St. Raymond of the Mountains 170 School House Lane, P.O. Box 330, Donegal, PA 15628 724-593-7479

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust and A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish Mission Statement

We, the parish of St. Raymond of the Mountains (Donegal, PA)

are situated in a resort area and comprised of many rural communi-

ties. We come together to share and strengthen our faith in God

and each other by celebrating the sacraments and striving to follow

God’s teaching. We are called to be open to the Holy Spirit and to

build a stronger Faith Community by serving the needs of others,

by educating, and by welcoming all.

BAPTISMS:

Please contact the Parish Office for Baptism.

MARRIAGES:

Arrangements should be made with the Pastor

at least one year in advance.

Contact Information:

Parish Office ............................... 724-593-7479

Parish Fax ................................... 724-593-5934

Website - www.straymondchurch.org

Online Giving Service

(web base electronic contributions, safe & secure)

Visit www.straymondchurch.org, select the Online

Giving link and follow the commands

Catholic Charities Help Line 1-866-409-6455

In the event of inclement weather: Please check our parish

activities of cancellations at KDKA channel 2

CONFESSIONS:

Saturday: 3:30 PM.

MASSES:

Saturday (Vigil): 4:30 PM.

Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

Daily Mass: 8:00 AM at St. Raymond Chapel

(under office) Except Friday.

An Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction:

Every First Friday of the month

after the 8:00 AM Mass until 10:00 AM.

Holy Days: See bulletin

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00 AM to

3:00 PM. Closed Friday.

December 24, 2017

Parish Staff:

Rev. Richard J. Kosisko, Administrator

Email ……………... rkosisko@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Rev. Teodoro Abner Cortezano, Parochial Vicar

Email ………….... tcortezano@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Bill Pospisil, Coordinator of Faith Formation

Email……..……….. bpospisil@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mary Strucaly, Parish Secretary

Email……….…. ....mstrucaly@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Addy Evangeliste, Bulletin & Parish Website

Email………….. aevangeliste@dioceseofgreensburg.org

St. Raymond of the Mountains Church December 24, 2017

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER

UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE

Readings for the Week of December 24, 2017

Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3,

4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27

Lk 1:26-38

Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29

[2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25

Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13

[Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7

Lk 2:15-20

Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]

Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6

and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22

Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 [12]

Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 [7]

Mt 2:13-18

Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

[11a]/Lk 2:22-35

Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 [11a]

Lk 2:36-40

Next Sunday: Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, [7a, 8a]

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a

son, and you shall name him Jesus." Today is the last

Sunday of the Advent season, and we hear in the Gospel

the anticipation of the feast we will celebrate in just one

day. Christmas is coming! Jesus is on his way!

We have had weeks to prepare for this momentous occa-

sion, and now we are on the very verge of its arrival. The

children in our midst can hardly contain their excitement

as they wait to wake up on Christmas morning. The thrill

of this coming moment is meant to remind us of the joy

and anticipation we should all feel as we await the coming

of Christ. Yes, Christmas is a great feast, but there is more

here than a remembrance of the past or a fabulous party in

the present. There is a looking-ahead as well. We cele-

brate as we anticipate.

Much as Mary must have waited in wonder during the

nine months of her pregnancy, we wait in hopeful expec-

tation as Christians looking forward to being reunited with

our Savior. Our future is full of hope. The deflating mel-

ancholy that afflicts many people after a holiday runs its

course need not be the experience of the Christian waiting

for Christ. We are always looking forward to something!

There is never a moment when we have no cause for joy.

Our lives are lived in a kind of unending advent as we

stand in watchful waiting.

Let us remember this as we enter into our Christmas Eve

gatherings and festivities. As we join with family and

friends to share in the good things of this life, may we

carry with us the joy of knowing that even better things lie

in store for us who welcome the infant Jesus into our

hearts and homes.

Please remember in your prayers: Linda Abruzere, Fr. Thomas Acklin O.S.B.,

Josh B., Pam Balow, Kelly Brady Beth Brown, Edward

Budinsky, David Budinsky, Ginger Cairns, Terry

Cavicchio, Mary Cauley, Don Critchfield, Shelly

Critchfield, Amanda Dennis, Dave DeWitt, Francis

Ernesty, George Estochin, Laura Estochin, Mildred

Estochin, Albert G, Bill G., Patty Gadek, Gerald, Rose

Henrickson, Barry Huey, Mitchell Johnson, Jadon Kalp,

Jim Kalp, Carol Kelly, Ryan Kelly, Flo Kinneer, Frank

Kuhns, Namon Lilly, Juanita Miller, Richard Miller,

Theresa Miller, Margaret Mollick, Courtiney Mastowski,

Mindy O., Chris Petrarca, Greg Petrucci, Madeline R.,

Dan Rocker, Mellisa Rocker, Bernie Rusinko, Bill

Schulte, Gertrude “Chub” Shaulis, Ted Shaulis, Helen

Sparks, Ernestine Stanton, John Strucaly, Mike Terretti,

Theresa, Colleen and sons, Denise Thomas, and Jane

Waite.

