2019-12-29 Bulletin

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

118 Church Street Brownsville, PA 15417

Phone: 724-785-7781

Jan. 4/5, 2020

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Saturday, December 28, 2019 4:00 p.m. P Albert Dascenzo (John & Linda Moser) Sunday, December 29, 2019 8:00 a.m. P Mass for the People 9:30 a.m. C Kimberly Sue El-Ayazra (St. Cecilia Christian Mothers) 11:00 a.m. P Veronica Borytsky (Mr. & Mrs. Don Mack) Monday, December 30, 2019 7:30 a.m. P Ronnie Sabo (Grandmom Pauline & Family) Tuesday, December 31, 2019-New Year’s Eve 4:00 p.m. P Margaret Geisel (Mary & Jim Porter) 6:30 p.m. C Betty Duratz (Donna & Charles Chism) Wednesday, January 1, 2020-New Year’s Day 8:00 a.m. C Jane Ropejko (Brenda Newman & Justin Newman) 11:00 a.m. P Enis Meese (Her Family) Thursday, January 2, 2020 7:30 a.m. P Jane DeGregory (Bill & Dana Teper) Friday, January 3, 2020 7:30 a.m. P Lisa Chancey—Month’s Mind (Parish Family) Saturday, January 4, 2020 8:00 a.m. C Frank Horka, Jr. (Rita Verry)

The Epiphany of the Lord

Saturday, January 4, 2020 4:00 p.m. P Mass for the People Sunday, January 5, 2020 8:00 a.m. P Leslie King - Birthday Remembrance ( Family) 9:30 a.m. C Ed Britt (Barb & Ted Gera) 11:00 a.m. P Linda Garofalo (Dave & Candy Povinale & Family)

Dec. 31, 2019 Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Vigil 4:00 pm - St. Peter 6:00 pm - St. Cecilia January 1, 2020 New Year’s Day 8:00 am - St. Cecilia 11:00 am - St. Peter

Saturday, January 4 - 4:00 p.m. St. Peter C-Sister James Ann C-Gloria Wheeler H-Susan Nesto Noah Statzula; Hayden Statzula; Volunteer Patty Craig Sunday, January 5 - 8:00 a.m. St. Peter EM: C–Bill Johns C-Kathy Miller H-Vicki Gallo Server: David Ziglear; Hannah Belmont, Volunteer Lector: Crystal Bogorae Sunday, January 5 - 9:30 a.m. St. Cecilia EM: C-Carl DellaPenna Jr C– Carl DellaPenna H-Nettie DellaPenna Server: Caleb DellaPenna; Anthony DellaPenna Lector: Mark Konter Sunday, January 5 - 11:00 a.m. St. Peter EM: C-Tracy Eadie-C-Rich Eadie H–Larry Franks III Server: Anna Clister; Luke Clister; Lacey Harvey Lector: Ron Barry EM: Server: Lector:

December 28 - 10:00 am - MARTIN THE COBBLER - Based on the classic children’s tale by the great Russian author Leo Tolstoy, a lonely shoemaker rediscovers his faith in God; narrated by Tolstoy’s daughter Alexandra Tolstoy. For the family December 28 - 9:15 am - FEASTS WITH THE FRIAR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - Father John teaches his friends about preparing their hearts for Christ’s coming. For children.

December 29 - 1:30 pm - THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT - The annual Christmas concert presented by The Catholic University of America, featuring a brilliant blend of angelic voices and the wonderful sounds of the Christmas Season.

December 31 - 12:30 pm - URBI ET ORBI: MESSAGE AND BLESSING - Pope Francis gives his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and the world.

December 31 - 4:00 pm - VESPERS OF THANKSGIVING The Holy Father presides over the first vespers of thanksgiving at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Channels: *Armstrong (California) -043/HD159*Atantic BB-021 *DIRECTV-370 *DISH-261 Bread & Wine at St. Peter

Albert Dascenzo

Requested by: Byers Family Sanctuary Lamp at St. Peter

Albert Dascenzo

Requested by: Byers Family Sanctuary Lamp at St. Cecilia

Michael Urick

Requested by: Betty Urick

This Holy Family weekend, we recognize the model that Mary, Joseph and Jesus have given us through this challenging Gospel passage. The first two Readings today speak about life from a much earlier time. They don't contemplate what we experience now with blended families and so many nurtured by single parents. This is our modern reality.

Nonetheless, the teachings have application and we should listen and apply them.

