DECEMBER 31, 2017 – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

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PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Simione Volavola, M.S.C.

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tony Ripp, M.S.C.

Dir. of Religious Education: Donna Sciacca

Parish Secretary: Rebecca Tirpok

Finance Manager: Carolyn Marchese

PARISH SPIRITUALITY

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm

Sunday: 8:00am & 10:30am

Mon - Thurs: 8:35am / Friday 9:00am

Holy Days: 9:00am & 7:30pm

CONFESSION: Saturdays 4:15pm - 4:45pm or call the parish office to schedule an appointment with a priest. REGISTER: Please contact the parish office to register when you move into the parish. Only registered parishioners, in good standing, can receive a Certificate of Eligibility to act as a Godparent or sponsor.

BAPTISMS: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered on the fourth Sunday of every month. Parents are encouraged

to invite family members to the 10:30 Mass as the Sacrament of Baptism takes place immediately following the Mass. Parents and Godparents must attend an enrichment class approx. 1 month prior to the Baptism. You will need to call the Parish Office to register for this class. A Godparent must

be a committed, practicing Catholic, and if from another parish, must provide a certificate of eligibility from their pastor. This certificate should be brought to the enrichment class. A Christian of other denominations may serve as a Godparent along with a practicing Catholic.

MARRIAGE: A Saturday Mass for the Sacrament of Matrimony may be celebrated no later than 1pm. Couples planning marriage are to contact the parish office & schedule a meeting with our wedding coordinator no later than 6 months in advance of the wedding. Shorter preparation

periods must be approved by our Pastor. Couples will meet several times with the Pastor throughout the preparation process. Couples are to attend a Pre-Cana program approved by our Pastor.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please call the rectory at any time for the Sacrament of the Sick. Also the Holy Eucharist will be brought to the sick and shut-ins upon request to the Parish Office. We celebrate a Communal Anointing of the Sick in June, near the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

Mass Intentions for the Week of January 1 - 7, 2018

Morning Prayer in St. Joseph Chapel, Mon. – Fri. at 8:15am Monday, Jan. 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

9:00am (church) Parishioners’ Intentions

Tuesday, Jan. 2

8:35am (chapel) Sebastian & Josephine Vinceguerra

(Kathy Vinceguerra)

Wednesday, Jan. 3

8:35am (chapel) David Klitsch (Sclafani Family)

Thursday, Jan. 4

8:35am (chapel) David Spigel (Gammello Family)

Friday, Jan. 5 – FIRST FRIDAY

9:00am (church) Louis McNichol (Walsh Family)

24-hr. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following Mass.

Saturday, Jan. 6 – The Epiphany

9:00am (chapel) Benediction and Adoration Closing Mass

5:00pm (church) Froman Family (Fr. Simi)

Sunday, Jan. 7 – The Epiphany

8:00am (church) Parishioners’ Intentions

10:30am (church) Jack Patterson (RA Faculty & Staff)

Meetings for the week of Jan. 1 - 7, 2018

Tues. Jan. 2: Knights of Columbus, 7:30pm – Marian Room

Thurs. Jan. 4: Baptismal Enrichment Class, 6pm – Parish Office

Sat. Jan. 6: Men of Faith, 8am – Marian Room, Chapel

Sun. Jan. 7: Living the Faith, 9:15am – Marian Room

Weekly Mass Collection

from Dec. 17, 2017

$6,555.00 Parish Giving $1,155.16

Dec.24

th & 25

th Mass Collections

Not Available at press time.

Thank you for your generosity

SJB Cleaning Team for the week of

Jan. 1st is Team # 1: Laura Gumprecht, Anita Colahan, Kate Irvine,

Sharon Forte, Lisa Saab

Your parish Thanks You!

Our Mass READINGS may be found

in the JourneySongs Hymnal,

SECTION 874

DECEMBER 31, 2017 – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

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The School of Nazareth

During the Octave (eight days) of Christmas we celebrate the

Feast of the Holy

Family.

The significance of

the Feast becomes

more meaningful

when we consider

the deeper truths it

reveals. It teaches

us about Jesus,

Mary, and Joseph.

