Pastor

Rev. Robert L. Ruston

 

Ss. Gregory & Barnabas Parish Welcome to 

 

Daily Mass:

(See inside for locations)

8:00AM Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday

6:30PM Thursday

Weekend Liturgy:

Saturday: 4:00PM (Daisytown)

Sunday: 8:00AM (Bon Air) 10:00AM (Daisytown) (Summer Schedule) 11AM begins Sept 4th Labor day weekend.

120 Boltz Street 408 Luzon Avenue

Johnstown, PA 15902

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Visit us on the WEB! 

www.ssgregbar.org 

Join us on Facebook! 

http://www.facebook.com/groups/SSGregoryBarnabas/ 

Reconciliation: Saturday: Noon—12:30PM (Daisytown)

Saturday: 3:15—3:45PM (Daisytown)

Sacrament of Baptism: Parents are to be examples to their children by being registered, active members of the Parish. Please call the rectory office to make arrangements.

Sacrament of Marriage: Couples planning to marry are to make arrangements at least nine months prior to their wedding date. Diocesan Guidelines regarding Marriage Prepara-tion must be followed. The Catholic party/parties is/are to be registered, active members in the parish.

Anointing of the Sick: Please call the church office if you have a family member or friend in the hospital who would like to receive the Sacraments. The homebound and pa-rishioners in nursing homes should also receive the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Com-munion.

Parish Membership: New members are always welcome! If you are moving into, with-in, or out of the Parish, please call the Rectory Office and let us know.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): All who would like more information about membership in the Roman Catholic Church are invited to call the Church Office.

"Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For

you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Lk 14:13-14

Phone: 814-536-6818 E-mail: sgsb925@hotmail.com

United In Christ MISSION STATEMENT

As Catholic Christians, we will live to serve God and each other. And do His will as one family united in Faith. We will teach, serve, and be an example to the youth of the parish that they will come to a full understanding of Christ and His plan for their lives. We will nurture the gifts and talents of all parish members and use them wisely for the glory of God. We will compassionately implement the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy for those in our Parish, Diocese and throughout the world. Through the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we affirm our Communion with Christ and each other. All are welcome.

AUGUST 28, 2016 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Welcome to SS. Gregory & Barnabas Parish

 

Sunday, August 28th 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Office closed Aug 29-Sept 5th Please use this as Father

Bob’s Vacation time as well!

Wed., Fr. Bob’s Day Off Next Sunday, Sept 4th 23 Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass in Daisytown is at 11AM Monday, Sept 5th Closed Labor Day

WEEKLY SCHEDULE MASS SCHEDULE Family members are asked to present Offertory Gifts at weekend masses being offered for their loved ones.

August 28, 2016

A LOOK AT WHAT’S AHEAD

Monday (SG) 8:00AM

Tuesday (SB) 8:00AM

Wednesday (SG) 8:00AM

Thursday (SB) 6:30PM

Friday (SG) 8:00AM

Saturday (SG) 4:00PM

Sunday (SB) 8:00AM

(SG) 11:00AM

Frank Neisner by Agnes Neisner

Jennie Kuzak by Charlie Mastervich

Isabel Vogel by Virginia Amenti

Patrick Flanagan, Sr. by Chuck, Vito, Kiara Di Falco

Members of Purgatorial Society

For the People

Walter Ledwich by Irene Partsch

Patrick Flanagan, Sr. by The Rheel Family

Liturgical Reflection… When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends, family or wealthy neigh-bors. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you. This Jubilee Year we are invited to say to others, “I am sorry”; “I forgive you”; Is there anything I can do for you?” We do so expecting no repayment, nothing in return. God’s heart is full of love and kindness. We are challenged to share that same mercy and understanding whenev-er we see a sister or brother in need of God’s comfort. Mercy is the face of God. Are we able to share that gift with a generous heart? 2016 Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

 

RELIGIOUS ED SCHEDULE

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

9/1 Teacher Meeting 7PM/D/RB

9/11 Religious Ed. Registration

9:30-10:45AM D/Hall

Please plan to stop in and pick up your registration paperwork. Children do not need to be present. Cost is $10/per child.

