July 27, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 30

July 27, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 30

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, July 28.....10:00AM.....Mass of Christian Burial for Carl Giordano

Tuesday, July 29 ---- NO MASS SCHEDULED ----

Wednesday, July 30 ---- NO MASS SCHEDULED ----

Thursday, July 31 ---- NO MASS SCHEDULED ----

Friday, August 1.....7:00AM.....Frank Conva.....Lance & Marty Kubas

Saturday, August 2.....5:00PM.....Neil Keating & Family

For Strength & Cure of A.L.S.....The Raker Family

7:00PM.....John Wolford.....Friends of Elaine Myslinski

Sunday, August 3.....8:30AM.....MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART

18^TH Sunday in Ordinary Time.....11:00AM.....Nancy Snyder......A Loved One

Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Much from Little

“A man brought Elisha twenty barley loaves.” (2 Kings 4:42-44)

ALMOST any Christian can tell you the story of Jesus’ miracle of the loaves. But very few can tell you the story of Elisha’s miracle of the loaves.

Elisha was one of the first prophets to appear in the Bible. The Second Book of Kings records a series of ten legends about Elisha’s power. One of them concerns bread.

In this story, a man travels a distance to bring the prophet a gift of 20 barley loaves and fresh grain. Elisha told him to give it to the people. The man objected that there would not be enough for 100 people. Elisha told him to give it anyway.

There was enough. And there was bread left over.

When John tells the story of Jesus’ miracles of the loaves, he includes some details that remind us of this story about Elisha. The loaves were made of barley. And after everyone had eaten, there was bread left over.

When Jesus’ story reminds us of Elisha’s story, we realize that the same God has been at work all along, choosing prophets to speak the divine word, and providing food for body and spirit in abundance.

If what you have to give is only a little, God can use it to do a lot. (Written by Paul Turner @ 2002 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

PLEASE WELCOME Fr. John Bulger from the Pittston area who is presiding at all the Masses this weekend. Fr. Manarchuck will be away this week until Friday morning. In case of an emergency, please call the Parish Office (724-3371) during regular office hours. After hours, contact Fr. Al Leonard in Mansfield (662-3568) or Fr. Rick Fox in Blossburg (638-3241).

DONORS ARE NEEDED! PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING THE ‘GIFT OF LIFE’ AT THE

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THIS WEEK! Tues., July 29^th from 12:00 (Noon) to 6:00PM at St. Peter’s Parish Center.

Please remember in your prayers the students and their chaperones attending “CELEBRATE YOUTH DAY” at Fatima Center this Tuesday, July 29th. They are – Justin Rupert, David Sweeney, John-Paul Nance, Andrew Makos, Rachel Nance, Joshua Sticklin, Cassie Banik, Emily Cerrone, Mike Stirnaman, Zachary Cerrone; and chaperones, Mary Nance and Bernie Makos.

THANK YOU’S

……to everyone who participated in last week’s Vacation Bible School – students, Confirmation candidates, teachers and parents. Our faith came alive as we shared stories, crafts and music in imitation and praise of Jesus! Remember – Stay “Grounded in God” and you will “Grow in His Grace!”

……to Michelle Ingerick and Lynette Singer for their ministry over the last three year’s in coordinating Child Care on Sunday morning’s. Your gift of service was greatly appreciated by many families who could attend Mass without having to worry about their young children.

THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THIS MINISTRY! Child care has been provided every Sunday during the 8:30AM Mass in the Adult Education Room of the Parish Center. In order to continue this ministry, we are in need of coordinators. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact the parish office.

LIFELINE – Abortion has produced a schizophrenic legal system. Consider this: Someone who attacks a pregnant woman is, in many states, held responsible for murder if the fetus dies from the attack. However, if a doctor, whose profession is to save lives, kills the unborn fetus in the procedure of elective abortion, his action is without legal consequence.

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

Please continue to remember in your prayers all the men and women serving our country in the armed forces, especially Jared Bialas, Alicia Smithgall, Jason P. Sutton, Martin Bartlett, Brett Charsky, John Michael Miller, Matthew Koch, Jo L. Miller, Ed Otto, Tim Strykowski, Christopher & Tamara Williammee, Mike Worden, David Alexander, Gwen Fultz, John Kirby, Jr., Nathan Foust, SSGT, Lewis Zuchowski, Dan McCoy, Burt Perry, Paul Housel; Adam Gruzlewski.

PICNIC IN MORRIS next Sun., Aug. 3^rd, 2:00PM, Sacred Heart Church.

All volunteers who helped with this year’s fund-raiser (“Rattlesnake Round-Up”) AND ALL PARISHIONERS

are invited to attend. Meat and drinks will be provided. Please bring a dish-to-pass and your own table setting.

ANNUAL MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND – Once each year, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Scranton sends representatives from selected missionary societies to each parish in our diocese to request your prayers and financial support. Next weekend a representative (Fr. Anthony Ho) of the Chinese Catholic Information Center, which aids Chinese Catholic students in our country, will speak at all of the Masses.

Some information about the Missionary Work of the Chinese Catholic Information Center. In the Chinese culture, it is the intellectuals who traditionally hold the places of highest esteem. The Center offers scholarships for young intelligent Chinese men and women to attend American Catholic Colleges thereby building a solid corps of Catholic intellectuals who will influence Chinese life. These young men and women receive a good education as well as a foundation in Catholicism, after which they return to China assuming influential positions and professions. They will also be “local missionaries” as active and practicing Catholics in a land where only a generation ago Catholicism was suspected and despised. A second collection will be taken in support of this appeal. Please be generous.

DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK!

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY THROUGHOUT THE END OF THIS MONTH!

Monetary donations are also appreciated. Place your gift in an envelope marked “Food Pantry” and drop in the collection.

PARISH REGISTRATION! St. Peter/Sacred Heart welcomes all newcomers to our church. We invite you to register for parish membership by contacting Father Manarchuck or the Parish Office (724-3371). Registered Members are asked to contact the Parish Office with changes in address and phone number 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 Manarchuck 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.

R.C.I.A. INQUIRY SESSIONS – The Inquiry Sessions 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/or Confirmation. This phase of the R.C.I.A. process does not require any commitment. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Manarchuck or the Parish Office.

FAITHFUL FRIENDS TOUR with TONY MELENDEZ and STEVE ANGRISANO – Thurs., August 7^th, 7:30PM, Church of the Annunciation in Williamsport. See poster at the main entrance of the church. Contact the parish office (724-3371) to reserve your seat.

REMINDER TO ALL CONFIRMATION STUDENTS! The mandatory Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for Sat., August 9^th from 9:00AM – 2:00PM at the Parish Center. Please call Linda (Rectory: 570-724-3371) if your candidate is unable to attend.

ST. PETER’S CLOSET IS CLOSING!! St. Peter’s Closet never intended to make a profit; therefore donations will be accepted for the remaining inventory of religious articles which will be displayed in the Parish Center the weekend of August 9^th and 10^th after all the Masses.

WELCOME OUR NEW PASTOR ATTHE UPCOMING PARISH PICNIC!

Sun., Aug. 17^th, 1:00PM – 4:00PM, Woodland Park.

Mark your calendars now for an afternoon of fun and relaxation to welcome our new pastor, Fr. Joseph Manarchuck and gather with family and friends of our faith community. Watch upcoming bulletins for details!

DEANERY-WIDE MANDATORY TRAINING: The VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adults Program is a mandatory three-hour training session for all employees, volunteers and ministers of the altar who work with children throughout the Diocese of Scranton. This training session will focus on ways to make and maintain a safe environment for all children. All those attending the training will learn to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to respond appropriately. Three (3) VIRTUS training sessions are scheduled for the Tioga County Deanery:

Tues., August 19^th from 6:30PM – 9:30PM and Wed., August 20^th from 1:30PM to 4:30PM at St. Mary’s in Blossburg; Thurs., August 21^st from 6:30PM – 9:30PM at St. Peter’s Parish Center in Wellsboro.

All are required to attend ONE of these training sessions. Please call 638-3241 if attending Blossburg or 724-3371 if attending Wellsboro by Friday, August 15^th to register.

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (July 19 & 20, 2003): Of 317 envelopes mailed, 145 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $2,895.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $568.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,463.00; Building Fund, $70.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $105.00; Cemetery Fund, $30.00; Votive Receipts, $48.00.