But it also teaches

each one of us how

to live in our own

families, with Jesus

Christ at the center

of our life together.

Through our

Baptism, we are

invited to live our lives in Jesus Christ by living them in the

Church - which is the Risen Body of Christ. The Church is

the place where we learn, as the Apostle Paul reminded the

Colossian Christians, to "put on love, that is, the bond of

perfection.” (Col. 3:14)

The Church, as Sacrament and sign, mediates and reveals

the Lord's life to us, in the Word proclaimed and the

Sacraments communicated. Jesus has been raised from the

dead. The head and the Body cannot be separated. He

continues his ministry through His Church. As the Catechism

states with such simplicity and profundity "The Church in

this world is the sacrament of salvation, the sign and the

instrument of the communion of God and men." (CCC# 780)

We hear in today’s Gospel of Luke, “The Presentation of

Jesus in the Temple” and the beautiful canticle of Zechariah.

(Luke 2:22-40) Upon the Holy Family leaving the temple to

return to Nazareth, we heard these words:

“When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law

of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of

Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with

wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

All of the Gospels, point us to Nazareth and the profound

truth of what occurred there. Yet, it is Luke who offers that

profoundly important insight into the life of the

supernaturally natural life of the Holy Family. There, in

Nazareth, the Holy family lived a Holy life, precisely

because Jesus was at the center of it all.

We can learn the meaning and mystery of this beautiful

Feast and apply it to our own family life. The path to our

own holiness is found in living our ordinary family life with

the Lord Jesus at the center of it all. It becomes naturally supernatural.

The Holy Family is an icon of the domestic Church, which

is called to pray together. The family is the first school of

prayer where, from their infancy, children learn to perceive

God thanks to the teaching and example of their parents. An

authentically Christian education cannot neglect the

experience of prayer. If we do not learn to pray in the family,

it will be difficult to fill this gap later. Rediscover the beauty

of praying together as a family, following the school of the

Holy Family of Nazareth.

The Christian family is the first cell of the whole Christian

Church. It is the place where we begin the journey toward

holiness and learn to become more fully human. The

Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, became one of us. He was born

into a human family. That was neither accidental nor

incidental. There, in what the late Pope Paul VI called the

School of Nazareth, we can learn the way of love. The late

Pope's reflection called “The Example of Nazareth” is in the

Office of Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours (the

breviary) for the Feast of the Holy Family.

Every moment of his time among us, Jesus was saving the

world, re-creating it from within. There, in the holy

habitation of Nazareth, He forever transformed family life.

Now, He teaches us how to live in His presence, if we will

enroll in the School of Nazareth.

From antiquity the Christian family has rightly been called

“a domestic church.” In our life within the Christian family

Jesus Christ is truly present. However, we need the eyes to

see Him at work, the ears to hear His instruction and the

hearts to make a place for Him to dwell. In our family we can learn the way of selfless love by

enrolling in the School of Nazareth. In the holy habitation of

Nazareth, Jesus transformed daily family life.

Already blessed as God's plan for the whole human race

and the first society, marriage and the Christian family has

been elevated in Christ to a Sacrament, a vehicle of grace

and a sign of God's presence.

The Church proclaims Christian marriage, and the family

founded upon it, as a vocation, a response to the call of the

Lord. In the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we

learn the way of love in the School of Nazareth.

The phrase domestic church was one of particular fondness

to the great Bishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom. It

was a framework for the teaching of the Second Vatican

Council on Christian marriage and family. Blessed Pope

John Paul II developed this teaching in his Christian family

in the Modern World and his Letter to the Family. In these

writings he invites every Christian family to, using his

pregnant phrase, “become what you are, a domestic

church.” St. Paul wrote to the early Christians: “Brothers

and sisters: Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and

beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and

forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against

another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of

perfection.” (Col. 3)

The first school of prayer and practice, the place where we

learn this new way of life, is the first cell of the Church, is in

the domestic church of the Christian family.