10/9 First day of Rel. Ed Classes

K-11 Classes start at 9:30AM Sharp

TBD Confirmation Parent/Student Mandatory Meeting 9th, 10th, 11th grades, 7PM/D/Hall

9/4 Mother Teresa Canoniza on   (prayers cards available) 9/4 ‐ 11AM Mass resumes 9/11 ‐ Rel Ed. Registra ons 9/11 ‐ Anoin ng of the Sick 1PM 9/18 ‐ Parish Picnic 9/24 ‐ Fall Gun Raffle 

Pierogies (Frozen) for sale

$6 per dozen.

Please call Janet Pribish at 539-3449 (leave a message). 

WHY DO WE DO THAT? - CATHOLIC TRADITIONS EXPLAINED Ques on:       On August 29 we celebrate the Passion of St. John the Bap st; can you tell me more about his role in rela on to Jesus? Answer:   St. John the Bap st is understood to be the precursor, the one who prepares Jesus’ way. A careful reading of the Gospel texts also reveals other aspects of the rela onship be-tween John and Jesus. The Gospels have John affirming that he himself was not the Messiah. The Gospels do speak of John’s disciples so such insistence shows evidence that some under-stood John to be the Messiah and began to follow him. The Gospel writers make certain that John clarifies his role to eliminate this possible confusion. In the synop c Gospels (Ma hew, Mark, and Luke), John speaks of the One who is to come a er him, against whom he cannot even begin to measure up. In John’s Gospel, John directs his disciples specifically to Jesus, the Lamb of God. In all four Gospels, Jesus does not begin his public ministry un l John is arrest-ed. All this leads some Scripture scholars to speculate that Jesus possibly began his forma on as a disciple of John. Through John’s tutoring and guidance, Jesus came to understand his own voca on. Once John is arrested, Jesus picks up where John le  off, bringing his own style and message to that of John, developing it into something uniquely his own. 

CATHOLIC QUOTES - WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL

Nothing is far from God.   —St. Monica 

MembersofPurgatorialSociety

Nov.2015‐Oct.2016 March2016‐Feb2017 June2016‐May2017

JamesKobal JoeyVogel DennisBell

HeleneGoller Dec.2015‐Nov.2016 July2016‐June2017

CharlesW.Shiley May2016‐April2017 CharlesDeitkeMichaelShiley AndrewMartinec

AnnaMarieDragovich MargieMartinec Aug.2016‐July2017

AlbinaSweltz Isabel"Issy"Vogel

Jan.2016‐Dec.2016 Jim&BeckyStif ler JohnSweltz DanFreiwald Sept.2016‐Aug.2017

PatHiner TammyGoller JamesFisher

FROM THE DESK OF FATHER BOB

If you have a loved one admitted to the hospital or nursing home please contact the office. The hospital may take your church information, but it does not always get put in the computer to notify us, then Fr. Bob does not know to visit. This has happened a few times in the last month. Thanks for your help.

Do you know someone who needs pray-ers? Please contact Debbie Washington at 536-3616 or dlwashi@hotmail.com to place a name on the parish Prayer Chain! Boxes for requests are also located in the vestibules of our worship sites.

Prayerful remembrance for all serving in the military:

Ryan Wood, Army; Nathan Brezovic; Fr. Frantisek Halka, Army; Major Da-vid Dietz, Army; Petty Officer Tony Pinkas, Navy; Second Infantry Brigade & Det 1, Company C, 2nd 104th; Re-cruit Marina Joy Sumrada, US Navy Boot Camp.

