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Mass Intentions for the Week

Parish Mission Statement We, the Sacred Heart Parish Community, knowing we are sustained by the Eucharist, dedicate ourselves to:

Forming a prayerful and worshiping community Educating all in Christ’s wisdom formed in and through the Gospel + Living our faith in today’s society

We strive to: Invite, welcome and serve all through our stewardship Unite our community through acceptance of one another + Comfort through word and deed

Parish Registration We welcome new members to our

Parish Family! Please download form at www.sacredheartmanoa.org

BAPTISM ~ PRE JORDAN Pre-Jordan - JANUARY 11

For information regarding Baptism and PreJordan Class, please contact Sister Bridget at 610-449-3000 x

124 or email shpmccullough@gmail.com

MARRIAGE Couples intending to marry should contact one of

the priests for an appointment to set a date. By Archdiocesan policy, this must be done at least six

months prior to the date.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK In case of serious illness,

contact one of the priests at the rectory

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Saturday: 3:30 - 4:30 PM in the Sacristy

Anytime by appointment. 610-449-3000

The Parish Center has resumed its normal business hours. Mask & social distancing required.

If you need assistance of any kind, especially for a Priest, please call 610-449-3000. Stay Well! God Bless!

For up-to-date information, check our website

SACREDHEARTMANOA.ORG Archphila.org Catholicphilly.com or download mobile app: MyParishapp

THE ADORATION CHAPEL IS CLOSED

Our Church is OPEN 9:00am - 3:00pm (2:00pm on Sunday) for private prayer

Please practice social distancing

Tuesday, December 22 8:30am Amelia & Joseph Petrick

Wednesday, December 23 (St. John of Kanty) 8:30am Amelia & Joseph Petrick

Thursday, December 24 8:30am The Alfonsi Family

Saturday, December 26 (St. Stephen) 8:30am Anthony & Isabel Valentino

Thursday, December 24

CHRISTMAS EVE Vigil Masses

4:00pm Church & Gym 6:00pm Church 8:00pm Church

Friday, December 25

CHRISTMAS DAY Masses 7:30am, 9:30am & 11:30am

ALL MASSES WILL BE LIVESTREAMED

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Dear Friends In Christ,

At this point of this 2020 calendar year, I think we are all weary of saying things like "in an abundance of caution", "in these unprecedented times", "as we live in this most unique

time, etc.," Despite all of our current struggles, as I approach my first Christmas as your Pastor here at Sacred Heart, I do so with much gratitude to God. As we hear in Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or peril, or the sword?......No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us (Romans 8:35,37). The love of Christ will conquer all things, even the Covid-19 novel coronavirus. At Christmas we celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus Christ our Savior. Incarnation literally means "to take the flesh". Jesus took the flesh so that He would show us that our God is not a remote God, controlling our lives from afar, rather, He is a good and loving God who wants to have a personal relationship with us. It is in this personal relationship with Him that I rejoice with you. Jesus does know our struggles, our pain, our sorrow and our darkness. The Christ Child has a way of disarming our defensive and our fearful and our reluctant selves so that we might be more open to him. As the spiritual writer Caryll Houselander wrote in Wood of the Cradle, Wood of the Cross, The way to begin healing the wounds of the world is to treasure the Infant Christ in us; to be not the castle but the cradle of Christ; and, in rocking that cradle to the rhythm of love, to swing the whole world back into the beat of the Music of Eternal Life. Be assured that you and your families will be remembered at the Altar of Lord at all of the Christmas Masses that I will celebrate.

Peace,

Father Nordeman

CALENDARS FOR 2021 are available at the doors of the Church!

Take one home today! Take one to a shut-in, if you can.

The Parish Center will be CLOSED Christmas Eve - December 24 Christmas Day - December 25

The Church will close

at 1:00pm on Christmas Day

MAKE TIME FOR CONFESSION

BEFORE CHRISTMAS

ADVENT PENANCE EVENING

Monday, December 21 at 7:00pm (A few priests will be available for Confession)

*safe distance / according to protocols*

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SACRED HEART CHURCH GOD’S FAMILY IN MANOA

served by:

Rev. John J. Nordeman Pastor

Rev. Henry J. McKee Pastor Emeritus

Deacon Bill Williams Deacon John Suplee, Retired

Mrs. Theresa Schmidt School Principal

Sister Bridget McCullough, I.H.M. Parish Service Ministries

Ms. Courtney McHale Director of Faith Formation

Miss Mary Ann Allton Music Director

REST IN PEACE Please pray for all members of our Sacred Heart Faith Community who have been welcomed to the happiness of eternal life.

SICK Please pray for all those who are sick, including: Baby Katerina, Baby Rose McKenna, Baby Ellie Jane Gleason, Avery Rose Harling, Benjamin Froelich, Sister Clare Anthony, I.H.M., Arlene Lyons, Joan Ehly, Palma Ricci, Isabelle Duca, Pat Smith, Jim Greisser, Clara Cicinato, Chris McCann, Joseph Duca, Ann McHugh, Marcella Hand, Sister Marita Shaun, IHM, Kathy Wilson, Peggy O’Donnell, Shannon McFarland, Sharon Richardson, Elaine Beaumont, Susan Gallagher, Pete Roe, Rosemary Brennecke, Adrian Hughes, Chris Garvey, Colin Garvey, Maryann Dabovich, Terry Romano, Patricia Smith, Kate Dennin, Lou Furlan, Dana Zinser, Kate Yach, Kyle Boas, Rosemarie Knowlton, Fran McLaughlin, M. Charles McKiernan, James Gavarone, Arthur Wasch, Joseph Reynolds, Matthew Roy, Amy McHugh, Olivia Kirmayer, Lexi McAlonan, Sharon Muschamp, Joseph Cutuli, Dick Obyc, Amy McBride, Patrick Walker, Michael Walker, Mickey McGoldrick, Carly Katrinak, Jeanmarie Hanley, Joanne Chiccarine, Jack Cloran & Mary Costigan

Please remember to pray for all men and women serving in the Armed Forces. May the sacrifices they are making bring peace. May God bring

them all home safely soon.

