The Community of the East End of Pittsburgh

St. Church Mother of Good Counsel Church St. James Church 509 South Dallas Avenue 7705 Bennett Street 718 Franklin Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15208 Pittsburgh PA 15208 Wilkinsburg PA 15221

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil 4:00 pm St. James Sunday 9:00 am Mother of Good Counsel 11:00 am St. Bede

Monday - Saturday 9:00 am St. Bede

Novenas 9:30 am St. Bede

Monday Perpetual Novena Wednesday Mother of Perpetual Help Novena

Confession & Eucharistic Adoration

Saturday 9:30 - 10:30 am St. Bede

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available by appointment.

St. Bede Church is open Monday to Friday 7 am to 3 pm Saturday, 8 am to 12 pm

Faith Formation (CCD) Sunday 9 am on Zoom

Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals by appointment only.

Our churches are accessible.

Parish Office 509 South Dallas Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15208

[email protected]

Phone: 412.661.7222 Fax: 412.661.9337

“With God All Things Are Possible!”

Website: saintmarymagdalenepgh.org @smmppgh St. PGH Parish Office Stewardship 412.661.7222 Offertory Pastoral Staff December 13 $7,366.00 Rev. Thomas J. Burke, Pastor [email protected] Rev. David Taylor, Senior Parochial Vicar [email protected] PSP 2020 Rev. C. Matthew Hawkins, Parochial Vicar Goal $153,393.00 Received $126,869.00 [email protected] Because of an early bulletin deadline, the collection for In Residence December 20 will be published in the January 3 bulletin. Rev. James Adeoye [email protected] Rev. Augustine Temu [email protected]

Office Staff Online Giving We invite you to consider online giving Frank Grande [email protected] through Faith Direct Terri Price [email protected] To sign up at Faith Direct, for regular contributions or for a one Religious Education time gift, visit faithdirect.net and use church code PA994. En- Teresa Maynor [email protected] rollment forms are available at all our churches and Parish

Music Ministries Office. Jennifer Gorske, Director of Music Ministries 412.370.2638; [email protected] Gerard Rohlf 412.657.7570; [email protected] Advisory Councils

Safe Environment Parish Pastoral Council Finance Council Melissa Viator [email protected] Patricia Albacete Martin Albacete Social Ministry & Community Outreach 412.241.1309 Linda Atkins David Aleva Anne Scheuermann [email protected] Campbell Christopher Benec Pat Hoffman, Social Worker Denise Charron-Prochownik Linda Burke Marcus Smith, Food Distribution Assistant/Maintenance Anne Kovalan-Santoni Myers Holy Food Bank Peter Lahoda Michael Polite Veronica Synder 412.731.4195 Teresa Maynor Judy Prata Joan Price Mara Sullivan Media & Communications Janice Reed Cathy Raffaele [email protected] Dante Romito Glennen Lloyd [email protected] Eric Setzler Bulletin [email protected] Geloria White Housekeeping/Maintenance Pastoral Council meets Paul Denk, Ray Krivanek, Michael Natalia, Annette Shunk Finance Council meets on the 3rd Monday on the 4th Monday Principals of the month. of the month. Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic Academy: Ms. Stephanie Michael 412.242.3515; [email protected]; sistertheabowman.org St. Bede School: Sr. Daniela Bronka 412.661.9425; [email protected]; saintbedeschool.com Bulletin Announcements are due on Monday at 9 am for next week’s bulletin. New Parishioners Welcome! To register, please call Larger announcements must be submitted or email the parish office. Registration forms are also available a week prior to the Monday deadline. on the welcome page of our website: [email protected] saintmarymagdalenepgh.org Protection of God’s Children Report suspected child abuse At the 24-Hour Child Abuse Hotline: 800.932.0313 If a child is in imminent danger, call 911 As a Faith Community, we pray for all who request prayers.

Loretta Ashley, Gail Britanik, Scot Brown, Terri Burns, Online: Livestream Diane Catley, Mary Ann Dickerson, Brian Durant, Louann & Joseph Gordon, Theresa Grieco, Pat Griffin, The direct link for the live stream: facebook.com/smmppgh/live/ Dureena Grove, Mel Hobayab, James Hoffman, (choose the video with the red "live" icon) Marlene Joseph, Mary Lou Laird, Kimberly Lattimore, (link is also on the homepage of our website) Martin Lavelle, Patricia Marino, Matilda McGuinness, You do not have to have a Facebook account. Michelle Menzietti, Dee Pryor, Mary Reidell, Emily Reiling, Marion Reynoso, Natalie Semler, James & Rose Smith, December 27, St. James Church, 4 pm Carlos Steele, Arlene Trichtinger, January 3, Mother of Good Counsel Church, 9 am MaKenna Grace Turner, and Rose Vega The Mass will be available on the homepage of our website and YouTube within two hours of the livestream. Our parish community prays for those who request prayers for saintmarymagdalenepgh.org any reason. If you, a family member, or friend would like to be St. Mary Magdalene Parish PGH on our prayer list, please contact Cathy at 412.661.7222 or [email protected]. Mass Intentions —January 3

Saturday Vigil 4 pm Mary Ann Pavlic (St. Mary Magdalene Parish) BURKE The of , Mary and Joseph Livestream Barbara Bauknight 9 am TAYLOR SUNDAY (Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary) THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH 11 am David Scherbarth (Family) HAWKINS

MONDAY Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs 9 am John Sisk, Sr. (Family) HAWKINS TUESDAY The Fifth Day in the of 9 am Dr. Robert Lee (Angela Slocum) TEMU WEDNESDAY 9 am Mary Ann Pavlic (Griffith Family) ADEOYE The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas THURSDAY 9 am Dt. Robert Lee (Ton & Lindy Popovich) TALYOR The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas Living and Deceased Members Thursday Vigil of Mary, Mother of God 4 pm SJ BURKE of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish

9 am MOGC Living and Deceased Members TAYLAOR FRIDAY Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 11 am SB of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish HAWKINS Livestream

SATURDAY of Saints Basil the Great In Memory of All Deceased Members and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors 9 am of the Beradino and Berdik Families BURKE of the Church ( Jeanne & Dick Berdik) Saturday Vigil The of 4 pm Dr. & Mrs. George Pavlic (Jeanne Clancey) HAWKINS 9 am In Memory of Grandparents TAYLOR Livestream (Allen R. Hodges, M.D.) SUNDAY THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD In Honor of the Families of Kara BerdikKling, 11 am Chris Berdik, and Michael Berdik BURKE (Jeanne & Dick Bendik) December 26—January 3

SAT Adoration & Confession St. Bede 9:30 am Leo Zebikire SUN Faith Sharing Zoom 2 pm (father of Fr. Fred Nkwasibwe. Fr. Fred was in residence MON Miraculous Medal Novena St. Bede 9:30 am at St. Bede and is the founder of Queen of Apostles School in Uganda) TUE Fratelli Tutti Reflection & Discussion Zoom 7 pm Eternal rest grant unto to him, O Lord, and let perpetual WED Food Bank Pick Up Ministry Ctr 8:30 am light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls Mother of Perpetual Help Novena St. Bede 9:30 am of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, THURS New Years Eve Mass St. James 4 pm rest in peace. Amen MOGC 9 am FRI New Years Day Masses St. Bede 11a m SAT Adoration & Confession St. Bede 9:30 am SUN Faith Sharing Zoom 2 pm

Zoom information is on the Events page of our website: saintmarymagdalenepgh.org/events

Cat Corner “To speak of a “culture of encounter” means that we, as a people, should be passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone.” Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, paragraph 216

Cultural Action Team Fratelli Tutti: Reflection & Discussion Join fellow parishioners for the final session in the explo- ration of ' latest encyclical letter on Tues- day, December 29, at 7 pm. The eighth chapter, “Religions at the Service of Fraternity in Our World”, will be discussed. CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Visit our website, saintmarymagdalenepgh.org for the showcases a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and Fratelli Tutti page. The page has a link to the encyclical, scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but to read online or purchase; a list of the topics for the se- changed the course of western civilization. ries; articles on the encyclical; and the Zoom link. Journey with Bishop Barron, Word on Fire, and fellow Contact Cathy at [email protected] parishioners to learn about and explore the lasting influ- or 412.661.7222 for more information. ence of these Pivotal Players.

