STAFF Administrator: Fr. John Gallagher

Parochial Vicar: Fr. Mark L. Thomas Parochial Vicar: Fr. James Torquato

Chaplain: Fr. J ames Young Deacon: Donald Pepe

Office Manager: Louis Ferrario

(Extension 110)

Business Manager: Julie Strosnider (Extension 115)

Faith Formation & RCIA:

724-752-1271 Elementary Director: Mrs. Laurie Nocera

Secondary and Adult Director: 724-758-5562

Ms. Kay Ann Bellissimo

Social Services: 724-758-3465

Music Ministry: 724-752-9518 Director: Mrs. Frances Fotia

Organist: David Kosior

Catholic Parish Cemetery Association: 724-323-0033

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m.

RECONCILIATION Saturday: 12:30—1:30 p.m

BAPTISMS

Baptisms are held the third Sunday of every month at 12:15 p.m. One preparation session is required and will be offered on Apr. 10t,

July 10th and Oct. 9th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Parish Ministry Center. Pre-registration is

required. (Please come before the baby is born.)

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please contact one of the parish priests at

least 6 months in advance. An initial meeting with a parish priest is required before a

wedding date is agreed upon. Participation in a marriage preparation program is required.

“A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust”

415 Fourth Street & Park Avenue • Ellwood City, PA 16117 Parish Office: 300 Crescent Ave, Suite 1 • Ellwood City, PA 16117

Phone: 724-758-4411 • Fax: 724-752-1466 Website: www.holyredeemerparishpgh.com

March 17, 2019 • 2nd Sunday of Lent

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We, the people of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish, are one family united in Jesus Christ.

Blessed by the Father's love, redeemed by the Son and guided by the Holy Spirit, we freely share our faith and serve the community with love and compassion. God, our Father calls us to

enrich our lives through Word and Sacrament, Prayer and Action. We pledge to build our lives according to the truths of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church.

We welcome you to join our faith journey.

Cranberry Twp., Ellwood City and Zelienople Grouping

Holy Redeemer Parish Holy Redeemer Parish

serving

Ellwood City, Zelienople and Cranberry Twp.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Support all Catholic Education: “Great Beginnings last a lifetime.”

The Gospel Lesson for the Second Sunday of Lent is always the Transfiguration of the Lord. This episode shows us Christ’s Divinity shining through His humanity. It also demonstrates how transformative time in prayer can be. The story begins with Jesus going up the mountain to pray with Peter, James and John. This verse automatically links prayer with the transfiguration. When we pray, we open ourselves to God and we are transformed into His image. In the Old Testament, after Moses spent time with God on Mount Horeb, where he was given the Commandments of the Law, the skin of his face began to glow (Ex. 43:29). Speaking to God in prayer transformed Moses. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Saint Paul says, “All of us, gazing with unveiled faces on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Transformation is a part of living. From little babies, we are transformed into teenagers, adults and finally, the elderly. In each transformation, we gain more wisdom, which has no value unless we live it and share it. The Gospel Lesson today invites us to prayer so that our Spiritual Lives are transformed by Jesus. “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). During the Transfiguration, Jesus was not alone; it was witnessed by a select few. This means that God wants to share this glory with human beings. Also, Moses and Elijah were not perfect people. Moses killed an Egyptian and Elijah lost faith in God. We can be encouraged by them, because in many ways, they were just like us. Finally, Moses was unaware that his face was glowing as he returned to his people. Our transformation in the Lord is not always noticeable to us. It is for others to see what God has done in us. At the Transfiguration, Father, You showed Jesus in glory, a glimpse of what His disciples would see in His risen life. Bless us in our humanity, with an awareness of Your presence, leading us to share in Your divine life even in our daily struggle. Help us to deepen our knowledge of the Law and the Prophets, channels of Your grace throughout history, and signposts for our journey. Amen.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MARK L. THOMAS

