MINISTRY SCHEDULE (Volunteers are needed for the Holy Day Masses on Friday evening and Saturday morning.)

St. Francis—Dec. 8th—4:30PM: Lector—Bette Brown; Ministers—Cathy O’Reilly & Susanne Wolf; Server—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Cathy Adams St. Francis—Dec. 9th—8:00AM: Lector—Dick Manjerovic; Ministers—Helen Burns and Mary K. Manjerovic; Servers—Curtis & Madeline Spila; Rosary—Helen Burns St. Augustine—Dec. 9th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Ministers—Bob Allen and Anne Hawley; Servers—Christopher & Kaili Higgins; Rosary—Ann Zalepa SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS

A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.

A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Theresa Noldy. A Sanctuary Light at St. Francis burns in Memory of John Glenn, Jr. requested by Theresa & Bill Noldy.

CHURCH CLEANING

St. Francis cleaners for the month of December—Kathy Gage. St. Augustine cleaners Dec. 2 to 8 - Karen Barrie; Dec. 9 to 15 - Mary Homan & Shirley Kelly.

Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory (553-2288).

PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, John Spila, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Donnie Butler, Nancy Jellick, Tommy Williams, Stephen & Mary Ann Ambrose, Mary Coyle, Toni Colardino, Linda Hollenback, Mary Bakay, Mary Riley, Jennifer Lynn, Tom Wenman, Tyler Fletcher, Evelyn Palulis, Anna Mae Coleman, Jerry Lynch, Pat Dube, Joshua Welch, Richard Hutchinson, John Carr, Roma Laboda, Jean Ryan, Joshua Kaminski, Aleisya Abrams, Chuck Sidener, Maureen Rothwell, Kathy Holt, John Daly, Steve & Catherine Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Butch Rosencranz, Agnes Neville, Frank Hutchinson, Patricia Flynn, Ruth King, Adaline Williams, George & Irene Kotch, Dorothy Angel, Ida Ellis, Molly Penderf, Brooke Arnold, Franny Coleman, G. D., Hallie Brooks, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Robert Peifer, Chuck McNeil, Evelyn Rounds, Will Bennett, Janice Russell, Bill Wilcox, M. M., Carl Miller, Ken Teel, Gene Fox, Walter O’Rourke, Candy Coney, Nathan Dallmann, William Chaney, Joe LaFrance, Dakota Lutz, Bill Cadden, Mary Anna Marbaker, Carol Jones, Mary Cadden, Sue Rathbone, Dick Layton, Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, D. K., Peg Reed, Sue Anderson, Peg Taylor, and Neil Conboy. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.

ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Joe Jones, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Jeffrey Evans, Shane Kalpokas, Joshua Arey, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Daniel Hogan, Matthew Kramer, Roger Raub, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Adam Nelson, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Jason Raymond, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Reed Shave, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Lukas Crisman, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Paul Lewandowski, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need - not just parish members), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spenser (663-2212), Susie Reichlen (553-2618), or Mary Keenan (553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.

The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,

(St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.

and St. Augustine Church,

Silver Lake, Pa.)

(St. Brigid’s Cross)

P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288

E-mail: sfxc@epix.net Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor

Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”

MASS SCHEDULE Sat. Dec. 1 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

JOHN CADDEN by Kay Keenan Sun. Dec. 2 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE BEALO FAMILY by Sheila Bealo

10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

Tue. Dec. 4 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - JOHN MCNAMARA by Fred & Bette Brown Wed. Dec. 5 8:30AM St. Francis Church - MARY BAHAN by the Estate Thur. Dec. 6 8:30AM St. Francis Church - JIM KEENAN by Peter & Martha Strojny Fri. Dec. 7 6:00PM St. Augustine Church - VIGIL: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CARL SPENCER by Leo & Loretta Guiton

Sat. Dec. 8 8:30AM St. Francis Church - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY JAMES M. GOLDEN by Kate Hardy & Family

Sun. Dec. 9 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT RALPH WARNER by the Gleason/Leonard Family

10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

Mon. Dec. 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church - WANDA & STEVE PURR by Joe Purr

4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT JOHN HERMAN by Joan Lee

CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions before & immediately following Mass Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass

Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections. St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 804.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 1,135.00; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 1,302.00.