My job as a priest is to challenge, to remind everyone that our No. 1 priority is the Lord. We forget that reality frequently because we get caught up in our day-to-day activities and it's hard to remember and live out. It is indeed challenging, living this journey of a lifetime in Christ. We must address these matters from secular world context for a deeper understanding.

Sirach is one of the scriptural books of Wisdom. There’s one book that is actually called “Wisdom”, others titled Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, and the Song of Songs. They're all books of Wisdom, and their purpose was to convey the wisdom of the time so that the families, the faithful Jewish families, would be instructed how to live their lives.

The author of Sirach was writing at a time when the people of Israel were under oppression, under the thumb, the rule of the Greeks. The Greeks were pagans, and they were imposing their culture on the people Israel, imposing the Greek language and their pagan beliefs and practices. The Jewish understanding was and is that there is only one God. However, this truth about a monotheistic God was totally disregarded by the Greeks.

Greek rulers imposed their culture by forcing the Jews to offer incense and or prayers to their pantheon of pagan gods.

Those who are familiar with Book of Maccabees know the Jewish people rebelled against the Greeks. It was a war to preserve the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people and it went on for an extended period. Ultimately Judas Maccabees and his followers prevailed against the Greeks. The Book of Sirach was intended to remind the people of their religious and cultural heritage. Israel was a very patriarchal culture. Therefore, the mandate that all should honor their father was continually repeated.

Today’s secular world does not reinforce this concept as did earlier cultures.

As we know, if we are blessed enough to have Mom and Dad still with

us, relationships are not about one being subordinate to the other. It's about recognizing the unique qualities of each: the nature of our masculinity or femininity and the characteristics that are inherent in them. We celebrate the unique gifts that family members have been blessed with by their creator and loving God. Those gifts, in the context of our families, should be encouraged to rise to the surface and find expression. Families work as a team to achieve the greatest, the common good for all the members.

Then as a people of faith we go beyond the immediate family to strengthen our faith community and those not as blessed in the broader world. Fortunately that's what most people recognize and believe; that's what our culture values today.

However, our secular cultural values profess many other things as well. We are constantly being told (as I referenced earlier), the truth concerning God being priority No. 1 in our lives, that it’s passé; old fashion. Now we are instructed as we are bombarded by a multitude of media sources that life should be about what you can accomplish in terms of positions of power, recognition and authority. We are told to focus on the importance of the wealth you’re able to generate and the material things you gather to yourself.

But as a people of faith we know that's not true. The priority which God gave us through his commandments is that we love him above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. We are to make present God’s love in our world. This sharing in the love of God made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ is to be expressed most powerfully in the context of our family.

Our current reality in nothing like the model of the Holy Family as reflected in today’s Gospel. Informed by the Angel that the child’s life was threatened by Herod’s soldiers, they immediately departed for Egypt. At that time such a journey of several hundred miles would be dangerous and arduous. Mary and the baby would ride the uncomfortable donkey and Joseph would lead afoot. Hard to imagine! Their concern for danger would cause them to be continually alert for Herod’s men or criminal marauders.

They would then live in a foreign land without benefit of a home or employment until significant time had elapsed.

They would not return home until Herod’s death.

While the Jewish culture at the time of Jesus was vastly different than ours, think of the changes in our country since the 1950's. When I was a boy, you could get on your bike take off in the morning

and if you returned in time for dinner, you did all right. But if you didn't, you were in trouble. Parents often didn’t have a clue where you were, or what you were doing. That doesn't happen anymore. We had a great deal of independence; the world seemed safer for children.

Think about this: the typical large families in this area would often live in a small house. There would be a single bathroom, if they were blessed enough to have the indoor plumbing, and the children all shared bedrooms. Everyone learned a great deal living in that context, didn't we? We learned to share a little more. We learned to be somewhat more patient with one another. We learned to recognize that it wasn't all about me. I had to give; I had to be willing to wait. I had to show the proper deference and respect for my parents. It was much more strongly emphasized by the culture even at that time. we've changed in that respect. Think of the houses now. W have families that are maybe half or a third in size, but houses are twice or three times as large. The values that motivate our secular culture have evolved significantly.

It's nice to be comfortable; it's nice to have material things. However, if they become the primary purpose for as opposed to secondary nice things, then we've lost the model that we should perceive from the Holy Family. We've lost the understanding of what this journey of a lifetime is about, Mom and Dad becoming like Christ in their sacrificial love for one another and for the children, modeling what that entails so that the children are nurtured and strengthened and grow in that context, understanding what this life, its purpose and mission are all about.

