THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF OAKMONT, PLUM & VERONA St. Irenaeus, Oakmont St. Januarius, St. John the Baptist, Plum St. Joseph, Verona, Our Lady of Joy, Plum

www.opvcatholic.org The only official website for our parishes. School sites can also be accessed from this website.

CLERGY

Group Email: [email protected]

Rev. Kevin G. Poecking Priest Administrator

Rev. George Dalton Senior Parochial Vicar

Rev. David DeWitt Senior Parochial Vicar

Rev. Frederick Gruber Parish Chaplain

Deacon Joseph Vannucci

Deacon Timothy Noca

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM St. Irenaeus 4:00 PM St. John the Baptist 5:30 PM St. Joseph 6:00 PM Our Lady of Joy

Sunday: 8:00 AM Our Lady of Joy 8:30 AM St Joseph 9:00 AM St. John the Baptist DECEMBER 8, 2019 10:00 AM Our Lady of Joy 11:00 AM St. Januarius 11:00 AM St. Irenaeus 11:30 AM St. John the Baptist 6:00 PM St. John the Baptist

Confessions: Monday 6:00-6:20 PM St . Januarius Wednesday 6:00-6:20 PM St. Irenaeus Saturday 9:30-10:00 AM St. John the Baptist - Or By Appointment -

Kristin Consuegra Youth Ministry Coordinator OPV Catholic Parishes

My friends in Christ, One of the most inspiring moments of the trip was the closing mass of the conference in Lucas Oil Stadium. It was In this week’s gospel, St. John the Baptist tells us to prepare an awesome hour and a half in which the Holy Spirit filled the way for the Lord! Prepare for the one that is coming who the building that normally houses football games and will baptize each one of us with the Holy Spirit. Prepare our concerts. The stadium became a sanctuary of the Lord with hearts for the coming of Christ. Which leads to the question, vibrant worship and love. It was a period of time where How are each one of us preparing? Heaven was truly on Earth in an unexpected place and none The youth of our church have been busy preparing their own of us wanted it to end. hearts as well as bringing the love of Christ to others. A few Seeing 25,000 young people gathered around the table of weeks ago, five ninth grade students from our parishes and Christ to praise Him and grow deeper in His love is myself traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National promising for the future of the church. Having listened to Catholic Youth Conference with the Diocese of Pittsburgh. their cheers of God’s goodness and experienced the During the four-day trip, our teens opened their hearts to be outpouring love the teens have for others and their faith is softened and changed by the Lord. The newly confirmed of inspiring to me as an adult Catholic Christian. The youth of our church chose to step out of their everyday lives to our church is willing to be bold in faith and prepare the way enhance their spiritual life through this experience. for Jesus, are you? As the gospel says that “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This group of I pray that each one of you teens is an example to the church as each one of them have a spiritually inspiring chose to be open to growing in their faith to bear good fruit. Advent season as we The youth of our church listened to various witness talks, prepare together for the participated in different workshops to learn of different coming of Christ. cultures, and worshipped with 25,000 of their fellow youth from across the country. Peace & Blessings, There were several fantastic Catholic speakers to listen to Kristin and gather their messages. The topics and testimonies var- ied but all shared one common message: centering our lives around our Catholic faith is more important than anything else because it is in each one of our encounters with Christ we grow deeper in His love. Do each one of us take time out of our every day lives to grow in our faith and prepare our hearts? The youth of our church have chosen to. In addition to our own, thousands of teens across the country took time to travel away from their homes, to miss school, to miss extracurricular activities, to miss social events, but to choose Christ; to choose their faith and gather eagerly and openly praising the Lord.

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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

READING I I S 11:1-10 R. Alleluia, alleluia. LK 3:4, 6 On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of all flesh shall see the salvation of God. strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight R. Alleluia, alleluia. shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, GOSPEL MT 3:1-12 and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy acknowledged their sins. mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee be glorious. from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 72:1-2, 7-8 12-13, 17 Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to

R Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down O God, with your judgment endow the king, and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, and with your justice, the king's son; but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to he shall govern your people with justice carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His and your afflicted ones with judgment. winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable Justice shall flower in his days, fire." and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 7 Medios espirituales para recibir a Cristo en la Navidad (segunda parte) May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 5. Visitar a Jesús: La Navidad no es de “Santa Claus”, sino del pequeño niño en el pesebre. Es el Hijo de Dios quien alimenta verdaderamente, tan pequeño R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. y, que sin pretensiones, está presente en todos los tabernáculos. For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. “La Navidad es la celebración del ‘pan vivo’ que ha llegado del cielo como nuestro alimento. Belén significa ‘casa del pan’”, explica el P. Kolfhaus. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. Todos los días se puede visitar la iglesia aunque sea solo unos minutos. También, asistir a Misa es una forma de devoción. R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. 6. Confesarse: Jesús nace en un establo, en pobreza y modestia, lejos del May his name be blessed forever; bullicio de los albergues. En ese lugar San José removió las telarañas y la as long as the sun his name shall remain. suciedad y Nuestra Señora preparó un buen lugar para el recién nacido. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. Como la Virgen María y San José que tenían un corazón lleno de amor puro, los católicos deben confesarse para tener una buena Navidad. La paja vieja o R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. podrida debe ser barrida del corazón. Otras veces limpiar el polvo es suficien- te, pero Jesús siempre quiere encontrar una morada donde pueda reposar. READING 2 ROM 15:4-9 7. Devoción a María: “Es menester dirigirnos a nuestra Madre, a quien le Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for pedimos su intercesión en nuestras necesidades, para darle gracias por su 'sí' our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the en Nazareth, por el cuidado y la crianza de Jesús, por su ayuda maternal a Él Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and y a nosotros, por su lealtad en la Cruz”. encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in Desde el obsequio de flores, el rezo del Rosario, oraciones especiales, una keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice pequeña peregrinación a una iglesia, renunciar a malos hábitos u ofrecer glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. nuestro trabajo por más difícil que sea, son gestos que nos permiten recibir a Jesús, no solo en la víspera de Navidad. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised El sacerdote sugirió orar por la maternidad de todas las mujeres que esperan o to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, han perdido un hijo en esos días.Tomado de la columna del P. Mons. Florian but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. Kolfhaus publicada originalmente en CNA Deutsche. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/7-pasos-para-aprovechar-al-maximo-el- adviento-y-tener-una-navidad-inolvidable-68927 and sing praises to your name. 3

