Third Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2025

GOSPEL MEDITATION

When I was 11, I was riding my bike on a Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. I saw giant spotlights swirling in the sky. Something amazing had to be happening. I pedaled after them with excitement. Sweaty and tired, I arrived, only to find a used car lot. Bright lights, flapping banners, inflatable balloon men swaying wildly in the wind. I stood there, heart sinking. All that spectacle, and all my effort … for this?

As life proceeds, we learn what it is like to pursue promising but fruitless searches. This week we hear Jesus ask the crowds regarding John the Baptist: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?” (Matthew 11:7). He’s not just describing the crowd’s misaimed pursuit. He’s naming our tendency to chase after what’s flashy but flimsy.

What are our swaying reeds? For me, it is endless video reels on my phone, worldly pleasures, entertainment in sports, and the good opinion of others. Inflated distractions that bend whichever way the wind blows. But they can’t satisfy my soul. What are your flimsy reeds? John the Baptist wasn’t a swaying reed. He was rooted, grounded, unafraid to speak the solid truth. The people went to see him because, deep down, they were starving for something real.

This Advent, the Church asks us to reassess: What are we really looking for? Are we chasing the dazzling but hollow? Or are we seeking what is solid and lasting — that which points to Christ?
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“God’s love does not distinguish between the infant in the mother’s womb or the child or the youth or the adult or the older person. In each one God sees His image and likeness. Human life is a manifestation of God and His glory.”
- Pope Benedict XVI

CHILDRENS GOSPEL STORY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Youth of the parish are invited to participate in acting out the Gospel Story at 5:30 Mass on Christmas Eve. We need volunteers for the following: Angels, Shepherds, Kings, Herald, Innkeeper, Mary & Joseph. There will be practice on Friday December 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00. in the Church, after practice on Friday (12/19) we try on costumes in the Formation Center and label them for Christmas Eve. (Sign-up sheet in Church Vestibule), or call Judy Wahl 814-944-3922 or 814-215-5113. Thank You

SACRED HEART FOOD PANTRY

Regular food distribution will be on Wednesday, December 17th, our special Christmas dinner bag will be given out to all clients who previously signed up for it. There will be no distribution on December 24th and 31st. The food pantry will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Our volunteers wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year!

SACRED HEART FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

You are invited to bring an ornament to place on the Sacred Heart Family Christmas Tree. The tree will be located near the cantor stand and you will be responsible for placing and then removing the ornament after Christmas. As a family, create a hand-made ornament; purchase one that has special meaning for you or as a memorial to your loved ones. The intent is to display an ornament that represents your family. Feel free to place your family name or family member’s names on the ornament Start a tradition and share your family with our Sacred Heart Family!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS, COOKIES & COCOA

All are invited to join us for an evening spent with our high school youth of the parish, who will be singing Christmas Carols, serving cookies, cocoa & coffee and packaging a gift to be shared with all who attend our 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. The evening will begin after the 5:30 p.m. Mass December 20 in the Sacred Heart Formation Center and wrap up around 8:00 p.m. Our high school Confirmation Candidates will be hosting this as part of a service project. There will a donation jar and the proceeds will go to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. Come join us and help spread the joy of the Christmas season!

SPECIAL MASS TO CLOSE THE JUBILEE YEAR

Bishop Mark will join the Catholic Church universal in closing this Jubilee Year 2025 during a special Mass on December 28 -- the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph -- at 11:00 a.m. at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown. All are welcome at the Cathedral. The Mass will also be televised live as part of the weekly Proclaim! TV Mass on WATM ABC 23.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Good news, Christian stewards – we are gaining ground on our Advent mountain climb and it is time to take a moment to rejoice in the Good News that our Savior will come again in triumph one day. Today’s readings on this Gaudete (‘Rejoice’) Sunday are filled with reminders of God’s final victory over suffering and injustice, and encouragement to remain steadfast in our mission to live as faith-filled disciples.

Our Gospel passage, from Matthew, connects the prophecy of Isaiah to the arrival of Jesus almost word for word. In this passage we find the imprisoned John the Baptist sending his disciples to ask Jesus if he is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’ reply is almost identical to Isaiah’s prophetic words. He says, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised…” The Savior really has arrived just as promised! Yet that arrival was 700 years after Isaiah’s prediction. God always fulfills his promises, but patience and firmness of heart are required as we await his perfect timing.

Let us rejoice in the knowledge that God has called us to enter this kingdom. Let us keep our hearts firmly fixed on this eternal goal and strive with all our might to give God and others the very best of ourselves in gratitude for such a privilege.

Prayer Requests

Alan and Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Beth Lloyd, Joan Maier, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Lucille Parker, Sarah Rihnovich, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church