Msgr. Paul V. Dougherty, Pastor pastor@saintmarg.org

Rev. Robert J. Chapman,

Pastor Emeritus

Weekend Assistance: Rev. Robert Pesarchick

Rev. Joseph Mostardi, O.S.A.

In Residence: Rev. Dominic Nguyen

Principal, St. Margaret School, Mrs. Mary Anne Johnston

mjohnston@smsnarberth.org

610-664-2640

Director of Religious Education, Ext.16

Mrs. Mary Anne J. Monroe, M.A.

prep@smsnarberth.com

Parish Business Manager, Ext.17

Mr. Cliff Coombs

busmgr@saintmarg.org

Administrative Assistants, Ext. 10

Mrs. Teresa Myers (Mon, Tues, Thurs)

Mrs. Rose Marie Dalton (Wed, Fri)

office@saintmarg.org

Director of Music - Mr. Michael Worth saintmargmusic@gmail.com

267-304-6490

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Scrip Sales

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Rectory Office Business Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00AM to 4:30PM

CLOSED WEEKENDS

ST. MARGARET

OF ANTIOCH PARISH 208 N. Narberth Avenue

Narberth, PA 19072

610-664-3770, Fax 610-664-5001

Web site: www.saintmarg.org

Email: office@saintmarg.org

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DDDECEMBERECEMBERECEMBER 25, 201625, 201625, 2016

0110 2 Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth, PA

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Four Masses are celebrated for the feast of Christmas,

and each is given its own set of readings to help us

contemplate Christ's birth. The Gospel for the vigil Mass on

Christmas Eve is taken from the beginning of the Gospel of

Matthew. The Mass at midnight proclaims the birth of Jesus

using the Gospel of Luke. The Mass at dawn on Christmas

morning continues the story of the birth of Jesus as found in

Luke's Gospel through the shepherds' visit to the infant Jesus.

In each of these Gospel readings, we hear portions of the

Infancy Narratives with which we are familiar.

The Gospel for the Christmas Mass during the day is

taken from the beginning of John's Gospel, but this Gospel is

not an Infancy Narrative like those found in the Gospels of

Matthew and Luke. Instead, John's Gospel begins at the

beginning, as it were, and presents the Creation story as the

framework for announcing the Incarnation. John's opening

words, “In the beginning ,” echo the opening verse of the

Book of Genesis. This framework invites us to view Jesus'

birth from God's perspective. Each of the Gospels makes

clear that Jesus' birth was the result of God's initiative.

However, John's Gospel highlights that this was the divine

intention from the very beginning, from the moment of

Creation.

As we observe in today's reading, the Gospel of John

includes highly philosophical and theological language. One

example that particularly stands out is John's use of the

expression, “Word of God.” This expression (logos in the

Greek) borrows from a concept found in both Jewish and

Greek thought. In Jewish thought, this phrase describes God

taking action—for example, in the Creation story and in the

Wisdom literature. In Greek, or Hellenistic, thought, the logos

was understood as an intermediary between God and

humanity. John and others in the early Church adopted this

language to describe God's incarnation in Jesus. As the term

was used to express the trinitarian faith of Christians, the

word Logos came to be equated with the Second Person of the

Trinity.

In this prologue to the Gospel of John, the main themes

that will be developed in his Gospel are introduced. These

themes are presented as dualities: light/darkness, truth/

falsehood, life/death, and belief/unbelief. We also hear in this

prologue a unique aspect of John's Gospel—the motif of

testimony. John the Baptist was sent by God to testify about

Jesus, the light. Others in this Gospel will also offer

testimony about Jesus. The reader is invited to accept this

testimony, which bears witnesses to Jesus, the Son of God.

But even more directly, Jesus' action and words will

themselves testify to his identity with God as God's Incarnate

Word.

