The 27th Sunday

October 4, 2015

The Sacrament of Marriage Painted (before 1757) in oil on canvas by Pietro Longhi (1701-1785)

Pinacoteca Querini-Stampalia in Venice

Today in Rome, the Holy Father will open the three-week meeting of the World Synod of Bishops to discuss ministry to families. The sacrament of the family is the sacrament of matrimony. And coincidentally (providentially?) today’s Gospel reading contains these words of Jesus:

“… from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Asked about divorce, Jesus proceeded to talk about marriage instead. Pray for the bishops that they may be faithful and at the same time imaginative.

Saint Bernadette Parish Saint Mary Parish

1343 Wheeling Road NE 602 Marietta Street LANCASTER, OH 43130-8701 BREMEN, OHIO 43107 (740) 654 • 1893 (740) 569 • 7929

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

Our Parishes FATHER THOMAS KESSLER pastor (614) 634-0499 wmthomaskessler @ icloud . com

AT ST BERNADETTE PARISH

MARK SCARPITTI 438-3970 deacon dcn.mark @ frontier . com JEFF CARPENTER 681-9918 deacon carpenter.277 @ osu . edu ANN ESSMAN 653-9347 pastoral minister aessman001 @ att . net STEVE HUBER 654-3137 facilities coordinator shuber57 @ yahoo . com LIZ LATORRE 243-1872 liturgical music lizlatorre @ gmail . com The St Bernadette Parish office is in the Mary Good Center, across the back parking lot from the school. Hours are: 9 AM-1 PM, MWThF; 11 AM-1 PM, Tu. 1343 Wheeling Rd NE, Lancaster, OH 43130-8701 (740) 654-1893

AT BREMEN ST MARY PARISH

BEN FACTOR liturgical music b_factor @ lancaster . k12 .oh . us JIM SCHMELZER maintenance chair ANGI SKINNER religious education (740) 569-7929 coordinator schmelifox @ earthlink . net The St Mary Parish office is at the church vestibule. Hours are 9-11 AM, Tu. 602 Marietta St, Bremen, OH 43107 (740) 569-7929

AT BOTH PARISHES

NIKKI SCHMELZER 654-1893 bookkeeper businessmstbparish @ yahoo . com KATHY KEHNAST 654-1893 pastoral coordinator stbernparish @ yahoo . com ANGIE & KENT KERNS 654-2588 religious education kwkerns @ gmail . com

AT ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL

PAM ELTRINGHAM principal peltring @ cdeducation . org BARB HUBER secretary bhuber @ cdeducation . org Saint Bernadette School is located at 1325 Wheeling Rd, 654-3137 Lancaster, OH 43130-8701 www.stbernadetteschool.com stbernlan @ cdeducation . org.

Sacramental Life BAPTISM To have a child baptized, you must register and attend a class as a couple (unless attendance just isn’t possible, in which case some discussion with Kathy Kehnast will be necessary). Sessions are held quarterly for both parishes. The next session will be in December. Try to take the class before the child is born. If you are expecting, call Kathy to register for the class. Please don’t ask if you “have to go.” This is an opportunity to meet with parents of children about the same age as your little one; they are in the same wonderful boat as you are. At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic. Both godparents need to be practicing Christians, at least one a practicing Catholic. If you don’t attend Sunday Mass regularly, there is something you can do about it: Start coming to Sunday Mass. PENANCE The priest is available for Penance • at St Bernadette Saturdays at 3 PM and Thursdays at 5:30 PM, and • at St Mary Bremen on Sunday at 8 AM.

In addition to Advent and Lenten Penance Services, every Catholic priest is available whenever there is a need. We are beginning to provide Penance opportunities for parochial school children several more times during the year so that they will learn the beauty of frequent confession. The Church’s law requires us to receive the sacrament of Penance at least once a year.

ANOINTING AND CARE OF THE SICK The Sick receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick when dangerously ill, facing major surgery, or suffering from the ravages of old age. We celebrate the sacrament communally at a Sunday Mass before Advent and during the Easter season so that we can all pray with you for “health of mind and body.” And, we are happy to bring Penance, Anointing, and Holy Communion to the homes or hospitals of the sick or shut in. It is very helpful to call the parish office to let us know before a hospitalization or when it has been too long since the sacraments were last available.

