SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS

Ss. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church /Assumption B.V.M. Church 131 North Beech Street, Mount Carmel, Pa. 17851 Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko, Pastor Rectory 570-339-0650 Church Hall 570-339-4333 Web Site- sspeterandpaulmc.org - E-Mail: stsppmc@ptd.net - Fax 570-339-2715 Prayer Line: Louise Cuff 339-3660 Eleanor Stebila 339-2353 Louise Troyan 339-1565 Please notify the rectory office if you or a loved one is hospitalized or admitted to a nursing home. Office Hours: Mon. Tues. - 9:00 AM 3:00 PM - Wed. Thurs. 9:00 AM 12:00 Noon 1 st Collection: Candles 2 nd Collection: Regular Offering SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS DECEMBER 13, 2015 Saturday 12-12-2015 3:15 PM Confessions 4:00 PM - For the Parishioners Sunday 12-13-2015 Sunday of the Forefathers 8:15 AM Confessions 9:15 AM +George W. Fallon req. by Harry & Janet Hudick 11:00 AM Assumption BVM - +Eleanor Lynn req. by Husband, Peter Monday 12-14-2015 8:00 AM - +John Duni req. By Ruth & Louis Swatski 6:00 PM Christmas Confessions Tuesday 12-15-2015 No Divine Liturgy Wednesday 12-16-2015 8:00 AM - +Georgine Nodich 40 th Day req.by Abbie Timmins, Faythe & Alexa Thursday 12-17-2015 8:00 AM +Albert Olszewski req. by Wife Sandra & Family Friday 12-18-2015 8:00 AM - +Fr. Thaddeus Krawchuk CSsR req. by Frank & Nancy Sheptock Saturday 12-19 -2015 8:00 AM - +Mary Pogash req. by Mary Lapotsky 3:15 PM - Confessions 4:00 PM +Anna Sweet req. by Sister, Marian Repella Sunday 12-20-2015 Sunday Before Christmas of the Ancestors 8:15 AM - Confessions 9:15 AM For the Parishioners 11:00 AM Assumption BVM - +Anna Balandovich, Polaha Comarnitsky, & Mary Buhay req. by Theresa Mattu & Rob & Maria Reese & Family Welcome: We the people of SS. Peter &Paul/Assumption Churches, are a catholic community that worships God, spreads the Good News of Christ, and serves those in need. Come into the house. Bring all you are, no need to check your failures at the door. There are no perfect people here. You are invited: come. Come in seeking, come in wondering, come in hurting. Come into this house of companionship and compassion. Come in. You are welcome here. Ss. Peter & Paul/Assumption Churches open their doors to you. The Vibrant Parish: A place to encounter the living Christ through the Word of God, the Holy Mysteries & Prayer, Serving One s Neighbor, Leadership, Fostering & Serving Unity & Missionary Spirit. Bulletin Requests: Any requests or any information to be placed in the bulletin must be in writing and submitted to the church office by 12:00 Noon on Mondays. Thank you for your cooperation. Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars and plan to support the following events: December 13 Holy Name Society Sunday December 20 Annual Christmas Pageant and visit from St. Nicholas. Pageant begins at 2:00 PM December 21- Holiday Cookie Pick-Up 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM December 24 Christmas Eve Strict Fast No Meat or Dairy Products Permitted. December 24 Christmas Eve 7:30 PM Great Compline & Caroling 8:00 PM Christmas Divine Liturgy Ss. Peter & Paul December 25 Christmas Day 8:00 AM Christmas Divine Liturgy Ss. Peter & Paul Assumption BVM Christmas Liturgy 10: 00 AM

