2020-11-22

Partner Parishes of The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia

Solemnity of Christ the King November 22, 2020

Solemnity of Christ the King Saturday, November 21, 2020 4:00 p.m. P Alberta & Sewell Cox (Don & Louise Cox) Sunday, November 22, 2020 Live streamed 9:30 a.m. C Pro Populo 11:00 a.m. P Live streamed Edward Sieradzki Anniversary of Death (John & Linda Masney) Monday, November 23, 2020 Live streamed 7:30 a.m. P Kathryn Woody Birthday Remembrance (Daughter & Family) Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Live streamed 7:30 a.m. P Jim Cicchetti (Mother Erlene Cicchetti) Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Live streamed 8:00 a.m. C Andrew Dubos (Carl Dubos) Thursday, November 26, 2020 Live streamed THANKSGIVING 9:00 a.m. P Rachel & Joseph Sheehan Anniversary (Elaine Sheehan & Family) 10:30 a.m. C Josephine Marconi (Ninetta DellaPenna) Friday, November 27, 2020 Live streamed 7:30 a.m. P NO MASS Saturday, November 28, 2020 Live streamed 8:00 a.m. C Josephine & Anthony Desimone (Children & Grandchildren)

1st Sunday of Advent Saturday, November 28, 2020 4:00 p.m. P Pro Populo Sunday, November 29, 2020 Live streamed 9:30 a.m. C Mary Dubos (Carl Dubos) 11:00 a.m. P Live streamed Frank & Betty Lent (Son Frank & Cora Lent)

All live streamed Masses can be viewed on the respective Facebook pages The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia Church - during their designated times.

Daily Masses will be live streamed during their respective times with Fr. Tim & Fr. Marlon.

November 22 - 1:30 pm - IN CONCERT: JOSEPH HAYDN’S CREATION - From the walls of Esterházy Castle in Austria, enjoy Joseph Haydn’s stirring oratorio, Creation, with its tremendous choral passages, stunning duets and enthralling musical portrayals of the creation of light.

November 22 - 10:00 pm and November 28 - 2:00 pm - CHILD 31: THE STORY OF MARY’S MEALS This award-winning film shines a spotlight on the work of Mary’s Meals, a charity honoring Our Lady that feeds over 750,000 of the world’s poorest children every school day.

November 25 - 5:30 pm - DEO GRATIAS: THE LIFE OF FATHER SOLANUS CASEY - Join us for a look into Father Solanus Casey. See images from his childhood, hear stories of his vocation, and witness his beatification.

November 26 - 5:30 pm - GENERATION HOPE - An inside look into the charity Mary’s Meals, and how its generosity benefits the children it serves every day.

November 28 - 8:00 pm - SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN - She was a nun and mystic known for her great charity and prayer. This EWTN original movie examines the holy life of the saint and founder of the Bridgettine Order.

Channels: *Armstrong (California) -043/HD-159 *Atlantic BB-021 *DIRECTV-370 *DISH-261

The weekly bulletin is available on our website www.stpeterstcecilia.org Sanctuary Lamp at St. Peter Ann Beck Requested by: Bill & Dayna Teper

Bread & Wine at St. Peter Ann Beck Requested by: Bill & Dayna Teper

Throughout November the Church has presented readings focused on the end times. They have stressed the necessity of Christ’s disciples using their gifts to serve him in his people.

Today in particular our Gospel passage emphasizes that all of our good deeds will be counted. The Lord asks us through the parables to use the gifts we've been given for their intended purpose. Throughout our life’s journey we've been preparing to encounter the Lord when we transition from this life unto the next. This day’s reading speaks directly to that encounter. We will be asked if we lived in accordance with what Jesus has intended us to do.

He will come. He will come on the clouds; He will come in glory, and the nations will assemble before him. The image presented in today’s Gospel can be frightening. However, we’ve lived in accordance with God’s plan serving him in his people, our brothers and sisters. Therefore, we should trust in his promise to save all who believe in him and follow his commandments. I believe, as we reflect on God's plan for our salvation, that we’ve understood from the time we achieved spiritual maturity that our lives must comport with the Father’s purpose for creation.

