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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Parents are required to register and a end a preparatory workshop before Bap sm. Please call Deacon Jack Quirk at 570-622-1802, extension 7, to register. Workshops are held bi-monthly. Parents wishing Bap sm for their children must be prac cing Catholics; meaning regular a endance at Mass, and suppor ng the Parish by the use of envelopes. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Couples planning to be married must contact a parish priest at least six months prior to the desired date of the marriage.

CHURCH OF

3 1 9 M A H A N T O N G O S T R E E T P O T T S V I L L E , P A

St. Patrick’s Preschool ... 570-622-0106 at Assump on BVM Director: Mrs. Sharon Rossi

Assump on BVM .......... 570-622-0106 Elementary School Principal: Mrs. Teresa Kea ng

Na vity BVM ................ 570-622-8110 High School Principal: Mrs. Lynn Sabol

St. Joseph’s Center ....... 570-622-4638 for Special Learning Program Director: Mr. Robert Giba

Local Safe Environment Coordinator Lisa Arant, 570-622-5566

Vic m Assistance Coordinator Wendy Krisak, MA, NCC, LPC DIRECT LINE: 800-791-9209

Diocesan Safe Environment Coord. Sr. Meg Cole, SSJ, MS, LMFT 610-332-0442 (x2019)

Pastor........................................................ Rev. Msgr. Edward J. O'Connor

Parochial Vicar/Hospital Chaplain ....................... Rev. Barnabas Shayo, A.J.

Permanent Deacons ........................................................ Mr. John E. Quirk Mr. Lawrence J. Lonergan

DIVINE MERCY PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL AT ST. PATRICK RECTORY: Please call Aleece at 570-449-7678 for more informa on.

ROSARY AND NOVENA: 7:00 pm - Wednesdays in Our Lady's Chapel

COMMUNION CALLS are made monthly. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to be put on the Communion Call list, or would like to receive the Anoin ng of the Sick.

HOSPITAL/NURSING HOME VISITS: The pa ent or a member of the immediate family must no fy the Parish Office of a pa ent's admission so a visit can be made. This is in compliance with the Federal HIPAA Law.

RCIA: Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults is the process in which adults join the Catholic Church. Please call the Parish Office if interested.

ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE: Cer ficates to act as a sponsor for Bap sm or Confirma on are available at the Parish Office. You must be a prac cing Catholic, meaning regular a endance at Mass, and suppor ng the Parish by the use of envelopes.

ST. PATRICK POTTSVILLE AREA KITCHEN: Please call Terry Alexander at 570-617-2957 for hours and dona ons.

SCHEDULE OF MASSES Saturday ................................. 4:15 pm Sunday ............. 7:30, 9:30 & 11:00 am

WEEKDAY MASSES Weekdays ......... 6:30 and 8:00 am Saturdays ........................ 8:00 am

CONFESSIONS Saturday ..................... 3:00 to 4:00 pm Wednesday ......... 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Phone ........ 570-622-1802 Email .......... dwalker.stpats@gmail.com

Fax ............. 570-622-2593 Web ........... www.stpatrickpo sville.org Business Manager..................................................................Lisa Arant Office Administrator .....................................................Debbie Walker

Office Hours .......................... 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Thursday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, Friday

Bulle n Deadline .................................................... 9:00 am, Mondays

Monthly Parish Events Calendar Deadline ....... First day of prior month

SAINT PATRICK Check out our Facebook page - Church of St. Patrick

Membership/Registra on All parishioners should be registered in our files. New parishioners are asked to register as soon as possible. When moving from the parish, no fy the office. Please also report any address change.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (PREP): Grades 1 - 8 • September thru May Please follow schedule on calendar. When classes are held, please report a er the 9:30 am Mass from 10:45 am to Noon Director .......................................................... Sr. Mary Jane Dunleavy, S.S.J. Phone ................... 570-544-2464 Email ................ smjaned@outlook.com

