St. Benedict Church 2310 Bedford Street ▪ Johnstown, PA 15904-1127

Rectory and School Phone: 814-266-9718 and 814-266-3837 Gift Shop Phone: 262-7907

Third Sunday of Advent - December 13, 2015

Rectory Fax: 814-269-4220 Parish Web Address: www.stbenedictchurch.org

School Fax: 814-266-7718 School Web Address: www.sbj.k12.pa.us

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm Sunday Masses: 7:30 am, 9:30 am & 11:30 am

Daily Masses: Monday-Friday 8:00 am & 12:05 pm

Saturday 9:00 am Reconciliation Saturday at 3:00 pm Other times as listed in the Bulletin

Mission Statement:

“To proclaim and live the message of Jesus Christ; through the power of the Holy Spirit, pray and work to build up His Church; and to do the will of the Father always and everywhere”.

Parish Motto: “Ora et Labora” - Latin for “Pray and Work” - comes from the Benedictines who were the first to staff our Parish.

Parish Staff:

Rev. David S. Peles, Pastor ………………...… Ext. 502 SBpastor@atlanticbb.net Rev. Brian L. Warchola, Parochial V icar…... Ext. 507 Deacon Michael Russo …..………………….. 288-3036 Rectory Office ...…………………………… . Ext. 501 Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - Noon and 1:00 -4:00 pm Friday 7:30 - Noon School …………………………………….……Ext. 201 Mrs. Mary Jo Podratsky, Principal Mrs. Judy Klaum, School Bookkeeper/Tuition ……………………... Ext. 203 Sr. Cindy Burns, CCW High School CCD, RCIA …………………………. Ext.301 sistercindy@floodcity.net Mrs. Michelle Robatin Elementary CCD ………………………………..… Ext. 302 elemccd@floodcity.net Mr. Joseph Gaunt Office of Music & Liturgy ………………………. 241-1923 jgaunt@atlanticbb.net JP II Youth Group, www.jpiiyg.com

Sacrament of Baptism: Parents are to be examples to their children by being registered, active members of the Parish. First time parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class. Please call the Rectory Office to make arrangements.

Sacrament of Marriage: Couples planning to marry are to make arrangements at least nine months prior to their wedding date. Diocesan Guidelines regarding Marriage Preparation must be followed. The Catholic party/parties is/are to be registered, active members in the parish.

Parish Membership: New members are always welcome! If you are moving into, within, or out of the Parish, please call the Rectory Office and let us know.

Third Sunday of Advent

Religious and Social Events Third Sunday of Advent Angel Tree Gifts Due Back Religious Retirement Collection Sun 7:30am Sunday Mass 8:00 - 9:15am Elementary CCD 9:30am Sunday Mass sung by our Liturgical Choir followed by Coffee & Donuts in our School Hall 11:30am Sunday Mass 7:00pm Praise & Worship / Church Student Planning Meeting 7:00pm Adult Bell Choir Rehearsal Mon 7:40am Recitation of the Rosary 8:00am Mass 8:15 - 9:30am Scrip Sale / St. JP II / Room # 1 11:40am Recitation of the Rosary /Church 12:05pm Mass

No Eucharistic Day Tue 7:40am Recitation of the Rosary 8:00am Mass followed by Confessions 11:40am Recitation of the Rosary 12:05pm Mass followed by Confessions 6:30pm School Christmas Concert / Gym 7:00 - 8:00 pm Good News Prayer Group / St. JP II / Chapel

Wed 7:40am Recitation of the Rosary /Church 8:00am Mass 11:40am Recitation of the Rosary /Church 12:05pm Mass 6:30pm RCIA – St. JP II / Chapel 7:30pm Contemporary Choir Rehearsal READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45

