2016 December 4 by The Historic Church of Saint Peter

Ministry Schedule December 10/11

Second Sunday of Advent Saturday Vigil December 3, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Deceased Members of our Parishes Sunday December 4, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Dorothy H. Marghella (Granddaughters & great granddaughter)

9:30 a.m. C Bruce Brady (Ronnie & Bonnie Sunny) 11:00 a.m. P Edward A. Sieradzki (Polly Ozanick) Monday December 5, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Clarence & Mildred Steeber (Children & grandchildren) Tuesday December 6, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Bob Behary (Sister James Ann) Wednesday December 7, 2016 8:00 a.m. C Edward T. Sieradzki (Sister, Linda & John Masney) Vigil Mass—Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7:00 p.m. P Beverly Ryan (M/M Alex Morgan) Thursday December 8, 2016 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9:00 a.m. P Albert Durigon Jr. (Wife & son) 12:00 p.m. C Barbara Apone (Jilda Apone) 7:00 p.m. C Special Intention Friday December 9, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Frank Ricco (Sister James Ann) Saturday December 10, 2016 8:00 a.m. C Eleanor Gibson (Chip & Eva Giannetti) 1:00 p.m. P Advent Penance Service

Third Sunday of Advent Saturday Vigil December 10, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Deceased Members of our Parishes Sunday December 11, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Josephine Klamerus (Son Michael & family) 9:30 a.m. C Mark Magazine (Jane Kish) 11:00 a.m. P Anniversary of Death Pearl Teper (Son Bill, Dayna & Jacob)

EM: Server: Lector:

4:00 p.m. St. Peter Mark Galway Patty Galway Gloria Wheeler Luke & Anna Clister Patty Craig Cantor: Volunteer

EM: Server: Lector:

Mark Moncheck Margaret Peters Andy Tressa Carmella & Gina DiFlippo Rose Ziglear Cantor: Samantha Ziglear

EM: Server: Lector:

Carl DellaPenna Jr. Carl DellaPenna Nancy Sebeck

Caleb DellaPenna Mark Konter

EM: Server: Lector:

Ron Dellarose Bert Smith Diane Sheridan Talia & Tessa Dellarose Chuck Bogorae Cantor: Nicole Dainty

8:00 a.m. St. Peter

9:30 a.m. St. Cecilia Anthony DellaPenna

11:00 a.m. St. Peter

Collection Report St. Peter Church 11/20/16 ADULT ENVELOPES (213) ..................... ... $3672.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (14).......................... $23.00 MONTHLY (5)…………………………… .......... $85.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ...... $251.00 CANDLES………………………………........... $155.68 POVERTY RELIEF FUND ............................. $471.00 SVDP ............................................................... $61.00

St. Cecilia Church 11/20/16 ADULT ENVELOPES (85) ........................... $1233.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (5).............................. $6.00 LOOSE ............................................................ $64.00 CANDLES ........................................................ $48.00 POVERTY RELIEF FUND ............................. $193.00 SVDP .............................................................. $15.00.

Collection Report St. Peter Church 11/27/16 ADULT ENVELOPES (195) ..................... ... $3990.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (12).......................... $20.00 MONTHLY (9)…………………………… ........ $270.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ...... $333.00 CANDLES………………………………........... $105.75 CATHOLIC ACCENT ......................................... $5.00 PROP. OF FAITH ............................................ $35.00 THANKSGIVING.......................................... $1033.00

St. Cecilia Church 11/27/16 ADULT ENVELOPES (88) ........................... $1321.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (9)............................ $10.00 LOOSE ............................................................ $24.00 CANDLES ........................................................ $60.00 SVDP ................................................................. $7.00 UTILITY ............................................................. $2.00 THANKSGIVING.............................................. $20.00 DONATION ...................................................... $15.00

The Second Sunday of Advent, we continue our preparation for Jesus’ return. This Sunday’s focus is on hope, that wonderful virtue which, along with faith and charity, make up the “theological virtues." Faith, hope and charity are virtues that deal directly with our relationship with God (which is why they are called “theological”). The Greek word for God is theos. Isaiah’s powerful vision concerning the Rule of Emmanuel and how peace will reign is of the idyllic harmony we will share in paradise. “It is a dramatic symbol of the universal peace and justice of messianic times.” We all “hope” to experience this fulfillment in the Resurrected Life with Christ. However, this specific vision of Isaiah is related to King Hezekiah and a very dark time for the people of Israel. An Assyrian army of 200,000 soldiers surrounds the city of Jerusalem. King Hezekiah had heard the very direct threats against his kingship and the mockery of the God of Israel that came from the mouth of Assyrian King Sennacherib. He is also aware that the Assyrians have already occupied all of the other towns of Judah and are now going to lay siege to Jerusalem. In fear and trembling he goes to the Temple and prayerfully invokes the protection of Yahweh. The Book of Kings includes an account of Isaiah telling King Hezekiah that the Lord has responded to his prayer and will protect Jerusalem. On behalf of the Lord, Isaiah says: “Sennacherib will not reach this city, not shoot an arrow at it. He shall return by the same way he came, without entering the city, says the Lord. I will shield and save this city for my own sake, and the sake of my servant David.” The following paragraph in Kings says: “That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. … So Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, broke camp, and went home to Nineveh.” This was an amazing fulfillment of the “hope” of Hezekiah that motivated him to prostrate himself in a prayer of submission before the Lord in the Temple. During Advent we explore the degree of our union with Jesus to determine where we stand in relationship to him. We do so in the context of Advent preparation for Jesus’ coming in a transformative way into our lives. We strive to recapture the grace-filled virtue of hope concerning our ultimate destiny in Christ. When restored to relationship with Jesus we will look beyond this Advent and Christmas season to a life filled with Christ. As one commentator observed concerning the virtue of hope: “Hope gives all life a future dimension. All life is waiting, but we are even now fed with the energies of the coming age. The virtue of hope frees us for the process of maturing, for a growing into the full stature of Christ. It also gives the spirit elasticity and a kind of eternal youthfulness.” We have the great benefit of hindsight, of recognizing that Jesus, the Son of God, came in the flesh, in human vesture in order that we might be reconciled to his Father, elevated through his Incarnation, his birth, into adopted Son-ship in the Father. Then, ultimately, through his Passion, Cross and death, we, as brothers and sisters of Christ in his humanity, became co-heirs to the eternal promises. Our hope is, therefore, well founded! Let us strive to be restored to the joy and wonder of a hope-filled life in Christ as we celebrate this Advent.

Advent Daily Mass (Daily Repentance) We begin every Mass with a penitential rite; we pray the Act of Contrition vocally together. If we sincerely express our desire for forgiveness and receive the Eucharist at Mass, all of our minor (venial) sins are forgiven and cleansed from our soul. Additionally, the practice of attending daily Mass and receiving Communion will strengthen us to overcome habitual sins which, even if minor, can, if not repented, dispose us to disorderly attachments leading to serious (mortal) sins. Mortal sin is a grave violation of God’s law because it is a conscious expression of our preference for an inferior good to Him. "Our participation in the Eucharist, offering Christ’s sacrifice with the priest and receiving the Lord in Communion, cleanses us of all little sins. For at the consecration, the liturgy proclaims that the Lord’s Body is ‘given up for us’ and his Blood is poured out for us and for many ‘for the forgiveness of sins. For this reason,” says the Catechism, “the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us of past sins and preserving us from future sins." Participation in daily Mass will accomplish a powerful transformation in our lives. Each time we receive the Lord's Body and Blood we grow in depth of love and a desire to spend all eternity with our Beloved. Therefore, we are greatly strengthened in our commitment to sin no more. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “The more we share the life of Christ and progress in his friendship, the more difficult it is to break away from him by mortal sin.” (CCC, 1395). As Bert Ghezzi, author of the book The Power of the Daily Mass says: "Forgiveness, spiritual strength, renewed love, freedom from disorderly attachments and resistance to serious sin are all good reasons to worship at daily Mass. You should build it into your routine. You’ve got nothing to lose except that pile of little sins."

Christmas Cantatas Today and Next Sunday

We are pleased to announce that Christmas Cantatas will be presented at BOTH The Historic Church of St. Peter AND St. Cecilia this December. Please plan to attend one of these beautiful musical celebrations of the joyous Christmas season:

The Greater Uniontown Chorale today, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 3:00 p.m. St. Cecilia Church and

The Bentworth Ministerium Community Choir Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 7:00 p.m. The Historic Church of St. Peter

Knights of Columbus Sausage Sale Frank Gigliotti’s recipe Sweet, Hot and Hot-Hot 2 lb. minimum per item—$4.50/lb.

All orders must be in by Dec. 5 To order, please call the office: 724-785-7781 Delivery will be Dec. 15!

Only a Few Angel Tree Tags Left!

There are only a few tags left on our Partner Parishes Angel Trees, so hurry and take a tag, go shopping, and return the tag along with the new unwrapped gifts to the back of each church no later than Dec. 12. Questions? Call the office at 724-785-7781. Thank you for helping to bring a smile to a child in our community this holiday season!

Holy Day of Obligation Dec. 8 The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ. This year we celebrate this Holy Day of Obligation on Thursday, Dec. 8. For your convenience, here is our Partner Parishes Mass schedule: Vigil Mass Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m. The Historic Church of St. Peter Dec. 8 The Historic Church of St. Peter—9:00 a.m. St. Cecilia—Noon St. Cecilia—7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary Lamp & Bread and Wine Edward T. Sieradzki Sister, Linda & John Masney Allison Sallade Ann Baker Ann Bill Babs DiGiovine Barbara Batovsky Barbara McNeeley Barry Blaine Beverly Berish Bill Snodgrass Bob Clark Bob Magdic Brandon Tomecsko Bryan Tomecsko Carl Butler Charlotte Katko Christine Rose Christopher Liebietreu Chuck Smith Cody Tylka Darla Stump David Ballant David Black Donald Maglietta Donna Fletcher Eleanor Dando Emma Null Fred Gnus George Babko Gerald Boggess

MaryAnn Marshall Maryann Olenik Melvin Wence Michael Climes Sr. Harold Seto Sr. Helen Mendish Nancy Heinbaugh Jackson Hodge Patricia Knight Jeff Melhorn Patricia Urick Sawyer Jerry Zalek Patty Sluk Jill Wible Paul Cech, Sr. JoAnn Kwasny Kovach Rhonda Liggett Joel Shumar Robert Franks John Hlatky Robert Stringert John L. Hankins, Jr. Robert Sunny Ronald Sabo Jr. John E. Jenkins John Zulkowsky Rose Marie Cross Johnny Little Ryan Barry Joseph Jagoda Sammy Basile III Joseph Nehela Scott Casterwiller Serena Snodgrass Joyce Smith Kathleen Miller Shane Urbine Laura Garee Susan Nesti Lenny Zielinski Sylvia Walinski Liliana Orris Teresa Black Linda Brand Terry Thomas Lisa Chancey Tisa Lach Luella Scholl Tony Vigliotti M. V. V. V. Margie Linzmeier Veronica Stringert Maria Coate Virginia Conaway

Advent Penance Service Schedule — December 2016 Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. St. Mary (Nativity), Uniontown Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1:00 p.m. The Historic Church of St. Peter, Brownsville Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3:00 p.m. St. Joan of Arc, Farmington Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7:00 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, Masontown Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1:00 p.m. St. John the Evangelist, Uniontown We are pleased to announce that the children of our Partner Parishes will be celebrating their First Reconciliation on Dec. 10 at our Advent Penance Service.

“Thanks for Giving” Video on Diocese Website

Please check out the Greensburg Diocese webpage for the video, “Thanks for Giving,” Bishop Malesic’s special message thanking the people of the diocese for giving of themselves and their time, talents and treasure to help their parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, and the diocese. Our Partner Parishes ministry, Meals on the Boulevard, is highlighted in the video. To see the video, go to:

www.dioceseofgreensburg.org

Thanksgiving Mass Decorations Represent Cornucopia of our Partner Parishes Blessings

Special thanks go out to all those who contributed to the beautiful Thanksgiving Day Mass decorations at the Partner Parishes of The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia. These decorations represented the cornucopia of bountiful gifts with which we are all blessed by our Lord as they graced our church altars and enhanced our celebrations! God’s gifts to us are represented in abundance by the overflowing cornucopia and other Thanksgiving Mass decorations on the altar of The Historic Church of St. Peter.

Fruits of the Fall harvest and homemade baked goods help those attending Thanksgiving Mass at St. Cecilia Church celebrate and remember their many blessing and gifts from God!

4th Sunday of Advent

Merry Christmas 9a-St. Cecilia 11a-St. Peter

Holy Day of Obligation

FF Christmas Party at St. Cecilia 12:30-2P

Youth Mass at 11a St. Peter

FF—Regular Class-

Penance Service at 3:00pm at St. Joan of Arc

11 3rd Sunday of Advent Christmas Concert at St. Peter 7p-BMC Choir FF—Regular Class

Bible Study 6:00p at Crosskeys

St. Nicholas Choir Rehearsal 6:00p

Octave of Christmas

Choir Rehearsal 6:00p Bible Study 6:00p at Crosskeys

SVDP Food Bank (215 Church St. Methodist Ch.)

Basketball Practice at Cal U (Hamer Hall) 6:30p

Bereavement Group 6p Office

Basketball Practice at Cal U (Hamer Hall) 6:30p

Octave of Christmas

Meals on the Blvd 5:45p Depart St. Peter

Penance Service at 7:00pm at St Francis of Assisi

Meals on the Blvd 5:45p Depart St. Peter

Holy Day of Obligation– Immaculate Conception 9a St. Peter 12 Noon St. Cecilia 7p St. Cecilia

Thu

SCW Meeting 6p at Ck. 8 Basketball Practice at Cal U (Hamer Hall) 6:30p Bereavement Group 6p Office Holy Day of Obligation– Immaculate Conception 7:00p Vigil at St. Peter

Wed

St. Lucy 14 St. John of the Cross

Penance Service at St. Mary’s 7:00pm(Uniontown)

Tue

Octave of 27 St. John of the Apostles 28 Holy Innocents Christmas Choir Rehearsal Basketball Practice at Cal U St. Stephen 6:00p (Hamer Hall) 6:30p Bible Study 6:00p NO Mass at St Peter at Crosskeys

12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Last day Drop-off Angel Tree

2nd Sunday of Advent Christmas Concert at St. Cecilia 3p-Uniontown Chorale 2nd grade Class ONLY church practice 9:15-11a All others Faith Form–

Mon

Sun

(BMC Choir)

Dec.11 at St. Peter 7p

(Uniontown Chorale)

Dec. 4 at St. Cecilia 3p

Save the Dates! Christmas Cantatas:

Sat

Holy Family

Octave of Christmas

31 New Year’s Vigil New Year’s Day are the regular schedule of Masses: 4p-St. Peter 8a-St. Peter 9:30a-St.Cecilia 11a– St. Peter

24 Christmas Eve Vigil Masses 4p– St. Peter 6:30p-St. Cecilia 12 MN-St. Peter

Penance Service at1pm at St. John’s 1:00pm

Pro Life Trip 7:15a Depart St Peter

Penance Service at St. Peter at 1pm

First Friday Expo- 3 sition 8a St Peter Pro Life Trip 7:15a Depart St Peter SCW Poinsettia Pickup 3:30-5p at Ck. Penance Service at 1p SS Cyril & Methodius at Fairchance 1:00pm

Fri

December 2016

Thank you, St. Cecilia Christian Mothers! A HUGE thank you goes out to the Christian Mothers from St. Cecilia who prepared and served the delicious luncheon that was provided after the Anointing Mass last Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Cecilia Church.

75 Parishioners Anointed Last Saturday— Next Anointing Mass Scheduled for May 2017 On Saturday, Nov. 26, the Partner Parishes of The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia celebrated a Mass for the Anointing of the Sick. As we did last May and November, the Mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church with a luncheon that followed immediately after in the parish social hall beneath the church. Fr. Tim and Fr. Alvin anointed 75 parishioners who, because of advanced age or specific physical, emotional or spiritual difficulty, sought the healing and strength the Lord’s grace provides through this powerful sacrament. The sacrament of anointing of the sick was administered during the Mass. It consisted of three parts: the prayer of faith of the people, the laying-on of hands, and the anointing with oil. During the prayer of faith the entire community prayed for God’s help for our sick who were participating in the liturgy. The laying-on of hands recalled Jesus’ manner of healing: “They brought the sick with various diseases to him; and Jesus laid hands on every one of them and healed them” (Luke 4:40). The anointing with oil signified healing, strengthening and the presence of the Holy Spirit. On Holy Thursday, Bishop Malesic blessed these oils during the Chrism Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. They were then distributed to all of the Diocese’s parishes. If you attended the Lord’s Supper celebration that evening, you witnessed the reception of our parishes’ blessed oils during Mass. The healings that occur in so many instances can be either physical, emotional or spiritual. If you have not taken advantage of this powerful sacrament in the past, please plan to join us next May 13, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., for our next Anointing Mass. If, however, you have a hospitalization or any other type of difficulty before then, please call the parish office to have either Fr. Tim or Fr. Alvin anoint you at that time. We encourage our parishioners to take advantage of the wondrous gift of God’s healing love for his people in the midst of our parish family.

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