111 First Street, Elkland, Pa 16920 Jesus calls us to repent so that we might bear good fruit. God’s ways are not our ways. In order to bear good fruit, we must allow him to shape and mold our lives. This was not a new message that Jesus shared, but an affirmation of the covenant that God made with his people from the beginning. God is faithful – and so we are called to be. When we stray and wither or produce bad fruit, we have the opportunity to repent and try again. Monday, March 25 (9:00AM) ROBERT McDONOUGH by Carol Harkenrider Saturday, March 30 (7:00PM) CECILIA MILLER by Jean Sereno Sunday, March 31 (11:30AM) ROBERT McDONOUGH by Wayne & Julie Crawford (THE SANCTUARY LIGHTS AT ST. CATHERINE IS LIT FOR KRISTINE WAGNER (HEALING) BY CAROL HARKENRIDER.) (THE SANCTUARY LIGHT AT ST. THOMAS CHURCH IS LIT IN REMEMBRANCE OF FRANK CAFFOE, BY PAULA HOWE.) LECTOR & ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE March 30 - 31 Fourth Sunday of Lent Mark Clements 7:00PM Marky & Gabriel Clements Extraordinary Minister: David Sereno Sr. Cheryl Sottolano 11:30AM Josh & Jason Whalen Extraordinary Minister: Tom Socha Mission Church: St. Catherine of Siena 146 Lincoln Street, Westfield, Pa 16950 Serving the Northern Catholic Communities of: Academy Corners, Cowanesque, Elkland, Harrison Valley, Knoxville, Lawrenceville, Little Marsh, Millerton, Nelson, Osceola, Sabinsville and Westfield. SECRETARY: Louise J. Wheaton Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. TELEPHONE: Rectory: 814-258-5121 Rectory Fax: 814-258-5122 E-MAIL: [email protected]WEEKEND MASS Schedule: Saturday: 7 p.m. at St. Catherine Sunday: 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Holy Day Masses: Saint Thomas 7:00 (Eve) Christmas: 7:00 (Eve) 9:00AM (Day) at St. Thomas
Transcript
111 First Street, Elkland, Pa 16920
Jesus calls us to repent so that we might bear good fruit. God’s ways are not our ways. In order to bear good fruit, we must allow him to shape and mold our
lives. This was not a new message that Jesus shared, but an affirmation of the covenant that God made with his people from the beginning. God is faithful – and so we are called to be. When we stray and wither or produce bad fruit, we have the opportunity to repent and try again.
Monday, March 25
(9:00AM) ROBERT McDONOUGH by Carol Harkenrider Saturday, March 30
(7:00PM) CECILIA MILLER by Jean Sereno
Sunday, March 31 (11:30AM) ROBERT McDONOUGH by Wayne & Julie Crawford
(THE SANCTUARY LIGHTS AT ST. CATHERINE IS LIT FOR KRISTINE WAGNER (HEALING) BY CAROL HARKENRIDER.) (THE SANCTUARY LIGHT AT ST. THOMAS CHURCH IS LIT IN REMEMBRANCE OF FRANK CAFFOE, BY PAULA HOWE.)
LECTOR & ALTAR SERVER
SCHEDULE
March 30 - 31
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Mark Clements 7:00PM Marky & Gabriel Clements Extraordinary Minister: David Sereno Sr.
Cheryl Sottolano 11:30AM Josh & Jason Whalen Extraordinary Minister: Tom Socha
Mission Church: St. Catherine of Siena 146 Lincoln Street, Westfield, Pa 16950
Serving the Northern Catholic Communities of: Academy Corners, Cowanesque, Elkland, Harrison Valley, Knoxville, Lawrenceville, Little Marsh, Millerton,
Nelson, Osceola, Sabinsville and Westfield.
PASTOR: Rev. David Bechtel
SECRETARY: Louise J. Wheaton Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. TELEPHONE: Rectory: 814-258-5121 Rectory Fax: 814-258-5122 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEEKEND MASS Schedule: Saturday: 7 p.m. at St. Catherine Sunday: 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Holy Day Masses: Saint Thomas 7:00 (Eve)
-----------------------------------Third Sunday in Lent-------------------------------
That’s the way it is, by: Father Bechtel
Someone asked me a question about Stations of the Cross. The question was a good question. Being that the question was a good question, I thought it would be the basis of an article.
As a prelude to the question: during Lent we pray the Stations of the Cross. There are variations of the devotion that we use. One of the variations of the devotion is called the Saint Alphonsus Stations. The Saint Alphonsus Stations will tend to resonate with people who like the emotional, sentimental, devotional piety of the words. While this is a beautiful way to pray, for people like me, the emotional language and sentimentality is a bit over the top. I love Jesus, but it should not be a surprise that I am not an emotional sentimental type. Hence, the reason we do variations of the Stations: to give variety and appeal to more than one devotional taste.