Mass Intentions For This Week Our School Mass will be Thursday,

December 17th

Mon 8:00am Josephine Campagna (Margie Nekosky) 12:05pm Anniv. Rose Harchick (John & Rynie Kotch) Tues 8:00am B-day Marlene Howrylak (Husband & Family) 12:05pm Julia & Angela Penna & Peter & Anna Ladika (Bill & Helen Ladika) Wed 8:00am Stephen Harchick (John & Rynie) 12:05pm Dick Kornprobst (Max Pavlovich) Thur 8:00am B-day Matthew Gerko (Family) 9:00am Anniv. Rita Adams (Judy & Alan Klaum) 12:05pm B-day John Koenig (Sister Kathleen Koenig) Fri 8:00am Anniv. John Ryan (Wife) 12:05pm B-day 12/26 Greg Plummer (Parents) Sat 9:00am Julia Pavlovich (Richard & Anita Sukenik) 5:00pm B-day Bob McGowan, Sr. (McGowan Family) 7:00pm Anniv. Agnes Reitz (Mike & Jeanne Susko) Sun 7:30am Mass for the Par ishioners 9:30am B-day 12/22 Norman Newcomer (Maryann Pekala) 11:30am Stacy Tavalsky (Family)

Altar Server Schedule Weekday Mass 8:00am - Emily & Erik Euen Next Saturday, December 19th 5:00pm - Nick McGowan, Cassady & Luke Tercek 7:00pm - Matthew Petrosky, Rebecca Ribblett & Amelia Williams Next Sunday, December 20th 7:30am - Meghan Seitz,Julia Simendinger, Kira Verhovsek 9:30am - Andrian Onguda, Priscilla Ortiz, John Roy 11:30am - Alexis Gindlesperger, Caitlin & Aaron Koval

Servers: Christmas sign-up sheets are on the back window seals. Please sign up today!

We have had several requests for Matt’s address:

Father Matthew Baum

Immaculate Conception

PO Box 188 Dudley, PA 16634

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Pray For… . . . for the repose of the souls of Kathy Holtzman and Johanna Waddle (sister of Carol McGuire) who have entered eternal life. May Kathy & Johanna rest in God’s peace and may the comfort of the Lord be with their families.

. . . remember in your charity, the homebound, elderly, sick and hospitalized members of our Parish Family, especially Karen Jaspar, Betty Washington, Beverly Eggert, Leonora Sakony, Donald Gohn, Justine, Rudy Lapid, Noah, Kathy Gallo, Edith Gargon, Allison Krischer, Francis Schrott, Bill Booth, Larry Krestar, Vincent Spinelli, Darren Roles, Sandy Kloo, Betty Washington, Ardythe Hasse, Jim Stem, Bev-erly Eggert, Alan Klaum, Dorothy Markovich, Charles Donald Jacobs, Sylvia Drozdik, Louise Connelly, Kathy Kohan, Sarah Sheehan, Pat Bendick, Mary Lou Dietle, Pat Roebuck, Mary Susan, Lissa Gindlesperger Verrone, Mary Lou Walker, Denny Sherman, Melissa Way, Lester Reitz, Alice McCue, Helen Riz-zo, Ken Blasko, Pat Smith, Dave Pyrich, Maurice Herdman,Jr., Sylvia Latchney, Ed Dillon, Judy Furfari, Lynn Lubinsky, Mary Louise Pollock, Sue Williams, Leonard Yesh, Michael Gresik, Larry Lear, Jennifer, Jill, Jessica, Paul, Ray and Ruth Boes, Harry Gorman, Walt Lodolinski, Braden Schofeld, Jona-than W., Mark, David Dabbs, Jacob Sutton, Joe Walbeck, Dan-ielle Sopich, Sharon Wilson, Jim Gillooly, Sr., Betty Horner, Sam J. Carpenter, Mary Katherine (Kay) Brandle, Liam Mowery, Derek Brozozowski, Mildred Perry, Betty Spantak, Bob Bark, Maria Zubak, Antonia Ramirez, Jessi, Mildred Kluchar, Lance Hupkovich, Gia Bucci, Irene Zoretich, Janet S., Atlas, Ashley Maciejewski, Charles Sklar, George, Julia Si-mendinger, Jack Drummer, Alexandra Smith, Regina Hoover, Nell Smith, Mary Beth Hall, Amy, John Orlosky, Ruth Wid-mann, Rebecca Boring, Darren Roles, Brayden Yorchak, Eve-lyn Velenski, Louann Clites, Mary Goas, Cheryl Bailey, Andi, Carol, John Vitez, Idela Robison, Ann, Tim Hornick, Barbara Miller, Sean Aveni, Pamela Strayer, Rich Blaschack, Richard Gerber, Judy, John Glenn, Virginia Dishong, Theresa Balon, Laverne Schrott, Rudy, Nicholas, Bryan Mahon, Ethan Wirfel, Bob Liddell, Nicole Mickolick, Ted Bishof, Herb Marshall, Christopher Norton, Pearl & Larry Sedlemeyer, Andrea, Susan Novak, John Williams, Elizabeth Straw, Erica, Douglas Shaf-fer, Robert (Mert) Wissinger, John Dilko, Dawn, Jacqueline Beltz, Heather, Stephanie Cleary, Monica, Connie and Court-ney and their courageous families who are caring for them. May they be united in a special way with the suffering Christ. If any of the above have fully recovered, please notify us so we can remove their name from our list.