Saturday, March 16, 2109—Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent 5:00 P.M. Stan Sutkowski (Mary & Frank Aloi) Sunday, March 17, 2019—Second Sunday of Lent 9:00 A.M John A. Kuczynski (John & Carol Todorich) 11:00 A.M. Joseph T. Maietta (Mother & Sisters) Monday, March 18, 2019—Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 9:00 A.M. Margaret Butera (Mary Bruno) Tuesday, March 19, 2019—Saint Joseph, Spouse of The Blessed Virgin Mary 9:00 A.M. †Ann McEntee (Farrell Family) 7:00 P.M. Holy Hour with Confessions Wednesday, March 20, 2019 9:00 A.M. Rose Nocera (Bob & Judy Tammaro) Thursday, March 21, 2019 9:00 A.M. †Joanne Hart (Tony & Karen Woloszyn) Friday, March 22, 2019 9:00 A.M. Dave Smith (Tim & Joanne Sberna) 7:00 P.M. Stations of the Cross/Benediction Saturday, March 23, 2019—Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop 9:00 A.M. David Yanessen (Family) Saturday, March 23, 2019—Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent 5:00 P.M. Harry Wilson (Anthony & Karen Woloszyn) Sunday, March 24, 2019—Third Sunday of Lent 9:00 A.M. Maren & Deceased Members of the Gaydosz & LaCava Families (Steve & Teresa Gaydosz) 11:00 A.M. Joseph, Pauline, Michael & Donald Perry (Family) †denotes Month’s Mind

If you requested a weekend Mass and wish to carry the gifts at the Rite of Offertory, please inform an usher before Mass.

Ladies of Charity Easter Project The Ladies of Charity are collecting the following items during the month of MARCH to make personal care bags to be handed out to families through Holy Redeemer Social

Services: shampoo, conditioner, bar soap or body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes (child and adult) and deodorant. Please place donations in the designated LOC bins in the church vestibule or the church office. Thank you for your generosity!

Stations of the Cross/Benediction-Friday, 7:00PM Please turn off all cell phones!

The obligation of abstinence (refraining from eating meat (All Fridays during Lent) begins at the age of 14. The law of fasting (limiting oneself to one full meal and two lighter meals) obliges all between the ages of 18 to 59. NO ONE should consider this obligation lightly!

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 17, 2019

Remember Holy Redeemer Parish in your will.

Readings for the week of March 17, 2019

Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13- 14[1a]/Phil 3:17—4:1 or 3:20—4:1/Lk 9:28b-36 Monday: Dn 9:4b-10/Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 [cf. 103:10a]/Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [37]/Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20/Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16 [17b]/ Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [40:5a]/ Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Ps 105:16- 17, 18-19, 20-21 [5a]/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 [8a]/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Next Sunday: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 [8a]/1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12/Lk 13:1-9

SUNDAY CONTRIBUTIONS March 9th/10th

Due to the submission of the bulletin at an early date, results for March 9th/10th will be in next week’s bulletin. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH. YOUR HELP IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

It Is Good That We Are Here

As we hear the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in today’s Gospel, it is hard not to try to imagine what that scene was like. Picture

yourself standing with Peter, James and John as Jesus, joined by Moses and Elijah, suddenly appears in dazzling white and surrounded in glory. The reaction of those Apostles was not one of fear, but of joy. Peter exclaims, “it is good that we are here,” and suggests that they build tents so that they could remain in the presence of such a glorious scene forever. What the Apostles did not know then, although we have the privilege of realizing it now, is that their desire would become the reality of the Church. Each time we come to Mass, Jesus is raised up before our very eyes as he is made present in the Eucharist. As we gaze upon the host, we see Christ in the flesh with eyes of faith. And, as we receive Him in Holy Communion, he remains with us to strengthen us to be about the work of discipleship. While there are many crosses we currently have to bear as Catholics, the opportunities we have each week to come face to face with our God gives us life and assists us in carrying our crosses. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed.

Widowed, Separated or Divorced? The loss of a spouse through separation, divorce or death is a traumatic experience. The Beginning Experience weekend is

intended to help widowed, divorced or separated individuals work through the grief and begin to move forward with their lives. The next retreat weekend is March 20-31, 2019 at the Martina Spiritual Renewal Center, 5244 Clarwin Avenue, Pittsburgh, located in West View/Ross Township. Payment arrangements and possible financial assistance are available. For more information, please visit the website: www.BeginningExperiencePIttsburgh.com or make a confidential call to Mary at 412-523-2405 or Rob at 412-584-5575.

Congratulations to Robert ‘Bob’ Nauman who will receive the 2019 Blessed John of Vercelli Award on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the 53rd Annual Beaver

County Holy Name Society Awards Banquet. The event will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Social Hall in Center Twp. with an open bar at 4:30PM followed by dinner at 5:30PM. Tickets for the event are available at the parish office. Donation is $28 per person. Deadline for tickets is Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

WXED 107.3FM, here in Ellwood City, is locally owned and operated by volunteers. We broadcast 24 hours a

day and we live stream so you can listen to us on your iphone, laptop, WXEDFM.com. Located on the second floor of Dayspring Harvest Ministries at 316 5th St., we have been operating since 2015. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please call and leave a message at 724-201-0515. We are looking for volunteers for writing, marketing, research, announcers, etc.

Journey of Hope with Fr. Marcucci “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”(Isaiah 40:31) - Please join us at St. Ferdinand for a Parish Renewal on

Wednesday, March 13, 20 and 27. Fr. John Marcucci will guide everyone on a Journey of Hope during this Lenten season. Lent is a time of hope. Each evening will begin with Mass at 7:00PM, followed by an inspirational and uplifting talk on HOPE.

Knights of Columbus Membership Drive The Knights of Columbus will host a membership drive after every Mass on March 23/24 at each parish in our grouping. Please stop and talk to the Knights to hear about all the charities they

help and the work they do. Once you understand what the Knights do, you may want to become a Knight.

Afternoon Tea : Women Gathered Ministry at St. Ferdinand will sponsor the Annual Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 5th in Oldenski Hall. Save the date; more

information will follow ,

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Diocesan Toll-Free Number for Abuse Response: 1-888-808-1235

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mar. 17, 2019: Knotted With Love—1:00PM—Ministry Center Mar. 19, 2019: Knights of Columbus hosting a Marian Icon with prayers and devotions-7:00PM-

Church Mar. 22 & Apr. 5, 2019: Christian Mothers Pizza Sale—Whole Red or White-$8.00-Must pre-order by calling 724-752-9350 on the day of the sale Mar. 23, 2019: Sacrament of Confirmation—1:30PM—Bishop David Zubik officiating Mar. 23 & 24, 2019: Knights of Columbus membership drive after all Masses—Church Vestibule Mar. 30, 2019: Ladies of Charity Meeting—10:00 to 11:30AM—Lunchroom Apr. 1, 2019: Penance Service-7:00PM Apr. 6, 2019: SAG Meeting-9:30AM-Lunchroom Apr. 7, 2019: Living Stations presented by the St. Ferdinand’s Youth Group—7:00PM—Church Apr. 8, 2019: Penance Service at St. Gregory Church-7:00PM Apr. 8, 2019: Christian Mothers/Ladies Meeting-6:00PM Mass; 7:00PM Meeting—Catholic Center Apr. 10, 2019: The Light is on for You - 6:00PM to 9:00PM—Priests are available for confession Apr. 10, 2019: Baptism Class—7:00PM—Ministry Center Apr. 12, 2019: Easter Bread Pick-up from 10:00AM to 5:00PM—Catholic Center

Weekly/Monthly Events Every Monday morning: Bible Study-10AM-Ministry Center Every 4th Monday of the month: Social Club meeting at 6:00pm in the lunchroom Tuesday to Thursday: Social Service Office open from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Closed Monday and Friday. First Tuesday of every month: Knights of Columbus meeting at Carusone’s Catering on Lawrence Ave.—6:30PM Every Wednesday: Mystical Rose—10:00AM—Ministry Center Every Wednesday: Golden Agers – Catholic Center doors open at 12:30PM First Thursday of every month: Social Services/Food Bank unloading of truck from the Pittsburgh Food Bank, beginning at 9:00AM at the Ministry Center. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Pizza lunch provided. Every Thursday: Choir practice at 7:00PM in the Church—New members are always welcome! Cancer S.O.S. Support Group meets from 10:00AM to 11:30AM every 1st Friday and/or from 6:00PM to 7:30PM every 2nd Friday at the Ministry Center. Every Friday: Friday Night Bingo—7:00PM—Catholic Center First Saturday of every month: SAG Meeting-9:30AM-Lunchroom

SERVING THE PARISH MARCH 23RD/24TH

EMHC 5:00 P.M. *David Raybuck, Patti Kuhn, Guy Calabro, Karen Woloszyn, Kay Bellissimo, Jackie Dimeo, Melissa Rosendale 9:00 A.M. *Norman Ballard, Mark & Julie Strosnider, Eric Brandt, Sharon Smith, Cathy DeBlaso, Aimee Knauff 11:00 A.M. *Bonnie Wadding, Mary Ellen McDowell, Judy Yeykal, Loretta Silvestri, Rosina Betz, Charlie Chaffin, Lisa Greco READERS 5:00 P.M. Carol Nocera 9:00 A.M. Frank Manzo 11:00 A.M. David DeCaria

CANTORS 5:00 P.M. TBA 9:00 A.M. TBA 11:00 A.M. Choir

SERVERS March 22nd-Stations of the Cross/Benediction-7:00PM

Emily Borroni, Everest & Sofia Knauff (Report to Church at 6:30PM for practice)

March 23rd/24th 5:00 P.M. Gabrielle & Joe Cioffi, Reed Angelucci 9:00 A.M. Evan & Tarah Barton, Michael Nocera 11:00 A.M. Emily Borroni, Danielle McCowin, Lee Barnhart

GREETERS 5:00 P.M. Laura McMichael, Carol Nocera 9:00 A.M. Norm Giancola, Joyce Hackett, Louise Carrozza 11:00 A.M. Patty D’Ambrosio, Grace Haberman

MONEY COUNTERS March 24,2019 Joe Flecher, Jackie Dimeo, Gary Fray, Steve Beck March 25, 2019 Annie Raybuck, Mary Anne Mansell, Jane Petrak, Debbie Kucan

ALTAR LINENS March 24, 2019 Helen Gobrich

PRIESTS SCHEDULE March 23rd/24th

Holy Redeemer: 5:00PM (Sat.), 9:00AM, 11:00AM

Fr. James Gallagher

St. Gregory’s: 5:00PM (Sat.), 8:00AM, 11:30AM Fr. Ed Kunco

St. Ferdinand: 4:00PM & 6:00PM (Sat.) Fr. Mark Thomas 8:00AM 10:00AM Fr. James Young Fr. James Torquato 12:00PM 5:00PM Fr. James Young Fr. James R. Toquato Casino Trip to the Meadows, on Thursday,

April 25th—Cost $25 and get $25 in free play—Leave Catholic Center Parking Lot at 8:30AM, leave Casino at 4:00PM—Call the Parish Office (724-758-4411) for reservations. Seats go fast, so call as soon as possible.

Safe Environment: If you have received DHS Childline and Abuse History Clearance forms—please complete and return to parish office as soon as possible. Thank you.

The Christian Mothers will hold their annual Pizza sale on Mar. 22nd and Apr. 5th. A whole Red or White pizza is $8.00. You MUST pre-order on the day of sale between 9AM to 2PM by calling 724-752-9350. Pick

up is from 11AM to 5PM. Thank you for your support.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Nancy Andrews Mary T. Bartolomeo Susan Bennett Judy Bokor Frank Borroni Jamie Brightwell David Brooks Rozanne Carosi Sue Colavecchia Ray Colledge

Helen Colosimo Frederick Conley Mary Jo Conley Anthony T. Conti Ruth Edna Cordes Leroy Cortez Filippo D’Alessio Fr. Joseph Dascenzo Maria DiBuono James M. Hackett Dana Baker Hare Catherine Jaskolka Aimee Knauff Denise Knauff Sr. Joanne Kokosinski

Jean Laskey Jodi Minteer Brooke Moffatt James Norton Anthony Onufer Dena Ottobre Antoinette Pansera Bruce Patrick Amalia Pecoraro Frieda Pitelka Bob Reisinger Ray Reeher Gabriel Richard Rose Ritter James Rosenberger

Lisa Roth Kathleen Russo Christina Santillo Diane Scott Catherine Shuttleworth William Shuttleworth Lena Rose Smith Judy Strohecker Jim Sudano Timothy Thomas Doreen Tomon Karl Zimmerman Family must call the office at 724-758-4411 Ext 110 to add a name to the list.

