December 20, 2015 Saturday, December 19 4:30PM William & Marie Woodward Sunday, December 20 7:30AM James M. Williams

9:30AM Rocco Ricci 11:30AM Lillian Hooper Monday, December 21

8:15AM Joyce Borzelleca Tuesday, December 22 8:15AM Danny Kenny Wednesday, December 23 8:15AM Francis VanBuskirk Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00PM Martin Brady 7:00PM Rose Marie Boccella Friday, December 25 Christmas Day 7:30AM Carmella Pedicone 9:30AM St. Matthew Parishioners 11:30AM St. Matthew Parishioners Saturday, December 26 4:30PM Stephen Opiela Sr. Sunday, December 27 7:30AM Margaret Minnick

9:30AM William Maher 11:30AM John J. Williams Sr.

Tom Tone, David Talone, JoAnn LaSorsa, Marie Carney, Greg

Atkinson, Sophie Grabowski, Msgr. Robert Grudowski, Anthony Bonanno, Joanne Toth, Theresa Lenczewski, Luke Birkhead, Erik Kozlowski, Marlene Salkowski, Roselie Partenheimer, John Walski, Carl Reiff, Joseph Blaszczak, Patrick Kelly, Sean McGonagle, Mary Pierce, Brian Dunlevy, Sr. Jean Streibig, Stephanie Hathaway, Charles Streibig, Theresa McGrath, Kylie Reiff, Nikki Dolan, Joseph Rozecki, Betty DiCola, Brother James Riley, Shawn Gallen, Eduardo Gloria, Molly Glick, Deb Smith, Ann Campbell, Francina Capolingua, Cathy Pierlott, Lynn Bowman, James Sousa, James Gauger, Emilia Bello Jones, Rita Van Buskirk, Joan Nasielski, Stephen Greene, Caroline Smerecki, Joan Pierce, Kevin Miller, Mike Ancin, Alfred Zisk, Cynthia Allen, Rylan Borys, Susan Minnick, Ann Greco, Denise Kavanaugh, Ralph Manappello, Jessica Jara, Leanne Purcell, Joe Lotito, Matt McNamee, Kendall Soltys, Concezio Lelii, William McGrath, Madge Swift, Theresa Swetkowski, Carl Pierce, Ursula Kozlowski.

Deceased: Florence Zapien

Staff Sgt Daniel Furtak, Lt. Michelle R. McNally, SSKC Terence J. McNally Jr., Sgt. Robert Bonneau, Andrew Midgett, Jonathan Staats, Col. Shawn McGinley, 108

th Wing McGuire AFB, Matthew

Horning, 1st Lt. Stanley J. Reimer III, SR Brett Pellicciotti, LCPL Thomas Mazzochetti, Staff Sgt. Michael Alfonse,

Robert Catapano U.S. Army 101st Airborne, Paul Brown,

Marines, Corporal Andrew Teitjen, Tech Sgt Eric Zweiback

CELEBRANTS MASS SCHEDULE 12/19 4:30 Fr. Heron 12/20 7:30 Msgr. Owens 9:30 Fr.Heron11:30 Msgr. Owens

12/24 4:00 Fr. Heron 7:00 Msgr. Owens 12/25 7:30 Fr. Heron 9:30 Fr. Genovese 11:30 Msgr. Owens

12/26 4:30 Fr. Genovese 12/27 7:30 Msgr. Owens 9:30 Fr. Heron11:30 Fr.Genovese

Confession, Monday, December 21 at 7PM Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 Vigils: 4 PM and 7 PM Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 7:30 AM --- 9:30 AM --- 11:30 AM NEW YEARS MASS SCHEDULE New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, 2016 8:15 AM and 12 Noon

Prepare for Christmas Mass The Nativity of the Lord

Scripture: Mass during the Night Isaiah 9:1 – 6 Titus 2:11 – 14 Luke 2:1 – 14

God’s sign is the baby in need of help and in poverty. Exactly the same sign has been given to us.... God’s sign is simplicity.... God’s sign is that he makes himself small for us. This is how he reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby – defenseless and in need of our help. He does not want to overwhelm us with his strength. He takes away our fear of his greatness. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a child. He wants nothing other from us than our love, through which we spontaneously learn to enter into his feelings, his thoughts, and his will – we learn to live with him and to practice with him that humility and renunciation that belongs to the very essence of love. God made himself small so that we could understand him, welcome him, and love him.... Christmas has become the feast of gifts in imitation of God who has given himself to us. Let us allow our heart, our soul, and our mind be touched by this fact!” (Pope Benedict XVI)

FOOD CUPBOARD WILL BE OPEN EVERY WEEK STARTING IN JANUARY ON FRIDAYS AT 1PM.

