THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 15, 2013
John the Baptist has lived like a patient
farmer awaiting “the precious fruit of the
earth.” From the midst of the “hardship and
patience” that he suffers in prison for being a
prophet “who spoke in the name of the Lord,”
John’s heart bears only one question: “Are
you the one who is to come?” John’s longing
for Christ is what keeps him looking eagerly
to each new day. He lives with the
expectations to “see the glory of the Lord, the
splendor of our God.” And that is why
Christ’s reply is so deliberately elaborate.
When John hears of the miraculous benefits
accorded to the blind, the lame, the leprous,
the deaf, and the poor, he will know that the
One he has been waiting for all his life has
come: the God of mercy. The greatness of
John the Baptist is that he refused to settle
for anything less.
Today we meet
the Baptist
overcome with
doubt, locked by
the powerful in the
shadowy and
forbidding
dungeon. The
Messiah whom he
recognized does
not act as a
sovereign judge,
nor as the
merciless
executor of divine
sentences against
the impious. Confused and distressed. John
has his followers question Jesus: “Are you
the Messiah whom we await? You, the nonviolent one, the patient one, the merciful
one?” // This question which spans the
centuries seizes us today more than ever
when we are confronted by the apparent
silence of God in our de-Christianized
society. We had hoped the Gospel would
give us answers; instead, it raises
questions. We had hoped for ready-made
solutions. Instead, it invites us to seek
them out. We had hoped for spectacular
signs. Instead, the kingdom subjects itself
to the laws of slow germination. So often it
is difficult for us to admit that Christianity is
a freeing and loving way of life – a life of
faith and risk! Like John, we too must enter
into the Advent of our faith and recognize
the image which God chose in the humble,
merciful, liberating person of Jesus Christ.
// The signs of his coming are among us,
hidden, but alive. Through faith, many
Christians incarnate the Word of God in our
generation. They already begin to change
the word and throw down the walls of our
prisons. In greater numbers Christians are
assuming responsibility for the Church.
They go in the name of the gospel to offer
service to the poor. They never cease to
pray that they might burn with the fire of
Jesus' love. These contemporary prophets
of the Messiah know that patient hope
impels us to action. // Why then do we wait
to join the ranks of those who, in working
for the Advent of God, are promoting
humanity’s true coming of age?
ST. MATTHEW
THE EVANGELIST PARISH
MINERSVILLE, PA
www.StMatthewTheEvangelistParish.org
Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: (570) 544-2211
Fax: (570) 54-2317
SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL
No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what
your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present
religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background,
race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and
Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish!’
SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole(610-289-8900x222)
VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1-800-791-9209)
WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM
MON – John Maletz by Family
TUE – Verna Polinsky (Annv) by Joyce
WED – Margaret Sorokach (Estate)
THU – Mary Renninger by Ed and Aldona Butler
FRI – Walter Logan (Birthday) by Brother, Joseph and Rita Logan
SAT – 4:00 PM – Charles Stablum by Family
SUN – 7:00 AM – John and Mary Consugar by Family
9:00 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners
11:00 AM – John and Anna Dobles by Daughter, Carol
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REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May Jesus, the King of Glory, welcome into His eternal
realm WILLIAM H. NEWTON, SR., a former member of the former St. Francis
of Assisi Parish, and a member of our Parish Family, who died Saturday,
December 7, and was buried from our Church Friday, December 13. May
Mary, the Immaculate One, obtain comfort from Jesus, Her Son, for William’s
family and friends!
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THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice./
Indeed, the Lord is near. (Phil 4:4-5)
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 15 – SACRAMENT OF
RECONCILIATION: 6:30 AM and 10:45 AM.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS(FPC):
Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into
his harvest. We hope the prayers of our participating families
will bear fruit. May God be attentive to THE KELLY FAMILY who
will host the Family Prayer Chalice for Vocations this week.
Sign up for February in the Church Vestibule; call 570-399-5056.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: The question put to Jesus in today’s gospel is
also put to us today: “Are you the one?” Are you the one who will give
guidance to the children in your life or must they look to TV sitcoms, films,
videos and music lyrics for direction? Are you the one? Will you be the one?
PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Our faith is strengthened when it is shared; so
too, the pro-life message will be strengthened when shared in Christian love.