Diocesan Policies on the Protec on of Youth can be found at: h p://www.allentowndiocese.org/youth-protec on

St. Patrick Parish offers Online Giving as an electronic tool for contribu ons so you can contribute via the Internet. Online Giving helps you maintain your giving even if you cannot be here at Mass. Please go to our Parish website at www.stpatrickpo sville.org to get started.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 8, 2019

Monday, December 9 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am Regina Yeasted (Kathleen & Bob Bound) 8:00 am Charles E. Holley (Helen Weiss) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, December 10 6:30 am Joan Fenstermacher (Carol Ganter) 8:00 am Coogan & Babilya Families (Kathryn & Kim Coogan) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, December 11 6:30 am Leonard J. Wade (Mt. Barnes & Family) 8:00 am Elizabeth Ely (Peg Mack) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe 6:30 am Girda N. Matz (The Monti Family) 8:00 am Robert Brennan (Tish & Kenny) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, December 13 – St. Lucy, Virgin & Martyr 6:30 am James & Helen Ryan (Robert D. McCormick) 8:00 am Rev. Michael Ahrensfield ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, December 14 – St. John of the Cross, Priest 8:00 am Robert Caluori (Mr. & Mrs. John Sutter)

Third Sunday of Advent (Masses of Obligation) Saturday, December 14 4:15 pm Olga Potlunas (Micki & John)

Sunday, December 15 7:30 am Mr. & Mrs. M. Dombrowney (The Day Family) 9:30 am James & Kathleen Hampford (Children)

11:00 am People of the Parish

READINGS FOR TODAY: Is 11:1-10/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: Is 35:1-6, 10/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: - the sick of the parish - our many Benefactors - those recently deceased – Mary Frantz, Robert McCaffrey, Madeline McGovern, Walter McCormick

CANDLE INTENTIONS December 8 to December 14

Sanctuary – IMO James & Sally Schreffler (Pat & Joe) Sacred Heart – IMO James, Sr. & James, Jr. Schreffler (Family) Pieta - IMO James & Dorothy Schreffler (Pat & Joe) Pope St. John Paul II – St. Patrick – IMO Del Kriner (Dick & Sharon Buehler) Our Lady’s Chapel - Sanctuary - IMO George & Elizabeth Stoffey (Pat & Joe) Our Lady’s Chapel – Blessed Virgin Mary – Priest Mass Schedule for December 14-15 4:15 pm – Msgr. O’Connor 9:30 am – Msgr. O’Connor 7:30 am – Fr. Barnabas 11:00 am – Fr. Barnabas

reception for Msgr. O’Connor on Saturday, June 15, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Parish

Center. All are welcome to come and wish Msgr. well!

If you are a visitor to the Church of St. Patrick, we want you to know that you are most welcome, whether

you come from another State or from another Parish. Please feel comfortable in our beautiful house of the

Father. Thank you for worshipping with us!

St. Patrick Parish Upcoming Events!! *December 7-8 – St. Nicholas Shoe Pick-Up *December 7-8 - Religious Items Sale after Masses in Our Lady’s Chapel Meeting Room *December 8 – Inscription Service at 9:30 am Mass for Children receiving Sacraments in 2020 *December 8 – Spaghetti Dinner – 11:30 am-2:30 pm *December 10 – Baptism Workshop – 7 pm *December 10 – Traditional Choir Rehearsal – 7 pm *December 11 – Confessions: 6:30-7:30 pm; Rosary – 7 pm *December 11 – Contemporary Choir Practice – 7 pm *December 13 – Children’s Christmas Party – 6 pm *December 14 – Lay Carmelites Meeting – 8:30 am *December 14 – Confessions – 3-4 pm *December 14-15 – Bring your Bambinelli (Baby Jesus) to Mass for blessing *December 15 – PREP!! Parents and Students will meet after the 9:30 am Mass (10:45 am to Noon) *December 15 – Decorate Church for Christmas (Stable and Trees) After 11 am Mass *December 16 – Pastoral Council Meeting – 6:30 pm *December 16 – Mandated Reporter Training at St. Patrick – 6-9 pm *December 17 – Traditional Choir Rehearsal – 7 pm *December 18 - Confessions: 6:30-7:30 pm; Rosary – 7 pm *December 19 – Contemporary Choir Practice – 7 pm *December 19 – Knights of Columbus Business Meet. – 7 pm *December 20 – Decorate Church for Christmas (Garland and Wreaths) – In the Morning *December 20 – Meet Miss Debbie the Elf – 3-4:30 pm *December 20 – Confessions – 4-5 pm *December 21 – Men’s Spirituality Group – 8:30 am

