CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions immediately following Mass

Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass Or any convenient time upon request.

WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections: St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 566.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 253.00; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 932.00.

LIFELINES

“Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa

HOLY COMMUNION UNDER ONE ELEMENT AND SHAKING HANDS

As the winter cold & flu season is upon us already, we are suspending shaking hands at the sign of peace. Please acknowledge those around you with a wave or nod of the head. We will also have Holy Communion under one spe-cies; the Precious Blood will not be offered until further notice.

The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,

(St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.

St. Augustine Church, Silver Lake, Pa.)

(St. Brigid’s Cross)

P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288

E-mail: sfxc@epix.net Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor

Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”

MASS SCHEDULE Sat. Dec. 21 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CATHERINE ADAMS by Leo & Loretta Guiton Sun. Dec. 22 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

GERALD MURPHY by the Family 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

Mon. Dec. 23 12:00NN St. Francis Church - ANNA MAE KEENAN by the Family VIGIL OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)

Tue. Dec. 24 4:30PM St. Francis Church - BOBBY PURTELL by Foster & Nancy Lynch

Wed. Dec. 25 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 3rd Anniv. PAUL F. MORAN, SR. by Kay Keenan 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - JOHN K. CARNEY, SR. by Ed & Claire Bohan

Thur. Dec. 26 NO MASS Fri. Dec. 27 NO MASS Sat. Dec. 28 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

LIVING & DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CONBOY FAMILY by Irene Norton

Sun. Dec. 29 8:00AM St. Francis Church - THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHONERS

10:30AM St. Augustine Church - JUDY DeANGELO by Freddie & Bette Brown

NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FATHER CAS One of the most ancient of customs in the Church is the celebration of the Nativity. The weeks in Advent help prepare us for those Christian aspects of our lives that we all too often let slide throughout the year. For our part, we need and must prepare ourselves for our personal journey of love, peace, happiness, and hope that we will celebrate with all God’s children this Christmas and beyond. The world we live in demands a lot from us but our lives as Christians demands more. If we could only capture in our hearts the beauty and meaning of this time of year and live it out each and every day of our lives, we can and would embrace and spread Christmas cheer everywhere we went. Have a very Merry & Happy Christmas! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Mass—St. Francis Xavier—Tuesday, December 24th—4:30PM

Christmas Day Mass—St. Francis Xavier—Wednesday, December 25th—8:00AM Christmas Day Mass—St. Augustine—Wednesday, December 25th—10:30AM

Fr. Gerald Buckley from Binghamton has offered to say the 10:30AM Mass at St. Augustine Church on Christmas Day. Fr. Cas will be saying the 4:30PM Christmas Eve Mass at St. Francis Church as well as the 8:00AM Christmas Day Mass at St. Francis Church. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the Christmas Flower collection. A total of $ 918.00 was donated for poinsettias to beautify our Churches.

OPLATKI Oplatki is the Traditional Christmas Wafer shared at Christmas Eve. Packages are available in the vestibules of our Churches for our Parishioners use.

THANK YOU ~ CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS AND FOOD PANTRY

Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to our CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS. We were able to provide food for Christmas for over 30 area families. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Also because of your great generosity we were able to give FOOD CARDS to a total of (13) area families. The total Food Card collection came to $ 1,000.00. Your generosity is greatly needed and appreciated by everyone who benefits from your kindness.

THANK YOU (CHRISTMAS) GIVING TREE

Thank you to everyone who helped with gifts on the Christmas Giving Tree. Your help and support is really appreciated.

AVAILABLE IN OUR CHURCHES The Word Among Us and The Catholic Digest are available in the back of the Churches. Please take one home with you. Also available are a limited number of two books from Dynamic Catholic Publishers, “Ordinary Lives Extraordinary Mission” by John R. Wood, and “Finding True Happiness” by Fulton Sheen.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES 2014 Offertory Envelopes are in the back of the Churches. They have (hopefully) been placed in the Church that you most frequently attend. If you can’t find yours, please call the parish office at (570)553-2288 and we will provide them for you. If you have never received envelopes in the past and would like to have them this year, please call the parish office. Use of the offertory envelope system is a great help in our record keeping.

END OF YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS Final contributions for 2013 should be made by Monday, January 13th, 2014. You can put them in the collection or mail them to the rectory.

REMINDER ABOUT SECOND COLLECTIONS Please remember that when there is a second collection on the weekend, only the envelopes for the announced special collection should be put in the second collection. All other envelopes, offertory, building maintenance, utilities, fuel, insurance, candlemas, Easter flowers, etc., go in the first collection taken up.

