The Sunday Good News

Transcription

1 The Sunday Good News Second Sunday of Lent The Church of Saint John Bosco March 17, 2019 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly Brothers and sisters, join with others in being witnesses of me, and observe those who conduct themselves according to the model you have in us but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Patrick of Ireland Bishop and Missionary Feast Day March 17 PRAYER FOR GOD S PROTECTION AND CHRIST S PRESENCE As I arise today, May the strength of God pilot me, The power of God uphold me, The wisdom of God guide me. Saint Paul had no trouble in encouraging others to follow his example, clearly saying do as I do, and do as I say. Many would hesitate to offer such a directive. The mount of transfiguration and Paul s witness can assist us in our commitment to Christ and the church, especially in these moments of scandal and discouragement. Paul knew what he was about and invited others to be part of his mission. His invitation is extended to us, as we join with Peter, James, and John, to experience the love of the Father and His affirmation of His Son. We descend from the mountain aware of God s love and our ongoing journey to Calvary and resurrection. STATIONS OF THE CROSS May the eye of God look before me, Morning Stations of the Cross: Every Friday of Lent at 8:30 AM The ear of God hear me, Evening Stations of the Cross with Benediction: Fridays of Lent at 7 PM The Word of God speak for me. March 22 - Everyone s Way of the Cross May the hand of God protect me. The way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today... Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen. March 29 - The Way of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori April 5 (Morning) - The Stations of the Cross with Pope John Paul II April 5 (Evening) - The Stations of the Cross with Pope John Paul II OR John Paul II s Biblical Way of the Cross April 12 (Morning) - John Paul II s Biblical Way of the Cross April 12 (Evening) - Presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross April 19 - Good Friday - No Public Stations of the Cross THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD Confirmation Class...Sunday, March 17, 6-7:30 PM Bereavement Support Group... Monday,... March 18, 6:30 PM, Multi-Purpose Room Liturgy Committee Meeting... Wed., March 20, 6:30 PM, M-P Room SJB Book Club... Sunday, March 24, 12:30 PM, Frogtowne Grille Living Stations of the Cross... Friday, April 12, 7 PM Music Ministry Bake Sale... April 13-14, after all Masses Knights of Columbus Polish Dinner... April 27, 5-8 PM Men s Conference. April 27, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre First Communion... Saturday, May 4 Finance Committee Meeting... Tuesday, May 7, 6:30 PM, M-P Room Parish Council Meeting... Thursday, May 9, 6:30 PM, M-P Room

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS 1,115 families receive envelopes. 322 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of March 9/10 Sunday Mass Attendance: 798 Total Sunday Offering: $6, Thank you for your generosity! THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU The Church encourages us to make confession a regular part of our spiritual life, especially during the holy season of Lent, as we reflect on our baptism and repentance. The Light Is On For You will take place again this year at Saint John Bosco Church. Fr. Ric will hear confessions every Monday in Lent, and continuing through Monday of Holy Week, April 15. Confessions will be heard from 6:00 until 7:00 PM. Come and avail yourself of this incredible source of God s grace, mercy and healing. Faith Formation Corner The Sunday Good News The March Confirmation evening class will be held on Sunday, March 17th from 6:00-7:30 pm. Completed Service Hour logs are due at this time. Our Families in Faith group will be preparing and serving dinner at Divine Providence Shelter on Saturday, March 23rd. If you are interested in having your family participate, cooking will take place in the SJB kitchen from 4:15-6:30 pm. Families will then head to Divine Providence to serve dinner at 7:00 pm. If you are not able to participate on the 23rd but would still like to help, a sign-up sheet with a list of needed supplies and ingredients, along with a donation box, will be located in the hallway outside of the Faith Formation office. Any students interested in joining the SJB Children s Choir, directed by Miss Jennifer Gerhard are invited to turn in a signed permission form Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, April 2nd, and the choir is scheduled to sing at the 11:30 mass on Mother s Day. Permission forms were sent home with students last weekend, and are due by March 24th. They are also available outside of the Faith Formation office. Just a reminder that all Faith Formation students are expected to attend Stations of the Cross at least one time during Lent. Participation at another church fulfills this requirement. All students are expected to attend Holy Thursday Mass on Thursday, April 19th at 7:00 pm. STUDENT CONFESSIONS: In preparation for Easter all of our children in grades two through eight have had the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. A