march 2, 2014 bulletin
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ÂTRANSCRIPT
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY St. Francis—March 5th—6:00PM: Lector—Betty Ellen Hardy; Servers—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Loretta Guiton
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND St. Francis—March 8th—4:30PM: Lector—Larry O’Reilly; Servers—Declan Giannone; Rosary—Mary Shaughnessy St. Francis—March 9th—8:00AM: Lector—John Butler; Servers—Patrick & Marty Conboy; Rosary—Dave Curley St. Augustine—March 9th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Servers—Shelby Funk & Christopher Higgins; Rosary—Ann Zalepa (new volunteers are welcome & needed) If at any time you see that a volunteer is needed for any ministry, please feel free to step forward and volunteer your services.
DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially Robert Place, cousin of Patricia Hutchinson. We also pray for Mary Loughren. May they rest in peace. Amen. SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS
A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.
CHURCH CLEANING St. Francis cleaner for the month of March—Kay Keenan.
St. Augustine cleaners Mar. 2 to 8—Barb & Bill Pichette; Mar. 9 to 15—Barb & Bill Pichette. Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory.
PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Mary Bakay, Donnie Butler, Tommy Williams, Stephen Ambrose, Toni Colardino, Evelyn Palulis, Mary Riley, Tom Wenman, Linda Hollenback, Jennifer Lynn, Jerry Lynch, Tyler Fletcher, Anna Mae Coleman, Joshua Welch, Jean Ryan, Richard Hutchinson, Joshua Kaminski, Kathy Holt, Aleisya Abrams, Agnes Neville, Steve Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Molly Penderf, Butch Rosencranz, Ruth King, George Kotch, Brooke Arnold, Peg Taylor, Hallie Brooks, Ken Roon, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Candy Coney, Walter O’Rourke, William Chaney, Mary Cadden, Frank & Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, Daniel Gavin, Sue Anderson, June Riley, John Bauer, Adam Kelly, Francis Zernone, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Doddie Mondi, Pauline VerValen, John & Alberta Zielinski, Bob Fedroff, Virginia Raftis, Fred Russell, Dorothy Catlin, Marie Donahue, Nancy, Matt & Emily, Bob Murphy, Robyn Lawson, Vicky Nelson, Marie Chillemi, Robert Peifer, Rita Flynn, Mike Rafferty, Elton Carr, Peter Purtell, Kaleena Dughi, George Moore, Molly Getter, Sam Miner, Debbie Drewry, Bill Sheredy, Dewey Newhart, Bub Davis, H. T., G. D., Rusty Carmen, J. K., Ronalee Eckert, Chelsea Judson, Doug Wheaton, John Paul Jones, and D.K.. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Shane Kalpokas, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Daniel Hogan, Matthew Kramer, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Jason Raymond, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Reed Shave, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Lukas Crisman, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen. Please call the rectory when the person you put on the Prayer List or Armed Forces List can be removed. If you know of anyone on the list who has passed away, please let us know so that their name can be removed from the list. OIL SPILL: Please continue to pray for a successful cleanup of the remainder of the spill.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,
(St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.
and St. Augustine Church,
Silver Lake, Pa.)
(St. Brigid’s Cross)
P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288
E-mail: [email protected] Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor
Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions immediately following Mass
Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections: St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 912.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 669.00; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 716.00.
LIFELINES “Christians know that suffering cannot be eliminated, yet it can have meaning and become an act of love and entrustment into the hands of God who does not abandon us; in this way it can serve as a moment of growth in faith and love.” ~ Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, 56
HOLY COMMUNION UNDER ONE ELEMENT AND SHAKING HANDS
As the winter cold & flu season is upon us already, we are suspending shaking hands at the sign of peace. Please acknowledge those around you with a wave or nod of the head. We will also have Holy Communion under one species; the Precious Blood will not be offered until further notice.
