2000 O Block Road, Pittsburgh, Pa (Holiday Park - Plum Borough)

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1 2000 O Block Road, Pittsburgh, Pa (Holiday Park - Plum Borough) April 30, 2017 Third Sunday of Easter Parish Office: Website: Address:... church@ourladyofjoy.org Religious Education Office: Father Albert L. Zapf, Pastor Mr. Gregory Callaghan, Pastoral Associate St. Vincent Benedictine Monks, Sunday Assistance SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening:... 6:00 p.m. Sunday:... 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 Noon DAILY MASS SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday:... 8:30 a.m. Thursday:... 12:00 Noon PARISH RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Parish Office is closed on Tuesdays SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (CONFESSIONS) Saturday: 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, MATRIMONY OR ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office for appointment. New parishioners are asked to register by calling the parish office. Parish Mission Statement Our Lady of Joy Parish is a Catholic community of faith dedicated to Mary, the cause of our joy. We are centered in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist. We are a welcoming family, striving to see Christ in all and responding to the needs of the members of our parish and community. Called to act in faith, hope and love we seek to become a visible presence of Christ in the world.

2 Reflecting on God s Word Sometimes new worlds unexpectedly slip up over our horizon and catch us off guard. One morning we get up, stand at the foot of our bed, look out the window, and oh so briefly think how good it is to be alive; and for a moment we smile to ourselves before resuming the arranging of our day. Or we sit with a friend at a noonday lunch, telling stories and laughing over what our lives have been; and somewhere in the midst of it all we think to ourselves that what is happening right at this moment is worth all the struggles and tears of life. Or we sit by ourselves in the rare quiet of a house that is hardly ever so, and daydream, and think about what has gone on in this house over all the days and years, and realize that more than living has happened here, that love has, and maturing; and then the back door slams and our day returns to its tumultuous chaos. These are all moments of grace, moments when the shadows part if only briefly, and we see more clearly than we ever have before that it s the very presence of God in which we live and move. Then of course the moment disappears, and we d like to tell someone about it and maybe we try, but in the end our words fall short. After all, how does one find words to explain how for a brief while we walked life with God more consciously than ever before? I find myself wondering if that was part of what took place as Cleopas and his friend found themselves joined by a stranger on their journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus. How could they not know this stranger was Jesus? Maybe the grace of it was that through faith they came to recognize the Lord Jesus among them, and it didn t much matter whether that dawning of light came quickly or slowly. What did matter was that it happened. Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH May 1 - May 7, 2017 MONDAY TUESDAY Lectio Divina - 7pm WEDNESDAY Pre-Baptism Class - 7pm Bereavement - 7pm THURSDAY Weekday Mass - 12 Noon Holy Hour - 12:30pm Adoration & Divine Mercy - 3pm Knights of Columbus - 7pm FRIDAY Pre-Marriage - 7pm SATURDAY Pre-Marriage - 9am Sacrament of Penance - 5pm - 5:30pm Vigil Mass - 6pm SUNDAY Fourth Sunday of Easter Sunday Masses - 8:30am, 10am and 12 Noon First Communions - 12 Noon From the Pastor Having celebrated 2 really big feasts the past few weeks, the feast of Easter, and the feast of Divine Mercy, we continue during this Easter Season by celebrating the 3 rd Sunday of Easter. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter reminds his hearers of recent events concerning Jesus, and Peter interprets the events as he refers to the sacred writings of Israel. Peter refers to King David and how when King David died and was buried in a tomb, that God fulfilled the promise that one of David s descendants would rule God s people forever. The second reading from today is from the first Letter of Saint Peter, and again Peter exhorts those who have undergone suffering because of their faith in Jesus. At His coming in glory, God will raise up those who put their faith and hope in the Lord. Our Gospel is the famous story of the road to Emmaus, and how the 2 disciples recognized Jesus in the BREAKING OF THE BREAD. That