SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTEROR SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY

APRIL 12, 2015 On this Divine Mercy Sunday we recall the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas: “Mercy consists in bringing a thing out of non-being into being.” We see this transpire concretelyin the life of the early Church. The communityof believers “was of one heart and mind” and “they had everything in common.” They were filled with awe; they were witnesses ofwondrous signs; they dedicated themselves to the good of the other; they were selfless and generous. They lived with the faith that “conquers the world.” That is what the Apostle Thomas is looking for in the Lord’s open side. “The secret of Christ's heart is revealed to us through the clefts of his body.” (Saint Bernard)

“We have seen the Lord!” The risen Lord appeared to his disciples. Only Thomas was absent. Jesus showed them the wounds of his passion, shared with them his peace, andbreathed on them the Spirit who would bring the work of salvation to fulfillment through them. But Thomas, who shared the experience only by hearsay, demanded physical proof. // We are surprised by his change of heart. Accepting the risk of faith is not easy. Thomas reminds us of ourselves with our need to touch. He mistrusts any claim upon his faith not rooted in daily experience. The Lord accepts this need. Eight days later he takes Thomas at his word and gives in to his demand, “put your hand into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!” // Shall we, the believers of the twenty-first century, remain unmoved by the liturgical celebration of the Easter season? Are we content simply to repeat, “Blest are they who have not seen and have believed?” Thomas’ experience must become ours. We must strive to make tangible the power of the resurrection in our lives. We must allow the power of the Lord to heal the wounds begotten by oppression. Our sense of wonder leaves us open to the surprise of faith. Thus we can believe in the seemingly impossible and do all we can to give flesh to our hope. May we so live that Jesus become for each of us, “my Lord and my God!”

ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH

MINERSVILLE, PAwww.StMatthewTheEvangelistParish.org

Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PMPhone: (570) 544-2211 Fax: (570) 544-2317

SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALLNo matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish!

SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610-332-04421x19)

VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1-800-791-9209)

WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AMMON – Julia Malec by FamilyTUE – George Padelsky by M/M Joseph L. SkibielWED – Irene DiLauro by Al and Dolores SantarelliTHU – Leo Owsinski by Wife, Helen and FamilyFRI – Lewis Carroll, Sr. by Lewis Carroll, Jr.SAT – 4:00 PM – Paul Botek, Jr. by MotherSUN – 8:30 AM – Tim Stine by Family 10:30 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners*******************************************************************************************************************************************

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Receive the joy of your glory, giving thanks to God, who has called you into the heavenly kingdom, alleluia. SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER or SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY, April 12 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 2:00 PM.

THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC):Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers intohis harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear fruit. Thanks to STEVE AND DIANE FORTE for hosting the FPC for Vocations this week. Please sign up in Church. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: In today’s gospel Jesus teaches, “Blessed are those who have not seen and believe.” Accepting someone as they are, without demanding they prove themselves or meet our expectations, creates a rich relationship. Without acceptance a home is only a house and a family is just a group of house mates. PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Our nation should be bound to repent atonce!  Let the oppressed be born and admit them to all the rights and privileges of others.  God help us to turn from complacency. So many have given up and have run away. Let us run to the fight and end abortion and euthanasia.  Join pro-life today.STEWARDSHIP: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own.” - Acts 4:32. All that we are and all that we have is a gift from God! Think of your family, your friends, your talents and abilities – these are all gifts from God.  We aren’t really owners of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has blessed us with. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Holy Thursday: $685; Good Friday: $636; Lenten: $716.50; Sunday: $3,125; Utilities: $631; Expenses: $3,379.26 (ordinary); $1,000 (ABVM school subsidy). Thank yu for your generosity!

EASTER SEASON CHARITIES: (1) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY – Your donation of all TYPES OF PUDDINGS will allow the SVDP Society to aid our area needy. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society Outreach and God’s Bountiful Table. Call 570-544-2739. (2) CRS RICE BOWL – Our Parish’s Final Lenten CRSRB Contributions: Holy Week: $346.27; Easter Sunday: $1,369.27. THANKS!EASTER VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: IMO Julia Malec by Family. (2) ALTARS: BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: IMO Stephen Chelak (Birthday) by Katherine; Special Intention; Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober; IMO Michael J. Warhola by Family. DIVINE MERCY: For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family. ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. Call 570-544-2211 for

votives.ASSUMPTION BVM OPEN HOUSE: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Assumption BVM School. Faculty members, administration, available to answer questions. New registrations, bring child’s birth certificate, baptismal record, immunization records. Call 570-622-0106.