Please contact the parish office (536-6818) if we need to add or re-

HOSPITALIZED Mass attendance has been down over the summer months, especially at the 10A.M. Sunday liturgy but this is usually a seasonal reality with vacations and travel on the weekends. This is also one of the reasons we have reduced our weekend Mass schedule to three liturgies. Given our summer attendance num-bers, however, one liturgy in Daisytown would have been more than sufficient to accommodate all our parishioners on the weekends. With these thoughts in mind, just a reminder that it is still considered to be a serious sin to willfully and without reason miss Mass on the weekend, and one who does so should not re-ceive Holy Communion until having first gone to the Sacrament of Reconcilia-tion (Confession). Health care personnel constantly remind us of the necessity of exercise and strength training for our physical well-being. I must admit I do little more than wave to persons as I drive by them in their morning and evening walks. But we are also reminded this weekend in our scriptures that strength training is also necessary for our spiritual well-being and journey. How many of us follow the advice of Jesus in this area of our lives? Following Jesus is arduous. We need to undertake the spiritual training that makes us “strong enough” for this daily trek as well. To be spiritually fit we need God’s strength. We must daily encounter Him and change our lives accordingly so as to know Him more deeply and live more perfectly His word of salvation. We can be in the company of Jesus (that is, we can be physically present in the church at Mass) but not of His company. In our Gospel account this weekend, apparently people ate and drank with Jesus without allowing this experience to change their lives. We might ask ourselves today if we are truly of the company of Jesus as we go through the familiar motions, gestures and prayers of the Mass. Are we checking our cell phones for messages? Are we texting friends? Are we even saying the prayers of the liturgy with the rest of the con-gregation? From my point of view at the altar, there are many who are not! The documents of the II Vatican Council require the “active participation of all the faithful”. You are not attending Mass simply because you are physically present in the church. Liturgy is to be a transforming encounter with the risen Lord that changes how we know Him, how we see ourselves in relationship with Him, and then how we live once we leave this place of worship. This is meant to be the spiritual strength training we need to face another week of work, school, or simply life and relationships with family members at home. Use this time well that we spend with the risen Lord in this Eucharistic encounter and it just may make all the difference in how we live and what we do this coming week!

Ramblings of a Retired Mind —Employment applica on blanks always ask who is to be no fied in case of an emergency.  I think you should write, “A Good Doctor”! 

Joyce Zilch, Veronica Sokach,  

Dorothy O’Leary 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time "When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you." Today Jesus instructs us to be generous enough to serve others without expecting repayment. At least, without expecting to be repaid in THIS life. It's interesting that the Gospel concludes with Jesus' promise that if we follow this teaching, we "will be repaid at the resur-rection of the righteous." In other words, God will "repay" our generosity on earth by welcoming us into heaven. Really, what better investment could there possibly be? It can be tempting to think of our money as purely our own. We work hard to earn it. Or we receive it from others who wanted US to have it. Or luck came our way (and too bad for you that it didn't come your way). We thus feel possessive of our money and of-ten struggle with the idea of giving it away or lending it without hope of being paid back (with interest!). But today's Gospel chal-lenges us with a different perspective. In essence, Jesus tells us to use our money for the sake of others, not just to assure our own earthly comfort. As difficult as this request may be, its important to remember that Jesus honors the sacrifice! This is why he prom-ises repayment in heaven. He understands that it "costs" us a great deal to part with the security of using our money for ourselves alone. He understands that in caring for the poor, we risk putting ourselves in their company. But God's ways are not the ways of the world. Instead of investing everything in a bank, Jesus asks us to invest in the poor. After all, no bank on earth can possibly provide the infinite rate of return that Jesus promises.

FINANCIAL NEWS Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

Offertory Totals for the week of August 21, 2016

 

Weekly Offertory $2,606

Misc. Income $148

Votive Candles $72

Building Fund $114

Assumption $96

Total $3,036

Weekly Needs $5000

8/21 $3,036

(Over/under) $1,964

LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE Ministers are expected to take the responsibility to find a substitute

if they cannot fulfill their assignment.

Re red Priest Medical  $15 

Mission Co-op  $95 

Catholic Register  $71 

ACA 2017 $367

Families & the Gospel August 28 Luke 14:1,7-14 In today’s gospel “the people were observing Jesus care-fully.” Children are carefully observing us. We are al-ways teaching by what we say and do. The last lesson we teach is how to grow old and return home to the Lord with dignity, grace and faith.

