Saint Monica Parish

December Holyday
And
Christmas Mass Schedule

Wednesday, December 8^th
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
8:00AM & 6:00PM

Sunday, December 19^th
Lessons and Carols  
7:00pM

Monday, December 20^th
Deanery Penance Service
 (Saint John the Evangelist Church, Pittston)
7:00PM

Friday, December 24^th
Christmas Eve
4:00PM &10:00PM

Saturday, December 25^th
Christmas Day  
10:00AM

Friday, December 31^st
Vigil Solemnity of Mary Mother of God  
4:00PM

Saturday, January 1^st
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God  
10:00AM
 

Religious Education News:

Dec. 5, 2021......Class /Advent Wreath
Dec. 12, 2021......Class
Dec. 19, 2021......Class/Christmas Party
Dec. 26, 2021......No Class

2022 Mass Book is now open.  To reserve a Mass please send the name of who the Mass is for, who it is from, and your $10.00 per Mass stipend, to the Parish Office either by mail or drop into the weekend collection basket.  You may request a date if it is already taken your Mass will be on the closest date to the one requested. Please do not call or email a Mass request.  We cannot take requests over the phone or email.  Please do not come to the Office until the second wave of Covid 19 is over.  

Sanctuary Candle and Bread and Wine

Requesting the Sanctuary Candle or donating the Bread and Wine is a wonderful way to honor your loved one.  It may also be offered in honor of a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, special intention or in thanksgiving. 
The Sanctuary Candle burns for the entire week for $15.00.
Our Bread and Wine is donated for the entire month for $25.00.  
You may request the Bread and Wine or Sanctuary Candle by dropping your request in the weekend collection basket or by mail.  Include the name or occasion you are requsting, who it is by and your donation.  

Offering Mass
1.) Offering Mass for a deceased loved one.
When we offer Mass for our deceased loved one, we are asking God to apply the graces of the Mass to that person’s soul, so that their time of purification can be brought quickly to completion and they can enter into the fullness of heaven. Just as we pray for each other and share each other's burdens now, the faithful on earth can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification. To have a Mass offered for the repose of the soul of a person who is not Catholic is more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers. No better prayer could be offered than that of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is a truly loving and faith-filled thing to do; a beautiful expression of the communion of all believers in Christ – a communion that transcends time and space.
2.) A Mass can be offered for a person who is still living.
Though we often think of having a Mass said for those who have passed away, Masses can be offered for those who are still alive. The Mass may be said: "for the living and the dead, and other necessities." In other words, if you know someone who could benefit from the spiritual graces that come with having a Mass said on their behalf, there is no need to delay in doing so.
3.) You can have a Mass said in Thanksgiving or for a celebration.
Most people remember to have a Mass said for the death of a loved one and a few may think to have a Mass offered for a special intention or friend who is suffering, but rarely do we think of having a Mass offered for a celebration. Is there a better way to show our gratitude to God? Masses can be said for birthdays, anniversaries, in celebration of the reception of the sacraments, or for prayers that have been answered!
4.) Please consider having Masses said at Saint Monica Church.
It is easy to do so. To request a Mass, you may mail your request to the parish office or drop it in the mail slot at the rectory. You may also drop your request in the weekend offertory collection basket marked “Mass Intention.” Please include: 1) who the Mass is for, 2) who it is by, 3) along with your $10.00 stipend per Mass. You may request a date; if the date is taken, we will schedule your Mass to the nearest date open.
Don't miss out on these graces for yourself and those you love! Find a reason to have a Mass offered today.

Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00PM
Sunday Morning Mass - 11:00AM
Monday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Tuesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Wednesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Thursday - No Mass
Friday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
            Adoration until  - 10:00AM
Confession
Saturday Afternoon - 2:30PM till 3:15PM
        (Please use the door near Sacristy)

Our Parish fund raiser “Vacation Sweepstakes” is under way!!!  Join in the fun and excitement!  Possible winners every day!  The sweepstakes is based on “Pennsylvania Pick 4” with 7:00PM evening drawing every Monday through Saturday in December.  It begins on December 1^st and runs through the entire month.

Exact matching numbers win:  $1,000.00
Prizes every Monday through Saturday
for any combination of four digits:
$300.00 – 4way box combination
$200.00 – 6way box combination
$100.00 – 12way box combination
$50.00 – 24way box combination

Winners will automatically receive a check in the mail from Saint Monica Parish.  Tickets cost $20.00 - that is less than $1.00 a day for a whole lot of fun! Ticket stubs must be returned no later than November 27th to be eligible to win.  Please support our Parish with this event of great fun and profit!
                                   All proceeds benefit Saint Monica Parish.
 

Prayer of Spiritual Communion – My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself
wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.   Amen.

Reconciliation – Confessions are heard in the Parish Hall on Saturday afternoons from 2:15PM till 3:15PM.   In order to maintain safe distancing and privacy we will have a temporary confessional in the Church Hall.  Only one person will be allowed in at a time.  All other doors will be locked.  One may enter through the door by the Sacristy and exit by way of the door and handicap ramp.  Please know that perfect contrition still holds true at this time and one should have the following to do so. 

•  A love of God above all else
•  A sincere desire for the forgiveness from sin
•  The resolution to go to confession as soon as  
possible when this health crisis subsides

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
 Adoration is a sign of devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is present in body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearance of the consecrated host.  Eucharistic meditation performed in the presence of the Sacred Host outside Mass has been practiced and recommended by some of our greatest saints. A visit to the Blessed Sacrament is a great treasure of the Catholic faith.  It spiritually nourishes us and gives us opportunities for thanksgiving, reparation and supplication.  Friday adorations will end at 10:00AM with Reposition of our Sacramental Lord.  All are welcome and encouraged to come to our dear Lord during our Friday Adorations for a grace-filled occasion and experience.  

Advent Lessons
and Carols

You are invited to take less than an hour out from your busy Christmas preparations as we ready our hearts for the celebration of our Lord’s birth.  On Sunday, Dec. 19^th at 7:00PM we will gather for an evening of music and meditation.  Everyone is encouraged and welcome to gather as a Parish family this Advent season at our Lessons and Carols. 

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.