Baptism: Please contact the parish office to schedule a time and date. A pre-baptism class is required. No baptisms during Advent and Lent.

Matrimony: By appointment six months in advance.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA): Please call the church office at 724-981-3232.

Prayer Line: For intentions, please call 724-342-3456.

PARISHIONER PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

NAME____________________________

STREET_________________________

CITY & ZIP________________________

PHONE_________________ E-Mail_________________________

New Member Address Change Update Info

Place completed form in today’s collection basket or drop it off in the church office.

Rev. Thomas J. Whitman, Pastor Director of Religious Ed: Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M.

Parish Secretary: Lori Vasconi Financial Secretary: Carol Koch

Maintenance: Brad Goodall Music Director: Mary Messina

Office Hours Monday - Friday,

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:30-1:30 PM)

Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil - 5:15 PM

Sunday - 8:30 & 11:00 AM Weekday: M, T, Th, Fri - 8:00 AM

Wed. - 12:10 PM (Check weekly bulletin for changes.)

Confessions Saturday: 4:00 - 4:30 PM or by request.

Religious Education Program Sundays, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

CCD Grades K-10 at Case Avenue Elem. School, Grade 11 in the church annex.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Every Wednesday after the 12:10 PM Mass in

the Mother’s Chapel.

Shenango Valley Catholic School System

Mr. William Lyon, Principal, Kennedy Catholic Middle and High Schools:

724-346-5531 Mr. Joshua Testa, Principal

St. John Paul II: 724-342-2205

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe

John 18: 33b-37

PASTOR’S COLUMN

CHURCH CALENDARS: The church calendars for the year 2019 are available at all the exits. We are grateful to McGonigle Funeral Home for sponsoring these calendars again this year. ADVENT BEGINS NEXT WEEKEND: Now might be the time to think about what you will do to prepare spiritually for Christmas. Sometimes people attend daily Mass, or at least a few more times during the week, others might read a spiritual book or spend a few more minutes in prayer, others might make sure they spend more time with their families by making time to eat together at least one more time each week, others might donate their time to help a charity at this time of year. We might reflect on the fact that Advent is the beginning of the church year and thus the time for a new beginning in each of us. What might that new beginning look like? There are times where we think we can’t change our lives because we have become so set in our ways or because of the hurts that others have caused in our past. Advent is a time to realize that God has planted something new in us, and this new thing is the presence of Christ in us. Somehow we need to bring this presence to birth in our own individual way. Maybe the words of Fr. Anselm Grun can inspire us to strive to bring this Christ to birth in our lives this Advent. “You are not determined by your past. You can begin again today, because you already carry something entirely new within you; the divine child is present in your life and can bring you in touch with what is new and neither spoiled nor depleted in your soul. Trust the new life that is within you!” God invites us in this advent season to take hold of the goodness that is at the heart of who we are and to bring that good-ness out of the darkness and into the light. When our goodness shines forth for all to see there will be great joy for us and for others. PARISH COMEDY NIGHT: Mark Friday, January 18, 2019 on your calendar! We will be holding another parish comedy night consisting of dinner and professional comedians with clean humor. These have been wonderful evenings and we hope you will consider joining us for this year’s event. Invite family, friends and neighbors. Tickets will be on sale soon – consider them as stocking stuffers for Christmas. REFLECTION ON THE READINGS: Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King and the end of our liturgical year. Next week we begin the season of Advent. The first reading today comes from the book of Daniel and it is his vision of the Son of Man coming to bring the hope of freedom from the oppression the people are experiencing. God is pictured as the Ancient One and the Son of Man is easily seen as a reference to Jesus. As formidable as the beasts seem the Son of Man appears to be one who will conquer them all. The second reading comes from the book of Revelation and there are always people who want to in-terpret this literally. We need to see this book in its context of people suffering persecution at the hands of what seems to be the Romans and yet how they are holding on to hope in the power of the risen Jesus. It is a book that demonstrates the depth of faith the early church had to endure even persecution and death for the sake of their religion. How brave these people must have been and how strong their faith is. The Gospel is taken from the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of John. It is Jesus being questioned by Pilate. But Pilate seems to be overwhelmed by the conviction of this person Jesus. Jesus knows that Pilate can put him to death, but Jesus has no fear of him. Jesus stays focused on his mission and bravely gives wit-ness to it in his words to Pilate. Pilate has never dealt with anyone who has not succumbed to his power. Pi-late has always been able to manipulate other people with bribes, rewards, punishment, or power, and yet Je-sus does not allow Pilate to manipulate him. The strength of Jesus’ character is on display before the most powerful man in the world. Jesus displays where real power lies – in his commitment to the truth. Today is a good day to remember those who have given us the gift of faith and to remember the strength of their witness to the truth. We pray that we might all be stronger in our witness in order to support one another in our faith.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Alice Fabrey, Tony Perry, Darlene Lenhart, Mary Lou Brandon, Lorraine Penhos, Fran Ray, Ed Thomas, Joe Simko and Bill Lasche.

