Madonna del Castello Parish 2021 S. Braddock Avenue Swissvale, PA 15218 Parish Office Phone: 412-271-5666 FAX: 412-271-2335 Website: www.madonnadelcastello.org Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM Parish Staff Edward Kapsha Music Director EKAPD5965@gmail.com Kelly James Parish Secretary Marcia Murello Coordinator of Religious Ed.

Good Shepherd Braddock Avenue at Frazier St. Braddock, PA 15104-1612 Sacred Heart 1600 Brinton Road Braddock Hills, PA 15221-4902 Parish Office Phone: 412-271-1515 FAX: 412-271-1222 Website: www.goodshepherdbraddock.org Parish Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 9 AM - 4 PM Friday: 9 AM - 2 PM Parish Staff Mrs. Michele Catone Parish Secretary Ms. Carol Funk Parish Office Manager Email: gshepoffice@comcast.net Mr. Frank Koncerak Director of Maintenance

Word of God Parish 7446 McClure Avenue Swissvale, PA 15218 Administra ve Office: 2021 S. Braddock Av Pi sburgh PA 15218

Parish Office Phone: 412-241-1372 FAX: 412-271-2335 Website: www.madonnadelcastello.org Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM Parish Staff Deacon Ron Demblowski Pastoral Associate Michael Burke Music Director Karen Flynn Parish Secretary wordofgod1994@gmail.com Marcia Murello Coordinator of Religious Ed.

BULLETIN DEADLINE:

Friday at 4:00 p.m.

St. Maurice Parish 2001 Ardmore Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Parish Office Phone: 412-271-0809 FAX: 412-271-2415 Website: www.stmauriceparish.org Twi er: @StMauriceFH Parish Office Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 9 AM - 12 PM 1 PM - 4:30 PM Parish Staff Norman E. Chapman, CAGO Director of Music nchapman@saintmauriceparish.org Cheryl Kirkland Director of Religious Education ckirkland@saintmauriceparish.org Jo Ann McLaughlin-Klemencic Director of Evangelization jklemencic@saintmauriceparish.org Kelley Rodgers Business Manager krodgers@saintmauriceparish.org Judy Kosar, LaVerne Caprara Secretaries jkosar@saintmauriceparish.org lcaprara@saintmauriceparish.org Fr. Daniel A. Adjei Student Priest In Residence

December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Advent

CLERGY TEAM Fr. Larry Adams ..................................... Administrator Fr. Jeremy Mohler ................................. Parochial Vicar Fr. Vincent Kolo ..................................... Parish Chaplain Joseph M. Dougherty ............................ Deacon Keith Kondrich ....................................... Deacon

Date Time Location Intention Requested By Saturday, Dec. 22 4:00 PM St. Maurice +Mary Rosicci - Annv. Family

