Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017

PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY'S MASS: Hear & View the Readings

Available by Thursdays at our www.cosparish.org home page in "Tweets" under "Calendar" beneath center rotating panel: Readings found in the Gather Hymnal # 886

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 Psalm: Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

MEMORIAL CANDLES FOR THE WEEK OF December 17, 2017

MASS INTENTIONS & DEVOTION Saturday, December 9 8:30 - 9:30 am: SN: Confessions 4:30 pm: SN: Marion Polombi (Rita Retort) Marian “Honey” Gentile (Barbara McBride) John Colista (Family) John Gerlack (Family) Jean Cartwright (Janice & Family) Ralph & Emma Genova (Ralph & Jane Genova) Quinn Family (Steve Quinn) Pat & John Salvatore (Mario, Julia & Family) Mary Vass (Don & Lenore Patrone) Gerry & Jeffrey Shugart (Patricia A. Rouan) John Medvec (Joe & Ruth Cappuzzello) Sunday, December 10 8:00 am: HT: Josephine Salaka (Daughters, Mary & Kathy) 10:45am:SN: Living & Deceased of Christ Our Savior Parish Monday, December 11 9:00 am: SN: Theresa Sepesy (Ebert Animal Hospital) 9:30 am & 7:00 pm Miraculous Medal Novena Tuesday, December 12 8:30 am: HT: Infant Jesus of Prague Novena 9:00 am: SN: Theresa Sepesy (Mr. & Mrs. Michael Palusak) 6:00 pm: SN: St. Nicholas School Christmas Concert Wednesday, December 13 9:00 am: SN: Bob & Lori Filips (Wife & Mom) 9:30 am - 8:00 pm: SN: Eucharistic Adoration Thursday, December 14 9:00 am: SN: Prayer Service with Communion Friday, December 15 9:00 am: SN: Virginia Scavnicky (Sam Coppola) Saturday, December 16 8:30 - 9:30 am: SN: Confessions 4:30 pm: SN: John & Helen Kotch (Children) John Kosek (Patti & Kenny Kosek) James & Josephine DeChellis (Family) Carol Delfre (Joe & Assunta Delfre) Theresa Sepesy (Bernie Katchmer) John Ambrozy (Joe Tomko) Rose Janesh (Cindy Hamrock) Nicholas & Anthony Genova (Ralph & Jane Genova) John & Eva Reves (Donna Lynn Reves) James Visingardi (JoAnne & Gary Kalbasky) Olga Checkel (Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Alberti) Sunday, December 17 8:00 am: HT: Living & Deceased of Christ Our Savior Parish 10:45am:SN: William S. Stevens (Family)

Our return to God for Blessings onSunday, December 3, 2017

Stewardship Thought: “Prepare the way of the Lord…” - MARK 1:3 We are all called to live a holy life. We are all called to invite others to live holy lives. Living a stewardship lifestyle, being grateful and generous with our gifts, does just that – it puts us on the path to holiness and it invites others to be holy, too.

Jack Vicarel (Wife & Family) SN John & Teresa Colista (Family) SN

Antonio Battaglini (Carmen & Angela Ramunno) SN Nancy Fiorentine & Tom Kopnicky (Family) SN

Massaro Family (Family) SN

ALTAR SERVERS Saturday, December 16, 2017

4:30 pm: SN: Ben Davis & Catherine Lorenzi Sunday, December 17, 2017

8:00 am: HT: Lance & Lars Byo 10:45 am: SN: Eric Davis & Elena Bullen

visit our WEBSITE for complete schedule @ www.cosparish.org

December 3rd Collection: 2017 2016

Budget $12,500.00 Actual $10,835.00 $8,838.00

Retirement Fund for Religious: $2,041.00

Envelopes Mailed Adults: 1146 Envelopes Returned Adults: 488 Mass Attendance: 657

Safely Home Please remember in your prayers

the soul and family of Dorothy Jurus

COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017

3:00 PM - ST. CHARLES

MISS BEHAVIOR CELEBRATES ADVENT

Dear Miss Behavior: Advent began last Sunday. What’s different about this season, liturgically speaking, and why? Sincerely, Violet

