St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish

Transcription

1 St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 5112 Pocono Crest Rd. P.O. Box O Pocono Pines, PA Parish Office: (570) Fax: (570) Web Page: Welcome To all who are tired and need rest; to all who mourn and need comfort; to all who are friendless and need friendship; to all who are discouraged and need hope; to all who are homeless and need sheltering love; to all who sin and need a Savior; and to whomsoever will, the Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe opens wide its doors in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! March 30, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Lent Our Mission Statement We of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish believe that we have been gifted with Life, Faith and Discipleship. Empowered by Jesus in Word and Sacrament, we are called to grow in wisdom, grace and fidelity to His Church by following the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Working Together to Build the Kingdom of God

2 March 30th, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Lent NEW VISION Jesus proclaimed that he came into the world to make the sightless see and the seeing blind. A difficult saying! But surely it must mean that Jesus intended to take our ordinary ways of looking at things and turn them inside out. Jesus came to change our perspective. When the prophet Samuel went out to select the new king, he chose a young man who had the look of royalty about him. But God told him not to judge by appearances. God told Samuel and today tells us to change our perspective and to look at things and people differently. We are like the Ephesians, whom Paul urged to live as children of the light. With the light of faith, we have a new way of looking at things, and we are called to bring that new vision to the world around us. This is a great vocation, a calling to wake people up to what s really important. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Parish Office Hours Monday through Wednesday 9-4 pm Thursday 9-Noon Friday - CLOSED St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff Reverend Daniel J. Yenkevich ~ Administrator, pro tem Deacon Frank Gisoldi ~ deaconf@ptd.net Mrs. Lynnette Smith Coordinator of Religious Education/ Pastoral Associate ~ lysmith@ptd.net Marion Colvin Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net John Marcinkowski, Jr. Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If there is such a thing as a Catholic trademark it is the sign of the cross, first traced on the senses of catechumens as they begin the journey to baptism, or on the forehead of an infant who is brought to the doors of the church at baptism. As early as the third century, Christians were tracing the sign of the cross on their bodies. At first, the cross was traced on the forehead during times of prayer and daily occupations. We use a similar small cross today as we trace the cross over on the forehead, lips, and heart at the Gospel during Mass. Much later, the full-body sign traced from forehead to heart to shoulders took shape, perhaps copying the priest s gesture of blessing with the consecrated host during Mass. Today, this superb baptismal gift is a sign of belonging to Christ and the community, a way of focusing our attention, of asking for God s blessing, of tracing on our shoulders a willingness to find meaning in life s burdens. In the sign of the cross, we have an ever-available means of expressing gratitude for our baptism. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. REFLECTING ON GOD S WORD Most of us can recognize times when we are in the dark and occasions when we carry darkness in our hearts, just as there are moments when we feel enlightened and find that our vision is clear. It is quite another thing to become identified with darkness or with light. The first words of today s reading from the Letter to the Ephesians stand out for their boldness: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). We get a glimpse of what it means to be light in the Lord both from Samuel, who finally sees as God sees, and in the courageous behavior of the man born blind after Jesus has healed him. Samuel anoints Israel s greatest king, David, and the man born blind comes to faith in Jesus as Lord. The man born blind is one of those strong figures found in John s Gospel. Like the woman at the well, we never learn his name but we come to know his heart. His speech is straight forward, whether speaking to his neighbors, the Pharisees, or Jesus. You can hear the gradual dawning of faith as he responds to those around him, from the simple He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see to He is a prophet, to his answer to Jesus question about having faith in the Son of man standing before him, I do believe, Lord (John 9:15, 17, 38). In the beginning God spoke. Those first words have never stopped bringing about what they said: Let there be light (Genesis 1:3). James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. Copyright 2013, World Library Publications.

3 March 29th through April 6th Saturday 4:00 pm Howard Hunt by Mildred Hunt & Family Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners 10:30 am Joseph Knipper by Henry & Evelyn Cox Monday 8:15 am Louis Abrew by Grace & Angelo Rifino Tuesday 8:15 am Francis & Ann Boyle by Sons Wed 8:15 am Communion Service Thursday 8:15 am Edward J. Luck Knights of Columbus #13752 Friday 8:15 am Joseph F. Coyne III by Maldonado Family Saturday 4:00 pm Margaret & Brian Pullen by Mary Ann & Nicholas Pullen Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners 10:30 am Daniel P Finney Sr. by Laure E. Biron In one way or another, everyone in society works in the service of humanity. Physicians have opportunities that a priest does not have, for our mission does not end when medicine is no longer of help. There still remains the soul that must be brought to God. Jesus says, Whoever visits the sick is helping me. This is a priestly mission. Just as the priests can touch Jesus, so we doctors touch Jesus in the bodies of our patients: in the poor, the young, the old, and children. St. Gianna Molla All are invited to join us for Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. preceding the 8:15 Daily Mass or Communion Service. Saturday Confessions at 3:00 pm In the case of inclement weather conditions, if school is cancelled, there will be no Mass; if school is delayed, Mass will be delayed. Also, there will not be an 8:15 Mass when a Funeral Mass is scheduled. Total Expenditures (for y.e. June 30,2012)...$ 440,703 Avg. weekly cost of Operation $ 8,475 Collection for w.e. 03/16/14 $ 4,847 (Deficit) / surplus...$ 3,628 Expansion Loan (debt) $ 53,038 Saturday: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 Sunday: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Monday: Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54 Tuesday : Ezekiel 47:1-9,12; John 5:1-16 Wednesday: Isaiah 49:5-15; John 5:17-30 Thursday: Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47 Friday: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; John 7:1-2,10, Saturday: Jeremiah 11:18-20; John 7:40-53 Sunday: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