OPV MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS DATE TIME CH PRIEST INTENTION/REQUESTER SATURDAY 12/7 (VIGIL) 4:00 PM SJB POECKING Carmella Krupper (Daughter, Joann) Second Sunday of Advent 4:00 PM STI DEWITT Siciliano Family (Jim & Ginger Siciliano) 5:30 PM SJV DALTON Marc Hazer (Sparacino Family) 6:00 PM OLOJ POECKING Rose Hribik (Jeff & MaryAnn Weisz) SUNDAY 12/8 8:00 AM OLOJ POECKING Joe & Debbie Nese & Family (Rockett Family) Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM SJV DEWITT Don Yarros (Dee Capezzuto) 9:00 AM SJB DALTON Living and Deceased of Parish 10:00 AM OLOJ BENEDICTINE Jean Nolan (Steve & Patty Mahr) 11:00 AM SJAN POECKING Mary Pivik (Marylyn & Ron Newsom) 11:00 AM STI DEWITT Kennan James Sullivan (Casey & Kyle Reynolds) 11:30 AM SJB BENEDICTINE Leo Iannacchione (Lou & Barb Ragghianti & Family) Kathy Harrington (Tim & Lisa Noca) 6:00 PM SJB DEWITT Nate Ferraco (Ferraco Family) MONDAY - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 12/9 9:00 AM STI POECKING Carmella Bencivenga (Tom & Frankie Dinnin) 9:00 AM SJB DEWITT Philomena Palmieri (Richard Lacivita) 9:00 AM SJV DALTON Lois O’Connor (Family) 6:00 PM SJAN DALTON Ed & Dolores Burns (Bequest) TUESDAY - Weekday 12/10 7:30 AM SJV POECKING WM Studner (Jusy Dokmanovich) 9:00 AM OLOJ DEWITT Lena Scarangella (Nick & Anna Salemi) WEDNESDAY - Weekday 12/11 9:00 AM SJB POECKING Charles (Chazz) Molcsan (Daniel R. Molcsan Sr. & Jr.) 6:30 PM STI DALTON Jean DiFatta (Sweetie Cyphers) THURSDAY - Weekday 12/12 7:30 AM OLOJ POECKING Liz Bachtel (Bill & Julie Zeli) 9:00 AM SJV DEWITT Della Cummings (Family) FRIDAY– Weekday 12/13 7:30 AM SJB POECKING William B. Sunder (Bill & Barb Volzer Mary Ellen Bodnar (Walter Haluck) 9:00 AM OLOJ DALTON Rose Hribik (Bible Sharing Group) NOON STI DEWITT Ed & Dolores Burns (Family) SATURDAY 12/14 9:00 AM SJB GRUBER Joe Caterino (Gorby Family) SATURDAY (VIGIL) 4:00 PM SJB BENEDICTINE Lucia Sheffler (Virginia & Richard Leppold) Third Sunday of Advent 4:00 PM STI DALTON Stanley Sofish (Wife, Joan) 5:30 PM SJV POECKING Bonnie Conway (Marv & Maureen Walters) 6:00 PM OLOJ BENEDICTINE Liz Bachtel (Donna Davis) SUNDAY 12/15 8:00 AM OLOJ DALTON Marlene Supak (Husband, Raymond Supak) Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM SJV POECKING Decased of the Ramondi Family (Ramondi)

9:00 AM SJB DEWITT Monica Schraeder (Keith & Debbie Mastri) 10:00 AM OLOJ POECKING Lois Grieb McLean (Joyce Ciccone) 11:00 AM SJAN DALTON Gregory Ambrose & Dom & Laura Franco (Family) 11:00 AM STI DEWITT Vicky Zae (Judy Kane_ 11:30 AM SJB POECKING Richard Kastelic (Jean & Larry Howard) 4 6:00 PM SJB DEWITT Living & Deceased Member of the Parishes

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Christmas Brunch THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

