Category: News

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 24, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we look forward to the feast days  for this week.  On Monday, January 25^th we honor The Conversion of St. Paul as we celebrate this event in the life of Paul the Apostle. According to the New Testament, he ceased the persecuting of early Christians which led him to become a follower of Jesus. Paul was not a follower of Jesus his conversion occurred after Jesus’ Crucifixion.  This feast is also celebrated in the Anglican and  Lutheran Churches.  The collect  to St. Paul (Opening or Formal Prayer) in the Roman Missal:  O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the Blessed Apostle Paul, draw us we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world.

Tuesday, January 26^th we honor two of St. Paul’s most trusted disciples, Timothy and Titus.  Timothy became a convert of St. Paul, accomplished apostolic work   and had oversight of the Churches of Macedonia.  Churches at that time needed doctrines and had divisions within the Christian community while addressing matters such as marriage, celibacy and virginity.  Titus also became a great help to the Apostle Paul and was responsible for the Church at Corinth.  Titus who  became  not only an administrator and peacemaker of the Apostle Paul  but a great friend to him as well. Titus would go on to be the Administrator of the Christian Community on the Island of Crete where he corrected abuses and appointed Presbyter-Bishops(one who exercises oversight in the Community).  Saints Timothy and Titus played crucial roles in the early Church.

On January 27^th, we celebrate the life of Angela de Merici, an Italian Religious educator who founded the Company of St. Ursula in 1535.  Established in Brescia, Italy, she gathered 12 young women who wanted to dedicate their lives to the service of the church through the education of girls.  They were the first teaching order of women religious.  Her goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers to which she dedicated her life.  When she  died at the age of 65 on January 27, 1540 her body was clothed in the habit of a Franciscan Tertiary or Third Order. 

On Thursday, we honor the Dominican Friar, Philosopher, Catholic Priest and Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas.  Born in the Kingdom of Sicily in 1225, he is considered one of the Catholic Churches greatest theologians and greatest  philosophers of the western world.  In 1265, Pope Clement IV selected him to serve as Papal Theologian and in 1268, the Dominican Order assigned him to be Regent Master at the University of Paris.  He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology in the areas of ethics, natural law, metaphysics, and political theory.  He is the Patron of Catholic Schools. 

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 17, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On January 17^th, we acknowledge  World Religion Day; to learn about the common elements of different faiths.  Established by the Baha’i Faith in 1949 who believe that all humans are born equal and have the same rights and duties irrespective.  The Baha’i Faith  emerged from Persia in the 19^th century and follows three core principles; the unity of God, religion and humankind.  World Religion Day was 1^st celebrated in the United States in 1950 and is now observed in 80 countries as a way to enlighten us about all the  major religions.  Over 70% of the world’s population practice  Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, or Sikhism.   

This is also the feast day of St. Anthony the Abbot (not the 3^rd century Franciscan, St. Anthony of Padua) known as the “Father of Monks” who is known for his devotion to animals.  He was known as a hermit who  spent periods of time praying and fasting in the dessert with his only companions, the animals.  In 1110, men founded  the Order of Hospitallers of St. Antony to combat ergotism (St. Anthony’s Fire). Those monks were remarkably successful in treating this ailment of gangrenous poisoning.  They wore black robes with a blue Tau Egyptian Cross (a symbol of life and history against epidemics) as they rode into villages ringing little bells to attract alms.  Afterwards, they hung the bells around those animals to protect them from disease.  He is considered a protector of cattle and in the past, his image was placed above the stable doors. 

The symbols for the Saint are :  A man with a pig by his side, a Bell, T shaped staff and a Tau Cross with a bell on the end.  Throughout Italy, St. Anthony the Abbot is celebrated with blessings of farm animals, bonfires (Falo di S. Antonio) and feasts.  The blessings were thought to keep harmful forces away from their homes, land, horses, chickens, bees, salt and feed for the animals.  A tradition that is still in practice; is to donate pieces of  butchered pork to be auctioned for charity on his feast day.  Those who donated the hams, chops and sausages were expected to bid high on the butchered pork to raise more funds.  In the past, they money would go to the priest or a nearby food bank. 

A prayer for the blessing of all animals:  Lord God, You are King of heaven and earth.  You are the Word of the Father, and through You, He has given us all created things for our support.  We beg you now to consider our lowly position.  Just as You have given us help in our labors and needs, so in Your most kind mercy, bless these animals with a heavenly blessing and guard and preserve them. Be so kind too, as to give us, Your servants, along with benefits that do not last, Your unfailing grace, so that we may gratefully praise and glorify Your Holy name, who live and who are King and God with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 10, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and the end of the Christmas Season.  In the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptism of the Lord is observed as a distinct feast in the Roman Rite, the manner of celebrating the sacraments and other ecclesiastical ceremonies authorized by the Diocese of Rome.  At one time, the Baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ and the wedding at Cana.  The Baptism of the Lord was originally one of three Gospel events marked by the Feast of the Epiphany until Pope Pius XII instituted a separate liturgical commemoration of the Baptism in 1955.  In the history of the church, The Tridentine Calendar had no feast of the Baptism of the Lord for almost four centuries. 

It is celebrated in the Catholic Church and also the Anglican and Lutheran Churches on the 1^st Sunday following the Epiphany of Our Lord.  In Eastern Churches this feast is called Theophany (Manifestation of God) because at the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons.  The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan is the second Epiphany or manifestation of the Lord; the past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this Epiphany.  At the time of His Baptism, Jesus descended into the River Jordan to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget the Son of God.  This important event is of the second creation which the entire trinity intervenes.

Many of the incidents that took place at Christ’s baptism are symbols of what happened at our own Baptism.  At Christ’s Baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, he was proclaimed the “Beloved Son “of The Father and the heavens were opened to him.  At our own Baptism, the Trinity entered our soul, we became the adopted sons and daughters of God and heaven was opened to all of us.

On this Sunday in Rome, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, our Pope will baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel, a custom initiated by Pope John Paul II.  A prayer to honor the Baptism:  Almighty ever-living God, who when Christ had been Baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 3, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, we honor the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the whole world as represented by the Magi from the East. The traditional date for Epiphany is January 6^th , but is celebrated on the closest Sunday and honors the day the Wise Men reached Bethlehem – the day of the revelation of Jesus’ Birth.  It is sometimes called the Baptism of Jesus, Three Kings Day and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas.  Epiphany may have been originated in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire as a feast to honor the Baptism of Jesus.  An early reference to Epiphany as a Christian Feast was in 361 A.D. by Ammimanus Marcellinus, a Roman soldier and historian who recorded many of the events of the early church.

The time frame of Epiphany includes the commemoration of His birth; the visit of the Magi, all the events in Jesus’ childhood which includes the Baptism of John the Baptist and the miracle (changing water into wine) at the wedding at Cana in Galilee.  In many cities throughout Italy, a traditional Epiphany procession will move through the streets, leading to a Nativity scene. On the Feast of the Epiphany, throughout Europe, the priest will wear white vestments as he blesses Epiphany water, Frankincense, Gold and Chalk.  The chalk will be used to write the initials of the three Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar over the doors of churches and homes.  The initials in Latin are interpreted as Christus Mansionem Benedicat or May Christ Bless this House.

Today, we will bless the chalk to take to our homes for a New Year’s Blessing.  In ancient times, the priest would announce the date of Easter on the Feast of the Epiphany, a tradition that dated from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary for the church to publicize the date of Easter since many celebrations of the Liturgical Year depended on it. The announcement of the date would be sung or proclaimed at the Ambo by a Deacon, Cantor, or Reader after the reading of the Gospel or after the post communion prayer. 

In Italy, children will await a visit on the eve of Epiphany by a woman known as La Befana, “The Italian Christmas Witch”.  The legend tells of a friendly Italian witch who rides around on a broomstick looking for the Wise Men who are on the road to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.  She declined their offer to accompany them on their journey because she was too busy doing her housework.  So now all Italian children will wait for a visit from La Befana, the good hearted and hardworking old woman who will bring treats to the children. The name la Befana comes from the Greek word Epifania, the Italian name for the religious feast, Epiphany.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin December 27, 2020

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, the Feast of Holy Family, Holy Family Parish celebrates  Jesus, Mary and Joseph who are considered as a model for all Christian families.  Every year, Holy Family holds this day as a special celebration honoring the holiest of families and all that characterized their common life at Nazareth.  Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and her chaste spouse, Joseph lived the Christian reflection around the virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Chastity and Loving Obedience.  The episodes from this period of Christ’s life are narrated by Matthew and Luke with this time covering His circumcision and the Presentation, the flight to Egypt, the return to Nazareth and The Finding in the Temple.  Members of the Holy Family are the patrons of the Congregation of the Holy Cross with the Holy Cross Sisters dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Holy Cross Brothers dedicated  to St. Joseph and the Priests of the Holy Cross devoted to the Holy Family.

