FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 23, 2018

Our Parish Mission: “Everyday we reach to restore all things in Jesus Christ”



3010 Chili Avenue | Rochester, NY 14624 | (585) 247-2566 | www.saintpiustenth.org PARISH CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK MASS SCHEDULE   SUNDAY, December 23 Monday, December 24 Children's Liturgy of the Word 10:30AM Mass 4:00 pm  Youth Nite No Session 6:00 pm MONDAY, December 24 11:00 pm Christmas Children's Mass 4PM  Christmas Children's Mass 6PM Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Midnight Mass 11PM 9:30 am TUESDAY, December 25 Christmas Mass 9:30AM SOLEMNITY OF MARY  Mass Schedule WEDNESDAY, December 26   Choir Practice 7:00PM Church Monday, December 31, 2018 Parish Council 7:00PM Luke 5:30 PM  THURSDAY, December 27 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 9:30 AM Children’s Choir 4:30 PM Church Knights of Columbus Meeting 7:00PM Pius 1 The St. Pius Tenth FRIDAY, December 28 staff would like to  wish you and your SATURDAY, December 29 families a  Confessions 3:30PM4:30 PM Blessed and Merry Christmas! SUNDAY, December 30 Children's Liturgy of the Word 10:30AM Mass Anointing of the Sick 11:30AM12:00PM SEASONED PEOPLE MEETING Youth Nite No Session The Jan. meeng of the Seasoned People will be held on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 at 10:30 am at the Chili Senior Center.  Our speaker will be Chris Marn, the Training Director of the Rochester Emergency Communicaons Department (911). Please join us for our first meeng of the new year and bring quesons for Chris. We offer a $3 lunch to follow the speaker. 

PARISH OFFICE  HOLIDAY HOURS Bunco Christmas Eve R Closed Saturday February 9 2019 R  Christmas Day Closed  New Years Eve R Closed Details to follow New Years Day R Closed

