PASTORAL STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Ray P. Bomberger, S.S.J. Rev. Lowell D. Case, S.S.J.

Deacon Willard Witherspoon, S.F.O. Deacon Freddie Kaddu S.S.J.

STAFF

Ms. Deborah Holly Mrs. Crystal Morris

Sr. Alice Talone, CBS Mrs. Evelyn Watkins

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Masses

Mondays: 12:00 noon Tuesdays Thursdays Fridays: 8:00 am

Wednesdays: 10:00 am

Weekend Masses

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:45 am

Holy Days

To Be Announced

Confessions Before the Mass

Religious Education Elementary & First Communion

Sundays: 9:15 am

High School & Confirmation 1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays: 7:00 pm

Bible Study

Mondays: 10:30 am & 7:00 pm

Rite of Christian Initiation For Adults

Sundays: 12:30 pm

Baptism & Marriage Preparation By Appointment

Go to www.josephites.org, click Parishes and School tab, select Maryland, then click the parish name.

Readings for the Week of December 8, 2019 Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10 / Romans 15:4-9 / Matthew 3:1-12 Monday: Genesis 9-15, 20 / Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12/ Luke 1:26-38 Tuesday: Isaiah 40: 1-11 / Matthew 18:12-14 Wednesday Isaiah 40: 25-31 / Matthew 11:28-10 Thursday Zechariah 2:14-17 or revelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10 ab, Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47 Friday: Isaiah 48:17-19 / Matthew 11:16-19 Saturday: Sirach 48: 1-4, 9-11 / Matthew 17: 9a, 10-13 Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10 / Romans 15::4-9

SAINT PETER CLAVER AND SAINT PIUS V “ONE IN THE SPIRIT”

1546 N. Fremont Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21217

Office: 410-669-0512 410-523-1930 Fax: 410-383-8227 Hall: 410-728-1729

Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2019

Word From The Pastor

A reflection on a Christmas card: As they awaited the birth of their first child, everything seemed to go wrong. The imperial forces occupying their land demanded a census. So he left carpentry projects unfinished to trek to his ancestral town. Problems seemed to beget problems. Traveling in the late stages of pregnancy left her in pain and exhausted. When they arrived in little Bethlehem, they couldn’t find lodging. One of the locals half-jokingly mentioned a nearby stable. Desperate for someplace to rest and a little privacy, they turned the animals’ straw into a makeshift bed. Of course, that was when the baby decided to arrive. Somehow they managed without her female relatives or a midwife. He was ashamed of his helplessness, of how little he knew. After the birth, shepherds arrived telling confusing stories of angelic messages. They left Bethlehem as soon as possible: they just wanted to go home. Foreigners interrupted their quiet family life. Pondering their son’s connection to a star gave way to Joseph’s dreams of danger. They quickly packed a few belonging and header south. It was hard; they survived, but there were uncertain, frightening days. Centuries later, they would be surprised at how we’ve reduced their ordeals to stylish greeting card. (Jerry Bleem, O.F.M.)

Feasts and Memorials

December 9 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 11 – Saint Damascus I December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe December 13 – Saint Lucy December 14 – Saint John of the Cross

Mass Intentions

Saturday 4:00 pm: Danette Herbert rb: Marjorie Purvey Sunday 8:00 am: For the People

10:45 am: Lillian Wainwright rb: Debbie Holly

Scripture Insights

Today’s First Reading from Isaiah looks forward to the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, who will be filled with the fullness of God’s Spirit. He will bring peace to the world, a peace he describes a vision where “the calf and the young line shall browse to together.” the coming of Jesus inaugurates this fulfillment. The reading from the Letter of the Romans connects back to the hopes of the Old Testament. Jesus’ coming fulfills the promises made to the patriarchs and extends them to the Gentiles “so that they might glorify God for his mercy.” Jesus’ coming brings all people together in their praise and glory of God. In the Gospel reading, God’s Word comes to the people in the desert through the person of John the Baptist. The desert is the place where the Israelites had wandered for forty years and where the God formed them into a people. The prophets foresaw that God would lead the people back to the desert to form them again into God’s people. John the Baptist, who resembles the prophets with his clothing and diet, calls for a change of heart: “Repent, for the

kingdom of heaven is at hand!” John speaks of one who is to come, one who is far greater than he. While John baptized with water, the one to come, Jesus, will baptize “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” As John the Baptist called on his people to set things right, so we are called this Advent to set

things right with God as we await the coming of Jesus at Christmas and welcome his presence into our lives.

Deceased Josephites

December 9 – Rev. Edward J. Houlihan ,SSJ Rev. John J. Rawlins, SSJ December 13 – Rev. Alphonse J. O’Reilly, SSJ December 14 – Rev. Joseph T. Leonard, SSJ

THE WORD OF THE LORD Interested in the Bible, how the “Word of the Lord” speaks to you? Come join us to explore and discuss the ‘Word of the Lord’ on Mondays at a time convenient for you. Our Morning

Bible Study Group meets in the Rectory at 10:30 am and our evening Bible Study Group meets in the Rectory at 6:00 pm.

PREPARING ADVENT This Sunday we enter the season of Advent. Lighting the candles on our Advent Wreath and placing an Ornament on the Jesse Tree are: 4:00 pm Mass: The Gardiner & Haughton Family 10:45 am Mass: The Smith and Washington Family

COMING SOON

REMEMBER THE NEEDY Our St. Vincent de Paul and Ladies of Charity ask

you to remember the needy. Please drop off donations of pasta, sauce, peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, jelly for our Emergency Food Basket

each week. Thanks, your generosity is appreciated.

BINGO AND CIRCLE Join us for the next Bingo and Circle Drawing on Monday, December 9th at pm in Harper Hall. Along with Bingo, don’t forget to pick up a Circle Book. Try your luck. New Player are welcome.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

This Sunday, December 8th, our youth invite everyone to Harper Hall for their annual Holiday Happenings. Festivities begin at 12:30 pm where there will be music, song, dance, and good eats, along with this years’ creative table decorative displays. Don’t forget to get your ticket after Mass today. Admission is an unwrapped toy!

SHOE BOX DRIVE Our Saints in Progress continue to collect toiletries and warm items for children, women and men who are in shelters. Please drop your donations of full size soap, lotions, wash cloths, deodorant, gloves, toothpaste, shaving cream,

shaving cream and tooth brushes in the bins at the back of the church. ______________________________________________

Canonization Update God News from Rome! The final draft of Mother Lange’s biography, along with the previous two parts have been submitted for final approval. Pray that the next study and

deliberations will bring her to “venerable”. ________________________________________________________________

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

1 Peter 4:10

Attendance ........................................ 169

Collection ....................................... $ 4,225.00

Visit the Josephites website for their recent news, and be on the look-out for a new Parish Life page, featuring pictures from our Youth’s Fall Festival and Holiday Happenings. Logon to www.josephites.org, then continue to our pages by clicking “Parishes and School”, select “Maryland” then click our parish name. We’re in color on the Net!

SERVING THE NEEDY

Support our St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry by offering these items at Mass: Canned Tuna, Mac & Cheese, Pasta and Sauce, Canned Pork & Beans, Vegetables and Beef Stew, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Powdered Milk, Oatmeal, Cereal, Jello. Cook for Our Daily Bread Casserole Program by picking up a pan and recipe on

the Second Sunday of the month and return your casserole on the Third Sunday for Monday delivery. The next date to pick up casserole pans is the weekend of December 14 / 15 with frozen casserole returns the following weekend of December 21 / 22 .

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

FRANCISCAN CENTER “SUPPER CLUB”

The Franciscan Center, located at Maryland Avenue and 23rd Street, in addition to their daily Lunch Program now has a “Supper Club” serving a free hot meal on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm to any one who is hungry.

FOOD SERVICE TRAINING The St. Vincent de Paul offers the free “Next Course” Food Service Program” that provides applicants with food service skills, and the opportunity to obtain the ServSafe Food Handlers Certificate and ServSafe Manager’s Certification. This program is a part of the St. Vincent’s KidzTable, located at 1901 62nd St., Suite 3906, Baltimore 21237. For more information contact the Next Food Service Program at 410-982-0855.

ST. EDWARD’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER Located at 2848 W. Lafayette Avenue, 3rd floor, the Center provides job preparation and supportive services that include basic education and GED preparation, Auto technician training and certification, computer literacy, child support enforcement and mediation, substance abuse referrals and more. Call 443-885-0990 or fax 443-885-0991.

EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT The Center for Urban Families (2201 N. Monroe St.) provides tax preparation, job training and placement assistance upon completing the four week training program. Services include GED classes, Fatherhood/Parenting classes and occupational skills. No experience is needed nor a High school diploma is required. Call 410-367-5691 or online at www.CFUF.org

FREE GED CLASSES Bon Secours Community Works sponsors free classes, for those wishing to complete their high school education, on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at Bon Secours Family Support Center, (26 N. Fulton Ave.) Free child care for children up to 4 years is available. Contact Ms. Brenda K. Jones at 410-362-3695.

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BULLETIN ITEMS BY WEDNESDAY MORNING!