WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS SICK AND SHUT-INS OF THE PARISH Support the NEW “Parish Life Center” SCHEDULE 2018 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER & ST. for St. Francis & St. Gabriel. Saturday, December 15, 2018 3rd Sunday Stone Crossing: Vera Kompara (SFX) Our Mission Statement: 4:00PM SFX Liz Burwell by Anne Petros St. Joseph Care Ctr.: Fran Montella (SFX), Jerry Nicolet (SG) monday, December 24 6:00pm SG Living and Deceased members of Both Parishes Home: Rosemarie Scurto (SFX), Ivette Martinez (SG), Wanda Man- “We are called by God and empowered by the 4:00pm St. Gabriel, Minerva ley (SG), Margaret Peddicord (SG) Holy Spirit to be the presence of Christ Sunday, December 16, 2018—3rd Sunday Advent SG at Arbors (Great Trail) Nursing : Doris Ferguson. 7:00pm St. Francis, Malvern 8:30am SFX In Honor of Ed Matsler by Cynthia Deeter St. Luke Minerva: James Smith, Josephine Moyseenko, in our community.” 10:00pm St. Gabriel, Minerva 10:30am SG Deceased friends and family of Norma Marko Sharon Shotwell Minerva Elder Care: Bridgett Eggleston (SG) Pledge Amounts on 12/02/2018 (see next week’s bulletin) CHRISTMAS DAY Copeland Oaks: Jane Collins. Monday, December 17 $ 696,247.00 Pledges & Gifts (Not payments received) tuesday December 25 8:00am SFX Nick Pavlis by Parishioners 9:30am St. Gabriel, Minerva Prayer Chain for St. Francis and St. Gabriel: $ 154,688.73 Fundraisers/Org. gifts & memorial donations to date Tuesday, December 18 For the prayer list for St. Francis, please call Dolores Hudson at 330 $ 850,935.73Total of Pledges and Gifts +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 9:00am SG Mary Jo Casper by Robert & Patricia Ailes -863-0273; for St. Gabriel, please call Darlene Mackey at 330-868- 6639. GREAT NEWS! NEW 7:00pm SFX Penance Service NEW YEAR’S SCHEDULE FOR ILL & HOSPITALIZED: Please call Parish Office as soon MATCHING FUNDS CHALLENGE (Holy Day of Obligation) Wednesday, December 19 as one is hospitalized, and/or to request home visits and Holy Our original donation of $50,000 for a matching fund 8:00am SFX Michael Monsman by Linda & Lee Faa Communion, from either parish. The Eucharistic Ministers are not challenge has been met. Thanks to another Donor who NEW YEARS EVE to make these arrangements. Whenever one is admitted to an area wishes to remain anonymous, we have a new grant of Monday December 31, 2018 Thursday, December 20 hospital, or nursing care facility please inform the Admissions Of- 4:00pm St. FRANCIS, MALVERN 9:00am SG Denise Laubacher by Pam & Sam Bernstine fice you are Catholic and your Parish. Due to the Privacy of Infor- $50,000. The previous terms remain the same: any New Pledges, New Gifts and Additional amounts added to an (NO 8AM MASS AT ST. FRANCIS TODAY) mation Act, hospitals no longer give out personal information.