The fifth annual Christmas Brunch will be offered in our Thank you to all who participated in the Thanksgiving Day Food Drive. OPV grouping at Our Lady of Joy Church Hall on Christ- These donations from the five parishes went to the following Food- mas Day 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The main purpose of the banks: Plum, Rosedale, Penn Hills Service Center, Oakmont - RCAC and No Children Hungry. Christmas Brunch is to provide a free meal for those struggling financially, the elderly, the homeless, anyone ADVENT CHURCH DECORATING living alone and basically anyone who may want to come Advent decoration for our OPV Churches. Help is needed at these times and and not eat alone on Christmas Day. locations. WE CANNOT HAVE THE BRUNCH WITHOUT YOUR HELP! We need your Christmas cookies, fruit, monetary 12/14 9:30 a.m. – SJB Outdoor Nativity Set up – donations and prayers. There will be members of the Need strong folks building outside Brunch Team in the Church narthex next weekend to 12/15 12:30 p.m. – SJB Backup date for Outdoor Nativity – sign up for any donated items or time for this special Need strong folks building outside gathering. 12/21 9:00 a.m. – OLOJ Decorate for Christmas and place outdoor nativity – Need many hands to help You can also use this opportunity to make reservations 12/22 – STI (Noon), SJB (12:30 p.m.), SJAN(2:30 p.m.) - to attend the Brunch and if you know someone who Interior Decoration for Christmas (manger, trees, etc) needs a place to spend Christmas, please make them – many hands needed to help aware that we would love for them to join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Entry level access is available for ANGEL TREE UPDATE those unable to use stairs. You have been “Angels” contributing to the 1200 wishes that TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE SURE NO ONE hung on the OPV trees! We are collecting new winter hats, HAS TO SPEND CHRISTMAS ALONE. scarves and gloves to decorate our barren trees. These items will be given to the homeless ministries.

39th Annual Christmas Carol Walk In today’s Gospel we hear about John the Baptist, preparing the way for the coming Messiah. John called for a conversion from sin Sunday, December 8, 2019 with new eyes of faith for the future. Let us dedicate ourselves to be

people like John the Baptist, looking forward to our God coming into A “progressive” sharing of the Christmas Story through our lives through our one new parish. We are able to profess our The Festival of Lessons and Carols presented by the faith today, in the holy triune God, whose love is revealed in Jesus Christ and who has local church music ministries gifted us with the Spirit. They shared the gift of faith with us and taught us how to pray. They nurtured the faith in us through the celebration of the sacraments; they brought us 6:00 pm— Oakmont Presbyterian Church to the present moment to look forward with courage. Let us pray that we too will be able (corner of 5th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue) to hand on the faith to future generations with effectiveness and joy.

6:30 pm – St. Irenaeus Roman Catholic Church (385 Maryland Avenue) OPV CATHOLIC FINANCIAL REPORT 11/24/19 and 12/1/19 7:00 pm – St. Thomas Episcopal Church w/ St. Paul’s Baptist Church St. Januarius: Offertory: $1,341.00 PSP: $143.00 (11/24) (corner of Fourth Street & Delaware Avenue) Offertory: $1,002.00 PSP: $210.00 (12/1)

7:45 pm - Oakmont United Methodist Church St. Irenaeus: Offertory: $6,055.00 PSP: $405.00 (11/24) (corner of Fifth Street & Maryland Avenue) Offertory: $3,885.00 PSP: $1,930.00 (12/1) St. John the Baptist: Offertory: $10,001.00 PSP: $2,165.00 (11/24) The Carol Walk Finale will feature music by combined Offertory: $11,885.00 PSP: $3,035.00 (12/1) choirs and reception provided by Oakmont United St. Joseph: Offertory: $5,209.00 PSP: $232.00 (11/24) Methodist Church Offertory: 4,994.00 PSP: 86.00 (12/1) Our Lady of Joy: Offertory: $6,491.00 PSP: $750.00 (11/24) All are welcome and bring a friend! Offertory: $6,872.00 PSP: $1,992.00 (11/24) Handicap and Wheelchair accessible. TOTALS : Offertory: $29,097.00 PSP: $3,695.00 (11/24) Offertory: $28,638.00 PSP: $7,253.00 (12/1) 6

MINISTRY AT OPV CATHOLIC

CHRISTMAS OPLATKI WAFERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL OF THE CHURCH RECTORIES AT A COST OF $3.00 /BAG.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY SAM – Substance Addiction Ministry The Holy Name Society meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month, Septem- The next Substance Addiction Ministry Rosary for Recovery will be ber through June in room 2 of Fr. Marchukonis Hall at Our Lady of Joy Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at St. Coleman Church, 100 Tri church following the 10 AM Mass. Boro Ave., Turtle Creek, PA 15145. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. for All practicing Catholics, men and women, over the age of 18 are invited to the Rosary followed by an informal gathering for all who are afflicted attend these meetings and to consider joining the Holy Name Society. or affected by addiction. It will be a safe, confidential place for Coffee and donuts are served prior to the meeting. people to seek education, referral and support. For more information please contact Noreen at 412-296-1709. The agenda meeting is held at Our Lady of Joy the Monday preceding the regular meeting. 7PM.

CATHOLIC MENS FELLOWSHIP SESSION OF SATURDAY Amen to Action! DECEMBER 14, 2019 TO "UNPACK" SUNDAY READINGS For the 3rd year, over 4000 people came together at Pittsburgh's St. John's CMF group WILL meet on Saturday December 14, David L. Lawrence Convention Center the day after Thanksgiving to 2019 at 7:30 in the St. Elizabeth Room. We will be studying sing, pray, celebrate, and pack One Million Meals of Hope for the hun- the Scriptures for the ensuing Sunday. Using approved gry in our community. About 40 people from OPV served! Thank you commentaries we will "unpack" the readings so that we to all who participated in this new annual tradition. intentionally prepare to hear God when he speaks to us at Mass in the Scripture readings and the homily. Join us and prepare to have your Mass experience energized. Save The Date - January 12, 2020

The First Annual OPV Catholic Free Spaghetti Dinner. That’s right, free dinner! Where? Our Lady of Joy Hall. Time? 3:30 to 7:00pm

There will also be baskets and 50/50. More information to come…..