LIFELINES

[Jesus] was sent by God the Father to save us above all from the evil deeply rooted in man and in his-tory: the evil of separation from God, the prideful presumption of being self-sufficient, of trying to com-pete with God and to take His place, to decide what is good and evil, to be the master of life and death (cf. Gen. 3:1-7). This is the great evil, the great sin, from which we human beings cannot save ourselves unless we rely on God’s help, unless we cry out to him: “Veni ad salvandum nos! - Come to save us!” ~ Pope Benedict XVI, Urbi et Orbi Christmas Message, 2011

ADORATION HOURS OPEN!

GOD richly blesses you & your family when you take time out of your busy schedule for HIM. Could you spend (1) hour with ME? Please call Andrea Chen (1-607-669-4875), for available hours.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ~ HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8th, which falls on a Saturday this year. Please note that the obligation to attend Mass is not lifted for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Thus, the faithful must fulfill this obligation by attending Mass for the Holy Day (either Friday Vigil or Saturday morning), and they must fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation (either Saturday Vigil or Sunday morning). Holy Day Vigil Mass will be held Friday, December 7th, at 6:00PM at St. Augustine Church Holy Day Mass will be held Saturday, December 8th, at 8:30AM at St. Francis Church (The Weekend Mass Schedule will not change.) Volunteers are needed to Lector, Minister, and Serve the Holy Day Masses.

ALTAR & ROSARY CHRISTMAS PARTY St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society will hold their Christmas Party/December meeting, THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, beginning at 6:00PM at Neumann Hall. The Party is a Covered Dish Dinner. Please bring a dish to pass. Christmas Baskets will be filled for shut-ins’. If you have questions, please call Shirley Kelly (553-2362) or Barb Pichette (663-2769). Please sign-up this weekend on the sheets in the back of the Churches.

CHOIR PRACTICE Our Choir practices every Tuesday evening at 6:30PM in St. Francis Xavier Church. Practice for Christmas has begun! Please join us and help make our Christmas Masses even more beautiful!

CHRISTMAS FLOWER ENVELOPES A reminder that Christmas Flower Donation Envelopes are in your envelope boxes. A space is on the back for memorials. These donations will help to pay the cost of the poinsettias that will adorn our Churches this Christmas Season.

(CHRISTMAS) GIVING TREE

Our Parishioners are invited to participate in a “Giving Tree”. There are tags on the tree with info. about what a child would like for Christmas. Please spend no more than $ 20 to $ 25. Please get one item per tag and wrap it before returning it with the tag from the tree taped to the package. The “Giving Tree” is in the back of Church today. Gifts should be returned by Saturday, December 8th. You can leave them in the back of either Church or call Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (663-2212).

CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS AND FOOD PANTRY

We have (12) area families ranging in size from 1 person to 5 people, on our list to receive FOOD CARDS. If you know of anyone that needs help, please let us know by December 17th. Deadline for donations: December 17th.

All donations for FOOD CARDS should be put in an envelope in the collection and marked “Attention Kay”. All donations are greatly appreciated. If you know of anyone who needs a CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKET, please call Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (663-2212), by December 12th. We have (28) families on our list. Donations of food for the Food Pantry are also needed. Food donations can

be left in the back of the Churches. Donations are needed by December 17th.

REQUEST FOR LOTTERY CALENDARS We are taking requests for special Lottery Calendar numbers. Call the rectory by December 5th to reserve your numbers. Special numbers will be reserved on a first come first served basis.

COLLECTION FOR CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS Today’s second collection for the Care & Education of Priests.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS

Support elderly religious. A parishioner writes, “As a Catholic school student from grades K-12, I was formed to be the person I am by many religious brothers and sisters, and I am forever grateful.” Show your thanks for the senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive difference in so many lives. Please give generously to next weekend’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

HURRICANE SANDY COLLECTION Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the special collection for Hurricane Sandy victims. The collection total for our Parish was a very generous $ 1,984.70. All the victims that this money helped are greatly appreciative.

THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE COLLECTION Every year at the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service our Parish holds with Silver Lake Presbyterian Church, a collection is taken up among the attendees. This year it was decided to give the money, ($ 400.00), to a family from New Jersey with ties to our area. Both the husband and wife have cancer. This couple would like to extend their sincere appreciation to everyone for this donation. It brought a little bit of sunshine into their lives and helped them in their time of need.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN REACHING OUR GOAL FOR THE HOT CHOCOLATE COLLECTION. We are still (79) boxes short of our goal for Hot Chocolate Mix for the Susquehanna County Christmas Bureau. This group provides the ingredients for Christmas Dinner for low income families in Susquehanna County. Boxes are the back of the Churches for these donations. The deadline for donations is Monday, December 10th. (Hot Chocolate Mix is available at the Dollar stores at better prices than the grocery stores.)

If you have a friend or family member in the Armed Forces and would like them to receive a Christmas Stocking, please either put their names & addresses on a note in the collection basket or call the rectory with the information. We have many donations but only (3) addresses to send them to. Please, if you know of anyone who is in the Armed Forces, get their addresses so that they can receive a Christmas stocking this year!!!

PERSON NEEDS A RIDE TO CHURCH

We have been contacted by an individual who needs a ride to St. Augustine Church for Sunday Mass each week. This woman lives in the Choconut Creek Apartments. If you would be willing to give her a ride to and from Mass, please give the Parish Office a call at (570-553-2288).

Thank you to those who have already made the commitment to “Serve One Another”. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera extends his sincere gratitude to everyone who has already pledged to the 2012 Diocesan Annual Appeal. Every gift truly matters. St. Brigid Parish Appeal Goal this year is $ 23,750.00. Our Appeal donations total $ 15,260.00 to date. The balance needed to reach our goal is $ 8,490.00.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION St. Brigid Parish CCD students are having a Christmas Program Sunday, December 9th, at Neumann Hall, Choconut. All parishioners are invited to attend and enjoy the program Each family is asked to help with refreshments by providing either a food or drink item for brunch. If class is cancelled due to inclement weather, the celebration will be December 16th. Please plan to attend and celebrate this holy season with us.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FROZEN TURKEY’S FOR SALE We have (6) turkey’s left from the Turkey Party. These are available for a cost of $ 20.00 each. If you would like to purchase a turkey, please contact Kay at the Rectory (553-2288).

THOUGHTS FROM THE SCRANTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN The Scranton Diocesan Council of Catholic Women would like to remind the faithful that Advent is a season of prayer and sacrifice. During this time we should practice the (3) Eminent Good Works: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Make every effort to move away from the materialistic, secular society that has been created in a season that should be more meaningful to experience the birth of our Savior. The Liturgical Season of Christmas begins with the Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13th. During this season, we should celebrate the birth of Christ and reflect on the meaning of His gift of salvation. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR A Holiday Craft Fair will be held at the Choconut Valley Elementary School, on Saturday, December 1st, from 9AM to 3PM. There will be melted wine bottle servers, iron work, handmade cards, hand painted items, jams, jelly, face painting, soaps, handmade crafts, jewelry, woodworking, holiday orna-ments, pottery, home décor, and so much more.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Mom’s House will hold their annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 8th, from 8:00AM to 12Noon, at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell. Breakfast Buffet: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, Freihofer pastries, coffee, and orange juice. Take outs will be available. Cost: Adults - $ 6.00, children 5-12 - $ 4.00, under 5 – free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Pictures with Santa: $ 3.00. Live music, Christmas bake sale & gifts.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION VIA THE WEINBERG FOOD BANK

This free food distribution is for RESIDENTS OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNT ONLY. Distribution will be held Tuesday, December 18th, from 11AM to 1PM and 5PM to 7PM, at the Little Meadows United Methodist Church. Any resident of Susquehanna County who needs food is welcome.

5TH ANNUAL CAR RAFFLE Again this year the Catholic Schools of Broome County are having a Car Raffle Fund Raiser. There are three chances to win—1st prize—2013 Jeep Wrangler; 2nd prize—$ 1,000.00; and 3rd prize— $ 500.00. Tickets are $ 5.00 each or 5 for $ 20.00. The drawing will be held December 29th, 2012 at 3:00PM at Seton Catholic Central High School. Purchaser must be 18 years or older. Fliers containing the ticket application forms can be found in the back of the Church. Please help support our St. Brigid Parish students who are enrolled in the Catholic Schools of Broome County.

