Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690

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1 Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania April 2, 2017 Fifth Sunday of Lent Fr. James Loew, O.S.B. Pastor, (724) Fax: (724) Sr. Mercy Francis, S.M.I. Pastoral Minister Mr. James Peterman Coordinator of Religious Formation (724) or (724) Katie Tylinski (724) Youth Minister Coordinator ktylinski@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cardinal Maida Academy Mr. Mark Talarico, Principal School Phone (724) School Fax (724) Patti Donghia-Albert Music Director Baptisms By appointment. Baptismal preparation is necessary. Call for classes Marriage Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance. No marriage dates will be given until meeting with the priest and all preparation is ready. Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Weekday Mass Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:15 a.m. School Mass Holy Day Mass Schedule Holy Day ~ 9:00 am, 6:00 pm Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 Friday Closed Confessions Saturday ~ 3:15-3:45 pm or by appointment Pastoral Council Mission Statement We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multicultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. We are committed to building up the Body of Christ through Word, Worship, Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region. We willingly accept our obligation to be the Light of the World for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal divisive wounds among God s People and to join with all people of good will in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all.

2 ST. GERTRUDE PARISH Treasures From Our Tradition Not until the thirteenth century do we find a mention of a locked tabernacle. There's some evidence for eucharistic towers also, but often these were in an obscure corner of the church, or even in the offlimits sacristy. Many of us grew up "making visits" to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, but it's clear this would raise some medieval eyebrows in confusion! To the present day, the Eucharist is always reserved only in a side chapel in many cathedrals. The principal focus in a cathedral is always on the altar, symbol of Christ, and on the cathedra, symbol of the pastoral ministry of the bishop. In your parish church there is probably a "sanctuary lamp," a permanently lit candle or oil lamp indicating the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Sometimes it's in a red glass, not for any particular reason except that it's easy to find. There is a story of a bishop missioned to Papua New Guinea who was distressed to find no sanctuary lamps burning in his new diocese. The people patiently explained that their churches were woven of grass, and that they decided to place a chief's standard, a trident, in front of the tabernacle. That was a sign in their culture that the "chief" was at home, like raising the flag over Buckingham Palace. The bishop, an Irish import, didn't appreciate the British reference, so he ordered the candles back. The first church to burn to the ground was the cathedral, and after two more, the chief's tridents returned. Readings for the Week Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, [41c-62]; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9: Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 (procession);is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24;Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26: :66 [27:11-54] Today s Readings First Reading -- Thus says the LORD GOD: I will open your graves, have you rise from them, and settle you on your land. (Ezekiel 37:12-14). Psalm -- With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption (Psalm 130). Second Reading -- If Christ is in you, the spirit is alive even if the body is dead because of sin (Romans 8:8-11). Gospel -- Lazarus, dead for four days, came out of his tomb when Jesus called his name. Many of those who had seen what had happened began to believe in Jesus (John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]). Jesus Ministry Summarized The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead is the single longest story (apart from the Passion) in the Gospel of John. In it we find a summary of most of Jesus' ministry. We see his very human nature as he is moved by Martha and Mary's sorrows and as he himself weeps at the tomb of Lazarus. He is the wisdom of God's Word made flesh as he explains to his followers that the death of Lazarus will serve as a sign of the glory of God. He crowns the miracles he works in John's Gospel (which began with the most "human" miracle of making new wine at Cana's wedding) by raising Lazarus from the dead--a "preview," if you will, of his own death and resurrection to come. This portrait of Jesus reminds us, as we near the end of our Lenten journey, that he is with us, knows us, understands us in every moment of our lives. He knows the joy of our human feasting, he knows the sorrow of our weeping. As we prepare to walk with him through the days of Holy Week, we are filled with faith that--through Christ--God's glory will be with us in every moment of our lives and--with Christ--in our life everlasting. Bishop Malesic Bishop Edward C. Malesic will lead a Divine Mercy Sunday outdoor service and eucharistic procession April 23 at 3 p.m. in St. Clair Park, Greensburg. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

