December 13, 2015 – Third Sunday of Advent Tithing is God ...
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December 13, 2015 – Third Sunday of Advent \ Stewardship is a way of life. Tithing is God’s Plan for Giving: Tithing Income: Dec. 06, 2015: Regular: $ 6,510.00 Loose: $ 1,015.25 Children’s Offering: $ -0- ONLINE GIVING: $ 2,225.00 Tithing Income TOTAL For Dec. 06, 2015: $ 9,750.25 Tithing Income: Dec. 07, 2014 $10,248.50 Mass Attendance: Weekend of December 06, 2015 - 516 Weekend of December 07, 2014 - 531 From Our Pastor: At Sacred Heart, we print comparisons with last year’s collection and attendance (in the future, we will at St. Jude, when we’re clear of the embezzlement years, for a clearer comparison). I guess that’s all ok. I dunno. While not exactly a financial thing, I just think of God telling David “don’t take a census!” (cf. 2 Samuel chapter 24). Why not? It doesn’t say, but I think that was God saying “let me worry about the numbers. You just do your job and relax. Leave the numbers to me.” David takes a census anyway and is punished by God. Comparing the numbers, the performance, from one year to another can drive you crazy. It’s like people who follow the stock market too much, moving their investments around every day. You could go nearly insane with that. God says relax. Do your job and leave the numbers to me. From the pews: We were tithing long before I became popular. I remember years ago my husband got and increase and he said 15% off the top. I was upset and said that leaves a dollar for me and he said it’s a dollar you didn’t have before. So we did what my husband suggested and it seem like we were getting extra money from relatives for gifts, because we gave back. Now, my husband is gone and I am living on a fixed income but I try to give as much as I can. If I come into some money you will be the first on the list for sharing! Pastor astor astor astor’s Column olumn olumn olumn THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING CHILDREN TO MASS II By Jim Gontis, director of religious education, Diocese of Harrisburg 10. Children need to be taught (and learn) the “standard” prayers, e.g. Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Prayer to Guardian Angel, etc. Good to also have some brief extemporaneous prayers, (prayers of thanksgiving good here) and young children love singing. Lex orandi, lex credenda.-Translation: “The Law of prayer is the law of belief.” 11. Patience is crucial. Always a balance between an appropriate firmness so that the children learn boundaries and proper behavior, but also a certain and appropriate “Light-heartedness” is important. Remember we want them to learn their Faith, but also to love it, they are more likely to want to learn more of it and practice it for the “long-haul” and vice versa. 12. Don’t speak disrespectfully of the Mass, the Church, the clergy, the homily, etc. This sets a bad example for the children and can eventually, in later years, lead them being cynical about the Faith. 13. If the Priest is greeting people after Mass, bring the children to say hello to him. 14. Try to attend Mass at the time that is best for the children. This will also make things easier on you and everyone will be happier. 15. Try to make the entirety of the Lord’s Day a day of prayer to, and worship of, God. Make Sundays a family time & as much as possible a peaceful, unhurried time. 16. Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere !!! BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN IN BRINGING THEM TO MASS: ♥ The grace being poured out. ♥ Helps to develop a love and fascination for sacred things. ♥ When brought to Mass frequently, children more quickly learn the language of the Faith. ♥ Behavior at Mass gets better earlier if they are taken from early age and get used to going. ♥ The Faith becomes interwoven into the “fabric” of their lives. ♥ A love for, and hungering after, the Real, Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Transcript of December 13, 2015 – Third Sunday of Advent Tithing is God ...
