WITNESSES
The Apostles testified to the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus, even Thomas, the doubter. “This witness is recorded so that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, Son of God.” Tradition is the handing on of
this firsthand witness of those who saw from the beginning till each of us now.
“Happy and blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.” Our faith is
based on witnesses. We cry with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” May the Lord
strengthen us and give us his peace. Peace be with you! (Philip J. Sandstrom, STD @ 2000 Oregon
Catholic Press.)
TODAY 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 very brief service will be followed by the opportunity for
Confession. All parishioners are urged to participate in this special devotion.
Divine Mercy pamphlets explaining the novena and the
history of the devotion are available at all the entrances of the Church.
REMINDER TO CONFIRMATION STUDENTS: We will have our final class of this school year tonight from 6:00 – 7:15PM in the Parish Center. All Confirmation students are expected to attend.
EASTER FEAST REMINDER to those
who have registered. The dinner will be this Tues., April 25th at 6:00PM in the Parish Center. There
is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.
*************************************************************
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
April 22, 2006 – April 30, 2006
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.
*****
Monday, April 24 – 12:10PM
Helen Collins – “God’s Blessings” by a friend
*****
Tuesday, April 25 – 7:00AM
Joanie Ferguson by Bill and Bernie Gridley
*****
Wednesday, April 26 – NO MASS
*****
Thursday, April 27 – 6:15PM
The Boyce Children: Nancy, Gary, Bruce, Tommy
& Lucy by Parents, Don & Rosemary
*****
Friday, April 28 – 12:10PM
Mass for Peace & Justice
*****
Saturday, April 29 – Third Sunday of Easter
5:00PM at Sacred Heart, Morris
Jo Ann Pagano by Howard and Angie James
7:00PM at St. Peter’s
Loretta Flynn by Dan and Karen Usavage
*****
Sunday, April 30
8:30AM at St. Peter’s
FOR LIVING AND DECEASED PARISHIONERS
11:00AM at St. Peter’s
Jean M. Getgen by Parents, Joan and David
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.
****************************************************************************
MONTHLY MASS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
Will be celebrated at
St. Peter’s
on Friday, April 28th at the 12:10PM liturgy
The Mass will be followed by recitation of the
Rosary. Everyone is invited to join with us in this special prayer!
FOR
YOUR INFORMATION…
EASTER BAPTISM – Last Sunday during the 10:00AM Mass, Watson Matthew Feil,
son of Matthew and Lisa (Reese) Feil, was welcomed into the Catholic Christian
community through the newly-blessed Easter waters of life. Congratulations to
Watson Matthew and his family.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton will be held Wed.,
April 26th at 6:00PM, at the Epiphany School, Sayre. This is a continuation of the VIRTUS program,
“Protecting God’s Children.” For more information about VIRTUS training call Sarah Mountain.
A PUBLIC LECTURE “Who Will Speak for the Voiceless: The School of the Americas and
Torture?” featuring Carlos Maruicio will be held Wed., April 26th at
7:30PM on the grounds of Nativity Church, 633 Orchard Street, South Scranton,
Marian Catholic School Auditorium. Carlos will speak about the School of Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia which
is sponsored by the US Government and trains Latin Americans to become
assassins, dictators, and human rights violators. This lecture is open to the public
and is free of charge.
HIGH
SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP NEWS! Next Sat., April 29th, High School youth will be serving as music ministers at
the 7PM Mass. Singers and musicians should arrive at 6:00PM to rehearse
with Mrs. Simonis. After Mass, we'll go bowling at Laurel Lanes. Bring money
for bowling ($1.75 per game), and we'll provide pizza, drinks and snacks. Call
Anja or Julian Stam for more info.
THE FEAST OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA will be celebrated with Solemn Tridentine Latin Mass
at St. Catherine’s Church in Westfield on Sat., April 29th at 11:00AM. Rev. Carl Gismondi
and Rev. Michael Magiera of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and co-pastors
of St. Michael’s Church in Scranton will celebrate the Mass. Fr. Gilbert will be the
homilist. A Schola Choir will offer traditional Catholic hymns in Latin and
English and will lead the Latin responses for the Mass. All are
welcome to participate in this sacred Eucharistic celebration. A reception will
follow at St. Catherine Center.
CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND! Next week’s collection supports missions here in the United States.
There are many places in America—Appalachia, the Deep South, the Southwest, the
Rocky Mountain states—where the Catholic Church struggles just to keep parishes
open and to educate children in the faith. Some dioceses are terribly short of
priests, sisters, and the money needed to run parishes. We will be taking up
the Catholic Home Missions Appeal next weekend to strengthen the Church here at
home. Please plan to give generously to assist fellow Catholics in America. There will be a second collection. Please use the envelope provided in your packet or
those provided at the entrances of the church.
ATTENTION ALL MINISTERS OF THE ALTAR! Preparation of the Summer Schedule (June, July, and
August) will begin on May 1st. If you know when you will not be
available to serve (vacation, etc.), please contact Clark Hewitt as soon as possible.
SOCIAL CONCERNS PRESENTATION! On Wed., May 3rd at 7:00PM in the Adult Education Room of the Parish Center, the
Social Concerns Committee will show Invisible Ballots, a movie
which presents a discussion of the new voting machines. Sue Vogler, a County Commissioner,
will be available before the showing to discuss the county’s role as well as
the Federal Government’s role in changing from paper ballots to computerized
voting. A new machine will also be demonstrated. All parishioners as well as
guests are invited.
SPAGHETTI DINNER at the
Wellsboro Moose on Wed., May 3rd from 4:30 – 7:30PM. This is a benefit
dinner to help cover the medical expenses of our parishioners, the Luer Family
(John, Cherryl, Jake, Sarah, and Kristen). Tickets will be available at the
main entrance of the church this weekend after the 7:00PM, 8:30AM, and 11:00AM Masses. The
cost is $5.00. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, you
may give your donation to those selling the tickets. Please make checks payable
to “The Luer Family” and keep them in your prayers.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FOR VOCATIONS is Sun., May 7th.
There will be a special Pontifical Mass celebrated at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton at 5:00PM. Following the
Liturgy, there will be a reception at Bishop Hannan High School. Bishop Martino invites all students and their
families to attend. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to the Parish Office
(724-3371) no later than THIS Friday, April 28th.
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 GOSPEL RIVER BOYS will
present a concert of Southern Gospel Hymn Harmony on Fri., May 12th at 7:00PM at St. Thomas Church in Elkland. All are invited to attend. A free will
offering will be taken and a reception will follow.
MOTHER’S DAY INTENTIONS! Sunday, May 14th is Mother’s Day. A novena of Masses will be offered throughout the month of May for living and
deceased mothers, aunts, grandmothers, etc. Mother’s Day Spiritual
Bouquet Envelopes are available at the entrances of both churches.
Please complete the intention envelope, enclose your offering, and return
through the collection. (Please take a Mother’s Day card for each living
intention recipient.) The intention envelopes will remain on the altar
throughout the month. What a nice way to honor your loved ones on Mother’s Day!
ANNUAL RAFFLE TO BENEFIT SACRED HEART CHURCH! Help
support our Mission Church in their only fund-raiser of the year. Raffle tickets are available at all of the entrances
of the church this weekend. Donation: $1.00/ticket; $5.00/book of 6. Cash
prizes totaling $200.00. Please return your tickets and money in the envelopes
provided by dropping them in the collection. Drawing Date: Sun., June 11, 2006.
The
Catholic Church Teaches…
Devotion to The Divine Mercy. On Oct. 5, 1938, a
young religious by the name of Sr. Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died in a convent
of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Poland. She
came from a very poor family and had had only three years of very simple
education. On Feb. 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to Sr. Faustina,
bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Trust in Jesus
is the essence of the message of mercy that Sr. Faustina received. [When we go
to a public fountain, we can draw water from it as long as we have a vessel or
container of some kind to put the water in.] In repeated revelations to Sr. Faustina,
Our Divine Savior makes it clear that the fountain is His Heart, the water is
His mercy, and the vessel is trust. As a sign of His forgiving love, Jesus
called for a Feast of The Divine Mercy to be celebrated in the whole Church. Jesus
said to Sr. Faustina, “I want this image to be blessed on the first Sunday
after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, the depths
of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to confession and Holy
Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment.
Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy.” Jesus
asked that Divine Mercy Sunday be preceded by a Novena which would begin on
Good Friday. He gave Sr. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the
Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm
and indifferent of whom He said, “These souls cause me more suffering than any
others…” On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina as a saint
and also called for the celebration of the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine
Mercy Sunday throughout the Church. (Taken
from “Devotion to The Divine Mercy” @ 1993 Marians of the Immaculate Conception)
DINNER ANYONE? Please
help the Social Concerns Committee identify parishioners temporarily in
need of delivered meals. Do you know someone who is ill? Recovering from
surgery? Just had a baby? Let us know by contacting the Parish Office. If
you would like to prepare a meal, please contact Karen Plumley .
|
EASTER
FLOWER MEMORIAL ADDITIONAL FAMILY & FRIENDS TO BE REMEMBERED THROUGHOUT
THE EASTER SEASON!
Mary Sloney by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pietropola
Ruth Reindl by Mr.
& Mrs. Thomas Reindl
The Henkiel Family by
Mr. & Mrs. Al F. Henkiel
Sandra Hubba by Mrs.
Marie Hubba
Cynthia Gordon Family
Eva, Leo & Bob Boinski
by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Fish
Sally Husted, Jean
& Lewis Getgen and Lenora & Lewis Bowers by Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Getgen
Lifeline
– [The] elimination of embryos or their arbitrary use in the name of
scientific progress, which fails to recognize its own limits and to accept all
the moral principles that make it possible to safeguard the dignity of the
person, becomes a threat to the human being who is reduced to an object or a
mere instrument. When such levels are reached, society itself is affected and
every kind of risk shakes its foundations. (Pope
Benedict XVI, Address at Meeting on Family & Life Issues in Latin America, December 3, 2005.)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683)
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…
R.C.I.A. – Mon., April 24, 7:00PM, Adult Education Room, Parish Center.
Cemetery
Committee – Mon., April 24, 7:00PM, Parish Office.
Knights
of Columbus – Mon., April 24, 7:30, Parish Center.
Women’s
Bible Study – Tues., April 25, 9:00AM, Parish Center. Open to all!
Renew
Group – Tues., April 25, 1:00PM, Adult Education Room, Parish Center.
Easter
Feast – Tues., April 25, 6:00PM, Parish Center.
AA – AL
ANON – AL-A-TEEN – will not meet at St. Peter’s this
week.
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 27, 7:00PM, Adult Education room, Parish Center.
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.
