Historic St. Mary s Founded in 1741

Transcription

1 Diocesan Administrator Diocese of Harrisburg Very Reverend Chester P. Snyder Historic St. Mary s Founded in 1741 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 119 South Prince Street Lancaster, Pennsylvania rectory office fax Pastor Rev. Leo M. Goodman III Pastoral Staff Rev. Leo M. Goodman III, Pastor Rev. Mr. Manuel Velazquez, Deacon Fran Sescilla, Pastoral Assistant Tina Skubon, Parish Manager Silvia Doe, Youth Director Don Peris Jr., Liturgy Coordinator Stephanie Sands, Director of Music Anne Barnes, Religious Education Coordinator Joseph Clupp, Family Life Minister Betty Anne O Brien, Administrative Assistant Trish Frintzilas Frey, Receptionist Michael Lopatic, Maintenance Nina Eshleman, Church Janitor Bob Thompson, Parish Pastoral Council Chair p049assumptionlanc@hbgdiocese.org Websites Office Hours Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Library Open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily and between Mass on Sunday Nursery Available during 11:00 am Mass on Sunday Marriage Preparation Go to or call parish office Baptism Second and fourth Sundays Parish membership and baptism class mandatory Contact parish office Mass Schedule Monday through Friday 12:05 pm Saturday 8:00 am and 5:30 pm Sunday 8:30 and 11:00 am Confessions Saturday 4:00 to 5:00 pm Resurrection Catholic School Pre K through grade 3 St. Mary s Grades 4 through 8 St. Anthony s Lancaster Catholic High School Religious Education Office Classes held on Sunday after 8:30 am Mass Prayer Line or Parish Advocate for People with Disabilities Beth Bitts, Parish Mission We, the family of St. Mary s, are a community nourished and sustained by the Body and Blood of Christ and impelled by the Word of God to go forth and evangelize.

2 Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA March 14, 2010 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Sometimes we ask for clarity of sight; other times in the midst of our blindness, sight just seems to come to us by the grace of God. It is the latter that occurs in today s Gospel. While we do not use spittle and clay, we do use holy water and ashes at the beginning of this season of conversion, water and dirt intended to give us greater vision. In covering ourselves in ashes we acknowledge our need to turn from sin and believe in the Gospel; we also recognize that we are dust and without God we will simply return to dust. Although we are not sent to wash in the Pool of Siloam, our Elect will be sent to the life giving waters of Baptism at the Easter Vigil, and hopefully all of us will recognize the interior call to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation, a sacrament called our second Baptism by the early Church Fathers. Both sacraments give us greater sight, for they establish and reestablish our relationship as heirs to the Kingdom. In them Christ sees and ministers to us. In FIDELITY to this season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, let us take advantage of all the ways that Christ is reaching out to us. A Very Difficult Subject: The Parking Garage. I m sure almost everyone is being patient and Christ like when it comes to the new and sometimes frustrating procedure at the Parking Garage. However, last weekend we had a big problem. A number of cars from the Convention Center parked in the garage but their parking tickets were for the public garage on Duke Street. Unfortunately, their getting stuck at the gate caused a few Catholics to express rage and other unchristian behavior to Lancaster Newspaper personnel. This is disappointing for two reasons. First and most importantly, it is scandalous and a huge impediment to any evangelization we attempt and any progress we have made. This sets us back. To give in to impatience and rage not only destroys us, but it does real damage to the Body of Christ and His mission. Secondly, because this is a PRIVATE and not a public garage we can lose access. We don't have a solution for such a loss. The Lancaster Newspaper is so good to us. Currently we only pay 1/12 the cost of the tickets that we receive for requested events like weekend