FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

The Difference Between Dreaming and Having Vision by Kenneth Vogt

www.lifehack.org

“He was a dreamer, a thinker, a speculative philosopher… or, as his wife would have it, an idiot.” ~Douglas Adams

Who doesn’t like to dream? Fantasies, daydreams, whimsies of all kinds are pleasant and indulgent. Dreams are thought candy—enjoyable in the right

quantity and within a balanced thought diet.

Anyone who ever left a mark on this

world had a dream. Whether they created a business, governed a

country, or created a movement, it all started in their mind and heart as a dream. At the beginning, that dream might have been laced with fantasies of fame or riches or power. They may have pictured successes or accolades

or respect. Therein lie the temptations and the snares of big dreams.

Of course it doesn’t stop there: dreaming is a place to start, but not

one to prematurely end. Bringing a

dream into the real world involves facing down challenges and problems, obstacles and outright resistance. So what separates the dreamers from the visionaries? How does a dream move from fantasy to reality?

When the Reality Kicks In

When we call someone a dreamer, it is rarely a compliment. We generally mean someone who is unfocused or lost in their own thoughts, and we

expect that they are unlikely to do anything of value or to make any meaningful impact.

When we call someone a visionary, however, it is an entirely different

matter. They are someone we see as ahead of their time, bold and adventurous. We expect them to do great things. The difference is they make things happen here in the real

world.

So what is vision that makes it so different from dreaming? Vision is the result of applying the laws of physics, human nature and economics to a dream so as to transform that dream

into a reality. The visionary ceases to luxuriate in all the possibilities that are inherent to dreaming, picks one and makes it real. Being a dreamer is a prerequisite for being a visionary but it is hardly a given that every dreamer becomes a visionary. Vision

calls for refinement and many

dreamers just aren’t willing to do the work or make the sacrifices that such refinement requires.

Does business or government or education or religion require vision? No. There are plenty of visionless organizations with visionless leaders. If that doesn’t sound very inspiring it is because it isn’t: vision is a motivator and so it is understandable

that visionless organizations don’t do much to improve the world we live in.

In fact, they are usually attempting to be a force to maintain the status quo. For anything to move forward, upward or onward, vision is required.

Even small organizations can have an impact with enough vision behind them, and small organizations with vision often become large organizations. That’s how we got Kiva and NPR, Amber Alerts and Girl Scout cookies. It’s also how we got organic

vegan mexican food at Gracia

Madre and delicious Jersey milk and yogurt from Saint Benoit Creamery.

Don’t know those last two? It’s probably because they are also committed to being local in addition to healthy, but that doesn’t mean

they aren’t visionary outfits lead by visionary people. There are times when the vision is deep rather than broad. That’s the great thing about vision—it is up to the visionary to choose.

Why Visionaries are Willing to Pay the Price

By now you have probably figured out that you can dream all you want for free but there is a price for being

visionary. To turn a dream into a vision means making hard choices: it means ditching frivolous attachments and speculative leanings. That might sound like it would suck all the joy out of your dream, but consider this: would you prefer to spend your days

wishing you had the perfect pony with a flowing mane and trophy-winning

speed, or riding your own real live horse?

Not everyone is meant to saddle up. You might want the horse, you might want the race, or you might want the stables. There is a lot of room for complementary visions. Whatever your dream may be, one truth remains: it is vision that transforms

dreams into reality. So buy that horse, because until you do there is nothing to ride. Learn to ride that horse until you can race, then race the best you can. Win or lose, you are now beyond the dream, doing

something real.

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

IN THE PARISH

Helpful Information

Join the Parish

Anyone wishing to register for membership in the parish is asked to fill out a registration form and drop it in the collection basket.

Request Prayers

Our INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY provides prayer for anyone in need throughout the parish. Contact MARY ANN MAGDA at 570-820-0525 or make your intention known on our parish website at www.standrebessettewb.com

Remember your Parish

Your parish serves you faithfully throughout your life. Please remember your parish with a memorial gift or a Bequest in your will. Make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for you.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may take place at any time, but, sadly, too many families wait until the last minute to call the priest to anoint their loved ones. If someone in your family is seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or suffering a prolonged illness, please contact the parish office to arrange a time for Fr. Ken to visit. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY—or if Fr. Ken is unavailable to visit immediately, we will contact the first available priest to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with your loved one.

Funeral Preparations

We collaborate with the local funeral directors in arranging the times of the funerals. Please be aware that

there is an additional fee for funerals on Saturdays imposed by most cemeteries in the area.