COMPLIMENTARY PARISH CALENDARS A limited number of complimentary Parish Calendars are available in the back of the Church.

CCD CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Because of the bad weather, St. Brigid Parish CCD Christmas Program was cancelled last Sunday. The Program has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 5th at 11:30AM at Neumann Hall. All parishioners are invited to attend and enjoy the program. Each family is asked to help with refreshments by providing either a food or drink item for brunch. Please plan to attend and celebrate this holy season with us.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS St. Francis—Dec. 24th—4:30PM: Lector—Betty Ellen Hardy; Servers—Curtis, Gabe, and Madeline Spila; Rosary—Betty Ellen Hardy St. Francis—Dec. 25th—8:00AM: Lector—Rosanne Williams; Servers—Katie & Thomas Williams; Rosary—Jeff Williams St. Augustine—Dec. 25th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Servers—Victoria & Elizabeth Villanella; Rosary—Ann Zalepa

MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND St. Francis—Dec. 28th—4:30PM: Lector—Larry O’Reilly; Servers—Declan Giannone; Rosary—Mary Shaughnessy St. Francis—Dec. 29th—8:00AM: Lector—Rosanne Williams; Servers—Katie & Thomas Williams; Rosary—Jeff Williams St. Augustine—Dec. 29th—10:30AM: Lector—Jack Kelly; Servers—Kiera & Riley Short; Rosary—Ann Zalepa If at any time you see that a volunteer is needed for any ministry, please feel free to step forward & volunteer your help.

DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially our Parishioner Lawrence J. Casey who passed away this week. May he rest in peace. Amen.

SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr.

A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns in Memory of John & Patricia Glenn and Frank Padula requested by Bill & Theresa Noldy. The Sanctuary Light at St. Francis burns in Memory of John & Sophie Glenn and Rudolph & Berenice Noldy requested by Bill & Theresa Noldy.

CHURCH CLEANING

St. Francis cleaner for the month of December—Kathy Gage. St. Augustine cleaners Dec. 22 to 28—Kay Caspersen; Dec. 29 to Jan. 4—volunteers needed.

Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory.

PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, John Spila, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Mary Bakay, Donnie Butler, Tommy Williams, Stephen Ambrose, Toni Colardino, Evelyn Palulis, Mary Riley, Tom Wenman, Linda Hollenback, Jennifer Lynn, Jerry Lynch, Tyler Fletcher, Anna Mae Coleman, Joshua Welch, John Carr, Jean Ryan, Richard Hutchinson, Joshua Kaminski, Kathy Holt, Aleisya Abrams, Agnes Neville, Steve & Catherine (Golden) Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Butch Rosencranz, Ruth King, Adaline Williams, George Kotch, Brooke Arnold, Hallie Brooks, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Candy Coney, Molly Penderf, Walter O’Rourke, William Chaney, Mary Cadden, Frank & Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, Sue Anderson, Peg Taylor, Ken Roon, June Riley, John Bauer, Adam Kelly, Francis Zernone, Ned Offner, Daniel Gavin, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Doddie Mondi, Pauline VerValen, Roman Drab, John & Alberta Zielinski, Bob Fedroff, Virginia Raftis, Fred Russell, Dorothy Catlin, Thomas VanNostrand, Marie Donahue, Nancy, Matt & Emily, Bob Murphy, Cayden Bennett, Ann Ella LaRue, Robyn Lawson, Vicky Nelson, Marie Chillemi, Robert & Judy Peifer, S. T., Kevin Phalen, Rita Flynn, Shirley Davis, Mike Rafferty, Elton Carr, Kaleena Dughi, Peter Purtell, George Moore, Molly Getter, and Debbie Drewry . May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.

ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Shane Kalpokas, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Daniel Hogan, Matthew Kramer, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Jason Raymond, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Reed Shave, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Lukas Crisman, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen. Please call the rectory when the person you put on the Prayer List or Armed Forces List can be removed. If you know of anyone on the list who has passed away, please let us know so that their name can be removed.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need—not just Parishioners), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spenser (570-663-2212), Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618), or Mary Keenan (570-553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention. OIL SPILL: Please continue to pray for a successful cleanup of the remainder of the spill.

THANK YOU TO CHURCH DECORATORS Special thanks to those who helped to decorate and clean our Churches and make them so beautiful during the Advent and Christmas Season. Christmas services wouldn’t be so beautiful and special without your help. A very special thank you to Mark Pichette for the beautiful Christmas Tree for St. Augustine Church. Thank you one and all!

THANK YOU!!! Special thanks to all who helped to make our Masses this season so special. Thank you to the Choir, Organists/Pianists, Choir Director, Lectors, Altar Servers, those who led the Rosary and to anyone we have missed. Thank you also to Fr. Buckley for saying Mass at St. Augustine on Christmas Day. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Wednesday, January 1st is the Solemnity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day. The Mass Schedule will follow the regular weekend schedule:

Vigil Mass—Tuesday, December 31st—4:30PM at St. Francis Holy Day Mass—Wednesday, January 1st—8:00AM at St. Francis

Holy Day Mass—Wednesday, January 1st—10:30AM at St. Augustine. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of the Churches this weekend for Christmas gift giving. Again this year calendars are $ 20.00 each. They run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2014. Each family in our Parish is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars available. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to please sign the calendars out on the sign out sheet provided. Please help to make this very important fund raiser a success again this year!

ALTAR & ROSARY KNIFE RADA SALE

St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society is selling Rada knives as an on-going fund raiser. Orders can be placed with a member of the Altar & Rosary or can be placed on-line by going online to www.helpourfundraiser.com and use customer number 504671. The password is mrsa01pw. Do not use capital letters in the password.

CARD SHOWER Catherine (O'Reilly) Logue will be celebrating her 91st birthday on December 24th. She would love to receive Birthday/Christmas Cards from everyone.....She enjoys getting mail and would love visitors....Her address is: Catherine Logue, 1715 Castle Garden's Road, Apt. 251, Vestal, New York, 13850.

Thank you to those who have already made the commitment to “Serve with Love.” If you did not already make a pledge, envelopes are available in the back of the Churches for your pledge. Completed pledges may be placed in the collection basket or mailed to the Rectory. St. Brigid Parish Appeal goal is $ 23,750.00, the same as last year. Currently we have (130)

pledges for a total of $ 18,925.00. We are ONLY under our goal by $ 4,825.00. Thank you to everyone for your generosity.

6TH ANNUAL CAR RAFFLE Again this year the Catholic Schools of Broome County are having a Car Raffle Fund Raiser. There are three chances to win—1st prize—2014 Jeep Wrangler; 2nd prize—$ 1,000.00; and 3rd prize—$ 500.00. Tickets are $ 5.00 each or 5 for $ 20.00. The drawing will be held December 28th, 2013 at 3:00PM at Seton Catholic Central High School. Purchaser must be 18 years or older. Please help support our St. Brigid Parish students who are enrolled in the Catholic Schools of Broome County. If you would like to purchase tickets, please see Rosanne & Jeff Williams (570-553-2859) or call St. Brigid Parish Office at (570-553-2288).

HELP FOR HURTING MARRIAGES

Retrouvaille, pronounced, “re-tro-vi”, is a French word meaning, “to find one’s way again” or “rediscovery.” The program consists of a weekend and follow-up presentations which help couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. For more information, or to register for the January 17-19, 2014 program, call: 1-800-470-2230 or visit: www.HelpOurMarriage.com .

KNOW A MARRIAGE THAT NEEDS HELP? Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, an international program that helps couples who are experiencing marital difficulties. This program is for all couples, at any stage of marriage, that need help to communicate with each other in a more attentive and loving manner. The next program in the Diocese of Scranton is February 14-16 at Fatima Renewal Center in Dalton. Please call 1-800-470-2230 or visit http://www.retrouvaille.org/ for more information or to register.

Requested by: In Memory of: Joe & Judy Adams - Mary Beth Adams Susan Anderson - Gary & Helena Arbosheski - Ralph & Marie Gesford, Daniel & Lena Kane, Peter & Betty Arbosheski, and Frank Lippe Louise Baker - Mom & Dad Joyce Barnum - Jim & Peg Shaughnessy Fred & Bette Brown - Fred & Rhoda Brown, Emery & Rose Bennett, Judy DeAngelo, and John Coleman Frank & Helen Burns - M/M Francis H. Burns, Sr., M/M Joseph McGowan, Mr. Joseph Mann, and Mr. Walter Mann John & Mary Butler - The Timothy Butler Family and The Hugh Murphy Family Kevin Boyle - John L. Boyle, John F. Boyle and Nellie Boyle M/M David Calabretta - The Caufield, Calabretta, Murphy, and Alexander Families M/M Elton Carr - Agnes Jones and Margaret Coolbaugh Joanne Cerretani - Joseph & Elva Pompeii Ruth Chamberlain - Burt Chamberlain Genevieve A. Coleman - Chris Coleman, Jr. and Bill Coleman Frank Conboy - The Conboy Family James Curley - M/M Robert Curley - Bub & Dawn Davis - Helen M. Davis, A.M. Davis, Andy Condon, and Bill Phalen Tanya & Scott Dearborn - Dan & Rose Devine - Michael & Barbara Dovin - M/M Henry Chesnick, M/M Michael Dovin, Sr., Msgr. Stanley Piorkowski, and Mr. Thomas Piorkowski M/M Frank Doyle - Mrs. Helena Flaherty - Miss Margaret Flaherty - James & Julia Flaherty, Larry & Jimmy Ed Flaherty, Martin & Katherine Flaherty, and Thomas and Bridget Flaherty Tom Flaherty - Joseph & Cecilia Degnan, Frank & Mary Ellen Golden, Mary Ellen Flaherty Griffin, and Fr. John Vincent O’Reilly and his priest nephews Brian Gardner - Dennis & Debra Garges - Diana Garges, Ralph Warner, Byron & Frances Jacobs, and Catherine Hutchinson M/M Peter Giannone - Clara Giannone and Lynn Giannone Tom Golden - Tom, Nora, Jim, and Larry Golden Donald J. Griffin - Mary Ellen Griffin Terri & Dave Grindel - M/M Gerald Guiton - M/M Francis Guiton and M/M Lawrence Smith Leo & Loretta Guiton - Francis & Anna Guiton & Family, Eldred & Elsie Tewksbury & Family, and Don DeWolfe Anne Hawley - The Alex Kucera Family Patricia Hutchinson - Roy Hutchinson, M/M Vincent Riley & Joe, James Neville, and Catherine &Franklyn Hutchinson Mrs. Peter Jaeger - Peter, James, Jack, Helene, Frank, & Mary Jaeger Katherine Keenan - Jim Keenan, Jerome Ryan, Jim Golden, Bill & Rosemary Dudock, Fr. Huntsman, Mrs. Eleanor Huntsman, My Grandparents, and Bill Curley Shirley Kelly - Leo & Peg Kelly Ron Kocak - Charles Kotch - Irene Kotch and Barbara Kotch Charles Kotch - In Honor of: George Kotch George Kotch - Irene Kotch and Barbara Kotch Jack & Vicky Kozic - Edward & Florence Kozic, Hazel Hall, Frank & Mildred Russell, and Helen Harcarik M/M Richard Leavenworth - Joan Lee - Thomas & Nora Lee, Louise & Matthias Lee, Mary McManus, and Mary Pat Lee Randy & Mary Long - Helen & Frank Guiton and Clinton & Alice Long Beverly Mahoney - Dick & Mary K. Manjerovic - The Manjerovic, Blashill and Parkinson Families Bill & Mary Lou Martin - The Martin & Purtell Families Phyllis McNamara - Ruth Murphy - Walter, Michele, Francis & Josephine Murphy, and Elizabeth Fessenden Theresa & Bill Noldy - John, Sophie, John & Pat Glenn, Rudolph & Berenice Noldy, and Frank Padula Cathy O’Reilly - M/M Lawrence T. O’Reilly - The O’Reilly, Giannone, Evans, and Grausgruber Families Anthony & Mary Palombaro - Jimmy & Michael Mason, and Carl Palombaro Julie Perlick - Frank Perlick Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer - Frank Perlick and Carl Spencer Bill & Barb Pichette - Albert & Margaret Pichette and Charles & Julia Borsavage Andrew Potocek - Joe Purr - The Purr, Heim, McDonough, Scroggins, Zernone, Filiault, Letting, Lamonte, and Downs Families Jerry & Karen Purtell - The Brion and Waldrep Families The Reichlen Family - Aaron Reichlen and Paul Shaffer, and Deceased Members of the Reichlen and Smith Families Mary Shaughnessy - The Shaughnessy, Buckley and Drooney Families, and Diane Shaughnessy Rita Spila - Elizabeth McHale M/M William Stewart - Marie & Keron Cavanaugh and Dolores Hickey Peter & Martha Strojny - Scott and Danny Edsell Art & Maryann Trecoske - Martha & Emmy Trecoske, Mary Novack, and Geneva Hegedus Mary Warner - Ralph and Mom and Dad Warner Marylea Wheaton - Ann Zalepa - Anna Phillips Donald & Patricia Zaleski - In Honor of: Our Grandsons

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS