1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St. Leo Magnus
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
111 DEPOT STREET  RIDGWAY, PA 15853
814.772.3135  www.stleomagnus.org
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
By the year 800, when anointing was defined as the
proper office of priests, very complicated rituals began
to take shape. Perhaps this was to reassure the laity, who
had memories of an earlier practice, that the new way
was not only better, but impossible for a layperson to
conduct. Blessings and sprinkling of holy water, the
singing of as many as seven psalms, penance, anointing
of all the senses, viaticum, all capped off by the clothing
of the sick person in penitential garments, were part of
the rite. This proved unwieldy, and creative spirits got to
work. By the 1500s people made distinctions between
visiting the sick, anointing, and viaticum.
The attempt of the Church to be faithful to the image
of a healing Christ has some complicated history, including centuries when the celebration was rare. Most
sick people had no access to the rites at all; only monastics or the well-off had much hope of this care. Today,
those unhappy days are long behind us, and the care of
the sick is an essential task in every parish’s life. As
Christmas approaches almost everyone comes in contact
with someone who is a candidate for pastoral care. You
live out the best of our tradition when you arrange for a
sick person to receive Holy Communion or the sacrament of the sick and the consolation of regular contact
with the faith community.
BINGO - December 27- Team II
J. Eckert; H. & J. Armagost; J. Duffield
Altar Guild - Weekend of December 26- Group 7
County Prison Ministry - December 22
Aaron Pfoutz; Cindy Fink
8:00 a. m. Mass is being broadcast on
WDDH 97.5 F.M. at 9:00 a.m. on TAPE DELAY.
The Dec. 21st weekly sponsor for our broadcast is
in memory of Dec. Mbrs. of Caggeso & Dallison families
Sanctuary Candle for month of December is
in memory of Daniel F. & David Lee Kemmerer
from Robert & Barbara Magrini
Hosts for December ar e in memor y of
Albert Paladino
Radio Broadcast contribution is $375/mo. or $100/wk;
Sanctuary Candle $30/mo.; Hosts $100/mo.
If interested, please call the Rectory at 772-3135. Thank you.
Questions of the Week: December 21, 2014
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it
be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed
from her. (Luke 1:38)
How do you open your heart to what God wants for you?
How do you follow the pathway that leads to happiness?
—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TODAY’S READINGS
Fr. Marc Solomon & St. Mary of Grace
First Reading - I will fix a place for my people.
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16).
Psalm - For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
(Psalm 89).
Second Reading - To the only wise God, through Jesus
Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27).
Gospel - Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38).
Presents
Shrines of Italy ~ July 7 – 17, 2015
Rates Per Person
DON’T MISS OUT! BOOK NOW!
Double $3,899, Single $4,299, Triple $3,869
(Early booking discount of $200.00 if booked before
01/08/2015)
Christmas Eve Mass
The choir invites anyone who might be interested, to
join them in singing for the 7 PM Christmas Eve Mass.
There will be a practice on Sunday, Dec. 21st after the
10 AM Mass. Call Peg Nearing @ 776-1097.
Dec. 27/28
5:15 PM
REGULAR RATES
Double $4,099 Single $4,499, Triple $4,069
* Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Pittsburgh
For more information call
Rev. Marc Solomon ~ St. Mary of Grace
(814) 333-6161 or email [email protected]
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
Lectors
Christmas
Noel Murphy
4PM WeeJ. Fernan
Dennis Lindberg
7PM Jim DeVittorio
Gennaro Aiello
10AM Yvonne Mehalko
Eucharistic Ministers
F. & K. Griech
M. Detwiler; K. Briggs
Christmas
4PM J. Wonderly, M. Buck,
C. Armanini
7PM F. Nelson; K. Roemer
N. Hoffman; S. Schutz
R. & D. Foringer*
10AM T. Buchheit; S. Eckert
J. * C. Fink*
Servers
Christmas
R. Martin; M. Bowser
4PM Cristinis
Cerronis
7PM D. Allegretto; A. Pura
F. & G. Aiello
10 AM LaValles
Ridgmont
Barb Caggeso
Hi-Rise
Y. Mehalko
CD OF THE WEEK:
*AREA CHURCH EVENTS*
St. Leo Fish Fry - Friday, January 9th
From 4:30-6:30 PM or until sold out:
$9 for either fish or chicken tender dinner
Take out - after 3 PM (772-4705)
Gift Certificates available
New Year’s Eve Fundraiser - Flying Dove Ranch sponsoring a Roaring 20s night of fun & celebration at Aiello’s
Café from 8PM to 2AM; $75/ticket and half of proceeds
will go to Owen Stauffer & family. Included with ticket are
hors d’oervres, beverages & entertainment; champagne
toast at midnight followed by a pork & sauerkraut buffet.