DECEMBER 31, 2017 – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

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TEACH THE CHILDREN

PREP classes resume Mon. & Tues., January 8th & 9th

Understanding today’s Gospel

This gospel reading is usually referred to as the “Presentation

in the Temple.” As required by Jewish laws, Mary and Joseph

bring the newborn Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to publicly

introduce him to their religious community and thank God for his

birth. Like all new parents, Mary and Joseph were probably

excited, nervous, and proud to present Jesus to the world. They

probably felt extremely protective of him on the journey-like a

father driving well below the speed limit while bringing a mom

and newborn home from the hospital. Most likely they had a

hard time taking their eyes off him, and like all parents, were

completely amazed by what a wonderful baby he was. Then

Simeon and Anna meet them and their baby, and Mary and

Joseph are further amazed when the two prophets tell them their

child will bring about revolution, heartache, and salvation. By

now they have an inkling that this baby, who looks just like all

the other dark-skinned, dark haired babies in Palestine at the

time, is different. The angel Gabriel said something similar, as

did the shepherds who told them of the angels singing after his

birth. What is new is that Simeon predicts that Mary will suffer

greatly on account of her miraculous child: “and you yourself a

sword will pierce.” Anyone who has raised a child can recognize

Mary’s experience at that moment. Filled with awe and love and

wonder, she suddenly becomes aware of the pain that will come

when her child is hurt. It is perhaps the worst kind of pain there

is-watching your child suffer. Now that Simeon has predicted it,

Mary must find a way to go on as a mama bear to Jesus,

knowing that eventually she won’t be able to protect him. When

he is killed, she will know the feeling of having her heart pierced.

JANUARY 2018

Mon. Jan 15th: NO PREP

Wed. Jan. 17, 2018 SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

6pm - Church (snow date Jan. 24th) Wed. Jan. 31st: Parent Mtg. for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, 6:30pm - Chapel (snow date Feb. 1st)

WISHING ALL OUR SCHOOL

FAMILIES & FRIENDS

A MOST JOYOUS

NEW YEAR!

SCHOOL REOPENS and CLASSES RESUME JANUARY 3, 2018

School Headmaster: Mr. John Mundy

Dir. of Institutional Advancement: Geoff Meyer

Phone: 610-847-5523 www.rasjb.org

FATIMA HOUSE RETREAT

CENTER

Bedminster, PA

“A Quiet Country Retreat”

Offering Day & Overnight Retreats

for Private Individuals

and Small Groups

Our Programs Are Open to Everyone Monday - 7:00pm - Adoration & Prayers

Wednesday - 9:30am - Adoration & Prayers

3rd

Sunday – 12pm - Adoration & Prayer for Vocations

1st Saturdays 10am Rosary, Confession, Mass

Lunch after Mass

For more information or directions please call

Joan Black 215-536-3508

DECEMBER 31, 2017 – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

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The 45TH Annual March for Life provides an unique

annual opportunity to walk in defense of the most

vulnerable children in our country. At a time when

courageous young Catholics have risked prosecution

to expose the sadistic and murderous acts of the

abortion industry, we can show the world that all

babies deserve our love and protection.

The Knights of Columbus has once again sponsored a bus for the parishioners of St. John the Baptist and St. Lawrence Parishes.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW! Add your name to our sign-up sheet

in the Narthex.

Bus Schedule to the 2018 March for Life:

Departs: St. John the Baptist parking lot at 7:30 AM on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018.

After the March, the bus will depart Washington, DC at 4:00 PM.

A stop for fast food dinner will be made.

Arrives: at St. John's at 9:00 PM.

For more information on the March and Rally visit http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2018/

Prayer Rally and Public Witness

Warminster Planned Parenthood Friday, January 19, 12pm – 1pm

We invite all who cannot attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. to join us outside of Planned Parenthood located on Louis Drive in Warminster to pray and give witness in solidarity with those attending the March for Life.

Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage!

Is your marriage going down the right road...or is it a little off track? Life can be difficult, and so can the challenges you face in marriage.

Does the distance between you seem wide? Are you already separated? Looking for a better way? RETROUVILLE is a peer ministry of volunteer couples that can help you to learn the tools of healthy communication to build intimacy and heal, just as they have done in their own marriages. Retrouvaille is Christian-based, and Catholic in origin, but welcomes couples of all faiths as well as non-religious couples. Retrouvaille can help your relationshsip to get back on track. Our next program begins on the weekend of February 16

th at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA.

