Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church 837 Bartlett Road Harborcreek, Pennsylvania 16421 www.ourladyofmercychurch.org NOVEMBER 20, 2016 FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Weekdays & Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: 8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 4:30 p.m. Parish Office:... 899-5342 Office of Lifelong Faith Formation:... 899-6132 Sperry Hall:... 898-3306 Pastor... Msgr. Gerald T. Ritchie Pastoral Minister... Donna Clark Director of Lifelong Faith Formation... Irene Lucas Director of Liturgy and Music... Brandon Vogt Administrative Assistant.Marsha MacKinnon McKinley Youth Minister... Geri Hadlock
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING NOVEMBER 20, 2016 The Week Ahead Monday..11/21 6:00 pm Boy Scouts 7:00 pm Grief Support Group Tuesday.11/22 2:00 pm Prayer Shawl 7:00 pm Sister Parish Committee 7:00 pm Ballroom Dance Class 8:00 pm AA Wednesday...11/23 Thursday...11/24 Parish Office Closed 9:00 am Thanksgiving Day Mass Friday.11/25 Parish Office Closed Saturday 11/26 10:00 am AA 4:30 pm Sacrament of Penance Sunday..11/27 First Sunday of Advent 11:00 am CLW Religious Education Question-of-the-Week Winner for the week of Nov. 8 was Bella Infantino, grade 5, who knew that a martyr is a person who gives up their life for their faith in God. Ink Jet Fundraiser: Please donate used black or color ink jet cartridges to the Religious Education ministry. Your donation of used printer cartridges helps to support our ministry to the children of the parish. Previously refilled and remanufactured cartridges can not be redeemed. Harborcreek Community Thanksgiving Service First Presbyterian Church of Harborcreek is hosting the annual community Thanksgiving Service TODAY, Sunday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. The offering and canned food donations will go to the Ella Cochran Food Pantry. Wishing All a Happy Thanksgiving This Thursday we will gather with family and friends to Give Thanks for the many blessings that are ours as a nation and as individuals. As a Parish Community we will gather on Thanksgiving Day at 9:00 a.m. to thank Him from whom all blessing flow. Prayer Line: Call Donna Smicker at 899-9108 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) OR Kathy Lacy at 899-1746 (4 p.m. -9 p.m.) The Hospital Visitors this week are Tom & Linda Bleil. Mon. 11/21 8:30 am Tues. 11/22 8:30 am Wed. 11/23 8:30 am Thu. 11/24 9:00 am Family Mass Intentions Charles Netkowicz Fran Hatheway Rita Orr Darci & Tim Jones Betty & Paul Corritore Haynes Fri. 11/25 8:30 am Tom Liebel Liebel Family Sat. 11/26 8:30 am Winnie Beard Garwig Family 6:00 pm Gene & Ann Heuser Mike & Denise Roth Sun. 11/27 8:30 am Fred Kerner Morning Mass Friends 11:00 am For the People of Our Lady of Mercy Year of Mercy Quote: Solemnity of Christ the King, Closing of the Year of Mercy Throughout the history of humanity, God will always be the One who is present, close, provident, holy and merciful. - Pope Francis, Misericrodiae Vultus, Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Songs of Mercy Concert Encore If you missed the Songs of Mercy concert, or would like to hear it again, a second concert is being held at Holy Cross Church (7100 West Ridge Road in Fairview) TODAY, Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 p.m. Kathy Felong, Brian Kuzmin, Brittany Barko, Brandon Vogt as well as choir members from OLM and Holy Cross will join together for this afternoon of prayer and praise to conclude the Year of Mercy. Mass of Remembrance The annual Mass of Remembrance is Saturday, Dec. 3 10:00 a.m. The Bereavement Ministry invites all members of Our Lady of Mercy to attend this annual Memorial Mass to support the families of our parish who have lost loved ones during the past year. Please join us for this special celebration. Advent Candles Available Advent Candles are available in the parish office or in the Gathering Space after Mass. A $5.00 offering for a set of 4 is requested. We have both tapers and votives. Perhaps you may consider making an advent wreath. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, and symbolizes rejoicing. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.. at
OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH Reflections: Luke 23:35-43 Jesus is God s son. Because Jesus was an obedient son, he is the beloved son of God. As head of the church, Jesus primacy is above all other thrones and principalities. Yet unlike human rulers, Jesus reigns by submission and acceptance of God s will. Because of Jesus compassion and forgiveness, the invisible God is made visible on earth. On the cross, a sign was hung over Jesus head This is the King of the Jews. But the people mocked him, saying, You saved others; why not save yourself? They failed to understand that Jesus did not come to save himself; he came to save others. Two condemned men were crucified with Jesus. Both were equidistant from Jesus outstretched arms, but only one of them accepted his mercy: This day you will be with me in paradise. Paul knew firsthand about God s mercy. When he was in darkness, God rescued him and brought him into the light. Paul was filled with gratitude for being made worthy to share God s reign. We rejoice with all the saints as we go into the house of the Lord to worship Christ our king. We know that this is just a foretaste of God s eternal reign. For Reflection: Have I accepted God s love and mercy? How do I show my gratitude? Copyright Kay Murdy Spotlight on Small Christian Communities: Steel Magnolias Meet the Steel Magnolias! Their long dedication to the local refugee program and Erie DAWN, combined with their outreach to Our Neighbors Place Overflow Shelter and the bereavement ministry, keep them active and involved. Members include Sandy Emling, Barbara Palisin, Chris Morealli, Claudette Terrill, Dorothy Barbarini, Ellie Richardson, Erika Wilhelm, Jeanne Kidder, Jo Shickler, Judy Mitcheltree, and Marge Camera. For more information on meeting times and locations, or to join, call Sandy Emling at 899-1296. Christmas Trees Wanted: We are looking for a few artificial Christmas trees in like new condition for decorating the church for Christmas. Pre-lit would be even better! If you have a tree that you would like to donate, please talk to Nancy Mowery or Brandon Vogt. Weekly Readings Mon.. 11/21 Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5/Lk 21:1-4 Tue 11/22 Rv 14:14-19/Lk 21:5-11 Wed...11/23...Rv 15:1-4/Lk 21:12-19 Thu 11/24 Rv 18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3, 9a/Lk 21:20-28 Fri..11/25 Rv 20:1-4, 11 21:2/Lk 21:29-33 Sat.11/26 Rv 22:1-7/Lk 21:34-36 Sun 11/27 Is 2:1-5/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44 HARBORCREEK, PA Chance of a Lifetime Sweepstakes: TODAY is your last chance to buy tickets for the Knights of Columbus Annual Statewide Chance of a Lifetime Sweepstakes. Tickets are available Nov. 20 in the Gathering Space. Tickets are $1.00 each or a book of 8 for $7.00. OLM Book Group: The holiday season has so many demands, why not do something just for you and gather with great women over a glass of wine around a fun book. For those who want to read ahead, our January title will be Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Because December is so busy, we will swap out a movie for the monthly book on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Women s Luncheon: If you live alone and are looking for friendship and good laughs please join us on Monday, November 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fiddle Inn. Questions? Call Donna Clark. Getting through the Holidays, after Losing a Loved One: Monday Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. Sometimes the holidays can be a challenge when our family members are not there to celebrate with us. Learn what you can do to make your loved ones remembered and present. You can also receive an encouraging email message every day for a year. Sign up at Griefshare.org. Cocktails & Color: Join the fun and paint a whimsical snowman for Christmas on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 6:00 8:00 p.m. in Sperry Hall. Cost is $40.00 and includes all supplies. Limited to 40 painters. Sign-up on the Cocktail & Color Private Events website or contact Kay Kaeberlain at kayfredkaeb@gmail.com Grinch Party: Mark your calendars and plan to share our December 4 Grinch Party from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. in Sperry Hall. There will be crafts, games, story time, lunch and maybe even a surprise guest. There is no cost and all are welcome! Soup Supper Coordinator Needed: Interested in getting more involved? Contact Donna Clark for more info. Basically, the job is to coordinate all the people who sign up to help. Fund the Freezer Drive: The Ella Cochran food pantry is preparing to install a walk-in freezer. We have raised $7,000 of the $24,000 needed for this project. If you can help, see the display in the Gathering Space. (Credit card donations available.) Diapers Needed: The Food Pantry can use diapers Size 2, 3, 6. Thanks for your generous support over the years. Toy Collection: Bring your gently used toys on Nov. 19/20 for the Community Outreach Group s annual drive. They are also looking for coats and clothing. Toys and clothing will be distributed to local families on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach St. This is the only weekend we are collecting. Do you Shop at Gordon Food Service? Please mention Our Lady of Mercy when you check out. We accumulate points and then our Funeral Meal Ministry can use these points to purchase food. Weekly Collection For the weekend of November 13, 2016 Envelopes Sent: 470 Envelopes Returned: 118 $3,982.00 Faith Direct Deposits: 100 $2,591.00 Loose Change: $235.00 TOTAL OFFERTORY: $6,808.00 $7,136 is needed weekly to meet Regular Operating Expenses. This does not include CSA or Mortgage Payment.