of the ASSUMPTION Parish

Transcription

1 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 30, 2018 OUR LADY of the ASSUMPTION Parish S M Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation 3:00 p.m. (consult bulletin for any changes in the schedule.) Rosary before Mass 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Lucernemines Sunday 8:00 a.m. Coral S D M,, O S. S B : All arrangements, including confirmation of the date, must be made with the parish office. Sponsors must provide proof of eligibility by a letter from their respective pastors, and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Sponsors, if married, must either be married in the Church or with the Church s permission. Parents must attend Baptismal Preparation, which is regularly scheduled throughout the year. S M : Arrangements must be made directly with the pastor at least 6 months before the date of the wedding. Marriage preparation is required and couples are asked to speak to the priest first before setting a date. Couples, rather than parents, should contact the priest. If either party was previously married, an annulment must be granted prior to the selection of a future wedding date. A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust Parish Office: P.O. Box G, 2434 Neal Rd., Coral, PA Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Afternoon by appointment only Closed Wednesday Fax: Phone: Pastor The Reverend Alan N. Polczynski (non-emergency calls)..ext 11 emergency (sick, funeral/death) Ext 2 apolczynski@dioceseofgreensburg.org Parochial Vicar The Reverend Andres C. Gumangan..Ext 12 -agumangan@dioceseofgreensburg.org Parish Secretary/Office Coordinator Connie Diven... Ext 10 cdiven@dioceseofgreensburg.org Head Catechist/Faith Formation Michelle Dodge... Ext 15 mdodge@dioceseofgreensburg.org Maintenance & Facilities Coordinator Bob Ciranni... Ext 50 rciranni@dioceseofgreensburg.org Financial Secretary Barb Boltz... Ext 13 bboltz@dioceseofgreensburg.org Interim Director of Liturgy and Music Alexandra Stossel... astossel@dioceseofgreensburg.org Indiana regional Medical Center Chaplain Rev. Gregorio D.C. Soldevilla, Jr. Phone: Prayer Chain Parish Website: Parish Registration Members must be registered and attending Mass in the parish for six months before scheduling a baptism, marriage, or requesting a sponsor certificate.

2 Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time HE IS THE TRUTH First Reading ~Numbers 11:25 29~ The context of Numbers 11 is vital for understanding the por on of the chapter that we read for this Sunday. Chapter 11 begins with complaints made by the Israelites and Moses, and then God responds to these complaints. The part of that chapter in this Sunday s reading gives God s solu on to the three complaints. The solu on doesn t make much sense unless we realize the problem, that is, the three complaints that precede it. The first complaint is made by the Israelites about the food they are given during their sojourn in the desert. Their only provision is the manna that God miraculously provides. The Israelites are ungrateful for the bread that is given to them from Heaven, so they weep and complain about it and foolishly long for the days when they were slaves in Egypt ea ng meat. They lament that they are free men fas ng on bread (manna). Moses, because he is red of their grumbling, in turn complains to God about how difficult it is to lead such ungrateful, selfish people. How does God receive Moses s complaint? He rebukes them for being ungrateful people who do not trust in his word (Numbers 11:23). God then bestows the Holy Spirit on seventy elders to help Moses share the burden of leading the people to the Promised Land and in doing God s will. In other words, the only way for God s people to complete their journey to the Promised Land (a foreshadowing for us of Heaven) is by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And the leaders of God s people (who are a priestly people, poin ng forward to the priesthood of the New Covenant) are commissioned by the recep on of the Spirit through God s mediator Moses (who is a type of the coming Messiah, Jesus). The problem with the Israelite people is that they have fundamentally rejected the mission that God has given to them. In Exodus 4:22, God says to the Israelite people, Israel is my firstborn son. This rela onship is realized in a covenant at the foot of Mt. Sinai, when God says to his people, You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy na on (Exodus 19:6). Nevertheless, the Israelites reject this covenant with God in Exodus 32, when they make a golden calf (an idol) and worship it. For this reason, Moses tells Joshua in Numbers 11:29, Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all! Moses is reminding the people that they have forgo en God s call to be a priestly na- on; this is why not all the people have received the spirit of God. This prayer of Moses will be answered defini vely at Pentecost, when God pours His Holy Spirit on all of His people, giving them the grace to become a na on of priests, prophets, and kings.. In the New Covenant, we are given the sacraments to help us toward the Heavenly Jerusalem. Thus, when we are open to receiving the Holy Spirit through the sacraments, we receive what the people of Israel did not. We must remain in the state of grace, however, if we want to receive the Holy Spirit through the sacraments Augus ne Ins tute. All rights reserved. Second Reading ~James 5:1 6~ This reading from James encourages us to avoid his harsh words! James is a stern and passionate preacher of repentance, following a Jewish prophe c style. In speaking of the tongue and its capacity to do evil, James says, It exists among our members as a whole universe of malice. The tongue defi les the en re body. Its flames encircle our course from birth, and its fi re is kindled by hell. This kind of judgment should make us reconsider any habits of gossiping. Some mes we like to ignore the consequences of sin, ci ng the fact that are essen ally a good person. Our materialis- c culture lulls us into a false sense of security about our posi ons, including the integrity of our moral lives. In this passage, James is rebuking wealthy landowners who love their money more than they love God. Because our culture is so materialis c, we too can o en love our money, wealth, and possessions more than we love God. Thus, James s rebuke is mely for us and should provide good reflec on as we consider the hierarchy of our loves. The danger of the lure of riches is a major theme in the Gospels. From the rich young man who goes away sad when Jesus challenges him to leave his wealth and follow Him (Ma hew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30) to St. Paul s asser on that greed is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), the constant warning to Chris ans is that we should beware of the lure of wealth. We can become overly obsessed with our money, which can lead us into glu ony, greed, and injus ce. The Chris an ideal is one of poverty and simplicity, as contrary as that is to our modern culture. Indeed, these words from James are rooted in Christ s own words about wealth and poverty: Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours and woe to you rich, for your consola on is now (Luke 6). Gospel ~Mark 9:38 43, 45, 47 48~ In the first part of this Gospel reading, the disciples come to Jesus about someone who is cas ng out demons in his name, even though this individual is not a visible member of the group of disciples. Jesus uses this moment to teach the disciples that he is the source of our unity in Faith. When St. Paul says that we are members of the Body of Christ, he means that our unity is a consequence of Christ s ac on in us and for us. Jesus likewise says, You did not choose me, nut I chose you and appointed you (John 15:16). In the end, God is en rely free to distribute His grace as He wishes. The person expelling the demons in Jesus s name may not have been a visible member of the disciples, but his faith in Christ and his ac ons tes fying to his faith are effec ve because of the power of the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11). This same theme is present in the first reading from Numbers, in which God s power is shown to be effec ve in accordance with his will, apart from human expecta ons. God s Divine Providence should be a source of joy for us. The story of the other exorcist should remind us that God s grace is always a gi, and it is never something that is earned. In the New Covenant, we receive the grace of God through the recep- on of the sacraments, which are the norma ve way to obtain eternal life. In accordance with Lumen Gen um 8, we can say the following: This Church cons tuted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him, although many elements of sanc fica on and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. In other words, elements of truth can exist outside the visible walls of the Church in the sacrament, which means that God can work through individuals who are outside the Church, although these graces always flow through the Catholic Church.

