HOW TO ...

JOIN THE PARISH New Parishioners are always welcome. Census forms can be found in the vestibule of the churches. Simply fill one out and drop it in the collection basket.

REQUEST PRAYERS Our Intercessory Prayer Ministry provides prayers for anyone in need throughout the parish. Mary Ann Magda is the Coordinator and can be reached at 570-655-1218.

REMEMBER YOUR PARISH Please Remember St. Andre Bessette Parish with Memorial gifts at the time of death or with a bequest in your will. Make a return to the Lord for all the good He has given you.

IN THE PARISH

The Solemnity of the

Immaculate Conception It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived "by the power of the Holy Spirit," in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what "immaculate" means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her

existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.

When discussing the Immaculate Conception, an implicit reference may be found in the angel’s greeting to Mary. The angel Gabriel said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). The phrase "full of grace" is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It therefore expresses a characteristic quality of Mary.

The traditional translation, "full of grace," is better than the one found in many recent versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of "highly favored daughter." Mary was indeed a highly favored daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that (and it never mentions the word for "daughter"). The grace given to Mary is at once permanent and of a unique kind. Kecharitomene is a

perfect passive participle of charitoo, meaning "to fill or endow with grace." Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was graced in the past but with continuing effects in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed was not a result of the angel’s visit. In fact, Catholics hold, it extended over the whole of her life, from conception onward. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence.

Our parish community will celebrate the Solemnity of the

Immaculate Conception with a vigil Mass on Wednesday, December 7th at 5:30 p.m.

On the Feast Day, Thursday, December 8th, Masses will be celebrated at 8 am and Noon.

Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament will follow the noon Mass and continue until Vespers at 5 pm.

PLAN A FUNERAL The loss of a loved one is a particularly difficult time for those who are bereaved. Our parish community collaborates with local funeral directors in assisting families during their time of grief.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may take place at any time, especially if one is seriously ill. Please contact the parish office to set up a time for Fr. Ken to visit.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, or if Fr. Ken is unable to visit immediately, another priest may be called by the office to celebrate the

Sacrament of Anointing.

CARE FOR THE HOMEBOUND

AND HOSPITALIZED Sr. Madonna SSCM, assisted by our dedicated EMOCs, provides Sacramental care to the elderly, homebound and hospitalized. If you, or someone you know, are homebound or in need of a pastoral visit, please contact Sr. Madonna.

SCHEDULE A BAPTISM The birth of a child brings joy to the family. Through Baptism, that child is joined to the family of God, which brings great joy to the church. Parents seeking Baptism are asked to contact the parish office.

SCHEDULE A WEDDING Couples contemplating marriage are asked to contact the parish office and set up an appointment with Fr. Ken before making any other plans for their wedding. This appointment should take place at least one year before the contemplated date.

Your are all fair, O Mary,

and there is found no stain in Thee.

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

SOLEMNITY OF CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 24, 2016 Please be aware that there will be no 5:30 pm vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.

4:00 pm VIGIL MASS of CHRISTMAS

10:30 pm CHRISTMAS MASS AT NIGHT

Sunday, December 25, 2016

8:00 am CHRISTMAS MASS AT DAWN

11:00 am CHRISTMAS MASS AT DAY

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (NEW YEAR)

Saturday, December 31, 2016

4:00 pm VIGIL MASS

5:30 pm VIGIL MASS

Sunday, January 1, 2017

8:00 am MASS

11:00 am MASS PARISH SOLEMNITY OF ST ANDRE BESSETTE

Friday, January 6, 2017 6 pm Mass followed by Reception There will be no morning Mass today

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Saturday, January 7, 2017

4:00 pm VIGIL MASS

5:30 pm VIGIL MASS

Sunday, January 8, 2017

8:00 am MASS

11:00 am MASS

Christmas Season Worship Schedule

PARISH COMMITTEES

The Young at Heart

Committee will meet for their

Christmas Party at 1:00 pm on

Wednesday, Dec. 7th at

Andy’s Restaurant.

The Parish Social Justice

Council will meet Thursday,

December 8th at 6:00 p.m.

in the Fr. Murgas Conference

Room

The Liturgical Council will

meet on Tuesday, December

13th at 7 p.m. in the Fr.

Murgas Conference Room

The Pastoral Council will

meet on Thursday,

December 15th at 6:30 pm

in the Fr. Murgas Conference

Room.

