TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
When the ties of affection and authority that bound
Europe’s Catholics unraveled in the sixteenth century, many
cultures lost time-honored customs of faith. Some customs
proved to be especially difficult for the reformers to wrest
away from the people, especially those celebrated in the home.
This week in Sweden, a country where the Catholic Church
was disestablished four hundred years ago, a Catholic martyr
from Sicily is the most beloved figure. St. Lucia, Lucy, is
celebrated on December 13. The long-story-short is that Lucy
was a Christian whose father wanted to marry her off to a
pagan fellow, and she rejected her father’s authority. To make
an example of her, her father had her killed. In the course of
the brutal martyrdom, Lucy lost her beautiful eyes, but her
vision was miraculously restored. The candles worn today by
the eldest daughter of the family are tokens of the fire that
refused to harm the saint. So this patroness of light and clear
vision is revered on the shortest, darkest days of the Nordic
winter. Before the reform of the Gregorian calendar in the
sixteenth century, December 13 was the winter solstice.
Today, young girls appear in the morning wearing lighted
candles on their crowned heads (battery-operated now after
many mishaps), and serve sweet rolls and coffee to everyone
in the house. For the Swedes, who are not churchgoers, the
“Lucias” are the official heralds of the holiday season and a
sign of everyone’s yearning for more light in this world.
Europe once abounded with customs like this; the survival of
this custom in Scandinavia is a sign of God’s grace, and how
fertile the soil is to receive the true message of Advent.
Altar Guild - Weekend of December 16- Group 4
County Prison Ministry - December 12th
Jim Delhunty & Pam Streich
Total Offertory for the Week of December 4, 2016
Sunday Collection + other donations ($9,609)
Budgeted Weekly Expenses $9,425
+ $ 184
8:00 a. m. Mass is being broadcast on
WDDH 97.5 F.M. at 9:00 a.m. on TAPE DELAY.
NO sponsor for December radio broadcast
Sanctuary Candle for month of December is
in memory of Mary Jacobs
from Bill Jacobs’ family
Hosts for December ar e in m em ory of
Albert Paladino
Radio Broadcast contribution is $400/mo. or $100/wk;
Sanctuary Candle $30/mo.; Hosts $100/mo.
If interested, please call the Rectory at 772-3135. Thank you.
Questions of the Week: December 11th
Key Passage: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, among those born
of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet
the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he” (Matthew 11:11).
Adult: How do you prepare yourself to meet Christ in those
around you?
Child: W hat good thing have you done so far during A dvent to be like Jesus?
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Friday:
Third Sunday of Advent
Our Lady of Guadalupe
St. Lucy
St. John of the Cross
Las Posadas begins
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — The barren deserts will rejoice and flower.
Tired bodies will receive strength. Aching hearts will be made
glad (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10).
Psalm — Lord, come and save us (Psalm 146).
Second Reading — Be patient, for the coming of the Lord is
as sure as the rain (James 5:7-10).
Gospel — Tell of what you hear and see: The blind regain
their vision, the crippled their movement, the deaf their
hearing (Matthew 11:2-11).
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
December 17/18
5:15 PM
C. D. of A. NEWS
Ladies, please have your cookies & baked goods in the
Social Hall by 11AM on Saturday, December 17th, for
packaging and pricing for our annual bake sale to be held
after all the Masses on Dec. 17/18. Tickets will also be on
sale for our annual Christmas Basket Raffle.
Advent Candle Sale is running now through the second
week of December. Boxed candles will be priced at $5/box
and a complete set for $20. Honor system will be observed.
Sun.
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
Sun.
Tues.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES 2015
Dec. 11 3:00 PM -- St Mark, Emporium
Dec. 12 6:30 PM -- St. Mary’s, St. Marys
Dec. 13 6:30 PM -- St Boniface, Kersey
Dec. 14 6:30 PM -- Holy Rosary, Johnsonburg
Dec. 18 3:00 PM -- St. Joseph, Force
Dec. 20 6:30 PM -- Queen of World. St. Marys
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
Lectors
J. Challingsworth
J. Allenbaugh
Y. Mehalko
Eucharistic Ministers
C. Westover & L. Caggeso
G. Gausman & L. Caggeso
S. Viglione & L. Caggeso
S. & L. Fink*
Servers
P. & M. MacDonald
R. Raubenstrauch & M. Kennedy
J. Toncich & R. Buhite
Ridgmont
N. Murphy
Hi-Rise
J. Wonderly
*AREA CHURCH EVENTS*
St. Leo Fish Fry - Friday, January 13th
Eat in from 4:30-6:30 PM or until sold out
$10 for a wonderful fish dinner
Take Out: - call after 3 PM (772-4705);
available after 4PM for pickup
ECC Monday Night Bingo -Bingo is held every Monday. Doors
open at 4 PM; Games start at 6:30 PM. Join us for fun & friendship while supporting the students of ECCSS!