Jesus is alive among us in the flesh and in divinity. He

becomes present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist at

Mass when the priest takes bread and wine into his hands

and says, “This is My Body. This is My Blood.” With

these words Jesus again offers the Sacrifice of Himself to

the Father, and with the gift of Faith the Father invites us

to this Wedding Banquet, enabling us, the Baptized, to

participate in His Last Supper by sacrificing our own self-

will in obedience to the Will of God. The Holy Spirit

gives divine Life to this meal. We are welcomed into an

intimate Holy Communion with God, as long as we ap-

proach clothed in a pure wedding garment, cleansed by

the Sacraments of Baptism and Confession. As we con-

sume Him, He is ingested into our own bodies and

blood. We are then commissioned to go forth and make

His presence known to others in our everyday lives.

St. Raymond’s 50th Anniversary Cookbook St. Raymond’s 50th Anniversary Cookbook will be

sold after all Masses this weekend … or you can order

by complete an envelope on the table in the back of the

church and place it in the box located on the table.

Do not place any money in the envelope.

Please contact Cel Tidwell at 724-454-9105 or

Dot Farkosh at 724-593-7598 for more information.

FRIENDS OF ST. RAYMOND If you are not a member of this parish but enjoy coming here

and feel connected to us because you regularly come to visit

in this area, please register as a Friend of St. Raymond. Simply

fill out this coupon or a registration form and drop it into the

collection basket or mail it to the parish office. Being registered

as a Friend of St. Raymond allows us to let you know what is

happening in the parish throughout the year so that you con-

tinue to feel connected. Another advantage of being a Friend

of St. Raymond is that we can keep track of any donations

you make to the parish and provide a statement for tax purposes.

Simply put your donation in an envelope with your name and

the amount on it and put it into the collection. After January 1,

call and request a tax statement and we will mail it to you.

FRIENDS OF ST. RAYMOND Name ______________________________________

Spouse _____________________________________

Address ____________________________________

City, State Zip _______________________________

Phone (______) _____________________________

Child (ren) Name(s) __________________________

___________________________________________

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust and A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend, Feb. 2-4, 2018…This is an opportunity for Christian couples to prepare for a

lifetime commitment. If you desire a loving, faithful, permanent and life-giving marriage, consider attending a Catholic

Engaged Encounter weekend. this marriage preparation program presents a comprehensive, up-close and personal look

at marriage. For more information, please call George & Pat Ziringer at 724-335-4966, ziringer@comcast.net or

www.greensburgcee.com or Jean & Len Rosky at 724-837-3805. Mark your calendars now for Feb. 2-4 in Greensburg.

Children and Family Services Appeal As you are aware, every year the second envelope at

all Christmas Masses has been for those people living

within our own diocese who are less fortunate

than we. This is the annual “Children and

Family Services Appeal.”

On the coming Christmas Feast, which reminds us of

the gift of God's own Son, Jesus Christ given to each of

us without question of our merit or eligibility, we ask you

to support the “Children and Family Services Appeal”

and make your contribution toward changing the future of

an individual, a family or a child through the good work

of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg.

Father Rick, Father Teo, and St. Raymond’s Parish Staff

The St. Raymond Up Coming Holidays Event Sunday, December 24 - 8:00 a.m. Morning Mass

- 10:30 a.m. Morning Mass

- 5:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve

Monday, December 25 - Midnight Mass 12:00 a.m.

Monday, December 25 - 10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day

morning Mass

Saturday, December 30 - 4:30 p.m. Evening Mass

Sunday, December 31 - 8:00 a.m. Morning Mass

- 10:30 a.m. Morning Mass

- 4:30 p.m. - New Years Eve

Monday, January 1 - 10:30 a.m. - New Years Day

morning Mass

Decorating for Christmas This year, because Dec. 24 falls on a Sunday,

we need to begin decorating the church earlier

for Christmas. If you are interested in helping,

we will begin after the 10:30 a.m. Mass this Sunday, Dec.

24. Thank you.

REMINDER:

The weekend Masses for Dec. 23 & 24 remain the

same: 4:30 p.m., Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Celebration for the Christmas Mass is 5 p.m., Sunday,

Dec. 24 and Midnight and 10 a.m., Dec. 25. Christmas

Mass is a Holy Day of Obligation.

January Calendar Ticket money can be turned into Cathy Korzen or Toni Terretti.

Thank you for your support of this fundraiser.

Priesthood Discernment Evening Are you interested in learning more about the

Priesthood and how to listen to God’s call in your life?

Join other men from around the diocese over Christmas

Break for an evening that includes Eucharistic Adoration,

fellowship, dinner and a talk on discerning God’s call.

Please register by emailing Fr. Tyler Bandura at

vocations@dioceseofgreensburg.org.

The events will take place on the following dates:

High School Discernment Evening (Grades 9-12)

December 29, 2017 From 4 - 7 PM

Bishop Connare Center

Young Adult Discernment Evening

January 5, 2018 From 5 - 9 PM

Bishop Connare Center

This Week in the Parish

This Sunday, Dec. 24 - 8:00 a.m. Morning Mass

- NO RELIGIOUS ED. CLASS

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

- 10:30 a.m. Christmas Morning

Mass

- 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve

Monday, Dec. 25 - 12:00 a.m. Christmas Midnight

Mass

- 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day

Morning Mass

- Parish Office Closed

Tuesday, Dec. 26 - Parish Office Closed

Saturday, Dec. 30 - 4:00 p.m. Pray the Rosary

- 4:30 p.m. Evening Mass

Next Sunday, Dec. 31 - 8:00 a.m. Morning Mass

- NO RELIGIOUS ED. CLASS

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

- 10:30 a.m. Morning Mass

- 4:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve Mass

Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 - 10:30 a.m. New Year’s Morning

Mass

- Parish Office Closed

2018 MASS INTENTIONS We are now scheduling Mass intentions for 2018.

Each person may request up to 10 intentions for ONE

person or ONE family. The priest, by Canon Law, can-

not celebrate multiple intentions for one Mass. If you

would like to request your intentions, please do so as

soon as possible; in writing, and place it in the collection

or mail it to the Parish Office. Please indicate your inten-

tions and suggested dates on your written request.

The Mass Intentions Policy is posted on the bulletin

boards in the Church, and can be provided to you

upon request by calling 724-593-7479 or coming to the

Parish Office.

MASSES THIS WEEK

Sat. - December 23 - Vigil: Fourth Sunday of Advent

4:30 p.m. + Amelia Jenca - Birthday (Tidwell Family)

Sun. - December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

8:00 a.m. Our Parish Members

10:30 a.m. Special Intention

5:00 p.m. Special Intention

Mon. - December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord

12:00 a.m. Our Parish Members

10:00 a.m. Special Intention

Tues. - December 26 - St. Stephen, The First Martyr

8:00 a.m. + Mary Alice McGovern (Ray Werthman)

(Chapel)

Wed. - December 27 - St. John, Apostle, and Evangelist

8:00 a.m. + Hugh Tovar - Birthday (Pam Balow) (Chapel)

Thurs. - December 28 - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

8:00 a.m. + Janie Good (John, Deb, Jen & Mike Good)

(Chapel)

Fri. - December 29 - Fifth Day within the Octave of the

Nativity of the Lord

NO MASS SCHEDULED

Sat. - December 30 - Vigil: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary

and Joseph

4:30 p.m. + Joan Kozlowski (Barbara Kozlowski)

Sun. - December 31 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

8:00 a.m. Our Parish Members

10:30 a.m. Special Intention

4:30 p.m. Our Parish Members

Mon. - January 1, 2018 - New Year’s Day

10:30 a.m. Special Intention

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

SERVERS

Sat. Dec. 30 4:30 p.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 8:00 a.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 10:30 a.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 4:30 p.m. - Please Volunteer

Mon. Jan.1 10:30 a.m. - Cheyenne Honeycutt

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

Sat. Dec. 30 4:30 p.m. - Susan Waite

- Dorothy Voke

- Ginger Cairns

Sun. Dec. 31 8:00 a.m. - Please Volunteer

- Please Volunteer

- Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 10:30 a.m. - Please Volunteer

- Please Volunteer

- Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 4:30 p.m. - Kathleen Smith Mizik

- Rachel Burke

- Noreen Brady

Mon. Jan. 1 10:30 a.m. - Deneen Vinkler

- Jack Kinsey

- Cheryl Cupps

READERS

Sat. Dec. 30 4:30 p.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 8:00 a.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 10:30 a.m. - Please Volunteer

Sun. Dec. 31 4:30 p.m. - Please Volunteer

Mon. Jan. 1 10:30 a.m. - Diane Kinsey