COLLECTION FOR CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS Today’s second collection for the Care & Education of Priests.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS

Support elderly religious. A parishioner writes, “As a Catholic school student from grades K-12, I was formed to be the person I am by many religious brothers and sisters, and I am forever grateful.” Show your thanks for the senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive difference in so many lives. Please give generously to next weekend’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

HURRICANE SANDY COLLECTION Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the special collection for Hurricane Sandy victims. The collection total for our Parish was a very generous $ 1,984.70. All the victims that this money helped are greatly appreciative.

THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE COLLECTION Every year at the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service our Parish holds with Silver Lake Presbyterian Church, a collection is taken up among the attendees. This year it was decided to give the money, ($ 400.00), to a family from New Jersey with ties to our area. Both the husband and wife have cancer. This couple would like to extend their sincere appreciation to everyone for this donation. It brought a little bit of sunshine into their lives and helped them in their time of need.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN REACHING OUR GOAL FOR THE HOT CHOCOLATE COLLECTION. We are still (79) boxes short of our goal for Hot Chocolate Mix for the Susquehanna County Christmas Bureau. This group provides the ingredients for Christmas Dinner for low income families in Susquehanna County. Boxes are the back of the Churches for these donations. The deadline for donations is Monday, December 10th. (Hot Chocolate Mix is available at the Dollar stores at better prices than the grocery stores.)

If you have a friend or family member in the Armed Forces and would like them to receive a Christmas Stocking, please either put their names & addresses on a note in the collection basket or call the rectory with the information. We have many donations but only (3) addresses to send them to. Please, if you know of anyone who is in the Armed Forces, get their addresses so that they can receive a Christmas stocking this year!!!

PERSON NEEDS A RIDE TO CHURCH

We have been contacted by an individual who needs a ride to St. Augustine Church for Sunday Mass each week. This woman lives in the Choconut Creek Apartments. If you would be willing to give her a ride to and from Mass, please give the Parish Office a call at (570-553-2288).

Thank you to those who have already made the commitment to “Serve One Another”. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera extends his sincere gratitude to everyone who has already pledged to the 2012 Diocesan Annual Appeal. Every gift truly matters. St. Brigid Parish Appeal Goal this year is $ 23,750.00. Our Appeal donations total $ 15,260.00 to date. The balance needed to reach our goal is $ 8,490.00.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION St. Brigid Parish CCD students are having a Christmas Program Sunday, December 9th, at Neumann Hall, Choconut. All parishioners are invited to attend and enjoy the program Each family is asked to help with refreshments by providing either a food or drink item for brunch. If class is cancelled due to inclement weather, the celebration will be December 16th. Please plan to attend and celebrate this holy season with us.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FROZEN TURKEY’S FOR SALE We have (6) turkey’s left from the Turkey Party. These are available for a cost of $ 20.00 each. If you would like to purchase a turkey, please contact Kay at the Rectory (553-2288).

THOUGHTS FROM THE SCRANTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN The Scranton Diocesan Council of Catholic Women would like to remind the faithful that Advent is a season of prayer and sacrifice. During this time we should practice the (3) Eminent Good Works: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Make every effort to move away from the materialistic, secular society that has been created in a season that should be more meaningful to experience the birth of our Savior. The Liturgical Season of Christmas begins with the Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13th. During this season, we should celebrate the birth of Christ and reflect on the meaning of His gift of salvation. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR A Holiday Craft Fair will be held at the Choconut Valley Elementary School, on Saturday, December 1st, from 9AM to 3PM. There will be melted wine bottle servers, iron work, handmade cards, hand painted items, jams, jelly, face painting, soaps, handmade crafts, jewelry, woodworking, holiday orna-ments, pottery, home décor, and so much more.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Mom’s House will hold their annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 8th, from 8:00AM to 12Noon, at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell. Breakfast Buffet: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, Freihofer pastries, coffee, and orange juice. Take outs will be available. Cost: Adults - $ 6.00, children 5-12 - $ 4.00, under 5 – free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Pictures with Santa: $ 3.00. Live music, Christmas bake sale & gifts.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION VIA THE WEINBERG FOOD BANK

This free food distribution is for RESIDENTS OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNT ONLY. Distribution will be held Tuesday, December 18th, from 11AM to 1PM and 5PM to 7PM, at the Little Meadows United Methodist Church. Any resident of Susquehanna County who needs food is welcome.