MASS SCHEDULE Sat. March 1 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
JOHN CADDEN by Fred & Bette Brown Sun. March 2 8:00AM St. Francis Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - JEAN REBELLO by the Tim McMahon Family Mon. March 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church - 4th Anniv. & Birthday—BILL COLEMAN by the Family Tue. March 4 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - DR. WILLIAM & MRS. EUNICE LORD by Joe & Judy Adams
6:00PM St. Francis Church - (Mass & Distribution of Ashes) JEAN PURTELL by Bill & Mary Lou Martin
Thur. March 6 8:30AM St. Francis Church - SR. MARY LAURENTIA by Tom & Margaret Flaherty Fri. March 7 12:00NN St. Francis Church - NO MASS
Sat. March 8 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
Sun. March 9 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT CARL MILLER by Frank & Helen Burns
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - Month’s Mind—JEAN REBELLO by Tim McMahon Family
Wed. March 5 7:30AM St. Augustine Church ASH WEDNESDAY (Distribution of Ashes)
6:00PM St. Augustine Church - (Stations of the Cross)
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of the Churches. Calendars are $ 20.00 each. They run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2014. Each family in our Parish is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars available. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to please sign the calendars out on the sign out sheet provided. Please help to make this very important fund raiser a success again this year! Currently, with just under a month until April 1st, there are 88 calendars left at St. Augustine and 98 left at St. Francis for a total of 186 Calendars remaining unsold.
ALTAR & ROSARY NEWS MEETING: The next St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12th, at 6:30PM in St. Brigid Rectory. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. KNIFE RADA SALE: St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society is selling Rada knives as an on-going fund raiser. Orders can be placed with a member of the Altar & Rosary or can be placed on-line by going online to www.helpourfundraiser.com and use customer number 504671. The password is mrsa01pw. Do not use capital letters in the password.
DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE St. Brigid Parish Appeal goal is $ 23,750.00. We are very happy to announce that we have reached our goal. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. God Bless you one and all!
ADORATION OF OUR LORD He dwells in our Church day and night until the end of time. O come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord. Visit our King in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Augustine’s Chapel. For a permanent hour or to substitute call Andrea Chen at 607-669-4875.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need-not just Parishioners), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (570-663-2212), Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618), or Mary Keenan (570-553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.
CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF NAZARETH ~ COME AND SEE IF GOD MAY BE CALLING YOU The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will host a Religious Life Discernment Retreat for young women ages 16 to 30. The Retreat will be held Friday, March 28th beginning at 4:00PM and continuing thru Sunday, March 30th at 11:30AM. Reservations are required. Please contact Sr. Christina at 570-745-3334 or www.cnsisters.com . The Retreat will be held at Mother of the Eucharist Convent, 6100 Jacks Hollow Road, Williamsport, Pa. Brochures are available in the back of the Churches with more information.
THANK YOU FROM THE LITTLE MEADOWS FIRE COMPANY Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Fireman’s Breakfast last Sunday. The day was a big success for the Fire Company.
NEUMANN CENTER BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE The CYO basketball teams are sponsoring a bottle & can drive to replace the score-board control box. Donations can be left at Neumann Hall Tuesday nights between 6 and 9PM or anytime at the Vestal Center Redemption Center, Route 26 next to the Car Wash and VanDervort’s Mini Mart. (Just mention your donations are to benefit St. Brigid Parish/CYO.) Thank you for your support.
SPECIAL THANK YOU The Family of Chip Barnum would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness, thoughts, prayers, and support that we received during our time of loss.
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions immediately following Mass
Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections: St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 912.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 669.00; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 716.00.
LIFELINES “Christians know that suffering cannot be eliminated, yet it can have meaning and become an act of love and entrustment into the hands of God who does not abandon us; in this way it can serve as a moment of growth in faith and love.” ~ Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, 56
HOLY COMMUNION UNDER ONE ELEMENT AND SHAKING HANDS
As the winter cold & flu season is upon us already, we are suspending shaking hands at the sign of peace. Please acknowledge those around you with a wave or nod of the head. We will also have Holy Communion under one species; the Precious Blood will not be offered until further notice.
MASS SCHEDULE Sat. March 1 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
JOHN CADDEN by Fred & Bette Brown Sun. March 2 8:00AM St. Francis Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - JEAN REBELLO by the Tim McMahon Family Mon. March 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church - 4th Anniv. & Birthday—BILL COLEMAN by the Family Tue. March 4 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - DR. WILLIAM & MRS. EUNICE LORD by Joe & Judy Adams
6:00PM St. Francis Church - (Mass & Distribution of Ashes) JEAN PURTELL by Bill & Mary Lou Martin
Thur. March 6 8:30AM St. Francis Church - SR. MARY LAURENTIA by Tom & Margaret Flaherty Fri. March 7 12:00NN St. Francis Church - NO MASS
Sat. March 8 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
Sun. March 9 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT CARL MILLER by Frank & Helen Burns
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - Month’s Mind—JEAN REBELLO by Tim McMahon Family
Wed. March 5 7:30AM St. Augustine Church ASH WEDNESDAY (Distribution of Ashes)
6:00PM St. Augustine Church - (Stations of the Cross)
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of the Churches. Calendars are $ 20.00 each. They run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2014. Each family in our Parish is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars available. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to please sign the calendars out on the sign out sheet provided. Please help to make this very important fund raiser a success again this year! Currently, with just under a month until April 1st, there are 88 calendars left at St. Augustine and 98 left at St. Francis for a total of 186 Calendars remaining unsold.
ALTAR & ROSARY NEWS MEETING: The next St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12th, at 6:30PM in St. Brigid Rectory. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. KNIFE RADA SALE: St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society is selling Rada knives as an on-going fund raiser. Orders can be placed with a member of the Altar & Rosary or can be placed on-line by going online to www.helpourfundraiser.com and use customer number 504671. The password is mrsa01pw. Do not use capital letters in the password.
DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE St. Brigid Parish Appeal goal is $ 23,750.00. We are very happy to announce that we have reached our goal. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. God Bless you one and all!
ADORATION OF OUR LORD He dwells in our Church day and night until the end of time. O come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord. Visit our King in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Augustine’s Chapel. For a permanent hour or to substitute call Andrea Chen at 607-669-4875.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need-not just Parishioners), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (570-663-2212), Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618), or Mary Keenan (570-553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.
CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF NAZARETH ~ COME AND SEE IF GOD MAY BE CALLING YOU The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will host a Religious Life Discernment Retreat for young women ages 16 to 30. The Retreat will be held Friday, March 28th beginning at 4:00PM and continuing thru Sunday, March 30th at 11:30AM. Reservations are required. Please contact Sr. Christina at 570-745-3334 or www.cnsisters.com . The Retreat will be held at Mother of the Eucharist Convent, 6100 Jacks Hollow Road, Williamsport, Pa. Brochures are available in the back of the Churches with more information.
THANK YOU FROM THE LITTLE MEADOWS FIRE COMPANY Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Fireman’s Breakfast last Sunday. The day was a big success for the Fire Company.
NEUMANN CENTER BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE The CYO basketball teams are sponsoring a bottle & can drive to replace the score-board control box. Donations can be left at Neumann Hall Tuesday nights between 6 and 9PM or anytime at the Vestal Center Redemption Center, Route 26 next to the Car Wash and VanDervort’s Mini Mart. (Just mention your donations are to benefit St. Brigid Parish/CYO.) Thank you for your support.
SPECIAL THANK YOU The Family of Chip Barnum would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness, thoughts, prayers, and support that we received during our time of loss.
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY St. Francis—March 5th—6:00PM: Lector—Betty Ellen Hardy; Servers—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Loretta Guiton
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND St. Francis—March 8th—4:30PM: Lector—Larry O’Reilly; Servers—Declan Giannone; Rosary—Mary Shaughnessy St. Francis—March 9th—8:00AM: Lector—John Butler; Servers—Patrick & Marty Conboy; Rosary—Dave Curley St. Augustine—March 9th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Servers—Shelby Funk & Christopher Higgins; Rosary—Ann Zalepa (new volunteers are welcome & needed) If at any time you see that a volunteer is needed for any ministry, please feel free to step forward and volunteer your services.
DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially Robert Place, cousin of Patricia Hutchinson. We also pray for Mary Loughren. May they rest in peace. Amen. SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS
A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.
CHURCH CLEANING St. Francis cleaner for the month of March—Kay Keenan.
St. Augustine cleaners Mar. 2 to 8—Barb & Bill Pichette; Mar. 9 to 15—Barb & Bill Pichette. Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory.
PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Mary Bakay, Donnie Butler, Tommy Williams, Stephen Ambrose, Toni Colardino, Evelyn Palulis, Mary Riley, Tom Wenman, Linda Hollenback, Jennifer Lynn, Jerry Lynch, Tyler Fletcher, Anna Mae Coleman, Joshua Welch, Jean Ryan, Richard Hutchinson, Joshua Kaminski, Kathy Holt, Aleisya Abrams, Agnes Neville, Steve Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Molly Penderf, Butch Rosencranz, Ruth King, George Kotch, Brooke Arnold, Peg Taylor, Hallie Brooks, Ken Roon, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Candy Coney, Walter O’Rourke, William Chaney, Mary Cadden, Frank & Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, Daniel Gavin, Sue Anderson, June Riley, John Bauer, Adam Kelly, Francis Zernone, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Doddie Mondi, Pauline VerValen, John & Alberta Zielinski, Bob Fedroff, Virginia Raftis, Fred Russell, Dorothy Catlin, Marie Donahue, Nancy, Matt & Emily, Bob Murphy, Robyn Lawson, Vicky Nelson, Marie Chillemi, Robert Peifer, Rita Flynn, Mike Rafferty, Elton Carr, Peter Purtell, Kaleena Dughi, George Moore, Molly Getter, Sam Miner, Debbie Drewry, Bill Sheredy, Dewey Newhart, Bub Davis, H. T., G. D., Rusty Carmen, J. K., Ronalee Eckert, Chelsea Judson, Doug Wheaton, John Paul Jones, and D.K.. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Shane Kalpokas, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Daniel Hogan, Matthew Kramer, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Jason Raymond, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Reed Shave, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Lukas Crisman, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen. Please call the rectory when the person you put on the Prayer List or Armed Forces List can be removed. If you know of anyone on the list who has passed away, please let us know so that their name can be removed from the list. OIL SPILL: Please continue to pray for a successful cleanup of the remainder of the spill.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,
(St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa.
and St. Augustine Church,
Silver Lake, Pa.)
(St. Brigid’s Cross)
P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288
E-mail: [email protected] Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor
Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”
ASH WEDNESDAY—MARCH 5TH
The schedule for Mass and distribution of Ashes is as follows: 7:30AM—St. Augustine Church—Deacon Ken Brennan will distribute Ashes
6:00PM—St. Francis Xavier Church—Fr. Cas will say Mass and distribute Ashes Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church. On this day, ashes are blessed and imposed after the homily. These ashes are of branches of the olive tree, or, according to custom, of the palm tree or other trees, which have been blessed the previous year. Apart from Mass, a liturgy of the Word precedes the rite of blessing, concluding with general intercessions, the Lord’s Prayer, and a hymn. The ordinary minister of the blessing of ashes is a priest or deacon. Others (e.g., special ministers of communion) may assist with the imposition of ashes where there is a genuine need, especially for the sick and shut-ins. One of the following formulas is used: Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Or Remember, you are dust and unto dust you shall return.
2014 REGULATIONS FOR LENT All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent: “The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal and individual, but also external and social (Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.” During Lent the following fast and abstinence regulations are observed: · Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, April 18th, are days of fast and abstinence. · Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. · All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent. · All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.
LENTEN REMINDERS Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent: · Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need · Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial · Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God Lent is also a penitential season. It is a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and to admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent? · By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies. · By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing. · By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.
SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross begin on Friday, March 7th. (There will be no Stations of the Cross at St. Francis on Friday, March 7th)
Friday, March 7th—St. Augustine Church—a leader is needed for Stations at 6:00PM Stations at St. Augustine will be Tuesdays following the 8:30AM Mass, beginning Tuesday, March 11th. Stations continue on Fridays following 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis, beginning on March 14th. Stations will also be held at St. Augustine on Friday evenings at 6:00PM.
ROSARY DURING LENT The Rosary will be held before all weekday Masses. Volunteers are encouraged to lead the Rosary. You don’t need to wait for Fr. Cas, as he may be hearing Confessions. If someone would like to lead the Rosary, please do so.
EASTER FLOWER ENVELOPES You are reminded that Easter Flower Donation Envelopes are in your envelope boxes. There is space on the back for memorials.
LENTEN READING MATERIALS In the back of our Churches are copies of the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us”, and “The Catholic Digest” as well as the “Little Black Books” for Lent. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use them as part of your daily Lenten meditations.
COMBINED CHOIR PRACTICE FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER The Combined Choir is practicing for Holy Week and Easter on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM in St. Francis Church. Please consider joining the choir to help make our services even more beautiful.
OPERATION RICE BOWL—You’re invited to participate in CRS Rice Bowl! Our Parish will be participating in CRS Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, as a way to encounter Jesus through others, especially through the most vulnerable in our world. Rice Bowl Envelopes are in your envelope boxes and can be put in the collection at any time during Lent. The Rice Bowl Collection will be taken up on Holy Thursday. Your prayers, fasting and almsgiving this Lenten season will help Catholic Relief Services continue to provide life-saving assistance in nearly 100 countries. CRS works on our behalf to care for the poorest in our world and to end global poverty.
Lent runs from Ash Wednesday, March 5th, until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17th.
FUEL SPILL UPDATE The total amount spent so far on our fuel spill cleanup is $ 74,210.16. These expenses are being paid out of St. Brigid Parish savings account held for us by the Diocese of Scranton. (These expenses are in no way reflected in the Monthly Financial News printed in the Bulletin.) Three collection/monitoring wells have been installed between the Church and the Hall. All the water collected from these wells has tested clean. While this is good news, it does not mean that we are “out of the woods” yet. Please continue to pray for a successful end result of this cleanup.
FOOD CARDS/FOOD PANTRY EASTER FOOD CARDS: We have a total of (14) families on our Food Card list. If you know of any family or individual who needs help, please call the rectory or put a note in the collection basket. If you have put someone on the list in the past and they no longer need help, please let us know. You may put your donation, (check or cash), in the collection basket in an envelope marked “attention: Kay—Food Cards” or mail it to the rectory. All donations are needed and are greatly appreciated. FOOD PANTRY: We are now preparing for Easter Baskets. Donations for hams would be appreciated and should be put in the collection marked Food Pantry. Any checks must be made payable to “The Food Pantry”. Thank you for sharing with others. May God bless you a hundredfold.
FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION VIA THE WEINBERG FOOD BANK This free food distribution for those in need is for RESIDENTS OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNT ONLY. Distribution will be held Tuesday, MARCH 18TH, from 12Noon to 2:00PM, at the Little Meadows United Methodist Church, 843 Penn. Ave. (Route 858), Little Meadows, Pa. Any resident of Susquehanna County who needs food is welcome. Please note the new distribution hours.
SHEETS & BLANKETS NEEDED Old/used sheets and blankets are needed to make sleeping bags for the homeless. If you are cleaning out your closet, please consider donating them for this worthy cause. Donations can be left in the back of the Churches or dropped off at the Rectory, (if no one is there, please leave donations on the porch by the driveway). All donations are most welcome. Also needed are old, used neckties (not clip-on).
MOM’S HOUSE NEWS MOM’S HOUSE ROCKERTHON will be held Saturday, March 22nd, from 11:00AM to 3:00PM, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 731 Hooper Road, Endwell. You can register as a group or as an individual. Registration forms are available in back of Church or you can get one on line at www.momshouseny.org . Emcee will be Steve Willett, “That DJ Guy”. It will be a fun-filled day with free food and drinks all day. There will be prizes and other exciting entertainment, as well as trivia contests. Come and rock as long as your schedule permits. For more information, please call Diane at 1-607-644-9972. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: JC Lions Club will host a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 9th, from 8:00AM to 12Noon, at the Knights of Columbus, 120 Main Street, Johnson City. Tickets are $ 7.00. Age (3) and under are FREE. Tickets are available at the door or call Mom’s House at 1-607-644-9972.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS Registration: for 2014-2015 school year is now open for Catholic Schools of Broome County; St. John's School (Pre K - 6) Binghamton, St. James School (Pre K - 6) Johnson City, All Saints School (Pre K - 6) Endicott & Seton Catholic Central (7-12) Binghamton. Tuition assistance is available. For application information or to schedule a tour contact admissions at 607-748-7423. We welcome students of all backgrounds and faiths to experience the comprehensive education that takes place in our schools. For more information go to www.broomecatholicschools.org . Mary Laura Donovan Marron Scholarship: Applications are available through the Catholic Schools of Broome County, 70 Seminary Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13905; by calling 607-723-1547; or at www.broomecatholicschools.org . This scholarship was established in 1987 in memory of Mary Laura, in order to further her beliefs in Catholic Education. Any student who attends a Northern Pennsylvania Parish and is enrolled in the Catholic Schools of Broome County may apply. Deadline is April 1st. 6th Annual Green Tie Dinner-Dance: The Catholic Education Foundation of the Southern Tier is sponsoring this dinner on Friday, March 7th, from 6 to 10PM, at Traditions at the Glen, Johnson City, to benefit Catholic Schools of Broome County. The evening includes cocktail hour and dinner followed by entertainment by the band Brotherhood, and the Clann Na Cara Irish School of Dance. Raffle tickets will be available for the 14 K yellow gold, emerald and diamond earrings. These are $ 20.00 each and available prior to, or at the dinner. (You need not be present to win.) For more information regarding the dinner or jewelry raffle, contact Camille Muscatello at 607-348-0337 or email [email protected] .
