The Sunday Good News THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. Feast Day of SAINT JOHN BOSCO January 31 Patron of The Youth, Catholic Schools, Education Editors

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1 The Sunday Good News The Church of Saint John Bosco January 28, 2018 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly Feast Day of SAINT JOHN BOSCO January 31 Patron of The Youth, Catholic Schools, Education Editors O glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mold them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst set up a proper religious institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen. St. John Bosco Born August 16, 1815 Died January 31, 1888 Canonized April 1, 1934 Founder of the Salesians The Father and Teacher of Youth And the Lord said to me: This was well said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among your kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it....all were amazed and asked one another, What is this? A new teaching with authority. Maybe we are not accustomed to read the book of Deuteronomy, but we find Moses, the prophet the spokesperson for God, who requested others to speak and the assembly to listen. As we read the Old Testament, we meet many others who responded to God's call, sometimes reluctantly, to speak in His behalf. Can you name some? Prophetic voices continue to be heard today, as God calls leaders to teach and guide us. There are the well known teachers as the Holy Father, and our local bishops, assuming the role of teacher. There are others who through baptism assume the role of catechists and teachers of the faith. But there are countless others too who speak through their actions, bringing the mercy and message of the Lord to others. As we begin this New Year may we open our ears to hear the message, our hearts to carry it out, and discover ways the Lord wishes to use us to do His ministry. THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD STJB Book Club Sunday, January 28, 12:30 PM, Mayme s Café Parish Finance Advisory Council Tuesday, January 30, 6:30 PM Confirmation Retreat... Saturday, February 3, 9 AM to 4 PM;... Mass at 4 PM with families GREY DOG Drawing... February 4 after 11:30 Mass Spiritual Reading: MIRACLE... Saturday, February 10,...9:15 to 11 AM, Room 3 Confirmation Class... Sunday, February 18, 6-7:30 PM Liturgy Committee Meeting... Wed., Feb. 28, 6:30-8:30 PM... Multi-Purpose Room, (Snow Date: Wednesday, March 7) Parish Council... Thursday, March 1, 6:30-8:30 PM First Communion Retreat.. Saturday, March 10, 8 AM to 12 Noon Usher Meetings... After 4 PM Mass, March After 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11:30 AM Masses, March 11 Living Stations of the Cross... Friday, March 23, 7:00 PM XLT! (Exalt!)... Friday, April 27

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS 1,115 families receive envelopes. 433 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of Jan. 20/21 Total Sunday Mass Attendance: 965 Total Sunday Offering: $7, Thank you for your generosity! CARE AND EDUCATION OF PRIESTS SECOND COLLECTION The 2nd collection next weekend, February 3/4, is for the Care and Education of Priests. Thank you for your generosity to this monthly diocesan collection. ISLI FEBRUARY 2018 A faith and leadership retreat for High School Students February 16-18, 2018 Camp Ladore, Waymart, PA Theme: Faith Unsinkable Register online at dioceseofscranton.org or call Faith Formation Corner The Sunday Good News All Confirmation students will attend a day of retreat here at St. John Bosco on Saturday, February 3, beginning at 9:00 AM, and concluding after the 4:00 Mass. Adult volunteers are needed to help with various activities throughout the day, including assisting with small group sessions, serving/cleaning up lunch, and taking groups of students to the church for confession. Please contact the Faith Formation office if you are interested in assisting in any way. Our retreat day is always a fun and faith-filled day. Please continue to keep our Confirmation students and their families in your prayers. Our February Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, February 18, from 6:00-7:30 PM. All students must attend. Our 2nd Level students and their families will share a day of retreat on Saturday, March 10 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. All students and at least one parent must attend. Please continue to keep our 2nd Level students, their families, and their teachers in your prayers. Our Families in Faith parent group is planning a Bake Sale for the weekend of February 10 and 11 after all Masses. Proceeds will benefit the Missionary Childhood Association and the Gennaro Family. We are looking for families to bake and also to work at the Bake Sale itself. Please contact the Faith Formation office or see Lisa Seiwell if you would like to help in any way. CATCH OUR SPIRIT... CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK January 28 February 3 Celebrate Catholic Schools Week by attending one of our Catholic