Additional weekends will be held in April and August. For more information, or to register, visit our website at: www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, February 10, 2018

VALENTINE’S DAY

DINNER & DANCE

TICKETS

ON SALE

AFTER THE

HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER 31, 2017 – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Page 5 | 232 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Please remember in your prayers our parishioners who are sick,

homebound, in the hospital, under hospice or residential care.

Susan Ackerman, Lillian Appleman, Patricia Baker, Nancy Beans, John & Loretta Bodisch, Emmalee Bryan, Patti Bucci, Libby Chapman, Anne Colyer,

Charlene Cornell, Charles Cornell, Matthew Crance, Jim Crawford, Ernest D’Angelo, Chrissy Davis, Joy Davis, Larry & Joanne Diehl, Terry Dunn, Arlene Eichlin, Marvin Eichlin, Bernice Fees, Charles Fees, Jr., John Finn, Patricia Fite, Crystal Fleck, Sarah Fleck, Thomas Fleck, Claire Fratrik, Janet Galen, Kathi Gallegher, Kathleen Gaughan, Dylan Geroni, Kathy Geroni, Marie & Rosalyn Giardullo, Anna Giebler, Mary Halwski, Florence Hancharik, Bill Hejnor, Joyceann Heley, Sharon Horvath, Charles Houston, Martha Juchnowicz, Georgine Kocher, Valerie Korbar, Ryan Leven, Kathy Lightkep, Charles Lutcavage, Loretta Malloy, Jill Martindell, Adelaide McElderry, Bridget McHugh, Anne McNichol, Harvey Mueller, Emma Michael, Joseph Moore, Nancy Moreno, Lorraine Mosolgo, Wanda Muth, James O’Hanlon, Gabrialle Otero, Jonathan Ott, Gary Palmer,

Victoria Pepkowski, Nicholas Powell, Don Raman, Mike Ramos, Harry Reckner, Rachael Rice, Carol Reardon, Gregory Rickert, Joy & Teddy Rodman, Sandy Romaszewski, Sam Rothman, Frederick R. Rude, Dolly Rutherford, Zina Sauerwine, Lana Schell, Florence Schroker, Ronald Schultz, Sr., Frank & Joyce, Joe Shuman, Mary Jane Shuman, Baby Ella Stack, Shane Stroup, Sean Thatcher, Baby William Patrick Thomas, Maddie Tomaszewski, Douglas Toner, Betty Ventresca, Diane Wesoski, Maryjane Whealton, Tamara Widmer, Edward Wismer, Baby Logan Yoder, Liem Zbyszinski

Jamie Steven Ayuso, Fionna M. Boyle, Derek Brosius,

Christopher Brune, Kyle Crossland, Casey de Lauretis,

Steehly de Lauretis, Michael Froeder, A.J. Giovino, Aaron Given,

Matthew Gumprecht, Bob Hankinson, Victor Hormilla,

Stephen Lindmeier,Jason Litschauer, Cory Litzenberger, Dan O’Connor,

Jonathan Pucci, Dusty Rhodes, Craig Russell, Don Valdez.

Thank you for serving & protecting our freedoms.

Upcoming Ministry Schedule

January 6th & 7th – THE EPIPHANY

Extraordinary Minister

Lector

Altar Server

Music

Saturday

5pm

Peg Glancey

Marianne McEvoy Joel Roney

Marion Wolf

Marie Louzon

Angelina Day Brigid Froman Danny Froman

Choir

Tom & Denny Sue Rogers

Sunday

8am

Nancy Kaczinski

Jackie Litzenberger Jim McHugh Ron Watson

John Zdanowicz

Mead Grindrod Grace McArdle

Natalie Nice

Kate Irvine

Karen Parash

Sunday

10:30am

Joan Black Jim Black

Wendy DeGroot Phil Donahue

Linda Russo

Alexea Brenna Brickston Vinal

Emily Vinal

Children’s Choir

“You crown the year with your generosity, richness seeps from your tracks."

Psalm 65:11