is a great story for today because at the 12 noon mass, we have our first of 2 weeks of FIRST HOLY COMMUNION. We have hopes that our children will also recognize the Lord more deeply in the BREAKING OF THE BREAD as they receive for the first time the Body and Blood of Christ. Congratulations to them and to their families, and may the Lord s peace and love fill our entire parish this coming year. God bless, Fr. Al Z+ PARISH NEWS Month of May/ Mary s Altar May Crowning, May 13, at 6pm Mass The month of May is traditionally known as the month of Our Lady. To honor the Blessed Virgin parishes often process and crown an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with flowers. The crown of flowers represents our prayers. This often is referred to as May Crowning. This rite offers the Church a chance to reflect on Mary s important role in the history of salvation and to learn reverence for our Blessed Mother. This spring will mark 100 years since the Fatima apparitions, and an opportunity to reflect deeply again upon their message. The Angel of Peace appeared three times to the shepherd children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, beginning in the spring of 1916 in Fatima, Portugal As faithful disciples, we are called to be holy, and intercessors for each other. Fatima was a wake-up call. In it, Jesus last words from the Cross come alive Behold, your mother. (Jn. 19:27). Light refreshments and a film on the Fatima apparitions will be take place in the Church hall after Mass. PAGE TWO OUR LADY OF JOY PARISH, HOLIDAY PARK, PA APRIL 30, 2017

3 PARISH NEWS First Communion Mass There will be First Communion at the 12 Noon mass on Sunday, April 30. As a community we need to pray for them and congratulate them on this special sacrament. Shannon Ahrens, Kenley Babilon, Brooke Bernosky, Elizabeth Bonazza, Mia Devine, Danica Dillman, Emma Griffin, Daniel Laird, Madison Matenkosky, Abrianna Mathews, Cameron Napierkowski, Abigail O'Keefe, Ava Rhoten, Nicolas Rossetti, Lila Sargent, Nicolas Schaffer, Zachary Seitz, Olivia Shafer, Morgan Soxman, Anna Sperdute, Ashley Thompson, Elena Yanovich Altar Flowers Our Altar Flowers this week are in Loving Memory of Kathie Harrity. Requested by her Family. Sanctuary Candle The Sanctuary Candle burns in Honor of the Blessed Sacrament and In Loving Memory of Jaime Vick Moran. Requested by the Vick Family. Pre-Marriage Class The next weekend for our Marriage Preparation Program will be May 5 & 6, Couples must attend both the Friday evening session 7:00pm - 10:15pm and the Saturday morning session 9:00am-1:00pm to complete the diocesan requirements for marriage instruction. Call to register. Pre-Baptism A class is required for any new parent(s) wishing to have their baby baptized at Our Lady of Joy Parish. The class will be offered at 7:00pm in the Father Marchukonis Hall on May 3, Serving Our Seniors Educational Seminar (SOS) - Farm to Table Thursday, May 18 at 1pm in the Father Marchukonis Hall. Farm to Table means many things: Knowing where your food comes from; accessing fresh nutritional food; supporting local businesses; and last but not least, getting back to our roots. Our goal is to bridge the gap between consumers and local food producers. Eating locally grown food benefits both our physical health and also our local economic health. Call Kathy at or kakb5101@gmail.com Parish Festival Kick-Off Meeting We will be holding our Parish Festival Kick-Off Meeting on Monday, May 1 at 7pm in Room 5. Anyone interested in becoming more involved is encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to get more involved, please contact Steve Mahr at or steve.mahr@comcast.net. The festival can't be a success without the leadership and help of so many people! Diocesan Toll-Free Number for Abuse Response Today s Readings First Reading God has raised the crucified Jesus, who now pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us (Acts 2:14, 22-33). Psalm Lord, you will show us the path of life (Psalm 16). Second Reading Our faith and hope are in God who raised Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:17-21). Gospel Through his words and in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ made himself known to two disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Readings for the Week Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 or, for the memorial, Gn 1:26 2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Ps 90:2-4, 12-14, 16; Mt 13:54-58 Tuesday: Acts 7:51 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 Wednesday: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-5; Jn 14:6-14 Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69 Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10 Effects The effect of our sharing in the body and blood of Christ is to change us into what we receive. Pope Saint Leo the Great Worthy Work I must believe no work beneath me, since Jesus was a carpenter for thirty years, and Joseph all his life. Charles de Foucauld THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER PAGE THREE

