OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2014 “Jesus of Nazareth… is so intrinsically king that the title ‘King’ has actually become his name. By calling ourselves Christians, we label ourselves as followers of the king… God did not intend Israel to have a kingdom. The kingdom was a result of Israel’s rebellion against God… The law was to be Israel’s king, and, through the law, God himself… God yielded to Israel’s obstinacy and so devised a new kind of kingship for them. The King is Jesus; in him God entered humanity and espoused it to himself. This is the usual form of the divine activity in relation to mankind. God does not have a fixed plan that he must carry out; on the contrary, he has many different ways of finding man and even of turning his wrong ways into right ways… The feast of Christ the King is therefore not a feast of those who are subjugated, but a feast of those who know that they are in the hands of the one who writes straight on crooked lines. ” – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA www. St. Matthew. The. Evangelist. Parish. org Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10: 00 AM to 3: 30 PM Phone: (570) 544 -2211 Fax: (570) 544 -2317 SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc. ; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish! SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610 -866 -0581 x 19) VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1 -800 -791 -9209) WEEKDAY MASS AT 8: 00 AM MON – Living and Deceased Parishioners TUE – Janet Purcell by Viola Di. Renzo and Family WED – Seminary Purgatorial Society THU – Anna Rothermel by Veronica and Rosalie Novack FRI – Anna Dobles by Daughter, Carol Matusky SAT – 4: 00 PM – Paul Botek by Wife SUN – 8: 30 AM – Adella Melenchick by Daughters, Marian Rhoads and Ann Marie Coyle 10: 30 AM – Scott Bedford by Godmother, Cindy and Taty ********************************************************************** REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May Jesus, our Savior and King, take unto Himself: EDWARD J. GURSKI, a former member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, who died Saturday, November 15, and was buried from our Church Wednesday, November 19. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, obtain comfort from Jesus, her risen son, for Edward’s family and friends. ************************************************************* THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, / to receive power and divinity, / and wisdom and strength and honor. / To him belong glory and power for ever and ever. (Rv 5: 12, 1: 6) THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23: SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8: 00 AM AND 10: 15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into his harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear fruit. Our thanks to LINDA ROTHERMEL for hosting the FPC for Vocations this week. Sign up in Church vestibule for January. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: Families feed the hungry, give drinks to thirsty toddlers and welcome strangers and even estranged relatives into their homes. Today’s gospel draws our attention to the We clothe children and visit family members who are sick and imprisoned. The relationship between the endtime and our life. routine actions of family life are religious and priestly for we make Christ the King will preside over the judgment present in what we do. Family life is Beatitude life. whose outcome will be determined by our PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Please pray for those in danger of abortion. care for one another. We should not dream May their parents be open to the new life that God has chosen to give them, no about heaven as an escape from present matter the circumstances of conception. Let us pray and work to end abortion. responsibility. // We already live in the STEWARDSHIP: “…as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you presence of the Son of Man. His special did it to me” – Matthew 25: 40. Most of us are generous when it’s convenient dwelling is among the needy. Our attention to for us. We are generous when we have the time or the money. But, generosity him there opens us to his full revelation as is the opposite of that. It means giving of one’s time, money, compassion, the ruler and judge of the endtime. // This forgiveness, mercy when it’s not convenient; when it’s not on our schedule, but leads us to a more authentic understanding of on the other person’s schedule. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Christ as King. To proclaim him king is not to Sunday: $2, 985; General Repair: $398; Expenses: $3, 324. 41 (ordinary); demand a state religion. Jesus will claim his $3, 895. 92 (school subsidy). Thank you for your generosity! full title of king only at the hour of his coming FRATERNAL CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY – in glory. But he lives now no less as king in a Your donation of ALL TYPES OF CANNED MEATS will allow us to help the hidden way in the poor and the little ones. He needy. Volunteer for our SVDP Society Outreach and God’s Bountiful is the defender of their rights and their Table by calling Edward Butler (570 -544 -2739). appointed protector. In serving the poor, we VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: IMO David Moore by Family. (2) ALTARS: serve him. BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: IMO John Andruchek; Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober; For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. ST. FRANCIS: IMO Francis O’Connor (Birthday) by Daughter, Mollie and Family Call 570 -544 -2211. FLOWERS: We gratefully acknowledge the flowers: 1)and Family; For the Health of Aldona Butler. DIVINE MERCY: IMO Michael J. adorning the BVM Altar IMO David Moore by Family. 2) Belatedly, the roses Warhola by Family; IMO Francis O’Connor by Daughter, Helene. (3) BEFORE: that were before our Shrine for Our Parish Deceased given by Mrs. Gloria Dutcavich. To arrange flowers for the Altar call 570 -544 -2211. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PAULINE VISINTAINER: Mass 5: 00 PM, Our Lady’s Chapel of St. Patrick Church. Veneration of her first class relic. St. Paulina is the Patroness of those who suffer from diabetes. Call 570 -622 -1802 with questions. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6: 00 PM to 7: 30 PM. Contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Rosalie Novack (570 -544 -2211). For absences call 570 -544 -3766. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8: 00 AM Mass. Ask St. Peregrine to help cancer patients/caregivers. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 – THANKSGIVING DAY: Mass will be offered at 8: 00 AM. What better way to show our gratitude to Almighty God for His countless blessings bestowed upon us and our country than by attending Mass today! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! A THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You today for Your gift of Creation and the bountiful harvest You have provided. Just as this Thanksgiving feast nourishes our bodies, You nourish our souls through Your gift of the Eucharist. We ask You to bless those who have prepared this food and gathered us together today. For our brothers and sisters who will go without; may they be blessed with the richness of faith and filled with your Spirit of hope. Strengthen us now through this meal, so that we may go forward today and every day thereafter to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen. PASTORAL NOTE: The Rectory will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday. “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR REHEARSAL: Call Greg Senich at 570 -544 -2355 to join and for rehearsal times. New members are needed and always welcome! Remember singing is praying twice (St. Augustine of Hippo)! SCH. CO. K OF C TURKEY DINNER: County Residents in need of a Thanksgiving Day meal will be delivered a complete turkey

dinner (turkey, filling, yams, gravy, vegetable, cranberry sauce, bread, dessert). If you , or someone else, needs a meal, call 570 -691 -1429, 570 -773 -0627, 570 -516 -4518 or 570 -294 -6337. Leave your name, address, apartment number, town, phone number, number of meals needed, and any other pertinent information or E-mail kofc 431@yahoo. com. Must be home to receive meal. Also call to volunteer. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7: 45 AM. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3: 30 PM. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, NOVEMBER 30 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8: 00 AM and 10: 15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): CHRIS AND STACY KELLY FAMILY will host the FPC this week. Call 570 -399 -5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for January and February! ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST 50/50 CHANCES: Chances ($2 per chance or 3 for $5) will be sold after today’s Masses. Drawing at December 17 th Holiday Food Sale. BIRTHRIGHT’S GIVING TREE: A special tree will be placed in our Church’s Sanctuary. Ornaments on the tree list items needed by mothers and children in want in our county. Please buy or make these items and return your gifts UNWRAPPED to the Church by December 15. Your gifts will be given to Birthright of Frackville and will be distributed during the coming Holiday Season. CHRISTMAS WAFERS / PLOTKELES / OPLATKI: Will be available in the Vestibule of the Church for those families of our Parish who observe the custom of the Christmas Eve Holy Supper. The offering per pack is $4. 00. Preserve this beautiful Holiday Tradition! SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: No Special Parish Second Collection Envelope this week. However we encourage you to check your Sunday Envelope Boxes for the envelopes you might have missed returning. Please catch up as soon as possible. Your Church needs your consistent and generous support to meet all of its financial obligations and to serve you. Thank you! ************************************************************************************************************************* MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT LECTORS E. M. of H. C. Al Boris Frank Melenchick SAT 4: 00 PM OFF. PROC. Botek Family SUN 8: 30 AM Melenchick Family John Andruchek Mary Regina Mundy Bedford Family Linda Butensky Volunteer Needed 10: 30 AM ALTAR SERVERS Alexandra Eades Fletcher Eades Emily Purcell Abby Schoffstall Gabriel Kuehn Bella Kuehn ************************************************************************************************************************* COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar! DECEMBER 2 – ANNUAL CHILDRENS’ ST. NICHOLAS DAY PARTY: 6: 15 PM, Good Shepherd Cafeteria. All Parish children and Parish volunteer workers’ grandchildren are welcome to meet St. Nicholas! There will be a magic show and refreshments! ASSUMPTION BVM HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER: Selling poinsettias, 6. 5” pot multiple blooms (red, white, pink) for $10; 20” douglas fir wreath (decorated with a bow and red and green Christmas balls) for $25. ORDERS AND MONEY ARE DUE TODAY! Pick-up is Thursday, December 11 th, 12: 00 Noon to 5: 00 PM, at Pod & Petal, Pottsville. Call 570 -628 -5002 for more information. DECEMBER 3 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11: 30 AM to 1: 30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex. Call 570 -544 -2739. DECEMBER 4 – THEOLOGY ON TAP: THE NEW EVANGELIZATION: 7: 00 PM to 9: 00 PM (also on December 18), La Dolce Casa, Tamaqua. Speaker series designed for young adults to learn more about their faith in a comfortable setting. Rev. John Frink, Pastor, St. John XXIII Parish, will speak on topics relating to the New Evangelization. Visit www. adoyyam. com for more information. DECEMBER 5 – NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL DEPPEN PIE SALE: $10 per pie. Flavors include: apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, strawberry (also available with crumb topping), shoo-fly, pumpkin, coconut custard, lemon sponge, no sugar added apple. ORDERS AND MONEY ARE DUE TODAY! Call Mr. Foster at 570 -622 -8110 ext. 343 to order. DECEMBER 7 – BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: 9: 00 AM to 12: 00 Noon, St. Ambrose School Parish Center. Adults, $8; Children 6 to 12, $4; Children 5 and under free. Raffles and activities for the children. Proceeds benefit the 8 th Grade Class Trip. HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION OF LIGHT: 4: 00 PM to 5: 30 PM, Covenant Home Care, Pottsville. $10 per ornament in advance; $15 day of. Each lighted ornament on outdoor Christmas tree will reflect the life of those who have illuminated our lives with love and well-being. Call Vince at 1 -800 -726 -8761 ext. 4519 for more information. 3 RD ANNUAL MURPHY JEWELERS BINGO: Doors open 11: 00 AM; Bingo starts 1: 00 PM. St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose. Admission $25. Call 570 -544 -5767 or 570 -544 -4581 for tickets. All proceeds benefit St. Nicholas School. DECEMBER 8 – HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (PATRONESS OF THE UNITED STATES): Mass will be celebrated at 8: 00 AM and 7: 00 PM in our Church; Confessions will be heard at 7: 45 AM and 6: 45 PM. DECEMBER 11 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ SANDS CASINO AND BETHLEHEM LIGHTS BUS TRIP: Pay $25; Rebate $30. Bus leaves R&J 9: 30 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 10: 00 AM. Bus departs casino 5: 30 PM. Call Julie (570 -544 -5231) or Millie (570 -628 -5413). DECEMBER 13, 14 – NATIONAL RETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTION: Give thanks for religious. A parishioner writes, “We thank God today and every day for every religious sister who taught us in school, not only our ABC’s, but also to love God. ” Share your gratitude for the senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive difference in so many lives. Use the special envelope found in your envelope box. Please give generously to today’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. DECEMBER 15 – NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT: 6: 30 PM. Includes information about academics, financial aid, guidance services. No pre-registration required. All are welcome. Call 570 -622 -8110 for more information. DECEMBER 17 – HOLIDAY FOOD SALE: Homemade pierogi ($7. 00 per dozen) and kielbasa ($9. 00 per 2 lb link). Pick-up 10: 00 AM to 2: 00 PM today at the Parish Center. BY ORDER ONLY. Call the Rectory (570 -544 -2211) to order. ORDER DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 3. DECEMBER 21 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH ANNUAL “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRITCONTEMPORARY CHOIR HOLIDAY CONCERT”: 6: 00 PM in our Church. A Free-Will Offering will be accepted. Come and experience the “Spirit of the Season” in song! DECEMBER 21 – NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL AND FEEDER SCHOOL BAND CHORUS CONCERT: 7: 00 PM, Nativity BVM High School Gym. The public is cordially invited! Call 570 -622 -8110 for more information. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TURKEY BINGO RESULTS: 1) Winners: Thanksgiving Décor –Stella Gottschall; Coffee Maker and Cake-Helen Socko; Towel Basket. Bainbridge; Crock Pot-Stiney Skavinsky; Fry Pan, Kitchen Utensils and $25 BG’s Gift Card-B. Botek. 2) Profit: $3, 682. 72. 3) Our Thanks: To our good parishioners for their support, all workers, donors, and anyone who did anything to insure our bingo’s success! ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SPONSORSHIP AT BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION: 1) You must be a fully initiated member of the Church, i. e. have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. 2) You must be at least 16 years of age. 3) You must be a practicing Catholic, i. e. attending Mass weekly and receiving the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Penance on a regular basis. Please do not ask for exemptions from the aforementioned requirements! They cannot be given! SEMINARY PURGATORIAL SOCIETY: Enrollees are remembered during the month of November each year in two Masses offered by all diocesan priests; in the daily Masses, Communions, prayers of our Diocesan Seminarians; in the daily prayers of our parochial school children, The Offering is $25 for an INDIVIDUAL or a HUSBAND and WIFE. For an enrollment, contact the Rectory (570 -544 -2211). We would encourage your participation because it supports our Seminaries and helps to educate Future Priests! 2015 SUNDAY MISSALS: Can be found in the Church Vestibule. These Liturgical aides are $5. 00 per book. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND VOTIVES: We would appreciate your Floral Memorials ($10) and Votive Memorials ($5) for the adornment of our Church during this coming Christmas Season. Envelopes for Flowers can be found in your Sunday Envelope boxes. Please return them and make arrangements for Vigils at your earliest convenience. Or, call 570 -544 -2211 for information.