St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 5112 Pocono Crest Rd. PO Box O Pocono Pines, PA 18350 Parish Office: (570) 646-6424 Web Page: http://www.stmaxkolbepoconos.org Mass Schedule: Saturday ~ 4:00 p.m. Sunday ~ 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Saturday Confessions ~ 3:00 p.m. Our Mission Statement We Worship ~ We Teach ~ We Care
December 10, 2017 The Second Sunday of Advent NEWS OF COMFORT In a time of preparation, much of it having to do with material things, it is good to hear the words of Isaiah, Comfort, give comfort to my people, / says your God (Isaiah 40:1). In a time of such stress and rush, when our usual burdens are augmented by piles of Christmas preparations, we can choose to slow down, take some time to heal, and appreciate the enormous gift we are about to receive. Christ, the Son of God, has become one of us, and knows our human limitations. Yet God, even now, is freeing us from the burdens that our inattentiveness to our God and to our deepest inner longings have heaped upon us. The Lord comes, not as a king with mighty armies, but as a shepherd leading the flocks with care and tenderness. Isaiah prophesies good news: our oppression is over, our sins forgiven. The savior we have awaited is coming, not the first time, but in the end times, as our salvation. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff Reverend Sean G. Carpenter ~ Pastor Deacon Frank Gisoldi Deacon Tom Amoroso Melissa Laverty Pastoral Associate ~ St.MaxMelissa@outlook.com Coordinator of Religious Education Marion Colvin Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net John Marcinkowski, Jr. Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net Our Christmas Mass Schedule We hope that all members have received our Advent and Christmas schedule in the mail by now. But to those who did not, and also to visitors who may be with us at that time, please note that there will not be an 8 am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24th. There will be a 10:30 am Mass for the Sunday obligation. The Christmas Eve Masses on Sunday, Dec. 24th: 5 pm - Family Liturgy 8 pm - Mass During the Night Christmas Day Mass on Monday, Dec. 25th 10:30 am - The Nativity of The Lord TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Jesus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was surrounded by an increasingly grand three-dimensional scene of the place of Jesus birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figurines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you ve ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for surround or hedge. Over the centuries, the custom spread first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of figures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where s Waldo? children s book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his followers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living presepio. By the 17th century, the tradition was well-established, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Portugal, Spain, and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.
Dec. 9th through Dec. 17th Saturday 4:00 pm Mary Mayberry by Ann & Tom Curley St. Max Office Hours Monday - Wednesday 9 am to 4 pm Thursday - 9 am to 12 pm Friday - Closed Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners 10:30 am Patrick Grace by Judy Grace Monday 9:15 am Jean DeGirolamo by Martha DiBonaventura Tuesday 9:15 am Pat Bove by Patricia Ryan Wed *9:00 am Walter & Naysh Ewasko by Joe Ewasko *Please note that mass is at 9 am this day and following mass we will have Eucharistic Adoration until 9 pm this evening. Thursday 9:15 am Timothy Michael McCann By Mom & Dad Friday 9:15 am Communion Service Saturday 4:00 pm William H. Binns Jr. by Bill & Eileen Binns Sunday 8:00 am Joyce Kovich by Her Family 10:30 am For The Parishioners *9:15 am mass will still be celebrated when we have a funeral mass that day. Saturday Confessions - 3 pm First Friday Adoration will be held after the 9:15 am Communion Service each month. Weekly Collection 11/26/17. $ 5,583. Capital... 550. Thanks For Your Generosity Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 Monday: Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
CCD CLASSES AT ST. MAX September-May, Pre-K/K-Grade 12 Sundays, 9-10:15 a.m.: Grades 1-5 Sundays, 10:25-11:30 a.m.: Pre-K/K Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Grades 6-8 Youth Group (Grades 9-12): Schedule Varies If you still need to register your child, forms are available in the Parish Office and by the upstairs exits. You may also print out a form from the parish website StMaxKolbePoconos.org. GOD BLESS OUR CCD STUDENTS CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST PENANCE THIS WEEKEND Please pray for our second grade CCD students who celebrated the Sacrament of First Penance on Saturday, December 9th: Isabella Azzarelli Anthony Cartesio Jodi Emerizy Carly Hindson Alivia Kane Maia Laverty Kaylee Masotti Zoey Moser Noah Purcell Alexandra Seidel Simona Sickler Harley Weaver Maya Zamojski GET YOUR ADVENT CANDLE SET Advent candle sets are available by the exits for a donation of $5. Get yours today while supplies last. During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. The Christ candle (a white pillar candle) which may be placed in the center, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world. SCRIPTURE SHARING Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. in the parish hall. All are welcome to join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the upcoming weekend. JOIN US FOR OUR PARISH ADVENT ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES Tuesday, December 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m Children s Advent Celebration Children of all ages from our parish and their families are welcome to gather for a party that includes food, music, crafts and more. Sign-up is required by contacting Melissa Laverty in the parish office at 570-646-6424 or by email at St.MaxMelissa@outlook.com by Friday, December 8. We hope to see you there! Wednesday, December 13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Advent Eucharistic Adoration Reflect on the Season of Advent and Christ s peace, hope, love and joy by spending some time with Him during Eucharistic Adoration as we await His arrival on Christmas Day. Sign-up sheets are available at all exits. Monday, December 18, at 7 p.m. Advent Concert by Mark Smeby Experience the power and comfort that God s hope has to offer during Advent. Through traditional favorites and inspirational original songs for the whole family, Mark, a Nashville-based Christian recording artist, will demonstrate how the saving power of God s love offers us new perspectives and allows us to fight the tidal wave of hopelessness that may surround us. Everyone is invited to attend this free concert that also features some of the musicians and choir members of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. YOUR GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, the Bereavement Support Group meeting will focus on ways to cope with grief during the holidays, and will offer ideas and strategies for self-care and for finding support. Anyone who has experienced a loss through death, divorce or separation is encouraged to attend this ecumenical session, which will be held downstairs in Our Lady of the Lake Hall.