4 This Week s Priest s Private Mass Intentions Monday - May 1 8:30 am Louis DeFabio II (Diane & Jim Mousseau) Tuesday - May 2 8:30 am Henry Hrabolowski (Wife & Children) Wednesday - May 3 8:30 am Judy Torcaso (The Mahr Family) Thursday - May 4 12 Noon Millie Bachtel (Jack Geier) Friday - May 5 8:30 am Marianne Geier (Rose & Lou Hribik Saturday - May 6 6:00 pm Dee & Joe McKaveney (Children) Sunday - May 7 8:30 am Helen Karpinski (Marlene Tush) 10:00 am Carol Putnam (Marie & Bob Carozza) 12 Noon For all the People of the Parish Parish Share Total $80, PARISH NEWS The Holy Name Society The Holy Name Society collects nonperishable food for the Plum Food Pantry. Please leave your donations in the church vestibule and they will be gathered and taken to the Plum Food Bank every weekend. The Holy Name Society will have its next scheduled meeting on May 14 in room 2 of Father Marchukonis Hall. Membership is open to catholic men and women over the age of 18. Anyone interested in learning more about our Holy Name Society is welcome to attend. Spring Luncheon The annual Spring Luncheon sponsored by the CHRIS- TIAN LADIES OF JOY will be held on Sunday, May 21, at Jaden's Catering Hall on Route 22 in Monroeville. Doors open at 1pm. Lunch will be served at 2pm. Tickets are $25.00 and will be on sale the weekends of May 6/7 and May 13/14. Look forward to a great Lunch, Basket Raffle, 50/50 Raffle, Door Prizes and Musical Entertainment. Please have all baskets delivered by 1pm. For further information, please contact Theresa Taylor, Knights of Columbus Golf Outing Our Lady of Joy Knights of Columbus Spring Golf Outing is set for Sunday, May 21st, at the Links at Spring Church. Cost of the outing is $70 per golfer and includes lunch, green fees and cart for 18 holes, dinner, refreshments, and prizes. The designated Plum charities for this outing are the Plum Police Coats for Kids Program, the Plum High School Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Plum Teachers Backpacks for Kids Program. Entry forms for the outing can be found on the tables in the church vestibule. Please submit your entry forms as soon as possible. Details are provided on the entry form. Also, if anyone can donate items for prizes for the outing, it would be greatly appreciated. Christmas Shoebox It's time for another month of collections for the Christmas Shoebox Program. For the month of MAY, we are suggesting donations of SOCKS and TOOTH BRUSHES. Due to new Custom Regulations, NO TOOTH PASTE CAN BE SHIPPED THIS YEAR. Also, for those of you who are saving empty shoe boxes, we ask that you only save the boxes with separate lids - not the flip top boxes. Please deposit your donated items in the Christmas Shoebox COLLECTION BOX in the back of Church. Thanks so much and may GOD bless you. OLOJ Annual Duck Race Our Lady of Joy Youth Ministry members are organizing a mission trip to Appalachia this summer to help those in need. In order to do so they are hosting The Annual Duck Race. This is your chance to get in on the "duck action"! You can buy a duck for $5 or a flock (6 ducks) for $20 and watch it bob down Plum Creek towards the finish line. Prizes consisting of donations from area businesses/ organizations will be awarded to top winners. The First Place Duck will get $400! Ducks will be released May 7 into the creek at the Plum baseball fields. Additional activities will be available from 1:30-3pm at the "Duck Festival." There will be games for children, food, and even a duck quacking competition! If you have any questions, would like to purchase a duck, or would like to donate to the cause, please call Mike at (412) PAGE FOUR OUR LADY OF JOY PARISH, HOLIDAY PARK, PA APRIL 30, 2017

