Derry, Pa. 15627

New Derry, Pa. 15671

Dec. 06, 2020 Welcome to All Second Sunday of Advent

Partner Parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

125 SOUTH LIGONIER ST. DERRY PA 15627

Partner Parish Office 724-694-5359 St. Martin Rectory 724-739-0769

Fax: 724-694-6215

Partner Parish Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday : 9AM to 3PM

Closed Wednesday & Friday WEBSITE: www.stmartinstjoseph.org

St. Martin St. Joseph

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As I write this column, there’s a great deal of uncertainty at the moment, regarding gatherings and such. Nevertheless, we’re approaching the upcoming holiday season with an optimism borne of trust in God! In this week’s bulletin, we’re announcing our Confession schedule for the Week of Grace from December 14 thru 17 a diocesan wide opportunity for Confessions at the local parishes and the Mass schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Our goal, in creating this schedule, is to celebrate Mass at each of our Partner Parishes. Please note that seating capacity remains limited at 25%.It’s also important to remember the obligation of Mass attendance on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation continues to be lifted until further notice. Therefore, until further notice, the faithful are not obliged to attend Mass on Tuesday, December 8, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. It’s perfectly acceptable should an individual or family decide celebrate Christmas via virtually streamed Masses. While viewing a live streamed Mass is not ideal, it may be the safer option for Christmas 2020.

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Please continue to support our parish through your prayers and generosity! May, Christ the Divine Shepherd, have mercy on us! St Martin and St. Joseph, pray for us.

Blessings, Fr. Sam

Pastor’s Pun: What’s a tree favorite drink? Root beer

PRAY FOR THE SICK Please hold in your hearts and prayers those who are sick, aging or homebound:

Shirley Boring, Chuck DeRito, Dino Frassenei, Anna Frayvolt, Steve Gaul, Beverly Heiple, Karen Jellison, Deora Matvey, Gene & Gloria Paouncic, Selma Patterson, Millie & Stephen Perchinsky, Abby Rose, Braxton Strianna, Sue Tommasini, Zoey Tommasini, Grace Whipkey Also, pray for all the lonely and homeless, and all our loved ones who have gone before us.

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Saturday– Dec. 5 - St. Joseph 5:00 PM - St. Joseph - Ida Herda (Joan Ersick) Sunday - Dec. 6 - 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:00 AM - St. Martin - Deceased Members of Knights of Columbus and St. Martin Rosary Society 10:30 AM - St. Joseph - Deceased Members of St. Joseph Altar Rosary Society Monday - Dec. 7 - St. Joseph Vigil Mass for Feast of the Immaculate Conception 6:00 PM - Shirley Laskie (Kerlin family) Tuesday - Dec. 8 - St. Martin - Feast of the Immaculate Conception 8:00 AM - Jeremy, birthday (Aunt Suzie) Thursday - Dec. 10 - Sally Hook (Phyllis Gennaro) Friday - Dec. 11 - Louis Beatr ice (Sandy Brown & John Pavlik) Saturday– Dec. 12 - St. Joseph 5:00 PM - St. Joseph - Josephine Ritenour (Chris Prohaska) Sunday - Dec. 13 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 9:00 AM - St. Martin - Sam DeCario (Rose & family) 10:30 AM - St. Joseph - Michael Zitt (Dolores Smith)

St. Martin Sanctuary Candle In acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ, the Sanctuary Candle will burn from Dec 6 through Dec. 12 in loving memory of

Jim & Jody Beatrice Requested by their family

St. Joseph Sanctuary Candle In acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ, the Sanctuary Candle will burn from Nov. 22 through Nov. 28 in loving memory of

Carol Krinock Requested by her sister, Pat Geary

Thursday, Dec. 10, Sally Hook Friday, Dec. 11, Louis Beatrice

Father Sam will continue to offer Mass privately for the following intentions that are scheduled on Thursday, Dec. 10th and Friday Dec. 11th..

Eucharistic Ministers

Monday, Dec. 7, St. Joseph, 6:00 pm - Vigil Mass for Immaculate Conception Eucharistic Minister: Tish Rossi Lector: Joanne Gaul Saturday, December 12: St. Joseph, 5:00 pm Eucharistic Minister: Pat Geary Lector: Tom Sylvester Sunday, December 13: St. Martin, 9:00 am Eucharistic Minister: Bob Meisinger Lector: Penny Westrick Sunday, December 13: St. Joseph, 10:30 am Eucharistic Minister: Marsha Maljan Lector: Joanne Gaul

Diocese Plans Televised Christmas Masses With concerns over a resurgence in coronavirus cases, particularly in the four counties of the Diocese of Greensburg, diocesan leaders have decided to televise Masses to engage the faithful at home. A Christmas Vigil Mass from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg celebrated by the Cathedral Rector, Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle, will be broadcast at 2 pm on Christmas Eve. Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Larry J. Kulick, will celebrate a Mass from blessed Sacrament Cathedral, which will be broadcast at 10 am on Christmas Day. Both Masses will air on PCNC, the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel.

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SPONSOR

McCABE FUNERAL HOME

DERRY

Stewardship of Treasure 07/1/20 - 11/22/20

St. Joseph Offertory Weekly Budget Need $ 3,700.00 Actual Weekly Offering 11/22 1,835.00 Actual Weekly Offering 11/29 2,061.00 Other Income 11/22 93.00 Other Income 11/29 670.00 Difference this week 11/22 (1,772.00) Diffrence this week 11/29 (969.00) Fiscal Year to Date Budget Need 81,400.00 Fiscal Year to Date Actual 75,059.00 Year to date difference $ (6,341.00) Receiving Envelopes 318 Using Envelopes 11/15 60 Using Envelopes 11/22 62 St. Martin Offertory Weekly Budget Need $ 2,500.00 Actual Weekly Offering 11/22 1,179.00 Actual Weekly Offering 11/29 1,096.00 Other Income 11/22 194.00 Other Income 11/29 336.00 Difference This Week 11/22 (1,127.00) Difference This Week 11/29 (1,068.00) Fiscal Year to Date Budget Need 55,000.00 Fiscal Year to Date Actual 48,234.00 Year to Date Difference $ (6,766.00) Receiving Envelopes 252 Using Envelopes 11/22 45 Using Envelopes 11/29 44 Budget needs are based on projected expenses. Need will be reviewed periodically.

Thank you for your stewardship!

Counters–Sunday December 13, 2020 St. Joseph - Team 2 St. Martin - Team 2 Ami Akins Jean McDowell Marie Balzer Doris Eaglehouse Stephanie Pearce

Our Partner Parishes would like to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all who

are celebrating birthdays from 12/06/20 - 12/12/20

ST. MARTIN: Samantha Gruska, Derek

Hamacher and Nancy Kahl ST. JOSEPH: Debbie Barger, Cindy Dalton, Janet DeGlau, Michael Dudley, Joan Ersick, Beverly Heiple, Doug Hodczak, Macy Kantor, Philip Meloy and Mary Moore

Our Partner Parishes extend their sympathy to the families of Janice Rudy, sister of Ray Byers and Joyce Brighenti, wife of Chester Brighenti of St. Martin Parish who passed away this week. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Thank You For your continued financial support during our difficult time, your contributions greatly help our Parishes to maintain and continue God’s work. During this stress-filled time, please know that our parish continues to care for the spiritual and material needs of our faith Community

Tax-Free Donations Want to increase your church donations at no cost? Ask your financial advisor about making qualified charitable distributions from your IRA directly to St. Joseph or St. Martin. Such distributions can be set up as periodic payments (e.g., quarterly), and are tax-free. Include your tax savings in the periodic distributions, and your church dona-tion will increase at no cost to you!

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ST. JOSEPH NEWS

AREA HAPPENINGS

ST. MARTIN NEWS

Christ Our Shepherd Center Hold your post-sacramental gathering at Christ Our Shepherd Center, located on U.S. Rte. 30 east of Greensburg. For information to go www.christourshepherdcenter.org call 724-834-7350.

Vocation Discernment Event for boys & young adults

Jeremiah Days is an opportunity for middle school-aged boys and their parents or guardians to gather to learn, discuss and pray about a vocation to the priesthood. The group will meet on the following days: Feb. 20 and April 17 from 9:30—11:30 at St. Barbara Parish in Harrison City. To register, visit gbgvocations.org. The Melchizedek Project is de-signed for both high school and young adult men to gather with other individuals their age who would like to grow in their understanding of how to discern a vocation to the priesthood.

Catholic Charities Offers Virtual Counseling Social distancing can take a toll. So can waiting in line to get into a grocery or hardware store. It’s not unusual to feel angry , or frustrated, or confused. For some people, the pandemic restrictions can mag-nify feelings of anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, grief and a wide variety of other issues and more. Taking care of your own emotional well-being is very important to you and the people you love. You don’t need to face these feelings alone. Call Catholic Charities at 724-837-1840 or email counseling@dioceseofgreensburg.org.

St. Benedict Parish Cash Give-A-Way St. Benedict Parish is selling a $6,000 Christmas Cash Give-a-Way Ticket this year. It is set to go off on Saturday, December 26, 2020 from the 7 pm PA Pick-3 Lottery. This would make a great Christmas Stocking stuffer! Cost of each ticket is $10. Tickets are available to purchase and sell. Please contact the Parish Office at 724-834-9045 or call Cheryl on her cell phone at 724-396-9227.

Learn more about Greensburg Central Catholic in a Virtual Tour Join a Virtual Open House where you can meet administrators, faculty and staff; learn about the school’s college-prep curriculum; see how Catholic identity is t the center of the school’s mission; and get a taste of the school’s many extracurricular and athletic offerings. Visit www.gcchs.org and complete the short registration form and the Virtual Open House link will be sent to you immediately.

Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes St. Joseph Altar Rosary Society’s Reverse Advent Calendar Project Food Box must be at the Church by Monday, December 14, 2020. They can be taken to the office or Church before that date. This special project is done in conjunction with the St. Vincent De Paul Society, who will add a gift card to each box. They will then distribute to needy families in the area. Thank you to all that are supplying the food boxes.

Children & Family Services Appeal Collection As you are aware, every year the second collection at all Christmas Masses had been for those people living within our own diocese who are less fortunate. This support could change the future of an individual, a family or a child through the good work of Catholic charities of the Diocese of Greensburg.

Diocese seeks Substitute Teachers The Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Greensburg are currently accepting applications for the position of substitute teacher. Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and obtain all necessary clearances. Submit a current resume to the Office of Catholic Schools at CatholicSchools@dioceseofgreensburt.org or phone 724-552-2594.

“G” Bill Update St. St. Joseph Altar Rosary Society would like to thank all those parishioners that continue to contribute to their “G” Bill box. With these contributions the Society can continue to do and purchase special things for the Church. A special shout out goes to some local non-parishioners for their generous “G” bill donations, including the family of the Roundhouse Pizza.

Thank You! We would like to thank the Lester family for the New Host Holder that they purchased in memory of their parents Joseph & Mary Ann Lester.

St. Martin Rosary Altar Society St. Martin Rosary Altar Society will not have any monthly meetings in December or January. They will meet again in February, 2021.

Pastor: Rev. Salvatore Lamendola Maintenance Supervisor: slamendola@dioceseofgreensburg.org Rich Hamrock

Secretary: Joanne Gaul Custodians: jgaul@dioceseofgreensburg.org St. Martin: Ted Watkins St. Joseph: Becky Ellenberger

Financial Secretary: Karen Novello

knovello@dioceseofgreensburg.org Sacrament of Baptism: Contact Betty Wechtenhiser

Faith Formation Director: Betty Wechtenhiser

Ewechtenhiser@dioceseofgreensburg.org Sacrament of Marriage: C:724-989-5725 H:724-539-9799 Contact the Pastor a minimum of six months prior to wedding date Music Directors:

Dolly Stiffler (St. Martin) Sacrament of Reconciliation: Madlyn DeRito (St. Joseph) St. Martin: Monday 5:30 pm mderito@dioceseofgreensburg.org St. Joseph: Saturday 4:15-4:40 pm and by Appointment

Partner Parish Web Coordinator:

Theresa Miedel, tmiedel@dioceseofgreensburg.org St. Vincent de Paul Society Hot Line 724-694-5359

Sacristan: Tish Rossi (St. Joseph)

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‘The Accent On-Air’ Presents ‘Christmas Traditions’ “The Accent On-Air” presents “Christmas Traditions” on WTAE-TV at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m., with overnight air ings planned for Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Slovak, Italian, German and Filipino Christmas traditions will be featured. This episode includes Msgr. Larry J. Kulick’s message that “Advent is Still Ours,” Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle’s collection of Nativity sets, Father Anthony W. Ditto’s reference guide of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a Christmas nut roll recipe, along with a modern hack; the story of the Feast of St. Nicholas, a Bountiful Night at Christ Our Shepherd Center, Filipino delicacies and good cheer and various live Nativities and Angel Trees. “The Accent On-Air” is always on at TheAccentOnline.org

Alternatives.Yes Schedules 2021 Essay Contest Alternatives.Yes is taking submissions for it’s 2021 pro-life sixth-grade essay contest. The theme is “Life, God’s Most Precious Gift.” Submissions must reflect the theme and be typed double-spaced, with name, grade, phone number, address and school name shown on a separate page or on the back of the essay. Essays must be 300-500 words. Prizes are: first place, $100; second place, $75; third place, $50, and honorable mention, $25. Submissions may be mailed to or dropped off at: Alternatives.Yes, 6 Frank Gallo Lane, Connellsville, Pa. 15425. Email submissions to pregnancysupport@zoominternet.net. They must be postmarked by January 22, 2021.

Artwork Contest Entries Being Accepted Entries are being accepter for the 2020-21 Mission-ary Childhood Association National Christmas Artwork Contest. The contest is open to young Catholics in grades K-8. Entries must be post-marked or received by your local mission office online at mcaartcontest.misso.org no later than Jan. 31, 2020. Entries also may be mailed to MCA Art-work Contest, 70 West 36th St. 8th floor, New York, NY, 10018.

Christmas Second Collection As you are aware, every year the second collection al all Christmas Masses has been for those people liv-ing within our own diocese who are less fortunate. This collection is titled the “Children & Family Ser-vices Appeal.” Your support could change the future of an individual, a family or a chilod through the good work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg.

GOD’S DELAY In times of great difficulties scoffers taunt us, “Where is God? Why hasn’t your Lord come to save you now?” And we of faith respond much in the same way as Peter did in today’s second reading: the “delay” of the Lord’s second coming is not any type of punishment or failure to keep the divine promise, but a loving sign of God’s patience. God is giving everyone the chance to seek repentance. God does not make life more difficult. Rather, God lessens our burdens as once before for the Jewish exiles returning home to Judea after captivity in Babylon. It was God who personally led them, making a “straight highway” for them across the desert. We join with our ancestors of faith, who hoped that they might see God’s Chosen One before them and who eventually realized that the Lord was also walking with them side by side. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel — I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9, 10-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 FEAST OF FAITH Watching for Christ’s Coming In the season of Advent, we look to the coming of Christ at the end of time, and we prepare ourselves to celebrate his first coming among us at Christmas. Remembrance of the past is combined with preparation for the future. Memory meets action. In a certain sense, the Mass is an Advent prayer. At the Last Supper, Jesus did not tell his disciples, “Never forget what I did for you.” Instead, he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” He calls us to remember by doing, to combine memory with action. In the celebration of the Eucharist, remembering and doing become one. Jesus is as present in our midst as he was in that upper room, breaking the bread and sharing the cup; but it is a new kind of presence, seen only with the eyes of faith. In the heavenly liturgy, there will be no need of sacraments, for there, “celebration is wholly communion and feast” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1136). Here, things are different. We have only glimpses and flashes of the beauty that is yet to be. And yet, in the liturgy, we truly participate in the heavenly liturgy. The Mass is our foretaste of the joys of heaven. —Corinna Laughlin, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

PURE HEARTS Those whose hearts are pure are the temples of the Holy Spirit. —St. Lucy

HUMAN RIGHTS Necessity is the plea for every infringement on human rights. It is the argument of tyrants. —William Pitt the Younger

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low. — Isaiah 40:4

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent Monday: St. Ambrose; Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tuesday: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Wednesday: St. Juan Diego Thursday: International Human Rights Day; Hanukkah begins at sunset

Friday: St. Damascene I Saturday: Our Lady of Guadalupe

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CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Joseph Church #436450 125 S. Ligonier Street Derry, PA 15627 TELEPHONE 724 694-5359 #2 for staff and #2 for Joanne CONTACT PERSON Joanne Gaul EMAIL: jgaul@dioceseofgreensburg.org TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 11:45 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION November 22, 2020 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE PRINT 220 BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE