ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH LORAIN, OH

This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sun-

day, or the Third Sunday of Advent. The In-

troductory antiphon for Gaudete Sunday Mass,

in both the Traditional Latin Mass and the

Novus Ordo (our current Liturgy), is taken

from Philippians 4:4-5: "Gaudete in Domino

semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always").

Like Lent, Advent is a penitential season of

preparation, so a priest normally wears purple

vestments. But on Gaudete Sunday, having

passed the midpoint of Advent, the Church

lightens the mood by allowing a priest to wear

rose colored vestments. The change in color

provides us with encouragement to continue

our spiritual preparations for Christmas.

At the midpoint of this Advent season, what

do you have to rejoice about? How has God

blessed you this Advent? How much time

have you invested in preparing yourself spiri-

tually for Christmas? What more still needs to

be done?

~Rev. Edward J Smith

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 4:00 pm • Sunday: 10:00 am

WEEKDAYS Monday & Tuesday: 8:30 am

HOLY DAY MASSES Consult your weekly bulletin.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS 440-288-0106 • www.stanthonylorain.org Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:

9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS CONFESSION: Saturday 3:00 pm or by appt. BAPTISM: Call the Parish Office to register.

Baptisms will be held on the 3rd Sunday of the month

MARRIAGE: Parishioners only. Call at least 6 months in advance.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Call the Parish Office

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION

(PSR) Grades 1−8 meet in school on Monday at 6:15 pm

psr@stanthonylorain.com

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 440-288-2155 • www.stanthonylorain.org

Joseph M. Akosi, School Principal • ext 232 akosij@stanthonylorain.com

Lisa Stefan, Secretary • ext. 231 stefanl@stanthonylorain.com

PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Edward J. Smith, Pastor • ext. 248

Father Thomas Sanders, OSB, Weekend Associate

Deacon Paul Heise Deacon James Stewart (retired) Andy Andino, Music Minister andinoa@stanthonylorain.com

Eric Gilles, Maintenance Supervisor

gillese@stanthonylorain.com Kim Kuhn, Parish Secretary • ext. 221

kuhnk@stanthonylorain.com Diana Lesiecki, Business Manager lesieckid@stanthonylorain.com

Kathleen Obermiller, Communications Director obermillerk@stanthonylorain.com

Join us for our

Advent Penance Service

TODAY

Sunday, December 17th

2 pm

St. Teresa of Avila Hall

READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17, 2017 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25

Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25

Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b]/Lk 1:26-38

Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45

Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1a]/Lk 1:46-56

Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

Sunday - December 17 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 10:00 am - Living & Deceased of the Parish

Monday - December 18 - Late Advent Weekday

8:30 am - †David Arroyo Requested by: Dean Arroyo

Tuesday - December 19 - Late Advent Weekday

8:30 am - †John & Mary Ploszaj Requested by: Steve & Marilyn

Nemeth

Saturday - December 23 - St. John of Kanty,

Priest

4:00 pm - †Tom O’Doherty (Anniv.) Requested by: Susan Zimmerman

Sunday - December 24 - 4th Sunday of Advent 10:00 am - Living & Deceased of the Parish

4:00 pm - Children of the Parish

8:00 pm - Living & Deceased Former

Pastors of the Parish

Monday - December 25 - The Nativity of the

Lord / Christmas Day

10:00 am - Living & Deceased of the Parish

DECEMBER 17, 2017 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

OFFERTORY REPORT Amount Budgeted Weekly……............... $4,807.69

Sunday Collection (12/03/17)…………...$4,862.50

7/1/17 to Date over/(under) Budget…….($5,025.09)

MY GIFT TO GOD REFLECTS HIS GENEROSITY TO ME.

Thank you for your donations last weekend to our second collection for “Be the Light: Share Your

Blessings”. We will have one more collection at both Masses this week-end to help our own in need. Thank

you for your generosity!

CHRISTMAS MASSES The Nativity of the Lord - At the Vigil

12/24 - 4:00 pm

Nativity of the Lord - Mass During the Night

12/24 - 8:00 pm

Nativity of the Lord - Mass During the Day

12/25 - 10:00 am

**The Mass schedule for the 4th Sunday of Ad-

vent remains the same. Masses will be at Sat.,

12/23 at 4 pm & Sun., 12/24 at 10 am. Confes-

sions will be Sat., 12/23 at 3 pm.