School Open Houses! You are invited to come experience our communities of faith and academic excellence. From Pre-kindergarten through 12 th grade, our students live their faith, challenge their minds, serve their communities, and build lifelong friendships. For specifics about the Open Houses or for more information about our Diocesan Catholic Schools, including tuition assistance opportunities, please visit CatholicSchools. OPEN HOUSE AT MARIAN Marian Catholic High School is excited to host an open house on Sunday, January 28 at 12 PM. Please join us to learn more about the world-class education and experience that Marian has to offer. jcarlucci@mariancatholichs.org or call (570) with any questions. HOLY REDEEMER REGISTRATION Register for the school year at Holy Redeemer High School. Appointments for class scheduling are available February 8, 12 and 13 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Call today for an appointment or to arrange for a day to shadow a student. Guidance Department: (570) CALLING ALL 8 TH GRADE AND HS STUDENTS! Interested in being a part of this year s Living Stations of the Cross? Living Stations will be presented on Friday, March 23 rd at 7 pm. To participate, you must be available for rehearsals on the following dates: Sunday, February 25: 6-8pm Sunday, March 4: 6-8 pm Sunday, March 11: 6-8pm Sunday, March 18: 3:30-5:30pm Tuesday, March 20: 6-8pm Thursday, March 22: 6-9pm Sign up in the Faith Formation office by Sunday, February 11. Questions? Call Mrs. Myers ( ) or Mrs. Ashton ( ).

3 The Sunday Good News PAGE 3 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Update as of January 22, 2018 Thank You! 2017 GOAL:... $59, TOTAL RAISED:... $66, OVER GOAL:... $7, PARTICIPANTS: % OF REGISTERED PARISHIONERS 416 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES OUT OF 1,135 PAID PLEDGES:... $61, OUTSTANDING PLEDGES... $5, Your support of our Diocese and Parish is deeply appreciated! PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 CANTICLE OF SIMEON Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel. Lord, now let your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. CANDLES will be blessed on the Feast of the Presentation, Friday, February 2, before the 8 AM Mass. They will be available in the vestibule next weekend. Offering: $3 per box (set 2 candles). FIRST FRIDAY Friday, February 2, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, is the First Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated as usual at 8:00 AM. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held following Mass for those who desire quiet time for prayer and contemplation. The Traditional Blessing of Throats will be held for those who desire this Sacramental next weekend, February 3-4, following all Masses. COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... Holy Family Academy Night at the Races - Saturday, February 3. Doors Open at 6 PM; Races begin at 7 PM. $12/person or $20/couple. Food and beverage included. Ticket orders due by January 26. SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish Super Bowl Saturday Food Sale - Pick up Saturday, February 3, Noon to 3 PM, St. Joseph Church basement, Hazleton. See bulletin board for details. Catholic Social Services Night at the Races - rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 10, Queen of Heaven Parish (Our Lady of Grace). Doors open 6:15; post time 7:00 PM. Tickets $10; $15 at door, includes buffet/soft drinks, BYOB. Purchase a horse for $10. Call Catholic Social Services at (570) Holy Name of Jesus Parish Used Book Sale - Books, CD s, cassettes accepted for book sale in March/April. Drop off bins at side entrance of former school, Monday Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM. For more information, call Bernie Antolick, (570) GREY DOG TICKETS still available. Get yours today!!! WE REMEMBER Saturday, 4:00 PM January 27 Jeffrey Kuchar By Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Kapes, Sr. Sunday, 7:30 AM January 28 Living & Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Sunday, 9:00 AM January 28 John R. Rock, III By Rosemary Haentjens & Children Sunday, 11:30 AM January 28 Edward Zaboski, Jr. By Mary Beth Tedesco Family Monday, 8:00 AM Frances Potkey By Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Berta January 29 Tuesday, 8:00 AM Agnes Lynn By Samoyedny Family January 30 Wednesday, 8:00 AM Amelia Pecora By Family January 31 Thursday, 8:00 AM James Hunt By Bob Nemeth February 1 Friday, 8:00 AM February 2 Geraldine & Joseph Zielinski By James, Cecilia & Joann Zielinski Saturday, 4:00 PM February 3 James Ray Dawkins By Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ganc Family Sunday, 7:30 AM February 4 Theresa Fadule By Andrea & Jeff Fendrick Sunday, 9:00 AM February 4 Helen Marchetti By Family Sunday, 11:30 AM February 4 Living & Deceased Members of St. John Bosco The ALTAR FLOWERS this weekend are in memory of JEFF KUCHAR given by Wife & Family. The TABERNACLE CANDLE burns this week in memory of the Parents of Elaine & Tom Zarosky.