MONDAY, APRIL 13 – MAY VISITATION OF THE SICK: Will begin today and continue until completed.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Building. Any questions, contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Rosalie Novack (570-544-2211). Absences call 570-544-3766.EASTER EGG ‘PICK’ AND MAGIC SHOW: 6:15 PM, Good Shepherd Cafeteria. All Parish children are welcome!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and their caregivers!

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 – “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR REHEARSAL:7:00 PM, Church Loft. Call 570-544-2355.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. PRO-LIFE TOWN HALL LUNCHEON: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM, Macaluso’s at the Lantern, Nesquehoning. The latest on important pro-life issues such as the Affordable Care Act, abortion in PA, the push for assisted suicide, and more. Complimentary buffet lunch provided. Everyone welcome. Call Dr. David Moylan (570-277-6218) for details.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:30 PM.

ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

will be prayed 15 minutes before each of today’s

Masses. There will be Devotions at 3:00 PM which consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a Scripture Service, the Sung Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Devotionswill be preceded by Confessions beginning at 2:00 PM. Very Rev. Francis M. Twardzik, Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Minersville, will be the Guest Homilist andPresider. A First Class Relic of St. Faustina Kowalska,the Apostle of Divine Mercy, will be offered for Vener-ation at the conclusion of services. ALL ARE

WELCOMETO HONOR JESUS, THE FONT OF DIVINE MERCY!

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 – NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL YARD SALE: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Items include: house ware, clothing, tools, books, and more! Call Diane (570-294-0551) with questions.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, APRIL 19 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM.THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): ELLAMAE KRUSNOSKI (8:30 AM) will host the FPC this week. Call 570-399-5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for May and June!ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL BASKET AUCTION: Auction starts at 2:00 PM, St. Clare of Assisi Parish Hall. Food and refreshmentsalso available. (“Shop & Drop” will be held on Saturday, April 18.) Call 570-622-0106 for information.POLKA SPRING FLING: 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM, St. Mary Catholic Church, Hamburg. Tickets are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. Music by Polka Country Musicians. Food and beverages available for purchase. Call 610-562-7657 for tickets and information.SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) GENERAL REPAIR: Your contribution will help defray the cost of general maintenance. (2) Please check your Sunday Church Envelope Boxes for the envelopes you might have missed. Kindly catch up! (3) Please write theamount of your donation on your envelope. Do not staple or scotch tape it shut. Thanks!*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER OFF. PROC. LECTORS E. M. of H. C. ALTAR SERVERSSAT 4:00 PM Botek Family Al Boris Barbara Sincavage Alex Reppert

Killian ClarkSUN 8:30 AM Stine Family John Andruchek Jack Ruscavage Anthony Forte

Eric Andruchek 10:30 AM Parishioners Nicole Forney Beth Tropp Jordan Berdanier

Carter Melochick*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar!APRIL 20 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $24; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8:00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 8:30 AM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).APRIL 21 – REQUIRED PARENTS’ FIRST COMMUNION MEETING: 6:15 PM, Good Shepherd Chapel Room.ALZHEIMER’S CARE GIVER’S SUPPORT GROUP: 6:00 PM Presentation, Providence Place Retirement Community. Light refreshments to follow.Reservations required. Call Yvonne at 570-628-6950 if you will be attending.APRIL 22 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex (570-544-6484). APRIL 23 – MONTHLY ROSARY: 6:15 PM, Church. “The rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times” (St. Padre Pio).Please join us!APRIL 24 – 26 – NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS 2015 SPRING MUSICAL:7:00 PM (April 24, 25); 3:00 PM (April 26), Nativity High School.LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Adults $10; Students 18 and under $7.00. All tickets at door. Call 570-622-8110 for information.APRIL 26 – ROAST BEEF DINNER: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, St. Michael Church Hall Cafeteria, Minersville. $10 adult; $5 child under 10. Dinner includes: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetable, coleslaw or applesauce, roll, beverage, and homemade dessert. Call 570-544-6853 or 570-544-4741 for tickets.5TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE IN READING: Starts with live music and rally at 2:00 PM, Berks Catholic High School Auditorium. 3:00 PM walk from Berks Catholic to Holy Rosary Church where buses will bring people back to Berks Catholic. Baby items are requested and will be distributed to Crisis Pregnancy Centers throughout the area. Call Helen at 610-582-1075 for more information.MAY 1 – THE EDWARD T. MALESKAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Registered members of the former Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Minersville, can request a tuition aid/scholarship application for 2015-2016 for Catholic elementary and high school students and Catholic or secular college students by writing directly to the trustee, Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Yenushosky, Holy Trinity Rectory, 4102 S. Church St., Whitehall, PA 18052 or e-mail the request to djyen1977@gmail.com. Indicate which application is needed: elementary, high school and/or college. If possible, please e-mail the request. The application will be sent by way of an e-mail attachment. Completed applications are due Today. MAY 9 – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Within the 4:00 PM Mass today. MAY 11-14 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ VIRGINIA BEACH BUS TRIP: $479 per person, double occupancy includes: 3 nights hotel accommodations, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, visit to Fort Monroe Casemate Museum, Williamsburg Pottery, Yankee Candle Village, Douglas MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk Naval Base, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, beach and boardwalk. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).MAY 18 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $24; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8:00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville8:30 AM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).

