April 26, 2020

Sunday Mass Times 4:00 p.m. Saint Alexis (Saturday Anticipated Mass) 7:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus 9:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus 10:00 a.m. Saint Alexis 11:30 a.m. Saint Alphonsus 5:00 p.m. Saint Alexis

Weekday Mass Schedule

8:00 a.m. Saint Alexis (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) 9:00 a.m. Saint Alphonsus (Wednesday) 12:00 p.m. Saint Alphonsus (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF WEXFORD

Third Sunday of Easter

ALL MASSES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Saint Alphonsus & Saint Alexis

For Release: April 23, 2020 Bishop David Zubik Announces Changes in Sacramental Offerings in the Diocese of Pittsburgh As local, state, and national health authorities are developing gradual reopening plans for our communities

and economies, Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is announcing new directives that

allow for limited public celebrations of certain sacraments.

“We have been examining how we can best carry out our mission and ministry while maintaining compliance

with government restrictions. These changes represent a safe way for us to begin. We will continue to

evaluate the evolving situation and update everyone about further changes,” Bishop Zubik said.

The following changes are effective immediately in the Diocese of Pittsburgh:

Weddings: As announced last week, in exceptional circumstances, weddings may be celebrated with

no more than ten people including the priest/deacon officiant. Couples must be advised that once the

ritual of matrimony is celebrated it cannot be repeated. As such, a Mass of Thanksgiving sometime

after the actual wedding ceremony may/should be planned if the couple wishes for more than ten

people to gather for a celebration.

Funerals: In exceptional circumstances, funerals with a Mass may be scheduled but with the limit of

ten people or fewer. It should also be noted that the cemeteries are still closed for public interments

until the restrictions are lifted.

Confessions: The Sacrament of Penance may be celebrated but only outdoors, either in parking lots or

another place where social distancing (six feet apart) is absolutely respected. Confessions cannot be

celebrated in church, in the rectory, or within any parish building.

Until further notice, church buildings cannot be reopened, and the suspension of the public celebration of the

Holy Mass remains in place out of concern for the protection and safety of the faithful.

Carrying out these directives will be at the discretion of individual parish administrators, who will

communicate with families to determine the best way to assist them with their needs. People should contact

their pastor with questions. Of course, besides these directives from a religious perspective, all local, state,

and federal guidelines must be observed.

“As we look forward to the day when we can all join together in our parishes to celebrate Holy Masses again,

I remain concerned for the protection of the health of our community. We want to keep everyone healthy, and

we want to make sure that we do not put ourselves in a position to advance the contagion,” Bishop Zubik said.

Responding to the Hunger

With our churches temporarily closed, I have been moved by the number of people that I see in front of the doors of our churches remaining “connected” to the Lord. Each day, there are those who drive -up to the churches and either remain in their car, pray in the parking lot, set-up lawn chairs, walk around the buildings, and even a cyclist who paused outside of Saint Alphonsus. What witness to a love for Jesus and a hunger for the Eucharist. In sharing these stories with our Director of Facilities Maintenance, he suggested we set-up a small Eucharistic shrine behind the clear glass windows in rear (near the old bell tower) of Father Rodgers Hall – the former church building at Saint Alexis. And so, we did. It’s now available for you to visit and pray before Jesus in his Eucharistic presence. We ask that you remain observant of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s mandate to maintain social distancing (6 feet between one another). With the tabernacle in such a close and visible proximity, you may remain in the comfort of your car, rain or shine, day or night close to Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharistic! Remain connected. Feed the hunger. This time of fasting will end and know that Jesus always remains with us. (Thanks Carl)

The Why Behind the Where

In these days when we find ourselves connecting in worship through live streaming, questions have been asked of me about the where – why are live streaming at one location or the other. There’s an easy answer: initially, the Masses were celebrated at Saint Alexis because Saint Alexis Church is wired for Wi-Fi. Father Will and I discussed the two locations and concluded that Saint Alphonsus, with its smaller sanctuary and our temporary need to live stream, would serve us best. Since then, Wi-Fi has been installed at Saint Alphonsus so that now we can live stream from there as well. We will continue to live stream from Saint Alphonsus because when using one site, we do not have to move equipment back and forth and restage each week. But the real issue should never be the “where,” but the WHO – Jesus. Friends, don’t get lost in the weeds. Take the high ground and keep your focus on the presence of Jesus who remains faithful and with his Church in the Holy Eucharist. The same can be said for having a tabernacle visible for private devotion at Saint Alexis. With the clear windows in the rear of Father Rodgers Hall (the former church building), it just works better. Besides, we are not two, but one community, soon to become one new parish and celebrate our communion as the mystical body of Christ. Amen!