4 CANDY SALE FUNDRAISER CONTINUES! Purchases can be made after at the final Lenten Buffet on April 4th and also after weekend Masses through April 6th. You can also call Lynnette ( ) or her at to arrange a time to purchase candy. Selections (while the supply lasts) include Chocolate Covered Cream Eggs (butter cream, coconut, and peanut butter), Carrots, Lilies, Last Supper Bars, White Chocolate/Coconut Nests, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Peanut Butter Rabbits. The candy has been made with love and generously donated by JoAnn Pahler. Proceeds of the sale will benefit our Religious Education and Continuing Faith Formation program and activities. OUR SCRIPTURE SHARING GROUP This group gathers at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings to prayerfully reflect on the Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. PRACTICES FOR EASTER FAMILY LITURGY will be at 11:30 am on Sunday - April 6th & Sunday, April 13th The Light is On For You All Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00 pm Please come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent - The season of Lent is a special time of grace, inviting and enabling all of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to embrace a life of meaning and purpose. To assist us, in addition to our normal Saturday afternoon confession time, St. Maximilian Kolbe and all Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open on Lenten Mondays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Please participate in this opportunity to make a good Lenten confession, and please also reach out to the Catholics you know who have been away from the regular practice of the faith and invite them to participate tin this chance to begin again. See the Diocesan website for helpful materials: OUR LENTEN JOURNEY Come in for a FAITH LIFT All are encouraged to join us for any or all of the opportunities to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our faith. Is God calling you to make time during Lent for any of the following spiritual opportunities? Monday Mornings: Centering Prayer 9:30 am Tuesday Mornings: Scripture Sharing 9:30 am Wednesdays: Stations of the Cross- 8:45 & 7 pm Thursdays through April 9:30 am & 7 pm - Video and Discussion Series Exploring the Eucharist AREA LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES 7 P.M. Tuesday, April 1 Our Lady of Victory, Tannersville 7 P.M. Thursday, April 3 St. Bernadette, Canadensis 3 P.M. Sunday, April 6 St. Mary of the Mount, Mt. Pocono What are You Doing for Lent? How about making a commitment to God? Come explore St. Max s best kept secret to a relationship with God. Centering Prayer Group meets in the Parish hall for an hour on Monday mornings. Come at 9:30 for a cup of tea or coffee and to meet other participants. Prayer Time will start at 10 A.M. SHARP and will conclude at 11 A.M. Give yourself this gift and see where it leads! Please note: (No Centering Prayer on Mondays when the Parish Office is closed). INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP LENT 2014 Saturday, April 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish in Dunmore. The format of the day will integrate the elements of Word, Worship, Community, and Service for all who participate. For more details about the various workshops and the opportunity to attend Mass, Dinner, and the Sweet Charity Players, performance of Godspell, please check the Diocesan Website dioceseofscranton.org. You may also call Jennifer at Registration forms are available on the tables by the doors of the church. There is no fee for the workshops. For dinner, a free will offering will be taken. Tickets are $15 for the presentation of Godspell.