Baptismal Preparations

Parents of newly born infants may call the parish office to arrange a time for the Baptism of their child. Baptisms are celebrated, for the most part, on any Sunday, with the exception of the season of Lent.

Wedding Preparations

Couples contemplating Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least one year prior to the contemplated date of marriage, before making other plans.

Monday, December 24

CHRISTMAS EVE

No Morning Mass

Parish Office closes at NOON

4:00 pm CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS

10:30 pm CHRISTMAS MASS AT NIGHT

Tuesday, December 25

CHRISTMAS DAY

8:00 am CHRISTMAS MASS AT DAWN

11:00 AM CHRISTMAS DAY MASS

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Weekdays after Christmas

December 26-28 8 am Morning Mass

Saturday, December 29th

Vigil of the Feast of the Holy Family

No Morning Mass

3:00 pm Confessions

4:00 pm Vigil and 5:30 pm

Sunday, December 30th

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

8:00 am Mass and 11:00 am Mass

Monday, December 31st

NEW YEAR’S EVE

No Morning Mass

Parish Office Closes at Noon

4 pm NEW YEAR VIGIL MASS

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

NEW YEAR’S DAY

9 am NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Weekdays after New Year’s

January 2nd and 3rd 8 am Mass

Friday, January 4th

FIRST FRIDAY

8 am Mass

6 pm Confessions

6:30 pm Sacred Heart Devotions

7:00 pm Mass

Saturday, January 5th

VIGIL OF THE EPIPHANY

No Morning Mass

3:00 pm Confessions

4:00 pm Vigil and 5:30 pm

Sunday, January 6th

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

8:00 am Mass and 11:00 am Mass

Weekdays after the Epiphany

January 8—11 8 am Morning Mass

Saturday, January 12th

No Morning Mass

3:00 pm Confessions

4:00 pm Vigil and 5:30 pm

Sunday, January 13th FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

8:00 am Mass and 11:00 am Mass

CHRISTMAS SEASON SCHEDULE

Best Wishes for a

Blessed Christmas

Season to all our

Parishioners and

Friends of St. Andre

Bessette Parish From Fr. Ken The Parish Staff and Members of the Parish Administrative Councils

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE LITURGY

Christmastide: The Celebration has Just BEGUN! By Genevieve Cunningham

https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed

What does December 26th mean to you?

For most people it means that Christmas is over. But for Catholics, it means the celebration has only just begun.

Many of us Catholics, however, are not aware of this, and our rhythm of celebrating Christmas is very much along the lines of the secular celebration. We put a massive amount of effort into preparing for December 25th; then, the very next day, we feel a bit blue.

“It’s over,” we think. We begin the process of removing decorations, drag the tree out onto the curb, and return to our work-a-day lives.

Don’t! Stop right there.

The carols, the feasting, the lights, the joy, have only just commenced. We are about to rejoice in an octave (and more!) of the radiant splendor of the birth of Christ, the Messiah.

There is a reason why Christmas is called a season. It does not last for a single day. After Easter, it is the most important liturgical feast in the Church calendar. Why? Because Christmas is what made Easter possible. Without Our Lord’s incarnation and birth, our redemption would not have been brought to completion, and there would be no hope for us in our fallen state.

So first, we celebrate the octave of Christmas. This means that there are eight official solemn days of rejoicing. In the language of the Church, the word “solemn” does not mean what our common use of the word defines it as. It doesn’t mean being grim, serious, or morose.

According to a simple definition: “In the Catholic Church year, a solemnity is the highest ranking holy day possible in the Church calendar…” These are days that are emphasized by particular joy, lavishness, pomp, and glory.

This might be hard to recognize in the lay life, but it’s unspeakably obvious in the religious life, where the Divine Office practically shouts out Hallelujah!

Basically, during the octave of Christmas, the office that is prayed each day—for eight straight days—is more or less the same office: the one for Christmas day.

Think about what that means: it means that we are celebrating each day, for eight days, as though each of them were Christmas day itself.

Isn’t that beautiful? The Church so rejoices in the birth of her Bridegroom and Savior that she simply revels in the joy!

While the reality of the Christmas octave (the word “octave” just refers to the number

8) may be a new concept for many of us, who isn’t familiar with the “12 Days of Christmas”? These 12 days refer to the Christmas octave as well as the four subsequent days which take us to the feast of Epiphany.

