The Catholic Community Wexford Saint Alphonsus & Saint Alexis Sunday Mass Times Weekday Mass Schedule 4:00 p.m. Saint Alexis (Saturday Anticipated Mass) 8:00 a.m. Saint Alexis (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus Friday and Saturday) 9:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus 9:00 a.m. Saint Alphonsus (Wednesday) 10:00 a.m. Saint Alexis 12:00 p.m. Saint Alphonsus (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 11:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus 5:00 p.m. Saint Alexis Second Sunday December 8, 2019 of Advent FROM FATHER ZYWAN MISSION MAKING ADVENT MORE MEANINGFUL . Are you fully committed to growing in a relationship with Jesus, or do you have one foot in and one foot out the door? The honest answer for most of us is some- where in between. There is always room to improve in our relationship with the Lord, and we know that Jesus is constantly inviting us closer to him. He thirsts for our hearts – the hearts of everyone. During Advent, we have an opportunity for a spiritual “reset.” In waiting for December 24, invest your relationship with the Lord Jesus. The following are six suggestions as ways to help each of us grow more deeply in relationship with Christ. Make the most of this Advent season, and encourage others to do the same. Go to confession. Part of preparing our hearts to welcome the Lord means to repent. See the bulletin or go online to see when confessions are schedule in this and any parish. Enter the Word through “lexio divina.” This is a way to listen to God’s voice through Scripture. Begin by slowly reading a passage from Scripture. Meditate on it. Pray about it. Consider where the Lord may be calling you in regard to it. Lastly, take action to where God is leading you. This can be a real life changer. Pray the Saint Andrew Novena. This is a beautiful prayer that a friend introduced me to over 25 years ago (thanks, Leslie). Traditionally, this short prayer is prayed 15 times a day from November 30 – the Feast of Saint Andrew - through December 24. If you would like, you may direct this prayer to a specific intention. It goes like this: Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born in Bethlehem, at midnight, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayers and grant my desires, (mention your personal intention), through the merits of our savior, Jesus Christ and his blessed Mother. Amen. Attend Daily Mass. There is no better way prepare for Advent (and heaven) than by attending the daily celebration of Mass. Spend more time with Jesus in his Eucharistic Presence. He is the source of real and lasting joy. Turn to Mother Mary. “There is a mysterious correspondence between the waiting of God and that of Mary, the creature ‘full of grace,’ totally transparent to the loving plan of the Most High. Let us learn from her, the Woman of Advent, how to live our daily actions with a new spirit, with the feeling of profound expectation that only the coming of God can fulfill.” Pope Francis, First Sunday of Advent, 2010 Lean in to Jesus this Advent. God’s peace and blessings to you and yours. MAINTENANCE IN HASTE, LET US BUILD HIM A HOME! Friends, your help is needed. Do you have, or do you know anyone who has old, aged barn wood siding? This year the display of the nativity scene will be placed in front of the church at Saint Alphonsus. A few carpenters have been asked to tackle the construction of a suitable manger. They’re “on board!” What is needed now is the barn wood to construct it. Do you have any aged barn wood or do you have any leads? Please contact Gail, the parish receptionist at 724.935.1151 or email her at [email protected]. What a joy to “prepare” for the Lord’s coming by creating a home for Jesus outside of our church and inside our hearts. Thank you. In Jesus’ love, Fr. Zywan LOVE To is learning to follow Christ with others. ADVENT PRAYER FOR FAMILIES WE PRAY FOR THE SICK Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, We entrust to the care of Christ the Divine Physician, ever faithful to your promises those members of our parish families of Saint Alphonsus and ever close to your Church: and Saint Alexis Parishes who are in need of healing in the earth rejoices in hope body, mind or spirit, especially: of the Savior's coming and looks forward with longing Brian Bart Eugene Mancino Jackie Straw to his return at the end of time. Rich Bogovich Ron Mehok M. A. Taiclet Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness Jeannie Bukaukus Gay Mullen Paul Turnley that hinders us from feeling the joy Anne Deley John Mullen Bill Vita and hope which his presence will bestow, Joseph Borza George “Murph” Marge Vita for he is Lord for ever and ever. Connor Cunic Neelan Marci Williams Amen. Lyndell Ewell Ray Obringer Jim Winkler Elmer Gerst Bill Redmack Mimi Woods ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES Marge Gerst Steven Paul Reid Prayer Shawl Deacon Al Heiles Larry Sampietro Recipients December 11 - The Light Is On Michael Karas Janice Spowal For You Penance Service at 6:00 p.m. If you know of a parishioner or have a loved one who is at Saint Alphonsus ONLY ill, please contact the Parish Center and let us know. We December 12 - Saint Alexis will place that person’s name on the prayer list for four Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. weeks. Intentions may return to the list upon monthly December 16 - Saint Alphonsus requests. Contact the Parish Center at 724.935.4343 or Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. 724.935.1151 to add a loved one onto the list. SCRIPTURE READINGS Advent Materials Sale TODAY’S READINGS Prepare the Way…For He First Reading — He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the Comes! To ensure that this Advent earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD season is more special, we are (Isaiah 11:1-10). offering Advent books, candles, Psalm — Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of wreaths and other materials for peace for ever (Psalm 72). purchase. See our selection in the Second Reading — Glorify God by living in harmony with back of both churches. one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you We are also offering Oplatki, a (Romans 15:4-9). traditional Christmas wafer (much Gospel — Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, like a large rectangular host.) It is now available among for the reign of God is near (Matthew 3:1-12). our display of resources for Advent in the back of the The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved . churches or at the Parish Center. Suggestions as to how this tradition can be incorporated into your family’s READINGS FOR THE WEEK Christmas tradition may be found on the back of the Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; packet. The normal offering is $2 per envelope. Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; 2020 Yearly Calendar Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Please remember to take a 2020 Thursday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; yearly calendar from the back of Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, the church. We would like to thank or any readings from the Common of the our generous benefactor, Peggy Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Thoma from George A. Thoma Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Funeral Home, Inc. for providing Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; these for us once again this year. Mt 17:9a, 10-13 God bless you! Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11 Saint Alphonsus Information This Week at Saint Alphonsus Mass Intentions Sunday, December 8 Sunday, December 8 7:30 a.m. Mass 9:30 a.m. Mass with Children’s Liturgy of the Word 7:30 a.m. † Living and Deceased Members of Saint Alphonsus and 10:30 a.m. Children’s Choir practice Saint Alexis Parishes 9:30 a.m. † Marie Stadman by Mike and Mary Evers 11:30 a.m. Mass 11:30 a.m. † Ray Rossman by The Family Monday, December 9 12:00 p.m. Mass Monday, December 9 Tuesday, December 10 12:00 p.m. † Tom Fix by Kim Y on Wednesday, December 11 9:00 a.m. School Mass —All are welcome Tuesday, December 10—No Masses 12:00 p.m. Mass Wednesday, December 11 12:30 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Devotion 9:00 a.m. † Mary Ann Meinert by Children 6:00 p.m. The Light is On For You—Reconciliation 12:00 p.m. † Elaine Lawryk by David and Ruth Franz 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir Practice in rectory basement Thursday, December 12—No Masses Thursday, December 12 Friday, December 13 Friday, December 13 8:00 a.m.