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St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela

FAITH FORMATION

January 1, 2017
Mary, The Holy Mother of God
JAN. 1:
JAN. 8:
Saturday, December 31, 2016 4:00pm Sam & Claudette Bavuso & Albert Buralli
(Bavuso & Buralli Families)
Sunday, January 1, 2017
8:30am Bradovich & Tarabrella Families
(Children)
11:00am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
Monday, January 2, 2017
8:00am Laddie Papak (Dan & Martha Ghilani)
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
8:00am Dolores Yates (Susan & Robert Secrist)
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
8:00am Patsy Ianno
(Wife, Kay & Daughters, Angela & Lisa)
Thursday, January 5, 2017
8:00am Frank Conte (Alice & Frank Audino)
Friday, January 6, 2017
8:00am Madeline Mistick
(Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Smith)
1:30pm School MassSpecial Intention of the Priest
Saturday, January 7, 2017
4:00pm Mary Greaves (John & Shirley)
Sunday, January 8, 2017
8:30am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
11:00am Mary Ann Ghilani (Rick Ghilani)

Rest In Peace
In the charity of your prayers we kindly ask
that you please pray for the repose of the
souls of
Dennis Babich and Susan
Marchewka. May God grant them eternal
rest, may Perpetual Light shine upon their
souls and may all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In
Peace.
Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
(Luke 2:19)
Jesus, let my soul magnify you!
Let my spirit rejoice in your salvation!

CHRISTMAS VACATION
9:30-10:45am Grades 1-8 &
Decision Point
JAN. 15: 9:30-10:45am Grades 1-8 &
Confirmation
JAN. 22: 9:30-10:45am Grades 1-8 &
Decision Point
JAN. 29: 9:30-10:45am Grades 1-8 &
Confirmation

DONUTS ~ NEXT WEEKEND

St. Damiens world famous
Donuts will be on sale in Fr.
Leger Hall next weekend,
January 7th & 8th.

YEARLY CALENDARS
Distributed this weekend, 12/31 & 1/1
We would like to thank Frye and Marra Funeral Homes of our town for donating calendars for parishioners to take home for their
use. The calendars are beautiful and filled
with religious pictures that remind us all year
of the importance of our faith. Thank you to
our local funeral directors.
Bible Study Tuesdays @ 11:00am (Parish Center)
Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel) This Friday from
12:00noon6:00pm. Call 724-747-7071 for scheduling.
Holy Hour(Church) The third Wednesday of each
month @ 7:00pm
Padre Pio Prayer Group (Park Ave. School) This
Friday 6:00-7:00pm
Servants of the Little Way (Chapel) The first Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm.
Holy Name Society (Church) Second Sunday of
each month with Rosaries at 8am and then to the
parish park for the meeting after the 8:30am Mass.
Catholic Mens Fellowship The 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month at 7:30-8am at St. Damien for
Adoration, to St. Francis for 8:30am Mass and then
to breakfast.

St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela

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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who helped to facilitate the wonderful splendor of our Christmas celebrations. We thank the members of the
Environment and Art Committee and other volunteers who helped to decorate and enhance our sacred spaces, those who setup our outdoor nativities
and decorations, those who offered their services through liturgical ministry,
and those involved with our music ministry. We thank all who played a part
in the entire Christmas event. We extend our deepest gratitude to all those
who brought Christmas goodies, treats, cards and gifts to the rectory to be
shared by the parish staff. We all appreciate your thoughtfulness and remembrance of our parish staff. May God bless you for your kindness.

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St. Damien of Molokai Parish

ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE!

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us as we begin a New Year. Protect and guide us as we journey
ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! Help us respond to the call to be the body of
Christ and share our gifts in service to the Church. May we continue to learn more about plans
to rejuvenate our parishes, schools and ministries, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. Visit
OnMissionChurchAlive.org for prayer resources and sign up for e-mail updates.