JUNE 15 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $24; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8:00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 8:30 AM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).

JULY 6 – 8 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ PITTSBURG EXPRESS BUS TRIP: $429 per person, double occupancy. 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners including a dinner at the Grand Concourse, Duquesne Incline, Gateway Clipper cruise, Guided tour of Pittsburgh including University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, Nationality Rooms, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Tour of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Frank LloydWright’s “Fallingwater”, Visit to Flight 93 Memorial, souvenir gift. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included.YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call 570-544-5231 or 570-628-5413.JULY 20 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $24; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8:00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville8:30 AM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).SEPTEMBER 21- 24 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ WILDWOOD SEAFOOD FEAST BUS TRIP: $399 per person, double occupancy. 3 nights motel accommodations, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet featuring a DJ and over 50 different buffet items, one $20 meal credit valid for a 3 course price-fixed meal at Breadsticks in Resorts Casino, one dinner at a local restaurant, trip to Atlantic City casino with a bonus package, visit to Washington Street Mall, Cape May, visit Smithville Village, Wildwoods' famous beach and boardwalk. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call 570-544-5231 or 570-628-5413.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+FROZEN PIEROGI AND KIELBASSI: There are still some available for purchase. Call the Rectory (570-544-2211) to get yours!PARISH MEMORIAL SOCIETY: We gratefully acknowledge the following donations: IMO JAMES P. KOMOROSKY: $10 from Edward Kozluskey. IMO ANN HUNTZINGER: $25 from Cindy LaRow. IMO RUSSEL C. LONG: $50 from Flossie Doyle. IMO BERTHA COMROSKY: $10 from Bertha Warcola. IMO JOHN LUTSKY: $50 from M/M Eric Andruchek; $10 each from Joseph and Andrea Gayeski, Godson, John Kukta. IMO EDWARD RACZKA: $25 from Mary Anne and Glen Sninski; $10 from Gloria Paltanavage. IMO PHYLLIS L. SIMINITUS: $50 from Ed and Connie Siminitus; $25 each from Anna Siminitus, Stanley Siminitus, Gloria Paltanavage, M/M Anthony Phillips, Gregory Phillips, David and Tonia DiNicola; $20 each from Ron and Ann Weachock, Robert and Theresa Kimmel; $10 from Connie Brophy, Kris and Kim Feger and Family, John and Nancy DiFilippo, John and Kendalle DiFilippo, M/M Mike Hozella. REQUIESCANT IN PACE!

MAY 24 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 6:00 PM Prayer Service.Vigils can be memorialized in memory/honor of a loved one. Call Edward Butler at 570-544-2739.

JUNE 7 – ST, MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST SPAGHETTI DINNER:11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Parish Center,120 Oak Street. Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce and Meatballs with a Full Salad Bar. Adults$8.50; Children $4.50. Eat-in or take-out. Benefits SMTE Parish. Call 570-544-2211.

JUNE 15 – 18 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM,grades K to 4, at the Good Shepherd Building. Call Sr. Mary Jane Dunleavy at 570-544-2464 toregister and for more information. PROGRAM IS OPEN TO CHILDREN FROM ALL PARISHES!