Santa’s Prayer
The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of his bed,
“Dear Father, ” he prayed, “Be with me tonight.
There’s much work to do and my schedule is tight.
My sack will hold toys to grant all kids’ wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I can do all these things, Lord, only through You.
I just need your blessing, and then it’s easy to do.
I do this only to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job.”
www.inspirationalarchive.com
The Advent Wreath
The custom of the Advent Wreath is a reminder of our joyful anticipation of the of Christ The Messiah on Christmas Day. Traditionally, the wreath is round, signifying God’s eternal waiting for Christ’s coming to redeem us.
The rose colored candle speaks of the Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete Sunday,” which is a day of rejoicing for the closeness of our salvation.
Christmas Novena
Plan on preparing yourself, spiritually, for Christmas by attending the Christmas Novena. Starting Tuesday, December 15th to Wednesday, December 23rd, after each evening Mass, we will offer our prayers of Thanks for his Marvelous Birth, which brought about our salvation and peace.
2016 Calendars
The calendars for our New Year of “2016,” are now available in the vestibule of the Church. We would like to thank Craciun Funeral Homes for their generosity in printing the calendars.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Thursday, December 24th, Christmas Eve
5:00 PM, Children’s Mass
12:00 AM, Midnight Mass
Friday, December 25th, Christmas Day
8:00 A M 10:00 AM, Italian Mass
11:30 AM
No 5:00 PM Mass
Confessions
Saturday, December 19th — 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 22nd & 23rd — 4:00 to 5:00 PM
New Year’s Eve, Holy Hour—Midnight Mass
On Thursday, December 31st, there will be a Holy Hour in the Church starting at 10:30 PM, followed by Midnight Mass. Let us thank our Lord for all our Favors and Graces we have received. We also ask our Lord’s blessings in the “New Year, 2016.”
WEEKEND OF December 19/20, 2015
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015
5:00 PM Lector: M. Gotlibowski
Servers: Robert Rock/ Jacob Freeman/ Dominic Bambino
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015
8:00 AM Lector: J. Sfiscko
Servers: Dylan Bastian & Logan Bastian
10:00 AM Lector: M. Zamboni & C. Manno
Servers: Joseph Grazianni
11:30 AM Lector: D. Gonyon & R. Morelli
Servers: Julio Paez, Louis Vega, Mario De Leva, Joseph Ford & Miguel Jacobo
5:00 PM Lector: B. McFadden
Servers: Adrian Lozada, Alexander Lozada & Cole Alletto
COLLECTIONS
This week’s collections: $4,210. Thank you for your generosity and support!
LET US PRAY
Please remember the souls of all the deceased Veterans and all the faithful departed, including Clarence H. Parkinson, Jr. We also pray for all those who are ill:
Gianna Andolina, Sixto Arteaga, Carmen Beltrante, Sean Barker, John Bender, Sr. Maria Benedict, Vicki Bueno, Nick Carlozzi, Dorothy Ciocca, Giuseppe Cirianni, Joe Coreno, Maria Costanzo, Fannie Costanzo, Francis Costanzo, Jimmy Craciun, Charlie Curly, Judith Cullen, Catherine DeLeva, Anthony DePolo, Pat DiBello, Mark Di Donato, Benny Donofrio, Giuseppa Di Stefano, Mary Fogliano, Justina De La Garza, Judith Gillen, Chester Glica, Martin J. Glica, Angela Isabella, Cindy Jontony, Fr. Jerome P. Laubacker, O. de M. , Br. Martin Joseph, O. de M. Michael Laughman, John Mazzarella, Louise McGiboney, Vincent Mirelez, Ann Mulgrew, Tom O’Donnell, Joseph Parente, Josephine Parente, Tom Pienkowski, Jeannine Rini ,Elizabeta Romano, Beverly Rodriguez, Mark Rudolph, Antonio Ruggiero, Rosa Ruggiero, Tonia Sauro, Betty Scaia, Mary Shofariu, Anton Smuk, Angeline Stacer, Ellen Sweeney, Ann Thomas, Bertha Vega, Diane Viccarone, Kassidee Viccarone, Nicole Viccarone, Tony Viccaro, Bill Walers, Shannon Weiskittel, Michael Weiskittel, & Margarita Zinicola
Eucharistic Adoration
The Holy Eucharist is exposed from 3:00 pm to 5:45 pm, every Thursday, with Benediction. Come and spend some time with Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Helping the Poor!!
