May 26, 2002 Vol. 30, No. 21
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday,
May 27.....9:00AM..... John
Bonhage..... Wife,
Dee
Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28.....12:10PM..... Ellen Traglia..... The Grab Family
Wednesday, May 29.....7:00AM..... Michael Kubas..... Family
Thursday, May 30.....12:10PM..... Virginia Halfpenny..... Wayne, Sue & Nate Singer
Friday, May 31.....12:10PM..... God’s Blessings for all Clergy.....Third Order Franciscans
Saturday, June 1..... 5:00PM.....Mother’s Day Intentions
7:00PM..... Frances Sheehe..... Sister, Elaine
Sunday, June 2..... 8:30AM..... MASS OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
Body & Blood of Christ.....11:00AM..... Nellie Truglio..... Vito & Maryann and Rose & Lew
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16; Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58
TRINITY SUNDAY
The Image of God
“A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:4-6,8-9)
YOUR image of God may change throughout your life. You may for a time think of God as a mighty king to be feared, as gentle Jesus loving you, as an infant who bestows blessing, as a wise father guiding you, or as a tender mother who gathers her children to herself.
God is mysterious. God is all these images and yet beyond our ability to imagine or name.
Some people become angry with God when tragedy strikes their lives. They cannot reconcile their image of God with the reality of the world around them. For some it is easier to be angry than to enter the mystery of salvation more deeply, even in their confusion and pain.
The friendship between God and Moses is famous. When Moses asked for the divine name, God obliged. That name is so sacred that we usually say “the Lord” instead of speaking God’s own name.
God’s self-description, given to Moses, includes descriptors like merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and rich in kindness and fidelity.
The full revelation of God came through the sending of the Son and the Spirit. Together these three persons unite for creation, redemption, and sanctification. As a Holy Trinity, God’s image is made known. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2001, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org)
MEMORIAL DAY MASS - Tomorrow we will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country as well as all of our deceased loved ones. Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s at 9:00AM. Cemetery services will be held at St. Peter’s Cemetery on Pearl Street following the Mass and at our Antrim Cemetery at 11:00AM. Please join us in this day of remembering.
PLEASE NOTE – The Parish Office will be closed for the holiday, but will re-open Tuesday morning at 8:30AM.
Thank you for your contributions to the 2002 CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN last weekend. A total of $250.00 was received in the special envelope. Your contributions will be forwarded to the Diocese of Scranton soon. Those who were unable to contribute last weekend are asked to use the special envelope provided in the monthly packet or at the entrances and place it in the collection today. These monies are used to help spread the Gospel through use of the modern media.
PASTORAL COUNCIL INSTALLATION! All former council members are invited to join with the parish next Sunday at the 8:30AM Mass as the members of the 2002-2003 St. Peter/Sacred Heart Pastoral Council will be installed. New Council members, B. J. Butler, Eileen Evert, and Terri Koch will join current council members, Rudy Radocaj, Jackie Werts, Midge Bialas and Aaron Singer.
BAPTISM – Next Sunday at 12:15PM we will welcome Carter Michael Wilcox, son of Chad and Tonya (Mahosky) Wilcox, through the living waters of Baptism.
LIFELINE! In the present conflict between the “culture of life” and the “culture of death,” the church has to defend the right to life from the moment of conception to natural death, at every stage of its development. The moral and social values which should inform society are based on the sacredness of life created by God. Presenting a clear perspective on humanity’s origin from God the Creator and its eternal destiny will help people see life’s true value. It is not a question of the church seeking to impose her morality on others, but rather of being faithful to her mission to share the full truth about life as taught by Jesus Christ. (Pope John Paul II)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683).
HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE OFFERTORY COMMITMENT CARD? If you have, thank you for your support! If you have not, please do so this weekend. Whether you choose to increase your weekly offering, or if your offering will remain the same, or even if you cannot commit at this time, please complete the form provided HERE (or at the entrances of the Church) and return it through the collection today. Follow-up letters will be mailed to all parishioners next week.
THE FEAST OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (JUNE 2ND) - The final of a four-part series reproduced from “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist; A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops,” is attached to the bulletin this weekend. We hope you have used these special reflections on the Eucharist to deepen your knowledge of and love for “the extraordinary and unique gifts that is the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, given to us for our redemption and as a pledge of our eternal life.
ANNUAL MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND – Rev. John Kowalewski, OSFS, the American representative of the Diocese of Keetmanshoop, Namibia, Africa will speak at all of the Masses next weekend to request your spiritual and financial help. The Missionary will be here in conjunction with the Mission Cooperative Plan through the Diocesan Office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. A second collection will be taken in support of this appeal. Please be generous.
Some information about the Missionary Work in the Diocese of Keetmanshoop -The Oblates of St. Francis De Sales have been assisting in the missionary efforts of the Church in this land of the Namib Desert. The Diocese consists of the entire southern half of the country, with a population of only 136,000 (33,000 Catholics served by the Diocese). Life is very hard for the goat herders not only because of the rough terrain but also as a result of the terrible war which the former racist government of the Republic of South Africa waged against the local population for many years. Much of the missionary efforts are centered on evangelization with a view of helping the poor to overcome the hardships of so many years of suffering under South African rule. One method used in the process is the RENEW Program. Mission funds collected will be used to help finance this important spiritual program. The Diocese also staffs several orphanages and funds will be used to support these poor children.
HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE MASS & BRUNCH! Sunday, June 9th at the 11:00AM Mass. All graduating seniors of St. Peter/Sacred Heart and their families are invited to this special liturgy. The Junior Class and their parents will provide a brunch in their honor immediately following the Mass.
Eucharistic Adoration - Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM, concluding at 8:00PM.
Confirmation Team Meeting – Wed., May 29, 7:00PM, Parish Center.
Wellsboro/Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., May 30, 7:30PM, Parish Center.
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.
FAMILY SUMMER FESTIVAL, sponsored by St. Thomas and St. Catherine Churches at the Elkland Softball Stadium on Sat., June 1st from Noon – 10PM (Scott Turner, DJ from 4PM ‘til ??); and Sun., June 2nd from Noon – 6PM (Chicken Barbeque starting at Noon). Bake Sale, Lots of Food, Chinese Auction, Games and Raffle with $2,500.00 cash prizes. Everyone is welcome to come and join us in relaxation and family fun.
SACRED HEART ANNUAL FESTIVAL & RAFFLE! Sat., June 8 & Sun., June 9! Support our mission church of Sacred Heart in their only fund-raiser! Raffle tickets are available at the church entrances. Please make your return by placing them in the special envelope provided and dropping them in the collection. Volunteers are also needed to work at the booth. If you can help either day, please contact Pete Stehmer (Rectory: 570-724-3371) or the rectory (724-3371).
STARTING JUNE 10TH there will be a four week study on God as Father, Monday’s from 7:30PM – 9:00PM at the Parish Center. All are welcome.
THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE can help widowed, divorced, and separated persons move out of the past and into the present. A Beginning Experience Weekend, sponsored by the Office of Parish Ministries will be held on July 12th – 14th at Fatima Center in Dalton, PA. Registration deadline is July 2, 2002. For information and registration, please call Rectory: 570-724-3371.
Please pray for our sick.
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION: Of 336 envelopes mailed, 168 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $3,196.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $410.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,606.00; Ascension of the Lord; $20.00; Add’l Catholic Home Mission Appeal, $15.00; Catholic Communications, $210.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $142.00; Building Fund, $112.00; Cemetery Fund, $192.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $23.00. 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. Contact the Parish Office to request envelopes.