24th Sunday After Pentecost

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
24th Sunday after Pentecost
November 23, 2025

Sat   11/22/25 4:00pm Vigil Divine Liturgy +John and +Doris Antoszyk by Mark Antoszyk
Sun   11/23/25 9:30am Divine Liturgy +Peter Baycura by Drew Moniot
Fri   11/28/25 7:000pm Moleben to Jesus
Sat   11/29/25 4:00pm Vigil Divine Liturgy +Jerry Tincha by Ann Hoszwa
Sun   11/30/25 9:30am Divine Liturgy +Marilyn Book by Bob and Patti Kosar

Variable Parts:  Tone 7 - Pages 156 — 158;
Epistle: Ephesians 2:14-22
Gospel Luke 12:16-21

Memorial Candle Request: No Candle Request

Epistle Readers  22-Nov John Baycura/Mary Motko    23-Nov Liz/John Pocchiar 29-Nov Mary Troyan 30-Nov Amanda Stavish

Please Pray for: Mike Oshlick, Kathy Moyta, Dorothy Moyta, Brian Buchkovich, Lejen Warner, Sharon King, Ole J. Bergh, Liz Moyta, Fr. Michael Huszti, Fr. Laska, Susie Curcio, Teresa Milkovich, Robert Saper, Anna Habil, Mike Dancisin, Diane Sotak, Anna Pocchiari, Larry Hamil, Beverly Jones, Maryann Russin Schyvers, Nick Russin and Ken Konchan

Attendance/Collection: 11/15 — 18; 11/16 — 86;     11/15, 11/16 & 11/21 - $1,898.00

Gibsonia Schedule
Sun   11/23/25   11:30am    Divine Liturgy - 50th Anniversary
Thu   11/27/25   11:00am    Divine Liturgy
Sun   11/30/25   11:30am    Divine Liturgy

Student Food Pantry: For the month of November, we will be collecting peanut butter, jellies and macaroni/cheese. Any questions, please contact Pam Gagen. Thank you for the October food donations. There were over 21 boxes donated, which equaled over 146 individual items. The school was very appreciative of our donations.

Diaconal Ordination Celebration: There will a celebration of diaconal ordination on November 30th at 3:00pm. Prior registration required. Donations of deserts will be needed for this dinner and a sigmup sheet for this may also be found on the bulletin board. Thank you!

November 30th Coffee Social Cancelled: The Coffee Social is cancelled due to the diaconal ordination.

Window Decoration Assistance Needed: It's time to take down the Fall and put up the Christmas decorations. I will need assistance this year since I will have lifting and bending restrictions for several weeks. Work dates are Monday, Dec 1 and Tuesday, Dec 2 (if needed) at 5:30 pm. If you can lend any assistance, it would be greatly appreciated. - Kathy Moyta - may be contacted at 412-629-0673. Thanks

Church Decoration Assistance Needed: Help will be needed on December 16th at 2:00pm to decorate the church for Christmas.

St. Nicholas Celebration: Our annual celebration of St. Nicholas will take place on December 5th after a 6:00pm Divine Liturgy. Pizza and a dessert will be served. The ECF students will have a presentation during the Liturgy. The GCU will provide the desserts. No signup is necessary.

Nut Roll Help Needed: We will be baking nut rolls on December 4th and December 12th. Please help if you are available.

Nut Rolls: Pickup for previously ordered nut rolls will be on December 5th and December 13th.

Thanksgiving may not be a traditional Catholic feast day, but it's a day that lends itself beautifully to the values and traditions of our faith. After all, gratitude is central to our relationship with God, and this holiday gives us a perfect opportunity to express it in meaningful ways. By blending Catholic customs and historical reflections, you can transform Thanksgiving into a celebration of faith, family, and thankfulness. Here are four ways to make your Thanksgiving truly Catholic this year:

1. Begin Your Day with Thanksgiving in the Eucharist - The word Eucharist comes from the Greek for "thanksgiving," and there's no better way to start your day of gratitude than by attending Divine Liturgy. The celebration of the Eucharist reminds us of the ultimate gift God has given us--His Son. Offer your prayers of thanks during Liturgy and carry that spirit into your day. Before your Thanksgiving meal, gather your family for a moment of prayer. A beautiful option is to recite the classic grace, "Bless us, 0 Lord..." and encourage your loved ones to share something they are grateful for this year. Inviting everyone to give thanks aloud can spark heartfelt connections and set the tone for a day.

2. Reflect on the Real First Thanksgiving - The story of Thanksgiving often begins with the Pilgrims' feast in 1621, but history reveals an earlier celebration of gratitude infused with Catholic faith. In 1565, a Spanish expedition led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. Accompanied by Franciscan friars, the settlers celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving as they reached the New World safely. Afterward, they shared a meal with the local Timucua people. This moment, steeped in faith and cultural exchange, offers a deeply Catholic lens through which to view Thanksgiving.

3. Learn from saints. Honor the saints of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin of Tours, whose feast day is November 11, offers a uniquely Catholic tie to the Thanksgiving season. Known for his legendary act of charity--cutting his cloak in half to share with a beggar--St. Martin inspires us to consider how we can show generosity to those in need during this time of abundance.

The traditional Martinmas celebration featured roasted goose, seasonal vegetables, and wine, much like the modern Thanksgiving meal. Some historians even suggest that this feast influenced the American tradition of roasting turkey! Including a small tribute to St. Martin--perhaps by supporting a local charity or performing an act of kindness--can deepen the spiritual meaning of your holiday.

4. Learn from the Charity of Squanto. Squanto, the Native American who famously aided the Pilgrims, lived a life marked by extraordinary forgiveness and generosity. Captured and enslaved by Europeans, he eventually gained his freedom with the help of Spanish Franciscan friars who not only liberated him but also introduced him to the Catholic faith. Despite the tragedy of losing his entire community to disease, Squanto chose to help the Pilgrims survive in their new land. His acts of service--teaching them how to grow crops and navigate the area--exemplify the virtues of charity, forgiveness, and selflessness. Reflecting on his story can inspire us to embody these qualities in our own lives, especially during Thanksgiving.

A holiday of gratitude and faith. Thanksgiving is a chance to embrace gratitude, reflect on Catholic history, and honor the virtues that define our faith. Whether you begin your day with Mass, delve into the stories of Catholic thanksgiving, or draw inspiration from saints and historical figures, you'll find countless ways to make this holiday spiritually enriching. So, gather your loved ones, share a prayer of thanks, and enjoy a feast filled with faith and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving! God Bless us all. Modified from an article published at catholic. org