December 21, 2014
Volume 16 Issue 51
“Together we will build an atmosphere of faith in which the fruit
of the Spirit will abound and draw others to Christ.”
Blessed Trinity
Parish
St. James
503 Clark Street
Waverly, NY
St. John the Evangelist
28 Rock Street
Newark Valley, NY
St. Margaret Mary
1110 Pennsylvania Ave.
Apalachin, NY
St. Patrick
Parish
300 Main Street
Owego, NY
Website:
Http://
www.blessedtrinity-parish.org
On behalf of the entire parish staff, we extend to all of God’s people at
Blessed Trinity and St. Patrick Parishes, the love and peace of Jesus
Christ. May the celebration of the birth of Our Savior bring you and
your families the joy of this holy Christmas season.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Father Valenti
Saturday Vigil: Fourth Sunday of Advent
20
+ Joseph & Ann Patterson
- Family
+ Mary & John Slater
- Helen Reynolds
5:00 p.m. St. James
5:00 p.m. St. Patrick
Sunday Fourth Sunday of Advent
21
9:00 a.m. St. Patrick
+ Roger Lainhart
- John Murphy
9:00 a.m. St. James
+ Francis Toomey
- Bridget Sullivan
+ For the People
+ Ann Bendzyn
10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary
11:15 a.m. St. John
Monday
22
8:30 a.m. St. James
+ Ruth Leary
9:00 a.m. St. John
+ George Stuhlmiller
Tuesday
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. St. Margaret Mary
12 noon St. Patrick
+ Christine Rothwell Carlson
- Madeline Barno
+ Deceased Members of the
Schimizzi Families
- Mary Rose Eschler
Wednesday Christmas Eve
24
4:00 p.m. St. Margaret Mary
4:00 p.m. St. James
6:30 p.m. St. John
8:00 p.m. St. James
10:00 p.m. St. Patrick
Tuesday, December 23
+ Prospero Spatola
+ For the People
10:00 a.m. St. Margaret Mary
Friday St. Stephen, The First Martyr
No Mass
Saturday Vigil: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
5:00 p.m. St. Patrick
9:00 a.m. Adopt A Family Deliveries—St. John’s Hall
2:00 p.m. Living Stations—St. Margaret Mary Hall
5:00 p.m. Journey Bible Study—St. Margaret Mary Hall
7:00 p.m. Longest Night Prayer Service—St. Patrick Church
7:00 p.m. Longest Night Prayer Service—St. James Church
+ Josephine & Pietro Farinella
- Madeline & Pat Tedesco
+ Taylor Lyons
- The Fitzgerald Family
+ John Cocco
- Jean & Family
+ Ceil Zendarski
- Patricia Murphy
- Family
5:00 p.m. St. James
Sunday, December 21
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal—St. James Church
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal—St. Patrick Church
11:00 a.m. Mother’s Prayer Group—St. Patrick McAuley
Wednesday, December 24—Christmas Eve
All Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick Parishes will be closed.
Thursday, December 25—Christmas
All Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick Parishes will be closed.
Friday, December 26
9:00 a.m. St. Patrick
8:30 a.m. St. John
©Liturgical Publications Inc.
Monday, December 22
Thursday Christmas
27
Friday:
Saturday:
Next Sunday:
+ Diane Shaughnessy-Bodell
- Helen Fitzgerald
+ Deceased Members of the
Covert Family
26
Thursday:
All Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick Parishes will be closed.
