St. Edward Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

120 St. Edwards Lane, Herminie, PA 15637

A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

Parish Mission Statement We, of St. Edward, are a large parish family diverse in age, community and background. We are

united by a shared Catholic faith, offering hospitality and opportunities for spiritual growth. Our

baptismal commitment is continually renewed by living and proclaiming the word of God,

through our celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The proclaiming of our faith

is found in our example and participation in the world. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we strive

to grow in Christ during our journey of a lifetime.

PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Richard J. Ulam, O.S.B.

Administrator

rulam@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mr. John D. Zombar

Deacon

jzombar@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mrs. Cheryl Hall

Director of Faith Formation

chall@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mrs. Robin Stahl

Director of Music Ministry

rstahl@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mrs. Glenda E. Sekerchak

Administrative Secretary

gsekerchak@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mrs. Lisa Arch Secretary for Faith Formation

larch@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mr. Jack Heinzic

Custodian

Mrs. Donna Bricker

Rectory Domestic

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Regional Mass at St. Barbara Church in

Harrison City, Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

Weekdays - Tues & Thurs 10:00 a.m.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Confession on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Parents must attend a Baptism Class. Please

call the parish office to schedule.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

Contact the pastor and arrange date at least

1 year in advance. Attendance at Marriage

Prep. Program is required.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF

ADULTS (R.C.I.A) Adults interested in becoming Catholic

should contact the Faith Formation Office.

MINISTRY TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND

Communion calls to the sick and

homebound and those confined in nursing

homes are made regularly. Please notify the

parish office.

CONTACT US: Parish Office: 724-446-5197

Parish Fax: 724-446-1433

SVDP Help Line: 724-493-3987

E-Mail: stedward@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Parish Web: www.saint-edward.org Diocesan Web:

www.dioceseofgreensburg.org

Year A - The Epiphany of the Lord January 5, 2020

ST. EDWARD PARISH, A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust JANUARY 5, 2020 HERMINIE, PA THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

SAT: JANUARY 4 6:00pm For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Edward Parish SUN: JANUARY 5 9:00am Paul & Bertine Kohut (John & Kathy Galembush) ——————————-——————————————————— MON: JANUARY 6 No Mass Today TUE: JANUARY 7 9:00am Pete Cherellia (Joann Crosby) WED: JANUARY 8 No Mass Today THU: JANUARY 9 9:00am Gloria Delose (Children & Grandchildren) FRI: JANUARY 10 No Mass Today ____________________________________________________ SAT: JANUARY 11 6:00pm For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Edward Parish SUN: JANUARY 12 – Baptism of the Lord 9:00am Michael Pils (Anni) (Youth Ministry Students)

The magi brought gifts to the baby Jesus. What gifts do you bring to the Lord? You might have the gift of patience or understanding and bring this gift in your interactions with others. You might have a talent for bringing new ideas and creative insights into situations at home, work, parish, or your city. You might have a gift for helping people to work together for a great cause or purpose. All of these gifts have been given to you by God, to be used for God’s purposes, for God’s greater glory. All of these are glimpses of God’s grace, and like Saint Paul, you are called to be a good steward of them, as a sign of Christ’s life within you. You bring your gifts to the Lord by using them well, sharing them generously and responsibly in caring for others and for all of creation. The Gospel reading is Matthew’s account of the visit of the Magi. Three important truths are revealed in this sacred story. First, God alone directs salvation history. King Herod tried to exercise control over the newborn Christ, assembling the chief priests and scribes of the people and meeting secretly with the Magi in an attempt to conceal his true motives to harm the infant. But God protected the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the Magi. A second revealed truth is that God prepared us for this gift through the words of the Jewish prophets. We hear that the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfills what the prophet Micah had foretold nearly eight centuries earlier: “Bethlehem . . . from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel”. A third revealed truth is that Jesus is God’s gift to all nations. The Magi that brought gifts to Jesus are traditionally identified as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. These three astrologers from the East represented the other major nations of the world in the time of Christ. Epiphany celebrates what the visit of the Magi reveals to us: God’s gift — the gift of his newborn Son — is a gift offered to all people, for which God has long-prepared the world.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION

“Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of

gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)

The image of the Magi kneeling before the infant Jesus and opening their treasure chests for Him is an image that we should all try to follow each day. In gratitude for all that we have been given, we are called to generously share all of our gifts, not just the ones we pick and choose. God wants us to be generous with everything, but especially that one thing that means the most to us.

