From the Desk of Fr. Tim... The celebration of the Epiphany each year reminds us that all of God’s creation, people of every race, nation and creed, are given the opportunity to accept salvation in the person of Jesus Christ. The Wise Men came to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews. King Herod they found in a royal palace but quickly moved beyond to a humble stable in the backwater town of Bethlehem. In the stable was a poor child who had been born of powerless parents yet he was Emmanuel, God-with-us. Here they bowed down in humble worship. We recognize the humble stable, manger and defenseless child Jesus as we celebrate our Christmas each year by erecting nativity scenes. However, we romanticize the birth narratives from Luke and Matthew’s Gospels. The Wise Men brought their gifts suitable for a King: Gold which represents Kingship, Frankincense representing worship and costly Myrrh which would be used as a perfume or to remind one of their mortality, for it was used to anoint the body of a decedent. However, Jesus’ circumstances were not kingly in a worldly sense. In reality the Holy Family would soon depart in haste to Egypt to avoid the soldiers of King Herod who sought the life of the child. These gifts symbolize royalty but not a reality of poverty, powerlessness and flight to avoid the death of the Christ Child. These Epiphany images are hard to reconcile with one another. The movie that tells a story of a fourth Wise Man dramatizes the true meaning of Jesus birth, life and death and provides a powerful lesson for the viewer. Artaban brought 3 jewels of great value for the new born king. However, he was delayed and unable to travel with the three other Wise Men. As a result, he arrives after the Holy Family has departed from Bethlehem for Egypt. For the next 33 years Artaban attempts to follow and locate Jesus. During his travels he encounters needy people who could die or suffer horrific fates but one by one he gives the jewels away to save them. Finally he arrives in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. He is accidently struck and dying just after saving a woman from being sold into slavery with his final jewel. Dying he is in despair that he was unable to accomplish his life’s purpose of honoring the King of the Jews. However, a voice from heaven assures him that he is a good and faithful servant of the true King. The voice says whatever you did for the least of my people you did for me! He is able to die in peace not because of a symbolic gift but because he expended all he had fulfilling the beatitudes of Christ. Daily Mass (Frequent Intercession) If we have needs, special intentions or others to pray for, Daily Mass provides a multitude of opportunities and is the most powerful instrument of intercession available for us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “The Eucharist contains and expresses all forms of prayer: it is “the pure offering” of the whole Body of Christ to the glory of God’s name and according to the traditions of the East and West, it is the “sacrifice of praise”. CCC 2643. Interceding Like Jesus and the Holy Spirit Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners (cf. Rom 8: 34, 1 Jn 2: 1; 1 Tm 2: 5–8.) He is “able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7: 25.) The Holy Spirit “himself intercedes for us . . . and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom 8: 26–27.) CCC 1373, 519, 741. Jesus teaches us through Luke’s Gospel that we must “ASK” for our needs to be met. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”? Luke 11: 9–13 We must recognize and respond to the bounty of the Father’s love which he provides through the Mass. For indeed, Liturgy, whether on the Lord’s Day or Daily Mass, re-presents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. CCC 1366. Thus the true unblemished lamb, Jesus, whose Passover from life to death, we memorialize through our participation in this salvific act is interceding on our behalf. The opportunity to participate in Christ’s sacrifice and to invoke its intercessory power on our behalf and for those for whom we pray should not be cavalierly dismissed. Rather in prayer we should discern if the Lord is calling us to join in this daily celebration of his love for us.
