Today’s Readings: 1st Reading - Isaiah 7:10-14 | 2nd Reading - Romans 1:1-7 | Gospel - Matthew 1:18-24

The Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

and they shall name Him Emmanuel.

Sacred Heart Parish

The 4th Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2013 | 0132

0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, December 22, 2013

Let's admit it-- the phrase "make disciples"-- is intimidating. Isn't it somebody else's job to make disciples? Shouldn't it be exclusively the job of the priest or the nun or the missionary in a far away place?

The Church was entrusted with the "job" of making disciples by Jesus Christ, and that job is a job for every-one. We all have the responsibility of sharing the most precious gift we have: our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Making disciples is, in a sense, a logical consequence of sharing. As we share the gifts and talents that we've been given, we are called to share our faith!

Our invitation to others begins first with our witness. I remember a true story I heard in a homily about 20 years ago. A man was looking out his window on a very snowy day and he saw his neighbor trudging through the snow to go to church because the road was impassible by car. The man wondered to himself, "What is it that would inspire my neighbor to walk to church in these conditions?" On the spot he decided to become Catholic.

Witnessing is a "silent" invitation, yet, is much more powerful than spoken words. We attract others to the Catholic Church first of all by the way in which we live our lives. This is something for all of us to reflect on continuously. How clear is our witness to Christ? How do I need to repent? Would someone be inspired by my choices in life as a result of my faith? Our witness gives us the opportunity to invite by words.

In order to extend a verbal invitation we should get to know the person whom we feel called by Christ to invite. A maxim I've read goes like this: invest and invite. We have to invest in personal relationships with others in order to invite them. It's not that our investment is made just so we can invite them to be Catholic. Our investment springs first from charity-- which is an end in itself. Whether it be a co-worker, a neighbor, someone in our extended family-- we can be confident that opportunities will be presented to us in which we can say something that can change someone's life forever.

It might be the opportunity to say, "Have you asked God to help you?" or "I'll keep you in my prayers." It might be an opportunity to explain why you went to confession during Lent or shared something about how the Lord has helped you in your life. If you live your faith-- people will naturally be curious about it.

In our conversations with others Pope Francis has pointed out to be careful in our moral debates. The position of the Catholic Church on many hot button social issues is fairly well known and while we, on the one hand, should feel the impetus to defend the Church's teaching when challenged or share it when appropriate, we have to be careful that others do not perceive the Church as fundamentally a compilation of moral teaching: "do this and don't do that." The Church is first and foremost about the fact that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ that anyone who would believe in Him might not die but would have eternal life (cf. Jn 3:16).

The responsibility to make disciples is among the most important for the parish community. Again, this is to be done by attraction, not by proselytism. We as a parish, in response to the New Evangelization first called for by Blessed John Paul II need to put the mission of making disciples front and center in our apostolic endeavors. We're not used to doing that as Catholics in this country.

A parish needs to be continually focused on making disciples in order to be faithful to her mission. When we forget about making disciples we become self-referential and sick as our Holy Father Pope Francis has pointed out. We need to be open! We need to look for new ways in which to attract and evangelize others-- especially the young!

This involves being at times uncomfortable. It may not be comfortable to be open about our faith in the workplace when asked for example; however, Christ has given us the example of choosing love over comfort-- especially when it comes to spreading the message of the Gospel.

Yours in Christ,

Father Hamill

P a s t o r ’ s C o r n e r

Stewardship Corner ~

Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of

his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all

the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord

Jesus Christ. ROMANS 1:5-7

This weekend, we are reminded once again of the mission to which we have been called through the gifts we

have received from God, our Father. As Paul wrote, we have received, “the grace of apostleship,” have you

ever heard this gift reverenced so simply and beautifully? Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. Let us

rejoice in that this Christmas, and remember that through this gift, we are called to be good stewards of it. But,

how can we be good stewards of the grace of apostleship?

