OUR LADY OF THE LAKES PARISH A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

Rev. James P. Holland, Pastor

December 13, 2020

W EEKEND M ASS SCHEDULE

Administrative Center Mailing Address: P.O. Box 149

Bairdford, PA 15006

Phone: 724-265-2070 or 724-265-1030 Fax: 724-265-6316

Office Hours (M-F): 9:00am to 3:00pm

Find us at: 527 Bairdford Road, Bairdford

Saint Victor Campus Bairdford, PA

Transfiguration Campus Russellton, PA

OUR L ADY OF THE L AKES P ARISH

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

Pastor Reverend James P. Holland ~ 412-977-6589 ~ fatherjames1@me.com

Administrative Staff Bookeeper

Sr. Michael Mack ~ 724-265-2070 ext. 203 ~ mmack@ollakes.org Administrative Assistants

Mary Jo Mehal ~ 724-265-1030 ext. 503 ~ mmehal@ollakes.org Contenta Schoenman ~ 724-265-2070 ext. 202 ~ cschoenman@ollakes.org

Safe Environment Coordinator Contenta Schoenman ~ 724-265-2070 ext. 202 ~ safeoll@ollakes.org

Religious Education Directors of Faith Formation

Mary Etta Filotei ~ 724-265-3284 ext. 402 ~ mfilotei@ollakes.org Mary Ann Miller ~ 724-265-4040 ext. 302 ~ mmiller@ollakes.org

Religious Education Secretary Mary Jo Mehal ~ 724-265-4040 ext. 303 ~ mmehal@ollakes.org

Liturgical Ministry Liturgical Coordinator

Joe Smagala ~ jsmagala@ollakes.org RCIA Coordinator

Beverly Michael Higgins ~ 724-265-4579

Maintenance Tom Jenkins Mark Harby ~ mharby@ollakes.org

Music Ministry Music Directors

Mary Ann Cooper Dawn Pawloski

Social Ministry Director Of Mercy & Service

Judi Damon ~ 724-265-3284 ext. 403 ~ jdamon@ollakes.org Wellness Coordinator

Bernie Shipeck

P ARISH D IRECTORY

SACRAMENTS Baptism: Call the office to schedule. Must attend a Baptism Seminar once.

Marriage: Contact parish at least 6 months prior to wedding.

RCIA: Are you 18+ and want to become a Catholic Christian? Call the Admin

Center or Beverly Higgins (724-265-4579) for more info.

Priesthood / Vocations: Call the Diocesan Vocation Office at 412-456-3123.

Anointing of the Sick / Ministry to the Homebound: Call the office if you have a serious illness or injury and need a priest to visit you for a special anoint-ing or need to receive communion. If someone is in need of Last Rites, or for a sacramental emergency, please contact Father Holland directly on his cell phone at 412-977-6589.

Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline : 1-888-808-1235

PA Child Abuse Hotline : 1-800-932-0313

Call 911 immediately if a child is in danger

Saturday 4:00pm Saint Victor Church

6:00pm Transfiguration Church

Sunday 9:00am Transfiguration Church

11:00am Saint Victor Church

W EEKDAY M ASS SCHEDULE

Monday 8:00am Saint Victor Church

Tuesday 8:00am Saint Victor Church

Wednesday 8:00am Saint Victor Church

Thursday 8:00am Transfiguration Church

Friday 8:00am Transfiguration Church

Saturday 8:00am Transfiguration Church

Saturday at 3:15pm at the Saint Victor Campus -or- by Appointment

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

STAY C ONNECTED

Our Lady of the Lakes Website: Visit us on-line at www.ollakes.org

Facebook Page: Follow and “like” our page: @OurLadyOfTheLakesWD

YouTube Channel: Subscribe to our channel: Our Lady of the Lakes Parish

Parish App for Mobile Devices: Android Device Users - Text TRCAPP1 to 555888 Apple Device Users - Text TRCAPP2 to 555888

Safe Environment Clearances: Every volunteer role in the parish, even if it does not involve children, requires clearances to be obtained before participating in ministry or volunteering.

We are happy to help. Clearance applications can be completed easily on-line at home. Contact us at 724-265-2070x202 or via email at safeoll@ollakes.org with any questions.

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

A Letter from Our Pastor Dear Parishioners:

Over the past few weeks, the number of coronavirus cases has exponentially increased in the Allegheny County area including West Deer Township. The numbers in our local area are low but nonetheless has likewise exponentially in-creased. As such, the Allegheny County Department of Health contact tracers have been “overwhelmed” with new cas-es. Additionally, both AHN and UPMC have more and more beds utilized for COVID-19 patients, leaving few rooms for people with other serious medical conditions. Anecdotally, in-hospital professionals express to me serious concerns as to the progression of this current wave.

Recommendations on Mass Attendance The Episcopal Dispensation from attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation remains. However, there is an

implied expectation you will at least watch Mass on TV or live-stream. People not feeling well for any reason MUST NOT ATTEND MASS until cleared by your doctor. Having a negative recent test for COVID-19 does not mean you are currently still negative. If you have been directly exposed to someone tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or has symptoms of the COVID

-19 virus, DO NOT ATTEND MASS UNTIL CLEARED BY YOUR DOCTOR. If you have recently traveled to or from a “hot spot”, please do not attend Mass for 2 weeks (See list of hot spots

here: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx). It is expected that when you attend Mass at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish whether at Transfiguration Church or

Saint Victor Church please ensure: You have properly washed your hands with soap and water. YouTube instruction is on the website. You properly sanitize your hands when you cannot properly wash them with soap and water. YouTube in-

struction is on the website. You maintain a proper distance of 6 feet or greater between others except those from the same house-

hold. YouTube instruction is on the website. You have face to face contact with someone closer than six feet, ensure it is under 15 minutes in a 24-hour

period of time. Wear a face mask at all times except when receiving Holy Communion.

KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY APPLY, MAINTAIN, REMOVE AND DISPOSE/CLEAN THE MASK. SIMPLY WEARING A MASK DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANYONE’S SAFETY! YouTube instruction is on

the website. Let us continue to have a Holy Advent season, Fr. Jim

Traditional Nut-Roll Sale ~ Order forms are in the back of each church. Deadline to order is Sunday, December 13, and pick up will be after every Mass on December 19 & 20. Prices are: $10.00 each, 2 for $20, 3 for $30, and so on. Nut-roll and apricot-roll orders are being taken with poppyseed-roll orders possible, but not confirmed yet. Volunteers will also be needed on Thursday, December 17, and possibly Friday, December 18, at the STV Activity Build-ing and TRC Kitchen to help with the nut roll sale. Sign-ups at the back of each church or call Glenn at 724-272-5171.

The Angel Tree gifts will benefit children and families from Holy Family Institute and the Hope Center in Tarentum. Please return your unwrapped gift with the tag attached, to TRC Church by Sunday, December 20th, by noon. Your generous gifts mean so much to these children and families, thank you in advance and God bless you and your family this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.

Tree of Light ~ Join us and build community spirit by decorating our first Town Christmas trees! A tree will be displayed in front of both the St. Victor and Transfiguration Sites. The deadline to order has been extended to December 20. Ornaments for the tree are on sale $20 for one and $30 for two. You select the names that will be hand-painted on the orna-ments (family name, names of dearly departed, business name, etc). All checks should be made out to Our Lady of the Lakes Parish. All profits will be split between Our Lady of the Lakes Parish and the Deer Lakes Suicide Prevention Program. The ornaments can be purchased by filling out an order form located in the back of both churches or on our website.

Holiday Wreaths and Garlands are still available in a limited supply! To make a purchase and support our parish fund-raiser, please contact Annie Catanese at 412-298-2041 as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

R ELIGIOUS EDUCATION N EWS

Due to the increase in Coronavirus cases, both CCD campuses will be remain remote until January 24.

We are thinking of you and your families this Advent sea-son and saying prayers for all of you. We miss seeing your children and pray that soon we will be able to resume in-person classes. Please check your emails for weekly prayer-aides and suggestions on how to grow in your faith.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) We are in much need of team members for RCIA. No experience necessary, just a love for the church. You will help mentor those who are interested in joining the Catholic Church and assist Beverly Mi-chael-Higgins, the team coordinator. Please call the office if you are interested.

We are in the planning stage of starting a new class for RCIA. If you are interested in joining the Catholic Church, and have not done so already, please contact the parish office and give your contact information. Thank you.

Attention Liturgical Ministers ~ All Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, and Altar Servers are reminded to use the Ministry Information Update form on the parish website to update their database information and serving availa-bility for January through March no later than Friday, De-cember 18th. Thank you.

Christmas Flower Memorial Envelopes ~ Please turn in your Christmas Memorial Envelopes as soon as possible, so we can begin preparing the Memorial List that will be included in the January 2/3 Bulletin. Turning in a late enve-lope could result in your loved one’s name(s) not being added to the list. Money from these envelopes pays for the beautiful flowers that decorate our parishes during the Christmas Season.

A Big “Thank You” ~ Thank you to those who generously contributed to the Christmas Wreath sale, Joe Clark Candy sale, Nut Roll sale, and Tree of Light. Your participation and support is appreciated!

Prayer Group~ Join us for an hour of praise and prayer

this Thursday, December 17th, at TRC Church at 7:00pm.

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish

PRAY FOR OUR SICK ~ Christine Ahlin, Dorothy Bachner, Robert Bamrick, Sr., Salvatore Bennardo, Bill Best, Logan Best, Jennifer Carr, Helen Cavanaugh, George Cingle, Barbara Compson, Sandy Culley, Brian Deah, John Dellariah, Alice Diana, John Dickun, Dan Dineff, Al Doutt, Phyllis Doutt, Charles Eichner, Robyn Fleischman, Al Fletcher, Linda Frazier, Rita Gallow, Karen Geragi, Jason Godek, Helen Goodhart, Hazel Groscost, Joseph M. Grunden, Amanda Gwinn, Scott Halapin, Jeffrey Hein, Edward & Ann Hockenberry, Alysa Hutchison, Chad Hutchison, Calvin Ingle, Alex Intrieri, Lou Ippolito, Greg Janicki, Joanne Jeckavitch, John Kisic, Robert Kobik, Valerie Komoroski, Camie & Talor Kovos, Rich Krahe, Gregory Kunkel, Janet Kunkel, Mary Kunkel, Helen Laczek, Sandy Lancia, Noah Latronica, Cassandra Lee, Sam Liptak, Brad Lutz, Marco Mangieri, Jack Marmarella, Arlene McCullough, Michael Meador, Carol Mendor, Elmer Meyer, Dan Momberger, Melissa Mondron, Jimmy Monos, Nicholas Mote, Dean Murray, Alice Mueller, Jackie Mueller, Elaine Nase, Stuart Nicholas, Diane Noullet, Luke Noullet, Irene Novak, Gert Nycz, Mary Jo O’Rourke, Joe Parison, Carol & Tony Pavlick, Audrey Peterson, Eugene Phillips, Dorothy Rainski, Janice Romano, Silvano Rossini, Stanley Rutkowski, Tammy Schaeffer, Bill & Flo Siard, Nancy Slabodnik, The Slimick Family, Laurina Smith, Martin Stephan, Terry Stiger, John Thomson, Geoffrey Thor, Lucas Ujazdowski-Parks, Justin Wagner, Luann Gaggini Walters, Marlene Watkins, Katie Wessel, Michael Whitico, Sr., Margaret Wilson, Carolyn Winschel

M ASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe

8:00am Marlene Lichtenfels by Vic & Lana Mennow Transfiguration Church

4:00pm Anniversary of Death of Jacqueline Cavanaugh by Jim & Helen Cavanaugh Saint Victor Church

6:00pm Thelma Micklow by Debbie Berky Transfiguration Church

Sunday, December 13 Third Sunday of Advent

9:00am In Loving Memory of Michael McPherson by Carol McPherson Family Transfiguration Church

11:00am Living & Deceased Members of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish St. Victor Church