Friday, December 21 existing pledge/gift will be MATCHED Dollar-for Dol- NEW YEARS DAY 9:00am SG Communion Service “IN ALL THINGS, GIVE THANKS” lar up to $50,000! To date we have received $14,835.00 Tuesday 1, 2019 DIOCESAN CAMPAIGN (D/PSC) towards this second grant. THANKS TO OUR VERY Saturday, December 22, 2018 4th Sunday Advent 10:30am St. Gabriel, Minerva The 2018 Annual D/PSC Campaign is used solely to assist GENEROUS DONORS. 4:00PM SFX Living and Deceased members of Both Parishes Bishop Monforton in the operation of our Diocese. We have 6:00pm SG Rose Mary Swinger by Rob & Beth Rhodes until December 21, 2018 to make new/additional gifts. Please Contributions Pledge/Gift forms may be found in the nar- thex of each church. Please return to the Parish Office Sunday, December 23, 2018—4th Sunday Advent help in any way you are able. 8:30am SFX Margie Bille by Jackie Contini St. Gabriel has exceeded the goal and will receive a rebate. All at: St. Francis and St. Gabriel New Hall Fund RCIA Sessions for Adults 10:30am SG Andy Marko by Norma rebates will be applied toward the cost of recently replacing Attention: Fr. Victor Cinson, Pastor Candidates for the RCA process will be on the furnace unit for the church at a cost of $19,750 P.O. Box 275 Christmas break until Tuesday, January 8 when CHURCH SUPPORT: St. Francis is $4,126 under our goal. Any amount not paid Minerva, Ohio 44657 we will resume our sessions from 7 to 9 PM. May God bless you for your generosity to our parishes on by Dec. 21st must be taken from parish savings. We are ask- each Tuesday. These sessions are designed for December 9, 2018 ing any who have not yet made a gift, to consider offering ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE As we get ready adults who are interested in learning more St. Gabriel: Adult $1,505; Loose $194; Cap. Imp. $40; Retired Reli- even $25-$50, if you are able. Those who have already gener- about the Catholic faith. If you feel God is calling you to look gious $115; Immaculate Conception $188. ously responded, if you are able to do the same, it will help put for the feast of Christmas we into finding our more about the Church, you are still welcome us over the top. prepare our hearts to welcome St. Francis Xavier: Adult $2,380; Loose $74; Immaculate Conception . Join us for a communal to join us. If you would like to begin this process or simply $483; Retired Religious $370 Both Parishes. Simply return the Campaign Envelope to the discuss what is involved, please call Linda Shaw at celebration of the Sacrament of Parish Office with your gift of cash or check (made out to: 330.868.4498 for more information. PARISH SUPPORT: Please make any Checks covering your Reg- “Diocese of Steubenville”). The Diocese also accepts online Reconciliation/Penance Tues- ular Church contributions payable to the parish in which you are payments. To choose this option use diosteub.org/giveonline day, Dec. 18 at 7pm at St. JUSTICE AND SOCIAL CONCERNS formally registered. The exception would be if you are making a do- to schedule or make payments securely by credit/debit card. Francis Xavier for All area nation to the New Hall Fund, which should be made payable to: St. COMMITTEE CHRISTMAS FOOD BOX- Call Parish Office for questions. Thanks and God Bless! parishes. Many area priests are scheduled to assist with Francis Church; or if you are writing a check for The Christian Care ES: St. Francis and St. Gabriel in conjunction with Center please write it directly to them. Thanks. Parish Gifts/Pledges individual confessions. We invite parents to assist their the Salvation Army will be helping 50 families in children in preparing to celebrate this opportunity to grow “HERITAGE MASS” This is the Mass Setting for the sung Goal: To Date: Balance: our area with food for the Christmas season. We St. Francis $24,706.00 $20,880.00 [ 83%] $3,826.00 in their faith too! are asking for donations of non-perishable food parts of the Mass (Gloria, Holy, Holy, etc) found in the back part ADDITIONAL CONFESSION SCHEDULE of the Music Issue, which we will use this month. During the St. Gabriel $25,453.00 $32,580.00 [126%]+$7,327.00 items from our congregations. If you would like to make a Also, the celebration of Individual Confessions will also be Advent season, there is no “Glory to God” sung, so we begin monetary donations to help defray the cost, please make out a with the Holy Holy #878 in your hymnal. Confirmation Session TODAY available on Thursday, December 20th from 4-5 PM at check, payable to: “St. Gabriel Church.” We will distrib- Candidates preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis, and from 7-8 PM at St. Gabriel. ute the boxes on the 19th of Dec. For more information VOCATION VIEWS: “What ought we to do? Let joy and will meet TODAY Sunday, December 16, from 9 AM Make this Advent a time to experience God’s love and you may call Ryan Irwin at 330-205-5475. As always, thank mercy as