5:30 PM Madonna del Castello +Joseph & Mary Sepesy Family

Sunday, Dec. 23 8:00 AM Good Shepherd For the People of our Four Parishes

9:00 AM Word of God +Sophie C. Fazio Edward D. Fazio Family

10:00 AM St. Maurice +Margaret Fleming Art Fleming

11:00 AM Sacred Heart +Michael Kobylanski Mother,Theresa; brother, David

Monday, Dec. 24 4:00 PM Good Shepherd For the People of our Four Parishes

(Christmas Eve) 4:00 PM Madonna del Castello For the People of our Four Parishes

4:30 PM St. Maurice For the People of our Four Parishes

6:30 PM Word of God For the People of our Four Parishes

7:30 PM St. Maurice For the People of our Four Parishes

Tuesday, Dec. 25 Midnight Word of God For the People of our Four Parishes

(Christmas Day) Midnight St. Maurice For the People of our Four Parishes

9:00 AM St. Maurice For the People of our Four Parishes

10:00 AM Madonna del Castello For the People of our Four Parishes

11:00 AM Sacred Heart For the People of our Four Parishes

Wed., Dec. 26 9:30 AM Sacred Heart +Michael Yazvac Joe & Bernadette Valero

Thursday, Dec. 27 9:30 AM Word of God +Len Schockling Karen Zezza

Friday, Dec. 28 NO SCHOOL MASS

9:30 AM Madonna del Castello +Joseph Sorokacs Family

Saturday, Dec. 29 4:00 PM St. Maurice +John B. Rosicci Annv. Family

5:30 PM Madonna del Castello +Stella & John King Miriam

Sunday, Dec. 30 8:00 AM Good Shepherd +Bernard Thiem Frances Labosco

9:00 AM Word of God +David & Peggy Price Dave & Sharon Price & Family

10:00 AM St. Maurice For the People of our Four Parishes

11:00 AM Sacred Heart +Richard Foster Wife, Elena

This Week’s Mass Schedule and Intentions

So… do you notice any difference in this week’s bulletin? Over the past few weeks, people have been asking me if we would be able to place the bulletins from our four parishes at each church (so that, if they attend Mass at any one of our parishes, then they’d be able to pick up the bulletin from their parish). In response to those requests, we’ve merged our bulletins! Beginning with this issue, we will have a single bulletin, and it will contain information for all four of our parishes! Our bulletin will have individual pages devoted to each of our parishes, so that you can keep up to date with parish activities, and it will list all the Masses of our grouping in one place (see the list, above). Our hope is that, by providing the

information in a single publication, it will be more convenient for you!

Christmas falls on Tuesday this week, so I’d like to take a moment to wish everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas! It’s been a trying year, on many fronts, but my prayer for you and your loved ones is that the peace of the Christmas season will fill your hearts! As you say a prayer for the health and welfare of your loved ones this holiday season, please join me in praying for all of the parishioners of our four parishes!

From Fr. Larry’s Desk

BAPTISM SEMINAR: The monthly baptism seminar will be held on Sunday, January 6 at 11:00 AM in the Parish Center. All parents planning a baptism must attend a seminar prior to the baptism. Pre-registration is required; call the Parish Center Office at 412-271-0809 to register. Godparents are invited to attend.

TABERNACLE LAMP: For the week of December 24-30 our tabernacle lamp burns in prayerful remembrance of the deceased members of family and has been donated by Rob & Donna Karish.

The Offertory Collection for last week: (Please see next week’s bulletin)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thursday, December 27, 2018 6:00 PM - Mission Week Reunion - Parlor

7:00 PM - Mission Week Come and See - Parlor 7:00 PM - Bible Study - Parish Center

MARY MOTHER OF GOD [Holy Day of Obligation]

Dec. 31 5:00 p.m. - Word of God 7:00 p.m. - Sacred Heart Jan. 1 10:00 a.m. - Madonna 7:00 p.m. - St. Maurice

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION: Each year the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania awards scholarships to college students or high school seniors who major in horticulture-related fields, including agriculture education, agronomy, floriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, botany, biology, conservation, environmental concerns, forestry, and/or allied subjects. The Garden Club of Forest Hills would be pleased to sponsor a qualifying young person from your congregation. An application form is available from Club President Karen Lukas (412-656-7845). It must be signed by an officer of the sponsoring club and is due to GCFP by February 1, 2019.

In observance of the Christmas and New Year Holidays the Parish Cen-ter Office hours will be: Dec. 24 - 9:00 AM-Noon Dec. 25-26 - Closed

Dec. 27-28 - Normal office hours Dec. 31 - 9:00 AM-Noon Jan. 1 - Closed Jan. 2 - Normal office hours We wish you and your family a very happy and blessed holiday season.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR 2019: Additional Mass intentions can now be requested for our four parishes for 2019. Mass intention forms can be picked up at the back of the Church, and can be placed in the collection basket. If you wish to mail in your intention form, for Masses at any of our parishes, please mail them to: Madonna del Castello Parish, 2021 S. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15218, Attn: Kelly. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly at 412-271-5666.

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: will NOT meet for the next scheduled meet-ing on Tuesday, January 1, 2019. Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 7:30 PM. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Joyous New Year!

WORD OF GOD

THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK IN WORD OF GOD PARISH LITURGIES, we will use the Altar Bread, Wine, Candles & Sanctuary Lamp in memory of CHARLES “BOB” McLEIGH from Charles J. McLeigh & Family.

WORD OF GOD COLLECTION will be listed in the

Dec. 30 bulletin.)

Please remember to fulfill your Parish Share pledge before Dec. 31st.

THIS WEEK

Sunday 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Library & Gift Shop open Monday - Parish Office Open Until 12:00 PM Tuesday - Christmas Charities Collection Parish Office Closed Wednesday - Parish Office Closed 10:30 AM Legion of Mary - Swissvale Towers Thursday 7:00 PM Prayer & Praise Group - Madonna Saturday 12:00 PM Reconciliation - Word of God Next Sunday - 2nd Collection - St. Vincent de Paul Collection of Food for Swissvale Food Pantry The Tuesday/Friday Holy Hours will resume Fri-day, March 8 at Madonna.

Parish Library/Canterbury Corner Gift Shop News: Traditional Christmas Oplatki (four wafers per envelope) are available--offering is $2.00. Also at the

Gift Shop – Knights of Columbus “Keep Christ in Christmas” car magnets for $5 each.

Jubilate Deo CDs, presented by the combined choirs of St. Maurice, Sacred Heart (Shadyside), and Temple David Syna-gogue -- $15 or 2/$25. St. Maurice Music Ministry’s A Voice Cries Out (25th annual) Festival of Lessons and Carols available on CD for $5 each. Looking for a spiritually uplifting gift for someone special who is over 50? Give them a small but mighty book of reflec-tions and spiritual readings for every day of the year! Em-brace a Spirit of Aging, was written by Rev. Robert G. Duch, a retired Pittsburgh priest, who in the past served as pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Swissvale. The cost of the book is only $10.00.

Don’t miss a visit to the Parish Library to view the Fontanini Nativity display with over 200 sculpted figures in the Tus-can tradition. Children especially will enjoy looking at the lively scene that re-creates the life of the townspeople of Beth-lehem and the beautiful story of Christ’s birth. The Nativity will remain on display for Epiphany—January 6th.

December Christmas Holiday hours: Open Dec 23rd, 9:00-11:00am; Thurs., Dec. 27th & Sun., Dec 30th—Closed. Regular hours resume on Thurs, Jan. 3, 10:00am-Noon.

Madonna del Castello

MADONNA COLLECTION

(Collection will be listed in the Dec. 30 bulletin.)

Please remember to fulfill your Parish Share pledge before Dec. 31st.

Dinners and Cookies can be purchased after the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass at Madonna in the hall. Dinners are in containers and include: Egg-plant, Stuffed Shells, Plain Sauce,Rollatini & Meatballs. Everything is homemade. For more information call 412-271-5666.

Cookies for Christmas can be bought in the hall after each Sat. 5:30 p.m. Mass. There will be no pre-orders.

Anyone who would like to have any or all of the gifts cele-brated in memory of or tribute to a loved one(s) at Madonna del Castello Parish, should complete the form below, place information and money in a plain envelope and deposit the sealed envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or deposit in mail slot.

—— —— —— —— —— —— —— —— —— —– —— —— Madonna del Castello Memorial/Living

or in Tribute to Request I would like to offer: Altar Flowers ($50) _____ Altar Candles ($10)_____ Altar Bread ($25) _____ Tabernacle Lamp ($10)_____ Altar Wine ($25) _____ Complete Offering ($120)_____ In Memory of ___________________________________________ Living_________________________________________________ In Tribute to ____________________________________________ From__________________________________________________ Phone__________________________________________________ Child Protective Services Law: Report any acts of child abuse to Commonwealth of PA Hotline 1-800-932-0313. Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline: 1-888-808-1235. Diocesan website, www.diopitt.org, under “Protecting God’s Children.” Sessions available on-line. Diocesan Safe Environment Certification: Contact Kelly James at the parish office.

Readings for Sunday, December 30, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28…Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to the Lord. 2nd Reading: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24…We are God’s children now. Gospel Reading: Luke 2:41-52…The boy Jesus is found in the temple. Pro Life Corner God did not want to come into the world other than through a fami-ly. God did not want to draw near to humanity other than through a home.” -Pope Francis

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH

2018 Christmas Flower Donations Helena Ambroffi M/M David Joscak John Ambroffi Margaret Joschak Margaret Badar Jack Joyce Carolyn Bakin Mary Carol Kennedy Ronald Baklarz M/M Louis Keough M/M Paul Ballock Theresa Kobylanski M/M James Banish John Kogut Guigno Barbusio M/M Frank Kolano Michele Bazzone M/M Stephen Koncerak Sylvia Bernard M/M Alan Kondas M/M Eugene Billy Pauline Korotko M/M Angelo Bordogna M/M Anthony Kostyak Anthony Brandl Dolores Kostyak M/M Robert Burkovich M/M Michael Kranack Jay Carleton Emelia Kubik Jennie Caroccia Doc & Alilce Lanowitz Ed & Karen Carroll Margaret Leicht Janet Cavanaugh M/M Edward J. Leslie Chester/Anna Chorazy M/M James M. Malley William Coles Catherine Marotta M/M James Connelly M/M Jack Martin Michael Connolly Antoniette Martincevic M/M John Corbett Mary Ann McClain Ed & Mary Cuccaro M/M Raymond McDonough Dorothy J. Danko Rose Melocchi M/M Antonio DeCaria Donna Miara M/M David Desmond M/M/Michael Milko, Sr. Rose DiCenzo M/M John Millerschoen Fran Emrock Camille Molina M/M Andrew Fruncek Thomas Napolitano Ed & Cel Fischer Margaret Niehl Louise Gambino M/M Charles Nigro Marlene Garritano Donna Miara Mary Ann Garrity Doris Ofsanik Margaret Getsy John O’Masta Marlene Getsy June O’Masta M/M Ralph Girman M/M Ed Ondovcik M/M Joseph Giulianelli Elaine Pacella Denise Hartford M/M Louis Pane Betty Haugh Dolores Paul Ruthann Hewston Louis Payne Joan Hojnacki Paul Petrocelli M/M James Howell Helen Pietrzyk Dorothy Hrabley Suzanne Pollack Mary Huber Elizabeth Polovich Dolores Hudak M/M Joseph Punturi Ed Hughes M/M William Roland M/M John Jakiela Barbara Rolinski Carol Ann Jendesky William E. Rolinski

BRADDOCK, PA

Alice B. Russell Thomas Stafiej M/M Nicholas Russo Philomena Stamerra Dolores Sakal Richard Stamerra M/M George Scherrbaum M/M Dave Stockman Irene Sciscent Florence Szekely John Serene Lawrence Trasky M/M Daniel Shak Evelyn Ward Regina Schockling Joanne Wasko Mary Slaminko Diane & Tom Whyel M/M Mark Soltez John Vahosky Geraldine Sorokacs Ronald Rupchak

Donations In Memory of: Arlene Beilner

Richard Blazina Hughes Family

John Joschak Family Dudgie, Maxine & Marilyn

Regis McLaughlin Regis McLaughlin

William & Mary Kay Mehok Joe & Julie Ochal

***************************************************** MINISTER SCHEDULE

December 30: 8:00 AM

Eucharistic Ministers: M & L Petr i, P. Koncerak, M. Leicht, B. McDowell Lector: Pat Lanigan Server: C & D Yezovich

11:00 AM Eucharistic Ministers: Deacon Joe, J . Kondas, S. Szatkowski, E. Foster Lector: Chester Chorazy Server: Brian Kelly

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL OFFERING : Altar Bread, Altar Wine, Altar Candles

And Sanctuary Lamp: In Memory of John A. and Stephanie Jakiela

by John and Judy Jakiela

Stewardship: Time - Talent - Treasure Due to early bulletin deadlines

for the Dec. 23, 30 & January 6 bulletins we will publish the collections

as soon as possible.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Today is the fourth week of Advent and we light our final purple candle, knowing that the birth of our Savior is very near. May these last few days of Advent fill your hearts with peace and joy. For this week, focus on love. May the love of our Savior be with us always. The St. Maurice Religious Education Department wishes all our Parishioners and friends a very Happy and Healthy Christmas. May the Joy, Peace and Love of our Savior be with you always!

CALENDAR: 12/23 - No Religious Ed., Merry Christmas 12/30 - No Religious Ed., Happy New Year 1/6/19 - Religious Education classes resume, 8:30 AM 1/11/19 - NET Confirmation Retreat, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM on campus

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA Catechumens (the term used to re-fer to those individuals who have not been baptized) have completed the learning and praying Period of Inquiry and are now entering the Period of Catechumenate (meaning one being instructed in faith). Over the next several weeks, we will dive deeper into our faith and continue to learn more about God,

our Church and ourselves. Please keep our three Catechumens in your continued prayers.

HS: Mission Week Reunion and Information Social, Thursday, December 27, Parlor. On December 27 at 6:00 PM, we will be having a reunion for all the youth and adult volunteers who attended Mission Week this past June. This is a great chance to re-connect and share some memories. Additionally, any youth interested in attend-ing Mission Week June 2019 should join us at 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM to hear stor ies from the youth themselves about what a wonderful experience they had and to enjoy some Christ-mas goodies together.

THE CCD FAMILIES AND TEACHERS: at Madonna del Castello and Word of God parishes wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and Peaceful New Year. There is no CCD at the Madonna site December 22 and 29. Classes resume January 5, 2019.

MISSION WEEK

Come & See Social

Divorced and Separated Support Group-Meetings Start Mon., Jan. 7: Sponsored by Sts. John & Paul Par-ish, the group will begin its next 13-week cycle of meet-ings in January. This peer led group provides caring sup-port to anyone who is experiencing the pain of separation or divorce. Topics covered include: anger, loneliness, an-nulment, forgiveness, financial survival and more. Meet-ings are Monday evenings 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and will be held at Sts. John & Paul Church in Rooms 8 & 9 in the lower Cardinal DiNardo Center. Anyone who has ques-tions or would like more information should email Ralph Joy (ralph.r.joy@gmail.com, or call 412-741-5456). Sts. John & Paul’s address is: 2586 Wexford Bayne Rd., Sewickley, PA. The church is located approximately ½ mile west of the I-79 Wexford exit. For directions please contact Ralph Joy or check http://stsjohnandpaul.org/ the Sts. John & Paul website. DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) – Helping your Chil-dren Heal from the Hurt of Divorce-Meetings Start Mon., Jan. 7: DivorceCare for Kids is a special group to help children ages 5-12 heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents. At our weekly DC4K group, kids make friends with other kids who un-derstand how they feel and the things they are going through. The DivorceCare for Kids group sponsored by Sts. John & Paul parish will begin a 13-week cycle of meetings in January. Meetings are on Monday evenings 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and will be held at Sts. John & Paul Church in Room 1 in the Lower Cardinal DiNardo Center (CDC). Anyone who has questions or would like more in-formation should email Erik Palmer (rerikpalmer@gmail.com or call 412-491-5511). Sts. John & Paul’s address is: 2586 Wexford Bayne Rd., Sewickley, PA. The church is located approximately ½ mile west of

the I-79 Wexford exit. For directions please contact Erik Palmer or check http://stsjohnandpaul.org/ the Sts. John & Paul website.

Virtual Tour of the Church of the Nativity in Beth-lehem is online at opentheword.org.

BIBLE STUDY: The Prophets - Messen-gers of God’s Mercy. A ten-part series featur-

ing Thomas Smith from Jan. 9-March 20, Wednesdays 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. in the parish hall at Madonna del Cas-tello. Suggested offering is $25. Registration and pay-ments due Mon., Dec. 31. Make checks payable to “Word of God.” Complete and mail or put in the collection bas-ket. For more information see the flyer in literature racks/on the tables. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Bible Study—The Prophets Jan. 9-March 20, 2019 - Madonna Church Hall

LOOK FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE MEDIA "As we find ourselves actively entering into the fourth week of Advent, we are invited during these days to begin intentional preparation for Christ-mas. How we prepare in these days depends on what we are preparing for. In other words, there is a dif-ference between preparing for a day versus preparing for a person. Imagine for a moment what would have been in Mary's heart as she anticipated the birth of her son. Imag-ine how many times she sang to Jesus while he was in her womb. Imagine how many times the child within her would have stirred in her womb as she began to sing to him. Imagine Mary's anticipation of giving birth to the Savior of the world. Imagine what these days of prepara-tion can be for you if you prepare with Mary and like Mary." -Fr. Mark Toups Please be sure to place your suggested donation in the money slot on the display so the ministry can be self-supporting.

The Pittsburgh Catholic Christmas Traditions Magazine featuring unique stories is now available in the racks/on the tables.

New Year's Eve $8,500 Bishop Canevin’s Super Bingo: Buffet Dinner, party favors and black light bingo after midnight to rock and roll music. Watch the ball drop on our big screen TV's and toast with champagne at mid-night. What a way to start 2019! Ticket Price $120 per per-son. Make your reservation with a $20 deposit and pay

ACCT. # 510006. ST. MAURICE CHURCH 2001 ARDMORE BLVD PITTSBURGH, PA 15221 412/271-0809 CONTACT: Judy Kosar Cell # 412-638-1477 MESSAGES: Windows XP Publisher 2003 Adobe 8.0 COLOR ON ALL PAGES