SACRED HEART WADSWORTH, OH

Today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve which means that tomorrow we will celebrate the Birth of Christ. As we celebrate this wonderful feast of the Incarnation, we may want to reflect on exactly what God has done for us in His great love for us. He has become one of us; He has humbled Himself to become a human being so that He can save us from our sins. It is we who have sinned and it is He who humbles Himself for us. Somehow that does

not seem quite fair or just, yet, this is what God has done for us because He loves us so much. No one made God become a human being, He chose it freely and lovingly. Maybe the next time we are confronted with something that seems unfair, we might think of what God has done for us. Christmas is a celebration of the love of God and there is no better way for us to envision this love than seeing a mother lovingly holding her child. Almost everyone can relate to images of Mary holding the newborn Jesus close to her heart. What is there in us that makes it so easy for most people to be moved by such an image? The answer is very simple: it is the love of God Himself in each of us that enables us to respond to love when it is right in front of us. Christmastime is always a good and wonderful time for us and that is what God intends it to be. However, there are many people who dread the Christmas Season because of the memories they have of loved ones no longer with us, or memories of Christmases past that were far from loving or joyful. We must pray for these people and for the small part in all of us that has the same tendency. No matter what past Christmases were like, each Christmas is an opportunity for all of us to again realize the great and powerful love of God. The love He shows us by coming to us. He continues to come to us in so many ways, but most of all through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. God continues to take flesh in each Mass and then gives Himself to us so that we may use our bodies and our very lives to give His love to everyone we meet in our daily lives. This Christmas may we all rejoice in the love that God has shown in so many countless ways, but most of all by coming to us Himself. Let us ask the Lord to continue to reveal His love and help us to give of ourselves to others, just as He gave His life by dying on the cross. Many people find Christmas difficult and anything but joyful because they have lost loved ones over the years and so Christmas just is not the same. We must try to remember the joy of Christmas lies in the presence of Jesus in our lives and the comfort and joy that only He can give us. It is nice to remember the Christmases of the past, but that should not in any way diminish the joy we can know by prayerfully celebrating Christmas and allowing ourselves to focus on the present joy of knowing the love of God and sharing that love with others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. I am very grateful to our St. Vincent de Paul Society for their hard work in assisting the poor during this Christmas Season and to all who were so generous in their donations to those in need. It is truly a beautiful witness to the love of God when so many are so generous to their brothers and sisters in Christ. May God bless you and your families for all your generosity and kindness to others especially those in need. I pray this spirit of generosity will continue to grow stronger and stronger in our parish family.

2017 ANNUAL PARISH CONTRIBUTION-Due to cost, statements will only be mailed out to the parishioners who do not

have email! If you do not have email, please return this form in the collection basket. If you have email, please email to:

church@shofjesus.com and include your name and envelope number. Statements will be mailed/ emailed as soon as possible.

For those parishioners that use Online Giving to support weekly offertory you can generate your giving report through your

online giving login. If you contributed through the weekly envelopes or through the weekly collection, this will not be reflected

and you will need to email church@shofjesus.com. If you need assistance to help generate your report please contact:

NAME____________________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________

ONLINE GIVING SUPPORT

Our Sunday Visitor

800-348-2886 Ext 4

onlinegiving@osv.com

Saturday, December 23 5:00 p.m. ............................. Kim Steward [Anderson Family] Sunday, December 24 8:00 a.m. ................ Ruth Wagner [Tom & Lucy Hirschinger] 9:30 a.m. ...................................... Ron Evans [Evans Family] 12:00 Noon .......................................................... For Our Parish 4:00 p.m. ................................. John & Rosina Muhl [Family] 6:30p.m. .......... Joseph & Beatrice Meade [Lamielle Family] 12:00a.m. Midnight Mass .............. Tony Carretta [Liz & Family] Monday, December 25 8:00 a.m. ........................... John & Carmella Puglisi [Family] 11:00 a.m. ......................................... Joseph R. Holy {Family} Tuesday, December 26 8:00 a.m. ................................................................ Poor Souls Wednesday, December 27 8:00 a.m. ................................... Bill Kulmacz [Elaine Daigle] 5:30 p.m. ............... Wanda Barnes [Caesar & Lynda Carrino] Thursday, December 28 8:00 a.m. ........................................... Erica Olis [Olis Family] Friday, December 29 8:00 a.m. ............................. In Thanksgiving, Palecek Family Saturday, December 30 8:00 a.m. ............................................. Kay Dishauzi [Family] 5:00 p.m. .......................................................... For Our Parish Sunday, December 31 8:00 a.m. ..................................................... Special Intentions 9:30 a.m. .............. Catherine Cline [Barb DeCello & Family] 12:00 Noon ..................................... Irene Arnold [Budi Family]

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017

SCRIPTURE READING REFLECTIONS OF THE WEEK

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

WEEK OF DECEMBER 24, 2017

Question for Adults: When have you followed the example of

Mary and said, “Let it be done to me as you say?”

Question for Children: Is there something hard you need to do

this week? What might make it easier?

WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT -- DECEMBER 17

Envelope Offertory (217 Envelopes) .................. $14,235

Online Giving Offertory (261 Givers)

Budget Offertory ...................................................... 18,500

Weekly Difference ................................................. ($4,265)

Actual YTD Offertory .......................................... $387,036

Budget YTD Offertory ........................................... 459,941

YTD Difference ................................................... ($72,905)

SPECIALS

Capital Improvement ............................................... $5,180

St. Vincent de Paul ................................................... $1,008

Support Our School..................................................... $198

THE WINNER OF THE

A & R RAFFLE WEEK OF 12-17-17 IS

Darlene O’Sullivan

The Parish office will close

Monday, December 25th and reopen

Tuesday, January 2nd.

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year from the

Parish Office Staff!

HELP NEEDED watering plants during the Christmas season, and/or taking decorations down on January 7th at 2:00pm. P l e a s e c a l l A m y U h a s e , 3 3 0 - 5 2 4 - 9 1 1 3 acwhitmanartstudio@gmail.com.

Our church Chr i stmas decorating is a labor of love. Would you like to be a part of it? We’re looking for

someone who would like to share their decorating talents for next year. Contact Amy Uhase. 330-524-9113 acwhitmanartstudio@gmail.com.

CALLING ALL CHEFS! If you would like to participate in the Sacred Heart

Iron Chef competition on February 17th please

email Marsha at joeandmarsha@neo.rr.com. All

proceeds benefit the Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Thank you for your support!

Readings for the Week of December 24, 2017 Monday Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Tuesday Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday 1 Jn 1:5–2:2; Mt 2:13-18 Friday 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Fourth Sunday of Advent In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. She was deeply troubled by his words, and wondered what his greeting meant. The angel went on to say to her: ‘Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.” Mary said: I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” With that the angel left her. Lk 1:26-33, 38

MASS SERVERS SCHEDULE Week of December 25 *DECEMBER 24 & 25 SEE CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 8:00 a.m. - Tuesday- Wednesday - Bailey Best, Santino Pace 5:30 p.m. - Wednesday ONLY - Abe & Mary Watson 8:00 a.m. - Thursday - Saturday - Owen Hauenstein, Matthew Sandor Saturday, December 30 5:00 p.m. - Ben Fearn, Jimmy Flaherty - Ky’Sonna & E’Anna Won

Sunday, December 31 8:00 a.m. - Christina Davies, Jack Edwards - Quinn McNeill, Jack Schnelzer 9:30 a.m. - Alexis Friedl, Alexandra Kisilewicz - Chloe & Noah Porter 12:00 Noon - Bailey & Rennick Best - Jonathan Erb, Sam Hanna

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 30 5:00 p.m. - Craig & Patti Chamier - Debbie & Roger Petrey, Liz Valeri Sunday, December 31 8:00 a.m. - Alan & Pat Beery, Michael Gahan - Caesar Merced, Darryl McQuate 9:30 a.m. - Doug & Beth Cook, Helen Klaas - Cortney Skidmore, Jim Whalen 12:00 Noon - Madonna DiPietro, Ted Iannarelli - Carolyn Hawkins Altercare - Paul & Dolores Schafer Liberty Residence II - Robert & Andrea Lindner Magnolia - Chris & Teri Johenning Wadsworth Pointe - Irene Bowers, Joanne Gale Coal Ridge Inn - Robert & Ruth McGough

LECTOR SCHEDULE Saturday, December 30 5:00 p.m. - Madeline Schwab, Tim Reed Sunday, December 31 8:00 a.m. - Keren Schnelzer, Pat McNeill 9:30 a.m. - Pam Armstrong, Gwen Seeman 12:00 Noon - Bill & Pat Reynolds

The Rosary is prayed at:

Coal Ridge Inn first Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

White Oaks all Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

Magnolia on the 3rd Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Altercare on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Liberty Residence I & II all Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

***The Rosary is prayed daily at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel and Sundays

at 7:30 a.m. in the church.

MASS SERVERS SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24—Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. - Cooper Kresowaty, Matthew Paydo - Simeon & Finn Schmitt 6:30 p.m. - Spencer Logsdon, Cole McNeill - Nathan Reed, Kennady Skidmore Midnight - TBA

Monday, December 25—CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 a.m. - Jacob Bianchi, Quinn McNeill - Christina & Michael Davies 11:00 a.m. - Joseph Chamier, Angelo Pace - Mario & Santino Pace

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 24—Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. - Ali McNeill, Katherine Paydo - Jeff & Elianna Witschey 6:30 p.m. - Joe & Ruth Giacomoni - Gina & Eric McNeill, Loretta Turk Midnight - Ray & Tracey Arnone - Irene Bowers, Joni Johnson, Jen Sorrent