Monday, December 14 Saint John of the Cross

8:00am Month’s Mind for Christine Callen by Mom & Dad Saint Victor Church

Tuesday, December 15 Advent Weekday

8:00am Anna M. Trocki by Andrea & Jim Parello Saint Victor Church

Wednesday, December 16 Advent Weekday

NO 8:00am MASS

6:00pm Robert Heininger by Bob & Vivian Kania Saint Victor Church

Thursday, December 17 Late Advent Weekday

8:00am Mary T. Holland by the Holland Family Transfiguration Church

Friday, December 18 Late Advent Weekday

8:00am Alice Cortese by Vera Cortese Transfiguration Church

Saturday, December 19 Late Advent Weekday

8:00am Paula Toscaloni by Anna Catanese & Family Transfiguration Church

4:00pm Anniversary of Death of Peg Russ by Frank Russ Saint Victor Church

6:00pm Living & Deceased Members of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish Transfiguration Church

Sunday, December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent

9:00am Richard Janicki by Judi Damon Transfiguration Church

11:00am Anniversary of Death of James R. Jackson by Family St. Victor Church

P RAY F OR O UR S ICK Mass Attendance Volumes

We have been experiencing higher attendance numbers at the Sunday morning Masses. If your schedule permits, you are welcome to attend a weekday or Saturday Vigil Mass. Dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass is still in effect in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Most importantly, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please stay at home to rest and recover fully before returning to Mass.

Active Parish Membership Means:

Registration (18+ required) in the parish for a sufficient period of time and use of the enve-lope system or electronic giving in support of the parish

Faithful attendance at Mass on Sundays & Holy Days

Volunteer and participate in parish activities

Please note: - Wednesday Masses during Ad-vent will be celebrated at 6:00pm in the evening (no 8:00am morn-ing Mass). Eucharistic Adoration & Confession will follow Mass.

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

Parish News & Notes

Free Health Care ~ If anyone needs to see a doctor and does not have insurance, please call Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center at 412-456-6911.

Ladies of Charity News ~ December Prayer Intention: “We pray during this Advent season to grow in faith, hope, and love as we await the birth of our Lord. We pray together as Ladies of Charity to keep our faith, hope and love alive and strong.”

Prayer Shawls ~ If anyone is in need of a prayer shawl for a loved one who is ill or in a nursing home, please contact Laura Smagala at laurasmagala@aol.com or 724-713-1453.

Transfiguration Cemetery ~ Grave plots available and for sale. Call 724-265-1030 for more information.

Offertory envelopes can be mailed to the Administrative Center (PO Box 149, Bairdford, PA 15006) or placed through the mail slot in the door.

Our Lady of the Lakes Administrative Center is now open: • Masks and hand sanitization are mandatory for entry.

Please consider contacting us via phone or email, if possible, to minimize in-person visits. Thank you!

• If you have something to drop off, please use the mail slot in the door at the OLL Administrative Center.

This Week at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish

Location Key: TRC - Transfiguration Campus STV - Saint Victor Campus

Saturday, December 12

Sunday, December 13

Monday, December 14

Tuesday, December 15

Wednesday, December 16 Note: NO Morning Mass on Wednesdays during Advent Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3:00pm - STV Church Advent Evening Mass followed by Confessions & Eucharistic Adoration, 6:00pm - STV Church

Thursday, December 17 Prayer Group, 7:00pm - TRC Church

Friday, December 18

Saturday, December 19 Rosary Rally, 12:00pm - TRC Church

Sunday, December 20

Interested in on-line giving? Visit www.ollakes.org and scroll down to find the icon above for online giving. Click it, and follow the instructions to create an account.

Collection Report

Weekly Goal This Week Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date Surplus (Deficit)

$ $ $ $ $

10,506 7,398

220,621 169,145 (51,476)

Offertory Collection

Parish Assessments

Weekly Goal This Week Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date Surplus (Deficit)

$ $ $ $ $

3,000 997

63,000 34,920

(28,080)

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish

Transfiguration Church Sanctuary Lamp is lit the week of December 13th

“In Memory of Anthony Filotei” By Dorothy Zonarich & daughters Dorothy & Norene

Week of November 22, 2020

Sacrament of Baptism We welcome and offer blessings on the family of this recently baptized child:

Wyatt James Thomas Son of Damian & Cynthia Thomas

May he bring the light of Christ undimmed to the kingdom of heaven!

