ST.

DAMIEN

OF

MOLOKAI

CATHOLIC
PARISH

722 WEST MAIN STREET MONONGAHELA, PENNSYLVANIA 15063

Parish Office: 724-258-7742 Parish Fax: 724-258-8733 Madonna Catholic Regional School: 724-258-3199
Website: stdamienofmolokai.org Email: stdamienparish@verizon.net
Diocesan Victim Hotline: 1-888-808-1235

DECEMBER 18, 2016 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PASTORAL STAFF
Fr. William R. Terza ............................................. Pastor
stdamienterzab@verizon.net
Deacon Al Poroda.............................Permanent Deacon
DeaconAl611@gmail.com or 724-258-7742 x 13
Mrs. Kathryn Wray ............................. Director of Music
kfwray188@gmail.com
Mrs. Patricia Forsyth ................. Asst. Director of Music
pattyforsyth@comcast.net
Mr. Donald Militzer ......................................... Principal
madonnacatholicregional@earthlink.com
Mrs. Kathy Miller ................................. Faith Formation
themillers4@hotmail.com
Phyllis DeMedio .............................................. Secretary
stdamiendemediop@verizon.net
Peggy Romeo ................................................... Secretary
stdamienromeop@verizon.net
Helena Glaneman .......... Safe Environment Coordinator
Alexsei521@yahoo.com or 724-503-7325
ST. DAMIEN FINANCIAL COUNCIL
Gloria DeRosa
Alfred Galilei
Steven Markovich
Antoinette Moffit Richard Pantaleo Randall Rodriguez
ST. DAMIEN PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Joyce Amatangelo Kathleen Barkey Thomas Caudill
Nancy Cole
Sandra Craig
Kris DAndrea
James Greaves
Thomas Kustron Denise Majoris
Anna Markovich Juliann Romasco Walter Tabory
INTERIM MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil .................................................. 4:00 p.m.
Sunday ........................................8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
MondayFriday ............................................... 8:00 a.m.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Tuesday................................................... 8:309:00 a.m.
Saturdays ................................................ 3:003:30 p.m.
All Masses & Reconciliation are at St. Damien
of Molokai Church 722 West Main Street
BAPTISMS: 1st & 3rd Sundays at 12:15 p.m. and 4th
Sunday at Mass.
WEDDINGS: Please make arrangements by calling the
Parish Office 6 months in advance.

MISSION STATEMENT
St. Damien of Molokai is a Catholic parish family which recognizes and
embraces the gifts and talents of our faith filled people. The life of our
patron saint inspires us to lead lives of love, hope and charity. Moving
forward, we will grow through our liturgy, teachings and outreach to all,
with the help of God and the gifts received through the Holy Eucharist.

Page Two

St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela

December 18, 2016

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Saturday, December 17, 2016

4:00pm Gerald Andrick (Rich & Barb Rehula)
Sunday, December 18, 2016
8:30am John J. & Betty Hearn
(William & Rosemary Hearn)
11:00am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
Monday, December 19, 2016
8:00am Gerald J. Andrick (Mom , Terry & Holly)
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
8:00am Jack McGinley (Mark & Patty McGinley)
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
8:00am Donna Hall (Warren Kilpatrick)
Thursday, December 22, 2016
8:00am Virginia Posi (Gi Chang)
Friday, December 23, 2016
8:00am Barbara Solties & Carter Families
(Barry & Ron Carter)
NO School Mass
Saturday, December 24, 2016CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00pm Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
Midnight Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
Sunday, December 25, 2016 CHRISTMAS DAY
8:30am
Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
11:00am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish

Rest In Peace
In the charity of your prayers we kindly ask
that you please pray for the repose of the
souls of Marie DiBasilio, Frances Pepka
and Eleanor Sirilla. May God grant them
eternal rest, may Perpetual Light shine upon
their souls and may all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest
In Peace.
They shall name him Emmanuel, which means
God is with us. (Matthew 1:23)
Emmanuel, I step forth today rejoicing in your
faithfulness and in the courage and freedom
that you bring to my life.