Dear Violet: Your name, dear Violet, suggests the first difference. The liturgical color for Advent is violet or purple and you will see this color throughout Catholic parishes during the four Sundays preceding Christmas—on altars, banners, Advent wreaths, and other decorations. Our priests wear violet vestments during this season. Most parishes use the richer purple color for Lent, since it is a penitential season, and violet for Advent, a milder (shall we say) season of penitence and a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. That’s what Adventus means in Latin, a coming, an arrival. Here’s something different that happens in Advent, or rather, it’s something that does not happen. There is no Gloria during Advent Masses, just as there is no Gloria during Lenten Masses. In Lent, the absence of the Gloria derives from the somberness of the season, but in Advent I think something else is going on. The first part of the Gloria, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to his people on earth,” is the song sung by the angels at the birth of Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. How fitting that we should refrain from singing the Gloria during Advent, since the readings for Mass talk about the coming of Christ, both in time over 2000 years ago and at the end of time. How glorious (pun intended) it is to sing the Gloria on Christmas Eve after observing its absence for four weeks. Another difference between Advent and other seasons is the presence of the Advent Wreath. This circular wreath contains four candles, three purple and one rose for the Third Sunday of Advent. It is usually decorated with evergreen branches. I have so far been unable to learn exactly when lighting the wreath became part of our liturgy. Nevertheless, we can easily see its symbolism. The four candles represent the four weeks of the season. The evergreen branches symbolize new life. Lighting the candles reminds us that Christ is our Light. Finally, the circular shape of the wreath symbolizes eternity; it has no beginning and no end.

Let us attempt to observe the season of Advent, this time of preparation with its own readings, its own songs, its own customs. That is not easy to do while the rest of the world is already celebrating Christmas. Happy Advent!

THE HOLY MASS EXPLAINED By Reverend Martin Celuch

Tuesdays in December from 5:30pm—7:00 pm

at Holy Trinity Church

December 11: Liturgy of the Eucharist December 19: Liturgical Space, Liturgical Vessels And More……..

BIBLE TALK AT 8 O’CLOCK NATIVITY OF JESUS IN THE GOSPELS

By Reverend Martin Celuch Fridays in December from 8:00 am—8:35 am

at Saint Nicholas Church

December 15: Luke 1: 1-2:40 December 22: John 1: 1-14

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Dear Parishioner(s)

Since Christmas Eve is on Sunday plan your Advent and Christmas attendance accordingly. Here is the Christmas schedule for our Parish.

4th Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 23rd:

Mass 4:30 pm St. Nicholas & 6:00 pm Holy Trinity

Sunday, December 24th: Mass: 9:00 am St. Nicholas

Sunday, December 24th Christmas Eve Mass 4:00 pm St. Nicholas, 8:00 pm Holy Trinity,

12:00 am St. Nicholas

Monday, December 25th Christmas Day Mass 9:00 am Holy Trinity, 11:00 am St. Nicholas

The Feast of The Holy Family Saturday, December 30th: Mass 4:30 pm St. Nicholas Sunday, December 31st: Mass 8:00 am Holy Trinity,

10:45 am St. Nicholas

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (New Year) Not a Holy Day of Obligation

Monday, January 1st: Mass 9:00 am St. Nicholas

Penance Communal Penance Service:

Sunday, December 17th at St. Charles 3:00 pm

Individual Confessions: Saturday, December 16th: 8:30-9:30 am St. Nicholas Monday, December 18th: 5:30-6:30 pm St. Nicholas

Wednesday, December 20th: 5:00-6:00 pm Holy Trinity

The Quo Vadis AA Meetings are held at 8 p.m. Fridays in the St. Nicholas Lower Church Hall. This meeting is open to all seeking recovery from alcohol addiction.

The Chapel Crochet & Knitting Group of Chr ist Our Savior Parish meets the 1st Monday of the month at 7:30 PM in the St. Nicholas Lower Church. All skill levels are welcome. Contact Virginia Bartos at 330-406-0364 for more information.

