Sacred Heart Parish Clifton Heights, PA Sacred Heart Church Saint Hedwig Chapel 316 East Broadway Avenue 4th & Hayes Streets Clifton Heights, PA 19018 Chester, PA 19013 MASSES Daily: Monday - Saturday - 8:00 A.M. Saturday Vigil - 4:00 P.M. Sunday - 7:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Holy Day - As Scheduled Confessions - Monday- Saturday 7:45 A.M. & Saturday 3:15-3:45 P.M. Rosary - Monday - Saturday 7:30 A.M. MASS Sunday - 9:15 A.M. Bilingual (Polish and English) Confession - Sunday at 9:00 A.M. Rosary - Before Mass on Sunday PARISH MISSION STATEMENT To live and grow as a church in the Roman Catholic tradition by devotion to God in worship, doctrine, ministry, and loving service to each other and to the people entrusted to us. Rev. Michael W. Rzonca, Pastor Sr. Louise Quinn, Director of Parish Services WEEKEND ASSISTANTS: REV. GIRARD CUSATIS, REV. JOSEPH JUNG, REV. MICHAEL BIELECKI, O.S.A. PHONE: 610-623-0409 SHC316@aol.com www.sacredheart-cliftonheights.net DECEMBER 8, 2013
Second Sunday of Advent 2013 Masses of the Week 4:00 PM (Vigil) + Tom & Agnes DiCola Of. Antoinette Mazzarelli Sunday, December 8 7:30AM + Louise Bush Of. Family 11:00AM + Antonio & Pellegrina DeGennaro & Nunzio Mazzarelli Of. Antoinette Monday, December 9 Immaculate Conception 8:00AM + Sr. Mary of Fatima Of. James Henry 12:00 Noon + Albert Custin Of. wife, Nettie 6:00PM + Carmen Filippone Of. wife, Rose & Maria Tuesday, December 10 8:00AM + Living & Deceased Members of Sacred Heart Parish Wednesday, December 11 8:00AM + Adolph & Anna Marks Of. daughter, Joanne Marks Thursday, December 12 8:00AM + Joyce Moran Of. Salute family Friday, December 13 8:00AM + Ella Kuzbyt Of. sister, Ann & family Saturday, December 14 8:00 AM + Joseph Rappucci, Jr. Of. Mom & Dad 4:00 PM (Vigil) + Salute, Lesniak & Cavanaugh Families of Family Sunday, December 15 7:30AM +Thomas McLoughlin Of. Wife, Dolores 11:00AM + Robert King Of. Antoinette Baby Layette For Pro-Life You may honor the Infant Jesus with your gift of love for the precious babies. The bassinet at Sacred Heart Church and St. Hedwig s Chapel is for donations of NEW baby items to the Mother s Home. Size 1 to 12 months, such as sleepers, shirts, cloth diapers, socks, sweaters, and receiving blankets. DO NOT GIFT WRAP, just put your item in a clear plastic bag. Cash donations are also welcome. The Bread and Wine for the Eucharist have been donated this week in Memory of + Roy Schaab and also for -Tracey, Tanya and their families Christmas Wafer (Oplatki) Christmas Wafers are available at the Rectory during business hours or in the sacristy after Masses and at St. Hedwig s Chapel before and after the 9:15AM Mass on Sunday. The donation is $2.00 per pack. PPA 310 As previously announced the Parish Planning Area (PPA 310), which consists of Sacred Heart (Clifton Heights) and Saint Hedwig (Chester), Saint Joseph (Collingdale), Holy Spirit (Sharon Hill) and Saint Eugene (Primos) is undergoing a study with regard to long-term viability. Several meetings have already been held for this group, one with just the Pastors and our area Dean, the next included parish representatives, one each from the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils of these parishes. Just this past week, Saint George (Glenolden) was added to this area of study. So going forward, the group, including Saint George s will continue to analyze the criteria for viability: Communion, Mission, Administration and Relationship to the Local Church. This Area covers 5,138 registered households, 13,363 people but with an average weekly mass attendance of 2,624. Please continue to pray for us and this mission. The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception Monday, December 9th. Even though it is NOT a Holy Day this year we will have Masses at 8AM, 12 Noon and 6PM. Second Collection THIS Weekend Retirement Fund For The Religious December 7-8 Support elderly religious Someone writes, As a Catholic school student from grades K 12, I was formed to be the person I am by many religious brothers and sisters, and I am forever grateful. Show your appreciation for the senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive difference in so many lives. Please give generously to next week s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Candles For The Month Of December +Robert King +Antonio & Pellegrina DeGennaro + Louise Bush + Joseph Rappucci, Jr. Little Books For Advent Please take home a little book while supplies last, to read at your convenience. These books have so many interesting facts that you will love. Get yours before they are gone! 092-2