second opportunity will be given to those in grade 2 and in grade 8 prior to the reception of their sacraments this spring. THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION Bishop Bambera has announced that this year the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, throughout the Diocese of Scranton in all parishes, will occur in a unified manner on the Solemnity of Pentecost, June 9th. The primary purpose for celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on this Solemnity is to strengthen the Confirmation formation and engage more of the families and parishioners in the process. The Bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. This year, Bishop Bambera has extended the faculty of administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to Catholics (adults and students who are Baptized Catholics) to the Pastors, Administrators and Sacramental Ministers. Our Eighth Grade Students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, June 9th at our regular parish 11 o clock Mass. (Summer Schedule) Father Ric will be administering the Sacrament. Please keep our candidates in your daily prayers as they near the conclusion of their Confirmation Formation and prepare to be fully initiated into the Church as Adult Catholics. IMPORTANT REMINDER: SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY CARDS Parents are no longer permitted to contact the parish office for their adult children (age 18 and above) for sponsor eligibility cards. This policy went into effective March 1, Their adult children must contact the office themselves and complete an application. In the last few months we have had many parents calling the parish office for their adult children who are in their 20's and even 30's. If they are graduated from High School/College then they must register on their own and not be simply listed under their parents. If they are adults, fulfill the church requirements to serve as a Baptismal Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor, graduated from school and working, it is expected that they are also able to contact us on their own, request an application on their own and set up an appointment on their own, with the Pastor. If they are living outside of our area they should formally join a parish in their locality. We can't truthfully say that they are practicing here when they are living in other States and Dioceses or outside of our local area yet claim to belong and participate here. Your understanding is appreciated. DIOCESE OF SCRANTON - HUMAN RESOURCES/SAFE ENVIRONMENT OFFICE VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children: This training session is required for all adult employees and volunteers who have direct contact or routine interaction with children, and is scheduled for SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019, 1 P.M. Holy Family Academy, 601 North Laurel Street, Hazleton, Session will take place in the school cafeteria. To register, please contact the school office by calling

3 The Sunday Good News PAGE 3 The Valley Food Pantry distributes boxes of food to dozens of WE REMEMBER needy families in our community. Our church has been asked to donate cake mix and frosting for Easter. Coffee and tea bags are Saturday, 4:00 PM March 16 also welcomed. Please place items in the rear of the church by The Second Sunday of Lent Marlene Turnbach the coat rack. Thank you for your continued support! By Peggy Gallagher Sunday, 7:30 AM March 17 BOOK CLUB St John Bosco Book Club will meet Sunday, March 24th at 12:30 PM at The Second Sunday of Lent Ann Gavio Frogtowne Grille, Sybertsville. We will discuss Snow Flower and the Secret Fan By Jim and Thelma Kennedy by Lisa See. Any questions, please call Arlene at Sunday, 9:00 AM March 17 The Second Sunday of Lent IN REMEMBRANCE We ask your prayers for the family of Emily Grace Rostocki. Their baby, Emily Grace, recently died and was buried from St. John Bosco Church. May Emily Grace intercede for her family as she rests in God s loving embrace. SPRING FLING Mark your Calendar! This year s Spring Fling Flea Market will be held Saturday, May 18, from 7 AM to 3 PM, with box day on Sunday, May 19, 12:30 to 2 PM. You may drop off your treasures beginning on Sunday, Mother s Day, May 12, after the 11:30 Mass. Drop-offs can also be made Monday, May 13, through Thursday, May 16, from 8 AM to 3 PM. Volunteers are needed, and sign-up sheets will be available before and after all Masses on the weekend of April 6-7. Please sign up if you can help at any time from May 13 through box day, May 19. We especially could use a number of volunteers for clean-up Sunday, May 19, at 2 PM. Clean-up takes approximately one hour if we have enough volunteers. Looking forward to seeing you at this year s Spring Fling! COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... Good Shepherd Church - Fish Dinner, Friday, March 22, 4-7 PM. Tickets $12 Adult; Children 10 and under $5. Walk-ins/Take-outs welcome until sold out. Menu: Breaded haddock, mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw, green beans, dessert and beverage. Men of Marian - Used book sale, Laurel Mall, March 22, 23, 24. Benefits Men of Marian and Marian FBLA Team. St. Jude School - 7th