S OF R

1 MOTHER OF sorrows PARISH READINGS FOR THE WEEK: This Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 Monday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Friday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Saturday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Saturday 12/25 Midnight Special Intention The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord 9:00 AM Special Intention 11:00 AM Special Intention Sunday 12/26 7:30 AM Leo Rihn (Corpora Family) 9:30 AM MOS Parishioners 11:30 AM Edward Oroukin (Family) Monday 12/27 8:00 AM Betty Cadwell (Bob & Paulette Sullivan) Tuesday 12/28 8:00 AM Martha Bromberek (Scherpereel Family) Wednesday 12/29 8:00 AM Tai-Soon Choi (Alisesky Family) Thursday 12/30 8:00 AM Vincent Aliberti (Linda Aliberti) 9:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 7:00 PM Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Friday 12/31 8.

2 00 AM Janice Clough (Al & Carol Giron) Saturday 1/1 9:00 AM Ray Valentine The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (John & Marie Shimshock) Sunday 1/2 7:30 AM Frances Lynch (Rich & Marie Mullen) 9:30 AM Russell Thomas (Glenna Bodner) 11:30 AM JoAnn Dover (Helen & Art Wolfe & Family) LITURGICAL SCHEDULE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THURSDAY 9:00 AM TO 7:00 PM EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING KITS You ve probably seen it: a mysterious series of letters and numbers, looking like an equation, inscribed in chalk over a doorway at your parish or at the home of a friend. Maybe you thought you could figure it out or were too embarrassed to ask, What the heck is that?

3 If you don t know what it is all about, you re certainly not alone. Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of chalking the doors. The formula for the ritual is simple: 20 + C + M + B + 22. The letters have two meanings: First, they represent the initials of the Magi Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: May Christ bless the house. The + signs represent the cross, and the 20 at the beginning and the 22 at the end mark the year. This inscription is a request for Christ to bless the home and that He stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.

4 The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world. It is an easy tradition to adopt and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset. It is performed on the traditional Feast of the Epiphany the Twelfth Day of Christmas. It can be done at any church, home, or dwelling. This blessing can be performed simply by just writing the inscription, offering a short prayer, and the sprinkling of holy water. After all Masses on Sunday January 2, 2022, small gift bags with blessed chalk, Holy Water, and a prayer scroll will be available in the upper narthex of the church. Everyone is welcome to take one home. Practicing traditions like the chalking of the doors helps us to live our faith more concretely and serve as an outward sign of our dedication to Our Lord.

5 Our homes are also the place where many of us will make the greatest strides in our spiritual growth, through observance of daily prayer, spiritual reading, and work offered to God. The chalking of the doors of a home encourages us to dedicate our lives at home to God and to others. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ. It also serves as a reminder of welcoming the Magi gave to Jesus. We should strive to be as welcoming to all who come to our homes to visit us! December 11 & 12, 2021 Mass Attendance: 1,199 Offertory contributions: $40,245 MOS Outreach and Food Pantry $2,950 Diocesan Collections $264 OUR NUMBERS IN SYMPATHY We commend to Stephen Stoltz & Ray Valentine.

6 Who were buried recently. May God welcome them to the joys of Paradise and bring comfort and peace to their families. CONGRATULATIONS We congratulate and ask for God s blessing upon Bria Angel Busse, baptized recently. Bria is the daughter of Bradley & Jennifer. Also included in the photo are her big brothers, Logan & Nolan and her Godparents, Philip Crain and Shannon VanKirk. May she and her family rejoice in the Lord always as they walk as Children of the Light. MOS WOMEN S RETREAT FAITH FORMATION + YOUTH MINISTRY FAITH FORMATION AND SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Sunday Morning Faith Formation sessions for Kindergarten to 5th Grade are on break for Advent and Christmas and will resume on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

7 RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS AND TEENS Adults and teens who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church are invited to an afternoon of inquiry on Thursday, January 13 at 12:30 PM in the Pieta Room on the lower level of the church building. There is no commitment to attend. Bring your thoughts and questions with you. If you, a family member, or friend would like to know more, please contact Erin Colcombe, Director of Faith Formation, at the parish office. HIGH SCHOOL WINTER RETREAT, DISCOVERY February 18-20, 2022 Fri., 6:00 PM - Sun., 12:00 PM All High School teens are invited to join us for the annual Winter Retreat at Laurelville Retreat Center.

8 Through prayer, live music, dynamic talks, small group discussion, and fun games, this year's retreat is focused on helping teens begin a faithful and lasting relationship with Jesus by recognizing how He works through the past, is present in the current moment, and provides hope for the future. Cost is $150 per teen. Francis Fund scholarship is available for teens who are eligible. More details can be found on the Diocese of Greensburg website. Teens can register via the link below and any questions can be directed to your parish leader or Caitlin Craig, Register Here: #/signee CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS THANK YOU!

9 Thanks to our young helpers! YOUTH MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY Celebrating Mass, a Snowball fight, cookie decorating and a gift exchange made for an excellent Christmas Party for MOS Youth Ministry. It s always a great time when the junior high school and high school teens get to hang out and pray together. The Diocese of Greensburg is excited to announce the release of our first Clergy cookbook. Faith and Food is a collection of more than 40 delicious personal or family recipes submitted by Bishops, Priests and Deacons from the Diocese. The recipes in Faith and Food range from unique salads to delicious main course entrees and fabulous deserts. Faith and Food can be purchased online at or mail a $40 check to: Clergy Cookbook, 725 E.

10 Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601. Please include your name and a shipping address. Proceeds from Faith and Food will benefit the International Priest Program Endowment. To date, more than 30 international priests have served in parishes throughout the Diocese of Greensburg. Each has provided spiritual and pastoral leadership for a term of five years before returning to their home diocese. Thanks to everyone who attended the Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 11. Thanks to all of our volunteers who made the event a huge success! MOSS will be hosting a Bunny Brunch on Saturday, April 2, 2022. SAVE THE DATE! MOTHER OF sorrows REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL The 12 Days of Christmas Raffle benefits Mother of sorrows School.