7 JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH YOUTH MINISTRY

Questions? Text ‘OPVJYM’ to 84576 for Junior Youth Ministry Contact Kristin Consuegra, Text ‘OPVSYM’ to 84576 Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Sign Up for Flocknote Announcements for Senior Youth Ministry [email protected]

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ST. IRENAEUS PARISH NEWS

Sanctuary Candle for 387 Maryland Avenue Dec. 8 - Dec. 14

Oakmont, PA 15139 The Sanctuary Candle burns 412-828-3065 this week for Tom Portera By Family

Office Hours Advent Wreath Candle

Reminder: St. Irenaeus Office is open Mondays and for Dec 8– Dec. 14

Fridays from 8 AM to Noon. Mass Intentions are available by calling or stopping in the office during The Sanctuary Candle burns this those hours. This can also be done at St. Joseph week for Natali & Copozzi Families Parish office Mondays from 1 PM - 4 PM and Tuesday By Natali Family through Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM.

ST. JANUARIUS PARISH NEWS

Sanctuary Lamp and Altar Candles 1450 Renton Road We are accepting donations for the Sanctuary Lamp Pittsburgh, PA 15239 ($10) a week. We will announce in the bulletin in whose 412-793-4439 memory those candles will be lit. If you are interested, send in an envelope marked “Sanctuary Lamp” and the week you would like to remember your loved one, or call the office at 412-795-3388.

MASS INTENTIONS Overeaters Anonymous

Mass Intentions are available by calling Joyce Contact Dee for more information at 724-339-3617. Doyle at St. Joseph Parish office (412-795-5114) Mondays from 1 PM - 4 PM and Tuesday thru All meetings are held every Tuesday at Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM or by stopping in the 7:00 pm in the Church Hall rectory at St. Joe’s during those hours. You can also email her at: [email protected] All are welcome to attend the meeting! ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH NEWS Sanctuary Candle Dec. 8 - Dec. 14

444 Saint John Street Pittsburgh, PA 15239 The Sanctuary Candle burns 412-793-4511 this week for Philip & Elizabeth Maruccio By Mary (Daughter) NEW ITEMS IN OUR AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE KIOSK

The kiosk is currently located in the Church. The stock will be replen- Advent Wreath Candle ished when the need arises. Kindly donate $5 each for the books, or for Dec 8– Dec. 14 make checks payable to SJB parish.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: The Tears of Christ The Sanctuary Candle burns this

This precious insight takes us to the heart of the interior life of St. week for Desolina Bellisario John Henry Newman. By Joann Krupper

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ST. JOSEPH PARISH NEWS

Bulletin Deadline Cantors: 825 Second Avenue 5:30 PM Verona, PA 15147 Please submit bulletin infor- mation two weeks prior to 8:30 AM 412-795-5114 when it needs to appear in Money Counters: M. the bulletin. Angel, M.L. Sonnie, A. Capuano

Giant Eagle/Community/Labriolas Volunteers Needed

Thanks to all those who continue to purchase the grocery gift cards. This is a simple but very effective way to St. Joseph Church is still looking for help our school. To those of you who have never tried this program, won’t you consider beginning to help. volunteers to help clean inside the Many of our parishioners have scaled back their budgets due to the economy, however, the church. If you are available for a need to purchase gas, prescription drugs and food never ends. Please consider purchasing couple hours each week for this Giant Eagle, Community and Labriolas gift cards. These cards are sold every week after all valuable service, please contact the Masses and during the week at the Parish Office. Our school receives 5% back on Giant parish office for details. Eagle and Community and 10% back on Labriolas at no additional cost to you.

OUR LADY OF JOY PARISH NEWS

2000 O’Block Road Pittsburgh, PA 15239 412-795-3388 CHRISTMAS DECORATING NEW ITEMS IN OUR AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE KIOSK

The kiosk is currently located in the Church. The stock will be replenished Volunteers are needed to help decorate when the need arises. Kindly donate $5 each for the books, or make checks Our Lady of Joy for Christmas on payable to SJB parish.

Saturday, December 21st at 9:00 AM. FEATURE OF THE WEEK: The Tears of Christ Please reach out to Brienne May at This precious insight takes us to the heart of the interior life of St. John [email protected] with any questions. Henry Newman.

SCRIPTURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SCRIPTURES FOR DECEMBER 8—DECEMBER 15 Sunday: 11:1-10/ Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 19 [cf. 7]/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [1]/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11/Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13/Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/ Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 [Is 35:4]/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11

Welcome Our Newly Baptized! Recent Funerals and Deaths

Wayne Pursh—STI Jennie Flisek—STI Gail Mertens—STI Beata Murray - OLOJ Marjorie Tuite—OLOJ Stacy Riscoe—SJV Donald Weimerskirch—SJV SJAN SJB Madeline Rose Erbelding Samuel Thomas Anthony, Aria Claire Churilla Lord, grant eternal rest to the Emmy Nicole Gustavson Arabella Penelope Palombo, Kennedy Eleanor Yotz souls of the dearly departed. 11

The Catholic Schools of Oakmont, Plum, & Verona ~Preschool-8th Grade~

Thanksgiving Events & Activities 2019

St. Joe’s 1st & 7th Graders celebrated a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and made their own butter.