And actually, if we are going to be very thorough and precise about this, on the

traditional liturgical calendar, the Christmas season (also known as Christmastide) lasts 40 days. It begins with the vigil Mass said on Christmas Eve, and ends on February 2nd, Candlemas, which is the day on which we celebrate the feast of Jesus’ presentation in the temple.

The Christmas season is studded with incredible feast days and there are many ways to celebrate it as a Catholic should. Here’s a calendar of what you can look forward to, followed by some ideas on how to celebrate it with your family:

CHRISTMASTIDE The Octave Days of Christmas

December 26—St. Stephen the Deacon December 27—St. John the Evangelist December 28—Holy Innocents December 29—St. Thomas Becket December 30– Sixth Day in the Octave - Or Feast of the Holy Family When there is no Sunday between Christmas and January 1 December 31—St. Sylvester January 1—Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (Circumcision of the Lord, Octave Day of Christmas) January 6th—Epiphany (except in Countries like the United States where this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 1st and 8th.) The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday following the Epiphany (again, except in Countries where the Epiphany has been moved to Sunday, then the Baptism is celebrated on the following Monday). The Feast of the Baptism brings an end to the Christmas Season proper. Some cultures, however, extend the season until February 2nd, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Ideas for Celebrating Christmastide

Monks, priests, and nuns have the privilege of being able to attend daily Mass. This means that they experience the Christmas season in a very special way, partaking in all the beauty of the liturgy.

But most of us have the responsibilities of life in the world. We have jobs to return to; kids to care for and bring back to school. We

have family members in need.

However, there are still things you can do to keep present to your family the reality of

Christ’s birth and the promise of His Second Coming (both of which we reflect on during Advent and Christmas).

Some practical advice: since many of us are over whelmed just with accomplishing daily responsibilities, don’t try to make all of the suggestions below a reality. That might be a burden and discourage you from trying at

all! Perhaps choose one or two things to do, and no more.

1. Keep your NATIVITY SCENE on display. Don’t take down your tree. Keep your Christmas lights on each day as the day ends and the sky darkens. Light candles near your manger scene, perhaps while the family eats dinner.

2. Pray the Litany to the Child Jesus during the Octave, or even throughout the entire season. If it’s difficult to gather family members together for this, you could pray the litany privately before retiring for the night, or when you get up in the morning. This keeps

fresh in our minds and hearts the joy of the Christ Child.

3. Take note of the various saints’ feast days that are celebrated during the Christmas season. (You can access them on the parish website, www.standrebessetewb.com) Ask them for their intercession. The saints are eager to offer petitions on our behalf!

4. Consider hosting Christmas parties AFTER Christmas day. Much of the rush and anxiety is over, people are no longer attending office/family/friends’ parties, and there is more down time. This opens spots on people’s calendars

(and reminds us that Christmas is not over!)

5. Host an Epiphany Party. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi and their gifts to the Christ Child. This party can feature candlelight, wonderful food, singing Christmas carols and hymns together, and quality time with people who are a blessing in our lives.

6. When possible, take time to rest and be

still in silence. If you have the chance or the choice to do something active, social, or busy, you might consider graciously declining once or twice, and taking time to rest in the peace of Christ instead. In our world of constant distractions, this might take some will power: we might have to force ourselves to sit and be still. And yet keeping company with the Christ Child in our hearts is the gift that He desires from us.

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

All Administrative Council Meetings begin with Vespers in Church at 6:00 pm. Meetings follow immediately in the Fr. Murgas conference room of the parish office.

JANUARY 3, 2019 Liturgical Council

JANUARY 10, 2019

Social Justice

JANUARY 17, 2019 Finance Council

JANUARY 24, 2019 Parish Life Council

JANUARY 31, 2019 Catechetical Council

Food for DECEMBER

Sugar by the pound

PARISH MINISTRIES

PARISH COMMITTEES

The Development

Committee will meet on Monday, January 7th at 6:30 pm in the Lower Meeting Room of the Parish

Office.

FAITH SHARING

Our Faith Sharing

Communities will meet again beginning in January.

Watch the bulletin for dates and times. If anyone is interested in joining these lively sessions of faith sharing, please contact Sister Madonna at the parish office, 570-823-4988.

Loaves & Fishes

The Season of ADVENT The Season of CHRISTMAS

Weekend of December 22-23 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

4 pm Vigil Mass 5:30 pm Vigil Mass 8:00 am Mass 9:30 am FAITH FORMATION 11:00 am Mass

Weekend of December 29-30 Feast of the Holy Family

4 pm Vigil Mass 5:30 pm Vigil Mass 8:00 am Mass 9:30 am NO FAITH FORMATION 11:00 am Mass SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLECTION

Monday, December 24

No Morning Mass Parish Office Closes at NOON

CHRISTMAS EVE 4 pm Christmas Vigil 10:30 pm Mass at Night

Monday, December 31

No Morning Mass Parish Office Closes at NOON

New Year’s EVE 4 pm Christmas Vigil

The Season of

CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, January 1, 2018

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God 9 am New Year’s Day Mass PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Tuesday, December 25

CHRISTMAS DAY 8 am Christmas Mass at Dawn 11:00 am Christmas Mass at Day PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Wednesday, January 2

8 am Morning Mass

Wednesday, December 26

8 am Morning Mass

Thursday, January 3

8 am Mass Noon Exposition 6 pm Vespers Liturgical Council

Thursday, December 27

8 am Mass Noon Exposition 6 pm Vespers 6:30 pm Staff & Choir Christmas Dinner

Friday, January 4

FIRST FRIDAY

8 am Morning Mass 6pm Confessions 6:30 pm Sacred Heart Devotions 7:00 pm Mass ALL ARE WELCOME

Friday, December 28

8 am Morning Mass Saturday, January 5

3:00 pm Confessions

VIGIL: Solemnity of the EPIPHANY

Saturday, December 29

3:00 pm Confessions

VIGIL: Feast of the Holy Family

Weekend of January 5-6 Solemnity of the Epiphany

4 pm Vigil Mass 5:30 pm Vigil Mass 8:00 am Mass 9:30 am FAITH FORMATION 11:00 am Mass CLERGY COLLECTION

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS OFFERING

As we approach the great Feast of Christmas, we may be wont to spend time and money choosing the perfect gift for that special someone. Do we give that kind of care and attention to the gift we give to God through our parish each Christmas? Or are we more prone to just

give whatever change we might find left in our pockets, purses, or couch cushions? Remember the goodness of the Lord this Christmas, and all that He has done for you. Repay His generosity by remembering the work of your parish church. We are counting on your support so that we may continue to minister for many years to come.

Please be generous and help us make our goal of $15,000.00

for our Christmas collection this year. Thank You.

What Can I Give Him - Poor as I am?

If I were a Shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet all I have I give Him.. I give Him my heart!

-Christina Rossetti

FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH FAITH SHARING

The Lord Is Close: Come Let us Adore Him General Audience of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

20 December, 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"The Lord is close: come, let us adore him".

With this invocation, the liturgy invites us in

these last days of Advent to approach as it

were on tip-toe the Bethlehem Grotto

where the extraordinary event that changed

the course of history took place: the birth of

the Redeemer.

On Christmas Night we will pause, once

again, before the crib and contemplate with

wonder the "Word made flesh". Sentiments

of joy and gratitude will be renewed in our

hearts, as they are every year, while we

listen to the Christmas melodies that sing of

the extraordinary event in so many

languages.

It was out of love that the

Creator of the universe

came to dwell among us.

In his Letter to the

Philippians, St Paul says

that Christ, "though he

was in the form of God,

did not count equality with

God a thing to be grasped,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a

servant, being born in the

likeness of men" (2: 6).

He appeared in human

form, adds the Apostle,

humbling himself. At holy

Christmas we will relive

the fulfilment of this

sublime mystery of grace

and mercy.

St Paul says further,

"When the time had fully

come, God sent forth his

Son, born of woman, born

under the law, to redeem

those who were under the law, so that we

might receive adoption as sons" (Gal 4: 4-

5). In truth, the Chosen People had been

waiting for the Messiah for many centuries

but they imagined him as a powerful and

victorious army leader who would free his

followers from foreign oppression.

The Saviour, on the contrary, was born in

silence and in absolute poverty. He came as

"the light that enlightens every man", St

John notes, yet "his own people received

him not" (Jn 1: 9, 11). "But", the Apostle

added, "to all who received him, who

believed in his name, he gave power to

become children of God" (ibid., 1: 12). The

light promised was to illumine the hearts of

those who had persevered in vigilant and

active expectation.

The Advent liturgy also exhorts us to be

sober and watchful in order not to let

ourselves be burdened by sin and

excessively worldly concerns. Indeed, it is

by watching and praying that we will be

able to recognize and accept the splendour

of Christ's birth. St Maximus of Turin, a

Bishop of the fourth and fifth centuries, said

in one of his homilies: "The time warns us

that the Birth of Christ the Lord is at hand.