Parish Life Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month @ 7 pm in the parish hall. ~ http://knights13752.webs.com/ ~Facebook at KnightsofColumbus Pocono Pines SAVE THE DATE: The K of C is hosting a Christmas Party Sunday, Dec. 17th @ 2 pm Santa is coming to St. Max at St. Max Sat., Dec. 9 - First Penance - 1 pm - First Penance Party - 2 pm Tues., Dec. 12 - Scripture Sharing - 10 am -Children s Advent Celebration - 4:30 pm Wed., Dec. 13 - Eucharistic Adoration 9 am -9 pm -Bereavement Support - 10 am Thurs., Dec. 14 - Choir Practice 7 pm Sun., Dec. 17 - K of C Christmas Party - 2 pm SIGN UP ONLINE TO HAVE THE BEST ADVENT EVER Visit DynamicCatholic.com/best-advent-ever to sign up to receive daily Advent reflections. The Best Advent Ever is a free email program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season and allows you to experience Advent in a whole new way. Sign up today! Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ~Mark 10:14 Prayers for Military and Government Service HA Valerie Novak ~ Sr. Airman Charlie Maldanado Jake Yuskaitis ~ Staff Sgt. William D. Olsen Alston Smart, Jr. ~ Eugene Maslar, Jr 2nd Lt. Mark Gaido ~ Lt. JG Michael Huf Airman Patrick Alminde Seaman Nicole Beckman ~ Cpl. John P. Bramley Lt. Col. Christopher Yuskaitis Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. - Major Thomas M. Smith 2nd Class Petty Officer DC2, Jeffrey Royall Sgt. Amber Keppol ~ Sgt. Andrew Malave Sgt. Matthew Ponce ~ MK1 Katie Stodnick Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Oplatki Christmas Wafers are Here Please see John Marcinkowski after mass. THE SYMBOLISM The significance of the Oplatki Christmas wafer is in that it shadows the Eucharistic meal that Catholics participate in at each Mass. Just as we share in the Eucharist as one family in Christ and receive Christ s love through the Eucharist, the Oplatki allows for one s immediate family to come together and share the love they have for one another. This symbolism is deepened by the fact that the name of the town where Jesus Christ was born, Bethlehem, means "House of Bread," which makes the Oplatki tradition an especially beautiful way to celebrate the charity and unity so characteristic of the Christmas season. Week of December 10th Sanctuary Light In Memory of Irma L. Woolbert by Anne, Joe and Christian Grady Bread and Wine For The Unborn Altar Flowers Available for $100 for one week
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Americas Tuesday, December 12th On October 12, 1945, Pope Pius XII, decreed Our Lady of Guadalupe to be "Patroness of all the Americas." Mary s appearance to Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary and the God who sent her accept all peoples. In the context of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, the apparition was a rebuke to the Spaniards and an event of vast significance for the indigenous population. While a number of them had converted before this incident, they now came in droves. According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million. Indians became Catholic in a very short time. In these days when we hear so much about God s preferential option for the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God s love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself. Theresa Spicci ~ George Ondrajka Jay Crandall ~ Daniella Maldanado Betty Colburn ~ Amy Hatlee Kathleen Chambers ~ Claire Abbazio Fr. Paul Mullen ~ Haydee Melendez Darrin Rockefeller ~ Kevin Kret ~ Bobbie Morin Temi Miller ~ Bill Gleason ~ Nancy Gordon Fr. Urban ~ Kyle Brennan ~ Joseph McKenna Margaret Broderick ~ Joan Harrigan Frank Ware ~ Richard Snell ~ Fran Yuskaitis Michael F. Romano ~ Kim Maria Giganti Jolene Kovitch ~ Msgr. Jerry Sherba ~ Sr. Marietta Samson Colborn ~ Antonia Lucia ~ Violet Sloat David Mancuso ~ Paul Fulton ~ Deacon Frank Antoinette Gisoldi ~ Leslie Fox ~ Vivian Kanopp Lisa Champney ~ Rosa Santos ~ Bob Ruezinsky Cecilia McIlvenny ~ Lurita Soprano ~ Lou Larson When we encounter Christ, experience his love, and deepen our relationship with him, we become more aware of our own worth and that of others. USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities How to Build a Culture of Life Parish Life Give a Lasting Commemorative Gift Our Commemorative Gift Program has 4 Pine Trees available, that will be planted in our Prayer Garden. The cost of sponsoring one of these trees is $500. St. Max will provide an engraved marker alongside each tree in that is sponsored. Typically this would be in memory or honor of someone - family or friend. Sponsorship forms are available in the parish office. St. Max Prayer Shawl Group The next meeting will be on January 2nd @ 6:30 pm. Prayer shawls are knitted & crocheted by the group and are given to those who have illness or have recently been hospitalized. Join us in this ministry with your time and talent or by donating yarns or funds for the group to purchase additional supplies. ~Thank You. When we open our hearts to Jesus, God opens our minds to His Word. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him 1 Corinthians 2:14 Footprints by Margaret Fishback Powers Immaculata Prayer Group Join the Prayer Group on Saturdays at 2 pm for Prayer - Song - Praise The next meeting will be on December 16th. There will not be meetings on Dec. 23rd, Dec. 30th or Jan. 6th. Meetings will resume on January 13th. If you would like more information, please call Diane -570-646-4707, or Peggy -570-646-1623.
Reflection During Advent. The wonderful meaning of Christmas is that Jesus came to rescue us from the death sentence caused by our sin, and to give us hope and peace with God. He did it because he cares for you and me, and wants to adopt us into his family now and forever. Why not take time this Christmas to reflect on God s great gift to you? The one who created you is the same one who came to earth and died for you! In a world filled with corruption and selfishness, there is tremendous hope in knowing that God cares. And he promises eternal life to all who believe in Jesus. Can you think of a greater reason to celebrate Christmas? For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Around The Diocese Join Fr. Sean Spiritual Highlights of Italy October 8-17, 2018 ~ $2,689./pp Reserve by Dec. 6, 2017 and receive $100./pp discount. Call Marge McCauley 570-486-4231 LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial help to households suffering from heating crises. This federal program helps such low-income households to pay their heating bills. Forms for this program are available in the parish office or apply online at: online @www.compass.state.pa.us Around The Diocese Villa of Our Lady Retreat House in Mt. Pocono is in very great need of volunteers to help in the dining room and kitchen during meals on the weekends. If you have 2 or 3 hours to offer please contact Sister Josandra @ 570.839.7217 or josand64@ptd.net March for Life - Bus Trip To Washington, D.C. January 19, 2018. Bus will leave from Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville at 5:45 am & return approximately 9:30 pm. Cost is $25 & includes a buffet dinner. Additional info, available. Contact Tom Whitehead at 570-646-8174. Early reservations are required to ensure retaining the bus. SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN BREAKFAST WITH SANTA SAT., DEC. 16th, 9 am to 12 pm at the Pocono Mt. Volunteer Fire Co., 20 Murray St., Mt. Pocono Pancakes ~ Sausage ~ Juice ~ Coffee and Tea Proceeds benefit the Pocono Mountain Regional EMS Adults $5. Children under 12: FREE Tricky Tray 50/50 Goody Bags for Kids Ecumenical / Interfaith FOOD PANTRY NEWS Location: Five Loaf House 133 Fire House Rd., Pocono Pines Next Distribution date - Dec. 11th & 12th Monday - 8:30-11:00; 12:00-2:00; 4:00-5:00 Tuesday - 8:30-11 am Food Donations are accepted on Mon/Tues only, from 9 am -11 am, or call 570-646-7456. If you have furniture & household goods in good condition, contact Elaine Madere @ 732-995-3370 or elaine-madere@yahoo.com ~Thank You St. Maximilian Parish greatly appreciates the support of the advertisers allowing our congregation to receive this bulletin at no cost to the church. While we appreciate their support, we are not liable for any of their actions, fees, or services.