JANUARY 5, 2020 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Selvaraj Lucas, M.S.C.

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tony Ripp, M.S.C.

Finance Manager: Carolyn Marchese

Dir. of Religious Education: Donna Sciacca

Parish Office Manager: Donna Sciacca

Parish Secretary: Rebecca Tirpok

Bulletin Editor/Webmaster: Donna Sciacca

MASS TIMES

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm

Sunday: 8:00am & 10:30am

Mon - Thurs: 8:35am / Fri: 9am

Holy Days: 9:00am & 7:30pm

CONFESSION: Saturdays 4:15pm - 4:45pm or by appointment. Register: Please contact the parish office to register when you move into our parish. Only registered parishioners, in good standing, can receive a Certificate of Eligibility to act as a Godparent or sponsor.

BAPTISMS: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered on the fourth Sunday of every month. Parents are encouraged

to invite family members to the 10:30 Mass as the Sacrament of Baptism takes place immediately following the Mass. Parents and Godparents must attend an enrichment class approx. 1 month prior to the Baptism. You will need to call the Parish Office to register for this class. A Godparent must

be a committed, practicing Catholic, and if from another parish, must provide a certificate of eligibility from their pastor. A Christian of other denominations may serve as a Godparent along with a practicing Catholic.

MARRIAGE: A Saturday Mass for the Sacrament of Matrimony may be celebrated no later than 1pm. Couples planning marriage are to contact the parish office & schedule a meeting with our wedding coordinator no later than 6 months in advance of the wedding. Shorter preparation

periods must be approved by our Pastor. Couples will meet several times with the Pastor throughout the preparation process. Couples are to attend a Pre-Cana program approved by our Pastor.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please call the rectory at any time for the Sacrament of the Sick. Also the Holy Eucharist will be brought to the sick and shut-ins upon request to the Parish Office. We celebrate a Communal Anointing of the Sick in June, near the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

Mass Intentions for the Week of January 5 - 12, 2020

Daily Mass

Morning Prayer in St. Joseph Chapel, Mon. – Fri. at 8:15am Mon – Thurs. 8:35am (Chapel); Friday at 9am (Church)

Monday: Bob Trouts (Harold Rick)

Tuesday: Irma Nemes (Maxine Vogan)

Wednesday: Daniel Patrick McCarthey (Jack Lynch)

Thursday: Keith Jakel (Mike & Mary Kosmin)

Friday: Marie Louzon (Mark & Leona Russell)

Saturday

5pm: Tom Fink (Bob & Peg)

Sunday

8am: Laura Barber (Michael & Phyllis Schmerbeck)

10:30am: Parishioners’ Intentions

Meetings this Week

Mon. Jan. 6: K of C, 7:30pm – Marian Room

Tues. Jan. 7: CYO (Boys BB), 7:45pm – School Gym

Wed. Jan. 8: RCIA, 5pm – Parish Office

CYO (Girls BB), 7pm – School Gym

Thurs. Jan. 9: Baptismal Class, 6pm – Parish Office

CYO (Girls Soccer), 6-7pm – School Gym

CYO (Boys BB), 7pm – School Gym

Sat. Jan. 11: Men of Faith, 9am – Chapel & Marian Rm.

Sun. Jan. 12: Conquest & Challenge, 6:30pm – School

Weekly Mass Collection

December 8, 2019: Envelopes $ 7,164.00

Electronic $ 776.97

Feast of the Immaculate Conception $ 568.00

December 15, 2019: Envelopes $ 6,551.00

Electronic $ 669.04

The parish collection reporting for Dec. 22nd & 29th were not

available at press time.

Thank you for your generosity!

Set up a one-time, monthly or weekly donation to St. John’s with a few clicks of a button. Visit www.stjohnsottsville.org and click on the Parish Giving link at the bottom of the page for step-by-step instructions.

JANUARY 5, 2020 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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The Epiphany of Our Lord

Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-12

During Advent we remember the promises that

foretell the coming of the Messiah. At Christmas we

celebrate that coming in history. On Epiphany we

stand in awe of the revealed mystery of the Word

made flesh.

“Epiphany” means manifestation…that the divinity

of Jesus was manifested to the world after being

made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem He is

revealed to the Magi who have come from the East

to adore Him.

Christian tradition has seen in the Magi the first

fruits of the Gentiles; they lead in their wake all the

peoples of the earth, and thus the Epiphany is an

affirmation of universal salvation.

St. Leo brings out this point admirably in a sermon,

read at Matins, in which he shows in the adoration

of the Magi the beginnings of Christian faith, the

time when the great mass of the heathen sets off to

follow the star which summons it to seek its Savior.