The world with its own apprehensions

speaks of something imminent that will

renew it, and desires with impatient

expectation that the splendour of a brighter

sun may illumine its darkness.... This

expectation of creation also persuades us to

wait for Christ, the new Sun, to rise" (cf.

Hom. 61a, 1-3). Creation itself, therefore,

leads us to discover and recognize the One

who must come.

But the question is: is the humanity of our

time still waiting for a Saviour? One has the

feeling that many consider God as foreign

to their own interests. Apparently, they do

not need him. They live as though he did

not exist and, worse still, as though he

were an "obstacle" to remove in order to

fulfil themselves. Even among believers -

we are sure of it - some let themselves be

attracted by enticing dreams and distracted

by misleading doctrines that suggest

deceptive shortcuts to happiness.

Yet, despite its contradictions, worries and

tragedies, and perhaps precisely because of

them, humanity today seeks a path of

renewal, of salvation, it seeks a Saviour and

awaits, sometimes unconsciously, the

coming of the Saviour who renews the

world and our life, the coming of Christ, the

one true Redeemer of man and of the whole

of man.

Of course, false prophets continue to

propose a salvation "at a cheap price", that

always ends by producing searing

disappointments.

The history of the past 50 years itself

demonstrates this search for a Saviour "at a

cheap price" and highlights all the

disappointments that have derived from it.

It is the task of us Christians, with the

witness of our life, to spread the truth of

Christmas which Christ brings to every man

and woman of good will.

Born in the poverty of the manger, Jesus

comes to offer to all that joy and that peace

which alone can fulfil the expectations of

the human soul.

But how should we prepare

ourselves to open our hearts to

the Lord who comes? The

spiritual attitude of watchful

and prayerful expectation

remains the fundamental

characteristic of the Christian in

this Advent Season. It is this

attitude that distinguishes the

protagonists of that time:

Zechariah and Elizabeth, the

shepherds, the Magi, the

humble, simple people, above

all Mary and Joseph's

expectation! The latter, more

than any of the others, felt in

the first person the anxiety and

trepidation for the Child who

would be born.

It is not difficult to imagine how

they spent the last days,

waiting to hold the newborn

Infant in their arms. May their

attitude be our own, dear

brothers and sisters! In this

regard, let us listen to the exhortation of St

Maximus, Bishop of Turin, cited above:

"While we are waiting to welcome the

Nativity of the Lord, let us clothe ourselves

in clean garments, without a stain. I am

speaking of clothing the soul, not the body.

Let us not be clad in silk raiments but in

holy works! Sumptuous clothing may cover

the limbs but does not adorn the

conscience" (ibid.).

In being born among us, may the

Child Jesus not find us distracted or

merely busy, beautifying our houses

with decorative lights. Rather, let us

deck our soul and make our families

a worthy dwelling place where he

feels welcomed with faith and love.

May the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph

help us to live the Mystery of

Christmas with renewed wonder and

peaceful serenity.

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Journey to Bethlehem

IN THE DIOCESE

Notice Regarding the Sexual Abuse of A Minor It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes

supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at 570-862-7551 or to Diocesan Officials, including the Vicar General, Msgr. Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G. at 570-207-2269.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

COMPASSIONATE COUNSELING SERVICES

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton offers compassionate counseling in a safe, comfortable environment where your privacy is

always respected.

Anyone who struggles with anxiety, grief and loss, depression, life transitions or a variety of emotional or psychological conditions is

welcome.

CSS accepts Medicare and some other insurance plans.

CALL 570-207-2283 for more information

or to make an appointment

To make a donation to this year’s

Annual Appeal please visit

www.AnnualAppeal.org

or contact us at

570-207-2250

or send your gift to

Development Office,

Diocese of Scranton

300 Wyoming Ave.,

Scranton, PA 18503 .

Parish Goal: $ 32,000.00 Raised so far: $ 18,088.00 Still needed to reach goal: $ 13,912.00

Thank you to all who have already contributed to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. If you have not yet made a donation to the appeal, you may do so by sending it to the address listed above.

The 2018 Diocesan Annual Appeal: The Journey Makes Us One has received $2,730,179 in gifts and pledges from 13,700 donors, bringing us to 54% of our goal of $5 million.

Your donation helps to support many of the ministries of the Diocese, like Catholic Social Services, Parish Life and Ministry Formation, Care and Education of Clergy, Education and training of Seminarians, Catholic Media (CTV) and Catholic Schools.

