SAINT JOHN OF GOD

Office Telephones Parish Office/Residence.......................................412-771-5646 Parish Fax.............................................................412-331-0678 Deacon Leonard Thomas.....................................412-812-4557 Music Minister.....................................................412-812-4549 Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association ............ 412-256-9370 Social Hall (Bingo and Pizza Kitchen) .............. 412-331-8530

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 11, 2018

Mass Schedule

~ Low Gluten Hosts Available For Communion ~ ~ See Priest Before Mass ~

Saturday Vigil........................................................4:30 PM Church Sunday...................................................................9:45 AM Church Weekday Schedule Monday—Friday....................................................9:30 AM Church Confessions: Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM and 5:30 PM

Celebration of the Sacraments

Infant Baptism: Call office to schedule. Adult Baptism: The R.C.I.A. program sees to the needs of adults who wish to become Catholic. Reconciliation (Confession): 3:30 PM to 4:15 (Church) and following the 4:30 PM Mass (Church) and by appointment. Holy Eucharist: Available for those who are sick and confined to home. Call the Parish Office and we will bring the Eucharist to you. Anointing of the Sick: Available for those who are seriously ill or antici-pating surgery after Mass every Sunday at the Church. Marriage: Anyone who wishes to marry should contact the Office at least six months prior to the desired date. Inactive Catholics: Are lovingly welcome back to the faith. New Parishioners are joyfully invited to join our community. Please call the Parish Office.

Parish Clergy

Rev. Louis F. Vallone Rev. Regis J. Ryan Rev. Robert J. Zajdel Deacon Leonard Thomas Staff Ms. Elna Johnson, Director of Music Mrs. Mary Ann Jones, Director of Finances Mrs. Janice Lipa, Parish Secretary, parish@sjogparish.com Mr. Wayne Summers, Maintenance Supervisor

Safe Environment Coordinator Mrs. Karen Vinci-Stack, 412-303-7745 Scheduler of Ministries Jeri Stotlemyer, sjogscat@gmail.com www.news.va/en (Vatican News) Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday Noon

CHURCH: 1011 Church Ave. McKees Rocks, PA 15136 www.sjogparish.com

ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH MCKEES ROCKS, PA

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 18, 2018

Saturday Vigil, March 10: 4:30 PM Church Susan Tutino (Mom & Dad) Sunday, March 11: 9:45 AM Church Sister Theresa Kunzler (Eleanor Vith & Barbara Meyer) _______________________________________________

WEEKDAYS — 9:30 AM CHURCH Monday, March 12: Parish Family of Saint John of God Tuesday, March 13: Florence Cusano (Pizza Kitchen volunteers) Tuesday, March 13: St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary’s Church Wednesday, March 14: Anthony Sandrock (Grandma & Grandpa Sandrock) Thursday, March 15: Delfina Cesarespada (Son, Pete)

Friday, March 16: Josephine Bridickas (Family) Friday, March 16: Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary’s Church Friday, March 16,Stations of the Cross,3:00 PM, Church _______________________________________________ Saturday Vigil, March 17: 4:30 PM Church John “Boo-Boo” King & Deceased Family Members (Lydia) Sunday, March 18: 9:45 AM Church Francis “Tiv” Vith (Family)

AN OPEN INVITATION OF WELCOME

Non-Catholics and non-parishioners are always welcomed guests.

Inactive, unsure or irregular Catholics are lovingly encouraged to reconnect with the Faith.

New parishioners are joyfully received in our community. Please call the parish office.

Our hearts are large and there is plenty good room for all.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations of the Cross will be celebrated in St. John of God Parish every Friday during Lent (with the exception of Good Friday) at 3:00 PM in St. Mary’s Church. (St. Malachy, 7 PM & St. Philip at Ascension, 7 PM if you are looking

for an evening service). This Friday, March 16, come pray and reflect on Jesus’ way to Calvary and participate in one of the most important devotions honoring the passion of Jesus.

Readings for the Week of March 11, 2018

Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23/Ps 137:1-6 [6ab]/ Eph 2:4-10/Jn 3:14-21. Monday: Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2-3b [2a]/Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12/Ps 46:2-3, 5-9 [8]/Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:8-18 [8a]Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-23 [4a]/Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Ps 34:17-23 [19a]/ Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-12 [2a]/Jn 7:40-53 Next Sunday: Jer 31:31-34/Ps 51:3-15 [12a]/Heb5:7-9/ Jn 12:20-33

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (MONDAY THRU FRIDAY)

Saint John of God, pray for us.

BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS

The class will be held this Sunday, March 11, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. in the Gathering Place at St. Mary’s. To register or for more information, please call Tom Adams, 412-999-2985.

SECOND COLLECTION This weekend, March 10/11, all parishes in the Diocese are asked to take up a combined collection to benefit three important projects with the Church in the United States. They are: Catholic Home Mis-sions Appeal, National Collection for Black and Indian Missions, and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Please be as generous as your means allow. Thank you.

BIBLE STUDY Our Bible Study will continue this Monday, March 5 from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. in the Rectory at St. Mary’s. For more information, please call Tom Adams at 412-999-2985.

Please keep our Priests, Seminarians, Deacons and all Religious in your prayers.

ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH MCKEES ROCKS, PA

QUOTE FROM THE POPE

“God in His providence offers us the season of Lent each year as a chance to return to Him with all our hearts and in every aspect of our lives.” Pope Francis

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS All teens in grades 8-12 are invited to attend the Silver Ring Thing: Explicit Truth Tour on Thursday, March 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Seton LaSalle High School. Silver Ring Thing is a radical response to culture’s view of love and relationships. SRT defies the meet-up, hook-up, break-up culture of today and inspires teens to a pure life centered in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Tickets are $6 online (www.silverringthing.com) or $8 at the door.

The Rosary is prayed at 9:00 AM before the 9:30 AM Mass Monday through Friday in St. Mary’s Church.

THE WEEK AHEAD March 12 (Mon.) - Bible Study, 6:30-7:30 PM in Rectory at St. Mary’s March 13 (Tues.) - St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary’s March 14 - WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO in MOS Social Hall - Doors open at 5 PM Early Birds, 7 PM and Regular Games begin at 7:15 PM. March 16 (Fri.) - Mother of Sorrows Novena Prayers recited following 9:30 AM Mass, St. Mary’s Church. March 16 (Fri.) - PIZZA KITCHEN! To order please call 412-331-8530 on Fridays, 8 AM to 1 PM. Or-ders must be picked up by 3:30 PM. March 16 (Fri.) - Stations of the Cross, 3:00 PM, Church

PARISH WEEKEND ATTENDANCE March 3 / 4

Saturday ....................................................... 558 Sunday ................... .................................... 347 Total Weekend Attendance ......................... 905

PARISH FINANCIAL TOTALS For the Weekend of March 3 / 4

Regular Offertory ............................................. $6,509.00 (This is ordinary income from contributions for the general running of the parish. It is subject to a 17.6% tax to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.)

PARISH SHARE PROGRAM PSP Assessment for 2018.............................. $ 78,384.00 PSP Collected as of 12/1/17 ...(Thank You!)... $ 26,420.00 Remaining on 2018 Goal ............................... $ 51,964.00 (You can see that we have received our 2018 Parish Share Assessment. We must remit this entire amount to the Diocese by Dec. 31. Any surplus then remains in the parish, tax free.)

HOSPITAL Please pray for all parishioners who are in the hospital. Also for all those ill at home, in nursing homes, and shut-ins; that they may continue to receive the Lord’s Blessings.

SYMPATHY We wish to extend our sympathy to the Family of Patricia Samarin and Emma Mancini whom God has called home. Please remember them and all our dearly departed and their families in your prayers. May the Choirs of Angels receive them, and may they with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.”

SANCTUARY CANDLE - WEEK OF MARCH 11 ST. MARY’S - IN MEMORY OF DIANE CADWELL DIIANNI BY FAMILY

MEETING

The Ladies of Charity will have a meeting this Thurs-day, March 15, at 7:00 P.M. in the Gathering Place at St. Mary’s. Sister Althea Anne Spencer will be with us to offer a Lenten Reflection. All interested women are invited to attend.

SIGN-UP SHEETS FOR THE HOLY TRIDUUM There are sign-up sheets in the Sacristy at St. Mary’s for those ministers who are available to serve Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on March 31 at 7 P.M. Please sign up soon so we know who will be there.

LENTEN LAMENTATIONS The Annual celebration of Gorzkie Zale (Lenten Lamentations in Polish) will be held this Sunday, March 11, at 3:00 P.M. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Pittsburgh (Polish Hill).

