OUR VALUES Christ Jesus, enable us to reap this bountiful Saint Boniface harvest by staying rooted in the “good soil” of the basic principles in which we as a parish believe. CATHOLIC CHURCH  We are a parish who prays, studies, DECEMBER 1, 2019 and acts in accord with the Scriptures and the traditions of the Catholic FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Church and the Diocese of Erie.  We are a parish who stands firmly on OUR MISSION the foundation of our past;  We are a parish who understands and Christ Jesus, you call us together as a parish responds to the changing needs of all to sow and nurture the seeds of God’s saving families today; love in the hearts and minds of all our  We are a parish who welcomes and neighbors and beyond by living your gospel. enjoys fellowship with all people;  We are a parish who lives within our OUR VISION means and exercises responsible stewardship of the resources Christ Jesus, bless us as you blessed our entrusted to us; patron, St. Boniface, so that, by carrying out  We are a parish who works together the mission entrusted to us, our parish will as God’s family for the good of all, yield a bountiful harvest of passionate putting our common mission above disciples, united to you by the sacraments all else. and sent by you to further your mission. This we pray, in your name. Amen. HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE HEARING DEVICE AVAILABLE St. Boniface, pray for us.

9367 Wattsburg Road • Erie, PA 16509-6031 ST. BONIFACE ERIE

overcoming the impossible and bringing about a new FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK reality. And though she did not fully understand these

words, she learned that God had chosen her among all THE YEAR OF DISCIPLESHIP women to have a special role in this plan. Her PART 1: HEARING THE CALL encounter with God in prayer taught her hope, and she responded by faithfully accepting her role as the “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel mother of the messiah, despite all the difficulties she was sent from God to a town of knew this path would hold. May we, disciples like Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin Mary, learn from our encounters with God, whatever betrothed to a man named Joseph of he may wish to teach us, and may we respond, like the house of David, and the virgin’s Mary, by faithfully following the path God chooses name was Mary. And coming to her he for us. said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly Fr. Marc Stockton troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:26-29). ATTENTION~ All Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers We have spent the past year together reflecting on our and Altar Servers. It is that time to be working on the life of prayer, as a parish and as individuals. We have next ministry schedule. If there is a weekend that you learned that prayer at its most basic is simply the will not be available please call Melanie at the parish raising of our hearts and minds to God. When it is office 825-4439. true, when we really open ourselves to encounter God in prayer, we cannot help but be changed by that CHURCH DECORATING~ All hands on encounter. Our response to prayer, putting the new deck! If you have some spare time, please help us life we have received from God into action, is what decorate the Church for Advent & Christmas this we mean by the word discipleship. Sunday, Dec. 1st after the 10:30 Mass. Many hands make light work! May God bless you and thank you! We have designated this the Year of Discipleship at St. Boniface. We will reflect together over the next VOLUNTEERS NEEDED~ Christmas cookies several months on the meaning of discipleship, the needed for Upper Room Xmas party on Saturday root of which is “disciple,” from the Latin word for December 14. If you are interested in helping with this “student.” So, at its root, discipleship means being a ministry Please call Jean Conn 825-0095. student. A student’s job is first and foremost to learn and then to put those lessons into action. So it is with disciples of Christ. We begin our reflection on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ discipleship during the Advent season, a time when STAFF we will hear about several disciples in our Mass Rev. Marc Stockton, JCL...... Pastor readings. Chief among them is Mary, who, upon Rev. Mister Timothy G. Good ...... Permanent Deacon hearing the angel’s message, became “troubled” and Jeanne Yaple...... Faith Formation Director “pondered” what his words meant. Though Christ was Sandee Krivonak ...... Business Manager not yet born, nor even conceived, in this world, as the Melanie Kennerknecht ...... Parish Secretary Son of God and second person of the Holy Trinity he Alexus Butler ...... Pre-School Director was already mysteriously present and at work in the PARISH OFFICE HOURS angel’s words, touching Mary’s heart, mind, and soul, Monday-Friday ...... 9:00a.m.-1:30p.m. and moving her to obediently surrender to the DIRECTORY Father’s will. Parish Office ...... 825-4439 Pre-School ...... 528-3810 Center...... 825-8101 Of course, she still had free will of her own and Hall Rental ...... 825-4439 therefore was always free to decline, but a disciple is Parish Website ...... www.stbonifaceparisherie.org one who learns before acting. So what did Mary learn Pastor ...... [email protected] from the angel’s message? Hope. She learned that General Office ...... [email protected] God had not abandoned his people but that he was Business Office ...... [email protected] Religious Ed...... [email protected] now fulfilling his promises from ages past, Pre-School ...... [email protected] December 1, 2019 CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS~ LADIES OF SAINT BONIFACE~ Our Reminder to fill out your Christmas Flower Memorial Christmas Luncheon is December 10th, in the envelopes (located in the gathering space) in memory cafeteria at 11:30a.m. It will be catered by Nunzis, a of your loved ones. This is a great way for family buffet style. Please get your money, $15.00 in an members and friends to be remembered at Christmas envelope with your name on it and give it to Melanie. time. Turn in your envelopes to the parish office or in It must be in by December 3rd. Any questions please the collection basket at Saturday or Sunday Mass. call me Esther Ann Neilsen 881-4596.