If you are interested in Helping the Poor during the holidays, we are always looking for gift cards from Giant Eagle. Just give them to one of the Friars, Thank You!!
Mass Book
Next year’s Mass Book is now open to schedule 2016 Masses for your deceased loved ones. Please, write your preferred dates and times, and we will try to accommodate you. See Br. Martin.
Readings for the Week of December 20, 2015
SUNDAY: Mi. 5:1-4a,Heb. 10:5-10, Lk. 1:39-45
MONDAY: Sg. 2:8-14 / 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: 2 Sm. 7:1-5,8b-12,14a-16 / Lk. 1:67-79
FRIDAY: Is. 52: 7-10 /Heb. 1:1-6 / Jn. 1:1-18
SATURDAY: Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59 /Mt. 10:17-22
NEXT SUNDAY: 1 Sm. 1:20-22,24-28/ 1 Jn. 3:1-2,21-24 Lk. 2:41-52
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Pope Francis, The Year of Mercy
Pope Francis has declared the Jubilee Year of Mercy, beginning on December 8th. During the month of December, we will provide you with a daily prayer book called, “The Magnificat Year of Mercy Companion.” A unique resource to accompany you throughout your daily journey. Day by day, celebrating the Miracle of Mercy.
Christmas Poinsettias
Next week, we will begin taking orders for Christmas Poinsettia plants to decorate the altar during the Christmas Season. The plants, as usual will be $15.00 each and are purchased in “Memory of” deceased loved ones. As always, the booklet with the names of those purchasing the plants will be available on Christmas. Deadline for plant orders is December 20th.
“Divine Mercy Chaplet”
For the “Jubilee Year of Mercy,” we will be having every Sunday at 3:00 PM the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Benediction. Please join us for this special “Jubilee Year of Mercy.”
Breakfast with Santa
Thank to everyone that made our breakfast with Santa a great success! Thank you to the members of our Parish Council and Holy Name Society for all they do.
54 Ways to Celebrate the “Year of Mercy”
By the doors, there are copies of “54 Ways to Celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy.” please take one and put it to good use, celebrating God’s Love and Mercy.
Practicing Mercy
- Resist sarcasm; it is the antithesis of mercy: ”Set, O Lord, guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3
- Pare down possessions: share things with the needy.
- Call someone who you know is lonely, even if you understand why they are lonely. Especially if you do.
- Write a letter of forgiveness to someone. If you cannot send it, sprinkle it with holy water, ask Christ Jesus to have mercy on you both and then burn or bury it.
- Learn to say this prayer: “Dear Lord, bless [annoying person’s name] and have mercy on me!”
- Plan a mini pilgrimage to a local shrine, make an effort along the way to live the corporal work of mercy of “welcoming the stranger” as Christ.
- Do something kind and helpful for someone who you don’t get along with, or who has wronged you.
- Be mindful of your behavior online. Is that post designed to improve your image??? , leaving others feeling bad? Are you hammering people in order to serve your anger and humiliate others?
- Have Masses said for the living: friends and family members, even strangers you read or hear about, who are having a hard time.
- Be generous enough to allow someone to help you; people to feel needed.
WomanKind
This week, I received a thank you a thank you letter WomanKind. Last month the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel family raised $1,048.00 with only our loose change in our baby bottles. Thank you again to all who participated!