Ministry Schedule January 9-10 Epiphany Sunday Saturday Vigil, January 2, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Marian Vigliotti (Richard and Norma Quarzo) Sunday, January 3, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Pro Populo-Mass for the People
EM: Reader: Server: EM: Reader: Server:
9:45 a.m. C Juliana DellaPenna Aquilante (Carol Ricci Bishop)
EM: Reader:
11:00 a.m. P First Anniversary of Death Judy Compton (Family)
EM: Reader: Server:
Monday, January 4, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Ann Vulcan (Tom and Patty Torrey) Tuesday, January 5, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Alex Novinsky (Ann Pore) 8:00 a.m. C Helen Richards (St. Cecilia Christian Mothers) Wednesday, January 6, 2016 P/C No Mass Thursday, January 7, 2016 P No Mass 8:00 a.m. C Frances Martini (Peggy Caringola) Friday, January 8, 2016 P/C No Mass Saturday, January 9, 2016 8:00 a.m. C Andy Guman (Tammy, Barb & Shiela) Baptism of the Lord Saturday Vigil, January 9, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Lea Reine Satifka Scorza (Russ Urick) Sunday, January 10, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Pro Populo-Mass for the People 9:45 a.m. C Stephen & Rita Hovanec (Josephine Parr) 11:00 a.m. P Rae and Sam Francis (Their Daughters)
Sanctuary Lamp and Bread/Wine at St. Peter Regina Francis & Samuel N. Francis Requested by: Family
4:00 p.m. St. Peter Gloria Wheeler John Peters Marlene Ricco John Ball Emily Myers Madelyn Myers 8:00 a.m. St. Peter Toni Shwallon Andy Tressa Cora Lent Joe Gaydos Gina DeFlippo Carmella DiFlippo 9:45 a.m. St. Cecilia Carl DellaPenna Jr. Nancy Sebeck Carl DellaPenna Mark Konter 11:00 a.m. St. Peter Diane Sheridan Bert Smith Ron Dellarose Patty Columbia Tessa Dellarose Talia Dellarose
Prayer Corner...We Pray for... Paul Cech, Sr. Jill Wible David Ballant Patty Sluk Bruce Brady Sammy Basile III Nancy Heinbaugh Lacy Neff Tisa Lach Josephine Bogorae Rhonda Liggett Chuck Smith Joseph Nehela Carl Butler Beverly Berish Alex McCune Eleanor Dando Jerry Zalek Christopher Liebietreu
Maryann Olenik Barbara McNeeley Christine Rose Darla Stump Liliana Orris Rosalie Barlie Ann Baker Lenny Zielinski Conner McClelland Sylvia Walinski Linda Brand Laura Garee Emma Null Patricia Knight Mary Williams Mary Barber Tim Kloock Sharon Smith Fred Gnus Michael Climes Sr.
Serena Snodgrass Bill Snodgrass Charlotte Katko Bob Behary Veronica Stringert Robert Stringert Bryan Tomecsko Brandon Tomecsko Allison Sallade Shane Urbine Joel Shumar Cody Tylka Dolores Sarrocco Ron Andreani All living and deceased members of our parish and their families.
Collection Report St. Peter’s Church 12/20/15 ADULT ENVELOPES(260)..…………… ...... $4079.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES(19)..……………....... $22.00 MONTHLY(19)…………………………… ....... $570.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ...... $410.00 CANDLES………………………………… ......... $98.00 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS(92)…………………..$60.00 IMM. CONC(28)…………………………………$210.00
St. Cecilia’s Church 12/20/15 ADULT ENVELOPES(84)……………….. ….$1448.00 STUDENT ENV(15) ......................................... $25.00 LOOSE……………………………………… ……$25.00 CANDLES………………………………………...$56.00 ACCENT(1) ....................................................... $3.00 SVDP(3)…………………………………………..$20.00 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS……………………….$55.00
Ministry Schedule The NEW combined ministry schedule that starts January 2, 2016 thru June 26, 2016 was mailed home and will also be available in the back of the church for your reference. The schedule encompasses: † Altar Servers † Eucharistic Ministers † Lectors † Money Counters Once again if you are unable to fulfill the ministry please find a replacement. Please check in with Fr. Tim or Fr. Jim prior to the Mass so they are aware you are present. This schedule replaces any previous schedule for this time period. If you should have any questions please call the office.
Music Notes Today we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. The wise men came to Bethlehem and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Christ child. The music ministry is also looking for a few good men, and you don’t even have to be wise! St. Peter Choir is in need of several men as well as additional altos to round out our ranks. As the three wise men brought gifts to the Christ child, are there three men in our parish who will give the gift of singing in the choir? We are also in need of additional cantors for Mass. Perhaps Epiphany Sunday is a good time to prayerfully consider renewing our commitment to our faith community by providing some service to our parish.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) January 4, Feast Day Though her liturgical designation is "religious," Elizabeth Seton, her feast-day prayer reminds us, was also "wife, mother, educator, foundress." Born into a wealthy Episcopalian family, Elizabeth married William Seton, whose untimely death in Italy where the young family sought healing for William's tuberculosis, left her, at twenty-nine, a widow with five children. Inspired by the faith and charity of the Italian family with whom they stayed, Elizabeth embraced Catholicism despite her family's disowning her and ceasing financial support. This woman of many firsts (and several vocations!) opened the first free Catholic school, beginning the American Catholic educational system, and founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. The tuberculosis that claimed her husband took also her oldest and youngest daughters and, finally, at just forty-seven, Elizabeth herself. Another first: in 1975 she was canonized the first nativeborn American saint. Once asked to summarize her spirituality, she replied: "Faith lifts the staggering soul on one side, hope supports it on the other, experience says it must be, and love says let it be!"
The Epiphany of the Lord
If you are interested in the music ministry, please contact Eric Blanda, our music director at ericblanda@yahoo.com or at 412-582-2512. Choir rehearsal resumes next Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30 PM in Church.
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. -- Isaiah 60:1
St. Vincent De Paul Can you volunteer? We need people to share their Time and Talents for the good of the poor in our area. Any amount of help is appreciated: One hour, one day a week or even one day a month. All Are Welcome! Types of help needed: sorting incoming merchandise, receiving/shipping merchandise, cashiers, general maintenance, information and referral ministry, interviewers, computer assistance, budget coaching. Call 724-439-1780 and leave your name and number for someone to give you a call. May God Bless you!
Movie Night The Star of Bethlehem, is the movie being featured on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at St. Cecilia’s Social Hall. The content of this month’s movie is geared to a more mature audience as it explores topics and beliefs that may be difficult for children to grasp. Released in 2007, The Star of Bethlehem, attempts to make sense of one of the world’s greatest mysteries. “Can we actually unlock the mystery of the world's most famous star? If this was an actual event - can there possibly be historical and scientific evidence for the Star of Bethlehem, the star followed by Magi from the east? These questions have perplexed mankind for over two thousand years. Now, from producer Stephen McEveety (The Passion of the Christ) comes an amazing documentary on the mystical Star of Bethlehem. Commentator Rick Larson walks you through Biblical, historical, and scientific clues revealing the incredible significance of this celestial event and the vastness of God's creativity.”
The Epiphany of the Lord "Appearances can be deceiving," as the saying goes. As we celebrate the epiphania, the "appearing" of the eternal Word of God on earth, this is still true. What rapturous foresight must have filled Isaiah as he wrote the words we hear today. How, for four hundred years, they must have filled the hearts of the people of Israel with hope for the day when God's glory would shine. How disappointed some must have felt when the glory of God came to them in the lowliest and humblest of human lives. We have many expectations about how the divine presence will appear in our midst. But we can also set ourselves up, through these expectations, to miss the divine glory when it truly appears. We get caught up in looking for the star, forgetting that it was not the divine sign, the babe was. Only a persistent journey will bring us to the true appearance of God's glory in our lives: Jesus Christ.
All That Glitters
We are coming to those days when, once again, the hustle and bustle, the glitter and glamour of the days of Christmas are over. It is appropriate, then, as we head into the long days of winter, days of discipleship, to look at what exactly we need to take with us from our days of Nativity celebration. It is quite easy on Epiphany to get caught up in the spectacle: heavenly luminaries, exotic magi riding dromedaries, extravagant and fragrant gifts. Who doesn't love to focus on these colorful details? Perhaps, as the magi discovered the divine presence of heaven in a lowly household, we can find the meaning of the divine presence for our lives in today's responsorial psalm.
Double Duty
The psalm today functions as a job description for the divinely anointed king. Let us examine more closely what the reign of this king looks like: he is endowed with the very divine justice and judgment of God, particularly for the afflicted; justice flowers, along with profound peace; the poor are rescued; the lowly know pity; and the poor are saved. This is the objective of the king, the course for the kingdom that he sets. In a few weeks we will hear Jesus proclaim in the synagogue that the days described in today's psalms have been fulfilled in him. In the meantime, what we need to remember beginning today and during these coming weeks is that, through our baptism, we are called upon to be living, working signs of this same reign. The king's job description is also ours. This way, as the prophet Isaiah explains, all nations will walk by our light. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company
Memorial Bookplate Order Form Please fill out your selection of either “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” and submit the form with your check or cash in an envelope in the collection basket or mail it to the Church office. Please note it is very important to note “Hymnal Bookplate” on your check or envelope. You may also email your request to ssealy@dioceseofgreensburg.org . We ask for a donation of $20.00 for each requested bookplate. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
In Memory of: ______________________________________________________________________ 2nd line :_________________________________________________________ (Ex: Grandmother/father; Friend; Mother/Father; Godmother; etc.) By:____________________________________________________ Date:_______________
Donation $20.00
___________Cash or _______________Check
In Honor of: ________________________________________________________________________ 2nd line :_________________________________________________________ (Ex: Grandmother/father; Friend; Mother/Father; Godmother; etc.) By:____________________________________________________ Date:_______________
Donation $20.00
___________Cash or _______________Check
I would like my Memorial placed at St. Peter _______________or St. Cecilia __________________ Name of Person Completing this form:_____________________ Phone Number:___________________
314th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Conversion St. Paul Brownsville Padres Basketball GAME 7:00p Away –Mother of Sorrows Sch.
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243rd Sunday of Ordinary
Time
18Martin Luther King
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10The Baptism of the Lord 11
NO MASS ST. PETER Brownsville Padres Basketball GAME 7:00p HOME Cal U Hamer Hall
4St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
3Solemnity of Epiphany
Adult Faith & Family Movie “Star of Bethlehem” At St. Cecilia 4pm
Mon
Sun
Choir Rehearsal 6:30p
26Sts. Timothy & Titus
Brownsville Padres Basketball GAME 7:00p Away –Mother of Sorrows Sch.
Choir Rehearsal 6:30p
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5St. John Neumann
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Cantor Rehearsal 5:00p
Meals on the Blvd 5:45p Depart St. Peter
Basketball GAME 7:00p Away –St. John Evang.
28Brownsville Padres
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Padres Basketball Practice 6:30p (Cal U Hamer Hall)
Catholic Daughters of Americas Co. 1141 Northside Fire Hall 5:45p
Cantor Rehearsal-5:00p
21St. Agnes
Cantor Rehearsal 5:00p
Meals on the Blvd 5:45p Depart St. Peter
Cantor Rehearsal 5:00p
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Padres Basketball Practice 6:30p (Cal U Hamer Hall)
(215 Church St. Methodist Church)
20SVDP Food Bank
Brownsville Padres Basketball GAME 7:00p Away –Queen of Angels Sch.
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tice 6:30p (Cal U Hamer Hall) NO meeting for Society of Catholic Women
6Padres Basketball Prac-
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Partner Parishes of St. Peter/St. Cecilia
January 2016
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Brownsville Padres Basketball GAME 6:30p HOME Cal U Hamer Hall
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1New Year’s Solemnity of Mary-Holy Day of Obligation
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Pro Life Trip 7:15a Depart St. Peter
Pro Life Trip 7:15a Depart St. Peter
118 Church St. Brownsville, Pa 15417 724-785-7781 Ssealy@dioceseofgreensburg.org
Partner Parishes of Historic Church of Saint Peter 300 Shaffner Avenue St. Peter Brownsville, Pennsylvania 118 Church Street & Brownsville, PA 15417 Saint Cecilia Church 1571 Grindstone Road O: 724-785-7781 Grindstone, Pennsylvania
#770350
H: 724-785-7604 Parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg C: 724-984-6983*** “Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts”
Contact: Shannon Sealy MESSAGES: Mailing Address: Partner Parishes of St. Peter & St. Cecilia 118 Church Street Brownsville, PA 15417 Phone: 724-785-7781 Fax: 724-785-0844
Pastor: Rev. Micah E. Kozoil; Sr. Priest Active: Rev. James Petrovsky Office Manager: Mrs. Virginia Galway: Music Ministry: St. Peter: Daniel Kovacic; St. Cecilia: Eric Blanda Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs. Anita LaMendola: Youth Ministry: Patty Columbia Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 4:00 P.M. (EST); 5:00 P.M. (DST) (St. Peter) Sunday Morning 8:00 A.M. (St. Peter); 9:30 A.M. (St. Cecilia); 11:30 A.M. (St. Peter) Reconciliation: Noon to 12:30 p.m. St. Peter: 1st & 3rd Saturday St. Cecilia: 2nd & 4th Saturday Sacrament of Baptism Contact the parish as soon as you know that you are expecting a child. Sacrament of Matrimony Those entering into Marriage must contact the pastor at least one full year in advance of the wedding Sponsor Certificates You must be registered and active in the parish at least 4 months to receive a certificate. Please don’t come at the last minute! Sexual Child Abuse If you have a concern about sexual abuse of a child or young person by anyone in a parish or diocesan position — clergy, volunteer or paid staff — please contact Bishop Brandt’s delegate for matters of sexual misconduct. He may be reached at 724-837-0901 Ext. 221