The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH, (St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa. and St. Augustine Church, Silver Lake, Pa.) (St. Brigid’s Cross) P.O. Box 75 • 17 Cottage Street • Friendsville, Pa. 18818 www.ourparishcommunity.com • Phone (570) 553-2288 E-mail: [email protected]Father Casimir (Cas) Stanis, Pastor Kenneth S. Brennan, Deacon PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND St. Francis—March 29th—4:30PM: Lector—Larry O’Reilly; Servers—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Loretta Guiton St. Francis—March 30th—8:00AM: Lector—Rosanne Williams; Servers—Katie and Thomas Williams; Rosary—Jeff Williams St. Augustine—March 30th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Servers—Kiera & Riley Short; Rosary—Ann Zalepa (new volunteers are welcome & needed) If at any time you see that a volunteer is needed for any ministry, please feel free to step forward and volunteer your services.
DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially Robert Peifer, who was known to many in our Parish Community. May he rest in peace. Amen. SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS
A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.
The Sanctuary Light at St. Francis burns in Memory of Norman Strojny requested by Barbara Strojny. CHURCH CLEANING
St. Francis cleaner for the month of March—Kay Keenan. St. Augustine cleaners Mar. 23 to 29—volunteers needed; Mar. 30 to April 5—Mary Ellen Griffin & Cathy O’Reilly.
Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory. PRAYER LIST
Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Mary Bakay, Donnie Butler, Tommy Williams, Stephen Ambrose, Toni Colardino, Evelyn Palulis, Mary Riley, Tom Wenman, Linda Hollenback, Jennifer Lynn, Jerry Lynch, Tyler Fletcher, Anna Mae Coleman, Joshua Welch, Jean Ryan, Richard Hutchinson, Joshua Kaminski, Kathy Holt, Aleisya Abrams, Agnes Neville, Steve Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Molly Penderf, Butch Rosencranz, Ruth King, George Kotch, Brooke Arnold, Hallie Brooks, Ken Roon, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Candy Coney, Walter O’Rourke, William Chaney, Mary Cadden, Frank & Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, Daniel Gavin, Sue Anderson, June Riley, John Bauer, Adam Kelly, Francis Zernone, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Doddie Mondi, Pauline VerValen, John & Alberta Zielinski, Bob Fedroff, Virginia Raftis, Fred Russell, Dorothy Catlin, Marie Donahue, Nancy, Matt & Emily, Bob Murphy, Robyn Lawson, Vicky Nelson, Marie Chillemi, Rita Flynn, Mike Rafferty, Elton Carr, Peter Purtell, Kaleena Dughi, Molly Getter, Sam Miner, Debbie Drewry, Bill Sheredy, Dewey Newhart, Bub Davis, H.T., D.K., Kevin Phalen, J.K., G.D., S.C.F., Rusty Carmen, Ronalee Eckert, Chelsea Judson, Doug Wheaton, John Paul Jones, Timothy Manning, and Valerie Newhart. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Shane Kalpokas, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Reed Shave, Matthew Kramer, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Jason Raymond, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Lukas Crisman, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen. Please call the rectory when the person you put on the Prayer List or Armed Forces List can be removed. If you know of anyone on the list who has passed away, please let us know so that their name can be removed from the list. OIL SPILL: Please continue to pray for a successful cleanup of the remainder of the spill.
ADORATION OF OUR LORD He dwells in our Church day and night until the end of time. O come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord. Visit our King in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Augustine’s Chapel. For a permanent hour or to substitute call Andrea Chen at 607-669-4875.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions immediately following Mass
Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections: St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 882.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 781.80; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 681.00.
LIFELINES “Be kind, especially with the infirm. Love them well ... Oh yes! Be kind. It is a great grace God is giving you. In serving the aged, it is he himself whom you are serving.” — St. Jeanne Jugan, Founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor
HOLY COMMUNION UNDER ONE ELEMENT AND SHAKING HANDS
As the winter cold & flu season is upon us already, we are suspending shaking hands at the sign of peace. Please acknowledge those around you with a wave or nod of the head. We will also have Holy Communion under one species; the Precious Blood will not be offered until further notice.
MASS SCHEDULE Sat. March 22 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS Sun. March 23 8:00AM St. Francis Church - THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
7th Anniv. EDWARD CONBOY by the Family 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - ANNE M. TAYLOR by Deacon Ken & Barbara Brennan
Mon. March 24 12:00NN St. Francis Church - BOB & JUDY PEIFER by Peg Reed & Gail Lutz Tue. March 25 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - (Stations of the Cross)
AL ROSSI by the Pichette Family Wed. March 26 8:30AM St. Francis Church - PATRICIA MARX by Deacon Ken & Barb Brennan Thur. March 27 8:30AM St. Francis Church - CATHERINE ADAMS by Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer Fri. March 28 12:00NN St. Francis Church - (Stations of the Cross)
60th Anniv. DOROTHY MORITZ by Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer
Sat. March 29 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT EDWARD & FLORENCE KOZIC by Jack & Vicky Kozic
Sun. March 30 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT WALTER J. BALCHIKONIS by the Family
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Calendars are $ 20.00 each. They run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2014. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars available. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to please sign the calendars out on the sign out sheet provided. Please help to make this very important fund raiser a success again this year! Please make your returns as soon as possible. To date only 425 Calendar returns have been made. Currently, with about a week until April 1st, there are 35 calendars remaining in the back of the Churches. If you can buy or sell more calendars, please do so.
