July 21, 2002 Vol. 30, No. 29
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday, July 22.....12:10PM.....Elizabeth Tarszowiczv Don & Kay Hayden
Tuesday, July 23.....12:10PM.....Fred Wilcoxv The Hubba Family
Wednesday, July 24.....12:10PM.....Dean & Elizabeth English.....Req’d by Family
Thursday, July 25.....12:10PM.....Catherine Miller.....Delmar Township Employees
Friday, July 26.....12:10PM.....Anna G. Beuter.....Req’d by Family
Saturday, July 27.....5:00PM.....Stella Watkins.....Your friends in the O.R.
7:00PM.....Nancy Snyder.....Ann Sullivan
Sunday, July 28.....8:30AM.....MASS OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11:00AM.....Joseph & Helen Flaherty.....Daugher, Lois Ann
Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME
The Gift of Lenience
“Although you are sovereign in strength, with great forbearance you govern us.” (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19)
CHANGING OURSELVES IS HARD. Sometimes we don’t ever see what should be changed. But we can usually see what others should change. Their foibles are all too evident.
Given the power, what would you change about the world around you? The way people act, the policices of institutions, the evil thoughts that darken the minds of criminals—these and more may offend us and add misery to our lives. If we had the power, surely we would change other people.
So, why doesn’t God do this? God has the power to change other people. Doesn’t God see injustice? Doesn’t it offend the divine presence?
The book of Wisdom wrestled with these questions long before we did. It says that God could establish justice merely by the use of unparalleled might. Instead, God is lenient. The God who has power over all things is lenient with evildoers.
When we think of the sings of others, such leniency seems foolish. But when we think of our own sins, such leniency is gift. According to the book of Wisdom, God’s tolerance of the wicked does not show indifference. Rather, it gives hope to those who would repent. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2001, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org)
LOCAL FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS! A container is provided at the main entrance of the church for your donations throughout the month. Items needed are: paper goods (i.e., toilet paper, paper towels, kleenex), cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, jellies and peanut butter. Monetary donations can be made by placing your gift in an envelope marked “Food Pantry” and dropping in the collection. DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? During the summer months, fresh vegetables will also be accepted. Please bring them to the Food Pantry on the days of distribution between the hours of 9:00AM and 10:00AM.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION! 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. Questions? Chuck and Dorothy Hudson (Rectory: 570-724-3371).
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH REMINDER!
The Middle School Youth Campout at Glavin’s is this coming Fri., July 26th at 6:00PM to Sat., July 27th at 9:00AM. Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, tent (if you have one), $3.00 and a snack to share. Questions? Mary Nance (Rectory: 570-724-3371).
Please remember in your prayers the High School students and their chaperones who are returning from the Steuben East High School Youth Conference in Attleboro, Massachusetts today, July 21st. They are – David Sweeney, Mike Stirnaman, Kate Dennehy, Amanda Banik, Megan Henneman, Emily Cerrone, Rachel Nance, Maggie Kovalcik; and chaperones, Frank Dennehy and Mary Nance.
LIFELINE! The rights of people with disabilities—especially those who are disadvantaged and weak—are safeguarded in a society that honors life and treats humanity with respect. However, the weak and the infirm are exposed in a society that thinks nothing of creating a human life for the explicit purpose of exploitation. This is the Pandora’s box that research cloning would open. Ironically, the disabled would be the first to be threatened in a world where eugenics and the biotech industry set the moral agenda. (Joni Earckson Tarda – Testimony at “Cures not Cones” 4/10/2002)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683).
ALL ARE INVITED!! All are invited to participate in a send-off on Fri., July 26th, 10:00AM – 10:30AM for the members of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor, based in Mansfield, PA. This group will be going to Germany as part of “Operation Enduring Freedom.” The march will begin at the Armory Building in Mansfield and proceed to the bowling alley. Please join us!
ST. PETER’S COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!!
Tues., July 30th from 12:00 (Noon) to 6:00PM, St. Peter’s Parish Center. Each year our Parish sponsors this community service project. If you have not received a call and have some time that day, please contact Nancy Bickham (Rectory: 570-724-3371) or Ann Serva (Rectory: 570-724-3371). Also, please consider the ‘gift of life’ – it only takes one hour to give a unit of blood.
2001-2002 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE! As announced last week, we received our parish rebate check in the amount of $4,290.44! This represents 75% of the funds our parish contributed over last year’s goal of $18,251.00 for the 2001 Diocesan Annual Appeal. Many thanks to all those who participated and helped make this a successful campaign!
Knights of Columbus Council #4493 – Monthly Meeting – Mon., July 22, 7:30PM, K of C Hall on Pearl Street.
Monthly Nursing Home Mass – Tues., July 23, 10:30AM, Broad Acres. Please join us!
Eucharistic Adoration - Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM, concluding at 8:00PM.
Wellsboro/Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., July 25, 7:30PM, Parish Center.
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
Anyone interested in “Jail Ministry” is asked to contact Dio & Marilyn deGuzman (Rectory: 570-724-3371). The ministry would involve a time commitment of one and one-half hours at the Tioga County Prison on Monday evenings.
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).
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Child care is provided every Sunday morning during the 8:30AM Mass in the Parish Center. Your help is needed in order to continue to provide this ministry, even just one Sunday a month. High School students are welcome to assist. Please call Michelle Ingerick (Rectory: 570-724-3371) or Lynette Singer (Rectory: 570-724-3371).
PARISH REGISTRATION! St. Peter/Sacred Heart welcomes all newcomers to our church. We invite you to register for parish membership by contacting Father Menghini or the Parish Office (724-3371). Registered Members are asked to contact the Parish Office with changes in address so census files can be kept current.
MARRIAGE & BAPTISM! If you are planning marriage or the baptism of a child in the future, please contact Father Menghini for information about sacramental preparation. Adults seeking baptism, confirmation or church membership are also asked to contact Father.
The millions of couples who use NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING praise it, and know that it is good for their marriages and for their life of faith. Classes are available in our area by contacting parishioners, Bruce & Mary Nance at Rectory: 570-724-3371.
LAUREL MOUNTAINS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is in the midst of building a home for a Tioga County family. The current house is located in Blossburg. If you or anyone you know would like to “pound a few nails” we are always in need of volunteers to help in the construction. Please contact the volunteer coordinator, Connie Gettle (Rectory: 570-724-3371). She will gladly add your name to the list and schedule your help. If you would like to contribute financially, please send donations to Laurel Mountains Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 547, Mansfield, PA 16933.
The Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a BUS TRIP TO SCRANTON on Wed., August 7, 2002. Visit St. Ann’s Basilica (with private Mass for our group), Lackawanna Coal Mine, and Steamtown Railroad. Bus will depart from St. Peter’s in Wellsboro (time to be announced). Adults: $27.00; Children 6 – 12: $22.00 (includes transportation, driver’s tip and admissions). Reservations must be made and paid for by July 26, 2002. Contact the Parish Office (724-3371) or Valerie Smith (Rectory: 570-724-3371).
Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (July 13 & 14, 2002): Of 336 envelopes mailed, 173 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $3,369.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $551.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,920.00; Peter’s Pence Collection for the Works of the Holy Father, $20.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $177.00; Building Fund, $205.00; Samaritan House Memorials & Gifts; $220.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $26.00. 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.
WEEKLY OFFERING COMPARISON
2001 2002 Increase
July 7/8, 2001 $3,393.76 July 6/7, 2002 $4,296.00 + $902.24
July 14/15, 2001 $3,394.84 July 13/14, 2002 $3,920.00 + $525.16