. . . . also, Lord, Please watch over the men and women serving in our armed forces, and also those civilians whose work puts them in harms way. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

...also, for more vocations to the priesthood, Permanent Deacons, and religious life, all our volunteers and all the ministries.

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Religious and Social Events This Week Thur 7:40am Recitation of the Rosary 8:00am Mass followed by Confessions 9:00am School Mass sung by our Third Grade Choir 8:15 - 9:30am Scrip Sale / St. JP II / Room # 1 11:40am Recitation of the Rosary / Church 12:05pm Mass followed by Confessions 6:30pm No Stephen Ministers Meeting 6:30pm Liturgical Choir Rehearsal 8:00pm Schola Choir Rehearsal

Rectory Office Closes at Noon

Fri 7:40am Recitation of the Rosary 8:00am Mass 11:40am Recitation of the Rosary / Church 12:05pm Mass Sat 9:00am Mass 3:00pm Confessions 5:00pm Mass to fulfill Sunday Obligation sung by our Third Grade & Junior Choir 7:00pm Mass to fulfill Sunday Obligation

Penance Service Today at 5:00 pm Fourth Sunday of Advent Sun 7:30am Sunday Mass 8:00 - 9:15am Happy Birthday Jesus 9:30am Sunday Mass sung by our Schola Choir 11:30am Sunday Mass 1:30pm Youth Group Christmas Caroling 5:00pm Parish Penance Service Lk 3:10-18

When the crowds in today’s gospel asked, “What shall we do?” The Baptist was very clear: SHARE. Resist giving token obligatory Christmas gifts. Instead give necessities to the poor. If those who have nothing or very little are not on your Christmas list, you missed the point of Christmas.

Our Parish Penance Service is scheduled for next Sunday,

December 20th at 5:00 pm

Page Four Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2015

Notes from MUSIC MINISTRY

The Contemporary Choir will rehearse on Wednesday, December 16th at 7:30 pm in Kiniry Hall.

The Liturgical Choir will rehearse on Thursday, De-cember 17th, at 6:30 pm in Kiniry Hall. We do not sing Sunday, December 20th

The Schola Cantorum will rehearse on Thursday, December 17th, at 8:00 pm in Kiniry Hall and sing the 9:30 Mass on Sunday, December 20th

The Third Grade Choir will sing the School Mass on Thursday, December 17th at 9:00 am.

The Adult Bell Choir will rehearse on Sunday even-ing at 7:00pm.

This bulletin is totally subsidized by those companies whose advertisement appears on the back page. If you have the opportunity, you may thank them in the name of St. Benedict Church by using their products/ services.