Our sick: Blake Doss, Marcia Styranec, Rober t Arnoto, Regina Graygo, Julia Skalada, Robert Skalada, Tom Kolat, Wendy Pakalnis, Jeannette Rusu, Diane Javorsky, Michael Lombard, Linda Agnew, Heather Hanlon, Carmella Bokros, Hannah Tringhese, Michelle Nicholas, Tom Wasko,

Dominic Lippillo Jr., Sally Baldelli, Kathy Tomko, Edward Kellish, Pat Costello, Ulisse Sevi, Joe Van Oudenhove Sr., Maureen Johnson, Jack Witherow, Eleanor Sandy, Joe Tomko, Guy Savastano, Dorothy Jurus, Anna Leenheer, Loretta Cioci & Betty Stipetich.

Our sick and homebound: Glor ia Russo, Lenora Freedy & Joe Guidos, Christine Peluso Kinsley.

For those in nursing homes: Dorothy Petro, Patr icia Watt, Florence Colburn, Mary Nichiporchick, Audrey Slanina, Mary Brenner, Ann Vinkler, Theresa Pitlik, Mary Lancy, Mary Agnes Rabosky, Andy Sandusky & Connie LaRiccia.

The Centering Prayer Group meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6 - 7 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Lower Church.

HOLY TRINITY PIROHY can be ordered by phone @ 330-755-0064 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Thursdays and 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM on Fridays. Containers are provided. Pick up is Friday from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Cost: $6.00 per dozen. The last day of pirohy sales for 2017 will be December 15th. Pirohy sales will r esume in February.

Thank you to last week’s pirohy workers: Terrill Blake, Bill & Dolores Ulicny, Jean Muza, Kathy Ramun, Irene Parker, Paulette Marks, Doris Almasy, Judy Kovalan, Ann Vass, Ruth Geister, John Vidman, Carol Grimm, Marty Oravec, Linda Zairis, Ann Zajac, Tom & Carrie Ramos, Ed & Bev Yurcisin, Mary Sass, Al Pavlicko Jr., Virginia Bartos, Kathy Zackasee, Joan Hamrock, Geri Marino, Pauline Chrapcynski, Jim Kavaky, Karen Granchie, Richard Wagner, Dorothy Wagner, Joe Guidos, Janet Will, Ann Bobby & Rosemarie Yuhas.

The Christ Our Savior Parish Food Pantry at Holy Trinity Church is open from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM on Mondays for anyone in need of assistance. The pantry will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The food pantry is sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Christ Our Savior Parish. To maintain this wonderful new ministry to our parish we need to keep the shelves at the pantry full of non-perishable food items. Please use the donation boxes located in St. Nicholas Church and Holy Trinity Church as you are able to so we can continue to help those less fortunate in our community. The following items are needed for December: Cereal, Pancake Mix, Cake Mix / Cookie Mix

F.C.S.U. Branch 259, Struthers, Ohio will award a $500.00 Scholarship to a qualified member . For an application contact Vivian Sedlacko 330-755-8316. The deadline for submission is December 29, 2017.

Bible Sharing & Discussion with Deacon John: Meetings are held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room at the parish office. All are invited, all are welcome!

COMMUNITY MEAL: There is no community meal in the month of December. The next community dinner will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 from 5-6 PM in the Great Hall.

Christmas Party reminder for those who made reservations. The annual St. Nicholas Altar & Rosary Christmas Party will be held at Carrabba’s Italian Grill on Tuesday December 12th at 2:00 p.m.

The Giving Trees At ST. Nicholas & holy trinity

Gifts will be distributed on

Sunday, December 17th in the St. Nicholas Lower Church Hall

after the 10:45 Mass.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Christ Our Savior Council #4471, 3rd Degree meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month in the Holy Name Room in the Great Hall at 7PM. All members are encouraged to attend.

“A Guys Knight Out” All Council Knights from 4471 are cordially invited for a free Christmas Party on December 18th at 7:00 pm in the Great Hall Bar room. This invite extends to EVERY KNIGHT regardless of their current membership sta-tus. Please join us for some great food, fun, and fellowship! If you haven’t been around for a while now’s your change to reunite with your old friends and to make some new ones. Hope to see you there.

CHRISTMAS WAFERS: Oplatky will be available after all Masses the weekends of December 9/10 and December 16/17. Cost is $1.00 for an envelope of 4 wafers. Oplatky is also available at the Parish Office.

ST. NICHOLAS SCHOOL

The shoe drive brought in $1017.60 which went towards the fees for Camp Fitch and transportation. Thank you to all who supported this fundraiser.

Christmas Concert Tuesday, December 12th at 6:00pm in the Church. Miss Johnson, our music teacher and Mr. Mastramico, our band instructor, have been working hard along with students to prepare the school concert. The Mom’s and Dad’s Club will be treating the students to a couple of field trips for Christmas. Students in grades K-5 will be going to see Miracle on Easy Street on Dec. 13th and grades 6-8 will be attending a Phantom’s Hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 14th. Thank you Mom’s and Dad’s Club! The school spelling bee will be held on Friday, December 15th. Good luck to our class winners. Cash For Cans – This is for aluminum cans only-no plastic, glass, newspapers, etc. (Cans can not be crushed) The Mahoning Valley Green Team will pick cans up at the main entrance of the school on the second Tuesday of every month. Next pick up will be Tuesday, December 12th. Please have cans in bags marked Saint Nicholas School. SAVE THE DATES! THE NEXT SAINT NICHOLAS SCHOOL QUARTER AUCTION WILL BE SATURDAY APRIL 14TH, 2018. NIGHT AT THE RACES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, 2018. Saint Nicholas School Mission Statement: Saint Nicholas School is a Catholic elementary school, founded in 1928 and serving families with students in grades kindergarten through eight. The school exists to provide an academically excellent Catholic education and promote high standards in behavior and respect. Saint Nicholas School serves the church and Struthers communities as well as the Mahoning Valley bonded together as a family in faith. We are deeply committed to nurturing our students through the teaching of the scriptures and promoting and modeling of service in accordance to the Gospel values.

7th & 8th Grade Basketball Mon. Dec. 11th St. Nicholas 7 vs JFK 7 6:30@St. Nicholas St. Nicholas 8 vs Holy Family 8 7:30@St. Nicholas

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FACEBOOK: ccd_cos PHONE: 330-755-6245 ext. 114 & 104 EMAIL: abell@youngstowndiocese.org

CCD: We will continue to accept registrations for the 2017-2018 CCD school year for Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8. All families—returning or new—need to turn in a registration form prior to class admittance. FIRST RECONCILIATION: Congratulations to the following 2nd graders who made their First Reconciliation on December 5th: Elliana Benson, Samantha Benson, Dara Bogan, Patrick Boila, Hailey Carcelli, Giuliana Cope, Chloe Dougherty, Evelyn Eberhart, Noah Hanni, Sarah Lombardo, Emily Miner, Genevieve Purcell, Juliet Purcell, Sidney Schlueter and Kaylee Sherrill. CHILDREN’S CHURCH: We will again be offering Our Children’s Church sessions at the Sunday 10:45 a.m. Mass for Children from age 3 to Grade 2. Parent leaders will present the Gospel reading to the children at their understanding level. We are always happy to accept parent volunteers. (Child Protection class and fingerprinting will be required to ensure the safety of our children!) Talk to the parent leader for further information.

Sunday, December 17th 9:00 am - 10:30 am

COS Great Hall @ St. Nicholas

Join in the fun with Crafts,

Good Food, Christmas Carols

and a letter to Santa.

Santa arrives at 9:15 am. He will

enjoy having Breakfast with you

so mark your calendar for

December 17th!

EMMET CAHILL CONCERT

On Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm, the Cathedral of Saint Columba, 154 West Wood Street, Youngstown, presents internationally renowned Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill in an exclusive encore performance. The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Laginya, will join Emmet in a few beloved songs.

Tickets Are now available on www.ticketleap.com. Ticket prices are $35 and $45. Contact Frank Rossetti at 330-240-4322 for more information. Meet & Greet tickets prior to the concert are $55 which includes your ticket to the concert, are still available. Christmas, sacred, traditional and popular music sung so beautifully!

St. Angela Merici Parish, 400 Lincoln Park Dr., Youngstown, is sponsoring a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 17th, from 10:30am to 1:00pm, in the parish hall. Cookies are $6.00 per dozen; specialty baked goods may be sold at a higher price. Any question, please call the St. Angela Merici Parish Office at 330-747-6080.

December 10, 2017 12:30 PM The St. Charles Choir Christmas Concert At Saints Peter and Paul Church 421 Covington St., Youngstown, Ohio

Enjoy a lively variety of traditional Christmas favorites, folk tunes, and contemporary devotional works, in the magnificent setting of historic Saints Peter and Paul Church. The program will feature Polish folk songs performed by Dorota Sobieska of the Cleveland Opera Company. Directing the choir is Jacek Sobieski, an internationally accomplished artist. All are welcome for this wonderful opportunity for reflection and joy. A social with refreshments will follow the performance in the adjoining community hall. December 15, 2017 7:00 PM Concert Accordionist, Mary Tokarski At Saints Peter and Paul Church 421 Covington St., Youngstown, Ohio

An accomplished accordion virtuoso, Mary Tokarski performs both nationally and internationally as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestra and as a member of the ‘K’ Trio. She will be performing a wide variety of music ranging from classical to popular tunes, as well as seasonal numbers. All are welcome for this wonderful opportunity for reflection and joy. A social with refreshments will follow the performance in the adjoining community hall.

Christ The Good Shepherd Parish Catholic Parish in Campbell, OH

presents. . .

QUARTER AUCTION QUARTERS IN . . .PADDLES UP!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 DOORS OPEN 6:15 PM • AUCTION 7:00 PM

633 PORTER AVE., CAMPBELL, OHIO

ADMISSION $10.00 ALL-IN PADDLES AT DOOR 475.00

CALL 330-755-4141 FOR ADVANCED SALES

COME & ENJOY A FUN NIGHT OUT! BYOB & BRING YOUR OWN FOOD!

Lighted Parking In Rear of Hall & Church Lot Limited Concessions Available

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary will be hosting their annual indoor Nativity Display on December 10 from 12-5 PM at Villa Maria Conference Center, 225 Villa Marie Road, Villa Maria, PA. This display of

hundreds of nativity sets from around the world is an annual tradition for the sisters and will also feature entertainment from musicians and choirs. Admission and parking are free. A roast beef dinner will be held from 12-4 PM at a cost of $12 for a large dinner and $8 for a small dinner; children 4 and under are free.

RETREAT OPPORTUNITY If you are a man who is 18 to 50 and looking to gain insight on God’s call for your life then you are invited to attend a Discernment Retreat. The focus of the weekend is on understanding one's vocation through discernment with a special emphasis on a vocation to the priesthood. It will begin on Friday evening, December 15 and conclude by noon, Sunday, December 17. It will be held at Villa Maria Retreat Center in Villa Maria, PA. In addition to the discernment conferences, plans include Mass, communal and private prayer, time for personal reflection, Eucharistic Adoration, and the ability to speak with seminarians and ask questions. There is no charge for the retreat. To get more information or to register, talk to your parish priest, or register online at youngstownvocations.org.

NON-STOP CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

The Living Bread Radio Network presents Non-Stop music all throughout Christmas! Tune in on Christmas Eve, beginning at 3:00 p.m. for all of your favorite religious Christmas songs. Then on Christmas Morning at 8, tune in for a special presentation of "The Bible Story of Christmas," narrated by Bing Crosby. The whole hour will feature Bing and his unforgettable Christmas music! Listen on the radio, online, on their mobile app, or even through Amazon's Alexa!

Christ Our Savior Parish

Youth Ministry Fundraiser

Christmas Candy Order Form

Please support our Youth Ministry as they are making

Chocolate Peanut Clusters for Christmas.

Makes great gifts for Christmas!

Orders due by Monday, December 11, 2017

Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters(12) ___ x $5.00 = $_____

Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters(12) ___ x $5.00 = $_____

Cash or Check made payable to COS RE Total = $_____

I would like to pick up my order at St. Nicholas, in

the lower church, on:

_____ Saturday, December 16 after the 4:30 p.m. Mass

_____ Sunday, December 17 after the 10:45 a.m. Mass

I would like to pick up my order at Holy Trinity on:

_____ Sunday, December 17 after the 8:00 a.m. Mass

_____________________ ____________________

Name Telephone Number

Please return your order form in the collection basket

or to the Parish Office, Attention: Virginia Bartos.

Thank you for supporting Youth Ministry this Christmas

season!