FAITH FORMATION
Dec. 18: 9:30-10:45am Grades 1-8 &
Confirmation
Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS VACATION
JAN. 1: CHRISTMAS VACATION

HELP is needed for decorating the church

for Christmas following the 11:00 Mass today

Sunday, December 18th. We are asking for a
few men and teenagers to stay after Mass for
the heavy lifting; it wont be necessary to stay
the whole time. Others will be staying to continue with the church decorating. Thank you
for your time and help during this season!
Bible Study Tuesdays @ 11:00am (Parish Center)
Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel) This Friday from
12:00noon6:00pm. Call 724-747-7071 for scheduling.
Holy Hour(Church) The third Wednesday of each
month @ 7:00pm
Padre Pio Prayer Group (Park Ave. School) This
Friday 6:00-7:00pm
Servants of the Little Way (Chapel) The first Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm.
Holy Name Society (Church) Second Sunday of
each month with Rosaries at 8am and then to the
parish park for the meeting after the 8:30am Mass.
Catholic Mens Fellowship The 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month at 7:30-8am at St. Damien for
Adoration, to St. Francis for 8:30am Mass and then
to breakfast.

Baptism Congratulations
Congratulations to the families of
Abigail Daisy Forsyth
Rowen Wesley Rager
Faith Christine Shannon
whose baptisms were recently celebrated.
May they remain close to the Lord Jesus all
the days of their lives and may they be
blessed with good health, much happiness,
and the wisdom of the Lord.

St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela

Page Three

Christmas Mass ScheduleSt. Damien

Dec. 24th4:00pmChristmas Eve Vigil
Dec. 25thMidnight Mass
Dec. 25th8:30amChristmas Day
Dec. 25th11:00amChristmas Day
Christmas Mass ScheduleDonora
Our Lady of the Valley
Dec. 24th5:00pm Christmas Eve Vigil
Dec. 24th10:00pmChristmas Eve Vigil
Dec. 25th9:00amChristmas Day
Dec. 25th11:00amChristmas Day

Christmas Mass ScheduleCharleroi

Mary, Mother of the Church
Dec. 24th5:00pmChristmas Eve Vigil
Dec. 24th7:00pmChristmas Eve Vigil
Dec. 25th 9:00am Christmas Day
Dec. 25th11:00amChristmas Day

St. Damien Parish Office HoursChristmas

Monday, December 26thOffice Closed - Morning Mass on the 26th will be at 9:00am
Emergency calls are taken by calling the Parish Office at 724-258-7742. There is a mail slot
located in the front door of the Parish Office for those who would like to drop off
envelopes or other correspondence.

First Reconciliation

We offer our congratulations to the following 2nd grade students who

celebrated their First Reconciliation this past Monday evening;
Caroline Abel, Kaylie Beresh, Olivia Bianchi, Gavin Brake, Jayden
DeBlassio, Aislin Herceg, David Jerome, Blake Koteles, Elyse LaCarte,
Avery Martis, Leylan McGrady, Meghin Ribnicky, Cole Scheponik, Isabella Schnupp, Caden Smith, Emma Smith, Antonia Traeger & Natalie Walsh.
Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

OplatkiChristmas Wafers are available at the Parish Office.

The requested donation for Oplatki is $3.00 per package. Thank you.
Matthew KellyResisting Happiness
We have a limited number of FREE copies of the Matthew Kelly book,
Resisting Happiness. They are available on a first come, first serve basis
and are located near the doors of the Church.

Page Four

St. Damien of Molokai Parish

ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE!

As we prepare for the coming of our Savior, let us also continue to get ready for the changes
and growth ahead as we journey ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! The more
than 27,000 faithful who recently attended parish consultation meetings are a testament to
your commitment to your parish and our baptismal call to follow Jesus and bring others to
Him. As the consultation process continues, stay involved and sign up for e-mail updates at
OnMissionChurchAlive.org.

DISCOVERING CHRIST
An exciting new ministry is coming to the Mid Mon Valley! Beginning this January, the Parishes of the Mid Mon Valley: Mary, Mother of the Church; Our Lady of the Valley; and St.
Damien of Molokai will be offering the Discovering Christ course.
Discovering Christ is a seven-week series for people who are searching, seeking, or desiring to
deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus. Each week, participants gather for a meal, a dynamic teaching, and small group reflection and sharing. Because Discovering Christ is for
everyone and there is no religious affiliation required, please invite your friends, neighbors,
co-workers, etc. The course begins January 31st and is offered at no charge to participants.
Registration can be completed online at https://goo.gl/AudpzE, by completing a registration
form in the back of the church, or by contacting the parish office.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Blood Drive
American Legion Post 949
Community Hall, 1938 Route 2023, Monongahela
Friday, December 30, 2016 from 12:30pm to 6:00pm
Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and
enter: Post 949 to schedule an appointment.
Start the New Year by Helping to Save a LifePlease donate Blood!
TRI PARISH YOUTH GROUP ~ CHRISTMAS COOKIE AND MOVIE NIGHT
Decorate your favorite cookies to give to someone special this holiday.
December 18th from 6-8pm - Mary, Mother of the Church School Basement
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amy Sands at 724-344-5537.
DONT FORGET THE ST. DAMIEN FOOD BANK
January pick-up date is: Wednesday, January 18th
from 10am-2pm and 5-7pm
Items needed for the month of January are:
Cereal , Peanut Butter & Jelly, Scalloped Potatoes & Canned Fruit

St. Damien of Molokai Parish

Offertory Report 12/11/2016

Offertory
4:00pm
2218.00
8:30am
1608.00
11:00am
1987.00
Mail In
912.00
Total

6,725.00

Our
Offering
Back
To
God

Mass
Attendance
4:00pm 168
8:30am 154
11:00am 221

(Weekly Offertory Goal $7,500) Total

543

Next weekend, December 24th/25th,

we will have 2 collections. The first
collection will be for your weekly offertory and your Christmas envelope. The 2nd Collection will be for
Christmas Charities.
Madonna Catholic Regional School
731 Chess St.
Monongahela, PA
MCRS, located at 731 Chess St. Monongahela, boasts students in Preschool Grade Eight with a dedicated
staff and active volunteers.
For information about MCRS,
upcoming events or fundraisers,
please call 724-258-3199.
2017 Lottery Calendar tickets are
$25.00 and give you 365 chances to
win! Call the school office to get
yours. They also make great gifts!
The very popular$30.00 Enjoy Coupon
Books are available in the
school office.
Free ways YOU can help your school.
We collect Campbells Labels for Education, General Mills Boxtops, Tyson
A+ labels, and ink jets and cell phones.
Your support is appreciated!
.

Page Five

Pastoral Impressions
By Fr. Bill
In our readings today we hear
how God fulfilled his promise
and made good on his commitment. In the first reading from Isaiah we hear
how the Lord gives Ahaz a signa virgin
shall be with child. God through the words
of the prophet, made a promise, a commitment to the Hebrew people. God, the one
who had always been present to the Hebrews, made a commitment to send a person
to rescue the people. This savior would come
from the house of David. He would be given
a special name, Immanuel, meaning God is
with us.
In the gospel we hear of the fulfillment of
Gods promise to his people. Mary conceives
a son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is a miraculous conception; it was not humanly possible. Jesus will be the name of
this promised child, and he will save the people from their sins.
In our second reading from Romans, Paul
tells us that Gods commitment to us must be
a catalyst for us to go forward and be committed to God and Gods people. Paul challenges us to go forward as apostles and
spread the message that Jesus proclaimed.
God has been faithful to his people. We, in
turn, must be faithful to what God asks of us.
We must be committed people in all we do.
Each day we make promises and commitments to ourselves, others, and God. What is
our record of completion? Let us today recommit ourselves to those whom God has
given usfamily, friends, and associates.
And let us especially recommit ourselves to
God, whose presence we seek and whose arrival we await!