REMINDER~ The St. Boniface Food Pantry is WE DON’T ALWAYS KNOW~ unless you asking for “Gifts of Love” gift cards. Cards for inform the church office, if a family member is unable Walmart, groceries, gas, etc for our families, are most to attend Mass, or now resides in a nursing home, or appreciated. A number of our families are elderly who would like to be on our visiting list. If your singles and couples. The wooden ‘Gifts of Love’ box children are grown and reside with you or no longer will be available in church beginning Nov. 30th. reside with you, they should not be listed as members Please drop gift cards in the box by December. 15 under your name. They should register, themselves, as 2019. As always YOU are the reason we are able to members of their Church. If you move or your phone keep the food pantry operating! Your gifts of turkeys number has changed including email, please let us in Nov., and gift cards in Dec., make for a happier know as well. Call 825-4439 with any changes or new holiday season for our clients. information. Thank You and God Bless You for your kindness. PRE BAPTISM CLASS~ Are you planning on having a child Baptized in the near future? There is a GIVE IN THANKSGIVING~ “The nuns left class being held at St. Luke, on Tuesday, December lasting impressions on me,” writes a donor. “I shall 3rd at 7:00p.m. in the Rectory Office. Please call the always be grateful for my Catholic education.” Please Parish Office at 825-6920 to register. join in thanking the thousands of senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who worked tirelessly to educate the young and serve those in need. Next week’s second collection is for SANCTUARY CANDLE LIT IN the Retirement Fund Religious, which helps hundreds MEMORY~ The Sanctuary Candle is lit of religious communities care for aging members. this week in memory of Alex DeRosa from Please give generously. Joyce DeRosa.

~ BULLETIN DEADLINES FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS~ Christmas and New Years are fast approaching and with them comes early deadlines for the bulletin. They are as follows: For Sunday, December 8, 2019, articles are due December 2, 2019 For Sunday, December 15, 2019, articles are due December 9, 2019 For Sunday, December 22, 2019, articles are due December 13, 2019 For Sunday, December 29, 2019, articles are due December 19, 2019 For Sunday, January 5, 2020, articles are due December 27, 2019

~HELP NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES~

If you are able to serve in one of the following roles at the dates and mass times indicated, please call Melanie in the Parish Office at 825-4439.

December 24th at 5:00p.m...... 2 Eucharistic Minister, Greeters December 24th at 8:00p.m...... 1 Altar Servers December 24th at Midnight ...... Lector, 2 Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Greeters December 25th at 10:00a.m...... Lector, 2 Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Greeters December 31st at 7:00p.m...... 2 Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers January 1st at 10:00a.m...... Lector, 1 Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Greeters ~FAITH FORMATION NEWS~ ~UPCOMING EVENTS~ Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Sunday— December 1 -Psalm 31:24 After all Masses Greene Township Lionesses An Advent Prayer for The Lord to Come Snack Stick Sale This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. (Gathering Space) Fill me with Your presence from the very start. 9:30-10:15a.m. Faith Formation (Classrooms) As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, 11:30a.m. Church Decorating Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son Monday— December 2 from Heaven. 7:00p.m. Bible Study (Zapolski Room) The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever. Wednesday— December 4 You came as a baby born in a manger. Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree, 7:00p.m. Choir Practice (Church) Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me. 7:00p.m. Boy Scouts (Classroom) Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth, When He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in Thursday— December 5 rags of earth. 1:00p.m. Women’s Book Study (Adult Formation Room) Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night. 6:30p.m. Knights of Columbus Meeting And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light." (Zapolski Room) "Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field. Sunday— December 8 Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield. All Masses Second Collection~ Retirement Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call. for Religious (Church) Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender After All Masses Knights of Columbus Keeping them all. Christ in Christmas

Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your (Gathering Space) voice. 9:00a.m. Confirmation Retreat (Cafeteria) Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. SCHEDULING~ If you are interested in renting Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush. the Coleman Center or the St. Boniface Parish Hall In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your for a party or family function call the parish office at hush. 825-4439 for more information. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part. GREENE TOWNSHIP LIONESSES~ Will Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence be selling snack sticks after Mass this weekend each day. November 30th and December 1st in the gathering Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I space. They are $1.00. For more information or pray. questions please call Rose Konsel at 814-969-2227. ~Renee Swope, “The Manger of My Heart” from Proverbs 31 Ministries PRAY FOR~ Please pray for the soul of The following are upcoming dates to remember: parishioner Martha Markiewicz, who passed away December: recently. Our sympathy is extended to her family. 12/8 First Holy Communion and Reconciliation sacrament prep sessions, 9:30-10:15 S Y M PAT H Y C O M M I T T E E A N D 12/8 *Confirmation Class Retreat 9:00-3:00 VOLUNTEERS~ Thank you for all your 12/15 Class Sessions 9:30-10:15 and Family Mass/ donations for all of the funerals lunches, but don’t Food Pantry Coffee and Doughnuts *Please forget to pick up your favorite dish. The dishes are remember that donations to the St. Boniface Food kept in the cabinet outside the parish office. Pantry are appreciated! 12/22 “Littles” Liturgy of the Word during 10:30 Mass (no class sessions) SYMPATHY COMMITTEE~ Thank you so Merry Christmas! much for your donations of your time and your food. Your hard work, care and concern are very much Brightest Blessings, appreciated during this difficult time. The Family of Jeanne Yaple Marty Markiewicz.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS ~LECTOR~ SATURDAY– December 7 Monday, December 2, Advent Weekday 5:00 p.m. J. Bitters 8:00 a.m. Fritz & Detta George (Kathy & Kevin) SUNDAY— December 8

Tuesday, December 3, Saint Francis Xavier 7:30 a.m. G. Stanton 8:00 a.m. Alex DeRosa 10:30 a.m. W. Breindel (Family)

Wednesday, December 4, Advent Weekday ~EUCHARISTIC MINISTER~ 8:00 a.m. Stan Bieniasz SATURDAY— December 7 (Pauline Tatara) 5:00 p.m. C. Anderson, M. Allgeier, N. Allgeier Thursday, December 5, Advent Weekday 8:00 a.m. Debbie Kennerknecht SUNDAY— December 8 (Bob & Nancy Warzyniak) 7:30 a.m. B. Drabina, M. Drabina,

Friday, December 6, Advent Weekday M. Kosiorek 8:00 a.m. Dorothy, Joe, Edward & Ted Zapolski 10:30 a.m. J. Hodapp, G. Krahe, A. Lynch (Ray Zapolski)

Saturday, December 7, Saint Ambrose ~ALTAR SERVER~ 8:00 a.m. Jim Bliley SATURDAY— December 7 (Bob & Nancy Warzyniak) 5:00 p.m. B. Burick

5:00 p.m. Jerry Mroz (Devine and Bayle Families) SUNDAY— December 8 7:30 a.m. K. Hogan, J. Hogan Sunday, December 8, Second Sunday of Advent 10:30 a.m. C. Allgeier, D. Donnell 7:30 a.m. Ed Zajac (Bob Pawlowski) ~GREETER~ 10:30 a.m. Living and Deceased Members of SATURDAY— December 7 St. Boniface Parish 5:00 p.m. G. Woznicki, E. Neilsen

RECONCILIATION SUNDAY— December 8 Saturday…………………………….4:15−4:45 p.m. 7:30 a.m. L. & R. Stiles (and anytime by appointment) 10:30 a.m. All Members of the Knights of Columbus ~Sunday, November 17, Collection~ ~KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS~ December 1st: Rosary Sunday. Pray for Safe Deer Adult ...... $7,675.00 Hunt Loose ...... $140.51 December 5th: Monthly Meeting Catholic Service Appeal ...... $917.00 World Mission Sunday ...... $20.00 December 7th: 5:00p.m. Anniversary Mass. We will All Saints ...... $15.00 be serving the Mass. Please check the bulletin Dec. 1st Human Development ...... $20.00 for your assignments. Same as previous Masses. Please call Fred Regal if you have a conflict. ~Thank you to those who use their envelopes regularly and to all who have increased their offerings.~ December 14th: 12 noon sharp in Coleman Center. National Wreaths Across America Ceremony. The time is set to coordinate with services across the US. CHURCH CLEANING~ Annual Ceremony Honoring those who served and are Heavenly dusters this week are: serving. Suzie Lyle & Family and Marlene Kerecman. May God bless them in December 25th: Jesus is the Reason… Keep Christ in their faithful work. Christmas. 9170 Lake Pleasant Road, Erie, PA (814) 450-9152 Owner: Joe Widomski - Parishioner SUPERVISED DOGGY DAYCARE • OVERNIGHT BOARDING RUSSELL C. SCHMIDT & SON FUNERAL HOME, INC. Dennis D. Schmidt, President/Supervisor – Pre-Planned Funerals Available – 5000 Wattsburg Road, Erie PA 16504 Phone: 814-824-5000 Fax: 814-824-5006 wwww.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com CHRIS CIFELLI AUTO REPAIR 8287 WATTSBURG RD • ERIE AT AFTONS - 8955 Wattsburg Road, Erie, PA 16509 814-825-1352 814-825-0549 SALES - SERVICE - INSTALL State Inspections Electrical & Fuel Diagnosis General Repair Air Conditioning 814-739-9560 GRANDVIEW BEER 4 LESS 13031303 E.E. GRANDVIEWGRANDVIEW BLVD.BLVD across from Grandview K-Mart 814-825-0717825-0717 Wide Selection of 12 packs Available THIS SPACE IS Great SelectionCraft Beers of Beers

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