July 11, 2004
Celebrating 125 Years (1879 – 2004) --“Generations of Faith”
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Tuesday..... July 13 ---- NO MASS ----
Wednesday.....July 14 ---- NO MASS ----
Thursday..... July 15.....6:45PM...... Caroline Mayer ...... Husband, Joe
Friday ...... July 16 ---- NO MASS ----
Saturday......July 17......5:00PM......Paul & Marion Patt..... 50th Anniversary Blessings......George Pryslak & Family
7:00PM.....Bill Coumb.....Wife, Doris
Sunday ..... July 18 ...... 8:30AM...... MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
16h Sunday in Ordinary Time.....11:00AM..... Nancy Beechler – For Healing......Sister, Noreen Spink
Readings: Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42
(Today’s 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14)
THE most difficult decisions to make are the ones in which we cannot tell right from wrong. We feel drawn by one solution, but we are not sure why. Are our motives pure? Is the reason we find one option attractive a reason that is ignoble? Or are we truly choosing what is good for ourselves, for those we love and for those we do not know.Sometimes a decision is hard to make because both options seem bad. We do not want to choose because we will feel sad once we make the choice. But not choosing also brings its frustration and sorrow.When the answer is not clear outside us, we turn inside us. We pray. We ask God for a sign. We look for some clear direction. Sometimes God is silent. Sometimes God speaks.Moses told his people that the task is not as hard as they might think. God’s command is not up in the sky. You don’t have to look for someone to go up there and bring it back. God’s command is not across the sea. You don’t have to find someone to cross over and get it. No, God’s command is something very near, “already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” If we live our lives in the spirit of the gospel, we know what the answers to our dilemmas should be. We only have to carry them out. (Written by Paul Turner @2003 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)
Daily Mass Schedules this week are as follows: Holy Child, Mansfield – Mon, 12:05PM; Tues. through Fri., 8:30AM;
and St. Mary’s, Blossburg – Tues. through Fri., 8:00AM.
LETTER OF THANKS RECEIVED from Fr. Joseph Gilbert, recently assigned as Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Elkland. Please take time to read the letter posted to the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Church.
PLEASE WELCOME OUR CELEBRANT THIS WEEKEND! Rev. Michael J. Kloton, Diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, will appeal for the Society’s Annual Membership dues at all the Masses in our Parish this weekend. This is one of two collections for the Missions of the Church that is taken each year through the Pontifical Mission Societies; the second collection is taken in October for World Mission Sunday. Please use the membership envelopes provided at all of the Church entrances for this special second collection.
Fr. Manarchuck will return from his holiday on Thurs., July 15th. Next weekend we welcome, Fr. Pio Mandato of St. Joseph’s Hermitage, our celebrant at all the Masses, as Fr. Manarchuck attends the Steubenville Youth Conference with our High School students.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS our High School students and chaperones traveling to the STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE in Steubenville, Ohio next weekend (July 16, 17, 18). They are – Scott Waclawik, Samantha Dodig, Cassandra Banik, Emily Cerrone, John-Paul Nance, Renee Bialas, Zac Cerrone, Rachel Nance, Katie Sweeney, Andrew Makos, Jessica Sweeny, Laura Reindl, Mike Stirnaman, Jr.; and chaperones, Fr. Manarchuck, Mary Nance and Glenn Poirier.
REMINDER TO STUDENTS! Please be at the Church this Friday, July 16th to leave promptly at 8:00AM with your two forms required for attendance. We will return approximately 7:00PM – 7:30PM on Sunday, July 18th.
LIFELINE – As Jesus Christ posed the questions to Peter, so, too, does He pose the question to each one of us, ‘Do you love Me?’ If we respond with yes, then we must live that out no matter what the cost. We cannot separate our professional life from our faith life. We must put the law of God above the law of man, especially as it concerns the dignity of the human person and the life of the unborn. (Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Diocese of Fargo, ND) PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683)
SACRED HEART CHURCH IN MORRIS ANNOUNCES ANNUAL APPRECIATION PICNIC! Sun., July 25th, 2:00PM, Sacred Heart Church, Morris. All volunteers who helped with this year’s fund-raiser (“Rattlesnake Round-Up”) are invited to attend. Meat and drinks will be provided. Please bring a dish-to-pass and your own table setting.
ST. PETER’S COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT - RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE!