In Genesis, the very first book of the Bible, the Father laid down his plan for salvation concerning the role of the “Woman” Mary and her “offspring” Jesus. We the beneficiaries of God’s plan recognize that the fullness of His revelation is His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Incarnate Word of the Father; he is the One who humbled himself, literally stripping himself of his Godhead, and entering our humanity as a babe. Ezekiel speaks of God’s intention to shepherd us. The Father gives His Son, the Good Shepherd. However, we recognize the irony that Jesus was born in a manger, a filthy stable in Bethlehem in absolute poverty. At birth he was as any babe, completely defenseless, all his needs filled by his parents. He who was so humble yet presents himself in Matthew’s Gospel as the King of Glory.

Jesus lived with his Mother, Mary, and his father, Joseph, in the house in Nazareth. They worked as carpenters. Their meager liveli-

hood enabled them to buy food; they had shelter, but Jesus and his family lived in poverty.

When it was time for Jesus to enter public life, he went to the Jordan River. He entered the river so that John would baptize him with the baptism of repentance. But we know that Jesus hadn't sinned, so why would he need a baptism of repentance? Jesus’ desire to be baptized by John was not about repentance; he wanted to be totally united with us in our humanity, with the same limitations and our human weaknesses. Humanity’s salvation required the Son of God to be one with us even though we are sinful.

Jesus’ purpose for being born and living was that he would sacrifice himself for us. He was able to do so because he emptied himself of his Godhead and became fully human.

If we contrast Adam, the first man, with Jesus, the fullness of man we can see the Father’s purpose in his plan for our salvation. Adam when created was given the gift of immortality. He received what are called "preternatural gifts: an intellect formed and inclined to a relationship with God. He recognized the need to live in relationship with God, to be obedient. But he rejected those gifts, even though his intellect, will and memory directed him toward his creator.

Just as we all do Adam and Eve sinned. They fell because they sought the power of God. They wanted to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil so they would be made like God. In contrast Jesus stripped himself of his heavenly power and authority to be united with us in our weakness and suffering.

He wants us to follow in his stead. He doesn't ask many of us to give up our lives for one another in a physical sense, but he did say, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friend." Jesus does ask us, even commands us to follow his model of sacrificial love. We're called to live out this life, not focused on self: what I can garner in material things and the pleasures of world, but how I might be Christ for those whom I encounter. If we're able to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, care for the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill and visit those in prison we are truly blessed! If we have such opportunities, we must respond. But many will

say, “I didn't do those things. I raised my family; I was so engaged in fulfilling my vocation as spouse, parent or my profession that I couldn't. We continue in peace because the Lord knows and understands.

However, all of us know others who have fears or other limitations that seem to restrict their freedom to live out their life fully in Christ. Everyone knows, for example, someone who is suffering from guilt concerning some aspect of their life that causes them to be unable to break free from these chains to live in the freedom of Christ. There is someone in our life who has low selfesteem that could use our support. As we become Christ for one another we can help the other address such difficulties. This is true whether the one in need is our spouse, a child, those we encounter in our faith community or the workplace. All of us are given opportunities to be Christ for one another.

Christ’s Kingship was so powerfully demonstrated on his throne, the cross, indeed, we most effectively acknowledge him by our follow-ing the model he gave us by his gift of sacrificial love.

We must say "Yes, Lord, I am the instrument of your love in this world. I'll attempt to live this life out as fully as I'm able in you.

Christ you have enabled me; you gave me the gifts, the freedom to live out the abundant life for which you created me. Utilizing my gifts and the freedom you gave me, I will care for my brothers and my sisters so that your kingship might be fully established, your Body built up on this earth, and your kingdom be established by my living the model of sacrificial love you gave us.

Jesus has given us all we need, the tools necessary to accomplish his purpose for us. We have the sacramental life of the Church. Each Sunday we gather at the altar of sacrifice for Eucharist. We receive Jesus’ body and blood. We eat flesh of the Son of Man. It strengthens us; it enables us with his grace to meet each of the challenges of our life. We encounter difficulties, obstacles and barriers responding as the Lord has directed us in faith that he is with us, even when we believe our life is too difficult. That's how we acknowledge him in all things.

