August 25, 2002 Vol. 30, No. 34

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, Aug. 26.....12:10PM.....Harold & Ruth Reindl.....Tom & Ginny

Tuesday, Aug. 27.....12:10PM.....Bertha Topf.....Husband, Henry

Wednesday, Aug. 28.....12:10PM.....Adrian Weaver.....Clark & Akiko

Thursday, Aug. 29.....12:10PM.....Donald Aissa.....Valerie Berry

Friday,  Aug. 30.....7:00AM.....Betty Patt.....Husband, George

Saturday,  Aug. 31.....5:00PM.....Deceased members

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Accepting Responsibility

"I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder." (Isaiah 22:19-23)

     If you’ve ever been given responsibilities somebody else once had, you know the rush of emotions that can come with a transfer of authority.  Maybe it was a job you worked hard for.  Maybe you were chosen for a task you never envisioned you would do.  But there you are, hoping to fulfill the expectations somebody has for you and the work. 

    According to Isaiah, this happened to Eliakim, son of Hilkiah.  He replaced Shebna as master of the palace.  God didn’t like the job that Shebna was doing.  (If God is your supervisor, you’d better do your work well.)

    Isaiah says that God thrust Shebna from office and put Eliakim in his place, dressed him in Shebna’s robe, girded him with Shebna’s sash, and gave him Shebna’s authority.

    God really didn’t like Shebna’s work!

    God gave one more sign of authority.  God placed the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder.  You’ve heard of getting the key to the city.  Eliakim got the key to the nation.

    When God gives us a responsibility, we may be part of a major transition.  But if the work comes form God, we can assume the task with assurance.

 (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2001, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org)

YOUTH GROUP NEWS!

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP - All youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us on Mon., Sept. 2^nd (Labor Day) at 7:00PM in the Parish Center to give your input for our Fall and Winter activities. This is YOUR Youth Group, so we need YOUR ideas. Please come and share with us!

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP –The planning meeting for upcoming activities will be held on Mon., Sept. 2^nd (Labor Day) at 8:00PM in the Parish Center. “Friends, Romans, Catholics – lend me your mouths!”

OPENING OF THE CATECHETICAL YEAR

Welcome Linda Henneman who is replacing Juliann Gombosi as Co-Director of Religious Education. Juliann will continue to assist with the Fall 2002 Confirmation program. Heartfelt thanks to Juliann for her commitment and dedication to this position throughout the past three years. Linda joins Tammy Owlett in this vital ministry of sharing the Word of God.

All families of religious education students in Pre-School through grade 8 are asked to attend the 8:30AM Mass on Sun., Sept. 15th. This year will begin with an informational session for all parents following the 8:30AM Mass. Students will attend their first class during this meeting.

PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES will begin on Sept. 15^th for children of ages 3-5. Classes are held during the 8:30AM Mass in the Parish Center. Pre-registration form provided below.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION GRADES K-8 - Classes for students in grades K-7 will begin on Sun., Sept. 15^th at 9:30AM.  The 8^th Grade Class will meet on Sunday evenings from 7PM-8:10PM in the Parish Center. Parents are asked to pre-register new students and those entering Pre-School and Kindergarten by using the form provided HERE.

INQUIRY SESSIONS (R.C.I.A.) The Inquiry Sessions will begin in September and are held Monday evenings at 7:00PM in the Parish Center.. These sessions are for people of other faiths who have an interest in the Catholic faith and for adult Catholics seeking First Communion and Confirmation. This phase of the R.C.I.A. does not require a commitment. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Menghini. (724-3371)

OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER

Monthly Nursing Home Mass – Wed., Aug. 28, 2:00PM, Green Home. All are welcome.

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

Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., Aug. 29, 7:30PM, Parish Center. All are welcome.

ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY! St. Peter’s welcomes the Deacon Dr. Morris Smith who will lead an in-depth scripture study on the second Saturday of each month, beginning on Sept. 14^th. Each session will take place in the Parish Center from 9AM-NOON. Bring a Bible and notebook. An offering will be taken to assist Deacon Smith in his ministry. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to break open the Word of God! For more information call the rectory (724-3371).

PRISON MINISTRY - We are in great need of volunteers for the prison ministry at the Tioga County jail. A commitment of one and a half hours each Monday evening allows us to bring the Good News to those in need. For more information and details of the program, call Dio or Marilyn deGuzman (Rectory:  570-724-3371).

MASS INTENTIONS - We are in need of intentions to fill our daily Mass schedule. Please consider this special gift of prayer for living or deceased family members and friends. Call or stop by the rectory to schedule your requests.

Free ministry to traveling Catholics.  For nationwide Mass times and locations: Call 1-800-627-7846 or visit the internet site at www.masstimes.org

GARDENERS! If you have an abundance of flowers that can be cut and used in the Church, please contact Sue Singer (Rectory:  570-724-3371)

ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC - Fr. Rick and the Parishioners of the Blossburg Area Catholic Community invite everyone to their Annual Parish Picnic on Sun., Sept. 1^st, 2002. (Rain or Shine!) Free Admission. Activities include: 10AM - Polish Folk Mass (Outdoors next to St. Stanislaus Church, Corner of Main and Church Streets, Arnot, PA); 11:30AM-2PM - Beef and Pig Roast Dinner with take-outs available!

PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683).

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (Aug. 17-18, 2002): Of 336 envelopes mailed, the following was contributed - $3,633.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $499.00, for a Total Weekly Offering of $4,132.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $59.00; Building Fund, $65..00; Feast of the Assumption, $111.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $35.00. REMINDER to all parishioners to utilize the envelope system provided by the parish. Use of the envelope makes it possible for us to prepare a statement at the end of the year.  Please contact the Parish Office to request the monthly packet of envelopes.

With the beginning of the Increased Offertory Program this month, a comparison appears below to show the success of the program. Blank weekly offering envelopes are also provided at the entrances for parishioners who do not receive envelopes or for those who have forgotten their envelope.