Saturday, December 27
10:00 –2:00 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive—St. Patrick Hall
Sunday, December 28
12 noon High School Christmas Party—St. Margaret Mary Hall
2:00 p.m. Living Stations Party & Info Meeting —St. Margaret Mary Hall
4:00 p.m. College Age Christmas Party—St. Margaret Mar Rectory
5:00 p.m. Journey Bible Study—St. Margaret Mary Hall
+ Michael & Marie Sabin
- Family
+ Jean & Joseph Gazdowicz
- Helen Reynolds
Sunday The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
28
9:00 a.m. St. Patrick
9:00 a.m. St. James
+ Maria & Louis Bongiovanni
- Pat & Madeline Tedesco
+ Lisa Mosier
10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary +
11:15 a.m. St. John
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk
1:26-38
1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56
Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66
Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a,16/Lk 1:6779
Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:125 or 1:18-25
Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14
Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20
Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,
9-14
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22
1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Heb
11:8, 11-12, 17-19 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40
7:00 p.m. Reconciliation Service—St. Margaret Mary Church
4:30 p.m. St. Patrick
25
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
- Dan Leary
- Dick & Sue Bierl
23
Readings for the Week of December 21, 2014
Sunday:
- JoAnne Kelly
Agapito Jimenez
- Domingo Jimenez & Family
+ For the People
2
Central Office
300 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827
(607) 687-1068
Fax 687-8122
M-Th 8 am - 3 pm, F 8 am - 12 noon
Email: [email protected]
Rev. Thomas Valenti, Parochial Administrator
Rev. Brian Carpenter , Parochial Vicar
(607) 687-1068
Deacon Mike Donovan, Pastoral Associate
(607) 687-1068
[email protected]
Website:
Http:// www.blessed-trinity-parish.org Ellen Keough, Pastoral Associate
(607) 687-1068
[email protected]
Waverly Office
503 Clark Street, Waverly, NY
(607) 565-2014
Apalachin Office
1110 Pennsylvania Avenue, Apalachin, NY
(607) 625-3191
M & Th 9 am -1 pm
St. Patrick School
309 Front Street, Owego, NY 13827
Paula Smith, Principal
(607) 687-1770
Website: www.stpatrickowego.org
Email: [email protected]
Cathy Wunder, Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
(607) 687-1068
[email protected]
Diane Snyder-Bell, Business Manager
(607) 687-1068
[email protected]
St. Patrick Cemetery
Dick Winston, (607) 689-0909
Reconciliation
This sacrament celebrating God’s forgiveness is
available by appointment (contact a priest) or at the
following scheduled times.
St. James - Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
St. Patrick - Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Anointing of the Sick
Ths Sacrament of strength and healing is available
upon request for those who are sick or elderly.
Please contact the church office.
Hospital/Nursing Home Visits
Please notify the church office if you or a family
member will be hospitalized and would like the
Sacrament of the Sick or a staff member to visit.
Holy Communion at Home
Please call the church office if you wish to bring
Holy Communion to a sick friend or family member
or to arrange a visit by one of our Communion
Ministers.
St. James Cemetery
Sharon Lovell, (607) 565-9967
Memorial Candles/Gifts
Memorial donations are accepted for the Sanctuary
lamp that burns before the Blessed Sacrament and
the Bread and Wine used in our Eucharistic
celebrations. Please contact the church office.
Marie Basile
Bill Bierl
Alice Botts
Greg Bruer
Trudy Burch
Tony Calandra
Mary Ellen Carollo
Eric Howell
Brody Hines
Fred Jaros
Norma Joyce
John Knieriem
Theresa Koons
Isla Landon
Vincenzo Catarisano Gabriella Laubish
Tom Coyle
Don LeMoine
Karen Delong
Jim Liberatore
Pat Dewitt
Frank Luteran
James Dubinsky
Justin Mack
Scott Ellis
Katlin Mahoney
Fred Giessman
Tim McGovern
John Gilligan
Don Murch
Gloria Muscatello
Claire Needham
Greg Pedroza
Ivanna Petrenko
Peter Premock
Violet Ray
James Reitberger
Don Riesbeck
Sarah Rouse
Marian Spellane
Jerry Stahl
Nicholas Storm
Anne Thomas
Alicia Vasilow
Tom Vassil
Dave Webster
Hannah Yaman
Dave Zevan
Matthew Harrington
Jonathan Hough
Nick Koroluck
Patricia Mallins
Jeremiah Murphy
Alex Pannone
Ryan Phelps
Travis Phillips
Anne Thomas and In Memory of Ann Bendzyn
St. Patrick
Taylor Lyons
St. John
Special Intention
St. James
Baptisms
Baptismal preparation is offered and required for
parents of children to be baptized in our churches.
Please contact the church office for an initial
interview and baptismal preparation.
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they
protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they
perform for us in our time of need. Amen."
Don Bolduc
Matt Cascarino
Jennifer Leary Dean
Megan DeKay
Michael Gillio
Chad Halliday
Matthew Harford
John Harrington
Sanctuary Lamp:
Marriage
Adom Randolph
Jennifer Randolph
Connor Smith
Paul Stauder
Daniel Strom
Sam Tatich
3
Couples should contact a Priest or Deacon to begin
their preparation for marriage at least six months
before any anticipated wedding.
Banns:
Youth Events
NOTES FROM THE CHALKBOARD
On Sunday, December 28th, Father Valenti,
Dan Raftis, Tiffany Czebiniak, Austin Bennett and
Ben Cacciaglia will be hosting Christmas gatherings
at St. Margaret Mary’s.


10:45 am
12:00 pm

2:00 pm
The 2015 Lucky Leprechaun Calendars ARE NOW
ON SALE for $25 at the school office.
Thank you to everyone who
has supported our SCRIP
Program in 2014. We run the
program year round and our
next order will be
on 1/12/15.
Youth Mass at St. Margaret Mary
High school (and those curious
about Living Stations) Christmas
party in the church hall
Living Stations Christmas Party and
Info meeting in the church hall
St.
At 4 pm Fr. Valenti and Andrew Loso will host a
college age (ages 17-22) Christmas party in
St. Margaret Mary’s Rectory.
687-1770
Patrick School
St. Val’s celebrates 30 years!
Week 33
FOOD GAMES MUSIC
$40 - Doris Line ~ St. James
$20 - Steve Krasniak ~ St. Patrick
Please join us! Bring a Friend!
Pictures needed!
We are looking to update our new website (soon to be
announced!) with photos of events happening at all of our
churches. We are also looking for some photos to put on
our parish Facebook pages.
If you are able to take digital photos and email them to
me, I will gladly take the time to upload them to our website
and/or Facebook page. Please understand that we may not
be able to use all photos, depending on the size, content,
quality, or quantity received. But we are very excited to be
able to use this technology to let, not only our parish, but the
public see what wonderful people and events are
happening in the Catholic Churches of Tioga County.
For more info or to send pictures, email me at
[email protected].
Monthly Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the Gift of your Son,
Jesus, who humbled Himself to experience
human life subject to all but sin. We thank Your Son, Jesus,
who suffered and died for our salvation. We thank His
Mother, Mary, for becoming Your handmaid. We thank her
spouse, Joseph, for listening to You in staying with her and
in protecting Jesus and Mary especially in the early years
during their flight from Herod. We pray this Holy Season of
Advent, the Season of Light, be filled with prayer, wonder
and awe as we await the birth of our Savior and know that
all of it is because of Your love for us, your children. Amen.

Blessed Trinity Council 251,
Knights of Columbus
Keep Christ in Christmas stickers are now
available at all sites. These stickers will
be offered for a free will donation.
 We are hosting a “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster
contest for the youth of our parish!
 Our first Ever Free Throw Contest will take place on
January 12th 2015 (tentative). This contest will have
events for various age groups. Stay tuned for details!
 Our first ever newsletter will be available soon. This
newsletter will feature stories on Knights activities and
will have more in depth information on upcoming events.
If anyone wants information or has questions about the
Knights, please feel free to email [email protected]
Please pray this prayer along with our Prayer Partners today and
throughout this month. If you have a suggestion for prayer intention please
let us know at [email protected]
I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
Joe Phillips, Grand Knight
Blessed Trinity Council 251
4
Christmas Eve Masses
4:00 p.m. St. James
4:00 p.m. St. Margaret Mary
4:30 p.m. St. Patrick
6:30 p.m. St. John the Evangelist
8:00 p.m. St. James the Apostle
10:00 p.m. St. Patrick
Christmas Day Masses
9:00 a.m. St. Patrick
10:00 a.m. St. Margaret Mary
Nativity of the Lord
Longest Night
"Today is born our Savior, Christ
the Lord." This is our response to
the psalm today. At first some
sticklers for English grammar might
take exception to the present tense
in the sentence. After all, wasn't
Jesus born more than two thousand years ago? Yes, that's
true. In Bethlehem in Judah in a stable a child was born. He
was heralded by angels and honored by shepherds. He was
wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, hardly
an auspicious beginning for the King of all the world.
But Christmas is much more than remembering the birth
of a child two millennia ago. That is because his birth has
real effects for each of us today! The birth of Christ affects
our lives. That is why we proclaim, "Today is born our
Savior."