How richly God has decked the wonderful town of Conshohocken! Last Sunday, Washington Fire Co #1, affectionately known as “Washies”, Conshohocken Fire Co. #2, and the Conshohocken Fire Police arrived at St. Matthews to place the star and string the lights for our Advent Tree Lighting Ceremony. Many thanks to Beth Januzelli who was lifted up high in the ladder truck to position the star in just the right place with her husband Joe and Chris Boychim in assistance. Chief Leo Costello, assisted by John and Danny Costello helped guide and place the lights. Andrew Carlin was there to assure the traffic would be no hindrance to our operation. Drew Trainer and Bernie Brady are ever present to organize and provide the decorations. Of course, Mr. Bill McAvoy engages them all to get the job done!

With the children in the lead, Father bestows the blessing. The tree and Nativity Scene light up Fayette Street for all to rejoice in this Holy Season of Christmas! All thanks to the fine people of the Fire Companies of Conshohocken!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree How richly God has decked thee Thou bidst us true and faithful be And trust in God unchangingly

PARENTS: NO CCD/PREP CLASSES UNTIL JANUARY 4, 2016 A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY

NEW YEAR TO ALL! GOD BLESS US

EVERYONE!

Pre-Jordan Instructions: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered in church on the first three Sundays of each month following the 11:30 A.M. Mass. In preparation for having a child Baptized, parents are required to attend “Pre-Jordan Instructions.” Classes are the 1st Tuesday of each month. The next class will be Tuesday, January 5th at 7PM in church. You will be required to attend a class if this is the Baptism of your first child. To schedule your Baptism go to www.stmatthewparish.com or call the rectory 610-828-0424 press 4 for the office to register.

REFLECTIONS FROM MY ROCKING CHAIR: Dear Friends,

The angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord.” Matthew Kelly in Rediscovering Jesus offers us this reflection on the Christmas

mystery. “Only God can give you the joy you want. You want a joy that is lasting and complete. This is a beautiful desire. You want lasting joy in a world where so few things seem to last. And you want a joy that is forever – not fleeting moments of pleasure, but a joy that goes on and on, with no end. You want complete joy. We may be confused about what will bring that complete joy. At different times in our lives we think that so many things, people, accomplishments, or pleasures will bring us the joy we desire, but they all leave us wanting. The interesting thing is that God wants you to have complete joy. He created you for it. Jesus came so that you could be immersed in complete joy: “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete” (John 15:11). Is your joy complete? If it isn’t, why? What is diminishing your joy? Who or what is robbing you of joy? What is standing in the way of the complete joy that Jesus wants for you? How hard are you willing to work for that joy? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to such have complete joy? Are you getting in the way of your own joy? And, perhaps the key question in all of this: does the Gospel offer the best path to this complete joy? If you say, no, that’s okay. I think you are wrong, but if you honestly feel that way, there is no shortcut. You have to explore why you feel that way. What is the alternate path that is better than the Gospel at leading people to the complete joy that we desire? Does it have a track record or is it just something you have imagined that allows you to do whatever you want under the false premise that someday, somewhere, somehow it will lead to complete joy? The Gospel has a long track record of leading people to complete joy. I could list a thousand examples. But the beautiful thing is, you can test it for yourself and obtain instant proof. Start to embrace the Gospel more – a little more, a lot more; that’s up to you. But start to intentionally live the Gospel more each day. As you do, pay attention to the joy that increases in you. Pay attention to the clarity you have about what really matters and what doesn’t. Pay attention to the stress and anxiety as it diminishes. Pay attention. I think you want what Jesus wants. This is one of the classic discoveries of the spiritual journey. At some point as we grow in grace and awareness, we discover that we do indeed want what God wants for us: complete joy. The gospel is an invitation to and a blueprint for that complete joy. God bless us, everyone! Msgr. Tom Owens

December 13 , 2015 WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR

YOUR OFFERTORY GIFTS LAST WEEKEND:

$17,763.00 Electronic giving $1,696.00 +16,067.00 $ = $17,763.00 ELECTRONIC GIVING:

Parish Giving is convenient for you and there is NO COST for you to participate. Contact Deacon Mike Kubiak at

deacon.mike.kubiak@comcast.net to register www.parishgiving.org or www.stmatthewparish.com St. Matthew Prayer Shawl Ministry: We most ‘warmly’

invite you to be a part of this Ministry by meeting with us in the St. Vincent DePaul room Tuesday, January 12 at 7PM. If you know of someone who might like to receive a shawl,

please let us know-or make one yourself for someone special to you. Contact Alice O’Connor acaoc@verizon.net St. Matthew's Young Adult Group, The Mustard

Seeds: Are you age 22-35 and interested in meeting other Catholics your age? Do you yearn for more community? Are you interested in service work? Sarah Burchell and Chris Farley are starting a Young Adults Group

and would love for you to join! If you have any questions, feel free to email Sarah at svarga27@yahoo.com or Chris at farleyfilms@gmail.com and Joe Boccella. Join our Facebook group The Mustard Seeds for updates! OPLATEK: (Polish Christmas Wafers) are available on the tables in back of Church & at the Rectory. Donation $2.00

This year during Advent we will be collecting for Dawn’s Place in place of our Cradle of Giving. Dawn’s Place is a residential program located in Philadelphia for

women who have been exploited and abused; a ministry very close to Pope Francis’ heart. If you could donate gift cards for the women it would provide a dignified way for the women to purchase personal things without putting a stress on our limited resources. Gift cards to Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Staples, Walgreens etc. are most useful. Containers are placed around the church. Thanks so much, Sister Terry Sheilds, mshr President.

PRE-CANA: St. Matthew Parish is offering a one day pre-Cana program on Saturday, January 23, 2016 (snow date January 30) from 8:30am – 4 pm followed by Mass at 4:30PM. Cost $200 per couple. Couples from

all parishes are welcomed. Contact Deacon Mike Kubiak: 610-828- 0424 X 5 or deacon.mike.kubiak@comcast.net

USHERS NEEDED: We are in need of 4 people to be ushers at the 7PM Christmas Eve Mass. Please call the rectory at 610-828-0424 x 4 if you can help. Thank you. ST. MARY’S GOLDEN AGE CLUB: Meets every Thursday at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Three dollar fee. Play Cards 9:00 AM Snacks 10 AM Lunch 11 AM Play Bingo 12 – 2:30 PM. Dues for members due 2015 is $10.00 for the year. Casino Trips: are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month: January 12 & February 9. Bus leaves 9:00 AM from 11

th & Fayette, 9:15 AM from 3rd & Fayette, and

at 9:30 AM from St. Mary’s. Please call Joe (610-825-4596).

St. Matthew Book Club: Our book selections are works of fiction with a “Christian twist”. On January 13 we will discuss the novel Atonement by Ian McEwan; on

February 24 the novel selected is This House of Brede by Rumer Godden; and on March 23 the discussion will center on The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene. New members are welcome as we begin the year 2016. To register contact Msgr. Owens (stmatt2014@gmail.com). If you need assistance in purchasing books, Monsignor will do that for you through amazon.com. Part-Time Job Opportunity - Housekeeping Position A part-time (19 hours a week) position is available at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Responsibilities include washing, ironing and general cleaning of residence rooms. Interested parties should contact Randy Rushton, 610-785-6239, or e-mail rrushton@scs.edu. Pastor’s reference requested.

A Family Prayer around the Christmas tree:A Family Prayer around the Christmas tree:A Family Prayer around the Christmas tree:A Family Prayer around the Christmas tree:

Lord our God, Lord our God, Lord our God, Lord our God,

We praise you for the light of creationWe praise you for the light of creationWe praise you for the light of creationWe praise you for the light of creation::::

the sun, the moon, and the stars of the the sun, the moon, and the stars of the the sun, the moon, and the stars of the the sun, the moon, and the stars of the

nightnightnightnight. . . . We praise you for the light of We praise you for the light of We praise you for the light of We praise you for the light of

IsraelIsraelIsraelIsrael::::

the Law, ththe Law, ththe Law, ththe Law, the prophets, and the wisdom e prophets, and the wisdom e prophets, and the wisdom e prophets, and the wisdom

of the Scriptures. of the Scriptures. of the Scriptures. of the Scriptures.

