FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 20, 2015 A …€¦ · · 2015-12-211-180 St. Thomas of...
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1-180 St. Thomas of Villanova FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 20, 2015 A Note from Fr. Joe … Unlike some other years, we actually get a few more days in this 4 th week of Advent. I remember my first year – 2006 – at St. Augustine’s in Andover, Massachusetts; we celebrated the 4 th Sunday of Advent Masses on the morning of December 24 th and then moved into Christmas liturgies later that afternoon. Talk about a short 4 th week! With everything we have going on, it might not seem like we have more time. But, at least based on the Church calendar, we still have an opportunity to get our houses in order – literally and figuratively. And one of the things for which many of us are preparing is either hosting or visiting others. It’s noteworthy, in this Sunday’s Gospel, that as soon as Mary accepts the angel Gabriel’s invitation to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, she sets out “in haste” to visit Elizabeth. We might reflect, for a few moments, on what motivates Mary…She can confide in her older cousin. She wants to help Elizabeth in her pregnancy. Mary can’t wait to share the incredible news that they’ve both received. No matter what, as Luke tells us, they encounter God’s power at work in each other; their two unborn children, the cousins Jesus and John the Baptist, cross paths for the very first time. In fact, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb, as Mary brings Christ to their home. And Elizabeth utters those beautiful words that we still pray in the Hail Mary 2,000 years later – “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Have we ever considered that, like Mary, when we visit family members, friends, or even someone for the first time, we too can bring Christ to them? And that, like Elizabeth, when we graciously welcome another person into our lives, into our homes, we’re honoring God in our very midst? Let’s pray for the grace then to follow the example of Mary and Elizabeth in visiting & hosting Christ in the person of our sisters and brothers – even when it’s not so convenient or it might be unexpected. Safe travels to all of you who are heading off for Christmas and we look forward to those who will be coming to join us! May a warm welcome be waiting on all ends, especially right here at St. Thomas, as we gather, once again, to commemorate the birth of Jesus the Christ. Let our hospitality be obvious, from the pews to the parking lots! Finally, thank you for the hospitality that you continue to extend to me and my brother Augustinians. We’re happy to be journeying with you! Please take the latest copy of The Augustinian magazine, available at all the exits of the Villanova Church and the Rosemont Chapel. In it, we explore the past, present, and future of our Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Also, please put up the vocation poster, inserted in this bulletin, somewhere in your home – and pray for those men, who represent the future of the Augustinians in North America. ‘Blessed are they who believe that what was spoken to them by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ A Blessed 4 th Week of Advent! Fr. Joe Stewardship Thought for the Week “For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44 When you hear the scripture readings and Gospel reading each Sunday, do you “leap for joy?” If not, don’t blame the lector or priest, rather look inside yourself. Do you prepare for Mass each week or do you just show up and expect to be entertained?
Transcript of FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 20, 2015 A …€¦ · · 2015-12-211-180 St. Thomas of...
1-180 St. Thomas of Villanova
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 20, 2015
A Note from Fr. Joe …
Unlike some other years, we actually get a few more days in this 4
th week of Advent. I remember my first
year – 2006 – at St. Augustine’s in Andover, Massachusetts; we celebrated the 4th Sunday of Advent Masses on the
morning of December 24th and then moved into Christmas liturgies later that afternoon. Talk about a short 4
th week!
With everything we have going on, it might not seem like we have more time. But, at least based on the Church calendar, we still have an opportunity to get our houses in order – literally and figuratively. And one of the things for which many of us are preparing is either hosting or visiting others. It’s noteworthy, in this Sunday’s Gospel, that as soon as Mary accepts the angel Gabriel’s invitation to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, she sets out “in haste” to visit Elizabeth. We might reflect, for a few moments, on what motivates Mary…She can confide in her older cousin. She wants to help Elizabeth in her pregnancy. Mary can’t wait to share the incredible news that they’ve both received. No matter what, as Luke tells us, they encounter God’s power at work in each other; their two unborn children, the cousins Jesus and John the Baptist, cross paths for the very first time. In fact, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb, as Mary brings Christ to their home. And Elizabeth utters those beautiful words that we still pray in the Hail Mary 2,000 years later – “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Have we ever considered that, like Mary, when we visit family members, friends, or even someone for the first time, we too can bring Christ to them? And that, like Elizabeth, when we graciously welcome another person into our lives, into our homes, we’re honoring God in our very midst? Let’s pray for the grace then to follow the example of Mary and Elizabeth in visiting & hosting Christ in the person of our sisters and brothers – even when it’s not so convenient or it might be unexpected. Safe travels to all of you who are heading off for Christmas and we look forward to those who will be coming to join us! May a warm welcome be waiting on all ends, especially right here at St. Thomas, as we gather, once again, to commemorate the birth of Jesus the Christ. Let our hospitality be obvious, from the pews to the parking lots! Finally, thank you for the hospitality that you continue to extend to me and my brother Augustinians. We’re happy to be journeying with you! Please take the latest copy of The Augustinian magazine, available at all the exits of the Villanova Church and the Rosemont Chapel. In it, we explore the past, present, and future of our Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Also, please put up the vocation poster, inserted in this bulletin, somewhere in your home – and pray for those men, who represent the future of the Augustinians in North America. ‘Blessed are they who believe that what was spoken to them by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ A Blessed 4
th Week of Advent!