In Your Prayers: Please remember to pray for the sick & infirm of our Parishes. Please Remember: To pray for vocations to the Holy Priesthood & Religious Life. Rosary Intention: For the Week of December 13, 2015 for the sick & infirm of our Parishes. Ss. Peter & Paul Replenish Fund Donations as of December 06, 2015 Total To Date: $67,030.44 Replenishing Fund: $100.00 - Anonymous Rebuilding Fund: None: Your Stewardship: We thank you for your financial support of our parish communities Weekly Parish Financial Report: Ss. Peter & Paul Church Sunday, December 06, 2015 Sunday Collection - $ 2,202.00 Expenses - $ 1,449.50 Sunday, December 07, 2014 - $2,948.83 Financial Report: Assumption BVM Church Sunday, December 06, 2015 Sunday Collection- $ 1,591.00 Expenses - $ 275.00 Sunday, December 07, 2014 - $ 657.00 Donations New Boiler: In Memory of Fr. Thaddeus Krawchuk, CSsR by Joseph Liptock - $10.00 In Memory of Georgine Nodich by Joseph Liptock - $10.00 Julia Kreisher - $200.00 Boden & June Zublic - $200.00 Sandra Olszewski - $100.00 Anonymous - $1,000.00 Stan & June Petchulis - $400.00 Say What Nothing that you have not given away will never be yours. Ss. Peter & Paul Church Lector Schedule: Sat December 12 th Ellen Goretsky 4:00 PM Sun December 13 th Justina Eisenhart 9:15 AM Sat December 19 th Ed Cuff 4:00 PM Sun December 20 th Christine Bogner 9:15 AM Assumption BVM Church Lector Schedule: Sun December 13 th Kianna Rizzo 11:00 AM Sun December 19 th Bryce Fiamoncini 11:00 AM Religious Education: Classes for our parish are held on Monday evenings from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM in the church social hall. Again this year we have classes for all youth of our parishes, both Ss. Peter & Paul & Assumption BVM from Pre-K through 8 th Grade. Additionally, the Sisters will be with us to lead Adult Discussion and Formation Sessions for any High School and College Age students along with any and all Adults who are interested in deepening their knowledge of our Faith. Parents, you are reminded of your serious obligation before the Lord to bring up your children in the Faith. Please be sure they are registered for classes and attend faithfully each Monday evening through the school year. Students preparing for First Penance and Communion must complete two years of studies. Adult Discussion Group: Once again this year, we are offering an Adult Discussion Group led by Sr. Natalya every Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM in Ss. Peter & Paul Social Hall. Discussions will be free- flowing from week to week and focus on topics such as faith, traditions and contemporary challenges to living the Gospel message in today s society. Everyone, from High School age to Senior Citizens, are cordially invited to attend and participate on a weekly basis. Please take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your faith and understanding of the call to discipleship Jesus extends to all of us. Discussions are held every Monday. Mystery ( Sacrament) of Repentance: Is available before each Divine Liturgy on Saturday, 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday in Ss. Peter & Paul Church 8:15 AM to 9:00 AM, and at Assumption BVM Church on Sunday before 11:00 AM Divine Liturgy in the confessionals. Advent Season: During the time of Christmas Fast the Psalm of Typica/Beatitudes found on page 6 and page 10 respectively of the white Divine Liturgy booklet will be responded instead of the Regular Sunday or Weekday antiphons until the Sunday before Christmas.

Christmas Confession Schedule: Monday, December 14 Assumption BVM - Centralia Fr. Fesniak Ss. Peter & Paul Mt. Carmel Msgr. Melnic, Msgr. Grabowsky Confessions are heard from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM in each parish. Altar Flowers: Altar flowers can be sponsored weekly for $30.00 per arrangement. Parishioners can sponsor these flowers in Memory of a loved one, or for any occasion. Anyone interested in sponsoring flowers may call 570-339-0650. Ss. Peter & Paul Christmas Tree: Again this year we are decorating a Christmas Tree to honor all of our parish families. Any family wishing to participate is asked to bring in an ornament to decorate our family tree. The tree will be set up in the vestibule with lights only. Bring in your ornament and place it on the tree. After the holidays are over, feel free to take your ornament home leave it for next year. Choir Rehearsal Ss. Peter & Paul Church: With the Christmas Season fast approaching, we will have Choir Rehearsal on Monday December 14 starting at 6:30 PM. Festival of Christmas Carols: An Annual Festival of Christmas Carols will be held Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the golden dome Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. Choirs from different parishes will participate. Everyone is welcome. Christmas Offering: Please begin now putting aside a couple of dollars a week so that you can make an extra special offering to your church on Christmas Day. We ask each parishioner to consider making a Christmas donation of at least $25.00. Gifts of $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 or more would be greatly appreciated. When we stop to consider the great gift of Jesus himself, the Son of God, given to us at the first Christmas, it is easy for us to respond generously as we celebrate His birthday. Envelopes and Calendars: The offering envelopes and calendars for 2016 are now in the vestibule of the church and ready for pick-up. Please be sure to take yours along. If there has been an error in preparation, if your name has been inadvertently missed or if you have been attending church here regularly and would like to be included on the parish roles, please notify the office during business hours and we will be happy to address your request. A Special Thank You A very special thank you to everyone who came out this past week to help with the Ss. Peter & Paul/Assumption BVM Churches, December Pyrohy Sale. Your help was greatly appreciated. We are still in need of helping hands for all aspects of this project. Holiday Bake Sale: The holiday season is a busy time for all of us. Why not save time and let us do the baking for you? We are taking orders for cookie trays again this year. The trays will include an assortment of different types of classic holiday cookies with the sugar cookies decorated by our church s own Little Elves. Attached below is an order form. All orders are due by December 17 th and can be turned in to the church office, or submitted on our facebook page, or website at: www.sspeterandpaulmc.org. Orders will be picked up on December 21 st from 2:00 PM 5:00 PM in the church basement. If you have any questions please feel free to call Abby Timmins (570) 339-3375, or Amy Lapointe (570) 205-7726. All proceeds will benefit the Ss. Peter and Paul Church Parish. Merry Christmas! ------------------------------------------------------------- Item Price Amount Total Cookie Tray $13.00 Total Ordered:. Name: Phone:

Sunday of the Forefathers Troparion: Through faith, O Christ, You justified the Patriarchs, for through them You made a commitment to a church with gentiles. These Saints are glorified because from them descends the Virgin who gave You birth. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever and forever. Amen. Kontakion: You did not worship a man-made image, O thriceblessed Youths, but were glorified in the test of fire, protected by a power beyond description. From the searing flames you cried out to God, saying : Hasten to help us, O Merciful Lord, for In Your greatness You can do whatever You will. Prokimenon: Blessed are You, and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and glorious forever is Your Name. V. In all that You have done, Your justice is apparent. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! V. Among His priests were Aaron and Moses; Among those who invoked His name was Samuel. V. They invoked the Lord and He answered. Alleluia (3x) Epistle: Col 3:4-11 Gospel: Lk 14:16-24 Communion Hymn: Exult, you Just, in the Lord; praise from the upright isfitting. Alleluia (3x) Altar Rosary Society: Ss. Peter & Paul Altar Rosary Society will be collecting baby supplies to be donated to the Pregnancy Care Center in Shamokin. Items needed include: clothing sizes newborn 2T, blankets, diapers, baby wipes, bottles, formula, baby food, toys, etc. New items please. You may place your donations in the bassinette in the church. Donations will be accepted until December 13, 2015. Collected items will be taken to the Pregnancy Care Center in time for Christmas. Holy Name Society Raffle: Our parish Holy Name Society are sponsoring their Annual Christmas Raffle again this year. Prizes include a Google Chromebook, an Amazon Kindle Fire and a $100.00 Walmart Gift Card. The drawing will be held at our Annual Christmas Pageant and Concert. Because of a major conflict of interest our Christmas Pageant has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 20. Also, our Holy Name Christmas Raffle will now take place at that time. Thank you for understanding. Tickets sell for $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. We ask your support of this raffle as all proceeds support youth activities in our parish. Tickets can be purchased from any Holy Name Member, at the Church office or in the vestibule of the Church. New Year s Meat Raffle: Once again, our parish is sponsoring a New Year s Day Meat Raffle. Tickets are now available for chances to win one of six prizes which include: Filet Mignon, Delmonico s, Strips, Bacon, Pork Loin and Chicken Breasts. This has been a very popular drawing the last several years! Tickets sell for $5.00 each and they make great stockingstuffers and Christmas Gifts for family, friends and co-workers. Rather than giving a lottery ticket or store gift card, give them our raffle ticket. We ask for your generous support of this raffle. All proceeds go to our building fund. The drawing will be held Friday, January 1, 2016. Tickets are available in the vestibule of the Church or at the parish office. New Steam Boiler: We are currently accepting donations to help offset the cost of the new steam boiler in Assumption BVM Church, Centralia. The cost of purchase and installation is $8,978.00. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

Christmas Pageant: Because of a major conflict of interest our Christmas Pageant has been re-scheduled to Sunday, December 20 th beginning at 2:00 PM. Also, our Holy Name Christmas Raffle will now take place at that time. Thank you for your understanding. Please plan to join our CCD Students, Parish Choir and Special Guests for our Annual Christmas Pageant. Our children are already hard at work preparing this special program to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. We welcome all parishioners, friends and neighbors to help us welcome the coming of Our Savior. As always, there will be a hot buffet served immediately following the program along with a very special visit from St. Nicholas. We hope to see all of you here! Dec. 13: Why Did the Pope Choose Dec. 8? The Jubilee Year of Mercy opened on December 8, the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of Second Vatican Council. On this date we also mark the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This liturgical feast day recalls God s actions of mercy from the very beginning of humankind. This is why Pope St. John XXIII opened the Council with the words: Now the Bride of Christ wishes to use the medicine of mercy... After Adam and Eve s sin of disobedience, God did not wish to leave humanity abandoned to the throes of evil. So he turned his merciful gaze to Mary, choosing her to be the mother of our redeemer. Here, then, is the reason Pope Francis chose to open the Jubilee on December 8. Because on this day the Church remembers the moment God the Father poured out His mercy on humanity, through Mary. On this day we say with Mary, May it be done to me according to Your word. During this Jubilee Year, the Church makes clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a spiritual conversion and ends on November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Jesus, King of the Universe and the living face of the Father s mercy. Our prayer today: Mary, Mother of Mercy, turn your gaze toward us and watch over our Year-long penitential journey to receive the mercy of your Son. PLEASE NOTE!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE RECTORY/OFFICE PHONE NUMBER ON THE FRONT OF EVERY WEEKLY BULLETIN AS WELL AS ON THE FRONT OF THE YEARLY PARISH CALENDAR. IT IS THE SAME NUMBER THE PARISH HAS HAD FOR DECADES. IF YOU ARE CALLING FOR SICK CALLS OR PARISH BUSINESS, THAT IS THE ONLY NUMBER YOU WILL BE SURE TO REACH SOMEONE (OR THE ANSWERING SERVICE). CALLING THE HALL NUMBER INSTEAD OF THE RECTORY NUMBER AND EXPECTING SOMEONE TO ANSWER IS FRUITLESS.NO ONE LIVES OR WORKS THERE EXCEPT ON THE TWO DAYS A MONTH WE MAKE PYROHY. THE RECTORY/OFFICE NUMBER IS : 570-339-0650. Heartfelt Thanks: Assumption BVM Parish extends a sincere and heartfelt thanks to the generous and anonymous benefactor who made a $1,000.00 donation toward the outstanding balance for the new boiler in church. We are most grateful for your generosity. Please be assured of our special prayers for you and our personal intentions. God Bless You! Attention High School Students: All High School Students of our parishes and our community are again invited and encouraged to participate in our monthly deanery FLOW: Faith Lights Our Way Program. Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 3 rd. We will meet at St.Nicholas Church Social Hall on Front St. in Minersville for a special afternoon/evening of social time. Currently we are planning a trip to Eagle Rock in Hazleton for snow tubing. If the weather does not cooperate by providing snow, we will instead go bowling in Pottsville. The time of our outing will be announced as soon as more information from Eagle Rock is available. If interested, please speak with Fr. Michael about the details. Inspiring Words from Pope Francis: God loves us. May we discover the beauty of loving and being loved.