THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 15, 2013 John the Baptist has lived like a patient

1. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 15, 2013 John the Baptist has lived like a patient farmer awaiting “the precious fruit of the earth.” From the midst of the “hardship and patience” that he suffers in prison for being a prophet “who spoke in the name of the Lord,” John’s heart bears only one question: “Are you the one who is to come?” John’s longing for Christ is what keeps him looking eagerly to each new day. He lives with the expectations to “see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.” And that is why Christ’s reply is so deliberately elaborate. When John hears of the miraculous benefits accorded to the blind, the lame, the leprous, the deaf, and the poor, he will know that the One he has been waiting for all his life has come: the God of mercy. The greatness of John the Baptist is that he refused to settle for anything less. the impious. Confused and distressed. John has his followers question Jesus: “Are you the Messiah whom we await? You, the non- violent one, the patient one, the merciful one?” // This question which spans the centuries seizes us today more than ever when we are confronted by the apparent silence of God in our de-Christianized society. We had hoped the Gospel would give us answers; instead, it raises questions. We had hoped for ready-made solutions. Instead, it invites us to seek them out. We had hoped for spectacular signs. Instead, the kingdom subjects itself to the laws of slow germination. So often it is difficult for us to admit that Christianity is a freeing and loving way of life – a life of faith and risk! Like John, we too must enter into the Advent of our faith and recognize the image which God chose in the humble, merciful, liberating person of Jesus Christ. // The signs of his coming are among us, hidden, but alive. Through faith, many Christians incarnate the Word of God in our generation. They already begin to change the word and throw down the walls of our prisons. In greater numbers Christians are assuming responsibility for the Church. They go in the name of the gospel to offer service to the poor. They never cease to pray that they might burn with the fire of Jesus' love. These contemporary prophets of the Messiah know that patient hope impels us to action. // Why then do we wait to join the ranks of those who, in working for the Advent of God, are promoting humanity’s true coming of age? ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA www.StMatthewTheEvangelistParish.org Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM Phone: (570) 544-2211 Fax: (570) 54-2317 SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish!’ SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole(610-289-8900x222) VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1-800-791-9209) WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM MON – John Maletz by Family TUE – Verna Polinsky (Annv) by Joyce WED – Margaret Sorokach (Estate) THU – Mary Renninger by Ed and Aldona Butler FRI – Walter Logan (Birthday) by Brother, Joseph and Rita Logan SAT – 4:00 PM – Charles Stablum by Family SUN – 7:00 AM – John and Mary Consugar by Family 9:00 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners 11:00 AM – John and Anna Dobles by Daughter, Carol ******************************************************************************************************************************************** REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May Jesus, the King of Glory, welcome into His eternal realm WILLIAM H. NEWTON, SR., a former member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and a member of our Parish Family, who died Saturday, December 7, and was buried from our Church Friday, December 13. May Mary, the Immaculate One, obtain comfort from Jesus, Her Son, for William’s family and friends! ******************************************************************************************************************************************** THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice./ Indeed, the Lord is near. (Phil 4:4-5) THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 15 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 6:30 AM and 10:45 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS(FPC): Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into his harvest. We hope the prayers of our participating families will bear fruit. May God be attentive to THE KELLY FAMILY who will host the Family Prayer Chalice for Vocations this week. Sign up for February in the Church Vestibule; call 570-399-5056. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: The question put to Jesus in today’s gospel is also put to us today: “Are you the one?” Are you the one who will give guidance to the children in your life or must they look to TV sitcoms, films, videos and music lyrics for direction? Are you the one? Will you be the one? PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Our faith is strengthened when it is shared; so too, the pro-life message will be strengthened when shared in Christian love. STEWARDSHIP: ““Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised…”  Matthew 11:4-5 . When Jesus cured the sick we called it a miracle. Yet God has blessed us with many good things – our eyesight, our hearing, our talents, our health and so much more – and we often take it all for granted. The good steward recognizes every blessing in life as a miracle from God and strives to use those gifts for God’s honor and glory. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $3,233; Fuel: $509; Expenses: $4,953.23 (ordinary); $4,500 (school subsidy). Thank you for your generosity! ADVENT CHARITIES: 1) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY – Your donation of all TYPES OF PASTA AND SAUCE will allow the SVDP Society to aid the needy of our area. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society Outreach and God’s Bountiful Table. Call 570-544-2739. 2) BIRTH- RIGHT’S GIVING TREE: Thank you for your gifts to Birthright of Frackville. The gifts will be distributed to needy mothers and their children in our county during the coming Holiday Season. If you did not return your gifts by the deadline (today), kindly deliver them to Birthright’s Office in Frackville. Thanks for caring! ADVENT VOTIVES:(1) SANCTUARY: IMO John Maletz by Family. (2) ALTARS: BVM: IMO Leona Maletz (Birthday) by Brother, Father Leo; IMO Michael and Anna Postick and Tootsie by Katherine Chelak; Special Intention by Helen Droskinis. DIVINE MERCY: For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; IMO Leona Donlen by Teresa Miller; For the Health of Evan Gober by Grandparents, Stan and Sally. (3) OTHER: REREDOS NICHE: IMO Father Joseph F. Reilly by Parents. ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. Call 570-544-2211 to memorialize Votives. 0. Today we meet the Baptist overcome with doubt, locked by the powerful in the shadowy and forbidding dungeon. The Messiah whom he recognized does not act as a sovereign judge, nor as the merciless executor of divine sentences against POINSETTIA SALE PICK-UP AND BAKE SALE: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Donations of baked goods are needed AND APPRECIATED. BRING THEM directly to the Parish Center. Place your name on these items. Thanks! ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH 50/50 DRAWING: DRAWING IS TODAY! GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! $2.00 each or three for $5.00. Call Joe at 570-544-5485 for tickets. Benefits Parish Center renovation. Thanks for your support!

2. MONDAY, December 16 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. TUESDAY, December 17 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the Good Shepherd School Building. Contact our C.R.E., Rosalie Novack (570-544-2211) for information. WEDNESDAY, December 18 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:7:45 AM. DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. Ask St. Peregrine to help cancer patients / caregivers. GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Anthony RicapitoAnnex. THURSDAY, December 19 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR REHEARSAL: Call 570-544-2355 for rehearsal times. FRIDAY, December 20 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. SATURDAY, December 21 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:15 PM. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 22 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 6:30 AM, 10:45 AM and 6:00 PM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): KEN AND MARYANNE EICHENBERG will host the FPC this week. Call 570-399-5056 or Sign-Up in the Church Vestibule. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY! SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Your contribution will help defray the cost of improvements for all Parish Buildings. (2) Please catch up with any missed envelopes. Thank you! THE ENDOWMENT FOR THE CARE OF RETIRED PRIESTS “St. John Vianney said, “The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you.” As we think about the many blessings we receive every day from our priests, surely we will agree. Our priests are priests for us. I am truly blessed to share in the ministry of the priesthood of the Diocese of Allentown.” – Bishop John O. Barres ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DECEMBER 1 – 31 – Endowment for the Care of Retired Priests Annual Fund: The Diocese of Allentown is conducting an annual fund called, “Chosen, Blessed, Shared,” to support our Retired Priests. All gifts received will be used to support the rising cost of retirement care for those priests in good standing who have faithfully served, and the many retired who continue to serve, in our Diocese. Please consider making this fund a part of your yearly Advent giving. Do not confuse this yearly collection with the “National Appeal for Retired Religious” on December 7 and 8. You have received a request letter in the mail. You may return your gift in the mail or drop it in the collection basket at Mass. Thank you in advance for your generous support. CHRISTMAS WAFERS / PLOTKELES / OPLATKI: Are available in the Church Vestibule to help you observe the custom of the Christmas Eve Holy Supper. Offering per pack is $3.00. Preserve this beautiful Holiday Tradition within your family! 2014 SUNDAY MISSALS: Can be found in the Church Vestibule. These Liturgical aides are $5.00 per book. 2014 CHURCH CALENDARS: They are a gift to us from the Butler Funeral Home. Our Sincerest thanks to don, peggyand CHRIS! They are in the Church Vestibule. One per family. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND VOTIVES: We need your Floral Memorials ($10) and Votive Memorials ($5) to adorn our Church this coming Christmas Season. Flower Envelopes can be found in your Sunday Envelope boxes. Return them and make arrangements for Vigils at your earliest convenience. Call 570-544-2211. Thanks for your help! HOLIDAY CALENDAR WINNERS December 8 – Jim Tokarz December 9 – D and R Truscott December 10 – Roseann Sep December 11 – Allen Wolf December 12 – Patrice Schwalm December 13 – Paul Kabana December 14 – Paul Kabana MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT OFF. PROC.LECTORS EUCH. MIN.ALTAR SERVERS SAT 4:00 PM Stablum Family Al Boris Lori Hoffman Fletcher Eades Frank Melenchick SUN 7:00 AM Consugar FamilyJack Hudock Eric Andruchek Michael Perzel 9:00 AM Parishioners Linda Butensky Sharon Kolenick Killian Clark Max Wigoda 11:00 AM DoblesFamily Nicole Forney Theresa KroznuskiJesse Stickell Jade Stickell ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************* COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar! DECEMBER 24 – CHRISTMAS TABLEAU:At the 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass, our Parish Children will present a short Christmas Tableau. Students in Grades 1-5 are asked to participate. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL TRADITION TO CONTINUE! Call Mrs. Nabholz(570-622-1032) or Ms. Novack(570-544-2172) by Friday, December 20. Please, we invite you to join us! JANUARY 26 – ASSUMPTION BVM OPEN HOUSE AND EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM at Assumption BVM School. Faculty members and administration will be available to answer questions you might have. For new registrations, please bring your child’s birth certificate, baptismal record, and immunization records. Register before April 1, 2014 and receive a $15 discount on the new students registration fee. Students transferring from other schools in grades 2 through 7 are eligible for a $1,500 transfer grant: $1,000 for the 2014-2015 school year and $500 for the 2015-2016 school year. Call 570-622-0106 for more information or for a tour. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2014 ADULT CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES: All 2014 adult envelopes can be found in the last center aisle pews of the church. Please take yours and help us deliver those of our shut-in parishioners. If there are any Questions about your envelopes, please call 570-544-2211. Children’s Envelopes will be coming soon! PARISH MEMORIAL SOCIETY: We gratefully acknowledge the following donations: IMO MILLIE PYTKO: $15 from Katherine Chelak. IMO JOSEPH PELLISH: $25 from The Sep Family. IMO ANNA CHESONIS: $10 from Sabina Quinn. IMO LEONA DONLEN: $25 from The Class of 1977 Reunion Committee; $10 each from Craig Witman Family, Barbara Stablum Family, Betty Sabadish. IMO ELIZABETH PUKAS: $20 each from Marge and George Homa Family, Dolores Starr, Donald Starr. IMO THELMA CAZONIE: $10 from Lucy Barnetsky. ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL NEWS: The newly formed Rosary Club has been very busy making and distributing rosaries to various community organizations as a service project. We have been praying the Rosary for world peace. If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor that you would like us to pray for, call the Assumption BVM office at 570-622-0106 or e-mail tbahm@assumptionbvmschool.net with your prayer request. We will gladly pray for your loved ones and friends. CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN: 1) Has begun the annual Christmas Appeal to support the programs of Catholic Charities in their service to individuals and families. Checks payable to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown may be mailed to Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal, 2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown, PA 18103. On-line donations may be made at www.catholiccharityAD.org.2) Behavioral Health Program provides counseling and mental health services at 13 Westwood Center, Pottsville. Some insurance plans are accepted. Please call 570-628-0466. 3) Welcomes families to volunteer as friendly visitors for the new Neighbors Helping Neighbors project, which serves older adults living in Berks and Southern Schuylkill Counties. This can be a rewarding opportunity. Please contact Catholic Charities at 610-376-7144 or lfavinger@allentowndiocese.org for information to make one or more friendly visits.