STEWARDSHIP: ““Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind
regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the
dead are raised…” Matthew 11:4-5 . When Jesus cured the sick we called it a
miracle. Yet God has blessed us with many good things – our eyesight, our
hearing, our talents, our health and so much more – and we often take it all for
granted. The good steward recognizes every blessing in life as a miracle from
God and strives to use those gifts for God’s honor and glory. LAST WEEK
YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $3,233; Fuel: $509; Expenses: $4,953.23
(ordinary); $4,500 (school subsidy). Thank you for your generosity!
ADVENT CHARITIES: 1) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY –
Your donation of all TYPES OF PASTA AND SAUCE will allow the SVDP
Society to aid the needy of our area. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society
Outreach and God’s Bountiful Table. Call 570-544-2739. 2) BIRTHRIGHT’S GIVING TREE: Thank you for your gifts to Birthright of Frackville.
The gifts will be distributed to needy mothers and their children in our county
during the coming Holiday Season. If you did not return your gifts by the
deadline (today), kindly deliver them to Birthright’s Office in Frackville.
Thanks for caring!
ADVENT VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: IMO John Maletz by Family. (2)
ALTARS: BVM: IMO Leona Maletz (Birthday) by Brother, Father Leo; IMO
Michael and Anna Postick and Tootsie by Katherine Chelak; Special Intention
by Helen Droskinis. DIVINE MERCY: For the Health of George Homa and
Special Intention by Wife and Family; IMO Leona Donlen by Teresa Miller; For
the Health of Evan Gober by Grandparents, Stan and Sally. (3) OTHER:
REREDOS NICHE: IMO Father Joseph F. Reilly by Parents. ST. JOSEPH:
Special Intention. Call 570-544-2211 to memorialize Votives.
POINSETTIA SALE PICK-UP AND BAKE SALE: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. DONATIONS OF BAKED GOODS
ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED. BRING THEM DIRECTLY TO THE PARISH CENTER. Place your name
on these items. Thanks!
ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH 50/50 DRAWING: DRAWING IS TODAY! GET YOUR TICKETS
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! $2.00 each or three for $5.00. Call Joe at 570-544-5485 for tickets. Benefits Parish
Center renovation. Thanks for your support!
MONDAY, December 16 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
THE
ENDOWMENT
FOR THE CARE
OF
RETIRED PRIESTS
TUESDAY, December 17 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PROGRAM: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the Good Shepherd School Building .
Contact our C.R.E., Rosalie Novack (570-544-2211) for information.
“St. John Vianney said, “The priest is not a
priest for himself, he is a priest for you.” As
we think about the many blessings we receive
every day from our priests, surely we will
agree. Our priests are priests for us. I am truly
blessed to share in the ministry of the
priesthood of the Diocese of Allentown.” –
Bishop John O. Barres
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DECEMBER 1 – 31 – ENDOWMENT FOR THE CARE OF
RETIRED PRIESTS ANNUAL FUND: The Diocese of
Allentown is conducting an annual fund called,
“Chosen, Blessed, Shared,” to support our Retired
Priests. All gifts received will be used to support the
rising cost of retirement care for those priests in good
standing who have faithfully served, and the many
retired who continue to serve, in our Diocese. Please
consider making this fund a part of your yearly Advent
giving. Do not confuse this yearly collection with the
“National Appeal for Retired Religious” on December 7
and 8. You have received a request letter in the mail.
You may return your gift in the mail or drop it in the
collection basket at Mass. Thank you in advance for
your generous support.
HOLIDAY CALENDAR WINNERS
December 8 – Jim Tokarz
December 9 – D and R Truscott
December 10 – Roseann Sep
December 11 – Allen Wolf
December 12 – Patrice Schwalm
December 13 – Paul Kabana
December 14 – Paul Kabana
THURSDAY, December 19 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
“SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR
REHEARSAL: Call 570-544-2355 for rehearsal times.
FRIDAY, December 20 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
SATURDAY, December 21 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:15 PM.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 22 – SACRAMENT OF
RECONCILIATION: 6:30 AM, 10:45 AM and 6:00 PM.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): KEN
AND MARYANNE EICHENBERG will host the FPC this week.
Call 570-399-5056 or Sign-Up in the Church Vestibule. WE
NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!
SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT:
Your contribution will help defray the cost of improvements for all Parish
Buildings. (2) Please catch up with any missed envelopes. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS WAFERS / PLOTKELES / OPLATKI: Are available in the
Church Vestibule to help you observe the custom of the Christmas
Eve Holy Supper. Offering per pack is $3.00. Preserve this beautiful
Holiday Tradition within your family!
