Saint Thomas A Becket Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

Transcription

1 MARCH 17, 2013 I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT IN YOU THAT YOU MAY LIVE... EZEKIEL 37:14A Saint Thomas A Becket Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

2 ST. THOMAS A BECKET JEFFERSON HILLS, PA From the Desk of Fr. Bob For the Week of March 17, 2013 It is a Holy and Wholesome Thought to Pray for the Dead. Saturday, March 16 5:00 PM... Richard & Stanley Chojnicki (Chojnicki Family) Sunday, March 17, Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM... For the People of the Parish 10:15 AM... Agnes Nelson (Bill & Dolores Haines) 12:00 NN... Edward J. Pukansky (Family) Monday, March 18 9:00 AM... James Craig (Nevin Craig Family) Tuesday, March 19, St. Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9:00 AM... Deceased of Dryer & Tomczyk Families (Warren & Kay Dryer) Wednesday, March 20 9:00 AM... Nancy Holzworth (Brubaker Family) Thursday, March 21 9:00 AM... Jack Valvo (Dorothy Valvo) Friday, March 22 9:00 AM... Robert Dougherty (Colleen Imbriale) 7:00 PM... Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 23 5:00 PM... For the People of the Parish Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 8:00 AM... Barbara Ann Shosky (David Kurtis) 10:15 AM.. Shirley Macierowski (Husband & Children) 12:00 NN... Kenneth McCarroll (Eileen Krawczyk) STEWARDSHIP OF THE LORD S TREASURE Date Total Offertory 3/10/13 Collected at Masses $7, On-line Giving $1, Liturgical Ministers March 24, 2013 Lectors: Sat. 5:00 p.m. N. Salopek Sun. 8:00 a.m. J. Maola Sun. 10:15 a.m. T. Stoessel Sun. 12:00 p.m. T. Aceto Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Sat. 5:00 p.m. Deacon Gerry-C. Kacerik-N. Kacerik Sun. 8:00 a.m. N. Alderson-M. Orpikowski-C. Yanick Sun. 10:15 a.m. C. Adams-M. Donohue-T. Donohue Sun. 12:00 p.m. E. Bourgeois-C. Colgan-D. Ging Acolytes: Sat. 5:00 p.m. A. Aul-J. Aul-R. Aul Sun. 8:00 a.m. Z. Adams-N. Bucar-Z. Lesutis Sun. 10:15 a.m. A. Fickley-N. Pearson-C. Robis Sun. 12:00 p.m. M. Elinsky-M. Cathell-M. Petrick FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT The Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent continues to offer lessons about God's mercy and forgiveness. Last Sunday we heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke. Today we hear not a parable, but the report from John's Gospel of an encounter among Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees, and a woman caught in adultery. In John's Gospel, the conflict between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees occurs much earlier than in the Synoptic Gospels. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem is reported at the beginning of John's Gospel. Even after this event, Jesus continues to teach in the Temple. After returning to Galilee for a time, Jesus again enters Jerusalem and cures a man on the Sabbath. From this point forward in John's Gospel, the Pharisees are described as making plans for Jesus' arrest and seeking his death. In the chapter preceding today's Gospel, Jesus was teaching in the Temple area. Feeling threatened by his teaching and his actions, the chief priests and the Pharisees are already sending guards to arrest Jesus. The guards return, however, without arresting Jesus because they have been impressed by his words. Even more than this, some among the crowds are considering the possibility that Jesus is the Messiah. The chief priests and the Pharisees change their plan. Before making an arrest, they seek to gather more evidence against Jesus by posing a question intended to trap Jesus. Today's Gospel begins by reporting that Jesus is again teaching the crowds in the vicinity of the Temple. The scribes and the Pharisees approach Jesus, bringing a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery. They put to Jesus the question of what ought to be done in this case. The Pharisees state clearly that according to the Law of Moses, those caught in the act of adultery were to be stoned to death. Under Roman occupation, however, the Jewish people did not have the authority to execute people; this is cited in John's passion narrative. To answer the Pharisees' question, Jesus must propose an action that will be either contrary to the Law of Moses or contrary to Roman law. The purpose of the question appears to be similar to the question about paying taxes found in Mark 12: Either answer, yes or no, will support the Pharisees' case against Jesus. Jesus avoids the trap, however, by offering an answer that was not anticipated by those who posed the question. (continued on next page)

