THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH The Holy Family and “Holy Families The Sunday between Christmas and January 1 is the Feast of the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We commemorate in this season that God became flesh in the womb of Mary, who along with Joseph (a biblical foster parent) are charged to be the human family in which Jesus grows into human maturity on his way to his adult mission to bring salvation to the God’s children. In his last public audience in 2014, Pope Francis spoke of the Holy Family and will spend the next year reflecting on the family at his regular Wednesday audiences in preparation for the Second Synod on the Family which will take place next October in Rome. He begins with these comments on December 18: God chose to be born in a human family, which He Himself formed. He formed it in a forgotten village of the periphery of the Roman Empire, not at Rome, which was the capital of the Empire, not in a great city, but in an almost invisible periphery, in fact, rather ill-famed… Jesus stayed in that periphery for 30 years. Luke summarizes this period thus: Jesus “was obedient to them [namely, Mary and Joseph]. And someone might say: “But this God, who came to save us, wasted thirty years there, in that ill-famed periphery?” He wasted so many years! He willed this. Jesus’ way was in that family. His Mother kept all these things in her heart, and “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man." (2:51-51). There is no talk of miracles and healings, of preaching – he did not do any in that time. At Nazareth, everything seemed to be happening “normally,” in keeping with the customs of a pious and hard-working Jewish family: they worked; the Mother cooked, and did all the things of the house, ironed shirts … everything a mother does. The Father, a carpenter, worked and taught his son to work – for 30 years. We will certainly be moved by the account of how Jesus, as an adolescent, attended the meetings of the religious community and carried out the duties of the social life; in knowing how, as a young worker, he worked with Joseph; and then his way of taking part in listening to the Scriptures, to the praying of the Psalms and in so many other things of daily life. The Gospels do not say anything about Jesus’ adolescence and leave this task to our affectionate meditation. Art, literature and music have followed the way of imagination. It is certainly not difficult to imagine how much mothers can learn from Mary’s care for that Son…how much fathers can draw from the example of Joseph… how much youngsters can be encouraged by the adolescent Jesus, in understanding the need and beauty of cultivating their most profound vocation, and of dreaming great things! In those 30 years Jesus cultivated the vocation for which the Father sent him. In that time, Jesus was never discouraged, but he grew in courage to go forward with his mission.

A holy family isn’t simply blessed by God to be merely pious and overtly religious. Many biblical families play critical roles in the story of salvation. What makes any family holy is each member’s careful and steadfast attention to what is asking of them individually and as a whole. We might ponder what is the “mission” of our family? Mary is asked to receive the child of heaven, and she says yes. Joseph is asked to fulfill his promises to his unexpectedly pregnant fiancé, and so he does. He is the “just man” extolled in the Scriptures. Jesus, of course, will grow to obediently accept his Heavenly Father’s will to save the world – and his unique mission that will call for his ultimate death and resurrection to accomplish that purpose. The role of family today is no different. Let us pray for all of our families – and each member of the household – that they may become a “school of love” – and love translates as mutual respect, appreciation, gratitude, and the desire to serve each other’s best interests. There is no substitute for the authentic love of family members for each other. This is no easy task, nor is it one that is accomplished without God’s grace. May that grace be given and realized in abundance to each our families in 2015!

FROM MONSIGNOR GASTON Christmas Happenings at Mother of Sorrows

Ginni Piano and several fellow parishioners from the “Cleaning Crew” helped with cleaning the church in preparation for the Christmas Season. Thank you!

Christian Mothers' and Ladies Guild Christmas Party. The party featured a catered dinner, a white elephant exchange and entertainment by the Franklin Regional High School Sax Quartet.

Operation Home for the Holidays our teens prepare gift boxes for the homeless, write Christmas greeting for the recipients, and enjoy an ice cream social. Advent Party for Youth Ministry enjoyed a wacky gift exchange, a "snowball" dodgeball game, "create a snowman" contest, cookie decorating, and a "Christen the Carol" game (rewriting secular carols as religious). It was a busy night!

