December 22, 2002 Vol. 30, No. 51
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday, Dec. 23.....12:10PM.....Catherine Miller.....Ross & Lottie Stevens
Tuesday, Dec. 24.....5:00PM.....SACRED HEART, MORRIS
Vigil of Christmas.....7:00PM.....ST. PETER’S, WELLSBORO
10:00PM.....ST. PETER’S, WELLSBORO
Wednesday.....Dec. 25.....Christmas Day.....10:00AM.....ST. PETER’S, WELLSBORO
Thursday, Dec. 26.....12:10PM.....Gerald Sullivan.....Family
Friday, Dec. 27.....12:10PM.....Mary Turrell.....O’Dell Family
Saturday, Dec. 28.....5:00PM.....Elizabeth Donnelly.....Michelle DeLange
7:00PM.....Jacqueline Gitchell.....Kristie & Donavan Saunders
Sunday, Dec. 29.....8:30AM.....Frank G. Cuda.....Patricia & Phineas Kuhl
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph.....11:00AM.....MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
Readings: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
God Loves a Cheerful Giver—and Receiver
“The Lord will establish a house for you.” (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16)
DAVID and God were not exactly equals. David was king, of course, but that still gave him no leverage over God. Even when David wanted to do God a favor, God had complete control over the success of the king’s intent.
David had a great idea. He saw how beautiful the house was where he lived, and how simple the cedar house was for the ark of God. David wanted to build God a glorious temple. But God said no.
God had other ideas. It was not David’s position to provide a home for God. It was God’s position to provide a home for David. Eventually God gave David more than a home. God promised that David’s throne would stand firm forever.
God’s promise was fulfilled in two ways. David did not build God a temple, but David’s Solomon did. And, according to members of the church, David’s throne would last forever because of a child born into the house and lineage of David, a holy child born in the city of David, Bethlehem.
In preparing for Christmas, you may have tried to do God favors through your prayers and through your charity toward others. But God is doing you the favor. God gives you the gift of salvation in the mystery of Christmas. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2002, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)
PARISH ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE – Today at 2:00PM the priests of the Deanery will join us for a Penance Service followed by the opportunity for individual confessions. There is no better way to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Final Deanery Advent Service – Today, Sun., Dec. 22, 4:30PM, Holy Child, Mansfield. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available at St. Peter’s on Tues., Dec. 24th from 11:00AM – Noon.
The ANNUAL CHIRSTMAS FLOWER MEMORIAL of those family members and friends remembered throughout the Christmas Season is available at the Church entrances this weekend.
ATTENTION “GIVING TREE” SANTAS: If you have a gift for an elderly shut-in, and you haven’t delivered it yet, be sure to deliver it in person before December 24th! Someone is looking forward to your visit.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who participated and helped with the C.R.R. (Children’s Residential Rehabilitation) Christmas Party last weekend. Special thanks to students – Mike Reindl, Allison Anthony, Laura Henderson, Dan Dalton, Rachel Nance, Sarah Dalton, Laura Reindl, Renee Bialas, and Josh Sticklin.
PARENTS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS (Pre-School through 8)! There are no classes held throughout the holiday. Classes will resume at the regularly scheduled times on Sun., Jan. 5th.
CHRISTMAS EVE CHOIR! Students will rehearse today from 10:45AM – 11:30AM in the Music Room. The final rehearsal will be held tomorrow, Mon., Dec. 23rd at 10:00AM in the Church. Students are asked to arrive at the Church on Christmas Eve at 5:45PM to begin singing at 6:45PM.
PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS! There will be a brief practice in the Church on Tues., Dec. 24th at 10:00AM for those participating in the Christmas Eve Mass.
LIFELINE! To the people, oppressed and suffering, who walked in the darkness, there appeared “a great light”. A truly “great” light indeed, because the light which radiates from the humility of the crib is the light of the new creation. If the first creation began with light, how much more splendid and “great” is the light which inaugurates the new creation: it is God himself made man! (Pope John Paul II)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683)
ST. PETER’S/SACRED HEART CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS EVE – Tues., Dec. 24th
Caroling Programs will being 15 minutes prior to each Mass.
Christmas Eve at Sacred Heart, Morris – 5:00PM
Christmas Eve Family Mass at St. Peter’s, Wellsboro – 7:00PM
The Pre-school and Kindergarten classes will have a special part in the liturgy,
with music led by the Christmas Eve Choir.
Christmas Mass at Night at St. Peter’s, Wellsboro – 10:00PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Wed., Dec. 25th
10:00AM, St. Peter’s, Wellsboro
The Nativity of the Lord
Always Open for Business
“You shall be called ‘My Delight’ and your land ‘Espoused’.” (Isaiah 62:1-5)
Going-out-of-business signs spell good sales for the consumer and sad days for the seller. Businesses close when they can no longer turn a profit. Unemployment and poverty bring sadness to the families of workers. If several businesses close in one region, it disturbs the whole community. No one likes to go out of business. No one likes feeling empty and forsaken.
This Christmas Day, through the mouth of Isaiah, God promises that the chosen people will not go out of business. They shall be called “Frequented,” a nickname that would make any store proud. God proclaims this message not just to ancient Israel but to all the ends of the earth.
At Christmas we reflect on our blessings but we are also disturbed by our losses. God enters these days with joy, to keep us from brooding over sorrow.
In the past year, have you ever felt that God abandoned you? If so, then Isaiah’s message is for you. This message goes to the whole world, including you. You are a city that is not forsaken. You are called “Frequented,” God’s delight. God comes to be with you and to rejoice in you.
In you! (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2002, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)
CHRISTMAS OFFERING! Your support at Christmastime helps enormously with the winter heating bills and gives us the opportunity to begin meeting our obligations in the New Year (insurance, taxes, etc.). Thank you for sharing the charity of this season with your parish.
The PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the holiday. Please have announcements for next Sunday’s bulletin into the office tomorrow by 3:00PM. The office will re-open Thurs., Dec. 26th.
WEEKLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION will not be held on Wed., Dec. 25th or Jan. 1st. We will resume this special weekly prayer before the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, Jan. 8th.
NEXT SUNDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY – All of the Masses next weekend will include “The Blessing of Children” (born and unborn) and their parents to thank God for the gift of life manifested so beautifully in children, and to renew among people a deep respect for all human life.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Tues., Dec. 31st – 5:00PM, Morris; 7:00PM, Wellsboro; and Wed., Jan. 1st, 10:00AM, Wellsboro.
2002 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS will be prepared upon request only and will include all contributions received by December 31st. Parishioners wishing to have a statement for tax purposes are asked to contact the Parish Office by the second week of January.
2003 LITURGICAL CLAENDARS are available at all of the Church entrances. Once again, thank you to our co-sponsor - Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, for helping provide our parish with such a beautiful calendar again this year.
His Excellency The Most Reverend James C. Timlin, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office of Parish Ministries/Family Life cordially invite couples celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversary in 2003 to a DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on Sunday, June 8th. The event includes an afternoon Mass at St. Peter Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation should be made through Fr. Menghini before January 10th.
KNOW A MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE? Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, a Catholic program that helps couples communicate once again (or for the first time.) Even if you are separated or divorced, Retrouvaille can help if you want to make the marriage work. The next program in the Scranton Diocese begins February 7-9, 2003 at Fatima Center in Dalton. Call Mary & Tom at 570-655-1916 for more information or to register. Father Menghini also has brochures with more information.
Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (Dec. 14 & 15, 2002): Of 343 envelopes mailed, 167 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $2,931.50 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $355.50 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,287.00; Religious Retirement Fund, $190.00; Christmas Flower Memorial, $365.00; Christmas, $240.00; Building Fund, $125.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $54.00; Samaritan House Gift, $300.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $10.00.
INCREASED OFFERTORY PROGRAM -- WEEKLY OFFERING COMPARISON
2001 2002 Increase/Decrease
Dec. 1/2, 2001 $3,484.00 Nov. 30/Dec. 1, 2002 $4,434.50 +$950.50
Dec. 8/9, 2001 $4,809.00 Dec. 7/8, 2002 $4,331.00 -$478.00
Dec. 15/16, 2001 $3,387.00 Dec. 14/15, 2002 $3,287.00 -$100.00