3 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 17, 2013 Jesus, after writing on the ground with his finger, addresses those who stand before him and suggests that the one without sin cast the first stone. Jesus then returns to his writing. This Scripture reading, by the way, is the only evidence we have of Jesus writing. Yet there are no specific details about what he wrote. We can easily imagine the scene as the Pharisees and the elders disperse, one by one. Jesus has eluded the trap they had prepared. We might also give credit to the elders and the Pharisees who do not, in the end, claim to be sinless and worthy of passing judgment. These Pharisees are not as selfrighteous as the portrait found in the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector (See Luke 18:9-14). Left alone with the woman, Jesus asks where the accusers have gone. With no one remaining to condemn the woman, Jesus (the one who truly is without sin) sends the woman on her way, refusing to pass judgment on her and exhorting her to avoid future sin. Jesus' response to those who accuse the woman is more than a caution to us about making judgment of others. It is a profound lesson in divine mercy and forgiveness. As sinners, we are all unworthy to judge the sins of others and we would stand convicted by God for our transgressions. Yet Jesus, the one without sin and thus our judge, offers us who are sinners his mercy and forgiveness. Redeemed by Jesus' compassion, we are sent to sin no more and to live in God's love and peace. (Loyola Press). God s blessings be yours today and always, Father Bob EASTER BLESSING OF THE FAMILIES On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, Bishops David Zubik, William Waltersheid and William Winter will welcome families of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to their Annual Blessing of Families at St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland beginning at 2:00 p.m. As they greet and bless your family personally, they affirm and support you as a household of love and witnesses to The Faith. Come and experience the Bishops expression of appreciation for the gift that you are and the gifts that you bring to our Diocese. Each family attending will receive a special memento to take home and the children will receive a sweet treat. EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS To make a donation in memory of your deceased or living loved ones, kindly fill out an Easter Flower Memorial form that is available on the table in the vestibule of the Church. Complete the form and return it with your donation in the enveloped designated Easter Flower Offering found in your envelope packet. Kindly print the name of the person you wish to honor and who the intention is from. Cost is $10 per intention. Deadline for these donations is Sunday, March 24. LENT & EASTER SERVICES Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Sacrament of Penance from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Visiting Priests will be available to hear Confessions. Thursday, March 28, 2013 Holy Thursday-Mass of the Lord s Supper at 7:00 p.m. Followed by Adoration until 11:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2013 Good Friday-Celebration of the Lord s Passion at 1:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013 Blessing of Easter Foods at 12 Noon Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 Mass Times: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. The Stations of the Cross will be prayed on the Fridays of Lent at 7:00 p.m. I would like to encourage every family to take this walk with Jesus, the Glory of the Cross. WHY DO CATHOLICS NEED TO GO TO CONFESSION? Isn t confessing our sins to God enough. Our faith in the forgiveness of sins is tied to faith in the Holy Spirit and the Church: It was when He gave the Holy Spirit to His apostles that the risen Christ conferred on them His own divine power to forgive sins. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (John 20: 22-23) This power is manifested and operative through the priest in the Sacrament of Penance. The last opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance before Easter will be on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. Please Note: There will be no confessions on Saturday, March 23 or April 6 at 4:00 p.m. Our regular schedule of the Sacrament of Penance will resume on Saturday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m.