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 11, 2018

WOMEN’S RETREAT Would you like to escape from the noise and busyness of life for a little while? Then consider coming to the quiet and peace of the Women’s Retreat at St. Paul’s Monastery Retreat House the weekend of April 27-29. Maybe Jesus is calling you to go deeper with Him. For information contact Emilie Crosby at 412-771-1717 or 412-805-8659 (cell). Sponsored by St. Malachy Parish.

A RETREAT IS GOD’S TREAT FOR YOU.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU! “The Light is On for You!” is an initiative of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to encourage Catholics to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a wonderful opportunity to set aside our sinful ways and to draw closer to our Lord. Confession will be available on Wed., March 21, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in every Catholic parish in the Diocese, including St. John of God Parish, the Church at St. Mary’s.

NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY Throughout our lives we call upon the saints to intercede for us and help guide us on our way in life. We will begin the 13-week solemn novena to St. Anthony next Tuesday, March 20. The novena prayers will be recited after the 9:30 A.M. Mass and again at 6:30 P.M. in St. Mary’s Church. Let us come together to honor St. Anthony and ask his help for the special needs that each of us has.

For God So Loved the World - God the Father’s great act of love for us, his children, was sending his only Son, Jesus, into the world. By coming to earth, Christ humbles himself by taking on human flesh, yet he is able to

show us a new and vibrant way of life by teaching love without condition and mercy in all circum-stances. The ultimate sign of this love comes as Je-sus takes our sins, the sins of all the world upon himself and reconciles us to the Father as he suffers and dies on the cross. Then follows the light of the resurrection in which the gates of heaven are flung open so that we can live with God for ever. And while these moments happened once and for all some 2,000 years ago, God’s love for us did not end with the death of his Son. As Christ remains with us in the sacraments, so the love of God is alive and active for us in the same, powerful way. The love of God endures forever! As we prepare for the changes to come as part of the On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative, we are called to remember that God is always at work for us and through us. While we may face challenges, it is God who will strengthen the Church, so great is his love for us. Let us coop-erate with him in the days to come to help the Church grow. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed.

ST. MARK & ST. MARY CEMETERIES All administration of St. Mark and St. Mary Cemeter-ies is being handled by The Catholic Parish Ceme-teries Association. All cemetery inquiries should be directed to the Allegheny Regional Office, 1000 Logue St., Pittsburgh 15220 (located in former Guardian Angels parish center)

Telephone numbers are:

Office: 412-256-9370, Fax: 412-256-9210 Email: cpca@cpca-pgh.org

CONGRATULATIONS! Happy Birthday to Julia Trombetta who is celebrating her 102nd birthday this Saturday, March 10! May God continue to bless you each and every day!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! The Felician Sisters are now recruiting volunteers. Time and talent to suit your interest. Immediate openings for receptionists: Morning, afternoon or evening hours. If interested, please call Sr. Denise, Volunteer Director, 412-480-7592 cell, or 412-331-8000 home.

ST. PHILIP PARISH “Dare to Live Jesus!”

PARISH MISSION St. Philip Parish will have a Parish Mission at the Ascension Church site on Sunday, April 15th thru Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 P.M. conducted by Bill Wegner of Good News International, a Catholic lay ministry. On Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, April 16, 17, 18 the Mission will be held after the 8:00 A.M. Mass at the Ascension Church site, also. Everyone is welcome ~ Offering will be taken ~ Refreshments Served. For more information, please call St. Philip Parish at 412-922-6300.

ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH MCKEES ROCKS, PA

LADIES of CHARITY We have been making an effort to find a way to minister to the people in McKees Rocks, our home-town. The Brightside Academy is one such organiza-tion. It is a daycare center located at the F.O.R. which has many low income children and children from CYF. This is a time we are asking for your generosity. We will be collecting supplies to give to the Acad-emy, and have boxes at each entrance for your donations. Suggested items are diapers, “sippy” cups, and wipes; but are not limited to these items. Anything you feel that the children can use will be welcomed even clothing. The age range of the children is from infants to 12 years of age.

Thank you in advance for your help to our community.

By the way did you know that the F.O.R. Library receives funding based on how many library cards they issue? So go down and get your library card!

The library is located at 420 Chartiers Avenue next to the Fr. Ryan Arts Center. For more information, please call 412-771-1222.