Annual Spring Fling Craft and Vendor Fair, March 30, 10-3 in school cafeteria, Mountaintop. Over 40 vendors/crafters. Basket raffle, face painting, food and bake sale. Benefits school technology programs. For more information call Kristina or Dave, (570) Hunting Heritage Banquet - The Honey Hole Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF annual banquet on Saturday, March 30th, at Capriotti's Catering Hall in McAdoo. Doors open at 4 PM; dinner at 5:30 PM. For more information contact Mark Ferdinand Holy Dormition Friary - Pysanky Egg Workshop, Saturday, March 30, Noon to 4 PM. $40 per person. For more information and to register, call Margie at (570) Carmelite Kitchen - Carmelite Sisters at Holy Annunciation Monastery, 403 W. County Road, Sugarloaf, are taking orders for Easter baked goods. To order call (570) ; deadline to order is April 1. Pick-up Saturday, April 13 at the Monastery from 10 am to 4 pm. The Sisters bake PASKA Bread with a cross, KOLACHI in four flavors, CHEESECAKE, HEAVENLY COMFORT CAKE, FRUITCAKE, YOGURT and JAMS and JELLIES. Knights of Columbus - Polish Dinner at SJB Gym, Saturday, April 27, 5-8 PM, $12 Adult; $6 child under 10. Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Sunday, 11:30 AM The Second Sunday of Lent Theresa M. Donachie By Madelyn Lawson Family Monday, 8:00 AM Sue Childs By Zapotocky Family March 17 March 18 Tuesday, 8:00 AM Antoni Jozef Goralczyk By Family Wednesday, 8:00 AM Irma Goodyear By Madelyn Lawson Family March 19 Thursday, 8:00 AM Gary McGuire, Jr. By Buster Sypeck and Connie March 21 March 20 Thursday March 21 THE LAURELS SR. LIVING COMMUNITY 1:00 PM - Confessions 2:00 PM - Mass Dorothy Gallagher By Mary Lou and Dave Glassberg Friday, 8:00 AM Dolores Cera By Lynn Oliver Saturday, 4:00 PM Rosemary Veglia By Bob Shanno March 22 March 23 Sunday, 7:30 AM March 24 Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Sunday, 9:00 AM March 24 Josephine Primiani By Russo Family Sunday, 11:30 AM March 24 Matthew Olenick By Family TABERNACLE CANDLE The Tabernacle Candle burns this week in memory of William Planutis, III, given by Planutis and Kapes Families.

4 PAGE 4 The Sunday Good News Vocation Reflection GIVING CHRIST TO THE POOR, AND OURSELVES TO CHRIST This comes to you from a poor neighborhood in the South Bronx, where I have been living as a missionary and discerning a religious Vocation since August, 2018 thanks to YOU! Next Sunday, March 24 th, I will be visiting all Masses at Saint John Bosco to share a few stories with you. Between working with the poor at the St. Anthony Shelter for Renewal and raising funds for Vocations through The Labouré Society, Jesus has blessed me with an abundance of opportunities to encounter the human heart. It is through something as simple as a warm dinner at our shelter that a beggar s heart was transformed by the Gospel; it is the heart of a young woman that longs to marry Christ and to serve His Church as a religious sister; it is the hearts of the people in the pews, who are the Body of Christ. Encountering hearts like these has been a gift from God that I will be learning and growing from for the rest of my life, and it is stories of these encounters that I am excited to share with you. Many of you have made these encounters possible. You have made it possible for me to spend this year living in a homeless shelter and meeting Jesus in the poor. You have made it possible for me to meet many young women and men who are tirelessly working to overcome student loans so as to consecrate themselves as religious and priests. Most powerfully, you have made it possible for me to witness the power of the Body of Christ united to build the kingdom of God. To me, the striking beauty of these stories is that they are YOUR stories. Over the past year, as you have contributed to The Labouré Society in my honor, you have become part of these stories. You have given Christ the opportunity to encounter the poor through my presence in the Bronx and in doing so, you have given yourself to Christ in the ways that you have supported the Labouré mission to Rescue Vocations through prayer and financial contribution. When I visit next week, I will be sharing two of YOUR stories with you. In one, you will encounter the heart of a man who came to our door as a beggar and left our doors as a sober, devout Catholic with a full time job and an apartment of his own. In another, you will encounter the heart of woman who is preparing to sell all that she has, in the spirit of St. Francis, to serve the poor and the youth as a Franciscan Sister. In both of these, you will encounter the Heart of Jesus, which unites you and me in the building of God s kingdom. May the Lord give you His peace, and I will see you next week! ~ Daniel Synoski TRAVELING CHALICE VOCATION PROGRAM We have resumed the "Traveling Chalice Vocation Program at St. John Bosco Parish which began with the first weekend of Lent, March It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to pray for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life. It is also an opportunity to pray for all seminarians, priests (active and retired) and for those who are discerning the Lord's call and His Will for their lives. It is very simple. Each week a different person or family takes home the chalice and places it in a prominent place in their home and promises to recite a prayer for Church Vocations once a day. (Sample prayers are included) The next week you return the chalice to the sacristy and another family or individual takes it home. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the back of the church behind the last pew for your convenience, or you may call the parish office and we will sign you up for the week that you desire. If you volunteer to take the chalice, please let Father Ric, Deacon Maurice or one of the Sacristans know before Mass if you would like to be called up at the end of Mass to receive it or simply pick it up after Mass in the sacristy. The shortage of priests to staff our parishes is at a crisis situation. I believe that many are being called and that God's grace and our prayerful intercession might be a source of encouragement for them to respond, and strengthen those who have responded and are either seminarians or priests. Please prayerfully consider giving a few minutes each day for one week for this important Vocation Project at St. John Bosco Church. We are grateful to Phil and Marie Guza for volunteering to take the Traveling Chalice home with them last week, March 10-16, and to pray for Church vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious life. The host for the Traveling Chalice for the week of March is Dolores Babula.

5 PRO-LIFE MESSAGE FROM THE USCCB: PRAYER FOR AN END TO INFANTICIDE The U.S. Senate recently failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act - legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an attempted abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her or his life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. Please join us in prayer for an end to infanticide: Jesus, Lord of Life, transform the hearts of all elected leaders to recognize that infanticide is wrong and must not be tolerated. Open hearts and minds to recognize and defend the precious gift of every human life. SOMETHING NEW: FALL BUS TRIP & DINNER SHOW Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton, NJ Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Neil Simon's Romantic Comedy Masterpiece "Barefoot in the Park" Bus transportation, Matinee Show, dinner, gratuities and taxes all included. Only $87 pp. Great gift for an upcoming birthday, wedding anniversary, etc. Choice of a large variety of Entrees (Beef, Shrimp, Cod, Chicken, Turkey, Eggplant and a Gluten Free entree.) All entrees include fresh homemade breads, mixed garden salad with house dressing, their famous unlimited amazing Dessert Buffet, coffee and tea. For information/reservations contact: Marie Guza at Payment-in-full due with reservation. First come - First served. Checks payable to: Saint John Bosco Church. A waiting list will be taken in case of cancellations. Bus leaves at 9 AM sharp from SJB parking lot. Show at 11:30 am, Luncheon at 1:30 pm, depart 4 PM Return to SJB approximately 6 PM. KNIGHT S CORNER Knights OF columbus, Our Lady of Fatima, Council 8613 POLISH FOOD FESTIVAL Our Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Fatima Council 8613 will sponsor a Polish Food Festival (Dinner) on Saturday, April 27, in our parish gym/auditorium from 5-8 PM. It will feature the following menu: Pierogi, Haluski, Bundukies, Kielbasa, Apple Sauce, Desserts and refreshments. Tickets will be sold in the vestibule beginning March 23-24, $12/Adult; $6/Child under age 10. Tom Pandolfi is Chairperson. Plan to attend the evening dinner and invite your family and friends. Please support our Knights and all the good work that they do for our parish and community. The Southern Luzerne Deanery 2019 DEANERY LENTEN RETREAT THE ROAD TO RESURRECTION with The Reverend Lee Havey, C.P. Passionist Fathers of Saint Ann s Monastery Scranton, Pennsylvania as Guest Celebrant and Homilist March 18 th 7 PM Holy Rosary Church, Hazleton March 19 th 7 PM Saint Joseph Church, Hazleton March 20 th 7 PM Most Precious Blood Church, Hazleton March 21 st 7 PM Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton Please plan on joining us in this special regional Lenten celebration of Mass with a special Homily by Father Lee Havey, C.P. of the Passionist Fathers of Scranton. Several priests will be available each evening following the service for Confession in preparation for Easter. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ANNULMENT PROCESS? In the Diocese of Scranton, the annulment process is now more user friendly than you might expect, and there is no longer a processing fee. Please contact your pastor, Fr. Ric, at or the Diocesan Tribunal Office ( ) to begin a conversation. It is possible to get clear answers to these questions and to renew your connection with the Church. NOTICE REGARDING REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania s Child Protective Services Laws, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24-Hour Child Abuse hotline (ChildLine) at or electronically at It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at ( ) or to Diocesan officials, including the Vicar General, Monsignor Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G., at ( ).

6 ALTAR SERVER TRAINING SESSION TO BEGIN Any young person, Grade 2 through Grade 11 who desires to become an altar server at St. John Bosco parish is asked to contact either Fr. Ric, Deacon Maurice or the parish office. A training session will be held in March. It is a wonderful opportunity to give praise and glory to God serving at the Altar while assisting your priest, deacon and lay ministers in celebrating the Mass. A few of our high school servers will be graduating and we need others to take their places. A LENTEN CHALLENGE: MEAL PACKAGING EVENT For the last three years our parish has been participating in RISE AGAINST HUNGER. Each year, between 10,000 and 12,000 meals have been packaged in our gym and sent to those who are malnourished or hungry, both in the United States and in foreign and third world countries. Again this year in August we would like to sponsor this event. In the past we have had many volunteers of all ages. It is a fun as well as a learning experience since we work together and learn about World Hunger. Feeding the needy is a Corporal Work of Mercy. During Lent we ask you to place a container on your family table and place any excess change or bills that can then be donated to this project during Holy Week. Our goal is to collect at least $3,000. This would be a wonderful Lenten Challenge. You can also give something up for Lent and the money saved from snacks, soda, cigarettes, alcohol, entertainment, etc. can be given to this project. Place donations in a plain envelope marked MEAL PACKAGING EVENT. Checks should be written out to: St. John Bosco Church FIFTH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE "BE A MAN: WHAT IS TRUTH?" April 27, 2019, at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 South Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, PA Enjoy the fellowship and experience a prayerful, spirit-filled, life-changing day featuring keynote presentations by Fr. Philip G. Bochanski, the executive director of Courage International who speaks on the good news of living chaste lives, along with wellknown psychologist, speaker, and EWTN host, Dr. Ray Guarendi. Our third speaker will be inspirational speaker, apologist, and TV host of "Battle Ready", Doug Barry. Reconciliation opportunities available with many priests for confessions. The main Conference and Mass runs from 8:00am to 3:00pm, including, Eucharistic Adoration. The Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Bambera will celebrate the closing Mass at 1:45. Registration/Morning Coffee begins at 7:00am, Rosary at 7:30. Register online at: call (Diocesan Pastoral Center) or mail the completed conference brochure application with your check to Attn: Men's Conference, Office for Parish Life, 330 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, Pa Cost: $40, $30 early bird (until 4/1/19), $15 for students, Priests and Deacons free. Parish Captain is Andrew Pitonyak, ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25 th or 50 th wedding anniversary in 2019 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 30. The event includes a 2:30 pm mass at St. Peter s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through your pastor before April 2. DA I LY REA D ING Sunday Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 Monday Dn 9:4b-10; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Wednesday Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31 Friday Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Mt 21:33-43, Saturday Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15:1-3, RCIA Candidate Jared O Donnell Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Joseph Molitoris RCIA TEAM CALENDAR Date of Session: March 17, 2019 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Presenter: Deacon Maurice and Frank Topic: Liturgical Year ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to HAZLETON EYE SPECIALISTS Bulletin Advertiser Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!