December 13, 2015 – Third Sunday of Advent
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Stewardship is a way of life. Tithing is God’s Plan for Giving:
Tithing Income: Dec. 06, 2015: Regular: $ 6,510.00 Loose: $ 1,015.25 Children’s Offering: $ -0- ONLINE GIVING: $ 2,225.00 Tithing Income TOTAL For Dec. 06, 2015: $ 9,750.25
Tithing Income: Dec. 07, 2014 $10,248.50 Mass Attendance: Weekend of December 06, 2015 - 516 Weekend of December 07, 2014 - 531
From Our Pastor: At Sacred Heart, we print comparisons with last year’s collection and attendance (in the future, we will at St. Jude, when we’re clear of the embezzlement years, for a clearer comparison). I guess that’s all ok. I dunno. While not exactly a financial thing, I just think of God telling David “don’t take a census!” (cf. 2 Samuel chapter 24). Why not? It doesn’t say, but I think that was God saying “let me worry about the numbers. You just do your job and relax. Leave the numbers to me.” David takes a census anyway and is punished by God. Comparing the numbers, the performance, from one year to another can drive you crazy. It’s like people who follow the stock market too much, moving their investments around every day. You could go nearly insane with that. God says relax. Do your job and leave the numbers to me. From the pews: We were tithing long before I became popular. I remember years ago my husband got and increase and he said 15% off the top. I was upset and said that leaves a dollar for me and he said it’s a dollar you didn’t have before. So we did what my husband suggested and it seem like we were getting extra money from relatives for gifts, because we gave back. Now, my husband is gone and I am living on a fixed income but I try to give as much as I can. If I come into some money you will be the first on the list for sharing!
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING CHILDREN TO MASS II
By Jim Gontis, director of religious education, Diocese of Harrisburg 10. Children need to be taught (and learn) the “standard” prayers, e.g. Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Prayer to Guardian Angel, etc. Good to also have some brief extemporaneous prayers, (prayers of
thanksgiving good here) and young children love singing. Lex orandi, lex credenda.-Translation: “The Law of prayer is the law of belief.” 11. Patience is crucial. Always a balance between an appropriate firmness so that the children learn boundaries and proper behavior, but also a certain and appropriate “Light-heartedness” is important. Remember we want them to learn their Faith, but also to love it, they are more likely to want to learn more of it and practice it for the “long-haul” and vice versa. 12. Don’t speak disrespectfully of the Mass, the Church, the clergy, the homily, etc. This sets a bad example for the children and can eventually, in later years, lead them being cynical about the Faith. 13. If the Priest is greeting people after Mass, bring the children to say hello to him. 14. Try to attend Mass at the time that is best for the children. This will also make things easier on you and everyone will be happier. 15. Try to make the entirety of the Lord’s Day a day of prayer to, and worship of, God. Make Sundays a family time & as much as possible a peaceful, unhurried time. 16. Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere !!!
BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN IN BRINGING THEM TO MASS:
♥ The grace being poured out. ♥ Helps to develop a love and fascination for
sacred things. ♥ When brought to Mass frequently, children more
quickly learn the language of the Faith. ♥ Behavior at Mass gets better earlier if they are
taken from early age and get used to going. ♥ The Faith becomes interwoven into the “fabric”
of their lives. ♥ A love for, and hungering after, the Real,
Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
CA�E�DAR F EVE�TS
DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember Sunday: 12/13/15 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass/7:30 & 11am/Church CCD/9am/SH School – LAST DAY OF SEMESTER! Children’s Choir Practice/4pm/Choir Loft Monday: 12/14/15: Mass/7am/Church Tuesday: 12/15/15: Mass/7am/Church Wednesday: 12/16/15: Confessions/6:30pm/Church Mass/7pm/Church Adult Choir/7:35pm/Choir Loft Thursday: 12/17/15: SHS Mass/9am/Church RCIA/7pm/Parish office Friday: 12/18/15: Mass/7am/Church SHS Christmas Musical/10a & 7pm/Church Saturday: 12/19/15: Confessions/3pm/Church Mass/4pm/Church Sunday: 12/20/15 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass/7:30 & 11am/Church Children’s Choir Practice/4pm/Choir Loft Monday: 12/21/15: Mass/7am/Church
Tuesday: 12/22/15: Mass/7am/Church Adult Choir Rehearsal/7pm/Choir Loft Wednesday: 12/23/15: SHS Early Dismissal 11:30 am for Christmas Break! Confessions/6:30pm/Church Mass/7pm/Church Adult Choir/7:30 pm/Choir Loft Thursday: 12/24/15 Christmas Eve: Parish office closes at 12 Noon Children’s Mass/4pm/Church Christmas Carols/9:45pm/Church Christmas Eve Mass/10pm/Church Friday: 12/25/15 Christmas Day: Parish Office CLOSED Christmas Carols/9:45am/Church Christmas Day Mass/10am/Church Saturday: 12/26/15: Confessions/3pm/Church Mass/4pm/Church
LITURGICAL NOTES:
And Weekly ReadingsAnd Weekly ReadingsAnd Weekly ReadingsAnd Weekly Readings Sunday, December 13 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Zephaniah 3:14-18; Isaiah 12:2-6;Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 7:30 AM Samuel & Adeline DeVecchis 11:00 AM People of the Parish Monday, December 14 St. John of the Cross Numbers 24:2-7,15-17; Psalm 25:4-9;Matthew 21:23-27 7:00 AM Special Intentions for Sister Virginia Tuesday, December 15 Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13; Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-18,19, & 23; Matthew 21:28-32 7:00 AM Alice Mazich Wednesday, December 16 Isaiah 45:6-8,18, 21-25; Psalm 85:9-14; Luke 7:18-2 3 7:00 PM Rocco J. Soccio Thursday, December 17 Genesis49:2,8-10; Psalm 72:1-2,3-4,7-8,17; Matthew 1:1-17 9:00 AM Joan L. Alkire Friday, December 18 Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 72:1-2,12-13,18-19; Matthew 1:18-25 7:00 AM Veronica Ann
Saturday, December 19 Judges 13:2-7,24-25; Psalm 71:3-6,16-17;Luke 1:5-15 4:00 PM Michael Del Vecchio Sunday, December 20 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Micah 5:1-4; Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Hebrews 10:5 -10; Luke 1:39-45 7:30 AM People of the Parish 11:00 AM Frank Guerrini Van Transportation to Mass: The following is the Van schedule:
Dec 13 - Russell Krug Dec 20 - Dave Kaniecki Dec 27 - Mel Reed
Memorialize Sanctuary Candles : The following dates are available: Cost is $20. Call the office to make arrangements. Dates Available:
The Sanctuary lamp isThe Sanctuary lamp isThe Sanctuary lamp isThe Sanctuary lamp is In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of
Joseph MartinJoseph MartinJoseph MartinJoseph Martin With Love With Love With Love With Love His wife His wife His wife His wife & Family& Family& Family& Family
Memorialize Flowers : If you would like to memorialize flowers at the altar or ambo (pulpit) please call the parish office to schedule. The following dates are available:
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Pe�p�e �f the ParishPe�p�e �f the ParishPe�p�e �f the ParishPe�p�e �f the Parish
PARISH A��U�CE�E�TS
Adve�t Fact�
Why is the rose-colored candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent?
The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday because in Latin, the first words of the opening antiphon for that day’s Mass are "Gaudete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always"). On this Sunday rose-colored vestments are permitted and the rose-colored candle is lit as a reminder that we are called to rejoice.
On Sunday, November 29 & Dec 6 th St. Vincent DePaul will be collecting
grocery items for the Christmas Baskets to be given out to those in
need in the parish or in the community on December 19th from 10am – 12pm.
The following is a list of the items needed by December 1st: Cranberry Sauce Boxes of Stuffing or Bread Cubes to make stuffing Peas, Corn, Green Beans Box Potatoes or Potatoes for mashing Cake Mixes, Frosting Items for making pies Canned Fruit, Sweet Potatoes Also needed are Turkeys if you have one to donate. Please bring your items to the sacristy of the church or to the church office on 9 N. Brown St. On December 13 th St. Vincent DePaul will be accepting monetary donations to purchase turkeys and anything other than food items they may need. Thank you in advance for your generosity. P.S. If you know of anyone needing a basket please call the parish office before the 4 th of December . Thank you.
ST. Vincent de Paul needs help! They are looking fo r donations for the small travel size toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, and baby items, etc.…
Due to the State Budget impasse and the increase in volume in providing help to those in need, St. Vincent de Paul is also in need of donations to keep on helping those who desperately need our help. Thank you!!
Attention: Confirmation students on December 20 th after the 11 am Mass, we will need assistance in bringing the Christmas Decorations
up from the Basement and putting them up in the Church this is a great way to earn Church hours for Confirmation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Welcoming People With Disabilities So All May Encounter Christ, A Guide for Parishes. Diocese of Harrisburg, Tina Stryker, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Our first priority as a parish in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities is spirituality. We must see that every individual meets Christ. They must meet Christ in the celebration of the Sacraments, in proclaiming the Word, in prayer and in the compassion and love of the community.1 Some general tips for welcoming and including persons with a disability are…
� Focus on the person, not the disability. � Treat adults with disabilities as adults. � Speak directly to the parishioner, not to the
companion or interpreter. � Ask for instructions before providing
assistance; don’t assume you know the need.
� Recognize that the person may have multiple disabilities and, therefore, multiple needs.
� Use normal voice and volume, unless instructed to do otherwise.
� Offer to shake hands when introduced. � Relax; we are all people with gifts and
challenges
CURTESY A��U�CE�E�TS
Charismatic Workshop with Rev. Stephen DeLacy – “Freedom in God’s Mercy” January 9th, 2016 8am-4pm at the Cardinal Keeler Center, 4800
Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg PA. Registration $20.00 per adult/$10.00 per student includes lunch. Call Lori for information: 717-877-4818 or email: [email protected] Also registration forms are in the Sacred Heart Church Vestibule.
All are invited to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week 2016 with the Hershey Bears Hockey team at the Giant Center in Hershey. The Annual
Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Night will be
Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. Tickets are discounted to $14 each for all ages from the regular admission price of $20. For tickets, get an order form from your school or parish office or contact Janet Dise - [email protected] . Forms are also available for download on the intranet under announcements and also at www.hbgdiocese.org/schools. The deadline for orders is Monday, January 25, 2016.
From the Desk of Dr. Maginnis:
Dear Parishioners: As I mentioned in last week's bulletin, our school has formed a Planning Team as part of our efforts to secure re-accreditation from the Middle States Association. The team would like to share with you the following set of belief statements that we drafted as representing our school. These draft statements are also being shared with the School Board, Parish Council, and other members of the SHS faith community:
We believe that: (1) Christ is the center of our lives. (2) Every person is a gift from God and worthy of love, respect, and dignity. (3) Parents are the primary educators of their children. (4) Catholic education is the shared responsibility of the school, families, and parish. (5) Effective faith-based education develops the whole person—spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. (6) A safe, loving, encouraging school environment allows students to reach their full potential. (7) Children should be taught self-discipline and respect for others. (8) We express the presence of God through our words and actions towards one another. (9) Continuous improvement and evaluation of the curriculum are essential to academic excellence.
Gala tickets on sale now! Join us Over the Rainbow for an Enchanted Evening in the Emerald City.
Saturday, February 6, 2016 5:00 PM- 11:00 PM Lewistown Community Center @ Rec. Park Tickets: $50 thru Jan. 17, 2016 $60 after Jan. 17, 2016 Purchase a table of 8 to receive reserved seating & a complimentary bottle of wine! Door Prizes every hour plus Grab Bags, 50/50's & Raffle Tickets will be available for purchase. Get your tickets at the school or parish office today!
Please join us for our annual
Christmas Musical on Friday, December 18 th at 10am & 7pm in the
church. This year the students will be performing “ Follow the StarFollow the StarFollow the StarFollow the Star.”
The auction committee is looking for handmade items for this year’s auction. If crafting is your thing, please consider making an item to donate. For
questions, please contact Ashley Henry, at the Parish Office.