3 FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION K-5 grade Faith Formation will be held on Sunday, September 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Podowski Hall. 6-8 grade Faith Formation will meet on Sunday, September 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Podowski Hall. Baptismal Preparation First Time expecting Parents Baptismal Preparation Sessions are offered at our parish quarterly. The summer session for is Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Podowski Hall.. Please call Michelle Dodge in the parish office at , ext. 15 or mdodge@dioceseofgreensburg.org to register. Please note that we cannot schedule your child s baptism until the session has been completed. Life Chain October 7 Respect Life Sunday Plan now to observe Respect Life Sunday by a ending the annual Na onal Life Chain on Sunday, October 7 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Indiana. This show of support for the unborn will simultaneously take place in many ci es across the USA and Canada. Simply sign in when you pick up a poster (it has suggested prayers on the back) at 8th and Philadelphia Streets, star ng at 1:30 p.m. You can then spread out along Philadelphia Street and quietly pray with fellow Chris ans as you hold your sign (no pictures) from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., quietly witnessing to the fact that all life is created by God and must have our respect. So your signs can be seen by passing motorists, do NOT park on Philadelphia Street. Instead, plan to park in area lots and/or on side streets. For more informa on or to help, call Irene at KOEZE NUT AND CANDY SALE The Christian Mothers are holding their annual Koeze Nut and Candy Sale. To place an order call Barb Worcester at , Jackie Zoldak at or Irene Joyce at Orders are due no later than Wednesday, October 31, 2018 and can be dropped off at the parish office or with one of the women listed above. Koeze Nuts and Candy make great Christmas gifts!! THE CATHOLIC FAITH.EXPLAINED..ANYTIME..ANYWHERE FORMED.ORG PARISH CODE EQG49E Rosary Rally at Christ Our Shepherd Center Bishop Malesic will lead the annual Rosary Rally on October 27 at 11 a.m. in the chapel at the Christ Our Shepherd Center, Rte. 30 east of Greensburg. The day includes Mass at 9:00 am., Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation after Mass with recitation of the rosary following. Organizations that plan to carry a banner at the Rosary Rally must register at , ext The Diocesan Heritage Center will be open after the rally. Natural Family Planning instruction Oct. 15 Natural Family Planning CM-BBT instruction will be Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Catholic Charities office in Greensburg. Please call at least one week prior to the instruction date to pre-register. Contact Mary Ann Newhouse at Catholic Charities at , ext for additional information or to register for this or an upcoming class. For more information about Natural Family Planning and the CM-BBT method, visit and link into Natural Family Planning under Services. Message from the Interim Director of Liturgy & Music I want to thank everyone for the welcome that I have received. As we develop the music ministry at the parish, I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider becoming a cantor for the weekend Masses. I am happy to meet with interested singers and provide the necessary training. Please contact me (Alexandra) at astossel@dioceseofgreensburg.org Salt & Light Award Nominations Being Accepted Nominations for the 21st Annual Communities of Salt & Light Awards Dinner will be accepted through Oct. 31. The dinner will be held at Stratigos Banquet Centre, North Huntingdon, April 25, Nominations can be made through the Catholic Charities website, ccharitiesgreensburg.org, or call to have a nomination form mailed to you. Please complete and forward the form to Director of Community Relations and Special Events, Catholic Charities, 711 E. Pittsburgh St. Greensburg, PA ALTAR SERVERS, E.M.H.C. LECTORS & USHERS. It will soon be me to start working on the Ministry Schedule for January 2019-April If there are days that you are not able to serve, please have the dates into the office by ing cdiven@dioceseofgreensburg.org by October 31, 2018.

4 Ministry Schedule October 6/7, 2018 Saturday, October 6 Altar Servers: Julieann A. & Nicholas T. Lector: Terri T. Sunday, October 7 Altar Servers: Ashlyn B. & Kevin P. Lector: Mary Ann C. 4:00p.m. Mass ( Lucerne) E.M.H.C. Jenny F., Terry O., Patti R. Ushers: Carole F. & Mary P. 8:00a.m. Mass (Coral) E.M.H.C. Barb & Terry C., Patty G. Ushers: Mike G. & Greg M. September 22/23, 2018 Offertory Year-To-Date Adult Offertory $5, $68, Loose Offertory $ $4, Children s Offertory $10.00 $59.15 Total Ordinary Income $5, $72, Budget $6, $89, Difference $-1, $-16, Other Collections: Votive Candles $86.55 Maintenance $35.00 Seminary Collection $75.00 World Mission $5.00 Cemetery $35.00 St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Halloween Costumes and Decorations Also find household goods, collectibles, books, puzzles, toys, etc. collectibles, books, puzzles, toys, etc. Located in the Bi Lo Plaza on N. 4th St. (Indiana) Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri., 10am 4pm; Tues. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am 3pm

5 Mass Intentions For the Week Saturday, September 29 3:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconcilia on, Lucernemines 3:30 p.m. Rosary for Peace before Mass An cipated Mass Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Mass at Lucernemines +Jenny Reid (Grace Fedinick) Sunday, September 30 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Mass at Coral +Doris Petruna (Son, Joe) Monday, October 1 +Carl Mucci (Wife & Children) Tuesday, October 2 +Cheryl Rayko Knopick (Bill Knopick) Wednesday, October 3 +Deceased of the Guerrieri Family (Lou & Be y Guerry & Family) Thursday, October 4 +Nick Rado (Len & Julie Rado) Friday, October 5 No Mass Saturday, October 6 3:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconcilia on, Lucernemines 3:30 p.m. Rosary for Peace before Mass An cipated Mass Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Mass at Lucernemines +Oreste, Elvira & Bruno Mar ni (Mary Mar ni) Sunday, October 7 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Mass at Coral Pro populo **Due to the installa on of new doors at the Coral Worship Site, all daily Masses will be held at the Lucernemines Worship Site this week.