for our spiritual life how to know whether you’re …...god i”m doing this (or not doing this)...

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FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

How to Know Whether You’re Trusting God...or Just Being Stupid by Carey Nieuwhof

www.careynieuwhof.com

One of the most perplexing questions a Christian and, to be sure, a Christian leader will face when it comes to risk is this:

Am I trusting God, or am I simply being foolish?

The question isn’t as dumb as it seems.

There’s a fine line between faith and irresponsibility, and at times it’s almost impossible to see.

You know that big leadership risk you’re thinking about?

your new role

the massively daunting project

the big mission trip

that new campus

your start up

hiring a team

a new facility

the big move?

So…is it a step of faith, or is it just stupid?

Is it trust…or is it irresponsibility?

How would you know?

Real Risk Lives on the Edge of

Spectacular

Recently I had a call from a pastor friend who wanted to

get his church out of a portable situation and into a new facility.

We had talked about the move several times, and on this particular day he was down the wire. His church had given

at unbelievably sacrificial levels, but he was still at least 6 figures short of his goal. Yet they had a building deal in front of them that they could move on now before costs escalated beyond what they could afford.

He asked me what I thought. I asked more questions. The

answers really didn’t help me get much clarity at all, despite my friend’s best intentions.

I asked him what other wise people he and I both knew were saying. He said everyone thought it was pushing the

known limits.

I said I tended to agree.

We talked some more.

So what advice did I end up giving him?

I told him:

I think this will be spectacular. It will either be

spectacularly wonderful or a spectacular failure. And I don’t know which.

That’s quite literally what I told him. (Bet you don’t want to call me for advice anymore….)

But that was the truth. I just didn’t know which. I told him I’d be watching with prayerful anticipation, which I did.

So what did my friend do?

He put out one last call for giving and people…responded.

They signed the deal. And recently I saw his amazing new

facility that’s nearing completion.

I’m glad I kept my mouth shut. He was right. It looks like it

was a spectacularly great decision for his congregation and all those they’ll reach in the coming years.

The Bible Sometimes Makes Things…

Complicated

Ever really read the Bible?

So when you read it…what do you see? Faith or foolishness?

What was Abraham thinking when we set out with his entire family to go to a land he’d never been to, risking

everything for a voice he thought he’d heard?

Who was Moses to think he could stand up to the most powerful king in the land, or to even attempt it after he had so much doubt about his calling?

The prophets were….not very typical suburban

people. Ezekiel lay on his side for 390 days and all eating a specific diet cooked over excrement and played with a scale model of Jerusalem to show its pending destruction…wow!)

Imagine how Daniel felt being thrown into the lion’s den. Had he lived his life faithfully, or foolishly? He was about to

find out.

Would you have advised your kids to do what Peter James and John did, leaving it all (including you, mom and dad!)

to follow a man that had just burst onto the scene and

some are starting to think is God?

How about Paul, who went from place to place, prison to prison, painfully misunderstood but absolutely committed to proclaiming this Jesus so many people rejected?

We say we want our kids to lead faithful lives, but do we even have a clue what that means?

None of our biblical heroes were exactly on the top college/

stunning career track.

If you were advising any of these biblical figures, what would you have told them to do?

What is a Godly decision?

18 August 2019 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Is it always wise, prudent, restrained, responsible?

Or is it always risky, edgy, out-there, half-crazed? Or neither? Or both?

That’s a tough one, isn’t it?

Two Helpful Questions

For the record, I don’t believe there’s an easy way, five step, bullet proof way to resolve the tension between faith

and foolishness.

Pivotal decision making should be navigated through prayer, through pouring over scripture (prayer and scripture should always be married) and through seeking

advice of trusted, Christian mature people around you .

But sometimes that even lands in a place of uncertainty.

Here are two questions I’ve started asking myself to help

when things aren’t clear:

1. Is ‘wisdom’ killing my trust in God?

2. Does my ‘trust’ in God disregard all wisdom?

Q 1: Is Wisdom Killing My Trust?

I think the first question—is wisdom killing my trust in God—is more disturbing for me.

I’ve led for 20 years and learned a lot of lessons. I’m wiser than I was decades ago (hopefully that’s true for all of us who have led for a while).

And that can lead me to choose what I know, can see and can predict without honestly going for broke and trusting God wholeheartedly.

More over, the more successful you become—the more money you have, the more people you’ve reached, the more influence you have—the more conservative you tend to become. I’m not talking politics here, I’m simply saying you tend to not want to lose what you’ve got, so you

naturally conserve more and risk less.

You know what’s underneath that? Fear.

Fear is clever. And fear can hide behind wisdom.

You can get to a certain season in leadership in which you no longer want to take risks in the name of being ‘wise’,

‘prudent’ or ‘ responsible.”

But the truth is you don’t want to rock the boat. If you examined your motives, you’d be honest and say you don’t want to lose what you’ve already gained. You simply don’t want to sacrifice what is for the sake of what could be.

You’d be forced to admit that having is more comforting than trusting.

And you’ve allowed ‘wisdom’ to become a substitute for trust.

And that’s bad.

That’s why young leaders are often better risk takers than

seasoned leaders—they have less to lose so they risk

more.

And that can lead some leaders to stop trusting God

because ‘risk’ looks unwise.

When was the last time you had to trust God for the outcome of something? I mean really trust God?

If you can’t remember, it might be a sign you’ve let wisdom kill your trust in God.

Q 2: Does My Trust in God Disregard All Wisdom?

The opposite of course, can also be true. You have so much faith that you’re…well, reckless.

What people claim to be ‘trust’ can easily be:

their ego

their insecurity a cruel disregard for other people deep disobedience irresponsibility

Just because you label it ‘faithful’ doesn’t mean it’s faithful.

If you are disregarding wisdom entirely and likely to hurt a bunch of people you’re likely not being faithful.

Trust still looks like Jesus…and it should have outcomes consistent with his character and with scripture.

If your decision makes you and the people you lead look nothing like Christ, it’s not from Christ.

The Final Call

So…you can go through all of these steps and still not be clear. You knew that, didn’t you?

So what happens if all of this (prayer, scripture, wise

counsel and questions like the two questions above) doesn’t lead you to a conclusion?

Here’s what I do.

I just make a decision. So should you.

So many dreams have died because people were terrified to make the wrong decision. Don’t be.

Whatever decision you make, offer it up in faith. Make it

faith. Dedicate the decision and the outcome to God, like Paul suggests in Romans 14:23.

A prayer like that can sound something like this:

God I”m doing this (or not doing this) because I trust you. If it’s wrong, I trust you will show me. If it’s right, I trust you will show me. I’m trusting you with the outcome.

Then go for it. With confidence and faith. Don’t hold back.

For as Augustine said:

Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.

FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Continued 18 August 2019 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

https://bible.com/111/rom.14.23.niv

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IN THE PARISH

Helpful Information

Join the Parish

Anyone wishing to register for membership in the parish is asked to fill out a registration form and drop it in the collection basket.

Request Prayers

Our INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY provides prayer for anyone in need throughout the parish. Contact MARY ANN MAGDA at 570-820-0525 or make your intention known on our parish website at www.standrebessettewb.com

Remember your Parish

Your parish serves you faithfully throughout your life. Please remember your parish with a memorial gift or a Bequest in your will. Make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for you.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may take place at any time, but, sadly, too many families wait until the last minute to call the priest to anoint their loved ones. If someone in your family is seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or suffering a prolonged illness, please contact the parish office to arrange a time for Fr. Ken to visit. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY—or if Fr. Ken is unavailable to visit immediately, we will contact the first available priest to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with your loved one.

Funeral Preparations

We collaborate with the local funeral directors in arranging the times of the funerals. Please be aware that

there is an additional fee for funerals on Saturdays imposed by most cemeteries in the area.

Baptismal Preparations

Parents of newly born infants may call the parish office to arrange a time for the Baptism of their child. Baptisms are celebrated, for the most part, on any Sunday, with the exception of the season of Lent.

Wedding Preparations

Couples contemplating Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least one year prior to the contemplated date of marriage, before making other plans.

FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Continued

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Have you lost a loved one?

Do you feel alone in your grief?

Consider joining our Parish’s

Bereavement Support Group.

This group is limited to 10 members and will meet for 6 weeks.

The first session will begin on Wednesday, September 11th at 6 pm and continue until October 16th.

Sessions are limited to 10 participants and will last approximately 90 minutes.

To sign up, please contact the

parish office at 570-823-4988. Deadline for Registration is August 28th.

Are You Having Trouble Finding a Ride to Church? Our Parish Social Justice Council has teamed up with LCTA to provide Bus Transportation to the 4 pm Vigil Mass each Saturday for our Parishioners. All you have to do is 1. Contact Anna Hudock (570-822-

1926) and let her know you are interested. She will instruct you to

2. Call LCTA and enroll in the Shared Ride Program.

3. Our Parish Social Justice Council will pay for the tickets monthly.

This service is provided through the generosity of our parishioners in the

THE CORONATION OF OUR LADY

Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.

In the fourth century Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship.

The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, and because of her intercessory power.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED

Several projects have been completed over the course of the last few months. This is just to bring you up to date.

Landscaping around the church and

rectory was done by Fr. Ken and Jim. Plants were supplied by Joan Zemanik and Fr. Ken.

The Staff parking lot was paved, The

Driveway was sealed and lines were repainted.

There are now DESIGNATED PARKING

SPACES for the staff, as well as THREE

HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES on the side of the church. Signs have been appropriately placed.

The heating and air-conditioning system

in the hall is up and running.

The former garage restrooms have been

gutted out and the dividing walls torn down to create one room which will serve as a storage shed for the

gardening tools, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.

We are waiting for

permission from the Bishop and the release of our funds from savings

to complete the

roofing project.


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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Thursday, September 12

1 pm

CATECHETICAL COUNCIL Sunday, August 18

NOON

FINANCE COUNCIL Thursday September 19

6:00 pm

LITURGICAL COUNCIL Thursday, August 29

6:00 p.m.

PARISH LIFE COUNCIL Thursday, October 17

6:00 pm

PASTORAL COUNCIL Thursday September 5

6:00 p.m.

SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL

Thursday, October 10

6:00 p.m.

TOY BINGO Committee Wednesday, August 21

10 am

Development

Committee Monday, September 16

6:30 pm

FAITH SHARING

ST. ANDRE FAITH SHARERS Monday, September 16

6:00 pm

DISCIPLES of the SPIRIT Saturday, September 21

10:30 am

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

Sunday, September 22 2:00 pm

For More Information, please contact Sr. Madonna at 570-823-4988.

Summer Ordinary Time

Weekend of August 17-18 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 am Mass 11:00 am Mass Debt Reduction Envelope

Weekend of August 24-25 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 am Mass 11:00 am Mass

Monday, August 19

No Morning Mass

Monday, August 26

No Morning Mass 6 pm PC Agenda Meeting

Tuesday, August 20

8 am Mass 5:30 pm Choir

Tuesday, August 27

8 am Mass 5:30 pm Choir

Wednesday August 21

8 am Mass

Wednesday August 28

8 am Mass

Thursday, August 22 Queenship of Mary

8 am Mass Noon—Adoration begins 6 pm Vespers/Benediction

Thursday, August 29

8 am Mass Noon—Adoration begins 6 pm Vespers/Benediction Liturgical Council

Friday, August 23

8 am Mass

Friday, August 30

8 am Mass

Saturday, August 24

No Morning Mass 3:00 pm Confessions. VIGIL 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, August 31

No Morning Mass 3:00 pm Confessions. VIGIL 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

PARISH COMMITTEES

Loaves and

Fishes Food for August

KETCHUP

Check out our Website: www.standrebessettewb.com

LABOR DAY MASS Monday, September 2, 2019 9:00 am

ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION Sunday, September 15

Parent and Student

meeting at 9:30 am Classes begin Sunday, September 22 Want to Learn how to make Pierogies??

Join us on Sunday, September 15th from 1—5 pm in Fr. Zolcinski Hall and learn how to make those delectable Polish delicacies. No prior experience necessary! To Register, Call the Parish Office. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Fall Dance Mark September 27th on your calendar! That is the date of our next Dance featuring Millennium.

Tickets go on sale beginning August 31st!

We will also have our Fabulous Basket Raffle! All items for baskets must be in by August

25th! We are in need of GIFT

CARDS from area Restaurants and stores. These can be dropped in the Collection Basket or at the parish office.

TOY BINGO , Sunday November 3, 2019 Doors open at Noon. First

Game 1:30 pm Next Bingo Committee Meeting—Wednesday, August 21st at 10 am. Now Collecting Gift Cards, Big Ticket

Items, or Electronics. Please drop off at

Parish Office.


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FAITH SHARING

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

FINANCES 18 August 2019 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekly Income August 10-11, 2019

Funds from these collections go directly into the Parish Operating Account They are used to pay the utilities, the staff salaries, and provide for the day to day running of the parish.

PARISH COLLECTION

In Church Mailed

Loose 236.50

Sunday Envelopes

3,574.00 473.00

TOTAL WEEKLY COLLECTION

4,283.50

HOLY DAYS

Assumption 47.00 16.00

All Saints

Immaculate Conception

Christmas

Mary, Mother of God

Easter

Assumption

TOTAL HOLY DAYS

63.00

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Initial

Dues 202.00 116.00

Debt Reduction

16.00 5.00

Holiday Flowers

TOTAL SPECIALS

339.00

TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION

4,685.50

These funds augment the

weekend offering, go

into the Parish

operating fund and

contribute to the running

of the parish.

OTHER INCOME

Candles

Rental of Properties

666.00

Perquisites

Bequests

Miscellaneous

TOTAL OTHER

666.00

Diocesan Collections August 10-11, 2019

These Collections pass through the Parish General Account but do not contribute to the running of the parish. They are sent directly to the Diocese for Distribution

In Church Mailed

Monthly Collection for the Care & Education of the Clergy

45.00 116.00

Mission Sunday (3rd weekend of October)

Mission Co-Operative (Funds Specific Mission)

Human Development (Weekend before Thanksgiving)

Religious Retirement (Second Weekend of December)

Church in Eastern Europe (Weekend before Lent)

Catholic Relief Services (4th Weekend of Lent)

Operation Rice Bowl (Holy Thursday)

Holy Land Collection (Good Friday)

Catholic Home Missions (Last weekend of April)

Catholic Communications (Third weekend of May)

Peter’s Pence Collection (Weekend closest to June 29th)

Miscellaneous Diocesan Collection (Whenever a need arises)

TOTAL DIOCESAN COLLECTION

161.00

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM??

Transfer of Funds into the General Account From time to time it becomes necessary to withdraw funds from other parish accounts to augment the weekly offering, to fund a ministry, or to pay the assessments or unforeseen expenses.

From Fund Raising

Dance/Raffle

Toy Bingo

Night at the Races

Summer Raffle

Other Parish Fundraising Activities

FROM Social Justice Acct.

FROM Memorial Acct/ 5,100.00

FROM Stipend Acct.

FROM Savings Acct.

TOTAL TRANSFERS 5,100.00

Collection + Holy Day + Special + Other Income + Diocesan + Transfers = TOTAL INCOME

4,283.50 +63.00 +339.00 +666.00 +161.00 +5,100.00 =$10,612.50

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WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?? Week of August 8-14, 2019

FINANCES 18 August 2019 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

RUNNING the PARISH

ADMINISTRATIVE 641.52

A Portion

of the Parish Income goes to fund the Ministries

of the

Parish, Pay the Staff, Maintain the properties, and provide for

those in need.

CLERGY RESIDENCE

LITURGY

RELIGIOUS FORMATION

SOCIAL JUSTICE

MAINTENANCE 5,100.00

TAXES

TOTAL PARISH EXPENSES

$5,741.52

SUPPORTING the Diocese

A Portion of the Parish Income goes to fund the Ministries and Services of the Diocese, Provide Insurance for parish Properties, provide care for the clergy and their retirement, and fund Catholic Schools in the Diocese

Assessment Annual Fee Prior

Balance Payments

Made

Balance due by

June 30, 2020

SCH0OL ASSESSMENT (14.5 % of Income)

62,196.00 148,331.34 3,443.61 207,083.73

CATHEDRATICUM (9.5% of Income)

40,008.00 0.00 5,471.21 34,536.79

CLERGY BLUE CROSS

16,727.00 0.00 0.00 16,727.00

INSURANCE 16,148.00 0.00 0.00 16,148.00

CLERGY CARE AND WELLNESS (Not the monthly collection)

9,562.00 0.00 0.00 9,562.00

CLERGY PENSION 7,440.00 0.00 0.00 7,440.00

POST RETIREMENT FUND

5,200.00 0.00 0.00 5,200.00

EMPLOYER 403 (b) 1,393.92 0.00 0.00 1,393.92

PAYROLL PROCESSING FEE

780.00 0.00 0.00 780.00

TOTAL ASSESSMENTS

159,454.92 148,331.34 8,914.82 298,871.44

A Loan was taken from the Diocese to consolidate Inherited debt that occurred when the Parishes

were consolidated to form St. Andre Bessette Parish.

Parish Loan Amount Paid BALANCE

Due

BALANCE 412,000.00 89,363.00 322,637.00

PAYING TOWARD the PARISH DEBT

Calculating Payment of Cathedraticum and School Assessments

Weekend of Envelope Loose Holy Days Special

Collections

TAXABLE

INCOME

Diocesan

x.095

Schools

x.145

24% of

Total Income

Other

Income

August 3-4 4,465.75 202.00 28.00 1267.75 8,207.87 779.68 1,190.03 1,969.89 2244.37

August 10-11 4,047.00 236.50 63.00 339.00 5,351.50 508.40 775.97 1,284.37 666.00

August 17-18

August 24-25

TOTAL 8,512.75 438.50 91.00 1,606.75 2,910.37 16,469.74 1,288.08 1,966.00 3,254.08

The Monthly expected payment for the Cathedraticum is 3,343.00 The Monthly expected payment for the Schools Assessment is 5,183.00 These are only 2 of the line items expected to be paid by the parish to the diocese. There are 7 other items that are not accounted for in this tally.

Monies must be held in Operating Account until Payment of the Monthly Assessments on the 25th of the month. This limits our ability to pay other bills in a timely fashion.

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As he stood before the rain-soaked crowd estimated

to be as great as 20,000, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn—with that truly Russian sense of solemn sincerity and conviction—suggested to the

1978 graduating class of Harvard University that what the West lacked above

all else—and in his view the West lacked quite a good bit—was courage. Said

Solzhenitsyn:

A decline in courage may be the most striking feature that an outside observer notices in the West today… Such

a decline in courage is particularly noticeable among the ruling and intellectual elites, causing an impression of a loss of courage by the entire society. There are many courageous individuals, but they have no determining influence on public life… Political and intellectual functionaries exhibit this depression, passivity, and

perplexity in their actions and in their statements, and even more so in their self-serving rationales as to how

realistic, reasonable, and intellectually and even morally justified it is to base state policies on weakness and cowardice… Must one point out that from ancient times a decline in courage has been considered the first symptom of the end?

One does not often hear mention of courage or its absence in modern discourse. In fact, one would be most

hard-pressed to hear mention of any virtue at all, lest it be mentioned derogatorily. When Solzhenitsyn said that the West lacked courage, perhaps not even he could have seen coming a time such as ours—a time in which virtue has been buried alive and replaced in the public square with a set of ideas parading as values though lacking any value, which represent exactly what our former virtues

stood emphatically against. If a decline in courage led to the world of the 1990s and early 2000s, what sort of world will result from its being summarily executed?

Our Russian prophet was lambasted, predictably, by the media (who also received no uncertain measure of scorn for his address) and other cultural elites. How dare this ungrateful exile from the East, taken in by the West—God’s country—say such disparaging things about his one true safe haven? The reaction to his observations, which

were actually encouragements for those willing to look past their own ersatz offense, did hurt his reputation, it is true, while at the same time proving his very point. Men of the West lacked the courage to stand up to evil, even

the evil within themselves. Solzhenitsyn famously wrote that evil cuts through each human heart. We all have that choice to make—either that we will submit to good or succumb to evil. It may be the nebulous “others” who are

responsible for the downward trend of society, but to those “others” we are also “other.” All share blame, and it is in no small part due to our lack, our divorce, and our infidelity against courage, honor, other virtues, and, ultimately, truth itself.

Our Infidelity Against Truth

Western civilization is unquestionably founded upon and has been unmistakably influenced by the Christian worldview. No serious argument exists to refute this claim. As time has soldiered on, however, and as so-called “progressive” ideals have seeped into the popular imagination, our adherence to the truth has weakened and in many ways dissolved entirely. We have forsaken

the straight and narrow for the wide and easy, as the former has often led to persecution, alienation, and being forsaken ourselves. Perhaps we can fight the good fight from within, as many have undoubtedly thought to themselves. This is nothing but the Devil speaking through us.

So we come to our modern fragile day. Everything, it seems,

teeters on the precipice of ruin. Never has it been easier to gain access to the full body of the Magisterium; the

Truth stands at the ready at our very fingertips. Conversely, never have the faithless had such an expansive and visible

platform from which to spew their deceitful poison. The

“Dark Ages” are so called due to the superstition that it was a worthless period. The Roman Empire had fallen, and the Enlightenment had not yet begun. It was a period of social and cultural darkness. When one looks at the great works done by the Church during this time—a deeply humane work, one laughs at the label of a “dark” age. Were it not for the Church, there would have been

no Enlightenment, as it was the Church that worked tirelessly to preserve the wisdom of the ancient world. Dark, indeed.

To the contrary, one could call our own time the new Dark Age, or perhaps even the first true Dark Age,

A Catholic Call To Courage by Jeremy A. Kee

www.crisismagazine.com


9

without being called a cynic. What could be darker than the conscious turning away from God and the

assumption of the mantle of lies peddled by the countless heretics and snake oil salesmen of our day?

If God is the Light, then wandering away from him can only lead to darkness.

When Solzhenitsyn diagnosed the root of our social troubles as a spiritual weakness, he said it was because we lacked courage. Why? Because it takes courage in the truest sense to be men and women of faith in a godless society. C.S. Lewis once wrote that courage is not a virtue unto itself but

rather every virtue at its testing point. In other words, any virtue will eventually be put to the

test, and only with courage will that virtue be

found true in the life of he or she who hopes to live accordingly. Virtue requires courage, and we lack courage, so it should come as no surprise that our society is so susceptible to vice. Lest we forget, no

less than Christ our Lord tells us that the world will hate us, it will persecute us, and it will demand our very lives. Those who stand firm in the faith—in Lewisian language, those whose virtue is tested and found true—will see eternity. Faith, then, requires courage.

One might expect that the Church, as the Body of Christ on Earth and the storehouse of all eternal truth, be a bastion of courage. How could it not be one? Yet,

we know that even among the Body of Christ, layperson and leader alike, courage is lacking. It can be most discouraging to see this. During a homily following the legislative massacre that was the Irish abortion referendum, my own priest, a good and decent man, spoke powerfully and forcefully against such wanton pursuits of death. Fire poured from his

mouth, and, judging by the body language of those in the chapel (not a small crowd particularly for a 7:30 am service), more than a few were badly burned. Perhaps those squirming uncomfortably in the pews

were doing so because they vehemently disagreed with Father. Or perhaps they were uncomfortable because

they were hearing the truth that they knew and felt deep within themselves and were thus confronted with that most terrible of possibilities—they might just be wrong about something very, very bad.

But if they are wrong, what is to be done? To adhere to what is right might mean social discomfort. Friends may be lost. Status may be lowered. Surely God will forgive them for doing nothing. Surely God will understand that the potential consequences were just

too high. It is a difficult thing to stand up for what is true amidst such pervasive hostility. Jesus probably did not intend all that stuff he said to be taken so literally

that you and I are actually expected to risk our social or professional lives just to say what is right, or did he?

Perhaps we should ask the Apostles, the countless saints who have died as martyrs, or even our Lord.

Faith requires courage. It always has and it always will.

We are told to be perfect as Christ is perfect, but how?

I have no answer to this question, but it is spelled out very clearly that this is our charge nevertheless. We are called to be saints—not in the casual manner of a really nice or helpful person but, rather, in the manner of existing in eternity before the Ancient of Days. Saints in the manner of those called upon for help by those who remain in the Vale of Tears.

We are called to be saints.

You, who have sinned so profoundly in your life up to

this point, are called to be a saint. And you can be one. So many of us say, “No way. There is simply no way I could ever become a saint. They’re so much better than me!” If you believe this, then you are a coward. Why adhere to a religion that calls all its members to sainthood if you do not believe yourself capable of it

yourself? Why waste your time and energy going to Mass if you do not believe that you will receive the full gift of the Holy Spirit, or that God expects as much of you as he expected of Jerome, Augustine, or Aquinas? Here is the truth: it is not that one does not believe but rather than one chooses not to. Wide and easy is the way that leads to hell, and God is not a God of cheap

grace. Faith requires courage.

We are called to be saints, so let us be saints, for this

is precisely what the world, our country, our communities, and our homes need. Let us call out sin when and where we see it, with love, yes, but with courage as well. Let us stop calling it “fake news” and start

calling it by its other name—lies. Let us stand up for life—all life—the unborn, the

refugee, the

poor, the sick, and the elderly. Let us test our courage. If we fail, let us fail spectacularly and try again. Faith is not a dichotomy of pass or fail; we are given a lifetime of opportunities. Finding a place to

begin is like finding the right spot of the pool into which to jump: every spot is good. Let us jump in. Let us stop wasting our time and instead be men and women of courage. Let us be saints.


10

The global meltdown is frequently in the news these days. Hundreds of thousands of homes are going into default, banks are failing and we have the largest amount of job loss in the past two decades. We know there is no quick fix

for the current national and global situation. We must have hope and be courageous, creative and compassionate in our response.

How does one have hope in a declining economy, shrinking investments and disappearing jobs and health care coverage? As we journey through life, we can expect many

challenges and struggles. Often I meet people who have shattered dreams and plans gone awry. The responses of individuals and groups in each situation are unique.

Chaos can have profound meaning that

leads to a deeper search. Creativity can come out of chaos such as job loss, natural disasters and failing health. If we only focus on the problem, the

result is we will intensify the pain and become

engulfed in fear and doubt. I recall the story of Peter walking on water going to meet

Jesus. When he looked down and saw the waves, he began to sink. When he kept his eyes on Jesus he arrived

safely at his destination. Choosing hope is the only way to go. Our hope is based on our faith in God, not in a God up

there somewhere, but a God who is described in Matthew’s Gospel as one who says: "I am with you all days, even to the end of the age." This approach is not a cop out or avoidance of the problems. It is grounding our hope on reliable promises.

One thing is evident. People are no longer in a "shop until you drop" mode. They are sorting out their needs from their wants and limiting their purchases accordingly. Talking with family members about their needs and what

living simply means for them will help children and youth to make adjustments with a purpose. Include the children in the planning so that they will not be craving for unnecessary things in times of scarcity. There is a call to be in social solidarity with the poor by sharing not just from our surplus but even from our need. It reminds me of the years I was growing up in my native land, Ireland. Our

family motto was: "If we have more than we need. It belongs to someone who has less." Poverty was a way of life for most people there but they were willing to share

their resources with people who had even greater needs.

We can share words of encouragement and hope with people who are struggling to survive. We can also gather in small groups and discuss ways to support each other.

Faith communities can facilitate such gatherings and discussions and come up with some creative solutions for local needs.

This is a time to evaluate the moral and ethical aspects of our economy and discern what "option for the poor" that

the global church has so frequently talked about, really

means. In the past, poverty brought new creativity and action for the common good.

There is a call to re root ourselves in God, whose supply of mercy and compassion never goes bankrupt. We are also called to bring justice and peace into our political, social and economic life and work to empower those who are dispossessed..

Many times we see waves of compassion following natural disasters or in times of great need. That can be our response during these difficult times. The hopelessness we

see need not be a disaster. It offers us an opportunity to develop a genuine trust and hope in God who really cares. It will help us realize that many of the foundations we built upon were on shaky ground. There is a new call to a

revolution in our values, away from material wealth and militarism, and to create communities of compassion, peace and opportunity for all people. Hope comes at a

price. It is more than making a wish list. It means expecting that God’s providence and compassion will see us through. It is a good thing to name our hopes and count our blessings, especially in dark times, and work to make our hopes create something new. Complaining will not help. We become stronger and more compassionate by sharing hope.

People of any age or condition can join in

the response. A valuable contribution

we can call make is to act hopefully and in that way, bring encouragement to those on the brink of

despair. A call to hope means to be hopeful even when there are few visible signs. Sometimes the darkest hour is before the dawn. We can all pray and work for God’s outcome for ourselves and others Together we can move

the stones of poverty, violence and disease. Our efforts however small, can make a difference. With common trust in our God, we truly can move mountains. We are as small as our fear and despair, and as great as our courage and hope.

Preaching Hope in a Time of Despair by Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican

www.preacher exchange.com


11

Perspective is a really interesting principle. It’s defined as something that “gives the right impression of height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.” That last part is the critical nature of perspective – that “particular point” that puts us in alignment with a right view. When we’re out of alignment, the perspective gets skewed.

Have you seen these artists who are using the principle of perspective to create immersive images out on the streets?

Their intention is to completely immerse you in an experience that you wouldn’t expect to see in the middle of a public road. Objects seem to have depth or height, or even float off the ground.

The key though is to stand in right alignment so as to experience the correct perspective. When you’re out of alignment, the images start to look really strange, even confusing to view.

Perspective is interesting because it’s so personal – we experience everything based on how we’re positioned. Again, thinking about the chalk art, you can be standing in right perspective and see the art for exactly what it was intended to be, and at the same time, someone ten feet from you can be staring at the ground confused because they are out of alignment from the correct perspective.

Our perspective in situations and seasons is similar. How we’re positioned and aligned in terms of our perspective completely impacts how we experience situations, and so examining our perspective is really important.

It’s not just about having “a positive outlook.” When you’re walking through a tough season, trying to convince yourself that it’s all really good or saying “well, it could be worse” will not right your perspective. Perspective isn’t about choosing to see our situation as good or “not as bad”, it’s about seeing our position related to God.We need to align our perspective with Jesus.

When our perspective is aligned with Jesus, we see things for what they really are and ourselves for who we are meant to be.

Consider Hebrews 12:1-3 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For

the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

“…Run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…”

Our perspective needs to be aligned with Jesus, our eyes fixed on Him as we walk through circumstances. When we see Him, we see things for what they really are and ourselves for who we are meant to me. Hebrews 12 tells us a few profound things about how we are to process and act in a season.

1. Run – God is asking us to act; to live out our lives as He’s set them in motion and to make that race count. We’re not

being told to sit back in a meditative state our whole lives and hope things change or work out. We’re given purpose and opportunity in Christ, and so we need to run the race, encouraged by the fact that God’s going before us in it.

2. Persevere – This isn’t always a short or easy race, and you don’t need perseverance for easy or short. Here we’re told to endure and press on through the rough spots trusting God as we press through. We know He’s marked out the road ahead – He’s going before us.

3. Focus on Christ – We see Jesus as our goal, our prize, and our finish. And we also see him as the “pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Jesus modeled, pioneered, what faith looks like for us. He experienced exhaustion, abandonment, disappointment, and pain. And He endured the cross. He didn’t grow weary. We can fix our eyes on Him and trust Him, seeing ourselves in light of

Him and the identity we find in Him. Jesus is the reason this race is worth running.


I’ve been examining my perspective this week, and I’d ask you to do the same. Ask yourself if your perspective is aligned with Christ in the stuff you’re facing. Are you acting like you’re carrying it alone, or do you realize God’s actually holding the whole thing?

Kids are a great reminder of what a skewed perspective can look like. My son Jackson (three years old) doesn’t realize all the time that he’s the kid and I’m the dad. The other day, I tucked him into bed, but then realized that his bear that he normally sleeps with was downstairs in the living room. “I’ll be right back,” I said to Jackson. “I just have to run downstairs and get your bear.” Jackson started to climb out of bed in a bit of a hurry. “I’m coming with you daddy. I need to help you down the stairs” he said. I chuckled and said “no buddy, stay in bed. I’ll be right back.” As he hesitantly climbed back into bed, he said to me “Daddy, be VERY CAREFUL. Hold the railing, and if you need me, just yell. I’ll be right here.” He said it so seriously and with such concern, that it made me pause and realize that he had no idea how skewed his perspective was in what he needs to worry about. I carry him up the stairs all the time, him totally reliant on me and me not needing his help to go up and down. Imagine how crazy it would be for him to lose sleep over his needing to help me go up and down those same stairs.

How often do we worry about things that God totally has under

control and is just inviting us into? A perspective aligned with Jesus reminds us of who we are in Him. When we run this race with our eyes fixed on Him, we will remember that He’s our strength, the source of our direction, and He’s got everything under control.


Right Perspective Brings Clarity by Jon Cook

www.thechapel.com


12

FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

Christus Vivit! Message of Our Holy Father Francis to Young People and to the World

www.vatican.va

Growth in maturity

158. Many young people are concerned about their bodies, trying to build up

physical strength or improve their appearance. Others work to

develop their talents and knowledge, so as

to feel more sure of themselves.

Some aim higher, seeking to become more involved and to grow spiritually. Saint John said: “I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you” (1 Jn 2:14). Seeking the Lord, keeping his word,

entrusting our life to him and growing in the virtues: all these things make young hearts strong. That is why you need to stay connected to Jesus, to “remain online” with him, since you will not grow happy and holy by your own efforts and intelligence alone. Just as you try not to lose your connection to the internet, make sure that you stay connected to the

Lord. That means not cutting off dialogue, listening to him,

sharing your life with him and, whenever you aren’t sure what you should do, asking him: “Jesus, what would you do in my place?”.[84]

159. I hope that you will be serious enough about yourselves to make an effort to grow spiritually. Along with all the other exciting things about youth, there is also the beauty of seeking “righteousness, faith, love and peace” (2 Tim 2:22). This does not involve losing anything of your spontaneity, boldness, enthusiasm and tenderness. Becoming an adult

does not mean you have to abandon what is best about this stage of your lives. If you do, the Lord may one day reproach you: “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, and how you followed me in the wilderness” (Jer 2:2).

160. Adults, too, have to mature without losing the values of youth. Every stage of life is a permanent grace, with its

own enduring value. The experience of a youth well lived always remains in our heart. It continues to grow and bear fruit throughout adulthood. Young people are

naturally attracted by an infinite horizon opening up before them.[85] Adult life, with its securities and comforts, can risk

shrinking that horizon and losing that youthful excitement.

The very opposite should happen: as we mature, grow older and structure our lives, we should never lose that enthusiasm and openness to an ever greater reality. At every moment in life, we can renew our youthfulness. When I began my

ministry as Pope, the Lord broadened my horizons and granted me renewed youth. The same thing can happen to a couple married for many years, or to a monk in his monastery. There are things we need to “let go of” as the years pass, but growth in maturity can coexist with a fire constantly rekindled, with a heart ever young.

161. Growing older means preserving and cherishing the most precious things about our youth, but it also involves having to purify those things that are not good and receiving

new gifts from God so we can develop the things that really matter. At times, a certain inferiority complex can make you overlook your flaws and weaknesses, but that can hold you back from growth in maturity. Instead, let yourself be loved by God, for he loves you just as you are. He values and respects you, but he also keeps offering you more: more of

his friendship, more fervor in prayer, more hunger for his word, more longing to receive Christ in the Eucharist, more desire to live by his Gospel, more inner strength, more peace and spiritual joy.

162. But I would

also remind you that you won’t become holy and find fulfilment by

copying others. Imitating the Saints does not mean copying their lifestyle and their way of living holiness: “There are

some testimonies that may prove helpful and inspiring, but that we are not meant to copy, for that could even lead us astray from the one specific path that the Lord has in mind for us”.[86] You have to discover who you are and develop

your own way of being holy, whatever others may say or think. Becoming a saint means becoming more fully yourself, becoming what the Lord wished to dream and create, and not

a photocopy. Your life ought to be a prophetic stimulus to others and leave a mark on this world, the unique mark that only you can leave. Whereas if you simply copy someone else, you will deprive this earth, and heaven too, of something that no one else can offer. I think of Saint John of the Cross, who wrote in his Spiritual Canticle that everyone

should benefit from his spiritual advice “in his or her own way”,[87] for the one God wishes to manifest his grace “to some in one way and to others in another”.[88]


http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html#_ftn84





13

IN THE DIOCESE

Scranton NPM 2019 Events

Mark your 2019 calendars now and plan on attending the upcoming spiritual and informative events of the Scranton Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Here is a listing of what’s in store:

Resources for Selecting

Liturgical Music—Monday, September 16 at 6:00PM at St. John Neumann Parish (Holy Name site), Scranton

Creating Effective Worship

Aids—Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00PM at Holy Name of Jesus, West Hazleton

For more information about any of these events, visit ScrantonNPM.com.

Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training Session

Need to invite more faith-filled parishioners to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Communion in your parish? The Office for Parish Life will offer an all-day training sessions for new Extraordinary Ministers of Communion at the following location: Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 9:00AM to 2:30PM at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Scranton. To register call the Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213. There is no fee and lunch will be provided.

Notice Regarding Reporting

Sexual Abuse of a Minor It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Laws, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24-HourChild Abuse hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at (570-862- 7551). Aviso al Respecto de Reportar el Abuso Sexual de Un Menor de Edad Es la norma de la Diócesis de Scranton reportar cualquier alegación de abuso sexual de un menor de edad a las autoridades. Si usted es una víctima de abuso sexual cometido por un sacerdote, diácono, religioso o empleado laico, o voluntario de la Diócesis de Scranton, usted está obligado a reportar el asunto inmediatamente a las autoridades de la ley. Si algún sacerdote, diácono, religioso, empleado laico o voluntario de la Diócesis de Scranton tiene sospecha de que un menor de edad ha sido sujeto a cualquier forma de abuso, incluyendo abuso sexual de menor de edad, el asunto será reportado a las autoridades de la ley. Es la norma de la Diócesis defender todas las regulaciones civiles y del estado. De conformidad con la Comunidad de los Servicios de Protección Infantil de Pennsylvania Leyes, informes de sospecha de abuso de niños también debe hacerse inmediatamente por teléfono las 24 horas maltrato infantil hotline (ChildLine) al 1-800-932-0313 o electrónicamente en www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis Al fi n de que la Diócesis esté comprometida igualmente a defender las normas del Código de Derecho Canónico y defender los principios de la Carta Para la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes (Conferencia de los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos), lo cual incluye apoyar a las víctimas de abuso sexual en pos del bienestar emocional y espiritual. Por eso, información respecto a una alegación del asunto sexual de un menor de edad, debe ser reportada a la Coordinadora Diocesana de Asistencia para Las Víctimas, Mary Beth Pacuska, a (570-862-7551).

Certificate In Ministry Studies

The Office for Parish Life is partnering with Center for MinistryDevelopment to provide specialized tracks in ministry formation. The Certificate in Ministry Studies® is a ministry education program for adults in ministry with youth, families and adults, in both parish and school settings. The program includes four online courses and eight in-person courses. These in-person courses are offered in our Diocese over a two year period, at minimal cost to the participants because of funds provided through the Diocesan Annual Appeal.

The Certificate program leads to a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies OR Certificate in Lifelong Faith Formation. Parishes benefit especially by enrolling coordinators of both ministry areas in the program together.

The Program Schedule for 2019-2020 is as follows:

September 4, 2019–Online Orientation Meeting with all applicants (offered in the afternoon and evening)

September 28, 2019 –In-person course #1 - Diocesan Pastoral Center Principles of Youth Ministry OR Principles and Vision for Lifelong Catechesis

October 13- November 9, 2019 -- First online course: Visioning for Catholic Youth Ministry/Catholic Faith Formation

February 2020 ---- Second online course: Leading Ministry

March 14, 2020 –In-person course #2—Practice of Ministry (location TBD by participants)

June 24 & 25, 2020 --- In-person courses #3 Foundations for Ministry Leadership and #4 Skills for Christian Leadership

Persons interested in more information and/or to enroll in the Certificate in Ministry Studies should contact Kitty Scanlan at 570-207-2213 or at kitty- [email protected]

Meet Jacki Douglas The Office for Parish Life is pleased to welcome Jacki Douglas as the new Director of Word and Lifelong Faith Formation. Jacki cordially invites all the Directors of Reli- gious Education and Youth Ministers to come to a “meet and greet” on the dates below (these are the

same meeting dates and times to which Kathy Bolinski has already invited safe environment coordinators). At these meetings, Jacki will go

over some practical ways to make your ministry a little easier and more enjoyable for you, your catechists, and your youth. We want to hear what we can do to help your ministry.

Tuesday, August 27—1:30PM –2:30PM at St. Maria Goretti Parish, Laflin

To register, please contact Jacki Douglas at jdoug [email protected] or 570-207-2213, ext. 1100.

Word Convocation—Save the Date The Office for Parish Life

invites DREs, catechists, RCIA teams, youth ministers, Catholic school teachers, those on parish WORD Commissions and anyone engaged in minis try of the Word to plan on attending the WORD Convocation/Convocation for Catechists on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Scranton. The keynote speaker is Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP.


https://scrantonnpm.com/

http://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis



mailto:[email protected]





14

CHOMAN’S MOBILE CARE Cemetery Care

His services include steam cleaning of headstone, manicuring the

lawn around the stone, mulching, flowering and more! He offers

one time, seasonal and monthly packages. He also offers military

and veteran discounts.

Automobile Detailing We love our cars and rely heavily on them. But giving them the

care they deserve is no easy task! Even dropping it at the

detailing shop can be an obstacle. That’s why we bring the

detailing shop to you! We supply the water, power, tools and

come right to your home or office! We’ll have your vehicle looking

like new with no worry or hassle to you!.

Power Washing Buildings lose their pristine look due to dirt, grime and motor

exhaust. These can build up and severely damage your property

and destroy its value. We’ll restore your investment and help

prevent the mess for coming back as well as increase the curb

value of your property overnight. We build our service based on

your desire and your budget. We remove mold, graffiti, tar, gum,

oil and more. We clean buildings, houses, sidewalks, balconies,

porches, rain gutters, decks and patios, windows, parking lots,

garages and much more. Commercial and Residential services available.

You can contact Chris at

(570) 262-3109,

or Book your appointment

by e-mail at

[email protected].

ECO-FRIENDLY CARE FOR YOU

AND YOUR INVESTMENTS

LOCAL EVENTS

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Women's Retreat Weekend, September 6-8, 2019

“Finding the Gift of God's Mercy in our Everyday

Lives” Directed by Rev. Richard Nalepa, CP

of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh.

Fall Preached Retreat $140 per person – Deposit is required.

Registration is 7:00 pm Friday Evening.

Begins at 7:30 pm Friday and Departure is after the Noon meal on Sunday. (No meals are served Friday evening.)

**********************************************************

“Praying the Passion” - A weekend retreat which will offer a more silent experience

for both men and women

-October 18-20, 2019

-directed by Rev. Curtis Kiddy, CP.

Fall Preached Retreat

$140 per person – Deposit is required.

Comfortable Silence during retreat.

Begins on Friday evening at 7:30 pm (registration 7pm)

and ends after the noon meal on Sunday.

(No meals are served Friday evening.)

**********************************************************

Preached retreats consist of conferences on the spiritual life,

time for personal reflection, prayer, opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Liturgy.

To Register or for more information;

Call: Retreat Office: 570 586-4957

Saint Gabriel’s Retreat Center 631 Griffin Pond Road

Clarks Summit, PA 18411-8899 (570) 586-4957 FAX: (570) 587-3314

OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH

1880 Highway 315,

Pittston, PA 18640

Phone (570) 654-7542

The Oblate of St. Joseph Fathers will hold the

annual Triduum and Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

The Triduum (three days of prayers) will be held

on August 30- 31 and September 1st at the Oblates of St. Joseph Chapel, Route 315, Laflin,(Pittston) with a Mass at 7:00PM, followed by special prayers to St. Joseph. Confessions and the Holy Rosary will precede the Mass.

The Feast will be celebrated on Labor Day,

Monday, September 2nd with a Solemn Mass at 11:00AM. Serving as celebrant and homilist will be Bishop John M. Dougherty, D.D. auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton.

The special intentions for the triduum celebration

include: for all employed and unemployed, for students, teachers, administrators, and staff, for peace and prosperity in our families, for peace in

the World and for an increase of vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life to serve Jesus’ Church. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact the OSJ seminary office at (570-654-7542)


15

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time August 19-25, 2019

Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events

Monday, August 19 St. John Eudes 8 am No Morning Mass Scheduled

Tuesday, August 20 St. Bernard of Clairveaux 8 am Carolyn Martin Daughters

5:30 pm Choir

Wednesday, August 21 Pope St. Pius X 8 am Margaret Austin

1:30 pm Communion Service at N. Penn The Christopher

Family

Thursday, August 22 Coronation of Mary Noon Leo Magri Parish of SAB

Noon—Adoration Begins 6 pm Vespers/ Benediction

Friday, August 23 St. Rose of Lima 8 am

Deceased Members of the Swartz & Ulichney

Families Geri

Saturday, August 24 St. Barholomew

No Morning Mass Scheduled 3:00 pm Confessions

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

VIGIL 4 pm Theresa Chabala Mr. & Mrs. Bob Sestak

VIGIL 5:30 pm Julia Jackson Family

SUNDAY 8 am Parishioners Pastor

SUNDAY 11 am Lisa McBride Joe McBride & Joe McBride II

13th of the Month Club

Once more, we are reminded of Devotions which take place in our parish on the 13th of the Month from May to October honoring the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917. Her message of Repentance, Reparation and the Call to Holiness continues to reverberate throughout the church. Join us in fulfilling our Lady’s request of praying the Rosary on the 13th of the month at noon.

LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE August 24-25, 2019

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

4:00 pm 5:30 pm 8:00 am 11:00 am

Server Rosemary Shedlock Sr. Tina Hanrahan Jackie Barkus Aiden Burridge

Lector John Bednarz Pat Baran Mary Ann Slavinski David Alusick

EMOC Diane Gregor William Klukoske Jackie Barkus Jim Zoccola

Cantor Matt Kurtz Geri Ulichney Carol Zukowki Joan Cavanaugh

Hospitality Ann & Dennis

Bozinski

Dolores Dlugosh

Roxanne Degnan

Joe Stone

Anna Hendershot


Join Us for Eucharistic Adoration

every Thursday from Noon to 6 pm.

The Day concludes with Vespers and Benediction

at 6 pm.

for our spiritual life how to know whether you’re …...god i”m doing this (or not doing this)...

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