To be an apostle, in the simplest sense of the word, means to be a messenger. God has gifted us with the ability

to share the Good News. He has chosen us specifically to carry out this mission in our Church - to pass His

message on. We are all capable of sharing the faith and the goodness of Jesus Christ even though sometimes

we may feel inadequate, unworthy, or downtrodden etc. We should remember that He has graced us with this

ability so that we might share in His Kingdom one day with all those whose lives we touch.

So, how do we pass on the message? We live out our lives as good Christian witnesses by setting examples

that inspire others to do good. This is much more simple it might sound - our Pope is a great person to look to

for examples. He answers people’s letters with personal phone calls, he washes the feet of prisoners, and he

speaks on a level that people like you and me can understand. The easiest place for us to start? Right here, with

one person you see often- hold the door, smile, ask how they are and really listen to their reply. Help them to

see the Christ that lives within you. This is the message we are to pass on - that this amazing gift is here for all

and lives within each of us every single day. Be a light to the world, share the Christ within you, and see how

it changes your life too!

Peace,

Kaitlyn Wiant, Parish Services Director

Please note for your calendar:

There will be NO Adoration

on Tuesday, Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve.

Adoration will take place from 8 am - 5 pm

on Tuesday, Dec. 31st, New Years Eve.

Christmas Mass Schedule: Tuesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Masses at: 5:00 pm in the Church 5:10 pm in the Gym 7:00 pm 10:00 pm (“Midnight”)

Wednesday, December 25th, Christmas Day Masses at: 7:00 am Dawn (new) 10:30 am 12:00 noon

Advent Confession Schedule

There will be NO Confessions on

December 25th or January 1st.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK, especially: Thomas Muchanic, Gary & Linda Tomasulo,

Sue Vinciguerra, Pat Ryan, George Cleary, and all parishioners with special needs.

Please contact the parish office if you would like to add someone to our prayer list. You may resubmit a person’s name

anytime through our website, www.sacredheart.us or call 610-932-5040 ext.1. Any new additions to the sick or military list will

be in the bulletin for one month, then continued on the website for our prayers.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

5:00 PM

Extraordinary Minister: C. Campbell, M. Campbell, C. Karat

Lector: C. Schaible

Altar Server: Sean, Ally, & Bridgette Kelly

Music: Amy Murphy, Fran Murphy, Bob Boyle - Guitars

Ushers: Beau Jones

Sunday, December 29, 2013

7:45 AM

Extraordinary Minister: J. Mosley, C. Quigley, P. Cahill

Lector: R. Oram

Altar Server: Nora & Aaron Cahill

Music: Lauren Cupples

Ushers:

9:00 AM

Extraordinary Minister: M. Johnson, k. Kelly, R. Kepler

Lector: W. Bratcher

Altar Server: Eve, Garland, & Grace Hamilton

Music: Beth Van Woert, Karen Evangelista

Ushers: Mark Bradford, Frank Sipala,

Brandon & Lauren Kim, and Samuel Hamilton

LOWwC: Phuong & Brian Besancon

10:30 AM Both Species

Extraordinary Minister: C. Captain, B. Leach,

M. Beletti, K. Plakosh

Lector: G. Urig

Altar Server: Joe Dougherty, Madeline & Anna Keating

Music: Sacred Heart Adult Choir

Ushers: Catherine Lacek, Jerome Lacek, John Peluchette

12:00 Noon

Extraordinary Minister: E. Skotleski, D. Murphy

Lector: J. Skotleski

Altar Server: Erin, Dennis, & Patrick Murphy

Music: Jamie Shover, Cathy Grebner

Ushers: Jack Morrison, Jon Anderson

M i n i s t r i e s a t M a s s

Saturday December 21, 2013

5:00 pm Dolores Seward,

req. by Paul & Judy Seward

Sunday December 22, 2013

7:45 am The People of Sacred Heart Parish

9:00 am Michaela Benedek,

req. by the DiLiberto Family

10:30 am John & Catherine Lacek,

req. by Jerome & Catherine Lacek

12:00 Noon Mr. & Mrs. William McCarthy,

req. by the Ledger Family

Monday December 23, 2013

8:00 am Joseph Stratton,

req. by the Walsh Family

Tuesday December 24, 2013

5:00 pm Millie Gallop

req. by the Blessington Family

5:00 pm (gym) The People of Sacred Heart Parish

7:00 pm Dan Troy

req. by June Martz

10:00 pm Kristy Jo Kelleher

req. by the Kelleher Family

Wednesday December 25, 2013

7:00 am Maria Lane

10:30 am The Elburn Family,

req. by the Ball Family

12:00 Noon Hilda Downham

Thursday December 26, 2013 8:00 am Achille Rota,

req. by Adela Roto

Friday December 27, 2013 8:30 am Mary Whalen (living),

req. by Patrick Barron

Saturday December 28, 2013

5:00 pm Doris Stall,

req. by sisters, Katherine & Bertie

Sunday December 29, 2013

7:45 am Bill Quigley,

req. by Kevin & Carol Quigley

9:00 am The People of Sacred Heart Parish

10:30 am Carmen Mastroguiseppe,

req. by John Mosley

12:00 Noon Salvatore Marchese,

req. by the Williams Family

M a s s I n t e n t i o n s

0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, December 22, 2013

A Taste of Heaven Awaits in

Eucharistic Adoration (EA)

“Come Let Us Adore Him”

Eucharistic Adoration is open to all and is held on Tuesdays from 8 am to 7 pm.

We are currently in need of an adorer for 2 pm.

If you are interested in becoming an adorer or

would like to have more information about

Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart Parish, you

may contact Joann Di Liberto at 610-932-8962.

S a c r e d H e a r t S c h o o l

Sacred Heart School Many Families, One Heart

Sacred Heart School provides a quality Catholic education with an average class size of 18;

enhanced by the latest technology, fine arts, Spanish and enrichment programs.

We will be accepting registrations for the 2014-15 school year beginning in January.

Please contact the school office to schedule a tour.

Financial aid is available.

Please join us for the following upcoming events:

Wednesday, January 8th - Open Gym. Come cure “cabin fever” with your little ones from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Our gym will be open for all children ages 6 and under accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, January 26th - Catholic Schools Week Mass at 10:30. Open House immediately following Mass.

Tuesday, January 28th - Open House from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Spirit Night beginning at 6:30p.m.

ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE

Be sure and join us for the upcoming March for Life on Wed., January 22, 2014. Sacred Heart will provide a bus to the annual March For Life in Washington, DC that will leave the Church parking lot at 6:30 am on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014. Seats are limited! Please make reservations for this trip. Contact Sheila Hamilton at (610)932-9992, email 7makescircus@gmail.com or Dos Leach (610)932-8878 , email dosleach@zoominternet.net .

We will be eating on the bus so please pack meals that that will allow you to eat on the bus in order to provide as much time as possible at the March. We will return to Sacred Heart's parking lot by 7:00 pm.

The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God is Wednesday, January 1, 2014, a Holy Day of Obligation

Mass times include: Vigil Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 31st at 5:00 pm Wednesday, Jan. 1st at 8:00 am and 12 noon.

Sacred Heart Giving:

Due to early publication deadlines, the offertory information for December 15th

will be in next weeks’ bulletin.

Thank you!

Children’s Liturgy of the

Word is offered during the

9:00 am Mass.

For more information, please contact Phoung Besancon

at 302-766-1153 or Phuong.Besancon@gmail.com.

