Saint Bernadette Parish Saint Mary Parish 1343 Wheeling Road NE 602 Marietta Street LANCASTER, OH 43130-8701 BREMEN, OHIO 43107 (740) 654 • 1893 (740) 569 • 7929 Christ Enthroned A byzantine icon written by Manuel Panselinos (late 13th century) in the Protaton Church at Karyes, Mount Athos, in Greece. Christ sits in glory on a golden throne. His pale purple inner robe and deep blue outer robe show him as both divine King of Heaven and human Son of Man. The Gospel Book, open to Matthew 11, tells us “Learn from me; for I am meek and humble of heart. Your souls shall find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:29-30) Christ, our King is humble and yet glorious. The Feast of Christ the King November 22, 2015
Christ Enthroned A byzantine icon written by Manuel Panselinos (late 13th century)
in the Protaton Church at Karyes, Mount Athos, in Greece.
Christ sits in glory on a golden throne. His pale purple inner robe and deep blue outer robe show him as both divine King of Heaven and human Son of Man.
The Gospel Book, open to Matthew 11, tells us “Learn from me; for I am meek and humble of heart.
Your souls shall find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:29-30) Christ, our King is humble and yet glorious.
The Feast of Christ the King
November 22, 2015
Our Parishes FATHER THOMAS KESSLER pastor (614) 634-0499 wmthomaskessler @ icloud . com
AT ST BERNADETTE PARISH
http://stbernadetteparish.net MARK SCARPITTI 438-3970 deacon dcn.mark @ frontier . com JEFF CARPENTER 681-9918 deacon carpenter.277 @ osu . edu ANN ESSMAN 653-9347 pastoral minister aessman001 @ att . net STEVE HUBER 654-3137 facilities coordinator shuber57 @ yahoo . com LIZ LATORRE 243-1872 liturgical music lizlatorre @ gmail . com The St Bernadette Parish office is in the Mary Good Center, across the back parking lot from the school. Hours are: 9 AM-1 PM, MWThF; 11 AM-1 PM, Tu. 1343 Wheeling Rd NE, Lancaster, OH 43130-8701 (740) 654-1893
AT BREMEN ST MARY PARISH
BEN FACTOR liturgical music b_factor @ lancaster . k12 .oh . us JIM SCHMELZER maintenance chair ANGI SKINNER religious education (740) 569-7929 coordinator The St Mary Parish office is at the church vestibule. Hours are 9-11 AM, Tu. 602 Marietta St, Bremen, OH 43107 (740) 569-7929
AT BOTH PARISHES
NIKKI SCHMELZER 654-1893 bookkeeper businessmstbparish @ yahoo . com KATHY KEHNAST 654-1893 pastoral coordinator stbernparish @ yahoo . com ANGIE & KENT KERNS 654-2588 religious education kwkerns @ gmail . com JULIE & CHASE STALFORD 808-7294 youth ministry maristellaspirit @ gmail.com
AT ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL
PAM ELTRINGHAM principal peltring @ cdeducation . org BARB HUBER secretary bhuber @ cdeducation . org Saint Bernadette School is located at 1325 Wheeling Rd, 654-3137 Lancaster, OH 43130-8701 www.stbernadetteschool.com stbernlan @ cdeducation . org.
Sacramental Life BAPTISM To have a child baptized, you must register and attend a class as a couple (unless attendance just isn’t possible, in which case some discussion with Kathy Kehnast will be necessary). Sessions are held quarterly for both par-ishes. The next session will be in December. Try to take the class before the child is born. If you are expecting, call Kathy to register for the class. Please don’t ask if you “have to go.” This is an opportunity to meet with parents of children about the same age as your little one; they are in the same wonderful boat as you are. At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic. Both godparents need to be practicing Christians, at least one a practicing Catholic. If you don’t attend Sunday Mass regularly, there is something you can do about it: Start coming to Sunday Mass.
PENANCE The priest is available for Penance • at St Bernadette Saturdays at 3 PM and Thursdays at 5:30 PM, and • at St Mary Bremen on Sunday at 8 AM.
In addition to Advent and Lenten Penance Services, every Catholic priest is available whenever there is a need. We are beginning to provide Penance opportunities for parochial school children several more times during the year so that they will learn the beauty of frequent confession. The Church’s law requires us to receive the sacrament of Penance at least once a year.
ANOINTING AND CARE OF THE SICK The Sick receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick when danger-ously ill, facing major surgery, or suffering from the ravages of old age. We celebrate the sacrament communally at a Sunday Mass before Advent and during the Easter season so that we can all pray with you for “health of mind and body.” And, we are happy to bring Penance, Anointing, and Holy Communion to the homes or hospitals of the sick or shut in. It is very helpful to call the parish office to let us know before a hospitalization or when it has been too long since the sacraments were last available.
HOLY MATRIMONY Couples wishing to marry should contact the parish office six months before they wish to celebrate the sacrament. Why so long? Because this sacrament, not just the ceremony, requires serious preparation. And the Church needs to be involved in that preparation. The Church wishes to support couples through the years of their married life. For this reason our diocese offers programs to enhance married life. To learn about these programs, watch the weekly bulletin.
let us pray
PRAY WITH THE POPE IN NOVEMBER • that we may be open
to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own
• that pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope.
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COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster November 22, 2015
both our parishes ANOINTING THE SICK We will celebrate the SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK at Sunday Mass on Nov 28 and 29. You should be anointed if you are a Catholic, age 7 or more, in the state of grace, and suffering serious health problems (like chronic or dangerous diseases, old age, or the prospect of major surgery). Determine before Mass begins if you will receive the sacrament, sit in the front row or at the end of the pew, and come to the altar when you are called (or notify an usher to ask the priest to come to your place in the pew if coming forward is difficult). Everybody else: Pray for our sick. Keep them in your prayers.
ADVENT FUNDAY SUNDAY Advent Funday Sunday happens at St Bernadette after Mass on Nov 29, the First Sunday of Advent, from noon to 2 PM in the parish hall. It features crafts and fun activities for everyone, including sugar cookie decorating, ornaments, nativity gift bags, and assorted crafts. Advent wreath kits with live greenery will be available at $15 per kit. A pancake breakfast will be provided by Fisher Catholic Irish 4 Life. Cost is your generous donation to Irish 4 Life.
BLOOD DRIVE The next St Bernadette blood drive will be Saturday, Dec 12, from 9-2 in the parish hall. This is a great way to support our community blood needs. To make an appointment to donate, go to www . redcrossblood . org or call Joyce Guenther at (740) 974-5040. As always there will be lunch, cupcakes and crafts for children.
OUR NEW PARISH WEBSITE … NEEDS YOUR HELP A new St Bernadette website is up and running. The address is
stbernadetteparish . net. There are still of bugs to be debugged, but it will be a good source of local information and reliable Catholic links. We’ll keep you posted. If you know a thing or two about web mastery and would be willing, you would be very welcome to volunteer a little time; your help would be very much appreciated. Contact Kathy Kehnast.
SANDWICH SATURDAY Each month a different grade in our school makes meat and cheese sandwiches for Foundation Dinners to distribute to their patrons. This is a way for St Bernadette students to learn that being of service and helping others can happen at any age. Donations of zipper sandwich bags, lunch meat, and cheese and bread are always welcome.
RECYCLE FOR SIGHT Our young parishioner, McKenzie Ortiz, a junior at Fisher Catholic and St Bernadette School alumna, invites you to drop used eyeglasses in the box at the school entry. Glasses will be sorted and checked by students at Ohio State College of Optometry. Then doctors and students will transport the glasses to Lima, Peru, where needy people will be fitted. They will be grateful to you for helping give the gift of sight.
SUNDAY COLLECTION The offertory collection for Nov 15 at St Bernadette was $7,580. The offertory collection for Nov 15 at St Mary was $1,949.
YOUTH CHOIR The St Cecilia Society (the St Bernadette Parish youth choir) has begun its fifth season. They meet on Sunday at 6 PM in the church. All parish students in grades 2-8 (public, parochial, or home school) are invited to join. SCS members in grades 4-8 are also invited to be a member of the handbell ensemble, which meets on Sunday evenings at 7 PM, immediately after the full SCS meeting. Mrs Latorre can answer questions after Mass or you could call or text her at (740) 243-1872.
ADULT CHOIR St Augustine once said that, “he who sings prays twice.” The Saint Bernadette Adult Choir has begun practicing on Wednesdays at 7 PM in the church, but it’s not too late to join. Our adult choir is both a vocal ensemble devoted to making beautiful music for the Lord and a small faith family within our parish. They would welcome some new members into the choir family. Consider if membership in the choir might be an opportunity for you to get involved in the parish and grow in your faith. Contact Liz Latorre after Mass or call or text her at (740) 243-1872 if you have questions.
CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by funding community programs that encourage independence. Your generous donations will give those in poverty the support they need to make lasting changes. We can make a difference in families and communities across the country. Please donate prayerfully and generously.
PRISON CHRISTMAS PARTY On Saturday, Dec 5, Lancaster area churches will sponsor the “Wings” Christmas party at the Southeastern Correctional Institute for the inmates and their families. Fifty volunteers are needed that day, from 10-4. Donations of sugar cookies are needed for decorating. Cookies should be delivered to the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Dec 2. For information or to volunteer, call Jayne Brook at 654-7822.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL ADVENT DRIVE The Lancaster St Vincent de Paul Society tells us that their biggest need these days is for non-perishable foods, paper products (kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper), personal hygiene products (deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes), and laundry products including detergent. So that’s what they ask us to provide. Don’t worry about too much of any of these items. There won’t be too much, for the Society will share surplus items with the St Francis Center in McArthur. This drive will last through the four Sundays of Advent. Our drop off point will be in the vestibule between the school entrance and the church.
FIFTH SUNDAY CHARITY Oh yes! And the St VdeP needs money to help some needy people with rent or utility bills. Members will be at Sunday Mass at St Bernadette next week to receive our donations. Please continue to be generous. The Society operates entirely on voluntary donations and income from their store —and volunteer help. Ask the member at the door to learn more.
YDISCIPLE: OUR YOUTH MINISTRY ! YDisciple, the youth program for all our high school students at our two parishes, directed by Chase and Julie Stalford, has begun to meet. And they will meet again this Sunday evening at 7. The
ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster November 22, 2015 program is exciting. The young people are excited. Pray for this new ministry.
in the deanery FISHER CATHOLIC IN ADORATION Fisher Catholic High School observes First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, open this year to our whole Catholic community. That is in the chapel, just inside the main entrance of the school, on the right. The next time will be from 7 AM to 3 PM on Friday, Dec 4. Make a date of it; call in to the main office (740-654-1231) and sign up for either a half hour or an hour time slot to be sure there is someone “keeping watch” with our Lord throughout the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray for the students, faculty, staff, and families — as well as alumni and future students of FCHS. It lets the whole Fisher Catholic community know that the whole Catholic community in the Lancaster area prays … and prays for them.
MEALS ON WHEELS Put your faith into action by helping to feed our elderly neighbors. Become a Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County volunteer. They have a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from and will work around your schedule. Deliver a nutritious meal, a friendly smile, and a safety check to homebound seniors in your community. Call Anna Tobin, executive director, at (740) 681-5050 or visit www . mowfc . org to say you want to help make a difference in the life of an older adult.
in the diocese HEALING AFTER AN ABORTION We know that after an abortion, mothers and fathers often feel isolated and alone. At Bethesda they recognize that abortion wounds the body, soul and spirit. You are not alone. Healing can begin with acknowledging the hurt, coming for support and prayer. “Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches, in Hebrew it is called Bethesda .…” (John 5:2) Call Bethesda Healing Ministry confidential lines: (614) 309-0157 or (614) 309-2651 or visit bethesdahealing . org.
ADVENT MORNING OF REFLECTION Waiting in Darkness: this Advent Morning of Reflection happens on Saturday, Dec 12, from 9 AM until noon at Sts Peter and Paul Retreat Center and is facilitated by Sr Louis Mary Passeri. Cost is $20 and includes continental breakfast. Visit www . stspeterpaulretreatcenter . com, email info @ stspeterandpaulretreatcenter . org, or call (740) 928-4246 to register.
CATHOLIC MEN’S LUNCHEON CLUB The next Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club session features Father Michael Hartge, one of the youngest and newest priests of our diocese. His inspirational address details his Path to the Priesthood and is sponsored by the Great American Title Agency (Jason Kiley, president). This takes place at St Patrick Church in Columbus on Friday, Dec 4. Holy Mass begins at 11:45 AM followed by lunch and Fr Hartge’s talk until 1 PM. No reservations necessary. $10 covers the lunch and meeting. Bring a friend. For information on Catholic Men’s Luncheons, contact John Schechter, CMLC President at jschechter @ sbcglobal . net.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COORDINATOR The Marriage & Family Office of the Diocese is looking for a quali-fied individual to fill the fulltime position of Marriage Preparation Coordinator. This position provides support, and serves as a resource person, to various individuals and groups, presenters and parishes for diocesan marriage preparation curriculum and also provides assistance through education, research, updates, training, and in the development, implementation and coordination of the marriage preparation programs. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, family studies, or a related field. Send cover letter, resume, and references by Nov 30 to Human Resources, at dprunte @ colsdioc . org. For details, see the posting at the “employment” section of the diocesan website, www . colsdioc . org.
and elsewhere SUPPORT THE REFUGEES IN EUROPE As the refugee and migrant crisis grows in Europe, Catholic Relief Services and their partners like Caritas are there on the ground, providing assistance to families in need. As the difficult images fill the news, many people and parishes have asked what they can do to help. For information, go to the CRS web-site at: http://www . crs . org/media-center/current-issues/syrian-refugees or contact Columbus CRS , at (614) 241-2540, ecordle @ colsdioc . org, or socmailbox @ colsdioc . org. In the meantime, keep the refugees in your prayers.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION … THE REST OF THE STORY At our parishes we heartily encourage—even urge—our parents to send their children to good Catholic schools. The young ones need to be grounded in the Faith. They need an education that forms them in the ways of the Faith if they are to become what they are meant to be: disciples of Jesus Christ, their Savior. That formation must be spiritual, social, physical, intellectual. How else are they going to learn to love God with all their heart, with all their being, with all their strength, and with all their mind, and their neighbor as themselves? (see Luke 10:27) We provide an opportunity for that grounding at St Bernadette elementary school, at St Mary middle school and at Fisher Catholic High School. But the task doesn’t stop there. When our young folks go to college, the formation goes on. In most universities there are many challenges to the Faith and to all of the values which our schools and our families have tried hard to inculcate. Seldom are our students adequately equipped to face the overwhelming pressure of these often unprecedented challenges. Learning to respond to the challenges is not at the heart of the agenda of most secular and nominally Christian colleges—even some of the Catholic colleges. It would be good to be able to tell our parents to consider sending their children to Catholic colleges and universities, but some institutions are not doing the job in a way that is truly faithful. That’s why we ordered 50 copies of a college special section on seriously Catholic colleges in Our Sunday Visitor, Oh, the Places They’ll Go! This year’s supplement puts an emphasis on affordable semesters abroad at some good Catholic colleges, but the important message is to be found in the “Directory of Catholic Colleges and Universities.” If you have a high school student, please take a copy of this supplement to help you as your think about where your child will be a college student.
ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster November 22, 2015
readings, feasts, and memorials for this week Saturday, Nov 21 Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe Daniel 7:13-14 Revelation 1:5-8 Psalm 93 John 18:33-37 Sunday, Nov 22
Monday, Nov 23 St Clement I, St Columban, Bl Miguel Agustin Pro Daniel 1:1-20 Daniel 3 Luke 21:1-4
Tuesday, Nov 24 St Andrew Dung-Lac & Co Daniel 2:31-45 Daniel 3 Luke 21:5-11
Wednesday, Nov 25 St Catherine of Alexandria Daniel 5:1-28 Daniel 3 Luke 21:12-19
Thursday, Nov 26 Thanksgiving Day Daniel 6:12-28 Daniel 3 Luke 21:20-28
Friday, Nov 27 Daniel 7:2-14 Daniel 3 Luke 21:29-33
Saturday, Nov 28 Daniel 7:15-27 Daniel 3 Luke 21:34-36
Sunday, Nov 29 First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Psalm 25 Luke 21:25-36
Mass intentions and ministers this week at St Mary