Fr. Joe
Stewardship Thought for the Week “For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44 When you hear the scripture readings and Gospel reading each Sunday, do you “leap for joy?” If not, don’t blame the lector or priest, rather look inside yourself. Do you prepare for Mass each week or do you just show up and expect to be entertained?
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CHRISTMAS LITURGY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th Daily Mass
12:05pm - Rosemont Chapel
CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00PM (Villanova Church) 4:00PM (Rosemont Chapel)
(Please bring a baby gift for the Presentation of the Gifts.) There will be an American Sign Language Interpreter at the 4:00pm Mass
in the Rosemont Chapel.
6:00PM (Villanova Church) 6:00PM (Rosemont Chapel)
10:30PM (Villanova Church)
(Musical Prelude begins at 10:00PM)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25th CHRISTMAS DAY
10:30AM - Villanova Church (Only one Liturgy on Christmas Day)
Masses for the January 1, 2016 Holyday Thursday, January 31st: 5:30PM Vigil Mass
Friday, January 1st: 9:00AM Mass Both Masses are in the Rosemont Chapel
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Mon., Dec. 21st Late Advent Weekday; St. Peter Canisius 12:05PM-RMCH Trish Cunilio - Bridget Duddy Tues., Dec. 22nd Late Advent Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Kathleen Slegelmilch - Famiy Wed., Dec. 23rd Late Advent Weekday; St. John of Kanty 12:05PM-RMCH Michael Seeds - Millie & Family Thurs., Dec. 24th Late Advent Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Daily Mass
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00PM - VILLANOVA CHURCH 4:00PM - ROSEMONT CHAPEL 6:00PM - VILLANOVA CHURCH 6:00PM - ROSEMONT CHAPEL
10:30PM - VILLANOVA CHURCH
Fri., Dec. 25th THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 10:30AM - VILLANOVA CHURCH
Sat., Dec. 26th Saint Stephen 9:00AM-RMCH 5:00PM-RMCH Bill & Betty McCue - Mazanek Family Sun., Dec. 27th The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph 7:30AM-VNCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 9:00AM-RMCH Deceased Members of the DiSanto Family - Josephine DiSanto 10:30AM-VNCH Philip Hawley - Family
“Masses in Interpreted American Sign Language”
We have an American Sign Language Interpreter at the 9:00am Mass in the Rosemont Chapel on the Second and
Fourth Sunday of each month. The interpreter will be here on December 27, 2015.
Schedule of Events for the week of: December 20, 2015 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy. Monday, December 21, 2015 Adult Faith Formation, Centering Prayer- RMCH 7:30AM Art Class - PC1 11:00AM Food Addicts in Recovery - Café 7:00PM Venture Crew - PC-2 7:00PM Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Morning Prayer - RMCH 7:30AM No SFC Mentors STV Preschool Christmas Program—RMCH 9:30AM Genasis Bells - Aud 7:00PM Wednesday, December 23, 2015 STV Preschool Closed Morning Prayer - RMCH 7:30AM Food Addicts in Recovery - Café 9:30AM Exercise - Aud 10:00AM No Honickman Ministry No Religious Education Classes Thursday, December 24, 2015 - CHRISTMAS EVE Parish Office Closed STV Preschool Closed Morning Prayer - RMCH 7:30AM Daily Mass-RMCH 12:05PM Christmas Eve Mass - VNCH 4:00PM Christmas Eve Mass - RMCH 4:00PM Christmas Eve Mass - VNCH 6:00PM Christmas Eve Mass - RMCH 6:00PM Christmas Eve Mass - VNCH 10:30PM Friday, December 25, 2015—CHRISTMAS DAY Christmas Day Mass - VMCH 10:30AM Saturday, December 26, 2015 Sunday, December 27, 2015 Rosemont Village Eucharistic Prayer Service 10:30AM Baptism-VNCH 10:30AM Baptism-VNCH 12:00PM Baptism-VNCH 1:00PM
SAVE THE DATE
ADDICTION MINISTRY
Are you interested in learning more about a potential new ministry here at St. Thomas — and discerning if you might be called to get involved?
If so, please mark your calendar for
Saturday, January 23, 2016 — after the 9:00am Mass in the Rosemont Auditorium.
More details to follow!
*** UPDATED SPECIAL NOTICE ***
The Visitor Lot is now closed – likely until May,
when it and additional surface parking is scheduled to reopen. In the meantime, you
are asked to park in the Main Parking Lots. As always,
if you have special mobility needs, you’re
welcome to park on campus.
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We wish a warm welcome to the newest members of our parish: Joseph Romello of Royersford Samuel & Roslyn Slike of Havertown Resting in Peace: Mrs. Ella Giordano Mrs Ellen Heiser Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Julia Barlow, Katherine Breck, Mary Ann Dadourian, Bob Ellison, Patricia Ann Harley, Joan Hunter, Bridget Kelly, Madeleine O’Callaghan, Jerry O’Connor, Bert Rodgers. Annie Sears, and Robert J. Wahl.
Please pray for our soldiers assigned in Afghanistan and in other parts of the world. Please also pray
for the soldiers who are returning from their assignments,
especially the wounded soldiers.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE PRAYERLINE The parish prayerline is waiting for your prayer request. This week call Mary Ann Barrow at 610-525-4164 or email [email protected] to activate the parish prayerline. Two parish teams are available for your special intentions. PROJECT HOPE This is a transportation ministry for our Parish. If you need a ride to your medical appointments or to food shop this week, please call Anne Von Herstenberg at 610-525-6026. Please give at least 3 days notice. DINNERS TO THE DOORSTEP This ministry is for parish families who are in crisis or for parish couples welcoming a new baby. Homemade dinners are delivered. Two parish coordinators keep a list of volunteers who are called as needed. If you are in need of this delicious community support, please call Maria Gunn at 610-291-7205. ST. FRANCIS INN We are forming a parish work group to serve the midday meal at the St. Francis Inn in Kensington on Sunday, January 17th. The Inn tries to meet the immediate daily needs of the poor and homeless people they serve with food, clothing and hospitality. This ministry is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information and to sign up, contact our parish coordinator, Sheila Holst at 610-659-5828 or [email protected].
MORNING PRAYER
DURING ADVENT
Join us for Morning Prayer in the Rosemont
Chapel, Tuesday through Saturday beginning Tuesday, December 1st.
Let the psalms, prayers, scripture and reflection flavor your days of preparation for the celebration
of Jesus' birth, when the Word pitched his tent among us.
Tuesday — Friday at 7:30am
Saturday — 8:30am If you come for morning mass on Saturday,
come a little earlier for Morning Prayer. Advent Morning Prayer concludes on
Thursday, December 24th.
ADVENT 2015
PENANCE SERVICES
St. John Neumann Mon., Dec 21 7:30pm St. Pius X Wed., Dec. 23 7:00pm
FEED THE HUNGRY MINISTRY
The Feed the Hungry Ministry needs help for Saturday, January 2nd. Every other month on the first Saturday, St. Thomas families deliver and serve a meatloaf with potatoes, salad, drinks and desserts for several hundred people at the Life Center in Upper Darby. Can you help? We need pre-made potato casseroles (in disposable tins), salads, soda and drinks delivered before January 2nd to the Steele Family home at 215 Comrie Drive, Villanova, PA. Can you help? Contact Dennis Steele at 267-251-5776 or www.steele-creative.com.
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THE INN KEEPER
MINISTRY
“She gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling
clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was
no room at the inn.” Luke 2:7 In 2014, we welcomed over 3,000 parishioners, extended family members and visitors to our parish churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning. Would You be willing to share one hour before and 15 minutes after the Mass you plan to attend to make each person who joins us for Christmas Liturgy feel….
* warm * welcome * wanted *worthy What is the job description of an Inn Keeper? - Stand outside the doors of the Church, open the doors, express a warm welcome, and hand out liturgy booklets. - After Mass you will stand outside doors expressing a goodbye and asking our guests to “come back”, distribute a Christmas Card, and make sure the luminaries are ready for the next Mass. If you can be an Inn Keeper to welcome the Body of Christ this Christmas, contact Anne Murphy at [email protected] or 610-525-4801, ext. 205.
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Community will host an
Information Night for Prison Ministry on
MONDAY, JANUARY 11TH at 7:00pm
in the Rosemont Parish Center 1229 E. Lancaster Avenue, 1st Floor,
Rosemont, PA
Presenter: Parishioner, Michael Stapf Thresholds Volunteer Teacher Thresholds is a non-profit organization that trains volunteers to teach decision making skills to interested teens, men and women in Delaware County prisons. Go to ww.thresholdsdelco.org. You will teach a prisoner, one on one, over a ten week period, once a week (flexible hours). No experience or special background is needed. You qualify by attending one training weekend which are held three times a year. Thresholds is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for 37 years. Through this program Thresholds builds a constructive relationship between the prisoners and the community.
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Augustine and Culture Seminar Program The Augustinian Institute Interactive App - a sourcebook that brings St. Augustine’s Confessions to life Are you looking to deepen your understanding of a classic story of conversion and faith? Villanova University has launched an interactive digital app book that brings St. Augustine’s Confessions to life. The author of many books, St. Augustine of Hippo is revered as a great thinker and pastor whose powerful influence on succeeding generations is well know. His Confessions is widely read today, not only a way for many to grow in self-knowledge, but also as a book that is studied across the country and around the world, and used extensively in great books programs and university classrooms. This app book allows users to read and analyze the New City Press/Maria Boulding translation of Augustine’s fourth-century work in a variety of new ways, including audio recordings by University faculty; the Villanova President, Fr. Peter, reads book 2. This interactive digital app book has contextual materials, including images, a map, and a timeline of Augustine’s life and journeys, and a note-taking faculty for readers to keep personal reflections about the text. It also features explanatory notes, which were the result of collaboration among Villanova professors and Augustine scholars from across the country. Please see www.villanova.edu/augustinesconfessions for more information and links for purchase. Available for both Apple and Android devices. If you have questions or even suggestions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Fr. Allan.
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK: Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: Is 62:1-5; Acts 12:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Friday: Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Saturday: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52
FINISHED YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL?
Your hotel samples are needed to fill hygiene bags on MLK Day of Service on January 18th. Please drop off those miniature soaps,
shampoo, conditioners, lotions to the Parish Center.
Men’s Gospel Reflection Group
Join us for an hour on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 6:30AM – 7:30AM as we gather to read the
coming Sunday’s Gospel and reflect on the message that the Holy Spirit is delivering to us. This is not
intended to be a bible study but rather an engaging conversation about the Word of God. To receive our
weekly Gospel Reflection, email [email protected] and type “Gospel
Reflection” in the Subject line.
SAVE THE DATE!
January 18, 2016
MARTIN LUTHER KING
Service Ministries for All Ages
Global Gift Fair
Rosemont Auditorium - 10:00am-Noon Geared to pre-school and early elementary school children and parents. We will make…. - decorated gift bags for homeless men and women - sandwiches for the Missionary Sisters of Charity Feeding Center in Norristown - decorate coffee cups for HUB of Hope/Project H.O.M.E. - Prepare hygiene bags for the guests of the St. Francis Inn in Kensington - decorate t-shirts for the children in Consuelo, Dominican Republic for the Mission Center of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Outreach Trips: St. John’s Hospice to clean and serve lunch (high school juniors and seniors and adults only) Cradles to Crayons to clean and sort clothing (middle school students and adults) Watch the web for details.
You are invited
to a Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday,
January 10th at 12:45pm in the Rosemont
Auditorium
Topic: Plan YOUR OWN Funeral Presenters: Alice Obarski - Director of Liturgy John McConaghy of McConaghy Funeral Home Ted Powers of Stretch Funeral Home This workshop will answer all of your questions about the Mass of Christian Burial, cremation and burials. Liturgy planners will be available for you to complete for distribution to your children or extended family.
Bring your lunch! Drinks and dessert will be provided.
Please join us!!
ELECTRONIC STEWARDSHIP
Sign up today to make your giving easy and
convenient. Contact: Karen Farley at 610-525-4801 x 202 or email [email protected]. Make your donation more powerful and easy—join
today!
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SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We appreciate advertisers who support St. Thomas of Villanova by advertising in our bulletin. Please patronize their business and let them know you saw their ad in our bulletin. Why Advertise in a Church Bulletin?
It’s inexpensive Advertising
It’s Effective in Catching New Neighbor’s Attention
It’s Advertising in your Own Neighborhood
It Develops Good Community Relationships
It’s Good for Developing Loyal Customers
JOHN CIPPOLLONE
Heating - Cooling - Fuel Oil
CARRIER
Turn to the Expersts
610-446-7877
WELCOME VISITORS Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you
are visiting our beautiful church or chapel, please know you are most welcome! If you have questions or are interested in joining our parish community, please call the parish office at 610-525-4801.
AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Are you a recent or soon to be college graduate looking for an experience that will change your life? Do you want to spend a year living with your peers, serving those in need, growing in your faith, and learning more about yourself? The Augustinian Volunteers might be just what you are looking for! Augustinian Volunteers are men and women between the ages of 21-29 who wish to serve God’s people in partnership with the Augustinian Order and others. The service of the volunteers is with established educational, social, and health programs and varies according to the needs of the sponsoring site and the individual volunteer. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2016-2017 volunteer year for our sites in Chicago, IL, Lawrence, MA, Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA, Ventura, CA and Chulucanas, Peru. If interested, please visit www.osavol.org or contact us at [email protected]
St. Thomas of Villanova Preschool News
Pre-Registrations are now being taken
for the 2016-2017 School Year
Please call the school office at
610-525-7554
if you would like to register or
if you have any questions.
