BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHEDRAL Mother Church and Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

300 North Main Street, Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2020

How dark outside! But see ... a star’s in the sky;

Mary and Joseph are passing by. So let’s light a candle to welcome them as they go on their way to Bethlehem.

O God, as light comes from the candle, may the blessing of

Jesus Christ come to us, warming our hearts and brightening our way.

May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of this world,

and to us, as we wait for his coming. Amen.

* Season of Love *

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Christmas Mass Schedule

There will be no 11:45 AM Mass on Thursday, December 24

Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020

2:00 PM Mass 4:00 PM Mass (live streamed)

10:30 PM Christmas Late Mass

Christmas Day Masses - Friday, December 25, 2020

8:30 & 11:00 AM Masses

Seating is on a first come basis for all Masses

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE ENTIRE STAFF OF BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHEDRAL

In acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ,

the Tabernacle Candle will burn from December 19 through December 25

in loving memory of

Gene Bothel

Requested by Carol - Wife

SANCTUARY CANDLE

The Rosary is suspended until further notice.

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 David proposes to build a house for God, and God returns the favor.

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 God’s covenant is forever, and so is our song of praise.

Romans 16:25-27 The rules have not changed, but the greater truths are now revealed.

Luke 1:26-38 The promise made to David is now fulfilled in the coming of the eternal king.

READINGS FOR: SUNDAY, December 20, 2020

Saturday, December 19, 2020 - Late Advent Weekday 4:30 PM James L. Breegle, Jr. (Patty Antoine)

Sunday, December 20, 2020 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM Eva M. Ruggery (Ruggery Family) 11:00 AM For the Living and Deceased Members of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

Monday, December 21, 2020 - Late Advent Weekday 11:45 AM James Manoledes (Catherine-Wife & Family)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 - Late Advent Weekday 11:45 AM Cornelius Driscoll (Michael Gornick Family) Wednesday, December 23, 2020 - Late Advent Weekday 11:45 AM Joan Spinella (Spinella Family)

Thursday, December 24, 2020 - Late Advent Weekday 11:45 AM No Mass

Saturday, December 26, 2020 - Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 11:00 AM No Sacrament of Reconciliation 4:30 PM Bill & Dorothy Wilcox (Suzanne Wilcox-English -Daughter)

Sunday, December 27, 2020 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:30 AM For the Living and Deceased Members of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral 11:00 AM Herman A. Vallozzi (Maxine Land-Daughter)

WEEKLY LITURGICAL MASS SCHEDULE

All Masses not listed above (see below) are being said privately

Dorothy Sacco (Crosby Family)

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Thursday, December 24 - Vigil of Christmas

2:00 PM Mass 4:00 PM Mass (live streamed)

10:30 PM Christmas Late Mass

Friday, December 25 Nativity of the Lord

8:30 AM Mass 11:00 AM Mass

For the Living and Deceased Members of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

~ Seating is on a first come basis for all Masses ~

Please consider a gift this Christmas to the

Children and Family Services Appeal;

the second collection at all Masses on

December 24 & 25

Providing Help, Creating Hope.

1.866.409.6455

Hunger and Poverty Don’t Discriminate.

GOD PROVIDES,BUT YOU’RE

THE DELIVERY SYSTEM

FAITH FORMATION REMINDER…..

Christmas Break for Faith Formation.

There will be no Faith Formation the weeks of December 27 and January 2. Zoom Sessions will resume on January 10 for gr. K-5, and Confirmation Preparation and Youth Ministry will resume on Wednesday, January 6. Have a Blessed Christmas!

Parish & Cemetery Offices Closed The offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24,

Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28. The offices will re-open on

Tuesday, December 29 at 10:00 AM.

Diocese plans televised Christmas Masses In addition to in-person Christmas masses all over the Diocese of Greensburg, you can also watch Christmas Masses on television or streaming on the diocese website and Facebook page. Join us for Christmas Vigil Mass at 2:00 PM on Christmas Eve and 10:00 AM on Christmas Day from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. Both Masses will air on PCNC, the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel. Christmas Day Mass will also air at Noon on WPXI Channel 11.

Temporary Changes to the Liturgy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral for all in-person Masses

Last week the Diocese of Greensburg issued new recommendations related to the recent spike in Covid-19 in our

area. After reviewing the recommendations, we wanted to let you know what particular steps we are taking here at the

Cathedral to keep you safe. These changes are related to all in-person Cathedral Parish Masses during this Covid-19 spike.

As first stated in the original guidelines from the Diocese when our Churches reopened in the late spring, one big concern

for transfer of the virus is singing at the Liturgy. For the immediate future we will use instrumental pieces only for the

opening, offertory, communion and closing hymns at Mass with only a short introduction to the opening and closing

pieces. We will recite the Psalm Response as well. Instrumental music will be played at Sunday Masses before the Mass as

well as a short postlude while people are leaving the Church building. All of the parts of the Mass will be recited including:

the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Memorial Acclamation, the Great Amen and The Lamb of God.

