon. Thurs.: 9am 6:30pm & Fri. 9am 5pm MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil... 5:00 pm Sunday... 8:00 am, *11:00 am, 5:30 pm (*June, July, August: 11:00am Mass goes to 10:00am) Daily... Consult Mass Schedule inside bulletin. Eucharistic Adoration... Sundays 6:30-10:30pm, Monday 9:00am through Wednesday 11:00pm (except during funerals and Masses) RECONCILIATION Saturdays... 3:30 4:30 pm. You may also call one of the priests to make an appointment. PARISH STAFF Rev. Stephen P. Moran...Pastor Rev. Charles F. Strebler... Weekend Associate Peter J. Foradori... Deacon Rev. John Mueller... Pastor Emeritus Camille Horvath... Pastoral Associate Judith Arzuaga... Director of Hispanic Ministry Barbara Hufford... Music Director Darcy Pajak... Director of Operations Kelly Hassenzahl... Director of Faith Formation Donna Lohnes... Faith Formation Office Secretary Laura Marvin... School Principal Carol Weyer... School Secretary Michelle Hostetler... Daycare & Preschool Director Melissa Rosenbaum... Bookkeeper Johnna Viator,... St. Vincent de Paul Receptionist Nancy Zuercher, Cheryl Davis... Office Associates 2 BAPTISM: To plan for your child's baptism and preparation class, please contact Donna or Kelly at 330-264-5838. Packets for parents preparing for their child's Baptism are available in the Main Office. The next Pre-Baptism Class will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018 (7:00-9:00pm in the Parish Hall). MARRIAGE: Contact a priest. Please make arrangements at least 6 months in advance of a proposed wedding date. MINISTRY WITH THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND: We are happy to bring the Eucharist or to provide the Anointing of the Sick to the homebound. Contact the parish office. MINISTRIES TO YOUTH: Religious Education classes for grades Preschool Gr. 8 are held on Sunday mornings from 9:20 10:40am (Sept. early May) in the Education Center. High School Youth meets for MIC Nights on Sundays after the 5:30pm Mass from 6:30-8:30pm.. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Typically a Funeral Director will contact us to make arrangements. If a relative dies elsewhere, be sure to contact the parish office. PARISH REGISTRATION: New parishioners are asked to call 330-264-8824 to set up an appointment for registration. Parishioners who are moving are also asked to notify the parish office.
ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Dear Parishioners: On this Gaudete Sunday, I offer the following from Bishop Robert Morneau, of the Diocese of Green Bay: Joy has fallen on hard times in this turbulent world. Too easily is our soul overwhelmed by the sheer volume of suffering of so many innocent people. Is joy possible in such a broken world? St. Paul was keenly aware of a turbulent, messy, chaotic world. Yet he tells us to rejoice always, to pray day in and day out, to be grateful. Paul s fait in God s presence enabled him to have joy and peace far beyond our limited understanding...let us recommit ourselves to be instruments of God s joy. It is rather typical of this time of year that we send and receive greetings from family and friends some of whom we have ongoing contact throughout the year, and others with whom Christmas is the one real opportunity we have to connect. I have already written that Fr. Chris Trenta will be with us for the 10 a.m. Christmas morning Mass. Earlier this week, we received the wonderful news that he not only passed his defense of thesis for the first of two degrees he will ultimately earn (the STL or Licentiate in Sacred Theology) he received perfect scores!!! More good news...camille Horvath, our new Pastoral Associate, has been officially approved for certification as a Lay Ecclesial Minister. You may ask, What does this mean? The following is provided by the Diocese of Cleveland: The term lay ecclesial minister is intended to encompass and describe a variety of different roles that may be filled by laity on the parish, diocesan and/or other Catholic institutional level. Included are such roles as pastoral associate, youth ministry leader, parish catechetical leader, director of liturgy and/or pastoral music, campus minister, pastoral care coordinator in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and/or jails, and in some cases, parish life coordinators. This term does not reflect a specific position title, but is a generic title that includes many varied leadership positions. A certified lay ecclesial minister is someone who has been formally accepted into the diocesan certification process, completed successfully all aspects of formation,...and who has been authorized to serve as a lay ecclesial minister in the diocese by