The Light Is On For You–all Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00pm, at St. Brigid Parish, St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, and all the Parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open for individual Confessions, beginning on Monday, March 10th, 2014. You are welcome to come to St. Francis Xavier Church or to go to any other Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Scranton. “The Light Is On For You” and is an effort on the part of the Diocese to highlight the importance of the sacrament of
Reconciliation in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. In keeping withthe spirit of Bishop Bambera’s Pastoral Letter, Wounded and Loved, Regathering the Scattered, inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important dimension of the Lenten journey. Please make plans to come yourself, and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and to renew your journey of faith this Lent. The season of Lent is a special time of grace, inviting and enabling all of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to embrace a life of meaning and purpose. Please also reach out to the Catholics you know who have been away from the regular practice of the faith and invite them to participate in this chance to begin again. The website, www.dioceseofscranton.org/light has materials to assist you in preparing to make a good confession, prayers you may find helpful, and answers to frequently asked questions. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Many people have questions about the Sacrament of Penance. You may have questions that are not addressed adequately here or at all. Please do not hesitate to bring those questions to Fr. Cas or to contact the Diocesan Office for Parish Life for additional resources (570) 207-2213. We will run a few questions in the bulletin beginning this week and continuing throughout Lent. Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? That’s the way Jesus set it up on Easter Sunday evening. He told his apostles that just as God the Father had sent him — and God the Father sent him to save us from our sins — so he was sending them. He breathed on them the power of the Holy Spirit, giving them God’s power to forgive sins, since no one can forgive sins but God alone. He told them that whatever sins they forgive are forgiven and whatever sins they retain are retained (Jn 20:21-23; Mk 2:7). Since the apostles were unable to read minds, the only way that they would know which to forgive and which to retain is if people told them their sins. Jesus thus established the essential structure of the Sacrament of confession. Just as he uses priests to give us his Body and Blood at Mass so he uses them to give us His mercy in Penance. Was the Sacrament of Penance always the way it is now? The Catechism succinctly teaches, “Over the centuries the concrete form in which the Church has exercised this power received from the Lord has varied considerably. During the first centuries the reconciliation of Christians who had committed particularly grave sins after their Baptism (for example, idolatry, murder, adultery) was tied to a very rigorous discipline, according to which penitents had to do public penance for their sins, often for years, before receiving reconciliation. To this ‘order of penitents’ (which concerned only certain grave sins), one was only rarely admitted and in certain regions only once in a lifetime. During the seventh century Irish missionaries, inspired by the Eastern monastic tradition, took to continental Europe the ‘private’ practice of penance, which does not require public and prolonged completion of penitential works before reconciliation with the Church. From that time on, the sacrament has been performed in secret between penitent and priest. This new practice envisioned the possibility of repetition and so opened the way to a regular frequenting of this sacrament. It allowed the forgiveness of grave sins and venial sins to be integrated into one sacramental celebration. In its main lines this is the form of penance that the Church has practiced down to our day” (CCC 1447). Why do people vary in calling it the Sacrament of Penance, Confession or Reconciliation? The names emphasize different aspects of the sacrament. Penance refers to our repentance, sorrow and resolution to amend our life with God’s help. Confession refers to the act by which we tell our sins to the priest. Reconciliation refers to the goal of the celebration by which the sinner is reconciled to God and the Church (see CCC 1423-1424). The ritual for the sacrament is called the Rite of Penance, but is fitting to refer to it with any of these titles. In fact, the Catechism refers to it also as “the Sacrament of Conversion” and the “Sacrament of Forgiveness.”