Saint Gertrude Parish A Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave • Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690

November 24, 2019 Christ the King Sunday

Fr. James Loew, O.S.B. Pastor, (724) 568-2331 Fax: (724) 568-2030

Fr. Michael J. Sciberras Senior Priest Active

Sr. Mercy Francis, S.M.I., Pastoral Minister

Katie Tylinski (724) 212-6740 Regional Director of Faith Formation [email protected]

Mr. James Peterman Assistant to the Regional Director of Faith Formation (724) 568-2331 or (724) 845-8191.

Baptisms by appointment. Baptismal preparation is necessary. Call for classes

Marriage Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance. No dates will be given until meeting with the priest and all prep- aration is ready.

Sunday Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Pastoral Council Mission Statement

We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by See Bulletin for daily Mass Schedule the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multi- cultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. Holy Day Mass Schedule We are committed to “building up the Body of Christ” through Word, Worship, Holy Day ~ 8:30am, 6:00 pm Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region.

Office Hours We willingly accept our obligation to be the “Light of the World” for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 divisive wounds among God’s People and to join with all people of good will in Friday– Closed addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all. Confessions Saturday ~ 3:15-3:45 pm or by Appointment ST. GERTRUDE

fought for independence from -61; Lk 21:5-11 Treasure from our Tradition King George, after all. None- Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Dn 3:62-67; Lk theless, today every Catholic Todays solemnity, the final church around the world cele- 21:12-19 feast of the Church year, is a brates the Solemnity of Our Thursday: Dn 6:12-28; Dn youngster as feasts go. In Lord Jesus Christ, King of the 3:68-74; Lk 21:20-28 1925, Pope Pius XI was dis- Universe. Today s feast invites Thanksgiving Day, Suggested: tressed by global political up- us to look beyond our national Sir 50:22-24; Ps 145:2-11; 1 heaval and the de- loyalties and rejoice in our Cor 1:3-9; Lk 17:11-19 Christianizing of society. That primary identity. We are chil- Friday: Dn 7:2-14; Dn 3:75-81; year was a Holy Year, keyed to dren of God in Jesus, Christ the Lk 21:29-33 the sixteen hundredth anniver- King. Our readings help us con- Saturday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps sider what it s like to belong to sary of the Council of Nicaea, 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Gods kingdom. The book of Sam- when the words and of his Sunday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; uel captures the deep longing of Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44 kingdom there will be no end the Israelites for a king to shep- were added to the Creed. The herd them. Saint Paul reminds Pope explained that although the Colossians that we belong to most feasts had developed the kingdom of Christ, whose Christmas Gift For Married over many centuries, the power he praises in a beautiful Couples Church sometimes provided a hymn. Finally, Luke s Gospel calls new feast to address new to mind the kind of king Jesus Give your spouse the gift of needs. He pointed to the Feast chooses to be--a suffering serv- your time and love by signing of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, ant, a man for others. By sacrific- up for the next Worldwide ing his life for us, Jesus throws showing Christ s love and com- Marriage Encounter Weekend, open the gates of Paradise. passion in a time when many held on February 14-16, 2020 at the Hampton Inn & Suites people embraced a cold and Today’s Readings gloomy spirituality. Originally Penn-, Grove City Pa. It's the best gift you'll ever give to on the last Sunday of October, First Reading -- The Lord said in the late 1960s the solemnity each other, your family, and to David, You shall shepherd your marriage! Here's a quote of Christ the King was moved my people Israel (2 Samuel 5:1 to the last Sunday of the year. from a recent couple: "Our -3). Marriage Encounter Weekend Fresh from baptism s waters, Psalm -- Let us go rejoicing to we are anointed with chrism was without qualification the the house of the Lord (Psalm most fantastic and moving ex- as Christ was anointed priest, 122). prophet, and king. This feast perience of our lives". For Second Reading -- Thanks to more info call 330-305-9963 or is a key to our identity. On the Father who has made you this feast, we recognize Christ visit WWME.org. fit to share in the inheritance as a king who breaks the usual of the holy ones in light mold of kingship, and who (Colossians 1:12-20). Thanksgiving shapes his kingdom with our Gospel -- Jesus, remember me hands, our words, our deeds of when you come into your king- Gratitude is the inward feel- love and service. dom (Luke 23:35-43). ing of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feel- Of Kings and Kingship Readings for the Week ing. Thanksgiving is the fol- lowing of that impulse. Americans have an uncomfort- Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Dn --Henry Van Dyk able relationship with kings. 3:52-56; Lk 21:1-4 The American Revolution was Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45; Dn 3:57 Christ The King Sunday November 24, 2019