The fourth presentation will be on Blessed John Henry Comments from parishioners on the Newman., the Convert, who left a prestigious career to seek and preach the apostolic faith. encyclical... In her joy-filled life, my wife Gail, now with late stage Alzheimer's, embodied the values Pope Wednesday, January 6, at 7 pm. The zoom link is on the Francis celebrates, especially openness to all, building Events page of our website: bridges of friendship, and solidarity. I embrace the saintmarymagdalenepgh.org/events

Pope's vision to discern my own future path. Upcoming presentations: Gail Britanik & Jim Ruck  G.K. Chesterton, the Evangelist, who publicly, hum- bly, and humorously announced the paradoxes and Our Parish Pantries have requested cookies dur- truth of . ing January. Please bring donations to one of the  , the Artist, who dramatically demon- churches. If you bring them to the Parish Office, 509 S. strated that beauty and creativity are a primary route of access to God. Dallas Avenue in Point Breeze, it is preferred that they be brought between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through For more information or if you are interested in participat- Friday. If not, they can be left on the front or back porch. ing in this series but find the time conflicting, please con-

It is suggested that donations no longer be put in plastic tact Dante Romito: bags but recyclable bags which will then be used at the [email protected] or 412.596.9799. pantries. Thank you for your continued support.

An Inside Look at St. Bede St. Bede School has done many great things for the Pittsburgh region. One of these many things is the clothing and food drive that just finished. St. Bede donated food and clothes to To all who participated in our December letter writing last St. James Wilkinsburg. St. Bede has also donated for weekend which focused on housing evictions and was many years to the Little Sisters of the Poor, and kept the directed to the PA Legislature. If you didn’t participate tradition again this year. Children came in everyday and yet but would like to, the letters can be found on our par- donated clothes and food to these two organizations: 5th ish website under the Social Justice and Peace tab. You grade donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor and 6th-8th can email them to your Legislators or download, print, grade donated to St. James Wilkinsburg. St. Bede plans sign and mail. to donate for many more years.

St. Bede does many things to get people in the holiday To all who participated in this year’s modified Fair-Trade spirit. One of these things being the door decorating Fair in partnership with Ten Thousand Villages to sup- port our parish’s Global Solidarity Partners: the Diocesan challenge. Every door is being decorated by the stu- dents in some way, whether it be the entire door, or just mission in Chimbote, Peru, Queen of Apostles Academy a little part of it. This door decorating is also another way in Uganda, Partners in Progress in rural Haiti (Fatima House Orphanage), and Bread for the World. A zoom that students can get service hours. It is especially im- portant due to the times we’re at right now, and service presentation about our parish’s four Global Solidarity hour opportunities being very slim. Partners is available on our parish website (a one-hour presentation). If you did not participate in the Fair-Trade- Through these tough times, St. Bede has done a great Fair, we invite you to support our parish Global Solidarity job at keeping everybody safe, and still have fun on a Partners with a financial contribution. Checks can be daily basis. Billy Lech, 8th grader made out to our parish, putting Global Solidarity Partners on the memo line of your check and can be sent to the rectory or put in an envelope and dropped in the collec- tion box in church or Faith Direct can be used for an electronic gift. Pastor’s Note able to St. Mary Magdalene Parish and memo it “Rectory