Masses. Please do not use these tickets at any other time and do not give them to people who should be paying the Parking Garage its fair rate. Additionally, please pray for healing of this setback. Let s be heroic in our love and patience as we try to iron out these problems. May people see Christ s love in us no matter what happens in the garage. Thank you. Please attend our Parish Reconciliation Service on March 28 at 6:30 PM and our Easter Triduum on April 1, 2, and 3. With family, friends and those you meet, please discuss the following Question of the Week: How am I called to give sight to the blind? In Christ s Peace, Masses for the Week. Saturday, March 13: 5:30 Earl Kelly Rebman III (Earl & Lois Rebman) Sunday, March 14: 8:30 Parishioners & Friends (Fr. Leo) 11:00 James H. Rathkey (Melinda Rathkey) Monday, March 15: 10:00 Golden Living Center: Margaret R. Kaetz 12:05 John Conroy Jr. (Jane Couch & Penn Manor Class of 73) Tuesday, March 16: 12:05 Margaret C. Miller Living (Jeff & Clare Reich) Wednesday, March 17: 12:05 The McCormick Family Living & Deceased (Clair McCormick) 6:30 Dorothy Lawrence (Will Lawrence) Thursday, March 18: 12:05 George Meyer (Victor Carano) Friday, March 19: 9:30 Willow Valley Lakes: John Bitts (John & Tina Skubon) 12:05 Joseph Polansky 13th anniversary of his death (Helene Mowday) Saturday, March 20: 8:00 Rebecca Conroy (John Conroy) 5:30 Zachary Lefever (St. Mary s Crafters) Sunday, March 21: 8:30 Mary Griffiths 1st anniversary of her death (Bereavement) 11:00 Parishioners & Friends (Fr. Leo) Important Dates. All meetings held in the library unless otherwise noted March 14 Religious Education (school) 9:45 am 14 Adventures in Matthew Bible Study 9:45 am 14 Choir Practice (church) 10:00 am 14 Theology of the Body for Teens (TV room) 4:30 pm 14 Youth Group (TV room/gym/etc.) 6:00 pm 15 Development/Preservation Meeting 4:00 pm 15 Living Stations of the Cross Practice (church) 6:00 pm 15 Stewardship Committee Meeting (DR) 7:00 pm 15 Tango Dancing (gym) 7:00 pm 15 Creighton Model Introduction 7:30 pm 16 RCIA 6:45 pm 16 Budget Meeting (DR) 7:00 pm 16 Juggling Club (gym) 7:00 pm 17 Lenten Service Project (cafeteria) 7:00 pm 17 Book Study (chapel) 7:15 pm 18 Choir Practice (music room) 7:00 pm 19 St. Joseph Day Celebration (chapel/nursery) 9:00 am 19 Community Meal (cafeteria) 5:30 pm 19 Stations of the Cross (church) 7:00 pm 20 Youth Choir Practice (church) 9:00 am 20 Confessions (church) 4:00 pm 21 Religious Education (school) 9:45 am 21 Adventures in Matthew Bible Study 9:45 am 21 New Parishioner Luncheon (rectory) 12:00 pm 21 Choir Practice (church) 1:00 pm 21 Confirmation Practice (church) 3:00 pm 21 Chill on the Hill (gym/cafeteria) 6:00 pm

3 Fourth Sunday of Lent Stewardship. Tithing: God s Plan for Giving Tithing weekend of March 8, 2010 $20,706 Student offerings $5 From Fr. Leo: Tithing is not only for those who can afford it. Fiscally, tithing really makes no sense! But it's much more than finances and money; it's about trust in God, not ourselves. To place God first by giving Him His share regardless of our personal or local economic situation is indeed scary it is an act of faith. Comments on tithing from the pews: Tithing has been my salvation. Returning to God part of my income made me realize that I must return more of my time to those around me. Doing this has been rewarding here and hopefully hereafter. My child s good deed for the week: Several of our children offered these as their tithe in addition to their financial gift: I helped walk my friend to his house when it was dark. I prayed. I helped my sister clean her room. Opportunities for Non St. Mary s Portion of Tithe. March 14 Catholic Relief Services Notes from organizations who received money from St. Mary s Tithe the Tithe: We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for your contribution to our Mission of Hope Endowment. Through your generous gift of $1,000 over the course of the year, you will be supporting the benevolent needs of our residents.... Mary Jo Diffendall, St. Anne s Retirement Community St. Mary s Church s recent contribution of $1,170 will propel us forward as we strive to reduce poverty in America. Patricia A. Hvidston, Catholic Charities USA To read the complete letters from individuals and organizations that have been helped by Tithe the Tithe, please see the bulletin board in the church vestibule. High School Senior Recognition. Our parish will recognize graduating high school seniors. If someone in your family is graduating this year, please notify the rectory, We don t want to miss anyone! Legion of Mary. Auxiliary members are invited to the annual Acies ceremony, Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 pm at Sacred Heart Church. Call Betty, if you plan to attend. Vacation Bible School 2010 Mark your calendars for June and join us on a HIGH SEAS ADVENTURE for this year s VBS! If you would like to help be part of the crew, please call Marissa Schwartz, or Mary Wieland, Watch the bulletin for more details. Registration will begin soon! If you haven t already done so, please prayerfully consider making a sacrificial pledge for this year s Lenten Appeal. We have met almost 75% of our goal. Thank you! St. Mary s goal: $105,200 Pledged so far: 78,049 Needed: $ 27,151 Religious Education. Classes begin promptly at 9:45 am. March 14 Class 8th grade retreat (1:00 5:00 pm) 21 Class Confirmation Practice (3:00 pm) in church 27 (Sat.) Confirmation (10:00 am) in church Contact Anne Barnes or reled@stmaryslancaster.org Study Group on the Catholic Faith. Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 7:30 am, at the YMCA, 800 Village Rd., Lampeter. The topic will be moral questions. Contact Andrew Odell, or aodell@hvacdist.com for more information. Tuesday, March 16, 6:45 pm in the library Reconciliation Preparation/Practice Contact Tim Quigley or tim.quigley@verizon.net Scripture Readings for Next Sunday. March 21 Fifth Sunday of Lent: Ezekiel 37:12 14; Psalm 130:1 2, 3 4, 5 6, 7 8; Romans 8:8 11; John 11:1 45. Wedding Banns. Chrisopher Glowacki and Rachel Bucaro, April 17, 2010 Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord Colleen Gressley mother of Scott Gressley Theresa McCord Simone Cataldo Frances Mikus mother of Bob Mikus Question of the Week. How am I called to give sight to the blind? John 11:1 45

4 Historic St. Mary s Church, Lancaster, PA March 14, 2010 Lenten Opportunities at St. Mary s. Stations of the Cross Friday evenings during Lent at 7:00 pm. Wednesday Evening Mass during Lent at 6:30 pm. Contribute to the Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal. Our parish assessment is $105,200. Participate in Operation Rice Bowl to raise money for Catholic Relief Service programs. Brown Bag Lenten Lunches. Meet in the school cafeteria every Wednesday evening during Lent after the 6:30 pm Mass. Donate a snack food item, a monetary donation, or your time packaging a brown bag lunch, which will be donated to the Brown Bag Lunch Program at St. Anne s. For more information, call Maria Frego, Seven Last Words. Parishioners have inspired us over the years with their presentations at the 1:30 pm service on Good Friday on the Seven Last Words of Christ. If you are interested in talking briefly on one of the Seven Last Words at this year s service, please call Father Leo, DEANERY PENANCE SERVICES St. Anne March 21 2:30 pm St. Philip March 21 April 3 2:30 pm 10:00 am Sacred Heart March 22 7:00 pm St. Anthony March 22 7:00 pm St. John Neumann March 23 7:00 pm St. Joseph March 24 7:00 pm San Juan Bautista March 25 7:00 pm St. Mary March 28 6:30 pm St. Catherine March 30 7:00 pm St. Leo March 30 7:00 pm Fidelity to the Eucharist. As we contemplate our fidelity to God, we sometimes come face to face with our own failings. We do not always pray as we want, forgive as we should, love as we are commanded. We are aware that we fall short. Our weakness can be debilitating and can shut us down. Yet by following Jesus' command to celebrate the Eucharist, we are being faithful! We come to Mass weekly, even daily, prepare our hearts and then come up the aisle and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We practice our fidelity to God and show our faithfulness by going to the Eucharist regularly, steadily, and loyally. In return, we receive God's physical embrace and His gift of life. We can remember this as we come "in fidelity" to receive Jesus. Hershey Park Tickets. Hershey Park is once again offering to the people of the Diocese of Harrisburg a substantial reduction in the price of its amusement park tickets. Order forms are available in the rectory office or by ing bettyanne@stmaryslancaster.org. Completed order forms with payment must be returned to the rectory by April 26. Did you know... that St. Patrick is the patron of the Diocese of Harrisburg? Our Military Family Please keep them in your prayers SSGT Jason Bales SSGT Christopher Cassidy SSGT Robert J. Cummings SGT Chris Cunningham 1SGT Edward Cunningham SSGT Paul DeJesus CPT Matthew Dusablon CPL Francesco Galura 2LT Robert Gillichbauer Jr. MAJ Jacob Grabia CDR William Grotewold WO1 Rodolfo Hernandez SPC Zechariah Hess LTC James J. Jordano CPT Alex Kehler A1C Cheri Longenecker CWO Sean McCormick SSGT Steven Patrick SPC Christopher Quigley CMC Christopher Riggs PFC Michael Rossi SSGT Christopher Sama SSGT Jeremy Schlegelmilch SPC Matthew A. Schober CPT Andrew Sescilla CWO Joseph Simpson SSGT Nicholas Soto SrA Brittany Stone SGT Geoffrey Stone TSgt Christopher Swisher SSGT Mike Tedesco GYSGT Steven Treier CPT Kathryn Wagner LTJG Jennifer Windstein A1C Ronald Yarnell Basket Bingo. St. Mary s Youth Ministry is hosting a Basket Bingo on Sunday, April 11, at the Knights of Columbus on New Danville Pike. All proceeds will benefit our teens participation in the Catholic Heart Workcamp in Boston. Tickets can be purchased for $15 each by sending a check payable to St. Mary s Youth Ministry, c/o Silvia Doe, 213 Tomahawk Drive, Conestoga, PA Fundraiser & Car Raffle to Benefit Education. Winner will receive $10,000 or a brand new 2010 Toyota Corolla LE (winner s choice). Drawing will be held on Sunday, April 18 at the Revere Tavern during the Friends of St. Mary s Annual Fundraiser, where there will be an additional $10,000 grand prize awarded (winners do not need to be present to win). Tickets are available from: David Payne at Checkers Bistro, Lebzelter's, Segro's Lancaster Hairport and Vincent's Jewelers. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO SELL CAR RAFFLE TICKETS. Please call Sandi & Bob Thompson, , Jack Mentzer, or Jack & Nancy Segro, for car raffle tickets ($2 each or book of 6 for $10) or tickets for the Friends of St. Mary's Event ($100 each). Seller of the winning car raffle ticket receives $500.

5 Youth Ministry. Middle School (grades 7/8): days/times to be announced High School: Sundays, 6:00 8:00 pm Fourth Sunday of Lent March 14 Theology of the Body for Teens (high school only), 4:30 pm 14 Dead Theologian Society (high school only), 6:00 pm 21 CHILL ON THE HILL, 6:00 8:30 pm for teens in grades Games, speakers, monologues, live music by Sound Doctrine, food and fun! Contact Silvia Doe or stmarysyouth@hotmail.com Marriage Celebration Mass. Our Annual Marriage Celebration Mass will take place at 5:30 pm on Saturday, May 22. Contact Joe Clupp, or jclupp@msn.com for more information. Want to help St. Mary s Youth? Donate fleece (1 1/2 yards kid/teen friendly) for their Project Linus endeavor OR sponsor a basket for their Basket Bingo or purchase tickets to attend this event! Pilgrim Statue. The statue of the Assumption, which was crowned at the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on October 24, has been traveling to parishes, schools and other institutions of the diocese since that date. St. Mary s will have this statue March THINK SPRING! Quarterly Food Collection March 21 Help our parish s efforts to reach out to our neighbors. Suggestions for non perishable items: Canned: soup, vegetables, fruits, beans, potatoes, pasta dinners; Breakfast items (cereal, granola, pancake mix, etc.) Tomato sauce or canned tomatoes, rice (2 lb. bag) Dry beans, canned meats and fish, cooking oil, salt, dried pasta (box), peanut butter Fresh potatoes (5 lb. bag) Canned milk, sugar, coffee Toilet paper, tissues Please place in containers in the church vestibule. Zoo America is coming to Resurrection Catholic School on Wednesday, March 17 at 9:30 am. Call the school, , for more information.