Saint Wendelin. Roman Catholic Parish. Sunday, August 6, 2017 The Transfiguration of the Lord. The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Transcription

1 Saint Wendelin Roman Catholic Parish Sunday, August 6, 2017 The Transfiguration of the Lord The Transfiguration of Our Lord

2 Thoughts and Words from The Vatican... The following excerpt is from: august_06,_2017/ The primary purpose of Jesus Transfiguration was to consult his Heavenly Father in order to ascertain His plan for Our Lord s suffering, death and Resurrection. The secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of His Divine glory, so that they might discard their worldly ambitions about a conquering political Messiah. A third purpose was to strengthen their Faith and hope and to encourage them to persevere through the future ordeal. The Transfiguration took place in late summer, probably in AD 29, just prior to the Feast of Tabernacles. Hence, the Orthodox tradition celebrates the Transfiguration at about the time of the year when it actually occurred in order to connect it with the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles. Western tradition celebrates the Transfiguration twice, first at the beginning of Lent with the Gospel account and second on August 6 with a full feast day liturgy. The location of the Transfiguration was probably Mount Hermon in North Galilee, near Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus had camped for a week before the Transfiguration. The 9200-foot mountain was desolate. The traditional oriental belief that the transfiguration took place on Mount Tabor is based on Psalm 89:12. But Mount Tabor is a hill in the south of Galilee, less than 1000 feet high with a Roman fort on top of it, an unlikely place for solitude and prayer. The scene of Heavenly glory: The disciples received a preview of the glorious figure Jesus would become at Easter and beyond. While praying, Jesus was transfigured into a shining figure, full of Heavenly glory. This reminds us of Moses and Elijah who also experienced the Lord in all His glory. Moses had met the Lord in the burning bush at Mount Horeb. After his later encounter with God, Moses face shone so brightly that it frightened the people, and Moses had to wear a veil over his face. The luminosity of the face of Moses is also meant to signal the invasion of God. The Jews believed that Moses was taken up in a cloud at end of his earthly life. Elijah had traveled for forty days to Mt. Horeb on the strength of the food brought by an angel. At Mt. Horeb, Elijah sought refuge in a cave as the glory of the Lord passed over him. Finally, Elijah was taken directly to Heaven in a chariot of fire without experiencing death. In addition, Moses led his people out of slavery in Egypt, received the Torah on Mount Sinai and brought God s people to the edge of the Promised Land. Elijah, the great prophet in northern Israel during the ninth century B.C., performed healings and other miracles and stood up to Israel s external enemies and the wicked within Israel. Their presence in Matthew s transfiguration account emphasizes Jesus continuity with the Law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) in salvation history. These representatives of the Law and the Prophets, foreshadowed Jesus who is the culmination of the Law and the Prophets. Both prophets were initially rejected by the people but were vindicated by God. The Jews believed that these men did not die because God Himself took Moses, and Elijah was carried to heaven in a whirlwind. So the implication is that although God spared Moses and Elijah from the normal process of death, He did not spare His Son. The Transubstantiation in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength. At the shortage of wine during the wedding of Cana, Jesus hanged water into wine. A substance became another substance. In each Holy Mass our offering of bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine. Hence, just as Jesus Transfiguration strengthened the Apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against our own temptations and our source for the renewal of our lives during Lent. In addition, communion with Jesus in prayer and in the Eucharist, should be a source of daily transformation of both our minds and hearts. We must also be transformed by becoming more humble and selfless, sharing love, compassion and forgiveness with others. But in our everyday lives, we often fail to recognize Jesus when he appears to us transfigured, hidden in someone who is in some kind of need. Jesus will be happy when we attend to the needs of that person. With the eyes of Faith, we must see Jesus in every one of our brothers and sisters, the children of God we come across each day and, by His grace, respond to Him with love and service. Page 2 St. Wendelin and Parishes Assumption Mass Schedule St. Wendelin Monday, August 14, 7:00pm Tuesday, August 15, 9:00am Tuesday, August 15, 7:00pm Lectors, Ministers, Servers needed for all Masses. Monday: Nm 11:4b-15; Ps 81:12-17; Mt 14:13-21 Tuesday: Nm 12:1-13; Ps 51:3-7, 12-13; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, Wednesday: Nm 13:1-2, :1, 26-29a, 34-35; Ps 106:6-7ab, 13-14, 21-23; Mt 15:21-28 Thursday: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2, 5-9; Jn 12:24-26 Friday: Dt 4:32-40; Ps 77:12-16, 21; Mt 16:24-28 Saturday: Dt 6:4-13; Ps 18:2-4, 47, 51; Mt 17:14-20 Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; Ps 85:9-14; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33 Confession - Saturdays St. Wendelin - 11:30am-Noon - 3:15-3:45pm Baptism Pre-Birth/Pre-Baptism Class required To register, call either office. Next class: SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 10:00am at St. Wendelin Church Marriage Six months notice August 6, 2017

3 Saturday, August 5 - Vigil 4:00pm George & Dorothy Kerr (The Kerr Family) Sunday, August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord 8:45am Paul Furey, Sr. (Dan & Joyce Mennor) Monday, August 7 7:30am Charles E. Rodgers (Tom Geibel) Thursday, August 10 7:30am Earl Christy (The Birch Family) Saturday, August 12 - Vigil 4:00pm For the Parishioners of Parish Sunday, August 13 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:45am Frank & June Horstman (Cheryl, Shirley, Susan, & Deb) St. Wendelin Saturday, August 5 - Vigil 6:00pm Carol Mitch (Family) Sunday, August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord 7:00am For the Parishioners of St. Wendelin Parish 10:30am Paul Hesidence (Diana) Wednesday, August 9 10:15am Carol Mitch (Paul & Mary Miller) Friday, August 11 7:30am Fred Collins (Mr. & Mrs. Dan Neff) Saturday, August 12 - Vigil 6:00pm Jeff Neigh (Family) Sunday, August 13 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:00am Wesley Zablocki (Ted, Nikki & Zoe Zablocki) 10:30am Bob Mitch (Children of John & Barb Green) Second Collections This Week - PSP/EMR St. Wendelin - Adopt A Child Saturday, August 5 Confessions...3:15-3:45pm. Vigil Mass... 4:00pm Sunday, August 6 Mass... 8:45am Picnic T-shirt & Hat Orders Due Monday, August 7 Mass... 7:30am Thursday, August 10 Mass... 7:30am Senior Fellowship... 1:00pm At St. Wendelin Church Saturday, August 12 Confessions...3:15-3:45pm. Vigil Mass... 4:00pm Sunday, August 13 Mass... 8:45am By Mary Elizabeth Sperry, Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible/usccb The Bible is all around us. People hear Scripture readings in church. We have Good Samaritan (Luke 10) laws, welcome home the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), and look for the Promised Land (Exodus 3, Hebrews 11). Some biblical passages have become popular maxims, such as Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12), Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15), and love thy neighbor (Matthew 22:39). Today s Catholic is called to take an intelligent, spiritual approach to the bible. Listed here are ten points for fruitful Scripture reading. Bible reading is for Catholics The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to in himself. Prayer is the beginning and the end Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people. Get the whole story! When selecting a Bible, look for a Catholic St. Wendelin Saturday, August 5 Confessions... 11:30am-Noon. Vigil Mass... 6:00pm Sunday, August 6 Mass...7:00am & 10:30am Monday, August 7 AA Meeting... 8:00pm Wednesday, August 9 Mass... 10:15am Thursday, August 10 Senior Fellowship... 1:00pm Friday, August 11 Mass... 7:30am Saturday, August 12 Confessions... 11:30am-Noon. Vigil Mass... 6:00pm Sunday, August 13 Mass...7:00am & 10:30am SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR BIBLE edition. A Catholic edition will include the Church s complete list of sacred books along with introductions and notes for understanding the text. A Catholic edition will have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. An imprimatur indicates that the book is free of errors in Catholic doctrine. The Bible isn t a book It s a library. The Bible is a collection of 73 books written over the course of many centuries. The books include royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith communities, and believers accounts of the preaching and passion of Jesus. Knowing the genre of the book you are reading will help you Continued on page 4 under Bible Notes The Transfiguration of the Lord Page 3