FOOD CARDS/FOOD PANTRY EASTER FOOD CARDS: We have a total of (14) families on our Food Card list. If you know of any family or individual who needs help, please call the rectory or put a note in the collection basket. If you have put someone on the list in the past and they no longer need help, please let us know. You may put your donation, (check or cash), in the collection basket in an envelope marked “attention: Kay—Food Cards” or mail it to the rectory. All donations are needed and are greatly appreciated. To date we have a total of $ 340.00.
FOOD PANTRY: We are now preparing for Easter Baskets. Donations for hams would be appreciated and should be put in the collection marked Food Pantry. Any checks must be made payable to “The Food Pantry”. Thank you for sharing with others. May God bless you a hundredfold.
AD BOOK MEETING The first Ad Book Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6:00PM in St. Brigid Rectory.
KNIFE RADA SALE St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society is selling Rada knives as an on-going fund raiser. Orders can be placed with a member of the Altar & Rosary or can be placed on-line by going online to www.helpourfundraiser.com and use customer number 504671. The password is mrsa01pw. Do not use capital letters in the password.
NEUMANN CENTER BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE The CYO basketball teams are sponsoring a bottle & can drive to replace the score-board control box. Donations can be left at Neumann Hall Tuesday nights between 6 and 9PM or anytime at the Vestal Center Redemption Center, Route 26 next to the Car Wash and VanDervort’s Mini Mart. (Just mention your donations are to benefit St. Brigid Parish/CYO.) Thank you for your support.
DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE We are very happy to announce that we have reached our goal. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. God Bless you one and all!
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need-not just Parishioners), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (570-663-2212), Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618), or Mary Keenan (570-553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST The Little Meadows Fire Company is holding an all you can eat breakfast at White Tails bar in Little Meadows, NEXT Sunday, March 30th, from 7 to 11AM. Price is $8.00 adult $4.00 children. Benefits the Little Meadows Fire Company. Menu: pancakes, scram-bled eggs, bacon, home fries, French toast, sausage gravy with biscuits, homemade baked goods, and beverages. All are invited to attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast!
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday - 4:30PM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions - 4:00 to 4:20PM Sunday - 8:00AM Mass - St. Francis Church - Confessions immediately following Mass
Sunday - 10:30AM Mass - St. Augustine Church - Confessions - immediately following Mass Or any convenient time upon request. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in our Parish collections: St. Francis (4:30PM) $ 882.00; St. Francis (8:00AM) $ 781.80; St. Augustine (10:30AM) $ 681.00.
LIFELINES “Be kind, especially with the infirm. Love them well ... Oh yes! Be kind. It is a great grace God is giving you. In serving the aged, it is he himself whom you are serving.” — St. Jeanne Jugan, Founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor
HOLY COMMUNION UNDER ONE ELEMENT AND SHAKING HANDS
As the winter cold & flu season is upon us already, we are suspending shaking hands at the sign of peace. Please acknowledge those around you with a wave or nod of the head. We will also have Holy Communion under one species; the Precious Blood will not be offered until further notice.
MASS SCHEDULE Sat. March 22 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS Sun. March 23 8:00AM St. Francis Church - THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
7th Anniv. EDWARD CONBOY by the Family 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - ANNE M. TAYLOR by Deacon Ken & Barbara Brennan
Mon. March 24 12:00NN St. Francis Church - BOB & JUDY PEIFER by Peg Reed & Gail Lutz Tue. March 25 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - (Stations of the Cross)
AL ROSSI by the Pichette Family Wed. March 26 8:30AM St. Francis Church - PATRICIA MARX by Deacon Ken & Barb Brennan Thur. March 27 8:30AM St. Francis Church - CATHERINE ADAMS by Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer Fri. March 28 12:00NN St. Francis Church - (Stations of the Cross)
60th Anniv. DOROTHY MORITZ by Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer
Sat. March 29 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT EDWARD & FLORENCE KOZIC by Jack & Vicky Kozic
Sun. March 30 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT WALTER J. BALCHIKONIS by the Family
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Calendars are $ 20.00 each. They run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2014. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars available. (Please do not break up the packages.) You are asked to please sign the calendars out on the sign out sheet provided. Please help to make this very important fund raiser a success again this year! Please make your returns as soon as possible. To date only 425 Calendar returns have been made. Currently, with about a week until April 1st, there are 35 calendars remaining in the back of the Churches. If you can buy or sell more calendars, please do so.
FOOD CARDS/FOOD PANTRY EASTER FOOD CARDS: We have a total of (14) families on our Food Card list. If you know of any family or individual who needs help, please call the rectory or put a note in the collection basket. If you have put someone on the list in the past and they no longer need help, please let us know. You may put your donation, (check or cash), in the collection basket in an envelope marked “attention: Kay—Food Cards” or mail it to the rectory. All donations are needed and are greatly appreciated. To date we have a total of $ 340.00.
FOOD PANTRY: We are now preparing for Easter Baskets. Donations for hams would be appreciated and should be put in the collection marked Food Pantry. Any checks must be made payable to “The Food Pantry”. Thank you for sharing with others. May God bless you a hundredfold.
AD BOOK MEETING The first Ad Book Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6:00PM in St. Brigid Rectory.
KNIFE RADA SALE St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society is selling Rada knives as an on-going fund raiser. Orders can be placed with a member of the Altar & Rosary or can be placed on-line by going online to www.helpourfundraiser.com and use customer number 504671. The password is mrsa01pw. Do not use capital letters in the password.
NEUMANN CENTER BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE The CYO basketball teams are sponsoring a bottle & can drive to replace the score-board control box. Donations can be left at Neumann Hall Tuesday nights between 6 and 9PM or anytime at the Vestal Center Redemption Center, Route 26 next to the Car Wash and VanDervort’s Mini Mart. (Just mention your donations are to benefit St. Brigid Parish/CYO.) Thank you for your support.
DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE We are very happy to announce that we have reached our goal. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. God Bless you one and all!
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to help respond to prayer requests (for anyone in need-not just Parishioners), please contact Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer (570-663-2212), Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618), or Mary Keenan (570-553-2431). If you have actual prayer requests, please call anyone on the list and many prayers will be offered for your particular intention.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST The Little Meadows Fire Company is holding an all you can eat breakfast at White Tails bar in Little Meadows, NEXT Sunday, March 30th, from 7 to 11AM. Price is $8.00 adult $4.00 children. Benefits the Little Meadows Fire Company. Menu: pancakes, scram-bled eggs, bacon, home fries, French toast, sausage gravy with biscuits, homemade baked goods, and beverages. All are invited to attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast!
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND St. Francis—March 29th—4:30PM: Lector—Larry O’Reilly; Servers—Loretta Guiton; Rosary—Loretta Guiton St. Francis—March 30th—8:00AM: Lector—Rosanne Williams; Servers—Katie and Thomas Williams; Rosary—Jeff Williams St. Augustine—March 30th—10:30AM: Lector—Johanna Higgins; Servers—Kiera & Riley Short; Rosary—Ann Zalepa (new volunteers are welcome & needed) If at any time you see that a volunteer is needed for any ministry, please feel free to step forward and volunteer your services.
DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially Robert Peifer, who was known to many in our Parish Community. May he rest in peace. Amen. SANCTUARY LIGHTS, ADORATION VIGIL CANDLES & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS
A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention requested by Joe Purr. A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention.
The Sanctuary Light at St. Francis burns in Memory of Norman Strojny requested by Barbara Strojny. CHURCH CLEANING
St. Francis cleaner for the month of March—Kay Keenan. St. Augustine cleaners Mar. 23 to 29—volunteers needed; Mar. 30 to April 5—Mary Ellen Griffin & Cathy O’Reilly.
Volunteers are needed to clean St. Augustine Church. If you can help, call the rectory. PRAYER LIST
Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish and Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., David Zevan, Rita Powers, Debbie Jones, Julia Zangara, Kyle Stoddard, Mary Lou Gregg, Sophie Padula, Madigan Gow, John Flynn, Christine Rothwell, Donald & Theresa Baum, Mary Bakay, Donnie Butler, Tommy Williams, Stephen Ambrose, Toni Colardino, Evelyn Palulis, Mary Riley, Tom Wenman, Linda Hollenback, Jennifer Lynn, Jerry Lynch, Tyler Fletcher, Anna Mae Coleman, Joshua Welch, Jean Ryan, Richard Hutchinson, Joshua Kaminski, Kathy Holt, Aleisya Abrams, Agnes Neville, Steve Hundiak, Christopher Polk, Mary K. Long, Mary Lou Fahs, Molly Penderf, Butch Rosencranz, Ruth King, George Kotch, Brooke Arnold, Hallie Brooks, Ken Roon, Rosemary Boyle, Sarah Murnigahan, Candy Coney, Walter O’Rourke, William Chaney, Mary Cadden, Frank & Sandy Szabo, Nancy Lynch, Daniel Gavin, Sue Anderson, June Riley, John Bauer, Adam Kelly, Francis Zernone, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Doddie Mondi, Pauline VerValen, John & Alberta Zielinski, Bob Fedroff, Virginia Raftis, Fred Russell, Dorothy Catlin, Marie Donahue, Nancy, Matt & Emily, Bob Murphy, Robyn Lawson, Vicky Nelson, Marie Chillemi, Rita Flynn, Mike Rafferty, Elton Carr, Peter Purtell, Kaleena Dughi, Molly Getter, Sam Miner, Debbie Drewry, Bill Sheredy, Dewey Newhart, Bub Davis, H.T., D.K., Kevin Phalen, J.K., G.D., S.C.F., Rusty Carmen, Ronalee Eckert, Chelsea Judson, Doug Wheaton, John Paul Jones, Timothy Manning, and Valerie Newhart. May they regain full health. Please pray for the needs in our Parish Intention Books. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish and Community, Cortney Allen, Christopher Reichlen, Patrick Allen, Shane Kalpokas, Ryan Gormley, Mike Griffith, Reed Shave, Matthew Kramer, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Bobby Brostoski, Ryan Neville, Anthony Flynn, Jason Raymond, A. Jay Tewksbury, Jennifer Buttacavoli, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Lukas Crisman, John Matousek, David Teetsel, Lisa Phillips, Carrie Krouse, Ryan Newberry, Wayne M. Bennett, Duane Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Michael and Sean Plitt, Mark W. Gregg, Bradley J. Bryant, Taylor Cain, and all who serve with them. May they all be protected and safe from harm and return home soon to their families and friends. Amen. Please call the rectory when the person you put on the Prayer List or Armed Forces List can be removed. If you know of anyone on the list who has passed away, please let us know so that their name can be removed from the list. OIL SPILL: Please continue to pray for a successful cleanup of the remainder of the spill.
ADORATION OF OUR LORD He dwells in our Church day and night until the end of time. O come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord. Visit our King in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Augustine’s Chapel. For a permanent hour or to substitute call Andrea Chen at 607-669-4875.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH,
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “We the faithful of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Brigid Parish, (St. Francis Xavier and St. Augustine Churches), in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, and the Diocese of Scranton, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We in this Faith Community, under the leadership of our Bishop and our Pastor, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace. We especially endeavor to foster spiritual growth and evangelization in our present and future generations by drawing parish members back to active participation.”
2014 REGULATIONS FOR LENT All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent: “The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal and individual, but also external and social (Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.” During Lent the following fast and abstinence regulations are observed: · Good Friday, April 18th, is a day of fast and abstinence. · Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. · All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent. · All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.
LENTEN REMINDERS Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent: · Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need · Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial · Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God Lent is also a penitential season. It is a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and to admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent? · By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies. · By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing. · By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION Preparation: Before going to confession, take some time to examine your conscience. This might be done by reviewing your life in comparison to the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the example of Christ’s life. Pray to God for forgiveness. Going to Confession: 1. The priest will welcome you, and you both make the sign of the cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2. You continue with these traditional words: Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been (how long) since my last confession. You might also add any other background that will allow the priest to be most helpful to you in the circumstances of your everyday life. 3. The priest will encourage you to have trust in God, and invite you to confess your sins. Speak freely and honestly – nothing you say in confession will ever be repeated by the priest. The priest may talk with you about how to make up for the sins you confess. He will then assign an act of penance corresponding to the nature of the sins – this may take the form of prayer, self-denial, and especially service to one’s neighbor. 4. Act of Contrition – you offer a prayer expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving not to sin again. You may say this in your own words, or use this traditional prayer: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. 5. Following this prayer, the priest extends his hands over your head and says the words of absolution: God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As the priest concludes this prayer, he will make the sign of the cross over your head – you bless yourself and respond, Amen. 6. The priest will invite you to go in peace. After Confession: When you leave the confession room, take a few minutes of private prayer and thanksgiving. Plan how you will complete the assigned act of penance. Make a firm resolve to continue your conversion by a life renewed according to the Gospel and the love of God.
SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations at St. Augustine are held Tuesdays following the 8:30AM Mass. Stations continue on Fridays following 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis. Stations are also held at St. Augustine on Friday evenings at 6:00PM.
ROSARY DURING LENT The Rosary will be held before weekday Masses. Volunteers are asked to lead the Rosary. Please don’t wait for Fr. Cas, as he may be hearing Confessions.
AUTHENTIC REPLICA OF THE SHROUD OF TURN St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Scranton will be hosting an authentic replica of the Shroud of Turin from Sunday, March 30th to Friday, April 11th. All are warmly invited to visit and view the Shroud and learn of its history and authenticity. Visitation hours are: Weekdays—10AM to 1PM and 4PM to 7PM; Saturday—11AM to 2PM and 5PM to 7PM; and Sunday—2PM to 6PM. Special prayer services will be conducted Monday mornings at 9AM and Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6PM. For more information visit www.parishesonline.com and type in St Vladimir Church Scranton in search box.
EASTER FLOWER ENVELOPES You are reminded that Easter Flower Donation Envelopes are in your envelope boxes. There is space on the back for memorials.
LENTEN READING MATERIALS In the back of our Churches are copies of the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us”, and “The Catholic Digest” as well as the “Little Black Books” for Lent. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use them as part of your daily Lenten meditations.
COMBINED CHOIR PRACTICE FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER The Combined Choir is practicing for Holy Week and Easter on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM in St. Francis Church. Please consider joining the choir to help make our services even more beautiful.
OPERATION RICE BOWL—You’re invited to participate in CRS Rice Bowl! Our Parish will be participating in CRS Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, as a way to encounter Jesus through others, especially through the most vulnerable in our world. Rice Bowl Envelopes are in your envelope boxes and can be put in the collection at any time during Lent. The Rice Bowl Collection will be taken up on Holy Thursday. Your prayers, fasting and almsgiving this Lenten season will help Catholic Relief Services continue to provide life-saving assistance in nearly 100 countries. CRS works on our behalf to care for the poorest in our world and to end global poverty.
Lent runs from until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17th.
LENTEN MOVIE St. Brigid Parish Religious Education, (which includes CCD for the children and Adult Discussion Groups), is extending an invitation to a private viewing of the movie, “Passion of the Christ”. This will be shown at the Cinema Saver, 19 Madison Ave., Endicott, NY, on Saturday, April 12 at 10:00AM. Because of the graphic nature of the film and especially the depiction of the Crucifixion, this will only be for students 6th grade and older, who are accompanied by a parent or have a permission form signed by a parent. All adults of the parish are invited to attend. There is no charge. There will be free popcorn and soda for the students, and the refreshment stand will be open for adults to purchase snacks if they wish. There will be an extra room available for those who need to step out during the viewing. The room can be used for discussion after the movie if anyone is interested.
CCD CONFESSION SCHEDULE Confessions for CCD Students continue as follows. This Sunday, March 23—grade 6; March 30—grade 7; and April 6th—grades 8 thru 12. Confessions for students will be held at the regularly scheduled Confessions times in each Church; Saturday at St. Francis—4:00 to 4:30PM; Sunday at St. Francis—following 8:00AM Mass; and Sunday at St. Augustine—following 10:30AM Mass.
LENTEN RETREAT—A CALL TO CONVERSION AND HEALING THIS Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday—March 24, 25, 26—7:00M at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose
Most Rev. John H. Richard, S.S.J., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and resident of St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, DC where he is serving as rector of his former religious community, the St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (S.S.J.), will celebrate a Lenten Retreat at Holy Name of Mary Church, MontroseDuring the (3) evenings of prayer and reflection, we will focus on forgiveness, reconciliation and healing, seeking to find ways to help us to be open to receive them. All are welcome to attend. For more information call Holy Name of Mary, at 570-278-1504.
“THE JOY OF DISCIPLESHIP”—LENTEN MISSION 2014—BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY Blessed Trinity & St. Patrick Parish invites you to their Lenten Mission, March 23rd thru 25th. Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark will be the Presenter. The kick-off begins Sunday evening with a program at St. Patrick Church, Owego, from 7 to 9PM. On Monday there will be Mass, breakfast & program from 8:30AM to Noon at St. James, Waverly. On Tuesday there will be Mass, breakfast & program from 8:30AM to Noon at St. Margaret Mary, Apalachin. If you can’t make the mornings, come in the evening! Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9PM, the programs will be repeated at St. Patrick Church, Owego. For more information, please call (1-607-687-8122) or visit [email protected] . Please join us for three days of Praise, Prayer, Purpose and Faith! All are welcome. A free will offering is suggested.
CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF NAZARETH ~ COME AND SEE IF GOD MAY BE CALLING YOU The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will host a Religious Life Discernment Retreat for young women ages 16 to 30. The Retreat will be held Friday, March 28th beginning at 4:00PM and continuing thru Sunday, March 30th at 11:30AM. Reservations are required. Please contact Sr. Christina at 570-745-3334 or www.cnsisters.com . The Retreat will be held at Mother of the Eucharist Convent, 6100 Jacks Hollow Road, Williamsport, Pa. Brochures are available in the back of the Churches with more information.
TRADITIONAL POLISH BITTER LAMENTATIONS Gorzkie Zale, a traditional Polish Bitter Lamentations, will be held Sunday April 6th at 3:00PM at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Road, Buttonwood, Hanover Township. Father Kevin Mulhern, Pastor, invites everyone to this Lenten Service which will be conducted by Father John Albosta, and Father Richard Zavacki. A light reception will follow in the church hall. For more information or directions, please call 570-823-6242.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE POPE Father William Langan, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale, in conjunction with local AAA and Colette Tours is conducting a pilgrimage to Germany, Austria and Poland, Oct. 12-24, 2014. Both Father Langan and Father Gregory Reichlen will be traveling with the group. The pilgrimage will visit the sites important in the lives of soon-to-be St. John Paul II and our Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. For more information or brochures, please contact: Emily Bowen, AAA North Penn, (570) 253-0265 ext. 206 or [email protected].
BENEFIT FOR BOB MEYERS A Benefit will be held on Saturday, March 29th beginning at 1:00PM, at Willy’s Friendsville Inn, for Bob Meyers of Friendsville who passed away unexpectedly on February 25th. The Benefit will help his family with his final expenses. There will be Chinese Auctions, 50/50 raffles, Chicken BBQ ($ 10.00 per person with sides), and desserts. The DJ will be “Boneified”. All are welcome to attend.
The Light Is On For You–all Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00pm, at St. Brigid Parish, St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, and all the Parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open for individual Confessions. You are welcome to come to St. Francis Xavier Church or to go to any other Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Scranton. “The Light Is On For You” and is an effort on the part of the Diocese to highlight the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as
possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. In keeping withthe spirit of Bishop Bambera’s Pastoral Letter, Wounded and Loved, Regathering the Scattered, inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important dimension of the Lenten journey. Please make plans to come yourself, and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and to renew your journey of faith this Lent. The season of Lent is a special time of grace, inviting and enabling all of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to embrace a life of meaning and purpose. Please also reach out to the Catholics you know who have been away from the regular practice of the faith and invite them to participate in this chance to begin again. The website, www.dioceseofscranton.org/light has materials to assist you in preparing to make a good confession, prayers you may find helpful, and answers to frequently asked questions. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Many people have questions about the Sacrament of Penance. You may have questions that are not addressed adequately here or at all. Please do not hesitate to bring those questions to Fr. Cas or to contact the Diocesan Office for Parish Life for additional resources (570) 207-2213. We will run a few questions in the bulletin beginning this week and continuing throughout Lent. What did Jesus say and do about sin? Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). His first public words were “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt 4:17). He healed the sins of the paralyzed man and of the woman caught in adultery (Mk 2:5; Jn 8:11). He preached on God’s desire to reconcile us with the beautiful images of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son (Lk 15). He taught us how to be brutal toward sin, instructing us in the Sermon on the Mount us that it would be better to rip out our eyes or cut off our hands if they were leading us to sin than to do nothing and lose our bodies and souls forever in Hell (Mt 5:29-30). He taught us to pray to the Father to forgive us our sins and to bring us to forgive the relatively smaller debts of those who sin against us (Mt 6:12; 18:21-35). On the Cross, as he prepared to die to take away our sins, Jesus’ salvific words were, first for sinners in general, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” and then for one sinner, the Good Thief, in particular (Lk 23:34,43). After his resurrection, not only did Jesus give the apostles the ability to forgive sins in his name but commanded them to preach “repentance and forgive-ness of sins” to all nations (Jn 20:21-23; Lk 24:47). That’s what the Church continues through preaching the need for repentance and making Jesus’ mercy available through the Sacrament of Penance. I know mortal sins must be confessed, but should I also confess the venial sins I’m aware of? The Church strongly recommends that we confess our every day faults (venial sins) because it can help us “to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies (patterns of weakness that can lead us to sin), … be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. (CCC 1458; CIC 988). Confession of our ve-nial sins shows our hatred of all sin because even venial sins are against the love of God and neighbor. Should I go to confession if I’m only aware of having committed venial sins? Yes. We should not stay away from confession if we’ve committed only venial sins, since the sacrament not only forgives our sins but gives us God’s grace to fight against temptation. The great saints, who were filled with love of God and seem for the most part to have avoided mortal sins, have confessed very frequently, because the sacrament helps us to grow in God’s grace. It reveals to us our need for God’s help in the “little things” of the day and leads us to ask for that help. Should I go to confession if I haven’t committed any sins since my last confession? No, you should stay at home and wait for your canonization papers to arrive! Seriously, if it’s been several weeks since your last confession, you have probably not examined your conscience very carefully. “The just man,” the Book of Proverbs tells us, “falls seven times a day” (Prov 24:16). If you’re struggling to find matter to confess, examine your conscience on your sins of omission, on the seven capital sins or on whether you in fact love the Lord with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength (Lk 10:27).
2014 REGULATIONS FOR LENT All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent: “The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal and individual, but also external and social (Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.” During Lent the following fast and abstinence regulations are observed: · Good Friday, April 18th, is a day of fast and abstinence. · Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. · All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent. · All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.
LENTEN REMINDERS Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent: · Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need · Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial · Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God Lent is also a penitential season. It is a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and to admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent? · By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies. · By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing. · By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION Preparation: Before going to confession, take some time to examine your conscience. This might be done by reviewing your life in comparison to the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the example of Christ’s life. Pray to God for forgiveness. Going to Confession: 1. The priest will welcome you, and you both make the sign of the cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2. You continue with these traditional words: Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been (how long) since my last confession. You might also add any other background that will allow the priest to be most helpful to you in the circumstances of your everyday life. 3. The priest will encourage you to have trust in God, and invite you to confess your sins. Speak freely and honestly – nothing you say in confession will ever be repeated by the priest. The priest may talk with you about how to make up for the sins you confess. He will then assign an act of penance corresponding to the nature of the sins – this may take the form of prayer, self-denial, and especially service to one’s neighbor. 4. Act of Contrition – you offer a prayer expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving not to sin again. You may say this in your own words, or use this traditional prayer: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. 5. Following this prayer, the priest extends his hands over your head and says the words of absolution: God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As the priest concludes this prayer, he will make the sign of the cross over your head – you bless yourself and respond, Amen. 6. The priest will invite you to go in peace. After Confession: When you leave the confession room, take a few minutes of private prayer and thanksgiving. Plan how you will complete the assigned act of penance. Make a firm resolve to continue your conversion by a life renewed according to the Gospel and the love of God.
SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations at St. Augustine are held Tuesdays following the 8:30AM Mass. Stations continue on Fridays following 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis. Stations are also held at St. Augustine on Friday evenings at 6:00PM.
ROSARY DURING LENT The Rosary will be held before weekday Masses. Volunteers are asked to lead the Rosary. Please don’t wait for Fr. Cas, as he may be hearing Confessions.
AUTHENTIC REPLICA OF THE SHROUD OF TURN St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Scranton will be hosting an authentic replica of the Shroud of Turin from Sunday, March 30th to Friday, April 11th. All are warmly invited to visit and view the Shroud and learn of its history and authenticity. Visitation hours are: Weekdays—10AM to 1PM and 4PM to 7PM; Saturday—11AM to 2PM and 5PM to 7PM; and Sunday—2PM to 6PM. Special prayer services will be conducted Monday mornings at 9AM and Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6PM. For more information visit www.parishesonline.com and type in St Vladimir Church Scranton in search box.
EASTER FLOWER ENVELOPES You are reminded that Easter Flower Donation Envelopes are in your envelope boxes. There is space on the back for memorials.
LENTEN READING MATERIALS In the back of our Churches are copies of the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us”, and “The Catholic Digest” as well as the “Little Black Books” for Lent. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use them as part of your daily Lenten meditations.
COMBINED CHOIR PRACTICE FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER The Combined Choir is practicing for Holy Week and Easter on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM in St. Francis Church. Please consider joining the choir to help make our services even more beautiful.
OPERATION RICE BOWL—You’re invited to participate in CRS Rice Bowl! Our Parish will be participating in CRS Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, as a way to encounter Jesus through others, especially through the most vulnerable in our world. Rice Bowl Envelopes are in your envelope boxes and can be put in the collection at any time during Lent. The Rice Bowl Collection will be taken up on Holy Thursday. Your prayers, fasting and almsgiving this Lenten season will help Catholic Relief Services continue to provide life-saving assistance in nearly 100 countries. CRS works on our behalf to care for the poorest in our world and to end global poverty.
Lent runs from until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17th.
LENTEN MOVIE St. Brigid Parish Religious Education, (which includes CCD for the children and Adult Discussion Groups), is extending an invitation to a private viewing of the movie, “Passion of the Christ”. This will be shown at the Cinema Saver, 19 Madison Ave., Endicott, NY, on Saturday, April 12 at 10:00AM. Because of the graphic nature of the film and especially the depiction of the Crucifixion, this will only be for students 6th grade and older, who are accompanied by a parent or have a permission form signed by a parent. All adults of the parish are invited to attend. There is no charge. There will be free popcorn and soda for the students, and the refreshment stand will be open for adults to purchase snacks if they wish. There will be an extra room available for those who need to step out during the viewing. The room can be used for discussion after the movie if anyone is interested.
CCD CONFESSION SCHEDULE Confessions for CCD Students continue as follows. This Sunday, March 23—grade 6; March 30—grade 7; and April 6th—grades 8 thru 12. Confessions for students will be held at the regularly scheduled Confessions times in each Church; Saturday at St. Francis—4:00 to 4:30PM; Sunday at St. Francis—following 8:00AM Mass; and Sunday at St. Augustine—following 10:30AM Mass.
LENTEN RETREAT—A CALL TO CONVERSION AND HEALING THIS Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday—March 24, 25, 26—7:00M at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose
Most Rev. John H. Richard, S.S.J., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and resident of St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, DC where he is serving as rector of his former religious community, the St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (S.S.J.), will celebrate a Lenten Retreat at Holy Name of Mary Church, MontroseDuring the (3) evenings of prayer and reflection, we will focus on forgiveness, reconciliation and healing, seeking to find ways to help us to be open to receive them. All are welcome to attend. For more information call Holy Name of Mary, at 570-278-1504.
“THE JOY OF DISCIPLESHIP”—LENTEN MISSION 2014—BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY Blessed Trinity & St. Patrick Parish invites you to their Lenten Mission, March 23rd thru 25th. Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark will be the Presenter. The kick-off begins Sunday evening with a program at St. Patrick Church, Owego, from 7 to 9PM. On Monday there will be Mass, breakfast & program from 8:30AM to Noon at St. James, Waverly. On Tuesday there will be Mass, breakfast & program from 8:30AM to Noon at St. Margaret Mary, Apalachin. If you can’t make the mornings, come in the evening! Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9PM, the programs will be repeated at St. Patrick Church, Owego. For more information, please call (1-607-687-8122) or visit [email protected] . Please join us for three days of Praise, Prayer, Purpose and Faith! All are welcome. A free will offering is suggested.
CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF NAZARETH ~ COME AND SEE IF GOD MAY BE CALLING YOU The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will host a Religious Life Discernment Retreat for young women ages 16 to 30. The Retreat will be held Friday, March 28th beginning at 4:00PM and continuing thru Sunday, March 30th at 11:30AM. Reservations are required. Please contact Sr. Christina at 570-745-3334 or www.cnsisters.com . The Retreat will be held at Mother of the Eucharist Convent, 6100 Jacks Hollow Road, Williamsport, Pa. Brochures are available in the back of the Churches with more information.
