September, 5 2004

 

Monday             Sept.   6                          9:00AM           Bertha Topf                                Husband, Henry

Tuesday            Sept.   7                          7:00AM           Margarette Clifford                      Goldie Fowler

Wednesday       Sept.   8                                    ----  NO MASS SCHEDULED  ----

Thursday           Sept.   9                          6:45PM           J. L. & Helen Flaherty                 Daughter, Lois Ann

Friday               Sept.  10           12:10PM           Walter & Betty Schaut               Singer Family

Saturday           Sept.  11             5:00PM           George Pryslak

85th Birthday Blessings             Children & Grandchildren

7:00PM           Candace Williams                      Teresa & Katey

Sunday             Sept.  12             8:30AM           Tom & Mary Walrath                  Family

  24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11:00AM           MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART

Readings: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32)

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Knowledge Beyond Us

“Who can conceive what the Lord intends?” (Today’s 1st Reading - Wisdom 9:13-18)

AS painful as it is sometimes to know the truth, not knowing is worse. If someone we love is rushed to the hospital, the greatest agony comes from not knowing what is wrong. Is it serious? How extensive are the injuries? Are they life-threatening? Will they cause further suffering? Not knowing the answers is very painful.
Once we know, even if it is bad news, the situation is easier to accept. We can start to make adjustments, to deal with the truth. But when truth is unknown, chaos reigns. It terrifies us.

There are things we do not know. You can be the smartest kid in your class, the expert in your field, the parent who knows the habits of your children better than they do, but there are still things you do not know.

Only with difficulty, the book of Wisdom says, do we understand the things of this world. “But when things are in heaven, who can search them out?” As hard as it is to understand the things of earth, it is impossible to grasp the mystery of God.

The closer we come to God, the more awesome is the mystery. The more we understand about God, the more we realize we do not know. Some people quit their relationship with God in despair of ever learning the truth. Others go into that mysterious relationship, deeper and deeper. (Written by Paul Turner. @2003 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.)

 

LABOR DAY 2004!  Mass will be celebrated on Mon., Sept. 6th at 9:00AM at St. Peter’s. Come celebrate the holiday with thanksgiving to God, the source of our labors.  Please note:  The Parish Office will be closed for the holiday.

Bulletin Deadline – Meeting notices and articles for next Sunday’s, Sept. 12th and Sun., Sept. 19th bulletins are requested by noon on Wednesday of this week!  Thank you for your cooperation.

PRAYER FOR OUR NATION – A Novena of Weeks leading to Election Day.  Starting August 31st, Priests for Life called upon all Catholics to offer a special novena of nine weeks of intense prayer for our nation as we prepare to elect our national and local leaders. August 31 is exactly nine weeks before November 2, which is Election Day. Please join in this spiritual effort by committing to a “Spiritual Bouquet for America.” “A Prayer for our National Elections” is provided at all the entrances this weekend.

Prayer Suggestions - the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplets, an hour of Eucharistic Adoration each week, offer Masses. Prayer Intentions – a) That in this year’s elections, our nation will embrace the moral values of a culture of life; b) That American will reclaim her founding principles of faith and dependence upon God in public life; c) That believers will reject apathy and take an active role in the elections by registering to vote and actually voting; d) That candidates will understand their responsibility to serve the people to protect life and family, and to adhere to the law of God.

 

THANK YOU’S

..…to members of our Pastoral Council (B.J. Butler, Eileen Evert, Natalie Kennedy, John Wheeler, John Grab, Kevin Hritz and Colleen Hanson) for organizing last Sunday’s PARISH PICNIC; Midge Bialas for coordinating the games; and Jon Banik for providing the meat and rolls. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day and great attendance.

…..to parishioners who contributed to the special second collection last weekend to assist the SUFFERING PEOPLE OF SUDAN.  $1,886.31 was received and will be sent to the Diocese this week. Your continued prayers will be greatly appreciated.

…..for your contributions made in July and August to the ADOPT A PARISH PROGRAM.  A check in the amount of $1,130.50 will be sent to the Catholic Diocese of Jamaica for the care and development of our sister parish, St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town.

…..for your continued support of our LOCAL FOOD PANTRY.  Reminder! 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 (Sept. 13) and 4th Tuesday (Sept. 28) of each month between the hours of 10:00AM and 1:00PM.

GOD’S BLESSINGS & SINCEREST BEST WISHES to Rev. Joseph Gilbert, Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Elkland and Mission Church of St. Catherine in Westfield. On September 1st he celebrated his SILVER JUBILEE OF ORDINATION. Cards of congratulations may be sent to Fr. Joseph Gilbert, 111 First Street, Elkland, PA 16920. 