HOLY MATRIMONY Couples wishing to marry should contact the parish office six months before they wish to celebrate the sacrament. Why so long? Because this sacrament, not just the ceremony, requires serious preparation. And the Church needs to be involved in that preparation. The Church wishes to support couples through the years of their married life. For this reason our diocese offers programs to enhance married life. To learn about these programs, watch the weekly bulletin.

let us pray

PRAY WITH THE POPE DURING OCTOBER • that human trafficking, the modern form of slavery,

may be eradicated. • that with a missionary spirit

the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to those who are still awaiting it.

+

COLLECT FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY Almighty ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

both our parishes YDISCIPLE: A YOUTH MINISTRY ! Soon to begin: YDisciple, a new program for all our high school students at our two parishes. Exciting young adult leaders are organizing an exciting program for youth in our parishes. For some more information, check out the last page of this bulletin. In the meantime, pray for this ministry.

OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH OCTOBER 4 IS RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY “EVERY LIFE IS WORTH LIVING” That obvious saying is the daring motto the American bishops chose for the theme of the 2015-2016 USCCB Respect Life Program. Celebrate the gift of life in all its stages. For information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or socmailbox @ colsdioc . org. For online resources visit www . usccb . org/respectlife.

FORMING GOD’S CHILDREN IN THE FAITH Catholic parents, whether in Catholic schools or PSR or home-schooled, should bring (not drop off) their children (at least by kindergarten) to participate every Sunday in Mass. Those not enrolled in Catholic school should be sure to enroll in PSR religion classes. We must all remember that it is a serious moral obligation and that failure in this regard is a mortal sin. It is also common sense. We are teaching that Sunday Mass is central to the Faith and that learning the Faith comprehensively is not something to dabble with. We don’t want to teach at cross purposes to what their families teach by example.

PRAYING THE ROSARY You don’t have to limit yourself to October, the month of the rosary. But it is a good time to get started with it. If you need information on how to use the rosary, call the office. The rosary is a good way to pray in a sustained and rhythmic meditation on the mysteries of our salvation: o the Incarnation of the Lord (the Joyful mysteries), o his Passion and Death (the Sorrowful mysteries), o his life-giving Resurrection (the Glorious mysteries), and o the Illumination of Mankind which he effected by his

ministry (the Luminous mysteries).

at St Bernadette A NEW PARISH WEBSITE A new parish website is up and running. There are still plenty of bugs to be debugged, but it will be a good source of local information and reliable Catholic links. We’ll keep you posted. If you know a thing or two about web mastery and would be willing, you would be very welcome to volunteer a little time; your help would be very welcome. Contact Kathy or Fr Kessler.

SANDWICH SATURDAY Each month a different grade in our school makes meat and cheese sandwiches for Foundation Dinners to distribute to their patrons. This is a way for St Bernadette students to learn that being of service and helping others can happen at any age. Everybody is able to serve. The 3rd grade kicked-off this year’s Sandwich Saturday Service Project last Thursday by assembling 150 sandwiches for Foundation Dinners. With the sandwiches, they sent candy bars donated by local scouts. Fifth grade will make

sandwiches on Oct 29. Monetary donations and donations of zipper sandwich bags, lunch meat, cheese and bread are always welcome.

RECYCLE FOR SIGHT Our young parishioner, McKenzie Ortiz, a junior at Fisher Catholic and St Bernadette School alumna, invites us to join her in a FCHS Junior Class service project. Please drop your used eyeglasses in the box at the school entry. Glasses will be sorted and checked by students at Ohio State College of Optometry. Then doctors and students will transport the glasses to Lima, Peru, where needy children and adults will be fitted. They will be grateful to you for helping give the gift of sight to those in need.

JILLIAN’S DINNER HELPS A FAMILY IN NEED Saturday, Oct 24, we will enjoy the 15th annual Jillian’s Dinner at St Bernadette. This dinner raises money to assist a family from our area who has suffered catastrophic illness, the loss of a loved one, or some such major adversity. This year’s dinner will benefit the Beau Albertine family. Beau is undergoing treatment for ependymoma tumors, a form of cancer. He is 27 years old, married to Holly, with a 4-month-old baby boy Seth. Money raised at the dinner will help with medical bills. A raffle is held during the dinner to generate more funds for the family. If you have items to donate, bring them to the parish office by Oct 13.

