Staff. Safe Environment Coordinator. Scheduler of Ministries. Jeri Stotlemyer, (Vatican News)

Transcription

1 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD MARCH 25, 2018 SAINT JOHN OF GOD Office Telephones Parish Office/Residence Parish Fax Deacon Leonard Thomas Music Minister Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association Social Hall (Bingo and Pizza Kitchen) Mass Schedule Celebration of the Sacraments Infant Baptism: Call office to schedule. Adult Baptism: The R.C.I.A. program sees to the needs of adults who wish to become Catholic. Reconciliation (Confession): 3:30 PM to 4:15 (Church) and following the 4:30 PM Mass (Church) and by appointment. Holy Eucharist: Available for those who are sick and confined to home. Call the Parish Office and we will bring the Eucharist to you. Anointing of the Sick: Available for those who are seriously ill or anticipating surgery after Mass every Sunday at the Church. Marriage: Anyone who wishes to marry should contact the Office at least six months prior to the desired date. Inactive Catholics: Are lovingly welcome back to the faith. New Parishioners are joyfully invited to join our community. Please call the Parish Office. ~ Low Gluten Hosts Available For Communion ~ ~ See Priest Before Mass ~ Saturday Vigil...4:30 PM Church Sunday...9:45 AM Church Weekday Schedule Monday Friday...9:30 AM Church Confessions: Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM and 5:30 PM Rev. Louis F. Vallone Rev. Robert J. Zajdel Parish Clergy Rev. Regis J. Ryan Deacon Leonard Thomas Staff Ms. Elna Johnson, Director of Music Mrs. Mary Ann Jones, Director of Finances Mrs. Janice Lipa, Parish Secretary, parish@sjogparish.com Mr. Wayne Summers, Maintenance Supervisor Safe Environment Coordinator Mrs. Karen Vinci-Stack, Scheduler of Ministries Jeri Stotlemyer, sjogscat@gmail.com (Vatican News) Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday Noon CHURCH: 1011 Church Ave. McKees Rocks, PA

2 PALM SUNDAY MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, April 1, 2018 Saturday Vigil, March 24: 4:30 PM Church Dec d Members of Frankl & Yunker Family (Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren Palm Sunday, March 25: 9:45 AM Church Roxanne Thornton & Ava Marie Bennett Palm Sunday, March 25, 11:00 AM, St. Mary s Parking Lot Blessing of Bikes WEEKDAYS 9:30 AM CHURCH Monday, March 26: Parish Family of Saint John of God Tuesday, March 27: Anniv - John Fatula (priests & staff of St. John of God) Tuesday, March 27: St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church and at 6:30 PM in St. Mary s Church, (week 2) Wednesday, March 28: Anniv - Tom Wagner (Drea & Family) Holy Thursday, March 29, 6:30 PM: Mass of the Lord s Supper (Church will remain open until 12 A.M.) Good Friday, March 30, 3:30 PM: Liturgical Services Saturday, March 31: 1:00 PM, Blessing of Food, Church Easter Vigil, March 31: Parish Family of Saint John of God 7:00 PM Church Easter Sunrise Mass, Sunday, April 1: 7:30 AM Church Parish Family of Saint John of God Easter Sunday, April 1: Parish Family of Saint John of God BLESSING OF BIKES 9:45 AM Church On Palm Sunday, March 25, immediately following the 9:45 AM Mass in St. Mary s, we will have the annual Blessing of Bikes sponsored by the Mon Valley HOG (Home Owners Group) around 11:00 AM. After the blessing, we will go on a short run, weather permitting. If anyone has a motorcycle bike (preferably) or any bike and would like to be a part of the blessing, you are most welcome. Saint John of God, pray for us. AN OPEN INVITATION OF WELCOME Non-Catholics and non-parishioners are always welcomed guests. Inactive, unsure or irregular Catholics are lovingly encouraged to reconnect with the Faith. New parishioners are joyfully received in our community. Please call the parish office. Our hearts are large and there is plenty good room for all. HELP NEEDED! This Wednesday, March 28, immediately after the 9:30 A.M. Mass, we need four (4) strong men to help us lift the top of the Baptismal font off (it s very heavy) in preparation for services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. ALSO We will need help on Holy Saturday, March 31, at 8:00 A.M. to help decorate the Church for Easter. Your help will be greatly appreciated. NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY Throughout our lives we call upon the saints to intercede for us and help guide us on our way in life. We will continue the 13-week solemn novena to St. Anthony this Tuesday, March 27. The novena prayers will be recited after the 9:30 A.M. Mass and again at 6:30 P.M. in St. Mary s Church. Let us come together to honor St. Anthony and ask his help for the special needs that each of us has. SEVEN CHURCH VISITATION Following our Parish s celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 6:30 PM on Holy Thursday, March 29, we will once again have a bus going on the traditional Seven Church Visitation. Everyone is invited to participate in this beautiful old custom of visiting seven churches as prayerful pilgrims. The bus will leave from St. Mary s parking lot following the Mass and return approximately at 11:30 PM to St. Mary s. The Church will remain open until Midnight. There is no cost for the bus. Please sign-up on the sheet provided at all entrances of the Church. If you forget to sign-up, you are still welcome to join us on the seven-church visitation. Please note that all bulletin notices for the Easter Sunday bulletin, April 1, must be received in the parish office by Monday, March 26, Noon.