If you do not receive the parish offertory envelope packet, please consider making a donation to these additional collections this month of January:

Monthly Offering Initial Offering

Debt Reduction Solemnity of Mary Church Improvement Simply place these donations in a regular envelope with your name, collection name, and amounts written on the envelope. Thank you for supporting the parish!

ST. EDWARD’S BIBLE STUDY PRESENTS A MOVIE DAY! Everyone is welcome to join us this Sunday, January 5th after the 9:00am Mass in Edwardian Hall for the Nativity Story as we continue to celebrate the birth of our Lord! Snacks and drinks will be provided by the Bible group. This event is free.

QUEEN OF ANGELS SCRIPS FOR SALE - You can help support Queen of Angels Catholic School by purchasing Giant Eagle, Kohl’s, Shop’n Save, Walmart/Sam’s Club gift cards after all Masses this weekend. Scrips are also available in the parish office during the week. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY - Will meet this Sunday at 10:00am in the Faith Formation office.. FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION - Will take place this Wednesday, January 8th at 10:00am in Edwardian Hall. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Members will meet this Wednesday, January 8th at 12:30pm in the parish meeting room. RCIA SESSION - Continues on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:30pm in the parish meeting room. CHOIR REHEARSAL - Continues on Wednesday, January 8th at 7:00pm in the church. New members are always welcome! ST. EDWARD LUNCH GROUP - Will meet on Thursday, January 9th at 12:00 Noon at Rodney’s Restaurant in Irwin. All are welcome to join in for food and fellowship. No reservations necessary. BAPTISM CLASS - As we begin the New Year, we remind new expectant parents of the necessary Baptism Preparation Class. The next class is scheduled for Sunday, February 2nd at 10:30am in the church hall. Please call the parish office to register at 724-446-5197. 2020 RELIGIOUS CATHOLIC CALENDARS - Through the courtesy of Nickels Funeral Home, the 2020 Catholic Calendars are available this weekend on the bulletin table. Pease thank them for their generosity. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! - The St. Edward Night at the Races will take place this year on Saturday, February 22nd at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm. More news coming soon! Mark your calendar and plan on attending this great night out! Those who would like to volunteer are asked to call Dawna Kavel at 724-446-1802. 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE - Will meet on Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30pm in the parish meeting room. This meeting is open to anyone from the parish who would like to be on the 100th Anniversary Committee. CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS - Remember your deceased loved ones this Christmas season through the Christmas Flower donations. Additional envelopes are available on the bulletin table. REMEMBERING THE POOR - Don’t forget that our parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box for your loose change when attending Mass located in the church vestibule near the statue of St. Vincent de Paul. The parish receives many calls for assistance during the year. God will bless your generosity in 2020! FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP - All boys and girls, ages 9-14 are welcome to compete on Sunday, January 12th at Queen of Angels Gym in Irwin at 2:00pm sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Information by calling Al at 724-864-3487 or Mike at 724-864-6680.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Epiphany can be understood as an extension of the Nativity

of the Lord that we celebrate on December 25. While at

Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ coming as the long-awaited

king and Messiah of the Jewish people, on Epiphany we

celebrate the revelation that Jesus is the Savior and Light of

all nations—Jews, Gentiles, and all people.

The star shines so brightly that it attracts magi who come

from far distant countries to worship Jesus. They are not

Jews, yet they are drawn to the Light of the world. The

letter to the Ephesians reveals that the Light of the world

was for the Gentiles as well as the Jews—Christ gathers all

people into the light of his love. The reading from Isaiah

also describes a gathering of diverse peoples, but this time

it is to the light that emanates from the people of God.

They opened their treasures

and offered him gifts

of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

— Matthew 2:11b

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13;

Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a;

Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44

Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13;

Mk 6:45-52

Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17;

Lk 4:14-22a

Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16

Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30

Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10;

Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord;

National Migration Week Monday: St. André Bessette Tuesday: St. Raymond of Penyafort; Julian Calendar Christmas

THANK YOU BULLETIN SPONSORS! The parish wishes to express its gratitude to the business people who choose to advertise on the back of our bulletin. Because of their generosity, the bulletin is printed 52 weeks a year free of charge to the parish. Best wishes to them in 2020 Please be sure to patronize them in 2020 and thank them for their generosity to YOUR parish!!