2014 SUNDAY MISSALS: Can be found in the Church Vestibule. These
Liturgical aides are $5.00 per book.
2014 CHURCH CALENDARS: They are a gift to us from THE BUTLER
FUNERAL HOME. OUR SINCEREST THANKS TO DON, PEGGY AND
CHRIS! They are in the Church Vestibule. One per family.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND VOTIVES: We need your Floral Memorials
($10) and Votive Memorials ($5) to adorn our Church this coming
Christmas Season. Flower Envelopes can be found in your Sunday
Envelope boxes. Return them and make arrangements for Vigils at
your earliest convenience. Call 570-544-2211. Thanks for your help!
MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
LECTORS
EUCH. MIN.
Al Boris
Lori Hoffman
ALTAR SERVERS
Fletcher Eades
Frank Melenchick
SUN 7:00 AM Consugar Family
Jack Hudock
Eric Andruchek
Michael Perzel
9:00 AM Parishioners
Linda Butensky
Sharon Kolenick
Killian Clark
Max Wigoda
11:00 AM Dobles Family
Nicole Forney
Theresa Kroznuski
Jesse Stickell
Jade Stickell
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COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar!
DECEMBER 24 – CHRISTMAS TABLEAU: At the 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass, our Parish Children will present a short Christmas Tableau.
Students in Grades 1-5 are asked to participate. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL TRADITION TO
CONTINUE! Call Mrs. Nabholz (570-622-1032) or Ms. Novack (570-544-2172) by Friday, December 20. Please, we invite you to join us!
JANUARY 26 – ASSUMPTION BVM OPEN HOUSE AND EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM at Assumption BVM
School. Faculty members and administration will be available to answer questions you might have. For new registrations, please bring
your child’s birth certificate, baptismal record, and immunization records. Register before April 1, 2014 and receive a $15 discount on the
new students registration fee. Students transferring from other schools in grades 2 through 7 are eligible for a $1,500 transfer grant: $1,000
for the 2014-2015 school year and $500 for the 2015-2016 school year. Call 570-622-0106 for more information or for a tour.
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2014 ADULT CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES: All 2014 adult envelopes can be found in the last center aisle pews
of the church. Please take yours and help us deliver those of our shut-in parishioners. If there are any
Questions about your envelopes, please call 570-544-2211. Children’s Envelopes will be coming soon!
PARISH MEMORIAL SOCIETY: We gratefully acknowledge the following donations: IMO MILLIE PYTKO: $15 from
Katherine Chelak. IMO JOSEPH PELLISH: $25 from The Sep Family. IMO ANNA CHESONIS: $10 from Sabina
Quinn. IMO LEONA DONLEN: $25 from The Class of 1977 Reunion Committee; $10 each from Craig Witman
Family, Barbara Stablum Family, Betty Sabadish. IMO ELIZABETH PUKAS: $20 each from Marge and George
Homa Family, Dolores Starr, Donald Starr. IMO THELMA CAZONIE: $10 from Lucy Barnetsky.
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL NEWS: The newly formed Rosary Club has been very busy making and distributing
rosaries to various community organizations as a service project. We have been praying the Rosary for world
peace. If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor that you would like us to pray for, call the Assumption
BVM office at 570-622-0106 or e-mail tbahm@assumptionbvmschool.net with your prayer request. We will gladly
pray for your loved ones and friends.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN: 1) Has begun the annual Christmas Appeal to support the
programs of Catholic Charities in their service to individuals and families. Checks payable to Catholic Charities,
Diocese of Allentown may be mailed to Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal, 2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown,
PA 18103. On-line donations may be made at www.catholiccharityAD.org.2) Behavioral Health Program provides
counseling and mental health services at 13 Westwood Center, Pottsville. Some insurance plans are accepted.
Please call 570-628-0466. 3) Welcomes families to volunteer as friendly visitors for the new Neighbors Helping
Neighbors project, which serves older adults living in Berks and Southern Schuylkill Counties. This can be a
rewarding opportunity. Please contact Catholic Charities at 610-376-7144 or lfavinger@allentowndiocese.org for
information to make one or more friendly visits.
SAT
OFF. PROC.
4:00 PM Stablum Family
WEDNESDAY, December 18 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:7:45 AM.
DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. Ask St. Peregrine
to help cancer patients / caregivers.
GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Anthony
Ricapito Annex.