Thinking about Jesus' birth in these theological and

cosmological terms seems particularly appropriate as we

celebrate the feast of Christmas in the darkness of winter. At

this time, nature itself seems to remind us of the darkness of

sin. Into this darkness, in the midst of our sinfulness, God

comes to dwell among us. John's Gospel reminds us that

through the Incarnation, God saves us from the darkness of

sin and makes us his children.

MONDAY, December 26

7:00 AM Bernard J. Gillespie & family

TUESDAY, December 27

7:00 AM Donald Ford, 6th Anniv.

WEDNESDAY, December 28

7:00 AM Lorraine Bizzarri

THURSDAY, December 29THURSDAY, December 29THURSDAY, December 29

7:00AM7:00AM7:00AM Lorraine Bizzarri

FRIDAY, December 30

7:00 AM Lorraine Bizzarri

SATURDAY, December 31

8:00 AM Lorraine Bizzarri

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Msgr. Dougherty offers a Mass each Sunday for all Msgr. Dougherty offers a Mass each Sunday for all Msgr. Dougherty offers a Mass each Sunday for all

the parishioners and for those enrolled in the church the parishioners and for those enrolled in the church the parishioners and for those enrolled in the church

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Universal Intention: That the scandal of child-soldiers

may be eliminated the world over.

Intention for Evangelization: That the peoples of

Europe may rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth

of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life.

Parish Email List - Stay informed: If you

are not getting our Thursday emails about

what is happening at St. Margaret Parish,

Please consider signing up for our email

list. Sign up in the vestibule, or Go here:

http://tinyurl.com/j5h7bxx, or Scan here:

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0110 3 Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth, PA

Christmas: What a Shock! - The birth of Christ and the events leading up to it were startling news to all involved.

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of God, she was surprised, but accepted

God’s call. Joseph was stunned by Mary’s pregnancy, but the angel revealed to him that the child to be born was the

Savior and Joseph accepted his place in the Holy Family. The shepards were amazed by the song of the angels on

that first Christmas and they humbly came to worship. The Magi were surprised to finally see the star of the Savior

and followed it to the Lord. Our celebration of the birth of the Savior should stir up in us awe at the wonder-filled

event of God becoming man for our salvation. It should never be just another Christmas, but an uplifting renewal of

our wonder and awe at the depth of God’s love for us. He has become man in order to be with us and show us the

ways of joy and peace. Be surprised this Christmas by the startling news that Jesus is with us to share with us the

gift of divine life and everlasting life. Put your faith in him and follow his call.

HHHELPINGELPINGELPING OOOTHERTHERTHER PPPEOPLEEOPLEEOPLE INININ EEEMERGENCYMERGENCYMERGENCY

Week of December 25, 2016

Joan Ryan - 610-664-4009.

Please call the weekly captain, as early in

the week as possible.

Please remember in your prayers the

sick of the parish:

Tom Rymal & Conal Harvey.

WE WELCOME TO OUR CHRISTIAN

COMMUNITY: Amelia Louise Gallagher,

daughter of Liam and Jessica Gallagher.

Congratulations to the family.

Spiritual Thought - It is confidence and nothing else

that leads one to love. And what offends Jesus, what

wounds his heart, is lack of trust in him. (Saint Therese

of Lisieux)

Liturgy Note - The Octave of Christmas - The birth

of Our Lord is such a great feast in our Church Year

that it is celebrated solemnly for eight days, the Octave

of Christmas, from Dec. 25 through January 1. These

eight days are a time to contemplate the deep mystery

of the coming of God as man. At every Mass during

these eight days we pray the Gloria to highlight our

praise and thanks to God for the gift of his Son. We let

the wonder of God’s love for us permeate or hearts and

sink into the depths of our beings so that we are filled

more with the light of his life and the radiance of his

love.

A Little Humor - “We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New You.” (a 3-year-old boy’s rendition

of a Christmas song.)

