NEW SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil: 5 PM : 7 AM, 8:30 AM and 10 AM Weekdays: 8 AM Saturday: 9 AM Holy Days: 7 PM Vigil, 8 AM and 12:05 PM

SACRAMENTS

Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, or by appointment.

Eucharistic Adoration: Tues. 7 PM – 8 PM Baptism: 1st & 3rd Sunday each Month. Pre-Jordan class is required and held on the 3rd Monday of every month. Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

Marriage: Engaged couples must meet with the Pastor at least six months prior to the Wedding.

Anointing of the Sick: Holy Communion for the homebound or Sacrament of the Sick upon request. Anointing in preparation for surgery after Masses.

PASTOR: Roman Rev. Gerald P. Carey 35 Old Eagle School Road, Strafford, PA

IN RESIDENCE: Rev. Augustin Kassa, SMA December 13, 2020 PERMANENT DEACON: Deacon John Rose 3rd Sunday of

Music Ministry: Gaudete Sunday Rick West

Office Manager/ MY OLA MY FAMILY OF FAITH Parish Secretary: RoseAnn Westerfer Business Manager: Nicole Giacche

Office Phone: 610-688-1178 Website: olastrafford.org PARISH OFFICE HOURS Mon. - Fri.: 8:30 AM - 4 PM

Emergencies Call the Parish Office and press 1.

ASSUMPTION ACADEMY

School Principal: Patricia Welsh 610-688-5277

PREP Office Sr. Rita Marian Angelilli, IHM 610-688-6590

OLA CONVENT — IHM SISTERS Phone: 610-688-7889 OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH www.olastrafford.org Masses for the Week Prayer Intentions Saturday - December 12, 2020 Please pray for the sick and disabled members of our 9 AM Domenico & Filomena Falcone parish family: Nicole LaMonaca, Ed Drill, Anthony by Son, Tony & Yolanda Falcone Ciarlone, Elsa Marsili, Josephine Sorrentino, Logan 5 PM Increased Membership in Legion of Mary Schweiter, Margaret Cox, Victor Newton, William Vallejo, by OLA Legion of Mary Msgr. McDonough, Carole Pullo, Gloria Biondi, Taylor Boileau, Dan, Angie, Nick & Kelly Sciarratta, Barbara Pupek, Charlotte Krutsick, Catherine Harmer, Eileen Piombino, John Becker, Janet Fleming, Holly Weaver, Agatha & Carol Annino, Bob Iatesta, Louise Fehn, Gabe Yervelli, Sunday, December 13, 2020 Msgr. Marino, Milena Trosini, Alison Colodonato, Sean 3rd Sunday of Advent Mahoney, Baby Flynn, Yolanda Price, Zaira Silveri, Dottie Cappelli, Russell Demanczyk, Dominic Toscani, Fran Neary, 7 AM Angela Juliano William Vare, Jessica Rineer, Veronica Kelly, Carolyn Weber, by Bryan & Stephanie Oscarson Arthur Mattmiller, Nello DeFlaviis, Joseph Carver, Gina 8:30 Anthony Mascuilli, Anniv. Pine, Fr. Woodeshick, Ed Rofi, Gina Falcone, Anita Moscia, by The Mascuilli Family Maria DiGiacomo, Rick West, Msgr. Malone, Kaitlyn Dorris, 10 AM John A. Rose by Son, Deacon John & Marcella Canfarotta, Anita Koltay, Jim Batalise, Lynette Bette Jo Rose & Family Donnelly, Giulio Odorisio, Jennifer Emmi Fiorini, Meghan & For the People of the Parish Pitts and Philomena Mozanni. Monday - December 14, 2020 Please remember in your prayers the deceased mem- St. John of the Cross, bers of our parish family, especially for Maggie Fustish & Priest & Doctor of the Church Gloria Yervelli. May their souls & all the souls of the faithful 8:00 Marianne Gastner departed rest in the peace of Christ. by John D. Whalen & Family Please pray for our parishioners serving in the Military: Tuesday - December 15, 2020 Lauren A. Seedor, Rebecca Robbins, Luke Scilovati & 8:00 Jean Nudy by Richard & Barbara Merman Matthew Wilson. Wednesday - December 16, 2020 8:00 Timothy Spillane Thursday - December 17, 2020 OLA Outreach Team 8:00 Kathy Dykie by The Giacche Family Vince Caprio & the OLA Parish Outreach Ministry Friday - December 18, 2020 would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone 8:00 Lawrence Lolli, 1st Anniv. by His Children who made donations in order to help feed the needy Saturday - December 19, 2020 for Thanksgiving. Even during this difficult year, The 9 AM Francie Donato, 7th Anniv. Wayne Acme, Archbishop Carroll High School & by Son, Michael & Edward Donato many parishioners contributed turkeys. The food 5 PM Fred Domenick by Betsy McDonnell Shelley donations were given to local families and also The Sunday, December 20, 2020 Patrician Society, The Mother Teresa Soup Kitchen 4th Sunday of Advent operated by the Sisters of Charity and the Salvation LITURGY & WORSHIP & LITURGY 7 AM Special Intentions of John Catalanotto Army all located in Norristown. All the recipients were by Mary Ann Belmonte extremely appreciative and we are eternally grateful for 8:30 Joe Santoleri, Sr. by His Family. your generosity. We would not be able to do this 10 AM Rose & Tony D’Innocenzo without YOU. May God bless you and keep you safe. by Son, Peter & Donna D’Innocenzo & Family OLA Poor Boxes Question of the week: The money collected from our Poor Boxes locat- How can I help bring a “year of favor” to the ed in the Candle Room & in the Vestibule is used for world, to the community, to those I know? our Outreach Ministry. Thank you for your support!

