March 16, 2003 Vol. 31, No. 11

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, March 17.....12:10PM.....Jean M. Getgen.....Parents, Joan & David

Tuesday, March 18.....12:10PM.....Tom Schaut – For Recovery & Strength.....The Singer Family

Wednesday, March 19.....6:30PM.....James O’Malley.....Uncle John & Aunt Delores

Thursday, March 20.....12:10PM.....Mary Wilson.....Susan & John O’Donnell

Friday, March 21.....7:00PM.....Martha Fish – For Strength & Healing.....RENEW Group

Saturday, March 22.....5:00PM.....Elizabeth Brown – For Strength.....Family

7:00PM.....Ronald F. Jones.....Family

Sunday, March 23.....8:30AM.....MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART

  Third Sunday of Lent.....11:00AM.....Joseph Skrobot.....Wife, Margaret

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Loving Self-Sacrifice  - “God put Abraham to the test.”

(Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18)

ABRAHAM would be arrested for child abuse if he pulled a stunt like this today. He brought his son up a hill and raised a knife to kill him. No parent should do that.

We remember this story not as a model of parenting, but as a symbol of sacrifice. Both Abraham and God serve as models.

Abraham completely trusted God. God promised him a son, and according to the book of Genesis, Abraham’s son Isaac was born after Abraham waited 100 years. Then God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son, the one whom he loved. Abraham continued to trust God. His trust is what inspires us in times of extreme adversity.

For Christians the story is not only about Abraham’s sacrifice, but about God’s sacrifice. That is why we hear it now, near the beginning of Lent, and again on the eve of Easter.

God led his Son Jesus, his only Son, whom he loved, up a hill, where he was raised high on a cross. In the story of Abraham an angel stopped the killing. In the story of Jesus the killing continues, but angels announce that the One who died has risen. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2002, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

SERVICE TO HELP THE POOR – THIS WEEKEND!  This special offering is for local needs - a portion is shared with the Local Ministerium’s Benevolent Fund; a very small portion is used to help with our parish funeral luncheons; and the balance allows us to assist people in need who come directly to our door. There will be no second collection. Please use the envelope provided in your packet or place your donation in a special envelope marked “SERVICE”.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS – Please have all bulletin announcements for next week’s bulletin into the Parish Office by Tuesday of this week as Suzanne will not be in the office Thurs., March 20^th thru Tues., March 25^th; however the Parish Office will be open from 10:00AM – 3:00PM those days. Thank you.

ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES!  Wed., March 19^th - Youth Prayer Breakfast for students at the United Methodist Church at 7:00AM - breakfast, music and a short devotion (transportation to school will be provided); and a Noontime Prayer Service followed by lunch at the First Presbyterian Church. This week Rev. Dr. Robert Greer, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will speak on “I Thirst.” St. Peter’s will host the services on Wed., April 2^nd.

FRIDAY’S DURING LENT!!  Stations for Religious Education Students – 3:30PM in the Church. Students are asked to gather in the Parish Center after school for a light snack. All parishioners are welcome to join us. Evening Mass & Stations - Mass is celebrated at 7:00PM followed by the Stations of the Cross.  Encourage the whole family to gather together as a faith community.  

ATTENTION PARENTS OF FIRST COMMUNION STUDENTS – Our final parent meeting is scheduled for next Sunday, March 23^rd immediately following the 8:30AM Mass.  We will discuss dress code, photographs and final preparations for First Holy Communion on May 4, 2003.  Please plan to attend.

TRAINING FOR NEW ALTAR SERVERS!  Open to boys and girls - 3^rd Grade and up. The classes will be held in the Church from 12:30PM – 2:30PM on consecutive Sunday’s beginning March 23^rd through April 13^th. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Menghini or Mike Stirnaman (Rectory:  570-724-3371).

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

ROAD TO RESURRECTION & PATH TO PENTECOST BEGINS THIS WEEK!

(All Masses will be held at 7:00PM with the opportunity for the

Sacrament of Penance immediately following.)

