Page Two� ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH, FINLEYVILLE, PA�

� �A Super Bowl Takeaway�� There were many people celebrating the Philadelphia Eagle’s victory on Sunday night. I’m sure there were Philly fans across the country celebrating their first Super Bowl win in decades. Additionally, I’m sure there were many others who were just happy to see that Tom Brady and the Patriots did�not�win yet again. Whatever the reason, many people were celebrating.�� I’m always fascinated by the postgame comments and reactions. Overwhelmingly, besides the shock, amazement, and joy, there is some sort of acknowledgment of the sacrifices, obstacles, and hurdles that were overcome by the team or player. These are those injuries, the struggles, or the personal behind the scene dramas that could totally dismantle a team. If the team is able to rally around it, however, it can be the catalyst that brings the team together in a way that would be impossible otherwise.�� My takeaway from the Super Bowl, in short, is: there can be no victory without sacrifice. We have maybe heard this before in one form or another�“No pain, no gain,” “No guts, no glory,” etc.�but it might be worth appreciating the truth of this from our Catholic Tradition.�� This past Monday, for example, we celebrated the martyrdom of the virgin St. Agatha. I was struck by the prayer after communion: “O God, who bestowed on blessed Agatha a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom…” Beautiful, no? It calls both her virginity and martyrdom a triumph, a victory, that merited a crown in heaven. Implicit in this exaltation, is the acknowledgment that there is no victory without sacrifice.�� Virginity�a sacrifice? Absolutely! She was a beautiful young woman who grew up in Sicily in the 200’s. Early on in her life she fell in love with God in such a real way that she made a vow to not marry as a gift of her whole self. I can only imagine that there were many difficult “no’s” and sacrifices involved in the ultimate victory of being able to say “yes” with her whole heart, soul, and body to Jesus Christ.�� Martyrdom�a sacrifice? Clearly! Although let’s not fall into the trap of thinking that it was just the last sacrifice when she endured the horrible torture and killing at the end of her life. Her whole life was filled with little deaths�to�self�acts of kindness, words of affirmation, time in prayer, etc.�so that her final death was in harmony with her entire life.�� There can be no victory without sacrifice. This reality is seen in a powerful way in the sacrificial love of Jesus poured out on the Cross for each and every one of us. Literally, there would be no victory of heaven for anyone without His sacrificial love. Therefore, the Christian life is all about accepting the invitation to enter into and participate in His sacrifice so that we can experience the victory of Easter. This is, hopefully, an everyday reality, but it is also intensified during the season of Lent. In what ways is the Lord calling us to sacrifice this Lent? It’s not too early to pray about, because Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. In Christ, Fr. Adam�

Lenten Regulations�Lent begins Wednesday, February 14th�

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States. The obligation of abstinence (refraining from eating meat) begins at the age of 14. The law of fasting (limiting oneself to one full meal and two lighter meals) obliges all between the ages of 18�59. No one should consider this obligation lightly. � Those individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity. � Pastors and parents are to see to it that minors, though not bound by the law of fast and abstinence, are educated in the authentic sense of penance and encouraged to do acts of penance suitable to their age. � All members of the Christian Faithful are encouraged to do acts of penance and charity during the Lenten season beyond what is prescribed by the law. � As a general rule, a request for a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence on Fridays of Lent will not be considered unless some serious reason is present. The attendance at social events, banquets, wedding rehearsals or receptions, or funeral wakes are not considered sufficient reason to request a dispensation.����Ash Wednesday this week, February 14th, distribution of ashes at masses at 8:30 a.m., 12 noon, and 7:00 p.m. Liturgical Service & distribution of ashes at 4:00 p.m. St. Isaac Jogues Mass at 9:30 a.m.���

Ash Wednesday Fish Fry from 12 � 6:30 p.m. in Finley Hall. Come have an exquisite lunch/dinner with us. Usual menu, all the goodies you expect. Take some chances on the Lottery Frame to be raffled. Some new items have been added to the menu.���

Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday dur ing Lent at 7:00 p.m.����

Finleyville Interfaith Council Lenten Services begin next Sunday, February 18th at Family Worship Center. Rev. Brent Furlong to preach. Refreshments to follow the service.����

St. Francis Blood Drive Monday, February 19th, noon � 5:30 p.m. in Finley Hall. Join our Central Blood Drive Bank Donor Rewards program! To make an appointment: �contact Kathy Pitzer at 724�348�5361 to schedule an appointment. Appointments recommended. Walk�ins welcome. ����Lenten Scripture Study � 5�week morning Bible Study at St. Francis Thursday or St. Benedict the Abbot Tuesday. Both programs 9:30 a.m. � 11 a.m. and are being led by Fr. Adam & Dennis Gehrlein. For more information or to register, call the Parish Office 724�348�7145 or Dennis 724�941�9406 ext. 109. �

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�Ministry Schedule �Ash Wednesday, February 14th�

8:30 a.m. Mass�Ministers:� Hamilton, Trovato, Schirra�Lector:� � L. Obringer�12:00 Noon�Ministers:� Jaki, Kovscek, Fox�Lector:� � E. Garry�4:00 p.m. Liturgical Service�Ministers:� Deacon Vic, Jenifer Bublak�7:00 p.m. Mass�Ministers:� B & D. Lewis, N. Wietrzykowski�Lector:� � K. Lewis�Servers:�� K. & K. Gindele�

February 17/18�6:00 p.m. Saturday�Ministers: � Foster, Weisdack, Kovscek, Brucker, � � Checque, DeIuliis, Wietrzykowski�Lector: � � K. Jasko�Servers:� � T., T., & T. Smida�8:00 a.m. Sunday�Ministers: � Drahnak, Fox, R. Funtal, Barner, �� � Banahasky, Sherred, Schirra�Lector: � � L. Obringer�Servers:�� M. Miller, D. Drahnak, R. Funtal�11:00 a.m. Sunday�Ministers: � A. & S. Parker, Folz, Trovato, Battaglia, � � Hamilton, Bublak�Lector: � � L. Kenavey� �Servers:�� K. & K. Gindele, V. Lombardi���

Bingo � Congratulations to the winners of both Magic Numbers. Join us Tuesday for Bingo in Finley Hall. The Jack�pot will be $1,175.00 in 55 numbers. A new Magic Number will started. The ‘All Nighter’ game will be $1,190.00 until it is won. Early Birds begin at 7:15 p.m., regular games at 7:30 p.m. ���

Parish Share Program 2018 begins today, February 11th, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Our campaign will begin with Mail�in Pledges or donations. Our goal this year is $67,275.00. Please return the form that you receive in the mail, with your pledge or donation and return it by way of the collection basket in an envelope marked ‘PSP 2018’, use the envelope in your February packet, or mail it to the rectory by Sunday, March 18th. Any amount collected over our assessment stays here at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and that amount is not taxed/assessed for the next year. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, as well as all the ministries of the Church, which Jesus Himself call us to do.�

�����Today, �February 11, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lv 13:1�2, 44�46/Ps 32:1�2, 5, 11 [7]/1 Cor 10:31�11:1/Mk 1:40�45�

6:00 p.m. (Sat.)� Rich Kriston � Dan Levi�� 8:00 a.m.� � Mary Parish � Rudar Family�11:00 a.m.� 50th Wedding Anniversary of Al & � � Cheryl Simone� �Monday, February 12, Weekday Mass�Jas 1:1�11/Ps 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76 [77a]/Mk 8:11�13� 8:30 a.m.� � Communion Service�Tuesday, February 13, Weekday Mass� � �Jas 1:12�18/Ps 94:12�13a, 14�15, 18�19 [12a]/Mk 8:14�21� 8:30 a.m.� � Holy Face of Jesus�Wednesday, February 14, Ash Wednesday � 8:30 a.m. � James D. Trovato, Sr. � Family�12:00 noon� Paul Owens � Janet Donovan� 4:00 p.m.� Liturgical Service & Distribution of � � Ashes� 7:00 p.m.� Helen Bores � Mike & Lisa Zelinsky�Thursday, February 15, Thursday after Ash Wednesday�Dt 30:15�20/Ps 1:1�2, 3, 4 and 6 [40:5a]/Lk 9:22�25�

8:30 a.m.� � Judy Kovscek � Husband, Frank�Friday, February 16, Friday after Ash Wednesday�Is 58:1�9a/Ps 51:3�4, 5�6ab, 18�19 [19b]/Mt 9:14�15 � 8:30 a.m.� � James Jesensky � Bill & Janet Nyga� 7:00 p.m.� � Stations of the Cross�Saturday, February 17, Saturday after Ash Wednesday�Is 58:9b�14/Ps 86:1�2, 3�4, 5�6 [11ab]/Lk 5:27�32�

8:30 a.m.� � Chuck Gibson � Barb Zalagens�Confessions after 8:30 a.m. Mass daily�Sunday, February 18, First Sunday of Lent�Gn 9:8�15/Ps 25:4�5, 6�7, 8�9 [cf. 10]/1 Pt 3:18�22/Mk 1:12�15� 6:00 p.m. (Sat.)� Diane DiPiazza � Granchildren, �� � � McKinley & Bayleigh Wazny� �

8:00 a.m.� � For the People of the Parish�11:00 a.m.� Special Intention of Linda Sabina � � � Bob & Barb Scarnati��

Home With Christ � Please pray for the souls of James McGrath, Betty Jo Zelinsky, and for Viola Brinska, all of our Parish. May they rest in peace.���The Sanctuary Candle will burn this week “For the Birthday Remembrance of Agnes Puskar” requested by Carl & Martha Weisdack.�

February 11, 2018� � SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME� � � Page Three�

St. Francis of Assisi

Parish Office: 724�348�7145�Religious Ed. Office: 724�348�6190�Finley Hall: 724�348�0803�E�mail: stfran1893@comcast.net�Child Abuse Line: 1�888�808�1235�Bulletin Deadline: Monday at noon�

Financial Overview��

Needed/week…………...………$8,687.65� Last week …………………….. $6,512.00�

Deficit/Surplus……………… ($2,175.65)