Transportation will also be provided to get you home safely. Must be 21 or older. Call 772-7083 or email [email protected] - cash, check or PayPal accepted.
The Elk County Catholic High School Alumni Association
will hold its December Alumni Mass on Tues., Dec. 23 at
9:15 a.m. in the ECC Chapel. All alumni members are invited to attend and celebrate with the students and faculty and
staff. Breakfast will be served immediately following in the
cafeteria. Join us to celebrate the birth of our Savior and the
Christmas season! Hope to see you there!
Nicholas J. Sinibaldi Band Holiday Concert - Sun., Dec.
21 @ 3 PM in SMAHS auditorium; good will offering.
Super Bingo - Sacr ed Hear t, Fr i., J an. 2; door s open @
4:30 PM; FREE lunch @ 5:30; Early Bird @ 6:30; Games
@ 6:45. 4 specials @ $250; Mystery# $400; 16 Reg.
Games @ $100; Early Bird Golden Gage @ $800; Jackpot
@ $2000. Gift Certificates Available.
ECC Athletic Association’s Christmas Bingo
Sunday, December 21st -- ECCHS cafeteria
Special Prizes: Flat Screen TV, Printer, Coffee Maker,
Crock Pot, Microwave & More…
Doors open @ 11:45 AM -- Games start @ 1:30
Free Lunch @ 12:15 – Beef on Wick
“Free” money giveaway starts around 1:15
$5 off hand held electronics with this coupon
What do I give my wife/husband for Christmas?
How about the gift of yourself to re-energize your relationship? Enrich & renew your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. For more information,
YourMarriageIsWorthIt.org; (814) 823-00 or (412) 6357775 WWME-Western PA Find us on Facebook!
Prepare the Way of the King
Dr. Scott Hahn - one of the most eminent
Catholic theologians in our country todayreveals what scholars now know about the
shepherds, the mysterious Magi, and King
Herod. Your Advent journey will take on new meaning
as you prepare your heart for the birth of our Lord. This
illuminating presentation is sure to help you grow in
appreciation of the greatest gift ever given to mankind Jesus Christ.
This CD sold out the beginning of December but is back
in stock just in time for Christmas!
ECHOING MARY’S DECISION
The angel Gabriel today confronts Mary with a mystery. The mystery of salvation in Christ is not a mystery
that is solved, but a reality beyond our comprehension
that we must choose to enter into. In the liturgy of the
Eastern Church, everyone waits to see if Mary will enter
into the mystery: God waits, Adam and Eve and all the
souls of the dead who long for paradise wait, angels wait
for new heavenly companions. And there is much rejoicing when her decision is “yes.”
We have less dramatic choices offered to us, but the
mystery of our salvation in Christ is by no means
“solved.” We may understand it a bit better due to Mary’s
“yes.” We may be a bit closer to it through the passion,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But it still remains
a mystery to which we all must give our own “yes.” Soon
we will be singing “O come, let us adore him.” May our
Advent prayer, our echo of Mary’s “yes,” continue then,
so we may enter into the mystery of our salvation in Jesus
Christ, God among us.
Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
Special Hosts - St. Leo’s offers gluten, wheat, dairy, soy
and corn free hosts for those who have an allergic reaction to our regular wafers. Please see our Eucharistic
minister immediately after Mass to receive this consecrated host. Thank you.