St. John’s Thanksgiving Feast St. John’s 2nd Graders

St. Joe’s Preschool Thanksgiving Program with 6th Grade helpers

St. Joe’s Kindergarten & 8th Graders celebrated with their annual Thanksgiving Feast. St. Irenaeus’ Preschool Thanksgiving Program

St. Joe’s Preschoolers St. Joe’s Preschool students organized a food drive & donated several boxes of food to Sister Lynn for her Social Ministry work. St. John’s 2nd Graders read “Balloons Over St. John’s students raised over $1200 Broadway” and created and collected several boxes of food for their own Thanksgiving the local food bank during their annual Day Parade balloons. Turkey Drive.

St. John’s Preschool 3 yr Paraliturgy

Oakmont’s Light-up Night photos will be included in next week’s bulletin...

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FIRST ANNUAL OPV CATHOLIC

Profits will be shared EQUALLY by all (5) Churches!

$5,000 Cash Sweepstakes

(3) First Prizes: $1,000 each

(4) Second Prizes: $500 each (Winner does NOT need to be present) Drawing at ST. JANUARIUS ON Monday, Decem- ber 16th RETURN YOUR TICKETS BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH. Place them in the collection basket, Drop them in the mail, or bring them directly to any Parish Office. Checks Payable to: Any Parish in the OPV Grouping, please note “Christmas Raffle” in Memo of Check.

* Tickets are $2.00 each...or get two FREE chances, by returning all 12 tickets for ONLY $20.00 *

OPV ANNUAL COOKIE AND ~Monthly Raffles and Bingo~ Benefits St. Joseph School CONFECTON SALE December 14-15 Join us for Bingo on Saturday 4:00 - 6:00 PM & December 14th - $25 Sunday 8:30AM - 2:00 PM @ St. Joseph School Cafeteria Doors open @ 6pm Our homemade cookies are delicious…. and make Early Birds 6:30pm great gifts! All proceeds go to the Parish Social Regular games 7:00pm Ministry and Local Charities. It’s not too late to Help Us Help Others. Your homemade cookies and baked goods can be dropped Purchase Monthly Lottery Tickets off at St. John the Baptist Church in the St. Elizabeth $10 each (Stop by the rectory) Room: ~Chance to win every day based on evening drawing of Pick 3 PA Lottery Numbers~ Friday, 12/13 between January tickets ON SALE during December 1:00 & 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/14 before 10:00 a.m.

THANK YOU AND SEE YOU THERE!

Please come and support St. Joseph School students on Dec. 8th at 1pm for their annual Christmas Program and Band Concert,

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PARISH MEETING RESPONSES

RESPONSES Parish Meeting Responses have been removed from the Churches along with the Parish Name submission forms as they were due last weekend. Anyone who would like a copy of his/her parish Town Hall meeting responses may call (412-7983-4511) or email ([email protected]) a request for them to be emailed or mailed to you. A comprehensive sum- mary of some of the information from all five parish questions and responses is shown below. The combined Pastoral Council leadership is currently working on taking the over 100 Parish name submissions and reducing them to 10-15 to submit to Bishop Zubik. Next week’s bulletin will show all names submitted and the ones that were recommended by the parish leadership to forward on to Bishop Zubik.

There were five separate Town Hall style meetings in our grouping, one for parish. While parishes are not corporations, there is a business element each parish, held in the church of that parish. Either Father Kevin, Father (accounting and process) for each of our parishes. Maintaining five separate George, or Father David attended the meeting, offering an opening prayer accounts is extraordinary; combining them will save significant efforts too. and taking notes from the meeting. The meetings were all led by parish lay What about the future use of our buildings and Mass schedules? leaders, though at St. Januarius, Deacon Tim Noca and Joe Vannucci led There was a group of parishioners from every parish that was invited to the meeting there. In all, there were over 600 participants. The agenda, brainstorm some ideas on how our church and other buildings could be which was the same for all OPV Parish Meetings, was shared. The process improved for use as a church or repurposed for something else. Each of creating a new parish name was also shared. Everyone was then invited parish leadership will review those ideas in the early part of 2020 to deter- to ask questions or offer comment on the On Mission and merger process. If mine their reasonableness and prioritize them. After that, parishioners will be questions could be answered that day, they were. The following summarizes able to see these ideas and offer further suggestions and comments. There some of questions and comments that came up at different parish meetings. is no current plan to close any churches or change the Mass schedule. As a The clergy and leadership team are all very grateful for everyone’s attend- music ministry team for our grouping is formed and as we address priest ance and respectful participation. Together we are forming a beautiful parish assignment changes and health issues in the future, we will have to adopt a community centered on Jesus Christ. new Mass schedule, but only as the need arises. Based on retirement ages of priests in our diocese, we will likely be reducing our Mass schedule in five What about our churches and buildings? years, and that may include discontinuing weekend Masses at a particular One of the main questions at most of the Town Hall meetings in our grouping church. We are constantly tracking the Mass attendance so that if we ever was concerning the issue of church buildings in a parish merge. In Catholic need to reduce the number of Masses, we will have good metric information language, parish means people, church means building. While we plan to on what time and location preferences are. Besides the popular demand, we merge the five separate parishes of people into one parish, the church build- need to make sure that elderly and special needs persons are provided ings will all remain. The church buildings will retain their names, but we will ample access to a church to worship and receive the sacraments. all belong to a new community of people under a new name. After July, 2020 merger, we would no longer be called “The Parishes of OPV”. Since we do What about Parish Share and some of our Financial issues? not plan to close any churches, there is no timeline to close any churches. What about repairs and improvements? We are addressing many of the Unfortunately, at some point prior to October 15, 2018, some pressing issues at each church site. There were five different building roof parishes or parishioners seemed led to believe that some of our churches repairs or replacement in our grouping over the past year. Changes were would have to close, or that a predetermined number of churches would be made at Our Lady of Joy to the rectory to establish enough offices for staff. permitted to stay open. That is simply not how our clergy and leadership An offer from a parishioner to add special parking at Our Lady of Joy made team have been instructed by the Diocese and the blueprint for forming our for a nice improvement to address some pressing issues there. More will be grouping. It is up to every grouping to determine their own needs for use of done as the needs of our grouping become more clear. What will be done buildings. At this point, our vision is to keep all churches open and to work with the funds from the recent large bequest to St. John and Our Lady of toward becoming one community. This is why we are focusing more on Joy? The funds are in Our Lady of Joy Deposit and Loan Savings account. merging our parishes into one first. It will be up to the new parish, including We have not determined any specific use of those funds though some the clergy team, lay leaders and parishioners at large to determine how our suggestions have been made and are in consideration. What about Parish buildings could and should be used and if a closure is needed, when that Share now? The Diocese requires every parish to support the Diocesan might happen. That won’t happen until we begin to work together and get to services though Parish Share Program (PSP) which helps to operate the know one another and can determine our needs together. various programs that the Diocese offers for all the parishes, such as There is currently no timeline to close any of our churches! property and planning, seminarians, parish services, etc…. The PSP goal for each parish is determined by calculating a percentage (17.6%) of last year’s What about our staff and costs? revenues from offertory, bequests, fundraising, etc… Next year’s PSP goal We need to become a closer community, which is why we are offering more will reflect that revenue increase due to the large bequest. Parishioners are group events where we can get to know one another. While buildings cost encouraged to support PSP. The amount given toward PSP will go toward money to keep open, our combined grouping funds are strong enough that the goal. Anything above the goal stays with the parish and is not used to the cost of keeping our churches open is feasible. Significant savings are calculate next year’s PSP goal. No offering to PSP goes to settle abuse being saved by the staff consolidation that we have already started, and cases. PSP supports diocesan services as described above and in past other operational cost savings that will be further realized once we become messaging to our parishioners. If our PSP goal is not raised, we will have to one parish. The music ministry staff is currently going through a process of send the goal to the Diocese from our offertory collections. When our reorganization. A team made up of all five parish representatives and group- parishes merge, the PSP goals will also merge and we will need to satisfy ing leadership is helping to select the new music ministry director. Once a the total PSP goal. new music ministry director for the grouping/new parish is determined, that person will help determine the other music staff needed for our grouping/new

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What about communication and sense of community? can make exceptions to allow for an earlier retirement before 70, especially Starting to communicate with five parishes is an extraordinary effort from in concern of medical issues, or retain a priest beyond age 75. Also, once a the beginning of the On Mission process. Nevertheless, our grouping was new parish is declared by our Bishop, the new pastor and clergy team will ahead of many other groupings in consolidating to one bulletin and determine the process of selecting lay parish leadership advisory councils securing a single website. The bulletin contract secured was helpful which would be a single Finance Council and single Pastoral Council. because the bulletin company was able to increase their revenue though Father Kevin has indicated he would want at least one member from each ad sales and share some of that revenue with the parishes. former parish still on the Finance and Pastoral Council. Anyone with This helped our grouping make the decision to hire a full time financial skills may suggest they be part of the team, or current finance Communications and Technology Manager to promote greater council members may be selected. The Pastoral Council leadership will be communication and outreach through video and social media, especially to open to the new parish-at-large and involve some informational and the younger generations. Posters, flyers and other forms of print media discernment meetings to establish a full council. The entire parish will pray have been discontinued at all of our churches to become more efficient and through the leadership selection process. Usually a Finance Council is help us to focus on one mode of communication that all five parish smaller, 6-8 people, while a Pastoral Council might be slightly more, 8-12. parishioners can see what is happening. Nevertheless, we are always Our Diocese and reinitiated the desire for every parish to have a Vocations looking to improve our communication. Our grouping website is being Council. We are establishing a Parish Vocation Council to inspire vocation modified currently to reflect less about our individual parish programs and for our younger members to various vocations in the life of the Church and more about our grouping efforts as we move toward merging. This is an many of our parish devotional groups (see bulletin) pray for vocations ongoing process, so check the website for updates. The weekend Mass, regularly. A traveling chalice is offered to parishioners or families for a weekend bulletin and website are the vision for our primary means of week to pray especially for vocations. That has been promoted in the communication to our parishioners. bulletin but will resume after the holidays into the New Year of 2020.

Many things changed with On Mission transition. While most of our What about Envelopes and Sacramental Records? parishes were familiar with a single priest for each parish, we suddenly had When the parishes merge, all parish databases and systems will become a priest team assigned to share among several parishes. We used to have one. There will be a single envelope for our new parish, along with the 6 priests in our area (with one dedicated to the nursing homes) and five special collections, but no separate parish envelopes. All former parish pastors/administrators. When there was a priest change in the past, it was sacramental records will go to the Diocesan and Archives records center. simply one new priest to get to know. We now have four priests (one The new parish will begin with a new set of sacramental record books. dedicated to the nursing homes still) and a single administrator. Over the What about our Parochial Schools, Ladies of Charity and Knights of past year, we had to begin to build relationships with several different Columbus merging in our grouping? personalities. It will take some time to get used to a shared leadership team They are currently exploring or working on that, but it is a separate process as well as many parishioners from different areas. More personal for organizations that are independent of the parish. As much as they are relationships will take time to develop in this change. Each priest’s time and largely parish-based, collaboration between parishes and organizations is energy is limited. This clergy structure is an entirely different way of ongoing. The school and preschool programs in our area have been communicating with five separate parishes as compared with just one, so reorganized as of July 1, 2019 into a regional school with a board which we are learning how to do this as we progress. The clergy, staff leadership determines the schools that remain and consolidations of schools. team and our administrator, Father Kevin, primarily receive feedback Questions about our schools may be directed to Beau Quattrone or for through regular monthly Pastoral Council and Finance Council meetings as more information check www.perces.org Our OPV school administrators well as the pastoral staff in our grouping. We also had an extraordinary continue to work closely with our parish leadership as the schools are still consultation on the new Mass times where everyone was invited more than financially dependent on the parishes. once to submit their feedback. The same is happening now with our new parish naming process. Lay parish leadership continue to be conduits for parishioner questions and concerns. As we become one parish, we don’t Thanks to all those who submitted Saints and Holy want to lose all connection to our former parish community. Certainly, the friendships and other relationships with one another don’t end. We might Names for our new Parish name. The Pastoral Councils also consider recording some of our history, especially the history of the are in the process of reducing the list to 10-15 names individual church buildings and ways that the former parishioners supported that we will submit to Bishop Zubik and this will be one another as a parish. This might be helpful to look back and see where shared in future bulletin. In the meantime, please enjoy we came from. We all need to make efforts to build that new sense of a free gift “Rediscover the Saints” by Matthew Kelley, community, to look forward to it in hope, even as we lose some of the former individuality that each parish community had. While the challenge of available at all our church entrances this week! (Spanish building relationships and fostering unity is real in a larger community, there versions are available at SJB and OLOJ) is also a benefit of getting new ideas and personalities that bring different blessings to a wider community. Prayer and participation in grouping events will help us all in transition.

What about our clergy team, retirements for priests, future lay leadership and vocations? Once Bishop Zubik makes a declaration about the new parish merger, he will also assign a clergy team. In the parishes that recently merged, the same clergy team was retained. None of our priests have announced any retirement plans. Priest personnel policy states that priests may retire at the age of 70 and must offer a resignation at age 75, but the Diocesan Bishop

15 OPV CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY CORNER DEVOTIONS AND ROSARIES IN OUR GROUPING Rosary & Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena with Devotions Every Wednesday after 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. John the Baptist 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Thursdays: Rosary, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Intercessory Prayer, Adoration, Our Lady of Joy St. Anthony Novena Every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at St. Januarius St. Jude Novena Every first Monday after the 6:30 p.m. Mass at St. Januarius Morning Prayer After 9:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays & Fridays and after 7:30 on Thursdays at Our Lady of Joy Rosary Before Mass Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at Our Lady of Joy Mondays & Wednesdays in Advent & October at 6:00 p.m. at St. Irenaeus & St. Januarius Rosary for the Deceased After the 8:30 a.m. Mass every second Sunday of the month at St. Joseph Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament See page 6 of this bulletin First Fridays: for Living Rosary 8:00 a.m. Friday to Saturdays 8:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Opportunities. 9:35 a.m. Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena at Our Lady of Joy Seven Sisters Apostolate A group of seven women pray for 1 hour before the Blessed Sacrament on a selected day for each priest in our grouping. Mary Lou Gartner, Rosemary Meuser, Ray Milleman, Bart George Gerneth, Miller, David Miller, Mary Miller, Sally Miller, Paula Gent, Susan Miller, Dolores Minster, Michael Fritz Gimbel, Monfredi, Patsy Montanaro, Dominic Barb Goettler, Mollica, Dorothy Morrissey, Yvonne Mosco, Bill Gould, Marian Gene Mowry, Gloria Mulholland, Colomba Grasinger, Judy Musico, Kenneth Myers, Lois Myers, Gratz, Bill Griffith Melissa N., Sandy Novak, Dorothy III, Virginia Grilli, O’Donnell, Frank A. Opice, Rene Olean, Pat & Jean Ross Orgera, Jimmy Painter, Edna Parillo, Praying for Our Sick Guerrierro, Matt Gunsallus, Joe H., Julie H., Frank Parillo, John L. Parillo, Michael Please pray for all those in our parish Carol Harrity, Alice Havics, Mary K. Heinz, Payne, Janice Pfeifer, Phyllis Pierce, Dee grouping who are in need, especially the sick MaryLou Heiser, Mary Henry, Rosemarie Pivik, Jonathan Plake, F.L. & J.L. Pro, J.R. at home, those in nursing homes and Hranica, Russ Hull, Angela P. Jackson, Pro, Bernie Proch, Zita Pushkar, Gia Regan, hospitals, the unemployed, those who have Tia K.,Mr. Phil Karl, Sandy Keller, Bob Paxton Renk, Jo Ann Rusnak, Christine lost a loved one and those who feel isolated or Kelly, Doris Kennedy, Claire Kleckner, Russo, Melinda S., Camillo Sciulli, George abandoned. Jacob Knighton, Ursula Koontz, Mary Ann Scribe, Marge Scribe, Dolores Sciullo, Janet

