The Sunday Good News THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD VALENTINE S DAY PRAYER TO ST. VALENTINE. HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J.

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1 The Sunday Good News Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Church of Saint John Bosco February 10, 2019 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! He touched my mouth and said See now, that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? Who will go for me? Here I am, I said, send me. VALENTINE S DAY St. Valentine was a bishop, and is thought to have been a physician. He was arrested for giving aid to Christian prisoners awaiting martyrdom, and while imprisoned he converted the jailer by restoring sight to the jailer s daughter. St. Valentine refused to deny Christ before the Emperor Claudius in the year 280 and won the jeweled crown of martyrdom by his faithful witness. The feast of St. Valentine was first established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I. PRAYER TO ST. VALENTINE O St. Valentine, lover of Christ and of the Church, we ask your intercession that we may learn how to love God above all things, and to selflessly love one another. O glorious St. Valentine, pray for us that we too may have the steadfast faith of the martyrs. Amen The call of the prophet and the new vocation of the fishermen can be the image of the call that Jesus makes for us today. We need to respond to the invitation He graciously gives us, to be sent to announce His message. It is easy for us to make excuses, to hesitate, or even flee. The unclean lips of Isaiah were purified to prepare him for his role. Our own lips are unclean when we use them to criticize, speak ill of others, or complain, or even use bad language. We can use the same tongue to pray, praise and show others His presence in our lives. Peter speaks for us all as he says: but at your command I will lower the nets. What a surprise, leading him to the humble confession depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man. Jesus responds with the familiar phrase Do not be afraid from now on they followed Him. May we identify with Isaiah, seeking what the Lord asks of us. May we leave our tangled nets, acknowledge the Lord s call and forgiveness, and follow Him. PARISH MAILING ADDRESS It has been brought to our attention that many people are using the wrong address when mailing to our parish. Our mailing address is: Saint John Bosco Church P.O. Box 919 Conyngham, PA We DO NOT receive first class mail at our church office at the Sugarloaf location/address. The Sugarloaf Post Office will return your envelope to you. THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD Families in Faith... Sunday, February 10, 10 AM, Kitchen Bereavement Support Group Monday, February 11, 6:30 PM, M-P Room Lector Refresher Course... Saturday, February 16,... 9 AM, Multi-purpose Room Confirmation Class... Sunday, February 17, 6-7:30 PM SJB Hosts Salvation Army Luncheon.. Wed., February 20, 10 AM - Noon SJB Book Club... Sunday, February 24, 12:30 PM, Frogtowne Grille Confirmation Interviews... February 26 - March 20 Families in Faith Bake Sale... March 2-3, after all Masses First Communion Retreat (students and parents) Saturday, March 9, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM RCIA Rite of Election.. March 10, 2:30 PM, St. Peter s Cathedral, Scranton

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS 1,115 families receive envelopes. 412 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of February 2/3 Sunday Mass Attendance: 999 Total Sunday Offering: $7, Faith Formation Corner Our parent group, Families in Faith, will meet this Sunday during Faith Formation in the kitchen. Plans are underway and will be finalized for a bake sale the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd and another cook and serve project for Divine Providence Shelter in March. More information about the group and upcoming and past activities can be viewed on the Service bulletin board outside of the Faith Formation office. Our February Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, February 17, from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Gym. Interviews with Father Ric and Deacon Maurice will begin the week of February 26th. Please continue to pray for our candidates, their sponsors, and their families! The First Communion Retreat will be held on Saturday, March 9th, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. All 2nd Level students and at least one parent must attend. Thank you to all who donated scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves to support the Warm Wishes initiative! We will continue to collect handmade and new items throughout this month in a box in the entrance to the Faith Formation hallway. Souper Bowl Sunday $1, The Souper Bowl collection will be given to Catholic Social Services for the Divine Providence Shelter. Thank you to all who supported this collection and to the Hospitality Ministry for assisting with this collection. Thank you for your generosity! ARE YOU NEW TO ST. JOHN BOSCO'S? WE RE GLAD YOU RE HERE! The Church of St. John Bosco is a diverse and vibrant community of faith that offers many opportunities to enrich your spiritual life, serve those in need, educate your family, and most importantly, to belong. To formally register as a member simply contact the Parish Office to set up an appointment with the Pastor, Fr. Ric, at , Ext 3 or 4. NEW EUCHARISTIC MINISTER We are happy to announce that JOHN MEIER has completed his training with the Diocese of Scranton, Office of Worship, and is now a Special Minister of Holy Communion for St. John Bosco Parish. He will minister as needed at our Funeral Masses where he serves as a Senior Acolyte. The Sunday Good News ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES This year Living Stations of the Cross will be presented on Friday, April 12, at 7pm. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, March 10. If you are interested in participating in this year s performance, please stop by the Faith Formation office to sign up by February 17. If you have never done anything like this before, we have a spot for you! If you have joined us in past years and are interested in working on the production again, we would love to have you back! Either way, you need to fill out a sign-up sheet in Carla s office, or contact Mrs. Myers ( ) or Mrs. Ashton ( ) directly so that we can compile a complete list of interested students. Thank you for considering being a part of such a special event here at St. John Bosco Church! Living HELP! HELP! HELP! It s that time of year again and we are in dire need of help. We are looking for men and women who are willing to give us a helping hand. On Tuesday, February 19, we will begin to chop the cabbage for our annual halushki sales. Starting time is 9 AM in the Parish Kitchen. If you can give us a couple of hours, please call Marie at (570) All you need to do is bring your cutting board and a good sharp knife. We have a nice time socializing as well. Won t you think about joining us? Thank you, and God bless you! MATRIMONY - Engaged couples who are registered PRE-CANA PROGRAM - Engaged couples who are planning to members of St. John Bosco Church and who are contemplating entering into the Sacrament of Matrimony in 2019 or 2020, are asked to call the Parish Office at , Ext 3 or 4, to arrange an appointment with the Pastor. Please allow at least 9 to 12 months for the completion of the necessary preparations and instructions. Do not enter into any other commitments (Reception Hall, photographer, band or DJ, etc.) before confirming a wedding date and time in the parish. In addition to your meetings with the priest, you will also be expected to participate in a Pre-Cana Conference and with the online FOCCUS instrument. Your understanding is appreciated. It will enable us to serve you properly. be married at St. John Bosco Church in 2019 are reminded that in addition to their meetings with the Pastor, they are required to participate in a Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Program as well as to take the FOCCUS Marriage Readiness Instrument online. A listing of 2019 Pre Cana Reflection Days held throughout the Diocese may be found online on the Diocese of Scranton website under Parish Life Office or by calling the Diocese. Registration may be made online. Two sessions that will be held in our area are scheduled for Saturday, March 30 and Saturday, July 20 at Good Shepherd Church Hall in Drums from 8:30 am until 4 p.m. Pre-registration with the Diocese is required. This day includes snacks and a luncheon.

3 The Sunday Good News ST. JOHN BOSCO - SALVATION ARMY LUNCHEON Our Parish Outreach to the poor and homeless in the Greater Hazleton area will sponsor our monthly luncheon Wednesday, February 20, from 10:00-Noon at the Salvation Army Center. We are grateful to all of our donors and volunteers, those who prepare the meal, serve and clean up. Your assistance with this Work of Mercy is deeply appreciated. SJB Book Club will meet Sunday, February 24, 12:30 PM to discuss The Radium Girls by Kate Moore at Frogtowne Grille in Sybertsville. If interested in joining us, please call Arlene at (570) NEW PARISHIONERS Saint John Bosco Parish extends a warm welcome to our newest Parishioners: Michael and Carol Strenchock Brittany L. Strenchock BAPTISMAL WELCOME We extend prayerful congratulations and a warm welcome to Quinn Anderson Merrick daughter of Daniel J. and Sherilyn F. Lubinski Merrick, and who will be baptized by Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr., on Sunday, February 10. May Quinn continue to grow in age, wisdom and love before God and others. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP SESSIONS will be offered weekly for seven weeks on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room, beginning Monday, February 11. Registration is required to assure seating and materials. For more information or to register, please call Marie Guza, (570) 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. Time to update SJB Telephone Prayer Line. Anyone who would like to join this ministry, please call Arlene at (570) You would agree to receive phone calls requesting prayer, call on to the person listed under your name and then pray according to the request. COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... Sugarloaf Valley Church Women United - Fundraiser for Valley Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, United Charities and Hazleton Salvation Army. You eat at Bonanza Restaurant, West Hazleton; we raise money for these organizations. Pick up coupons in the narthex and use them either Monday, February 11, Tuesday, February 12, or Wednesday, February 13. Thanks so much for your help. Holy Name of Jesus Parish - Roast Beef Dinner, Sunday, February 24, Noon to 4 PM, Parish Center. Includes Roast Beef with Gravy; Mashed Potatoes; Corn; Salad; Dessert and Beverage. Tickets sold at Holy Name of Jesus Parish after weekend Masses. $9/Adult; $5/Children under 12. Tickets available at door, first-come, first-served. Annunciation Parish St. Patrick s Day Celebration - March 16, 5-9 PM, The Pines Eatery, Hazleton. $25 per person. Cash Bar. Entertainment by Irish Singer, Aaron McCurdy. Tickets available at Holy Annunciation Rectory Monday-Friday. Deadline, March 8. WE REMEMBER PAGE 3 Saturday, 4:00 PM February 9 Mary Ann Bellizia By Orlando DeAngelo Sunday, 7:30 AM February 10 Bryan Hoppy and Robert DeMatt By Hoppy Family Sunday, 9:00 AM February 10 Lorraine Radice By Pat and Bill Horan Sunday, 11:30 AM February 10 Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Monday, 8:00 AM February 11 Michael J. Tate By Jean Miernicki and Family Tuesday, 8:00 AM February 12 Dolores Cera By Lynn Oliver Wednesday, 8:00 AM February 13 Leonard Justofin By Joan Voyda Thursday, 8:00 AM February 14 James Staudenmeier By JoAnn Brown Friday, 8:00 AM February 15 Patricia Kulig By John and Nancy Yenchick Saturday, 4:00 PM February 16 Pavlovich/Bobeck Families Sunday, 7:30 AM February 17 Living and Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Sunday, 9:00 AM February 17 Frank Alimecco By Denise and Henry Steinberg Sunday, 11:30 AM February 17 Florie Lesko By Robert Lesko The Tabernacle Candle burns this week in memory of Pasquale Ferrari given by Carol Ferrari. The Altar Flowers this week are in memory of Lorraine Radice given by Correale and Radice Families.

4 PAGE 4 The Sunday Good News From the Pastor s Laptop... February 9-10, 2019 Dear Parishioners and Friends, Our Annual GREY DOG Raffle concluded last Sunday. The Committee and I are grateful to you for your participation. Exactly 400 tickets were sold. The 25 cash prize winners and financial report may be found in the bulletin insert this weekend. As you know, Saint John Bosco Parish sponsors four events throughout the year. In addition to the Grey Dog we have the Spring Fling in May, the Golf Classic in August and the Election Day Pasta and Meatball Dinner in November. The proceeds from these activities help us to continue our parish spiritual, educational and social outreach programs. Your support and participation are crucial in making them a success and assisting in making our parish vibrant. On Saturday, May 18, we hope to have our popular and well-received Spring Fling. It is a wonderful tradition here and people come from throughout the area to patronize it. The one day event consists of a Cash Raffle, Tricky Trays, a food stand including our famous halushki and of course our gigantic flea market. Our flea market features good quality items at extremely low prices. Although this is a one-day event, it involves much planning and hard work. We are extremely grateful to the Chairpersons who organized this in past years, Rosemary Zanolini, Elaine Murray and Carol Vilcko. They did an outstanding job along with the other volunteers. However, they are unable to chair it this year and we are in need of others to step up and volunteer to co-chair this portion of our spring fling. The other three areas have chairpersons. However, we are in need of someone to do the publicity and advertisement. Please seriously and prayerfully consider if you or a group of parishioners can be flea market chairs this year. Your parish needs your help! Please contact the parish office or Fr. Ric at , Ext. 3 or 4, if you might be interested. Naturally, in addition to the various chairpersons we will need many volunteers to help in sorting, arranging and pricing the items as well as working the floor and being cashiers. Volunteers to help in the kitchen making and serving the food as well as volunteers to help sell tricky tray tickets are always needed too. Saturday, May 18, may seem like a long way off, but as that rodent from western Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil, has recently reminded us, we are in for an early spring. The Spring Fling is only 98 days (14 weeks or 3 months and 9 days) away. We need to begin our planning NOW! Please consider what you can do for your parish, encourage friends and family to form a committee or to be co-chairs. May this parish tradition be another success in our parish this year. God Bless You, Father Ric The PASTOR S PAGE

5 MEMORIALS AVAILABLE CONFIRMATION LITURGICAL BOOK A liturgical book used during the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in Saint John Bosco Parish has been ordered and will be used for the first time on Pentecost Sunday, June 9, If you would like to donate this permanent Liturgical Book IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE, for a SPECIAL INTENTION or IN THANKSGIVING FOR BLESSINGS RECEIVED, please contact the parish office at , Ext. 3. The intention and donor will be permanently listed in the book and will also be announced in the bulletin on Pentecost weekend, June 8-9, Donation: $50. ALSO AVAILABLE: The following memorials may be donated IN MEMORY OF LOVED ONES, FOR A SPECIAL INTENTION OR IN THANKSGIVING FOR BLESSINGS RECEIVED. Your intention and donor would be listed in the Easter bulletin unless directed otherwise. Call the Parish office at (570) , Ext. 3, if interested. PALM TREES - Palm trees will be placed in the Sanctuary on Palm Sunday and will also be used for the Holy Thursday Eucharistic Chapel and in the Sanctuary and Church on Easter and throughout the Easter Season. Donation: $50 each. 10 needed. PEACE LILIES - Peace lilies will be placed in the Sanctuary for Easter and used throughout the Easter Season. Donation: $50 each. 8 needed. YELLOW ROSE BOUQUETS FOR HOLY THURSDAY - Two large yellow rose bouquets; donation: $75 each. They will be placed in the Sanctuary on Holy Thursday for the Mass of the Lord's Supper and then placed in the Eucharistic Chapel after Mass through Adoration. They will be used in the Sanctuary for Easter. EASTER SANCTUARY CANDLES - $75 each. Four candles are available. This is a 2 x 17 Altar Candle which will be in the Sanctuary and lit at all daily, weekend and Holy