3 YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS Teens in grades 9-12 are invited to Called by Name with XLT, an epic experience for high schoolers of exploring our universal call to holiness. This event will take place on Sunday, April 15, at Saints John and Paul Church from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM Doors open at 3:30 PM. The event will feature Mark Hart of Lifeteen; Father Rick Martignetti, OFM; Katrina Buchko; and Bishop David Zubik. The evening includes Mass, dinner, dynamic talks, and a time of adoration. There is no cost. To register, visit PGHPriest.com by Friday, April 6. PARISH WEEKEND ATTENDANCE March 10 / 11 Saturday Sunday Total Weekend Attendance PARISH FINANCIAL TOTALS For the Weekend of March 10 / 11 Regular Offertory... $4, (This is ordinary income from contributions for the general running of the parish. It is subject to a 17.6% tax to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.) PARISH SHARE PROGRAM PSP Assessment for $ 78, PSP Collected as of 12/1/17...(Thank You!)... $ 30, Remaining on 2018 Goal... $ 47, (You can see that we have received our 2018 Parish Share Assessment. We must remit this entire amount to the Diocese by Dec. 31. Any surplus then remains in the parish, tax free.) HOSPITAL Please pray for all parishioners who are in the hospital. Also for all those ill at home, in nursing homes, and shut-ins; that they may continue to receive the Lord s Blessings. SYMPATHY We wish to extend our sympathy to the Family of Casimir Mostowy whom God has called home. Please remember him and all our dearly departed and their families in your prayers. May the Choirs of Angels receive them, and may they with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting. QUOTE FROM THE POPE Nothing could dampen the enthusiam of the crowds in Jerusalem for Jesus entry. May nothing prevent us from finding in Him the source of our joy, true joy, which aludes and brings peace; for it is Jesus alone who saves us from the snares of sin, death, fear and sadness. Pope Francis The Rosary is prayed at 9:00 AM before the 9:30 AM Mass Monday through Friday in St. Mary s Church. THE WEEK AHEAD March 26 (Mon.) - Miraculous Medal Novena Prayers - Recitation of the Rosary begins at 6:30 P.M. in St. Mary s Church - held on the 1st & last Monday of each month. March 26 (Mon.) - Bible Study, 6:30-7:30 PM, Gathering Place at St. Mary s March 27 (Tues.) - St. Anthony Novena Prayers recited following the 9:30 AM Mass in St. Mary s Church and at 6:30 P.M. in St. Mary s Church, the 13-week St. Anthony Novena begins (week 2). March 28 - WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO in MOS Social Hall - Doors open at 5 PM Early Birds, 7 PM and Regular Games begin at 7:15 PM. March 30 (Fri.) - PIZZA KITCHEN CLOSED! We will be back in operation the following Friday, April 6. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Religious Education classes at Saint Malachy will not be in session next week on Easter Sunday, April 1 or Monday, April 2. Classes will resume on April 8 and 9. EASTER BLESSING OF FAMILIES On Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, Bishop David Zubik together with his brothers Auxiliary Bishop William Waltersheid and Retired Auxiliary Bishop William Winter will welcome families of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to the Annual Blessing of Families at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland at 2:00 P.M. All are welcome to the Cathedral to receive this special Blessing imparted by our bishops as they also take the opportunity to thank families for the beautiful witness of love and faith that they share with us. BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR NEW AND EXPECTING PARENTS The next class will be held on Sunday, April 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. in the Gathering Place at St. Mary s. To register or for more information, please call Tom Adams,

4 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD MARCH 25, 2018 PALM SUNDAY, March 25, 2018 Blessing and Procession with palms at all Masses 11:00 AM Blessing of Bikes Parking St. Mary s Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018 Mass of the Lord s Supper 6:30 PM, Church at St. Mary At the conclusion of the Mass, there will be a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition. The Church will remain open for visitation and adoration until 12 Midnight. All Eucharistic Ministers are asked to be present at this Mass. Good Friday, March 30, :00 PM Liturgical Services, St. Mary Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion Holy Saturday, March 31, :00 PM, Church at St. Mary Blessing of Food 7:00 PM, Easter Vigil Reception of the R.C.I.A. Candidates into Full Communion with the Church Easter Sunday, April 1, :30 AM, Easter Sunrise Mass, Church at St. Mary 9:45 AM, Church at St. Mary (Blessing of children and their Easter Baskets after each of the Masses) CLOSED FOR EASTER The