able to select a tag the weekend The Accent On-Air Sanctuary Lamp of November 23rd. We ask that Sebastian & Mary Giotto The Accent On-Air, Magnificent By Family the wrapped gift with angel tag Churches and , will air on attached be returned no later than WTAE-TV, Channel 4, Sunday Nov. Memorial Candle Sunday, December 15th at the Eugene Milie 24 and Dec. 1 at 11:30 a.m. In Mass By Frances 10:30 Mass. We will then begin at that time? Set your DVR, or watch immediately sorting and delivering the show on TheAccentOnline.org. Memorial Candle the gifts to children at the Alle- The show also airs at 2:08 a.m. on Mark Maszgay Kiski Hope Center, Seton Hill Child Nov. 26 and 28 and Dec. 2, 4, 10, 12, By 17 and 19. The show features Bishop The Hollingers Care Services and the Physically Handicapped and Mentally Chal- Malesic talking about his ad limina trip and meeting with Pope Francis, lenged Adults residing at West-N- marriage tips from couples celebrat- Arms and Kiski Valley Opportunity ing their 50th anniversary, two cou- Collection November 9th & Group Homes. May God bless you ples who met at ChristLife, a Western 10th for helping with this worthwhile PA cookie table recipe, magnificent project. churches, and the inspiring story of an Envelopes ~ $3,735.85 Indiana County woman and the repur- posing of gowns for a merci- Loose ~ $423.00 Catholic Daughters of the Ameri- cas Court 1008 ful cause. Church Restoration ~ $80.00

Utilities ~ $136.00 Catholic Daughters of the Ameri- cas, Court 1008, Vandergrift An-

Military Archdiocese nual Christmas Banquet will be held December 3rd in the Church 2019 Advent Penance Ser- Envelopes ~ $135.00 Hall at 6:00 P. M. Cost is $16.00 vice Loose ~ $487.00 per person. Guests of members are welcome. For reservations call Happy New Liturgical Year! Spaghetti Dinner Elaine 724-568-3310. Reservations Advent is a time of prepar- due by November 30th. You may ing spiritually for Christ’s Ministries asked to provide dessert place your reservation and check birth. With this in mind, and/or work at the December in the collection basket marked C please take note of the fol- 12th Spaghetti Dinner: Knights of D of A Christmas Banquet. lowing scheduled Penance Columbus & Eucharistic Ministers. Services for our Deanery: Farewell Sister Gratia

Mass intentions Tuesday, December 10th; After 17 years of loving and spir- The mass book for 2019 is now full itual service to our community. 7PM at St. Margaret Mary, and closed. Masses for 2020 are Sister Gratia will be returning per- Lower Burrell now being scheduled. Forms are manently to her home in India on available in the back of the December 3rd. We will be having Wednesday, December church. a “Farewell Reception” after the 11th; 7PM at St. James, 9:30AM Mass on Sunday, December Apollo Giving Tree 1st at Christ the King, for her and all of those who wish to thank her Tuesday, December 17; 7PM Tis’ the season of giving! Please and wish her well with her new at Mt. St Peter, New Ken- assignment. Please continue to help to make someone’s Christmas sington keep Sister in your prayers. May a little brighter by taking an angel tag from the giving trees in the God go with her, give her strength back of the church. You will be equal to her task, bless her, and Wednesday, December grant her a safe return home. 18th; 7PM at Christ the King, Leechburg. K -5th Grade Faith Formaon Schedule (6:00-7:30 PM at St. Ger- trude’s Parish Center) November 24th December 8th—Christmas party during the second half of class *This does not include event or Sacramental prep dates

Please note that the Advent Walk has been moved to December 15th at Christ the King. There will be a pracce for those who have parts on Sunday, December 8th at the St. Gertrude Parish Center at 5:00 PM.

