MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, Dec. 7—4:30PM—St. Francis: Lector Patti Dudock; Ministers Joyce Barnum & Joanne Nolt; Servers—volunteer; Rosary—Joyce Barnum; Greeter—volunteer Sunday, Dec. 8—8:00AM—St. Francis: Lector Terri LaRue; Ministers Tim LaRue & Larry Purtell; Servers volunteers; Rosary Debbie Purtell; Greeter volunteer Sunday, Dec. 8—10:30AM—St. Augustine: Lector Bob Allen; Ministers Travis Wise & volunteer; Servers Travis Wise; Rosary volunteer; Greeter Cott DeMaree
PRAYER LIST
Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish & Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers, especially all suffering from cancer, Lyme disease, or drug dependency. Kaitlyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Ruth King, Kyle Stoddard, “D”, Tom Wenman, Toni Colardino, Madigan Gow, Emily D., Amanda Branning, Daniel Gavin, Tommy Williams, Kathy Holt, Linda Hollenback, Don Zaleski, MaryLou Fahs, Elton Carr, Jim Raftis, Bub Davis, Tyler Fletcher, William Chaney, Joe Grindel, Chelsea Judson, Trisha, Mary Guido, Hallie Brooks, Mark Kovach, Brooke Arnold, Robyn Lawson, Ned Offner, Ethel Reid, Rusty Carmen, Butch Rosencranz, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Marie Donahue, Barbara Mahoney, Adam Price, Greg Lasgowka, Jay Gurn, Terry, Cameron & Levi White, Natalie Dawn Abell, Tom Ellison, the Reed Family, Don Higgins, Raub Family, Todd Legg, Ryan Hayes, Chad Grindel, Thomas McWilliams, Marty Mosher, Cathy Ballogg, Mary Ann Casterline, Janice Jacobs, Mary Joan, Patricia Charpinsky, Diane Holleran, Kineer Worgen, James Dughi, Peg Broadwater, Adrian Stephens, Millie, John, Reilly, Sophia ILichishin, Josh Zaleski, Caleb Scepaniak, Dana Marsh, Lori Rawlins, Brendan Merritt, Mark Pasteka, Tim Fruehan, Linda, Gloria, Carl, Lori Hammerly Coleman, Brendan Kelly, Jay C., Pat Walsh, Angelo Scarfalloto, Emily Graves, Cathy Albert, Robert Nemcek, Wayne Hibbard, Laura Nelson, Garrett Farr, R.C.M., Everly Hausmann, Diane, George Coleman, Sally Saunders, Marie Cavallaro, Sully & Patty Cavallaro, Evelyn Ferro, Alice, Briana Grisdale, Gregory Diorio, Mike Coleman, Nicholas, Alex, Mike & Pat Stelacio, Fr. John Victoria, Joseph Santora, Carol Garcia, Jay S., Cathy Edsell, Jessica Lawrence, Sue L., Nellie Manarchuck, Monica Gibson, Diane Coffee, Bill Noldy, Jr., Patricia Hutchinson, Mark, Chris Mortensen, Clyde & Mary Tims, Louise Darrow, Aaron Fredendall, Louise Eastman, Niki Rogers, Wade Leach, Shirley Conboy, Joseph Olszewski, Matthew Gatto, Mike, Madigan, Kris Kiesly, Kylie Keenan, Sara Kelly Price, Tucker White, Terri Grindel, Jerry Wells, Fred Brown, Rosa Prieto, Carl Whitehead, Ed Snee, Cliff & Anita James, Pete Strojny, Mary (Jones) Edsell, Eileen Maruschok, Leonard Howell, Shirley Rockefeller, A.J. Pass, Nancy, Tony McHugh, Val Mosier, Hunter Allen Sapp, Bryce Histand, Dcn. Tom Hartley, Ken Warner, George Thrasher, Norma Volk, Gerry, Kathy Conklin, Gary Fisher, Tom Walz, Joan Middendorf, Kevin Pierson, Megan Hale, Ben Naylor, Kathleen, Tammy Volk Jennings, Rosemary Stewart, Joe, Margaret Zernone, Bucky Russell, Delores Sinchak, Carolyn Doolittle, Jane Borelli, Jake Warner, Chuck Bullock, Tom Krupinski, Eileen Drab, Susanne Wolf, Doug Packer, Gail Lutz, Ellen Bieleski, Larry Black, Joyce Danielewicz, Dorothy Angel, Jackie Foster, Ed Bartkus, Mary Ann Severage, Jeanette Williams, Michael Stone, Grady White, Jan Harmon, John Mulrooney, Joan Golis, Margaret Connolly, Miriam Van Winkle, Elizabeth Fancher, Sally McGlynn, George Starzec, Nancy, Edward Silver, Dustin, Marie Violini, Sam Arnold, Kelly Burridge, Caesar Siedlecki, Joe Leonard, Geri Mokris, Linda Henry, Jim Cullen, Gabi, Keith, Katie, Matt, Bill, Larry Wise, Ray
ARMED FORCES LIST
Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish & Community, Ryan Gormley, Christopher Reichlen, Mike Griffith, Matthew Kramer, Ryan Neville, Shane Kalpokas, Dustin Ryder, Steven Shelp, Ricky Trowbridge, Jay Tewksbury, Lukas Crisman, Ryan Newberry, Mark W. Gregg, Lisa Phillips, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Marty Conboy, Joseph Elliott, Wayne M. Bennett, Bradley J. Bryant, John Baltsley, Mara Redding, Michael Redding, James Hemmerly, Amberlynn Villanella, Jacob Balchikonis, Rip VanWinkle, Cameron, Jonathan Green, Garrett Kiehle, and all who serve with them. May they be protected & safe from harm & return home safely and soon. Amen.
Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away. Please also call us when those in the Armed Forces are no longer serving so their name can be removed.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH, (St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.
St. Augustine Church, Silver Lake, Pa.)
(St. Brigid’s Cross)
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
-mail: sfxc@epix.net Facebook: St Brigid Parish
Rev. Augustine Thomas Administrator
Father Augustine 1 (570) 909-7819
Deacon Paul J. Brojack
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 1st, 2024
To You, O Lord, I lift my soul!
MASS SCHEDULE
Sat. Nov. 30 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT HELENA FLAHERTY by Lydia Annesi and Edward Kelley
Sun. Dec. 1 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT ALICE CARR by Rita Edwards and Family 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
Mon.Dec. 2
Tue. Dec. 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church - FR. CAS STANIS by Ken & Barb Brennan
Wed.Dec. 4 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - PATRICIA MCILRAITH by Claire & Rick Woidt
Thur.Dec. 5 9:00AM St. Augustine Church -
Fri. Dec. 6 12:00NN St. Francis Church - SPECIAL INTENTIONS
Sat. Dec. 7 10:00AM St. Augustine Church - FIRST SATURDAY MARGARET FLAHERTY by the Estate
Sun. Dec. 8 8:00AM St. Francis Church - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT MAUREEN MILLER by Theresa & Bill Noldy 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT ANDY POTOCEK by Loretta Guiton
Dear Friends!
On this First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical season. It is a season of hope-filled awaiting and a season of the unexpected. This is a season calling us to be attentive to the creative and mysterious ways through which Lord Jesus comes into our lives. Haven’t our hearts and minds become a dumping yard of distress, fear, confusion, tensions, and dissipation? The Junk gets filled to such an extent leaving no place for Christ. Secondly, monotony along the path of Christ can steal us away from Christ Himself and render all our popular devotions and faith-practices futile.
Reflect: How alert and attentive am I, to look out for signs of God’s intervention? Is monotony killing the very essence of my Life-In-Christ (LIC)?
~ Father Augustine
COLLECTION FOR THE CARE AND EDUCATION OF PRIESTS
The second collection today is for the Care & Education of Priests.
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS
Parish Lottery Calendars are now available in the back of our Churches for Christmas Gift-Giving. Calendars are $ 20.00 each and run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2025. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to sign the calendars out on the sheet provided.
CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS
We have (18) area families ranging in size from 1 person to 8 people, on our list to receive Christmas Food Cards. We are accepting monetary donations now. Please make checks out to “St. Brigid Parish”. All donations are needed by December 15th. Thank you for your generosity!
THE FOOD PANTRY—CHRISTMAS
We are now preparing for Christmas Food Baskets. If you know of anyone who could use help this year, please contact Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) by Monday, December 2nd. All checks should be made out to “THE FOOD PANTRY” and put in a marked envelope in the collection basket. All donations are greatly appreciated and needed as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued generosity!
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Thank you to everyone who came out and worshiped with us at the Community Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. A special thank you to everyone who baked goodies!
CONFESSION SCHEDULE—(BEFORE ALL WEEKEND MASSES)
Saturday—St. Francis Xavier—before 4:30PM Mass—3:30 to 4:15PM
Sunday St. Francis Xavier before 8:00AM Mass 7:30 to 7:50AM
Sunday St. Augustine before 10:30AM Mass 10:00 to 10:20AM
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Our weekend collection total was $ 2,768.01. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
LIFELINE
“The Gospel of Life recognizes the full range of threats against human life, from poverty and malnutrition to murder and war. Particular emphasis, however, is placed on threats to life at its beginning and end precisely when it is most in need of protection. In modern times, children in their mothers’ wombs and those approaching the end of their lives are certainly among the ‘least of these’ in our world’s estimation.”
~ USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities,respectlife.org/live-
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS—NEXT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
NEXT Saturday, December 7th, we observe the Fatima First Saturday Devotions in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our Lord and Lady requested of Sister Lucia, shepherd visionary of Fatima.
Please consider participating as we seek to fulfill our Savior's and Blessed Mother's request for prayer and penance in reparation to her most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. All are welcome.
The schedule for these Devotions at Saint Augustine Church is:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by confessions: 8:30AM-9:00AM
Recitation of Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:00AM-9:30AM
Adoration and Meditation on Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:30AM-9:45AM
Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 9:45AM-9:55AM
Mass: 10:00AM-10:45AM
SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr.
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for peace in Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East.
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish and Community offered by St. Brigid Altar and Rosary Society.