5 St. Maximilian Lenten Buffet The last Lenten Buffet is scheduled for Friday, April 4th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Cost of dinner remains at 2012 prices Adults $8; Senior Citizen s (65+) $7; Children, ages 5 to 12, $4; and under 5 eat free. If you would like to donate items or if you can work at any of the buffets please sign-up on the sheets posted near the doors. AVON FUNDRAISER FOR CORNERSTONE The Women s Cornerstone Committee is sponsoring this fundraiser to help defray the cost for all the women attending the September 12~13 Retreat. Avon catalogues will be available at the church through August 1st. You can also support this effort by shopping at When you enter your order, choose the Delivery to Representative. Orders can also be placed by phone to Veronica Conte at Those In Need of Prayer Phoebe Bramley ~ Dale Walsh ~ Kevin Kret Betty Lou Torpey ~ Kathleen McDonnell Vincent Rinaldi ~ Elana Knitel ~ Raymond Mullin George Mazeffa ~ Ron Heisler ~ Scott H. Joseph McKenna ~ George Ondrajka ~ Fr. Urban Msgr. Jerry Sherba ~John Scanlon ~ Bob Walsh Danielle Sergi ~ Richard Snell Jay Livziey ~ Thomas Kobrtwitz ~ Fay Feldman Barbara Sciandra ~ Jack McKenna ~ Gerry Boyle Riley Direnzo ~ Terry Quinn ~ Ann Valentina Alexander John Snyder ~ Antonia Lucia - Joe Miller Maria Mercedes ~ Louis Larsen Jr. ~ Joan Rafferty Charlie Ondrajka ~ Terrence Sumrall Chase Robert ~Michael James ~ Robert Angelle Charles Bucceroni ~ Joseph Burinsky Doris Pappas ~ Theresa Akus - For a Priest who is ill. Fr. Kearns ~ Fr. Ryan ~ David If you, or someone you know would like to be included on the prayer list, in our prayer network, or are in need of a communion call while you are unable to attend mass please call the office. Hospital Visits - Fr. Dan is more than willing to visit those who are hospitalized and homebound. Please call the office at ( ) and let us know who is in the hospital and which hospital they are in. Next meeting is Monday, April 7th at 7 pm in Our Lady of the Lake Hall. Please call G.K. Steve Glinane at for information or check out the website at or facebook at KnightsofColumbus Pocono Pines or kofc13752mail. The Prayer Shawl Group If you knit or crochet or would like to learn, consider stopping by on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The next meeting date is April 1 pm in Our Lady of the Lake Hall. THE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets downstairs in Our Lady of the Lake Hall at 9:30 A.M. on the second Wednesday of each month. It is not necessary to be a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in order to attend this ecumenical group. Anyone who has experienced a loss due to death, divorce, or separation is encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Lynnette at Next meeting is April 9th at 9:30 am Men s Cornerstone - April 6:30 pm Women s Cornerstone - April 1 pm The Eucharistic Sanctuary Light Is available for $20 for two weeks The Bread and Wine Are available for $25. for one week Altar Flowers No Flowers during Lent Tabernacle Flowers No flowers during Lent

6 PRAYERS FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT SERVICE Cpt. Thomas M. Smith - Hanscom AFB, MA Airman Joshua Ponce Seaman Nicole Beckman, San Antonio, TX James Murtha, USN - VA Sgt. Richard J. Fissler Jr. - Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA Lt. Col. Christopher Yuskaitis - Italy Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. - Teaneck, NJ Cpl. John P. Bramley - Camp Pendleton, CA Airman Minnette Fruauff - San Antonio, TX Marc Barney, USN - Mediterranean Sea Sgt. Nicholas Bogert - Afghanistan Airman Linda DeMuro - Afghanistan Staff Sgt. William D. Olsen - Nellis AFB, NV 3rd Class Petty Officer DC3 Jeffrey Royall - USCG -VA Pvt. Nhelmar DePerro - Camp Le Jeune, NC PFC Amber Keppol - Fort Leonard Wood, MO Pvt. Matthew Ponce - Fort Benning, GA DEPLOYED CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Eugene Maslar, Jr.-Bagram, Afghanistan Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. ~AMEN Around The Diocese Meals on Wheels - Still Needs Drivers Due to an increase in the number of persons requesting Meals on Wheels in Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships, we are seeking to recruit more drivers to add to St. Maximilian Kolbe s roster. Drivers currently deliver on Tuesdays, Thursday or Fridays about once a month. If you would like more information or an application, please contact Sue Ann Snell ( ) or Mimi Mickels at the Meals on Wheels office ( ). Chrism Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton All the faithful of the Diocese are invited to attend the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 4 pm. At this Mass, priests 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. Around The Diocese Race for Education Next weekend, students from Monsignor McHugh will be here for an after mass collection fundraiser to support the Race for Education This fundraiser provides quality Catholic education in a safe environment in the Pocono Region. You may also make a tax deductible contribution by mailing in the Parishioner Mailer form that will be available. Thank you for your generosity. The Associates of the I.H.M. Sisters are having a series on prayer. It will be held at the I.H.M. Spiritual Center in Cresco from now until April 9th, on Wednesdays at 1 pm. If you have any questions, please call Pat Baker at Catholic Social Services Presents. SAINTS AMONG US! The Concert featuring Full Armor Band, will be Notre Dame High School in E. Stroudsburg on Saturday, April 26th at 7 pm. For tickets contact Fr Adults $15 Students $10 Ecumenical / Interfaith TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY The next date for bagging and distribution are April 14th & 15th. THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AT FIVE LOAF HOUSE is still in need of skilled and non-skilled laborers on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. If you can help on other weekdays, please call Bill Five Loaf House is located at 133 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines. MENS MALVERN RETREAT This is a free invitation to all men 14 to 114 yrs. old. Sometimes the frantic pace of life can leave us little time to deal with things of real value in our lives. We all need to grow our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This weekend retreat can be your time and place. The cost is only your willingness and time. Don t let money be the issue, your presence is most important. The weekend is May 16th - 18th, any part or all is your choice. For details call Bill or vockroth@ptd.net