4 ST. THOMAS A BECKET JEFFERSON HILLS, PA Please join us each Friday from 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. during Lent. Take Outs available by calling (412) from 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. We will be in need of beverage donations 12 oz. cans of pop & small bottles of water. All donations can be dropped off in the School Building (lower level near the Coffee Shoppe). Also desserts are needed each week. Thank you! Dinners *Fried Platter (with 3 Shrimp & 1 Fish) $9.00 *Fried Dinner $8.00 *Baked Dinner $8.00 *Shrimp Dinner $8.00 *All Above Dinners Include: - One Beverage - Choice of one: (Cole slaw or applesauce) - Choice of one side: Haluski, Macaroni & Cheese, French Fries or Baked Potato ALA CARTE ITEMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE SOUP & DINNER SPECIALS: March 22...Fresh Made Crab Cakes Platter March Pierogies (Pirohy) SISTER S EASTER CATECHISM: WILL MY BUNNY GO TO HEAVEN? This is the title of the show that we will have at St. Thomas A Becket on Friday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the old Church Building. Come to celebrate the Easter Season with Sister as she answers time worn questions of the season like Who is Mary Magdalene? Why isn t Easter on the same day every year like Christmas? and Will my bunny go to Heaven? Part pageant and wholy hysterical, the latest of the sinfully funny Late Nite Catechism series unearths the origin of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter baskets, Easter bonnets, and of course, those yummy Easter peeps. Sister answers questions about Saint Francis, patron saint of animals, pet heaven (where do my pets go?), and the significance of those adorable baby chicks! Tickets will be on sale after all the Masses. The cost for a ticket will be $30/per person. There will also be gift baskets for a raffle, 50/50 and other chance games.

5 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 17, 2013 EASTER VACATION FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Classes will not be in session for our students during Holy Week. Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 3 for Grades 3 and 4. Classes will resume on Monday, April 8 for students in Grades 5 to 8. THE EUCHARIST TO HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS Our Ladies of Charity and a couple of Extra-Ordinary Ministers will be visiting our sick people before Easter. Father Bob and Sister M. Judith are grateful for their willingness to help the parish in this matter. If you have a family member who is homebound or in a nursing facility, please call Sister M. Judith so we can arrange to have them receive the Eucharist. Thank you. ROSARY MAKING Please join us on Saturday, March 23 in Room 6 of the School Building from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Rosary Making event! Everyone from 5th grade and up, parents if interested, are also invited to attend and create their very own Rosary. There is no cost for this event, but donations will be accepted and given to the church. This is a wonderful Lenten activity, we encourage you to attend. Please sign up in the vestibule of the church so that we can make certain we have enough materials. Thank you. INVITE PEOPLE BACK TO CHURCH The Lent and Easter Season is a time when many people come back to Church. Why not ask a relative, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a friend who has been away from the Church to Reconciliation during Lent? SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT Christianity is bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions. WATCH AND PRAY It is an old tradition in the Catholic Church to visit seven Churches after the Mass on Holy Thursday evening. This year on Holy Thursday, Comfort Keepers will provide a bus to make this pilgrimage to seven South Hills Churches. The Churches are yet to be determined and we will be back to St. Thomas A Becket prior to 11:00 p.m. Please consider this as a way to begin the Easter Triduum, to pray as Jesus did prior to His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemani. Seats are on a first come first serve basis. Reservation must be made prior to March 25. Please call Mame Donohue at (412) or (412) The Vigil Light at the Tabernacle will burn this week in memory of The Flavin Family, From Peggy Flavin. 8TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CATHOLIC MEN Does God really answer your prayers? Does God have a place in your life? You are not alone. Learn the causes and real life solution to the most alarming phenomena affecting American men in our time. Catholic, Christian, no real faith at all, join us at the 8th Annual Gathering of Catholic Men on Saturday, April 6 at the A.J. Palumbo Center of Duquesne University. For more information, please contact Steve Gardiner at (412) PRACTICE TEE PASSES ON SALE NOW! The Knights of Columbus will be selling these passes for $50. These passes will start April 1, 2013 and end September 30, You will be eligible for a round of miniature golf, or medium bucket of golf balls, or a round of golf at the par 3 course per day for 26 days. Tickets will be available after the Masses or by contacting Tim Rehak at (412) or Ralph Graeser at (412) HOME WITH THE LORD Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of George Stephenson and Beverly Cutshall, daughter of Joan Atkinson; sister of Mary Carol Limegrover, Patricia Atkinson and Julianne Sprites of our Parish. May Beverly and George rest in the peace of the Lord. EASTER EGG HUNT For the Children of St. Thomas A Becket Parish PLACE: St. Thomas A Becket Grounds DATE: Saturday, March 23, 2013 TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. AGE: Children age 3 through 1st Grade RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY: Sunday, March 17, 2013 BY CALLING THE SCHOOL OFFICE AT (412) Children should check in at the table on the front lawn. There will be the egg hunt, additional games, face painting and refreshments. THE EASTER BUNNY WILL BE ON HAND, SO BRING YOUR CAMERA!