you get ready to celebrate Jesus’ coming into you for your generosity! gladness show forth in you. You are called to be the presence of to 12:45 PM in the Annex meeting room. We look for- Jesus. (Luke 3:10-18) ward to seeing you and focusing on the Sacraments of our lives and into our world. Christmas Eve 4pm Vigil Mass Initiation. GIVING TREE Please return the gifts TOUR OF MINERVA CHURCHES The Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 4 PM at St. Gabriel will include the children from our PSR from the giving tree this weekend or by Third Sunday of Advent A reminder of the Tour of Churches taking place in many Tuesday, Dec. 18. If you are not able to who will lead us in ushering in the Christmas December 16, 2018 of the Minerva area churches this Sunday, December 16 season with music. They are diligently practicing return them to St. Gabriel by Dec. 18, please The King of Israel, the Lord, from 5-7 pm. A listing of the churches and a map may be take them to the Salvation Army on Valley and learning the songs at PSR and we invite you to is in your midst, found in the narthex at St. Gabriel. Each church will offer a join them for this special Christmas celebration. If Street, Minerva. Thank you for your you have no further misfortune to generosity. light refreshment. Thanks to the CWC for offering hospi- your child is participating in the pre-Mass celebration, fear. tality. please help them to gather in the upper level education — Zephaniah 3:15b wing by 3:15pm. CHURCH DECORATING HELPERS NEEDED: We Christmas Break are in need of adults and teens who like to dec- Children PSR will not meet for clas- orate. We would appreciate your help in deco- ses on Sundays, December 23 or 30. ST. GABRIEL ST. FRANCIS rating our worship space to follow the liturgi- Classes will resume on Sunday, Janu- 400 West High Street • Minerva, OH 44657 125 Carrollton Street • Malvern, OH 44644 cal seasons. Join us as we work together to ary 6 the feast of the OFFICE ADDRESS: P.O. Box 275 • Minerva, OH 44657 make our church environment inviting and when the Magi found the prayerful. We will need help decorating for Christ Child, also called the “Little Christmas.” We wish PHONE: 330-868-4498 Christmas on THIS COMING Tuesday De- each child and their family a very blessed and Merry Christ- EMAIL: [email protected] • WEBSITE: stgabriel-stfrancis.org cember 18 at 6:00pm at St. Gabriel AND on Saturday, De- mas and we invite you to join us at Mass on these holy days cember 22 at 10am to arrange flowers. Call Linda Shaw at the to welcome Jesus into our world and into our lives! PASTOR: Fr. Victor Cinson 330-868-4498 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION parish office at 330.868.4498 as soon as possi- SECRETARY: Mrs. Peggy Romine Years ago, the trick question on religion ble. REMEMBER, helping our parish with decorating, usher- AT HOME WITH THE WORD 2019: FAITH FORMATION/RCIA DIRECTOR: ing, singing in the choir, serving as altar servers are all good Ms. Linda Shaw quizzes would be to name all the liturgi- This book (red cover) invites you to be at home with God’s PSR COORDINATOR: cal colors, or the colors of the vestments ways to complete your required service for Confirmation. Word. Read and reflect on the complete Sunday scriptures Please consider giving of your time and talent this Christmas SOCIAL HALL PHONE: St. Gabriel 330-868-4610 worn at Mass. Rose is a color seldom for the Year. Take one home with you for your household, St. Francis 330- 863-0760 seen, used at most two days a year. To- season. give a copy to college students and shut-ins. Copies are OFFICE HOURS: day, “Gaudete Sunday,” is one of those available in the narthex of the church as long as supplies last. days. The name of the day is drawn from CHRISTMAS—EPIPHANY DINNER 9am – 5pm Monday - Thursday; 9am—2pm Friday Get yours TODAY! an opening verse in the old Latin Mass Parishioners, families and guests REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE texts: Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice!” of St. Francis and St. Gabriel are ADVENT MATERIALS: Saturday: 4:00pm at St. Francis This year’s Gospel certainly reflects that mood as Elizabeth invited to attend our annual “ADVENT GOSPEL REFLECTIONS JOURNAL” by 6:00pm at St. Gabriel feels her infant within her leaping for joy at the presence of Bishop Robert Barron. The WORD AMONG US, and Christmas-Epiphany Dinner held Sunday: 8:30am at St. Francis Mary. Mary’s visit to her aged cousin is an act of compassion ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2018-2019 a pocket size book between women, as two kinswomen who are bearing children on Sunday, , 2019, are all available in the narthex of each church as long as sup- 10:30am at St. Gabriel 1pm, at St. Gabriel Hall. There will be plenty of food and Weekdays 8:00am Mon. and Wed. at St. Francis into the world share their joy. plies last. Please help yourself to any and all. Distribute them Some churches retain the custom of having the priest wear fellowship, prizes for children and adults. Meat, beverages to family and friends. The small pocket book order was acci- 9:00am Tues. and Thurs. at St. Gabriel and table service will be provided. Kindly bring a cov- 9:00am Fri. St. Gabriel Communion Service rose vestments today, and many will use a rose candle in the dentally duplicated and sent to us free of charge. . Violet is the official color for Advent and Lent, ered dish and/or desert if you are able. Kindly use the sign [See Weekday Schedule inside for changes & special days.] 2019 CHURCH CALENDARS but many parishes employ different hues for each season, -up sheet in the narthex of each church so that we will be Holy Days of Obligation trying to keep them distinct. In medieval times, dye was costly, This years calendar features Inside the Vatican. Please take able to order enough meat. Mark your calendar and plan to Vigil (evening before) 7:00pm at St. Francis and poor parishes used unornamented plain cloth for one home with you today to mark the feasts and seasons of attend. Holy Day 9:00am and 7:00 pm at St. Gabriel vestments. Dyes were expensive and some colors, particularly the coming year. They are provided to us compliments of CONFESSIONS [Check bulletin for Holiday Schedule] purple, difficult to achieve. In England, purple dye was made Bartley (Deckman) Funeral Home. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SCRIP WINNER: Saturday: 2:00 – 2:45pm St. Gabriel from mollusks, yielding at best a deep indigo or blue and not The Knights of Columbus Council #11380 is pleased to an- 3:15 – 3:45pm St. Francis ST. GABRIEL FURNACE REPLACEMENT The the desired violet. Thus, the color of Advent in the British Isles nounce the winners of the 2018 “Have Yourself Other times by request. [Note: Confessions will be cancelled second of three rooftop heating/cooling units has long been a deep blue, reminding many people of Mary’s a SCRIP Christmas”. They are Ken Zwick, when there is a wedding at either church. Check weekly bulletin.] has been replaced at a cost of $19,750.00. presence at the heart of the Advent mystery. That theology is $300 of SCRIP cards; Kathy Winter, $100 of The first unit was replaced in January of largely unplanned: it’s all because of the clams! SCRIP cards; Janet Casper, $100 of SCRIP BAPTISMS —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. 2017. This expense is being taken from our Cards; Nancy Schott, $75 of SCRIP Cards; Elaine Chaddock, Capital Improvement Fund. We invite all Parents are to call the Parish Office to arrange for a $50 of SCRIP Cards. A big thank you to all who purchased WITNESSES parishioners to use the “Capital Improve- preparation meeting. The child need not yet be born to make tickets to help with this project. Our actions are the best witnesses of our thoughts. ment Fund” envelope found in your offering these arrangements. MARRIAGES —Anonymous set. Any rebates we receive from the Diocesan Campaign (D/ BELL RINGERS NEEDED a sign-up sheet is located Couples intending to marry must consult the pastor personally PSC), new or additional, will also be applied to this project. in the narthex of each church asking for individu- at least 6 months prior to the desired date. No date will be Any help you may be able to give will be greatly appreciat- als (high school—adult) to volunteer at least one set until this meeting takes place. PARISH SHARE CAMPAIGN: ed. Thank you to all who have been donating extra in your hour to ring the bells at the kettles at Kishman’s December 15/16 Paper products Capital Improvement envelope. Your generosity is much BULLETIN DEADLINE: and Shopco. This activity supplies the operating December 22/23 Hot drink mix, coffee, tea, etc. appreciated! All items must be submitted to the Parish Office in budget to assist the needy in our area throughout the year. Our writing by 12:00 Noon on Tuesday. area also covers Malvern/Brown Twp. Volunteers are welcome and needed. Please help us! STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, CHRISTMAS choir practices this week will be Monday, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, December 17 at 6pm at St. Gabriel make your requests known to and Thursday, December 20 at God.” (Phillipians 4:6) St. Paul reminds us 6pm at St. Francis in Malvern. that our God is an abundant God, the ulti- Please try to make one of these prac- mate giver of gifts. He promises to give us tices, or you can come to both. If all that we need. When we trust that God will take care of us, you have questions, please call Peggy at the church office at it is easier for us to share what we have been given. 330-868-4498.

IMPRESSIONABLE A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every Check out our website at: stgabriel-stfrancis.org passerby leaves a mark. —Ancient Chinese proverb 3rd Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018