We must keep in mind that our lives are supposed to be about Jesus Christ and the model of sacrificial love he taught us: that we are to strive to live that out as fully as we are able, most particularly in our family. When we do that, then it will be reflected in our faith community and more fully in the broader society. We continue building the Kingdom the Lord left in our hands. Jesus returned to his heavenly Father, so it's our job now; it's our time.

We turn to our loving God during this Christmas season; we ask for the graces necessary to respond, and to live out his life during our sojourn on this earthly plan.

Proud parents Celina Smith and Joshua Worley stand with Fr. Tim and their newly baptized baby, Levi Joseph Worley.

BIBLE STUDY CLASSES Adult Bible Study Class held at Crosskeys and led by Sister James Ann have been canceled for December and will resume after the Christmas holidays on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Please join us in the new year as we study the Scriptures. Pre-registration is not required.

Hope to see you at Crosskeys on January 6th at 6 p.m.

HATS, GLOVES & SCARVES

The Hat, Gloves & Scarf Drive for students in our local school district was a great success.

Over 150 hat and glove sets were collected.

THANK YOU!

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS Dec. 30 - 9-4 Dec. 31 - 9-12

Jan. 1 - closed Jan. 2 - 9-4 Jan. 3 - 9-4

Father Tim holds baby Gregory Weisbarth, as godparents, Ninette and Dylan Stowe and proud mom, Haley Weisbarth look on.

Make a Dierence, Become a Knight The Knights of Columbus is an international Order of Catholic men who are called to lead with faith, protect our families, serve others and defend values in a busy chang� ing world. Our local council #3461 will be holding a membership drive at all Masses the weekend of January 11th and 12th.

Whether you become an individual member or a member of our council you will find that Knights of Columbus membership brings Catholic men together in a powerful way. If you would like to join today simply go to KofC.org/ join us and enter our council #3461 for local information.

St. Peter’s Church 12/15/19 ADULT ENVELOPES (197) ..................... $3455.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (9) ......................... $9.00 MONTHLY (16) ......................................... $215.00 LOOSE ...................................................... $249.00 CANDLES…………………………. ...... ……$193.00 CATHOLIC ACCENT (7) ............................. $32.00 CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING (12) .. $110.00 ADVENT WREATHS & CANDLES .............. $53.00 OPLATKI ................................................... $213.00 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (11) ........... $116.00 UTILITIES (28) ......................................... $322.00 St. Cecilia’s Church 12/15/19 ADULT ENVELOPES (57)....................... $1202.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (6) ....................... $21.00 MONTHLY (2) ............................................. $30.00 LOOSE ...................................................... $103.00 CANDLES ................................................... $36.00 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (2) ............... $15.00 HIGHER ENERGY ...................................... $50.00 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS (1) ....................... $20.00 ADVENT WREATH ..................................... $44.00 CHRISTMAS (3) ......................................... $90.00 SOLEMNITY OF MARY (1) ...................... $5.00

Feast of the Holy Family -- December 29, 2019

By Baptism, Catholic families are holy families and are the seed beds for the vocations of their children. Pray generously as a family for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life from among your children. Should God be calling one among you, contact the Parish Vocation Coordinator, Dr. Nina Zetty at (724) 785 -7781 or email: drnzetty@gmail.com

Next Weekend Get Your Copy!

The Partner Parishes have purchased a book for Christmas gifts for our parish families. They will be available at future Masses until gone. Make sure every family receives a copy.

PARTNER PARISH BEREAVEMENT GROUP MEETINGS Will resume on January 8, 5:00 pm.

Adam Canigiani Ali Ann Booker Babette Medlock Baby Aria Ryan Bev Skira Bertha Pitchard Bernie Austgen Bill Snodgrass Billieann Dean Brent Jones Brian Tomecsko Carol Ashton Charlotte Katko Christy Cromwell Charlotte Hawk Cheryl Nyhous Chelsey Larkin Chuck Smith Cody Tylka Craig Alessio Daryl Hall

David Ballant Deb Donna Fletcher Donna Hill Donnie Delaine Edwards Don Ashton Donald Samm Dru Vojacek Ed Blacka Elaine Helsel Elizabeth Walton Erlene Fr. Bob Conley Fran Paul Frank Angelilli Fred Gnus Gary Sharrer Gary Ritz Gary Murray Gayle Trimble George Lisac