Thurs., March 20 - St. Thomas the Apostle, Elkland; Mon., March 24 – St. Michael’s, Canton; Mon., March 31 – Holy Child, Mansfield; and Tues., April 8 –St. Mary’s Church, Blossburg.

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE - The priests of the deanery will be at St. Peter’s on Sunday, April 6, 3:00PM, for the Communal Penance Service followed by the opportunity for individual confessions. This will be the only deanery-wide Penance Service this Lent.

St. Peter’s will host this year’s EASTER FEAST (which replaces the Seder Supper) on Tues., April 22 at 6:00PM. Attendance is by reservation only. Those wishing to attend may sign-up at any of the Masses listed above or call the Parish Office (724-3371).

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!  Parishioners are needed to help plan and prepare this year’s Easter Feast.  A menu is provided. Please contact the Parish Office if you are interested in set-up and decoration, preparing food and working the kitchen.

NEXT SUNDAY IS DAFFODIL SUNDAY! Delivery of daffodils will be made following all of the Masses next weekend.  Payment is requested at that time. (Please make checks payable to St. Peter’s.) No extra daffodils were ordered this year. Thank you for joining in the fight against cancer. 

DATES TO REMEMBER

High School Religious Education continues tonight in the Parish Center from 7:00PM – 8:30PM.

R.C.I.A. – Mon., March 17, 7:00PM at Holy Child in Mansfield.

Pastoral Council – Tues., March 18, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

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

Social Concerns – Wed., March 19, 4:00PM, Parish Center.

Monthly Nursing Home Mass –Thurs., March 20, 10:30AM, Broad Acres.

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary - Every Thursday evening at 7:00PM in the Church.

Wellsboro & Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., March 20, 7:30PM, Parish Center.

UPCOMING HEALTH MINISTRY PROGRAM sponsored by Holy Child Church in Mansfield – Sun., March 23^rd at 7:30PM, “Educate Yourself Against Fraudulent Crimes that can be Perpetrated Against You” presented by Jim Fox, N.Y. City Police Department, retired and instructor at Mansfield University Policy Academy.

ADOPT-A-PARISH UPDATE!  Thanks to your generosity during the months of January and February, we are pleased to send $1,287.25 to Bishop Boyle for the further development of our sister parish, St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town, Jamaica. Your continued financial support is greatly appreciated.

A total of $1,055.30 was contributed last weekend in support of THE 2003 COLLECTION TO AID THE CHURCH IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. Your generosity will help provide the resources to grow and nourish the faith in this section of the world. Your contributions will be forwarded to the Diocese next week.

FAMILY SPIRITUALI’TEA’ 2003--- FOLLOW THE WAY OF LOVE – The Scranton Diocesan Commission for Women invites all families – children age 7 and up, parents and children of the First Communion and Confirmation classes, RCIA and RENEW groups - to participate in a Spirituali’tea’ to be held at St. Peter’s on Sun., April 27^th from 2:00PM to 4:30PM.  The program will include prayer and readings using the pastoral message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops “Follow the Way of Love”. Light refreshments will be served. Please register by calling the Parish Office no later than April 18^th.

Believe it or not, Spring is just around the corner!  Start setting aside your donations of clothing, books, and housewares. The SPRING CLOTHING, BOOK, AND HOUSEWARE SALE has been scheduled for Mon., April 28^th through Thurs., May 1^st at the Parish Center.  Donations will be accepted two days only – Sun., April 27^th and Mon., April 28^th!! Set-up on Sunday and tear down on Friday. Volunteers are needed to help. If you can give some time, please contact Mary Cleveland (Rectory:  570-724-3371).

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (March 8 & 9, 2003): Of 336 envelopes mailed, 163 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $3,563.50 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $327.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,890.50; Aid to Church in Eastern Europe, $1055.30; Additional Campaign for Human Development, $100.00; Service to Help the Poor, $15.00;  Building Fund, $152.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $289.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $47.00.