Life Teen Raffle Tickets - for Tri-Axle load of firewood,
provided by Woodbed Corp; donation $5; tickets available at St.
Boniface Parish Office; Drawing Dec. 18th.
“Prepare the Way” Advent Series - Mondays thr oughout
Advent at the St. Marys Parish Center on Church St. ; 7-8:30 pm.
ECC Athletic Association Super Bingo - Sunday, Dec. 18th -ECCHS cafeteria; doors open @ 11:45 -- games start @ 1:30;
free Lunch @ 12:30 (Beef on Wick & Chips); $1,000 Coverall .
2nd Annual Purse Bingo to benefit J ohnsonbur g Libr ar y and
Community Center will be held Sun., Jan. 29th at 2PM at the
Johnsonburg Fire Hall. Tickets/$40 and include dinner, drinks,
snacks, bingo cards and tickets for specialty purses. Additional
tickets for 50/50, Chinese Auction, Extra Extravaganza will also
be sold. Tickets are available at the library or by calling 965-4110.
Doors open at noon and absolutely no tickets will be sold at the
door. BYOB
Fox’s Pizza Den of Ridgway is offering their special this
Sun., December 11th. Order anything from the menu and
simply mention “St. Leo’s Special” and they will give a
percentage of the sale to our church!
St. Leo School Presents,
“A Tale of Three Trees”
The sounds of Christmas are being heard in St.
Leo Social Hall as the students prepare for their
upcoming production. Three little trees with
big dreams are taken from the forest , but little
did they know what God had in store for them.
A valuable lesson is taught through song,
dance, mime, and the traditional Nativity scene.
Dress rehearsal, open to the public, is
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 @ 9:15 AM. The
evening performance will be on THURSDAY,
DEC. 15 @ 7 PM. Make it a point to attend as
it is a wonderful way to officially welcome
Christmas and Baby Jesus.
(Lighthouse Display in Gathering Space)
God Made Man
In this Christmas themed presentation, Fr. Shannon
Collins sheds new light on the biblical narratives of
the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as the beautiful
Christmas traditions of the Church.
Fr. Collins serves as a preacher of parish missions and
retreat master. Fr. Collins has appeared on EWTN and has
been stationed at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in
Hanceville Alabama.
Magnificently explains the who, what, why, when and where
of Christmas. Can clearly see God's hand in all the details.
Cynthia - Horseshoe Bend, AR
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is being held
each Tuesday and Thursday from 9a.m. - 9p.m.
Please consider signing up for an hour - sheets are
located in Gathering Space.
Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters,
brothers, and religious order priests have offered their lives in
service to others ---educating the young, comforting the sick,
seeking justice for the oppressed. Today, many are frail, elderly, and in need of assistance. Your gift to the Retirement Fund
for Religious helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and
other necessities. Please give generously to today’s second
collection.
The Angel Tree will be featured at St. Leo’s again this year.
It will be in place on November 19th. Angels may be taken
from the tree and attached to an UNWRAPPED gift to be
returned under the tree no later than December 13th. Just
leave your returned gift under the tree and place a gold
angel on the tree. Please know that each angel has wishes
that are only suggestions for your gift buying.
Thank You,
Jeanne Hall (772-2569)
Just one week until St. Leo’s
Lucky 13 raffle drawing!
Drawing is Sunday Dec. 18th
after 10am mass. Get your tickets in and you could be one of
our 13 lucky winner to win some extra holiday
cash!
BAPTISMAL PREPARATIONS CLASSES
Tues. Jan. 3 Queen of the World St. Marys 7-8 pm; call 834-4701
Wed. Jan. 18 Holy Rosary Johnsonburg 7-8 pm; call 965-2819
ST. LEO MAGNUS CHURCH Membership Form
Name___________________________________ Phone Number____________
Address_____________________________City_____________Zip_______
Please drop this form into the offertory basket or mail to Parish Office
New Registration
Change of Address/Phone No.
Moving Out of Parish
Desire Envelopes
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS 9AM-2PM; MON.-FRI.