Sanctuary Lamp is burning Sanctuary Floral

For: Grace Ricci For: John Procacci & Antoinetta Falcone From: Dec. 11, 2020 to Dec. 17, 2020 From: Dec. 12, 2020 to Dec. 13, 2020 By: Greg & Marge Seedor By: Anthony & Yolanda Falcone 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

PREP ASSUMPTION Thoughts to ponder: Advent is a waiting game. During Advent, which is a season of wait- ACADEMY ing, we talk about anticipation and the virtue of 2020 News patience. This might be a good discussion to have with the children as they experience “waiting” in so many life situations. We all have to work on our patience! Let us remember the words of the Psalmist: “ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I hope for his word”. In this season of Thanksgiving, we reflect Please contact Sister Rita Marian Angelilli, IHM with any questions or concerns at 610-688-6590 or on all that we are blessed to have here at [email protected]. Assumption. We are thankful for the

families who entrust their children to our Academy Assumption News Brother’s House care. We are thankful for the gifted staff Assisting homeless men in Norristown is in need who give so much everyday. We are of clean new socks & boxer shorts (XL & XXL thankful for the loving and prayerful & XXXL). Please drop off in the Giving Room. support we receive from the parishioners Financial Reporting of OLA.

OLA’s previous financial fiscal year ended June Even as we count our blessings, we are 30, 2020 and ended the year with a net profit of painfully aware of the financial strain $2,561. Please visit: that COVID 19 has put on our school https://www.olastrafford.org/stewardship to budget. Like many small businesses, we view Our Lady of the Assumption’s Financial are in danger of having to close our comparison for 2018, 2019, 2020. If there are doors due to the decrease in allowed any questions/comments, please do not hesitate enrollment & the increase of expenses to contact Fr. Carey, members of the Finance that COVID presents. Council, or Nicole Giacche. We are asking those who are able to Stewardship remember our school now by joining in

FAITH FORMATION FAITH SUNDAY & OTHER COLLECTIONS** #iGiveCatholic to give back to our (does not include Electronic Parish Giving) Catholic institutions. Simply go to On 11/29/2020: $ 3,837 12/01/2019: $ 6,127 https://philadelphia.igivecatholic.org/

** OTHER COLLECTIONS INCLUDE: HOLY DAYS,

CHRISTMAS and FLOWERS Click on DONATE, then Search Electronic Parish Giving Deposited on Assumption Academy to make a 12/02/2020: $ 2,012.50 donation. We are also accepting checks CUM FISCAL YTD TOTALS AS OF including Electronic Parish Giving & donations via 12/02/2020: $ 168,174 12/04/2019: $ 185,043 Venmo@OLA-Assumption or Parish Note: 2020-2021 fiscal YTD offerings are Giving (select Assumption Academy) - 9.1 % less than 2019-2020. into the New Year of 2021. IMPROVEMENT FUND Thank you for all YTD TOTALS AS OF including Electronic Parish Giving you do for the little 12/02/2020: $ 20,140 12/04/2019: $ 12,735 ones we serve! Note: 2020-2021 fiscal YTD offerings are + 58.1 % more than 2019-2020.