5TH ANNUAL CAR RAFFLE Again this year the Catholic Schools of Broome County are having a Car Raffle Fund Raiser. There are three chances to win—1st prize—2013 Jeep Wrangler; 2nd prize—$ 1,000.00; and 3rd prize— $ 500.00. Tickets are $ 5.00 each or 5 for $ 20.00. The drawing will be held December 29th, 2012 at 3:00PM at Seton Catholic Central High School. Purchaser must be 18 years or older. Fliers containing the ticket application forms can be found in the back of the Church. Please help support our St. Brigid Parish students who are enrolled in the Catholic Schools of Broome County.

MASS SCHEDULE Sat. Dec. 1 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

JOHN CADDEN by Kay Keenan Sun. Dec. 2 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE BEALO FAMILY by Sheila Bealo

10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

Tue. Dec. 4 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - JOHN MCNAMARA by Fred & Bette Brown Wed. Dec. 5 8:30AM St. Francis Church - MARY BAHAN by the Estate Thur. Dec. 6 8:30AM St. Francis Church - JIM KEENAN by Peter & Martha Strojny Fri. Dec. 7 6:00PM St. Augustine Church - VIGIL: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CARL SPENCER by Leo & Loretta Guiton

Sat. Dec. 8 8:30AM St. Francis Church - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY JAMES M. GOLDEN by Kate Hardy & Family

Sun. Dec. 9 8:00AM St. Francis Church - 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT RALPH WARNER by the Gleason/Leonard Family

10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

Mon. Dec. 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church - WANDA & STEVE PURR by Joe Purr

4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT JOHN HERMAN by Joan Lee

CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions before & immediately following Mass Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass

Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections. St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 804.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 1,135.00; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 1,302.00.

LIFELINES

[Jesus] was sent by God the Father to save us above all from the evil deeply rooted in man and in his-tory: the evil of separation from God, the prideful presumption of being self-sufficient, of trying to com-pete with God and to take His place, to decide what is good and evil, to be the master of life and death (cf. Gen. 3:1-7). This is the great evil, the great sin, from which we human beings cannot save ourselves unless we rely on God’s help, unless we cry out to him: “Veni ad salvandum nos! - Come to save us!” ~ Pope Benedict XVI, Urbi et Orbi Christmas Message, 2011

ADORATION HOURS OPEN!

GOD richly blesses you & your family when you take time out of your busy schedule for HIM. Could you spend (1) hour with ME? Please call Andrea Chen (1-607-669-4875), for available hours.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ~ HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8th, which falls on a Saturday this year. Please note that the obligation to attend Mass is not lifted for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Thus, the faithful must fulfill this obligation by attending Mass for the Holy Day (either Friday Vigil or Saturday morning), and they must fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation (either Saturday Vigil or Sunday morning). Holy Day Vigil Mass will be held Friday, December 7th, at 6:00PM at St. Augustine Church Holy Day Mass will be held Saturday, December 8th, at 8:30AM at St. Francis Church (The Weekend Mass Schedule will not change.) Volunteers are needed to Lector, Minister, and Serve the Holy Day Masses.

ALTAR & ROSARY CHRISTMAS PARTY St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society will hold their Christmas Party/December meeting, THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, beginning at 6:00PM at Neumann Hall. The Party is a Covered Dish Dinner. Please bring a dish to pass. Christmas Baskets will be filled for shut-ins’. If you have questions, please call Shirley Kelly (553-2362) or Barb Pichette (663-2769). Please sign-up this weekend on the sheets in the back of the Churches.

CHOIR PRACTICE Our Choir practices every Tuesday evening at 6:30PM in St. Francis Xavier Church. Practice for Christmas has begun! Please join us and help make our Christmas Masses even more beautiful!

CHRISTMAS FLOWER ENVELOPES A reminder that Christmas Flower Donation Envelopes are in your envelope boxes. A space is on the back for memorials. These donations will help to pay the cost of the poinsettias that will adorn our Churches this Christmas Season.

