Sunday, December 4, 2016 St. Bernard of Clairvaux

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX CHURCH BRADFORD, PA ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX BRADFORD, PA BRADFORD, PA BRADFORD, PA BRADFORD, PA

OUR PARISH THANKS YOU OUR PARISH THANKS YOU OUR PARISH THANKS YOU OUR PARISH THANKS YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONFOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION

What we sacrifice and return to God through His church will be returned to us many times over.

November 20, 2016 Collection……….....$ 5,169 November 27, 2016 Collection……….…$ 6,375

Human Development Collection…………...….$ 1,251

Avg Wkly Operating Exp (FY 15-16)…..$ 11,062 THIS WEEK’S DEFICIT………………….$ 4,686

2016 CSA Pledged…………..$ 47,240 2016 CSA Paid……………….$ 43,446

Please do not staple or tape your envelopes closed! Thank you!

This week we look forward to celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8th. This Feast is so special that we celebrate it as a Holy Day of Obligation. Sometimes there is confusion about this Feast; some people feel that it pertains more to Jesus, her son, and not to Mary. But in reality it pertains to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nowhere is this Feast mentioned in the Gospels, it flows out of the Living Tradition of the Church and is recorded in the Protoevangelium of Saint James. What the Feast celebrates is the fact that Mary was conceived without the effects of

original sin on her soul. Mary’s birth mimics much like that of Saint John the Baptist. Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, could not have children; much like Zechariah and Elizabeth. Both children came about because of the plan of God, but Mary was conceived without sin and John was not. But both children played their part in what God had in store for mankind. Mary was to give birth to the Son of God and John was to announce His presence. From the Protoevangelium, we learn that Joachim and Anna took Mary to the temple at the age of three and she remained there until she was of the age to be married. Even there God had a hand in who would become the husband to Mary and foster father to her son, Jesus. God had already selected Joseph to be her husband. The reason why Mary was conceived without the effects of Original sin was to prepare a worthy place for the Son of God to be placed in her womb; simply because sin and God could not co-exist together. Just as Moses placed in the Ark of the Covenant the 10 Commandments, Mary’s womb became the New Ark of the Covenant, Jesus was placed therein. What a wonderful gift that Mary gave to mankind when she said “yes” to the Angel’s invitation to become the Mother of God. For without Mary’s “yes” there would be no Jesus and without Jesus there would be no redemption. We have to remember that Mary was truly human, just like us. Mary, mother of God (Theotokis), pray for us. God Bless. Fr. Ray

ST. BERNARD SCHOOLST. BERNARD SCHOOLST. BERNARD SCHOOLST. BERNARD SCHOOL

Dec 19th — Christmas Play presented at 1 pm & 7 pm — Community is invited.

Dec 20th & 21th— SANTA STORE SHOPPING

Dec 23rd — NO SCHOOL OR CARE – Christmas break begins

Classes resume Jan 3rd, 2017 Check our website, www.stbernardcatholic.org

for more scholarship information.

Thurs, Dec 8th, 10 am Mass - AT THE CHURCH—gr 4

RETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTIONRETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTION This collection benefits senior sisters and religious order priests in our diocese. These women and men worked for years for small stipends leaving a gap in their retirement savings. Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care and more. Please sup-port next week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

UPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGS

Catholic Women: Tues, Dec 13 - Christmas Dinner, 6 pm Widows Group: Thurs, Dec 15, 11 am – Christmas Cards RCIA: Sundays @ Noon, Dec 4, 11 & 18 REP 1-8: Sundays @ 9am, Dec 4, 11 & 18 REP 9, 10 & Confirmation: Sundays @ 5:45 at Fr. Ritchie Hall, Dec 4, 11 & 18

AREA ADVENT AREA ADVENT AREA ADVENT AREA ADVENT SERVICESSERVICESSERVICESSERVICES

Dec 11th at 3:00 p.m. at St. Bernard, Bradford

(St. Bernard/ St. Francis & OMPH combined) Dec 14th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth, Smethport Dec 15th at 7:00 pm at St. Callistus, Kane

2222ND ND ND ND SUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENTSUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 4, 2016DECEMBER 4, 2016DECEMBER 4, 2016DECEMBER 4, 2016

FAMILY PERSPECTIVEFAMILY PERSPECTIVEFAMILY PERSPECTIVEFAMILY PERSPECTIVE Like John the Baptist, every parent “prepares the way of the Lord” in the hearts of their children. Advent is a good time to ask; “Do I help or hinder my children to know Jesus?”