Window Fund” and mail it to my attention. We have al-

We Are Family! ready collected $23,000 for the first phase which will re- place twelve windows on the third floor and ten windows We all are part of a family, whether it on the second floor. Please feel free to call or email me to is blood related, school, work or par- discuss. We appreciate your support. ish we have each other to lean on. During the Covid-19 pandemic many Pastoral and Finance Council parents have “reconnected” with their As we conclude this year of 2020, I would like to thank our children by having to stay home. Pastoral Council and Finance Council members for their With businesses and schools closed, leadership. Pastoral Council meets the third Monday of more families are having dinner to- the month and Finance Council meets on the fourth Mon- gether and spending more time day. During the Covid-19 pandemic we have been meet- watching movies, playing outside, or cooking and baking in ing via Zoom. Since we are reaching the one-year mark of the kitchen. Out of a negative situation (pandemic) there St. Mary Magdalene Parish, we will be having several is a positive (reconnecting). seats opening for a new Council member. If you feel This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. called to serve in a leadership position of the parish, This Feast was added to the calendar by Pope Leo XIII in please call or email me to discuss. 1893 to highlight the importance of the Christian family and to point to the Holy Family as a model for all families Rectory Hours to follow. In the first reading from the Book of Sirach, we The Rectory offices are currently closed for the Holi- read how a wise teacher offers a valuable lesson about day Season until Monday, January 4. Please hold all strengthening the bonds that keep a family together. In the rectory phone calls and office business. If you need Second Reading to the Colossians, Paul reminds us that assistance (for an emergency matter only) please call as members of ’s body we are one with the Lord. my office at 412.661.7222 ext. 202.

In the of Luke, we read the “Presentation in the Temple” as Mary is purified, and her son Jesus is present- Parish Improvements ed to the Lord. The Holy Family had their challenges like The circulating pump attached to the boiler at Mother of us, but they are a great model to follow. We all face chal- Good Counsel has been serviced by Ruthrauff. The pump lenges every day. Let us pray for those families that are malfunctioned a few weeks ago but is now working proper- divided or experiencing divorce, separation, drug addic- ly. tion, abuse, or infidelity. Let us pray that we all may be- Special thanks to the St. Mary Magdalene Boy Scouts for come one. cleaning up the shrubs and parking lot at Mother of Good We Are Family! Counsel and the Cub Scouts for raking leaves at St. Bede.

Looking Ahead Thank You New Year’s Eve - Thursday, December 31 Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped decorate 9 am - St. Bede (Fr. Taylor) our three churches for Christmas. 4 pm - St. James (Fr. Tom) Something to Think About… New Year’s Day - Friday, January 1 A family that prays together, stays together! 9 am - Mother of Good Counsel (Fr. Matthew) 11 am - St. Bede (Fr. Taylor) Livestream HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021 Year End Donations As you make decisions on your year-end contributions, please consider your St. Mary Magdalene Parish Commu- With God, All Things Are Possible! nity. Your financial contributions in the weekly offertory collection help us continue to keep the campuses updated, Fr. Tom Burke, Pastor clean and comfortable. With the Covid-19 pandemic, [email protected] there are extra costs with cleaning and sanitizing, keeping up to date with technology to have Livestreaming available and the extra costs this time of year with snow removal and salt. Please remember to also support our Parish Share Campaign.

St. James Rectory Window Project St. James Rectory has thirty-three windows that are in desperate need of replacing. They are old, leaking, and most do not even open. We have an estimate from Metro- politan Window Company and would like to replace the windows in two phases. If you would like to “adopt a win- dow” and make a donation, please make your checks pay- Fr. David Taylor

