THIS WEEK’S CELEBRATIONS OF THE EUCHARIST Sunday, November 30, 2014 First Sunday of Advent 5:30pm For the People 8:30am Michael Derrico 11:00am Deceased Hawkins Family Tuesday 12/2 8:00am Wednesday 12/3 8:00am Thurs 12/4 8:00am Friday 12/5 8:00am Eva Auber Mary Raddish Strakal Amelia Schifano Reg Di Bacco In the event of a Funeral Mass, Closing or Delay of School -- there will be no daily Mass. Sunday, December 7, 2014 Second Sunday of Advent 5:30pm For the People 8:30am Diane & Ron Kwasnicka 11:00am Allen Wise NEXT WEEKEND’S MINISTRY SCHEDULE 6th, SATURDAY, December 5:30 p.m. Mass Lectors: Pierce Griffith & Bonnie Lynch Eucharistic Ministers: Christine Battin, Pat Ford, Colin Frosch, Lovely Joseph, Janice Price, Janna & Albie Scudiere, Ray Wells, Judy Yednock (two ministers needed) Altar Servers: Patrick Griffith – Cross, Vinitha Joseph & Christian Sedney– Servers Ushers: Kevin & Renee Griffith, Pius Joseph, Roger Swyck, Roxy Vasil, Beth & Julian Wyant SUNDAY, December 7th, 8:30 a.m. Mass Lectors: Vince Stilger & Patrick Esposito Eucharistic Ministers: Mary Ann Albertazzie, Barbara Born, Mike Callen, Tiffany & Tom Elchuck, Michelle Esposito, Lisa Ann Gresko, Sandy LeDonne, Augie Lucci, Denise Smith (one minister needed) Altar Servers: Dina Muttillo - Cross, Giulia & Nico Muttillo - Servers, Angelina & Isabella Muttillo - Candle Ushers: Pat Durkin, Teresa Eddy, Tom, & Vince LeDonne, Adam Macias, Cindy Miranov, Dough Patchen & Tony Sotelo SUNDAY, December 7th, 11:00 a.m. Mass Lectors: Maria Auber & Denice Kirchoff Eucharistic Ministers: Joseph & Mona Feghali, Chris & Aimee Fletcher, Chuck Kerzak, Dody Kolanko, Greg, Vickie & Matt Lacy, Stephen Zitney (one minister needed) Altar Servers: Joseph Auber-Cross, Chris Miller & Collin Stout-Servers, Andrew & Charlie Kerzak- Candles, Ushers: Barb Fedikovich, Vince Kolanko, Beth & Grant Lefevre, Scott Stupar, Alexis, Kathy & Mark Switzer MEETINGS & EVENTS THIS WEEK Sunday, November 30 11:00am Rite of Acceptance 4:30pm Evening Prayer 10:30am Bible Study Tuesday, December 2nd Wednesday, December 3rd 6:00pm - 9:00pm Night in Bethlehem Thursday, December 4th 7:00pm Choir th Sunday, December 7 9:30am - 10:45am Religious Education 11:00am Kidzone – ages 6months to age 3 in Room C 11:00am Moriah Martz & Adeline Michael Baptisms 4:30pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm Youth Group 6:30pm RCIA th Our 8:30am Liturgy is live on the radio on 1300AM WCLG every Sunday. PITTSBURGH STRIP DISTRICT Bus Trip Tuesday, December 9th. The Bread, Wine & Tabernacle Candle the week of November 30th are in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Scotchell & son, John donated by daughter & sister, Antoinette. Lunch at Bella Notte restaurant, bus, and tip all for $40. Please call the Parish Office at 304-599-3747 to reserve your seat. (It’s filling fast) Eternal Rest: For Mary Jane Wood and Consolation to her family especially husband, Mike and children Jacob & Savanah. For Ralph Smith and Consolation to his family especially son Bruce and wife, Denise. This Week’s Stewardship of Time and Talent St. Ursula Food Pantry is in need of Soup and Spaghetti sauce. Lord, Look with love on these godparents, Tanner Oaks & Brittany Adams who will present Noriah Sky Martz at her baptism next weekend. Frank & Allison DeGeorge who will present Adeline Olivia Michael at her baptism next weekend. In gratitude for God’s gifts of time and talent to us, we gratefully acknowledge and salute: Those who helped with Mary Jane Wood’s funeral reception: Sr. Rachel, Megan Mahoney, Mary Mihallik, Liz Conrad, Joann & Patsy DeChristopher, Sis Williams, Carolyn Pugh, Kathy Custer & Karen Casciotti. Living Stewardship Now Drop something you usually do at this time of year but do not enjoy. Choose an Advent custom and make it part of your daily routine. Giving Summary Last Sunday’s Offering: Building Fund $8,773.00 $ 60.00 Living Stewardship Evening Prayer of Advent – Sunday, November 30th and continues every Sunday of Advent at 4:30pm. Mass Intentions are being accepted for 2015. The suggested stipend is $10.00 for a weekday mass and $20.00 for a weekend. If you are interested call the parish office at 304-599.3747. Memorial Donations for Bread, Wine and the Tabernacle candle are being accepted for the year 2015. The requested donation is $45.00. If you are interested call the parish office at 304-599-3747. Reminders to LECTORS, if you need a 2015 Workbook please pick one up from the table in the back of Church. The readings are available on the Ministry Scheduler Program also. If you have questions call the parish office. JESUS IS THE REASON In today’s world Christmas starts at Thanksgiving and ends on December 25, but the Church emphasizes this time as Advent, the season of expectation, when we prepare our hearts and lives for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. You may already have such customs in your household as an Advent wreath, a Jesse tree, a manger scene, or special devotions. A German tradition call Kristkindl (“Christ child” involves a family passing a bowl around with each person taking a rolled-up slip of paper with a family member’s name on it. For the rest of Advent that person is your Kristkindl, and you do a good deed for them every day, but in secret! Even young children can participate. You prepare to serve Christ by serving your Kristkindl: pray for them, save money to send to a good cause in their name, donate gifts to a shelter, do extra chores, adopt a needy family. Message of the Week Mark 13:33-37 Advent is meant to serve as a wake-up call for those of us Christians who have a tendency to start drifting off after a while. We get into our routines, find the patterns that work for us, and then run the risk of just going through the motions. Maybe we say a morning prayer with consistency but have begun to forget to really think about the words. Perhaps we rouse ourselves enough to get to Mass on Sundays, but when we’re there we let our minds daydream. Some of us might have made spiritual resolutions to overcome a bad habit or to begin some regular program of service, but instead of following through with the hard work of perseverance, we gave up the effort and fell back into our previous rut. Whatever the case, now is the time to shake ourselves free and to ask God to invigorate us once again. Now is the time to stop zoning out and start tuning in. Jesus’ message today has the intention of getting our attention. He’s doing what he can; the rest is up to us. As Advent begins, we would do well to pause for a few moments and reflect. What might be preventing me from being fully awake to my faith? What activities preoccupy my time and my thoughts? What bad habits blur my spiritual vision? How could I really listen to the voice of the Lord this Advent season? Questions of the Week Mark 13:33-37 Why do you think the season of Advent begins each year with Jesus’ urgent message to “be watchful”? Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7: Why do you think God allows us to “wander”? 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: What do you see as some of the challenges of your faith community? NEW TOYS (Unwrapped) and VOLUNTEERS are needed for Christian Help's 33rd Annual Toy Give-Away at the NEW ARMORY off the Hartman Run Road. Last year we gave toys to 824 low-income children in Monongalia County. If you would like to donate a toy, there will be a decorated barrel in the back of church. We need many volunteers at the Armory to sort toys on Dec. 15, 16, and 17 from 8AM to 8PM and on Thurs. Dec. 18 (the day of the Give-Away) from 8AM to 4PM. You can volunteer for one hour or several hours on any of these days. For more information, please call Margaret Puderbaugh 304-5994462 or [email protected]. Three Opportunities to Give SHOE & WINTER COAT DRIVE!!!! Christian Help of Mingo County is in need of shoes and winter coats. Donations of new and slightly used shoes and winter coats of any size and style will be accepted until SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th. Please drop off any donations in the Christian Formation Center. THE GIVING TREE This weekend a tree has been placed in the church with 70 tags for children and adults we are adopting this Christmas. Our recipients include seven families who have lost their homes to fire, thirteen recently placed foster children, and three elderly individuals in nursing homes whose families have abandoned them. We are asking parishioners to take one of the tags and purchase gifts from the “wish list.” Wrapped gifts with the tags should be returned by Sunday, December 7th to the Christian Formation Center foyer. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt 25:40). WHEELING JESUIT CCWVA DRIVE Food, gently used clothing and monetary donations are being accepted on behalf of Catholic Charities West Virginia. Boxes will be placed in the church. Camp Bosco Christmas Special November 3 - December 17, 2014 Sign up between these dates for an easy payment option of $75 down and four monthly payments of $60 per camper. For those campers registering before December 17th, you will receive a special gift of a Camp Bosco pillowcase and a drawstring bag to put under the Christmas tree. Go to www.campbosco.com to sign up. Questions please contact Heather Bise: 1-888-434-6237, ext. 311 or [email protected] CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE AT ST. MARY'S BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH The Ladies Guild of St. Mary's Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church (2115 Listravia Ave.) will be holding their annual Christmas bake sale on December 15th & 16th. Nut Rolls, Poppy Seed Rolls, & Apricot Rolls are $9.00 each. Christmas Bread, plain or with raisin, are $5.00 each. Deadline to place an order is December 7th. You will be called when your order is ready for pick-up. Last day for pick-up will be December 17th from 9-11 a.m. To place an order, please call Ellen at 304-282-0431. DAN SCHUTTE: CONCERT AND WORKSHOP Experience an evening of song, prayer, and reflection. Dan Schutte’s timeless compositions include: Here I Am Lord; City of God; Sing a New Song; You Are Near; and many others. Limited seating is available. Co-Sponsored by the St. Joseph Retreat Center and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the following events will take place over a two-day weekend: The concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014, in the Mount St. Joseph Chapel, 137 Mount St. Joseph Road in Wheeling, West Virginia. The cost is $15 for early registration by November 24 and $20 at the door. Dan will also present a special workshop on Saturday, December 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. also in the Mount St. Joseph Chapel. The cost is $20 for individuals and $15 per parish choir members (minimum of 5 people per parish). All are welcome to attend both events! For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Anna Marie Troiani at 304-232-8160, extension 112, or email [email protected]. Discernment on the Mountain December 28-31, 2014 Please come and join us for daily Mass, rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, presentations on vocational discernment and a full day of skiing at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Participants will also have an opportunity to speak with priests and seminarians of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese in an informal setting. College-aged men and high school juniors and seniors are invited to attend this retreat. The retreat runs Dec. 28th – Dec 31st. Register on-line at wvpriests.org or call Mr. Rick Teachout at the Office of Vocations, (304) 233-0880, Ext 442. Catholic Charities WV’s Central Region is accepting nominations for the 13th annual Communities of Salt and Light awards, now through December 22nd. The award will be presented to two community members and one Catholic community group, whose gifts of time, talent & treasure exemplify social ministry in action, at the annual dinner on April 17, 2015 at the K of C Hall in Fairmont. Contact Kandi Shafer at 304292-6597 ext. 3 for more info. Benefit – Country Christmas Concert at First Baptist Church, 432 High St. on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm. Proceeds from ticket sales donated to Jordan DeMaske, a WVU student fighting cancer. Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC): February 12-14, 2015 at the Baltimore Hilton Hotel. This is the only annual Catholic Conference on the East Coast that addresses the pastoral and administrative challenges facing dioceses, parishes, and schools. So whether you are a Pastoral Associate, Faith Formation Leader, a Catechist, a Youth Minister, or a teacher; whether you are involved in Catholic schools, RCIA, administration or Pastoral Care, this conference is for YOU. Registration fee is covered by the Diocese! Download the conference packet and register online now through the page link on the diocesan website: www.dwc.org/mac Care of the Sick, Homebound, Hospitalized or those in Nursing Homes When a parishioner is confined at home or in a hospital or nursing home, please get in touch with Sr. Rachel at 304-685-7733. She will be happy to make arrangements to bring Holy Communion. If the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing) is needed, contact Fr. DiBacco at 304-599-3747. Homily Applications to my life: - What did God say to me through the homily? - What does God want me to do? The test of a preacher is that the (assembly) goes away saying not ‘what a lovely sermon’, but ‘I will do something about it’. – St. Francis de Sales