Save the Dates!!! Keep Reading the bulletin for more details about these events!

Please Note: The Parish Office will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, and 31, and January 1, 2020, for the Christmas/New Year’s

Holidays! Also, the Office will close at Noon on December 23.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 November 24, 2019 (Week 21)

Budgeted Weekly Sunday Offering

Last Sunday’s Offering/% of Budget

$10,609

$ 7,850 74%

Sunday Offerings To Date

Deficit to Date

$164,679

($58,115) -35%

381 Envelopes used out of a possible 901

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 December 1, 2019 (Week 22)

Budgeted Weekly Sunday Offering

Last Sunday’s Offering/% of Budget

$10,609

$ 7,761 73%

Sunday Offerings To Date

Deficit to Date

$172,440

($60,964) -35%

384 Envelopes used out of a possible 901

Thank You for your generosity to Your Parish!

The next second collection will be held December 14-15 for Parish Utilities. Please be generous! The next Baptismal Workshop will be held on Tuesday, December 10, at 7 pm, in the Rectory Conference Room. Please call Deacon Jack Quirk at 570-622-1802, ext. 7, to register. Parents are required to register and attend a preparatory workshop before Baptism.

Knights Korner COUNCIL #431 As we end the calendar year, we at the Knights of Columbus would like to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas”! We have “Keep Christ in Christmas” magnets in the back of the Church for a freewill donation. Also, any man interested in learning more about becoming a Knight, can check us out at koc.org. Membership is available online.

Thank you to the Anonymous sponsor who gave a donation in memory of Mrs. Rita Wenders to be used for the upkeep of the Catholic Kids’ Camp Angel Statue! God Bless!

LOTTERY CALENDAR – RECENT OUTCOMES

Assumption BVM will be holding a Gift Card Calendar Raffle for the month of December. This fundraiser will directly benefit the School and its students. The calendars are $10, and are good for all 31 drawings during the month. Calendars can be purchased from any Assumption BVM family or from the School (Phone: 570-622-0106).

RELIGIOUS ITEMS SALE!! St. Patrick Parish, in collaboration with Abundant Graces, a Catholic bookstore located in Bethlehem, PA, will be selling religious items in the Lower Chapel Meeting Room after all of the weekend Masses, the weekend of December 7 and 8. Items include: Missals, rosaries, prayer cards, Christmas cards, Catholic books, music CDs, Advent calendars, Advent wreaths, gifts, etc.

Oplatki, aka Christmas wafers, are available from our Parish Office during business hours. The breaking of “Oplatki” is a Central European Christian tradition celebrated in Poland, Lithuania, and Slovakia during Holy Supper. A requested offering of $5 (or a donation of your choice) is asked for each pack of four wafers. There is a limited supply so get yours early.

Please join Monsignor for our next First Friday at Dunkin’ Donuts (Claude A Lord Boulevard) at 6 pm on Friday, January 3 for a Special New Year Q & A!

Doughnuts, coffee, lattes, coolattas are on your own, but the education is free! All are welcome! Don’t be shy! Bring your Catholic questions!

Tues., November 19 #244 Edward D. ($50) Wed., November 20 #408 Susan A. ($50) Thurs., November 21 #790 Stephen D. ($50) Fri., November 22 #385 Sophie K. ($50) Sat., November 23 #876 No Winner Sun., November 24 #937 Jeff & Kathy ($150) Mon., November 25 #645 Vickie L. ($50) Tues., November 26 #152 Jen O. ($50) Wed., November 27 #820 Allan B. ($50) Thurs., November 28 #783 Shirley R. ($500) Fri., November 29 #152 Jen O. ($50) Sat., November 30 #597 No Winner Sun., December 1 #754 No Winner Mon., December 2 #151 No Winner

Our monthly lottery calendars are a great fundraiser for our Parish! Please consider being a seller, or buying one in the back of Church or at the Parish Office! We appreciate all you sell and buy our lotto calendars! They make Great Gifts! Think Stocking or Card Stuffer!!

DONATIONS TO THE ST. PATRICK

MEMORIAL FUND

In memory of Edward Griegel by: Patti Kelly; Pat & Arlen Day; Joan & James Kitsock

In memory of Blanche Sabol by: Carol & Kathy

In memory of Emil Feryo by: John & Beth Ann Jones

SAVE THE DATE!! St. Patrick Gala – Saturday, March 7, 2020

CHURCH CLEANERS!

Thank you to our December Sponsor for Volunteers, Heartland Hospice Care! The next volunteer drawing will be held on January 2. Congratulations to Bob Engle, who was the November Volunteer of the Month! Bob won a gift card to Giant Food Stores donated by the Law Office of Hank J. Clarke. If you would like to be a Business Sponsor or would like to highlight an upcoming event or memorable occasion, please contact the Parish Office for more information. All you would have to do is provide a gift for our Volunteer of the Month of at least $25 (gift card, cash, or prize), & then your business/event would be highlighted in our bulletin for the whole month & on our Parish Events calendar! Our next LORICA Teen Event will be our annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 28, at 5:30 pm, in the Parish Center. The cost is $5 per person for the dinner. Please contact the Parish Office to RSVP, for more information about LORICA, or to let us know if you are a teen who would like to join!! It’s the Shamrock $10,000!! Guess what happened on November 2? The very first drawing of the Shamrock $10,000 took place, and the winner was Michael T. McFadden from Pottsville. Congratulations Mike!! As you know, Mike’s ticket was put right back in the barrel so he has the potential to win in December, January, February, and the $10,000 in March! This is an awesome ticket!! Just a reminder that if you didn’t get your tickets in, you still can and you will have a chance to win up to $12,500 over the next few months! The next prize ($500) will be drawn on Saturday, December 7, after the 4:15 pm Mass! All are welcome to attend the drawing! Each winning ticket will then be placed back into the chance barrel for the opportunity to win again and again and again, and the grand prize of $10,000! Where else can you buy a ticket for $5 with a chance to win $12,500???

DID YOU KNOW???? THE SHAMROCK $10,000

IS OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER!! These tickets make EXCELLENT Stocking Stuffers!!

Tickets are available from our Lotto sellers at Church or from the Parish Office! If you already sold

your tickets, would you please think about selling more to family, friends, co-workers?? Our Goal is to fill the chance barrel!!

Please join this team, who are duded up in

their St. Patrick aprons, for the best spaghetti

and meatballs (last one before Christmas) at our

Next Spaghetti Dinner

DECEMBER 8, 2019 (TODAY!!!)

From 11:30 am to 2:30 pm In our Parish Center

Adults: $8.00 - Children: $3.50 All You Can Eat *** Take-outs available

Baked Goods are always needed and appreciated!

The Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel

St. Patrick Rectory Open Holy Hours - SUNDAY 12am, 4am, 12pm; WEDNESDAY 12am, 1am, 10am; THURSDAY 3am, 4am; Friday 5pm; SATURDAY 4am - "It is no little thing for a poor human creature of Mine to prefer My Eucharistic love to an hour of sleep in the night. Only in heaven will you know the worth of an hour so spent. Come to me, then, Visit Me, and remain with Me by night, and I will work for you, and with you, and through you by day. Words of Christ from "IN SINU JESU" - Please call or text Aleece @ 570-449-7678.

During the weekend of January 25 and 26, 2020, St. Patrick Parish is going to do something NEW & EXCITING!! We are going to host our very First Time and Talent Ministry Fair called “YOU are the Branches”. We are going to try to highlight a different ministry/organization/school in each bulletin leading up to the Ministry Fair (and after).

Our Church Cleaning Team does a magnificent job of making our beautiful Church sparkle!! We truly value those who do this labor of love! If you are willing to give of some of your time to help and to be a part of the "clean team", please look for the Church Cleaners Table at the Ministry Fair!

We have a few St. Joseph 2020 Sunday Missals in

the Parish Office available for purchase. The cost is $7 each.

Mandated Reporter Training *Monday, December 16 – 6 pm – St. Patrick Parish Center (Register at 570-628-0466)

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Vigil (December 24):

4:15 pm – Brass Accompaniment 7 pm – Contemporary Choir and Children’s Mass

Christmas: Midnight – Organ and Choir

8 am and 10 am – Organ

There’s a Place for YOU this Advent and Christmas! “If only you knew what God is offering” (Jn 4:10)

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY!! All Parish children are invited to an evening of storytelling, singing, craft making, games, a light dinner, and snacks! Oh! And don’t forget your Christmas list for Santa! Festivities begin at 6 pm on Friday, December 13, in the Parish Center. Please sign up by calling the Parish Office at 570-622-1802 with child’s name and age. Please RSVP by December 9. All children will receive a special gift! BAMBINELLI BLESSING!! One of our traditions at St. Patrick Church is the Blessing of the “Bambinelli”, which will take place at all Masses December 14-15. Everyone is invited to bring your Baby Jesus from your Nativity sets to Mass next weekend. This is a beautiful Italian Catholic tradition!

GIVING TREE!! Our annual Giving Tree is in the back of Church, alongside St. Patrick. “LORICA”, our Teen Group, will take care of the Tree! During this Season of Giving, please stop by and pick up an ornament or two, and help make someone’s Christmas a little brighter! This year, we will be helping Catholic Charities. St. Patrick Parish has been very generous in the past. We hope you will help again!

THE ELF IS BACK!! Hey Kids…. Come and Meet with Miss Debbie the Elf, on Friday, December 20, from 3 pm to 4:30 pm in the Parish Office. We don’t care what grade you are in, or if you want to bring a friend, what religion they are! We just want to have some fun and to get you in the Christmas spirit! All kids will receive a small gift! Hope you can make it!! PS: Since Miss Debbie is not your “typical” elf, this is weather permitting because she is “scared of snow”!

CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS!! WEDNESDAY from 6:30-7:30 pm and SATURDAY from 3-4 pm! PLUS…..

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 – 4-5 pm AND MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 – 6-7 PM

DECORATING OUR CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS!! WE NEED YOU!! PLEASE HELP!! *December 15 after the 11 am Mass - Stable and Trees *December 20 in the morning - Wreaths and Garland (Please call Parish Office if you can help) *December 22 after the 11 am Mass - Flowers and Final Touches

“BLESSED ARE THEY…” 10th Annual Parish Retreat

Our Parish Retreat has been such a blessing year after year, and we are so excited to be planning another weekend of fellowship, fun, and growth in the Lord for 2020!! Once again, the Retreat will be held at the beautiful Villa of Our Lady Retreat House, Mount Pocono, from Friday, February 14 to Sunday, February 16, 2020. This year’s theme is “Blessed are they…”

Please watch for more details soon……………….. We hope you will join us for our 2020 Tenth Anniversary Retreat!! We promise it will be a wonderful spiritual experience!!!

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