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY

LECTURE SERIES

Cardinal Foley Lecture

“The Power of the Word:

Catholic News Media and Spiritual Formation”

Greg Erlandson

January 30, 2017, 7:00PM

St John Vianney Hall, St Charles Borromeo Seminary

The Cardinal Foley Lecture Series brings speakers of

national and international prominence to the Seminary

to address current topics in the world of Social

Communications. This lecture will provide insight

into the important role that the Catholic news media

has in the faith formation of Catholics, our nation and

its citizens.

Greg Erlandson is the Directory and Editor-in-Chief

of the Catholic News Service. He is the former

editor, president and publisher of Our Sunday Visitor,

and editor of National Catholic Register. He served

as president of Catholic Press Association and has

received numerous awards and honors.

School of Theological Studies

http://www.scs.edu/sts

610-785-6287

Please remember in your prayers the souls of Marion

Lavalla, John J. Gartland, M.D., Louise

Urbani, Jeanne Grajewski and Evelyn

Kazeniac who have recently passed away.

May they rest in peace and their families be

comforted.

0110 4 Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth, PA

Our warmest appreciation to all the parents and children for the generosity to Mercy Neighborhood

Ministries during the Advent Season. This generosity made Christmas special for so many because you gave

from your heart.

SMS Kids Care Project

Christmas Meal Deliveries: The 3rd grade class assembled gift baskets with hand-made Christmas card greetings

for our homebound parishioners. They were personally delivered by many 3rd grade parents and children last week.

Thank you, Soula Staparounas, Mrs. Fisher, and to our 3rd grade teachers, Mrs. Lorine and Mrs. Park

(Mulhern) for organizing this traditional event! Our homebound parishioners were very grateful!

School will resume on January 3rd for all students.

To All of our friends and family of St. Margaret,

Wishing you the gift of Peace - To soothe your soul and smooth your way

Wishing you the gift of Joy - To brighten up your life each day

Wishing you the gift of Faith - To see His Promise shining clear

Wishing you the love of Christ - To guard and guide you through the coming year

Wishing you all the wonderful gift of Christmas

Enjoy the holidays – may they be filled with much joy and happiness!

Mrs Johnston, the Faculty and Staff at St. Margaret School

wishes everyone a Happy and Blessed 2017

PREP News

The PREP families celebrated their annual Advent Prayer Service and Christmas Pageant on Sunday, Dec. 18th.

The 6th graders reenacted the story of Christmas based on the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The 1st graders,

dressed all in white, led the congregation in singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” Our Music Director, Mike

Worth, played the piano, while Alan Monroe – Mrs. Monroe’s eldest son -- accompanied him on violin. It was a

beautiful and reverent service to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas.

After the Prayer Service, the PREP families proceeded to the school cafeteria for refreshments, fellowship, and

some opportunities for community service. Some children collected diapers to be donated to the Maternity Care

Coalition and St. Christopher’s Hospital for children. (Many thanks to PREP parent, Dr. Katie McPeak, for

spearheading this project.) Other children wrote Christmas cards that were sent to our American troops overseas.

This annual PREP service project makes it possible for young school children to spread some Christmas cheer

far and wide. (Thank you to PREP teacher, Mrs. Pat McGrath, for coordinating this effort.) Finally, after all the

PREP families and their guests had a chance to enjoy breakfast, we packaged all of our left-over food and drink

and donated them to a men’s shelter on 69th Street. The residents there are always grateful for the unexpected

treats! (Thank you to PREP parent, Mr. Terence Fernandes, for his service to the community.)

PREP will not meet on Sunday, Dec. 25th and Sunday, Jan. 1st. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW),

and the Sunday Preschool Program will also be off during those holiday weekends. PREP will resume on

Sunday, January 8, 2017. We wish everyone a safe, blessed, and memorable Christmas, and a healthy, happy,

and prosperous New Year!

0110 5 Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth, PA

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Mr & Mrs Nemesio Alvare

Dr & Mrs Takekazu Aoyama

Dr & Mrs William Battle

Mr & Mrs William Bean

Mr & Mrs Reagan Beck

Drs Michael & Katherine Belden

Miss Marlene Bizzarri

Ms Sarah Boucas-Neto

Mrs Paulette Bratspir

Mr Gary Brown

Mr & Mrs Peter Brown

Mr. & Mrs. James Brown

Mr & Mrs Carl Cantafio

Mr & Mrs Bart Cassidy

Mr Patrick Cassidy

Mr & Mrs Patrick Clark

Mrs Barbara Cosgrove

Mr & Mrs Chad Coulter

Mrs Margaret Cristofalo

Mr & Mrs Frank Dalton

Mr & Mrs Thomas Davis

Mr & Mrs Kevin Derham

Ms Raeleen Derham

Ms Jennifer Donnelly

Miss Victoria Donohoe

Mr & Mrs John Emery

Mr & Mrs Robert Evans

Mr & Mrs Joseph Falcone

Mr Michael Falcone

Mr & Mrs Terence Fernandes

Mr & Mrs Stephen Filipone

Mr & Mrs Gregory Fliszar

Mrs Jean Funkhouser

Mrs Rose Gillard

Mr & Mrs Gilmour

Mr & Mrs David Gloninger

Mr & Mrs John Gonzales

Mr & Mrs Bernard Hillman

Mr & Mrs Matthew Hogan

Ms Maria Hunter

Mrs. Evelyn Kazeniac

Mr Joseph Kelly

Mr & Mrs Paul Kelly

Mr & Mrs John Kenealy

Mrs Kathleen Keperling

Miss Emma Kirk

Mr & Mrs Jonathan Klick

Mr Gregory Knox

Drs. Edwin & Kellie Kruger

Mr & Mrs Pablo Lake

Mr & Mrs Hoa Le

Ms Patricia Lo

Dr & Mrs Matthew Lorei

Mr & Mrs John Lynch

Mr & Mrs Christopher Maloney

Mr & Mrs Albert Masciangelo

Mrs Marilyn Matarazzo

Mrs Christina McBryan

Dr & Mrs Robert McCairns

Mr & Mrs John McColgan

Mr & Mrs Thomas McDyer

Mr Daniel McMahon

Mr & Mrs Michael McMullen

Mrs Deidre Attea Meltzer

Mr & Mrs Oqba Memar

Ms Barbara Mischler

Mr & Mrs Patrick Mitchell

Mr & Mrs Thomas Moody

Mr & Mrs Brad Morley

Mr John Mullin

Mr & Mrs Francis Murphy

Ms Jessica Nardi

Mr & Mrs John Nardi

Mr & Mrs Robert Neely

M & Mrs James Nixon

Mr & Mrs James O’Connor

Mr & Mrs Joseph Passante

Ms Debra Ann Phillips

Dr & Mrs Peter Pizzutillo

Mr & Mrs Joseph Quillian III

Mr & Mrs Vincent Quinn

Mr Robert Ritzco

Mrs Joan Ryan

Mr & Mrs Michael Ryan

Mr & Mrs James Schwartz

Mr & Mrs Samuel Scorzetti

Mrs Joan Shea

Mr & Mrs Charles Sizer

Mr & Mrs Marc Smaldone

Mr & Mrs Sean Stevens

Mr & Mrs James Tague

Mr & Mrs Robert Talvacchia

Mr & Mrs Jack Tighe

Mrs Victoria Weinstein

Mr & Mrs James Wentling

Mr & Mrs Bryan Willette

Mr & Mrs Dennis Woods

Mr & Mrs Lester Wurfel

0110 6 Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth, PA

PRAYER GROUP The Living Vineyard Prayer Group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM in the Antioch Annex. The 2nd Wednesday of the month they meet in church to celebrate Mass.

BIBLE STUDY The Bible Study meets every Tuesday from September to June in the Antioch Annex (9:00 to 10:30am).