Faith Formation News grades 1 to 5 Class will resume next Sunday, January 12 from 10:15 am to 12:00 pm.

Middle Youth Ministry grades 6 to 8 Middle Youth Ministry continues Monday, January 13 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in the social hall.

High School Youth Ministry grades 9-12 All youth of the Diocese in grades 9 -12 are invited to join us for the Diocesan High School Winter Retreat, Chaos, sponsored by the Diocese of Greensburg. Come pray, share, learn, and take time to be with God. Join us February 21-23, 2020 at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant. Register now with Cheri Hall. For more information visit www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/winterretreat. Register by February 1 at the Early Bird Registration of $100. Registration raises to $130 after February 1. Attendees are eligible for a scholarship of $50 through the Francis Fund. Applications for Francis Fund are due by January 1, 2020.

NEWS FROM CHERYL HALL Director of Faith Formation

20 + C + M + B + 20 Feast of the Epiphany

Today we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, the traditional day to bless homes. House Blessing Kits are made available this weekend for families to bless their own homes. These kits include the prayer of blessing, a vial of Holy Water and a piece of blessed chalk with which you can write above the main door of your house 20 + C + M + B + 20 (C, M, & B stand for the names of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar). It also stands for the first letters of the Latin saying, Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ Bless this House!". The blessing should take place before the close of the Christmas season, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is next Sunday, January 12th. May this special door of your house be a reminder of all the Blessings and Graces that this New Year can bring. We ask our parishioners to return the Holy Water vials when finished so we can use them again next year. A box will be placed on the bulletin table for these Holy Water bottles.

On Friday, January 24th in Washington D.C., the annual March for Life will take place on the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s infamous Roe v. Wade decision. Those in attendance will petition Congress and our President to protect the right of every born and pre-born human being. We ask everyone to help celebrate life through prayer, liturgy, and self-education. Life is sacred, so each of us has the responsibility to see that all human life is given respect and dignity. We have the obligation to support life through our prayer, sacrifice and knowledge.

ST. AGNES MARCH FOR LIFE BUS TRIP - St. Agnes

Parish will sponsor a bus to Washington, DC on Friday, January 24th. The bus will leave St. Agnes at 6:00am and return late evening. The cost is $15 for students and $25 for adults and includes a bagged lunch with a hoagie. The bus will stop at a restaurant on the way home for dinner on your own. The trip also includes a visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where a Mass will be celebrated in the chapel. To register, please call Judy at 724-640-6577. YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO THE MARCH FOR LIFE - The

Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship of the Diocese will sponsor a Youth Pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. January 23-24 for students in grades 8-12. The cost of the trip is $75 per student. The youth pilgrimage includes the Life Is Very Good evening rally at the Eagle Bank Arena on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., as well as the Life is Very Good Mass on Friday morning at the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Please contact Cheryl Hall at 724-446-5197 for more information.

SUPERBOWL SOUPER February 2nd

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Get ready for the big game on Super Bowl Sunday! Please join St. Edward Parish for our extravaganza Souper! This is part of our 100th Anniversary celebration. This will be an all-you-can-eat sampling of 20+ different soups, along with sandwiches and desserts. Beverages will also be provided. There will also be a Basket Raffle and 50/50.

We are asking for parishioners to contribute in some way, either by making a crockpot of soup and/or dessert. (All soups, of any kind, must be brought in a crockpot to enable heating during the entire event). There will be sign-up sheets after all Masses the weekends of January 11/12, 18/19 and 25/26. Please help us make this a delicious meal and a successful fundraiser for our 100th Anniversary in addition to a parish family social! Prices are $7.00 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Should there be any soups left over, take-out containers of your choice of soup will be available for $5.00. An easy meal to have to enjoy watching the Super Bowl! Volunteers for all aspects of this event will be greatly appreciated. Please call Robin Stahl at 724-446-1202 or Jeanne Dippolito at 724-446-9397 with any questions and to offer your needed support.