You Can Play an Important Role in Our Stephen Ministry  . . . Because you may know of a friend, neighbor, coRworker, or relave who is going through a difficult me and who could benefit from the focused care, encouragement, and support of a Stephen Minister. If you know of someone who is hurng, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Emily (224R6296) or Dick (469R0615). They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!  A MOMENT WITH TODAY’S SCRIPTURES PARISH COUNCIL CORNER FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT As we mark the 4th weekend of Advent, we pass through Here we are, mere days from Christmas, and we hear a the darkest day on the calendar and gradually move toward Gospel ancipang the birth of another child. Mary has more light with each successive day. Appropriate that, a er received word that her cousin Elizabeth is with child. Pregnant lighng the 4th candle this weekend, Advent ushers in Christmas as she is, Mary "set out and traveled to the hill country in Day. The beloved John reminds us that "...this life was haste." She has recently received the greatest news of her life the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and R that she is to be mother to the Messiah by the power of the  Holy Spirit R but her concern is for her cousin in need. Through the darkness has not overcome it." God's grace, Elizabeth turns it into an opportunity to honor December 23rd, the 4th Sunday of Advent this year, marks the coming Christ. "Blessed are you among women, and the feast day of Thorlak of . His example exemplifies blessed is the fruit of your womb." Yet Mary's example of the light of the Beatudes. selflessness should inspire us. Poor in spirit: St. Thorlak, you were blessed with a keen As Christmas draws near, there is plenty of goodness to intellect, and rose to the heights of the bishopric; yet whatever ancipate for many of us. We'll reunite with family and friends, uphold meRhonored tradions, swap stories old and office you held, you sought out the lowliest and served God with new, exchange gi s, and welcome Jesus at the Christmas a grateful heart. Pray for us! liturgy. These are wonderful things! Of course, they probably Those who mourn: St. Thorlak, you endured the breakup of all come with their own toRdo list. Shop for lastRminute gi s, your family due to financial concern as a young boy and pick up recipe ingredients, ready the guest room, or pack your separaon from them as you were educated overseas. Pray for own bags. Mary probably had things to do as well. She had a us! lot to consider, for one thing. How do you plan to tell your The meek: St. Thorlak, your benefactors provided material parents you're pregnant, but no man was involved? When finds out, who will care for the praccal needs of you support for your rise in the Church, yet at the pinnacle of your and your child? Into what may have been a chaos of quesons, presge you would return to your homeland as a humble . Mary receives news that someone is in need. She goes Pray for us! immediately. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: St. Thorlak, In these final days before Christmas, stay watchful and you strove with all your heart to feed and clothe those who awake! You never know when God might invite you to could not pay you back, the model of a humble servant. Pray for welcome, hospitality, and compassion. It might be tempng to  reject the opportunity for your own needs. Follow the us! example of Mary! If God is providing you an opportunity to The merciful: St. Thorlak, when mercy was not readily love, He will provide the means to associated with the , you took it upon yourself to accomplish all your other tasks. bear the burden of the penances of sinners who came to you in This Christmas season, may you too Confession, even seeking on your deathbed those separated hear, "Blessed are you who themselves from the Church, showing Divine Mercy by providing believed that what was spoken to  you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  a path back into the flock. Pray for us! The clean of heart: St. Thorlak, you ordered your life faithfully around prayer, conforming to the rule of St. Augusne, INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK affirming the virtue of priestly celibacy at a me when cultural Life is o en unfair. Sadly, life's inequity usually occurs at norms encouraged the opposite. Pray for us! our hands. The world's systems R economic, polical, and The peacemakers: St. Thorlak, you baled rival chie ains environmental R do not always serve the best interests of who sought to undercut the authority of the Church, fighng the people. We create situaons that p the scales by with reason and love to change hearts. Your disarming honesty profing a few and reducing the quality of life for many. and dialeccal reasoning fostered peaceful relaons between We look at all of the injusces in our world, people being many bier rivals. Pray for us! hurt and exploited, and wonder why God has abandoned Those persecuted for the sake of righteousness: St. Thorlak, us or why He won't fix what is happening. God did fix it. you were called a fool for adhering to the laws of Christ's He sent his Son into the world as our just ruler and the Church; the chie ains sought to end your life, only, as the one who will bring peace. The problem is we sll turn Psalmist wrote, to fall in the pit themselves. Pray for us! away and think that we can do beer. The Son of Jusce On December 23, 1193, Thorlak Thorhallson entered into has come into the world. We can work for change and eternal rest. His mission connues as we ask his intercession for be the voice of jusce. We can dream and do things us. differently. Blessed are you who believe that what was  spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.  O’Connell Parish Council

ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH www.saintpiustenth.org PAGE 3 St. Pius X School 

Daniel Pitnell, Principal 585R247R5650 email: [email protected] Christmas Reflection By: Daniel Pitnell

As I reflect on this season of gratude and our school events. I am also humbled by the trust you thankfulness, I recognize how uniquely blessed both have in us. I know it is no small thing to trust us with my school and I are as a part of this community. Being the children of the community, and to believe in us to a part of this proud and strong parish, I recognize we uphold the missions of catholic schools. This is not a have so many things to be thankful for.  thing that I take lightly, and it is a challenge that I  strive to rise to every day.  I am grateful for the students we have. As the I wish every one of you all the best as you celebrate Principal of our school, I take on a lot of Christmas. I hope this is a rejuvenang and enriching responsibilies, which can be daunng at mes. me for all of you, and I look forward to the year However, I can always rely on the great students of ahead with all of you as this school year connues this school to help li my spirits. I am consistently impressed by thoughulness and caring of our students. Every day I am hearing stories of good deeds as they volunteer their me to teachers, offer kind words to one another, or share what they have with others. I am also buoyed by their enthusiasm. The reacon I get from them when handing out high fives at the beginning of the day, seeing them in the hallway, or hearing about what they have learned all help me remember why I chose this profession.  I am appreciave of the staff we have as well. This faculty and staff personify what it means to be a professional. They demonstrate their dedicaon to growth through their parcipaon in our monthly book club and show their commitment to our students through the ways they put into pracce new lessons and ideas with the intenon of creang the best possible school for all students for all students. They are also exceedingly generous. They easily give their me and their effort whenever necessary to provide whatever is needed for a student or another staff member. They are truly a gi .   Lastly, I recognize this community as one of the greatest resources we have a s a school. I appreciate all that you share with us. I look forward to the way you interact with our students, share stories about your experiences with the school, and parcipate in