THE ROSARY Every Saturday the Rosary is recited beginning after the 7am Angelus. Come and pray with us.

PRAYER CIRCLE Do you have an immediate prayer need or can you offer the Gift of Prayer? Tap into our electronic Prayer Circle and receive an outpouring of heartfelt prayer by members of St. Margaret Parish and others. E-mail your prayer requests or if you want to join the Prayer Circle at cbuhn@yahoo.com.

REMEMBER THOSE YOU LOVE For a donation of $10.00, the sanctuary candle or altar candles will burn for a week for your intention or in memory of a loved one. Another memorial opportunity is to have flowers placed on the altar for a donation of $100. Each week the intention or memorial will be published in the bulletin. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities, please call Teresa or Rose Marie at the rectory, 610-664-3770, Ext 10.

EUCHARIST FOR CELIAC COMMUNICANTS St. Margaret Church is aware of the need to have the low gluten hosts available at all Masses. If you or a member of your family is interested in receiving Low Gluten Holy Eucharist

at any Mass, please contact Maria at mecarinato@gmail.com.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK In case of serious illness, please contact the Rectory to make arrangements. If someone is already in the hospital, be sure to register as a Catholic so that the priest will visit.

COMMUNION CALLS Parishioners unable to attend Mass regularly because of age or illness should call the Rectory to make arrangements to receive Communion at home. If any member of your family is hospitalized, please be sure to register as a Catholic and inform the Rectory so that a visit can be arranged.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on Sundays at 1:00 PM. Arrangements must be made in advance at the Rectory by calling Msgr. Dougherty, ext. 12. If parents have not attended a Baptism class, they must attend our Baptism Preparation Seminar. Call the rectory to register for the class. Godparents guidelines state that one godparent must be Catholic. They must be at least 16 years of age, registered in the parish where they live, fully initiated, and practicing their faith; they must obtain a letter of eligibility from their own parish. One practicing non-Catholic Christian may also be admitted as a Christian Witness. The next Baptism Preparation Seminar is January 19, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Rectory.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Registered parishioners who wish to marry at St. Margaret should contact Msgr. Dougherty. The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated after a period of preparation of not less than six months. Engaged couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage can register, explore possible dates or find out more information for pre-marriage classes by visiting PhilaMarriagePrep.com . For emai l inqui r ies, Amy@PhilaMarriagePrep.com.

REGISTRATION A warm welcome is extended to new parishioners. If you live within the parish boundaries, you may register by calling the parish office during office hours to set up an appointment. Parish registration is required for reception of the Sacraments and letters of eligibility to serve as godparent or sponsor.

REQUESTS FOR ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATES The role of a sponsor is primarily a spiritual role to model a Christian life for the child. Therefore, anyone requesting a certificate must be a registered, participating member of St. Margaret Parish, a practicing Catholic in good standing (not living in violation of the church laws), at least 16 years of age and have received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). Please call the rectory for an appointment if you need a certificate.

SOCIAL NETWORKING WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE

http://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopChaput www.twitter.com/ArchPhilly

www.youtube.com/user/CatholicPhilly http:livestream.com/archphila

JOURNEY WITH US TO

EXPLORE THE CATHOLIC

FAITH

The Rite of Christian Initiation of

Adults (RCIA) is a journey to a

deeper experience of God’s love manifested

through the teaching and treasures of the Catholic

Faith. St. Margaret Church offers instructions for

people seeking more information about the

Catholic Faith, the Sacraments and living the

Christian Life. These instructions are for adults

who would like to inquire about following Jesus

and becoming a member of the Catholic Church,

or, if you are already a baptized Catholic would

like to receive Confirmation and Holy

Communion. RCIA classes meet on Tuesday, at

7pm. Please contact Msgr. Dougherty at

pastor@saintmarg.org or 610-664-3770, Ext 12.