Due to the holidays, the Knights of Columbus meeting for
January is cancelled; next meeting to take place Feb. 5th.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES 2014
Sun. Dec 21, 3:00 PM -- St Joseph, Force
ST. LEO MAGNUS CHURCH Membership Form
Name___________________________________ Phone Number____________
Address_____________________________City_____________Zip_______
Please drop this form into the offertory basket or mail to Parish Office
New Registration
Change of Address/Phone No.
Moving Out of Parish
Desire Envelopes
Parish Staff
Pastor
Rev. Brian Vossler
Deacon
Rev. Mr. Larry Caggeso
Religious Education Margie Gausman
Parish Secretary
Sue Landis
Finance Manager Steve Vallone
Maintenance
Nick Marroni
School
Mary Detwiler
772 3135
772 4111
772 4349
772 3135
772 3135
772 9775
772 9775
Ministries and Committees
Pastoral Council President ..........
Deacon Larry Caggeso
Finance Committee ...................................... Dawn Foringer
Social Event Coordinator/Prayer Chain ....... Felcia Nelson
C D of A ...................................................... Jan Wonderly
St. Leo Parish Website ................................. Frank Quattrone
Cemetery Association ...................................
Art Cianca
Funeral Luncheons.......................................
Paul Reed
Music Coordinator ....................... Joey Kepple, Peg Nearing
Matthew 25 ..................................
Dennis Lindberg
Bingo ...........................................
Tony Piccirillo
Summer Festival ..........................
Chris & Susie Klase
Ushers ......................................................... James Catalano
Greeters........................................................ Lois Markert
Small Faith Groups
Coletta Corioso
Cursillo ........................
Dennis & Rayetta Lindberg
Altar Guild ................................................... Noel Murphy
Samaritan Food Bank...................
Sam & Lois Markert
Eucharistic Ministers ..................
Fran & Kathy Griech
Lectors ........................................
Wee J. Fernan
Altar servers ................................
Joey Kepple
RCIA............................................
Lucy Bobby
K of C ……………………………….
Gary Leithner
King’s Table ……………………...
Nancy Hoffman
Social Hall Coordinator ………………. Caroline Armanini
Youth Group ………….. ………
Sara Kucenski
K of C 300 Club Winners - Week 19
$40 - Frank Mann
$25 - Peg & Patti
$15 - Scott Warnick
$10 - Steve Dybowski
$10 - Bella
$ 5 - Aldine Roof
$ 5 - Dave Mader
Decorating Church for Christmas
The church will continue to be decorated on Dec. 21st at
noon. Anyone interested in helping is most welcome and
appreciated.
ATTENTION
Information for the Jan. 4th must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 22nd.
Attention, ECCHS Alumni! Please join us for an A lumni/Student “Share Your Career” Get-Together on Tuesday, December 23. This day will focus on sharing your
positive educational and career experiences with current
ECC students in an attempt to directly connect them to
our alumni community.
For more information, visit www.eccss.org. Please consider joining us for this annual event! All alumni are
welcome! Young alumni home on Christmas break are
encouraged to join us as well! If you are interested in
attending or know someone who may be interested,
please contact Wee J. Fernan at 814-834-7800 or [email protected]. Hope to see you then!"
Liturgy for the Week
Mon.
8:30
Tues.
8:30
Wed.
4PM
December 22
Paul Grieggs (Jim & Judy MacDonald)
December 23
Joseph Urmann - anniv. (Margie & Steve Buck)
December 24
M/M Arturo Morelli; M/M Joseph Viglione & Michael
Viglione & Bonnie Morelli (M/M Livio Morelli)
7PM Lucy & Dan Caggeso (Kar l & Ther esa Bjor quist)
No Midnight Litur gy this year *
Thur. December 25
10:00 Francesco & Maria Villella (Rosa Aiello)
Fri.
December 26
8:30 Communion Service
Sat.
December 27
4:30 Confession
5:15 Jibby Aiello (Scott & Rita Cultberson)
Sun. December 28
8:00 Living and Deceased Members of St. Leo
10:00 Dec. Mbrs of Ferraro family (Betty & Tommy Walter)
Community Rosary - 6 PM
*Fr. Ross has invited anyone who cares to attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, to join the St. Boniface
congregation. All are welcome. Johnsonburg and St.
Marys churches also are celebrating midnight Mass.
St. Leo’s Parish offers Sympathy
to the families and friends of
Pricilla Shrefler
Yolanda Geci
This Week’s Cancel the Cold
Dec. 24/25 - John & Betty Casolo
Amos Gier
Joseph & Angeline Facchine
Arthur & Susan Cianca
Dan & Lucy Caggeso
John & Catherine Caggeso
Gary Holtz
Francesco, Maria & Guiseppe Villella
Clyde & Catherine Piccirillo
Bertha Verbeck
Rudy & Cecelia Johnson
Joanne Piccirillo
Johnny Smith
Dec. 28
- Arnold Olson
BAPTISMAL PREPARATIONS CLASSES
Tues. Jan. 6 Queen of the World St. Marys 7-8; call 834-4701
The Royal Inn
featuring
LaValle’s Italian
Garden Restaurant
Edward & Georgia LaValle,
owners/parishioners
THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME
PHYSICAL
THERAPY
136 Center St., Ridgway, PA 15853
772-3622
GERG INSURANCE
AGENCIES
Ridgway
772-7272
St. Marys
781-1020
1 SOUTH STREET
Jordan’s Bar & Grill
169 Main St., Ridgway, PA
814-772-3211
Weekend Entertainment
Daily Food Specials
OPEN 7 Days a Week
Call Ahead for Take-Out
405 Front St.
Ridgway, PA 15853
814-772-5683
GEORGE & NANCY
PETERSON
Owners/Parishioners
RIDGWAY, PA 15853
GREGORY R.
PETROSKY, PT
——— (814) 772-7848 ———
Newell Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
“We Build our Business on Service”
Steve & Shirley Newell PA#-002288
Phone 814-781-7468
Fax 814-834-5211
1031 Trout Run Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857
Micki’s
Flower
Basket
RIDGWAY
David W. Thompson, F.D.
Consider
Remembering
Your Parish in
Your Will.
For further information,
please call the Parish Office.
Come Sail Away on a 7-night Catholic Exotic Cruise
starting as low as $1045 per couple. Daily Mass and
Rosary offered. Deposit of only $100 per person
will reserve your cabin.
ELCO ELECTRIC CO.
“Serving the Community with
Prompt, Professional Work”
Residential, Commercial
& Industrial
Over the Counter Sales of Electrical
Parts & Supplies
Accessories for the Contractor Or
Do-it-Yourselfer
642 Montmorenci Ave., Ridgway
Space is limited. Thanks and God Bless,
Brian or Sally, coordinators 860.399.1785
an Official
Travel Agency
of AOS-USA
(814) 776-1151
Roy B.
CONSTABLE STORES
Hair • Nails • Pedicures
• Infrared Sauna
A way for you to partner with service
providers who support your parish through
their sponsorship of the parish bulletin.
Facials • Massages
• Spray Tanning
Johnsonburg
Kane
965-2263
834-8220
PROTECTING SENIORS NATIONWIDE
PUSH
209 Main Street
TALK
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• Ridgway, PA 15853
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114 Stackpole St., St. Marys
Public Welcome
814.781.7183
JOEYS BAKERY
Catering for All Occasions
Breakfast and Lunch
$19.95*/Mo. + 1 FREE MONTH
Richard W. Foust, Au.D, CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
and
Hearing Aid Service
➢ No Long-Term Contracts
➢ Price Guarantee
➢ American Made
TOLL FREE: 1-877-801-8608
*First Three Months
Latest Technology • Trial Period On All Hearing Aids
Serving this area for over 30 years
20 N. Michael St. • St. Marys, PA
Specials Daily
(814) 834-7721
w (814) 773-4012
c (814) 594-9809
Michael & Nancy DePanfilis
h (814) 772-3752
223 Main Street
Ridgway, PA 15853
[email protected]
200 Main St., Ridgway, PA
(814) 773-3131 • FAX (814) 772-3444
ANTHONY VIGLIONE/OWNER
T HE R OYAL I NN
Featuring
LaValle’s Italian Garden Restaurant
Edward & Georgia LaValle, Parishioners
501150 St Leo the Great Church
www.jspaluch.com
773-3153
For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-945-6629