the Bishop of Cleveland. The formal ceremony of certification will take place in February. While Camille has been in full gear of taking on her work at the parish for over two months, she is looking forward to being able soon to introduce herself on a weekend. Both Bob Zerrer (lifelong parishioner) and Bob Cavanaugh (from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, assigned to us this formation year) are progressing in their journey to ordination in the Permanent Diaconate. Please lift them and their spouses and families in prayer, as they move into the final months of their formation. Finally, we have heard from seminarian Marty Dober that Bishop Perez has decided to extend the period of transitional diaconate. Specifically, this means that instead of being ordained deacons in the late fall of 2018, Marty and his classmates anticipate this step in April. Again, we lift them and all those in formation for ministry or discerning such a vocation in our prayers. Peace, 3 Mass Schedule and Intentions WOOSTER, OH Sunday, December 17 8:00am Derick Corporal 11:00am Martha Sarzosa 1:00pm Spanish Mass @ St. Agnes in Orrville 5:30pm Pro Populo (For the people of St. Mary) 6:30-10:30pm Adoration Monday, December 18 7:00am The Bereda Family 9:00am Adoration opens 9:30am Mary Smith @ Smithville-Western Nursing Home *All are welcome! 11:00am Reconciliation / Confessions 7:00pm Reconciliation / Confessions Tuesday, December 19 7:00am Pat Shoemaker Wednesday, December 20 9:30am Doris Massaro 11:00am Reconciliation / Confessions 10:00pm Adoration closes Thursday, December 21 7:00am Ron Smail Friday, December 22 7:00am All Souls 7:00pm Reconciliation / Confessions Saturday, December 23 5:00pm Allen Kemper Sunday, December 24 8:00am Sunday Mass 11:00am Sunday Mass 1:00pm Spanish Mass @ St. Agnes in Orrville 4:00pm Vigil Mass (music begins at 3:30 pm) 6:30pm Vigil Mass (music begins at 6 pm) 12 Midnight Midnight Mass (music begins 11:30pm) Please remember the recently deceased in your prayers including: Lois Moretti. Please remember in your prayers the following people: Mathew Benner, Jane Carrela, Joan Cerney, Ron Guidetti, Kathy Hamilton, Kirk Haschak Michael & Joyce Hungerman, Joan Lock, Leannah Mast, Ray Meyer, Deb Mosier, Rev. John Mueller, Harry & Dolores Niemczyk, Fr. Pierre Ruquoy, Robert Sowers (Names are on our prayer list for one month. To carry a name longer, please contact the Parish Office.) Are you interested in a new way to experience a Catholic holiday story? Las Posadas A Hispanic Tradition s re-enactment of the Mary & Joseph plight to find a place for Jesus to be born. Every evening beginning on Dec 16 through Dec 24 from 7 pm until 9 pm at St. Agnes School, located on Lake St. & Oak St, Orrville.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE (PH=Parish Hall RLL=Rectory Lower Level YR=Youth Room) Monday, December 18 12 Noon Women s Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Group (Library) Tuesday, December 19 6:30am Men s Prayer Group (Library) 7:00pm K of C Assembly (K of C Hall) Wednesday, December 20 10:30am Playgroup (Wayne County Library) Thursday, December 21 4:45-5:45pm Epiphany Play Practice (church) 7:00pm Choir (church) Friday, December 22 (No scheduled meetings) Saturday, December 23 (No scheduled meetings) Looking for a unique gift for your music lover? Check out this Seasonal Special! Benefit Concert CD Celebrating Father Stephen s 25th Anniversary of his Ordination 1 copy is $15 Buy 2 and get a 3rd FREE Stop in at the Parish Office before they are all gone! ADULT FAITH FORMATION Save the dates: reconnect Group Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays (Dec 28th & Jan 11th) at 7:00pm in the St. Mary Youth Room For adults over the age of 35 For single, divorced or widowed For prayer, spiritual growth and fellowship Questions: Call or text Holly Brizzi (315) 466-2338 Orange44691@gmail.com Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues Begins Sunday, January 21st and repeats Wednesday, January 24th Join us this January for an engaging presentation by Bishop Barron concerning the seven deadly sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and with one another. This adult faith formation series is a wonderful way to prepare for Lent. If interested in being a table leader, please contact Mary Zuercher at 330-262-6660. 