A JOYOUS AND BLESSED
EASTER TO ALL!
HE IS RISEN!
The resurrection of Jesus
from the dead demonstrates God’s ultimate power over all other forces,
including death.
By his resurrection, Jesus opens the door of
eternity to all believers. The mystery of redemption, first intimated at the
incarnation, reaches its purpose in the resurrection. Belief in the
resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. Today concludes the
celebration of the Triduum and begins the great Fifty Days. The Church in her
wisdom gives us forty days of fasting, but fifty days of feasting. This tells
us something important about the Christian faith: it is more about joy than
about sorrow. The victory of the Resurrection surpasses the power of sin. Christ
has not just won the battle. He has vanquished the foe. The gift of Christ
outweighs the offense of Adam, and overflows so much that the scales henceforth
are always tipped in favor of humanity. A sense of paschal abundance is at the
heart of the Eucharistic sacrifice at all times, but especially at Easter. Like
the feast that welcomes home the prodigal son, The Eucharistic banquet is more
than we deserve, yet it is freely offered by our loving Father, who is ecstatic
at his children’s return. Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection have won us
back. A new life opens before us. Enter into the spirit of the Easter Alleluia
and keep it going for a full fifty days. (Sourcebook
for Sundays and Seasons 2005/2006 @ 2005 Archdiocese of Chicago)
ALLELUIA!
Alleluia! Our praise word
has been silent for forty days. Alleluia means “Praise Ye, Lord,” and we sing
it out in joyful trinities today. Praise is as common to our liturgical life as
petition, but we tend to overlook it. The Eucharistic prayer at the heart of
the Mass is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, which teaches us something
about the order of such prayer. Praising God is naturally followed by litanies
of reasons flowing from grateful hearts. Our responsorial psalms, interspersed
throughout the Easter Vigil and sung at every Mass, dance with the opportunity
to give praise to the One who keeps all promises. Alleluia! (Alice L. Camille @ 1997 Oregon Catholic
Press. All rights reserved.)
“Christ Jesus was not indifferent to “the splendor of the lilies of the field.” (Matthew 6:28.) Humble and fragile though they are, the flowers and greens of the earth can be counted among the resources of the praying Church, expressing wonder and adoration in God’s presence. (Sourcebook for Sundays and Season 2006 @ 2005 Archdiocese of Chicago) THE EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL has been prepared and placed at all of church entrances. Thank you to all who have memorialized a loved one and contributed to the careful preparation of the “large upper room” (Mark 14:15, Luke 22:12) commanded by Jesus before the Last Supper.
THE GREAT THREE DAYS --
EASTER TRIDUUM
HOLY THURSDAY, April 13 –
Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Procession – 7:00PM at St. Peter’s. We
commemorate the institution of the Eucharist and priesthood and the ministry of
service at this liturgy and conclude with a solemn procession with the Holy
Eucharist. Families are encouraged to bring their Operation Rice Bowl and Local Food Pantry donations to the liturgy that evening and
place them in the proper receptacles at the Church entrance.
Eucharistic Adoration
& Night Prayer: The Blessed
Sacrament will be reserved in the
Eucharistic Chapel (room off the carport entrance of the Church) until midnight for silent
devotion.
Please take time to watch and pray
with the Lord. We will conclude Adoration with
Night Prayer at Midnight.
GOOD FRIDAY, April 14 – Celebration of the Lord’s
Passion – 12:10PM at St. Peter’s. (A day of fast and abstinence.) We will observe this day with the
gospel of Christ’s Passion, veneration of the cross and Holy Communion. Paschal
Fast: on Good Friday, and if possible, Holy Saturday until the Easter
Vigil, the paschal fast is observed everywhere in honor of the suffering and
death of the Lord, Jesus, to prepare ourselves to share more deeply in his
resurrection. (Paulist Press Ordo.) Stations of the Cross will be prayed at Sacred Heart Church in Morris at 7:00PM, followed by the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Blessing of
Easter Baskets - Saturday, April 15, at 12:00PM (Noon) in the Parish Center.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15 – EASTER VIGIL – The High Point of
the Easter Triduum – 8:00PM at St. Peter’s. Here the Liturgies of Light,
Word, Baptism, and Eucharist celebrate the risen Lord in our lives and we welcome several new members into our community of faith. Floyd Snyder will celebrate
the gift of new life in Baptism and Charles and Mary Fagg will
receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. Come help us
welcome them and in turn be renewed in your own faith, at the Night-Watch of
the Resurrection.
Easter Vigil Reception: Parishioners are invited to gather immediately following
our celebration in the Parish Center to
welcome the newly-initiated into our faith community.