In particular, we ask you to pray for: Kralovic, Eleanor Kuhn, Richard L., Sendek, Jane Seibel, Mary C. Sneider, Chris David Baker, Randy Barker, Jackson Beck, Josephine Labriola, Theresa Lasher, Debbie Sparacino, Mary Ann Stadler, Colleen Strahler, Paul Bell, George Benson, Dorothy Boldy, Lawrence & Family, Mary Ann Leone, Rose Tamburro, Don Tappe, Janet Terlizzi, Betty Bosnich, Cecilia Condon, Dorothy Shirley Leras, Erica Letters, Margaret Mary Peggy Tomes, John Truxal, William Volzer, Concilio, Phyllis Cosnotti, Patricia Coto, Jim Lisotto, James Majernik, Kimberly Rita Vucic, Laure W., George Walcutt, Cunningham, Paul Dannhardt, Guy DeCarlo, Manuppelli, Violet Marney, Jack Martz, Sabrina Walters, Elaine Wertz, Mary Phil Derry, Audrey D’Incau, Mary Denholm, Farah Marshal, Brian Marquis, Richard Whitaker, Loretta Williams, , Tom Woods, Irene DePellegrin, Alexander DeRiso, Sonny Martin, Louis Martin, Dolores Matthews, Amy Worthington, Paul Zanella, Barbara DeRiso, John Dominic, Natalie Evans, Alice Michael Marx, Ruth Marx, Lee Mazur, Zimmers, Betty Zimmers, and Angie Zucco. Falkowski, Michael Fanzo, Gino & Blanche Laura McAleer, John McGovern, Tim Fedel, Lois & Don Funk, Dave Gartner, McKee, Tom Medved, George E. Mesher,

We will keep your loved one on our OPV Prayer List for We ask those who have requested a prayer, 3 months. After that time, if you would still like your loved one to to please give us an update call when be on the list, just call your parish your loved one is better. office and make a request. 16

OPV PARISH STAFFS/DIRECTORIES All Clergy are listed on the cover page. Additional OPV Staff are listed below: Mr. David Hall, Business Manager…………………………………………………[email protected] Sr. Lynn Miller, Social Ministry ………………………………………………….....……[email protected] Mrs. Stephanie Williams, Faith Formation Director………………...………………[email protected] Mrs. Kristin Consuegra, Coordinator of Youth Ministry……………...……………[email protected] Mr. Silvio Garcia, Young Adult Minister…………………………………………[email protected] Mr. Ronald Donatelli, Christian Initiation………………………………………….……[email protected] Ms. Brit Meli, Communication and Technology Manager…………………[email protected]

OPV CATHOLIC PARISH STAFF/DIRECTORY

Parish Office ………..……..……………………………………………….…….....….……..…..….412-793-4511 Parish Fax …………...………...……….…...………..……...…………………...…………...... …...412-793-4311 General Office & Oakmont/Verona Parish Accounting, Joyce Doyle………..…...………..…[email protected] Safe Environment Coordinator, Barb Pronio……………...….…...…..……………..…. [email protected] Plum Parish Accounting, Patty Mahr…….………………..………….….……..…[email protected] Bulletin Editor / Facilities, Karen Deemer..…...…………………..…....……..……[email protected] Ministry Scheduler, Rita Gurganus...…………………………….……..…….…...... [email protected] SOS Ministry, Sal Altomare..……………………………………...…..………...... …..……[email protected]

OPV CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STAFF/DIRECTORY

“Beau” Quattrone, School Principal...... [email protected] St. John the Baptist School & Preschool Office…………………..…………………..…….412-793-0555 Jeanne Loebig, Vice Principal…………...……………..……………………….…….……[email protected]

St. Joseph School & Preschool Office: .……………………………………………………...412-828-7213 Tina Bucci, Vice Principal:……………..………………….….…………... [email protected] St. Irenaeus Preschool Office:…...……………….……………...…………...…….……412-828-3065 X103 SJAN Parish Mission Statement STI Parish Mission Statement St. Januarius is a Roman Catholic community of faith focused on the life The Faith Community of St. Irenaeus strives for knowledge, service, and teachings of Jesus Christ. We are grateful to those who have built up and faith through our patron’s guidance and the Holy Spirit dwelling St. Januarius to be a welcoming, active, and spiritual parish. With the within us. With love, worship, and solidarity, we are building God’s Eucharist and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we strive to use Kingdom in our families and communities. Nourished by Word and the gifts and talents given to us by the Father to support the lives of Sacrament, we give ourselves to Christ and His Church for the greater parishioners at all age levels and stages of life. We also pledge to live our glory of God our Father. lives so that through our words and actions all may feel the presence of “The proper glory of God is man fully alive.” Jesus Christ in the world today. St. Januarius, pray for us! ~St. Irenaeus SJV Parish Mission Statement SJB Parish Mission Statement St. Joseph Parish is a faith community, rich in history and strong in its Saint John the Baptist Parish is located in Plum Borough, Catholic tradition since 1866. Through the grace of the Eucharist and under the Pennsylvania and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese guidance of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to building up the Body of Christ of Pittsburgh. As a faith community, we strive to imitate through a strong spiritual life, education in the faith and service to our parish and our patron Saint John the Baptist who led others to Christ. community. St. Joseph, pray for us! We are committed to keeping our faith alive and growing through prayer, sacraments, faith formation and service. OLOJ Parish Mission Statement Through evangelization and stewardship we encourage Our Lady of Joy Parish is a Catholic community of faith dedicated to Mary, the cause full and active participation of all members. We hope to of our joy. We are centered in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and reflect the life and love of Christ by strengthening the faith nourished by the Eucharist. We are a welcoming family, striving to see Christ in all of our parishioners while reaching out to all God’s people. and responding to the needs of the members of our parish and community. Called to Saint John the Baptist, pray for us! act in faith, hope and love we seek to become a visible presence of Christ in the world. Our Lady of Joy, pray for us! 17