PASTOR

Rev. Gregory J. Hamill

frhamill@sacredheart.us

484-758-0099

WEEKEND ASSISTANTS

Rev. Joseph Shenosky & Rev. John Franey

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm

Sunday 7:45 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:00 noon

DAILY Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8:00 am Tuesday Evening 7:00 pm & Friday 8:30 am

Holy Days as announced in the bulletin

Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 pm & Wednesday at 6:30 pm

Adoration Tuesday 8:00 am-7:00 pm

Rosary: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 am

Friday - 8:00 am

Miraculous Medal Novena Monday following 8:00 am Mass

Sacred Heart Parish Office

610-932-5040

203 Church Road

Oxford, PA 19363

Sacred Heart Parish School

610-932-3633

Website:

www.sacredheart.us

0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, December 22, 2013

REGISTRATION FOR NEW PARISHIONERS

If you are new to the parish, we welcome you. You may come as a stranger to us, yet you are known to Our Lord, Jesus Christ—there are no strangers in grace—in His name we pray you will find peace, hospitality and friendship with us. You are invited to register at Sacred Heart after any Mass on the weekend, just stop by the Welcome Desk in the Lobby.

SACRAMENTS: Visit our website, www.sacredheart.us for the sacrament page and information about becoming Catholic, Baptisms, Marriage, and PREP. If you would prefer, you may call the parish office at 610-932-5040 ext.1 for details.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK - If a loved one is dealing with a serious illness, it is wise to notify the parish office as soon as possible. This sacrament is intended by the Church to be a comfort and strength to people during their illness, not to be held out as “Last Rites”.

The Christmas flowers at Sacred Heart are offered in Honor of and Memory of many of the loved ones of our parish including: Robert & Lenore Crowl, Battista Family, Manning Family, Smithson Family, Halligan Family, John & Rose Patota,

Charles & Margaret Costello, Kathleen Archambault, Ralph & Mary Carter, Dave & Margaret Reed, Carol A. Sawicki,

Margaret V. Sawicki, Richard Kennell, John & Catherine Lacek, Lisa Preston, Preston Family, Charles R. Linck,

Raymond L. Archer, Carol M. Archer, Kayla R. Kovatch, Irene Williston, Rhoda Norris, Alice Pannebaker,

James P. Morgan, Margaret Morgan, Sally Thomas, Mary Hamilton, Mary Springer, Fred Seefeldt, Shannon, Aidan, &

Deirdre Reilly, Les & Judy Dirsh, John & Francene Reilly, Ida & Frank Tierno, Mary & Anthony Pavese, Howard Gwin,

Ella Eells, Anna Louderback, John Louderback, Paul & Marie Watterson, The Wehle Family, The Russo Family, AM Bible

Study, PM Bible Study, Petersen Family, Edward Seergae, Seergae Family, Suick Family, Hrusousky Family, Cooke &

Marcheski Families, Andre J. Dupuis, Joseph Stanley, Jr., Wilson & Anne Drake, Joseph & Helen Stanley, Mary Angelo,

Edward Brush, The Sledjeski, Droskoski, & Szczotka Families, Frank & Marie McIntyre, Anne & Ed Caulfield,

Grant Baumgardner, Norma Baumgardner, The Baumgardner & Caulfield Families, Baumgardner Children &

Grandchildren, Arthur R. Bruno, Jr., Christine Glomb, Helen Paige Dinon, Rosario J. Leyman, Joseph V. Turner,

Jean Serafino, Chris Turner, Deceased Members of McMaster & Wiegner Families, Alesiani Family, Howe Family, De-

nise Kienle, Cummiskey Family, Thomas Family, Kerrigan Family, O'Hara Family, Will Family, Cecilia Curtiss, Jo-

seph Curtiss, Sr., Lena Whiteside, Charles Whiteside, Jeanne Campbell, Beverly Drennen Daniels, Kushnerock Family,

Batula Family, Andriole Family, The McCall Family, Pazolski Family, Browne Family, John Champion, Jerry Ankney,

Louis Hartman, Gilbert Holt, Forgotten Souls, James Rowe, Isabel Queen, Carol Gross, John & Jane McNulty,

Dick & Doris Simpson, Mary McNulty, Eileen Trojan, Raymond Norris, Chuck Norris, Anna & Herbert Norris,

The Rev. & Mrs. Roscoe Wareham, Ina C. Wareham Peck, Betty & Bill Duffy, Dan & Dorothy McCarthy, Paul G. Stengel,

Hilda Downham, and Haley Joyce Powers.