Day Masses, as well as funerals, weddings, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, etc., celebrated during the Easter Season, Holy Saturday, April 20 through Pentecost Sunday, June 9, and will match the design of the new 2019 Easter (Paschal) Candle. HOLY BREAD - Blessed and given out after the Holy Thursday Mass to all in attendance. FLORAL BOUQUET IN FRONT OF MAIN ALTAR FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Purple and Pink - Laetare Sunday. Donation: $75 RED FLORAL BOUQUETS FOR PALM/PASSION SUNDAY 1 Large Bouquet at $75 1 Regular bouquet at $50 LOST AND FOUND A few weeks ago someone left a charger and a pair of women s gloves in church. If they belong to you and you can identify them, please contact the parish office, , Ext. 3. ATTENTION: GIFT BEARERS AT MASS IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL THE MASS COORDINATOR OR DEACON THAT YOU WILL TAKE UP THE GIFTS 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO MASS. WE DO NOT KNOW EVERY MASS DONOR. IF WE DON T HEAR FROM YOU ANOTHER FAMILY WILL BE CHOSEN. YOU UNDERSTANDING IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!

6 FEBRUARY Monday Thursday Monday WORLD MARRIAGE DAY February 10, 2019 February 11 World Day of the Sick (Feast: Our Lady of Lourdes) February 14 St. Valentine Day February 18 President s Day MEN S GLOVES AND WOMEN S SOCKS NEEDED During the winter we have been collecting and giving away hats, scarfs, socks and gloves to those who come to the monthly hot luncheon that our parish provides at the Salvation Army in Hazleton. These clothing items are deeply appreciated. At the present time we are in need of gently used or new men s gloves and new women s socks. They may be placed in the box in the church vestibule or taken to the parish office (during the week) or the sacristy (on weekends). Our next luncheon for the homeless and those in need will be on Wednesday, February 20. With the recent severe cold weather these items come in very handy. Your generosity is appreciated Tax Statement Request NAME: ENVELOPE #: ADDRESS: PHONE: Clip and bring to the parish office or to stjb@ptd.net and we ll send your statement! World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. Consider planning a special date night with your spouse to celebrate this special day; it falls conveniently close to the Feast of St. Valentine! For other ideas about how to celebrate, contact Jennifer Housel, Office for Parish Life, Director for Community and Family Development, or jhousel@dioceseofscranton.org. Quote from Pope Francis: "And I want to repeat these three words: please, thank you, sorry. Three essential words! We say please so as not to be forceful in family life: May I please do this? Would you be happy if I did this? We do this with a language that seeks agreement. We say thank you, thank you for love! But be honest with me, how many times do you say thank you to your wife, and you to your husband? How many days go by without uttering this word, thanks! And the last word: sorry. We all make mistakes and on occasion someone gets offended in the marriage, in the family, and sometimes I say plates are smashed, harsh words are spoken but please listen to my advice: don t ever let the sun set without reconciling. Peace is made each day in the family: Please forgive me, and then you start over. Please, thank you, sorry! Shall we say them together? [The audience replies, Yes. ] Please, thank you and sorry. Let us say these words in our families! To forgive one another each day!" D A I LY R E A D I N G S Sunday Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11; Lk 5:1-11 Monday Gn 1:1-19; Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday Gn 1:20 2:4a; Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Mk 7:14-23 Thursday Gn 2:18-25; Mk 7:24-30 Friday Gn 3:1-8; Mk 7:31-37 Saturday Gn 3:9-24; Mk 8:1-10 RCIA TEAM CALENDAR Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Joseph Molitoris Date of Session: February 10, 2019 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Presenter: Frank, Sandy Topic: Morality Celebration of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:30 PM, Saint Peter's Cathedral, Scranton. All Team Members, our RCIA Candidate and Sponsor are expected to be present. Team and Candidate are invited to ask family or close friends to join them. Details on the time of arrival will be given to everyone. ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, Our Lady of Fatima Council 8613 Bulletin Advertisers Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!