The Finance Council will

meet on Thursday, January

19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fr.

Murgas Conference Room. All

members of the Finance

Council are asked to plan to

attend.

Food for December

Hot Chocolate

Loaves & Fishes

Liturgical Ministries

December 7-8, 2016 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

SERVER LECTOR EMOC

5:30 p.m. A J Kondracki Josh Price AJ Kondracki

8 a.m. Michael Boris Anna Hudock Michael Boris

Noon Sr. Tina David Alusick Sr. Tina

December 10– 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent

4:00 pm Maggie Benish Tina Evans Maggie Benish

5:30 pm Michael Boris

Hailey Stephens Pat Baran William Klukoske

8:00 am Nicholas Kreidler Mary Ann

Slavinski John Benz

11:00 am Patrice Rembish David Alusick Robert Dunsmuir Sr.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

The Development

Committee will meet on

Wednesday, December 7th

at 6:30 pm in the Fr. Murgas

Conference Room.

PARISH MINISTRIES

Our Parish Giving Tree has been set up. Please

take a tag from the tree, purchase the present

requested, wrap it with the tag attached and return

it to the tree before December 11th! Gifts

presented to our giving tree go to parishioners, the

Bennet House Boys, and our homebound.

We will also be collecting Toys for Tots

for Catholic Social Services. These toys

may be placed, unwrapped in the box

provided.

We will also be collecting gloves,

scarves and hats. These may also be

placed in the box provided.

Our Parish Women’s Spirituality Group will hold a

SPIRITUAL-A-TEA on Saturday, December 10th

from 1 –3 pm. The focus of this time of fellowship will

be the approaching Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe.

RSVP to Sr. Madonna at 570-823-4988 by Wednesday,

December 7th.

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent THE LITURGICAL YEAR

The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. However, the actual origins are uncertain. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during Winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth.

By the Middle Ages, the Christians adopted this tradition and used Advent wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). By 1500, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath.

The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the

immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true God, becoming also true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. (This tradition is exemplified in the work of Anglican Archbishop James Ussher who in his 1650 treatise The Annals of the Old Testament, Deduced from the First Origin of the World, gave the date of Creation at 4004 B.C.; interestingly, he even pinpointed October 23 at 12 o’clock noon.) Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple

candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived

at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.

The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white

candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is to replace the three purple and one rose candles with four white candles, which will be lit

throughout Christmas season.

In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as

follows: On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: “O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, “O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” The

youngest child then lights one purple candle.

During the second week of Advent, the father prays: “O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” The oldest child then lights the purple candle from the first week plus one more purple candle.

During the third week of Advent, the father prays: “O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” The mother then lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle.

Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, “O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” The father then lights all of the candles of the wreath.

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the

wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

© 2016 Catholic Straight Answers

What is the

History and

Meaning of

the Advent

Wreath?

FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

“Give me mountains to climb and the strength to climb them” was a line I once read. I grew up in the mountains, and although we did

not climb in the technical sense of using ropes, pins and other devices, we did spend many hours walking the hills and mountains. The majesty of the peaks makes clear the concept of the grandeur of God the Creator. It is humbling.

Climbing produces many benefits that I’ve found to be helpful: strong legs, building confidence in tackling heights, considering where to place your foot for each step. They are all lessons of good planning and enable the body to become stronger and more physically fit. The sheer exuberance of completing the task makes one want to stand on top of the peak and shout with all of your might.

In the past, I have taken teenagers and young children for longer hikes in the mountains. I find resistance comes when they get tired and weary. That is normal. One of the most important benefits of hiking is pushing yourself beyond what you think are your limits.

Human beings are able to go beyond what they think they can do. The body may be putting a great deal of pressure on the mind to stop, but the mind is able to override the complaints of the body and complete the task. There are lessons learned and character built that will keep you in good stead for a lifetime. One lesson you can learn is knowing when to rest or pause and when to proceed.

The safest place for a ship is a harbor, but ships were not designed for staying in a harbor. You do not become a great sailor by staying in quiet waters. Great sailors learn to be great by facing and conquering the most severe storms and conditions that the sea can give. No one would advocate that a sea captain start his career in the most severe storm. Usually, a person starts out as a helper and assistant. He gains experience during smaller storms and slowly develops the qualities needed to tackle problems with expertise and competence. The same applies to the mountains that we climb in life—whether they are real mountains or the challenges of daily life, physical struggles, emotional or spiritual issues.

