3rd sunday of advent, december 17, 2017 the catholic...

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3 rd Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2017 The Catholic Community of Bradford St. Francis of Assisi 15 St. Francis Drive Website: www.stfrancisomph.com Our Mother of Perpetual Help (A Secondary Mission Church) St. Bernard of Clairvaux 95 East Corydon Street Website: www.stbernardcatholic.org On-line giving: www.osvonlinegiving/1845 Very Rev. Raymond Gramata, V.F. Pastor Rev. Stanley Swacha, Senior Associate P.O. Box 2394 Bradford, PA 16701-5394 Phone: (814) 362-6825 Fax: (814) 362-1479 Email: [email protected] St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. Francis of Assisi Our Mother of Perpetual Help Mission Church Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Vigil — Sunday, December 24 St. Francis 5:30 pm St. Bernard 8:00 pm Christmas Day — Monday, December 25 St. Francis 8:00 am St. Bernard 10:00 am OMPH 11:30 am

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3rd Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2017

The Catholic Community of Bradford

St. Francis of Assisi 15 St. Francis Drive

Website: www.stfrancisomph.com

Our Mother of Perpetual Help (A Secondary Mission Church)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux 95 East Corydon Street

Website: www.stbernardcatholic.org On-line giving: www.osvonlinegiving/1845

Very Rev. Raymond Gramata, V.F. Pastor

Rev. Stanley Swacha, Senior Associate

P.O. Box 2394 • Bradford, PA 16701-5394 Phone: (814) 362-6825 • Fax: (814) 362-1479

Email: [email protected]

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Francis of Assisi

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Mission Church

Christmas

Mass Schedule

Christmas Vigil — Sunday, December 24 St. Francis 5:30 pm St. Bernard 8:00 pm

Christmas Day — Monday, December 25 St. Francis 8:00 am St. Bernard 10:00 am OMPH 11:30 am

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX CHURCH BRADFORD, PA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017

Would you believe that we are half way through the season of Advent and the question to ask

ourselves is simply this: “What do I have to show for it?” I don’t mean the preparations of Christmas

cards sent, parties attended, or how are we going to feed them all and still sit at the same table? I am

talking about the spiritual preparation for Christmas. That is what the season of advent is all about.

Let us look first at Saint John the Baptist. Initially, he comes across as being “eccentric” because of his

clothing and the food that he prefers to eat. Many of us would write him off quickly and simply say he

is different and then forget about him. John had a unique role to prepare people for the coming of the

Messiah, to let them know that God had not forgotten his promise. We are called to be “John the

Baptists” to the people of today. Like the people of his time, many people today have seemingly forgot about God or just

merely go through the motions of a belief in God, or could care less about God. Saint John the Baptist made a difference.

He said it best about himself: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.” This is the

very same task that we are asked to do.

The Hallmark Channel continues to show from now to Christmas, what I like to call feel good movies; some may call them

“sappy”, but they continue to show to all of us the goodness that is inherit in all of us. Lately the news has been full of much

negativity and that may get many of us thinking that there is no good decent human being left. Just as John the Baptist

reminds us that there is, so does Saint Paul in his reading from today: “Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from

every kind of evil.” To be a follower of Jesus has nothing to do with “sappiness”; it has to do with standing firm in what you

believe, so that you can make a difference - not only in your own small circle of friends, but

wherever you go and whatever you do. People will see the reflection of Jesus within and

shining through you.

Jesus is the reason for our existence; Jesus is the reason for the season; and, Jesus is the

reason for who we are. Like John the Baptist, we too have to say: “He must increase; I

must decrease.” (John 3:30) What does that mean? It is not about us; it is about Jesus.

We are not the message; we, like John the Baptist, are the messengers. Just as John was

called to bring people to the Messiah; we are called to bring people to Jesus.

God Bless, Fr. Ray

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY PENANCE SERVICE

Dec 17th at 3:00 pm at St. Francis, Bradford

UPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGS

Catholic Women: No January Meeting 50+ Club: TBA RCIA: Resumes Jan 7, 2018 REP 1-8: Sun @ 9 am, Dec 17 REP 9-11: Sun @ 5:45 pm,Resumes Jan 7, 2018 Rosary Altar: No Meeting in January, 2018 Widows Group: Tues, Dec 19 @ 11 am in Fr. Gallina Social Center—bring 2 doz. cookies

St. Bernard Elementary/St. Bernard Elementary/St. Bernard Elementary/St. Bernard Elementary/ Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolMiddle SchoolMiddle School

Dec 18 - 21: SANTA STORE Dec 20: Christmas Concert @ 6pm

Dec 22 - Jan 1: NO CLASSES OR CARE– CHRISTMAS BREAK Jan 2, 2018: Classes & Care resume

For scholarship information visit our website, www.stbernardcatholic.org

Mass —Wed, Dec 20th NO MASS

There is NO SENIOR HIGH REP on December 17. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 7, 2018

3333RDRDRDRD SUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS

Please Pray for the Following Priests

Sunday, Dec 17 - Rev. Msgr. George Appleyard

Monday, Dec 18 - Rev. Sean Kerins

Tuesday, Dec 19 - Very Rev. Matthew J. Kujawinski, V.F.