Parish Office will be closed on Good Friday, March 30 and Easter Monday, April 2. Please hold all calls until Tuesday, April 3, unless it is an emergency. The Pizza Kitchen will be closed on Good Friday, March 30. We will be back in operation the following Friday, April 6 and it will be Falagone Friday. INTERESTED in BECOMING a DEACON? The Diocese of Pittsburgh is initiating the nomination and application process for admitting a new class of interested and qualified men from diocesan parishes into the Deacon Formation Program. Prospective applicants should be between 30 and 59 years old, in full communion with the Church, active in their faith, and hold at least a bachelor s degree. They should consult their pastor about submitting a nomination on their behalf. The deadline for nominations is May 15, Applications without a pastor s nomination will not be considered. Questions may be directed to deacons@diopitt.org or Visit TWO COLLECTIONS ON EASTER SUNDAY On Easter Sunday, April 1, there will be two collections. The first will be for the regular Sunday offertory for April 1 and the second collection will be for your Easter gift to the Parish. Readings for the Week of March 25, 2018 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, [2a]/Phil 2:6-11/Mk 14:1--15:47 or 15:1-39 Monday: Is 42:1-7/Ps 27:1, 2, 3, [1a]/Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6/Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17 [cf. 15ab]/Jn 13:21-33, Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a/Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and [14c]/Mt 26:14-25 Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9/Ps 89:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [2a]/Rv 1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21 Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14/ Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, [cf. 1 Cor 10:16]/1 Cor 11:23-26/Jn 13:1-15 Good Friday: Is 52:13--53:12/Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 [Lk23:46]/Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9/Jn 18:1--19:42 HOLY THURSDAY COLLECTION On Holy Thursday, March 29, a collection will be taken at Mass for the needy of the parish. There is an envelope in your packet of envelopes for this purpose. ENVELOPE FOR THE HOLY LAND On Good Friday, March 30, our parish will take up the annual Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil: Gn 1:1--2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a/ Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10,12, 13-14, 24, 35 [30] or Ps 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, [5b]/Gn 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 [1]/Ex 14:15--15:1/Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, [1b]/Is 54:5-14/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 [2a]/ Is 55:1-11/Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 [3]/Bar 3:9-15, 32--4:4/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [Jn 6:68c]/Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28/Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 [42:2] or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 [3] or Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, [12a]/Rom 6:3-11/Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23/ Mk 16:1-7 Easter Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, [24]/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7or Lk24:13-35

5 CELEBRATION OF DIVINE MERCY The Felician Sisters, Coraopolis, are sponsoring a celebration of Christ s Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 8, 2018 and are extending an invitation to families, neighbors, and friends. The program will take place at the Felician Sisters Convent Chapel, 1500 Woodcrest Avenue in Coraopolis, and will begin with the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy at 1:00 PM. Principal celebrant and speaker will be Father Scott Seethaller, OFM, Cap. After liturgy, there will b e time for personal prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The afternoon will conclude with a Holy Hour and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at 4:00 PM. For more information call the Felician Sisters (Sister Mary Cabrini Procopio) at Sister Cabrini can also be reached by at smcabrini@feliciansisters.org. SPRING FLEA MARKET Sacred Heart Church in Emsworth will hold its annual Spring Flea Market on Saturday, April 7, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and on Sunday, April 8 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There will be an early pre-sale Saturday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Admission to the early session is $5.00. If you have any questions, contact the Rectory at SPAGHETTI DINNER There will be a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Sunday, April 8, from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM at Christ Community Church, 900 Chartiers Ave. in McKees Rocks. Dinner will include Salad, Roll w/butter, drink, and dessert. All proceeds will benefit the Meals on Wheels program (serving Crafton Heights, Elliott, Kennedy, McKees Rocks, Robinson, Sheraden and Stowe). Tickets available at the door: $10 adults and children under 12 $4. Take-outs available. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEWS This year s VBS will take place June at Saint Malachy and will have a white water rafting theme: Splash Canyon: God s Promise of Life s Wild Ride! Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. If you would like to help, please contact Steven Swank at or swankymca@gmail.com. Please keep our Priests, Seminarians, Deacons and all Religious in your prayers. ST. PHILIP PARISH Dare to Live Jesus! PARISH MISSION St. Philip Parish will have a Parish Mission at the Ascension Church site on Sunday, April 15th thru Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 P.M. conducted by Bill Wegner of Good News International, a Catholic lay ministry. On Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, April 16, 17, 18 the Mission will be held after the 8:00 A.M. Mass at the Ascension Church site, also. Everyone is welcome ~ Offering will be taken ~ Refreshments Served. For more information, please call St. Philip Parish at Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord - Today we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The crowds waved palm and olive branches as Jesus rode into the city on a colt. They welcomed him as royalty, so moved were their hearts in faith and trust of God. Yet, while Christ s procession into the city is a moment of joy, the joy is fleeting as the coming days lead to the passion and death of Jesus. The central mysteries of our faith that we celebrate this week highlight for us the lengths to which God will go out of love for us. It is appropriate to ask ourselves, then, what lengths will we go to for God. As we journey On Mission for The Church Alive! it is not just our parishes that we should hope to be transformed. We should also hope that our hearts are transformed in love and service of God and others. How are we called to be ambassadors of Christ, coming in his name to share the life and light of God with everyone we meet? As we await the On Mission announcements one month from now may we prepare our hearts to share the love of God in all we say and do. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed. VIDEO GAMING NIGHT Bishop Canevin High School invites 6th, 7th and 8th graders for a Video Gaming Night on Friday, April 6, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the school gymnasium. Fun, Food and Prizes! ~~ Join in the excitement of lively music and friendly competition with each other and current Bishop Canevin students! RSVP suggested: stevensk@bishopcanevin.org. In a Troubled Marriage? Please call Retrouvaille at or 3041@retrouvaille.org. More information is available at

6 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD MARCH 25, 2018 SAM PRAYER MINISTRY (Substance Addiction Ministry) Drug and alcohol dependence and abuse causes great distress for both the afflicted and affected loved ones. The magnitude of the pain and suffering is so enormous it is impossible to calculate. But there is hope and there is help. The Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) is a ministry of prayer, presentations and personal presence. On Thursday, April 5, 2018, the community SAM Team will gather in the Parish Family Room in the back of the church at St. Margaret Mary in Moon Township at 6:30 P.M., to pray a Rosary for Recovery for all those who are afflicted or affected, or have lost loved ones to addiction. Following the Rosary, there will be an opportunity to gather in fellowship. SAM is a supportive ministry for families and individuals and is NOT intended to replace counseling, therapy, treatment, or participation in 12-2tep programs. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! The Felician Sisters are now recruiting volunteers. Time and talent to suit your interest. Immediate openings for receptionists: Morning, afternoon or evening hours. If interested, please call Sr. Denise, Volunteer Director, cell, or home. VENDORS FOR FLEA MARKET The Bellevue Knights of Columbus Council #1400 invites vendors to participate in a Flea Market on Saturday, May 5, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 450 Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue. Any interested party should contact the Knights at bellevueknightsfleamkt@gmail.com or WOMEN S RETREAT Would you like to escape from the noise and busyness of life for a little while? Then consider coming to the quiet and peace of the Women s Retreat at St. Paul s Monastery Retreat House the weekend of April Maybe Jesus is calling you to go deeper with Him. For information contact Emilie Crosby at or (cell). Sponsored by St. Malachy Parish. A RETREAT IS GOD S TREAT FOR YOU. BISHOP CANEVIN Bishop Canevin High School s Spring Open House