A hard trail

Almighty God is very careful about inviting humans to become part of the first fruits and first resurrection. We read in John 6:44 that only God the Father decides whose mind to open. It is not the great of the world that He chooses (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), but those chosen definitely must be able to embark on a hard trail. It is surprising how some seemingly unlikely people have great inner strength. Those chosen will have great rewards that will make the struggle worth every difficult step. It will take all the strength,

determination and effort that they are able to put forth along with God’s help to reach the summit. God is a strong helper during all of the struggles, and Jesus Christ intercedes on our behalf.

In Matthew 11:12 we are told that forceful men lay hold of the kingdom God offers. Jesus called them “overcomers” in several places in Scripture. The obvious conclusion is that a person will have

to look forward and glimpse the wonderful future with such conviction that nothing will deter them from achieving the goal. Hebrews 11 records the suffering of many. In Hebrews 12:3-9 Paul explains that we need to endure hardship as discipline; God is treating us as sons. Hardships are the mountains God has given us to climb. We need to rely on God’s Holy Spirit and use our minds and concentration skills for this daunting task. God will supply what we need, with His only request being that we appreciate what is happening and learn to love His ways. Age and

physical abilities are not factors in this spiritual expedition.

Luke 14:28-33 reveals the need to count the cost before embarking on an adventure. We need to know we are able to complete the task. It is certain that no person, by themselves can accomplish this task. They neither know the way nor have the strength. God gives us what we need.

It’s worth the climb

Mountains are climbed one step at a time. There are periods of rest, traversing and planning. Our spiritual mountain gives us similar challenges. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul stated that God only gives us that which we can bear and helps when temptations or hardship

come. It is comforting to realize that we are not alone and have a thoughtful Creator who will lift us up.

People who are new to the mountains do not always appreciate the dangers hidden there. They will learn through experience that there is a proper way to climb a mountain. They will find out that the view from the top is breathtaking. This spiritual climb is the only way that leads to eternal life, and it is worth every ounce of expended energy.

It is probably true that most people would rather avoid the strenuous and demanding task of climbing mountains (real or spiritual). Most people avoid pain and suffering. The way God chose for His people is a difficult and narrow path. Jesus Christ felt the loss of many disciples when the way was too difficult (John 6:66). Even His close followers fled in panic when they saw that Jesus was not resisting arrest and torture (Matthew 26:56).

In the end, the reward will be more than worth the struggle. This life is short and full of troubles, whether we choose to follow Jesus Christ or not. This life is physical and temporary. The life we hope for, pray for and suffer for is eternal. God places this hope into the hearts of all people.

Climbing mountains is a great source of joy and satisfaction. How much greater and joyful are God’s mountains when He walks at our side. So then we can pray, “Give me mountains to climb and the strength to climb them.”

© 1995 - 2016 United Church of God BEYOND TODAY https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/climb-every-mountain

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

by Robert Berendt

IN THE DIOCESE

LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS EVENING RETREAT Diocesan Pastoral Center

Tuesday, December 6, 5:30—9 p.m.

The Advent/Christmas Season is a time for giving gifts as a sign of love. Have you ever thought of yourself as a gift? God has never made another person life

you. Statistics bear this out! Unwrap the science and the spirituality of LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS this Advent. You will see how God has laid out your path in the talents you have been given and how everyone around you likewise has a different (and complementary) set of strengths. Celebrate St. Nicholas Day by celebrating the unique and wonderful gifts God has given you!

Cost for the Retreat is $10 and includes dinner.

IN ADDITION: You will need to get a code from the book STRENGTHS FINDER 2.0 by Tom Rath. You can purchase a hard copy from Amazon—making sure it is NEW so you get an unused code—or an e-book directly from GALLUP. Please take the STRENGTH FINDER 2 SURVEY and bring the results with you Dec. 6th.

Contact Jennifer at 570-2072213 or oplgeneral@dioceseofscranton.org.

CHRISTMAS TOY AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Catholic Social Services will once more be offering help for the holidays for those in need, but you must register in order to receive assistance. FOOD DISTRIBUTION Monday, December 19th

9:30 am—1:30 pm and 4 pm—7 pm

St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, 39 E. Jackson St.