Baptism ~ Pre Jordan

Attendance at the Pre-Jordan Class is mandatory, prior to the celebration of

the Sacrament of Baptism

The Next Pre-Jordan Session will be Monday, JANUARY 11 at 7:00pm

in the MKD Room -

Please REGISTER! There is a limit of 4 couples.

Please contact Sister Bridget at (610) 449-3000 x 124 or shpmccullough@gmail.com to register to attend or for additional information regarding Baptism.

**Upcoming PreJordan Sessions: February 8 & March 8

Poor Box Donations for December are designated for

Archbishop’s Benefit for Children (Catholic Social Services)

Sacred Heart School

Who wants to be a WINNER! The Sacred Heart Home and School

Association is once again sponsoring the Lucky Heart Lottery - with no contact sales!

$35 for 35 Chances to Win Drawings Begin January 1

st, 2021

Ticket are on SALE NOW! Please contact any HASA board member: Martin Roach mproach@gmail.com 609-502-3124 Phil Sirolli p.sirolli@gmail.com 267-229-8233 Jackie McNally jackie.mcnally@gmail.com 610-662-2483 Susan Kohlenberg kohlenbergsusan@yahoo.com 267-240-3922

HELPING HANDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Anyone wishing to contribute to “Helping Hands for the Holidays” may place their donation (cash-check-giftcards) in an envelope marked “Helping Hands” in

collection baskets or mail/drop off to Parish Center. Thank You!

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Thursday, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00pm - Church 4:00pm - Gym

6:00pm - Church 8:00pm - Church

Friday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY

7:30am, 9:30am & 11:30am

** DUE TO CORONAVIRUS: Schedule may be subject to change! Please check the Bulletin and/or Parish Website (sacredheartmanoa.org) for any updates or changes.

(overflow from Gym and Church

Livestreamed in Everett Hall)

All Masses will be Livestreamed on YouTube Sacred Heart Church Manoa

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Saturday, December 26 5:00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday, December 27 7:30am, 9:30am & 11:30am

FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Thursday, December 31 4:00pm Vigil Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY *REVISED Friday, January 1, 2021

7:30am & 9:30am (no 11:30am)

Many thanks for the baby items donated for Baby’s First Christmas!

Your generosity was a blessing to many new mothers living at Mother’s Home in Darby and those helped through Catholic Social Services in Chester! Thank you also for donations to “Helping Hands” which helps parishioners & others in need at the holidays and throughout the year. The overwhelming generosity of Sacred Heart Parishioners throughout the year, especially during this pandemic, is greatly appreciated by the many people and organizations served through our monthly Food Sharing Project and through our Poor Box Collections, which are designated to a different outreach each month. May God continue to bless all for their caring and

sharing for those in need.

BLESSING OF THE MANGER SCENE God of Mary and Joseph, of

shepherds and animals, bless us whenever we gaze on this

manger scene. Through all the days of Christmas, may these

figures tell the story of how humans, angels, and animals found the

Christ in this poor place. Fill our house with hospitality, joy, gentleness, and thanksgiving,

and guide our steps in the way of peace. Amen

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SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 20, 2020 ENTRANCE: CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT

Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst. Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are feed.

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your Church gathered today.

Advent Wreath Lighting: Fourth Sunday Hope for Those Who Are Wounded

Advent is a time to bind up the brokenhearted. Come, Lord, and make all things new. From past wrongs that prevent us from moving forward: Come, Lord, and make all things new. From any bitterness that scratches our soul: Come, Lord, and make all things new. For relationships left in decay and neglect: Come, Lord, and make all things new. For any action that has wounded us or by which we have wounded others: Grant that we may have the peace of Christ while we wait, the love of Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.

GLORY TO GOD: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord, Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

PROFESSION OF FAITH: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us men and our salvation, He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come again. Amen.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: O come, O Lord, and set us free. O come and set us free, O Lord.

COMMUNION: Mary’s Song

My soul doth glory in your love, O Lord. My soul doth glory in your love, O Lord. For you gazed on your servant with compassion, and you reached out and took me by the hand.

Great are you, God, and holy is your name. Your mercy reaches to the end of time. Ah, the lowly will raise you to the heavens, and the proud-hearted have no part with you.

Ah, how you fill the hungry with your love. With empty hands the rich are sent away. You will always be mindful of your mercy, as you promised your people long ago

PRESENTATION: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame: “All hail,” said he, “O lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady!” Gloria! “For know a blessed Mother you shall be, all generations praise continually, Your Son shall be Emmanuel by seers foretold.” “Most highly favored lady!” Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; “to me be as it pleases God!” she said. “My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.” “Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!