THE EUCHARISTIC TABLE DECEMBER

ALTAR CANDLES In memory of Guiseppe D. & Maria A. Riga by Christina M. Riga

29 MONDAY 8:00 AM 30 TUESDAY 8:00 AM 31 WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM 5:00 PM (Vigil) JANUARY

1 Jn 2:3-11, Lk 2:22-35 Donald Lackey by Barb & Lee Taddonio 1 Jn 2:12-17, Lk 2:36-40 Matthew Wygonik by Don & Loretta Panian 1 JN 2:18-21/JN 1:1-18 Mrs. Martha Blotzer by Daughter Special Intention

1 THURSDAY 8:30 AM 11:30 PM 2 FRIDAY 8:00 AM 3 SATURDAY 8:00 AM 5:00 PM 4 SUNDAY 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM 6:00 PM

NM 6:22-27, GAL 4:4-7, LK 2:16-21 Special Intention Special Intention 1 Jn 2:22-28, Jn 1:19-28 Julia Carey by Linda Wakefield 1 Jn 2:29-3:6, Jn 1:29-34 Gloria Havranek by Spike & Josie Doyle Deceased of Anna & Peter Pikus Family by M/M Albert Bradbeck Is 60:1-6, Eph 3:2-3a 5-6, Mt 2:1-12 Gloria Havranek by Robert & Suzanne Wigle Ginny Latorre by Piano Family Lida Romito by Sarah & Dante Romito Regional Mass at St. Barbara’s, Harrison City

SANCTUARY LAMP In memory of Michael Reinhart by Joe & Cathy DeRenzo

WEEK AHEAD DEC. 29 ~ JAN. 4 29 Legion of Mary 9:15 AM 30 Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00 PM 30 Sacrament of Reconciliation

MINISTRY SCHEDULE January 3~4 Presider

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 9:30 AM

Sunday 11:30 AM

Monsignor Gaston

Father Ron Deacon Dan

Monsignor Gaston

Extraordinary Joe Alexander Ministers of Cheryl Buchin Holy Communion Patti Donahoe Barbara Koury John Koury Holly Magister Patricia Policastro Marge Wolff

Dorothy Dolan Edward Edwards Linda Feczko Lori Gardea Judith Pearlman Mary Blanche Quinn Mary Lou Sweeney Carol Temofonte

Carol Donaldson Adrienne Heinrich Edward Liscio Craig Pavlik Gail Peduzzi Mary Lou Rostand Donna Stasko Christine Welling

Joe DeMartino Amy Kuruc Lauren Laird John Lease Kim Schwab Jen Stasko Greg Wagner Robert Wiley

Altar Servers

Giavanna Altmeyer Joshua Altmeyer Isaac Lynch

Daniel McMaster Conrad Molinaro Grace Reitz

Brianna Mocharko Aaron Stasko Andrew Winge

Jim Obman Linda Obman

Alvaro Giron Edward Peduzzi

Kate Pyle Jocelyn Taddonio

Peg Willard

Kevin Bohner

Caroline Taddonio

Readers

Cantor

Father Ron Deacon Dan

Sunday 7:30 AM

A.J. Buchin Elizabeth Donahoe Catherine Magister

Deana Foley Harley Wilson Morgan Koter

FAITH FORMATION WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Save The Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015 Epiphany: God’s Gift to the Whole World! Our 3rd Intergenerational Faith Formation Beginning with 5:00PM Mass followed by Dinner, Breakout Sessions, Prayer and Wrap-up at 8:00 PM

All women are invited to join our parish’s women’s evening Bible study on January 7. We will begin the CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization study program. This program is based on a documentary by Fr. Robert Barron which calls for evangelization that is new in ardor, expressions and methods. We meet Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To reserve your study guide, please contact Raissa 412-953-8206 or [email protected]

WOMEN’S TENTH ANNUAL RETREAT

RSVP by Sunday, January 4, 2015 with number of adults and children 10 and under to [email protected]. *********** VOLUNTEERS FOR INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION DINNER Many helpers are needed for getting ready for dinner in the social hall for the Intergenerational Faith Formation Sessions. Putting tablecloths on the tables and making coffee and getting ready for dinner will begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2015. We need your help and if you are able to give some of your time, please call Larry Sabol at 724.325.2925 to volunteer. Thank you for considering volunteering in this ministry of hospitality.