TOY DISTRIBUTION Monday December 19th

9 am—1 pm and 4 pm—7 pm

Our Lady of Hope Parish

40 Park Ave.

Little Free Library Fall into a Good Book with the Office of Parish Life’s collection of good books for the average parishioner. Topics

include Catholic Spirituality, the Scripture, the Lives and Writings of the Saints, The Eucharist, Ecclesiology, and more. All in the Spirit of Vatican II! This can be a bridge between good materials and good parishioners!! You can access the site by emailing

Bernadette Rudolph for a PDF listing: Bernadette-Rudolph@dioceseofscranton.org.

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

The Holy Redeemer Placement and

Scholarship test for interested 8th graders

will be held Saturday, December 10th

beginning at 8:30 am.

Call now to register: 570-829-2424.

www.holyredeemerhs.org

The National Collection for the

Retirement Fund for Religious will be

taken up NEXT WEEKEND at all Masses.

We ask that you be generous to the

needs of the retiring religious brothers

and sisters in many congregations

throughout the country.

They have given their whole lives to

serve Christ in His Church.

May the Church express her gratitude

by supporting them in their need now.

Our parish is at approximately 67% of our goal.

If you have not yet made a sacrificial pledge to the Diocesan Appeal, we ask that you do so today.

Pledge cards are available in the vestibule.

Thank You to those who have already made their pledge to this year’s annual appeal.

FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

Amoris Laetitia

Pope Francis

Chapter 4:

LOVE IN MARRIAGE

130. On the other hand, joy also grows through pain and sorrow. In the words of St. Augustine, “the greater the danger in battle, the greater is the joy of the victory”.131 After suffering and struggling together, spouses are able to experience that it was worth it, because they achieved some good, learned something as a couple, or came to appreciate what they have. Few human joys are as deep and thrilling as those experienced by two people who love one another and have achieved something as a result of a great, shared effort. Marrying for love 131. I would like to say to young people that none of this is jeopardized when their love finds expression in marriage. Their union encounters in this institution the means to ensure that their love truly will endure and grow. Naturally, love is much more than an outward consent or a contract, yet it is nonetheless true that choosing to give marriage a visible form in society by undertaking certain commitments shows how important it is. It manifests the seriousness of each person’s identification with the other and their firm decision to leave adolescent individualism behind and to belong to one another. Marriage is a means of expressing that we have truly left the security of the home in which we grew up in order to build other strong ties and to take on a new responsibility for another person. This is much more meaningful than a mere spontaneous association for mutual gratification, which would turn marriage into a purely private affair. As a social institution, marriage protects and shapes a shared commitment to deeper growth in love and commitment to one another, for the good of society as a whole. That is why marriage is more than a fleeting fashion; it is of enduring

importance. Its essence derives from our human nature and social character. It involves a series of obligations born of love itself, a love so serious and generous that it is ready to face any risk. 132. To opt for marriage in this way expresses a genuine and firm decision to join paths, come what may. Given its seriousness, this public commitment of love cannot be the fruit of a hasty decision, but neither can it be postponed indefinitely. Committing oneself exclusively and definitively to another person always involves a risk and a bold gamble. Unwillingness to make such a commitment is selfish, calculating and petty. It fails to recognize the rights of another person and (fails) to present him or her to society as someone worthy of unconditional love. If two persons are truly in love, they naturally show this to others. When love is expressed before others in the marriage contract, with all its public commitments, it clearly indicates and protects the “yes” which those persons speak freely and unreservedly to each other. This “yes” tells them that they can always trust one another, and that they will never be abandoned when difficulties arise or new attractions or

selfish interests present themselves. A Love that reveals itself and increases 133 . The love of friendship unifies all aspects of marital life and helps family members to grow constantly. This love must be freely and generously expressed in words and actions. In the family “three words need to be used. I want to repeat this! Three words: ‘PLEASE’, ‘THANK YOU’, ‘SORRY’. Three essential words!”132 “In our families when we are not overbearing and ask “May I?”; In our families when we are not selfish and can say: “Thank You’; and in our families when someone realizes that he or she did something wrong and is able to say ‘Sorry!’, our family experiences peace and joy.” 133 Let us not be stingy about using these words, but keep repeating them day after day. For “certain silences are oppressive, even at times within families, between husbands and wives, between parents and children, among siblings”.134 The right words, spoken at the right time, daily protect and nurture love. 134. All this occurs through a process of constant growth. The very special form of love that is marriage is called to embody what St. Thomas Aquinas said about charity in general. “Charity,” he said “by its very nature, has no limit to its increase, for it is a participation in