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEKSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEKSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEKSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

TOGI’S RESTAURANT

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTSPRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS

Please Pray for the Following Priests

Sunday, Dec 4 - Rev. Jerry S. Priscaro Monday, Dec 5 - Rev. Msgr. Henry J. Schauerman Tuesday, Dec 6 - Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Zeitler Wednesday, Dec 7 - Rev. John J. Murphy Thursday, Dec 8 - Rev. John E. Santor Friday, Dec 9 - Rev. Matthew J. Strickenberger Saturday, Dec 10 - Rev. Msgr. John W. Swoger

MARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTSMARRIAGE MOMENTS Many parents put a small treat in their children's shoes the night before St. Nick's Day, December 6. Consider putting a treat in your spouse's shoe (a Hershey kiss, a love note, a coupon for a favor like a backrub or a chore you'll relieve your spouse of the next day).

CHRISTMAS WAFERSCHRISTMAS WAFERSCHRISTMAS WAFERSCHRISTMAS WAFERS Oplatki will be available by December 7th

in the Parish office for $3.

CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCESCHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCESCHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCESCHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCES If you would like to honor a living or deceased family member or friend, you can use the Re-membrance envelope in your packet or one of the Remembrance forms that are available at the back of the church or in the Parish

Office. You can drop them in the collection basket or bring them to the Parish Office. Forms with donation are due in to the office by Monday, December 5, 2016.

LAST CHANCE TO SHOPLAST CHANCE TO SHOPLAST CHANCE TO SHOPLAST CHANCE TO SHOP Gift Card order forms are available in the back of the church and the parish office. Orders with payment are due in to the office BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th — last order before Christmas.

FINAL 2016 CSA pledge payments must be in to the Parish Office by

the end of December, 2016.

ADVENT FAMILY RESOURCESADVENT FAMILY RESOURCESADVENT FAMILY RESOURCESADVENT FAMILY RESOURCES The Office of Parish Social Ministry and Respect Life is of-fering resources for individuals and families for the Advent Season to assist families in preparing for Christmas. Please v i s i t h t t p : / / www. e r i e r c d . o rg / j u s t i c e . h t m For additional information or questions, please contact Erin Landini-Grogan at (814) 824-1254 or respect-life@eriercd.org.

4 of our parish ciboriums, which were showing the most wear, have been restored and look like new. The cost has been absorbed by a

parishioner.

Estate Donation— Our parish has received a most gen-erous gift in the amount of $750,000 from the estate of Mr. James Croker. Father Ray and the parish finance council have agreed to oversee the investment of $700,000 with Morgan Stanley. The remaining $50,000 will be used to catch up on delinquent bills caused by the length of time our weekly collection has not met our expenses. Just like your expenses, ours have also gone up - even with good stew-ardship. Please keep Mr. James Croker in your prayers for his generous gift to the parish.

WORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFEWORD OF LIFE “Pope Francis invites us to understand more deeply our rela-tionships with God, one another, and the rest of creation, and to live accordingly. ‘Everything is connected,’ he re-minds us. (LS 91).”

— “Serene Attentiveness to God’s Creation,” www.goo.gl/xdm378 USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church St. Bernard Church Christmas Cards Christmas Cards Christmas Cards Christmas Cards

are available in the Parish office They are in packs of 5 and feature St. Bernard altar/church 2011 Christmas decorations. Contact the Parish office to purchase.

NOW ON SALE FOR $2.50 /pack

Photos by Long Art Photography.

FROM THE PASTOR: To the alumni/alumnae of Bradford Central Christian and

Saint Bernard High School: There is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the chapel at Saint Bernard Elementary/Middle School that is in need of restoration. I have an estimated cost of $3,000. If anyone is interested in donating towards the restoration of this beauti-ful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please contact me at the parish office. Fr. Raymond Gramata

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX PARISH INFORMATIONPARISH INFORMATIONPARISH INFORMATIONPARISH INFORMATION

PASTORAL STAFF: Rev. Father Raymond C. Gramata, Pastor Mrs. Kimberly A. Mooney, Principal SBS

OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday - Friday: 8 am to 4 pm Ms. Wendy Thomson, Financial Manager Ms. Kathy Bryant, Secretary

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday-Saturday: Please consult bulletin. Weekend: Saturday (Vigil): 5:15 pm, Sunday: 8:00 am & 10:00 am Holy Days: Please consult bulletin

RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 8:30 am, 4 to 5 pm, Thursday before First Friday: 4 to 5 pm. Private appointments may be made by calling Parish Office.

RELIGIOUS EDCATION PROGRAM (REP) Students not attending Catholic school should be enrolled in REP programs. St. Bernard, St. Francis and OMPH Religious Education programs are combined. Grades 1 through 8 meet on Sunday mornings at 9 am at St. Bernard in Fr. Gallina Social Center and grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation) meet at St. Francis in G. Carlton Ritchie Hall at 5:15 pm on Sunday. Both programs begin in September.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): We welcome all inquiries about the Catholic faith. This process begins in the fall of the year. Please call the Parish Office for further information.

ST. BERNARD ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL: 450 West Washington Street: serving students, preschool through eighth grade. Open to parishioners, Catholics from other parishes and those of other faiths. Offering Extended Care before, during, and after school. For complete information, please call 368-5302.

MEMBERSHIP: All Baptized Catholics should be registered, practicing and supporting members of a Parish. Only properly registered members appear on our parish list and are eligible to receive the benefits of parish membership for sacraments, and educational opportunities (including tuition assistance) at our Catholic School. Each parishioner is called upon to practice good stewardship of time, talent and treasure. If you are not currently receiving envelopes, you may not be registered. Call the Parish Office - we would love to meet you!

MARRIAGE: Couples need to contact a priest at least six months before their wedding. Registered and active participation needs to be considered before marriage.

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office to request the Sacrament of the Sick for family members who are seriously ill. Communion for the sick is taken to the hospital, nursing homes, and the home-bound on a regular basis.

BAPTISM: Both parents must attend the Pre-Baptism Preparation Program. Please call the St. Bernard Parish Office for dates and times of upcoming class. Baptisms are scheduled after completing the program. Call the Parish Office to schedule the class and baptism. Godparents must be at least 16, confirmed and active, registered members of their parish.

STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OF TIME & TALENT

Religious Education: Grades 1-8, 9 am Sunday mornings at St. Bernard Grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation), 5:45 pm Sunday evenings at St. Francis

Liturgical Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

Music Director Kathy O’Mara 331-8084 Folk Group Peggy Errera 368-3024 Resurrection Choir Mariann Pascarella 368-5356 God’s Housekeepers Parish Office 362-6825 Liturgy Committee Fr. Raymond C. Gramata 362-6825

Parish Community St. Bernard School Kim Mooney, Principal 368-5302 Parish Council Catholic Women’s Club Joan Yohe 362-3929 Telephone Prayer Chain Natalie Marasco 363-9110

Cover photo by LongArt Photography

IN WRITING BY NOON ON FRIDAY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BULLETIN DATE.

MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSESMINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSES DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER 10 ---- 11, 201611, 201611, 201611, 2016

LECTOR SCHEDULELECTOR SCHEDULELECTOR SCHEDULELECTOR SCHEDULE Saturday, December 10 5:15 pm Stephanie Frederick Sunday, December 11 8:00 am Richard Frederick 10:00 am Tom Dalton

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERSEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERSEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERSEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS Saturday, December 10 5:15 pm Chuck Beattie/ Paul Curcio/ Cliff Ackley Sunday, December 11 8:00 am Susie Sperry/ Kathy & Randy Durner 10:00 am Celia Romanelli/ Doris Hungiville/ Teri Everett HOSPITAL/PAVILION: Rosemary Burke

ALTAR SERVERSALTAR SERVERSALTAR SERVERSALTAR SERVERS Saturday, December 10 5:15 pm Aliya & Emma Webster Sunday, December 11 8:00 am Danny Manion/ Tara & Tori Moonan 10:00 am Abby Coffman/ Erica Marshall

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Please pray for those who are sick or suffering:

Thomas Ackley, Betty Baliski, Bill Baynes, Barb Bernheisel & Foster Family, Shirley Black, John Bove, Tom Burke, Dick Clark, Ryley Cleveland,

Betsy Costello, Helen DeFrank, Michael Eaton, Helen Ewell, Rose Feldhaus Family, Ysbella Feldman, Pat Girard, Pearl Harris, Brandon M. Henry, Jill Henry, Sandy Holsinger, James Kibby, Bill Kline, Lori Kozlowski, Kaylee Marsfelder, Colleen McNamara, Shannon McNamara, Mariana Militelo, Joe Monago, Shirley Mongillo, Lou Monti, Cheri O’Mara, Courtney Prentiss, James Romanelli, Tim Romanelli, Cindy Sayers, Nancy Shaw, Caro Simonds, Steve Skaggs, Sandy Spehar, Bonnie Swackhamer, Matthew Whelan, Richard Yovichin, Tom Zimbardi

May they be strengthened by the healing presence of God’s Spirit.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 4, 2016READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 4, 2016READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 4, 2016READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 4, 2016

Sunday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Monday: Is 35:1-10/Ps 85/Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11/Ps 96/Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/Ps 146/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11

MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS MASS INTENTIONS WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK OF DEC 5 OF DEC 5 OF DEC 5 OF DEC 5 ---- DEC 11, 2DEC 11, 2DEC 11, 2DEC 11, 2016016016016 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISIST. FRANCIS OF ASSISIST. FRANCIS OF ASSISIST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Monday, December 5 9:00 am Joyce Burgess (Family) Wednesday, December 7 9:00 am Gloria Sposato Sherman (Bonnie Kelly) 6:00 pm Parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi and Our Mother of Perpetual Help Saturday, December 10 4:30 pm Midge Franco (Family) Sunday, December 11 11:00 am Stephen Piscitelli (Nancy O’Donnell)

OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELPOUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELPOUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELPOUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

Tuesday, December 6 8:00 am Louise Dudick (Family) Thursday, December 8 8:00 am Eulalia Dempsey Sunday, December 11 9:00 am Deceased Members of A.Chohrach, W. Hamer & J. Manning Families (Dorathy Chohrach)

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Monday, December 5 8:00 am Parishioners Wednesday, December 7 8:00 am Raphael Carvelli (Angie Cipriani & Bob Burrell) 4 pm– 5 pm Confessions 5:15 pm Agnes & Fred Bouquin (Fred & Deb Bouquin) Thursday, December 8—IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 6:45 am Don Girard (Amelia Piganelli) 10 am Zenaide Still (Helen Sapko) 12:10 pm M/M Tryphena Harten Judy (Judy & Miles Harten) Friday, December 9 8:00 am Antonio Bussanich (Dominick Bussanich) Saturday, December 10 8:00 am Josephine Nuzzo (Mrs. Anthony Luzzi) 5:15 pm George Platko (Family) Sunday, December 11 8:00 am Sam Krieg (Tom & Gayle Kochan) 10:00 am Nita & Lugie DeFrank (Gene & Helen DeFrank)

WEEKDAY MASSES HELD IN THE CHAPELWEEKDAY MASSES HELD IN THE CHAPELWEEKDAY MASSES HELD IN THE CHAPELWEEKDAY MASSES HELD IN THE CHAPEL

GOD'S GOD'S GOD'S GOD'S HOUSEKEEPERSHOUSEKEEPERSHOUSEKEEPERSHOUSEKEEPERS

Dec 5 - Dec 9: Team 3

M. & P. Curcio/ A. Campogiani/ T. Orris/ P. Curcio