At the end of the prayers in the Saint Alphonsus Stations, before singing the Stabat Mater, the option is given to do one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be. When we pray the stations as a public devotion I do not pray those three prayers at the end of the station. They are optional. Those prayers are worthy prayers, it is just that doing them after each station becomes tedious after a while. You are welcome and encouraged to pray the stations as you wish when you pray them privately. You are welcome to take the booklets with you. You may pray the stations at any time, regardless of the liturgical season.
So, what was the question? The question was “Father, do we still receive the indulgence granted to those who pray the stations if we do not do the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be at the end of the stations prayer?” The answer to the question is “Yes.” But why is the answer “Yes?” Prayer isn’t about saying the “right words” as if the prayer won’t be heard because the exact words were not used. Prayer is raising our mind to the things of God and communicating with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this when it comes to personal prayer or public devotions.
When it comes to the Mass, things are different. The Mass involves the celebration of a Sacrament. As such, the Mass is not our personal property or the property of the local community. The Mass belongs to the universal Church. The Mass is also a mechanism of Tradition; that is, the Mass is a means by which God’s Revelation is passed on through the Church together with Scripture. For this reason, we cannot alter the prayers of the Mass, we cannot take it upon ourselves to omit certain things in the Mass, etc. The Mass reflects the
universal Faith of the Church; it is not a reflection of the personal tastes of the local community.
Devotions are different. Devotions are not sacraments. Therefore there is more freedom to improvise and personalize the devotion. When it comes to praying devotions, we can alter them; omit things, change things, etc, to suit the context, personal tastes, etc, of the community. There are many different devotions, many different ways to pray them.
The Rosary is a devotion that is essentially a meditation on the Gospels. The Rosary is not about the Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s. One can pray an entire Rosary without uttering one Our Father or Hail Mary. The Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s are not the end, they are a means to an end. They are there to assist us to focus on the mystery. Those who make the Rosary about the Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s are well intentioned, but they are missing the point of the devotion. The point is to meditate on the mystery, not worry about how many Hail Mary’s or Our Father’s have been said.
The Stations of the Cross are like the Rosary. The Stations of the Cross focus on and highlight the Passion of Christ and the events surrounding the Passion. The prayers in the different variations of the stations are like the Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s on the Rosary: they are a means to an end, not the end. The point of the stations is to put us into closer touch and reflection on the Passion of Christ, not worry about Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s. The Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s are just there to help focus our meditation and prevent the mind from wondering; as are the prayers of the stations themselves.
For this reason, we can omit the Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s at the end of each station; praying the stations aren’t about those specific prayers anymore, than the Rosary is about those specific prayers. The Stations of the Cross are just another tool that the Church offers to assist us in our prayers. For this reason, the indulgence granted to those who pray the stations can still be received. Getting the indulgence isn’t about the Hail Mary’s, Our Father’s and Glory Be’s. It is about meditating on and praying on the Passion of the Christ.
That’s the way it is, The Reverend David W. Bechtel Pastor
Contact information: Father Dave Bechtel: Rectory: 570-724-3371 Emergency: 570-329-5762 (Pager) Saint Peter's email: [email protected] Father Bechtel: [email protected]
Our babies are so active now, as they kick and turn inside their mothers' wombs, that you might think
you were watching a miniature water ballet if you could peek inside! The moms still can't feel their little ones' acrobatics, nor can they feel the episodes of hiccups the babies may get from time to time now that their diaphragms are formed. Tiny tooth buds are forming under their gums and some of their bones have started to harden. Soon little hands will be able to open and close to form fists, and their tiny feet are now the exact size and shape of the "Precious Feet" lapel pins. The babies are now 1 1/2 inches long and weigh in at a hefty 1/4 ounce, about the size of a fig. Their moms are 12 weeks pregnant and need our prayers every day so that they continue to give their babies the gift of life.
Did you know that March is Women's History Month? Here is a quote from an early American feminist, who, while championing the advancement of women's rights, obviously did not
support the slaughter of unborn children. If only feminists of today believed as she did!
"Sweeter even than to have had the joy of children of my own, has it been for me to help bring about a better state of things for mothers generally, so that their unborn little ones could
not be willed away from them." ~Susan B. Anthony, 19th century
women's right activist
"FILL YOUR
FREEZER" RAFFLE With Gift Certificates from Sylvester Meats,
Westfield, PA
(USDA Inspected)
$5.00 TICKET or 5 for $20.00
➢ Prize #1 $300.00 Gift Certificate
➢ Prize #2 $200.00 Gift Certificate
➢ Prize #3 $100.00 Gift Certificate
DRAWING WILL BE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH
YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE THE CERTIFICATE ALL AT
ONCE, YOU CAN PURCHASE WHAT YOU WANT AND COME
BACK AT A LATER DATE FOR MORE!
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN BACK OF BOTH CHURCHES. THE TICKETS WILL BE STAPLED IN 5'S AND PUT IN
BUNDLES OF 10. PLEASE TAKE A BUNDLE TO SELL - MONEY/TICKETS AND UNSOLD TICKETS NEED TO BE
-----------------------------------Third Sunday in Lent-------------------------------
Sunday Collection for
March 17, 2019 $ 2,163.00
Weekly Goal to Meet Expenses (for two weeks):
$ 2,212.00 Difference: - $ 49.00
As of July 1st, St. Thomas Parish began a new fiscal year. Based on the budget, a weekly collection of $2,212.00 has been established
The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Thomas the Apostle has developed this survey to learn what our parishioners find giving about our parish and where you think the parish should focus its energies. If you did not receive a survey in the mail, extra survey sheets are in the backs of the churches.
All of you are welcome at Saint Peter's anytime. The Saint Peter's Mass schedule: Saturday: 5:00PM ~ Sunday: 8:30AM Holy Day: 5:00PM (Eve) 12:10 and 7:00PM (Day) If you attend Mass at Saint Peter's it is preferred that hold your Saint Thomas envelop until the next time you attend Mass at Saint Thomas. The collection counters do not always notice the Saint Thomas envelop and count it as Saint Peter's collection. We do find the error and make a check out to Saint Thomas for the amount. However, we do not want to be in a position where we might not catch he error. To be safe, it is just best to hold your envelop until the next time you are at Saint Thomas.
PRAY For those who need special prayers: For those serving our country: Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Saver. Amen.
Richard & Wanita Allen, Mike Asiello, Isidore Bicksler, Martin Blaskowitz, Stephanie Rose Calicchia, Carmen Blend, Payton Blend, Don Blovhic, Waverly Emma Roney, Jacob Hunter Roney, Bob & Daisy Casbeer, Lucas Charles & family, Kim Cochran & family, Chet Cornish, Elizabeta Erway, Carol Fasick, Barbara Gilligan, Kathy Gillbert, Mary Gilmour, Josiah Goodrich, Janet Flinn, Angelina Heck, Christian Houghtaling, Betty Howe, June Kerrick, Linda Kitcline; Mickey Labosky, Tom Labosky, Jr., Taylor MacKenzie, Ann Marsiglio, John Mosley, Craig Owlett, Pat Perry, Diane Pollock, John & Shirley Porter, Marion Potter, Evelyn Reimann, Cindy Sereno, Pat Siciliano, Bob & Diane Soyka, Debra Stanley, Paul Taft, Roberta Volante, Elbert Whalen, Esther Whalen, Robert Whalen, Kathlyn Whitcomb. For those in Nursing Homes: Virginia Barbano, Renee Kennedy, Mary T. Miller, Deb Morgan, Colleen Pell, Kitty Gaintomasi, Virgina Wynick
Please call the office to add names of those who are in need of prayer due to sudden illness, upcoming surgery, hospital stay or those who are experiencing a hardship. 814-258-5121.
EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL
Each Easter, the flowers in
the church during the season memorialize deceased loved ones. If you would like to
contribute to this year’s Easter flowers in memory of a loved one, please use the envelope found in your monthly packet and
place in the collection basket. A list of those we remember will be included in the
Easter Sunday bulletin.
PARISH STATISTICS *Weekend of March 17*
Weekend Mass Number Attending
7:00pm – 55 11:30am - 57
Total # Attending Mass – 112
Number of registered parishioners - 328
* Weekend Mass Number Attending
7:00pm - 70 11:30am - 56
Total # Attending Mass – 132
Number of registered parishioners - 328
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH March 24, 2019
5TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE The 5th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference for the Diocese of Scranton will be held on Saturday, April 27th at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes Barre, PA. A most important day for the future of our
faith, featuring keynote presentations by Fr. Philip B. Bochanski, the executive director of Courage International, who speaks on the good news of living chaste lives, along with well-known psychologist, speaker, and EWTN TV hose, Dr. Ray Guarendi. Our third speaker will be motivational speaker, apologist, and TV host of “Battle Ready,” Doug Barry. You will hear Doug explain the BATTLE READY effort to be more AWARE of, PREPARED for and ENGAGED in the battles that we all face, body, mind, and soul. Every one of us is in the thick of the spiritual battle. Many do not see it and consequently are unprepared for it. The outcome of that scenario is devastating. The primary goal of BATTLE READY is to help others know how to deal with the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil. A must awareness for Catholic men! There will be opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as praying the Rosary. Additionally, exhibitors will be present with a full array of Catholic books and publications as well as CD‟s and ministry opportunities. Fathers, sons, grandsons, and friends are all most welcome to register for the event. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the celebrant for the closing Mass. The idea for this year’s event was initiated by laymen from various parishes, with the support of their pastors, in an effort to address challenging issues facing men in today’s culture. St. Peter’s will once again provide transportation, through Benedict’s Bus Service, to the conference. Register on line at www.beamanconference.com, call 570-207-2213 (Diocesan Pastoral Center), or mail the completed application with your check to: Men’s Conference, Office of Parish Life, 330 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, PA 18503.
