January 5, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 1

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, Jan. 6.....12:10PM.....Dustin Stanley.....The Black Family

Tuesday, Jan. 7.....12:10PM.....Eleanor Kean.....Lois Ann

Wednesday, Jan. 8.....7:00AM.....Elizabeth Donnelly.....Veronica DeLange

Thursday, Jan. 9.....12:10PM.....Jerome Shabloski.....The George Patt Family

Friday, Jan. 10.....12:10PM.....Ed & Edna Leithner.....The Singer Family

Saturday, Jan. 11.....5:00PM.....Victor Kordyl.....George & Helen Pryslak

7:00PM.....James O’Malley.....Jacqueline Kirby

Sunday, Jan. 12.....8:30AM.....Flora Bullock.....Frank & Billyann

  The Baptism of the Lord.....11:00AM.....MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Caravans of Camels

“Arise, shine; for your light has come.” (Isaiah 60:1-6)

ABOUT those camels—we’re not too sure about them. Yes, nearly every nativity scene shows the Magi seated on stately dromedaries, or leading their beasts of burden by bit and rein. But, honestly, the story of the Magi never tells us how they got there. They could have traveled on foot, in chariot, or by camel, on horseback, even on an elephant—but we just don’t know.

The reason we keep putting them on camels in our art is because of Isaiah’s prophecy. He predicted that caravans of camels would fill Jerusalem, and that people from the east would come bearing gold and frankincense.

“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!” Isaiah proclaims. “Your light has come.”

In Matthew’s story, the Magi realize that Jerusalem’s light has come. They follow the star and bring their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By telling about these gifts, Matthew turns our attention back to Isaiah. Reading that prophecy, we realize that the light Isaiah mentioned is the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.

When we see the Magi seated on camels, we are remembering Isaiah. When we remember Isaiah, we remember the light that came to shatter the darkness of our world. Those camels carry hope. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2002, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

ADDITIONAL FAMILIES TO BE REMEMBERED THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Henneman & Myslinski Families

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES resume today, January 5^th. Pre-school Classes are held in the Parish Center during the 8:30AM Mass.  Classes K-7 begin promptly at 9:30AM in the Parish Center, and 8^th Grade students meet in the Parish Center tonight at 7:00PM.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION CLASS – The next class for Confirmation candidates will be held next Sun., Jan. 12^th from 7:00PM – 8:15PM.  Students are asked to gather in the Church no later than 6:50PM so that class may begin promptly at 7:00PM. 

FIRST PENANCE – The celebration of First Penance at St. Peter’s has been rescheduled for Sat., Feb. 1^st at 10:00AM.  Please mark your calendars now.  Details will follow as the date approaches.

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

ADOPT-A-PARISH UPDATE!  Thanks to your generosity this Christmas time, we are pleased to send $1,603.00 to Bishop Boyle for the further development of our sister parish, St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town, Jamaica. This check represents your total contribution for the months of November and December. Your continued financial support is greatly appreciated.

DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Confirmation Team Meeting – Sun., Jan. 5, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

R.C.I.A. – Mon., Jan. 6, 7:00PM, Holy Child Church in Mansfield.

Parish Council – Tues., Jan. 7, 7:00PM, Rectory.

Monthly Nursing Home Masses – Wed., Jan. 8, 2:00PM, Green Home; and Tues., Jan. 14, 10:30AM, Broad Acres.  Please join us.

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

Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., Jan 9, 7:30PM, Parish Center.

Men’s Breakfast – Sat., Jan. 10, 8:00AM, Parish Center. All men of the parish are invited to join us for prayer and fellowship.

Adult Bible Study – Sat., Jan. 10, 9:00AM – Noon, Parish Center. Deacon Dr. Morris Smith, facilitator. Bring your Bible and a notebook. An offering will be taken.

YOU ARE INVITED!  All You Can Eat Buffet Dinner sponsored by Holy Child Church on South Main Street, Mansfield on Fri., Jan. 10^th from 4:00PM – 6:30PM.  Menu includes Baked and Fried Fish, Chicken and Biscuits, Homemade Soup, Salad Bar, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Beverage and Dessert.  Adults: $8.00; Children (3-12): $3.00; Children Under 3: Free!

2002 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS! Parishioners wishing to have a statement prepared for tax purposes or just for general information are asked to contact the rectory as soon as possible.  Statements will be prepared upon request and mailed before the end of January.  You may also make a note on your weekly offering envelope if that is more convenient.

Parish Envelope System – Parishioners are urged to utilize the envelope systems provided by the parish.  Use of the envelope makes it possible for us to post your contributions and prepare a statement for tax purposes or for your general information at the end of the year.  If you have questions or wish to request envelopes, please contact the Parish Office. 

His Excellency The Most Reverend James C. Timlin, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office of Parish Ministries/Family Life cordially invite couples celebrating their 25^th and 50^th wedding anniversary in 2003 to a DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on Sunday, June 8^th.  The event includes an afternoon Mass at St. Peter Cathedral followed by a reception.  Requests for an invitation should be made through Fr. Menghini before January 10^th.

KNOW A MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE? Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, a Catholic program that helps couples communicate once again (or for the first time.)  Even if you are separated or divorced, Retrouvaille can help if you want to make the marriage work. The next program in the Scranton Diocese begins February 7-9, 2003 at Fatima Center in Dalton. Call Mary & Tom at Rectory:  570-724-3371 for more information or to register.  Father Menghini also has brochures with more information.

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 assist by preparing a meal, contact Karen Plumley (Rectory:  570-724-3371).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO ST. ANTHONY’S SOUP KITCHEN!  On the second Friday of each month, volunteers from our parish travel to St. Anthony’s Center in Williamsport to prepare and serve meals to poor and homeless persons there. Interested individuals are asked to call Joanne Dinnison (Rectory:  570-724-3371) or the Parish Office.

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.  A stipend of $10.00 is requested. Simply write your intentions down and submit through the collection or call the Parish Office to schedule them.

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (Dec. 28 & 29, 2002): Of 343 envelopes mailed, 163 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $4,278.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $334.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $4,612.00; Additional Religious Retirement Fund, $10.00; Christmas Flower Memorial, $30.00; Christmas, $685.00; Mary, Mother of God, $10.00; Building Fund, $37.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $185.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $2.00.  Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, 2003)- 95 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $1,157.00 to Holy Day Offering plus loose change and currency of $283.00 for a Total Holy Day Offering of $1,440.00; Additional Weekly Offering $127.00; Christmas, $125.00; Adopt-A-Parish, $275.00; Additional Religious Retirement, $5.00; Building Fund, $50.00; Samaritan House Gift, $20.00; Votive Receipts, $42.00.