(CHRISTMAS) GIVING TREE

Our Parishioners are invited to participate in a “Giving Tree”. There are tags on the tree with info. about what a child would like for Christmas. Please spend no more than $ 20 to $ 25. Please get one item per tag and wrap it before returning it with the tag from the tree taped to the package. The “Giving Tree” is in the back of Church today. Gifts should be returned by Saturday, December 8th. You can leave them in the back of either Church or call Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (663-2212).

CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS AND FOOD PANTRY

We have (12) area families ranging in size from 1 person to 5 people, on our list to receive FOOD CARDS. If you know of anyone that needs help, please let us know by December 17th. Deadline for donations: December 17th.

All donations for FOOD CARDS should be put in an envelope in the collection and marked “Attention Kay”. All donations are greatly appreciated. If you know of anyone who needs a CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKET, please call Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (663-2212), by December 12th. We have (28) families on our list. Donations of food for the Food Pantry are also needed. Food donations can

be left in the back of the Churches. Donations are needed by December 17th.

REQUEST FOR LOTTERY CALENDARS We are taking requests for special Lottery Calendar numbers. Call the rectory by December 5th to reserve your numbers. Special numbers will be reserved on a first come first served basis.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE (Volunteers are needed for the Holy Day Masses on Friday evening and Saturday morning.)

St. Francis—Dec. 8th—4:30PM: Lector—Bette Brown; Ministers—Cathy O’Reilly & Susanne Wolf; Server—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Cathy Adams St. Francis—Dec. 9th—8:00AM: Lector—Dick Manjerovic; Ministers—Helen Burns and Mary K. Manjerovic; Servers—Curtis & Madeline Spila; Rosary—Helen Burns St. Augustine—Dec. 9th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Ministers—Bob Allen and Anne Hawley; Servers—Christopher & Kaili Higgins; Rosary—Ann Zalepa SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS

A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.

A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Theresa Noldy. A Sanctuary Light at St. Francis burns in Memory of John Glenn, Jr. requested by Theresa & Bill Noldy.

CHURCH CLEANING

St. Francis cleaners for the month of December—Kathy Gage. St. Augustine cleaners Dec. 2 to 8 - Karen Barrie; Dec. 9 to 15 - Mary Homan & Shirley Kelly.

Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory (553-2288).

PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, John Spila, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Donnie Butler, Nancy Jellick, Tommy Williams, Stephen & Mary Ann Ambrose, Mary Coyle, Toni Colardino, Linda Hollenback, Mary Bakay, Mary Riley, Jennifer Lynn, Tom Wenman, Tyler Fletcher, Evelyn Palulis, Anna Mae Coleman, Jerry Lynch, Pat Dube, Joshua Welch, Richard Hutchinson, John Carr, Roma Laboda, Jean Ryan, Joshua Kaminski, Aleisya Abrams, Chuck Sidener, Maureen Rothwell, Kathy Holt, John Daly, Steve & Catherine Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Butch Rosencranz, Agnes Neville, Frank Hutchinson, Patricia Flynn, Ruth King, Adaline Williams, George & Irene Kotch, Dorothy Angel, Ida Ellis, Molly Penderf, Brooke Arnold, Franny Coleman, G. D., Hallie Brooks, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Robert Peifer, Chuck McNeil, Evelyn Rounds, Will Bennett, Janice Russell, Bill Wilcox, M. M., Carl Miller, Ken Teel, Gene Fox, Walter O’Rourke, Candy Coney, Nathan Dallmann, William Chaney, Joe LaFrance, Dakota Lutz, Bill Cadden, Mary Anna Marbaker, Carol Jones, Mary Cadden, Sue Rathbone, Dick Layton, Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, D. K., Peg Reed, Sue Anderson, Peg Taylor, and Neil Conboy. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.

ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Joe Jones, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Jeffrey Evans, Shane Kalpokas, Joshua Arey, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Daniel Hogan, Matthew Kramer, Roger Raub, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Adam Nelson, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Jason Raymond, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Reed Shave, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Lukas Crisman, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Paul Lewandowski, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need - not just parish members), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spenser (663-2212), Susie Reichlen (553-2618), or Mary Keenan (553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.

The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,

(St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.

and St. Augustine Church,

Silver Lake, Pa.)

(St. Brigid’s Cross)

P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288

E-mail: sfxc@epix.net Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor

Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”