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SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH Founded 1906

128 BRYN MAWR AVENUE BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA 19004

Website: www.saintmatthias.org Email: matthias@saintmatthias.org Phone: 610-664-0207

MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m.

Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions): Saturdays 4:15 to 4:45 PM, also by appointment ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reverend Monsignor Gerard C. Mesure, J.D., J.C.D., M.A. … Pastor Director of Parish Outreach … Peggy Haley Reverend Sean P. Bransfield, J.C.L., M.A., M.Div. … Parochial Vicar Director of Liturgical Music … Berthilla Wiscount Reverend John A. McGinnis … Retired Priest Coordinator of Religious Education … Peggy Haley

Deacon Michael J. Kubiak Weekend Assistance: Rev. Gregory Finn OSJ and Rev. Quan Tran ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to Saint Matthias Parish! Please see one of

the priests after any weekend Mass or call the Rectory if you are interested in

registering at Saint Matthias Parish.

RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SICK CALLS: Emergencies – Please call the Rectory. Hospital Visitation – The

Parish Priests will be happy to visit any Parishioner who is hospital-

ized. Please contact the Rectory, since hospitals do not contact the Rectory.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered most

Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are made in advance at the

Rectory. Sponsors must provide proof of eligibility by a letter from their

respective Pastors. First-time parents attend a Pre-Jordan Meeting prior to

Baptism, which is arranged at a mutually convenient time.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Arrangements must be made with the parish at

least six months before the date of the Wedding.

D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 – T H I R D S U N D A Y O F A D V E N T

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December 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent

Saturday, December 15 Advent Weekend 8:00 Elizabeth & John Benedict 5:00 Nancy Lawler

Sunday, December 16 – Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 Christina Connor 10:30 Bishop Louis DiSimone 7:00 Parishioners of St. Matthias

Monday, December 17 – Late Advent Weekend *7:30 Intentions of Helen M. Shinner

Tuesday, December 18 – Late Advent Weekday 7:30 Rev. Edward Hamilton

Wednesday, December 19 – Late Advent Weekday 7:30 Maureen Lyons

Thursday, December 20 – Late Advent Weekday 7:30 Jim Tuckett

Friday, December 21 – Late Advent Weekday 7:30 Agnes Dixon

Saturday, December 22 – Late Advent Weekend 8:00 Richard Frank Vita *5:00 Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo & Mr.

William V. Hyland, Jr.

Sunday, December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 Daniel Campbell 10:30 Anna & Joseph Preziosi *7:00 Gift of the Life of Patricia Finn Thorton

* Extra ordinary support through the Saint Matthias Day Program.

VERSE OF THE DAY December 16, 2018

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of

Peace. Isaiah 9:6

LIVING LIGHTS: On the side of the Sanctuary near the statue of the Sacred Heart is a place where three candles burn for special intentions. If you wish to have one of these candles burning for your intention, please bring your donation and intention to the sacristy or the rectory office. The donation for these candles is $10. This week’s candles are lit for: Our Youth, for the success of Quinn’s surgery. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH: Lorraine Beaulieu, Richard & Mary Jane Breen, Sister Margaret Donohue, R.S.M., Martha Eckert, Louise Grato, Peggy Haley, Raymond Hinson, Dr. Joan Hurlock, William Kelly, Chadd Kraus, Eleanor Kuhl, Ann Ledgister, Terry Leibfreid, Rev. James Moore, S.J., Mrs. Agata Pacellia, Michele Smith, Jim Trainer, Rev. Thomas Wheeler, S.J. We also pray for those served by our Parish in Inglis House and Bala Nursing Home. Please help us keep this list current: if you wish to have someone’s name added to/removed from the Sick List, kindly contact the Rectory. MEMBERS OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Patricia Black, Andrea Constantino, Mike DeMonte, Maggie Duffy, Brian Fogarty, Peggy Haley (ex-officio), Ed Kiefski, Claudia Martinez, Ray Nepomuceno, Gina Sullivan, H. Nelson Keyser (finance council rep.), Berthilla Wiscount (ex-officio), Megan Zak

December, 2018 - Evangelization – In the

Service of the Transmission of Faith

That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the

present time.

Parish E-Mail Problems

We have been having difficulties with our parish e-mail accounts for the last few weeks. If you recently sent us an e-mail, it is possible that it was not received. We are working on the problem and hope to have it corrected soon.

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Sacrificial Giving ~ Stewardship

Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2018: $10,394

Sunday, December 9 & 10, 2017: $6,324

Feast of the Immaculate – Dec. 8, 2018 - $1,315

Thank you for your continued sacrificial generosity!

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment

In which the Son of God was born

Of the most pure Virgin Mary,

At midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.

In that hour, hear, O Lord,

And grant my request. Amen.

This is a favorite prayer of Father Gormley! Beginning on Saint

Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, this beautiful

prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until

Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us

increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps

us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

Where: St. Margaret Parish

208 N. Narberth Ave.

Narberth, PA 19072

When: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Questions? Contact the vocation Office:

610-667-5778 // cgallagher@archphila.org

SAINT MATTHIAS ANNUAL GIVING TREE

Benefitting La Salle Academy

LaSalle Academy serves the poorest of the poor.