BAKE SALE TO SUPPORT MISSION TRIP! Parishioner and recent High School graduate, Gwen Zugarek, daughter of Elaine & Richard, will travel to Uganda late this month to work for 7 months with children in the ‘Friends Orphanage/School’. Baked goods will be offered after the Sunday Masses next weekend (Sept. 12th). Donations will be greatly appreciated and will help with Gwen’s travel expenses and will also be used to benefit the children.

 

ALL EMPLOYEES, ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND ANYONE WHO WORKS WITH CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE TRAINING SESSIONS. The VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adults Program is a mandatory three-hour training session required by the Diocese of Scranton. The training session focuses on ways to make and maintain a safe environment for all children. All those attending will learn to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and respond appropriately. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend! Register this week for one of the two sessions offered by calling St. Peter’s (724-3371) or Holy Child (662-3568).

Sun., Sept. 12th, St. Peter’s Parish Center, from 5:30PM to 8:30PM OR

Mon., Sept. 13th, Holy Child Hall, Mansfield, from 6:30PM – 9:30PM.

DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK!

Monthly Nursing Home Masses – Tues., Sept. 7, 10:30AM, Broad Acres; and Thurs., Sept. 9, 2:00PM, Green Home.

Worship Committee – Tues., Sept. 7, 7:00PM, Parish Office.

AA – AL ANON – AL-A-TEEN – Every Tuesday, 8:00PM, Parish Center.

Eucharistic Adoration – Every Wednesday beginning at 8:00AM and concluding at 8:00PM. (The Eucharistic Chapel is located in the room off the carport entrance of the Church.)

“Oremus” (formerly Wellsboro/Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group) – Thurs., Sept. 9, 7:30PM, Adult Education Room of the Parish Center.

Adult Bible Study – begins S at.,Sept. 11, 9:00AM – Noon, Parish Center. Deacon Morris Smith, facilitator. Join us the second Saturday of each month through May of 2005.  Questions? Linda (Rectory: 570-724-3371)

 

MOTHER’S PRAYER GROUP will resume meeting this Friday, Sept. 10th at 10:00AM in the Adult Education Room of the Parish Center. At this first meeting we will discuss when and how often to meet as well as suggestions for meeting ‘content’. Mothers of all ages are welcome. Please bring your children. Questions? Deb Rudy (Rectory: 570-724-3371).

The SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS were designed to deepen an individual’s relationship with God.  If you desire to be companioned through the Exercises or would like additional information about this 30-week journey of faith, contact Velma Goodreau at 724-7766 by September 15th.

SUPPORT OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM! We ask your continued support of this vital parish ministry by using the special envelope provided in this month’s packet. All parishioners benefit from this program.

R.C.I.A. INQUIRY SESSIONS – The Inquiry Sessions will begin th 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. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Manarchuck or Wayne Singer, R.C.I.A. Team Member (Rectory: 570-724-3371).

OPENING OF THE CATECHETICAL YEAR – Sunday, September 19th!

All families of religious education students in Pre-School through Grade 8 are asked to attend the 8:30AM Mass on Sun., Sept. 19th. Following Mass, students will be dismissed with their teachers. Parents will be asked to remain in the church for an informational session. If you are new to our parish and your children will attend our Religious Education Program for the first time, please contact the parish office to register your family.

PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES for children of ages 3-5 are held during the 8:30AM Mass in the Parish Center.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION GRADES K-8 – Classes are held Sunday’s from 9:30AM – 10:40AM in the Parish Center.

HIGH SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (Grades 9-12)! Kick-off of the Fall Semester will be the special presentation by Matthew Kelly on Sun., September 26th at 7:00PM in the Church. Mark your calendars now!

2004 CONFIRMATION CLASS AND PARENTS! On May 15th you were presented with a gift from an anonymous donor and the parish of Matthew Kelly’s book, entitled “Re-Discovering Catholicism”. If parents and their young adult(s) were to read “Imagine this,…” the first five pages of that book, you would have a feel for the impact of Matthew’s presentation.

ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!

Matthew Kelly to present,…Becoming the-Best-Version-of-Yourself

Dynamic and extraordinarily engaging, Catholic author and speaker, Matthew Kelly will be joining us for a special presentation on Sun., Sept. 26 from 7:00PM – 8:00PM at St. Peter’s Church.

“Mustard Seeds – Daily Thoughts to Grow With” – “Next time you go to a restaurant with people take the worst seat, the place with the worst view. In doing so you will have less distractions and will be able to give your attention more fully to those you are with.” (Matthew Kelly – September 5)

Please continue to remember in your prayers all the men and women serving our country in the armed forces.

Please pray for our sick and their caregivers.

Is there someone in need of prayers or would you consider praying for others? Contact Kate Black at Rectory: 570-724-3371

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION (August 28 & 29, 2004): Of 318 envelopes mailed 138 families used envelopes and the following was contributed – $3,250.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $445.00 for a Total Weekly Offering, $3,695.00; Assumption, $10.00; Religious Education, $255.00; Building Fund, $5.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $8.00; Votive Receipts, $57.00.