SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Watch! My adorable and inquisitive 5-year-old godson, Dayo, recently asked me to get him a wristwatch. He was fascinated by the features, especially the lights on my Fitbit wristwatch. He wanted to know how the buttons function and it was fun showing him. What functions do timepieces serve? It helps us to keep a record of the time of day. Watches also help us to set up alarms, prompt reminders for important events. My watch (my cell phone watch) for instance is set up to wake me up at certain consistent times and to remind me of important hours of prayers like 3.00 pm Divine Mercy hour and 12 pm and 6 pm Angelus prayer. Watches keep us on alert and to map out time. They remind us of getting ready for a function. I sometimes oversleep when my watch alarm is not set to wake me up. I have occasionally missed my Divine Mercy prayer because my watch alarm was not set for 3 pm. Not waking up at the right time or missing prayer times can have unpleasant consequences. Not being alert or on the watch for the coming of Jesus can have devastating consequences. Advent Season helps us to trigger the attitude of a watch person. It is a season of waiting and watching for the coming of Jesus Christ which we celebrate liturgically at Christmas. How do we keep alert and on the watch for the coming of Our Savior? There are a couple of suggestions: Prayer, Meditation, and Reconciliation. Lack of prayers places our watchfulness in sleep mode. Distraction from total focus on the Lord of Life, Jesus the Christ puts us to spiritual sleep. A broken relationship with God and neighbors through sin leads to sleep of death. We can avoid being found asleep in these spiritual ways by keeping watch always and especially during this season of Advent through intentional constant prayers, meditations on Sacred Scriptures, and Sacrament of Confession. Due to the pandemic, we will not have a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year. What I plan to do is offer more opportunities to hear confessions on other days in the week other than Saturday afternoon and Thursday evening as I currently do. Confessions between Sunday masses in Advent will return this Sunday. Be on the lookout for additional days for confession on the parish website, Facebook page, and bulletin. Be on the watch! By the way, I got my godson a wristwatch. He likes the lights that come up at the press of the button. Do you have your watches on? What steps do you plan to take to be watchful during this Advent? Do you have a family Advent Wreath? Do you plan to have time for family prayers and reading of the Bible? Do you have plans to come with the family to confession before Christmas? I say this to you and to all: “Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Fr. Bernard, OP Pastor

November Month of the Holy Souls

During the month of November we remember the souls of our beloved dead. For the members of our parish, a ribbon with their name has been added to our Remembrance Wreath. Please take a moment to say a prayer for them.

October 31, 2019 – October 31, 2020

David Mowrer 12/8/2019

Andrew “Bing” Horvath 2/7/2020

Dr. Richard Knowlton 3/11/2020

Olga Korol 3/31/2020

Kathy Jo Narkiewicz 6/19/2020

Elizabeth Skundrich 8/10/2020

Robin Ott 8/11/2020

Faye Weidman 8/23/2020

Margaret Curran 9/4/2020

Patrick Boylan 10/20/2020

Elmer Monahan 10/27/2020

“Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them. May All of the Faithful Departed,

Through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.”

DAILY MASS: HISTORIC CHURCH (HC) & (C)

WEEKEND MASSES: CHURCH (C)

SAT, NOV 28 VIGIL 4:00 PM + Carole Kinney (C) Patti Becker & Family SUN NOV 29 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 AM + Vincent Martino (C) Christina, Greg & Family 10:30 AM For Our Parish & Nation (C) MON, NOV 30 7:00 AM + Flossie McKnight (HC) McKnight Family TUE, DEC 1 8:00 AM Living Intentions of Fr. Patrick O’Doherty & Queen of Peace Parish (HC) Joan Emig WED, DEC 2 7:00 AM + Bing Horvath (HC) Vince Bresch THUR, DEC 3 5:30 PM + Deceased members of the Hnatkovich & Thomas’ Families (C) Ann & Gene Thomas FRI, DEC 4 8:00 AM + Rick Knowlton (HC) Bereavement SAT, DEC 5 Vigil 4:00 PM For Our Parish & Nation SUN DEC 6 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 AM + Agnes Haggerty (C) Eileen Hill 10:30 AM + Janice Glick (C) Judy Holtz (C)

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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Altar Flowers

In Loving Memory of

Vivian Shank

Given by the Shank Family ~

The Blessed Mother Flowers

In Loving Memory of

Agnes Haggerty

Given by Eileen Hill

&

The St Joseph Flowers In Loving Memory

Jim & Doris Byrne Given by the Brockman Family

OUR SANCTUARY CANDLES ILLUMINATE THIS WEEK FOR:

~ HISTORIC CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

John & Margaret Curran

Given by Curran Family

~ CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

Carole Ann Kinney

Given by the Kinney Family

Scripture Readings Week of November 29, 2020

Sunday First Sunday of Advent Is 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37 Monday Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Mt 4:18-22 Tuesday Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday Second Sunday of Advent Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8

ADVENT CONFESSION SCHEDULE

During Advent, Fr. Bernard will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between Sunday Masses from 9:45 am to 10:15 am. Hopefully, this additional time and convenience for our parishioners will be an added blessing for our parish for the Christmas season.

Welcome to Our New Parish Families

Jason & Kristine Bittle

And their children Finley & Bennett

Justin & Keeley Bloom

Cassidy Mason

Paul & Mary Jo Smith

Steven Roldand

A Special Welcome to our Newly Baptized Members Theadore Grant Noguerola

Harper Susan Capelli

Milo Graham Rakos

Harper Ellen Miller

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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THANK YOU TO OUR BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

St Peter’s Men’s Club

A parish Ministry dedicated to fostering the spiritual and social development of the men of Saint Peters through fellowship and service to

the parish community.

For membership or information, call Mike at 717-367-5370

❑ New Registration

❑ Change of Address

❑ Moving out of Parish

❑ Want Envelopes ❑ No Envelopes

New Parishioners: If you are new in the area of our Parish, we invite you to register as members. Please drop this information into the Offertory Basket or mail to Parish Office.

Name: ___________________________________________ Phone: ______________________

Street: _____________________________________________ Email: ______

GOD’S HOUSEKEEPERS Saturday, December 5, 2020

Marie Strait, Pat Worrall, Ginny Blazer,

Bill & Cheryl Dechant

A few of our cleaning teams are in need of help. If you are able to help please call the office!!

Calling all Techies

With the implementation of our new streaming program, we are in need of volunteers who enjoy video/streaming technology. Training will be provided and the time commitment would be streaming one Mass a month with potential for more events in the future. Call the Office if interested, 717-367-1255.

2021 MEN’S CLUB CALENDARS

2021 Men's Club lottery calendars are now available. However, in an effort to limit social activity in the narthex, the men's club won't be regularly selling the lottery calendars after

Masses. To purchase a 2021 lottery calendar, please contact Steve Cook, Ben Myers, or stop by the Church office. The lottery calendars are $20 each and proceeds benefit St. Peter's Parish.

Steve Cook - scook1492@gmail.com or 717 609-2972 Ben Myers - padutchland@comcast.net or 717 367-4733

WE ARE A STEWARDSHIP PARISH

DUE TO THE HOLIDAY, STEWARDSHIP NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE

TIME OF PUBLICATION. FIGURES WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK.

~~~~~~~~~ SECOND COLLECTION DECEMBER 12/13

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Our Religious Education students are really growing in their faith formation in both our In Person classes and with Online learning at home. The students have been working hard and have been so respectful and thoughtful in class, and the work that is being sent in from our online learners has been terrific! We are still adjusting to our "new normal" and your prayers for this ministry are greatly appreciated!

(Art work compliments of Jack Cook)

WINTER SHELTER The Elizabethtown Winter Shelter is looking for the commitment of 2-4 shifts each month Dec. 7 – Apr. 2 from over 200 volunteers. We currently have almost 70 committed, but we need more! We are especially in need of overnight and morning shift volunteers. It is more vital than ever to be able to provide a warm, safe and dry place to spend the night for those experiencing homelessness. The shelter serves the Elizabethtown, Bainbridge, Rheems, Marietta, Maytown and Mount Joy areas. The shelter will follow all CDC and state COVID-19 guidelines. In order to support us in increasing the safety of our shelter, St. Paul’s church will be hosting us in their very spacious children’s wing! If you would like to volunteer, please call 717-361-0740 or email at office@echoslancaster.org for more information.

The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors. ~Pope Pius XI

Behol d a virgin beari ng hi m Who comes to save us from o ur sin; The prop hets cry: prepare H is way! Make straight H is paths to Christmas Day. Behol d our H ope a nd Life and Light, The pro mise of the holy ni ght; We lift our prayer an d bend o ur knee To his gr eat love an d majesty.

“ ”

The Litany of the

Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all-powerful, have mercy on us. Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, hear us. Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, * have mercy on us. Ray of heavenly light, * Author of all good, * Source of heavenly water Consuming fire* Ardent charity,* Spiritual unction,* Spirit of love and truth,* Spirit of wisdom and understanding,* Spirit of counsel and fortitude,* Spirit of knowledge and piety,* Spirit of the fear of the Lord,* Spirit of grace and prayer,* Spirit of peace and meekness,* Spirit of modesty and innocence,* Holy Spirit, the Comforter,* Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier,* Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church Gift of God, the Most High,* Spirit Who fillest the universe,* Spirit of the adoption of the children of God,* Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.

Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His

heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.

Called to Live the Freedom of the Holy

Spirit in Advent ~Galatians 5:13-26

For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfish-ness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be con-ceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.

Advent Wreath Table Prayer As we make the Sign of the Cross, the leader says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord. R/. Who made heaven and earth. A song may be sung as someone lights the candle(s). The rose candle is lighted during the Third Week of Advent.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. R./ Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Thou Wisdom from on high And order all things, far and nigh To us the path of knowledge show And cause us in her ways to go. R./ Opening Prayer

Open our minds and our hearts, O Lord, to hear your word of promise! Send us the Holy Spirit to guide us through these holy days. Quiet our worries and anxieties and help us to wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ who is Lord for ever and ever. R/. Amen. Scripture Reading (chosen from the daily readings or from below). The First Week: Isaiah 9:1-6 The Second Week: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 The Third Week: Luke 1:39-45 The Fourth Week: John 1:1-5, 9-14 A reflection may be shared about the Reading. Concluding Prayer

Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us, He is the Savior of every nation. Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May He come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen. To conclude, we make the Sign of the Cross, saying:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us everlasting life. R/. Amen.

“The Holy Spirit teaches us to see with the eyes of Christ, to live life as Christ lived, to understand life as Christ understood it. That is why the living water, who is the Holy Spirit, quenches our life, why he tells us that we are loved by God as children, that we can love God as his children and that by his grace we can live as children of God, like Jesus. And we, do we listen to the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit tell us? He says: God loves you. He tells us this. God loves you, God likes you. Do we truly love God and others, as Jesus does? Let us allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, let us allow him to speak to our heart and say this to us: God is love, God is waiting for us, God is Father, he loves us as a true father loves, he loves us truly and only the Holy Spirit can tell us this in our hearts. Let us hear the Holy Spirit, let us listen to the Holy Spirit and may we move forward on this path of love, mercy and forgiveness.” - Pope Francis, General Audience, May 8, 2013

Come, Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful,

and enkindle in us the fire of

Your love.

Daily Readings for Advent “Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my

feet, a light for my path.”

- Psalm 119:105

FIRST WEEK

Sunday Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Monday Isaiah 2:1-5

Tuesday Psalm 72

Wednesday Isaiah 25:6-10

Thursday Matthew 7:21-27

Friday Psalm 27

Saturday Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26

SECOND WEEK

Sunday Philippians 1:4-11

Monday Psalm 85

Tuesday Luke 1:26-38

Wednesday Zechariah 2:14-17

Thursday Psalm 145

Friday Matthew 11:16-19

Saturday Sirach 48:1-11

THIRD WEEK

Sunday Zephaniah 3:14-18

Monday Genesis 49:2, 8-10

Tuesday Jeremiah 23:5-8

Wednesday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25

Thursday Isaiah 7:10-14

Friday Luke 1:5-25

Saturday Luke 1:26-38

FOURTH WEEK

Sunday Micah 5:1-4

Monday Song of Songs 2:8-14

Tuesday Luke 1:57-66

Wednesday Luke 1:67-79

Diocese of Harrisburg

Office for Divine Worship

© 2020

SAINT PETER CHURCH ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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ST PETER PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We are the church of St. Peter committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through

prayer, service, scripture and sacrament in the living Catholic and apostolic tradition.

We welcome all to walk with us on this journey of faith.

Sunday November 29 NO Religious Ed Monda November 30Tuesday December 16:30 pm RCIA Room 56:30 pm Finance Meeting Wednesday December 2Thursday December 3Frida December 4Parish Office Closed Saturda December 57:00 am TMIY Remotely9:00 am RCIA Book Club Room 63:00 pm Confessions Sunday December 6 Second Sunda of Advent6:00 pm 7 & 8 grade Religious Education Rooms 1 & 26:00 HS Youth Meeting Room 5 The Good Samaritan

2021 ALTAR FLOWERS & SANCUTARY CANDLES

~ There are still dates available for flowers and candles, stop by the table in the Narthex.

~ Do you have a prayer request you would like to put in our parish book of intentions? Please call the office and we will be more than happy to write it in for you.

~ New missalettes, November 29,2020 ~ March 27, 2021, are available in the Narthex. Please take one home for your personal use.

~ The Advent edition of the Word Amon Us is available and on the table in the Narthex. ENJOY!

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

If you would like to remember or honor a loved one with Christmas flowers, please fill out this form and return it to the Parish Office with your donation no later than Monday, December 14. Donations help defray the cost of the flowers and donor’s names will be listed in the Christmas weekend bulletin.

Please print clearly.

Name:________________________________

Donation $ __________________________________

Phone number:______________________________

email:________________________________

In Memory Of: (DECEASED)

_________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

In Honor Of: (LIVING)__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Special Intentions:______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

Please drop in the Collection basket, the Parish Office or mail to:

St Peter Church + 1840 Marshall Dr Elizabethtown, PA 17022

“STOCKING STUFFERS”SCRIP GIFT CARD PROGRAM

The holidays are just around the corner and we can help make your shopping easy and stress-free!! Our gift card program offers one-stop shopping with cards from over a thousand merchants. Pick up a complete list of merchants in the parish office or visit www.glscrip.com and click on merchant listing. Orders are placed on Mondays and are ready for pick-up by Thursday. Another great way to support the Parish and the

Guardian Angel Program.

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Mangia!

PINNACLE

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