PAGE 4 www.saintpiustenth.org ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH YOUTH MINISTRY 

Barb Legere, Youth Ministry Director 585R247R2566, ext. 111 email: [email protected]

Barb Legere is out on medical leave until January, 2019. Please keep her in your prayers for a smooth recovery. For Youth Ministry Questions please call the Parish Office at 247R2566 

Our Next Youth Nite Will be Sunday, January 6. Start the New Year with guest speaker Jim Wesley, who will show us his toolbox to “Find Purpose, Reduce Worry and Cope!” For Catholic Youth Leadership Camp Stella Maris Come Cheer Our St Pius X Teams! Go Eagles! Feb 15-19, 2019  To catechize and equip young people 3/4 Girls 12/22/2018 9:00 AMSt. Pius Amesbury with the tools to live as disciples of 5/6 Boys 4 12/22/201810:30 AMSt. Pius Amesbury  Jesus Christ in the 21st Century.       To empower young people as leaders 7/8 Boys 2 12/22/2018 11:30 AM St. Jude's Falk in their families, churches, and world Jv Boys 2 12/22/2018 2:30 PMSt. Jude's Firnstein in a postmodern era.   High School To help them recognize God in their Boys 2 12/23/2018 1:00 PMSt. Jude's Meister every day lives, in the people they meet, in their families, in their 5/6 Girls 2 12/23/2018 1:00 PMSt. Pius Briggs communities and in the Holy Mass.  High School  To develop a skillful understanding Boys 4 12/23/2018 2:30 PMSt. Jude's Falk  of Servant Leadership.       To learn to brainstorm, plan, create 5/6 Girls 2 12/23/2018 2:30 PM St. Pius Sherron and implement a project with 5/6 Boys 3 12/23/2018 4:00 PMSt. Pius Rule excellence.   To practice consensus building, SOURCE AND SUMMIT  Foundations moral decision making and dealing Senior High Retreat  with difficult people.  January 1920 Contact [email protected] for more Camp Stella Maris information

SENSORY FRIENDLY  CYO Sports  WORSHIP ROOM This year we are using a new curriculum called  Sports Medicine for the Soul to The St. John Room in the Parish Center has help teach our players Catholic been remodeled and adapted into a space Values. Each week we’ll review a character trait & Bible verse where those with sensory needs may more along with it. comfortably and fully participate in Masses  here at St. Pius X. The room will be Christmas God with Us is meant to be dedicated this weekend on the Feast of St. something very personal. It's the way that you Thorlak of Iceland, who has recently been relate to God as with you in all things at the very suggested as a for the autism spectrum. core of your being. Wishing you every blessing of  Christmas now and the whole year  Please be sure and stop in to see through. the specially designed seating, "Behold, the shall conceive lighting and acoustics, along with and bear a son, and they shall name a beautiful mural by local artist God  him Emmanuel, which means Kelly Place. is with us.” 7:14

ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH www.saintpiustenth.org PAGE 5 December 25, 2018 The Nativity of the Lord  INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP You are welcome to submit a request for prayers, or to join our ministry as a Prayer Partner at any me. Simply contact one of the members of our Core Group: Patricia Scheiber 571R4322 Beverly Mruk 889R4587 Barbara Youngblood 698R3267 Sister Mary Anne 247R9514 Remember: If you are requesng prayers for someone other than yourself, please check to be sure that he/she wants this intenon on our prayer list. All "I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be prayer requests are held confidenally. for all of the people." Merry Christmas! This familiar story dances with new life and vigor today. We, too, have waited in darkness. We, too, have felt in the  desert of the modern world. Our hearts li at the CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE candles of midnight Mass. The Eucharist R that simple Social Ministry wants to thank you, in a very big lile host resng in the stable of our hearts R has new way, for your generous response to the parish meaning. Our joy li s at the sight of longRunseen Christmas Giving Tree Ministry. Each of the agencies is family. The wonder of the season is here. Glory to God so grateful for the outpouring of gi s from our indeed!  parishioners. The spirit of “Christmas Giving” is truly But for some of us, perhaps the paerns feel too present.  familiar, almost grang. Or someone is missing from We also want to thank the St Pius X school our story this year. Unlike Mary and Joseph R who children for cung all the tags for the tree.  found refuge in a stable R perhaps we sll feel like we're searching for a place to rest. This Christmas season, let Jesus be that place. Let the Christmas story INSPIRATION FOR CHRISTMAS wash over you in all its human relevance. In the Holy Merry Christmas! Today is born our Savior, Christ the Family, we see the fear of a firstRme father trying to shelter and protect his family, a deeply vulnerable Lord. The gi of Jesus Christ to humanity is the result moment on a cold, uncomfortable night, and giving of God's uncondional and merciful love for us. Jesus birth with lile assistance. In the shepherds, we see an lived and died trying to show human beings how to enrely unexpected encounter with wonder, a divine live by rejecng godless ways and worldly desires and revelaon none were expecng. We see the dazzling by living temperately, justly, and devoutly. We are hope of a promise fulfilled.  also asked to live in joyful hope of Christ's return In the celebraon of Christmas, we celebrate the again, ancipang the fulfillment of all things in Incarnaon. God becomes man because we humans Christ. How well have we learned the lessons Jesus need someone we can touch, see, and feel. Some of us taught? Instead of moving closer to realizing God's may be especially sensive to a lack of incarnate love in vision for us, it appears that our world is moving our lives. Whatever our experience, God invites us to receive HIM R His story, His presence, His love. And He further away. We are easily distracted, disorientated, invites us to give it away, to and preoccupied with things that leave us feeling make His love a lile more empty. There is a GodRshaped hole in each one of us incarnate in the world by that can only be filled by Him. Realizing this truth our acons. Look for someone to love today that about who we are is the only thing that can bring real they, too, might recognize happiness. This year, are we going to just "celebrate" Emmanuel, God with us! God's gi of his Son or really "accept" him? 

PAGE 6 www.saintpiustenth.org ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH LIFE LONG FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES

Johan Engström, Director of Faith Formation 585R247R2566, ext. 112 email: [email protected] St. Pius X Church offers opportunities for children, youth, young adults & adults (parents, grandparents or not) to come to know Jesus and His teachings and grow in sense of community with one another. Who Will You Invite Faith Formation For Christmas? You can still register for 2018-2019 Advent means “Waiting”,  Contact Johan Engström for information or but this weekend the Look online www.saintpiustenth.org Waiting will be over! We have Good News to share with the world: A child SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION was born in Bethlehem, and he was given the name SPRING OF 2019 Emmanuel (God With Us), more commonly known as If you have received your First Jesus the Christ. Eucharist BUT never prepared for your This is worth celebrating, so much that First Reconciliation, we invite you to we will have extra Masses and even register and prepare this spring. extra seating at some of the Masses. First Reconciliation Registration If you are happy that Jesus was born, December 17, 2018 – January 29, 2019. invite someone to join you in the celebration at one Parent Meeting – Sunday, January 27, 12:30 – 1:30 of our Christmas Masses. pm, OR Tuesday, January 29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Celebration—Monday, March 4, 6:30 pm SOME SPX ADULT FF OFFERINGS The candidate need to have celebrated http://www.saintpiustenth.org/ministries/faith- First Reconciliation before First Eucharist formation-for-adults/ First Eucharist Registration Feb 11 -Mar 12, 2019 Fishers of Men meet 1st and 3rd Parent Meeting - Sunday, March 10, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Saturday of the month, 7:00 - 8:25 am OR Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. In the Cafeteria Celebrations— Planned for April 27, 28 ,May 5 and 11 SPX Charismatic Prayer Group—Tuesdays, 7:30 pm at Casters’ home until renovation of church FIRST EUCHARIST—LAST SUNDAY is completed. All are welcome. For more info Below is a picture from our Mini-Retreat of the young call Parish Office. people who received their First Holy Communion at the Ladies of Grace Bible Study, meet on 10:30 Mass December 16. Wednesdays 7 pm in the School Library RCIA GATHERINGS Mondays, 6:30—8 pm, in Room 13 in the School. Use School Main Entrance. Next Meeting Monday, Jan 7 SENSORY FRIENDLY WORSHIP SPACE Meeting Room John has been transformed in to a Sensory Friendly Worship Space to help individuals, or families with persons. who have sensory differences, be able to better worship at St. Pius X. ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH www.saintpiustenth.org PAGE 7  STEWARDSHIP & FINANCES 