Easter Sunday, April 16 – 7:30AM, Sacred Heart; and 10:00AM,
St. Peter’s.
REMINDER TO PARENTS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS: There will be no Religious Education classes held
this Sun., Sun., April 16th. Classes
will resume on April 23rd at the regularly scheduled times.
ATTENTION ALL MINISTERS OF THE ALTAR! The new schedule through May 28th has been
prepared and was placed in the sacristy last weekend. If you have not yet picked
yours up, please do so this weekend after Mass.
*************************************************************
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
April 15, 2006 – April 23, 2006
******
Saturday, April 15 – Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil – 8:00PM at St. Peter’s
******
Sunday, April 16 – Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord
7:30AM at Sacred Heart
10:00AM at St. Peter’s
Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9.
******
Monday, April 17 – NO MASS
******
Tuesday, April 18 – NO MASS
******
Wednesday, April 19
12:10PM Chad Allen by Mike and Connie McNamara
******
Thursday, April 20
12:10PM Sharon Ragus by Daughter Deborah & Family
******
Friday, April 21
7:00AM L. Eleanor Liebner by Edward and Bettie Minarcin
******
Saturday, April 22 – Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
5:00PM at Sacred Heart, Morris
Barbara Halfpenny by Don and Kay Hayden
7:00PM at St. Peter’s
Lewis H. Bowers by Joan and David Getgen
******
Sunday, April 23
8:30AM at St. Peter’s
William Staniszewski by the Black Family
11:00AM at St. Peter’s
FOR LIVING AND DECEASED PARISHIONERS
Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31.
****************************************************************************
OUR
LENTEN JOURNEY CONTINUES…
OUR DEANERY ROAD TO RESURRECTION will
conclude with the EASTER FEAST. This year, St. Peter’s/Sacred
Heart parish will host the Easter Feast on Tues., April 25th at 6:00PM. Attendance is
by reservation only and there is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.
Please contact the parish office (724-3371) to make your reservation. We are
still in need of a few people to help with clean up after the dinner. If you
would like to help, please contact the parish office or drop a note in the
collection basket.
The
Catholic Church Teaches…
The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will
teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”
(John 14:25). Ceaselessly, the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance the
life-giving words of Jesus: “This is my body which is given for you” (Luke 22:19). In the Eucharistic Prayer, while giving thanks to the Father, the Church “implores
the power of the Holy Spirit that the gifts offered by human hands be
consecrated, that is, become Christ’s Body and Blood” (GIRM, 79). The Church
also prays that, by the action of the Holy Spirit, “the spotless Victim to be
received in Communion be for the salvation of those who will partake of it”
(GIRM, 79). At the Annunciation (cf. Luke 1:35) the Holy Spirit overshadowed
the Virgin Mary, forming the Body of Christ in her womb. At Pentecost (cf. Acts
2:4) the Holy Spirit was present in a mighty wind and tongues of fire to form
the body of Christ, the Church. In every Mass the Holy Spirit makes fruitful the
Church’s obedience to the command of Christ: “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). (Father Mark-Daniel Kirby, OCIST, PHD. Copyright
@ 2005, Archdiocese of Chicago
Lifeline
– As Catholics we know that the truth of human life is infinitely
greater than any narrow view that dismisses some lives as disposable. (Cardinal William H. Keeler, Respect Life Sunday, October 2, 2005.)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE –
1-800-848-LOVE (5683)
NEXT
SUNDAY, APRIL 23RD IS DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Immediately following the 11:00AM Mass, we will celebrate with a special blessing of the
Divine Mercy Image and pray the Divine Mercy Prayers. This will be followed by
the opportunity for Confession. All parishioners are urged to participate in
this special devotion.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION…
PILGRIMAGE TO THE BASILICA OF THE SHRINE OF THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, WA., D.C. -- on Saturday,
April 29th.Deadline for reservations is this Monday, April 17th. Please call the parish office to register (724-3371). Cost $39.00/person.
A LATIN MASS WITH CHOIR will be celebrated Sat., April 29th at 11:00AM at St.
Catherine’s in Westfield.
ADOPT-A-PARISH UPDATE! We have recently received a communication from Fr.
Patrick, the pastor of our sister parish, St. Margaret Mary, in Lioneltown, Jamaica. Fr.
Patrick expressed his appreciation for the two checks ($884.00 and $1368.00) he
recently received from our parish. Please take a moment to read Father’s email
which is posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the church.
MOTHER’S DAY LAYETTE PROJECT – The Social Concerns Committee will be assembling layettes
for donation to women who deliver at S&SMH and are unprepared for their
baby’s arrival. Donations of receiving blankets, disposable diapers, and new
infant clothing should be dropped off at the rectory no later than Tues., May 9th.
No time to shop? Cash donations will be gratefully accepted to support this
project. Kindly place your donation in an envelope marked “layette project” and
drop it in the weekly collection. Layettes will be displayed in church on
Mother’s Day weekend.
THE MONTH OF APRIL IS
DEDICATED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
The
Holy Father’s prayer intentions for the month of April:
General: That the individual, social and political rights of women may be respected in
every nation.
Missionary: That the Church in China may carry out its evangelizing mission serenely and in
full freedom.
The Novena in preparation for
Divine Mercy Sunday began on Good Friday and continues through Saturday, April
22nd. (Copies of the Novena are available at the entrances of the
church. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is also prayed daily on EWTN (Channel 58) at 7:00AM and 3:00PM.
The Second Sunday of Easter is observed throughout the Church as Divine Mercy Sunday- a time
of special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of thanksgiving for all
the favors and blessings given in His name. Jesus promised, “The soul that will go to Confession [beforehand] and
receive Holy Communion [on that day] will obtain complete forgiveness of sins
and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow
are opened.”
ATTENTION ALL MINISTERS OF THE ALTAR! The schedule from holy week through May 28th has been prepared and placed in the sacristy. Please be sure to pick one up this
weekend after Mass.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION! The last
opportunity for the Sacrament before Easter at St. Peter’s will be Wed., April 12th at 7:00PM. The Sacrament will also be available Friday, April 14th immediately following Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart in Morris. (Please
note: There are no scheduled confessions on Holy Saturday.)
PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Office will close Holy Thursday, April 13th at 12:00 (Noon) for the Easter Holyday’s and re-open Monday, April
17th at 9:00AM. Please
have bulletin announcements into the Office no later than Monday, April 10th at 3:00PM.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Local Food Pantry & Operation Rice Bowl - Please bring your donations to the Mass on Holy Thursday and place in the box provided at the main
entrance of the Church. Good Friday - The annual collection for
the shrines in the Holy Land. These
monies are forwarded to the Diocese after Easter. Easter Offering - Each year this offering helps gives the budget an
extra boost. Thank you for doing what you can! Your generosity is always more
than appreciated.
EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL – Please place your envelope in the collection today.
The memorial will be printed and made available Easter weekend.
EASTER FEAST. This year, St. Peter’s/Sacred Heart parish will host the Easter Feast
on Tues., April 25th at 6:00PM. Attendance is by reservation only and there is a
suggested donation of $5.00 per person. Please contact the parish office
(724-3371) to make your reservation. Thank you to all who have volunteered to
help. You will be contacted within the next week.
Please pray for our sick and their caregivers
Please continue to remember in your prayers all the men and women serving our country in the armed forces
Is there someone in need of prayers or would you consider praying for others?
Contact Kate Black.
CHANGE
OF ADDRESS! We remind all parishioners to notify the parish office
of a change of address – whether you move or have been assigned a new
address. If we do not have the correct information, the postal service
will return mail to us with postage due. Please note any changes on the
front of your offering envelope, drop a note into the collection, or
contact the parish office.
BULLETIN
DEADLINE! All meeting notices and articles for the bulletin are
requested each week no later than Tuesday at 3:00PM. Submit items to the
Parish Office by calling (570) 724-3371 or email [email protected].
CHURCH
BUILDINGS! In the interest of security and economics (high utility
costs), we ask that you be conscious when leaving the buildings to make
sure that all lights are turned off and doors are closed properly and
locked. Thank you for your cooperation.
DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK…
Women’s Bible Study – Tues., April 18, 9:00AM, Parish Center. Open to all! Come when you can.
AA – AL ANON – AL-A-TEEN – Every Tuesday at 8:00PM in St. Peter’s Parish Center.
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration – Every Wednesday from 8:00AM – 8:00PM. The room off the carport entrance of the Church is used as the Eucharistic Chapel. No hourly commitment, just spend a few moments in silent prayer, rosary, and/or scriptural reading before the Blessed Sacrament.
“Oremus” Charismatic Prayer Group –Thurs., April 20, 7:00PM, Adult Education room, Parish Center.
Silent Choir Contemplative Group – Sat., April 22, 10:00AM, Music Room. Questions? Lori Makos .