The women of our Parish have an opportunity to experience a week-end nurturing their spirituality at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center on January 16-18, 2015. The theme this year is BRINGING HOPE AND COMPASSION TO A HURTING WORLD. The retreat begins Friday evening and ends with mass at noon on Sunday. Carpooling will be available from Mother of Sorrows Church in the lower parking lot, leaving at 4:15PM. New this year, the retreat stipend is based on Friday through Sunday, Saturday and Sunday or Saturday only. Applications are available on the table in the nathex. For information contact: Mary Kay Valentine at (724) 733-5083 or Linda Obman at (724) 327-0303.

YOUTH MINISTRY

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NCYC 2015- Grades 8-11 Nov. 18-20, 2015. Join us on a three day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers! Contact Gretchen for more information. Deadline is Jan. 1.




Diocese Retreat- Grades 9-12 February 27-March 1, 2015. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this time apart provides youth with the opportunity to encounter Jesus, reflect upon the movement of God in their lives, and develop what their personal response will be to the call of discipleship that they receive at their Baptism. Cost is $150. Scholarships are available and forms are due to Gretchen by January 2, 2015.




Mother/Daughter Bible Study- Grades 6-8. Monday nights 7-8 PM starting January 12. Join us for this nine week study. Learn more and grow in faith together. Contact Gretchen to sign up.




Enjoy & Entertainment books - Youth Ministry is selling in the parish office and at youth group. Books are $30 each.

2015 FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE Sundays, 9:30 AM Mass – 11:45 AM Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Feb. 1 Feb. 8

Feb. 22 Mar. 1 Mar 8 Mar. 15 Mar. 22

Tuesdays, 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM Jan. 13 Feb. 17 Jan. 20 Feb. 24 Jan. 27 Mar 3 Feb. 3 Mar. 10 Mar. 17

2015 Intergenerational Faith Formation (For All) January 10, 2015 February 14, 2015 March 28, 2015

OUTREACH MINISTRY MARCH FOR LIFE

COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

Mother of Sorrows Church will sponsor 2 buses to the March for Life in Washington D.C. on Thursday, January 22, 2015. Registrations (with a fee of $10 per person) may begin immediately through the parish office. Contact Joanne at 724-733-8870. A special Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 AM with departure promptly at 6:45 AM Participants are asked to bring a lunch. Return is scheduled for 10:30 PM. For further information, contact Peg Miller at 724-327-3903.

In December, Mother of Sorrows Community Food Pantry served:

225 families (631 people) 119 volunteers contributing 425 hours of service

Monsignor James Gaston, offered the opening prayer of Thanksgiving. Special thanks to the following who assisted during the day setup, the evening distribution or donated supplemental items for distribution: Faith United Methodist Church, Clelian Heights students, Boy Scout Troop #213, Medic 1, Turner Dairy, Girl Scouts, FRHS football team, Mother of Sorrows parishioners, Mother Teresa Outreach Ministry and Panera Bread. Next food pantry will be held January 6, 2015.

DIOCESE BULLETIN BOARD WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES PILGRIMAGES

HOMEMADE SOUP SALE The Manordale Council of the Knights of Columbus will be selling homemade soup for $9.00 per quart in the church hall beginning the weekend of January 10 & 11 following all of the weekend masses. (No pre-ordering required) Soup sales will take place every weekend through the weekend of February 14 & 15, 2015. Help support various community charities including Clelian Heights.

Pope Francis has formally announced his intention to attend the World Meeting of Families Philadelphia 2015. Families from across the Diocese of Greensburg are invited to journey to the 2015 World Meeting of Families. Two package options for the pilgrimages will be offered. The first is a weeklong pilgrimage that will include the World Meeting of Families Conference and Papal events from September 21-28. The second is a weekend pilgrimage that includes only Papal events from September 25-28. For more information or to register for this once in a lifetime opportunity log on to www.dioceseofgreensburg.org. Registration deadlines are fast approaching! The deadline to register for the weeklong pilgrimage is January 10, 2015 and the deadline for the weekend pilgrimage is February 15, 2015