INDIFFERENCE IS WORSE Solemnity of Christ the King (Mt. 25:31-46) Nowadays, Alzheimer’s disease has become so common. An estimated 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2020 (www.alz.org). But, not only old people are suffering from this disease, young people as well. Many people are becoming forgetful about so many things, particularly about God. How many of us still remember the truth that “the earth is the Lord's and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it” (Ps 24:1)? Everything comes from God, even the dirt that we stand on. As the first Book of Chronicles said, “Yours, O Lord, are greatness and might, majesty, victory and splendor. For all in heaven and on earth is yours; yours, Lord, is kingship; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and glory are from you, and you have dominion over all” (1Chro 29:11-12).

This global Alzheimer’s disease is the reason behind the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King. It was Pope Pius XI who instituted this feast in his encyclical “Quas Primas” written on December 11, 1925. We may recall that at this time, the world was still recovering from the devastation caused by the First World War, and it was only a few years after the bloody Bolshevik Revolution of Russia, which gave birth to atheistic communism in the world. Everywhere the Pope looked, he saw human societies abandoning Christian values as they try to build a world independent from God and based solely on human powers and resources. With this dark backdrop in mind, he instituted this feast to remind the world that Jesus is the true King, and he is the only hope for the salvation of the world.

As Pope Pius XI wrote: "When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony... That these blessings may be abundant and lasting in Christian society, it is necessary that the kingship of our Savior should be as widely as possible recognized and understood, and to that end nothing would serve better than the institution of a special feast in honor of the Kingship of Christ." (Quas Primas, #19, 21) I strongly believe that this feast is all the more necessary in our time. The world has grown from bad to worse. It is said that when you reject someone, at least you still consider him as an existent being. But when you ignore him, it simply means he does not anymore exist in your life. This is what is happening in the world nowadays.

People do not reject God anymore; they simply ignore Him. And this is so painful on the part of God who loves us so much. Some of us have all the time to have fun, watch television and indulge in all sorts of worldly activities and vices, but we do not have a minute to spare for God. In today’s world, it is our indifference that is hurting Jesus the most.

Let me share with you a poem often quoted by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. It was written by Geoffrey Anketell Studdert-Kennedy, an Anglican priest in Leeds, England in 1883. He was a chaplain in World War I, and

he had first-hand experience of the horrors of war and the cruelty of man. His poem is entitled “Indifference”, which is about the treatment of Christ in the poor in Birmingham, England and the indifference of modern men to Jesus.

“When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree, They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary; They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep, For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.

“When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by.

They would not hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die; For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain, They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

"Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’

And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through; The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see, And Jesus crouched against a wall, and sighed…for Calvary!”

We can substitute the place Birmingham with the place we live in, for this indifference to Jesus has become so universal in this modern world. Sad to say, we have to admit that this attitude applies even to Catholics.

The Gospel on this Solemnity of Christ the King intends to shake us from our smug complacency and indifference: “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!”

This is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Every Sunday for the entire liturgical year we have heard the teachings and miracles of Jesus. It has been clearly illustrated to us, with preponderance of evidence, that Jesus is God, and that he reigns as King of the entire universe for all eternity. On this last Sunday, we are asked to make a decision: are we going to serve our King?

An affirmative response to this question may be easy to give, but it entails serious resolutions and hard decisions. Among these are: First is to make God as the priority in our life. Today’s feast is a fitting time for us to go back to the source of all graces. Our King, the Lord Jesus, is waiting for you at St. Peter’s and St. Cecilia’s Churches. Come and join the King’s banquet every weekend. Second is to worship and adore the real presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Come and spend an hour with our King every first Friday of the month at St. Peter’s Church (8:00am-9:00am) and every Saturday at St. Cecilia’s Church (8:30am-9:30am). An hour’s date with the King is worth spending. As Psalm 84:11 says: “I would forsake a thousand other days any where. If I could spend one day in Your court belong to youalone. My glory, my King, and (continued on pg. 7)

my God.” Third is to set apart a meaningful time for scriptural readings, prayer and reflection every day. Daily reading of the Bible gets us wiser. Not only do we get wiser about life—we find purpose—what we should be doing in life. There are in the Psalms and Proverbs alone some very wise instructions for living. “God’s Word never returns void” (Isaiah 55:11). Fourth is to reject all teachings and beliefs, attitudes and behavior that are contrary to the Gospel. Fifth and last is to love and serve Jesus in the poor and the needy among us.

Being close to the King through our loving service to the poor will surely prepare us for his imminent coming.

Let us continue to pray that the Lord may grant us all the graces we need to become true and loyal followers and servants of Jesus, the Eternal King.

The Historic Church of St. Peter will have a Church Tour Sunday, Dec. 13 following the 11 am Mass.

Face masks must be worn and social distancing will be followed.

Anyone interested—new parishioners or others—are welcome. Refreshments will be provided, according to COVID guidelines.

Please call office 724-785-7781 for questions or information.

Please join us !

Thanksgiving Day Masses The Partner Parishes of St. Peter and St. Cecilia will have one Mass at each church. St. Peter’s Mass is scheduled for 9:00 am; St. Cecilia’s Mass is scheduled for 10:30 am.

The Masses will be live-streamed. Due to the pandemic, we will not be distributing loaves of bread or fruit.

Please give thanks to the Lord for the bounty of his gifts with which our families have been blessed.

Please take note - Church office will be closed Wednesday, November 25 at 12 Noon and will resume regular hours on Monday,November 30.

LIGHT-UP NIGHT

St. Cecilia’s Christian Mothers and Team Livi DESIGNER PURSE/CASH BASH TODAY Sunday, November 22, 2020 12:00 P.M. Watch us live on St. Cecilia and Team Livi Facebook Pages!

1.Vera Bradley Purse 2. $100.00 Cash 3. Coach Purse 4. $150.00 Cash 5. Kate Spade Purse 6. $200.00 Cash 7. Michael Kors Purse 8. $250.00 Cash 9. Dooney & Bourke Purse 10. $300.00 Cash 11. Kate Spade Purse 12. $350.00 Cash 13. Steelers Dooney & Bourke Purse 14. $400.00 Cash 15. Gucci Purse 16. $1,000.00 Cash

The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce's Light-Up Night is Nov. 27. As with so many other events, changes had to be made because of COVID concerns.

The annual procession, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, begins at 6 p.m. at Hiller Volunteer Fire Department, 937 First St., and ends about 6:45 p.m. at West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department, 238 Middle St. This year, Santa will be handing out free treats to children at a DRIVE-THROUGH distribution at West Brownsville VFD. A drivethrough route will be posted.

Men’s Tennis Shoes and Jeans Needed Sizes 10 and up men’s tennis shoes and men’s jeans sizes 36 and up are needed for the homeless.

Please bring donations to the office. Thank you!

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8 Mass at St. Peter 9:00 am Blood Drive Brownsville Community St. Peter’s Church Parish Center Social Hall 118 Church St. Brownsville Call to set up appt.

Tuesday, December 1 1-800-733-2707 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm

ORDER DEADLINE FOR ST. CECILIA ROLLS Order by November 18 for pick-up on November 22.

Order by December 16 for pick-up on December 20.

Our Deepest Sympathy Our parish family mourns the loss of our parishioners Andrew Bohatch, John Lovis and John Duda. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

St. Peter’s Church 11/15/20 ADULT ENVELOPES (105) .....................$3766.75 MONTHLY (15) ..........................................$695.00 LOOSE ........................................................$11.00 CANDLES....................................................$36.00 POVERTY RELIEF (3).................................$27.00 THANKSGIVING (1) ......................................$5.00 RETIRED RELIGIOUS & PRIESTS (1) .......$20.00 SVDP (2) ....................................................$35.00 OCT. ONLINE DONATIONS VIA O.S.V. ...$905.00 St. Cecilia’s Church 11/15/20 ADULT ENVELOPES (30) .........................$871.00 MONTHLY (6) ............................................$300.00 STUDENT (1) ................................................$2.00 LOOSE ........................................................$55.00 ALL SAINTS ................................................$13.00 CANDLES....................................................$65.00 RETIRED RELIGIOUS & PRIESTS ...............$8.00 OCT. ONLINE DONATIONS VIA O.S.V. ...$480.00

The next episode of “The Accent On-Air” presents “Christmas Traditions” on WTAE-TV at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m., with overnight airings planned for Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Slovak, Italian, German and Filipino Christmas traditions will be among the items featured on the broadcast.

