April 6, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 14

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Happily Complying

“I will make a new covenant.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

THERE IS OBEDIENCE. And then there’s attitude. Sometimes we do what we’re supposed to do, but we don’t always like it. Sometimes we obey with anger in our hearts, resentful of our actions, unhappy with subservience.

But other times we happily comply. We obey because we agree with what has to be done. We obey because we look forward to good results. We obey because we love the one who has asked a favor.

When the exiled inhabitants of Jerusalem returned to their holy city, God promised a new covenant through the prophet Jeremiah. The old covenant was good, but people broke it and God had to show them who was their master. This time God had a better idea. God would write the covenant on their hearts.

Now when people obeyed, they would do so with the right attitude. They would not resist. They would not wander away from the covenant when they had the chance. They would so love God that they would happily comply with that their maker asked.

And God would forgive their sins.

During Lent God is asking for your obedience. What attitude have you carried? Will you let God write the covenant on your heart? Will you happily comply and come to know the Lord? (Written by Paul Turner @ 2002 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

LENTEN COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE! Today at 3:00PM, the priests of the deanery will be at St. Peter’s for the Communal Penance Service. The opportunity for individual confessions will follow. The Sacrament of Reconciliation has always been considered an excellent way to prepare spiritually for Easter.

TRAINING FOR NEW ALTAR SERVERS continues today from 12:30PM – 2:30PM in the Church.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS! There are no classes held Palm Sunday, April 13^th or Easter Sunday, April 20^th. All classes will resume on Sunday, April 27^th at the regularly scheduled times. All students, especially those in First Communion and Confirmation are urged to participate in the Eucharistic Procession on Holy Thursday, April 17^th at 7:30PM.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES AND PARENTS! The Confirmation Preparation Class scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. REMINDER! Permission slips for the Scranton trip on April 28^th must be returned to the Parish Office no later than Wed., April 16^th. Questions? Call Linda (Rectory: 570-724-3371) or Tammy (Rectory: 570-724-3371).

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS! Students going to the C.R.R. EASTER PARTY next Sat., April 12^th are asked to be at St. Peter’s at 12:45PM. Pick up is at C.R.R. at 3:00PM. Please bring a snack.

The RAFT TRIP date has been changed to Sat., April 19^th. Be at St. Peter’s at 8:00AM with return at approximately 1:00PM. Cost to you is $10.00. Contact Glenn at Rectory: 570-724-3371 if you need a permission form or have any questions.

FINAL ROAD TO RESURRECTION MASS - On Tues., April 8^th at 7:00PM, The Very Rev. Richard Fox and parishioners of the Blossburg Area Catholic Community welcome us to St. Mary’s Church in Blossburg. Priests of the deanery will be available to hear individual confessions following Mass and light refreshments will be provided.

St. Peter’s will host THE EASTER FEAST on Tues., April 22 at 6:00PM. This concludes our deanery-wide journey through Lent into Easter. Attendance is by reservation only. Sign-up in Blossburg on Tuesday night or call the Parish Office (724-3371). CAN YOU HELP plan and prepare this buffet-style Easter Feast. Please attend the Planning Meeting this Thurs., April 10^th at 7:30PM in the Parish Center.

FRIDAY’S DURING LENT - Stations for Religious Education Students – 3:30PM in the Church. Students gather in the Parish Center after school for a light snack. All parishioners are welcome. Evening Mass & Stations - Mass is celebrated at 7:00PM followed by Stations of the Cross. This Friday the Stations will include special prayer entitled - “The Way of the Cross Toward Justice and Peace” sponsored by our Social Concerns Committee.

LIFELINE – The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion into the government of individual countries. It is a question of the lay Catholic’s duty to be morally coherent, fond within one’s conscience, which is one and indivisible. There cannot be two parallel lives in their existence: on the one hand, the so-called ‘spiritual life’, with its values and demands; and on the other, the so-called ‘ secular’ life, that is, life in a family, at work, in social responsibilities, in the responsibilities of public life and in culture. (Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683)

Prayer for Courage in the time of Battle

O Prince of peace, we humbly ask your protection for all our men and women in military service.

Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion, the rights of all

who are imperiled by injustice and evil. Be their rock, their shield, and their stronghold and

let them draw their strength from you. For you are God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Please prayer for all men and women serving our country in the armed forces, especially

Jared Bialas, Alicia Smithgall, Jason P. Sutton, Martin Bartlett, Brett Charsky, John Michael Miller, Matthew Koch.

(Names of family, friends and relatives can be added by contacting the Parish Office.)

ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES! Wed., April 9 - Youth Prayer Breakfast at the United Methodist Church at 7:00AM; and a Noontime Prayer Service followed by lunch at the First Presbyterian Church. This week Rev. Jeff McCleary of the First Baptist Church will deliver the message on “It is Finished.”

Thank you to all those who volunteered their services last week on behalf of our parish -- Greeters, E. A. English and Betty Frazier; Musicians, Veronica Stager and Kate Brennan; and Wayne Singer, Fred Metarko and Don Whitney for preparing and serving the luncheon. Your help was greatly appreciated.

OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER

R.C.I.A. – Mon., April 7, 7:00PM, St. Peter’s Parish Center.

Worship Committee – Wed., April 9, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

Eucharistic Adoration – Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM and concluding at 8:00PM.

Monthly Nursing Home Masses – Thurs., April 10, 10:30AM, Broad Acres; and Wed., April 23, 2:00PM, Green Home. Please join us!

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary - Every Thursday evening at 7:00PM in the Church.

Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., April 10 7:30PM, Parish Center.

Buffet Dinner – All You Can Eat – Fri., April 11, 4:30PM – 7:00PM, Holy Child Church, Mansfield.

St. Peter’s Men’s Breakfast – Sat., April 12, 8:00AM, Parish Center. All men are welcome to join us for prayer and fellowship.

Adult Bible Study – Sat., April 12, 9:00AM – Noon, Parish Center. Deacon Dr. Morris Smith, facilitator. Bring your Bible and a notebook. An offering will be taken.

TV Docudrama on St. Francis of Assisi – The Hallmark Channel (#98) will present a one-hour docudrama on the life of St. Francis next Sun., April 13, at 7:00PM.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL – Memorialize your friends and family members throughout the Easter Season by using the envelope provided in this month’s packet or write your name and those you wish to remember on a plain envelope. Place your envelope in the collection by next Sunday. The memorial will be printed and made available Easter weekend.

Next Sunday we begin the most solemn week of the Church year. Palms will be blessed and distributed and the Passion of the Lord, Jesus, will be proclaimed at all of the Masses. As in the past, a congregational procession with palms from the Parish Center to the Church will take place at the 8:30AM Mass.

The ‘three great days’ are the climax of the entire Church year and the holiest of all days throughout the year. Please make every effort to commemorate the EASTER TRIDUUM with us:

Holy Thursday, Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper, April 17^th, 7:30PM

Good Friday, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, April 18^th, 12:10PM

Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19^th, 8:00PM

Easter Sunday, April 20^th, 7:30AM, Sacred Heart Church, Morris; 9:00AM & 11:00AM, St. Peter’s.

PASTORAL COUNCIL SELECTION PROCESS! Please use the form provided below to submit the names of registered parishioners who are 18 years or older. Two positions need to be filled. (Present council members are Jackie Werts, Rudy Radocaj, Aaron Singer, Midge Bialas, B. J. Butler, Eileen Evert, Terri Koch; and Recording Secretary, Valerie Anthony. Jackie Werts and Rudy Radocaj will finish their three year term.) We appreciate your consideration and input in this process.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend an informational night with the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation to discuss the formation of a Tioga County pro-life chapter. As the largest pro-life organization in the state, PPLF works with local chapters across Pennsylvania to keep the pro-life message alive in each county. PPLF Executive Director, Michael Ciccopcioppo will facilitate the meeting. Come explore how we can make a difference for life in Tioga County on Mon., April 14^th from 7:00PM -8:30PM 1^st Floor Education Room of Soldiers and Sailors Hospital.

A ‘CARD SHOWER’ is being held for Helen Coolidge, a life-long and oldest member of St. Peter’s. She will be 103 on April 15^th and lives at her 17 Queen Street home in Wellsboro. Helen is the mother of Betty Frazier, Jane Johnson and Marian Coolidge. God Bless you all.

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (March 29 & 30, 2003): Of 332 envelopes mailed, 140 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $2,462.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $263.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $2,725.00; Additional Service to Help the Poor, $85.00; Building Fund, $60.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $220.00; Samaritan House Memorial, $50.00.

INCREASED OFFERTORY PROGRAM -- WEEKLY OFFERING COMPARISON

2002 2003 Increase/Decrease

March 23 & 24, 2002 $3,613.00 March 22 & 23, 2003 $2,739.00 -$874.00

March 30 & 31, 2002 $3,272.00 March 29 & 30, 2003 $2,725.00 -$547.00