Let the Lord enter; He is King of Glory!

Saint Monica Parish

Catholic Community of Wyoming & West Wyoming 363 West 8th St., West Wyoming, Pa. 18644

Parish Staff + + + Mass Schedule + + +

Reverend Peter A. Tomczak, Pastor Saturday Vigil Mass 4:00 PM Reverend Mr. William Jenkins, Deacon Sunday Morning Mass 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Mr. John Romani, Parish Council Chairman Monday Morning Mass 8:00 AM Mrs. Darlene Zelinka, Family & Youth Director Tuesday Morning Mass 8:00 AM Mrs. Mary Jean Vikara, Religious Education Wednesday Morning Mass 8:00AM

Mrs. Nancy Beccaloni, Parish Secretary Friday Afternoon Mass 12:10 PM (Adoration following Mass - Benediction 4:30 PM)

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Contact us ********************************************

Phone: 570-693-1991 Parish Office Hours: Fax: 570-693-1399 Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Email: 363monicast@comcast.net 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Website: stmonicanepa.com

Mission Statement – The Parish of Saint Monica, grounded in the Sacraments and Gospel of Jesus Christ, is called

to serve by using God's gifts of time, talent, and treasure to inspire evangelization and provide for those in need.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 18th, 2016

Parish Membership - New members are always welcome. Please call the Parish Office to register. Membership is necessary for anyone in our Religious Education & Sacraments Programs as well as anyone wishing to be a sponsor for Baptism & Confirmation Sacraments - Baptism - Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Confession - Saturday, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM or by appointment. Marriage - Diocesan Policy requires a six-month advance notification to the priest & participation in Pre-Cana Instruction.

Prayer Group - Thursday evenings 7:00 PM in the Church Hall.

Religious Education - Youth Program Sunday, 9:45 AM dismissal 10:45AM; IC Adults Wednesday, 6:00 PM.

Diocesan Catholic Schools - Elementary or High School for information call 714-9610.

Pastoral Care of the Sick – Please call the Parish Office for visitation & Sacrament of the Sick, at home, in the hospital or Health Care Facility. Local hospitals do not provide pastors with names of hospitalized parishioners.

Bereavement Committee - Meet the second Monday of the month. Joanne Austin coordinator 288-6785.

Senior Citizens - Meet the first & third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 PM in the Church Hall.

Christian Society - Meet the first Monday of the month at 6:30 PM. FEED

AA Meetings - Thursday at 8:00 PM at St. Monica, West Wyoming. MY

Pregnancy Help - 24/7 call 1-800-723-8331 or 570-826-1819. SHEEP

+ Mass Schedule +

Mass Intentions

Monday, December 19 8:00 AM – William Malarkey by Wife Margaret

Tuesday, December 20 8:00 AM – John & Anna Pacovsky by Daughter Margaret

Wednesday, December 21 8:00 AM – Alice Grescavage by Gerry McGrady

Friday, December 23 12:10 PM – Ann Williams by John & Bev Williams

Saturday, December 24 4:00 PM – Christmas Mass Intentions Christmas Eve by Parishioners

*10:00 PM – Christmas Mass Intentions by Parishioners

Sunday, December 25 *10:00 AM – Christmas Mass Intentions Christmas Day by Parishioners

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Ministry Schedule – December 24 & 25

Eucharistic Minister 4:00 PM –Spitales, Piszak

*10:00 PM – Deacon, Krispin, Cegelka

*10:00 AM – Deacon, Kelley, Ruiz

Lector 4:00 PM – Smith, Kwasny

*10:00 PM –Austin, Lisewski

*10:00 AM – Romani, Martin

Acolyte 4:00 PM –Maywoods, Sanfilippi

*10:00 PM –Crane, Hindmarsh, Shemanski

*10:00 AM –Janoskys, Latoski

Greeter 4:00 PM – Kwasny, Gensel

*10:00 PM – Hindmarsh, Konopka, Bartos

*10:00 AM –Romani, Kelleys

* Saturday Christmas Eve 10:00PM

*Sunday Christmas Day 10:00AM ************************************************************************************************************************************

Sanctuary Candle

December 18-December 24 – Peter & Margaret Petroski

& Patrick & Mary McCarthy by Family

December 25-December 31 – For All Children by Anonymous

January 1-January 7 – Charles Stefanoski by Family

Requesting the Sanctuary Candle or donating the Bread and

Wine is a wonderful way to honor your loved one.

It may also be offered in honor of a special occasion,

intention or in thanksgiving. Please call the Parish Office for

available dates and details. God, bless you!

Bread & Wine for December – Ralph & Lola Amantea

by Family ************************************************************************************************************************************

Weekly Offering December 10 & 11, 2016

Collection $4,925.25

Diocese $722.00

Thank you and may God bless your generosity!!!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 18th

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Religious Education News:

1. The Posada- 1st and 2nd grade children are invited

to reenact Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage to Bethlehem

in search for a room. This will take place just prior to

4:00PM Mass on Christmas Eve. Children will practice

December 11th during class. On December 24th,

Christmas Eve, please drop children off at their

classrooms at 3:15PM; Posada will begin at 3:45PM.

2. Our CCD Christmas Party will be held on

December 18th during class.

3. No CCD classes on December 25th and January 1st.

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Blessed Mother Sodality Calling all girls in

grades 3 through 12; you are invited to join our

wonderful Sodality. Come and find out the joys

we experience honoring Dearest Mary.

Old and new members are always welcome at

our meetings. Joining our Sodality is such a special and

fabulous way to honor our Dearest Blessed Mother. Please call Sandy Nardell at 498-5477 with any questions.

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Christian Society News:

1. We want to thank everyone who came out to

give the church such a thorough cleaning.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness!” How

wonderful to join in with such a meticulous

group of people. God, bless you all!

2. As usual our Society is delivering beautiful poinsettia to

the homebound that have been receiving regular

Communion calls. What a delightful custom of bringing

some Christmas joy to those who are unable to join us for

our Christmas celebrations.

3. Our next Christian Society meeting will be on Monday

morning, January 9th, in the Church Hall after the 8:00AM

Mass. We invite anyone who would like to, to come and

see what we are about and join us. We guarantee you will

not be disappointed. See you there!

Come, Lord Jesus!

DID YOU KNOW???

1. Please check the time changes in our Mass

Schedule for Christmas and New Year.

2. Prayer Group continues Thursday evenings at

7:00 PM in the Church Hall.

3. Our Night at the Races date is Friday, February 3rd.

4. Did you send in your Bishop’s Appeal Pledge?

5. Adoration held each Friday after 12:10 Mass until 4:30.

6. Christian Society meeting will be on Monday morning,

January 9th, in the Church Hall after the 8:00AM Mass.

7. Christmas Eve Posada will begin at 3:45PM.

8. No CCD classes on December 25th and January 1st. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

A note from Father Leo McKernan,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all at

Saint Monica Parish! I am most grateful for all

your prayers and cards since my heart surgery

in late May. I am coming along well and feeling

much better as time goes on. You have been so kind to me.

It was a joy to be your Pastor for all the years the Good

Lord gave to me. I miss you… and I wanted to express my

heart-felt gratitude for all of you, your care and concern.

God’s blessing to you all! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Christmas Toy & Food Drive St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, a program

of Catholic Social Services is once again teaming up with

local parishes and the United States Marines “Toys for Tots”

for this year’s Christmas Toy Drive. To donate toys or new

outer-wear for the children, contact Dianne at 570-406-9843.

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Marriage Help: If your marriage is tearing the

two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful

communication, if you are considering separation

or divorce, then Retrouvaille can help you, we are

helping couples put the pieces back together and to

rediscover a more loving relationship. The next local

program will be February 24-26, 2017 at The Ramada

Inn, Clarks Summit, PA. Registration is required. All calls

are confidential. Cost is by donation. For info or to register

call 1-800-470-2230 or visit www.helpourmarriage.org.

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Diocesan Annual Appeal – Saint Monica Parish

goal is $33,000.00. As of now, we have reached

$32,195.00. Only $805.00 to go! A reminder that

75% of anything over our goal comes back to the Parish.

Please consider making a pledge if you haven’t. Thank you!

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Do not forget that Lighthouse books, CD’s and

other items make wonderful Christmas presents

to help one learn, love, and live your Catholic

Faith, and to share your faith. They are offered

free to anyone who needs them, but they do rely on

generous donations to bring their mission to the parish.

Our Annual Night at the Races will be

held on Friday, February 3rd in the Parish

hall and planning is well under way.

Horses and admission tickets are now on

sale after all weekend Masses. Horses and Admission tickets

are both $10.00 each. Doors open at 6:00PM with post time

at 7:00PM. We are having a committee meeting on

Tuesday, November 29th, at 6:30PM in church hall.

Everyone is invited! It would be great to have more

people involved in this enjoyable, fundraising event. Contact Tom Tomsak at 570- 237-2188 with any questions or

for more information. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Music Ministry News: 1. Prior to the 4:00PM Mass on

Christmas Eve we will celebrate the

Posada; a re-enactment of Mary and

Joseph's search for lodging in

Bethlehem, performed by our First and

Second Grade children.

2. Our Adult Music Ministry will be leading Christmas

carols on Christmas Eve from 9:35PM until 10:00PM

directly before Mass.

3. Our Youth Music Ministry will present a Live Nativity

with Christmas carols at 9:35AM directly before 10:00AM

Mass on Christmas Day.

Christmas Blessings from our Music Director,

Mrs. Ninarose Lewko and all the members of our

wonderfully melodic Music Ministry!

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His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2017 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 11. The event includes a 2:30 PM

mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through your pastor before March 13.

Building a snowman is almost as much fun as Saint Monica’s CCD Christmas Party!

Thank you, to all who fund our Parish by advertising in our bulletin; please support our gracious sponsors!

Bednarski Funeral Home Joseph & Jacqueline Bednarski

Funeral Directors

Traditional & Cremation Services

168 Wyoming Avenue

Wyoming, PA 18644

570-693-3851

Dennis Law Offices

Laura C. Dennis, Esq.

843 Exeter Avenue West Pittston, PA

Auto Accidents, Wills,

DUI, Real Estate Free Consultations 570-650-LAW1

House Calls for disabled (5291)

Threads by Voisin

Custom Dress Making

and Alterations

Dresses for all

Occasions including

Communion Dresses

316 Wyoming Avenue

Wyoming, PA 18644

(570)591-3180

Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home Inc.

Joseph A. Kopcza III, Supervisor Pre-need/Pre-Financial Funerals - Cremation Services

504 Wyoming Avenue Wyoming, PA 18644 570-693-1130

Joseph P. Gilroy Real Estate

John T. Piszak

Realtor

570-288-1444

570-313-8586

230 Wyoming Avenue

Kingston, PA 18704

Please listen & support

local Catholic Radio!

To make a donation

call 570-287-4670

Mini Motors Inc. Total Car Care

AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS

2006 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming PA 18644

570-287-5387 or 570-654-7787

Your one stop auto service center! Now available: 4-wheel alignment,

PA State Safety & Emission Inspection, Brakes, Tune-up Transmission Service, Belts, Hoses, AC System Diagnostics

B.M. M. Ed

Studio of Piano, Voice, Flute and Guitar

570-288-4006

If you would like to

place an ad for your

business or memorial

of a special date or

person, please call the

Parish Office for

details.

1442 Wyoming Avenue

Forty Fort, Pennsylvania 18704

www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com

Aaron W. Pletryka Thomas B. Wiedlich Licensed Supervisor Funeral Director

“A Tradition of Providing Elegant Funeral Services”

Traditional Funeral Services and Cremation Services

Pre-Arranged and Pre-Financed Funerals

Dileo’s Service Center Domestic & Foreign

Auto Specialist

Major or Minor Repairs

A.S.E. Certified

Master Mechanic

440 Wyoming Avenue

Wyoming, PA 18644

570-693-0467

Catholic Kids Jesus is sometimes called Emmanuel; Coloring Page Emmanuel means – God is with us!