PALM SUNDAY, March 25, 2018 Blessing and Procession with palms at all Masses

11:00 AM Blessing of Bikes Parking Lot @ Church @ St. Mary’s

Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018 Mass of the Lord’s Supper 6:30 PM, Church at St. Mary At the conclusion of the Mass,

there will be a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition. The Church will remain open for visitation and adoration until 12 Midnight. All Eucharistic Ministers are asked to be present at this Mass.

Good Friday, March 30, 2018 3:00 PM Liturgical Services, Church @ St. Mary Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross

and Holy Communion

Holy Saturday, March 31, 2018 1:00 PM, Church at St. Mary

Blessing of Food

7:00 PM, Easter Vigil Reception of the R.C.I.A. Candidates into Full Communion with the Church

Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018

7:30 AM, Easter Sunrise Mass, Church at St. Mary 9:45 AM, Church at St. Mary

(Blessing of children and their Easter Baskets after each of the Masses)

EASTER BLESSING OF FAMILIES On Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, Bishop David Zubik together with his brothers Auxiliary Bishop William Waltersheid and Retired Auxiliary Bishop William Winter will welcome families of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to the Annual Blessing of Families at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland at 2:00 P.M. All are welcome to the Cathedral to receive this special Blessing imparted by our bishops as they also take the opportunity to thank families for the beautiful witness of love and faith that they share with us.

SEVEN CHURCH VISITATION Following our Parish’s celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 6:30 PM on Holy Thursday, March 29, we will once again have a bus going on the traditional Seven Church Visitation. Everyone is invited to participate in this beautiful old custom of visiting seven churches as prayerful pilgrims. The bus will leave from St. Mary’s parking lot following the Mass and return approximately at 11:30 PM to St. Mary’s. Church will remain open until Midnight.

GNOCCHI and HALUSKI AVAILABLE DURING LENT

AT THE PIZZA KITCHEN The Gnocchi are available for sale on Fridays at the Pizza Kitchen at a cost of $7.00 for a 2 lb. bag during the Lenten Season. Remember during Lent we also offer Haluski, White Pizza, Pasta & Beans, and Spinach Rolls in addition to our other regular menu items. We will conclude making gnocchi this Monday morning, March 12, at 9:00 A.M. in the Pizza Kitchen, Anyone interested in helping with this en-deavor is most welcome. No experience is neces-sary! Any questions??? Call Eleanor Vith, 412-331-3832.

BLESSING OF BIKES On Palm Sunday, March 25, immediately following the 9:45 AM Mass in St. Mary’s, we will have the an-nual Blessing of Bikes sponsored by the Mon Valley HOG (Home Owners Group). After the blessing, we will go on a short run, weather permitting. If anyone has a motorcycle bike (preferably) or any bike and would like to be a part of the blessing, you are most welcome.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 11, 2018

OLSH SPRING OPEN HOUSE Come see what makes OLSH different from any other high school! Students in all grades and their families are invited to explore the campus with a per-sonal tour, meet faculty and coaches, and learn about our unique programs. Walk-ins are welcome; pre-registration is encouraged at www.olsh.org.

DIABETES DAY 2018 Ohio Valley Hospital’s Diabetes Day is a must-attend event for those interested in health and well-ness. Now in its 10th year, Diabetes Day takes place on Tuesday, March 20, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Hospital’s School of Nursing building. Diabe-tes Day is not just designed for people living with diabetes; people who are interested leading a healthier lifestyle are also encouraged to attend! Free health screenings will be available. Diabetes Day will also have food demonstrations and lectures. Diabetes Day is free and open to the public. For questions or to pre-register for the event, please contact Susan Zikos, at 412-777-6205 or szikos@ohiovalleyhospital.org.

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON The Athletes of Action Organization will be hosting the 9th Annual Memorial Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, April 7, at Holy Trinity Parish Social Hall, Robinson Township. Luncheon includes a “Meet, Greet, & Reconnect” Social with coffee and donuts, a served catered buffet, guest speaker Carnegie-Mellon Head Football Coach Rich Lackner, door prize give aways, and golf package raffle. All $20 golf package raffle tickets include a four-some, 18 holes, and cart with an opportunity to win one of six package based six pulls from tickets sold. Only 300 tickets printed and winners need not be present. Golf packages are: ~ Aubrey’s Dubbs Golf Course ~ Birdsfoot Golf Club ~ Montour Heights Country Club ~ Oakview Golf Club ~ Tanglewood Golf Club ~ The Club at Shadow Lakes Over the last eight years, the Athletes of Action awarded $33,000 to 31 athletes from the Montour and Sto-Rox School Districts. All of the proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. For luncheon and or golf raffle tickets information contact Bob Zitelli, 412.337.7341 or email zitellir@hotmail.com. Please visit www.athletesofaction.com to learn more about the organization helping support our communities.

INTERESTED in BECOMING a DEACON? The Diocese of Pittsburgh is initiating the nomination and application process for admitting a new class of interested and qualified men from diocesan parishes into the Deacon Formation Program. Prospective applicants should be between 30 and 59 years old, in full communion with the Church, active in their faith, and hold at least a bachelor’s degree. They should consult their pastor about submitting a nomi-nation on their behalf. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2018. Applications without a pastor’s nomination will not be considered. Questions may be directed to deacons@diopitt.org or 412-456-3124. Visit www.diopitt.org/permanent-diaconate.

CALLED BY NAME We’re all called to holiness, but what does that mean? How does God invite us to holiness through His perfect plan for our lives? High school men and women: don’t miss Called by Name with XLT, on Sunday, April 15, 2018 from

4:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M. at Saints John and Paul Church. Come to explore our universal call to holi-ness through an epic night of Mass, adoration, in-credible talks, praise and worship and dinner. This event features Mark Hart of Lifeteen; Father Rick Martignetti, OFM; Katrina Buchko; and Bishop David A. Zubik. No cost. To register, visit PGHPriest.com by April 6.

PRINCESS TEA PARTY Calling all Princesses ages 2-9. The Royal Event will take place on Saturday, April 7, at Bishop Canevin H.S. (Gym), from 10:30 A.M.-12 P.M. Ad-mission includes having your hair, nails & make-up done; Craft corner; enjoying Tea & Cookies; Meeting several Disney Princesses for autographs & a Sing-A-Long. $25 per Princess (adults are free). Reserva-tions are required by Monday, April 2. Please call Cindy, 724-888-2723 or maholoteapar-ty2011@gmail.com. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CURESEARCH-fighting Childhood Canter.

Mike Roussey’s TOMCHAK TIRES

600 Broadway Avenue (Stowe Twp.)

McKees Rocks, PA 15136 Phone: 412.331.5333 or 412.331.5334

Tires For All Your Needs

ST. JOHN OF GOD PARISH MCKEES ROCKS, PA

PASTOR'S CORNER Fr. Lou Vallone

I had someone point out to me that it was ironic that we were only halfway through Lent and yet with the concurrence of St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day there was much partying and celebrating going on, which this person felt somehow “cheapened” the penances and mortifications of Lent. At first I tried to point out to him that the Church knew that in most years those two feasts would fall in the Lenten season and that perhaps it was deliberate that we were given a bit of a break lest we lose heart. I even went on to point out that it was also Laetare Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing, which was meant to fulfill the same function. He was not impressed. I then tried to explain that penances, mortifications and such activities are for the sake of each individual, and that the Church presumed that people would somehow make up for any lapses if they were sincere in their call to the journey of repentance. And I went on to postulate that positive activities—like making the Stations or extra Bible reading or contributing to charities were more appropriate ways of marking Lent. And the celebrations of last week in no way prejudiced continuing those endeavors. He wouldn’t buy that either. Finally, I argued that the Church did not have a monopoly on irony, that our culture was filled with far more irony that he seemed to take for granted without much objection. To wit: Only in America......can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance. Only in America......are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink. Only in America......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke. Only in America......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters. Only in America......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. Only in America......do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place. Only in America......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. Only in America.....do we have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering. We still have some Lenten time left without irony to complete our road to repentance. Have a good one till Easter comes.

St. John of God Parish Membership Form

Name __________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ City ________________________ Zip ________ Phone ______________

CHECK ONE: New Registration Change of Address Moving out of Parish Want Envelopes

Please drop Membership Form into the offertory basket or mail to Rectory.

Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline 1-888-808-1235

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE by Bud Ozar Today’s Gospel speaks of light and darkness. Often a parent is deliberately “left in the dark.” Darkness can be comforting for it makes no demands on us. Light can be disturbing for it forces us to take action. Parents walk a delicate balance of when to “sit in the dark” and when to “turn on the lights.”