FEATURED FOOD PANTRY ITEM “Paper Towels”

Next week’s featured item - paper towels. Please place your donation in the shopping cart located in the Gather-ing Space.

UPCOMING FEATURED ITEMS Toilet Tissue - Jelly - Bar Soap

If you’d like to volunteer, please report to the church’s lower level at 8:00am on our next distribution day, Friday, December 7.

Altar flowers are donated in thanksgiving to God and in memory of

Albert and Mary BillenAlbert and Mary BillenAlbert and Mary Billen by Nancy Rehner

F E S T I V A L O F P R A I S E

Sunday, December 9, 2018 7:00 p. m. – 8:15 p.m. Church of Notre Dame

2325 Highland Rd., Hermitage

Come and nourish your rela-tionship with Jesus Christ by

filling your heart and soul with praise music…

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary will be hosting their annual indoor Nativity Display from 12:00-5:00pm on December 2 and December 9 at Villa Maria Conference Center, 225 Villa Marie Rd., Villa Maria PA. This display of hundreds of nativity sets from around the world is an annual tradition from the sisters and also features entertainment from musi-cians and choirs. Admission and parking are free! A meatloaf dinner will be held from 12-4:00pm on Sunday December 2 at a cost of $10 for a large dinner and $7 for a small dinner; a spaghetti dinner will be held from 12-4:00pm on Sunday December 9 at a cost of $8 for a large dinner and $5 for a small din-ner. Children 4 and under eat free and take out is available. If you have any questions or need more informa-tion, please contact Kyleen at 724-964-8923 x3236.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation, is Saturday, December 8. We will have a vigil Mass on Friday at 7:00pm and one Mass on Saturday at 8:00am.

Parish Organizations Altar Servers Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 Baptismal Class Fr. Tom Whitman (724) 981-3232 Catholic Daughters of America Pauline Radasevich (724) 962-2001 Choir / Music Ministry Mary Messina (724) 977-8025 College Care Packages Deb Nevant (724) 866-2465 Cursillo Liaison Mary Beth Jones (724) 346-5050 Eucharistic Ministers Web Terminal-Online (724) 981-3232 Food Pantry TO VOLUNTEER ONLY (724) 877-4171 Garden & Grounds Committee Fr. Tom Whitman (724) 981-3232 Hospitality/Greeters Bryon Anzevino (724) 962-0801 Knights of Columbus Tom Rookey (724) 347-7224 Liturgy Committee Sandy Swogger (724) 866-4923 Liturgy of the Word for Children Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 Money Counters John Bonomo (724) 981-3232 Parish Advocate for the Disabled Catherine Holl (724) 347-4423 Parish Building & Maintenance Committee Frank Connelly (724) 346-5247 Pastoral Council Neil Ostheimer (724) 981-3232 Prayer Chain Gerrie Derr (724) 962-5996 Pre-Cana Dennis & Mary C. Rubano (330) 448-1935 Prince of Peace Soup Kitchen Joann White (724) 979-4359 Pro-Life Catherine Holl (724) 347-4423 Quilters Joann Sangregorio (330) 448-8733 R.C.I.A. Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 Religious Education Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 Sacramental Prep. Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 Sacristan Stephen Pass (724) 877-5225 Sister Parish David U’Halie (724) 983-1998 Small Christian Communities Kay Stockan (724) 347-3830 St. Joseph Parish Finance Committee Jim Black (724) 981-7510 St. Rose/St. Mary Cemetery Carol Koch (724) 346-3711 Ushers Fr. Tom Whitman (724) 981-3232 Vacation Bible School Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. (724) 981-3232 West Hill Ministries Mary Beth Jones (724) 346-5050 Women’s Guild Jo Anne White (724) 347-5027

Shown below is a list for the up-coming schedule of surrounding Catholic Churches that will host a communal penance service during the Advent Season in the month of December.

Sunday, Dec. 9……... 1:00pm…..St. Michael, Greenville Sunday, Dec. 9 …….. 4:00pm…..Immaculate Heart, Mercer Thursday, Dec. 14 …. 6:30pm…. Good Shepherd, W. Middlesex Sunday, Dec. 16 …… 2:00pm…. Beloved Disciple, Grove City Tuesday, Dec. 18 …...7:00pm…. St. Joseph, Sharon Thursday, Dec. 20 …. 6:30pm…. Notre Dame, Hermitage

WEEKDAY-HOSPITAL December 2, 2018 Nov. 27 - P. Heldorfer SRHS - D. Ranelli Nov. 28 - K. Mueller Nugent - G. Pacsi Nov. 29 - P. Radasevich Clepper - F. Smeraglia

Mass Intentions

+Indicates Mass Time Monday, November 26–Rv 14: 1-3, 4b-5 / Lk 21: 1-4

+8:00 Msgr. William Karg (Joann Sangregorio) *7:00 Scripture Class-Choir Room

Tuesday, November 27–Rv 14: 14-19 / Lk 21: 5-11

+8:00 Mickey Rossi (Terry Conlin Family)

Wednesday, November 28-Rv 15: 1-4 / Lk 21: 12-19 +12:10 Edward Byrne (Charlene Ostheimer) *2:30 West Hill Ministries

Thursday, November 29-Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23; 19: 1-3, 9a / Lk 21: 20-28 +8:00 Ed Porterfield (Steve and Shirley Samball) *2:30 West Hill Ministries *6:00 RCIA-Choir Room

Friday, November 30-Rom 10: 9-18 / Mt 4: 18-22

+8:00 Mary Corbett (Pat and Family)

Saturday, December 1-Jer 33: 14-16 / 1 Thes 3: 12—4:2 / Lk 21: 25-28, 34-36

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT +5:15 Delores Witzigman (Jack and Shirley Woge)

Sunday, December 2–Jer 33: 14-16 / 1 Thes 3: 12—4:2 / Lk 21: 25-28, 34-36

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT +8:30 Carmine Trenga, Sr. (Sue and Chuck Delp) +11:00 Ed Porterfield (Nancy Pushcar)

Ministry Schedule for December 1/2 LECTOR M. Norman

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

S. Messina, Volunteer, N. Alexander, D. Dach, P. Dach, T. H. Cole, Volunteer

ALTAR SERVERS N. Alexander, D. Eller, M. Jordan

GREETERS GS: J. & K. Scanga Fr: B. & F. Smeraglia

LECTOR S. Cleary

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

B. Chalupka, J. Walsh, P. Miller. L. Vasconi, J. Vukovich, R. Vukovich, J. McLaughlin

ALTAR SERVERS S. Pass, A. Schupp, Volunteer

GREETERS GS: C. Dunn

LECTOR K. Bonomo

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

J. Sherbine, V. Mulligan, S. Feeney, U. Goda, D. Yao, G. Smith, M. B. Jones, P. Piccirilli, D. Ranelli, J. Grandy, M. Goodwin

ALTAR SERVERS H. Busi, R. Busi, C. Duffy, H. Duffy

GREETERS GS: T. McCallen, B. Shelley Fr: C. Krochka, M. Smith CL J. Hoffman

Saturday, Dec. 1,

2018

Vigil 5:15 PM

Mass

Sunday, Dec. 2,

2018

8:30 AM

Mass

Sunday, Dec. 2,

2018

11:00 AM

Mass

~~ TO ALL WEEKEND MASS MINISTERS ~~ UPCOMING 2019 1st QUARTER SCHEDULE

Altar Servers - Lectors - Eucharistic Ministers - Greeters We will begin in December the process of preparing for the 1st quarter schedule of 2019. The 2019 1st quarter schedule will run from January 5– March 31, 2019. If you are unavailable to serve during any of the 1st quar-ter weekends, please remember to log on your profile at: https://secure.rotundasoftware.com/l/web-terminal/login/stjosephchurchsharon?use_userename and block off the dates you will not be available to serve by FRIDAY, December 14, 2018. If you do not have access to your profile online, please call the church of-fice at 724-981-3232 for assistance, and/or if you have any questions.

Christmas Tree Memorials We are again offering you the opportunity to remember a loved one by contributing $100 towards one of the eight Christmas Trees we will be placing throughout the church. Please place your donation in an envelope, include your name, phone number and the name(s) of those you wish to remember, and return it to the church office by Monday, De-cember 17, 2018. We will take the first eight donors. Donors and those to be remembered will be listed under a special heading in the Christmas Flower Memo-rial included with the December 23 bulletin.

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