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (April 8 & 9, 2006): Of 310 envelopes mailed, 166 families used envelopes and the following was contributed -- $3,894.50 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $523.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $4,417.50 (compared to April 9 & 10, 2005 of $3,986.00); Holy Land/Good Friday, $30.00; Easter Flower Memorial, $360.00; Operation Rice Bowl, $23.98; Easter Offering, $155.00; Catholic Home Mission Appeal, $25.00; Building Fund, $273.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $192.00, Votive Candle Receipts, $21.00; Samaritan House Memorials, $40.00.
MDA (THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOC.) is in need of volunteers for this year’s MDA LOCK-UP, scheduled for Wed., April 26th from 9AM – 3PM. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Noelle at 570-562-1745.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY -
APRIL 23 AND THE EXTRAORDINARY GRACE PROMISED BY JESUS
The Second Sunday of Easter is observed
throughout the Church as Divine Mercy Sunday- a time of special
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of thanksgiving for all the favors
and blessings given in His name. Jesus promised, “The soul that will go to Confession [beforehand] and
receive Holy Communion [on that day] will obtain complete forgiveness of sins
and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow
are opened.”
On Sunday, April 23rd immediately following
the 11:00AM Mass we will celebrate “Divine Mercy Sunday” with a
special blessing of the Image and the Divine Mercy prayers (followed by the
opportunity for Confession.) In preparation for that day, consider praying the DIVINE MERCY NOVENA privately
from Good Friday, April 14 through Saturday, April 22. Copies of the
novena prayers are provided at the entrances of the Church.
Thank you to
everyone who donated good clean items to the SPRING CLOTHING, BOOK &
HOUSEWARE SALE! Special
thanks to all the volunteers who gave so generously of their time setting up,
working over the four days, and tearing down. A note of thanks to Julian Stam
for his assistance and confirmation students - Shawn Geiser, Brian Brill, Che’
Kerestes, Maia Stam, Jacob & Victoria Nance for their service project
hours. Once again, this semi-annual fund-raiser was a huge success and it could
not take place without the help and support of the whole parish community. Job
well done! A total of $2,475.00 was raised.
SIXTEENTH
ANNUAL DIOCESAN-WIDE PILGRIMAGE TO THE BASILICA OF THE SHINRE
OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION, WASHINGTON, D.C. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH.
Reservations continue to be
accepted. Buses will depart from various sites throughout the Diocese to
arrive at the Shrine by approximately 11AM. The schedule includes a brief
presentation about the Shrine, the recitation of the Rosary, confessions, and
Mass. Departure from Washington will follow the completion of Mass (approx. 5:15PM). Cost $39.00/person. Reservation and payment must be made to the Parish Office no
later than Monday, April 17th. (Please note: We currently have five
parishioners signed up for this pilgrimage. The Office of Parish Life has
informed us that they will do everything they can to provide at least a Van to
transport us from Wellsboro.)
SAMARITAN HOUSE VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED! The
Samaritan House is an ecumenical ministry coordinated by St. Peter’s Church and
offers residence to a person with an irreversible illness within the last
couple of months of his or her life. The home is owned by our parish, but is
non-denominational. We are in need of new volunteers so we may continue to
serve our community through this ministry. Many previous volunteers have left
the area, or are unable to work due to personal situations. Medical training is
not necessary, only a willingness to minister to a terminally ill guest of the
home during their final days. There is an application process and basic
training will be provided. For more information, please contact Carol Tobey
. (Applications are also available from the Parish Office.)
WELCOME! We welcome all who join us for worship and invite you to become part of our
parish family. We encourage you to full and active participation in our parish
life. New members are asked to register by contacting the parish office.
Registration is a condition for admission to our Religious Education program
and reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Penance, First
Eucharist and Matrimony. Also, if you need a testimonial letter for sponsorship
of Baptism, Confirmation and marriage outside of our parish, you must be a
registered, active parishioner.
911 ADDRESS CHANGES have taken place throughout much of our county.
PLEASE notify the parish office with your new mailing address. Any mail,
(including monthly collection envelopes), that are sent to old addresses will
be returned to us with postage due. Please note any changes on the front
of your offering envelope, drop a note into the collection, or call the parish
office. We appreciate your help with keeping our records up to date and saving
our parish postal fees.
NOTICE REGARDING SEXUAL ABUSE
OF A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE BY
ORDAINED OR LAY PERSONNEL OF THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON
Such an act should be reported to the
Diocese by calling the Victim Assistance Coordinator (570-344-5216) or the
Chancellor (570-207-2216) or the Diocesan Secretary for Priests
(570-207-2269).
Upon receiving a report of this kind, the
Diocese of Scranton is committed to assisting victims or survivors of
sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being.