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Wedding Anniversary Celebration

The Office of Parish Life, along with Bishop Bambera, invites couples celebrating their silver (25th) or

Golden (50th) Wedding anniversaries in 2019 to a special Liturgy in the Cathedral on June 30, 2019.

The Anniversary Mass will be celebrated at 2:30 pm

in the Cathedral followed by a reception in the

Pastoral Center.

Requests for an invitation, with mailing address, should be made through the parish office no later

than April 2, 2019

STEWARDSHIP

Dance with Jesus Into Christmas by Shana Schutte

www.focusonthefamily.com

I’d love to go to a

Christmas dance this

year and twirl under

sparkly little lights. I’d

love to sway in an

elegant, shimmering

red dress and watch as

Mr. Right looks on in

admiration. I’d like to

have him smile, offer

me his hand, his cheek

and his heart while he

pulls me in close to a

Christmas melody. Yes,

I’d love that.

But Mr. Right hasn’t

shown up to invite me

(yet), so I haven’t put

any Christmas dances

on my calendar. But I

have decided that I’m

still going to dance my

way into Christmas anyway with Jesus as

Giver, Emmanuel and Source of Life.

Dancing with Jesus as the Giver

At Christmas time, it’s so easy to get

hung up on the commercialism of the

holidays. To remember the real reason

for the season is to have the heart of

Christ—a giving one that is focused on

what really matters, like giving your life

for those you love, rather than what

really doesn’t, like the latest technological

gadget or newest fashion trend.

If you’re tired of running like a rabid dog

from one store to the next purchasing

things for people you barely know who

hardly like you, take a lesson from Simon

Birch. He can help you dance into

Christmas with Jesus as the true Giver.

In the 1998 movie Simon Birch, the main

character, 12-year-old Simon, is

unusually small because of a birth defect.

Even though he is little, his confidence is

big, and believes God created him to do

great things--specifically to be a hero.

Though his stature causes him heartache,

his size is the reason he is able to save

many children when a school bus crashes

into a freezing river. Simon climbs

through a bus window too narrow for

anyone else to set his classmates free.

When I saw the movie, my heart

screamed in jubilation, Yes! Simon's

dream came true! He got to be the hero!

Then my heart sank when he died the

next day.

I couldn't help but think about the parallel

between Simon's life and mine. Many

times I would like to be a hero for

someone, (like purchase them a nice

Christmas gift or take

them some holiday

cookies,) but that is as far

as my sacrifice goes. I

don’t want to have to die

to be anyone’s hero. Of

course, I'm not referring

to physical death like

Simon experienced, but

dying to my own desires.

This Christmas, I want

Jesus to teach me afresh

that one paradox of His

Kingdom is that death

births life; losing means

winning; and being the

greatest means being the

least--and sometimes that

involves giving more than

a gift but losing myself

and dying to what I want

to bring someone joy. It

means serving, and letting go of the

things that are really valuable to me, like

my time, my talents and something that

is not easily purchased at Target.

Will you join me in serving from the heart

this year? You’ll look great dancing with

Jesus as the true giver.

Dancing with Jesus as Emmanuel

Last year I attended a candlelight

Christmas Eve church service with my

family. While there an ache filled my

heart because I knew that a young man I

had once loved had seen my mother

there at the church the day before. As we

sang our way through Silent Night, Away

in a Manger and Hark! The Herald Angels

Sing my eyes fell on a small cloth laying

on the communion table. “Emmanuel” it

read. Ah yes, God with us. Immediately

the Holy Spirit lovingly placed his finger

on my memories about the young man I

had loved and revealed that in this “life

spot” I had doubted that God was with

me, that He was my Emmanuel even

then.

Fresh tears filled my eyes. Jesus, you

have been with me all of my days, even

in every one during my singleness.

Forgive me for not trusting you.

Why is it that we can be convinced of

God’s care and presence in many areas of

life, such as in our careers and

friendships, but when it comes to our

personal lives and romance, we wonder if

He took a leave of absence? We can know

beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is

present in our friendships, but we doubt

that He cares about our romantic

loneliness. We can experience a kind of

“schizophrenic faith”—believing on one

hand, but being unbelieving on the other.

To doubt His love and presence in one

area and champion it in another is to live

life with a divided heart.

Do you doubt that God is with you, that

He has always been and will always be

the Emmanuel of your single life? Are you

not entirely convinced of His presence?

If you said yes, will you take the hand of

Jesus this Christmas and dance with Him

into the truth that you are never alone?

