January 6, 2013 - Saint Mark Parish

DECEMBER
2012
6 JANUARY 30
2013
● EPIPHANY
OF THE LORD
SAINT MARK PARISH
REVEREND DANIEL T. STRAUGHN, S.T.L.
PASTOR
ADMINISTRATION CENTER • 1125 Romine Avenue • McKeesport, Pennsylvania 15133
SAINT MARK PARISH
MCKEESPORT, PA
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
6 January 2013
Rosary prior to daily morning mass
MONDAY, January 7, 2013
COMMUNION SERVICE (Intention Fulfilled Privately)
8:30am
Gertrude Maizer .................... …..…………LB
(Alvin and Carrie Schmotzer)
TUESDAY, January 8, 2013
8:30am
John and Mary Gosney ................................ PV
(Son and daughter in-law)
WEDNESDAY, January 9, 2013
8:30am
Bob Thomas .......... ...……………...…..…..LB
(Rick and Mary Ann Tatarzyn)
THURSDAY, January 10, 2013
COMMUNION SERVICE (Intention Fulfilled Privately)
8:30am
George Pavlik .................. ..………...……...PV
(Tom Mulligan)
FRIDAY, January 11, 2013
8:30am
Barb Swauger .............................................. LB
(Ruth Konopka and George)
SATURDAY, January 12, 2013
8:30am
Michael Laychak ......................................... PV
(Mrs. Paul Minella)
6:00pm
Patricia Ruzich McCarthy ........................... LB
(Mary Jane and John Gracon and mother)
SUNDAY, January 13, 2013
8:00am
People of Saint Mark Parish ........................ PV
11:00am
George Van Kirk ......................................... PV
(Wife)
Baptism Instruction Class
The next Baptism Class for parents is Monday, January 7,
7:00pm at Saint Mark Parish, Port Vue Meeting Room. Please
call 412-678-6275 to register. This class is required prior to
Readings for the Week of January 6, 2013
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Next Sunday:
Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
1 Jn 3:22--4:6/Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
1 Jn 4:7-10/Mk 6:34-44
1 Jn 4:11-18/Mk 6:45-52
1 Jn 4:19--5:4/Lk 4:14-22a
1 Jn 5:5-13/Lk 5:12-16
1 Jn 5:14-21/Jn 3:22-30
Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Acts 10:34-38
or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
Stewardship
Due to an early submission of the bulletin,
the stewardship for 23 December 2012 and 30 December 2012
will be reported in our next bulletin.
Sanctuary Lamp/Altar Bread & Wine
This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Liberty site burns for
Steve Marshalik.
This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Port Vue site burns for
Aimee and Adam Straughn.
This week the Altar Bread & Wine is for the welfare of our
entire Saint Mark Parish Family.
Activity Schedule
Monday, January 7, 2013
6:30-7:30pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, LB
7:15 pm, Rosary, LB
7:00pm, Baptism instruction class, PV
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
7:00pm, Contemporary rehearsal, LB
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
9:00am, Miraculous Medal Novena, LB
1:00pm, Liturgy Team Meeting, PV
7:00pm, Photo Directory committee meeting, PV
Saturday, January 12, 2013
5:00pm, Cotemporary Christmas Concert, LB
After 6:00pm Mass, Parish Christmas Party, LB
Second Collection (TODAY):
Maintenance / Buildings & Grounds
In our offertory packet is an envelope specifically
marked “Maintenance/Buildings & Grounds”.
This green envelope is used for a second collection on
the first Sunday of each month. Your generosity ensures
our parish property is adequately maintained.
All Ministry is to support and effect
unity, strength and vitality.
When we work together, it is easier and better for
everyone. Thanks for working together for the sake of
our entire Saint Mark Parish Family. If we are living
for ourselves, and doing our own thing, we are not really
living, we are dying. Let’s live like we are God’s family!
F-A-M-I-L-Y: Forget About Me, I Love You!
Love and live for others,
and we will certainly live more joy-filled lives.
SNOW CANCELATIONS
For everyone’s safety, a delay or cancelation at
South Allegheny Elementary Middle or Senior is our notice of
cancelation of morning Mass (or Communion Service). Please
listen to the radio or watch TV for delays or cancelations.
Your safety is most important.
Saint Mark “Common Grounds”
The Coffee House at the Port Vue worship site is
open today following the 8:00am Mass.
Join us for coffee and fellowship!
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
JANUARY 6, 2013
$1,300 January Lottery
Raffle Ticket
January’s monthly ticket plays the 7:00pm PA Lottery
on Monday, January 7, 2013. Tickets for the
January Lottery Raffle are sold after Mass.
Saint Mark Parish 50/50
In your offertory packet, there is a tan colored
envelope marked 50/50 Drawing--Donation $5.00.
On Monday, January 28, 2013, all envelopes are
placed in a drum and one lucky winner is drawn to win
half of the take. Due to early submission of bulletin,
the December winner will be listed next week.
$14,000 BIG MONEY Ticket
Due to early submission of the bulletin, the Big
Money winner and bonus winner will be listed
next week.
Help in selling TICKETS:
If anyone is interested in selling tickets before/after each of
our Masses, please contact: Cathy Esack: 412-672-8666
2013 Mass Intentions:
We have a few options for Mass Intentions available
for weekday Masses throughout 2013. Please contact
the Parish Administration Center if you want to offer a
Mass Intention for a loved one or fellow parishioner.
Sanctuary Lamps:
Each week the Sanctuary Lamps at each site can be
sponsored in memory of or for the welfare of a loved
one. The cost is $10. If you are interested in sponsoring
the Vigil Light please contact the Administration Center.
The Saint Mark Parish Festival is
August 1, 2, 3, 2013
Please mark your calendars now!
Benefits our entire parish family!
March For Life
The Knights of Columbus Councils from West Mifflin,
McKeesport and the Stephen Barry Assembly are sponsoring
a bus to the 40th annual March For Life in Washington,
D.C. on Friday, 25 January 2013. For more information,
please see the flyer posted on the bulletin board at each
worship site.
Saint Mark Parish Bingo
Mark your calendars!!!
Saint Mark Parish is having an afternoon of Bingo on
Sunday, 27 January 2013 at Father Rowan Hall.
Doors open at 12:30 pm. Early bird games begin at
1:30 pm and regular bingo games at 2:00 pm.
All paper format.
Regular games pay $50, Specials pay $100, and
Jackpot pays $750. Chinese Auction, 50/50 Raffle
Tickets and Instant Bingo too. Tickets are $20.
Any questions, please contact Helen Picone: 412-678-1657.
Calendars and Epiphany Blessings
Thanks to Striffler Family Funeral Home for
providing us with the Epiphany Blessings inserted into
the bulletins and available at each worship site.
Thanks to Willig Funeral Home for providing us
with liturgical calendars available at each worship site.
BUON NATALE * VESELE VIANOCE * JOYEUX NOEL * MALIGAYANG PASKO *
GOD JUL* NOLLAIG SHONE DHUIT FROHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN *
SVETAN BOZIC * BOLDOG KARACSONYT
Saint Mark Parish CHRISTMAS PARTY—All Welcome!
No matter how you say it, it’s Christmas Around the World. Come join us for our Saint Mark
Parish Christmas Around the World Party, 12 January 2013. The evening starts with a
Music Ministry Concert at 5:00PM, Contemporary Mass at 6:00PM and then our
Christmas Party immediately following the Mass (all happening at our Liberty site).
Bring your favorite ETHNIC main dish, side dish, appetizer, or dessert, and/or bring a bottle of your favorite
wine. Please RSVP by Monday, 7 January 2013. Forms can be dropped off at the Administration Center
or in the Offertory basket or call 412-292-0555. Any questions, please call Cheryl Hopkins: 412-292-0555
(Please detach and return by dropping in offertory basket or to office by 7 January)
Name: __________________________________________ No. attending: ________
I will bring: Appetizer ___
Side dish ____
Main Course ____
Dessert ____
Salad ____
Wine ____
THE EPIPHANY OFJUNE
THE LORD
2, 2002
LITTLE BLUE BOOK
THE LITTLE BLUE BOOK for the Advent and
Christmas seasons 2012-2013 are available at both
Worship sites. The book contains readings for each of
the 28 days of the Advent Season, and the 15 days of
the Christmas Season. This book provides the
framework for you to enjoy one of the oldest traditions
of prayer called Lectio Divina – sacred reading. You
read a short passage in the book each day and simply let
God speak to you through the words, guiding you to
reflections that sometimes seem to come from nowhere.
People are often surprised at how easy it is to pray this
way, and how deep such prayer can be. It can change
your day. It can change your life. Please take only one
book per family to ensure that everyone gets a copy.
God loves you! God bless you!
Christmas Concert
Come celebrate the season with us!
Saint Mark Parish Music Ministers offer a holiday
concert on Saturday, 12 January 2013 beginning at
5:00 pm at our Liberty site. This concert features
soloists and our Contemporary Ensemble, and highlights a variety of musical accompaniments and instruments. Our concert is followed by our Contemporary
Christmas Eucharistic celebration. These exuberant
offerings are followed by our Parish Christmas Party
in Father Rowan Hall. Join us for this evening of good
times, music, praise and fellowship.
There is no charge and all are welcome!
Help is Needed!
Help is needed with UNDECORATING our worship
sites on Sunday, January 13 at 10AM at our Liberty
site and on Monday, January 14 at 7PM at our Port
Vue site. The church environment is an integral part of
Saint Mark Parish—please support this parish endeavor.
You are needed & appreciated!
FREE
— Rediscover Catholicism
There are additional copies of this wonderful treasure of
our Catholic Faith available at our worships sites.
Please take a copy for your family and please pass it on
to another when finished. Rediscover Catholicism
is a Christmas gift from an anonymous donor from our
parish who wants to share this awesome book.
LEARN MORE and ENJOY! And it’s FREE!
Altar Bread & Wine Memorial
Each week, the Altar Bread and Wine is sponsored
in memory/honor of a loved one. The cost of
sponsoring the Altar Bread and Wine is $10.00 per
week. The memorial is listed in the bulletin and the
donation supports both our Liberty and Port Vue sites.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, please call or
stop by the Administration Center.
JANUARY 6, 2013
God-is-with-us! God-is-for-us!
Accept Him, and LIVE! Share Him, and THRIVE!
THANKS to Doctor Maureen Crossen of our
parish for offering an insightful Advent Series
to aid us in recognizing the presence of God in
our midst. The Lord of Glory is active in our
lives! Let us praise Him and thank Him!
THANKS to all who made our Christmas so very
special! I love you so very much!
THANKS to all of the children (and parents)
who participated in the Children’s Christmas
Choir. 24 children worked so hard to prepare
for the wonderful celebration. They did an amazing job! Special thanks to the adults who helped
with coordination and learning the songs, and
providing snacks and transportation.
THANKS to our Liturgical, Hospitality and
Music ministers, Instrumentalists and
Bell Choir for helping us celebrate the Lord at
His Birth! When we work together, it is easier
and better...and more beautiful...for everyone!
THANKS to all who decorated our beautiful
churches for Christmas. You make us look so
good and festive! Praise God!
THANKS to our many money-counters who
sacrifice their time and energy ensuring we
maintain the proper accountability of our much
needed charitable donations.
THANKS to all who support our fundraising
activities — God’s love is free, but electricity, gas,
water, cable/telephone, labor, supplies, etc. cost
money. Your generosity pays our bills.
THANKS to all who are still helping us finalize
the relocation of our Administration Center. All
we are doing helps enhance and strengthen our
parish so we can continue and thrive for many
years to come. It just makes sense! And when we
work together, it is easier and better for everyone!
THANKS to all who gave me so many gifts and
sweet treats, cakes and cookies, and shared so
much love with me for Christmas. You are
gifts to me! I love you! May God bless you all
with abundant joy, good health and renewed
faith in this blessed New Year!
Keep praying for one another!
And please pray for me!
Merry Christmas!!! And Happy New Year!!!
In God’s mighty and tender love,
Father Daniel
Allow Jesus to be reborn in the manger of your
heart, and then share Him with your life.
GOD loves You!
Accept Him, and LIVE!
Share Him, and THRIVE!
SAINT MARK PARISH
MCKEESPORT, PA
To live our Faith, we need to know our Faith!
Year of Faith:
11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013
"…They called the Church together and reported what GOD had
done with them and how He had opened the door of faith..."
(Acts of the Apostles 14:27).
Epiphany of the Lord
The Epiphany, called Theophany in the Eastern Churches, celebrates the
manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles and the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ
child. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on January 6. The feast originally was
more closely connected to Jesus’ baptism, the primary theme of the feast in the
Eastern Churches to this day.
The story of the Magi traveling from the East to see the Christ Child appears only in
the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. The word Magi, in Greek magoi, comes from
the Latin word meaning “sage.” These particular sages were possibly Zoroastrian
astrologers from Persia. Upon seeing a star rising in the East (the star of Bethlehem)
they realized it was a sign that the King of the Jews had been born. The wise men
followed the star to Bethlehem of Judea, and to Jesus’ dwelling there. Having arrived,
they worshipped the infant Jesus, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and
myrrh.
There have been numerous traditions about the Wise Men. Typically we think of there
being three because of the number of gifts, but Matthew doesn’t tell us the exact number.
Since the 3rd century, Christian writers have referred to them as kings, even though
Matthew doesn’t specifically tell us that they were royalty. Their names in the
West — Gasper (or Casper), Melchior and Balthasar — date to the 6th century. Their
names mean: Master-of-Treasure, King-of-Treasure and Protect-the-King, respectively.
-The Catholic Sourcebook
Saint Bede the Venerable fills in a few gaps, providing colorful details about the Magi:
The first was called Melchior. He was an old man, with white hair and a long beard; he
offered gold to the Lord as to his King.
The second, Gaspar by name, young, beardless, of ruddy hue,
offered to Jesus his gift of incense, the homage due to
Divinity.
The third, of black complexion, with heavy beard, was middleaged and called Balthasar. The myrrh he held in his hand
prefigured the death of the Son of Man.
The information provided by Saint Bede is interesting to contemplate but historically unreliable. -The Catholic Sourcebook