4 PAGE 4 The Sunday Good News Dear Parishioners, What are the purposes for which the Mass is offered? Reflections from the Deacon s Diary First, to adore God as our Creator and Lord. Second, to thank God for His many favors. Third, to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men. Fourth, to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him. At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have heard devoutly will be your greatest consolation. Every Mass will go with you to Judgment and will plead for pardon for you. By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due to your sins, more or less, according to your fervor. By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.... Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ supplies for many of your negligences and omissions. He forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid. He forgives you all your unknown sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished. By piously hearing Holy Mass you afford the Souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief. Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass. Through the Holy Mass you are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs. When you hear Holy Mass devoutly, offering it to Almighty God in honor of any particular Saint or Angel, thanking God for the favors bestowed on him, etc., you afford that Saint or Angel a new degree of honor, joy and happiness, and draw his special love and protection on yourself. Every time you assist at Holy Mass, besides other intentions, you should offer it in honor of the Saint of the day. Why is the Holy Mass so Powerful? In holy Mass, in obedience to Christ's command, "Do this in remembrance of me," we of the Church offer perfect praise to the heavenly Father, and sanctify ourselves and the world by the power that flows from the priestly office of our eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ. The benefits of even one holy Mass are infinite and include the whole world. The blood of the new and everlasting covenant was "shed for you and for many." In every Mass that is offered the Church remembers before God "those who take part in this offering, those here present and all your people, and all who seek you with a sincere heart." In a special way those who have holy Mass offered and those for whom a Mass is offered partake of the grace of the Eucharistic sacrifice. The Church which offers Mass each day includes not only the faithful on earth, but the saints in heaven, as well as the suffering souls still awaiting entrance into heaven. It is a pious and praiseworthy custom for the faithful to have Masses offered for their particular intentions, and especially for departed friends and loved ones. It is a laudable Catholic practice when requesting Mass for a special intention to make an offering both for the support of the priest who will celebrate the Mass and to provide for the needs of the altar as well as the materials required for the holy Sacrifice. It is very sad that so many non-catholic Christians consider the Mass to be an abomination. It is just the opposite. It is the one-time sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross recreated, through time and space, in an unbloody fashion, just like Jesus did during the Last Supper. St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest, said "If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass." Yours in Christ Jesus, Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr. The hosts for the TRAVELING CHALICE for January 28 - February 4 are John and Pam Synoski. HOSPITALITY MINISTRY: Please join us to continue to help cultivate a more welcoming atmosphere in the faith community of Saint John Bosco Parish. Become a member of our Hospitality Committee. It doesn t involve any meetings just a smile and welcoming attitude to greet parishioners and guests arriving for Mass. You would be assigned to the Mass that you usually attend. It is an easy but important ministry in our parish, and the time commitment is very minimal. Men, women, and young people accompanied by adults, are welcome to be part of this ministry. Become a welcoming face at our parish by contacting Marie and Phil Guza, (570) , or the parish office, (570) , ext. 3.

5 ST. JOHN BOSCO HANDBELL CHOIR St. John Bosco Handbell Choir will participate in the following Masses: January 28, 11:30 AM February 11, 9:00 AM March 11, 11:30 AM April 1, 9:00 AM (Easter Sunday) GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS We extend our prayerful congratulations and best wishes to LEE AND JO ROBBINS who are celebrating their 50th (Golden) Wedding Anniversary. They will receive a blessing at the 9:00 Mass this Sunday, January 28. May the Lord continue to bless your union and grant you many holy and happy years together! LENT 2018 LENT BEGINS THIS YEAR ON ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 I have been working, along with our staff and churches in the area, since the end of the Christmas Season, on all the Lenten details in an effort to coordinate and enrich the upcoming spiritual journey. Keep all of this in your prayer. Also, I have prepared a Lenten Message and a detailed schedule of parish, regional and ecumenical Lenten activities for your convenience. It will be published as an insert in the February Parish Bulletin and will be placed on our parish web page. Keep it in a handy place for easy reference between Ash Wednesday, February 14, and Easter Sunday, April 1, Please avoid contacting the parish office for Mass and Station of the Cross times, or for the schedule for the distribution of Blessed Ashes. All of this information is clearly included in your bulletin insert and on the Parish web page. Your understanding is deeply appreciated. MINISTERS OF COMMUNION, LECTORS AND ALTAR SERVERS Volunteers are needed to serve at Ash Wednesday Masses on February 14. Mass times are 8:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, 5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. Please sign up in the sacristy as soon as possible. LENTEN FAITH SHARING Two of our former ARISE groups have renamed themselves and are meeting weekly during Lent. One Small Voice will meet on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 PM and Come Follow Me will meet on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. Both groups will meet in Classroom 3. The groups will read and discuss Mark s Gospel: The Whole Story by Joan Mitchell, C.S.J. If you wish to participate, contact Brenda Pecora ( ; pecoraclan@yahoo.com) for the Wednesday group or Cindy Waschko ( ; cindywaschko@gmail.com) for the Thursday group by February 4 so that the book can be ordered in time for the sessions. The cost of the book is $10. Everyone is welcome. CLOTHING SHED ON OUR PARISH CAMPUS: St. John Bosco Church hosts a St. Pauly Textile, Inc. "Clothing Drop Off Shed" located on our property. In 2017 alone, 42,438 garments of clothing were donated at this shed on our parish campus. This was enough to clothe an estimated 5,144 people. This clothing is being used right now by people in one of 44 different countries (including the United States) to which this clothing was distributed this past year. This shed is well used and it focuses on diverting unsaleable clothing and textiles from landfills and sending them to people who can use them. It is a win-win situation! Not only does your gently used clothing fulfill a corporal work of mercy, Clothe the naked, but we also raised $2, through hosting this shed that was used for our parish ministries. These proceeds have helped to defray some of the cost of youth retreats (ISLI, Up & Over, etc.), our annual Vacation Bible School, and was also used to provide assistance to needy families in our area. Your generosity and efforts have had a fourfold blessing - for you, our parish, the people who receive these needed items as well as our environment. We encourage you to continue to drop off items that are requested and to invite friends, relatives and neighbors to participate too. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON THE SHED AS UNACCEPTABLE. DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS OUTSIDE THE SHED OR ITEMS THAT ARE TORN, DAMAGED OR DIRTY. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The weekly offerings for the year 2017 are in the process of being completed. If you have requested your financial statement, and if you have an address, your statement for the year 2017 will be sent via . All others will be sent through the postal system. Wednesday, January 31, is the feast of our Parish Patron, St. John Bosco. Following the 8 AM Mass we will have a little social in one of the classrooms. We invite all of our parishioners and friends to join us for some breakfast refreshments at that time. NEW PARISHIONERS Saint John Bosco Parish extends a warm welcome to our newest Parishioners: JARED M. O DONNELL and TIFFANY M. FARRAN 2017 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!