SAVE THE DATE…

will be on Sunday, September 18th. The Church will pro-vide the main meal by Sassy Sisters, Pierogies & drinks sup-plied. We are asking everyone to bring a covered dish/desert. Sign ups are in the vestibule. Please sign up as soon as possi-ble so we have an idea of how many. Also, list what you are bringing so we don’t get too many duplicates.

SAVE THE DATE…Our Fall Cash Bash will be on Saturday, October 15th. We plan to have  ckets ready to sale late August. We will announce as soon as they are 

ready. Again, we will  be  asking  for  baskets  to  chance off,  so  if you  could help us by dona ng one, that would be greatly appreciated.  Baskets can be turned into the office be-ginning mid September, Monday - Friday 8AM-2PM.  Thank you!! 

GIRL SCOUT REGISTRATION will be held Monday, August 29th at Ss. Gregory & Barnabas Church in the Dai-sytown Hall from 6:30-7:30PM. Meetings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday’s from

6PM-8PM in the hall.

Liturgy Aug 27/28 Sept 3/4 Sept 10/11

4:00 PM Lector: A. Hiner Sorchilla

D EM: B P. Harteis P. Harteis

(B:Bread) C D. Stroz Sorchilla

(C: Cup) C A. Hiner

Servers: Sorchilla

8:00 AM Lector: MB Rykala MB Rykala

BA EM: B B. McPherson MB Rykala

C

C Servers: S. Rykala S. Rykala

10:00 AM Lector: Stroz (11AM) (11AM)

D EM: B M. Krawczyk M. Krawczyk J. Sandoval

C Stroz S. Sandoval

C

Servers: C. Wysocki

IN THE COMMUNITY:

SPAGHETTI DRIVE-BY: Transfiguration at 201 3rd Street, Conemaugh. Sun., Aug. 28th from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM; Cost: $7.00 / Dinner

St. John the Baptist Annual Festival: at New Germany Grove, Sun., Aug 28th. Chicken & Ham Dinner with homemade noodle soup served from 11:30AM-3:30PM. Adults $10; Children 12/under $5. Music from Noon - 7PM. Games for all, bingo, dancing, theme baskets & more.

SUB & PIZZA SALE (Conzatti's): Cover Hill Ladies Auxiliary, MUST pre-order by Sept 2 (Phone 243-2987). $6.00 Sub (Onion or No Onion) $5.00 Pizza (Pep or Plain) Delivery is Saturday, Sept 10, Pick up at Fire Hall between 8-10 a.m.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI FISH FRY SEASON will begin on Fri., Sept. 9th. Fish Fry will be held in the Activity Center located at the corner of D Street and Barron Avenue from 11:00AM until 6:00PM. We offer Fried Fish, Baked Fish, Shrimp, and Combo Dinners (includes 2 sides). We also have Fish Sandwiches and a variety of sides along with a Lunch Special (Sandwich and Fries - $7.00) from 11AM to 1PM. Gobs and various baked goods will also be sold.

14TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL REUNION: for Central Catholic, St John Gualbert & St. Joseph to be held at Seniors Activities Cen-ter 550 Main Street, Johnstown on Tues. Sept 6th. 6PM Social Mix, 6:30PM Dinner, 6:30-9:30PM Music and Dancing . Cost is $20/per per-son. Please contact Darlene 814-255-2066 or Romayne at 814-288-4437 for more information! Meet old classmates and have a great even-ing!!!

COMMUNITY CATHOLIC FESTIVAL: The Parishes of St. Aloysius and St. Francis Xavier would like to extend an invitation to be a part of a Community wide Catholic Festival, September 10 & 11 in Cresson. Are you a crafter? Do you have a food specialty? If you would like to be part of this wonderful opportunity, please contact Becky Strunk at 814-934-3068 or via email at cestaff417@gmail.com.

BASKET PARTY: The Church of the Transfiguration at 201 3rd Street, Conemaugh. Sun., Sept. 18th. Doors Open at 1:00 PM Drawing at 2:00 PM; Cost: $5 / 25 chances and luncheon.

INFORMATION FROM THE DIOCESE www.dioceseaj.org NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING Does your method of family planning…strengthen your emotional intimacy with your spouse?...work with (not against) the gift of your fertility?...nurture a loving relationship with God and the Church?...increase your self-respect and growth as a person/couple? The Billings Method of NFP (www.boma-usa.org or www.familyplanning.net) is the result of decades of scientific re-search by medical researchers. NFP honors the Church’s respect for the unitive and procreative purpose of married love-making. If you haven’t checked out NFP, you haven’t made an informed choice. Certified diocesan instructors are located throughout our diocese. Intro-ductory presentations to groups also available. Contact our diocesan Family Life Office, 814-886-5551; familylife@dioceseaj.org

FAITH & LIGHT – Sharing Faith & Friendship with Intellectual Disabled Persons A faith sharing group which also includes family members, caregivers, friends. Meets monthly, Sundays, 1:00-4:00 pm at a handicap accessible location. Call Gaye (814) 472-7317 or Family Life Office (814) 886-5551. www.faithandlight.org; www.faithandlightusaeast.org

IS YOUR MARRIAGE TEARING YOU APART? There is hope through Retrouvaille, a Christian peer ministry. Retrouvaille (French for “rediscovery”) is Catholic, but open to all couples. See www.retrouvaille.org; for brochure or to talk to couples in our diocese who have used Retrouvaille contact diocesan Family Life Office (814) 886-5551 or familylife@dioceseaj.org Your marriage is meant to be a Sacra-ment—a source of life and energy. You owe it to yourself to heal.

KNOW SOMEONE MARRIED 5 OR 10 YEARS? A son or daughter, sibling, niece or nephew, or you yourselves...Bishop Mark has a mes-sage for you! To receive this letter, send the couple’s name, mailing address, email and whether married 5 or 10 years to the Family Life Office, 5379 Portage St., Lilly, PA 15938; 814-886-5551; familylife@dioceseaj.org. Be sure to indicate it is for the anniversary letter from Bishop Mark.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION SERIES – 2016

Pre-registration required. Early registration advised−some series fill up months in advance. • Cancellation due to weather: For classes in all locations, call the Family Life Office. A taped message will list cancellations. If you can’t attend due to driving conditions, call the Family Life Office (814) 886-5551 during office hours (M-F 8:30-4:00) for make-up instruc-tions. • COST: $65 per couple (includes all sessions in a series) Register by e-mail Fee payable at the first session (cash or check payable to “Family Life Office”) Please come 15 minutes early to the first session for registration purposes.

Advance reservations required by e-mail—familylife@dioceseaj.org

For dates please use the website to choose a session date: http://www.dioceseaj.org/family-life

Type “Marr Prep” in subject line.

Include: Parish and town where series is held, names, phone, e-mail addresses, Catholic or interfaith marriage, and wedding date. For questions call Family Life Office 814-886-5551 (Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:00). Information also online at www.dioceseaj.org. (Diocesan Offices, Family Life)

2016-2017 Class Schedules Announced The Office of Adult Enrichment and Lay Ecclesial Ministry has announced the 2016-2017 class schedules which are available online at www.ajdiocese.org/lay-ecclesial-ministry. Classes can be taken for personal spiritual formation and enrichment or for Lay Ecclesial Basic Certification. Also available online is information on classes for continuing education credit and Third Year Track options, as well as registration forms and class descriptions. You can also contact Marybeth at (814) 361-2000 or mheinze@dioceseaj.org for further information. All are welcome!

Please join the 2016 Public Square Rosary Crusade. As we all know, the United States is in great need of public prayer, repentance and conversion. We must ask God to save Amer-

ica through the Rosary of His Most Holy Mother. Please join us in praying for our nation, veterans, and troops on Saturday,October 15, 2016 at NOON. The local Public Square Rosary Rally will take place at HERTIAGE PLA-ZA, 11th Ave., & 14th St. ALTOONA PA. Please contact publicsquarerosary1@verizon.net “rally” in subject line for more information. Please visit anf.org for more Rosary Rally information.