May 5, 2002 Vol. 30, No. 18
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday, May 6..... 12:10PM..... Jean M. Getgen...... Parents, Joan & David
Tuesday, May 7..... 12:10PM..... Ida Hayden..... Don & Kay
Wednesday, May 8.....7:00PM..... Huldreich Egli..... Daughter. Marie
Holyday Vigil (Sacred Heart, Morris)
Thursday, May 9......12:10PM..... Nancy Snyder..... Valerie Berry
Ascension of the Lord....7:00PM..... MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
Friday, May 10..... 7:00AM..... Naomi Barrett – For Healing..... Noreen
Saturday, May 11..... 5:00PM..... Jack Corl..... Wife, Norma
7:00PM..... Robert McKissick, Jr..... Family
Sunday, May 12..... 8:30AM..... MASS OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART
Seventh Sunday of Easter.....11:00AM..... Fumiko Matsuda..... Clark & Akiko
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14; Psalm 27:1,4,7-8; 1Peter 4:13-16; John 17:1-11a
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Surprising Heroes
“Samaria accepted the word of God.” Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
THE story goes that Philip the deacon went from Jerusalem to Samaria to preach the gospel there. But after he baptized the people, Peter and John still had to follow after him to layt hands on the new believers so they could receive the Holy Spirit.
It appears from the story that Philip needed help. It looks like he didn’t do a very good job on his own. But give credit where it is due.
Samaria was hardly the place the apostles expected the gospel to take root. They must have been surprised that Philip got anywhere at all with the people who had been enemies of Jerusalem for so long.
Remember that Jesus surprised people with the parable of the Good Samaritan, and that the only grateful leper among the ten he cured was a Samaritan too. Remember how shocked the disciples were when they saw Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the well. None of them expected anything good of Samaritans.
But Philip the deacon made headway in enemy territory. He preached, expelled demons, and cured the paralyzed. Not a bad record. When Peter and John arrived, the Holy Spirit came with them.
Look carefully at the people you think aren’t doing a very good job, or people about whom you have low expectations. They may be instruments of Christ, preparing the ground for the Spirit of life. (Written by Paul Turner. Copyright 2001, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org)
Today we celebrate in the lives of twenty-two young parishioners the fulfillment of their baptism through the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. We at St. Peter’s rejoice as we welcome those young people into sacramental communion with us:
Special thanks to catechist, Anita Nespola and her assistants, Meghan Henneman and Leisl Bauman; Co-Directors of Religious Education, Julianne Gombosi and Tammy Owlett, and all their parents for helping prepare these young people for this day.
There are no Religious Education classes today for students in grades K-8.
Students will gather in their classrooms for the last class of the year next Sun., May 12th immediately following the 8:30AM Mass
MARIAN DAY CELEBRATION! Next Sunday, May 12th at the 8:30AM Mass, we honor Mary, the “Queen of the Apostles”. The First Communion Class will begin the liturgy with a procession, followed by May Crowning. Students in grades K-7 will gather in their classrooms for the last class of the year immediately following the Mass.
CONFIRMATION PICTURES have arrived and are available in the Sacristy this weekend.
LIFELINE! There is another danger to guard against: the use of genetic research to threaten the dignity of life itself. The powers of science are morally neutral—as easily used for bad purposes as good ones. In the excitement of discovery, we must never forget that mankind is developed—is defined not by intelligence alone, but by conscience. Even the most noble ends do not justify every means. Life itself is always to be valued and protected. In biomedical research, we’re dealing with the very makings of life—and the law must be firm and clear in restraining the reckless and protecting the voiceless. President George W. Bush (Remarks to the Medical College of Milwaukee, 2/11/02)
PREGNANCY HOTLINE – 1-800-848-LOVE (5683).
HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION – Thursday, May 9th is the Ascension of the Lord and a holyday of obligation. Masses will be celebrated Wednesday evening, May 8th at 7:00PM at Sacred Heart in Morris and on Thursday at 12:10PM and 7:00PM at St. Peter’s.
MOTHER’S DAY INTENTIONS! Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. This year there will be a Spiritual Bouquet of Masses offered for our mothers, both living and deceased. Cards to enroll your mother in this Spiritual Bouquet are available at the entrances of the church.
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS! The Catholic Youth Conference is July 19th through July 21st. Cost: $50.00. Call Mary Nance NOW (662-2561) if you are interested in attending. All High School students participating in the “Relay for Life” are asked to attend a meeting on Sat., May 11th immediately following the 7:00PM Mass in the Parish Center.
ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS! The Horseback Riding activity originally scheduled for Sat., May 18th has been postponed until Sat., August 22nd. Mark your calendars.
R.C.I.A. - Mon., May 6, 7:00PM, Parish Center.
Women’s Bible Study – Tues., May 7, 9:30AM, Parish Center. Please join us!
Pastoral Council – Tues., May 7, 7:00PM, Rectory.
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration - Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM, concluding at 8:00PM. (PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE.)
Wellsboro/Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., May 9, 7:30PM, Parish Center.
All You Can Eat Buffet Dinner – Fri., May 10, 4:00PM – 6:30PM, Holy Child Church, Mansfield. Menu: Baked and Fried Fish; Stuffed Cabbage Rolls; Homemade Soup; Salad Bar; Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Beverage and Dessert. Adults: $7.00; Children, 3-12: $3.00; Under 3: Free.
St. Peter’s Men’s Breakfast – Sat., May 11, 8:00AM, Parish Center. All men are welcome to join us for prayer and fellowship. Questions? Dio (Rectory: 570-724-3371)
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION TRAINING – This is training for new Eucharistic Ministers, but is also recommended as a refresher to those who are currently serving as Eucharistic Ministers. The sessions are being offered by the Diocesan Pastoral Formation Institute on Saturday, May 11 & 18 from 10:00AM – 12:30PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Blossburg. Contact the Parish Office to register this week.
PASTORAL COUNCIL UPDATE! Candidates for three positions on the 2002-2003 St. Peter/Sacred Heart Pastoral Council will be prayerfully drawn from the basket next Sunday. Marilyn Laczi, Robert Dalton and Helen Bolton have completed their three-year term on the council. The new council members will join Rudy Radocaj, Jackie Werts, Midge Bialas, and Aaron Singer.
ANNUAL LAYETTE PROJECT – Donations of new infant sleepers, sweater sets, onesies, bibs, etc.; and handmade baby items can be left at the Rectory up until May 13th. Your gifts will be displayed in the Church the weekend of May 18th & 19th and then taken to the Obstetrics Department of the Hospital to share with families giving birth to a child at a time when all is not ready.
LATIN MASS will be celebrated on Wed., May 15th at 7:00PM at Holy Child Church on South Main Street in Mansfield. Father Paul Carr of the Fraternity of St. Peter in Elmhurst, PA will celebrate the Mass. All are welcome!
INCREASED OFFERTORY! Thank you to the parishioners who committed during the in-pew process last weekend. A total of 219 households (48% of the parish) responded. The Diocese has encouraged all parishes to conduct a follow-up weekend. If you have not completed a ‘Commitment Of Treasure’ form, please do so by using the form provided below, place it in an envelope and return it through the collection. Even if you are unable to commit at this time, please complete the FORM indicating your current weekly average gift. The address information will be used to update our parish records.
Thank you to all who supported last weekend’s CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS APPEAL. A total of $$679.00 was contributed in the special envelope and will be forwarded to the Diocese of Scranton this week to be distributed. Thank you for your support!
ADOPT-A-PARISH PROGRAM – A check has been sent to Bishop Paul M. Boyle in the amount of $1,783.00 for the continued care and development of our sister parish, St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town, Jamaica. This represents your contributions for the months of March and April.
SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST - JUNE 2, 2002. For the next four weekends a document prepared by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops entitled The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Basic Questions & Answers will be attached to the bulletin. This four-part series is being provided by our Diocese as a reflection on the Eucharist, which is central to our Catholic faith.
Please pray for our sick.
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION: Of 336 envelopes mailed, 177 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $3,462.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $407.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,869.00; Catholic Home Mission Appeal, $554.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $75.00; Building Fund, $55.00; Cemetery Fund, $102.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $20.00. 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.