We ask that each family that has taken an ornament

from the tree and purchased the gift requested, now

place the unwrapped gift with the firmly-affixed

ornament onto the gift under the tree. The gifts will

be delivered to LaSalle Academy for distribution to the

children and their families. Please return all gifts no

later than TODAY, December 16. Thank you and God

bless you!

NOTICE!

The Mass Book for 2019 is now open. If you are interest in having a Mass offered in memory of someone special, a special intention, etc. you can stop by the rectory or place your request in an envelope and put it in the Sunday Collection. The fee for Masses is $10.00.

Mother’s Home is a residential shelter which provides a safe haven for vulnerable, pregnant women in crisis who chose life as a sacred gift. Founded in 1991 as a program to provide hope and support for young women who choose life for their unborn child despite ongoing obstacles. Mother’s Home provides shelter for up to 22 women during their pregnancy and the first 6 months after their babies are born. You can drop-off your donation (unwrapped, please) in front of the Saint Joseph Altar beginning December 2nd. Thank you for your kindness.

Infant Clothing Collection December 2nd to January 7th

(Benefiting Mother’s Home in Darby)

January 6, 2019

HOLY HOUR

FOR VOCATIONS

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Priest Celebrant Schedule: Dec 22 & 23 5:00 Msgr. Gerard Mesure

8:30 Fr. Sean Bransfield 10:30 Fr. Gregory Finn 7:00 Msgr. Gerard Mesure

Liturgical Ministry Schedule

December 22 & 23, 2018 Lectors

5:00 PM Monique T. Brady 8:30 AM Megan Zak 10:30 AM Therese Trainer 7:00 PM Vanessa Kraus

Minsters of Holy Communion 5:00 PM Peg McCoy & Dolores DiGiacomo 8:30 AM Deacon Mike & Dennis Zak 10:30 AM Luis & Andrea Constantino 7:00 PM Vanessa Kraus & Therese Trainer

Altar Servers 5:00 PM Katie Timberlake 8:30 AM Patrick & Cormac Rooney & Nathan

Tran 10:30 AM Lucas Rodriquez, Annabel Shin & Teddy

Eiseinstein 7:00 PM Keiko Nguyen & Eva Kraus

Greeters 5:00 PM Dolores DiGiacomo, Maria Preston,Pat

& Connie Cerone 8:30 AM Miriam Mitchell, Jenny Custer, Mary

Graham Zak, Alan Tremper 10:30 AM Carla Falco, Andrea Constantino,

Stephanie Shin & Claire Mamo 7:00 PM Kathleen Johnson & Peter Van Allen

Counters Schedule Joe & Dolores DelGross

Please Mark your Calendar: Cleaning and decorating of our beautiful Church for Christmas will take place on Thursday, December 20th beginning at 8:30 AM. As they say, “Many hands make light work.” If you are available to come and help, we’d appreciate it.

With Your Will, There is a Way

Remembering Saint Matthias Parish in your will gives us a way to

secure the future of our Parish. Let your memory live on because

of your generosity. Your name will be inscribed in our Book of

Remembrance on the Blessed Mother’s Altar. Let us pray for all

those who have been so generous to our Parish over our 112-year history.

What is Gaudete Sunday? Gaudete Sunday is the name given to the third Sunday of Advent, the nearly four-week season leading up to Christmas. In 2018 this date is Sunday, December 16th.

The name "Gaudete Sunday" is taken from the words of the introit, Gaudete in Domino semper, "rejoice in the Lord always."

The Scriptural basis for this Sunday comes from Philippians 4:4,5. Similar to Laetare Sunday during Lent, Gaudete Sunday is a minor "break" from the more penitential nature of the Advent season, and signals a shift from a penitential style of waiting to a more joyful tone.

In the past, when organs and flowers were forbidden during the Advent Season, they were permitted during Gaudete Sunday. Because of the more joyful tone of Gaudete Sunday, rose colored (pink) vestments may be used instead of the normal violet ones. Also, the rose-colored Advent candle is lit.

Many thanks to all who attended and helped out at our annual Christmas Fun Fest on December 7. From the bakers, to the servers, to the volunteers, to our actors, to the children who attended and their families, and to our very special

guest of honor – Santa Claus – thank you all for sharing your time and talents. It was a great night!

CASSEROLES FOR SAINT JOHN’S HOSPICE

We are grateful to those who make casseroles, freeze them

in foil pans (pans & recipes available in the church

vestibules), then place them in the gym lobby on the

morning of the third Monday of each month: the next

pickup is TOMORROW: Monday, December 17. Saint

John's Hospice seeks to be a community grounded in faith

and service where homeless men find dignity, respect,

nourishment, and opportunities for new beginning. Many

thanks to those who help so that the homeless can have a

hot meal at Saint John’s.