Monday, December 25—CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 a.m. - Alan & Pat Beery - Bill & Cece Bees, Mark Smith 11:00 a.m. - Cathy Anderson, Kathy Calhoun - Patti Chamier, Don Drouhard

LECTOR SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24— Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. - Ann Nemeth, Elizabeth Paydo 6:30 p.m. - Joe Turk, Paul Boland Midnight - Keith Johnson, Natashia Willmott Monday, December 25— CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 a.m. - Mike Krietemeyer, Carly Smith 11:00 a.m. - Michael Niese, Bob Calhoun

Prayer Shawl Ministry Please Help

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is making "prayer scarves" for all those who are going to Washington for the MARCH FOR LIFE on January 19th. We will be making 56 scarves and could use some help. We can supply the yarn and very simple directions. If you would like to help by crocheting or knitting one or two or more scarves we would be most appreciative. Call Carol Heim at

(330) 334-6746. Thank You.

LAST CALL! We’ve opened up two last dates to be included in our

parish photo directory! Schedule your photo session

on December 27th or December 28th, 2:00-9:00 pm.

Call Kay Carps at 330-335-6161.

ALL LITURGICAL MINISTERS! The new schedule for January 29, 2018 - May 27, 2018 will be run soon. Please email shojscheduler@gmail.com or call

Mike at 330-825-7161 if you need to make any changes in your current information. After January 3, no changes will be possible and you will need to find subs if you are scheduled and cannot be present. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to your ministry.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25

Merry Christmas! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26

8:45 a.m. - Legion of Mary, Andes Room

7:00 p.m. - Youth/Young Adult Choir practice

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27

11:30 a.m. - Wadsworth AA Meeting, Andes Room

2:00 p.m. - Parish Photo Directory, Conry Room

7:00 p.m. - Legion of Mary, Library

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

6:00 p.m. - St Vincent de Paul Society, IHM

6:00 p.m. - Cub Scouts, McMahon Hall

7:00 p.m. - Adult Choir, Church

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30

7:00 a.m. - Men’s Prayer Group, Andes Room

11:00 a.m. - Confessions until Noon, Church

3:30 p.m. - Confessions until 4:30 p.m., Church

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31

1:00 p.m. - Consecration meeting, Andes Room

5:00 p.m. - Adoration for Vocations, Church

What can change the world? What can change your world? What is it that can be the turning point in your spiritual life?

TRUE DEVOTION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

According to Pope St. John Paul II this Total Consecration was the great turning point in his own spiritual life. Interested? Contact Patti Hunt at 330-335-5203 for more information. Sunday, Dec. 31st, 1:00 pm, Andes Room. Materials available at cost.

Get in the ZONE to stay

informed with what our

parish’s youth ministry

office is doing each month.

Middle School Youth Group (5th – 8th grade)

Our next MSYG meeting will be on Sunday, January 14

where we will announce the secret location of our first off-site

group activity, which will take place on Sunday, January 28th.

Don’t be left out of the fun!

High School Youth Group (9th – 12th grade) is currently in

session and meets every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00pm in

the parish center. Come check out these HSYG upcoming

events:

NO YOUTH GROUP December 24 and 31 due to

Christmas Eve and New Years Eve!

Please contact Deacon Rich if you are interested in

attending the March of Life in Washington, D.C., on

January 19.

Keep in touch with Youth Group Want to receive

reminders of all that’s going on? For the Middle School Youth

Group, text @dhc63 to 81010 and for the High School Youth

Group, text @mrgosia to 81010 to join our text list!

SACRED HEART OF JESUS SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Catholic Schools Week is rapidly approaching, which means our parish school is preparing for the 2018-19 school year! Join us at the 9:30 Mass on Sunday, January 28, to kick off Catholic Schools Week! Following Mass, there will be an open house from 10:45 to 2:45. If you have a child who will be entering Pre-K or kindergarten next fall and would like to visit our classrooms and meet our teachers, please plan to attend. Registration packets will be available. This event provides the opportunity for all families, with children in all grades, who are looking for a Christ-centered, safe and nurturing environment, to explore our school. Please join us so that you can see what we already know. Sacred Heart of Jesus School has much to offer its students including excellence in academics, a spiritually contagious atmosphere, and small class sizes to help keep our focus on the individual needs of every student. We are a Jon Peterson and Ed Choice Expansion Scholarship school. Please call (330) 334-6272 or visit our website www.shswadsworth.org for more information.

On December 7, Archbishop Hoban High

School hosted a reception to recognize the 8th

grade students who were awarded a Moreau or

Father Dujarie Society Scholarship.

Recipients were selected based on their

academic achievement and their outstanding

performance on the placement exam. President

Dr. Sweda, Principal Emily Hanson and faculty

department chairs were on hand to honor the students’

accomplishments.

Scholarship recipients from Sacred Heart School:

Barrett Croskey

Stephen Matko

Mario Pace

Garret Phipps