Calling All Men! Join us for the 13th Gathering of Catholic Men on April 16th

The 13th Gathering of Catholic Men Conference is a pow-erful encountering of the Mercy of Christ with dynamic Catholic presenters like Steve Pokorny, Sean O’Hare, Bishop David Zubik, Jimmy Mitchell and Holly Frank. The Steubenville Worship Team will provide uplifting worship music. Mark your calendar for the afternoon of April 6th at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Doors open at 12 Noon. Contact Guy Calabro at 724-758-1553 for more information or go to www.cmfpitt.org for online registration information. Donation is $20 per man.

Because our Altar Flowers project has been very successful (all 2019 dates are filled), you may now purchase Flowers in Memory of or for that special occasion for the tabernacle. Donation is $50 for two vases—one for both

sides of the tabernacle. Please call the parish office to place your request. We will begin with the flowers the weekend of May 19th.

Again this Lent, we offer you the opportunity to participate in Operation Rice Bowl. Just as we celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays, we can use Operation Rice Bowl as a way to ‘break bread’ together with family and loved

ones and as a means to help us walk through Lent in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Rice Bowls are at all the church entrances. Collect in your Rice Bowl throughout Lent. Offering envelopes may be returned in the collection baskets on Palm Sunday. Please make a check for the amount collected payable to Holy Redeemer Parish (NO CASH PLEASE). All funds collected will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services.

We are conducting a service project through an organization called Crutches4Africa (crutches4africa.org). We are collecting used crutches, walkers and canes which will be shipped to Africa for distribution by a Rotary Club there. There are many people in Africa suffering from mobility issues due to polio, limb loss and many other causes. Unlike most of our

population here, they don’t have medical insurance to cover the cost of mobility devices. If you have any of these items at home collecting dust and would like to donate them to this life-changing cause, please bring them to Holy Redeemer Office or Kathy’s Barber Shop at 429 Lawrence Avenue by March 30th. If you have any questions, please call Lou at the parish office or Amy Hazen at 724-316-7840. Thank you for your generosity!

Mark your calendar for the 20th Annual St. Gregory Auction and Casino Night on Saturday, April 13th at 6PM. This fun evening will be held at St. Gregory School and proceeds will support the school. This

year’s theme is a 1950’s Sock Hop, so grab your Greaser and Pink Lady outfits and join us for an evening of food, wine, beer and fun! The evening will also include casino games, themed auction baskets, a live auction of designer purses, Mud Pie Pottery, wine pull and more! Tickets are available at St. Gregory School or call Charlene Peacock at 412-480-5292 or charlenepeahen@gmail.com.

Faith and Flowers Garden Ministry: We would like to organize an outdoor beautification ministry. We are looking for volunteer, seasoned gardeners to help plan and plant seasonal flowers in various areas of our parish properties. Please call the parish

office at 724-758-4411 Ext. 110 to volunteer or for more information. We will plan a meeting once we establish a core group of volunteers.

Christian Initation(RCIA): Rite Of Election will be held for the Catechumens (those seeking Baptism-now called the Elect) and the Candidates (those already Baptized as Christians and seeking reception into the Catholic faith) at St. Paul Cathedral today, Sunday, March 17th. They will be presented to the Bishop, who in the name of the Church chooses these men and women for the Easter sacraments. The season of Lent begins the Purification and Enlightenment stage of the initiation process. Please remember our Elect and Candidates in your prayers. Elect: (preparing for Baptism, Confirmaton & Eurcharist: Brent Rose & Sylvia Marsano. Candidates: (preparing for Confirmation & Eurcharist: Amy Howells. The First Scrutiny will be held the weekend of March 24th/25th.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA