St Paul's is a Roman Catholic Parish that is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and is part of the Diocese of Allentown. The Allentown Diocese is comprised of a five-county area that includes Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuykill counties which contains 151 parishes and approximately ... read more
December 31, 2006 - Feast of the Holy Family
NEW Ministry Schedules are available in the Sacristy this weekend for all Lectors, Cantors, Altar Servers & Eucharistic Ministers.
Holy Hour will be held on Thursday, January 4th at 7:00 PM in the Church. Come and pray for yourselves, your families and our country. First Friday Mass, January 5th, will be held in Church at 8:30 AM. Confessions will be heard before or after Mass as per the availability of the celebrant.
Dear Parishioners,
Last week I happened to drive past Pastor Manny Stivers’ church, Trinity Memorial Lutheran. [I’ve known Manny since my Lehighton days.] His outside billboard had a message that inspired me for this year’s Christmas message. I’ll take a little liberty with his message and craft it a bit more into the Christmas scene.
Christmas is not a season; it is a way of life.
What a great reminder for all! Nowadays, well before Thanksgiving Day, the commercial Christmas Season is underway. And thank God that “that Season” is only around for 6 to 8 weeks. The challenge for the true believer is not to fall prey to “this Christmas Season” but, to realize what we celebrate, what we remember on December 25th is this blessed event some 2000 years ago should be a life altering event for us today.
The tragic reality is that for the common person, and even for many Christians, this day has been trivialized with the glitter of the “holidays:” decorated trees, wreaths, crèches, lighted homes, candles in the windows, gifts under the trees, cookies and fine meals. In themselves, none of these are bad but they do have a tendency to nail down the Christmas event to one day out of the year. More times than not, we don’t even extend it to the traditional 12 Days of Christmas … up to the Epiphany.
When we do that, we minimize the true transforming message of the Christ Child. We have heard it time and time again: God so loved the world that he sent his only Son into the world, not to condemn us but to save us. I’m sure all of us hear that quote often … but do we truly listen and take it to heart. Do I truly believe that Jesus came into this world to die for “me” … and that he did so, even while I was [am] a sinner. That is Good News that should be celebrated not one day a year but all 365 days of the year. It should be a truth that transforms everyday of my life.
What would that transformation look like? Well, if God loved me so much like that … then I should try to return the favor by loving him like that. And he says we can do it by loving one another like he loved us … everyday of our lives. It doesn’t mean that I have to “feel good” about everyone. But it sure means that I don’t actively do anything that will hurt them. Easily said, but not so easily done!
So the value of Christmas Day is that it should remind us of the love of our God who would rather die than be separated from us … and our obligation to try to show that love always.
Christmas is not a season; it is a way of life.
December 24, 2006 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
Need a festive atmosphere to celebrate Christmas? Contact host John & Diane Varra at the Susquehanna Street hospitality House at 610-791-0108
If you missed the Visitation offering envelope in last Sunday’s bulletin, there are envelopes available in all the vestibules of the Church. If you wish someone to visit, please check the box marked, “Yes I would like a visit”. Please be generous in your visitation offering. Thank you.
Msgr. Joe
Dear Parishioners:
A few years ago we modified our Parish Visitation to include two specific groups: families with children who are or should be in PREP or Catholic school; and families with potential candidates for our Journey in Faith Program, which begins in September.
In addition to the above visits we also do a modified version of a full parish visitation. In this bulletin today you will find a Parish Visitation envelope. We ask you to please prayerfully consider donating $50 per working person in the household [if you can].
If you would like a visit from one of our parish staff, please check off the area marked “Yes, I would like a visit.” When we receive your reply, we will schedule a visit with you. If you do not care for a visit, do not check the box, but please do return your Visitation envelope with your donation. Be sure to include your name, address and envelope number on the envelope.
Thank you for your support and prayers for our parish. May God continue to bless your generosity.
Sincerely,
Msgr. Joe
Altar Server Schedules are in the sacristy to be picked up.