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP Prayerfully consider your Offertory Gift as your act of praise to God for all HE has given you. Sacred Heart - November 24, 2013 Sunday Envelopes 106 $2,805.00 Loose 277.00 TOTAL 3,082.00 Maintenance 115.00 Christmas Flowers 633.00 Philippines 1,058.00 St. Hedwig - November 24, 2013 Sunday Envelopes 47 $898.00 Loose 0.00 TOTAL 898.00 Christmas Flowers 571.00 Philippines 289.00 Thank you for your generosity. Weekend Mass Attendance 4:00 PM (116) 7:30 AM (64) 9:15AM (70) 11:00 AM (75) Sacred Heart - December 1, 2013 Sunday Envelopes 107 $1,827.58 Loose 276.00 TOTAL 2,103.58 Maintenance 429.05 St. Hedwig - December 1, 2013 Sunday Envelopes 53 $1,176.00 Loose 74.00 TOTAL 1,250.00 Maintenance 263.00 Thank you for your generosity. Weekend Mass Attendance 4:00 PM (101) 7:30 AM (61) 9:15AM (75) 11:00 AM (74) Holiday Gift Cards If you would like to donate a gift card to someone less fortunate during the holiday season, we are accepting cards from: Acme Markets, Giant, Shop Rite, Target & Walmart. Thank you! 092-3 2nd Sunday of Advent Preparing our Hearts and asking for the Grace We prepare this week by stepping up the longing. We move through this week by naming deeper and more specific desires. Each morning this week, if even for that brief moment at the side of our beds, we want to light a second inner candle. We want to let it represent "a bit more hope." Perhaps we can pause, breathe deeply and say, "Lord, I place my trust in you." Each day this week, as we encounter times that are rushed, even crazy, we can take that deep breath, and make that profound prayer. Each time we face some darkness, some experience of "parched land" or desert, some place where we feel "defeated" or "trapped," we hear the words, "Our God will come to save us!" The grace we desire for this week is to be able to hear the promise and to invite our God to come into those real places of our lives that dearly need God's coming. We want to be able to say: "Lord, I place my trust in your promise. Please, Lord, rouse your power and come into this place in my life, this relationship, into this deep selfdefeating pattern. Please come here and save me." Each night this week we can look back over the day and give thanks for the moments of deep breath, that opened a space for more trust and confidence in God's fidelity to us. No matter how difficult the challenges we are facing - from the growing realization of our personal sinfulness, to any experience of emptiness or powerlessness, even in the face of death itself - we can give thanks for the two candles that faithfully push back the darkness. And, we can give thanks for the graces given us to believe that "Our God will come to save us" because we were given the courageous faith to desire and ask boldly. Come, Lord Jesus. Come and visit your people. We await your coming. Come, O Lord. Rosary Sodality Dues For 2014 Rosary Sodality $5.00 St. Anne Sodality $3.00 You may put your yearly dues in the collection basket. The envelope should have Chickie s name on the front. Remember to PRINT your name also, so we know who is sending their dues! Your dues are used towards mass intentions! Thank you to everyone who continue to support the Rosary and Saint Anne Sodality.
YOU Are Invited To Join Our Parish! If someone you know or if you may be visiting and have been affected by the recent closing of area parishes, please know that Sacred Heart s door is open to you! Please call the Rectory at 610-623-0409 and request a registration form that you can fill out and return at your convenience. Father Michael Rzonca Holiday Lotto Tickets Please purchase a $25.00 lotto ticket to help with parish costs. Extra forms can be found in the vestibule of the church. Prizes are $500.00 New Years Day and $1,000.00 Easter Sunday, $100.00 on Sunday, and $50.00 on weekdays. These make wonderful Christmas and Birthday Gifts. Thank you and good luck to all who have purchased! Questions or Concerns? If you ever have a question or concern, here are the names of the Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee Members. Parish Council Fr. Michael Rzonca, Diane Craig, Donna Crawford, Yolaine Kaupas, Bartlomiej Kleczynski, John Koempel, Edward Lashley, Dominick Longhi, Phil Tarashuk, Mark Wufsus Finance Committee Rev. Michael W. Rzonca, Sister Louise Quinn (Director of Parish Services), Mrs. Loretta Dorsey, Mr. Joseph Lenski, Mr. Rich Terpstra, Sr., Stefanie Santella (Bookkeeper), Mary Denise Marsh (consultant) Advent Penance Service The Parishes of PPA 310, Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, St. Eugene, & St. Joseph will have an Advent Penance Service Monday, December 16th at 7:00PM at St. Joseph Church in Collingdale. All Are welcome! Several confessors from the PPA310 Parishes. Please note that St. Eugene s Church in Primos will have a service tonight also. Don t wait until the last minute! SAVE THE DATE! We will decorate Sacred Heart Church for its beautiful Christmas look on Thursday, December 19th @ 8:30AM. If you happen to be home that day any time you can spend will be appreciated! 