Weekly Schedule
Sunday, December 20, 2015 * Fourth Sunday of Advent
10:00 AM * P.N. RCIA—Christmas Recess / Jan. 3rd, 2016
10:00 AM * CCD/PSR – Christmas Recess / Jan. 3rd. 2016
11:30 AM * Scouts—Christmas Party – Cafeteria
3:00 PM Exposition, Divine Mercy Chaplet & Benediction
6:30 PM * Youth Group meets tonight—Church
Monday, December 21, 2015 * Advent Weekday
10:30 AM * N.A. Meeting in Fr. Marino Hall
5:30 PM * Evening Prayer , Recitation of the Rosary & Litany in Church
7:15 PM * Italian Classes resume on Jan. 11th,2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
5:15 PM *Evening Prayer, Recitation of the Rosary and Litany in Church
8:00 PM * AA Meeting in Cafeteria
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
5: 15PM * Evening Prayer , Recitation of the Rosary and Litany in Church
6:00 PM * Mass, Novena to Our Lady of Mercy
Thursday, December 24, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
Christmas Eve Vigil:
5:00 PM * Children’s Mass
12:00 AM * Midnight Mass
8:00 PM AA Meeting in Cafeteria
Friday, December 25, 2015 * CHRISTMAS DAY
* Masses: 8 AM, 10 AM (Italian Mass) and 11:30 AM
P.N. NO 5:00 PM MASS—TODAY
Saturday, December 26,2015 * St. Stephen, Martyr
3:30 to 4:30 PM * Confessions—Church
Sunday, December 27, 2015 * Feast Holy Family
P. N. * NO RCIA Classes until January 3rd, 2016
3:00 PM * Exposition, Divine Mercy Chaplet & Benediction
6:30 PM Calling All Teen-agers!!
“Have you noticed???”
The front of the Church is looking better with the new tuckpointing and cleaning. Also, the Bell Tower and all the peaks of the Church have been wrapped with siding. Please, consider a donation towards our current church project.
Church Projects
Goal $18,000
Rummage Sale $1,500
Anonymous $100
__________________________________________
Still Need $12,130
Thank You!!
Mass Intentions for the Week
SATURDAY, December 19, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
6:30 AM * Devotees of St. Lucy by Tony & Rose Ruggiero
5:00 PM + Samuel, Frances and Joseph Coreno by Family
SUNDAY, December 20, 2015 * Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:00 AM + Ingeborg Blaske by Joe Tieri
10:00 AM + Assunta & Pasquale Lavalle by Phyllis Lavalle
11:30 AM + Bianco Santillo by Pat, Antonietta Feni & Family
5:00 PM + Anna Zona by Donna M. Gonyon
MONDAY, December 21, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
6:30 AM + Thomas Zugay by Laura Vitello
6:00 PM + Francesco Orlando by Amica
TUESDAY, December 22 ,2015 * Late Advent Weekday
6:30 AM + Deceased Mercedarians by Family
6:00 PM * In Honor of St. Jude by Leo & Regina Barther
WEDNESDAY, December 23, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
6:30 AM + Robert Gajdos by wife Mary Gajdos
6:00 PM + Jean Lavalle by Beverly Ciocca
THURSDAY, December 24, 2015 * Late Advent Weekday
6:30 AM + Joseph M. Jarocinski (Ann. Of Death) by Sons
* CHRISTMAS EVE :
5:00 PM + Deceased Family Members of Vitale & Prioletti by Dolores & Connie
+ Aaron Nicholas Mentkowski ( Bd. Ann.) by Lyn &
John Mentkowski
12:00 AM Midnight:
*Devotes of the Infant Jesus by Mazzarella Family
+ Gino De Iullis by Elena
+ Deceased Members of Vitello & Rasch Families by Family
FRIDAY, December 25, 2015 * Christmas Day
8:00AM + Frances Sfiscko by Jim & Johanna Czajkowski
10:00 AM + John Zona by Family
11:30 AM + Felix Ciocca by Dorothy & Beverly Ciocca
Saturday, December 26 2015 * St. Stephen, First Martyr
6:30 AM + Jerold Archer by Rita & Richard Skrok
5:00 PM + Francesca Coreno by Family
Sunday, December 27, 2015 * Feast * Holy Family
8:00 AM + Fortunato Figliano by Ida Casale
10:00 AM+ William J. Neubert by Phyllis Lavalle
11:30 AM+ Walter Linn by Family
5:00 PM + Concetta Cipro by Family
Christmas Giving
Please remember your church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel during the Christmas Season. We truly all your friendship, generosity, support, and kindness, throughout the year.
Mission Statement of OLMC
We, the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Family, called by the spirit to holiness, strengthened by Word and Sacrament, guided by His Holy Mother, strive in our different ways to participate in the mission of Jesus. We, His Family, share His Good News, pray together, serve others, teach, and empower all to be a witness of His healing love to all people.