¿Buscando una manera de cómo empezar a andar un camino de fe? ¿Con quiénes puede usted compartir sus experiencias para crecer más en la vida espiritual? Los Ecos de Fe es un curso sencillo que sirve ser un vehículo para la formación de adultos en la fe. El objetivo de los módulos teológicos es hacer conocer a los adultos los fundamentos de la doctrina y de la tradición católica. Este curso se va a conducir en español para los que no hablan el inglés. Nuestro deseo es que todos sean parte del cuerpo de Cristo, de la familia parroquial de la iglesia. El curso empezará el 19 de septiembre, 2006 a las siete de la noche. Si hay preguntas o necesitas más información, favor de contactar a Sonia Varra en el número (610) 437-2935 o a Judy Issermoyer en el número 610-797-2215.
English translation
Looking for a way to begin your faith walk? With whom can you share these experiences? Echoes of Faith is a simple course that will serve as a means for faith formation for adults. The objective of the theological modules is to help adults understand basics of Catholic doctrine and traditions. This course will be conducted in Spanish for those who do not speak English. Our goal and wish is that all become part of the Body of Christ, the parish family community. The course will begin on September 19th, at 7:00 P.M. If you have questions or need more information, please call Sonia Varra or Judy Issermoyer at 610-797-2215.
Dominic James Guzzo
Chelsea Marie Hines
Madison Hope Sumner
School starts on Monday, August 28th at 7:55 AM. It is a full day for everyone except Kindergarten. The students need to bring a lunch. Morning snacks will be sold. There are a few openings in all grades. If you would like to register, please bring your child’s birth certificate and immunization record with you.
Food certificates are sold in the parish office during office hours and after all the Masses on the weekend. Panther Profit Vendor envelopes are available in the vestibules. There is a 2-week turnaround for Panther Profit Gift Cards.
The first school fundraiser of the year is the “Enjoy the City” book. The cost is $15/book this year. Books are available in school or the parish office. Many people asked us to do this fundraiser earlier in the year which is why we are starting now. School families get $5.00 credit for every book sold.
Please continue saving Campbell Soup labels, Redners’ Save-a-tape receipts, Boxtops for Education, and used inkjet cartridges. We redeem these for our school. Thank you for helping us.
St. Vincent de Paul: Basic food request this week: canned meat and tuna, and any other non-perishable foods you would like to contribute. Thank you for your continuing generosity to the food bank.
Are You Celebrating 5, 25, 40, 50, 60 or more years of marriage in the year 2006? Come to the Annual Diocesan Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 24th at 3 PM at the Cathedral. Couples who pre-register and attend will receive a certificate from Bishop Cullen. Check the poster in the main vestibule for a registration form. Deadline, September 12th.
St. Paul’s Annual Women’s Retreat: Come away to St. Francis Center for a special time with God, from Friday, September 15 at 6:30 PM through Sunday, September 17 at 2 PM. Space is limited! We look forward to being together again to grow closer to our Lord and each other. Call Dot at 610-797-4898 or Judy at 610-797-2215, or Irene at 610-439-2780.
Mark Your Calendars for our Ethnic Foods Fest on October 8th. We could use some help. If you are interested in making food, or helping in any way, please join us for a meeting on Wednesday, August 30th at 7 PM in the rectory meeting room. Questions? Call Terri at 610-966-0852.
Atlantic City Trip sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul Conference. The trip is always the first Wednesday of the month unless stated otherwise. Departure time is 9:45 AM from St. Paul’s parking lot. Cost: $24.00 less rebate. For reservations or information call Art @ 610-797-4898 or Joe @ 610-439-2780.
Scouting Open House: September 11th from 7 to 8:30 PM. There will be a campsite set up on the grass next to the shed for those interested in the Boy Scout Program. There will also be a set-up in the gym for those interested in Cub Scouts. There will be information handouts and refreshments available.
Bible Study! St. Paul’s has wonderful Bible Study Groups which meet regularly in the rectory lower level on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM.
The next segment begins September 5th & 6th. The Wednesday groups will study Acts of the Apostles and Matthew. The Tuesday group will study the Letters of St. Paul. Join anytime by calling 610-797-9733 ext. 14.
What are the Benefits of Attending the Journey in Faith?
Discover the Light of Faith! This series will begin on Sunday, September 17th and will be held each Sunday at 10:30 AM in the school. This series offers the opportunity to learn about key themes of the Catholic faith and to enliven your faith in the warm atmosphere of Christian community. Join anytime. Call 610-797-9733 ext. 14.
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