Ministry Schedule December 16/17 EM: Server: Lector:
Second Sunday of Advent Saturday Vigil, December 9, 2017 4:00 p.m. P Pro Populo Sunday, December 10, 2017 8:00 a.m. P Josephine Klamerus (Son Michael Klamerus & family) 9:30 a.m. C Bernard DeSimone (Bernie & Patty Kaminsky) 11:00 a.m. P Anniversary of Death Pearl Teper (Son Bill, Dayna & Jacob) Monday, December 11, 2017 7:30 a.m. P Shirley Misenko (Birthday girls) Tuesday, December 12, 2017 7:30 a.m. P Anniversary of Death Alex McCune (Ann Jaworowski) Wednesday, December 13, 2017 8:00 a.m. C George Babko (Jean Radvansky) Thursday, December 14, 2017 7:30 a.m. P Anniversary of Death Joseph Sheehan (Harry & Elaine Sheehan) Friday, December 15, 2017 7:30 a.m. P Anniversary of Death Linda Brand (Maggie & Gary) Saturday, December 16, 2017 8:00 a.m. C Agnes Skobel (Nancy & Joe Sebeck)
Third Sunday of Advent Saturday Vigil, December 16, 2017 4:00 p.m. P Josephine Bogorae (Joe & Patty Pecosh) Sunday, December 17, 2017 8:00 a.m. P John Sheehan (Coletti family) 9:30 a.m. C Frank Sr. & Lucille (Angelo) Angelilli (Son Frank & Karen Angelilli) 11:00 a.m. P Pro Populo
Available This Weekend
Oplatki Christmas wafers are available for sale in the back of both Partner Parishes churches this weekend: $3 per pack of four wafers, three white and one pink. The Oplatki tradition is easy, fun, and deeply meaningful. All it requires is a simple wafer paired with love and affection, and the willingness to share it. This is a heartwarming tradition that will complete your time together with family and friends during the Christmas season.
EM: Server: Lector:
Saturday, December 16 — 4:00 p.m. St. Peter C-Gloria Wheeler C-Matthew Bernot H-Patty Craig Gina & Carmella DiFlippo John Ball Cantor: Bernadette Behary Sunday, December 17 — 8:00 a.m. St. Peter C-Kim Gaydos C-Mark Moncheck H-Cora Lent David Ziglear Volunteer Joe Gaydos Cantor: Rita Koffler
EM: Server: Lector:
Sunday, December 17 — 9:30 a.m. St. Cecilia Carl DellaPenna Jr. Carl DellaPenna Nancy Sebeck Caleb DellaPenna Anthony DellaPenna Clara Medlock
EM: Server: Lector:
Sunday, December 17 — 11:00 a.m. St. Peter C-Ron Dellarose C-Gary Ritz H-Nancy Ritz Tessa & Talia Dellarose Camden Harvey Ron Barry Cantor: Delaney Harvey
Collection Report
St. Peter Church 12/3/17 ADULT ENVELOPES (237) ......................... . ...$5032.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (14) ............................... $20.00 MONTHLY (12)…………………………… ........... $735.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ........... $195.00 CANDLES……………………………….................. $88.00 MISSION ...........................................................$1175.50 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS ..................................$1227.00 ACCENT ............................................................. $109.00
St. Cecilia Church 12/3/17 ADULT ENVELOPES (99) ................................$1956.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES (5) ................................. $10.00 LOOSE.................................................................. $46.00 CANDLES ............................................................. $27.00 SVDP .................................................................... $25.00 MISSION ............................................................. $359.00 OPLATKI ................................................................. $6.00 UTILITY................................................................. $51.00 ADVENT WREATHS ............................................ $25.00 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS ...................................... $30.00
Coffee and Doughnuts This Sunday After Mass at St. Cecilia Hall St. Cecilia Christian Mothers will host coffee and doughnuts in the social hall at St. Cecilia Church THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 10, following the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Please plan to join us for refreshments and fellowship!
Please join us as we decorate
St. Cecilia Church
for Christmas! Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 Immediately following 9:30 a.m. Mass
Everyone is welcome! We especially invite MEN to help carry boxes of decorations.
