St. Clare of Assisi Parish

MISSION STATEMENT We are a Family,

United in the Eucharist, Guided by the Holy Spirit,

Called by Jesus Christ to Grow in Faith, Love and Prayer

in Harmony with the Universal Catholic Church

We will achieve our parish mission by worshipping together and working to evangelize, educate and

serve each other and the entire community.

PASTOR: Rev. Charles J. Baptiste STUDENT RESIDENT PRIEST: Rev. Fortunatus Mugisha BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathleen Ulmer SECRETARY: Marie Perticone MUSIC MINISTRY: Sean Thornton BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Amy Ference HOMEBOUND MINISTRY: Beverly Mazza SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Lorraine Carter ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-932-0313 VICTIM ASSISTANCE HOTLINE: 1-888-808-1235 MASSES: Saturday 4:30PM (Sunday Vigil) Sunday 9:30AM Weekdays 7:00PM (Monday) 8:00AM (Tuesday thru Friday) RECONCILIATION: After Mass on Monday Evenings & 12:30PM Saturdays BAPTISMS: Call the Parish Office to schedule a class; then a day and time. WEDDINGS: Call the Parish Office at least six months in advance. The Diocese requires each couple to attend a pre-marriage course. ST. CLARE CEMETERY: Worthington Ave. For Information call the Parish Office.

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS – November 19/20 Pages 236-238 NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS – November 26/27 Isaiah 2:1-5 – Page 31 Romans 13:11-14 – Page 32 Matthew 24:37-44 – Page 32

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE - Nov. 19/20 4:30PM For the Parishioners 9:30AM Howard McBride (Jean & Children) MONDAY, November 21 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

7:00 PM Alphonse Nuzzo, Sr. (Cyl Nuzzo & Nick Affinito) TUESDAY, November 22 - St. Cecilia 8:00AM Kathryn Pavlack (Barb Pavlack) WEDNESDAY, November 23 - Weekday 8:00AM Rosemary Mong (VanWormer Family) THURSDAY, November 24 - St. Andrew Dũng-Lac THANKSGIVING DAY 9:30AM For the Benefactors of St. Clare of Assisi & Their Intentions FRIDAY, November 25 - Weekday 8:00AM Mr. & Mrs. Leo J. Stercula (Mary & Ron Marasco) SATURDAY, November 26 12:30 PM Reconciliation FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - November 26/27

4:30PM Leonard W. Martin (James & Linda Martin Family) 9:30AM For the Parishioners

WEEKEND MINISTERS - November 26/27

4:30PM - Eucharistic Ministers - Lino Ferrari, Gary Massaro, Jennifer Massaro Lector - Patrick Thornton Altar Servers - Elizabeth Boal, Colton Boring

Head Ushers - Mike DiCarlo

9:30AM - Eucharistic Ministers - Larry Carra, Nancy Carra, Kathy Tachoir Lector - Joseph Costello Altar Servers - Joe Chasko, Kevin Stretavski

Head Ushers - Ray York, Vince Gori

Parish Office: 460 Reed Street Clairton PA 15025 Phone: 412-233-7870 Fax: 412-233-0742

Office Hours: Mondays - Thursdays 8AM-2PM CLOSED Fridays Email: stclareparish2@comcast.net

Web Site: www.stclareofassisiparish.com

November 20, 2016 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 10:45AM - Counting Team #4

9:15-10:45AM - CCD - Grades K-4 - Holy Spirit Church TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

2PM - Liturgy - Lawson Nursing Home

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 No Choir Practice

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 9:30AM - Liturgy

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

12:30PM - Reconciliation

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Reflection: Mercy Quick as lightning, another liturgical year is coming to an end and it is time for new beginnings. We are also ending the “Year of Mercy” and celebrating the Feast of Christ the King. The following, an excerpt from the Pittsburgh Catholic, seems to blend these themes well. First of all on the theme of mercy, is obvious. The second, on the Kingship of Christ, a kingship with untold power, but one that is used to build up and not tear down. The question is, how do WE use power; to build up the body of Christ, or to tear it down?

Peace, Fr. Chuck Convicts, junkies and the face of Christ Michael’s Place is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s home of hope and recovery for homeless men transitioning from jail to independent living and gainful employment. Michael’s Place provides a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment where residents receive comprehensive recovery counseling and support; GED and other educational opportunities; job preparation and placement; financial literacy; and basis life-skills development During the past 15 years, more than 250 men have passed through the doors of Michael’s Place. More than 70% of our graduates remain drug and alcohol-free with a steady job. Unfortunately, many local Catholics are oblivious, ambivalent and even publicly opposed to the powerful work and ministry of Michael’s Place. It is not uncommon to hear sisters and brothers in the faith make comments like “Why are we providing resources to a bunch of junkies and convicts?” We forget that Jesus himself was one of those “convicts.” We forget that Jesus mandates forgiving one another “70 times seven times.” We forget the lesson of the Prodigal Son and his return to the loving embrace of his father. We forget that we are a resurrection people and that life can be raised from the tomb of criminality, addiction and despair. Pope Francis tells us that “God is in everyone’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs, or anything else – God is in this person’s life.” Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul strive to see the face of Christ in everyone we encounter. This is a core value of our vocation as Vincentians. Seeing the face of Christ in others is a radical challenge requiring a fundamental reordering of how we speak, how we act, how we live and how we pray. The saddest thing that I have encountered during my 30-plus-year career in social services and Christian ministry is the vast number of people who say to me that they are unworthy or undeserving of God’s love and forgiveness. Fortunately, our God scatters the seeds of his love everywhere, indiscriminately, on the bad soil as well as the good. God’s love for us is never wasted. He never gives up on us. Consider the thief who was crucified with Jesus. By all accounts, he was a murderer and bandit – one of the worst kinds of criminals. The kind of person we would look at today and say “What a waste.” Yet even after a lifetime of lawlessness, God doesn’t give up on him. At

the last minute, the thief accepts Jesus into his life and Jesus assures him “today you will be with me in paradise.” Today we know that penitent thief as St. Dismas…. God refused to give up on guys like Dismas and he refuses to give up on the men at Michaels’s Place! Can we, who call ourselves “Christians,” afford to be any less generous, any less forgiving? Can we choose to give up on the men at Michael’s Place? And so, if you’re feeling oblivious, ambivalent, or even publicly opposed to the powerful work and ministry of Michael’s Place, I ask you to do three things: First, pray. Simply pray for the men who have come seeking recovery, forgiveness, community and reconciliation with their families. Second, learn. Learn more about Michael’s Place by visiting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s website at www.svdppitt.org and find out how our incredible staff, volunteers and alumni, through the grace of God, are using very limited resources to bring unlimited mercy, hope and potential to our residents. Third, visit. Visit Michael’s Place and talk with the “convicts” and the “junkies.” Look them in the eye and listen to their stories. Let them minister to you. Let their stories remind you of and reconnect you with God’s mercy. Let them help you to grow in holiness. Let them show you the face of Christ! Deacon Keith Kondrich is Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Pittsburgh.

Keeping Our “Church Alive” in Clairton. From OUR PAST. . .

St. Clare – St. Joseph – St. Paulinus To OUR PRESENT. . .

St. Clare of Assisi Parish 1994 – 2016 and INTO OUR FUTURE. . .

. . .by making the celebration of our Liturgies and Sacraments a joyous and spiritual event in our lives!

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FISCAL YEAR JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017

Budgeted Weekly Offering Required …….. $ 5,561.00 Actual Weekly Offering Nov. 12/13 ………. $ 3,990.75 Weekly Deficit ………………………………. $ -1,570.25 Caring Ministry ……………………………… $ 743.00 Archdiocese of the Military YTD ………….. $ 921.00 Parish Share 2016 YTD.. …………..……… $ 24,076.00 Cemetery Envelopes 2016 YTD..…….…... $ 8,898.00

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Next Drawing: Wednesday, November 30 Entered to Date: 89

CONCERNING OUR PARISH

Our Recently Departed . . . Rose Artuso, Areda Baranowski (Former Parishioner),

Stephanie Cawley (Sister of Marie Hodge), Barbara Malosky (Former Parishioner), Terry Meigs

Our Sick and Shut-ins . . . Barbara Antrom, Pete Azzari, Fr. Chuck Baptiste, June Bendik, Eleanor Berggren, Caden Boring, Cullen Boring,

Maria Campano,Gloria Cerasoli, Fran Colonna, Mildred Demchak, Sheila Eddy, Rebecca Farabaugh, Irene Fera, Meryl Ferrare, Kathleen Geletko, Rudy (Blu Jay) Gori, Genevieve Hartman, Marie Hodge,

Mary Julian, Sophie Jupin, John Karnack, Off. James Kuzak Jr., Edward Lis, Linda Massaro, Audrey Mihalko, Sandra Milas, Diane Moran, Barbara Pavlack, Lou Pavlack Jr., Martha Petras, Sylvia Pittman, Betty Rothbauer, Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy,

Sophie Slavick, John Sorrentino, Fr. Bonaventure Stefun, Kathy Tachoir, Rayne Tortorice, Catherine Vukovich, Rose Marie (Popchak) Wilkerson, Rita York

~ and all Names and Intentions listed in our Prayer Request Book

For family members of our parishioners

serving in the military:

Dante Capane, Richard Cronkhite, Tara Felker, Gregory Lentz, Jason Middleton, Garrett Santoline, Michael Santoline,

Anthony Svetz, Andrew West, Jeffery West

Prayers for Our Seminarians This week, please pray for

Timothy X. Deely from St. Paul Cathedral Parish

OFFERTORY COLLECTION

CONCERNING OUR FUNDRAISERS

The SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care and other necessities. The SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND will be for the Repairs and Maintenance of our parish properties.

NEXT WEEKEND we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent! We thank the Apostolate Committee for helping to prepare hearts, minds and homes for the coming of Jesus by providing new Advent Bulletin Inserts again this year that are based on the Sunday Gospels. This four-week resource is an easy-to-read overview, with a focus on saints, prayer, family and personal reflection. This is a wonderful way to reinforce friendly Catholic teachings, customs and rituals throughout the holy season! We hope you enjoy reading them and will share them with your family.

You are invited to use the CHRISTMAS FLOWER ENVELOPE that is included in your November envelope packet to make a memorial donation that will be used to purchase the flowers and decorations in Church this Christmas Season. Please print names clearly as all memorials will be listed in the Prayer Request Book in Church. The deadline for submitting the memorials for publication is Sunday, December 11.

Our OCTOBER COUNT results have been tallied and submitted to the Diocese. We have listed the numbers, not only for this year, but also for the last few years. The number given is the “average” weekend attendance for that year. You can see the noticeable decline year by year. 2013 — 358 2015 — 291 2014 — 294 2016 — 273 Because our weekend attendance is down significantly, our collections have noticeably dropped; showing a Deficit almost every weekend.

This Week’s Flowers at the Altar, at the Statue of St. Clare & at the Tabernacle

were donated in Memory of Howard McBride

by Jean & Children

~ On Thanksgiving Day ~ The flowers at the Statue of St. Clare

were donated in Memory of Angelo DelVecchio

by his Wife & Children

Be sure to pick up an Angel ENVELOPE next weekend from our Angel Tree. Your donation will be used to purchase Gift Cards for the needy children in our Parish and Community, along with sending a Christmas Donation to Sisters Place. Suggested donation is $25.

Stop in or call the Parish Office to purchase a $5 Ticket to WIN 2 TICKETS to see the Pittsburgh STEELERS beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 25 - 4:30PM Kickoff ...(changed from 1PM).

PARISH MEMBERSHIP FORM

Registering at our Parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic community. We extend a warm welcome and hope you will find our Parish Community a place where your faith will be nourished. If you are moving into, or out of the Parish, please let us know. Fill out this Form and return it to the Parish Office.

NAME______________________________________________ADDRESS__________________________________________ TELEPHONE________________________________________ __________________________________________ Check One: New________ Change of Address________ Moving out of Parish________ Want Envelopes________

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BILLBOARD SIGNS FROM GOD “Isn’t it strange that Autumn is so beautiful … yet everything is dying .” - God

CONCERNING OUR COMMUNITY CONCERNING OUR DIOCESE

ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! is about relationships—our personal

relationship with Jesus and with each other in Him. We are invited to listen

and discern how God is calling us to fulfill His mission together. As parish consultation sessions continue, it is important to get educated and engaged in how all of our parishes, schools and ministries can be vital centers of worship and service. Sign up for email updates at OnMissionChurchAlive.org.

ALIVE

We Thank

Our Bulletin Sponsor This Week

Marriage MOMENTS In every human life eventually tragedy strikes. It may not be life-threatening or frequent, but it causes us to pause and reflect. What has been a significant misfortune of your life together so far? How do you support each other? Parenting POINTERS November 20 is the feast of Christ the King, but Jesus rejected kingship and modeled “servant leadership.” Kings have armies and thus power to enforce what they want. Servants excel in listening and seek to serve others’ needs. Good leaders inspire. Talk with your children about the difference between a King, a Servant and a Leader. Family PERSPECTIVE Today’s Gospel reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven is not like Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Admission to Christ’s Kingdom is paid with the currency of acceptance, forgiveness, attention to the poor and love of one’s enemy.

Elizabeth Segedi

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Holiday celebrations can sometimes be challenging because they can magnify the loss of loved ones even more than usual. Attend this three-session workshop and learn some coping skills and share with others who may be able to relate to what you are going through.

Space is limited. To register, call 412-469-7100

3 Session Series Tuesdays

NOVEMBER 29 DECEMBER 6 DECEMBER13

6-8PM Jefferson Hospital James Bibro Bldg.

2nd Floor

Extra copies of Information and Feedback Packets that were handed out at our On Mission Parish Consultation Meetings are available on the Bulletin Tables. If you missed either presentation that was eye-opening for those in attendance by receiving a much broader understanding of the local Church and our own Parish, please take one of the packets and feel free to turn in your questions or comments to the On Mission Office by December 12.

A Collection Box for Usable Eyeglasses is on the Credenza located in our Church Vestibule. “Recycle for Sight” is another program that The Lions Club International participates in!

St. Elizabeth Class of 1978 has planned a Reunion/Get Together at Stage 1 (428 N. State Street, Clairton) on Saturday, November 26 beginning at 8PM. For questions or information, call Charlene at 724-454-2882 or Mary Ellen at 412-884-8222.

There are new Pittsburgh Catholic Magazines, “Leadership With the Heart of Christ”, available on the Bulletin Tables. This new magazine touches on Leadership Development and Evangelization in Parishes. Please pick up a free copy, compliments of the Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

- St. Mother Teresa