As has been the case, everyone is asked to continue to wear a mask (which covers both the nose and mouth) the entire

time that they are in Church. Going forward all ministers, including the priest and the lector, will wear his or her mask for

the entire extent of the liturgical celebration.

Out of an abundance of caution parishioners are asked not to congregate in the Church, either before or after Mass, as this

often creates an issue with our social distancing requirement.

As stated, these changes are only temporary, and will be evaluated as we move forward together through these very

difficult times. As always, our main goal is to keep people safe and to continue to be able to offer in-person worship while

respecting the anxiety and concerns of anyone who attends our beloved Cathedral for Liturgy.

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral - Seating is on first come basis-all Masses Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 2:00 PM 4:00 PM - (lived streamed) 10:30 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Our Lady of Grace - Pre-registration required-members Non-parishioners phone registration starts on Dec. 15 Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 10:00 AM

Saint Benedict - Seating is on first come basis-all Masses Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 3:30 PM 7:00 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 9:30 AM

Saint Paul - Seating is on first come basis-all Masses Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 4:00 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 9:00 AM

St. Bruno - Seating is on first come basis-all Masses Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 4:00 PM 6:00 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 11:00 AM Holy Cross Christmas Eve Masses - Thursday, December 24, 2020 2:00 PM 5:00 PM 10:00 PM Christmas Day - Friday, December 25, 2020 8:00 AM 11:00 AM

Regional Christmas Mass Schedule Please check with your Parish’s social media or website for any changes

x-apple-data-detectors://3

WEEKLY INFORMATION AT A GLANCE

All Blessed Sacrament Cathedral events

are cancelled until further notice.

In order to meet our budgetary needs, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral requires an average of $18,000 per week in the regular offertory collection. Thank you for your generosity and support of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish!

Sunday Offertory $26,916.00 Families receiving envelopes 1,457 Envelopes used this week 105 Parishioners using Online Giving 443

Online Giving is an easy way to make your

weekly contributions https://osvhub.com/blessed-sacrament-cathedral/funds

Second Collections for December December 25 Regular Christmas Collection December 25 Children and Family Services Appeal Children and Family Services Appeal Collection As you are aware, every year the second collection at all Christmas

Masses has been for those people living within our own diocese who

are less fortunate. This collection is titled the “Children and Family

Services Appeal.” Your support can change the future of an

individual, a family or a child through the good work of Catholic

Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg.

Parish Support, December 6, 2020

Heroes of Hope videos highlight Guardian Angel Appeal for Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg recognizes Heroes of Hope, individuals who never stopped giving during COVID-19. Now you can be a Guardian Angel for your community by donating to coronavirus relief. All dollars go directly to those in need. Watch the videos about our Heroes of Hope and prayerfully consider donating online: https://www.ccharitiesgreensburg.org/fundraisers/Pages/Heroes-of-Hope.aspx We are blessed by your support!

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Catholic Men's Fellowship has continued to meet via ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic and would be happy to welcome men on any of the 3 sessions we offer each week. Please contact Andy (412-759-1715 or andyb9530@comcast.net) or Michael (724-691-2191 or zempyeer@gmail.com) for more information.

STAYING CONNECTED TO THE CATHEDRAL PARISH

You may not know that we have a NEW PARISH APP! This is the easiest way to get updates and the most recent information on things happening in the parish and especially for our Faith Formation and Liturgical events. Our previous parish app is no longer functioning. You will need to download this new App. Our new App is called “WeConnect” from LPI.

To download our new app: Visit our parish website (www.blessedsacramentcathedral .org). Search the main page for the “Parish App” tab. Simply click on the links for either Google Play or Apple from your smartphone or tablet to be taken directly to the app in the store. This is a free download. Follow the directions to download the app. When opening the app for the first time, you will be asked to choose your parish. You can search for "Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA". Hit select parish, and then confirm that you want to set this as your parish.

If you are on FACEBOOK, please be aware that Blessed Sacrament Cathedral also has a Facebook page. From your newsfeed page, find the “search” button at the top of the page. Click that button and then type “Blessed Sacrament Cathedral” in the search box that appears. Choose “Blessed Sacrament Cathedral” when it pops up below the search box. This will take you to another screen where you will see our page. Click the “like” button to follow the page. You will now see our Facebook page in your newsfeed and will get any updates!

STAYING CONNECTED TO THE DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG To stay continuously updated with communications, recommendations and actions taken by the Diocese of Greensburg, text

“Faith” to the number 724-305-3057 to sign-up for important text message alerts. Be sure to complete your registration by following the directions you will receive in the reply. Up-to-the-minute communication is available on all diocesan social media outlets - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - and at Dioceseofgreensburg.org/healthalerts.

All of the above information will also be available on our parish website: www.blessedsacramentcathedral.org as well as in our parish bulletin available at weekend Masses and on our website electronically.

‘The Accent On-Air’ presents ‘Christmas Traditions’

“The Accent On-Air” presents “Christmas Traditions” on WTAE-TV with overnight airings at 3:07 AM and 3:37 AM for Dec. 26. Slovak, Italian, German and Filipino Christmas traditions will be featured. This episode includes:

Msgr. Larry J. Kulick’s message that “Advent is Still Ours.”

Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle’s special collection of Nativity sets.

Father Anthony W. Ditto’s reference guide of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

A Christmas nut roll recipe, along with a modern hack; the story of the Feast of St. Nicholas, a Bountiful Night at Christ Our Shepherd Center, Filipino delicacies and good cheer and various live Nativities and Angel Trees. “The Accent On-Air” is always on at TheAccentOnline.org.

https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fosvhub.com%2Fblessed-sacrament-cathedral%2Ffunds&data=02%7C01%7CCCope%40dioceseofgreensburg.org%7C2653616af9f6414efaff08d82991118b%7C0d053169069f4b0d9812ae9a9f652d46%7C0%7C0%7C63730505033048064https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ccharitiesgreensburg.org%2Ffundraisers%2FPages%2FHeroes-of-Hope.aspx&data=02%7C01%7CJZufelt%40dioceseofgreensburg.org%7C7e42e52d40344d23cc0c08d85fcc8529%7C0d053169069f4b0d9812ae9a9f652d46%7https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ccharitiesgreensburg.org%2Ffundraisers%2FPages%2FHeroes-of-Hope.aspx&data=02%7C01%7CJZufelt%40dioceseofgreensburg.org%7C7e42e52d40344d23cc0c08d85fcc8529%7C0d053169069f4b0d9812ae9a9f652d46%7mailto:andyb9530@comcast.netmailto:zempyeer@gmail.comhttp://www.blessedsacramentcathedral

Become a Member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Welcome! It is a great joy to welcome new members to our parish community. Please register as soon as

possible in order to participate in our various programs, ministries and activities. Drop this form in the collection basket and we will send you a detailed registration form. If you are already a member and have changed any of

your personal information please call the Parish Office or return the changes on the form below.

Name:__________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________

Contact Number: _________________________________________________________

Email Address: ___________________________________________________________

Parish Office Hours Monday- Friday

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Phone (724) 834-3710 Fax (724) 834-1518

Greensburg Catholic Cemetery Office Hours Monday-Friday

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Phone 724-836-4384

Aquinas Academy Phone 724-834-7940

Website www.blessedsacramentcathedral.org

Online Giving: www.blessedsacramentcathedral.org

Sacrament of Reconciliation Every Saturday at 11 AM till completed or

by appointment.

Daily Rosary Suspended

Daily Mass Schedule Monday - Friday 11:45 AM

Weekend Mass Schedule 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM

BLESSED SACRAMENT DIRECTORY SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION

Parish Staff

The Reverend Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle - Rector ext. 12 rriffle@dioceseofgreensburg.org

The Reverend John M. Foriska

Senior Active Priest jforiska@dioceseofgreensburg.org

The Reverend Mr. William J. Hisker

Permanent Deacon ext. 27 bhisker@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Katie Zuzik - Pastoral Associate ext. 11

kzuzik@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Christopher Pardini

Director of Liturgy and Music ext. 21 cpardini@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Sister Jeanne Marie Vonder Haar, A.S.C.J.

Director of Faith Formation ext. 35 jmvonderhaar@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Cindy Cope

Coordinator of Cemetery Services ext. 16 ccope@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Linda DeFrancesco

Financial Secretary ext. 23 ldefrancesco@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Bill Wilson - Maintenance ext. 24 wwilson@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Parish Finance Council John Kline Nancy Rottler Judy Komarinski Mike Szwerc Ed Nemanic Nazzi Zola

Parish Pastoral Council Mark Bartels Judy McChesney Andy Benedict John Mickinack Linda Cooper Paul Niemiec David Fidazzo Betty Rua Kirsten Lieberum Mike Rzempoluch

SVdP Assistance: 724-834-3710 x 44 SVdP Food Pantry: 724-836-0175 Prayer Chain: Joanne Hudock 724-834-1718

Sponsorship Forms

Forms for parish members to serve as sponsors for Baptism or Confirmation can be completed in the Parish Office or with a priest at a weekend Mass. To act as a sponsor, you must be at least 16 years old, a practicing Catholic who has received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. If married, it must be within the guidelines of the Catholic Church. Call the Parish Office to make an appointment.

Baptisms

By appointment only. Contact Katie Zuzik in the Parish Office at least three months in advance of the Baptism. A class for parents is required to reflect on the meaning of the sacrament, review the Ceremony and to highlight the importance of family commitment to practicing the Catholic Faith. The requirements for Godparents are the same as for sponsors and can be found above and on the Parish website. Please contact Katie with any questions.

Weddings

Contact Sister Jeanne Marie Vonder Haar, A.S.C.J. in the Parish Office at least six months in advance. Do not set a date until contacting the Parish Office. Pre-marriage preparation classes are required.

http://www.blessedsacramentcathedral.org