JANUARY 1ST IS NOT A HOLY DAY! Since the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God falls on a Monday this coming year, the Holy Day is

suspended. There will be one mass on Monday,

January 1st at 8:30 am but it is NOT a Holy

Day of Obligation.

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH LORAIN, OH

ADORATION CHAPEL “Although Mary and Joseph were living more than 100 miles away in Nazareth, when the time came for Jesus to be born, divine providence ar-ranged that they head to Beth-lehem, a little town whose name means ‘House of Bread’.

And he was placed in a manger, the trough from which animals eat. (In fact the very word ‘manger’ means ‘to eat’ in French). And there, at the very start of his earthly life, He presents himself in ways that hint at His plan for His continual Real Presence on earth through the centuries as the Bread of Life. Small, helpless, vulnerable then as now, our faith marvels at a God who is so great that he can make Himself so small.

PRO LIFE THOUGHT OF THE WEEK Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2017 Fall Campaign of 40 Days for Life. God blessed the 40 Days of Life Campaign and 641 ba-bies, mothers and families were spared from abor-tion, including 1 baby in Cleveland/Painsville. Three more abortion workers were converted and quit their jobs. Cumulatively, over the 10 years of 40 Days for Life, there have been 13,946 babies lives saved from abortion, 157 converted abortion workers, and 90 abortion facility closures, PRAISE GOD! We look forward to praying with you in the 2018 spring campaign, February 14 - March 25. God Bless you and thank you!

~John Noall, campaign director for 40 DFL in Cleveland/Painsville

1305 E. ERIE AVENUE LORAIN, OH 44052-2226

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Call the Parish Office if you would like to add someone to this list. Please notify us when to remove the name. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Call the “Prayer Line” for immediate prayer requests, Georgianna: 440-288-1644 or Dee: 440-984-3874

Gilbert Amador Lindsey Marie Ballas Loretta Bliss

Gary Butchko Lynn Coscho Ann Cusella

Jerry Donovan Anna Mae Ebinger Bea Ellis

Judy Foltin Bea Giacobbe Fr. John Raphael Hadnagy, OFM Conv

Tim Haupt Ralph Koontz Nancy Kurianowicz

Ann Marshall Betty McGinley Ellen Morgan

Victor Munoz Mary Nazario Nick Penick

Emily Raddell Elizabeth Savinsky Amy Schmidt

Elmer Schneider Marie Schweinberg George Simonovich

Celia Stanislaw Brian Stawicki Deacon Jim Stewart

Rick Teaman Stacie Velasquez Peg Young

Phone: 440-288-0106 • www.stanthonylorain.org

DECEMBER 17, 2017 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Weekly Activities SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

1:00 pm - CYO Basketball Games (Gym)

2:00 pm - Advent Penance Service (St. Teresa Hall)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

3:00 pm - Basketball Practice (Gym)

6:00 pm - Marian Guild Christmas Dinner (Social Hall)

7:30 pm - New Life Prayer Group (Adoration Chapel)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

9:00 am - Pierogi Production (Social Hall)

3:30 pm - Basketball Practice (Gym)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

3:00 pm - Basketball Practice (Gym)

7:00 pm - St. John Vianney Fraternity Formation (Church)

7:30 pm - Knights of St. John (Learning Center)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

12:30 pm - Senior Sociables Luncheon (Social Hall)

3:30 pm - Basketball Practice (Gym)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

10:00 am - Cooked Pierogi Sale (Social Hall) 3:00 pm - Divine Mercy Holy Hour (Adoration Chapel)

4:00 pm - Basketball Practice (Gym)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE!

OUR NEXT MONTHLY DINNER WILL BE

Saturday, January 6th, after the 4 pm Mass

The menu will be cabbage rolls, chicken paprikash,

salad, bread & dessert with a beverage.

The cost of each dinner will be only $10.

Please sign up at all church doors

or call the Parish Office, 440-288-0106, to give us a count.

