St. Columbkille Roman Catholic Church 103 Church Road ~ Imperial, PA 15126

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

Sacraments - Gifts of Divine Life BAPTISM Usually the first Sunday of the Month at 12:30 p.m. Call the Rectory Office to assure the date prior to making arrangements. NOTE: Parents must attend a Baptism Seminar before the actual Baptism. The Seminar is held on the third Monday of each month Please call the Rectory Office to register. RECONCILIATION Saturday at 12 Noon, or other days and times by appointment. EUCHARIST See Mass schedule inside. Communion to the sick and shut-ins: every Sunday by an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. CONFIRMATION Adults: For information, please call the rectory. Youth: After 3 consecutive years of Religious Instruction. MARRIAGE Arrangements for a marriage date should be made six months in advance. All couples are required to receive pre-marriage instructions. For up to date information, please call the Rectory Office, or the Faith Formation Office of the Diocese of Pittsburgh at 412-456-3114, or www.diopitt.org. BULLETIN DEADLINE: Ten Days before publication. Diocesan Toll Free Number for sexual abuse: 1-888-808-1235

Mass Schedule Weekdays: See Mass Intentions - Inside Saturday Evening: for Sunday: 6:30 p.m. Sunday Morning: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. For Shut-Ins: T.V. Mass - Sunday 6:00 a.m., over-the-air RTV (Chan. 11.2) and cable’s PCNC

Reverend Paul Merkovsky Administrator

Rectory Office: 724-695-7325 stcolumbkilleparish@comcast.net

Rectory Fax: 724-695-9202

Faith Formation Center: 724-695-2146 stcolumbkillereligioused@comcast.net

Parish Hall: 724-695-9084

Cemetery: 724-695-7325

www.saintcolumbkilleparish.org

Please remember St. Columbkille Parish in your will.

…..The St. Columbkille Angel Tree is here this weekend and filled with tags. This project is coordinated by the WA Food Pantry and the WA Ministerial Association. The tree has tags with the age, size and gender of a child of a Food Pantry client. If you wish to share some holiday cheer with someone less fortunate, simply take a tag for a child, purchase a gift, wrap and secure the

tag to the gift and return it to the parish hall the weekend of December 2, and 3. If no tags remain, this means, quite simply, that we have a very generous parish family. Thanks! …..We would also like to thank everyone who donated to the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Because of your generosity we were able to help the WA Food Pantry clients have a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. -the Community Outreach Ministry

Be Prepared or Be Foolish – In today’s Gospel, five of the virgins were ready to meet their master upon his arrival, while five were not. It is a reminder, like so many others in the Gospels, to be prepared for when the Lord comes to call us to himself. Will our hearts and lives be ready to meet the Lord and dwell with him, or will we be caught off guard and our salvation be affected? In a more temporal way, have we been preparing ourselves for the changes that are coming as part of the On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative? Have we taken the time to educate ourselves about what will happen (Bishop Zubik’s announcements on April 26th, building relationships, new clergy assignments, new Mass schedules) and what will not happen (no immediate parish mergers, no immediate church closings) over the next 12 months? Don’t be caught off guard by On Mission. Be prepared and be an agent of growth and support in the Church as a disciple of Jesus. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed.

Reminder: The Holy Name Sports Event will take place Sunday, November 12, at 1 p.m. with doors opening at 12:30 p.m. Food and drinks are provided for $4.00. Men & women over 21 are

invited to watch the Steelers beat the Colts. Come help cheer on the home town team!

St. Columbkille, Imperial, Pennsylvania November 12, 2017 Page 2

Sponsor of the Week HERRICK

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In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples the parable of the ten bridesmaids who are waiting for the bridegroom. Not knowing when he would arrive, the five wise maidens brought flasks with extra oil for their lamps. The five foolish ones, however, did not. When the groom finally approached, the fool-ish maidens had to hurry off to find an oil merchant so they could light their lamps; while the wise ones, who had arrived pre-pared, entered the wedding feast with the bridegroom. By the time the others returned, the door was locked and the groom would not let them in saying, “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.”

Jesus’ message to His disciples –then and now - is about being prepared. When we were baptized into the Church, we were claimed by God and made Disciples of Christ. We were like the bridesmaids in today's pas-sage who were invited to the wedding feast (the kingdom of God). All of us are called but not all of us will respond to that call. There-fore, not all of us will be prepared to enter God's kingdom. The question we must ask ourselves is: do we have enough oil for our lamps? Are we prepared like the wise ones; or are we unprepared like the foolish ones?

This Gospel, however, is not about stocking up supplies; it is about building and maintaining a relationship with Jesus. How can we develop our relationship –have enough oil for our lamps –in order to be prepared when our time comes? First, we should pray the Gospel daily. It is important to listen to God’s Word and find the personal message and guidance that is being offered to help us do God’s will. “Not everyone will enter the king-dom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt. 7:21) Second, we must learn to forgive others, as we want to be forgiven. “…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…” (Mt6:12). Finally, we must carry out the corporal works of mercy that Jesus outlined for His disciples in His teachings – feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, receive the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and the imprisoned.

We are faced with many choices in our daily lives. Many times they may seem minor and insignificant, but more times than not, they are pointing us in a particular direction - sometimes good or sometimes bad. The rela-tionship we nurture with Christ will depend on how we make those choices.

When our choices reflect the will of God, we enter into a deeper relationship with Him. Then, when the day and the hour come, He will not say to us, “I do not know you.”

The Living Word

Jay Speca—Director of Faith Formation

…..Our Christian Mothers/Guild will sponsor a speaker at their next meeting on Sunday, November 19, following the 11 a.m. Mass. Fr. Zach Galiyas will speak on the topic, “Our

Lady of Good Success.” Over four centuries ago, Our Lady had predicted the present time would see a huge decrease in faith. However, she also proposed a solution. Come and see what this Marian apparition, Our Lady of Good Success, is all about. This event is open to all! Come join us! Please call Elaine at 724-695-8171, or the Rectory, to let us know you are coming so that we can properly prepare. Refreshments will be served. …..CM/G members: Our Christmas luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 3, at 12:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Come have a wonderful catered lunch, be entertained by the WA Show Choir, and socialize! You are welcomed to bring a guest! Cost is $ 17.00 per person. To make your reservation, please contact Elaine at 724-695-8171, the Rectory, at 724-695-7325, or e-mail Julie at podolinsky@verizon.net

For the first time ever, Pittsburgh has a chapter of Blue Star Mothers. The Southwestern PA Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. The new BSMA chapter is eager to welcome new members and is open to mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and female legal guardians in the Southwestern PA region who have children serving in the military, guard, reserves, or children who are veterans. For more information, contact Yvonne at president.pa16@bluestarmothers.us or at 724-344-7155.

The Nov. 17 issue of the Pittsburgh Catholic will be mailed to every registered household, courtesy of the parish. They will not be available in the church the weekend of Nov. 19.

The 2018 Fr. Domenic Mancini Scholarships are now available. Applications for high school seniors planning to attend an accredited undergraduate program and who meet all the requirements can apply. Also, we will be offering to any

2018 Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior (and past winners) the 2018 Catholic H.S. scholarship application. See the website for details and to download the application. We encourage all that are eligible to apply.

Help is wanted. A gentleman needs assistance to doctor appointments. Please call Tony, at 724-695-7079 for more information.

The flowers at the Tabernacle this weekend are given in memory of Rae Ann Petrick’s birthday by her family.

Schedules for the Dec., Jan., & Feb. will be completed soon. Please e-mail Mary Kaye (kropf121@verizon.net) as soon as possible. Deadline is Mon., Nov. 13.

Are you seeking? Are you interested in taking a closer look at the Catholic Church? Do you know someone who has asked questions about our Catholic faith? Do you know someone who would like to complete their initiation into the Catholic

Church through the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

may be for you or for someone you know. Interested adults over the age of seventeen are welcome to take a deeper look at the Catholic journey of faith through Inquiry Sessions. During these informal sessions, special attention is given to the Sunday gospel readings as well as your questions and life experiences. The RCIA team is in the process of gathering “inquirers.” If you are interested, please contact Fr. Paul at 724-695-7325 or Jay Speca at 724-695-2146. Please pray about this step and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you throughout this time.

Help care for elders. “Thanks to support from the Retirement Fund for Religious, we are now in a much better position to care for our elders,” writes a religious sister. Your donation helps her religious community and hundreds others provide for aging members and plan for long-term needs. Please give to next week’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection.

Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time Page 3

MINISTERS OF WORSHIP November 19, 2017

Lectors: 6:30 G. Meyers 7:00 G. Mehalic 9:00 M. Connolly 11:00 M. Slutiak Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 6:30 N. Hughes, H; R. Hughes, C; S. Zanella, C 7:00 J. Serventi, H; L. Stout, C; W. Kelley, C 9:00 B. Teachout, I; B. Coates, II; D. Lewis, III; J. Shemon, IV; P. Liwosz, V; S. Bednar, A 11:00 P. Miller, H; T. Wilt, C; J. Surdock, C Altar Servers: 6:30 R. Cavalier, E. Collins 7:00 C. Stout, K. Stout 9:00 A. Meier, M. Nwagwe 11:00 R. Lucas, B. Slutiak

Thanksgiving, November 23—9:00 a.m. G. Mehalic Jr.; N. Hughes, H; B. Long, C; M. Long, C; R. Hughes

TODAY: Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time 6:30 p.m. Wm. “Ryan” Owens (Bobby & Erin Davoli) 7:00 a.m. For Our Parish Family 9:00 a.m. Joseph Berdis (Family) 11:00 a.m. Fr. Domenic Mancini, 12th Pastor, 4th Anniversary (Parish) MONDAY: St. Frances Cabrini 8:00 a.m. Rae Ann Petrick, Birthday (Family) TUESDAY: No Mass WEDNESDAY: St. Albert the Great 7:15 p.m. Wilma & Michael Sudsina (Hilgert Family) THURSDAY: St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude 8:00 a.m. Hilda Krull (sister, Agnes Lesniak) FRIDAY: St. Elizabeth of Hungary 8:00 a.m. Rev. S.C. Kupiec, 7th Pastor, 51st Anniv. (Parish) SATURDAY: Blessed Virgin Mary No Morning Mass NEXT SUNDAY: Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time Prv. 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thes. 5:1-6; Mt 25:14-30– or 25: `4-15, 19-21 (157) 6:30 p.m. Tom Britton, Birthday (John Krawchyk) 7:00 a.m. For Our Parish Family 9:00 a.m. Tracey M. Beck (Mom, & sister, Amy) 11:00 a.m. Mary Ann Sawka, 2nd Anniversary (M/M Jim Timlin)

Are you expecting a baby? Do you wish to have your child baptized? You are required to attend a class for Baptism. Our next Baptism Seminar will be held on Monday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rectory. Please call 724-

695-7325 to register, or for more information.

PARISH CALENDAR THIS WEEK

Sun., Nov. 12 Holy Name Sports Event 12:30 p.m. Hall Divine Mercy 2:30 p.m. Church

Mon., Nov. 13 Faith Formation 4:30 –6; 6:30 –8 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 15 Faith Formation 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 16 Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Church

Request Form Name:_____________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________ City:______________________________Zip:______________ Phone:___________________e-mail_____________________ CHECK ONE: ____New Registration Form ____Change of Address ____Moving out of Parish _____Want Envelopes Please drop Request Form in the offertory basket or mail to the rectory.

Who Gets Married at Midnight? – I haven’t the foggiest notion of how Jewish weddings were conducted in the days when Jesus walked this earth. So ignorant am I of the procedure, that certain

elements of this weekend’s Gospel account mystify me a little. It would seem, though, since Jesus used the image, the people of his time would have been familiar with the concept of virgins waiting with lighted lamps for the groom to arrive. Still, I would like to know who these virgins would be and what role they played. Were they friends or family members? If they were family, they had to be part of the extended family, surely. Were they like modern day bridesmaids? If so, why would they be expected to attend the groom and not the bride? Also, just what time were weddings held back then? If I showed up for a wedding, and the groom hadn’t arrived long before midnight, I doubt I would have stuck around, much less be ready to join the party at such an hour. I’m pretty sure that I, along with a fair number of the other guests would have left hours earlier, expecting a report the following day as to what had happened to the groom. Such questions remaining unanswered, I’m forced to conclude that such concerns are not very important to the point Jesus was making through the parable. Regardless of when or why, the virgins were expected to keep alert for the arrival of the groom, to greet and escort him with lamps alight. Clearly such roles were taken seriously, since Jesus could so easily include a detail like the very late arrival of the groom. All the virgins had waited until midnight, though only half of them remained prepared. I’m not sure we have a similar image in our time to illumine the same point. I do think, however, that despite what we don’t know about wedding practices from a couple thousand years ago, the message is quite clear, and it’s one that Jesus repeats in a number of ways throughout the gospels. Again we are called to always be prepared for his return. How many times does Jesus warn us that we don’t know when that might be, but that it will happen, and there will be no excuses for not being ready. Of course it sounds much more dire than it should. Our being prepared for Christ’s return is nothing more than doing his work until that time. I guess that would be the oil for our lamps. And maybe the flames of those lamps are like us being light in the world. Or maybe not, I don’t know. Frankly, I think that part is open to interpretation, if indeed anyone needs that part interpreted. As I mentioned, I suspect the symbolism isn’t nearly as important as what is spoken clearly and directly by Christ. And what more do we need to hear beyond the words he speaks: “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Fr. Paul

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