DISCOVERING CHRIST
An exciting new ministry is coming to the Mid Mon Valley! Beginning this January, the Parishes of the Mid Mon Valley: Mary, Mother of the Church; Our Lady of the Valley; and St.
Damien of Molokai will be offering the Discovering Christ course.
Discovering Christ is a seven-week series for people who are searching, seeking, or desiring to
deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus. Each week, participants gather for a meal, a dynamic teaching, and small group reflection and sharing. Because Discovering Christ is for
everyone and there is no religious affiliation required, please invite your friends, neighbors,
co-workers, etc. The course begins January 31st and is offered at no charge to participants.
Registration can be completed online at https://goo.gl/AudpzE, by completing a registration
form in the back of the church, or by contacting the parish office.
Does your marriage need a re-birth? Begin the New Year by making a new effort to renew
your marriage. Retrouvaille has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels including disillusionment and deep misery. For confidential information
about or to register for the upcoming program beginning with a weekend on January 13,
please contact Retrouvaille at 412-277-3434.
More information is available at http://www.retrouvailleofpittsburghinc.org/
Marriage Moments.Traditionally, people make resolutions to improve themselves at the
beginning of the year. In marriage, since you are united in love, what improves one spouse also improves the other. What marriagebuilding practice do you want to start or continue during 2017. For ideas go to www.SusanVogt.net
~2016 by Susan Vogt
DONT FORGET THE ST. DAMIEN FOOD BANK
January pick-up date is: Wednesday, January 18th
from 10am-2pm and 5-7pm
Items needed for the month of January are:
Cereal , Peanut Butter & Jelly, Scalloped Potatoes & Canned Fruit
FOOD COUPONS
We still collect Food Coupons from the Sunday newspaper ads at the Rectory.
They are used to purchase items for distribution by the Food Bank. Please continue to save them and bring them in. Thank you.

St. Damien of Molokai Parish

Offertory Report 12/18 /2016

Offertory
4:00pm
1815.00
8:30am
1367.00
11:00am
2439.00
Mail In
1027.00
Total

6,648.00

Our
Offering
Back
To
God

Mass
Attendance
4:00pm 159
8:30am 175
11:00am 159

(Weekly Offertory Goal $7,500) Total

493

2016 PARISH SHARE GOAL

$61,150.00
Collected to date:
$67,706.00
End of the Year Contributions
All parishes must send a contribution report to every
registered parishioner. YOU WILL NOT NEED to
request a contribution report as they will be mailed
to every household. Thank you.

Madonna Catholic Regional School

731 Chess St.
Monongahela, PA
MCRS, located at 731 Chess St. Monongahela,
boasts students in Preschool Grade Eight with
a dedicated staff and active volunteers.
For information about MCRS,
upcoming events or fundraisers,
please call 724-258-3199.
SAVE THE DATE! The MCRS Calendar/Theme
Party will be held in Marion Hall/Mary, Mother
of the Church on Sunday, January 29th!
Call the school for more information.
All are welcome.
2017 Lottery Calendar tickets are $25.00 and
give you 365 chances to win! Call the school office to get yours. They also make great gifts!
The very popular$30.00 Enjoy Coupon Books are
available in the
school office.
Free ways YOU can help your school. We collect
Campbells Labels for Education, General Mills
Boxtops, Tyson A+ labels, and ink jets and cell
phones. Your support is appreciated!

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Pastoral Impressions
By Fr. Bill
On this New Years Day, as we
start out fresh in a new year we
might say, I am looking forward to watching all the football games and
parades on TV today. Or one might reflect
and say, This is a great day to look back
over all the blessings of the past year. The
Church celebrates New Years Day in a special way too by honoring Mary as the Mother of God. But Mary isnt just the Mother of
God; she is our mother as well. And as the
Catechism teaches us, because Mary is our
mother, she is also our Advocate, Helper,
Benefactress, and Mediatrix (CCC 969).
So how does Mary fulfill all these roles?
Lets look at two key ways. First, we know
that Mary pondered and treasured everything
that came from God. As todays Gospel says,
she dwelt on what the shepherds told her.
She also pondered and treasured Gabriels
visit at the annunciation. She pondered and
treasured how the Magi were led to the manger by Gods star. She pondered and treasured what the young Jesus said when they
found that he had stayed behind to teach the
elders in the Temple.
Right now, try to see how Mary is asking
you to take time to ponder who Jesus is and
what he has done for you. Imagine Mary
asking you to treasure him above everything
else. Second, take a look at Marys Magnificat. This prayer shows how much Mary
loved to praise and glorify God. Right now,
try to see how Mary is asking you to join her
in praising God with all your heart. Imagine
her inviting you to dedicate the first affections of your heart to Jesus by rejoicing in
him, singing to him, and worshipping him.
Mary is not only your mother; she is your
prayer partner as well. So join her today ,
and pray your own Magnificat.