Wednesday, Dec 20 - Rev. Mark A. Nowak

Thursday, Dec 21 - Rev. John P. Beal

Friday, Dec 22 - Rev. James G. Faluszczak

Saturday, Dec 23 - Rev. Msgr. Henry A. Kriegel

FAMILY LIFEFAMILY LIFEFAMILY LIFEFAMILY LIFE

Today’s gospel reports “I am the voice of the one crying out in the desert.” Who in your family is crying out with their cra-zy schedules, suppers that start too late and end too early, cars that don’t start, misunderstandings, piles of laundry, unmatched socks and stretched food budgets? Although the list feels endless, there is one who hears you. The words spoken at mass, “The Lord is with you,” are not just a hope, they are a fact.

THANK YOU TO

PENN LAUREL REALTY

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Visit the Diocese of Erie Family website at:

http://www.eriercd.org/fam.htm and discover why families always matter!

OUR PARISHES THANK YOU OUR PARISHES THANK YOU OUR PARISHES THANK YOU OUR PARISHES THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONSFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONSFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONSFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

St. Bernard Dec 10th Collection…………...….$ 5,855 Immaculate Conception ………...$ 861

CSA Assessment….$ 39,441 CSA to date ……..…..$ 53,785

St. Francis of Assisi Dec 10th Collection…………...….$ 2,389 Immaculate Conception ………...$ 473

CSA Assessment….$ 27,222 CSA to date ……...…..$ 22,735

Please write separate checks for weekly and other collections

Make sure your checks are made out to your home parish and signed.

Please do NOT staple or tape your envelopes closed. Thank you!

FINAL 2017 CSA pledge payments must be in to the Parish Office by

December 22nd.

WORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFE

"The right to life is the first among human rights. To abort a

child is to kill someone who can not defend himself." ~Pope Francis

St. Bernard School Proudly Presents

Christmas Concert 2017 Please come join us on

Wednesday, December 20 th

at 6 pm in the St. Bernard Gym for a Concert

featuring all the students from St. Bernard School.

After the concert we will be offering hot co-coa, tea and coffee as well as yummy cookies and other treats in the cafeteria. The Santa Store will also be open for any last-minute

shopping! We will be having a basket raffle where you have a chance to win a themed

basket! Some of the themes are Movie Night, Pet Lover, Italian Dinner and Book Lover. We look forward to having the St. Bernard family

coming together and celebrating the Christmas Season!

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017

MARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTS Ways to Turn Your Beloved Off #6 - Let the busyness of Christmas preparations blind you to the gift of your relation-ship. Don't let shopping or decorating or worries keep you from treasuring the presence of your beloved.

www.osvonlinegiving/1845

CHRISTMAS WAFERS Oplatki are now available in the

Parish office for $3.

5555th th th th ANNUAL CHILI ANNUAL CHILI ANNUAL CHILI ANNUAL CHILI CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST RESCUED!!!!

Now we need CHILI!!

Please contact the parish office at 362-6825 to reserve your spot in

the January 20th Contest.

RETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTION Thank you for supporting senior religious. A sister from In-diana writes, “Because of your kindness, our elderly sisters will have the comfort, security and joy of living out their re-maining years here in their home. You truly honor them and their many years of service by your generosity.” Religious across the United States offer sincere thanks for your gen-erosity to last week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

Need a different kind of Christmas gift? Why not a ticket to play Bingo, Designer Bag Bingo, that is.

St. Bernard School’s

1st Annual Designer Bag Bingo

Sunday, February 11, 2018 Noon at St. Bernard School Cafeteria

There will be raffles for Designer wristlets, wallets and other accessories as well.

$30 Bingo tickets are available at St. Bernard School or parish office. Ask about a 10% group discount for a table of 8.

No tickets at the door.

First bingo boards & dauber provided with ticket. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.

Proceeds to benefit new technology in the classrooms.

The Parish Office will be Closed Mon & Tues, Dec 25 th & 26 th

for Christmas and Friday, Dec 29 th &

Mon, Jan 1 st, 2018 for New Years The office will open Jan 2 nd at 9am.