will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Students in grades 6 through 11 and their families are invited to get an insider look at Bishop Canevin High School. Admissions information: OLSH SCHOOL YEAR Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School is now accepting applications for incoming freshmen and upperclassmen transfer students. OLSH s open application period for the Class of 2022 is open through May 31 and is limited to 100 students on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply online today at or call the Admission s Office at to arrange a tour. EASTER EGG HUNT St. Joseph Church in Coraopolis will have an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, 12:30 PM in the School Courtyard. Bring your own basket - the fun will be supplied. A special appearance from the Easter Bunny, Face Painting, little smiley cookies and beverages will be given out to the children and over 1,000 eggs to be found! A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE by Bud Ozar The Passion of Jesus makes it clear, no one escapes suffering. Suffering is inevitable but no one should suffer alone. That is one of the primary roles of families, to stand with and support each other suffering. CANDLE LIGHT MASS Join friends and neighbors for a monthly Candlelight Mass at Saint Stanislaus Church in the Strip District. The next Mass will be on Friday, April 6, at 8 PM with Father Mike Ackerman as celebrant. For more information, visit facebook.com/beholdpittsburgh. ANTHONY J. SANVITO, Inc. FUNERAL HOMES Cremation & Pre-Arranged Funerals Now Offering Pet Cremation Coraopolis McKees Rocks

7 PASTOR'S CORNER Fr. Lou Vallone At St. Catherine a couple of weeks ago, the tagline for my homily was To make a long story short. I pointed out that the passage from that week s Gospel included the verse John 3:16 and observed that the whole of the Good News was summed up in that verse. The homily lasted less than 3 minutes (as you know from watching closely, I use a stop watch on every homily I preach.) This caused a few laughs, but also a number later responses and observations from parishioners who took the occasion to comment upon my preaching in general. Filled with well meaning compliments, there was a subtext that my homilies were a large part of why they attend Mass on Sunday with us. I am sure their intent was to make me feel good about my ministry, but in the Lenten season, especially after the Lenten story of the temptation of Jesus, I needed to place the comments in a wider perspective. Then I found this warning in a rather obscure blog, I thank you all for your positive feedback, but lest I get puffed up, I ask you to consider this: It is the essence of the Church to have a lot of low masses and no sermons. -Hilaire Belloc Indeed, there s a benefit to mediocre preaching once in a while, and it s this: The faithful will be all the more likely to focus on what s most important in the Mass if they aren t distracted by the brilliant homily. A preacher may be able to hold the attention of his listeners for a whole hour, Pope Francis wrote in Evangelii Gaudium, but in this case his words become more important than the celebration of faith. The Holy Father went on to stress that the homily cannot be a form of entertainment, distracting us from Jesus as he comes to us in Word and Sacrament, yet it does need to give life and meaning to the celebration. It s a tricky balance, no doubt, so be on your guard if you ve developed a taste for great preaching. A diet of superb, memorable homilies might tempt those in the pews to grow attached to the homilist, and the last thing the Church needs are personality cults, sermon groupies, and churchhopping in search of jazzy hermeneutics and/or rhetorical pyrotechnics. During the first week of Lent, Pope Francis, who is the Bishop of Rome, held an all day meeting with his diocesan priests like a good diocesan bishop. He spent a large part of his talk on Ars Celebrandi the art of celebrating. In liturgy and preaching, it is an art, not a science. The intent is always to make a beautiful experience for those who worship. He urged them not to lead their congregations into temptation by preaching longer than 10 minutes This Holy Week there will be lots of preaching as we celebrate the High Holy Days of our Faith: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The liturgies in themselves are the most beautiful of our Religion, and there will be homilies at each of them. If you promise to come to Church to celebrate them, I promise to try to obey the Pope and keep the homilies to under 10 minutes. You can time me on your stopwatches! (Stopwatches not necessary for Fr. Bob.) Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline St. John of God Parish Membership Form Name Address City Zip Phone CHECK ONE: New Registration Change of Address Moving out of Parish Want Envelopes Please drop Membership Form into the offertory basket or mail to Rectory.