COLLECTION REPORT St. Pius Federal Credit Union can travel with December 15 & 16, 2018 you. We offer iBanking, a Mobile App with Week # 25 Attendance 1070 remote deposit capabilies  See a Product Manager to find out how. Weekly Actual Weekly Goal Variance $ 15,363.46 $ 15,576.00 - $ 212.54 2998 Chili Ave Rochester, NY 14624 Y-T-D Actual Y-T-D Goal Variance (585) 2470724 $ 373,828.35 $ 389,400.00 - $ 15,571.65

Please do not put foreign currency in the Collecon EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP Make all checks payable to: “St. Pius Tenth Church” When Elizabeth was visited by Mary, her joy was overwhelming. Elizabeth recognized that Kindly remember to update your records with the Parish Office Mary was carrying inside her the Messiah. She if you change your telephone number, email address or move. was honored to receive Mary, not just because of who Mary was herself, but also because of the One she had inside her. We meet people every day in our lives. Some we know well, some are acquaintances, and others we may have never seen before. Yet all of them are made in the image of God and carry within them the person of Jesus. If we Our CMA Goal this year is $127,702.00 considered this more frequently, would we act As of 12/17/18 donations in the amount of more graciously toward each other? Mary gave $85,478.50 (66.94%) birth to the Son of God so that we might be able have been pledged by 377 donors to be adopted sons and daughters of God. If we thought of this more o en, would we be so quick to dismiss someone or ignore him or her? This me of year is filled with gatherings and 2018 GIVING STATEMENTS During the first weeks of January we will be preparing and pares for many of us. We also find ourselves mailing the Annual Giving Statements to all parishioners rushing about geng ready for Christmas. There who have donated to St. Pius X during 2018. are so many people who cross our paths. Will we  allow the Jesus in us to greet with joy the Jesus in Since the Parish Office will be closed on December 31 and them? Will we pause to offer a greeng or kind January 1, donaons received in the office by the open of word? Instead of looking at them with human business on January 2 or postmarked prior to January 1 will eyes, will we try to see them through the eyes of be posted to 2018. The collecon on the feast of the faith like Elizabeth. If not, what is all of this Solemnity of Mary (Jan. 1) will be posted to 2019. celebraon and preparaon about anyway?  TR Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS  JOIN US FOR THE ROSARY Every weekday the rosary is recited at 7:00 a.m. HELPING HANDS and again right a er the 7:30 a.m. Mass (approx. This week TEAM 8 with   8:00 a.m.). All are welcome.! Sue Fish

PAGE 8 www.saintpiustenth.org ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH 3010 CHILI AVENUE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14624 (585) 247-2566 December 23  30, 2018 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.saintpiustenth.org