PSR AT ST BERNADETTE St Bernadette PSR classes for children in K-8th grade have begun. They will meet from 9:30-10:45 AM each Sunday. 8th graders (including those attending Catholic school) will be preparing for Confirmation. For information, contact Angie Kerns at kwkerns @ gmail . com or leave a message at the parish office @ (740) 654-1893.

ROSARY IN OCTOBER October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Come pray the rosary on Sundays in October following the 11 AM Mass.

SUNDAY COLLECTION The offertory collection for Sept 27 at St Bernadette was $ 5,573.

at Bremen St Mary

NEW (PSR) YEAR AT ST MARY St. Mary Parish School of Religion (PSR) classes have begun. Not registered yet? Get a move on! Your kids need it!

SUNDAY COLLECTION The offertory collection for Sept 27 at St Mary was $ 1,206.

in the deanery JUSTICE,  THE  DEATH  PENALTY,    AND  OUR  CRIMINAL  JUSTICE  SYSTEM  Come learn more about the death penalty and restorative justice from a Catholic perspective. Hear from a speaker who has firsthand experience with the criminal justice system. Wendy Tarr, community organizer, will talk about how Ohio returns thousands of people from incarceration into our communities each year. She will explore what is happening in Ohio and ways Catholics can help a move from a system focused on punishment to one of restoration and second chances and how the formerly incarcerated

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

can better return to their families with the tools necessary to rebuild and restructure their lives. That will be Wednesday, Oct 21, at 7 PM at St Mary Spirit Center in Lancaster and is sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and Ohioans to Stop Executions. For information, contact (614) 241-2540.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION A Day of Recollection with the theme “Called to be Saints” happens on Saturday, Oct 31, from 10:30 AM until 3 PM at the Spirit Center at St Mary Parish in Lancaster. Facilitator is Sr Louis Mary, OP. Cost of $15 includes lunch. Call (740) 653-0997 to register.

MEALS ON WHEELS Put your faith into action by helping to feed our elderly neighbors. Become a Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County volunteer. They have a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from and will work around your schedule. Deliver a nutritious meal, a friendly smile, and a safety check to homebound seniors in your community. Call Anna Tobin, executive director, at (740) 681-5050 or visit www . mowfc . org to say you want to help make a difference in the life of an older adult.

BREATHING  WITH  BOTH  LUNGS  EASTERN  CATHOLICISM  &  THE  DIVINE  LITURGY  Did you know Roman Catholics aren’t the only true Catholics? Come learn about the other lung of the Catholic Church. St Mary Parish in Lancaster will offer an adult faith education and enrichment series presented by Fr Ignatius Harrington, a Catholic priest who is pastor of two Melkite Greek-Catholic parishes located within the territory of the Columbus diocese, but in the jurisdiction of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton in Massachusetts (and very much in full communion with the Holy See!). The first two sessions below will be held in the parish Spirit Center; the Divine Liturgy will be prayed in Church. • The Catholic Church: East and West

On Thursday, Oct 8, at 7 PM, Father Ignatius will explain the two lungs of the Catholic Church: the Roman/Western and the Eastern.

• An Introduction to the Divine Liturgy On Thursday, Oct 22, at 7 PM, he will introduce the Mass of Eastern Catholics, called the Divine Liturgy.

• The Divine Liturgy Offered On Thursday, Oct 29, at 7 PM, Father will offer the Divine Liturgy in Church. All are welcome to join in offering themselves in the one same Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in this other Catholic expression.

Contact Brian McCauley at St Mary Parish, (740) 653-5054.

in the diocese LOVE IS OUR MISSION: A CALL TO LIVE THE JOY AND MISSION OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE All are invited to one of these four gatherings as Bishop Frederick Campbell discusses the recent World Meeting of Families. Come and discover how you can answer Pope Francis’ call to become a family fully alive! The bishop will appear around the diocese at Ohio Dominican University and Bishop Ready High School in Columbus and at St Francis in Newark on Saturday, Oct 31, at 10:30 AM and at St Peter in Chillicothe on Tuesday, Nov 10, at 7 PM. For information visit www . colsdioc . org or call (614) 241-2560.