4 BIBLE NOTES from page 3 understand the literary tools the author is using and the meaning the author is trying to convey. Know what the Bible is and what it isn t The Bible is the story of God s relationship with the people he has called to himself. It is not intended to be read as history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation. The sum is greater than the parts Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after even in other books helps us to understand the true meaning of the text before us. The Old relates to the New The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God s plan for human beings. You do not read alone By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God s Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful. What is God saying to me? The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me? Reading isn t enough If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be living and effective. (Hebrews 4:12). Remember to RSVP Final plans are being made for our Parish Picnic, on Sunday, August 27, noon to 5:00pm at Happy Hunters. This day will be filled with fun, laughter, good food, and fellowship. Please remember to RSVP your family on the sheet located in the entrance of the church. Don t miss it! Final Planning Meeting Final planning meeting will be held at Yonosko s home, 487 Clearfield Road, on Wednesday, August 16 at 7:00pm. It s not too late to join us and add your comments and suggestions. All are welcome. Questions? call Committee Chair Notes All committee chairs are asked to come to the final planning meeting prepared to share your status. Don t forget to keep receipts for expenses so you can be reimbursed. It s been a pleasure to work with so many talented and giving parishioners to make this day the best it can be. Coloring Contest As part of the Parish Picnic, a coloring contest of is being held. Copies of the coloring form are available in the church entry way. Please return the completed picture to the marked box or bring the day of the festival. *****T-Shirt/Hat Orders are DUE TODAY***** Orders are due BY TODAY, Sunday, August 6. Contact Shirley Snyder at for more information. Sunday, August 27 Noon-5:00pm at Happy Hunters Lunch begins at 12:30pm, with providing BBQ chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob, cake, and beverages. Families are asked to bring a side dish to share. RSVP on the list in the back of church! Over the next several weeks, information, such as pre-orders for soup, apple dumplings, etc. and volunteer sign-up sheets, will be available as inserts or in pew flyers. Please complete the information and submit by the due date. All help is greatly appreciated. Fall Festival is Saturday, September 30 Prayer Request Hotline Contact Rose Chuba, Prayer Chain Coordinator, at and leave a short message with the reason for the prayer request. SAFE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE FOR VOLUNTEERS In September, the diocese will audit parishes to ensure their safe environment paperwork for volunteers is accurate and up-to-date. If you receive paperwork in the mail from, please complete and return ASAP to the parish office to ensure our files are current. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! Offertory July 29 & 30 Sunday Offertory... $2, Weekly Goal... $2, Parish Share Goal... $26, Parish Share Payments to Date... $17, Parish Share Pledge Amounts... $3, Percentage of Goal... 79% THANK YOU for your generosity to parish ministries! LECTORS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS ALTAR SERVERS Weekend Masses on August 12 & 13 and Assumption Mass on Tuesday, August 15 Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 8:45am Assumption Evening Tuesday, August 15, 7:00pm Denise Drosjack Sandra Harrison Pat Rodgers Linda Birch Bill Katsko Yolanda Cypher Dixie Mennor Maxwell Drosjack Paige Burke Flint Watson Tabitha Burke Page 4 St. Wendelin and Parishes August 6, 2017

5 This Week: SAINTS & SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Transfiguration of the Lord Monday: Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time; St. Sixtus II and Companions; St. Cajetan Tuesday: St. Dominic Wednesday: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Thursday: St. Lawrence Friday: St. Clare Saturday: St. Jane Frances de Chantal; Blessed Virgin Mary St. Wendelin Offertory July 29 & 30 Sunday Offertory at Mass... $4, Sunday Offertory Online... $ Total Offertory... $4, Weekly Goal... $4, Project Fund... $10.00 Parish Share at Mass... $ Parish Share Online...$50.00 Parish Share 2017 Assessment... $40, Parish Share to Date... $14, THANK YOU for your generosity to parish ministries! THIS WEEK S FEATURED ADVERTISER BEV TAYLOR S Catering Please support and thank our advertisers! LECTORS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS ALTAR SERVERS PINK, YELLOW, OR It doesn t matter which color you choose to help promote the parish picnic - just as long as you DO pick a color! Parishioners are asked to take a pink poster or two and some yellow and white yard signs and place them in strategic spots around the Butler area. Items are in the vestibule. THANKS! Saturday 6:00pm Cathy Rodgers Danielle Penrod Monica Perry Ruth Ann Nebel Nicholas Penrod Megan Penrod Maura Penrod Sunday 7:00am Bruce Beaver Lisa Putney Greg Putney John Stepansky Tanner Schaffner Parish Picnic is August 20 Remember to SIGN UP TO WORK picnic day, and there are many tasks the week before. Call the Parish Office Chinese Auction Baskets Last call for completed baskets is this week Cakes and Pies Please turn in your envelope indicating how many baked desserts you can donate. Pies are most popular and there is no such thing as too much chocolate! Veggies! Veggies! Veggies! Need: A LOT OF green beans, cabbage, beets, cukes, and tomatoes, and a few pounds of celery, carrots, and peppers. If you can donate produce, call Gina at Family Picnic Envelopes Family Parish Picnic envelopes have been mailed. They include raffle tickets that you can buy or sell, and a monetary donation envelope. Please watch your mail for arrival and return your envelope as soon as possible. B-5, I-23, N-33, G-48, O-67 A B-I-N-G-O chairperson is needed. Please call the parish office if you can read the heading on this notice! And call the parish office even if you can t read the heading and are able to volunteer on picnic day with B-I-N-G-O. Volunteers are needed to count offertory. Contact Nicole at parish@stwendelinbutler.org. Weekend Masses on August 12 & 13 and Assumption Masses on Monday & Tuesday, August 14 & 15 Sunday 10:30am Jill Geibel Nikki Coyle Patty Sanderson Dick Sanderson Montana Geibel Skylar Geibel Logan Huf Assumption Vigil Monday, August 14, 7:00pm Assumption Morning Tuesday, August 15, 9:00am The Transfiguration of the Lord Page 5

6 This week s St. Wendelin School Student of the Week is: AUSTIN WEAKLAND Austin s favorite subject in school is Social Studies. He enjoys learning about the history of different societies and how our world has evolved. He is a positive student and is able to get along with everyone. He is a member of the North Catholic Ironmen football team. He plays tight-end and defensive end. Congratulations to this week s Saint Wendelin School Student of the Week, Austin Weakland! School & Religious Education News CATHOLIC IDENTITY WEEKLY VIRTUE/VALUE This week s virtue is COURAGE Courage is the ability to face difficulties and overcome fear with faith. Scripture References ~ Deuteronomy 20:1 ~ When you go out to war against your enemies and you see horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord, your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, will be with you. ~ Daniel 10:19 ~ Do not fear, beloved. Peace! Take courage and be strong. When he spoke to me, I grew strong and said, Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me. ~ John 16:33 ~ I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world. PTG INITIATIVES TO AID FAMILIES AND SCHOOL St. Wendelin PTG is implementing new initiatives that will help meet the needs of the school and the PTG. One of the initiatives is prizes for donations to be collected at various times throughout the school year. Each donation will allow you to add your name into a drawing for a chance to win prizes. For example, if you offer two items, you will enter your name two times into the drawing for prizes. Please make sure your name is on the item(s) that you bring. The following donations are needed at the PTG Picnic Tent on the day of the picnic: 12 packs of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Mountain Dew, Root Beer, and Ginger Ale Cases of bottled water Cans of nacho cheese (Available at Sam s Club) Bottles of salad dressing (Ranch, Italian, French) Ketchup Mustard Salsa Relish 8 packs of hot dogs Gift cards to Walmart (to buy perishable foods when needed) ALSO NEEDED AND ELIGIBLE FOR DRAWINGS: BAKED GOODS for our BAKE SALE at the picnic. Please drop off donations at the PTG tent on Sunday, August 20. LARGE PRIZES for our FAIR PLAY GAME. These prizes will be needed PRIOR TO Picnic Day, August 20. They can be dropped off at the school by Thursday, August 10. Please include your name on the prize so it can be added to the drawing. and St. Wendelin CCD Programs are both accepting registrations through the month of August. Please turn in registration forms to YOUR office as soon as possible to ensure the correct number of books are ordered and plans can be made for class sizes. Both parishes offer K-8 CCD and offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Preschool Program. Questions? Laura at SJ or stjohnccd@zoominternet.net Gina at SW or drestwendelin@gmail.com Page 6 St. Wendelin and Parishes August 6, 2017

7 Our Neighbors in Faith ST. MARY S ANNUAL PICNIC St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Herman, holds its annual picnic TODAY, August 6, from 11:00am-9:00pm, with char-grilled chicken and ham dinners served from 11:00am-5:00pm. DIOCESAN CHOIR AUDITIONS Auditions for the Pittsburgh Diocesan Choir can be scheduled individually by calling Doris Anne in the Music Office at before Monday, August 21. The choir is under the direction of Fr. Jim Chepponis, Diocesan Music Director, and rehearsals are held at Capistran Church in Upper St. Clair. The choir sings for all major music events at St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland. There are openings for soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. In addition to being a good singer, members must be able to sight-read due to a limited rehearsal schedule and must be 18 years old. ROSARY MAKERS: TO JESUS THROUGH MARY The next meeting of St. Michael the Archangel Rosary Makers is Tuesday, August 8 at 6:30pm in the parish hall, 432 Center Avenue, Butler. The Rosary Makers have been making rosaries for nine years and all materials are supplied by the Rosary Makers. Questions? Contact Barb at or Rosemary at If you would like to join this fun, worthwhile organization, consider coming to a meeting. All are welcome. SEMINARIANS BENEFIT LUNCHEON The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Pittsburgh Committee, is sponsoring its 31st Annual Benefit Luncheon for the Seminarians of the Pittsburgh Diocese on Saturday, August 19 at St. Paul Seminary. Doors open at 10:00am and there will be a Chinese Auction, raffles, bake sale, and lunch served at noon. Donation is $30. Reservations required by Thursday, August 10 to Laraine McGinnis at or lam1719@verizon.net. EXTRA VEGGIES FOR SVDP FOOD CUPBOARD St. Vincent de Paul Food Cupboard, 146 N. Monroe St., asks all gardeners to donate extra vegetables to the food cupboard when harvested. Please help feed those who are in need, right here in Butler. Questions: call Lew at the Evangelist Parish Extraordinary Ministers needed at Butler Hospital If you are an EM in your parish and can minister at BMH, call Fr. Nick Argentieri, Hospital Chaplain, at St. Wendelin Parish Clearfield Road, Fenelton PA Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday - 9:00am-2:00pm St. Wendelin Road, Butler, PA Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 9:00am-Noon Staff Staff Father Matt McClain, Pastor Barbara Boltz - Office Manager and Safe Environment Coordinator stjohnchurch@zoominternet.net Laura Eakman - CCD Program Manager stjohnccd@zoominternet.net Steven Yealy - Music Director stevenyealy@gmail.com For Cemetery Inquiries at both and St. Wendelin, Contact North Regional Office, 2636 Ellwood Road, New Castle, PA 16101, or or cpca@cpca-pgh.org. The Transfiguration of the Lord Father Matt McClain, Pastor JoLynn Clouse - School Principal Dan Vernon - Business Manager Gina Beaver - CCD Director Steven Yealy - Music Director , X stwend@zoominternet.net danielrvernon@gmail.com , X112 drestwendelin@gmail.com stevenyealy@gmail.com Nicole Karenbauer - Office Manager and Safe Environment Coordinator , X111 parish@stwendelinbutler.org Page 7