Parish Staff
Pastor
Rev. Brian Vossler
772 3135
Deacon
Rev. Mr. Larry Caggeso
772 4111
School
Mary Detwiler
772 9775
Religious Education Margie Gausman
772 4349
Parish Secretary
Sue Landis
772 3135
Finance Manager
Steve Vallone
772 3135
Maintenance
Mike Caggeso (church); Nick Marroni (school)
Our parish has subscribed to a new online
platform called FORMED. With FORMED
you’ll find video programs that explain the
Catholic faith, explore the deepest meaning of
marriage, receive Bible studies on a variety of topics, download
eBooks and listen to inspiring Lighthouse audio talks. Here’s how
easy it is to get FORMED.
Go to www.FORMED.org. Click on signup in the upper right corner,
enter parish code: 39WTZD and type in a username and password.
FORMED works best using internet browser Google Chrome and
Firefox. If you need help logging in or have technical questions email
[email protected] for assistance.
Prepare yourself for Advent by watching the following on
FORMED.org.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT watch the following on
FORMED.org.
Program: Discipleship Groups: Advent, Session 3:
Watch & Pray
Program: YDisciple: Advent, Session 3: Watch & Pray
Are you receiving the Friday Flocknote? If
not, you are missing out on awesome videos
on the most up-to-date topics, cool links to
further your spiritual journey, weekly mass and parish information reminders and so much more. What are you waiting for?
Go to www.flocknote.com/stleo today!
236 of your fellow parishioners have signed up!
Join us after all masses this weekend for the annual
Lighthouse Advent sale on all CD’s, books and
booklets. Enter for a chance to win a give-a-way
basket and watch the Friday Flocknote for a special
code word to receive an additional chance to win.
Benedictine Gift Shop
Religious articles, books and gifts.
139 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 814-834-1353
(The only religious gift shop in a 50 mile radius.)
Extended Christmas Hours beginning Dec. 1, 2016
Mon. - Wed.: 9:30am – 5;00pm
Thurs. & Fri. 9:30am – 7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm
The Elk County Catholic High School Alumni Association
will hold its December Alumni Mass on Friday, December
16 at 9:05 a.m. at ECCHS. All graduates of Catholic education in Elk County are invited to attend and celebrate with
the students, faculty and staff. The Mass intention this
month will be for the classes of 1946 and 1991. Breakfast
will be served immediately following in the cafeteria. We
hope you will join us!
Liturgy for the Week
Mon.
8:30
Tues.
8:30
Wed.
8:30
Thur.
8:30
Fri.
8:30
Sat.
4:30
5:15
Sun.
8:00
10:00
December 12
Helen Urmann (Norma & Ron)
December 13
Mary Hoehn (Pat & Roger Hasselman)
December 14
Scott R. Neil (Jim & Elena DeVittorio & Sue Millard)
December 15
Barbara Emanuele (Dolly MacDonald)
December 16
Chester Kiska - anniv. (Kathy Roemer)
December 17
Confession
Frank Armanini, Sr. (Bob & Carol Connacher)
December 18
Michael DeStefano (Family)
Living & Deceased Members of St. Leo’s
6 PM - Community Rosary
St. Leo’s Parish offers Sympathy
to the families and friends of
Leona Rose (Gorlowski) Olewinski
Rose Heindl
Cancel the Cold
Dec. 10/11 - Howard Gausman - 25th anniversary
Dec. 17/18 - Souls in Purgatory
Dominic & Elvira Judice;
Dec. Mbrs. Judice-Boggia families
Dates to Remember
Dec. 10/11 - Lighthouse Advent Sale after all masses
Dec. 11 - Compassionate Friends - Gazebo @ 7 pm
Dec. 14 - REP 6 - 7:15 PM
Dec. 17 - Bingo after 5:15 Mass
Dear Parishioners:
Cross Catholic Outreach wishes to thank you for the welcome you
extended to Father O’Malley on our recent visit to your parish. On behalf
of the poorest of the poor, we thank you for having shared in their lives..
May our Lord continue to bless all of you for your love and support.
Trinity United Methodist Church in Ridgway is in need of a
nursery attendant each Sunday during our service time. If you
are interested in this position, please contact Gayl Glover @
[email protected] or 335-5076. The rate of pay is $10
per week; ages of children are 5 and under; 9:15 until 10:30.
Child clearances will be required for adults. We can see that they
get done from our office. If teenager(s) are interested, minimum
age is 16. Thank you so much for your help.
The Salvation Army is in need of Bell Ringers for their annual
Kettle Campaign. If you are able to help, please call Heather
at 772-0485.
McGrath CPA, LLC
Certified Public Accountant
814-776-2000
Tax, Audit & Accounting/ Business & Personal