We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:

he is Emmanuel, Godhe is Emmanuel, Godhe is Emmanuel, Godhe is Emmanuel, God----withwithwithwith----us, the Prince of Peace, us, the Prince of Peace, us, the Prince of Peace, us, the Prince of Peace,

who fills uwho fills uwho fills uwho fills us with the wonder of your love. s with the wonder of your love. s with the wonder of your love. s with the wonder of your love.

Lord God, Lord God, Lord God, Lord God, let your blessing come upon us let your blessing come upon us let your blessing come upon us let your blessing come upon us as we illumine as we illumine as we illumine as we illumine

this treethis treethis treethis tree....

May tMay tMay tMay the light and cheer it gives he light and cheer it gives he light and cheer it gives he light and cheer it gives

be a sign of the joy that fills our heartsbe a sign of the joy that fills our heartsbe a sign of the joy that fills our heartsbe a sign of the joy that fills our hearts....

May all who delight in this tree May all who delight in this tree May all who delight in this tree May all who delight in this tree

come to the knowledge and the joy of salvation.come to the knowledge and the joy of salvation.come to the knowledge and the joy of salvation.come to the knowledge and the joy of salvation.

We ask this throughWe ask this throughWe ask this throughWe ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Christ our Lord. Amen.Christ our Lord. Amen.Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Tom Heron’s Weekly Reflection Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,

Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!

I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith

worshiping communityworshiping communityworshiping communityworshiping community as we paras we paras we paras we participate in the Liturgticipate in the Liturgticipate in the Liturgticipate in the Liturgy y y y for for for for

thethethethe Fourth Fourth Fourth Fourth Sunday of AdventSunday of AdventSunday of AdventSunday of Advent. . . . We are blessed by your desire We are blessed by your desire We are blessed by your desire We are blessed by your desire

tttto give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both o give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both o give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both o give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both

parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart

and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share.

Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!

Micah 5:1-4a (12C) Psalm 80 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45

Today we hear the prophet Micah sing the praises of a tiny Judean village: Bethlehem. "You, Bethlehem, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth from me one who is to be ruler in Israel - his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. He shall be Peace." This is a surprising message. Tiny Bethlehem, a marginal backwater town about five miles south of mighty Jerusalem is where the Messiah will be born. The prophet Micah is telling us that God uses ordinary people and ordinary places in an extraordinary way. Micah was a rustic peasant, a nobody, who came from an undistinguished background in the world's eyes. Yet God chose him to be a prophet, one who delivers God's message. God also gave Micah a passion for justice. We are grateful to Micah for those lyrical memorable words that tell us what the Lord asks of us. "Only do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) In our Gospel today we meet two women, Mary and Elizabeth, who, both of them - one old, the other a teenager - did justice, loved goodness, and walked humbly with God. In Micah, as we see with Mary and Elizabeth, God did extraordinary things with ordinary people. Mary might have been forgiven if she rested in the awe-inspiring message Gabriel brought to her. She could have remained in a spiritual retreat. But that never even crossed her mind. She went with haste to help her cousin and she took the hidden Christ with her. Because Mary loved, she acted. She did not consider herself "too special" to respond to the ordinary needs of her relative. She is our towering example on this Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Mary was faithful to God, faithful to prayer, faithful to her ordinary duties. She believed that God was at work in her life. Above all, she believed with utter confidence that the child in her womb was the answer to humanity's need. You might remember that classic motion picture “It's a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. It is the story of an ordinary man who discovers that living each ordinary day honorably with faith in God and a selfless concern for others, can make for a truly wonderful life. We all become part of the Christmas story if we, too, live the kind of wonderful life that Mary did. Try not to allow last-minute preparations for Christmas to become so hectic for you that you forget the real meaning of the birth of Jesus. Two suggestions: in the few days left before Christmas, take the time to read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Saint Luke. If there are children at home, do it with them. In those two chapters you will read about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. If you do this, you will be better able to celebrate with joy the gift of our Savior. All you need is some quiet time to think a little more about how God is at work in our lives. The second suggestion: think of each person on your Christmas list. Hold them in prayer before God. Pray that they, like the Blessed Mother, like Elizabeth and John the Baptist who leapt in his mother's womb when Mary visited, pray that all your friends, all your family will joyfully recognize the presence of God in their lives. Pray, too, that we all might know more fully this presence in the people around us.

End of Bulletin