SSAINTAINT MMARGARETARGARET MMARYARY CCHURCHHURCH

3055 L3055 LEECHBURGEECHBURG RROADOAD, L, LOWEROWER BBURRELLURRELL, PA, PA A PA PENNSYLVANIAENNSYLVANIA CCHARITABLEHARITABLE TTRUSTRUST & P& PARISHARISH OFOF THETHE DDIOCESEIOCESE OFOF GGREENSBURGREENSBURG

Vol. X No. 4

PPASTORALASTORAL SSTAFFTAFF Very Rev. Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, V.F., Pastor (kzaccagnini@dioceseofgreensburg.org) - Ext. 16 Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, Parochial Vicar (dulishney@dioceseofgreensburg.org) - Ext 14 William Staniszewski, Bus. Mgr. (wstaniszewski@smmlb.org) - Ext. 17

Mary Murphy, Director of Music & Liturgy (mmurphy@smmlb.org) - Ext 20

Gabrielle Genovese, Regional Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation (ggenovese@dioceseofgreensburg.org) - Ext. 22 Donna Misak, Coordinator of Youth Ministry (dmisak@smmlb.org) - Ext. 19

Sharon Pearson, Financial Secretary (spearson@smmlb.org) - Ext. 12

Linda Scott, Parish Secretary (lscott@smmlb.org) - Ext. 11

MMASSASS SSCHEDULECHEDULE Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Weekdays (Monday ~ Friday) 8:00 a.m. Holy Days 8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Confession Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and by appointment

†

CCONTACTONTACT UUSS

E-mail: smmp@smmlb.org Phone: 724-335-2336 Website: www.smmlb.org Fax: 724-335-1945 Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

SSACRAMENTSACRAMENTS

BAPTISM: Contact the parish office to schedule a Baptism Seminar prior to the baptism of your first child.

MARRIAGE: Contact the parish office at least nine months in advance for information and scheduling.

(RCIA) RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Considering entry into the Catholic Church? Contact the parish office for an appointment.

PASTORAL CARE OF THE HOMEBOUND: To arrange for the Sacraments, contact the parish office.

* * * MMINISTRYINISTRY OFOF HHOMEOME VVISITATIONISITATION ~ ~ Sisters of Mary Immaculate: 724-845-2828

TTHEHE HHOLYOLY FFAMILYAMILY OFOF JJESUSESUS, M, MARYARY ANDAND JJOSEPHOSEPH DDECEMBERECEMBER 27, 201527, 2015

MMARYARY QQUEENUEEN OFOF AAPOSTLESPOSTLES SSCHOOLCHOOL Catherine Collett, Principal mqa@mqaschool.org Office: 724-339-4411 or 724-335-5911

PPASTORALASTORAL CCOUNCILOUNCIL 2015 2015 -- 20162016 Michael Arabia, Mark Cortese, Sally Lagatutta, Tracy Lindo, Frederick Lukac, Dianne Lucas, Lauren Ockree, Julie Ondako, Darlene Polinski, Mary Jo Schultz, Phyllis Roberts-Spiering, and Doris Swick.

FFINANCEINANCE CCOUNCILOUNCIL 2015 2015 -- 20162016 Richard Kalkstein, Donald Ryan, Danielle Skowronski, Thomas Thimons

FFATHERATHER KKENEN’’SS NNOTESOTES

“E“EVERYONEVERYONE ININ AA FFAMILYAMILY ISIS IMPORTANTIMPORTANT ---- WWEE ALLALL HAVEHAVE AA PPURPOSEURPOSE””

Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in my life, I stop and think about little Jamie Jones. Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went along for the ride to pick Jamie up after school. Jamie rushed up to his Mom, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what Mom," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson forever to me: "I've been chosen to clap and cheer."