Help us to make sure your donations support the funds you prefer!

Mark your yellow monthly special offertory envelope with the amount you are donating for each fund. This is very helpful to the volunteers who count and record our con-tributions each week. Thank you!

When you create your Christmas gift-giving list, please remember Our Lady of the Lakes parish! We have been so blessed with your generosity in a very difficult year for everyone, and we thank you.

As the end of the year approaches, please consider an end-of-year gift for the parish. You may even be able to re-duce your taxes by making a charitable donation to our parish by December 31, 2020. You will benefit with tax re-lief, and the parish and community benefit from the finan-cial contributions that support the many ministry services offered to our parishioners. Thank you!

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

Weekly Reflections

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 51-54 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 [4]/Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23 [7a]/Mt 21:28-

32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 [Is 45:8]/

Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom

16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

Did you ever stop and realize that there is no earthly gain that can ever really

satisfy us? Think of winning the Lotto. On this side of the winning ticket, it’s all

about the money, the new car, house, vacations, bank accounts, and infinite

pleasures. The possibility of acquiring all of these earthly securities brings us

back again and again to the purchase of a ticket. Then, one day we win! Our

dreams are fulfilled, and happiness is on the horizon. Then one day, we wake up

and realize that nothing has really changed, and I am not as satisfied as I

thought I was or would be. I find myself living in my incompleteness and with my

profound sorrow and grief. I did not find joy.

Glimpses of joy are possible but not by material means. They are brought to us through incredible experiences of con-

nection that bring us face to face with real and authentic faith, hope, and love. And, they are glimpses and do not last.

The moment we find ourselves looking back at them, they are gone, and we find ourselves remembering the moment in

memory. To carry joy within us is to realize that it is not something I create, manufacture or even acquire. It is not able

to be purchased. It is a gift. My need for joy mirrors my need for eternity, for a Creator who has a claim on the very es-

sence of who I am and desires a home within me. As C. S. Lewis discovered, joy is a surprise that speaks to my very

soul and is given as gift by the God who loves me.

The beauty of Advent is found in discovering the beauty of the gift of joy. God has visited his people for no other reason

than to show them where and how to find joy! All of our human and earthly joy experiences are always only glimpses.

They never satisfy us, sustain us or fulfill us. It is only God who is the joy of my soul. Real, Divine experiences of joy

catch us off guard, make us stop and become aware, bring a feeling of awe and rightness and have an eternal Other-

ness about them. Nothing created by humans can ever come close to this. We probably will not fully realize the truth of

all of this until we actually meet God face to face in heaven one day. Then, in that sacred moment when our hearts leap

for joy we will understand what we have been tirelessly searching for all along. Intense gratitude will most surely fol-

low. ©LPi

Liturgical Mini stry Schedule

Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Weekend Masses

Saturday, December 19 4:00pm at St. Victor Church No Lector EMHC: Leon Borczyk

Saturday, December 19 6:00pm at Transfiguration Church No Lector EMHC: Mary Grasha-Houpt

Sunday, December 20 9:00am at Transfiguration Church No Lector EMHC: Scott Woloszyk

Sunday, December 20 11:00am at St. Victor Church No Lector EMHC: Rob Zaremski

R EADINGS FOR THE W EEK

C OMMUNITY N EWS

Creche Virtual Blessing ~ Local Christian leaders gathered via Zoom

to bless the Pittsburgh Creche. Watch the recording of this virtual

blessing at The Pittsburgh Catholic on-line. This beloved Pittsburgh

tradition focuses our eyes on Christ during Advent & the Christmas

Season.

Fireside Nutcracker ~ Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings the magic of

the holiday season to your home. This virtual production adapts the

timeless holiday ballet for film. What a wonderful gift during this

Christmas time! Please register for free at the Pittsburgh Ballet The-

atre's website. You will receive a link to the video.