5 What is R.C.I.A. As Catholics we all remember those special occasions that we celebrate in the church with our families. Our families get together for the baptism of our child/children, and after the baptism we all gather together to celebrate the child having been baptized. We celebrate the reception of 1 st Holy Communion and Confirmation and we may even remember our own celebration of these sacraments. These times are truly blessed and are indeed important events to celebrate in our lives. This is the process in which we become full participants in the Catholic faith, we become fully initiated. Some Catholics have a different experience of being initiated into the Catholic faith, it is called R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults). This is a discernment process in which non Catholic adults, who wish to become Catholic, fully enter into the faith. They receive the sacraments of initiation as we did, but they receive them all at once at the Easter Vigil each year. We, as a faith community, celebrate their coming to faith and welcome them into the Catholic Church. Just as we celebrated our Baptism, 1 st Communion, and Confirmation, we celebrate with these individuals as they go through the process of becoming fully initiated Catholics. Our parish community participates in the R.C.I.A. process with these new members; we pray with them, we learn with them, we journey with them, and we welcome them with our hospitality and generosity. We can become more familiar with who they are as we see them each week at church. As a parish, we need to introduce ourselves and get to know who they are. We welcome any adult who may be interested in finding out more about the Catholic Faith. This does not mean that you necessarily have to become Catholic, but you are interested in knowing more about the Catholic Religion. Those adults who are: un-baptized baptized in another religion baptized Catholic, but have not received any other sacraments (1 st Communion, Confirmation) are welcome to enter into the initiation process. May God continue to bless our parish community as we promote the Kingdom of Heaven. CCD. These papers are required so your child has a space in the CCD program. Questions? please call the Religious Education Office at Catechist District Dinner The Celebration begins with Mass on May 11 at 5:00pm at St. Bernadette Church. After Mass we will gather in the Lourdes Center with dinner starting at 6:15pm. All Catechists and aides from Our Lady of Joy are invited. Please RSVP to the Religious Education office. OTHER NEWS Does your marriage need a tune up? Or even a major overhaul? Sometimes a marriage can run along fine and then things change. They may need your time and attention. Sometimes lines of communication break down and they need repair. Sometimes our focus moves away from our marriage and family and needs a little redirection. Sometimes a fair or average marriage is just not enough. Have you ever thought to yourself, "How can I make my marriage better?" If so, Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille is a marriage program for couples whose marriage has become off course. It begins with a weekend program that can help get your relationship back on track. It is an effective program that has worked for thousands of couples and it can work for your marriage. For confidential information about the program please contact Retrouvaille at or see to WWII & Korean War Veterans There is a free bus trip planned for Pittsburgh area WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington, DC to see their national memorials on Thursday, May 18. There are several departure locations, including Miracle Mile parking lot in Monroeville at 6:30am. The bus will return between 8:30-9pm. Boxed lunches, dinners and drinks are provided. Wheelchairs will be available if requested. Seating is reserved for WWII and Korean War veterans; we regret that we can't accommodate family or friends. A registered nurse will be on each bus. Call Lydian at to register. There is a flyer in the back of church. CCD / RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS CCD Students: Registration If your child is new to the CCD program you may register by stopping in the Religious Education Office to fill out forms. All new registrations need to be registered members of the parish, will need a copy of the child s baptismal certificate if not baptized at Our Lady of Joy, will need to complete the form choosing your child s class time and day, fill out an emergency contact form and new registration form. If your child is returning next year please turn in your updated Registration papers which were handed out at He Was Made Known to Them in the Breaking of the Bread.. As the two disciples encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus their hearts were burning within them. He celebrated the Eucharist and opened the scriptures to them. Do our hearts burn within us as we encounter Jesus at Mass? On Mission for the Church Alive! seeks to enliven the worship of every parish so that our hearts can burn with love as they are transformed by the Eucharist. Consider singing in the choir, reading at Mass, or participating more attentively at Mass so that God s work can be done through you even more. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER PAGE FIVE