TRADITIONAL POLISH BITTER LAMENTATIONS Gorzkie Zale, a traditional Polish Bitter Lamentations, will be held Sunday April 6th at 3:00PM at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Road, Buttonwood, Hanover Township. Father Kevin Mulhern, Pastor, invites everyone to this Lenten Service which will be conducted by Father John Albosta, and Father Richard Zavacki. A light reception will follow in the church hall. For more information or directions, please call 570-823-6242.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE POPE Father William Langan, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale, in conjunction with local AAA and Colette Tours is conducting a pilgrimage to Germany, Austria and Poland, Oct. 12-24, 2014. Both Father Langan and Father Gregory Reichlen will be traveling with the group. The pilgrimage will visit the sites important in the lives of soon-to-be St. John Paul II and our Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. For more information or brochures, please contact: Emily Bowen, AAA North Penn, (570) 253-0265 ext. 206 or [email protected].
BENEFIT FOR BOB MEYERS A Benefit will be held on Saturday, March 29th beginning at 1:00PM, at Willy’s Friendsville Inn, for Bob Meyers of Friendsville who passed away unexpectedly on February 25th. The Benefit will help his family with his final expenses. There will be Chinese Auctions, 50/50 raffles, Chicken BBQ ($ 10.00 per person with sides), and desserts. The DJ will be “Boneified”. All are welcome to attend.
The Light Is On For You–all Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00pm, at St. Brigid Parish, St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, and all the Parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open for individual Confessions. You are welcome to come to St. Francis Xavier Church or to go to any other Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Scranton. “The Light Is On For You” and is an effort on the part of the Diocese to highlight the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as
possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. In keeping withthe spirit of Bishop Bambera’s Pastoral Letter, Wounded and Loved, Regathering the Scattered, inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important dimension of the Lenten journey. Please make plans to come yourself, and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and to renew your journey of faith this Lent. The season of Lent is a special time of grace, inviting and enabling all of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to embrace a life of meaning and purpose. Please also reach out to the Catholics you know who have been away from the regular practice of the faith and invite them to participate in this chance to begin again. The website, www.dioceseofscranton.org/light has materials to assist you in preparing to make a good confession, prayers you may find helpful, and answers to frequently asked questions. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Many people have questions about the Sacrament of Penance. You may have questions that are not addressed adequately here or at all. Please do not hesitate to bring those questions to Fr. Cas or to contact the Diocesan Office for Parish Life for additional resources (570) 207-2213. We will run a few questions in the bulletin beginning this week and continuing throughout Lent. What did Jesus say and do about sin? Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). His first public words were “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt 4:17). He healed the sins of the paralyzed man and of the woman caught in adultery (Mk 2:5; Jn 8:11). He preached on God’s desire to reconcile us with the beautiful images of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son (Lk 15). He taught us how to be brutal toward sin, instructing us in the Sermon on the Mount us that it would be better to rip out our eyes or cut off our hands if they were leading us to sin than to do nothing and lose our bodies and souls forever in Hell (Mt 5:29-30). He taught us to pray to the Father to forgive us our sins and to bring us to forgive the relatively smaller debts of those who sin against us (Mt 6:12; 18:21-35). On the Cross, as he prepared to die to take away our sins, Jesus’ salvific words were, first for sinners in general, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” and then for one sinner, the Good Thief, in particular (Lk 23:34,43). After his resurrection, not only did Jesus give the apostles the ability to forgive sins in his name but commanded them to preach “repentance and forgive-ness of sins” to all nations (Jn 20:21-23; Lk 24:47). That’s what the Church continues through preaching the need for repentance and making Jesus’ mercy available through the Sacrament of Penance. I know mortal sins must be confessed, but should I also confess the venial sins I’m aware of? The Church strongly recommends that we confess our every day faults (venial sins) because it can help us “to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies (patterns of weakness that can lead us to sin), … be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. (CCC 1458; CIC 988). Confession of our ve-nial sins shows our hatred of all sin because even venial sins are against the love of God and neighbor. Should I go to confession if I’m only aware of having committed venial sins? Yes. We should not stay away from confession if we’ve committed only venial sins, since the sacrament not only forgives our sins but gives us God’s grace to fight against temptation. The great saints, who were filled with love of God and seem for the most part to have avoided mortal sins, have confessed very frequently, because the sacrament helps us to grow in God’s grace. It reveals to us our need for God’s help in the “little things” of the day and leads us to ask for that help. Should I go to confession if I haven’t committed any sins since my last confession? No, you should stay at home and wait for your canonization papers to arrive! Seriously, if it’s been several weeks since your last confession, you have probably not examined your conscience very carefully. “The just man,” the Book of Proverbs tells us, “falls seven times a day” (Prov 24:16). If you’re struggling to find matter to confess, examine your conscience on your sins of omission, on the seven capital sins or on whether you in fact love the Lord with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength (Lk 10:27).