The late singer Luther Vandross Love is what makes a family a home. No family has a life coined a song that continues to- without hardship and difficulties. Where Jesus is the cen- day to have a lot of meaning. "A ter of life there is always a Holy family. The pandemic house is not a home" spoke of the has altered family life for many. Many families are threat- reality of a home being a place ened with removal from their home through no fault of where loved ones share a life to- their own. Some families must move in with others just to gether. The best example of this survive. But family life and a sense of home is still pre- is family life. The family is the sent. And the church is always family and home for all. heart of any home. We approach the new year with many uncertainties. we At the center of our churches during the Christmas sea- are asked to take a big leap in faith. The Holy Family had son is the scene. The focus is always on the sta- to do as much. We ask for and pray for an end of the ble where Jesus was born. The presence of Jesus, Mary pandemic and healing in our country which is so desper- and Joseph turned a stable into a home. Without love ately needed. The Holy Family shows us the way. They and family there is no real home. Later, when they left for turned a dwelling into a home. Egypt, they again had to establish a home Although we are unable to have large family gatherings At the heart of all of this is the fact of the poverty of the this Christmas season, our sense of family solidarity must Holy Family. The most meager of circumstances did not be as strong as ever. prevent them from establishing a home. in the A blessed and peace filled New Year. We are family and gospel knew all about this. He could depart this world in we have a home. peace knowing the Holy Family was safe and secure.

Fr. Matthew Hawkins

When I was a child and I got in a fight The Church teaches that a family may be as small as two with my older brother, he said to me, people or as numerous as two thousand. Indeed, the "I was already here when Mom and LORD said to Abram: "Look up at the sky and count the Dad brought you from the store. I still stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be." have the receipt and I can return you Small or large, young or old, families grace the Church anytime I want and we can get our during Mass and are blessings by their very presence. money back.” They foreshadow the future of the Church, even if it was a struggle to get your children to come to Mass this morning, No doubt my brother's notion of ba- and they give the rest of us hope just by being here. bies being purchased from a store reflected the transac- Where there is life, there is hope. The Psalmist describes tional nature of American culture and our relationships in a the blessing of this hope as a family gathered around what consumer society. I look back on those memories and we have come to understand as being the Eucharistic ta- smile, but what is happening to many families today is ble. Your children shall be, the Psalmist says, “like olive tragic. The fragmentation of American families is tragic for plants around your table." adults, tragic for children, tragic for the Church, and tragic for society. The sight of the family during Mass brings satisfaction to the faithful. The very presence of families in the Church is We acknowledge that families are more than simply a the fulfillment of God's promise so that we join Simeon tightly-knit unit of people that is essential for human surviv- when he gazed upon the infant Jesus in the temple and al; families are what we call "the domestic Church". As the said to the LORD: "Now, Master, you may let your servant domestic Church, we are reminded of the Apostle Paul's go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have letter to the Colossians where he wrote: "Let the word of seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and all the peoples..." admonish one another singing psalms, hymns, and spiritu- al songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." The blessing that families bring to Mass today, by their very presence, is not just a promise for the future, it is a But this domestic Church which we call the family is not blessing that is right here and now. It is a blessing for the free of arguments, misunderstanding, tension, and frustra- present. The family, the domestic church, regardless of its tion. Again, Paul’s letter to the Colossians may be instruc- size or the age of its members, must never abandon its tive in how we are to live together as families and flourish vocation by the very testimony of its existence, to demon- with all of our differences. Paul writes that we must take strate that despite all of our arguments, conflicts, and diffi- on a disposition of "heartfelt compassion, kindness, humili- culties life is still worth living. When we share our lives ty, gentleness, and patience," and we must bear with one with each other we gain something that cannot be bought another and forgive each other if there are grievances be- in stores and that no material object can replace. tween us. This means that when people live together we not only benefit from their company, we also learn to put up with a lot and to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Christmas Flower Donations Donor In Memory/Honor of Donor In Memory/Honor of Atkins, Evangeline Jeffrey Atkins; Louise Atkins Kelly, Thomas & Nancy Loved Ones Atkins, Linda Rebecca Taksell Koes, David & Mary Loved Ones Bell, Barbara Marie Bell; Charles Bell Kpadjiba, Toni & Christine Loved Ones James & Alice Bender, Sr; Krajcovic, Barbara Loved Ones Curtis & Clara Johnson, Sr; Bender, Paul-Martin Percy & Cecelia Bender; Stephen Kubica; Anna Kubicar; Darleen Bender Benton; Kubicar Family Stephen Kubicar, Jr, son; Gregory Howard McLeod John P. Kubicar, son Benec Family Loved Ones Lippert, Emily Loved Ones Maioli, Andrea Birru Family Loved Ones Loved Ones & Monferini, Valentina Howard Buefort; Lucius & Carrie Brooks Families; Families of Howard Malarkey, Ann Loved Ones Buefort, Maxine & Maxine Buefort; Leaders of the Marra, David; Marra, Rose Parents & Grandparents World; Families in Need Maynor, Teresa Loved Ones Burns, Teresa Loved Ones McGinley, The Perrone Family; Camillus Family Loved Ones Bernard & Denise The McGinley Family Campfield Family Loved Ones Nah, Patricia Mr. & Mrs. George Seyon Cantwell, Margaret Loved Ones Newell Family Loved Ones Makenna Grace; Barbara Carroll; Mr. O’Hair, Rae Loved Ones Carroll, James & Mrs. Wm Fuhrer; Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Carroll; Fuhrer Girls & Len Benjamin Orsatti; Nicolina Orsatti; Orsatti, Nora Dorothy Orsatti; Leonard Gonnella; Cass, Paul & Bobbi Loved Ones Vincent Bellini Clancey, Jeanne Albert, Ruth & David Clancey Ben Perry; Zeola Perry; Parham, Ethel Eugene Conner; Raymond Perry; Alvin Perry Conner, Patricia Mr. & Mrs. Earl McGuire, Sr; Poslusny, Ellen Loved Ones Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Conner Price, Lynne Loved Ones Cook, Leola Cook Family Reed, Thomas & Debra Janet Kershner; Christina Lorsen Corpuz/Thomson Family Loved Ones Bill Rodgers, Sr; Griffin Family; Rodgers, Jackie Crawford, Clifford & Tamara Willia B. Moore; Joseph L. Moore Bill Rodgers, Jr; Joseph Rodgers Crawford, Mary Loved Ones Rohlf Family Loved Ones Dr. Davison, Jon Loved Ones Rush Family Loved Ones & Victoria Sheridan Sclarsky, Judith Mr. & Mrs. Jospeh Sgymanski, parents Bill & Hilda Rothermel; Margaret & Drohan, Michael David Drohan; David & Madeleine Simuel, Teresa Loved Ones & Rothermel, Joyce Drohan; David Moses; Gail Jarrett; Rev. Warren Metzler Shields, Helen Loved Ones Frank, Ronals & Mary Loved Ones Soboslay, John Margaret Soboslay Fratangelo, Mrs. Nicholas Fratangelo Family Stagg, Judith Margaret Hutchinson, mother Frey, G. Dallas & Kathleen Mary Jane Sisk; John Sisk Thomas Stephenson, Jr; Elizabeth Stephenson, David & Naomi Stephenson; Norma C. Greene; E. Frey, Kelly Elizabeth Frey; George Frey Clinton Greene; Albert Harwood Gallagher Family Loved Ones Thompson, Jr., George Michael Patrick Thompson Gassette, Christina Anita Gassette; Helen Gassette Elizabeth Thorpe; Isabella Thorpe; Mae Eve Kane; Russell Kane; Thorpe, Victor Green, Linda Vernon Thorpe; George Thorpe Callie Gouch; Quinn Smith Griffin, Elaine Loved Ones Tommasini, Loretta Tommasini & Lizier Families Henderson, Gary Loved Ones Vecchiola, Dee Fr. Warren Metzler Edward Ivory; Tullar, Nancy Margaret Monski Ivory, Agnes Francis, Leo, James Ivory Ventomiller, Vincent Loved Ones Jones-Ivy, Sonya Loved Ones Wennersten, Donald Loved Ones