January 19, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 3

Tuesday, Jan. 21.....12:10PM.....The Parents of Maria Young.....The Dennehy Family

3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.....11:00AM.....Joseph Skrobot.....Wife, Margaret

MANY of the problems that seem unsolvable by day disintegrate with the dawn. It’s almost as if God speaks to us when we sleep.

This happened to Samuel. Even while he was a young child, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him. But he did not know that it was God. He told Eli the priest. Eli did not know that it was God.

Not until God spoke for the third time did Eli figure out the mystery. God was speaking to Samuel in his sleep.

Eli gave Samuel some very simple advice: Listen. If God is trying to speak to you, listen. Tell God you are listening.

Too often our world is cluttered with unnecessary noise. We leave the television on when no one is watching. We turn on the radio behind our conversation with a friend. We disturb our neighbors by playing music loudly in public or using car horns instead of doorbells. Sometimes we create so much noise it is hard to sleep.

What do you do when God is trying to speak to you? Follow Eli’s advice. Listen. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2002, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

“THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST” PROGRAM – This new family program will be explained to all parents of students preparing for First Holy Communion today at 9:30AM in the Church. This program replaces the “Table of the Lord”, formerly used at St. Peter’s.

COMBINED MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH ICE SKATING TRIP TODAY!! We’re heading to the Corning Ice Rink. We will leave the church parking lot at 12:15PM and return approximately 5:30PM (stopping for pizza on the way home). Students are reminded to bring $1.50 to skate, plus $1.00 to rent skates. (Adults: $3.00)

Father Menghini will extend the welcome and Rev. Robert Greer of the First Presbyterian Church will give the sermon. The offering will benefit the work of the Wellsboro Ministerial Association. A light reception will follow the service in the Parish Center. Come join your Christian sisters and brothers in common prayer for unity.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2003, the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we will pray a rosary for life at 11:45AM (preceding the 12:10PM Mass). If you are unable to attend Mass, consider spending some time in Eucharistic Adoration. Please make a special effort to pray for a deeper respect for the sacredness of all human life.

Our Lady of the Rosary & Her Knights of Columbus ask you to join with us as we PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE & RESPECT FOR LIFE. Recitation of the Rosary for world peace will follow the celebration of Mass at 7:00PM, on Tues., Jan. 21^st at Holy Child Roman Catholic Church in Mansfield. The celebrant will be Father Albert Leonard. Everyone is invited to attend.

LIFELINE – The 1973 Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade has been disastrous for our nation. Based on a complete disregard for human rights and enshrined for almost 30 years in false logic and rhetoric, that decision, more than any other in our recent history, has been responsible for blinding our national conscience to the truth about our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The statement before us this week, “A Matter of the Heart,” reflects on the impact of Roe vs. Wade, calls again – in the name of truth and justice – for that ruling to be overturned, and expresses the gratitude of the bishops to all those who have kept the truth about human life alive. Our prophetic persistence in preaching the Gospel of Christ on this issue cannot but allow falsity to give way to the truth, and truth to bring rightful comfort to the unborn. (Bishop Wilton Gregory – November 2002 Meeting of the USCCB)

How many poor people are too many in this the richest of nations? At all the Masses next weekend, we will be asked to join in solidarity with 34,000,000 poor of the United States through the ANNUAL COLLECTION OF THE CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD). In our area, CCHD grants have helped save housing projects in Scranton, assisted dairymen in Lycoming County to open a milk processing plant, and have trained police to resolve domestic conflicts in Wilkes-Barre. Your generous contribution will help build a community of justice that can break the cycle of poverty. There will be no second collection. Please use the envelope in your packet or the envelopes provided at the Church entrances. Informational flyers are also available.

4^TH GRADE LITURGY - Next Sunday, the 4^th grade class will participate in the 8:30AM Mass. Their teachers are Marilyn deGuzman and Valerie Anthony.

BE A ‘SOUPER’ STAR! Next Sunday after the 8:30AM and 11:00AM Masses, the Confirmation students will be at the doors collecting one dollar bills in soup pots. Please consider dropping $1.00 in the pot to help feed the hungry on ‘SOUPER’ Bowl Sunday.

R.C.I.A. – No class this week. We will meet again on Mon., Jan. 27^th at 7:00PM at St. Peter’s.

Women’s Bible Study – Tues., Jan. 21, 9:30AM – 11:00AM, Parish Center. All are welcome.

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

Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., Jan 23, 7:30PM, Parish Center.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Sat., Jan. 25^th) – There will be no confessions heard Sat., Jan. 25^th at 3:00PM. The Sacrament will be available that evening immediately following the 7:00PM Mass.

I.S.L.I. RETREAT - Any High School student who wants to learn leadership skills, effective communication techniques and improve problem solving skills can go to ISLI. Registration Deadline: January 31^st. Cost: $50.00 for you (the other half to be paid by the parish). Contact Mary Nance (Rectory: 570-724-3371) or the Rectory for registration forms. The retreat is scheduled for Feb. 21^st (4:30PM) to Feb. 23^rd (3:30PM) at Fatima Center in Dalton.

Helena Bravo, long-time resident of Wellsboro and parishioner of St. Peter’s left the area last Fall and would enjoy hearing from you. Her new address is: Helena Bravo, 123 Stonegate Road., Stonegate Village, Quakertown, PA 18951.

2002 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS! Parishioners wishing to have a year end statement of their contributions are asked to contact the Parish Office by phone or simply make a note on your weekly offering envelope. Statements will be prepared upon request and mailed by the end of January.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (Jan. 11 & 12, 2003): Of 343 envelopes mailed, 168 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $3,094.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $256.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,350.00; Add’l Christmas Offering, $30.00; Add’l Mary, Mother of God, $5.00; Catholic Campaign for Human Development, $30.00; Building Fund, $95.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $142.00; Samaritan House Memorials 100.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $29.00. 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. 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.

INCREASED OFFERTORY PROGRAM -- WEEKLY OFFERING COMPARISON

2002 2003 Increase/Decrease

Jan. 5/6, 2002 $3,922.50 Jan. 4/5, 2003 $2,999.00 -$923.50

Jan.12/13, 2002 $3,022.00 Jan. 11/12, 2003 $3,350.00 +$328.00