SPECIAL PRAYERS
Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN
If you have a prayer request, please call Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212), Maureen Allen (570-6632256) or the Rectory (570-553-2288) sfxc@epix.net. Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.
CHURCH CLEANING
St. Augustine: December 2 to 8 Linda Monahan; December 9 to 15 volunteers needed; December 16 to 22 Sr. Bette Brown & Phyllis McNamara; December 23 to 29 Sr. Bette Brown & Barb Pichette; December 30 to January 5 volunteer needed; January 6 to 12 Rosalynd & Veronica Perlick; January 13 to 19 Rosalynd & Veronica Perlick; January 20 to 26 volunteers needed; January 27 to February 2 volunteers needed
St. Francis cleaner for the month of December Kathy Gage. NEW VOLUNTEERS are always welcome to help clean our Churches. There are several openings at St. Augustine. To volunteer, please call or email Kay (570)553-2288 or sfxc@epix.net
ADORATION HELP IS NEEDED
As more and more “Snow Birds” are leaving for warmer climates, we are looking for more substitutes. Can you help out once a month? Can you help every once in a while? Please let Rosalynd know. This way you aren’t scheduled every week you are only scheduled when you are available.
Please consider spending an hour with Our Lord. Call Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) to volunteer.
ST. JOHNS CEMETERY NEWS
St. John’s Cemetery re-organizational meeting was held last Sunday. Officers were elected: President Travis Long; Vice-President Joe Conboy; Secretary/Treasurer Diane Conboy Mooney. The Cemetery Association will meet again on February 16th, 2025 at 2PM in Neumann Hall. If the weather is bad the meeting will be on February 23rd, 2025 at 2PM at Neumann Hall. All are welcome to attend.
2024 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL UPDATE
St. Brigid Parish 2024 Appeal Goal is $ 23,474.00. This is a $ 1,474.00 increase from last year’s goal. To date we have $ $ 32,331.00 pledged which is 137.73% of our Goal. We are over our goal by $ 8,857.00. Thank you to all our Parishioners for your efforts in helping the Parish to make our goal. Again this year 75% of all money raised over our goal is returned to St. Brigid Parish.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, December 24th Christmas Vigil 4:00PM Mass St. Francis
Tuesday, December 24th—Christmas Vigil—6:30PM Mass—St. Augustine
Wednesday, December 25th Christmas Day 8:00AM Mass St. Francis
Wednesday, December 25th Christmas Day 10:30AM Mass St. Augustine
LITTLE BOOKS & THE WORD AMONG US FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS
Little Books and the Word Among Us for Advent/Christmas are available in the back of our Churches. Please feel free to take them home with you.
RETIREMENT FUND
FOR RELIGIOUS Aging religious need your help.
“Your support acknowledges that we continue the mission of Christ even in our retirement,” says Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart Sister Celeste Burgos, 80. Donations provide for the care, medicine, and daily needs of over 24,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who have dedicated their lives to service. Please give to the Retirement Fund for Religious next weekend.
WOMEN’S ADVENT BIBLE STUDY
A Women’s Bible Study will be held Friday evenings during Advent beginning at 6:00PM at Neumann Hall. The dates are: December 6, 13, and 20. If you are interested in joining us for Bible Study, please contact Amanda Reeves at 607-727-9438 to ensure we have enough books.
ALTAR & ROSARY CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Altar and Rosary Christmas party will be held Wednesday, December 11th at 6:00PM at Neumann Hall. Dinner will be catered by the Whitetails Bar & Grill in Little Meadows. We will have turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a vegetable. The cost is $ 16.00 per person. Ladies are welcome to bring their husbands Sign up sheets are in the back of the Churches. Christmas Sunshine Baskets—Please bring lots of your favorite goodies for the Christmas Sunshine Baskets. There will be 18 baskets to be packed.
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING FOR ST. AUGUSTINE’S 200TH ANNIVERSARY
A planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:00PM at Neumann Hall to begin planning for St. Augustine’s 200th Anniversary. Many volunteers will be needed to make plans. Please attend this meeting and see how you can help!
LAST CALL FOR RCIA RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process, established for the universal Church, for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. If you or anyone you know would like to begin the process to become full members in the Catholic Faith, please contact the Rectory (570)553-2288 / sfxc@epix.net or see Fr. Augustine or Deacon Paul. Classes will be starting soon for anyone interested.
NAZARETH GROUP MEETING
The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth invite all young women (grades 9 – 12) to join us on Saturday, December 7th, from 11:00AM – 4:30PM, at Mother of God Convent, 215 Wellwood Drive, Tunkhannock, Pa. Come and learn more about the Faith, make wholesome friendships, and grow more in love with Jesus through prayer and hearing inspirational talks. To RSVP by December 6th, or for more information, please call Sister Angela at 570-836-2737. Please join us!
MOM’S HOUSE BOOK FAIR
Mom’s House is having their annual Barnes & Noble Book Fair on Saturday, December 7th, from 9AM to 9PM, at the Town Square Mall in Vestal. You must mention “Mom’s House” at the time of your purchase and a percentage of the sales will go to help out Mom’s House. This is a perfect time to start your Christmas shopping!!!