Parents are invited to aend the Faith Formaon (Grades K-5) Christmas party on December 8th. The Christmas party will take place during the second half of the evening at 6:45 PM and anyone interested in bringing snacks for the party: not just cookies but healthy snacks too would be greatly appreciated. The snacks can be brought at 6:00 PM when you bring your child(ren). ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED! Why Be an Altar Server? Being an altar serv- er is a great way to learn more about our Church, get an up-close and personal experience of Mass, and perform an important service for your parish family. What is an altar server? Altar servers play an important role in the opening and closing processions, and assist the priest during the celebraon of Mass. New servers are paired with an experienced server for their first few Masses. Altar Servers… Need to be in grade 3- 12 ~ Should have received First Holy Communion ~ Should aend Mass faithfully along with their parents ~ Are willing to serve at Masses once or twice a month ~ Need to aend a training class Just complete the form that was distributed at Faith Formaon/Youth Ministry, have mom or dad sign it, and return it to Faith Formaon/Youth Ministry.

FUSED 4 ~ November/December LIFETEEN/EDGE CALENDAR (6:00-7:30 PM at St. Gertrude’s Parish Center) (EDGE: Grades 6th-8th/LIFETEEN: grades 9th 12th ~ St. Gertrude’s Parish Center ~ 6:00-7:30 PM) November: 17th—Session ~ 24th—Session ~ 25th—KAAC Community Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Gertrude. Help needed at 5:30 PM ~ 30th— Setup for Golden Agers at the St. James Parish Center from 1:00-about 4:00 PM. December: 1st—Golden Agers Dinner at St. James. Help needed from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ~ 8th—Session ~ 15th—Advent Walk at Christ the King ~ 22nd—Christmas Caroling at Bishop Morrow/Christmas Party ~29th— NO SESSION

Please note that the Advent Walk has been moved to December 15th at Christ the King. There will be a pracce for those who have parts on Sunday, December 8th at the St. Gertrude Parish Center at 5:00 PM.

Volunteers are needed on Monday, November 25th for the KAAC Com- munity Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Gertrude at 5:30 PM. Please register by this Monday, November 18th by contacng the Faith Formaon Office.

We are looking for 6th-12th grade volunteers to help with the Golden Agers Dinner setup, event and cleanup. We will be seng up on Sat- urday, November 30th at St. James Hall from 1:00 PM-about 4:00 PM (before the 4:30 PM Mass). On Sunday, December 1st you can come help at St. James Hall aer the 9:30 AM Mass or at 10:00 AM. We will also need help with cleanup. We will finish up around 1:00 PM. Youth are asked to bring a dessert! It’s a lot of fun! Please RSVP by this Thursday, November 21st. Please note date change: On December 22nd, EDGE and LIFETEEN will be going to go Christmas Caroling at Bishop Morrow as well as have their Christmas Party at Christ the King. More info TBA.

Saturday, November 23, Vigil Christ The King Sunday 4:00p.m. †Deceased Benedictines

Sunday, November 24, Christ The King Sunday 8:00a.m. †Stanley “Stush” Souchock 10:30a.m. †Living & Deceased of our Parish

Monday, November 25, Weekday 8:30a.m. †Ellen Porter

Tuesday, November 26, Weekday 8:30a.m. †Eugene Milie

Wednesday, November 27, Weekday 8:30a.m. †Poor Souls

Thursday, November 28, Weekday Thanksgiving 8:30a.m. †Mass At Christ The King

Friday, November 29, Weekday 8:30a.m. †Alain Andrew Coidan

Saturday, November 30, St. Andrew 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ the King

Saturday, November 30, Vigil First Sunday of Advent 4:00p.m. †Don Toy

Sunday, December 1, First Sunday of Advent 8:00a.m. †Eugene Iagnemma 10:30a.m. †Living and Deceased of Our Parish