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A BIG “THANKS”
Your parish priests thank you for your beautiful Christmas cards and
remembrances. May the Lord continue to give you and your family the joy and
peace of the Christmas Season!
A very special thank you to all who helped to make this Holy Season so memorable
for Holy Name Parish, namely: all Choir Directors and all Choir Members both
adult and children; Hand Bell Choirs, our Ushers, Lectors, Altar Servers and
Eucharistic Ministers; the volunteers who decorated the sanctuary along with men
who set the trees; gratitude also to Dr. Kerry Kirsch for the donations of the
Christmas trees; benefactors for all the Poinsettia Memorials; women who cleaned
the church; and others offering stewardship of Time and Talent in varied ways.
Prayerful gratitude to all these individuals!!!
PASTOR’S PHYSICAL HEALTH RECOVERY
Your pastor’s recovery period from back surgery is being monitored from the
rectory. Pain is quite limited and that mainly from a four inch incision. The
vertebrae issues have been resolved. Prudence dictates that no attempt needs to
be advanced to return to full pastoral responsibilities in the immediate future.
But Monsignor does not foresee an extended period of inactivity. He is most
grateful for your prayerful concern. He has been singularly blessed with good
health for more than seventy years, experiencing just minor health issues
infrequently over the course of his life span. Continued prayer for his
intentions both are requested and appreciated.
ADDITIONAL POINSETTIAS
Dec’d Mems. Govachini & Lesser Fams./MM Dennis Govachini
Dec’d Mems. Sedor Fam./Mary Shedlock Dec’d Mems. Shedlock Fam./Mary Shedlock
NOCTURNAL ADORATION/MASS - TIME CHANGES
Effective January 1, 2010 the time for the First Friday Mass will change to
7:00PM with Nocturnal Adoration following from 7:30-8:30PM.
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Daily all of us should pray for and strive to produce stronger family life in
our society. The current culture of self-indulgence, self-centeredness and
personal freedom and pleasure is the moral enemy to stable family life. Parents
need to reassess their own value system in order to be certain that sound
Christian values are being shared with their children.
St. Paul in his instructions to the Colossians wrote "let the message of Christ,
in all its richness, find a home with you." Paul was concerned about the morals
for home and family. Both rules and morals originate with God, not society. And
where is the Christian life to develop if not in the home? The home, not the
school nor the church, is its center. Nothing can replace the home for the
warmth, tenderness, and intense personal qualities that nourish Christian
growth.
Today's families can experience the spirit and wisdom of happy family life from
the trio of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They will extend themselves to you if you
pray to them for this favor. No better gift to any person in your home than
parents who are happily married and children who live by the richness of
Christ's message. Use this Feast of the Holy Family to rededicate yourselves to
those objectives of living in peace, love and harmony with others in your home.
PRAYER OF THE HOLY FAMILY
We often think of the Holy Family as a family without struggles. God, of course,
was their center and their strength, but God called Jesus, Mary and Joseph to a
great self-emptying love. Joseph took to himself a young maiden with a child not
his own, believing in the darkness that this faithful, protecting love would
serve God’s plan. Mary watched her Son grow to the fullness of manhood, only to
be murdered. And Jesus enfleshed the enduring love of His Father despite the
cost to those He loved, and to Himself.
LITURGICAL REFLECTION - ROMAN MISSAL
Family life is rooted in the love of God. Today the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary &
Joseph - model family living for us. The Church family is preparing for the new
translation of the Roman Missal. While the ritual parts of the Mass will remain
the same, many prayers at Mass will be newly translated. Years of study and
review have taken place by our bishops and linguists. The newly revised Roman
Missal, once approved by the Holy See, will be given to the People of God. As
the family of believers, we will raise our hearts and voices in joyful praise of
God.
NEW YEARS MASSES - Eucharist Ministers; Lectors, Gift Bearers
12/31 Vigil 5 pm: EM B.Bracken; J & B.Noonan; Sr.Melany. 1/1 at 9am: EM Weekday
communion ministers; 1/1 at 11am: EM L.Buynack; J.Bopp; S.McCombie; T.Deskevich.