You’ll be glad you did.

Dancing with Jesus as the Source of Abundant Life

Do you remember the last time you had

the post-holiday blues? Did you feel like

you wanted to go hide in a closet and eat

an entire bag of chocolate? Were you

desperate for something you couldn’t

quite put your finger on? Believe me, I

can relate. Post-holiday blues have hit me

many times. But this year, I know there

is something I can do to combat the

blues—desperation for Jesus.

When the world and all it has offered

during Christmas (stuff, stuff and more

stuff) doesn’t satisfy my hungry soul, this

year I will choose to remember that all

that Christ wants me to be desperate for

is Himself, his presence, to know Him

more, to hear His voice and to do His will.

This kind of post-holiday desperation will

lead me to the abundant life that He

wants to grant me (John 10:10). All other

objects of Christmas affection will receive

second place on my list under Christ,

because if they don’t, I’ll struggle with

post-holiday blues more than necessary.

Don’t get me wrong, there can be a lot of

fun in giving, getting, and the stuff of the

holidays, but no matter how much my

stocking has been filled, nothing in it will

ever satisfy like Jesus, and nothing can

make me more desperate than living

without Him at the center of life. This is

truly something to celebrate! It means

that Christ so jealous for those he loves

that He will not allow them to be

completely satisfied in anything but him.

My prayer is that this year you’ll be

desperate for Jesus like never before so

you can dance with Him into Christmas

and post-Christmas with a smile on your

face and a joy in your heart. And I pray

that you’ll discover or rediscover Him as

Giver and Emmanuel.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

FINANCES

INCOME

EXPENSES

December 15-16, 2018 December 13—19, 2018

PARISH COLLECTION Administration 604.85

In Church Mailed In Clergy Residence -0-

Loose 157.26 -0- Liturgy 179.99

Offering 3,767.00 468.00 Religious Education 85.65

Holy Days 187.00 370.00 Social Justice -0-

Initial -0- -0- Maintenance 837.02

Dues 170.00 117.00 Parish Assessment -0-

Debt Reduction 446.00 5.00 Insurance -0-

Holiday Flowers 50.00 12.00 Taxes -0-

TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION

$4,777.26 $972.00 Transfer -0-

DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS Diocesan Collections -0-

Diocesan Collection

55.00 8.00 Debt Service

(Principal + Interest) 2,813.44

TOTAL DIOCESAN

55.00 8.00 School Subsidy 186.56

OTHER INCOME TOTAL EXPENSES $4,707.51

Candles 18.75

Rental of Properties

-0-

Perquisites -0- Previous Balance $3,647.90

Transfers -0- + Income this week +5,831.01

Miscellaneous -0- -Expenses this week -4,707.51

TOTAL OTHER INCOME

18.75 Balance Forward $4,771.40

TOTAL INCOME $5,831.01 Your Gift to God

December 16-17, 2018

Over $100.00 2 $20 35

$100.00 2 $16-19 3

$76-99 1 $15 20

$75 0 $11-14 9

$51-74 1 $10 81

$50 6 $6-9 10

$26-49 21 $5 41

$25 10 under $5 18

$21-24 0 Total Envelopes used

260

Is your gift to the parish each week an honest reflection of God’s goodness to you?

Mass Attendance

December 16-17, 2018

People In-Church Collection

Average Offering

per person

4:00 p.m. 122 1,801.26 14.77

5:30 p.m. 59 593.00 10.05

8:00 a.m. 64 1,339.00 20.93

11:00a.m. 76 1,044.00 13.74

Total 321 4,777.26 14.89

REMINDER: In order for our parish to remain solvent, the average weekly offering per person MUST equal or be greater than $15.00 consistently.

Votive Offerings

Bread and Wine

Intention Fr. Francis Zolcinski

Offered by A Parishioner

Sanctuary Candle

Intention Craig Cummings

Offered by David

DIOCESAN ASSESSMENTS (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019)

Diocesan

Assessment

School

Assessment

BALANCE

Prior

Balance 0.00 93,788.02 93,788.02

Current

Assessment 71,471.00 56,659.62 128,130.62

Amount

Paid 11,000.00 1,099.95 12,099.95

BALANCE DUE

60,471.00 149,347.69 209,818.69

The Monthly Assessment Installment for the Diocese is $5,956.00. (that is a little over 1 Weekend’s collection)

The Monthly School Assessment Installment is $4,724.40 (another weekend’s collection)

To pay off the total current and past Schools Assessment, the monthly installment would be $12,537.30 (3 weekend collections.)

