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St. Basil the Great Church Dushore, PA

St. John Neumann Shrine Sugar Ridge, PA

St. Francis of Assisi Church Mildred, PA

St. Francis of Assisi Chapel Eagles Mere, PA

Mailing Address ~ P O Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614

Parish Office ~ 1 St. Francis Drive, Mildred, PA 18632 (570) 928-8865 Fax (570) 928-7972

Email ~ ihmparish@frontier.com Website ~ ihmdushore.com

Our Pastoral Staff Parish Administrator ~ Reverend Richard Rojas

Director of Religious Education ~ Mrs. Kathleen Clark Administrative Assistant ~ Ms. Diane Fowler

Director of Liturgical Music ~ Mrs. Deborah Rojas Volunteer Business Manager ~ Mr. Richard Hallam

Mass Schedule Saturday

4:00 PM St. Basil’s Church, Dushore Sunday

7:30 AM St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred 9:30 AM St. Basil’s Church, Dushore

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturdays ~ 3:15 – 3:45 PM St. Basil’s Church, Dushore Sundays ~ 7:00 – 7:15 AM St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred

Or by appointment

THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY PARISH December 31 ~ The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

A Welcoming Community: You enter this Church … not as stranger, but as a guest of God. He is your heavenly Father. Come, then, with joy in your heart and thanks on your lips into His presence, offering Him your love and service. Be grateful to the strong and loyal ones who, in the name of Jesus Christ, built this place of worship, and to all who have beautified it and hallowed it with their prayers and praise. Ask His blessing on those who love His house of faith as the inspiration of their labor, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, and may that blessing rest on you, both in your going out and your coming in. Parish Registration: You must be a registered member of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish to receive Baptism, Confirmation, First Penance, First Holy Communion, Marriage and to receive sponsor letters from the pastor. New Members: Please stop by or call the parish office and register. (If you are relocating to a new parish, please notify the office before you move.) Thank you. Change of Address: Please notify the parish office as soon as possible if you have had a change of address. Inactive Catholics: As a welcoming parish, we ask every parishioner to ask God to put in your heart people whose hearts we need to reach out and touch with God’s love. “Before you talk to men about God, you talk to God about men.” Please, call, write, leave in an envelope in the collection the name, address and phone number of the person. Father would be delighted to meet with them. SACRAMENTAL LIFE RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process to bring non-Catholics into the faith. Anyone seeking information or interested in becoming a part of this community of faith can call the parish office. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month following the 9:30 AM Mass. In order to understand and better appreciate this special sacrament, parents are required to attend the Pre-Baptismal Program, which is held on the last Saturday of each month at 7:00 PM in St. Basil’s Rectory. Please contact the rectory to schedule your child’s baptism. Sacrament of Marriage: Couples contemplating marriage should notify the rectory at least six months prior to the date to allow necessary time for proper preparation. Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick: Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. Visitation of the Sick: Please call the parish for visitation of the sick at home, in the hospital, or health care facility. Parish Mission Statement: We, the Catholic faithful of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and our Bishop, are called through Baptism to share in the ministry which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. As priest and lay faithful in a rural area, we utilize our energy to serve the spiritual needs of the Kingdom of God to promote a culture of life, justice, and peace to this generation and the generations that follow us.

Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heavenly beauty and splendor of the Father, you are the most valued Heavenly

treasure. New Eve, immaculate in soul, spirit and body, created of the godly seed by the Spirit of God, you are the spiritual

Mother of mankind. Pure Virgin, full of grace then and now, your whole being was raised Heavenly in full glory, to be elevate-d above all

the hosts within the Kingdom of God. O Heavenly Mother, Queen of Heaven and earth, I recognize the glory of your highest title, the Immaculate Heart of

Mary! Loving Mother, dispenser of endless blessings, you who continually intercede on our behalf,

please present my need before your loving Son, Jesus. (Mention your request)

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I know that you are now presenting my need before Jesus, for you have never turned away those in dire need.

Mother dearest, I await your favorable answer, submitting myself to the Divine will of the Lord, for all glories are His for ever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Sunday, December 31, 2017

The First Reading is from the Book of Genesis

(15:1-6; 21:1-3). When God calls Abraham, he

promises that he will be the father of a great nation

(Gen. 12:1-4). In today’s reading, Abraham is

wondering when God is going to fulfill his promise.

In the midst of his doubt, God comes and reassures

Abraham that he will be faithful to his promise.

Then the reading jumps forward six chapters

(Ch.21) where we read about God fulfilling his

promise to Abraham and Sarah.

The Responsorial Psalm (105:1-6, 8-9). In this

psalm, the author is full of gratitude to God for his

faithfulness to his covenant with the descendants of

Abraham.

The Second Reading is from the Letter to the

Hebrews (11:8, 11-12, 17-19). Abraham is held up

as a man of outstanding faith— ready for adventure.

God’s call to Abraham means he has to leave

family, home and business—and he does. It means

he has to let go of the known and face the

unknown—and he does. The faith of Abraham’s

wife, Sarah, is also praised. Both she and her

husband believe in what is humanly impossible: that

they will conceive a child in their old age. Verses

17-19 speak of Abraham’s biggest test— when God

calls him to sacrifice his son. The story exhorts us

to be ready to sacrifice what is dearest to us out of

loyalty to God. It has been said that when Abraham

was going up the hill, Isaac belonged to him. But

after he showed his willingness to sacrifice his son,

Isaac belonged to God.

The Gospel Reading is from the Gospel of Luke

(2:22-40). Luke seeks to portray Jesus and his

family as very faithful Jews, fulfilling two

requirements of the law: purification of the mother

after childbirth (Lev.12:1-8) and dedication of the

first son to God (Ex.13:2, 12-16). The purification

rite calls for a sacrifice. Mary and Joseph bring two

pigeons, an offering of the poor. Within the

presentation story, we encounter two older and very

faithful Jews, Simeon and Anna, who testify to the

true nature of the child. The aged saints represent

the faithful remnant of Israel at her best: devout,

obedient, constant in prayer and led by the Spirit at

home and in the Temple, longing and hoping for the

fulfillment of God’s promises. They are the portrait

of the Israel who accepted Jesus, in contrast to the

Pharisees and Scribes who symbolize the Israel who

rejected Jesus. Also, for Luke, this story enables

him to speak of the “continuation theme” between

Judaism and Christianity. Simeon and Anna, two

faithful Jews, recognize and welcome the new

Messiah, the One who will be a revealing light to

the Gentiles and the glory of their people, Israel.

Simeon poetically speaks of the painful part of

Jesus’ arrival on the scene. Jesus and his life will be

a ‘sword of sorrow’ for Mary and a sign that many

will reject. Thus, as Simeon and Anna recognize the

good news of Jesus’ arrival, they also make the

reader aware of the cost of accepting the Messiah.

Simeon’s prophetic words about Jesus is confirmed

by the elderly Anna. She 10 gives thanks to God

and witnesses about the child to all who have kept

alive hope “for the deliverance of Israel.”

Monday ~ SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY

MOTHER OF GOD

Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

Tuesday ~ Saints Basil the Great and Gregory

Nazianzen, Doctors of the Church

1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28

Wednesday ~ The Most Holy Name of Jesus

1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Ps 98:1-3, 6; Jn 1:29-34

Thursday ~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42

Friday ~ Saint John Neumann, Bishop

1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1-5; Jn 1:43-51

Saturday

1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Mk 1:7-11

Sunday ~ THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

The churches will be open this winter

according to the daily Mass schedule for St.

Basil’s Church. Please refer to the daily Mass

schedule in the bulletin to see when the church

will be open each day. If anyone has any

questions please contact the Parish Office at

(570) 928-8865.

Liturgical Ministers for January 6-7 The Epiphany of the Lord

Special Ministers of Communion 4:00 PM Dushore T. Finan 7:30 PM Mildred K. Bohensky

9:30 AM Dushore J. McDonough

Lectors 4:00 PM Dushore R. Green, J.A. Shoemaker

7:30 PM Mildred S. Moyer, R. Gumble 9:30 AM Dushore S. Wilcox, J. Lambert

Altar Servers 4:00 PM Dushore S. Braisted 7:30 PM Mildred R. Thomas

9:30 AM Dushore S. & Z. Pedro

Weekly Liturgical Celebrations Saturday, December 30 3:15 ~ 3:45 PM Dushore Sacrament of Reconciliation 4:00 PM Dushore Rita A. Foley Walsh by John & Madeleine Walsh & Martin P. Walsh, Jr. Sunday, December 31 7:00 – 7:15 AM Mildred Sacrament of Reconciliation 7:30 AM Mildred Mass for the People 9:30 AM Dushore Bud & Shirley Ambs by their children Monday, January 1, 2018 9:30 AM Dushore John Cosgrove by Maureen Cosgrove Tuesday, January 2 9:00 AM Mildred Helen Taylor by Norm Taylor Thursday, January 4 9:00 AM Mildred Lee Sharrow by Joseph Lang Friday, January 5 9:00 AM Dushore Edward & Frances Burke Kelly by Edward M. Kelly 11:45 AM Dushore Divine Mercy Chaplet 12:00 PM Dushore Benediction Saturday, January 6 3:15 ~ 3:45 PM Dushore Sacrament of Reconciliation 4:00 PM Dushore Rita A. Foley Walsh by John & Madeleine Walsh & Martin P. Walsh, Jr. Sunday, January 7 7:00 – 7:15 AM Mildred Sacrament of Reconciliation 7:30 AM Mildred Tom Sick by Jerry & Dolly Sick & family 9:30 AM Dushore Mass for the People

Patron of the Week Ottaviani Optometry

Please support our patrons!

PARISH DATES TO REMEMBER December 31: New Year’s Eve January 1, 2018: New Year’s Day January 14: Knights of Columbus Breakfast January 26: Knights of Columbus Ham Dinner February 11: Knights of Columbus Breakfast February 14: Ash Wednesday February 23: Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner March 9: Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner March 23: Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner

There is no offertory collection listed this week because this bulletin was

printed on December 22. December Second Collections

December 31 ~ Building & Maintenance Thank you for your generosity!

Appeal Update:

Our Parish Goal: $41,000

Total Raised: $29,764.38

Percentage of Goal Pledged

73% (157 out of 453 families pledged)

Feel called to become a Catholic?

RCIA – Rite of Christin Initiation of Adults

† Are you searching for a relationship

with God?

† Do you want to learn more about the

Catholic way of life?

† Are you interested in becoming a

Catholic Christian?

† Were you baptized Catholic and want to

complete the Sacraments?

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is

a spiritual formation journey for those seeking to

become Catholic. This spiritual journey is more

than just faith formation – at its core, the RCIA is

a journey of conversion and relationship with

Jesus Christ and his Church. If you want to learn

more, or think you are being called to become

Catholic, contact the parish office 570-928-8865

or Donn Tourscher, 570-928-9361.

Top Ten Reasons to join the IHM choir

From the Late Show 9:30 Mass

10. Best seats in the house.

9. Choir robes flatter all body types.

8. If you sing a wrong note, you can point to the

singer next to you.

7. Multiple opportunities to hear Father’s jokes.

6. Occasional unplanned solos.

5. Free voice lessons.

4. Learn a language that is no longer used

anywhere else.

3. The collection basket is never passed to the

choir.

2. Sense of accomplishment when you sing a

difficult new song and get it right (or nearly right).

And the number one (real) reason

1. Using your God-given gift to enhance the liturgy

and pray with your IHM family.

A Prayer for our Military God our Father, walk through my house and take away all my worries; and please watch over and heal my family. Heavenly Father, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in this, our time of need. These things I humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Please pray for: Darrin J. Denmon

PMB 155; P O Box 30800, Honolulu, HI 96820 PVT Stephen MacElhaney

“Punisher” 5th Platoon 1-7bFABN P O Box 35524, Wainwright, Alaska 99703

Natalie Dymond 9030 Moccasin Lake, San Antonio, TX 78245

Matthew J. Dailey 114 East Cochran Ave, Unit 110

Clovis, NM 88101

Bold Choices Retreat

(Finding Your Passion and Living It Fully)

Join us for a young adult (18-35) retreat at Saint Gabriel's Retreat

Center, Clarks Summit January 5-6. The 24-hour retreat will include

presentations and interactive sessions on prayer, making choices based in faith, finding your passion, the art of discernment, small group discussion & more. Cost is $65.00.

For more information and/or to register, visit

vocations.dioceseofscranton.org or call 570-207-1452.

The Bradford County

Pennsylvanians for Life are

sponsoring a Pro-Life Rally in

front of the Bradford County

Courthouse at 2:00 PM on

January 14, 2018. They are

also sponsoring a bus to the

Washington, D.C. Pro-Life

March on January 19, 2018.

Call 570-395-3417 for more

information.

St. Basil’s Boiler Update Thank you to all who have contributed toward the repairs to the boiler in St. Basil’s Rectory. We have been advised that the boiler needs to be replaced. We have received an estimate from Williams Oil of $12,990.00 to replace the existing oil fired boiler with a new gas boiler. To date, we have received $9,705 in donations. Please consider making a donation! To contribute, please send a check to the parish office or place it in the collection basket. Be sure to mark “St. Basil’s Boiler” on the memo line. Stephen Branosky Dave and Helen Barrington Hayes and Kat Clark Robert Harcharik Cynthia Mitchell Brenda Beers Richard Hallam Mr. & Mrs. Michael Rouse Mr. & Mrs. William Henne Mr. & Mrs. James Lambert Thomas Karaban Dean & Kay Homer Mr. & Mrs. Paul Muller Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Braisted Mr. & Mrs. William Hudzinski, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. John Fite Altar and Rosary Society Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Chase Mr. and Mrs. M. Rouse Mr. and Mrs. John Silla Mr. and Mrs. J. Donahue Mr. John A. Shoemaker, Esq. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Cero T. A. Stabrylla Anonymous Memory of Chris Cokos Mrs. Ruth Gavioli Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McDonough Mary R. Finan Jeffrey Campolongo Francis and Marjorie Byrne, Jr. Mary Ann & Duane Bacorn Lee Sharrow Family Edmund & Linda Thall

Robert & Mary L. Gugliemi Nancy A. Romano Cynthia Mitchell William Lambert Family Joseph Mackiewicz Vivian McCarty