6 MEMORIALS AVAILABLE FLOWER, ALTAR CANDLE and SANCTUARY LIGHT reservations for 2018 are ready for your intentions. We have many dates available for the entire year. Call the Parish office at (570) , ext. 3, to reserve the date that you desire. The intention and donor will be listed in the bulletin unless requested otherwise. Flowers may be placed in the Sanctuary or before the Shrines of St. Mary, St. Joseph or St. John Bosco. Flowers or candles may be donated IN MEMORY OF LOVED ONES, FOR A SPECIAL INTENTION OR IN THANKSGIVING FOR BLESSINGS RECEIVED. FLOWER BOUQUETS are $50. AVAILABLE DATES: March 10-11, March 24-25; all weekends of April and May, except May 12-13, and every week of June except June are also available. You may order and pay for your bouquet directly with your florist or call the office and we will order them for you. 14-DAY SANCTUARY CANDLES are $20 (for 2 weeks) Open dates are April 22 and June 3. ALTAR CANDLES are $10 each. All weekends are open through June. Candles are lit for all weekend and daily Masses and for funerals and weddings. Two (2) per weekend are available. PALM CROSSES - We will distribute blessed palm crosses to the parishioners on "Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord" weekend, March Any additional crosses will be presented to those residents visited by our special ministers of Holy Communion at our local nursing homes and assisted living facilities and at the Salvation Army Luncheon that we will host on Wednesday, March 21. The cost for these handmade palm crosses is $325. We are in need of three individuals/families to donate $100 each to defray the cost. Your intention and donor would be listed in the Easter Bulletin unless directed otherwise. Call the parish office at , Ext 3. HOLY WATER BOTTLES - Each year, holy water is blessed as part of the Easter Vigil. It is used at each Mass for the Renewal of our Baptism Vows on Easter. We encourage all of our parishioners to take Holy Water home with them for use throughout the year. This year we would like to provide small a 4-ounce plastic holy water bottle (one per family) that can be filled with the Easter Water and used every time you need blessed water from the Baptismal Font or Holy Water container in the hallway. The one-time cost of these bottles is $500. We would need five (5) individuals and/or families to donate $100. Your intention and donor s name would be listed in our Easter Bulletin unless directed otherwise. These bottles may then be used every year by simply emptying the remaining water into the ground, taking them to church and refilling them with new blessed Easter Water. Call the parish office at , Ext 3. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY COLLECTION: Souper Bowl of Caring On Super Bowl Weekend, February 3-4, we will again have baskets at the doors of our Church to receive any donations that you wish to give towards DIVINE PROVIDENCE HOMELESS SHELTER. This is the Emergency Homeless Shelter of the Greater Hazleton Area. This is sponsored by Catholic Social Services and is supported by the Diocesan Annual Appeal as well as by the churches, business and civic organizations of the area. Given the snowy and frigid weather conditions of the past two months, this shelter has been well used. One of our Arise Groups has occasionally provided a hot meal for the shelter residents. In 2017 we collected $1, and in 2016 we collected $2, from your freewill offerings given for this work of mercy. Please prayerfully consider making an offering toward this important appeal again this year as you leave the Church after Mass. Corporal Works of Mercy - Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless. You may simply place a donation in the basket by the church doors or you may use a plain envelope, marked Super Bowl Collection and add your name and you will receive credit. D A I L Y R EA D I N G S Sunday Dt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28 Monday 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30, 16:5-13; Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3; Mk 5:21-43 Wednesday 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; Mk 6:7-13 First Friday Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32 First Saturday 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Mk 6:30-34 Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Scott Green RCIA TEAM CALENDAR Date of Session: February 18, 2018 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Topic: The Our Father ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to DON E. BOWER, INC. Bulletin Advertiser Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!