March 18, 2001 Vol. 29, No. 11

March 18, 2001 Vol. 29, No. 11

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday, March 19.....12:10PM.....Charles Griscavage.....Wellsboro Middle School Basketball Team

Tuesday, March 20.....12:10PM.....Betty DeFilippo.....Mary Turrell

Wednesday, March 21..... 7:00AM.....Elizabeth Makos.....Uncle Bernie & Aunt Lori
God’s Blessings on Confirmation

Thursday, March 22..... 7:00AM.....Ronald Jones.....Req’d by Family

Friday, March 23.....6:30PM.....Marge Crawford.....Bill & Nancy Snyder

Saturday, March 24..... 5:00PM.....Marietta Martino.....Joseph Bonhage

7:00PM.....Doris Frantz.....Dio & Marilyn deGuzman

Sunday, March 25..... 8:30AM.....MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. PETER/SACRED HEART

11:00AM.....Carol Cohick.....Barb & Hailey

Readings – Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34:22-3, 4-5, 6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
FROM THE PASTOR – Repentance

There is an urgency about repentance. "Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation," says St. Paul. Today, for instance, Paul speaks of "the end of the ages" being upon us and Jesus warns his listeners that anyone who does not repent will perish.

Yet, despite these urgent appeals, God is revealed as patient and tolerant. The parable of the unfruitful fig tree left for yet another year illustrates God’s remarkable forbearance. There’s a tension between human immediacy, given the unpredictability of life, and divine patience, given the perspective of eternity.

This tension is symbolized in the "scrutiny" rites celebrated over these next three Sunday’s at 8:30AM with our elect and candidates for the Easter Sacraments. The scrutinies are designed to help our candidates "progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation" (RCIA #143). All of us are likewise urged to make a similar Lenten progress.

JAMAICA PROJECT! An informational meeting will be held today at 9:30AM in the Rectory for anyone interested in a one-week work project in Jamaica scheduled for November 14 – 21, 2001.

TRAINING FOR NEW ALTAR SERVERS! Continues today following the 11:00AM Mass (12:30PM – 1:30PM) in the Church. Commissioning will take place on Sunday, April 1^st at the 11:00AM Mass. Questions? Mike Stirnaman (Rectory: 570-724-3371).

HIGH SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (GRADES 9-12)! The final session will be held tonight from 7:00PM – 8:30PM in the Parish Center. All high school students are expected to attend.

ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21st! Youth Prayer Breakfast – Students in grades 7 - 12 gather at the United Methodist Church at 7:00AM for breakfast, music and a short devotion. Mr. Mike Harrison will give the message this week -- "I am thirsty". Noontime Prayer Service – Brief service at 12:00 (Noon) followed by lunch at the First Presbyterian Church. This week Fr. Sullivan will speak on "I Am the Bread of Life". Bring a sandwich – soup, beverage and dessert provided. St. Peter’s will also sponsor the luncheon.

THE FRIDAY’S OF LENT

24 Hour Eucharistic Adoration – Begins at 8:00AM and concludes with Benediction at 8:00AM on Saturday.

Stations of the Cross for Religious Education Students - 3:30PM. Students are invited to come to the Parish Center for a light snack before stations. All parishioners are welcome.

Stations Of The Cross & Adult Education – 7:00PM (following the 6:30PM Mass). After Stations a simple ‘Rice Bowl Meal’ is available in the Parish Center with Adult Education and Night Prayer. This week’s adult education topic: "Interpretation of Scripture". Bring your Bible and New Catechism.

REMINDER! The Friday’s of Lent are days of abstinence. All the faithful who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence. On a day of abstinence, no meat may be eaten by anyone obliged by this law.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP REMINDERS!

8^TH GRADE – Practice for ‘The Living Stations’ will be held Thurs., March 22^nd from 3:30PM – 4:30PM in the Parish Center. The dress rehearsal is scheduled for Wed., March 28^th at 3:30PM.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH interested in preparing the Easter Party for our Pre-School Class on Sun., April 1^st at 8:30AM, are asked to join us on Thurs., March 29^th from 3:30PM – 4:30PM at the Parish Center to assemble baskets and fill eggs. Questions? Mary Nance (Rectory: 570-724-3371)

CHILDREN, TEENS, MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES! Youth Choir is practicing Saturday mornings of Lent from 9:30AM to 10:30AM in the Parish Center to prepare for the 9:00AM Easter morning Mass on April 15^th. Contact Lori Makos ( Rectory: 570-724-3371) or Katie Brennan ( Rectory: 570-724-3371) for more information.

IN THE WEEKS AHEAD, . . .

Road to Resurrection & Path to Pentecost - The Tioga Deanery will celebrate the Lenten journey with the traditional Road to Resurrection, but will also highlight the Paschal Mystery of the Easter Season with the Path to Pentecost. Two parishes will host the traditional Road to Resurrection Liturgies and receptions; two other parishes will host Liturgies and receptions during the Easter Season, and the entire program will culminate in an Easter Feast and Celebration complete with traditional Easter foods and festivities. The first Road to Resurrection Liturgy will be held on Tues., March 27^th at 7:00PM at Holy Child Church in Mansfield, with The Very Rev. Bert S. Kozen, pastor of St. Michael’s as homilist. Road to Resurrection & Path to Pentecost Schedule – Road to Resurrection, Tues., April 3^rd, St. Michael’s in Canton. Path to Pentecost –Tues., April 17^th at St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkland; Tues., April 24^th at St. Peter’s in Wellsboro. The Easter Feast will be held Tues., May 1^st at 6:30PM at St. Mary’s Church in Blossburg.