On Thursday, December 31^st, we celebrate New Years Eve and St. Sylvester’s Night.  Many will  celebrate this evening eating lentils and wearing something with the color red to bring good luck for the New Year.  The Feast of St. Sylvester (San Silvestro) is celebrated to honor the priest who was born in Rome and became the spiritual director to the Emperor Constantine.  He was known for his hospitality for the Christians who were passing through Rome by inviting them to eat at his table and giving them Charity in the name of Christ.  He is considered the patron saint of people in authority who are  experiencing delicate situations and is venerated in Pisa where he was considered a great Pope.

On Friday, we welcome 2021 while celebrating New Years Day and the first day of the Gregorian year.  There will be certain foods eaten and an ancient Roman New Years tradition is to gift family and friends with branches of greenery for good luck.  In pre-Christian Rome, the day was dedicated to Janus, the god of gateways and new beginnings, for whom the 1^st month of the year, January is named.  On this day in Anglican and Lutheran Churches, the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ is honored.  This commemoration is based on the belief that if Jesus was born on December 25^th, and according to Hebrew tradition, his circumcision would have taken place on January 1^st, the 8^th day of his life.  The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on this day.

On January, 3^rd, we will celebrate  Epiphany with the Blessing of the Chalk to take home and bless our homes for the New Year.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin December 20, 2020

by Terrie Evans

We send our condolences to the family of Grace (Ciuccio)  Nusekabel  who passed away on Monday, December 7^th at the age of 91.  Grace was from the Vito Ciuccio family who during the early years lived at 1958 Queen city Avenue in the Upper Lick Run area of South Fairmount.  Grace was married to Bernie for 64 years when he passed away in 2017 and leaves 5 Children and their families.  Over the years, San Antonio Church looked forward to the yearly visit from the extended Ciuccio Family for a Mass every May.  Please keep the Nusekabel and Ciuccio’ Families in your prayers.

On this Sunday we light the last purple candle with Love being the theme for the final week of Advent.   On December 21^st, Winter begins  and in Italy, it is the week of the  Festival of Saturnalia an ancient Roman Celebration that started on December 17^th and ends on Christmas Eve.  This winter solstice ritual takes place when the sun is at its lowest and weakest and is considered the turning point of the year when the light will begin to grow stronger and brighter.  Many  families  light candles to chase away the darkness as they decorate their homes with greenery, yule logs, evergreens and mistletoe.  The Romans called this week in December  Dies Natalis Invicti Solis “The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun”.   

On Thursday, we celebrate Christmas Eve (La Vigilia) when fish will be served at most Italian tables  as a way to  purify the body for the  big feast planned for Christmas Day.   Baccala (Salted Cod) and vegetables will be served for their evening meal before attending Midnight Mass and arriving home to place the Bambino in His crib.  In Italian  homes, presents have been placed in a large crock called the Urn of Fate.  This gift exchange will take place after Midnight Mass. 

On Friday morning, we will attend mass at San Antonio Church to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity at our 9:00 AM Mass.  As we light our white Christ Candle, we honor the tradition of Jesus’s  birth in Bethlehem.  The traditional colors for Christmas decorations are red, green and gold.  Red symbolizes the blood of Jesus that was shed in his Crucifixion and green  from the evergreen tree, symbolizing  eternal life as the evergreen does not lose its leaves in winter.  The gold color used on the Altar symbolizes royalty to recall  one of the gifts of the Magi.  Buono Natale. 

Saturday, December 26^th,  we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen and a day for spending time with family members and close friends.  St. Stephen was known as one of the 1^st Social Workers of the Church who devoted his life to feeding the poor.  He was venerated as the patron saint of horses who were considered the most useful servants of man.  In some places, horses are still blessed in front of churches on St. Stephen’s Day.  

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin December 13, 2020

by Terrie Evans

On this 3^rd week of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) we light our rose colored candle as we look forward to the joyous anticipation of the Lord’s coming.  Gaudete Sunday  is a counterpart to Laetare Sunday  and is the midpoint in an otherwise penitential time in this liturgical season.  Referred to as Rejoice Sunday, coming  from the fact that Advent is half over and Christmas is soon to follow.  The reading for Gaudete Sunday deals with rejoicing in the Lord  as well as the connection with John the Baptist and his connection with Advent.  This Sunday takes its  name from the Latin word Gaudete or Rejoice, the first word of the introit of this day’s Mass to symbolize the promised Redemption.  Gaudete Sunday is also called Rose Sunday with flowers being permitted on the Altar.  Pope Francis said in one of his past homily’s, that Gaudete Sunday is known as the “Sunday of Joy” and instead of fretting about all we still haven’t done  to prepare for Christmas, we should  “think of all the good things life has given us.”

This is also Bambinelli Sunday, a tradition that was started by Pope John Paul II when thousands of people will travel to St. Peters Square with their Baby Jesus figurines from their home nativity scenes for a special blessing.  Pope Francis will bless the tiny bambinello at the time of his Angelus Address.  During Advent in Italy, many families will make small sacrifices and do good deeds for the Child Jesus.  Every time they complete one of those  deeds, the family will add a piece of straw to His manger.  On Christmas Day, the Baby Jesus will be placed in the empty creche that is made comfortable by their many acts of charity.  

This Sunday, December 13^th is also the Feast Day of Santa Lucia (St. Lucy)  known as the Queen of Light.  She was the 4^th Century Italian Saint that carried food to the Christians hiding out in the tunnels below Sicily.  Santa Lucia is said to have worn candles in a circle  on the top of her head to light the way.  On her feast day in Italy, many will refrain from eating bread with families making  a dessert called  Cuccia, made from whole wheat berries, sweetened ricotta with candied orange and topped with chocolate shavings.  It is a tradition throughout Italy, on Santa Lucia Day, for young girls to enter their parents bedrooms before dawn  dressed in white gowns with red sashes as lighted candles are affixed on their  heads as they serve them breakfast.  She is considered the patron saint of Virgins and the Blind.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin December 6, 2020

by Terrie Evans

The theme for this 2^nd Sunday of Advent is Peace as we are getting closer to the birth of Jesus and the celebration of Christmas.  The peace we feel internally  is the basis of all external peace within families, the community, society and the world and is a condition of the heart and mind of one who is renewed and justified in Christ.  It  is considered  a quality that characterizes those  who have received new life from God and have entered into an eternal relationship with him.  Peace accompanies righteousness and comes to the soul through the cross of Christ that reconciles us to God and one another. 

Next Sunday, we remember the tradition of Bambinelli Sunday when we bring in our baby Jesus’ from our home Creches for a blessing.  During this week in 1940,  80 years ago, our church  building that we worship in at present was formally dedicated.  This was our 3^rd church  building since the start of San Antonio in 1922 that know would become the  permanent home for our parishioners and their families to worship in.  When the new building was in in the planning stages, all the  families donated to the capital campaign to cover the  many  costs of a functional modern  church.  Many  local businesses  were very kind to our church community who worked with our tight budget to get the job done.  On that Sunday in 1940, our new church  held the formal dedication that renewed the faith of all those who were excited to be in attendance for the 1^st Mass.  They were finally home and were looking forward to the New Year of 1941, for  future weddings, baptisms and parish functions.    

As San Antonio celebrated  its 1^st Anniversary on December 7, 1941, the day went from a joyous milestone  to a day of sadness with the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Our church community was changed forever on that morning as many of the neighborhood men enlisted  in the many branches of our Armed Forces.  These  men from immigrant parents were proud to serve our country even though they would be sent away to  participate in unknown battles and  maybe never return. 

We remember all of them and those from The Greatest Generation on Monday, December 7^th, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.  This day is set aside  to honor the 2,403 United States citizens  killed on that morning.  We will never forget  the sinking of USS Arizona with 1,177 crew lost, the USS Utah with 58 men lost, the USS Oklahoma  with 429 lost, the 159 planes that were badly damaged and the  188 aircraft destroyed  in the surprise attack that brought all our families into a war.  We salute all our WWII Veterans on this 79^th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.