All 2016 envelopes are now available for pick up at the Rectory Office. Please pick up yours as soon as possible. Please do not use your 2016 envelopes until next year. We are asking that you please put your name and complete address on your envelope. When complet-ing the front of the envelope, please let us know how you want your monies allocated.

2015 Contributions All contributions for the year 2015 must be submitted by the end of December for tax purposes. Thank you for your cooperation.

Elementary CCD Kids Corner... A third grade student on our CCD program has created a wonderful plan to "give back"! Brayden Yorchak is giving back to Ronald MacDonald House. Brayden was diag-nosed with a brain tumor a couple of years ago. He and his family stayed at the Ronald MacDonald House in Pitts-burgh during the 2 months Brayden received treatment. Today, Brayden is doing very well. He is collecting toys to be given to families who need to spend Christmas at the Ronald MacDonald House. The students in the CCD pro-gram made cards with messages of hope and inspiration to go along with the gifts. Brayden and his family will be delivering everything this week.

Doughnuts after Mass JP Youth Group will be sponsoring coffee and doughnuts after the 9:30 am Mass today, Sunday, December 13th in our school gym. Please stop over after Mass to join us for a time of fellowship. There will be a free will offering to cover the cost of the doughnuts. (This is an approved project for Service Hours).

Praise and Worship - JP II Youth Group will sponsor Praise and Worship Adoration today, Sunday, December 13th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Following adoration, there will be a Student Planning meeting. All are invited, but particularly our middle school and high school youth. Come spend some time with our Lord singing for joy.

Just a reminder that if you chose an “angel” off the tree, all gifts are due today, Sunday, December 13th. As some of our families are being referred to us by Catholic Charities, we must have them returned on time so we can make arrangements for their families to pick them up.

There will be no Eucharistic Day or Pro-Life this week. We will resume our regular schedule on Tuesday, December 29th.

Good News Charismatic Prayer Group will be meeting this Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30 pm in the St. JP II / Chapel with Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR. All are welcome to join us in thanking God for his many bless-ings. If you have any questions, please contact Joe or Connie at 266-7109.

Our Stephen Ministers will not be meeting this Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 pm.

An Advent of Christmas Concert will be held this Saturday, December 19th at St. John Gualbert Cathedral, 117 Clinton Street, Johnstown. The program will feature the Greater Johnstown Diocesan Festival Choir and Cathedral Catholic Academy Choral under the direction of Cathedral music director, Evonne Yanzetich - Homway. The choral groups will be accompanied by the Hilltop Chamber Music Ensemble. Admission is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken.

Duca Funeral Home, Inc.

December 13, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent Page Five

We Need Your Help! We would like to thank all those who have already participated! We have again not reached our Annual Cath-olic Appeal goal. We still need $29,964.00. 630 families have contributed $113,277.00. I am asking the remaining 569 families to make up the difference. We have a parish-ioner who will match a new gift and if you gave last year and give an amount more than last year, he will contribute the difference between the pledges. As you know, we are responsible for the total amount whether we reach it or not. This will come out of our general operating account and puts a strain on our budget. If you have already made a donation, but can add a few more dollars that would be great. If you have not pledged, please consider doing so. I know times are tough, but if everyone would do their fair share we would achieve our goal. We need the help of every family in our parish.

Retirement Fund for Religious Aging religious need your help. In the United States today, there are more than 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. These religious worked tirelessly in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies, usually for little or no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Attached to today’s bulletin is an envelope for this collection. Your donation will help provide medications, nursing care and more. Please be generous.

Mark Your Calendar For “A Night at the Races” Saturday - February 13th Doors Open at 6:30 pm with Racing Beginning at 7:00 pm SEATING WILL BE LIMITED. Get your tickets early for this fun evening. Cost of Ticket: $20.00 which Includes Food Buffet, Beer, Soda and Ownership of a Horse For Tickets Call Terri at: 341-7311.