3 The Fifth Sunday of Lent April 2, 2017 Altar Servers Schedule April 8th & 9th 4:00p.m. ~ Joey & Nicholas DiFilippio 8:00a.m. ~ Joseph Collini Kaitln Lewandowski Cheyenne Sippel 10:30a.m. ~ Gina Beneccio Maria Safranyos Cara Walker Collection for March 25th &26th Envelopes ~ $5, Loose Collection ~ $ Church Restoration ~ $20.00 Utilities ~ $24.00 Children s ~ $5.00 St. Vincent de Paul The St. Gertrude Conference of St. Vincent de Paul will meet on Wednesday, April 5, at 6:30p.m. in the Church Hall. All members are urged to attend. Easter Egg Hunt: Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Cardinal Maida Academy. Held at Christ the King Parish Hall. Open to Christ the King, St. Gertrude and CMA. Preschool 6th Grade. Saturday, April 15th. Schedule of events and registration forms are in the back of the church. remember those within our parish community that cannot join us this Lenten and Easter Season. We will be collecting the following items to distribute from April 3rd to April 15th. Small Boxes of Flavored Teas, Bags of Jelly Beans, Bags of Sugar free Jelly Beans, Chocolate Foil Eggs, Sugar Free Chocolate Candy. These small gifts bring many smiles, thanks, and even tears. Please put your contribution in the box marked Easter for the Homebound and Nursing Home Parishioners in the church vestibule. Additionally, I ask everyone to keep these parishioners in your prayers. Thank you for your generosity. Cardinal Maida Academy Cardinal Maida Academy will be holding its annual gala on Saturday, April 8th at 6:30 at the School House Hall in Apollo. Please contact the school at for reservations or donation information. Calling All Graduates! We re asking families that have a student graduating high school this year to please call the parish office. Diocese Lenten Appeal Regional Penance Service Tuesday, April 4; St. Joseph, New Kensington, 7:00p.m. Wednesday, April 5; St. James, Apollo, 7:00p.m. Thursday, April 6; St. Gertrude, Vandergrift, 7:00p.m. Saturday, April 8th; St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell, 1:00PM. Trash to Treasure Sale As you do your spring cleaning, consider donating items for the parish Trash & Treasure Sale which will be held in July. Items that will NOT be accepted include clothing, exercise equipment, televisions and electronics that are not working. Watch the May and June bulletins for more information. Any questions, call Carol at or Fran at "Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet, especially your family. Be holy." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Ministry of Care During Lent, we are asked to make sacrifices of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. What better way to do this then to Thank you to all who have responded to the Diocesan Lenten Appeal. To date the total of pledges and gifts is $32,665 with 21% of the parish responding. If you haven t already done so, please take the time this week to make your gift. You may return your pledge card at Mass next weekend or return it to the Parish Office this week. Pledges can also be made online at DLA.dioceseofgreensburg.org.

4 FUSED 4 ~ MARCH/APRIL EDGE CALENDAR (Grades 6th-8th ~Christ the King Parish ~ St. Joseph Room in the basement of the church offices at CTK~ 6:30-8:00 PM) 22 nd Session ~ 26 th Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 29 th NO SESSION (attend Kiski High School Musical instead) ~ 31 st Middle School Faith Night ~ April 5 th Session ~ 12 th NO SESSION ~ 16 th ~ Volunteer at the Egg Hunt at Christ the King ~ 19 th Session ~ 23 rd -- Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 26 th --Session FUSED 4 ~ MARCH/APRIL LIFETEEN CALENDAR (Grades 9th-12th ~ St. James Parish Underground/Upper Room ~ 6:30-8:00 PM) 19 th Session / 26 th Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 29 th Kiski Musical ~ April 2 nd Session ~ 9 th Session ~ 16 th NO SESSION ~ 23 rd -- Youth Mass at St. James at 5:00 PM with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 30 th --Session Parish section: People of all ages are welcome to attend our Youth Mass on Sunday, March 26 th at 5:00 PM at St. James. There is an After Mass Party (AMP) immediately following Mass in the church hall. Families with a last name beginning with (A-P) are asked to bring a side dish and last name beginning with (Q-Z) are asked to bring a dessert. We are looking for readers, altar servers, ushers and greeters in 6 th -12 th grades. 6 th -8 th graders: Friday, March 31 st Middle School Faith Night WITH JOY! Please RSVP no later than Monday, March 20 th. Time: 6:30-9:00 PM We will meet at Christ the King in front of the Hall at 5:00 PM and return around 10:30 PM. Location: Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School. Cost: $10.00 per person Featuring games, music, prayer, a keynote address by Mrs. Mary Sampey, and much more. Chaperones and drivers with clearances are needed. Permission slips for youth are needed if you have not yet completed one. 6 th -12 th graders: Wednesday, March 29 th Kiski High School Musical (in place of EDGE) Information for those who registered: The show begins at 7:30 PM at Kiski Area High School. Please meet at Christ the King at 6:30 PM in front of the Hall as we are going to carpool. We will call you before we leave Kiski Area High School so that you know when to pick up your child at Christ the King.

5 Saturday, April 1, Vigil, Fifth Sunday of Lent 4:00p.m. Dolores M. Palatella Sunday, April 2, Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Stephanie Lombardi Monday, April 3, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Alice Spaniel Tuesday, April 4, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Wednesday, April 5, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Thomas Naccarato 9:15a.m. CMA School Mass Thursday, April 6, Lenten Weekday 8:30am Mass at Christ the King Friday, March 7, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Mary Lisa Dunmire 10:10a.m. Stations of the Cross Saturday, April 8, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Saturday, April 8, Vigil, Palm Sunday 4:00p.m. Dom Caratelli Sunday, April 9, Palm Sunday 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. The Kasecky Family