We thank you for your generosity! OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH www.olastrafford.org Pastor’s Corner Dear Friends, Today, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent also referred to as “Gaudete Sunday.” The Latin word Gaudete means “Rejoice!” On this Sunday, we take a short hiatus from the mostly penitential, somber nature of Advent and rejoice in the nearness of the celebration of . To outwardly express this joy, rose vestments may be worn by the celebrant, instead of the typical violet for Advent. One will also notice that the third candle on the is rose colored. Rose signi- fies joy. Today’s second reading calls us to “rejoice always.” Christian joy goes beyond a mere emotion and, therefore, supersedes circumstances. The joy we have in Christ can always remain with us regardless of what challenges we are facing in life. That is because we know God is in control of our circumstances. He is “faithful,” as Paul says. Therefore, we can “rejoice always” and “in all circumstances give thanks” because we have hope in God. Let us, therefore, seek Him, trust Him, and obey Him to find the deep joy that can only be found in God.

The Gospel today brings us back again to hear the voice of Saint . We should PASTOR’SCORNER note that John the Baptist is not at all concerned about being considered great or important. His one concern is to point to Jesus Christ: the One who is to come, whose sandal strap he is unworthy to untie. Saint John the Baptist is a saint of joy because he points always to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. We also can become people of joy when our lives point to Jesus our Lord. We don’t have to be perfect but we do have to keep pointing to the Lord. Just as in the life of John the Baptist, the more we decrease, the more the Lord may increase. Last Tuesday we celebrated the of the . At the 8 AM morning Mass, we were blessed to have all seven of our Sisters with us so that they could renew their vows on their feast day. I want to acknowledge them and thank them for giving their “yes” to God (like Mary) through all these years. I would ask you to please keep them in your prayers especially with regard to the many ways they serve the Church in their various ministries. We are truly blessed to have the presence of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary here in our parish and we thank you for your faithful witness. This weekend concludes our Giving Tree drive for the families in need at St. Patrick’s Parish in Norristown, PA. We thank all of you who have been so generous in offering gifts this year to the poor and needy. As a reminder, all gifts should be returned by Sunday this weekend so that they can be deliv- ered to St. Patrick’s on Monday, December 14th. Once again, thank you! With Christmas just a few weeks away, we are all keeping watch in regards to the current status of the pandemic and if any new guidelines and/or restrictions might affect the celebration of our Masses. As of now, we have 5 Christmas Masses scheduled here at OLA. Unfortunately, I am by myself at this point as Fr. Kassa has had to return to Africa for the renewal of his student visa and will not return until sometime after Christmas. Thankfully though, Msgr. Leighton has offered to take the “overflow” Mass on as well as one other Mass on Christmas Day. The schedule is as follows: Christmas Eve at 4 PM in Church, 4:15 PM in Assumption Hall and 12 Midnight in Church; Christmas Day in Church at 8:30 AM and 10 AM. We must keep in mind that we cannot operate at full capacity and if the crowds get too big, we ask you to understand if you must be turned away. As a reminder, because of the pandemic there is no obligation to attend Mass and you can always view the Christmas Mass virtually as you choose. We will do our best to keep you informed in the coming weeks. Again, we are monitoring this situation carefully and we will keep you posted as to any updates and/or further clarifications in this matter. I want to express again my heartfelt thanks to all who have been so supportive of our parish both spiritually and financially during this time of pandemic. It is greatly appreciated. May God bless you for your many sacrifices for us and your generosity. May God continue to bless this wonderful parish of Our Lady of the Assumption. Have a great week! Love and prayers, Fr. Carey