Do You Want to Know More About the Annulment Process?: In the Diocese of Scranton, the annulment process is now more “user friendly” than you might expect, and there is no longer a processing fee. Please contact your pastor or the Diocesan Tribunal Office (570-207-2246) to begin a conversation. It is possible to get clear answers to these questions and to renew your connection with the Church.
WOMEN’S RETREAT - LENTEN DAY OF REFLECTION A women’s retreat and Lenten Day of Reflection will be held on Sunday, March 24th at St. Eulalia’s church, Coudersport, PA. The day will begin with Mass at 11:00am, followed by the program from 12:00-3:00pm, and dinner at 3:00pm. The cost is $20.00 per person. The retreat will feature Judy Hehr, a spiritual motivator and inspirational speaker. Judy was a college dropout, single, homeless, drug addicted, and bankrupt by age 20, but a mom of 4 and a millionaire by the age of 34. Scorned, broken, and almost divorced by the age of 37, Judy is now a seminary graduate and thriving in a sanctified marriage. Her message of hope centers on her journey from captivity to freedom, and uses her sense of humor and real struggles from her personal life to compel her audience and connect theology to daily reality. The power behind her life journey will expand self-awareness, enrich attitudes, rekindle love for Christ, and encourage a personal relationship with God. For more information contact Sue Singer 570-724-2360
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass
on Sunday, June 30. The event includes a 2:30 PM
mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through your pastor before April 2.
-----------------------------------Third Sunday in Lent-------------------------------
Knoxville Community Center
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Admission - $1.00
Saturday, April 13 ~ 11 AM – 1 PM
Behind Knoxville Community Center
USED CANS &/OR BOTTLES Parish fundraiser to turn those water bottles or aluminum cans of soda (with a deposit on them) into cash. Please drop them off when you come to
church or bring them to the rectory/hall. They have asked us not to crush the water bottles. Thank you!
April 15th is the last day for
submitting orders for the Gift
Card Program. Please have
your payment (check made
out to St. Thomas Parish) and
order form to Maureen. This
would be a good time to order cards for a special
Easter Bunny or get some cards for yourself.
Order forms can be found in the back of both
churches. If you are interested in a merchant not
listed on the order form go to www.glscrip.com for
a complete list of participating merchants, or call
Thursday, March 28 - Knoxville Center, 7:00pm. Need volunteers to provide snacks. If you can help, please call the rectory 814-258-5121.
Chrism Mass All the faithful of the Diocese are invited to attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Scranton, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 4:00 pm. At this Mass priests from throughout the Diocese will renew their priestly promises before the Bishop; and the oils to be used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders will be blessed. Participation in the Chrism Mass is a beautiful way to pray for and support the priests of the Diocese. For reserved seating, please call Diane Franklin in the Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213 ext. 1102 or email [email protected].
~ ~ Lent Activity ~ ~
Choose a favorite Lenten message from
your Bible. Write it on a small sheet of paper and place it on canned items and deposit them in the back of both churches
on the weekends.
DIOCESE OF SCRANTON HUMAN RESOURCES/SAFE ENVIRONMENT OFFICE
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Interested in supporting and protecting our children’s future? Then please consider attending the diocesan-sponsored VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adults Program. This training session is required for all adult employees and volunteers who have direct contact or routine interaction with children.
During the three-hour training, a facilitator, who will teach you the tools and show you the resources to maintain a safe environment for all children, will incorporate techniques in a discussion-format to help you recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to respond to it appropriately and effectively.
Please consider joining your community on THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019, with Saint Peter’s Parish, Wellsboro, to take part in this vital program to help safeguard our most vulnerable and precious gifts: our children. The session details are listed below and on our website. Thank you for your cooperation and your willingness to protect all our children and to keep them safe.
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019, 6 P.M. Saint Peter’s Parish, Wellsboro
47 Central Avenue To register, please contact the parish at:
570.724.3371
Operation Rice Bowl - HUNGERING FOR THE JOURNEY - Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic
Relief Services. Proceeds benefit the poor in our own diocese and throughout the developing world. You are asked to eat one sacrificial meal each week during Lent and to give the money you saved to the Rice Bowl program. Boxes can be found on the table in the back of the church.