Greg Ritsko Sr. Harry Booker Haley Marie Beckman HeatherBeth Powell Helen Mendish Irene Franks Irene Mariscotti J. A. Jackie Williams Jeff Volek Jerry Zalek Jill Wilson Jim Joe Angell John Booker John Hlatky John E. Jenkins John (Jack) McKita John Robinson, Sr. Josephine Lagina Joyce Smith

Joyce Grimm Justin Brosky Justin Dellarose Karen Bobo Karl Hennig Kathy Kenny Kim Harvey Kinzley Marie Grooms Laura Cherban Laura Maxwell Lillian Baroni Lynn Petko Lew Hosler Marie Begovich Marsha Papini Mason Madzey Matilyn Baumgard Matthew DeSimone Melissa Bell Messick Family

Michael Jenkins Michael Ferrari Mike Dorobish Michael Kudra Mike Stump Mildred Barak Nancy Jenkins Patty Volek Patty Sluk Pete Regal Renee Kremposky Ricky Bella Rita Ann Gigliotti Robert Atz Robert Franks Robert Stringert Rory Povlish Rose Rambo Roseanne Duke Sam Basile III Sarah Corebridge Sherri Zias

Shirley Mae Mislo Shirley Scullion Sister Helen Schott Stephen Hornick Susan Roundtree Sylvia Walinski Tom Wallowicz Veronica Stringert Vincent Pratt Virginia Conaway V. V. Wayne Rishel William Gabonay William Gregory

JOIN US!

OPEN HOUSE/TOUR Parishioners are invited to do a walk-through tour of St. Mary’s Social Hall on Sunday, December 29, 2019 after the 11:00 am Mass.

Light refreshments will be served in the office building.

Attention All Partner Parish Ministry Volunteers

There is no way to show adequate appreciation for your generosity in the giving of your time, talent and dedication to the various ministries which provide services to our parishes and our community. The Partner Parishes of the Historic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Cecilia have a small token of appreciation of a box of Redstone candy for each of you. Please note that if you provide any ministry for or on behalf of our churches, this thank-you gift is for you, so be sure to pick up your gift (only one per family, please) at any of the Masses starting this weekend. And again, thanks for everything you do for the church all year!

Thank you for our wrappers: Chris Rankin, Shawn Urbine, Eva Giannetti, Virginia Galway.

6th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

13 St. Hilary First Week in Ordinary Time

26 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Faith Form. Classes 9:15 - 10:30—office Beginning of Catholic Schools Week

Bible Study - 6 pm Crosskeys

& Religious Founder

nas

Saint Agnes, Virgin & Martyr

21

14

7 Saint Raymond of Peñafort

7th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

31

TUE

23 St. Marianne Cope, Virgin St. Vincent, Deacon & Martyr Meals on Blvd. 4:45 pm - depart St. Peter 30

29

16

22 Day of Prayer for Protection of Unborn Children Bereavement Group Mtg - 5 pm - church office

15 SVDP FOOD BANK

FRI

2 St. Basil the Great and St. 3 Holy Name of Jesus 1st Friday Exposition Gregory Nazianzen and Benediction - 8 am—St. Peter

THUR

31 St. John Bosco

March for Life Washington, D.C.

24 St. Francis de Sales, Bishop

17 St. Anthony

10 9 Meals on Blvd. Bereavement Group 4:45 pm - depart St. Peter Mtg - 5 pm - church office

8

The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

1

WED

January 2020

27 St. Angela Merici, Virgin 28 St. Thomas Aqui-

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

20 St. Fabian, Pope 19 2nd Sunday in Ordinary St. Sebastian, Martyr Bible Study - 6 pm Time Crosskeys

Bible Study - 6 pm Faith Form. Classes Crosskeys 9:15 - 10:30—office Knights of Columbus KofC Membership 7:30 pm - office Drive after all Masses

Christmas Season ends.

12 Baptism of the Lord

Church Tour after 11 am Mass

5 Epiphany of the 6 Lord St. André Bessette Faith Form. Classes Bible Study - 6 pm 9:15 - 10:30—office Crosskeys

30

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

MON

29

SUN

St. Peter

1

25 Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

18 Pro-Life—depart 7:15 am from St. Peter

11 4:00 pm Mass - Knights of Columbus Membership Drive

Pro-Life - Depart 7:15 am from St. 1st Saturday Exposition & Benediction 9 am - St. Cecilia

4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

SAT

Phone: 724-785-7781 Fax: 724-785-0844 Email: ssealy@dioceseofgreens burg.org

Church Office: 118 Church Street Brownsville, PA 15417

Partner Parishes of: The Historic Church of St. Peter & St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia

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

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