THE JESSE TREE: 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT Sunday: David: 1 Sam 16-18; 24; 28 & 2 Sam 5-6; 11-12; 19-14 Monday: Elijah: 1 Kings 17-18 Tuesday: Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18-19 Wednesday: Isaiah: Isaiah 1-2; 6; 9; 11 Thursday: Jeremiah: Jeremiah 7; 26; 28; 29; 31 & Lamentations 1 Friday: Habakkuk: 2 Kings 24-25 Saturday: Nehemiah: Nehemiah 8-9

MASS SERVERS FOR DECEMBER

23RD, 24TH & 25TH

4th Sunday of Advent Vigil Mass

Saturday, 12/23- 4 pm Isabella Thomas-Friend, Emmersyn Nazario,

Joseph Jancsura

4th Sunday of Advent Mass Sunday, 12/24 - 10 am

David Kelling, Thomas Moore, Grace Obermiller

Nativity of the Lord - At the Vigil Mass

Sunday, 12/24 - 4 pm Ethan & Genevieve Zientarski, Kaylie Rawlins

Nativity of the Lord - Mass During the Night Sunday, 12/24 - 8 pm

Zoe & Gianna Shildwachter, Evan Hricovec

Nativity of the Lord - Mass During the Day

Monday, 12/25 - 10 am Parker Kopronica, Amelia Noble, Cecilia Jacobs

We would like to extend a spe-

cial “Thank You” to Jo & Dan

Semelsberger, who were acci-

dently omitted from the list of

Spaghetti Dinner helpers. Once again, thank you to

all who volunteered & participated in this event.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP "Hopeful Hearts" is for grieving seniors 60 and over that meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Holy Spirit Parish Family Center, 410 Lear Rd., Avon Lake. Because of Christmas, the next meeting is Tuesday, December 19th, 1:00-2:30 pm. Meetings are open to the community at no charge with no reservations required. For more information contact, Chemarra, 440-892-6680, or Mary Lou, 440-933-4423.

MARIAN GUILD CHRISTMAS DINNER We can’t wait to see the ladies

of the parish at our annual dinner prepared by Fligners on

December 18th, 6 pm

in the Social Hall.

Dinner will be Baked Chicken, Cabbage Rolls, Vegetable Lasagna, Candied Carrots, Green Bean Casserole, Augratin Potatoes, Vegetable Rice,

Salad & Rolls with a variety of Cakes for dessert.

Entertainment presented by tap & jazz dancers from TruTec Dance Studio in Avon.

Don’t forget to bring a donation for St. Vincent de

Paul of mittens, hats, or scarves.

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH LORAIN, OH

ELYRIA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL Congratulations to the following parishioners who received honors during 1st quarter of the 2017-2018 school year.

Brookside High School Merit Roll: Elias Voorhees

1st Honors 3rd Honors

Kenadee Bryant Taylor Cruz Jacob Elgart Jason Losiewicz Emma Arra

2nd Honors

Angelina Ingalls James Kelling Andrew Nord Matthew Nord Rachael Pufnock

Liana Olivencia James Zientarski Gabriella Cantu Meghan Jancsura

Victoria Cantu Branson Taylor Mia Vazquez

Brianna Vidovich Emily Elgart

Liza Kalo Breanna Kowalczyk

SENIOR SOCIABLES CHRISTMAS LUNCH The next meeting will be on

Thursday, December 21st

in the Social Hall at 12:30 pm.

The menu will be breaded pork chops, potato pan-cakes with sour cream, green beans, applesauce, and

peppermint ice cream.

The program will be presented by LoCoYaks, re-garding the clean up of the Black River.

The cost of the meal is $8.00 for members &

$9.00 for guests.

Each member is asked to bring a package of new

men's socks to donate to the Valor Home.

Please call Karen Less at 440-949-2934, no later

than Monday, December 18th.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL NEWS We would like to thank the Men’s Club, Sr. Sociables, Boy Scouts, the Marian Guild, and of course, the parishioners, for their generosity, not only to the Blanket Sunday appeal, but also for the overwhelming response to our request for Thanksgiving basket donations, food, hats and mittens, and other things. Our clients are very grateful for the variety of items that they

got that are over and above the standard things that are usually received. We would like you to know that we are most grateful to be able to continue our ministry to the needy because of your sincere concern for our clients. May God Bless You and Merry Christmas from the SVDP Society!