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD - JANUARY 1
In the deep realization that the Christian cannot possibly celebrate the great
mystery of the Incarnation in one day, the Church extends the Christmas event
into a series of celebrations. These days highlight the significance of the
birth of the Messiah in our lives and in our world.
January First is the feast that specifically commemorates the part Mary played
in the Christmas event. Of all the Marian feasts of the Roman Church, this is
the oldest. In 431 AD the Father of the 3rd Ecumenical Council in Ephesus
solemnly defined Mary as Mother of God. The definition excluded the possibility
of any confusion in hailing Mary as the Mother both of Jesus of history and the
Christ of faith. The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) and subsequent Councils
developed the title “Mother of God” with greater precision. This feast was
established by Pope Pius XI in 1931, during the jubilee celebrating the 1500th
anniversary of the Council of Ephesus. Jesus was both God and man and Mary was
His Mother!!
Due to the fact that this Feast falls on a Friday, IT IS A HOLY DAY OF
OBLIGATION FOR 2010. See the Weekly Schedule for Mass Times.
A BLESSED NEW YEAR
2010 lies ahead! What we left undone in the past is undone. It has been said
that saints have a past and sinners have a future. That statement is easy to
understand. The saints are sharing the glory of a heavenly home. The rest of us
have the future to do what is right by God, to possess spiritual focus and to
journey on the road to salvation enjoying the forgiveness of Christ Jesus. We
will try to avoid the same moral mistakes of the past. We, by God’s grace, can
correct the past wrongs. With proper and spiritual motivation, we will live a
better life. Daily seek God’s guidance! Contribute in making this world a better
place to live. Live 2010 with zeal and enthusiasm for the Lord, proclaiming His
message with conviction.
From your parish priests and their supporting Staff at Holy Name, we wish you a
Happy, Blessed and Health-filled New Year!
BLESSING OF THE NEW YEAR
Here’s a blessing appropriate for New Year’s dinner, or for whenever folks can
gather in January. New Year’s is a time to reminisce about the past and share
hopes for the future. It’s the customary occasion for each member of a family to
bless the others, and for friends and relatives to drop over, as if the whole
world is having open house. Just sing the carol “Deck the Halls” and you’ll
catch the spirit! God of time and of eternity, God of every generation, with
Christmas joy we praise you for the year gone by and for the year we have begun.
Your Son comes among us to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim a year
acceptable in your sight. Knit us in harmony and love, we who are flesh of His
Flesh. Fill the year with good gifts for all the world, as we join the angels in
proclaiming your praise: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and for ever.
Amen.
JANUARY 1 - WORLD DAY OF PEACE
As the new civil calendar begins, we pray for peace throughout the world. Please
join the local Church in praying the following prayer this New Year’s Day:
God of power, mercy and peace, destroy war and banish violence from our midst.
You have revealed to us that those who work for peace will be called your sons
and daughters.
This new year help us to work without ceasing for that justice which brings true
and lasting peace.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever,
Amen.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Couples, with reserved dates for a wedding at Holy Name during 2010, must under
diocesan regulations satisfy one of the three following programs, namely: 1.
Engaged Encounter Weekend; 2. Sponsor/Couple Program; 3. Marriage Preparation
Sessions.
Highly recommended is the Engaged Encounter weekend. Please realize that all
couples with a reserved wedding date at Holy Name during the current year MUST
attend a series of informational conferences whether it be the Engaged Encounter
Weekend, the Marriage Preparation Sessions, or to embrace the Sponsor/Couple
sessions which are given in a private home setting.
If either party to the wedding is presently living out of this diocese, then the
published schedule of preparatory classes should be shared by a parishioner in
the immediate future. Those interested in the Sponsor/Couple Program should
contact a parish priest.
Lastly, each couple planning a 2010 wedding at Holy Name must select their
choice of priest-minister before the end of January and so inform the parish
secretary of that choice by Jan. 31. Priests expect a lead time of six months
for the proper preparation of required documents needed for a marriage in a
Catholic Church.
2010 Dates for Engaged Encounter Weekends at St. John the Baptist Retreat
Center, New Baltimore
February 19-21
August 13-15
March 19-21
November 5-7
June 25-27
Time: Friday 8:00PM to Sunday 3:00PM - Overnight accommodations provided
Cost: $250 per couple (includes meals, materials and lodging)
$100 deposit, refundable with 2 weeks notice cancellation, due at time of
pre-registration;
$150 remaining due before weekend. Financial assistance is available.
Contact: Family Life Office, 886-5551
2010 Calendar for Marriage Preparation Sessions is available at the rectory.
RECTORY NEWS - SECRETARY OUT OF THE OFFICE
Please note that the secretary will be out of the office on 12/30 & 12/31.
Please limit your calls to the rectory office to those of an urgent nature
during this time frame.
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS
With the arrival of winter, it is anticipated that additional parishioners may
require home visits from parish priests and Eucharistic ministers during the
winter months. Please contact the rectory office (472-7244) if a family member
desires this worthy service.
LIFELINES
“We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship
not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to
participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public
forum. Every vote counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of
significant individual power. We must exercise that power in ways that defend
human life, especially those of God’s children who are unborn, disabled or
otherwise vulnerable.” (US Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, 1998 n. 34).
PRO-LIFE NEWS
1. YELLOW RIBBON SALE
Prior to all Masses the weekend of January 9-10, Support Life Ribbons will be
available. Your generous offering will be appreciated. It not only supports the
sanctity of life but also is an encouragement to those actively involved for the
Pro-Life cause. Sale of Yellow Ribbons helps to defray the cost of the buses to
Washington, D.C.
2. BUS TO MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The local Republican Party located in Johnstown will be sponsoring a bus to the
Annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2010. Donation of $5
per person will be used for future Pro-Life activities. Bus will depart from
Holy Name/St. John Vianney Parking Lots. For reservations, contact Ann Poole
472-8584 or Millie Bodenschatz 472-6193. All reservations first come-first serve
basis. We will be sharing this bus with parishioners from St. Mary’s Parish in
Nanty Glo and St. John Vianney Parish in Mundy’s Corner.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO PARISHIONERS
It is an agenda item for the week of January 11 to mail to all parishioners on
the envelope list a copy of their contributions to Holy Name Parish for the
calendar year 2009. The weekend of January 2/3 will be the final weekend to
accept the 2009 dated envelopes for posting into our computer ledger.
CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS
The annual luncheon is scheduled for Noon on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Each
volunteer should be contacted by his/her Team Leader no later than January 2,
2010. Please contact the Leader only if you do not receive a phone call from
her.
SHARE THE WORD
No morning Bible Study till January 13,2010. Group breakfast Wed. January 6
after 8AM Mass.
HOLY NAME SCHOOL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Holy Name Elementary school plans to celebrate the Centennial of the opening of
the school. We are searching for alumni of Holy Name School. Please complete the
form at the end of the pews and drop off in the basket in the Narthex.
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME - STEWARDSHIP OF EXAMPLE
The best way to lead is by example. As leaders, our responsibility is to set a
positive example for others. When we put Christ at the center of our lives, that
witness draws others to service and support of the Church’s mission.
JR./SR. HIGH CCD NEWS
There will be no CCD classes for 7th - 11th grade students Dec 27st & Jan 3rdh.
These are scheduled weekends off. Classes will resume on January 10, 2010. We
would like to wish all the teachers, parents and students a very Blessed & Merry
Christmas & a Happy New Year. May the Infant Jesus light your heart and home
with his love. God Bless.
- Kerry & Nancy McCulley
APEX NEWS
MARCH FOR LIFE - APEX Youth Group will be attending the annual March for Life on
January 22, 2010. We will be leaving at 4AM by bus or van and spend the day in
Washington, DC. We will attend Mass at the Verizon Center and then walk in the
March for Life. We will return approximately 9PM. Permission forms are on the
website and due by January 8th. Cost is $10. Come and help us make a stand for
the Right to Life for the ones who cannot stand up for themselves!!!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH, PATTON
Come and enjoy the sounds of Christmas with the Igou Family String Ensemble as
they present “Come Let Us Adore Him,” a concert of Religious Christmas music
performed on violins, violas and cellos. The concert will be held Sunday,
January 3rd at 3:00PM at Queen of Peace Church in Patton.
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