Father Ken

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Prayer to the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

The Eucharistic Table Sat./Sun. 12/26-27 5:00 pm 8:30 am 11:00 am

TTHEHE HHOLYOLY FFAMILYAMILY OFOF JJESUSESUS, M, MARYARY ANDAND JJOSEPHOSEPH Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Lk 2:41-52 + Thomas Giordano (John & Denise Mowry) + Mass for the Congregation + Deceased Members of Marchitelli & Pearson Families (Sharon & Bill Pearson)

Mon. 12/28

TTHEHE HHOLYOLY IINNOCENTSNNOCENTS 1 Jn 1:5 - 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 NO MASS

Tues. 12/29 8:00 am

55THTH DDAYAY WITHINWITHIN THETHE OOCTAVECTAVE OFOF THETHE NNATIVITYATIVITY OFOF THETHE LLORDORD; S; STT. T. THOMASHOMAS BBECKETECKET 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 + Jim Liput (Family)

Wed. 12/30 8:00 am

66THTH DDAYAY WITHINWITHIN THETHE OOCTIVECTIVE OFOF THETHE NNATIVITYATIVITY OFOF THETHE LLORDORD 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 + Patricia McDonald (Family & Friends)

Thurs. 12/31 2:30 pm 5:00 pm

77THTH DDAYAY WITHINWITHIN THETHE OOCTIVECTIVE OFOF THETHE NNATIVITYATIVITY OFOF THETHE LLORDORD; S; STT. S. SYLVESTERYLVESTER I; NI; NEWEW YYEAREAR’’SS EEVEVE 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 + Wedding: MaryAnn Haugh & Frank Amato + Andrew Bobick

Fri. 1/1 11:00 am

MMARYARY, T, THEHE HHOLYOLY MMOTHEROTHER OFOF GGODOD Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 + Mo & Richard Tomayko (Wife & Mom)

Sat./Sun. 1/2-3 5:00 pm 8:30 am 11:00 am

TTHEHE EEPIPHANYPIPHANY OFOF THETHE LLORDORD Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 + Mary Jane Spiering & Angeline Kilgore (Tom Spiering & Family) + Mass for the Congregation + Joe Thimons (Family)

Monday, Dec. 28 The Parish Office is Closed December 31 & January 1 The Parish Office is Closed

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**Please note...No Confessions on Saturday, January 2.

This Week

SMM NEW WEBSITESMM NEW WEBSITE

www.smmlb.org

• Check out the NEW look!

• Updated!

• Easier to navigate!

• User Friendly!

SMM MSMM MUSICUSIC MMINISTRYINISTRY INVITESINVITES YOUYOU TOTO SINGSING, , PLAYPLAY ANDAND OROR RINGRING!! AALLLL OFOF OUROUR MMUSICUSIC MMINISTRIESINISTRIES WELCOMEWELCOME NEWNEW MEMBERSMEMBERS ATAT ANYANY TIMETIME..

PPLEASELEASE PRAYERFULLYPRAYERFULLY CONSIDERCONSIDER SHARINGSHARING YOURYOUR MUSICALMUSICAL GIFTSGIFTS WITHWITH THETHE PARISHPARISH..

HHANDBELLANDBELL CCHOIRSHOIRS

MMATTHEWATTHEW 25 H25 HANDBELLANDBELL CCHOIRHOIR & L& LITURGICALITURGICAL HHANDBELLANDBELL CCHOIRHOIR

We need people who are willing to ring bells for the new Handbell Choirs at SMM. In order to join, you do not need to be able to read music. We rehearse in the church on Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. This group, called the Matthew 25 Handbell Choir, will go at a relaxed pace and is an

opportunity to serve others while making music. SMM also has a Liturgical Handbell Choir which rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6:45 - 8:15p.m. This choir goes at a faster pace and requires music reading. Both choirs are open to new members. To join, please contact Mary Murphy at the parish office or mmurphy@smmlb.org. We look forward to welcoming new members.

CCHOIRSHOIRS

Resurrection Choir sings for funerals.

Adult Choir – sings September through early June and rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:45 - 8:45 p.m.

Youth Choir – Grades 4 – 12 rehearses Sundays from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. (between Masses).

3rd grade Choristers and Chime Ringers – rehearses on Sundays from 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Cherub Choir – children age 4 – Grade 2 rehearses Tuesdays at 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

IINSTRUMENTALISTSNSTRUMENTALISTS

We welcome instrumentalists who would like to play on an occasional or more frequent basis.

For more information, please contact Mary Murphy at

mmurphy@smmlb.org or the parish office at 724-335-2336.

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Pope Francis’ suggested New Year’s resolutions

When Pope Francis met before Christmas with Vatican employees, mostly lay people with families, he asked them to do 10 things. The list sounded remarkably like suggestions for New Year’s resolutions:

♦— “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.”