4 Readings for the Week of December 17 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/ Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b]/Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, Friday: 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1a]/Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1: 26-38 Observances for the Week of December 17 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Next Sunday: Third Sunday in Advent St. Peter Canisius, Priest & Doctor of the Church St. John of Kanty, Priest 4th Sunday of Advent; Christmas Eve Please Welcome Dalia Vega a new member of our Parish Community! FINANCIAL NEWS 12/10/17 Regular Collection: weekly goal:... $20,000.00 In-pew..... *15,898.49 Major Repair... 6,345.00 Religious Retirement... 5,321.55 Immaculate Conception... $2,522.10 Thank you for your generous gifts and sacrifice!. BULLETIN EARLY SUBMISSION DATE: December 31 articles due Monday Dec 18 (11 am) The usual deadline for submission is Friday 11:00am for the weekend of the following week. Requests for half and full pages within the bulletin are often scheduled weeks in advance. Please submit your bulletin articles to Cheryl Davis via email to: CDavis.stmarywooster@gmail.com
ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION WOOSTER, OH In the News: St. Mary School Growing in Character, Faith and Knowledge Kindergarten students are preparing their hearts for Jesus as they enter Advent. Each day they will be adding a part of the Christmas story to their giant hearts, as they open their own hearts more fully to allow Jesus to live in and through them. THANK YOU to the Wooster College Volleyball Coaches for volunteering their time to give our students the opportunity to learn volleyball skills during physical education. FOOD DRIVE The St. Mary School Staff and Students wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. The recent Food Drive sponsored by St. Mary s Make a Difference Social Justice Club was a HUGE Success! Thanks to your generosity, members of the club were able to box up over 350 food items to donate to People to People Ministries for distribution to hungry individuals and families in our community. THANK YOU ALL! Thank you for supporting our school mission! 5
Solemnity of Christmas Vigil of Christmas Masses Sunday, December 24th 4:00pm ~ First Mass of Christmas Eve Music begins at 3:30pm. 6:30pm ~ Music begins at 6:00pm. 12:00 Midnight ~ St. Mary Adult Choir Music begins at 11:30pm. Christmas Day Masses Monday, December 25th ~ 8:00am 10:00am *Please note that Adoration will start on Tuesday, December 26th after the 7:00am Mass. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Masses of the Day Sunday, December 31st Monday, January 1st ~ Vigil Mass at 5:30pm Mass at 9:30am *Please note that Adoration will start on Tuesday, January 2nd after the 7:00am Mass. Don t Forget to SAVE THE DATE! Mardi Gras Night Friday, February 9, 2018 (primary school/parish fundraiser) SAVE THE DATE : Sunday, January 14 th Sanctity of Life Worship Service Wooster Foursquare Church will be hosting this event and Wayne-Holmes Right to Life is the sponsor. This service is in celebration of the sanctity of life and to stand in solidarity with those who will be going to Washington, D.C. and participating in the 45 th National March for Life. Further info will be in next week s bulletin. MIC YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE MIC nights resume January 7th and all will now be in the Parish Hall. Questions email Amy at ymstmarys@gmail.com Is Santa frazzled? Then Send Him / Her On a Mission! Your finances are tight or you can t think of a thing to buy? Here s a way to provide meaningful gifts that keep on giving. Choose a gift of support for Mission Possible A to Z and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by passing it on to Father Pierre s Orphans in Zambia. Gifts such as a Library Chair ($20) or a Pillow & Blanket ($25). Order forms with more ideas are on table downstairs across from elevator. Lovely cards telling of your gift (without the price) can be sent to you or directly to your recipients. All orders received by Dec 18, will be guaranteed that their cards will be mailed out by Dec 20. 6
A beautiful Cake was enjoyed on Dec. 8 for our Parish Patronal Feast Celebration. And yes, it was as delicious as it looks! Dear St. Mary s Parishioners, On behalf of the all the elves at People to People we would like to thank you for your continued generosity towards our Christmas Toy Project. Most children look to Santa for their toys. While our clients do not have Santa, they have you providing the real meaning of Christmas God s love for us. This year 747 children, age birth to 18, are registered to receive gifts. With your support, those children, the least of your brethren, will receive not only material gifts, but the greatest gift, LOVE. Thank you and may you have a very Blessed Christmas and 2018. My soul rejoices in my God. Responsorial Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 (12/17/17) 7