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CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS EVE: 6:00 PM AND 10:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY: 9:00AM AND 11:00AM
CHRISTMAS CHOIR SCHEDULE
CHILDREN'S CHOIR - 12/24 6:00 PM MASS
CHILDREN'S CHOIR BEGINS MUSICAL AT 5:15 PM
ADULT COMBINED CHOIR - 12/24 10:30 PM MASS
ADULT COMBINED CHOIR BEGINS CAROLING AT 10:00 PM
HOLY NAME BELL CHOIR/CELLO & VOCAL SOLOISTS - 12/25 9:00 AM MASS
HOLY NAME BELL CHOIR/CELLO & VOCAL SOLOISTS
BEGIN CAROLING AT 8:30 AM
HARP SOLOIST - 11:00 AM MASS
CHOIRS - CAROLING
For both of the Christmas Eve Masses, those planning to be in attendance should
be in their pews at 5:15 and 10:00 PM respectively for the pre-Mass caroling of
the Children's and Adult Mixed Choirs. The Children’s Choir will perform a
Christmas Musical beginning promptly at 5:15 PM. For Christmas Day Mass,
caroling begins at 8:30AM.
ADDITIONAL POINSETTIA MEMORIALS
Bryan Beck/Dad, Mom, Mandy, Scott & Josh
Paul Sherry Fam. & Anthony Becker Fam./
Gerald & Joanne Becker
Charles & Ruby Blair/James & Suzanne Blair
Tom Blair/James & Suzanne Blair
MM Antonio DeRubis/MM Joseph DeRubis
MM William Falcone/MM Paul Bucci
Frank & Kathryn Funyak/Family
Anthony Gatto/Wife & Family
Larry Giovacchini/Dianna
Ray Greer/James & Suzanne Blair
Helen L. Kenny/Family
Dorothy Kerch/Stella Gobris
William Klisanin/MM Joseph DeRubis
Christina & Thomas Kukucka/Mom & Dad & Fam.
Priscilla & Anton Kukucka/DM Stephen Kukucka & Fam
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Ann Leskosky/daughter
Walter Leskosky/daughter
Joseph & Rose Liko/James & Suzanne Blair
Mom & Dad (Rennie & Bibby McAllister)/Colleen Spicher
Ignatius & Irene Olsavsky/James & Suzanne Blair
Joseph Pearson/Melita & Tom O’Donnell
Dec’d Mems. Zeman & Rech Fams./Leo Rech & Fam.
Duane Sherry/Larry & Lynne Natcher & Fam.
Margaret Shrift/Pete & Patty Shrift & Fam.
MM Peter Tisack/MM Joseph DeRubis
Mary Vandemergel/Lynn, Cathy, Damian, Jen &
Kaitlyn Lauer & Chris, Renee, Cami & Cullen Myers
Jacob & Catherine Walkovich/Lynn, Cathy, Damian, Jen & Kaitlyn Lauer &
Chris, Renee, Cami & Cullen Myers
Steve Zaffuto/Fannie Zaffuto
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COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Any Catholic individual searching for a way to better prepare for Christmas
doesn’t need to look any further than the parish confessional room. Do you want
to find peace? Do you want to grow spiritually? You are nervous because it has
been a long time since you have been to confession. Respond to the movement of
the Spirit within yourself and take the plunge. Don’t worry about what to say or
how to say it. You already know the manner in which you have displeased God by
your lifestyle. Mention those sins and request forgiveness. Holy Name carries
the reputation of strongly promoting the sacrament of forgiveness. Trust in
God’s mercy even if you haven’t been to confession in 4, 7, 10 or 15 years. Come
home to a loving Father waiting to forgive you. The Advent Adult Penance Service
is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at 7:00 PM.
