St. John Neumann Parish December 20th, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent NEWCOMERS WELCOME! Please call the Rectory for an appointment with Msgr. Matz to register to become a member. CONNECT WITH US! www.sjnparish.org Saints Colman—John Parish Rectory Neumann Catholic School www.scjnschool.org [email protected] 610-525-3266 610-525-3100 372 Highland Lane 380 Highland Lane Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 PASTORAL STAFF Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Matz Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear In Residence: Rev. Robert J. Chapman a son, and you shall name him Jesus. Lk 1:31 Permanent Deacon: Deacon Kevin Harrington Parish Services Director: Ms. Clare Frissora CONFESSIONS / ADVENT — during the pandemic Sunday Assistance: Tuesdays at 6:00 pm—in the Gathering Room Rev. Gerald D. Canavan Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:00 pm—in church Rev. Robert Murray, OSA Tuesday, Dec. 22, 12:00 noon— Gathering Room Business Manager: Mrs. Joy Falcone Christmas Mass Schedule Administrative Assistants: Mrs. Norma Guzmán Christmas Vigil: Mrs. Terri Giangiulio 2:00 pm Public Mass in church & Livestream School Principal: Mrs. Kelly Ciminera 2:05 pm Public Mass in the school gymnasium PREP/Director Religious Education: (change from prior years) Mrs. Camille Morrison 4:00 pm Public Mass in church Music Ministry: Mrs. Isabel Momenee 6:00 pm Public Mass in church Christmas Day: 7:30 am, 10:30 am (with Livestream*) and 12:00 noon Follow us on Facebook Merry Christmas! Join us for Mass as we celebrate the arrival of our Savior, Jesus! The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” Lk 2:10-11 Revised Christmas Mass Schedule! Confession Opportunities Tuesday, December 22nd at 12:00 noon and Christmas Eve – December 24, 2020 6:00 pm—in the Gathering Room 2:00 PM Mass & livestream 2:05 PM Mass (in school gymnasium) Spiritual Confession 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM Mass For those who are compro- There is NO 4:05 or 8:00 PM Mass mised and unable to attend Confession in person, the teaching of the Church Christmas Day – December 25, 2020 helps us through these situ- 7:30 AM Mass ations, which Pope Francis has explained so beautifully: AM Mass & livestream 10:30 “I know that many of you go to confession… 12:00 Noon Mass Many will say to me: ‘But Father… I can’t leave There is NO 9:00 AM or 5:15 PM Mass the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me… How can I do that unless I find a priest?’ Do what the cate- chism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His for- St John Neumann giveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will Virtual Christmas go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, Concert Tonight! without having a priest at hand.” Join us by livestream As the Advent season closes, let us bring to the Christmas Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 pm! season our reflections from Advent and keep the meaning Our program will highlight favorite video selections of the four candles of the from the last three Christmas Concerts — Advent in mind: First — the Prophecy Candle — Hope Enjoy our six different Choirs (including our adora- This candle is in remembrance of the prophets ble Children’s Choir) and a few brief and people who prayed and awaited in hope for Seasonal commentaries between the songs. the coming of the Messiah, particularly Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ. Second — the Bethlehem Candle — Faith Mass Intentions & SAINT OF THE DAY This candle reminds us of the journey the Holy Saturday, Dec. 19th 5:15 pm Joseph Marinelli Family made, and their preparation of the Sunday, Dec. 20th 7:30 am James W. D’Anjolell manger, through their faith in God. 9:00 am Marta & Robert Sarlo Third — the Shepherd’s Candle — Joy 10:30 am Gil Wetzel Monday, Dec. 21st 8:00 am John & Helen Sweeney This candle recalls the shepherd’s keeping St. Peter Canisius, People of SJN Parish watch over their flocks at night when an angel Tuesday, Dec. 22nd 8:00 am Ed Cyzewski of the Lord appeared to them and announced Wednesday, Dec. 23rd 8:00 am Kendra Eager the birth of the Messiah. St. John of Kanty Fourth — the Angel’s Candle — Peace Thursday, Dec. 24th 8:00 am Gino & Marie Papola Christmas Eve This candle is inspired by the angel of the Lord, St. Gabriel the Archangel, appearing Friday, Dec. 25th The Nativity of the Lord with “a multitude of the heavenly host” to the Saturday, Dec. 26th 8:00 am Ann Giacomucci shepherds proclaiming, “Glory to God in the St. Stephen, the First Martyr highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.” 153 - 2 Tom sits in his room future. I think this is actually a test that God has thinking over a conversation planned for you to help you grow in a new direc- he has just had with his most tion. God wants to change the way you act when trusted friend. He shared things come into your life that you don't like. with this friend a situation he And remember, God has brought you this far, he is currently facing, seeking is not going to abandon you now. You really have his advice. Over the past several weeks, Tom has to trust in that." been obsessing over what's been happening at Have you ever felt like Tom? We can be our work and how they are trying to destroy every- own worst enemy because we too quickly forget thing that he's worked so hard to build up over what God has already done for us. God's not go- these past ten years. He's getting himself all ing to abandon us either. He's brought us this far. worked up about everything. He's very agitated So, maybe the best prayer we can say is this: I'm and filled with anger. He's seeking peace of trusting you, Lord, that you're going to see me mind, but so far he's not been through. Help me not to focus on successful. my "enemies", but rather focus on At one point in the conversa- you and see what you are trying to tion, Tom's friend said to him, teach me. "Tom, you have to decide some- Picture God saying to you: I am thing. You have to decide which going to work it out. Don't think way you are going to respond to about your enemies, think about this. Is it going to be the same me. I'm not going to allow you to old way where you are talking perish. I know what I'm doing, I've about everyone and everything done this before! — getting yourself all keyed up Saint Paul says: In all circum- and crazed, or are you going to stances give thanks, for this is the do this a different way? To be will of God for you in Jesus Christ. very honest with you, I think you This may seem like an unusual com- are really missing the point with mand. Not all our circumstances are everything that's been happen- things we want to be dealing with. ing. This is not about all those But maybe there's something there "terrible" people at work, and that we are missing. Maybe there's how they are trying to manipu- an opportunity for growth, or per- late you and blow up your haps God wants to do something for world. This situation is more us — wants to bring us to his side about you. You know, you are rather than being on the side of evil. your own worst enemy. Maybe So, do not quench the Spirit. Do God is asking something of you Click on image for not despise prophetic utterances. reflection card. that will actually help you in the Refrain from every kind of evil. The Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me accord- ing to your word." A simple trust in God's word allowed the Mother of God to do incredible things. As a humble servant and listener, she embraced her mission and invested herself wholeheartedly in doing what God had asked. Do we know and trust that we are being led? Often, we can feel very much alone and with- out a source of inspiration, guidance, and love to enlighten our path. God is with us. This is the essential message of Advent and the truth revealed to us at Christmas. We are never alone. There is no need to fear. We too, with God's help, can do incredible things. Source: StLeoRCC.com The angel Gabriel was sent from God — A reminder that Salvation begins with God’s initiative and reflects his love for us. The angel said, “Do not be afraid” — There is no fear in true and perfect love! “How can this be?” — We can learn from Mary’s faith-filled wonder and the realization that nothing is impossible with God.