♦— “Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”

♦— “Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words into good works, especially on behalf of the needy.”

♦— “Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”

♦— “Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others.”

♦— “Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”

♦— “Be careful of envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people.”

♦— “Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness that leads to existential euthanasia; for pointing the finger at others, which leads to pride; and for complaining continually, which leads to desperation.”

♦— “Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker … the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this.”

New Year’s Day Blessing

“The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” --Book of Numbers 6:24-26

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USHERS 5 pm A. French Grosse/Keller A. Falleroni M. Kardabin J. Tallarico T. Cavanaugh G. Rapp T. Cambal

8:30 am G. Rapp T. Cambal T. Farina S. Warden S. Skeba B. Crivaro

11 am J. Hess S. Mike M. Misak J. Potosnak D. McClaine T. Rayburg

D. Swick

GREETERS

LECTORS

K. Schafer C. Hopkins

D. Jordan A. Heidenreich

D. DiDonato C. Brinsko

ALTAR SERVERS

5 pm TBA TBA TBA TBA

8:30 am TBA TBA TBA TBA

11 am TBA TBA TBA TBA

J & M Arteritano M. Davis R. French

R. Andra S. Andra J. Farinelli

D. Skowronski R. Skowronski A. Aiello

Ministry Schedule — January 2-3

T. DeMoss R. DeMoss

D. Wasilowski J. Manga

D. Misak M. Joyce

C. Moyes

B. Moyes

Technical Team Presider 5 pm Father Ken

8:30 am Father Ken

11 am Father Ken

None None

M. Ryan S. Ryan

J. O’Donnell

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS 5 pm D. Aubele R. Cortez J. Gulick R. Hill L. Kish O. Leslie J. Litz J. Rolf M. Schroeder

8:30 am V. Beer J. Carabin A. DiGirolomo C. Fantuzzo M. Farinelli R. Farinelli D. Hazlett J. Kane T. Lindo

11 am C. Carson M. Cochran F. Dombrowski R. Dunmire D. Fellers R. Hess D. Hornack T. Hornack J. Ondako

Liturgy of the Word

Treasures from the Traditions

This New Year’s Eve, at the turning of the year, you may catch a glimpse of the old year, a cartoon figure of a hunched old man with a sickle, Father Time. Where else but in this column could you learn that this is in fact a pope? December 31 was in the old calendar the feast of St. Sylvester. Legend says that Sylvester healed the Emperor Constantine of leprosy, and presided at the liturgy of baptism for the grateful emperor. In 314, he was chosen pope, and it fell to him to organize the peacetime church, free at last from persecution. He founded the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome.

In northern Europe “Sylvester Night” is a time of great parties with eating, dancing, and singing—recalling perhaps the joy of the church in the fresh air of Sylvester’s papacy. In Poland, there was great fear as the year 1000 approached that an immense dragon would devour the earth and set fire to the heavens. The people prayed earnestly to St. Sylvester, trusting that the saint would not permit such suffering on his feast day. They’ve been celebrating ever since!

Many New Year’s customs have pagan roots, like the British “First Footer” tradition. The idea is that the first person setting foot into your house in the new year determines the luck for the year ahead. The ideal first footer was not a bit like old Pope Sylvester, but rather a tall, dark-haired man carrying the right gift. A handsome first footer meant the year ahead would be pleasant, and if he carried bread or a shovel of coal there would be food and warmth in the future. Who will be your household’s first footer?

—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

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Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Children and Family Services Appeal Collection

As you are aware, every year the second collection at all Christmas Masses has been for those people living within our own diocese who are less fortunate than we. This collection is titled the “Children and Family Services Appeal.” On the coming Christmas Feast, which reminds us of the gift of God's own Son, Jesus Christ given to each of us without question of our merit or eligibility, we ask you to support the “Children and Family Services Appeal” and make your contribution toward changing the future of an individual, a family or a child through the good work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg.

Please consider a gift this Christmas to the Children and

Family Services Appeal; the second collection

at all Masses on December 24 & 25.

Providing Help,

Creating Hope.

1.866.409.6455 Hunger and Poverty Don’t

Discriminate. How Could We?

Stewardship Table 7