that infinite charity which is the Holy Spirit… Nor on the part of the subject can its limit be fixed, because as charity grows, so too does its capacity for an even greater increase”.135 St. Paul also prays: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another” (I Thessalonians 3:12), and again, “concerning fraternal love...we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more” (I Thessalonians 4:9-10). More and More! Marital love is not defended primarily by presenting indissolubility as a duty, or by repeating the doctrine, but by helping it to grow ever stronger under the impulse of grace. A love that fails to grow is at risk. Growth can only occur if we respond to God’s grace through constant acts of love, acts of kindness that become ever more frequent, intense, generous, tender and cheerful. Husbands and wives “become conscious of their unity and experience it more deeply from day to day”.136 The gift of God’s love poured out upon the spouses is also a summons to constant growth in grace. 135. It is not helpful to dream of an idyllic and perfect love needing no stimulus to grow. A celestial notion of earthly love forgets that the best is yet to come, that fine wine matures with age. As the bishops of Chile have pointed out, “the perfect families proposed by deceptive consumerist propaganda do not exist. In those families, no one grows old, there is no sickness, sorrow or death...Consumerist propaganda presents a fantasy that has nothing to do with the reality which must be daily faced by the heads of families”. 137 It is much healthier to be realistic about our limits, defects, and imperfections, and to respond to the call to grow together, to bring love to maturity and to strengthen the union, come what may.

131 AUGUSTINE, Confessions, VIII, III, 7: PL 32, 752,

132 Address to the Pilgrimage of Families during the Year of Faith (26 October

2013): AAS 105 (2013), 980

133 Angelus Message (29 December 2013): L’Osservatore Romano, 30-31

December 2013, p. 7.

134 Address to the Pilgrimage of Families during the Year of Faith (26 October

2013): AAS 105 (2013), 978

135 Cf. THOMAS AQUINAS, Summa Theologiae I-II, q 24, art 7.

136 SECOND VATICAL ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution on the

Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 48

137 CHILEAN BISHOP’S CONFERENCE, La vida y la familia: regalos de Dios

para cada uno de nosotros (21 July 2014)

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

STEWARDSHIP

According to Tradition, the first “Christmas Gifts” were brought by the wisemen, who, following a star, presented a newborn infant with gifts

of Gold, Incense and Myrrh. This began the tradition of gift giving during the Christmas season which we enjoy every year. But what do we do about the manifold gifts we have received from God each

day of our lives? These are a precious endowment which is to be used in

service to the building of the Kingdom of God. We are merely stewards of God’s manifold grace. Christmas and year’s end is the perfect spiritual

opportunity to make a return to God for his many blessings throughout the year. It is the gift of our Catholic Faith.

AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR PARISH

For many years, the work of the parish was accomplished by the pastor, an assistant priest, a secretary and a house keeper. Usually, there was also a convent of

religious sisters nearby who could

take on the task of education in the parish school and CCD program. This was the hub of parish administration and life. As parishes began to respond to the call of the Second Vatican Council to expand their ministries,

two things became glaringly evident. The first was that lay men and women could and should fill in some of the areas staffed by priests and religious. The second was that vocations to the priesthood and religious life began to diminish. Once the parish began to

rely on lay ministers to fulfill its pastoral needs, it also became evident that these dedicated lay men

and women would need to be paid a just and equitable living wage for their services. Parishes rely solely on the contributions of their parishioners.

Too often, these contribution do not meet the financial needs of the parish. Your Christmas gift and/or year-end contribution enables the parish to

continue to staff its ministries so that it can continue the mission of proclaiming the good news to all the

earth. Your donation is an investment in the life of the parish community.

TAXES AND GIVING AT

CHRISTMAS AND YEAR’S END One of the few provisions unscathed by recently revised tax legislation falls into the area of charitable giving. Many people enjoy using Christmas time and the end of the year to give

to their parish and their favorite charities and also positively impact

their federal and state income taxes. This time of year provides many advantages to the donor:

All gifts made before December

31st are tax deductible for the tax

year in which your gift is made.

The knowledge that your gift is

assisting your parish in advancing the mission of the Catholic

Church.

Celebrating the joy of Christmas

by giving in the true spirit of the season.

A last reminder to make that

special gift or increased gift that

you’ve wanted to make during the year.

If you itemize your tax return,

your gift will lessen your tax liability for the tax year in which your gift was given.

If you do not itemize, your

Christmas gift my be just the right decision to allow you to itemize and lower your tax bill (check with your tax advisor)

“Carry Over Deduction,”

depending on your age, income, and the size of your gift, you may be able to “carry over” your charitable gift tax deduction to

subsequent years.

Most importantly, at Christmas,

you can make a return to God for all He has given you throughout

the year and assist your parish attain its spiritual and

programmatic goals: serving God’s people by proclaiming the coming Reign of God.

CHRISTMAS CHECKLIST

Do you have your parish on

your Christmas Gift List?

All gifts made by December

31st are tax deductible for this

tax year.

Gifts of securities (stocks,

bonds, mutual funds) are some of the best gifts to make whether they have appreciated or depreciated in

value. Check with your broker.

A Charitable donation may

just be the right decision to enable you to itemize your taxes, if you don’t already.

Check with a broker about

avoiding a last minute rush for year end gifts of securities.

Potential tax law changes may

make your gift this year even

better than next year.

Know that our prayers and

thoughts will be with you at Christmas and all the year round. Call us whenever we

can be of help.

We are called to build up the reign of God. Jesus encourages us to make good use of this world’s goods so that we may find a lasting reception. (cf

Luke 16:9 ff). A gift to your parish at Christmas is the perfect opportunity to respond to this call and assist your

parish in fulfilling its mission, of staffing its ministries, and of promoting our Catholic Faith. God is never outdone in generosity. Give,

and it will be given back to you.

Christmas and Year End Giving

Please note: this information is not intended as legal advice. For questions of a specific nature, please contact an accountant, attorney, or other financial professional.

This information presented here has been provided through the courtesy of Richard P.

Garrigan & Associates, 16647 Farman Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. 402-333-4279

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December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

FINANCES December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

PARISH DEBT SERVICE

Parish Loan Amount Paid Balance Due

PRINCIPAL 400,00.00 400,000.00

INTEREST 12,000.00 12,000.00

BALANCE 412,000.00 412,000.00

INCOME

EXPENSES

November 26-27, 2016 November 24 to 30, 2016

PARISH COLLECTION Administration 3,511.37

In Church Mailed In Clergy Residence -0-

Loose 306.51 -0- Liturgy 261.18

Offering 4,207.00 573.00 Religious Education 600.00

Holy Days 26.00 45.00 Social Justice 600.00

Initial -0- -0- Maintenance 3,050.75

Dues 220.0 98.00 School Assessment 4,952.92

Debt Reduction 81.00 10.00 Insurance -0-

Holiday Flowers 710.00 77.00 Taxes -0-

TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION

$5,550.51 $803.00 Capital Outlay -0-

DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS Diocesan Collections -0-

Diocesan Collection

20.00 10.00 Debt Service

(Principal + Interest) -0-

TOTAL DIOCESAN

$20.00 $10.00 Other Expenses -0-

OTHER INCOME TOTAL EXPENSES $12,976.22

Candles 67.00

Perquisites 175.00 GENERAL FUND RECAPITULATION

Rental 666.33 Previous Balance $9,334.95

Miscellaneous 500.00 + Income 7,791.81

Fund Transfers -0- - Expenses -12,976.22

TOTAL OTHER INCOME

$1,408.33 BALANCE FORWARD $4,150.57

TOTAL INCOME $7,791.84

DIOCESAN ASSESSMENTS (July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017) TITLE Prior Balance Current

Assessment Amount Paid Balance Due

Diocesan Assessment 348,091.88 85,215.00 433,306.88 0.00

School Assessments 134,171.24 59,435.00 163,888.76 29,717.48

BALANCE 482,263.12 144,650.00 597,195.64 29,717.48

Your Gift to God

November 26-27, 2016

Over $100.00 1 $20 40

$100.00 1 $16-19 1

$76-99 0 $15 21

$75 0 $11-14 4

$51-74 3 $10 118

$50 10 $6-9 13

$26-49 17 $5 54

$25 12 under $5 20

$21-24 0 Total Envelopes used

315

Mass Attendance

November 19-20,2016

People In-Church Collection

Average Offering

per person

4:00 p.m. 131 2,104.51 $16.06

5:30 p.m. 60 742.00 $12.37

8:00 a.m. 75 1,640.00 $21.87

11:00 a.m. 68 1,084.00 $15.94

Total 334 $5,570.51 $16.68

Votive Offerings

Bread and Wine

Intention Bernard Skibinski Sr.