For the Taking

Even though you may have only had a limited view of the flowers in our church’s (via live streaming) this Easter, flowers were used to adorn the sanctuaries. After all, all glory and honor and thanksgiving are always directed to God, and His Son whose resurrection we celebrate. Special thanks to the generous and faith-filled parishioners who once again, made this possible. Now, the time has come to gradually remove these renewable plants and make them available to anyone who is interested in planting them around their home. As plants are taken out of our two churches, they will be placed outside the Altar Servers sacristy at Saint Alphonsus. If you are not familiar where this is located, it’s the door halfway down the side of Saint Alphonsus church on the side of the cemetery. It’s easy to find. As you drive up the main entrance to the property, take the road that is immediately to the right of the church. It will take you to the location. There are about 8 outdoor steps leading to a door. The flowers, if available, will be placed at the bottom of these steps. Once again, not all the flowers will be removed from the two churches at one time. So, if you are interested, check-back weekly. We will let you know when all the flowers have been removed. There are Easter Lily, Tulip, and Hyacinth bulbs as well as Azalea and Hydrangea plants. There is no guarantee that they will return next year (particularly the Azaleas), but in the past, many people have told us of the great success they experienced with them. Give it a try! Consult a gardener, a garden resource book, or just Google when and how to plant these Spring and Summer beauties. There’s nothing to lose since they’re free for the taking. Good luck and again, thank you!

In Jesus’ love,

Fr. Zywan

From Father Zywan

To is to learn to follow Christ with others.

LOVE

WE PRAY FOR THE SICK

We entrust to the care of Christ the Divine Physician, those members of our parish families of Saint Alphonsus and Saint Alexis who are in need of healing in body, mind or spirit, especially:

Brian Bart Rachel Borck Jeannie Bukaukus Emma Bullick Rick Collins Connor Cunic Gloria Dudowski Nancy Greer Patricia Gross Stanley Hofstetter Betty Howell John Hunsinger

Al Korade Eugene Mancino Michelle Mehok Ron Mehok Diane Miller G. James Neelan Larry Sampietro Irene Schultz Amber VanVickle David Zappa Prayer Shawl Recipients

If you know of a parishioner or have a loved one who is ill, please contact the Parish Center and let us know. We will place that person’s name on the prayer list for four weeks. Intentions may return to the list upon monthly requests. Contact the Parish Center at 724.935.4343 or 724.935.1151 to add a loved one onto the list.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — God has raised the crucified Jesus, who now pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us (Acts 2:14, 22-33). Psalm — Lord, you will show us the path of life (Psalm 16). Second Reading — Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:17-21). Gospel — Through his words and in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ made himself known to two disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday: Acts 7:51 — 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a; Jn 6:35-40 Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59, or, for the memorial, Gn 1:26 — 2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Ps 90:2-4, 12-14, 16; Mt 13:54-58 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69 Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

The Catholic Community of Wexford wishes to extend sympathy to those who mourn the loss of a loved one, especially the soul who recently passed through death: James F. McCourt (89), husband of Philomena as well as numerous siblings, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be at a later date which has not yet been determined. May the choirs of angels welcome him and where Lazarus is poor no longer, may he find eternal rest.

PRAYER DURING A HEALTH CRISIS

Compassionate and Loving Father,

In the face of confusion and concern

impart to us the calm of Your presence.

In You allow us to find hope and healing.

Be with those who serve the sick and give them

Your caring hands.

Be with those who lead and give them Your Spirit

of wisdom.

Be with those who have fallen ill and give them

Your comforting heart.

Wrap your arms around our world

and hold us in your love.

Allow us at this time of trial to then

serve as instruments of that love to all we meet.

We ask this in Your Name,

Amen.

2020 Parish Share Assessment: $ 133,380 Collected: $ 17,075

April 13 through April 19, 2020

Saint Alphonsus Income

2020 Parish Share Assessment: $ 151,696 Collected: $ 50,990

Regular Electronic

(11th & 22nd)

Total

Offertory $ 5,461 $ $ 5,461

General Donation $ $ $

Parish Share $ 1,100 $ $ 1,100

School $ 18 $ $ 18

Catholic Campaign $ 10 $ $ 10

Holy Thursday $ 153 $ $ 153

Good Friday $ 129 $ $ 129

Easter $ 960 $ $ 960

Votives $ $ $

TOTAL $ 7,831 $ $ 7,831

April 13 through April 19, 2020

Saint Alexis Income

Regular Electronic Total

Offertory $ 4,022 $ 4,612 $ 8,634

Parish Share $ 950 $ 611 $ 1,561

School $ $ 135 $ 135

Major Maintenance $ $ 145 $ 145

Easter Flowers $ $ 5 $ 5

Holy Thursday $ 102 $ 25 $ 127

Good Friday $ 57 $ 110 $ 167

Future Diocesan Collection $ $ 30 $ 30

Easter $ 1,158 $ 5,381 $ 6,539

Holy Days $ $ 10 $ 10

Votives $ $ $

TOTAL $ 6,289 $ 11,064 $ 17,353

OUR ADVERTISERS

Thanks to our bulletin advertisers for supporting our parish this week: Please offer your patronage to our sponsors or be sure to thank them when you have the opportunity to do so. It is through their support that our weekly bulletin is made possible!

Saint Alphonsus: George A. Thoma Funeral Home, Inc.

Saint Alexis: King Electric Service

ONLINE GIVING

We appreciate and thank all of you who have recently signed up for online giving.

With Masses being suspended indefinitely, if you are not already participating in online giving, we are still strongly encouraging parishioners to do so at this time. E-giving is of great convenience to you and helpful in cost savings to the parish.

This is how you can register:

1. Visit catholicwexford.com 2. At the top of the homepage on the red banner, click DONATE. 3. Click on your parish name 4. Create a username and password to register your account You can just make a one-time donation or sign-up for recurring donations.

If you choose to continue using traditional offertory envelopes, please mail them to the address below: Saint Alphonsus or Saint Alexis

10090 Old Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

For those parishioners who are now facing financial hardship due to the pandemic, know that we, as Church, understand your challenges and are there to offer assistance to you beginning with the commitment of our prayers.

See the full list of our advertisers

on our website under “Our

Current Bulletins.”

Pray MASS INTENTION REQUESTS

During the COVID-19, Father Zywan and Father Will are still celebrating daily Masses privately. We are particularly grateful at this time and welcome any Mass intention requests that you make. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, we are unable to invite you to join us at the actual celebration of the Mass, or be able to guarantee that your intention will be offered on a specific day. However, we will notify you when your Mass request has been satisfied. Please check the home page of our website at catholicwexford.com to be fill out a form for requesting a Mass.

More Ways To Pray From Home

Weekly Bible Study: Deacon Jeff will be leading a weekly 1 hour bible study class that will dive deep into scripture over an extended period of time. Beginning Wednesday, May 6, there will be two time slots with limited attendance for approximately 10 people per session. The Wednesday weekly bible study options are 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and they will occur via Zoom conferencing. On a first come first serve, please contact Lou Flores at the following email address: believe777_1@verizon.net.

Daily Rosary: We may not be able to be together bodily, but as a worshipping community we can all still come together in prayer every day. Here is your opportunity to join our daily rosary group; Monday - Saturday, from 7:25 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. via Zoom conferencing. All are invited to join us as we offer the intentions of our parish community, each other and our Holy Father. This is our Heavenly Queen’s gift to us and weapon for conquering the evil one. It is a great way to begin the day. The only requirement is a device (smartphone, computer, iPad, etc.) and internet access. If you are interested in joining, and would like to receive access instructions please contact JerryTullius@hotmail.com, 412.736.8111 or JohnSinclair768@gamil.com, 412.999.0172.

The Catholic Community of Wexford Men's Group

Saint Alphonsus Men's Fellowship has been holding weekly virtual meetings since the beginning of the quarantine to continue our efforts to grow and strengthen our faith in order to be more effective apostles for the Church. We are presently reading the the book Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed to help us better understand the doctrines of the Church and the deposit of faith. We have lively discussions during our meetings and continue our conversations and interactions through social media during the rest of the week. We welcome all adult men from The Catholic Community and beyond to give us a look to assist you in the strengthening of your spiritual muscles. Please contact Paul Spence at 724.713.8633 or p.l.spence@gmail.com for more information.

Saint Alexis Men's Fellowship has been holding weekly virtual meetings since the beginning of the quarantine to continue our efforts to grow and strengthen our faith in order to be more effective apostles for the Church. We are presently using a program called Signposts to help us better understand the doctrines of the Church and how we support each of our faith journeys. We welcome all adult men - Please join us every Wednesday at 6:45 a.m. - https://www.gotomeet.me/MStalder/mens-fellowship---st-alexis

Divine Mercy Devotion on Zoom

Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Everyone is welcome!