PARISH DEBT SERVICE

Parish Loan Amount Paid BALANCE

Due

BALANCE 412,000.00 72,452.66 339,547.34

Please Note: The Parish Debt service has been paid to

date. This Account is current.

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

LOCAL EVENTS

CHOMAN’S MOBILE CARE Cemetery Care

Automobile Detailing

Power Washing

You can contact Chris at

(570) 262-3109,

or Book your appointment online at ChomanCares.com

or by e-mail at ChomanCares@gmail.com.

ECO-FRIENDLY CARE

FOR YOU

AND YOUR INVESTMENTS

JESUS Bus Trip to

SIGHT and SOUND THEATER Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Adults $129 Children (3-11) $91

12:15—2:15 Lunch (on own) at Kitchen Kettle Village

3:00 SHOW

6:00 pm Dinner Good n’ Plenty Restaurant

(included in price)

To make reservations call Mary at 570-823-4988

RESERVATIONS CLOSE March 31, 2019

Just Great Tours PO Box 2365 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703

570-829-5756

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

December 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Join Us for

Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday

(Except for Thanksgiving and Holy Thursday)

from Noon to 6 pm.

The Day concludes with

Vespers and Benediction

at 6 pm.

RESPECT LIFE MASS

Sunday, January 13

10:30 am St. Ignatius Church,

339 N. Maple St. Kingston, PA

Sponsored by

the Wyoming Valley Council, Knights of Columbus

The Knights, along with Pro-Life Representatives, will

offer prayer intentions during the Mass for a greater respect of all human life.

January is RESPECT LIFE Month

Monsignor David Tressler, Pastor, warmly invites all to participate in this Mass and pray for the most

vulnerable of human lives, those with disabilities, the terminally ill, and the unborn.

Still Looking for a

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA???

LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE December 24-25, 2018 Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

December 29-30, 2018 Feast of the Holy Family

4:00 pm 10:30 pm 8:00 am 11:00 am 4:00 pm 5:30 pm 8:00 am 11:00 am

Servers Manuel Baez

Aiden Burridge Mimi Tosh Sr. Tina

AJ Kondracki Rosemary Shedlock

Rosemary

Shedlock

Sr. Tina

Hanrahan AJ Kondracki

Jackie Barkus

Hailey

Stephens

Lector Ann Bergold David Alusick Jackie Barkus

Pat Baran

Mary Ann Slavinski

David Aulsick

Ann Bergold Sr. Kate

Morris

Mary Ann

Slavinski

Sandy

Snyder

EMOC John Bergold Sr. Tina

Hanrahan AJ Kondracki

Rosemary Shedlock

John Bergold William

Klukoske AJ Kondracki Elaine Snyder

Cantor Brian Clarke Sr. Madonna Geri Ulichney Matt Kurtz Carol Zukoski Geri Ulichney Brian Clarke Matt Kurtz

Hospitality Children of our Faith Formation

Program

Dolores Yesuvida

Ann & Dennis

Bozinski

Lori & John

Morris

Sr. Madonna

Joe Stone

Season of Christmas December 24-30, 2018

Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events

Monday, December 24 Late Advent Weekday

NO Morning Mass Scheduled PARISH OFFICE CLOSES AT NOON

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD CHRISTMAS VIGIL 4:00 PM

Dec. 24 Christmas Intentions PARISH

CHRISTMAS DAY PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

MASS AT NIGHT 10:30 PM Dec. 24

Christmas Intentions PARISH

MASS AT DAWN 8:00 am Dec. 25

Christmas Intentions PARISH

MASS DURING THE DAY 11:00 AM

Dec. 25 Christmas Intentions PARISH

Wednesday, December 26 St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

8 am John Vernoski’s Special

Intentions Family

Thursday, December 27 St. John the Evangelist 8 am Charles Perry Bernadine Baluta

Noon: Exposition 6 pm Vespers Choir and Staff Christmas Dinner

Friday, December 28 Holy Innocents

8 am Rosemary Dupre Joan Cavanaugh

Saturday, December 29 St. Thomas Beckett

NO Morning Mass Scheduled

Feast of the Holy Family

VIGIL 4 pm John Kristan Blizman Family No Faith Formation SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLECTION

VIGIL 5:30 pm Stanley Zapotoczny Irene Seegar

SUNDAY 8 am Helen Flynn Loretta & Jeff

Hines

SUNDAY 11 am Parishioners Pastor