This is a powerful passage from the beginning of St. Mark's Gospel. It's interesting how the different Evangelists present their accounts of our Lord and his public ministry. Mark begins with the Lord's baptism. St. Luke and St. Matthew begin with their birth narratives from the time Jesus was born. St. Mark’s Gospel account begins when Jesus is 30 years old. St. Mark presents Jesus' public ministry in Galilee from a true human perspective, describing who Jesus was, how fully human even in his God-head. Mark’s Gospel today presents Jesus beginning his Father’s work in which Isaiah’s prophecy is referenced. The quote from Isaiah in Mark’s Gospel contains part of his prophecy concerning the Baptist; about that voice in the wilderness crying out, "Make straight the path of the Lord." Of course, John the Baptist was that voice. John the Baptist is considered the last of the prophets of the Old Testament. He was what was called a "Nazarite," following a long Jewish tradition. The Nazarites would not cut their hair; strong drink would never pass their lips. They were totally consecrated to the service of the Lord. John was a hermit, an ascetic. He lived in the desert, wore camel's hair clothing, and survived by eating locusts and honey. Many considered him a radical threat to the established power of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Ultimately it would cost him his life at the hands of Herod. However, as long as he lived, he powerfully proclaimed the coming of the Lord. He was an unrelenting voice crying out, "Make straight the path of the Lord." He asked the people to repent, to be baptized as they requested forgiveness. We need a context for Isaiah's prophecy and his call for this voice that would enable others to hear that the Messiah was coming. If you remember, the Israelites living in Judah, in Jerusalem, failed to live in relationship with the Lord under the covenant, as they had committed. They did not follow the commandments. Jeremiah and the other prophets kept warning them: "Turn back to the Lord; follow the covenant; live out the commandments." They failed! Punishment came through the forces of the Babylonians. Today’s first reading is from Isaiah, who was with the people in exile in Babylon. They were in despair. Living in the U.S. in prosperity, safety and security, we have a hard time identifying with them. The Jewish people, God’s Chosen Ones who had lived in the Promised Land, believed they had forsaken their special status. The Jews had lost the Promised Land. Jerusalem, which was to be God’s Mt. Zion, his Holy Mountain, was totally leveled. The temple, which was God's presence among his people, was destroyed. The Jews were held in captivity and slavery. The brutality of that time makes it hard to imagine what their lives were like. They thought that there was never a chance that they would return to their homeland. They feared that God had totally deserted them. Isaiah in today’s First Reading cries out on behalf of the people for help, for comfort. He also prophesies about what the Lord will do for them, encouraging the people while they are in exile. Listen to these powerful words: Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to the heart of Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her service is at an end; her guilt is expiated. Indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. — Isaiah 40:1-2 If you read the accounts of what took place in Jerusalem during the siege and destruction of the city, they had received double for their sins. It was horrific, the brutality beyond our imagining. But Isaiah is there; he's encouraging them. He'll be with them when they return to Jerusalem. But he's saying to them: "Do not despair; do not be in desolation. Continue your work on behalf of the Lord. You must be his people. You must be the voice of God on this earth as you await the Messiah." So he said in this prophetic utterance: A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low. — Isaiah 40:3-4 The people heard him and thought, "Yes, we should respond." But how could they in the desperate circumstances in which they found themselves? We, in our time, must also respond to the Lord calling us out of our fears and pursuits that don’t include God. But how do we in our complex lives raise up the valley floors and make those mountains level? All of us face obstacles and difficulties that limit our ability to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord, those complexities that seem to keep us from corresponding daily with Jesus. How are they overcome? What can we do? The people of Israel turned to the Old Testament, to what are often referred to as the Jewish Scriptures. They heard the prophetic words of Isaiah. The people of Isaiah’s time did not have the benefit of Jesus, the Messiah, having been revealed as we do. The Gospels and the Epistles give us accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings and healing ministry. The Jewish people didn't have the sacramental life that we have: the opportunity each Sunday to gather as a faith family sharing in the meal of Jesus’ body and blood. In response to the Father’s gift of his Son, we must raise the valley of our hearts. We cannot allow the challenges we experience in our life, or the difficulties, to keep us from relationship with the Lord. By living the sacramental life as fully as we are able, gathering each Sunday around the Eucharistic Table, sharing in that meal, lifting up our prayers as a faith community, we can all be strengthened and renewed in the knowledge that Jesus is with us. We are not alone. Those valleys, times of sorrow or loss in our life, will be raised up, and the difficulties that represent the mountains, barriers separating us from one another, from family members, from those in our workplace, can be brought low, because we become Christ for one another. Each of us has that opportunity. God, through Isaiah says: Cry out on the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm. Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care. — Isaiah 40:9-11 He does feed us at this Eucharistic Table. Those of us who have experienced his presence in our life, particularly at times of great loss, despairing, he does embrace in his love with a healing touch. But the question is: How do we live this life more fully? How do we declare Christ to one another? How are we the voice in the wilderness? This Advent, each of us must examine ourselves and recommit to restoring our relationship with the Lord. Whether our response is more prayer, deeper reflection on how to live out and maintain healthy relationships, increased participation in the sacramental life of the church, or any other response, let us pursue the Lord’s peace and joy this holy season.
Partner Parishes Members Show Exemplary Generosity To Mission Co-Op Our guest for Mission Co-Op Sunday was Msgr. Isidro Irizari. He is from the Diocese of Tandag in the Philippines. Msgr. Irizari was the homilist at all of our Masses last weekend as part of our participation in the Mission Co-Op ministry. Our second collection was for the benefit of the Diocese of Tandag of which Msgr. Irizari is the Vicar General. I mentioned at Mass that Fr. Ricky Cortez, the Pastor of Christ Prince of Peace in Ford City and St. Lawrence in Cadogan, is from the Diocese of Tandag. He is one of 15 international priests who are serving in the Diocese of Greensburg. On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit Missionary to Asia was observed. For those who remember Church history and keep track of the great saints of the Catholic Church, Francis Xavier is one of the founders of the Jesuits. He traveled to Asia to serve in the foreign missions. During the 16th Century, many missionaries traveled to Asia, Africa and the Americas to bring the good news of the Gospel and Jesus Christ to those who had not been taught about the Lord.
Now the priests, religious and faithful lay people of Asia and Africa are missionaries to Europeans and to us in the Americas. Their work is to remind us of the Good News of Jesus Christ. We welcome and thank our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who help us fulfill our mission as disciples to build up the Kingdom of God.
Msgr. Isidro Irizari from the Philippines, top left, was the guest homilist at all Partner Parishes Masses last Sunday. Above, he joins Fr. Alvin at St. Cecilia Church to greet 9:30 a.m. Mass attendees.
At left, Msgr. Irizari and Fr. Tim take a few moments between Masses at The Historic Church of St. Peter to talk with parishioners.
Advent—A Time of Preparation, Renewal
Advent is a wonderful time to increase our commitment to our faith life. 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 potentially by beginning the practice of attending daily Mass. At Mass, we encounter Jesus in the Advent readings (His Word), our fellow parishioners in attendance and, of course, in the Eucharist we share. You’ve seen this article the last couple of weeks in the Bulletin. I’ve been attempting to do my priestly duty, which is to encourage our parishioners to enter more deeply into relationship with Jesus during the “advent” of his arrival anew at Christmas. However, we all know how busy life can be, particularly during the holiday season. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to share with you the reality of our duties as disciples of Jesus. This past Tuesday morning at daily Mass, I was taken aback when I arrived at the Church. Normally a goodly number of people are there saying the rosary and chaplet of Divine Mercy prior to Mass. I was shocked that only Sister James Ann was present. Before 7:30, 10 parishioners arrived to participate with us in the liturgy. I thought of efforts to encourage parishioners to begin the practice of attending daily Mass. I was saddened that my efforts were not bearing fruit. I know that the 7:30 a.m. start time can be too early for some; we will explore a possible change to a later time if it would accommodate more of our people. However, that is a topic for another time. This Christmas Season, our parishioners have shown their deep concern and generosity for the needy by taking all 200 of our Angel Tree names and providing gifts for the children listed. The gifts were so beautifully packaged in seasonal bags and arranged to be appealing to the children who will receive them. Our parish staff has had difficulty finding sufficient space to store the multitude of large packages pending pickup for distribution to the families. Thank you! The parishes’ response to Msgr. Isidro Irizari Mission Co-Op appeal last weekend at the Masses was wonderful. Monsignor had traveled to the U.S. from the Philippines to the Greensburg Diocese to participate in Mission CoOp Appeal Masses the next couple of weekends. The Partner Parishes contributions exceeded $1,500. Thank you for your generosity. I wanted to mention these positive developments before I touched on the matters I need to discuss with our people. I’m concerned about the relatively low number of parishioners who are attending our daily Masses. I had hoped that the number would increase during our Advent season of preparation, but it seems as though the number has declined. I’m fully aware that not everyone can attend because of work and family-related commitments. However, I know that we have a large number of retirees who are not currently so committed. My responsibility is to encourage attendance and participation in the Sacramental life of the Church so that we can grow in holiness and our relationship with Jesus. During the special times of year such as Advent and Lent, as we renew and deepen our faith, attending some daily Masses is a powerful way to accomplish this objective. Once again I wanted to mention the Stewardship materials we have left in each pew. For the last six weeks, I’ve asked parishioners to complete and submit the form with those ministries in which they would be willing to participate. We have 900 families in the Partner Parishes. However, to date we have receive only 33 of the forms. Please consider which of your gifts that would most benefit the Parish through your service. Liturgical ministries, social justice ministries, religious education, prayer, etc., are all in need of your help.
Christmas Kindness Project 2017 Now In Full Swing Our Partner Parishes of The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia have embarked on a Christmas Kindness Project to fill the Christ Child’s manger with bedding in preparation for his arrival on Christmas Day. This “bedding” will be composed of “Acknowledgement Cards,” business-card-sized slips of paper that acknowledge acts of kindness done during this Advent Season. When we perform an act of kindness for someone, or someone else does a kindness for us, we are to place an Acknowledgement Card into the manger in either church. This way, the more kindnesses we all do this Advent Season, the more soft bedding Jesus will have to welcome him Christmas morning. An additional part of the project is “Kindness Cards” that you may hand to anyone for whom you do even the simplest kindness. This card asks that person to share a kindness with another person, with the message, “Pass it on.” Our hope is that kindness will be contagious this Advent Season and really catch on into the New Year! Sheets of Acknowledgement Cards and Kindness Cards are available in the back of both of our Partner Parishes churches. Please call the church office if you have questions or would like additional sheets of cards: 724-785-7781.
Advent Penance Service Draws Good Turnout — Partner Parishes Children Celebrate First Reconciliation The Partner Parishes celebrated our Advent Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at The Historic Church of St. Peter. Although the weather was inclement, there was a good turnout of parishioners.
Seven priests participated in the Reconciliation Service. In addition to the adult participants, the Faith Formation children who are celebrating their first sacraments year were in attendance. Nineteen children celebrated their first reconciliation. In my reflection I thanked those who braved the windy/rainy weather for setting a good example for our children who participated in the Reconciliation Service.
For those who were unable to attend, please see the dates and times for upcoming Reconciliation Services in this bulletin. During Advent we reflect on our relationship with the Lord and whether the way we live is in accordance with the Gospel values and Jesus’ teachings. Those areas that need attention can be addressed in confession and we benefit from the graces we receive as we strive to celebrate a joyful and holy Christmas.
Prayer List Beatrice Kloock Bill Snodgrass Brian Tomecsko Carol Ashton Charlotte Katko Cheryl Furlong Chuck Britvich Cody Tylka Craig Alessio Daryl Hall David Ballant David Ostien Deb Donna Fletcher Donna Hill Dru Vojacek Ed Balchon Elaine Helsel Eleanor Dando Fr. Bob Conley George Lisac HeatherBeth Powell Helen Mendish Irene Franks
J. A. Jackson Hodge James Harvey Jr. Janet Booker Janice Ritsko Jean Bohna Jim Famularo Joe Angell Joe Shashura John Hlatky Jonathan Wallowicz Josephine Lagina June Robinson Karl Hennig Kim Harvey Lillian Baroni Lisa Chancey Luella Sholl
Mary Ann Olenik Matthew DeSimone Mike Dorobish Mildred Petro Mildred Shenal M. V. Nancy Jenkins Patricia Knight Robert Atz Robert Franks Robert Stringert Sam Basile III Sarah Corebridge Sherri Zias Shirley Mae Mislo Stanley Sobek Susan Rountree Sylvia Walinski Veronica Stringert Virginia Conaway V. V. Wanda Burns William Gabonay
The Historic Church of St. Peter Sanctuary Lamp and Bread & Wine Linda Brand by Zidek family See What Good You Can Do With Your Old Eyeglasses?
Advent Penance Service Schedule — December 2017
Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:00 p.m. St. Joan of Arc, Farmington Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, Masontown Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1:00 p.m. St. John/St. Therese, St. John the Evangelist Uniontown Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. St. Mary (Nativity)/St. Joseph, St. Mary (Nativity) Uniontown Please note: Because of conflicts with regional Advent Reconciliation Services, Confessions will not be held at The Historic Church of St. Peter on Saturdays of Advent until Dec. 23.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Our parish family mourns the recent loss of parishioners Richard Gordon, Agnes Uhrin Kavulic, John M. “Lupy” Relovsky, and Anthony Vigliotti. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
St. Cecilia Christian Mothers Meeting Scheduled St. Cecilia Christian Mothers will hold a monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the parish social hall. New members are always welcome!
The Grindstone Lions Club is collecting any used eyeglasses (frames with or without lenses, tinted or clear) to be donated to the Fayette County Association for the Blind. There are box‐ es in the back of both of our Partner Parishes churches to collect your eyeglass donations.
Thank you for sharing the gift of sight with others in need! Brownsville Library to Hold Children’s Holiday Party
Brownsville Free Public Library will hold a Children’s Holiday Party Dec. 20, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hear a story read by Santa Claus himself! Make ornaments to take home and to hang on the Snowden Square Christmas Tree. Questions? Call the library at 724-785-7272.
Please join us in welcoming to our Partner Parishes our newest member, Emma Kate Durinzi, who was baptized by Fr. Tim Nov. 19, 2017, at The Historic Church of St. Peter. Celebrating the occasion above with Fr. Tim and Emma are her parents, Faye and Douglas Durinzi, and godparents, Dane Durinzi and Ileen Kurnot.
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