FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT SACRAMENTS Sacrament of Reconciliation Confessions are heard daily Monday through Friday from 4:30 until 5:00 pm; Saturdays from 7:30 until 7:50am and 3:00 until 3:45pm. The sacrament is also available by request. Sacrament of Baptism Please call the rectory to schedule your preparation class and arrange the time of the ceremony, usually held at 12:00 p.m., immediately following the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Sacrament of Matrimony Following Diocesan guidelines, Catholic parties must contact the Cathedral and have their first meeting with the Priest Celebrant at least six months before the wedding to allow time for evaluation and sacramental preparation. Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick Anointing and Holy Communion are available to the elderly and infirm upon request. Families are asked to notify the Rectory to arrange a visit. Sacrament of Holy Orders Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. Some men fulfill God’s call to holiness by serving as priests or permanent deacons. Men, high school age or older, who feel a call to Holy Orders should contact one of the parish priests. Religious Education Classes are held Sunday mornings during the school year. Please contact the Director of Religious Education for particulars. New Parishioners Are warmly welcomed to the Cathedral. You may register your family by calling the Rectory Office. 31 Club for Vocations Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. 3 John Fuhrman, Dr. Wm. Trice, Sheila Grove 4 Marleen Scully, Jane Richardson 5 Mary Therese Riley 6 Kim McCormick 7 Mary Ann Pattison 8 Ruth Ann Smith 9 David Romanowicz Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers) Schedule Dec 9/10 Team 1 Dec 16/17 Team 2 Sunday Collection Counters Dec 10 Team 4 Dec 17 Team 5

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CALENDAR Dec 5, Tuesday SFO General Mtg. 6:30 p.m. Synod Hall Dec 7, Thursday CWC Christmas Luncheon 11:30am Erie Club Dec 9, Saturday The story of Guadalupe Film Series, 9:3010:30, Synod Hall Dec 26, Tuesday SFO Council Mtg. 6:30 p.m. Synod Hall

Financial Report November 26, 2017 Offertory Collection: $7,712.34 November 19, 2017 Offertory Collection: $6,533.57

D ECEMBER 3 , 2 0 1 7

Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L, Bishop of Erie, Rev. Michael P. Ferrick, Rector Rev. Michael Polinek, in Residence Rev. David Renne, in Residence Rev. Jason Mitchell, Gannon University Deacon Jeffrey Swanson, Deacon Assistant Deacon Ray Sobina, Deacon Assistant Sunday Masses 4:00 p.m. on Saturday Vigil Mass, 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m. & 5:15 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Handicap Access Ramp is located on the 9th Street side of the Cathedral

Cathedral Rectory 230 West 10th Street, Erie 16501 814-453-6677 | Fax: 814-456-1351 Toll Free Number: 1-888-325-2888 Website: www.stpetercathedral.com Business Hours: Mon-Thurs. 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. & 1:00 P.M-4:00 P.M Closed For Lunch From 12:00 NOON TO 1:00 P.M Closed: Friday, Saturday and Sunday Mr. Louis Ensani Director of Finance Mr. William Herring, M.A., Director of Music Ministry Mrs. Margie Frezza, Director of Religious Education, Saint Peter Cathedral and St Joseph/Bread of Life ~ 814-440-7960 Tim Rydberg Youth Minister St. Joseph, Bread of Life and Saint Peter Cathedral 814-452-2982 Readings for the Week of December 3, 2017 Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 [4]/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 Monday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/Mt 15:2937 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [1a]/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/ Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [cf. Is 30:18d]/Mt 9:35--10:1, 5a, 6-8 Next Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8

ST PETER CATHEDRAL

Mass Intentions Monday, 12/4/17 Advent Weekday 6:30 am Dr. John J. Roberts (Family) 12:10 pm Margaret & Francis Garvey (Dolores & Jim Garvey) 5:15 pm Sr. Marcia Marie Dieteman, SSJ (Leah & David Dieteman Family) Tuesday, 6:30 am 12:10 pm 5:15 pm

12/5/17 Advent Weekday Catharine Cerami (Dr. Richard Cerami) Margaret Quinn Dwyer, B’Day (Family)

David Mahon (Leah & David Dieteman Family)

Wednesday, 12/6/17 Advent Weekday 6:30 am Dec’d Members of Wingerter & Strasser Families) 12:10pm Jeanne M. McCormick (Family) 5:15 pm Monsignor William Biebel (Cathedral Prep Class of 1964) Thursday, 6:30 am 12:10 am 5:15pm

12/7/17 St. Ambrose Laura McCormick (Family) Angeline M. DiTullio (Family) Joan & Robert Tomczak (Family)

Friday, 12/8/17 6:30 am 12:10 pm 5:15 pm

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dr. R. John & Richard Roberts (Dr. John J. Roberts) Ruth Weber (Family) Richard J. Weibel, Anniv (Family)

Saturday, 12/9/17 Advent Weekday 8:00 am Nan Held & Jack Theuerkauf (Mary Ree Travers) 4:00 pm Josephine Krick (Son, Joe) Sunday, 6:30 am 8:30 am 11:00 am 4:00 pm 8:00 pm

12/10/17 Second Sunday of Advent Living & Deceased Members of the Parish James E. Nash, Anniv (Rich & Jim McCormick) Thomas C. Coverdale, Anniv (Wife & Family) Vespers

Life Teen Mass, St. Joseph, Bread of Life

ERIE, PA

From the Rector’s Desk…. Today we welcome our Pastor, Bishop Persico and the priests, deacons and parishioners from the Western Vicariate to our 11:00 am Mass. As part of our 125 Anniversaries we are inviting our brothers and sisters from around the diocese to the Cathedral to celebrate. We are blessed to worship here every week. Many of our brothers and sisters from outside of Erie have never been to the Cathedral before. The Cathedral is their Church as well. Please take time to welcome our friends to St. Peter Cathedral. It is with great joy that we welcome David and Brenda Jackson, Stephen and Angela Nesbella to St. Peter Cathedral. Know what an honor it is to have you as members of our parish family. Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the new Liturgical Year. I know Advent is a busy time, but I would encourage you to take some time and prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas and at the end of time. There are several ways we can do this. First, go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. There is no better way to prepare ourselves than to receive God's love and forgiveness. Here at the Cathedral we are blessed to offer Confession Mondays through Fridays at 4:30 pm, Saturdays at 7:30 am and 3:00 pm. Confessions are also heard after all the Sunday Masses. See the Confession Schedule in today's bulletin which lists the Confession times for all the parishes in Erie West Deanery. I encourage you to take advantage of the Sacrament. If you do not remember what to say or the Act of Contrition, do not worry about it. We will help you through it. If you do take advantage of the Sacrament, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Second, another good way to celebrate Advent is by attending Solemn Vespers starting this Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Solemn Vespers is an excellent way to give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings of the day. Solemn Vespers begin today, and will be held the first three Sundays of Advent at 4:00 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. I will be the presider and homilist today. The other Homilists/ Presiders for Solemn Vespers are as follows. December 10th, Fr. Jason December 17th, Bishop Persico

Weekend Mass Celebrants Dec 9/10 4:00 PM Saturday~Fr. Michael 6:30 AM Sunday~Fr. Michael 8:30 AM~Fr. Jason 11:00 AM~Fr. Michael

After Vespers on December 17th, the youth of our parish will be putting on a Christmas Concert. You are not going to want to miss this concert. We are blessed to have so many very talented young people willing to share their musical talents with their parish, and our friends!

WAITING We don’t usually like to wait. NOW seems to be the time we want things to happen. Christmas décor appears the day after Halloween. Thanksgiving Day gets rushed to step aside for Christmas. In some ways that indicates just how much we love the Christmas Season. It is great, but often prompts us to overlook Advent and focus more on Christmas as a Holiday rather than Holyday. The Christmas Holiday is important, even in our secular world. We have parties, give gifts, try to be a little nicer and hope for peace. In our rush and in our fun, however, it is easy to miss the Holyday. It is the Incarnation; Jesus is born! He dwells among us. He was an infant, a toddler, a teenager, a man. He died. He rose. He saved. He will come again. This is easy to overlook as we count down shopping days. Consider Advent your first Christmas gift. It is a gift that helps us experience the waiting, the quiet, the hope, the prayer, the longing and the yearning for the time when Jesus will come. We are more vigilant when we wait. We can slow down and savor the experience. We can be more appreciative. The busy-ness of the Holiday of Christmas will happen all around us. Celebrations are fun and there is much to enjoy. But don't forget to wait for Christmas, the birth that is longed for and the reason for our hope. Consider gathering for Vespers at 4:00 each Sunday afternoon during Advent. It can be a brief respite from the hustle and bustle. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfills Jesus' command to "pray always." Through this prayer, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the needs of the world. The schedule and Presiders are: 12/3 Fr. Michael Ferrick 12/10 Fr. Jason Mitchell- Fr. Jason will give an extended reflection on the Liturgical Year, which begins with the first Sunday in Advent, including discussion of the Jewish roots of our Liturgical Seasons and the Themes of the Sunday Cycle of Readings from the Gospel of Mark for Year B. 12/17 Bishop Lawrence Persico

CWC Announcements 1. Make your reservation now for our Women's Christmas Luncheon on December 7, 2017 at the Erie Club 11:30 am..see attached poster for details. 2. FILM SERIES continues on December 9, 2017 at 9:30 am...join us to learn more about MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN: THE STORY OF GUADALUPE, THE HILLSIDE WHERE MARY CONQUERED AN EMPIRE during an AN HOUR OF FILM & CONVERSATION. See attached Poster

Christmas Flower Fund An envelope is in your current packet of offertory envelopes to use if you wish to make a donation to the Christmas Flowers fund. Due to early bulletin deadlines the envelope must be returned to the parish office by December 11 to be included in the listing that will be published during the Christmas Season. Please print clearly! Thank you

3. ON THE HORIZON: a. Food Pantry ADVENT FOOD AND NECESSITIES DRIVE...watch bulletins for more info.. b. Peter's Presents drive for needy families c. Christmas Stocking Project w/ Church Women United for Warren State Hospital.

DECEMBER 9-10 Lector Altar Server - Captain Altar Server Altar Server Communion Minister Communion Minister Communion Minister Communion Minister Children's Liturgy

SATURDAY 4 PM SUNDAY 6:30 AM Georgeann Antalek Mike Zaksheske Keegan Barry Annalise Russell Woodard

SUNDAY 8:30 AM Mary Fuhrman Anne Marie Prichard

Cheryl Thomas Julie Wilson Lisa Rosenthal Bill Shields

Jon Fuhrman Mark Schilejew Gina Schilejew William Steadman Vicki Weisner

Dorine Zaksheske

SUNDAY 11 AM Linda Postek Kaden Swanson

Thomas Prichard Deb Sobina David Deiteman Nicole Swanson Juan Irizarry

Advent Schedule for the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation Parish

Weekdays

Weekends Saturday Sunday

Date/Time

All Saints, Waterford Blessed Sacrament Holy Cross, Fairview

3:30-4pm 3-345 pm 4:00-4:30 pm

12/13 7pm 12/14 7 pm 12/17 3pm

Our Lady of the Lake, Edinboro Our Lady of Peace Sacred Heart St. Andrew

4:00-5:00 pm 3:45-4:45 pm 3:30-4:00 pm

12/18 7 pm 12/11 7pm

St. Anthony of Padua, Cambridge Springs St. Francis Xavier, McKean St. George

4:00 pm

St. Jude the Apostle St. Julia

St. Lawrence, Albion St. Paul St. Peter Cathedral St. Stephen

After 11:00 am Mass After Mass

4:00 pm 8:30 am 3:00-4:00 pm 3:30 pm

St. John the Evangelist, Girard St. Joseph/Bread of Life

After all Masses

M-S 10:30-11:15 am 12/6 9-10 am 12/12 5-6:00 pm Fri 7:30-7:50 am 12/19 5:30-6:00 pm Fri 5-5:45pm 4:30-5:00 pm Wed (7pm)

3:00-4:00 pm 3:30-4:00 pm

12/17 7 pm 12/17 3 pm at Holy Cross 10:45-11AM 12/18 7pm After 8 pm Mass 12/21 7:00 pm

5:00-5:20 pm

4:-4:45 pm 3:30-4:00 pm 7:30–7:50 am; After Masses 3:00-3:50 pm

12/17 3pm at Holy Cross After all Masses on Christmas