SUGGESTED CHRISTMAS GENEROSITY OF $40.00
It is not too early to pray over one's Christmas stewardship to God and Holy
Name as we budget expenditures on gifts for both family members and friends at
this time of year. How senseless to exclude a generous gift to the Church
founded by Christ, who from all eternity planned this mystery of salvation
history. Indeed the Christmas story has touched our lives dramatically, allowing
ourselves to be called not only His disciples but indeed His adopted sisters and
brothers and heirs of His heavenly home.
We requested over the course of many, many years a minimum donation of $35.00 to
your venerable parish at Christmas. There are many parishioners capable of
donating $40.00 or above the suggested donation. We anticipate their response to
this Christmas Appeal to be based upon their ability to share more. Permit your
2009 Christmas Gift to Holy Name to be an unselfish one, coming from the heart
of a committed steward.
PASTOR’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
On Christmas we gather to celebrate the birthday of the Christ Child. It is as
if God the Father invited all the Child’s relatives together and were throwing a
party for the occasion. Isn’t this what happens within your own family circle
when one of you celebrates a birthday? The Christ Child is one of us. You can
note how the words of his birth announcement read in the special selections of
Scripture for Christmas Day. In one place we are told that a Savior has been
born to US, and in another place that those who accept him are empowered to
become GOD’S CHILDREN. “The Word was made flesh and lived among us” is the event
we commemorate.
To celebrate Christmas we must give the event, the Christ Child, our full
attention. It is to open our hearts to him. Our ears may hear the story of
Christ’s birth, but it’s the heart that truly listens. There is a way to
experience more fully the secret of the Birth of Jesus. And that is to take time
off this Christmas for several moments of silence. The holy night has also to be
a silent night. It would give us a deeper realization of Christmas were we to be
alone for awhile. Be silent and wait upon God! God speaks to us in stillness. In
silence we become aware of his presence.
God’s presence among us is really what Christmas is all about. God has become
man. God has taken up his presence in the human heart to those who wish to
experience him there. The Babe of Bethlehem asks of us only one return. He wants
our love in answer to his love. He waits ever so patiently for the hearts of the
entire human family to recognize and to embrace his Love and Peace. May all of
society in 2010 more generously respond to his Loving Gift.
To each and every parishioner Msgr. Gaus, Fr. Mark and Staff extend sincere and
prayerful good wishes for a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
HOLY NAME SCHOOL CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
Holy Name School students will perform their Christmas musical on Tuesday,
December 22nd at 12:45PM in the church. All are cordially invited to attend.
Come and enjoy!
PASTOR’S SURGERY
Your pastor will be off duty for a few days, possibly weeks. For ever so many
years parishioners have been concerned about his knees which have produced a
thundering sound as he has been genuflecting at the altar. In spite of the false
perception at the banging of knees causing physical problems, the surgery this
past Friday was to correct the problem of lumbar spinal stenosis. He does not
know the length of the recuperation period for this back surgery but he does ask
this remarkable parish community to keep him in your daily prayers.
CHRISTMAS NEW YEARS MASSES - Eucharist Ministers; Lectors, Gift Bearers
Lectors/Gift Bearers: Check schedule. (12/24 Lector,10:30pm/Toni Merlo)
12/24 at 6 pm: EM C.Keim; M.Lauer; J.Meintel; M.A.Drahnak. 12/24 at 10:30pm: EM
L.Buynack; C.Cornman; T.Bradey; R.Bodenschatz 12/25 at 9am: EM B.Swope; C.Lucas;
R.Lucas; D.Leary 12/31 Vigil 5 pm: EM B.Bracken; J & B.Noonan; Sr.Melany. 1/1 at
9am: EM Weekday communion ministers; 1/1 at 11am: EM L.Buynack; J.Bopp;
S.McCombie; T.Deskevich.
SPECIAL THANKS FROM ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY
The St. Vincent dePaul Society wishes to extend sincere thanks and appreciation
for your generous support of the Angel Tree during this Holiday Season. As a
result of your donations, ninety eight (98) local children and fifty six (56)
families will experience a joyous Christmas. In addition, over three hundred
(300) people enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday resulting from your generous
donations to our food pantry. God bless you for your continued support of those
in need.
ELEMENTARY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD) CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The Elementary Religious Education (CCD) Program will present the Christmas
Program “Once Upon a Manger” on Tuesday, December 22nd at 4:00PM in the Holy
Name Church HALL. All students in grades 1 through 6 will perform in the
program. ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. DISMISSAL: Grade 6 after the program
approximately 4:30PM from the Church Hall; Grades 1 & 2 will return to the
classrooms for dismissal and 4:45PM; and Grades 3, 4 & 5 will dismiss from the
Church Hall at 4:45PM. CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA - GIVE “THE
GIFT OF HOPE”
Can’t find just the right thing for that special someone? Tired of searching
endlessly for a present for the person who already seems to have everything? Why
not try something different this year, and give The Gift of Hope, the
newly-produced DVD that describes the wonderful things that are happening in
Haiti as a result of our Kindred Journey charity. Instead of buying a
traditional material gift, we suggest that you consider a donation to Kindred
Journey in the name of a special friend or family member – and we will be happy
to provide you with a free copy of “The Gift of Hope” DVD that you can wrap up
and mail or present to them, so that they can see with their own eyes exactly
how their gift will be put to good use to better the lives of Haiti’s poor. No
trouble guessing on the color, size or style – this gift would be truly
appreciated by virtually anyone, and could even be passed on to others on down
the line. What a wonderful Christmas it could be!
DECEMBER CATHOLIC UPDATE: THE HOLY FAMILY
What do we really know from the Gospels about Jesus, Mary and Joseph and their
family life together? This Catholic Update explores the significant accounts
that help us see them in their spiritual and cultural context. From familiar
stories in the Gospels, the author suggests how each one grew in wisdom, age and
grace, allowing their unique vocation to challenge and affirm them in the love
of God and one another. The article leaves us with a few good questions to
ponder for ourselves. How did you become aware of your vocation in life?
Describe a moment when you felt affirmed in your vocation. How can we deepen our
sense of vocation? The hidden life and public life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph may
seem far removed from us today, but prayer can open us to their help as we
respond daily to the invitation to grow in our own vocation and in holiness.
CHRISTMAS CRIB
No Catholic home should be without a crib at Christmas. It should be the center
of attention and all other decorations should point to it rather than draw the
eyes from it. It is the one time of year when we can show all our guests what
our religion really means to us.
CHRISTMAS REFLECTION
One of the significant ways that God dwells in our midst is through the people
around us. This December, as we were busy preparing for so many things, did we
ask ourselves: “Lord, when did I bake cookies or bread for you? When did I get a
Christmas tree for you? When did I welcome you at work or in the restaurant or
in the grocery store? When did I shop for you or write you a long letter? When
did I receive a card or a letter from you? When did I take the time to go and to
visit you?” And if we have been open and receptive to the word, we will hear the
word say to us: “Whenever you welcomed these, you welcomed me.”
Keep welcoming Emmanuel into your heart, remembering that it is there that Jesus
continues to be born and desires to make a home, if only we will receive him. It
may be helpful in carrying Jesus in your heart to wish people a MERRY CHRISTMAS
rather than using the more secularistic greetings of “Happy Holidays” or
“Seasons Greetings.”
CHRISTMAS DECORATION DISPLAYS
The official Christmas liturgical season begins this Weekend. Catholics are
asked to display their Christmas decorations until the end of this Season which
ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2010. This would be
another effort on the part of the Catholic Community to counter the secularism
of our society which attempts to convince us that Christmas ends on December
25th.
RECTORY NEWS - SECRETARY OUT OF THE OFFICE
Please note that the secretary will be out of the office on 12/23, 12/24, 12/30
& 12/31. Please limit your calls to the rectory office to those of an urgent
nature during this time frame.
STORY OF SILENT NIGHT
A humble parish priest and a village schoolmaster-organist are responsible for
one of the world’s most famous and beautiful Christmas hymns, Silent Night.
The hymn, now known the world over, was composed on Christmas Eve 191 years ago
in the little Austrian town of Oberndorf, near Salzburg.
The organ of St. Nicholas’ church was broken on Christmas Eve, 1818. With
Midnight Mass drawing near, Rev. Joseph Mohr searched for a hymn the
congregation could sing without the organ. Then the young priest produced his
own poem and Frank Xavier Gruber, the organist, set to work feverishly to put it
to music. The result of their 11th hour collaboration was the beautiful song,
“Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht,” in English, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
NATIVITY DISPLAY- THANK YOU!
Over 140 Nativities, Madonnas and Christmas religious art was on displayed last
Sunday. We thank all the families that shared their treasures as well as those
who stopped in to see them. The winner of the Nativity door prize was Ann Hahn.
The winner of the ornament was Joe Bach.
LIFELINES
“What the Church has said is that because it is the first gift from a loving God
and the condition for all other human goods, all our other rights - life itself
has to be a top priority. It is the most basic gift, and if we lose the right to
live we lose everything else.” Richard Doerflinger, Deputy Director of the
Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops.
BUS TO MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The local Republican Party located in Johnstown will be sponsoring a bus to the
Annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2010. Donation of $5
per person will be used for future Pro-Life activities. Bus will depart from
Holy Name/St. John Vianney Parking Lots. For reservations, contact Ann Poole
472-8584 or Millie Bodenschatz 472-6193. All reservations first come-first serve
basis. We will be sharing this bus with parishioners from St. Mary’s Parish in
Nanty Glo and St. John Vianney Parish in Mundy’s Corner.
CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS
The annual luncheon is scheduled for Noon on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Each
volunteer should be contacted by his/her Team Leader no later than January 2,
2010. Please contact the Leader only if you do not receive a phone call from
her.
SHARE THE WORD
No morning Bible Study till January 13,2010. Group breakfast Wed. January 6
after 8AM Mass.
HOLY NAME SCHOOL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Holy Name Elementary school plans to celebrate the Centennial of the opening of
the school. We are searching for alumni of Holy Name School. Please complete the
form at the end of the pews and drop off in the basket in the Narthex.
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME
What if each of us volunteered to share more of our time with our church? St.
Paul suggested the spirit we should have when he said that Christians ought not
give reluctantly or under compulsion but we should be cheerful givers. The
Church has always relied upon volunteers. What do you think? Could you volunteer
more? Would you?
JR./SR. HIGH CCD NEWS
There will be no CCD classes for 7th - 11th grade students Dec 27st & Jan 3rdh.
These are scheduled weekends off. Classes will resume on January 10, 2010. We
would like to wish all the teachers, parents and students a very Blessed & Merry
Christmas & a Happy New Year. May the Infant Jesus light your heart and home
with his love. God Bless.
- Kerry & Nancy McCulley
CONFIRMATION NEWS - FRESHMAN RITE OF BLESSING & SOPHOMORE RITE OF COMMITMENT
The Rite of Commitment for Sophomore Confirmation Candidates is today at the
11:30 AM Mass.
APEX NEWS
CHRISTMAS CAROLING - Today, December 20th, the APEX Youth Group will be going
Christmas Caroling at 6:00 PM and then coming back to the APEX Room for a
Christmas party. Please join us, even if you don’t think you can sing! Let’s
spread some Christmas cheer around the neighborhood and then have a good time
socializing. Oh and bring a friend with you...the more the merrier!!!
MARCH FOR LIFE - APEX Youth Group will be attending the annual March for Life on
January 22, 2010. We will be leaving at 4AM by bus or van and spend the day in
Washington, DC. We will attend Mass at the Verizon Center and then walk in the
March for Life. We will return approximately 9PM. Permission forms are on the
website and due by January 8th. Cost is $10. Come and help us make a stand for
the Right to Life for the ones who cannot stand up for themselves!!!
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