Offered by Wife & Family

Sanctuary Candle

Intention Joan Thiemann

Offered by Mom & Family

LOCAL EVENTS

St. Mary Byzantine Parish 300 Club is starting soon. Tickets are $30 each. There are only 300 being sold. Winners are

drawn every Sunday for 25 weeks! On the last week, there is a dinner and final drawing. To get your tickets, call Karen at the parish office 570-822-6028 or Pauline Kozich (570-825-9670), or Marge Dorzinski (570-

822-2205).

The Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus will be presenting its 2016

Christmas program: “Love at Christmas Time” on Sunday, December 11th.

The performance will take place at 2:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church, 605

Luzerne Ave. West Pittston, and at 7:00 pm at St. Faustina Cultural Center (the former St. Stanislaus Church), 38 West Church St., Nanticoke.

Sant

a is expected to visit the performance, if time permits in his busy schedule! Tickets are $5.00 each and can be

purchased at the door or by contacting Jim

Wine and Spirit XV

Silver Bells and Silver Screens

“WHAT IS GOD COMMUNICATING IN CHRISTMAS MOVIES?” Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J., Ph.D., University Chaplain for the University of Scranton, will share movie clips and lead lively discussion on the Christmas Classics (e.g., It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th St., White Christmas, and everyone’s favorite, A

Charlie Brown Christmas) and some that may become classics (e.g.,

Joyeux Noel, Home Alone, While You Were Sleeping, Love Actually, The Santa Clause, etc.).

Come and share your insights into your Christmas Cinema

favorites.

DATE: Friday, December 16, 2016

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: University of Scranton Loyola Science Center,

Room 133.

COST: $10 admission includes food and wine/

beverages (wine, soda, water) No need to buy drinks separately this time!

This is a 21+ event and open to the public!

RSVP: Call the parish office at 570-823-4988 or Sandy Snyder at 570-288-1293.

DEADLINE FOR RSVP IS THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th!

Please let us know if transportation is a problem. If response warrants it, we will rent a van or a bus (or a sleigh, or a dog sled, or a …….)

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT December 5—11, 2016

Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events of the Week

Monday, December 5 Advent Weekday

NO Morning Mass Scheduled

Tuesday, December 6 St. Nicholas

8:00 am Edna Barrett Family

5:00 pm CANTOR Rehearsal

5:30 pm CHOIR Rehearsal

Wednesday, December 7 St. Ambrose

8:00 am Clement Kaminski Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Mangieno Deadline for RSVP for SPIRITUAL-A-TEA

6:30 pm Development Committee

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Vigil Wednesday, December 7

5:30 pm Maddelna Zofcin John & Karen Gilligan

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED TODAY

1—5 pm Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament

5 pm Vespers and Benediction

6 pm Social Justice Council

Feast day 8:00 am Angelo Gabriele Mr. & Mrs. John McClosky

Feast day Noon Parishioners Pastor

Friday, December 9 St. Juan Diego

8:00 a.m. Health & Blessings for Irene

Latsko Family

Deadline for RSVP for Wine & Spirit

Saturday, December 10 St. Francis Xavier SJ

NO Morning Mass Scheduled

Spiritual-a-tea 1 pm—3 pm

Confessions 3 pm

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Vigil 1 4:00 p.m. Betty Zawatski John & Connie Lewis SOCIAL JUSTICE GIVING TREE

All gifts must be in! RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT FUND Care of Cemetery Envelope 12 pm Sort gifts and remove Giving Tree

Vigil 2 5:30 p.m. Joan Skibinski Thiemann Mom & Family

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Joseph & Josephine Melman Frank & Camille Glazenski

Sunday 11:00 a.m. Parishioners Pastor

AGNUS DAY The Lectionary

Comic Strip

by Pastor James

Weitzman

WEEKLY CALENDAR December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent