Jan van Eyck painting

SAINT PETER PARISH NORTH SIDE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Sacrament of Anointing

The purpose of the Sacrament of Anointing is to help those who are sick. Anointing is a way of uniting the sufferings of Christ with the sufferings of the sick. As the Church prepares to celebrate Christ’s birth, our parish will offer the Sacrament of Anointing in Saint Peter Church immediately after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 3. Those who would like to be anointed are asked to relocate to the front three pews of the church following the recessional hymn. If you, or someone you care about is sick, dealing with the problems that come with aging, facing surgery, or struggling with a mental or emotional problem, please come and share with the Lord’s healing and strength.

Holy Day of Obligation

Next Friday, December 8, is a Holy Day of Obligation, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. All Catholics are obliged to attend Mass and abstain from servile work on this day. The commemoration of the Immaculate Conception originated in the 7th century as the Feast of the “Conception of Mary by Saint Anne.” In 1854 Pope Pius IX defined the Dogma of Faith, “the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin in the first instant of her Conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, in consideration of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, has been revealed by God and must, therefore, firmly and constantly be believed by all the faithful.” Masses for the Holy Day will be celebrated on Thursday [Vigil Mass] at 6:30 p.m. and on Friday at 12:05 p.m.

2017 Advent Giving Tree

The time is drawing near when we will raise our parish Advent Giving Tree in Saint Peter Church so we may gather Christmas gifts for those in need within our parish, school and local community; as well as those who turn to us for assistance through our Saint Vincent de Paul Society. $25 Giant Eagle gift cards are generally the most practical gift to distribute through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, because the recipients are generally within our parish territory and they do not have transportation, thus the Giant Eagle on Cedar Avenue is their best option. Ornaments for the other recipients will provide details about the gender, age and suggested gift not to exceed a $25 value. The Giving Tree will be raised next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, and will stand until the last ornament is taken from the tree. Please do not take an ornament unless you know you can return the gift with its ornament attached to the parish office by Wednesday, December 20. Our Advent Giving Tree coordinator must have the ornament attached to the gift by this time so each gift may be sorted and delivered in time for Christmas. Thank you in advance for your love and support in this effort.

Parish Membership Up-Date

Presently we are preparing data for the next bi-monthly mailing of the offertory envelopes (January-February, 2018). Parishioners are asked to contact the parish office with information regarding changes in addresses, or family members parish membership status, by this Monday, November 27.

MASS INTENTIONS

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 3

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

SUNDAY, 11/26 - OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28/Mt 25:31-46

8:30 Edward Demko (D. & D. Demko) 10:30 Living and Deceased Parishioners

MONDAY, 11/27 - WEEKDAY

Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Lk 21:1-4

12:05 All Souls

TUESDAY, 11/28 - WEEKDAY

Dn 2:31-45/Lk 21:5-11

12:05 Kathleen M. Rooney (J. & J. Rooney)

WEDNESDAY, 11/29 - WEEKDAY

Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Lk 21:12-19

12:05 Joseph Canyock (J. Canyock)

THURSDAY, 11/30 - SAINT ANDREW

Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22

12:05 All Souls

FRIDAY, 12/1 - WEEKDAY

Dn 7:2-14/Lk 21:29-33

12:05 Maria Smolko

6:05 Benediction (O.L.Q.P. Church)

SATURDAY, 12/2 - WEEKDAY

Dn 7:15-27/Lk 21:34-36

4:00 Frely Shea (P. Burton)

SUNDAY, 12/3 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; 1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37

8:30 Living and Deceased Parishioners

10:30 Robert Swartworth (D. & F. Swartworth)

A Note of Thanks

We express our gratitude to all who helped make our Thanksgiving Day Mass so lovely: the Pilgrims and Indians who enhanced the processions, those who donated food and monetary gifts to the needy, and the choirs who enriched our liturgy so beautifully. May God bless each of you for sharing your time, treasure and talents with others.

Please Note: Due to early bulletin transmission weekly collection reports and Mass Attendance Count for November 19, 23 and 27 will be listed in the December 3 bulletin.

2017 PARISH SHARE GOAL .................... $94,601.00

The 2017 Parish Share goal must be reached by De-cember 31.

Electronic giving ............................................... $590.00

Saint Peter Parish is sustained by the generosity of its parishioners through time, talent and treas-ure. For all that you do, thank you.

This Weekend, November 25 & 26, A Second Collection for Repair & Renovation Fund (R & R Fund) This weekend a second collection will be taken for the R & R Fund. Proceeds from the collection help to make necessary improvements in the parish. Thank you for being generous.

Baptism Preparation Classes

Parents who are anticipating the birth of their first child are required to take a baptism preparation class prior to the baptism. Classes are held in the meeting room of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The next class will be on December 3. For more information or to register, call 412.321.3186. No walk-ins, please.

Tapping Theology

Our parish holds this monthly program for young adults. Participants must be at least 21. The sessions are held at Penn Brewery from 7 to 8 p.m. All participants are responsible for their own beverages. The format is: 20 minute presentation, 20 minute socializing, and a 20 minute question/answer period. The next round will be tomorrow, Monday, November 27. All young adults of our parish are welcome to attend.

Items Needed for Christmas Theme Baskets

As a means of supplementing our operating budget, we will be selling chances on three Christmas theme baskets throughout Advent: a Pittsburgh sports teams basket, an entertainment basket, and a children’s basket. Those who are interested in donating any new items to be included in the baskets, such as Penguins tickets, Pirates jersey, Steelers souvenirs, etc. [for the sports theme basket]; restaurant gifts cards, chocolates, movie theater gift cards, bottle of wine, etc. [for the entertainment theme basket]; or board games, stuffed animals, Barbie, puzzles, etc. [for the children’s theme basket], are asked to drop them off at the parish office by tomorrow, Monday, November 27. Thank you for helping to make this raffle a successful fundraiser.

Nut Rolls for the Holidays

Our parish is taking orders for delicious homemade nut rolls. The cost is $10 a roll and payment is due when your order is placed. All orders must be received by Monday, December 11. Rolls will be available for pick-up in the hall of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church on Saturday, December 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will be applied toward our operating budget.

Ingredients Are Needed

To generate additional profit from our upcoming nut roll sale, our parish is looking for donated ingredients. If you are interested in contributing any of the following items, please contact Johanna at 412. 231.0931. Items needed: 10 dozen eggs, 30 pounds of butter, 50 pounds of flour, 60 pounds of walnuts, and 10 pounds of sugar. Thank you for this consideration.

Please Pray For all of the sick of our parish, the homebound, those in nursing homes, those who care for them, and those in the military.

Visit with Saint Nick

Each year the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Nicholas, the 4th century Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. This year Saint Nick will visit with the children and adults of our parish in the sanctuary of the church after all Masses on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10. Everyone is welcome.

Christmas Kids Fest Preschool through 6th grade children of our parish are invited to a Christmas Kids Fest on Friday, December 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church hall. Santa will stop by to visit with the children and sing Christmas carols. Activities include a hot chocolate bar and children will make a keepsake Christmas ornament. Cost is $5/child and registration is necessary by December 11. Please call Teresa @ 724.366.7198 for more information.

This Week in our Parish

Monday

Tapping Theology [for young adults], 7 p.m., Penn Brewery

Tuesday

Children’s choir practice, 6 p.m., Saint Peter Church [donut social to follow]

Wednesday

Adult choir practice, 7 p.m., Saint Peter Church

RCIA, 7 p.m., Our Lady, Queen of Peace church meeting room

Thursday

Hand bell choir practice, 6:30 p.m., Saint Peter Church

Friday

Frist Friday communion calls to the homebound, following the 12:05 p.m. Mass

Eucharistic Adoration, 5 p.m., Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church; Benediction, 6:05 p.m. MOMS Group family Christmas party, Brett residence, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday

Youth group meeting, 5 p.m., Saint Peter Church

Sunday

Sacrament of Anointing, following 10:30 a.m. Mass, Saint Peter Church

Religious Education/CCD, 11:30 a.m., Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church hall Baptism preparation class, 2:30 p.m., Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church meeting room

Courtesy Announcements: Advent, A Time of Hope … Reflection evening, Thursday, November 30, 6:30 p.m. in St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish Axmacher’s Hall. Presenter: Fr. John Marcucci. Refreshments (a potato bar, dessert etc.). All invited. For count only, please call 412.734.0505 x 3 or email k.Frankovich@comcast.net.

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 3, 1:30 p.m. an inspiring service of scripture, readings, carols and hymns in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Church (Troy Hill). Calls: 412.231.2994.

At Saint Aloysius Parish: Saint Nicholas Celebration & Train Show … Sunday, December 3, 12-2:30 p.m. Crafts, food, cookie decorating & more. All invited. Calls 412.600.7771.

River’s Casino Trip … December 7; Donation $20; Bus leaving from St. Aloysius Church parking lot. Calls: Carol, 412.931.8469.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE NOVEMBER 26, 2017

SAINT PETER PARISH NORTH SIDE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Solemnity of Christ the King

Today’s feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is a relatively recent addition to the liturgical calendar. It was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to the growing trends of secularism and materialism. It is a reminder of the fundamental belief that Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, is the essential life-giving force that governs all creation both as king and as shepherd.

On Mission for the Church Alive Update — Christ, the Unconventional King

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. What a magnificent title for the God who created us and loves us to the end. Of course, Christ is the most unconventional king. Instead of being born in a palace, He was born among the animals in a manger. Instead of the security of soldiers and guards, He was accompanied by twelve simple men. Instead of being crowned with gold and jewels, He was crowned with thorns. And, as today’s Gospel reminds us, He did not want his face etched on coins or framed on walls, but instead wanted to be seen in the faces of those most in need. While Christ’s kingship is unconventional, His reign over us is effective as He lovingly shepherds us towards the kingdom. On Mission for The Church Alive!

invites us to seek new and, at times, unconventional ways to reach out to our sisters and brothers and strengthen our relationships with each other and with our Lord and King. As Christ reigns in our hearts and in the world, may He shepherd us as we work to fulfill His mission of love. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE NOVEMBER 26, 2017

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