Saint John XXIII Parish Newsletter Dear Parishioners, The season of Advent is upon us and that means that Christmas is just around the corner. During this Advent season the theme of our weekly mes- sage series is simply HOPE. Hope is that supernatural virtue, that giŌ from God, that enables us to see that there is something more. The more is what awaits us in the Kingdom of God which is revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Hope is real, it is not wishful thinking! My hope for you this Advent and Christmas is that you will experience the transforming power and love of Jesus Christ in your life. I pray that as you experience his love, you will act so that his love will grow in your life. Through the course of this past fall, during the message series we called Love Grows, I spoke about ways that you grow God’s love in your life. I spoke of ways that you can serve in the parish, because when you give of yourself, well, love grows! You may wonder what possibly you could do, what giŌs you could possibly have, what talents you could possibly share with your parish community. I am happy to announce that we will be sponsoring a Called and GiŌed Seminar on February 3 & 4. The semi- nar will take place on a Friday evening and all day Saturday. While that may seem like a big Ɵme commitment, be assured that it will be well worth the effort. Called and GiŌed is a program put on by the St. Catherine of Sienna InsƟ- tute. It’s purpose is to help ordinary Catholics discern their parƟcular God given giŌs and then learn how to share those giŌs with others in the Church. That is, in fact, why God gives us giŌs - so that we can share them with others (see page 5 for more details). Our annual Christmas Eve CelebraƟon which, again, will be held at the Tama- qua Area Middle School Auditorium. Our parish children will present a Christmas program beginning at 4:00pm followed by Mass at 4:30pm. There will be a second Mass beginning at 8:00pm. Christmas Eve liturgies are always crowded with limited parking and Ɵght seaƟng but not at the Middle School Auditorium where there is plenty of easy access parking and a (comfortable) seat for everyone! Once there, you will quickly forget you are in an Auditorium because your focus will be on the celebraƟon of Christmas with all the lights and sounds you ex- pect to see and hear. Peace & Blessings Fr. John December 6, 2016 Volume 3, Issue 3 PĆėĎĘč SęĆċċ • Rev. John A. Frink, M.Div., Pastor • Mrs. KrisƟn Osenbach, Director of Parish Ministries • Mrs. Amy Hannis-Miskar, Principal of St. Jerome Regional School • Mrs. Donna Plasko, AdministraƟve Assistant • Mr. Frank Pentz, Business Manager • Mrs. Paƫe Radocha, Bookkeeper • Mrs. Lisa Frederick, Alpha Coordinator PĆėĎĘč CĔēęĆĈę IēċĔėĒĆęĎĔē Parish Center ........ 570-225-7410 Parish Fax .............. 570-668-4406 Parish Ministries .. 570-225-7412 St. Jerome Reg. School570-668-2757 WĊć SĎęĊ Ćēĉ E-MĆĎđ • Parish Website — www.sj23tamaqua.org • Pastor’s e-mail — [email protected]• Parish e-mail — [email protected]• Parish Ministries e-mail — adulƞormaƟ[email protected]• Alpha email —[email protected]• St. Jerome Regional School — website: www.sjrschool.com, e-mail: [email protected]PėĔęĊĈęĎēČ GĔĉ’Ę CčĎđĉėĊē • Safe Environment Coordinator: Sister Meg Cole, SSJ, MS, LMFT 610-332-0442 x19 • Office of VicƟms Assistance: Ms. Wendy Krisak, NCC, LPC Direct Number: 1-800-791-9209 “Saint John XXIII Parish is a Catholic Community dedicated to loving God with all our minds, hearts and souls. We seek to announce the Good News and unite the Lost, Unchurched and Church Families, as Jesus commands us as His disciples.”
Transcript
Saint John XXIII Parish Newsletter Dear Parishioners, The season of Advent is upon us and that means that Christmas is just around the corner. During this Advent season the theme of our weekly mes-sage series is simply HOPE. Hope is that supernatural virtue, that gi from God, that enables us to see that there is something more. The more is what awaits us in the Kingdom of God which is revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Hope is real, it is not wishful thinking! My hope for you this Advent and Christmas is that you will experience the transforming power and love of Jesus Christ in your life. I pray that as you experience his love, you will act so that his love will grow in your life. Through the course of this past fall, during the message series we called Love Grows, I spoke about ways that you grow God’s love in your life. I spoke of ways that you can serve in the parish, because when you give of yourself, well, love grows! You may wonder what possibly you could do, what gi s you could possibly have, what talents you could possibly share with your parish community. I am happy to announce that we will be sponsoring a Called and Gi ed Seminar on February 3 & 4. The semi-nar will take place on a Friday evening and all day Saturday. While that may
seem like a big me commitment, be assured that it will be well worth the effort. Called and Gi ed is a program put on by the St. Catherine of Sienna Ins -tute. It’s purpose is to help ordinary Catholics discern their par cular God given gi s and then learn how to share those gi s with others in the Church. That is, in fact, why God gives us gi s -so that we can share them with others (see page 5 for more details). Our annual Christmas Eve Celebra on which, again, will be held at the Tama-qua Area Middle School Auditorium. Our parish children will present a Christmas program beginning at 4:00pm followed by Mass at 4:30pm. There will be a second Mass beginning at 8:00pm. Christmas Eve liturgies are always crowded with limited parking and ght sea ng but not at the Middle School Auditorium where there is plenty of easy access parking and a (comfortable) seat for everyone! Once there, you will quickly forget you are in an Auditorium because your focus will be on the celebra on of Christmas with all the lights and sounds you ex-pect to see and hear. Peace & Blessings Fr. John
December 6, 2016 Volume 3, Issue 3
P S • Rev. John A. Frink, M.Div., Pastor • Mrs. Kris n Osenbach, Director of
Parish Ministries • Mrs. Amy Hannis-Miskar, Principal
of St. Jerome Regional School • Mrs. Donna Plasko, Administra ve
Assistant • Mr. Frank Pentz, Business Manager • Mrs. Pa e Radocha, Bookkeeper • Mrs. Lisa Frederick, Alpha
Coordinator P C I Parish Center ........ 570-225-7410 Parish Fax .............. 570-668-4406 Parish Ministries .. 570-225-7412 St. Jerome Reg. School570-668-2757 W S E-M • Parish Website —
• Office of Vic ms Assistance: Ms. Wendy Krisak, NCC, LPC Direct Number: 1-800-791-9209
“Saint John XXIII Parish is a Catholic Community dedicated to loving God with all our minds, hearts and souls. We seek to announce the Good News and unite the Lost, Unchurched and Church Families, as Jesus commands us as His disciples.”
News from the Parish Of ice From the Desk of Donna Plasko…
We are collec ng items for babies and young children to be donated to Birthright of Frackville. The “Giving Tree” project is a loving reminder of our care, concern and respect for families in need.
The “Giving Tree” is located in the back of both churches. Tags are placed on the tree lis ng their most needed items. Anyone wishing to par cipate may remove a gi tag, and then place the donated unwrapped gi with the returned tag under-neath the tree. All cash dona ons are greatly appreciated and are used for main-taining their office. Cash dona ons can be put in an envelope and labeled “Birthright” and placed in the weekend collec on basket or sent directly to Birth-right of Frackville. The trees will be up in both churches un l Sunday, December 18. (Birthright is no longer able to accept or distribute baby furniture or equipment such as car seats, high chairs, walkers, ect.)
Birthright of Frackville serves all of Schuylkill County throughout the en re year with the gi s that are collected through this project! Thank you for your con nued support of this great organiza on! For more informa on or to give directly to them, please contact Birthright of Frackville: 10 North Lehigh Ave., Frackville, PA 17931 or 570-874-2621.
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SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made with our Parish Priest 1 year (and not less than 6 months) prior to the wedding. Wedding dates cannot be secured until the engaged couple meets with the Parish Priest. To avoid any conflict with our weekend celebrations, no wedding will be celebrated after 12:00 p.m. on a Saturday and no weddings are scheduled on Sundays. ANOINTING OF THE SICK If a Parishioner is seriously ill, please call the Parish Center. Hospitalized Parishioners who are in serious condition should request the Priest assigned to the hospital to be called for an anointing (Remember w ith the new privacy laws, hospital patient information is not given out as freely as it was previously). Parish-ioners are encouraged to request the Sacrament of the Sick prior to going into the hospital for any serious procedure. BAPTISMS Celebrated on Sundays following the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Catholic parents and godparents should be practicing their faith. A Certificate of Eligibility is required of all godparents. Parents are required to attend a pre-baptismal meeting scheduled prior to the baby’s birth. Please call the Parish Office to schedule a meeting.
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Mon-Fri: 8-5; Sat: 9-2
MEMORIAL OFFERINGS As you prepare your last Will and Testament, please consid-er including St. John XXIII as a beneficiary. Donations to the Parish Memorial Fund may be given at any time in memory of your deceased family members or friends.
PARISH MEMBERSHIP If you live within the Parish Boundaries, please register at the Parish Office. New Parish-ioners are always welcomed. If you are moving out of the area or change your address or phone number, please noti-fy the Parish Center so we can maintain accurate records.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR ADULTS
Are you interested in becom-ing Catholic. Once you com-plete the Alpha Course, Fr. Frink will meet 8 times with you in order to prepare you to be received into full commun-ion in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation. Contact him for more information.
FUNERAL / BURIALS Please check the availability of the Church and Priest before finalizing any Mass day or time with your Funeral Direc-tor. Catholics are strongly encouraged to be buried in Catholic Cemeteries.
CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBLITY
A Certificate will be issued only to those who: are regis-tered in the Parish and have reached their 16th Birthday, received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and are faith-fully attending Mass in our Parish Community.
CARE OF THE SICK Holy Communion is brought to the Parish Shut-Ins two Sun-days each month, as well as, First Friday each month. The parish priest visits the home bound four times each year.
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News from the Of ice of Parish Ministries Mrs. Kris n Osenbach, Director of Parish Ministries
IDEAS FOR A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION! Through my own personal small group interac ons, I have found that the rela onships I develop with others con nue to draw me closer to Christ. I have en-countered Jesus in powerful and life changing ways in and through my interac ons with so many of you over the years. Church becomes more than just the building we gather in but the people that fill it. Have you thought about a New Year’s Resolu-
on? Would you like to grow deeper in your faith and your rela onship with Jesus? Come and see! Here’s two opportuni es to help get 2017 off to a great start! (check out page 5 for more!)
♦ Calling All Men! You are invited to our 8-week book study, Be A Man: Becom-ing the Man God Created You To Be by Fr. Larry Richards. This study will give Men the opportunity to learn how to focus on the right goal, live according to the Holy Spirit, be a man of love and wisdom, live as a son of God and make a difference in the world.
This study will be Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 PM star ng Jan. 3, 2017 & concluding Feb. 28 at St. John XXIII Parish Center (former St. Jerome Rectory, 266 W. Broad Street, Lower Room, use the side door). ♦ Calling all Women! You are invited to our 8-week Women of Grace® Study
Group by EWTN talk show host Johnne e Benkovic. This study will help women discover who they are in the eyes of God, learn about their purpose and mission in the world today, increase their knowledge of the Catholic Faith, deepen their prayer life and uncover the secrets of true fulfillment.
Par cipants can choose between two days. This study will be held Tuesday mornings, 9:00-11:00 am, star ng Jan. 3, 2017 and concluding Feb. 28 OR Saturday a ernoons, 2:00-3:45 pm, star ng Jan. 7, 2017 and concluding March 4 The suggested dona on to help cover the cost of the book for both studies is $15.00 (collected at first mee ng). TO REGISTER (required by December 19, 2016) Sign up in the back of either Church or Contact The Office of Parish Ministries today!
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Confirma on 2017 In the Diocese of Allentown students are at least in the eighth grade, who have been properly prepared, and who are par cipa ng in their parish community may request the Sacrament of Confirma on. Those students preparing for the recep on of the Sacrament of Confirma on are called candidates.
With the conclusion of the Alpha Course for Confirma on Candidates this past November it is soon me to begin the second phase of prepara on.
Beginning January 2017 the candidates will gather with either a parent or sponsor on four Sunday a ernoons (Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2) in the SS. Peter & Paul Hall for Confirma on specific catechesis. Included in these four, two hour sessions (1:00 - 3:00 PM) will be
me given to prepare the answers to the “Bishop’s Ques ons” that each candidate is to memorize, choosing a confirma on name from among the Company of Saints, and wri ng a le er to Bishop Barres reques ng the Sacrament.
Confirma on is the sacrament in which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to draw us more closely to Jesus and His Church and to seal and strengthen us as Christ’s witnesses.
To that end, a endance at Sunday Mass each and every week is crucial to prepara on. Each candidate should personally greet Fr. Frink at the conclusion of Sunday Mass. This enables Father to get to know the candidates so that he can present them to Bishop Barres with confidence that they are properly prepared to receive this most important sacrament of ini a on. (Ques ons can be directed to the Parish Office)
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WHO: All adults in our Parish, Community and Beyond WHEN: 2 days: Friday, February 3, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm AND Saturday, February 4, 9:00 am - 3:45 pm (lunch included) WHERE: Ss. Peter & Paul Church Hall, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua COST: FREE ($20 perpersondonationwouldhelpdefraycosts) childcareprovidedforpreschool–grade3 (pleaseregisterchildrenbyJanuary20) TheCalled&GiftedWorkshopisatwo-daylivepresentation
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Twas the night before Christmas And all through our Church
The kids were a-s rring and two narrators alert Fr. John had the message prepared for Mass Then to our amazement it happened so fast
The singing of voices and Angels Galore With Gabriel, Mary, and Joseph, then there was more
An Innkeeper, Three Kings and shepherds at night A star and two doves came into sight
A donkey, a camel, some sheep gone astray To find that God’s own Son in a manger lay
In the li le town of Bethlehem The children sing Noel
To spread the word of peace and Joy to The World.
JESUS IS BORN
We invite all of you to the Christmas Eve Children’s Na vity, beginning at 4:00 PM on December 24th at the Tamaqua Area Middle School Auditorium. Mass begins at 4:30 PM
Our Li lest Angels (4 yr. Preschool to Kindergarten) and Angelic Aces (Grades 1 - 4) are invited to par cipate in a Children’s Liturgy of The Word during the 4:30 pm Family Christmas Eve Mass. Fr. John will dismiss the children from
the Auditorium shortly a er Mass begins, and they will return at the Offertory.
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Please note the following schedule of Masses for Christmas Day: 8:00 AM at SS. Peter & Paul Church 10:00 AM at St. John XXIII Church
There will be NO 5PM Mass on Christmas Day
Heavenly father, I am your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope.
There are times when I feel helpless, There are times when I feel weak.
I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future.
I need hope for a better life. I need hope for love and kindness. Some say that the sky is at it's
darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems dark.
I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from
head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world,
as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and glory. In your name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Hope... The Parish of Saint John XXIII 266 West Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania The Parish of Saint John XXIII was established by the decree of the Most Reverend John O. Barres, DD, Bishop of Allentown as a merger of St. Jerome Parish and SS. Peter & Paul Parish on July 1, 2014.
The Church of St. John XXIII (formerly St. Jerome Church) is the mother church of the parish and loca on for the Sacraments of Ini a on. SS. Peter & Paul Church will be retained for Sacred Worship including weddings and funerals.
TheParishofSaintJohnXXIII
266 West Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, 18252 Address Correction Service Requested U.S. POSTAGE PAID