COMMUNITY BLOOD BANKCOMMUNITY BLOOD BANKCOMMUNITY BLOOD BANKCOMMUNITY BLOOD BANK

The Blood Bank will be available in the St. Bernard Gymna-sium Monday, Dec 18th from 12:00 Noon until 5:30 pm.

3333RDRDRDRD SUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017

Christmas Mass ScheduleChristmas Mass ScheduleChristmas Mass ScheduleChristmas Mass Schedule

St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church

Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec.24th — 8:00 pm

Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25th — 10:00 am

St. Francis of Assisi & St. Francis of Assisi & St. Francis of Assisi & St. Francis of Assisi & Our Mother of Perpetual Help Our Mother of Perpetual Help Our Mother of Perpetual Help Our Mother of Perpetual Help

St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis of Assisi:

Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec.24th — 5:30 pm

Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25th — 8:00 am

Our Mother of Perpetual Help:Our Mother of Perpetual Help:Our Mother of Perpetual Help:Our Mother of Perpetual Help:

Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25th — 11:30 am

Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule:Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule:Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule:Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule:

St. Bernard of ClairvauxSt. Bernard of ClairvauxSt. Bernard of ClairvauxSt. Bernard of Clairvaux

Monday, January 1st — 9:00 am

St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi

Monday, January 1st — 9:00 am

BULLETIN INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY NOON ON FRIDAY

2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BULLETIN DATE.

PASTORAL STAFF: Very Rev. Raymond C. Gramata, Pastor Rev. Stanley Swacha, Senior Associate

Mrs. Linda Cecchetti, Principal SBS

OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 9 am to 4 pm

Tuesday - Friday: 8 am to 4 pm Ms. Wendy Thomson, Financial Manager

Ms. Kathy Bryant, Secretary

MASS SCHEDULE: Please consult bulletin

RECONCILIATION: St. Bernard — Saturdays from 4:30 to 5 pm before 5:15 mass, Thursday before First Friday from 4:30 to 5 pm. St. Francis — After 9 am mass on Saturdays. Private appointments may be made by calling the Parish Office (362-6825).

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (REP) Students not attending Catholic school should be enrolled in REP programs. St. Bernard, St. Francis and OMPH Religious Education programs are combined. Grades 1 through 8 meet on Sunday mornings at 9 am at St. Bernard in Fr. Gallina Social Center and grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation) meet at St. Francis in G. Carlton Ritchie Hall at 5:15 pm on Sunday. Both programs begin in September.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): We welcome all inquiries about the Catholic faith. This process begins in the fall of the year. Please call the Parish Office for further information.

ST. BERNARD ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL: 450 West Washington Street: serving students, preschool through eighth grade. Open to parishioners, Catholics from other parishes and those of other faiths. Offering Extended Care before, during, and after school. For complete information, please call 368-5302.

MEMBERSHIP: All Baptized Catholics should be registered, practicing and supporting members of a Parish. Only properly registered members appear on our parish list and are eligible to receive the benefits of parish membership for sacraments, and educational opportunities (including tuition assistance) at our Catholic School. Each parishioner is called upon to practice good stewardship of time, talent and treasure. If you are not currently receiving envelopes, you may not be registered. Call the Parish Office - we would love to meet you!

MARRIAGE: Couples need to contact a priest at least six months before their wedding. Registered and active participation needs to be considered before marriage.

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office to request the Sacrament of the Sick for family members who are seriously ill. Communion for the sick is taken to the hospital, nursing homes, and the home-bound on a regular basis.

BAPTISM: Both parents must attend the Pre-Baptism Preparation Program. Please call the St. Bernard Parish Office for dates and times of upcoming class. Baptisms are scheduled after completing the program. Call the Parish Office to schedule the class and baptism. Godparents must be at least 16, confirmed and active, registered members of their parish.

STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Religious Education:

Grades 1-8, 9 am Sunday mornings at St. Bernard Grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation), 5:45 pm Sunday

evenings at St. Francis

Liturgical Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

Music Director Kathy O’Mara Organist St. Francis Michael Hicks Resurrection Choir Mariann Pascarella God’s Housekeepers Parish Office Liturgy Fr. Raymond C. Gramata

Parish Community St. Bernard School Linda Cecchetti, Principal Parish Council Fr. Raymond Gramata Catholic Women’s Club Teri Everett Rosary Altar Society Joan Hoffman Telephone Prayer Chain - Natalie Marasco (363-9110)

Cover photos by LongArt Photography

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORDCATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORDCATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORDCATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017DECEMBER 17, 2017

MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK OF OF OF OF DEC 18 DEC 18 DEC 18 DEC 18 ---- 24, 201724, 201724, 201724, 2017

Weekday masses are held in the Divine Mercy Chapel

Monday, December 18 SB 8:00 am Carl White (Ron & Kathy Symington) SF 9:00am Daniel Ward (Family) Tuesday, December 19 SF 9:00 am Harry Stoltz (Family) Wednesday, December 20 SB 8:00 am Evelyn Taylor (Family) SB 10:00 am NO MASS — Confessions Thursday, December 21 SB 8:00 am Elizabeth Zetts (Harijane Hannon Moore) SF 9:00 am Verolini & Ciccarelli Families (Rita Verolini) Friday, December 22 SB 8:00 am Joyce Cercone (Sandy Caldwell) Saturday, December 23 SF 9:00 am Parishioners SB 5:15 pm Louise Ackley (Cliff Ackley) Sunday, December 24

SF 8:00 am Midge Franco (Family) SB 10:00 am Harry Stoltz (Louise Stoltz) OM 11:30 am Chorach, Hamer & Manning Families

(Dorothy Chohrach)

Sunday, December 24 — Christmas Vigil

SF 5:30 pm Girard Family (Teri & Ron Orris)

SB 8:00 pm Living & Deceased Members of the

Catholic Community (Weekly confessions Saturdays after 9 am mass at St. Francis

and before 5:15 mass at St. Bernard)

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering:

Thomas Ackley, Virgil Anderson, Michelle Allen, Betty Baliski, Bill Baynes, Barb Bernheisel & Foster Family, Shirley Black, Barbara Boser, John Bove,

Mary Brzenski, Tom Burke, Donna Carll, Annie Champagne, Dick Clark, Billie Cummins, Paul Curcio, Charlotte Cuthbertson, Helen DeFrank, Paul Eakin, Michael Eaton, Helen Ewell, Rose Feldhaus Family, Alliyson Feldman, Ysbella Feldman, Allen Fuller, Pat Geary, Pat Girard, Ken Hall, Pearl Harris, Susan Hamric, Brandon M. Henry, Jill Henry, Sandy Holsinger, Kathy Howe, James Kibby, Bill Kline, Rita Leone, George MacFarlane, Sr., Kaylee Marsfelder, Colleen McNamara, Shannon McNamara, Mariana Militelo, Anne Miller, Joe Monago, Lou Monti, Frank Organski, Cheri O’Mara, Courtney Prentiss, Lori Rigowski, James Romanelli, Tim Romanelli, Cindy Sayers, Nancy Shaw, Judith Shick, Caro Simonds, Steve Skaggs, Dan Songer, Hailey Smith, Lillian Stoddard, Bonnie Swackhamer, Matthew Whelan, Corrine Wilson, Richard Yovichin, Liza Zurat

May they be strengthened by the healing presence of God’s Spirit.

MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSES DEC 23DEC 23DEC 23DEC 23–––– 24, 201724, 201724, 201724, 2017

Saturday, December 23 SB 5:15 pm Lector: Paul Curcio EM: Cliff Ackley/ Mary Mongillo/ Volunteer Servers: Cara & Laryssa Webster

Sunday, December 24 SF 8:00 am Lector: Jody Randolph EM: Suzie Sperry/ Deb Woodley/ Craig Cuthbertson Servers: Samantha Soyke

SB 10:00 am Lector: Greg Ulyan EM: Celia Romanelli/ Doris Hungiville/ Kim Lance Servers: Timothy & Clare Mulcahy/ Christian Peterson

OM 11:30 am Lector: Linda Cox EM: Kim Ditz Servers: Joe Ditz Sunday, December 24 — Christmas Vigils SF 5:15 pm Lector: Rita Verolini EM: Deb Woodley/ Kathy Bryant/ George Macfarlane Servers: Samantha Soyke

SB 8:00 pm Lector: Andy Kearns EM: Paul Curcio/ Lynn Hogue/ Chris Pehonsky Servers: Abby Coffman/Erica Marshall/Volunteer

Hospital/Pavilion: Mike & Dawn Kozminski Chapel Ridge: Craig Cuthbertson

READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 17 2017READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 17 2017READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 17 2017READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 17 2017

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b]/Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1a]/ Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

GOD’S HOUSEKEEPERSGOD’S HOUSEKEEPERSGOD’S HOUSEKEEPERSGOD’S HOUSEKEEPERS

Jan 2 - Jan 5: Team 1 L. Hogue/ S. Madison/ R. & J. Geis/ P. Pyle