PRAYER LIST Our Prayer Warriors will keep these people in their prayers. Please call the office with your Prayer List request.

724-785-7781 Also, please call the office if someone’s name should be removed from the list.

Ann B., Marge Barak, Mildred Batovsky, Dave Battaglini, Betty Beckman, Haley Marie Beto Black, David Black, Theresa Brumley, Gary Buffer, Rose Capatosti, Genevieve Chiplasky, Tim Datzko, Kit

Dumay, Judith Frisco, Richard Gabby Gigliotti, Petronilla Gigliotti, Rita Ann Hall, Barbara Hlatky, John Jeff & Nancy Kadar, Eugene Kadar, Michael Katko, Charlotte Kenny Louge, Harriet Maxwell, Laura

Medlock, Babette Novak, Janice Peters, Fred Pichard, Bertha Purcell, Pat Regal, Peter Ritz, Gary Sealy, Olivia Sims, Polly Smith, Chuck Smith, Joyce Snodgrass, Bill Stevenson, Ed Stringert, Robert

Stringert, Veronica Thomas, Jacey, Joshua & Jessica Tinstman, Terri Tomecsko, Bryan Tomecsko, Nelda Triffanoff, Colleen Urick, Betty Volek, Jeff Volek, Patty Wallowicz, Tom Willeford, Jeff and Nancy Wilson, Jill Winwood, Billie

Partner Parishes Christmas Schedule

To adhere to social distancing, the Diocese allows us to offer several Masses on Christmas Eve. The schedules are as follows:

There will be no 2020 Regional Advent Penance Services this year.

To adhere to pandemic guidelines, we are offering reconciliation at the Partner Parishes at the following times: Monday, December 14 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Peter Tuesday, December 15 2:00-4:00 at St. Peter Wednesday, December 16 2:00 - 4:00 at St. Cecilia Thursday, December 17 6:00-8:00 at St. Peter and St. Cecilia ADVENT BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29th.

Advent is a wonderful time to increase commitment to our faith life. As appropriate to our personal journey we should use this holy season to restore, strengthen or begin a deeper faith life.

We do this through daily prayer, fulfilling our Sunday obligation and for some by beginning the practice of attending daily Mass. Many people speak about experiencing a great benefit to their faith journey when they began the discipline of attending daily Mass. They speak of how the practice transformed the depth of their relationship with Jesus and brought increased joy and peace to their lives.

Christmas Eve Masses St. Peter 2:00 pm St. Peter 4:00 pm St. Cecilia 6:00 pm St. Cecilia 8:00 pm St. Peter 12:00 Midnight Christmas Day Masses St. Peter 9:00 am St. Cecilia 11:00 am

Advent Wreaths Advent Wreaths will be available for the start of Advent. A limited number will be made!

Wreaths………………………....$5.00 Replacement Candles…………$3.00 Partner Parishes Annual Angel Tree Tags During these challenging times, let us remember the less fortunate. We are once again sponsoring the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Please help provide a wonderful Christmas for local children by taking a tag or two from the tree in the back of each church. If you’re not attending church and would like to participate, please call the office and we will have tags there for you.

Attach your tag to the gift bag and place unwrapped gifts in the back of each church or bring to the office. All gifts are due by December 13, 2020.

Partner Parishes of Historic Church of Saint Peter PLEASE PRINT 300 COPIES 300 Shaffner Avenue St. Peter Brownsville, Pennsylvania 118 Church Street & Brownsville, PA 15417 Saint Cecilia Church 1571 Grindstone Road Grindstone, Pennsylvania O: 724-785-7781

#770350

C: 724-984-6983***

Parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg “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