Think about it. In the run up to Christmas many of us
opened our hearts and our wallets to those in need. Why did
we do that? We did it because we believe what Jesus taught
us: to love our neighbor as ourselves. In doing so, Christ is
born in our hearts.
Many of us sent greeting cards with good wishes to
others. Why did we do that? Because we believe what Jesus
taught us: to announce the good news to others. In doing so,
Christ is born in our hearts.
We come to worship on Christmas day just as we do on
any Sunday. Why do we do that? Because we believe what
Jesus taught us: to love God with all our heart, and mind,
and soul. In doing so, Christ is born in us.
When Christ is born in us, he is born again in the world.
As men and women baptized in his name, we carry him in
our hearts to others: to those who walk in darkness, to those
who are burdened, to those who feel forsaken. Today is born
our Savior!
A special Christmas
Prayer Service for those
hurting from the loss of a
loved one, the loss of a
marriage or a job, or for those
just finding it difficult in this
holy season. Please join us on December 21 at 7 pm at
either St. James Church, 503 Clark Street in Waverly or
St. Patrick Church in Owego at 300 Main Street.
Refreshments and sharing will follow each service.
Reconciliation Service
Sunday, December 21
7 pm
St. Margaret Mary
Solemnity of Mary,
the Holy Mother of God
Holy Day Mass Schedule
Wednesday, December 31
5:00 p.m. St. Patrick
5:00 p.m. St. James
Thursday, January 1
10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary
11:15 a.m. St. John
©2011 Liturgical Publications Inc.
5
Prayer Chain Ministry
St. Patrick Parish
We are a group of people who pray for people in need
of prayers. We have traditionally been a “telephone”
prayer chain, but we are now offering an additional means
of receiving prayer requests using an “e-mail” prayer chain.
If you would like to be on the e-mail distribution list to
receive prayer requests, please send your information to
Ruthanne Orth at [email protected]. This method
would be good for people who are not around their phones
often, but look at their e-mails daily and who would like to
pray for others. Once an e-mail is received, there would be
no need to “follow the chain”…. prayer requests would be
sent via a distribution list.
Our current telephone prayer chain will continue (but
will be modified due to the people who want to change
over to the e-mail chain). The e-mail prayer chain will be an
additional way to reach out to people willing to pray for
others. Please let Ruthanne (687-2496) know if you would
like to be added to either the telephone prayer chain or the
e-mail prayer chain.
Everyone…please remember these chains are here for
your benefit! To ask for prayers, call Ellen Keough at the
church office (687-1086) or Mary Jane Robie (687-4297).
When you contact Ellen or Mary Jane, you are initiating
both the telephone and the e-mail prayer chains. If you are
from St. James Church, call Judy Stewart at 687-1540 to
request prayers.
Blessed Trinity Parish
Is There ANY Good News?
Do you find yourself hesitating to read the newspaper?
1 in 6 people in the U.S. live in
poverty, 46 million are on food
stamps, increasing numbers are
unemployed, and terrorism is on the
rise. This is just a two day sample.
On top of the bad news in the press, we can find ourselves
grieving over the death of a loved one, or find ourselves in
financial, physical, and/or spiritual pain. The good news is
that Blessed Trinity & St. Patrick Parishes have a Stephen
Minister ready to meet with you weekly and encourage you
for as long as takes, with confidential, one-to-one Christian
care necessary to make it through these critical times. This
miry continues to help many in our parish. Let them help
you! Call Ellen 687-1068.
Parish:
Blessed Trinity
St. Patrick
Envelopes:
Tithing
$300 will be sent to each of the following: Catholic
Courier Christmas Appeal, Oxfam, Life Choices Center, and
Tioga County Office of the Aging for blizzard boxes.
Thanks were received from: Spencer-Van Etten
Community Food Cupboard, Bread of Life Food Pantry,
TCRM, Helping Hands Food Pantry, Tioga County Open
Door Mission, and Bread for the World.
Sacrificial Offerings
Attendance:
Collection:
Pre-Auth:
This bulletin was submitted early because of the Christmas Holiday.
The financial information was not available.
Make Parish a Priority!
Please Use Your
Envelopes.
6
Total Gifts:
Weekly Needs:
$9,135.00
$5,913.00