March for Life - Signups for the Student bus to the March for Life on January 21st -22nd is available. Cost for students is only $10.00 and includes transporta-tion, 2 live concerts with major Christian artists, meals, overnight accommodations, and the march itself. Space is limited so sign up quickly. More info at http://www.jpiiyg.com.

Scrip Sales Please note that our Scrip sales will be every Monday and Thursday morning from 8:15 to 9:30 am in our St. JP II / Room # 1. You can drop your prepaid order forms in the collection basket at any weekend Mass.

Christmas Flowers If you would like to memorialize a Christmas flower in honor of a deceased loved one, please take note that the special envelope is your offertory office. Please return it by today, Sunday, December 13th. HIGH SCHOOL CCD With all the Advent preparations for Christmas, please don’t forget to register for the 2016 Winter Semester of High School CCD. Schedules for the 2016 Winter High School CCD Semester are in the bookracks. Please get your copy and register early! HAITI LOTTERY TICKETS are on sale now through Sr. Cindy. The Carmelite Community of the Word is once again selling a “January 2016 Special” Lottery Ticket to benefit the Little Sisters of the Incarnation in Haiti. Tickets are $5.00. Winners are based on the Pennsylvania Lottery throughout the month of January. Tickets can be gotten through Sr. Cindy or by stopping at the rectory office.

We need volunteers to light the Advent wreath. This opportunity is not limited to families. Couples, individu-als, “pew mates” and families are all welcome to participate. To volunteer, call Michelle at the CCD office (266 - 9718 x 302). Please leave your name, phone number and Mass preference. If you would like to volunteer and have not called in advance, check in the Sacristy with the priest prior to the start of Mass.

Parish Family Christmas Tree If you have never joined us in this Parish tradition or you are new to the Parish Family, won’t you join us this year? We ask each family to bring one ornament to be hung on our tree (preferably a family made one). All ornaments can be placed in the box in the Church Vesti-bule, by the Priests’ Sacristy door, or dropped off at the Rectory during regular business hours. You can put your family’s name on your ornament if you wish. We have last year’s donations and hope you will participate once again this year so our tree will be the biggest and best ever. Join in our “Parish Pride” with YOUR FAMILY ORNAMENT.

Advent Penance Services

If you are unable to attend our parish Penance Service, below is a

schedule of days and times at other area Parishes:

St. John Gualbert Cathedral Sunday, December 13th at 1:30 pm Our Mother of Sorrows Monday, December 14th at 6:30 pm St. John Vianney Tuesday, December 15th at 7:00 pm Church of the Transfiguration Wednesday, December 16th at7:00 pm St. Patrick, Moxham Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00 pm St. Andrew’s Thursday, December 17th at 10:00 am Visitation Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 pm St. Mary’s, Nanty Glo Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 St. Benedict Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 pm

Stephen Ministry Do You Know Someone Going through a Difficult Time? Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who has been struggling with the loss of a loved one, loneli-ness, cancer, a layoff, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges? Our Stephen Ministers can provide them with the focused care, encouragement, and support they need to make it through the crisis. If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Threse Bay-wood at (814) 535-2517. They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Ste-phen Ministers. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!

Fruit Baskets will be available for ordering once again this year for Christmas. Small baskets will be $15.00 and large will be $25.00. Please make check payable to St. Benedict when you place your order. If you have any ques-tions, please call the Rectory Office at 266-9718 @ Ext. 501. **********************************************************************************************

Christmas Order

Quantity __________ Small _______ Large _________

Name and Phone # __________________________________________________

Deadline for ordering is this Friday, December 18th. Pick up will be on Wednesday, December 23rd from 3:00 - 6:00 pm in our School Gym.

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#102850 St Benedict Church 2310 Bedford St Johnstown PA 15904-1127 Contact: Mary Beth Pudliner Email: sbpastor@atlanticbb.net (814)266-9718 x 501 Software Using: Window 7 Professional Pub 2013 AA 7 Pages sent: 1-8!