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Dear Family of Faith,
As was mentioned since the weekend masses on Nov. 7 & 8,
there will be a revised Christmas Mass schedule. The Masses will be
as follows: Christmas Vigil Masses - 2:00, 4:00 and 7:00. The Mass
on Christmas Day will be celebrated at 9:00am. Because of the
required laws brought on by the Covid Pandemic, public facilities
such as restaurants and bars, sport stadiums and even churches, are
limited to half of the seating capacity of the building. Our church
seats 750 people, that means only 375 are allowed occupancy at any
given Mass. Seating must be in every other pew and there cannot be
people gathered in the vestibules or around the inside perimeter of
the church.
Needless to say, Christmas tends to bring the crowds out, and
under any other circumstances - I would welcome a packed church.
But that can’t happen in this pandemic. Therefore, there must be
reservations for ALL the Masses. Please call the office with the
time of Mass that you and your family want to attend, give us your
name and the number attending. Once the 375 capacity is reached for
that Mass, it will be closed. People will be at the doors with the
names of those who made reservations, if your name is not on the
list for that Mass, you will not be given entrance to the church.
Once Mass begins, the doors will be locked. (Please note: that you
can’t be locked in the church, only locked out of the church.) I
really hate that it has to be this way, but my hands are tied! So,
for the well being and safety of all, this is the only thing that
makes sense.
As the old saying goes… “the early bird gets the worm.” Folks,
please do not wait till a few days before Christmas to call in your
reservation, it may already be too late. For those family members
or neighbors who only attend Mass on Christmas and Easter, please
forward to them this information… I’d hate to have to disappoint
them. The phone number for the Parish Office is: 610.777.1697. The
office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM till 4PM.
Thanks and God bless!
Fr. Rich
PLEASE NOTE- When receiving your Christmas offering
envelope/schedule by mail, please disregard the Mass schedule that
is displayed. These pamphlets were printed prior to the Dioceses
addition of our Mass schedule and are not correct. Again the
Christmas Mass schedule is as follows: Thursday, December 24th
Vigil Masses: 2PM, 4PM & 7PM Friday, December 25th Christmas
Day: 9AM (a virtual option will be available as well beginning at
9am on our website)
The Primetimer Board Members would like to wish all their
members and parishioners a very Blessed Christmas and Peace, Joy
and Good Health in the New Year!
Our Parish Penance Service will be this Sunday evening at 7 PM.
We will have guest priest helping out. This is the last time for
Confession be-fore Christmas.
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ANNUAL LIFELINE GIVING TREE: The Snowflake Ornaments have all
been taken, however if you didn’t get one, you don’t need an
Ornament to still provide a needed baby item for Lifeline. All Size
Diapers; Size Newborn-12 Months Boys & Girls Outfits, Sleepers
& Coats; Baby blankets, Baby towels, Baby bath wash &
shampoo, Baby wipes, Baby bottles, crib
sheets and infant toys are all needed items for the coming year
and will be accepted throughout Advent. Monetary contributions are
always welcome toward providing tests, ultrasound confirmation and
mentoring clients. Checks can be made out to Lifeline of Berks
County and placed in a sealed envelope marked LIFELINE DONATION and
put in the collection basket. For more information, please call Bob
Peters at 610.775.8965
Liturgical Ministers for Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day: Christmas Eve: 2:00 PM Lector: Steve
Hetzel EM: Renee Reali, Hedy Oldham, 4:00 PM Lector: Brian
Kobularcik EM: Renee Premici, Cliff Brahmstadt, Kathy Burke, Susan
Artz 7:00 PM Lector: Craig Turnbaugh EM: Mary Beth Kakos, Alverda
Turnbaugh, Judy Stephan Christmas Day: 9:00 AM Lector: Joe Giles
EM: Louise Kellenberger, Billie & Mike Resch, Deneen & Dan
Giesen
5 Things About Christmas with St. Joseph
From time to time you hear about babies being born in a car on
the way to the hospital. Sud-denly, an expectant father becomes an
obstetrician. While those moments must be very stressful, I imagine
that the back seat of a modern-day car must seem like the Mayo
Clinic compared to a stable in Bethlehem. I don’t think that St.
Joseph gets enough credit for mak-ing the Christmas story a happy
one, so I offer you my five reflections for spending Christmas with
St. Joseph:
1. Sore feet. I have never ridden a donkey before, but I imagine
that there is not much room for anyone besides a pregnant woman.
The trip to the delivery stable was not short. Google Maps puts it
at over nine-ty miles of walking. Luke’s Gospel does not indicate
that Mary was in active labor during the trip, but nonetheless
Jo-seph did all the walking. Remember that getting things ready for
Christmas can be exhausting, but don’t add to the stress of the
delivery by being cranky. I guarantee you that Joseph didn’t
complain.
2. No reservations. We know for a fact that the Holy Family had
no reservations, so Joseph had to do some quick thinking.
Flexibility is the first ingredient to lowering holiday stress.
This Christmas expect the unexpected, say a little prayer to St.
Joseph, and go with the flow. When things turn upside down, you’ll
smile and not frown.
3. There’s company coming. After Jesus was born, there were a
lot of visitors. First the shepherds showed up, next the Magi, and
all along a multitude of Heavenly Hosts were enjoying the view. A
little alone time is a nice thing, but it may not happen this year.
Enjoy any calm before the storm. Don’t just lie on your bed and
nap; spiritually rest. Say your favorite prayer slowly (mine is the
Memorare), and ask the newborn Prince of Peace to let his peace
stay with you when you are in the midst of a big crowd, especially
if that crowd is related to you. 4. Away from home. Joseph and his
young family were away from their friends when Jesus was born. Many
people are alone on Christmas, and for some this is very
challenging. If you’re not one of those people, stop and think if
you know someone who will be alone, and invite them over for a
little Christmas cheer. I am of the opinion that someone outside
the family at the Christmas table puts everyone else on their best
behavior. If you will be alone this Christmas, remember that you’re
never alone. In prayer, spend some time with the Holy Family in
their solitude. Holidays need not be lonely. You can actually make
Christmas an intentional spiritual retreat, a planned time of
prayer with the best company imaginable. 5. No delivery. I am not
talking about the baby; I mean dinner. New moms need to eat and
drink to regain their strength. The Gospels make no mention of a
Domino’s delivery camel showing up outside the stable. Joseph
shopped, cooked, and cleaned. If that is your Christmas job
assignment, be grateful because you’re in such great company. If
you normally don’t help with these things, put down your eggnog,
get your lazy self off the couch, and say these simple words, “I
will do the dishes.” Think of it as doing Jesus’ dishes. Sourced by
Fr. William Byrne
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/prayers-honoring-mary/memorare-marian-prayer/
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St. John Baptist de la salle december 20th 2020
www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com fourth Sunday of advent
MONDAY, DEC. 21 – Late Advent Weekday St. Peter Canisius 8:00
a.m. Joann Kidron TUESDAY, DEC. 22 – Late Advent Weekday 7:00 p.m.
Claire & Jack Causa WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23 – Late Advent Weekday
St. John of Kanty 8:00 a.m. Dr. Henry Bialas THURSDAY, DEC. 24 –
Christmas Eve 2:00 p.m. Christmas Flower Memorials 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Flower Memorials 7:00 p.m. Christmas Flower Memorials
FRIDAY, DEC. 25 – Christmas Day 9:00 a.m. Christmas Flower
Memorials
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH SATURDAY, DEC. 26 4:00
p.m. Deacon Cy Simchick SUNDAY, DEC. 27 8:30 a.m. Dominic Ray 10:30
a.m. People of the Parish
Please direct all bulletin and website inquiries to the Parish
Communications Coordinator, Sarah Capato at 610.850.4978 or
[email protected].
Bulletin submissions are due Thursday, ten days prior to the
Sunday of publication.
SATURDAY, DEC. 26 – 4:00PM Lector: Paul Donovan EM: Maria
Biancone, Randy Stuber, Kathy Burke, Mary Ellen Symanski,
Bernadette Yohn SUNDAY, DEC. 27 – 8:30AM Lector: Shayla Carey EM:
Chris Boland, Billie & Mike Resch, Judy & Bob Peters
SUNDAY, DEC. 27 – 10:30AM Lector: Adam Krick EM: Cindy Trygar,
Kathy Mihalik, Betty Wells, Vicki Pinder, Susan Artz
Sanctuary Candle for the Week of 12/20-26 in loving memory of
Joann Kidron
(requested by Cousin Eileen)
Weekly stewardship
SUNDAY:12/13:$6,821.25
Altar Bread for the month of December: In loving memory of
Marlin Rautzhan
(requested by Gere Rautzhan)
Mass intentions for the week
Upcoming liturgical ministers
Away from home? Find a mass wherever you are by visiting
www.masstimes.org
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 King David plans
to build a temple to honor God. But God tells Nathan the Prophet
that instead he will give David rest from his enemies, and ensure
that both his house and community will be protected forever. Second
Reading: Romans 16:25-27 In this letter of Paul to the Romans, he
explains that the gospel reveals the mystery that had been hidden
for many ages. Now it has been made known to all, so that they may
believe, obey, and give glory through Jesus Christ forever. Gospel:
Luke 1:26-38 The Virgin Mary is approached by the angel Gabriel,
who tells her that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. Mary
is first afraid, yet shows her unquestioning faith when she simply
says, “Let it be done to me as you say.”
Todays readings
Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service If you have an
allegation of abuse against a bishop, please con-tact the Catholic
Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at www.ReportBishopAbuse.org or by
calling 800.276.1562.
DIOCESAN OFFICE OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT Pamela J. Russo, M.S.W, M.S.
Secretary, Youth Protection and Catholic Human Services P.O. Box F,
Allentown, PA 18105-1538 610.871.5200 ext. 2204 or
[email protected]
VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR Mrs. Wendy S. Krisak Kalamar
DIRECT LINE: 1.800.791.9209
Parish Safe Environment Coordinator: Bernadette Yohn
610.777.1697 or [email protected]