Our 2019 Parish Calendars are here and are located at the church doors. Thank you to Stretch Funeral Home in Havertown for their annual donations of these calendars to our parish.

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2018 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

ADVENT-CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS

Saturdays 4:15 PM-4:45 PM Sunday, December 16 9:00 AM-10:15 AM Monday, December 17 7:00 PM-7:30 PM

Also, by appointment

CHRISTMAS EVE Monday, December 24, 2018

4:00 PM & 6:00 PM Vigil Masses for Christmas

MIDNIGHT MASS Preceded by a choral and

instrumental prelude at 11:30 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday December 25, 2018

Masses 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM No Evening Mass

Saturday December 29, 2018 5:00 PM Vigil Mass

THE HOLY FAMILY of JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH Sunday, December 30, 2018

Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM

Monday, December 31, 2018 New Year’s Eve

5:00 PM Mass

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 New Year’s Day Masses 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM

No Evening Mass

The luminaries on display

for the Christmas Eve

Masses are always a sight

to behold. Help is needed

at 3:00 PM on Christmas

Eve to set up, and after the Midnight Mass to

clean up. Can you help? If so, please call the

Rectory at 610-664-0207.

Letters to Baby Jesus

Dear Children of St. Matthias,

On Christmas Eve one of my stops will be at St. Matthias Church for the Children’s Mass. I hope to see you there.

Children please write a Birthday wish to Baby Jesus, since we all know that Christmas Day is his Birthday. Maybe, you can tell Him about a good deed you promise to do in the new year. You can place your letter in the collection basket by December 16 or have mom or dad drop it off at the rectory. The letters will be placed in box and gift wrapped. On Christmas Eve, I will be happy to present this gift from you to the Baby Jesus.

See you soon!

Wishing you and your families a Happy and Blessed Christmas, Santa Claus

With Fiscal Year 2018 coming to a close, may we ask you to consider making a special donation to Saint Matthias Church. All donations are tax-deductible on your income taxes if you itemize your deductions. Please consider making this special end-of-year donation before December 31, and may God continue to bless you and your families!

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“Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future” Renovation Project

Save the Date!! Sunday January 27, 2019

Monsignor Mesure and The Renovation Project Committee have completed all first phase Pastor Receptions – all held at the Convent, our soon to be “New Parish Center.” The Committee is now planning for an All–Parish Kick-Off on Sunday, January 27, 2019, following the 10:30 Mass. Please save the date and plan to attend this celebration. Monsignor Mesure is grateful to the Committee for their personal dedication, commitment and generosity of time and treasure, to make the dream of this Parish Center a reality.

Committee Members: Patricia Black Ed Kiefski Maggie Duffy Autumn Mendel David Fabry Jack Yura Bob Haenn

As we enter this holy season of Advent and prepare for the birth of Our Savior, both in our hearts and our homes, our Project Committee will take a short break and will gather again after the New Year to prepare for the January Kick-Off. Anyone who, for tax or IRA distribution considerations, would like to take advantage of making their pledge/gift to this project before year’s end are encouraged to do so by calling the Parish Office - 610-664-0207.

Upcoming Events at Saint Raphaela Center

616 Coopertown Rd., Haverford - 610-642-5715 - www.straphaelacenter.org Call the number listed to register for any upcoming event or use the email to register or have any questions answered.

Sponsored Day of Prayer - Dec. 18. 8:30am-5:00pm (flexible) - Cost: $15 (additional $20 for Spiritual Direction) Taize Prayer with Adoration – January 9, 2019-7:30 PM

All are welcome - no reservations required.

The Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and

Paul Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pilgrimages to the Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel are encouraged. Outside of the parish Mass schedule, it is possible to offer Mass at the Drexel Family altar adjacent to the Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel. Please contact the Parish Office, 215-561-1313. You are welcome to present intentions and petitions to be placed at the Tomb of Saint Katharine, asking her heavenly assistance. You may place these intentions and petitions in the offering basket at Mass or send them to the Cathedral Parish Office, 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

NOVENA TO SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL The Novena to Saint Katharine Drexel begins on February 22 and concludes on March 2.

FEAST OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL The Feast of Saint Katharine Drexel is March 3.

MEMORIAL OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL TO

THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

This Memorial is observed only at the Cathedral Basilica on August 2 with a votive Mass of Saint Katharine Drexel

The Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel is open for visits and prayer during Basilica hours. Information about these hours can be found on the Cathedral Basilica website, http://cathedralphila.org/.

New Year's Eve Retreat - December 31 - 6:00pm to

January 1 - 11:00am Cost: $90.00 per person -

$155.00 couple - $60.00 commuters

Feast Day - Jan 23, 2019 - 11:30pm Come together to celebrate and pray together as a community and enjoy each other’s company as well as learn and reflect on a few key aspects of our faith through the charism of the Handmaids and see how they pertain to our lives and mission.

Mass will be at 11:30 am and a simple lunch to follow.

Call St. Raphaela Center at 610-642-5715 to let us

know how many will be attending.