092-4 PLEASE NOTE! Since our church has been restored we have changed the Parish Restoration Envelope to read Parish Maintenance. Please be assured your donations are always appreciated and this collection will go to maintaining Sacred Heart Parish. Help Our Religious Education Children and the Delaware County SPCA The children are asking the parishioners of Sacred Heart and Saint Hedwig s to help them with their donations to the SPCA. They are happily accepting your donations of Sheets, Towels, Milk Bones and Peanut Butter. You may bring your donations to the rectory or mark your donation REP and leave it in the church vestibule! Broadway Bar & Grille and Clam Tavern COATS for KIDS Campaign Through February 28, 2014 patrons will get $5 in Broadway Bucks good toward food and beverage purchases, for gently used kids winter coats which patrons can leave with staff or deposit in the drop box at the Broadway Bar & Grille. "With all the terrible things we hear about in the news, it's nice to know that there is still a lot of good in people's hearts," says Tony Blanche owner of both restaurants and the man behind the COATS for KIDS. "This is a great way for people to get involved to make things just a little better for kids facing tough times." Zumba Classes At St. Joseph s in Collingdale Zumba classes are held on Mondays & Wednesdays from 7:30pm 8:30pm in the Parish Hall at St. Joe s in Collingdale. Need a workout? $5.00. Please stop in! ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA MASS WATCH THE TELEVISION MASS SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 5:30 A.M. ON WPVI-TV - CHANNEL 6 IT WILL BE REBROADCAST EACH SUNDAY AT THE FOLLOWINGTIMES: 9:00 A.M. DT-2, CHANNEL 6 DIGITAL 10:30 A.M. LA SALLE UNIVERSITY 56 5:00 P.M. DT-2, CH ANNEL 6 DIGITAL The Archdiocese thanks channel 6 for its generosity in broadcasting the television Mass. Please join us every Friday morning between 8:30 and 9:30AM for the Holy Hour.
Sunday Mass St. Hedwig s Chapel Sunday, December 8 9:15AM + Charles Johnson Of. Family Monday, December 9 Immaculate Conception 9:15AM +Living & Deceased Members of St. Hedwig s Chapel Sunday, December 15 9:15AM + John & son, John Ozor Of. Family PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Kevin Fagioli, James Fitzpatrick, Christine Hanson, Kaitlyn Klein, Jackie McBride, Robin McLoughlin, William Papa, Kevin Perkins, Thomas Pyfer, Sr. Louise Quinn, Hilda Rizzo, Tracey Sodermann, Catherine Spinelli, Antoinette Wardynski, Emilie Wrzesniewski. Please remember the person on the sick list must agree to have his/her name appear in the bulletin. Christmas Food Drive Saint Hedwig s Chapel is NOW collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items. See Phillip or Gina in the back of the church. And thank you for your generosity in the past. Fatima Sodality Brunch Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Lea s Lounge Room at 10:30AM. Menu: Ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, chicken, pasta, salad, fruit, waffles, tea, coffee, juice & pastries. Cost: Members who are up to date on their dues $20. Friends $28.00. Tickets: See Helen in back of the church or call 610-485-1274. Baby Layette You may honor the Infant Jesus with your gift of love for the precious babies. The bassinet at St. Hedwig s Chapel and Sacred Heart Church is for donations of NEW baby items to the Mother s Home. Size 1 to 12 months, such as sleepers, shirts, cloth diapers, socks, sweaters, and receiving blankets. DO NOT GIFT WRAP, just put your item in a clear plastic bag. Cash donations are also welcome. Candles For The Month Of December 092-5 + Brzezicki Family + Thaddeus & Stella Klecko Read Sunday s Gospel, Matthew 3:1-12. Gospel Summary In Matthew s Gospel, we learn of John s continued warning for us to be ready for Jesus when he comes again. It is not enough that we are sons and daughters of Abraham, but by our own desire, we want to live a life pleasing to God. The Gospel challenges us to bear fruit. It was not enough for the Sadducees nor is it enough for us to simply follow the rules and rituals of our faith. The very actions of lives must show what we believe about our faith. Reflection for Families We Christians come in daily contact with other people whether at work, in our neighborhoods, or school. We have opportunities throughout the day to witness to our faith by our actions and words, but what greater audience do we have than our own children? They watch us and listen to us. They imitate our every action and mimic our expressions. It is important that we witness our faith to all we meet, but no audience is more important than our families. Sometimes we need to take some quiet desert time like we find in today s Gospel in order to focus our lives more intentionally on what is truly important. St. Hedwig s Repair Fund In Memory of Stanley Kmiec: Hedwig Kierbiedz $20, Elizabeth Ledford $30., Irene Darlak $50., Emily Gibson $50., Thomas Macielag $30. In Memory of Stephanie Rzucidlo: Helen Olszewski $10, Stan Zoltak, Jr. $25. The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception Monday, December 9th. Even though it is NOT a Holy Day this year we will have Mass at 9:15AM Fuel Assistance Program For individuals with a monthly income less than $1,436. or a couple with a monthly income under $1,938. Call Polam Social Services at 215-923- 1900 Mon-Fri between 9AM and 4PM. This grant is provided to all who qualify and does not have to be repaid. On cold mornings please use the side door when entering St. Hedwig s Church. It will save on fuel and keep the Church much warmer.