Parish Penance Service - Lent is the penitential season of the Church year, a time to seek the Lord’s help in reforming our lives. No better way to celebrate God’s generous forgiveness than by the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our Communal Penance Service with the priests of the deanery present will be held at St. Peter’s on Sun., April 1^st at 4:30PM. Other Services throughout the Deanery – Today, Sun., March 18, 3:00PM, St. Michael’s, Canton; Sun., March 25, 2:00PM;Holy Child Church, Mansfield, St. Mary’s, Blossburg, 5:00PM (Benediction & Confessions), Sun., April 1, 2:00PM, St. Thomas Church, Elkland.

A NOTE OF THANKS to all parishioners who supported the Service To Help the Poor Collection! A total of $751.00 has been collected. This special offering is shared with the Local Ministerium’s Benevolent Fund, helps with our parish funeral luncheons, and the balance allows us to assist people in need who come directly to our door. Those who wish may still contribute by using the envelope provided in your packet, or placing your donation in a special envelope marked "SERVICE".

DATES TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK!

Simple Evening Prayer – Sunday evenings at 6:00PM in the Church.

R.C.I.A. – Mon., March 19, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

R.C.I.A. Team Planning – Tues., March 20, 7:00AM, Rectory.

Women’s Bible Study – Tues., March 20, 9:30AM, Parish Center.

Social Concerns Committee – Wed., March 21, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

Wellsboro/Mansfield Charismatic Prayer Group – Thurs., March 22, 7:30PM, Parish Center. All are welcome.

Mother’s Prayer Group – Fri., March 23, 10:00AM, Parish Center. Mother’s of all ages are invited to attend. Bring your children.

Adult Bible Study – Sat., March 24, 9:00AM – Noon, Parish Center. Rev. Dr. Morris Smith continues the series of studies on "St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans". Bring your Bible, pen and paper. An offering will be taken to offset travel expenses for Rev. Dr. Smith. Mark your calendars for the next study scheduled for Sat., April 21^st. Please join us!

LITURGY CORNER – As discussed in last week’s bulletin, the Holy Triduum liturgies are in fact, one rite. It is the gathering antiphon on Holy Thursday that sets the tone for the three days. This antiphon states, "We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free" (Gal 6:14). The principal "theme" is thus, the cross. Therefore, if the gathering antiphon is replaced by a hymn or other liturgical song, the music chosen must emphasize salvation won by Christ on the cross.

MARRIED & ENGAGED COUPLES – "COUPLE TO COUPLE TALK"! The third session will be held Sat., March 24^th at 8:00PM in the Parish Center. Our guest couple this month is Rich & Marilyn Laczi. Topic: "Discovering the Five Love Languages of Children and Your Spouse". Call Bernie and Lori at 724-7760 for more details. Fr. Sullivan will speak on "Living the Sacramental Marriage" at the final session on Sat., April 28^th.

DAFFODIL SUNDAY – NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 25^TH! Delivery of daffodils will be made following all of the Masses next weekend. Payment is requested at that time. Thank you for joining in the fight against cancer. Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPRATION: The third and final Table of the Lord session for parents and children preparing for First Communion will be held next Sun., March 25^th at 9:30AM. Parents will meet in the Church and students will gather in their classroom. ATTENTION PARENTS! St. Peter’s Closet will have a variety of sample items on display in the Parish Center next Sunday immediately following the session and the 11:00AM Mass. Volunteers will be available to take your orders for First Communion.

WHAT CAN I DO? Have you ever wondered how to help in a difficult situation? The Social Concerns Committee would like to put together a booklet of helpful ideas and recipes as a resource for such time. Do you remember a kindness that was especially helpful during a crisis, have a recipe for a comfort food that transports easily, or have you read or heard something that lifted your heart or gave you hope? Please share your ideas either by dropping them in the box at the back of the Church or by calling Wendy Ribeca (Rectory: 570-724-3371). Contributions can be anonymous or signed.

JUBILEE PICTORIAL DIRECTORY! Directories that have not been picked up can be found on the table at the main entrance of the Church. Extra directories were received and are available on a first come first serve basis by contacting the Rectory.

Lent means Spring and it’s just around the corner! The SPRING CLOTHING AND BOOK SALE will be held Sun., May 6^th through Fri., May 11^th. Your donations of clothing, housewares and books will be accepted beginning at 12:00 (Noon) on Sun., May 6^th. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING AT THE CHURCH PRIOR TO MAY 6^TH.

ST. PETER’S JUBILEE 2000 TIME CAPSULE - Parishioners can bring items to the Rectory, i.e. pictures of those parishioners who were married or baptized during the Jubilee Year, etc. The time capsule will be on display at our Parish Appreciation & Eastertide Celebration scheduled for Sun., May 20^th.

Please pray for our sick.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION: Of 336 envelopes mailed, 194 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $2,662.50 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $470.00 for a Total Weekly Offering, $3,132.50; Service to Help the Poor, $617.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $135.00; Building Fund, $89.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $55.00. REMINDER to all parishioners to utilize the envelope system provided by the parish so a statement can be prepared for you at the end of the year. If you have questions or wish to request envelopes, please contact the Parish Office during regular business hours. Thank you!