Join us for the Divine Mercy devotion on Wednesdays on Zoom. Prayers are provided! Each week we pray the Divine Mercy Novena, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and a few addi-tional prayers. The Zoom meeting opens at 2:50 p.m.; prayers begin at 3:00 p.m.

Please send an email to Karen Landau at klandau1@gmail.com to join.

“I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary, 687).

Administrator Reverend Paul J. Zywan /ext. 224 /pzywan@diopitt.org

Senior Parochial Vicar Reverend William D. Wuenschel /ext. 233 /wwuenschel@diopitt.org

Deacons Deacon Albert Heiles /aheiles@diopitt.org Deacon Jeffrey J. Ludwikowski /jludwikowski@diopitt.org

Director of Parish Operations/Business Manager Chuck Goetz /ext. 223 /businessmanager@stalexis.org

Director of Evangelization Dave VanVickle /ext. 232 /evangelization@stalexis.org

Office Manager MaryEllen Pendel /ext. 221 /parish@stalexis.org

Directors of Music Christopher Brewer /ext. 226 /music@stalexis.org Mary Heagy/musicdirector@Saintalphonsuswexford.org Assistant Music Director - Lisa Hoffman

Director of Religious Education Louis Bosco /ext. 215 /religioused@SaintAlphonsusWexford.org Religious Education Program Manager

Paula Green /ext. 225 /reled@stalexis.org Media Coordinator Riley McCullough /ext. 211 /mediacoordinator@stalexis.org

Coordinator of Youth Ministry /Young Adults David Piccirilli /ext. 227 /lifeteen@stalexis.org

Bookkeeper/Safe Environment Coordinator Mary King /ext. 212 / bookkeeper@SaintAlphonsusWexford.org or safeenvironment@SaintAlphonsusWexford.org or safeenvironment@stalexis.org

Receptionist/Secretary Gail Clendaniel /ext. 210 / secretary@SaintAlphonsusWexford.org

Volunteer Ministry Coordinator Barbara Griffith / Ministryservices@stalexis.org

A Parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh - diopitt.org

SERVED BY

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

JOIN US!

To become a registered member of the parish family, please visit our website at www.stalexis.org or at www.SaintAlphonsusWexford.org . Introduce yourself to us at Mass!

MARRIAGE

Arrangements must be made with a priest at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date.

HOLY ORDERS

For information about the priesthood or the vowed religious life, please contact Fr. Zywan or the Vocation Office of the diocese at 412.456.3131 or visit pghpriest.com.

BAPTISM

Celebrated on Sundays at 11:15 a.m. at Saint Alexis or at 12:45 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus by appointment. Arrangements should be made through the Parish Center several months in advance. Parents need to be registered parishioners and complete a pre-baptism class before scheduling a baptism.

MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND

Communal anointing is celebrated periodically. Anyone who is anticipating surgery is encouraged to request this sacrament prior to being admitted to the hospital. Individuals who are unable to attend Sunday Mass and want to receive the sacraments are asked to please call the Parish Center.

saintalphonsuswexford.org or stalexis.org

Phones - 724.935.1151 or 724.935.4343 Fax - 724.935.1270

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

* Bulletin announcements and flyers are due by 12:00 p.m. Friday, a week in advance of publication. *

We Welcome You Home!

North Hills Regional School Board - www.nhrces.org

BLESSED FRANCIS SEELOS ACADEMY

Saint Alphonsus and Saint Alexis Churches - The Catholic Community of Wexford

Parish Office: 10090 Old Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

PRAYER

Eucharistic Adoration Saint Alphonsus: Wednesday 12:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saint Alexis: First Friday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Devotion: Wednesday 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus

Prayer Ministry- To initiate a request for urgent prayers contact the following people: Saint Alexis - Barb Busi at 412.366.4829 Saint Alphonsus - Norma Heyl at 724.935.1094 or Jo Labrise at 724.935.3826. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry to pray for

RECONCILIATION

Saint Alexis: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Saturday - 7:30 a.m.-7:55 a.m. Saturday - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saint Alphonsus: Wednesday 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Principal Robert Reese - rreese@seelosacademy.org

School Secretary K-8 Patty Anfang - panfang@seelosacademy.org 724.935.1152

School Secretary Pre-K Chris Schlieper - cschlieper@seelosacademy.org 724.935.3940

DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR 412.456.3093 (Office)

1.888.808.1235 (Hot Line) PA Child Line - 1.800.932.0313

Call 911 immediately if a child is in danger.