FROM THE CHAIR Bishop Campbell will take your questions from 5-6 PM on Tuesday, Oct 6, during his live monthly call-in show. Call St Gabriel Radio AM 820 at (614) 459-4820 to ask your question about the Catholic faith and growing in holiness.

DCCW CONVENTION Women of the diocese are invited to the 70th annual convention of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) on Saturday, Nov 7, from 8 AM -3 PM at St. Joan of Arc Church in Powell. The convention theme is A Quiet Walk In The Garden With God and the day will include presentations from National Conference president Sheila Hopkins; Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet, co-authors of the new book Divine Mercy For Moms; and Mass celebrated by Bishop Campbell. Deadline to register is Monday, Oct 19; cost is $35; a pre-convention dinner at Dublin’s Olive Garden is available for $30. Materials can be found on the diocesan homepage, www . colsdioc . org, or by contacting DCCW at (614) 228-8601 or mmccormick @ colsdioc . org.

CARDINAL TURKSON TALKS ABOUT LODATO SÌ

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana will speak at the Ohio State University’s Mershon Auditorium on Monday, Nov 2, at 7 PM, about Pope Francis’ encyclical letter. Cardinal Turkson is President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and the lead consultant on Lodato Si. To reserve tickets, visit https:// wexarts . org/tickets/1528.

CUM CHRISTO You are invited to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experiential weekend of Christian learning, renewal and leadership. Cum Christo (formerly Cursillo) is an ecumenical movement and a lay ministry of the Columbus Catholic diocese. The next Women’s Weekend is Nov 11-14. Contact Phil Roblee at philroblee @ gmail . com to learn more about the Cum Christo method of piety, study, action, and group reunion or to obtain an application, or visit www . cumchristo . org.

INTERACTIVE WEEKEND RETREAT FOR MEN The Catholic Laymen’s Retreat League sponsors this retreat with the theme Faith, Hope, and Charity, directed by Father John D Corbett, OP, on Nov 6-8, at St Therese Retreat Center in Columbus. A contribution of $130 covers the cost. Contact Dave Mignerey at (614) 392-0146 for information or reservations, or visit www . St-Therese-Retreat . org.

FAMILY ROSARY DAY Our Diocesan Family Rosary Day will be celebrated this year at 3 PM on Sunday, Oct 11, at St Joseph Cathedral. This liturgy, presided over by Bishop Frederick Campbell, is an opportunity to enjoy community, worship God, and ask our Blessed Mother’s intercession for the needs of God’s people. All are welcome.

MASS OF THANKSGIVING A Mass to celebrate the contribution of men and women religious within our diocese happens on Thursday, Oct 15, at St Paul the Apostle Parish in Westerville at 7 PM. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Frederick Campbell, followed by a reception and women’s vocation fair for young women in the parish activity center. All are invited to attend; come and give thanks for the contribution of the brothers and sisters in the life of our Church.

SACRED HEART CONGRESS The 4th annual Sacred Heart Congress will be Saturday, Oct 31, at St Catharine Church in Columbus from 7 AM to 1:30 PM. It features Gloria Anson, president of the Sacred Heart Apostolate; Fr Stash

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

Dailey, spiritual director of Sacred Heart Columbus and admini-strator of Holy Family Parish; and Fr Daniel Dury, pastor of St Catharine Parish. A free-will offering will be taken. For information and registration visit www . sacredheartcolumbus . org.

FIRST DOMINICAN SETTLERS OF OHIO: A History of Service to the Soul of the People Father Edward Dominic Fenwick, OP was the first priest to settle in Ohio and later became its first bishop. Fenwick brought with him a community of men, members of a religious community founded in Europe in 1216, known as the Order of Preachers or the Dominicans. Fenwick and his community provided essential services to early Ohioans to support the growing state. The first church was a log cabin a few miles from here at Somerset, and the Dominicans have served the people of Ohio since the early 19th century. Their history is ours, too. For years, Fenwick and the Dominicans were the only Catholic clergy in Ohio, and now the Dominican Province of Saint Joseph (of which Fenwick was founder) is one of the oldest and fastest growing men’s religious communities in Ohio and in the United States of America. Beginning in November, the Dominicans worldwide will celebrate the 800th anniversary of their establishment, linking Ohio to an 800-year-old institution. Friends of the Dominicans are invited to Columbus St Patrick Church on Saturday, Nov 14, at 5 PM for a Mass of St Dominic to begin the Jubilee. The apostolic nuncio-permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Abp Bernardito Auza, will be principal celebrant and homilist. After Mass at St Patrick, all are invited to a gala at the Ohio Statehouse, starting at 6:30 PM, with a special viewing of the an exhibit: Settlers of Ohio: A History of Service to the Soul of the People, which will focus on history and service for the flourishing and the common good of all Ohioans.

and elsewhere CARE ABOUT FAITHFUL CATHOLIC EDUCATION ? College doesn’t have to be the time for dropping out of the way of life in which you have been raising your children. If you are con-cerned to find Catholic education that is faithful and that teaches and encourages and that faithfulness is taught, check out the Cardinal Newman Society. They share your concern and have researched what is really out there in Catholic schools, from pre-school through PhD. Visit http:// www . cardinalnewmansociety . org.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN Halloween is the one day based on Catholic thoughts about the dead that has most captured our popular imagination. And it is the one that has strayed farthest from the Catholic imagination. Instead of remaining the eve of the feast of the holy ones as its name suggests, it has become a secular holiday celebrating all things morbid and in some contexts, the (supposed) joy of vandalism. When I was a kid it was a community-wide costume party; we dressed up as just about anything fun; in Catholic schools we dressed as our patron saints. Now some of us have taken to doing yard decorations which mock cemeteries, celebrate ghosts and ghouls, witches and bats. Scary can be fun. Making a joke of the afterlife is just wrong. The destructive aspects of “trick or treat” are evil. None of this changes what our Faith has to say about the afterlife. I hope it isn’t a sign that we are leaving that behind.

SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS Catholic Relief Services is responding to the crisis of refugees fleeing Syria and other countries. CRS is asking the Catholic community to

pray and to support their work with refugees. Prayer resources, up-to-date field reports, and donation information are available at www . crs . org. A prayer for refugees is at http:// www . crs .org/resource-center/moment-grace-prayer-refugees. Donate to CRS online at www . crs . org. For questions, contact Erin Cordle, diocesan CRS director, at (614) 241-2540 or ecordle @ colsdioc . org.

KEEPING COLLEGE STUDENTS CONNECTED TO THE CHURCH Do you have a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter, who has just headed off to college? Did you know that 80% of students stop practicing their faith at some point in college? However, college students active in campus ministry are more likely to continue their faith practice, and when they graduate they are more likely to attend Mass, volunteer in parishes, and even consider a religious vocation. Unfortunately, only 15% of students look for a campus ministry on their own. Have an impact on your own child’s future faith life by encouraging him or her to log onto Newman Connection to find the campus ministry available at college. You can also find facts on Catholic campus ministries, Mass times, and scheduled activities. Take the time now to go to: www . Newman Connection . com.

A VISIT WITH ST MARIA GORETTI : VIRTUE AND MERCY The sacred remains of St Maria Goretti, patroness of virtue and of mercy, will be at St Joseph Cathedral on Oct 21, from 11 AM until 11 PM, with a special Memorial Mass celebrated at 7 PM. This visit of her remains to the United States is part of a national Pilgrimage of Mercy in preparation for the Extraordinary Year of Mercy, which begins on Dec 8. All are invited to venerate her sacred remains. For information about St Maria and this national pilgrimage of mercy, visit: www . MariaGoretti . com. All are welcome to the Cathedral for prayer and veneration of t St Maria Goretti. It is suggested that you carpool, and make use of public parking facilities adjacent to the Cathedral; handicapped access is by the elevator located on the courtyard side of the Cathedral.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE REFUGEES IN EUROPE? As the refugee and migrant crisis grows in Europe, Catholic Relief Services and their partners like Caritas are there on the ground, providing assistance to families in need. As the difficult images fill the news, many people and parishes have asked what they can do to help. For information, go to the CRS website at: http://www.crs.org/media-center/current-issues/syrian-refugees or contact Erin Cordle, diocesan CRS director, at 614-241-2540, ecordle@colsdioc.org, or socmailbox@colsdioc.org. In the meantime CRS has prepared this prayer for refugees:

God of our Wandering Ancestors, Long have we known ��� that your heart is with the refugee, that you were born into time ��� in a family of refugees ��� fleeing violence in their homeland, ��� who then gathered up their hungry child and fled into alien country. Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages: “Will you let me in?” Give us hearts that break open ��� when our brothers and sisters turn to us with that same cry. ���Then surely …

ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices, eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat, tongues will not be silenced, and hands will reach out— ���working for peace in their

homeland, ���working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven.

Lord, protect all refugees in their travels. May they find a friend in me ��� and so make me worthy ��� of the refuge I have found in you. Amen.

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

readings, feasts, and memorials for this week Saturday, Oct 3

27th Sunday Genesis 2:18-24 Hebrews 2:9-11 Psalm 128 Mark 10:2-16 Sunday, Oct 4 Monday, Oct 5 Jonah 1:1-2:11 Jonah 2 Luke 10:25-37

Tuesday, Oct 6 St Bruno, Bl Marie-Rose Durocher Jonah 3:1-10 Psalm 130 Luke 10:38-42

Wednesday, Oct 7 Our Lady of the Rosary Jonah 4:1-11 Psalm 86 Luke 11:1-4

Thursday, Oct 8 Malachi 3:13-20 Psalm 1 Luke 11:5-13

Friday, Oct 9 St Denis & Companions, St John Leonardi Joel 1:13-2:2 Psalm 9 Luke 11:15-26

Saturday, Oct 10 Joel 4:12-21 Psalm 97 Luke 11:27-28

Sunday, Oct 11 28th Sunday Wisdom 7:7-11 Hebrews 4:12-13 Psalm 90 Mark 10:17-30

Mass intentions and ministers this week at St Mary

intention lector servers extraordinary ministers gifts sacristan / usher

Sunday, Oct 4 8:30 AM for the people Paul

Kunkler Spencer Conrad Wyatt West

Irene Kunkler, Leo Kunkler Sr, Jim Schmelzer

Paul Kunkler Family

Jim Schmelzer

Tuesday, Oct 6 8:20 AM

Frank Schmelzer

Jim Schmelzer Jim

Schmelzer

Sunday, Oct 11 8:30 AM for the people Jeanne

Schmelzer Reagan Conrad Brooke Holt

Neil Boch, Pam Redding, Angi Skinner

Maurice Schmelzer Family

Joseph Young

Mass intentions and ministers this week at St Bernadette intention lector servers extraordinary ministers

Saturday, Oct 3 4 PM Helen & Jeanne Sevigny Rebecca Kuhn Isabelle Gentile, Drew

Solt, Jack Tencza Susan Garrett, Kathy Kehnast, James Kuhn, Denise McGuire, Brad Rider, Craig Shaw

Sunday, Oct 4 11 AM for the people Scott Wood Makaila Moses, Aaron & David Wood

Patricia Dreyer, Lee Guinan, Ben Peters, Herb Reeder, Teresa Scarpitti, Mary Jane Vajen

Monday, Oct 5 8:20 AM Michael Clark Mary Jane Vajen Ava Ewing

Cady Tipple Pat Dreyer, Denise McGuire

Wednesday. Oct 7 8:20 AM Helen Henry Bob Christy Kendall Cox

Emma McCrady Mary Guinan, Mary Jane Vajen

Thursday, Oct 8 6 PM deceased of Waits Family Herb Reeder Emeline Neighbor

Avee Solt Kathy Kehnast, Paul Lonergan

Friday, Oct 9 8:20 AM Rita Kilbarger Robin Sanders Ava Ewing

Addy Myers Jim & Rita Merk

Saturday, Oct 10 4 PM Charles Smith Dennis Forquer Clara & Susan Craaybeek, Eve Darfus

Tara Craaybeek, James & Rebecca Kuhn, Mary Steyaert, Kathy Wagner, Darlene Yarmesch

Sunday, Oct 11 11 AM for the people David Shonk Samantha Kerns, Logan & Tori Loy

Nancy Griffith, James & Rita Merk, Larry Sanford, Julia Whitehead, Rebecca Wickham

Confessions and weekday Masses each week in the deanery But call ahead to be sure!

confessions the parish Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8 AM Sunday Bremen St Mary 8:20 AM

5:30 Thursday & 3 Saturday 8:30 AM on 1st Saturday Lancaster St Bernadette 8:20 AM 8:20 AM 6 PM 8:20 AM 1st Saturday 9 AM

4- 5 Saturday Lancaster St Mary 7 AM 9 AM 7 AM 9 AM

5:30 Saturday Lancaster St Mark 8 AM 8 AM 6 PM 8 AM 8 AM

½ hour before each Mass Sugar Grove St Joseph 8 AM NOON 8 AM NOON 8 AM

4-4:45 Saturday Logan St John 8 AM 8 AM 9 AM 8 AM 9 AM

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105

YDisciple:

Bringing Young People to Jesus and his Church Last week we began to introduce a dynamic new youth program that we will be bringing to St. Bernadette parish in Lancaster and St. Mary in Bremen. This week we will dive a little more into some of the specifics.

What is YDisciple?

YDisciple is a parent driven youth ministry platform built around forming small groups where High School students can learn and share their faith, while building lasting friendships with other young Catholics and with devoted Catholic adult mentors.

There are three main parts to each YDisciple session: 1. Connect: Build community with conversation and activities 2. Discuss: Engage in critical thinking and discussion around the topic of study. 3. Commit: Summarize, pray together, and encourage accountability.

Why is it important to have a parent driven model and what does YDisciple ask from parents?

“Parents have the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children.” —CCC 2225

“No plan for organized pastoral work, at any level, must ever fail to take into consideration the pastoral care of the family.” —Familiaris Consortio 70

Any youth ministry initiative should begin with parents. Parents have the greatest influence in the lives of their teenagers, and they will be held accountable to God for the formation of their children. The role of the parish is to assist parents in fulfilling this responsibility. For this reason, the Church teaches that all pastoral work must take into consideration the pastoral care of the family.

To get the maximum benefit from YDisciple, parents should commit to …

1. Help to form your son/daughter’s small group, 2. Periodically host your son/daughter’s YDisciple group in your home, 3. Use the parent sheet that corresponds with each session to talk with your teen about the topic of discussion each week in

an effort to make living the faith a bigger part of your child’s life.

Parents are not asked to lead these groups, but to support them by opening their homes to provide a familiar and comfortable setting conducive to learning the faith. Adult mentors will facilitate each YDisciple session.

What is Discipleship?

Jesus’ invitation to be His disciple is to “lose one’s life” and to “deny oneself ” that results in “abundant life.” In other words, discipleship is the process of dying to self and becoming more like Jesus Christ. It is a heroic call—and very countercultural.

Why put teenagers in small groups?

Small group discipleship is not a program—it is an apprenticeship in the Christian life. Therefore, the aim is to create the best environment for apprenticeship to take place. This is the model that Jesus used with his apostles and it has a number of benefits including …

1. Connects teens with caring, faith-filled adults who can apprentice them in the disciplines of a disciple 2. Draws teens out of a peer-dominated paradigm and calls them to maturity through relationships with adults 3. Strengthens catechesis through testimony, discussion, and faith sharing 4. Allows parents to demonstrate their support by hosting the small groups in their homes 5. Small groups are either all male or all female in order to help facilitate discussion 6. The majority of teenagers stop practicing their faith in their first year of college as the social activity and prevalent

worldview that surrounds them comes in direct contradiction to the faith in which they were raised. Small group discipleship prepares them for this reality, as they will have developed spiritual disciplines to stay close to Jesus in His Church.

When will YDisciple sessions take place?

For information or to make sure that your child is involved please call Chase (740) 808-7294 or Julie Stalford (210) 781-0254 or email cstalford@gmail.com.

—Chase and Julie Stalford

ST MARY PARISH in Bremen and ST BERNADETTE PARISH in Lancaster OCTOBER 4, 2105