Tues., July 27th from 12:00 (Noon) to 6:00PM, St. Peter’s Parish Center. Thank you to Jackie Murphy, Facilitator of our Social Concerns Committee, who has stepped forward to coordinate this year’s drive. WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP! Sign-up at the main entrance of the Church to volunteer the day of the drive, or to donate various food items and paper goods that are needed.
HELP SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY THIS MONTH! A special container is provided at the main entrance of the church. Items needed are: baby formula with iron and jarred baby food, canned vegetables and fruits, cereal, paper towels, toilet paper, bar soap and kleenex. (Please – no glass, except baby food.) Monetary donations can be made by placing your gift in an envelope marked “Food Pantry” and dropping in the collection basket.
REMINDER! The food pantry is located in the basement of the United Methodist Church (corner of Main & Queen Sts.) and distributes food on the 2nd Monday and 4th Tuesday of each month between the hours of 10:00AM and 1:00PM.
ADOPT-A-PARISH PROGRAM!! Fr. Patrick Mwangi, Pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town will be visiting us Monday, July 19th – Monday, August 9th. He is eagerly anticipating his time with us to express his appreciation for the financial support and Mission visits to our sister parish in Jamaica. Anyone wishing to host him in their home, plan a trip with him or take him sight-seeing is asked to contact the Parish Office.
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK!
Pastoral Council Meeting – Tues., July 13, 7:00PM, Parish Office.
AA – AL ANON – AL-A-TEEN – Every Tuesday, 8:00PM, Parish Center.
Eucharistic Adoration – Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM and concluding at 8:00PM.
(The Eucharistic Chapel is located in the room off the carport entrance of the Church.)
Social Concerns Committee – Wed., July 14, 4:00PM, Parish Center.
Matthew Kelly Planning – Wed., July 14, 7:00PM, Parish Office. All are welcome to join us!
(Questions? Midge Bialas (Rectory: 570-724-3371))
St. Peter’s Cemetery Committee – Thurs., July 15, 7:00PM, Parish Office.
Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., July 15, 7:30PM, St. Peter’s Parish Center.
TRIP TO DARIEN LAKE FOR OUR PARISH YOUTH MINISTERS – Altar Servers, Youth Lectors and Religious Education Aides are invited to enjoy a day at Six Flags Darien Lake - Wed., August 11th. This is a thank you from the parish and there is no charge to students. PARENTS! Please contact the Parish Office (724-3371) or Clark Hewitt (Rectory: 570-724-3371) as soon as possible.
MARK YOUR CALENDERS
UPCOMING PARISH PICNIC --Sun., Aug. 29th from 1:00PM – 4:00PM at Ives Run Park.
MATTHEW KELLY, EXTRAORDINARY AUTHOR AND SPEAKER, will be visiting our Parish on
Sun., September 26, 2004. Details to follow.
R.C.I.A.INQUIRY SESSIONS! Do you know someone interested in becoming a Catholic? 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. The Sessions are held Monday evening’s in the Parish Center and are scheduled to begin Monday, September 20th. If you are interested or you know someone who is interested, please contact Fr. Manarchuck (724-3371) or R.C.I.A. Team Member, Wayne Singer (Rectory: 570-724-3371).
2003-04 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL REPORT! We have recently received our parish rebate check from the Diocesan Appeal totaling $1,837.88. This represents 75% of the funds our parish contributed over last year’s goal of $20,727.00.
OUR PARISH BENEFITS FROM 2003 DIOCESAN APPEAL – We have recently received a grant of $900.00 from the Diocesan Social Justice Trust Fund, which is funded by the 2003-04 Diocesan Annual Appeal. The funds will be used by our Prison Ministry Program to assist men and women who are incarcerated at the Tioga County Correction Facility.
CONGRATULATIONS TO, . .
Clark & Akiko Hewitt, who were married 50 years ago on June 17th and are celebrating with
family members this weekend. May they continue to prosper in the grace of this sacrament.
It is with a sense of parish pride, that we acknowledge and recognize esteemed parish member, Joshua Sticklin, son of Arnie & Sue Sticklin, who has recently completed the requirements and found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout - the highest honor in scouting.
Please continue to remember in your prayers all the men and women serving our country in the armed forces.
Please pray for our sick and their caregivers .
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (July 3 & 4, 2004): Of 322 envelopes mailed, 141 families used envelopes and the following was contributed – $2,929.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $680.50 for a Total Weekly Offering, $3,609.50; Add’l Peter’s Pence, $30.00; Building Fund, $329.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $180.00; Votive Receipts, $38.00.