MASS SCHEDULE Monday R  Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. Late Advent Weekday Saturday 5:00 p.m.   Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Sign language ) 4:00 PM Ronald Joern by Krisna & Joe Gambino 10:30 a.m. 6:00 PM Jim Montgomery by Sherman & Marianne Montgomery PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Mon - Thurs 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 11:00 PM of the Diocese Living and Deceased by Fr. Paul Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tuesday R The Navity Of The Lord (Christmas) PARISH STAFF Rev. Paul Bonacci 9:30 AM Living & Deceased Members of the Parish Pastor Jim Briars WednesdayR , The First Matyr Pastoral Associate, ext. 103 Deacon Elmer Smith, ext. 216 7:30 AM Richard Townsend by Lorraine Townsend Sr. Jean Catherine Welch S.S.J. Volunteer Coordinator, ext. 104 Thursday R Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist  Bob Bieck Maintenance, ext. 109 7:30 AM Pay CasterRRicci by Mary Ellen & Bob Dunning Johan Engström R  Director, Faith Formation, ext. 112 Friday The Holy Innocents, Martrys Mary Ferugia 7:30 AM Special Intenon by Susan Burke Receptionist, ext 106 Barb Legere Sat R 5:00 pm Fi h Day within the Octave of the Navity of the Lord Youth Minister, ext. 111 Marita Midwick Jimmy Fallon Jr by Mary Ann & Robert Fallon Parish Bookkeeper, ext. 101  Jack Muchler Ray Bubel by Roseann Dohr Receptionist, ext 107 Mary Bonacci by Edward & Carol Ann Merante Bob Schrader Frank & Lorea Dovidio by Frank & Carol Dovidio Music Director ([email protected]) Ann Dedie by George Dedie Ursula Staneff 5:00 PM Finance Director, ext. 117 Baby Brooke Sinopoli by Roseann Dohr School - 247-5650  Daniel Pitnell, Principal Tammy Mohr by Barbara & Gary Zaso Jack Trimer by Mom We are a “Safe & Sacred” Parish. For more information please visit our website Jose Cesario Gouveia by Camacho Family www.saintpiustenth.org Sllhard Family by Jerry & Susan Kirwin Convent—247-9514 Credit Union—247-0724 Parish Council: [email protected]  Sun R 8:30 am The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph Or contact Emily Jamberdino  Baptism: Arrangements for preparation (can be done before 8:30 AM Guiseppa Buonomo by Buonomo Family birth) are made by visiting the Parish website or calling the Parish Office.   Marriage Prep Call the Parish Office (at least 6 months, 10:30 AM Living & Deceased Members of the Parish preferably 12 months before intended date to marry). Reconciliation Saturdays, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick. Last Sunday of month at 11:30 a.m. or The Sanctuary Candle in the Church call the Parish Office to arrange. is offered this week for Sacraments: First Eucharist, First Reconciliation and Scripture Readings for  Confirmation, contact Johan Engström.  December 23, 2018 Richard Fleck Joining the Catholic Church (RCIA or RCIC): For anyone 4th  grade or older, please contact Johan Engström. First Reading: Mi 5:1R4a at the request of Joyce & Cheryl Communion for the Homebound: contact Deacon Jim Sec. Reading: Heb 10:5R10 Briars. The Sanctuary Candle in the Pray for the Sick: Call the Parish Office if you would like Gospel: Lk 1:39R45 names added or removed from The Sick List. Lectors please pick up your Convent is offered this week  Hospital Visits: Call the parish office if you or someone you   know will be entering the hospital so one of the parish staff can study books. In Thanksgiving plan a visit.  St. Pius Tenth CYO Sports Barb Legere at the request of The Lyons Family Music – Share vocal and/or instrumental gifts in at Mass. Questions about our music ministry, contact Bob Schrader. Parish Membership: Register by visiting the Parish Office or Submit bulletin items to the Parish email: [email protected] picking up the materials at the Welcome Table. Deadline: NOON two Fridays before publication ST. PIUS TENTH CHURCH www.saintpiustenth.org PAGE 9