In the ancient Near East it was customary to offer

gifts to a king. Gifts of gold and frankincense as

they were foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah. Myrrh

was an anointing oil used to consecrate Levitical

priests and was also a burial ointment.

St. Irenaeus suggests that “Gold, a symbol of

royalty, represents the kingship of Jesus.

Frankincense, used in the worship of God, points to

his divinity. Myrrh, a burial ointment, signifies the

humanity of Christ, especially in his Passion and

death.”

The Council of Trent expressly quotes this passage

when it underlines the veneration that ought to be

given to Christ in the Eucharist:

“The faithful of Christ venerate this most holy

sacrament with the worship which is due to the true

God. For in this sacrament we believe that the same

God is present whom the eternal Father brought

into the world, saying of him, ‘Let all God’s angels

worship him’. It is the same God whom the Magi fell

down and worshipped and, finally, the same God

whom the Apostles adored in Galilee.

Monthly First Friday 24-hour

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament immediately follows our 9am Mass

Adorers needed. Please contact Anita Colahan or call the parish office

to sign-up.

FATIMA HOUSE RETREAT CENTER Bedminster, PA

“A Quiet Country Retreat” Offering Day & Overnight Retreats for Individuals

and Small Groups

Monday, 7pm

Adoration & Prayers Wednesday, 9:30am

Adoration & Prayers

3rd

Sunday, 12pm

Adoration & Prayer

for Vocations 1st Saturday, 10am Rosary,

Confession, Mass & Lunch

For more information or directions, please call Joan Black at 215-536-3508, visit fatimahousebedminster.webs.com

Our Lady of Czestochowa Chapel - lower Church 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901

Healing and Mercy Mass All are invited to celebrate with us the Healing and Mercy Mass. The Mass will be said on every first Friday of the month at 7:00 pm followed by the exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and a prayer for spiritual and physical healing.

JANUARY 5, 2020 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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TEACH the CHILDREN

Blessing of Your Home on Epiphany

Chalking the Door The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old

practice throughout the world. If you’re a

Catholic, you’ve probably seen it: a mysterious

series of letters and numbers, inscribed in chalk

over a doorway at your parish, or at the home of a

friend. This ceremony of the blessing of the home

and inscription of the initials of the three Magi

above each door can be performed either by a

priest or the head of the family.

The formula for the ritual is simple: take chalk of

any color and write the following above the

entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 20.

The letters have two meanings. First, they

represent the initials of the Magi — Caspar,

Malchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the

Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May

Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent

the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the

“20” at the end mark the year. This inscription is

performed as a request for Christ to bless those

homes so marked and that He stay with those who

dwell there throughout the entire year.

The chalking of the doors of a home encourages

Christians to dedicate their life at home to God

and to others. Practicing such traditions like the

chalking of the doors helps us to live our Faith

more concretely and serve as an outward sign of

our dedication to Our Lord. Our homes are also

the place where many of us will make the greatest

strides in our spiritual growth, through

observance of daily prayer, spiritual reading, and

work offered as an oblation to God. Seeing the

symbols over our doors can help to remind us,

while passing in and out on our daily routines, that

our homes and all those who dwell there belong to

Christ. It also serves as a reminder of welcoming

the Magi gave to Jesus. And that we too should

be welcoming to all who come to visit our home.

Kindergarten Teacher

Full-Time Position - incl. health benefits. Candidates should have prior experience teaching at this level and be actively practicing their Catholic Faith. Experience in Montessori education is preferred but not required. Applicants must be able to pass necessary background clearances. Letters of reference will be required as well as a letter from their pastor verifying that the applicant is a Catholic in good standing. Send a letter of interest and resume to: Mrs. Tami Koerber, tkoerber@rasjb.org, or call 307-699-1534.

January 2020 Calendar Highlights

Monday, Jan. 6th Classes Resume Friday, Jan. 24

th: March For Life, Washington,

D.C.

Saturday, Jan. 25th: Spaghetti Dinner

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK Jan. 27 - 31

Kicks off with Mass at 10:30am on Jan. 26th

Mass

at 10:30am

Friday, Jan. 31st – Report Cards Go Home

Mrs. Tami Koerber, Head of School tkoerber@rasjb.org

Mrs. Amy Mattle, Admissions Director

amattle@rasjb.org / 267-424-5762

www.rasjb.org

JANUARY 5, 2020 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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SJB CLEANING MINISTRY IS IN NEED OF

MORE VOLUNTEERS

Men & women 18 yrs. & up

5 TEAMS ROTATE MONTHLY (you serve only once every 5 weeks). Flexible schedules. Clean at your convenience during your team’s assigned week. Contact Marion Wolf or call the parish office if you are able to volunteer.

47th Annual March for Life, Washington D.C.

Friday, January 24, 2020 If you would like to join our parish bus, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, please add your name to the sign-up sheet is in the Narthex on the Pro-Life table. Contact Kevin Murphy for more information, his number is on the sign-up sheet. For more information on the day’s events visit https://marchforlife.org

RETROUVAILLE FOR MARRIED COUPLES

Malvern Retreat House Family Life Center

315 S. Warren Avenue Malvern, PA 19355

215-766-3944 / 800-470-2230

Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage! Retrouvaille of Delaware Valley offers hope for

stressed or troubled marriages. Are you and/or your

spouse experiencing loneliness, boredom,

frustration, or heartache in your marriage. Has the

communication in our marriage broken down?

Couple learn valuable skills and are equipped with

the tools to turn back the clock on your marriage.

Reignite the intimacy and find your best friend

again.

Our next program starts on February 21-23.

Please call fro more information.

All inquiries kept strictly private.

Sponsored by the Knight of Columbus

Enjoy fine food, friends and a live band...B.Y.O.B.

Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at

all Masses the weekend of January 3rd.

Please see any Knight for more details.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

FREE THROW COMPETITION JANUARY 17, 2020

5:30pm – 7pm

OPEN TO BOYS & GIRLS 9 - 14

February 8, 2020

2nd SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

Back by popular demand

JANUARY 5, 2020 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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Ministry Schedule for: January 11 & 12, 2020 – The Baptism of Our Lord

Extraordinary Minister

Lector

Altar Server

Music

Saturday

5pm

Joe Cegielski

Dorothy Cegielski Peg Glancey Marion Wolf

Patti Keyser

Joel Roney

Martin Elsner Paige Mattle

Ordinary Time

Sunday

8am

Mark Fetter

Nancy Kazinski Donna Nice

Bea Romaszewski

Jeanne Keller

Kalista Williams Violet Williams Need Volunteer

Choir

Susan Middleton Sue Rogers

Sunday 10:30am

Joan Beebe

Dolly Kovacs Cathy Leidtke Donna Sciacca

Ward Van Haute

Caius Van Haute

Audrey Van Haute Max Van Haute

Katie Minster Sue Rogers

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Roger Bahnck Sr., Nancy Beans, John Becker, Loretta Bodisch, Ross Brinkert, Anne Colyer,

Charlene Cornell, Matthew Crance, Jim Crawford, Chrissy Davis, MaryJane Deutsch, Dominic Diamond, Larry & Joanne Diehl,

Terry Dunn, Arlene Eichlin, Marvin Eichlin, George Farrelly, Julia Ferguson, Patricia Fite, Crystal Fleck, Sarah Fleck, Thomas Fleck,

Herman Fleck, Claire Fratrik, Kathi Gallegher, Addie Gardner, Kathleen Gaughan, Marie & Rosalyn Giardullo, Anna Giebler, Jack

Glancey, Mary Halwski, Maryann Hauber, Joyceann Heley, Michael Heuston, Thomas High, Sharon Horvath, Marilyn Hull,

Martha Juchnowicz, Valerie Korbar, Aleena Lang, Nate Leidtke, Ryan Leven, Kathy Lightkep, Jackie Litzenberger, Charles

Lutcavage, Colleen Lynch, Loretta Malloy, Jill Martindell, Peg Masse, Adelaide McElderry, Carol McGlinchey, Bridget McHugh,

Anne McNichol, Emma Michael, Maria Middleton, Nancy Moreno, Lorraine Mosolgo, Harvey Mueller, James O’Hanlon, Gary

Palmer, Helen Pepkowski, Victoria Pepkowski, Nicholas Powell, Don Raman, Mike Ramos, Gregory Rickert, Sandy Romaszewski,

Sam Rothman, Frederick R. Rude, Dolly Rutherford, Bob Sheetz, Lana Schell, Ronald Schultz, Sr., Steve Salva, Shane Stroup,

Riley Telesca, Sean Thatcher, Cynthia Tocci, Maddie Tomaszewski, Douglas Toner, Betty Ventresca, Helen Wall, Maryjane

Whealton, Tamara Widmer, Ed Wismer, Liem Zbyszinski

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUT TROOPS: Jamie Steven Ayuso, Fionna M. Boyle, Derek Brosius, Christopher Brune, Kyle

Crossland, Casey de Lauretis, David Fisher, Michael Froeder, A.J. Giovino, Aaron Given, Matthew Gumprecht, Bob Hankinson,

Victor Hormilla, Stephen Lindmeier, Jason Litschauer, Cory Litzenberger, Dan O’Connor, Jonathan Pucci, Dusty Rhodes, Craig

Russell