LENT Barbara Stokes

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1 Best Lent Ever Merry Christmas! Surprise! This Christmas we were able to give out the book by Matthew Kelly called Resisting Happiness. Many people have commented on the book and how they have taken pieces of it and added it to their own lives. It has had a positive effect in the parish. What might be holding you back from reading it? Exactly, how are you resisting happiness? With Lent beginning March 1, we have an opportunity for you to incorporate the book into your Lent. It is called BestLentEver.com. The Dynamic Catholic group is offering to help you make a difference in your Lenten practices. It is no longer enough to just give up chocolate. Here is a free program for you to make this Lent different and possibly the Best Lent Ever. If you sign up, you will receive daily short inspirational videos, practical tips and a short study guide for the book that could be used for groups or individuals. This little book Resisting Happiness and this follow up program leads you in a very personal way, to the realization that you cannot get to where you want to go without God. It can help reengage you in your Catholic faith and inspire you to grow spiritually. Would you be willing to take this journey through Lent with other members of our parish community? Would you want to be re-engaged during Mass? Are you looking for something to inspire you to become the best version of yourself that God calls you to be? Go to BestLentEver.com to sign up, DON T TELL ME AGAIN!!! LENT 2017 Live out lent I know it. I know it. To live Lent I need to pray. I ve heard it all my life. Right? Absolutely! Sometimes it helps to pray with others, sometimes it helps to have a dedicated time in my schedule and sometimes I just need to say I ll do it. How about you? Look at these times and see if any could fit your busy schedule and speak to your spirit right now. Perhaps the Lord is calling you to come: Mondays Centering and Reflection Tuesdays 6:30- Centering and Reflection Wednesdays Thursdays Scripture Study w/sunday Readings And always daily Mass, daily personal prayer and daily spiritual reading. Let s just do it and LOL Live Out Lent 2017! Barbara Stokes and beginning Ash Wednesday you will receive a daily guiding you and helping you with your Lenten practice. What do you have to lose? Try it and see if this might be just what you need to make this Lent different and better than all other Lents before. Visit BestLentEver.com, let us know if there are ways we can help you make this an even better experience. We have a lot scheduled to make you ready for Easter. Get ready for 40 days of preparation for 50 days of Easter Celebrations. Let s get started. Father Al McGinnis

2 Family Mass Not Just a Break from Good Shepherd! What if kids only went to soccer practice but never played in a game? What if a child learned piano technique and how to read music but never had the opportunity to play a beautiful piece? What if children knew how to read but never had the chance to sit down to read a good book? It is so important that we make sure our children are physically, intellectually and emotionally nurtured. But what about their spirituality? Yes, even very small children are spiritual beings and it is important to nurture that spirituality. If your children go to faith formation classes that is only the first step. That is the soccer practice and the piano technique so to speak. Mass is the game, the concert! Mass is the beautiful piece of music that comes after the lessons. As Catholics, the Mass is the center of all we believe and all we do. Hearing scripture, practicing prayerful gestures, working with materials, listening to the words said during Mass are just a few things our chil- Celebrating Mass is the big game after practicing in the atrium. We schedule Family Masses throughout the year in order to give children the opportunity to connect what they are learning in the atrium to what actually happens when we gather for Mass. Join us for Family Mass! Give your children the opportunity to put all they are learning into action in the context of the most Holy Mass. Our remaining Family Masses for the year are scheduled for Wednesday, Children listen to Father Al during a Family Mass. March 1st and Wednesday, rd May 3 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm on dren experience in the Good Shepherd both days. Family Masses are open to atrium. But everything we do in Good the entire parish. We hope to see you Shepherd leads to something else, there! something much bigger. The Mass. Kelly Reed LISTENING TO GOD S WAY M en of St. John Neumann Parish are again going on a Lenten retreat over the weekend of March 10-12, 2017 at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center on Pittsburgh s South Side slopes. This year s theme, Make known to me your ways, Lord (Ps25:4) invites us into the process of spiritual discernment. We are challenged to spend some quiet time away from the frenetic pace of our daily life and listen to what God is calling us to do. We make decisions every day. Some are ordinary and routine, but others can have a dramatic effect on our lives, our families and our future. Are we making those decisions in the context of our faith and our life with God? How is God acting in our lives and guiding us toward the future? Spend some time on this weekend listening for God s voice. 2 All men of the parish are welcome on this retreat weekend that begins on Friday evening (March 10) and continues through Sunday (March 12) ending with the Eucharist by 12:00 pm. Can t do the whole weekend? Consider joining the group for the Saturday sessions. Contact the parish men s retreat promoters Andrew James at x11 or Paul Crnkovic at to make inquiry about details and/or to register for the weekend. The suggested retreat offering is $215 for the whole weekend (two nights accommodation and five meals, three Masses, Reconciliation, great Conferences and more). Andrew James

3 Consolation Ministry and Resurrection Choir: Sharing Christ s Love during Loss The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing not healing, not curing that is a friend who cares. ~ Francis Bacon As followers of Christ, our lives are centered on putting his example of love into action. The St. John Neumann community has always, with the help of God s grace, tried to be present to our fellow parishioners, their family and friends during those moments of grief when they must witness the passing of their loved ones from this earthly life into the loving arms of God. Several ministries serve families at these moments of loss and new life in Christ: the St. John Neumann Society may bring meals to assist a parishioner during acute or prolonged illnesses; a Stephen Minister may have the privilege of being a spiritual companion for the one who is sick or a grieving loved one; and Eucharistic Ministers of care may bring Jesus presence to them as a sign of love and continued connection with the parish community. When a parishioner or relative of a parishioner passes away and the family chooses to celebrate a funeral Mass at St. John Neumann, two other ministries are contacted: the Consolation Ministry and the Resurrection Choir. Coordinated for many years by Mary Ann Opacic, Barb Pritchard and Victoria Sheridan have recently eased into the leadership role of the Con- solation Ministry under her tutelage. The coordinator communicates details regarding arrangements for the viewing and funeral to volunteers who lead a prayer service for families at the funeral home during the wake, and serve as greeters, Eucharistic ministers, incense bearers, cross bearers, servers and sometimes readers during the funeral Mass. The Resurrection Choir, directed by music minister Jessica Bucci, provides music for the funeral Mass. It is the hope of both groups that, by being present and sharing these difficult moments with our brothers and sisters, we are able to put a human face on God s infinite compassion and love for them. Consider joining one of these groups and following Christ s command to be present to those in sorrow. Both ministries are flexible, allowing volunteers to participate only when they are available. And both ministries promise the blessing of drawing closer to God through service to our fellow parishioners who are grieving. Contact: Consolation Ministry Victoria Sheridan, vsheridan68@gmail.com or (call or text) Resurrection Choir Jessica Bucci, jbucci@stjohnneumannpgh.org or Victoria Sheridan WElcome, Sister Caritas! I am a Sister of St. Joseph from Baden. After serving the 10 local parishes as Catholic Chaplain at UPMC Passavant for 25 years I have joined the St. John Neumann parish staff. I am working part-time as the Eldery Outreach Coordinator for the parish. I am pleased to be visiting the homebound and elderly as well as the sick parishioners. I visit homes, hospital and nursing home parishioners. I began this past September Due to inclement weather of winter and sickness, I am eagerly looking forward to spring and visiting on a more regular basis. As you read this and would like a visit for yourself or an elderly or sick person in your family, please contact me at x18. I am in the church office on Mondays and Wednesdays. Sister Caritas 3

4 Teen Led Bible Study High school senior Jacob Fritsch runs a weekly bible study for teens grades This group meets in the cozy room 4 every Monday from 7-8:15pm-ish. They read the Mass readings for the upcoming Sunday and talk about how to apply the scripture message to their everyday lives. This is a great way to start learning more about the Bible and the Faith. All teens are welcome and can expect a relaxed atmosphere and Ring Pops. Julie Amatangelo Passover Seder Meal for sixth and seventh graders! Passover is the oldest and most sacred religious festival for Jewish people. Also called Pesach, it commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. Since the destruction of the Temple, Jewish people celebrate Passover in their homes with a retelling of the Exodus story, games, and a feast called a Seder meal. The Passover Seder meal tells the story of God and the chosen people and is a wonderful educational experience for us as Christians. All sixth and seventh graders are invited to celebrate the Passover Seder this year with us at St. John Neumann on Palm Sunday, April 9 th at 6:30. Come and search for the Afikomen, open the door for Elijah, taste charoset and eat delicious lamb roasted by Fr. Al himself! Bring your friends you don t want to miss this! Please register by calling the Religious Education office ( ) by March 26 th. Kelly Reed 4 Spring Retreat The Encounter Spring Retreat (March 17-19) is held at beautiful Jumonville retreat center in Hopwood, PA a few miles east of Uniontown. The retreat for high school teens grades 9-12 includes time to: get away, hang with friends, pray, relax, sing, and be encouraged in faith. All of our other retreats/mission trips include other parishes and youth groups so this is a special time as it is just us. The Spring Retreat is an exceptional time for us to be together in a smaller setting to get to know each other and our Lord in a deeper way. Jumonville s 60-foot-tall cross stands on top of Dunbar s Knob (elevation 2485 ft) and is visible from seven counties, three states, and fifty miles on a clear day. This unique setting provides a memorable atmosphere for teens to get rejuvenated through hikes, around the camp fire, or by sipping the best hot chocolate you ve ever had in your life. Teens who have attended in the past have often said that they look forward to this retreat all year long. For more information, forms and pictures from last year s retreat go to sjnyouth.org/encounter Julie Amatangelo Save the Date! June 21-23, 2017 Summer Institute It is with much excitement and enthusiasm that I write about the Summer Institute offered by the Diocese of Pittsburgh at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School in Cranberry from June 21 st to June 23rd! I attended the Summer Institute last year to take a class that enriched my understanding of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The high school sits on a hilltop campus of 72 acres. Inside you immediately become aware that you are in a state of the art learning facility that also contains a spiritual atmosphere in its beautiful chapel. Outside you are able to view and reflect at the grotto of the Blessed Virgin. During the institute, you will experience well-planned days that include a continental breakfast, incredible lunches and speakers, daily Mass, and entertainment after the class presentations. Your day ends with a cocktail hour where you can reflect with your new classmates about the day s activities. A variety of classes is offered to increase your own spiritual growth, and/or use toward certification. You have the opportunity to meet many new people from other parishes and share ideas of what is going on in each parish s religion education centers and schools. The classes are conducted by enthusiastic, well-planned presenters who are passionate about their topic. I looked forward to attending each day of the institute last year, and am eager to participate again this coming summer. Attending the Summer Institute will be precious time well spent out of your busy schedule! Look for additional information regarding the Summer Institute in upcoming bulletins. Mardy Byrnes

5 DANNY FICARRI TO GIVE CONCERT ON JUNE 1 at saint john neumann St. John Neumann is honored to be part of celebration the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Sofia Cavalletti, co-founder of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). As her friends in Rome have said, Sofia never wanted for her own persona to be exalted ; rather, she wanted it to be the gift of the catechesis that would be celebrated, while she, herself [would] fade into the background. In keeping with Sofia s wish, the focus will be on the gift of CGS and the response to that gift by SJN s own Daniel Ficarri. Danny, who is completing his junior year at The Julliard School in New York, will present an organ concert at St. John Neumann on June 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to raise funds for the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Joining the celebration will be representatives of the National Association Mary Mirrione, National Director, traveling from Phoenix; and Karen Maxwell, Director of Formation, trav- eling from Atlanta. Danny, who spent nine years in the Good Shepherd atrium, explains how spending time in this sacred space was formative: The atrium offered a unique experience in which I could explore my faith. The creative, interactive materials intrigued me to enter deeper into the love of God and to find ways of my own to communicate His Word. I became particularly fascinated with hymns I was overwhelmed by the power and beauty of their message. Every week, I looked forward to my time in the atrium where I could be creative with hymns, setting prayers to hymn tunes and organizing them for our prayer services. The church became a second home where I could explore this interest that was central to my faith. Danny s concert will be a great celebration of Sofia Cavalletti and her gift of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to the children and the entire parish of St. John Neumann. Barbara Matera The National Association for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA) is the non-profit membership association entrusted by founder Sofia Cavalletti (who was from Italy) with continuing this work in the United States. It also represents the United States on the International Council of CGS. CGSUSA facilitates all formation courses for catechists (including training and support for formation leaders); translates and publishes books used as texts and enrichment for catechists; and connects over 2,000 members nationwide through a website, newsletters and an annual Journal. It recently began a traveling art exhibit and lecture series entitled HeART of the Child, which offers a glimpse into the child s conversation with God through artwork created during CGS sessions. FUTURE EVENTS FOR CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD coming to saint john neumann The newly formed Western Pennsylvania CGS Regional Group is calling together catechists from Western Pennsylvania and beyond for a Regional Gathering at St. John Neumann Church on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 8:30 am 5:30 pm. Regional Gatherings are an opportunity for catechists to share stories, reflect on their ministry, plan ways to support one another, and make new friends who share the same passion for this work. For more information or to register call Barbara Matera at Online registration is available at com/joshcym/form12/ index.html. All who have been formed as Level I Catechists are invited to experience the beauty and wonder of the next level of CGS as we offer a Level II Formation Course over the next two summers at St. John Neumann parish. Mary Heinrich, a formation leader from Des Moines, Iowa, who works for the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and was a recent presenter at Formation Leader Training, is coming to St. John Neumann this summer to give Part One of this course from August 23-27, Please consider participating in another 90-hour retreat a CGS Level II Formation Course. Contact Kelly Reed at X16 to register or for more details. Andrew James 5

6 Hard to believe we will be embarking on our 7 th Annual St John Neumann Golf Outing. We have been blessed with great weather, great fun, and most of all great people during this run. This continues this year as we welcome new chairpersons Dan and Janine Littlefield. We hope to add some new flair to a great tradition. This year our event will be held on May 22 nd and promises to be a true FUNraiser. First, the FUN. This is an opportunity for parishioners and our friends in and out of the parish to enjoy an afternoon of golf and an evening of fellowship. Secondly, we RAISE funds for activities and programs for the youth of St. John Neumann as they continue to show that they are not just the church of the future, but the Body of Christ today. High School ENCOUNTER and Middle School IGNITE programs help our teens to find their identity as children of God and followers of Christ. Our outreach mission opportunities give them a chance to put their faith into action in service to others. These experiences are LIFE CHANGING both for our teens and the people they encounter. Youth group is home. Home is where you find your truest identity. Mark- Pitt Sophomore About Steubenville Youth Conference: Being around all those people who know and love Jesus as I do, reminds me of my priorities and how unimportant the things of this world are. Caleb 10 th Grade Encounter has given me so many opportunities to serve families throughout the country and right here at SJN. Abby - 12 th Grade There are many ways to be a part of the fun: If you like to golf like to eat have a business have a little time are a teen have money to give away have friends inside and outside the church Then You will enjoy a stress free 18 hole scramble format at the beautiful Shannopin Country Club AND a great dinner for only $150/ golfer. You can join for the fabulous dinner afterward for only $45 per plate. Sponsor a tee or green for $100 to promote your business to some great customers. We can use help with everything from selling mulligans to tracking registrations. Sharing your experience with any of our youth programs would be a great help. We will take it, but would rather you join us or sponsor others inside or outside of the SJN community This is our chance to let people see us as a faith community at our best. Having fun, supporting our youth and preparing them to show the world the impact that love and service can make in our world. So SAVE THE DATE and consider how you can be part of the FUNraising. Look for more information at or contact Janine Littlefield at j9rph@comcast.net 6

7 SAINT JOHN NEUMANN LENTEN CALENDAR Parish Opportunities for Spiritual Formation and Renewal Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil at 5:30 pm (except for April 15) Sunday at 8:00 am, 9:30 am & 11:30 am Daily Morning Mass: 9:00 am (except for April 13, 14 and 15) Beyond Renew: Small group faith sharing sessions meet at various times during the week through the season. Contact Linda Young at if you would like to join a group. March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat February 26 February 27 Monday School w/dr. Ellen Cavanaugh 7:00-8:30 pm February ST Sunday 2 ND Sunday 12:30-2:30 pm Men s St. Paul of the Cross rd Sunday Spring Retreat 4 TH Sunday 12:30-2:30 pm 6 13 Monday School w/ Mr. Gary Fritsch 7:00-8:30 pm 20 Monday School w/bill & Rosemary McLaughlin 7:00-8:30 pm 27 Lenten Penance St. John Neumann Ch 7 6: : : :30- ASH WEDNESDAY Mass w/ashes 9:00 am, 4:30 & 7 pm (4:30 & Masses are GS Family Masses) 8 1: pm Middle School IGNITE 6:30-8:30 PM Women in Scripture 15 The Light is Still On For You Penance 7:00-9:00 pm 22 Middle School IGNITE 6:30-8:30 pm SJN Prayer Ministry Holy Hour/Benediction Men s St. Paul of the Cross Spring Retreat Supper and Stations 6:00 pm Anointing of the am Mass 11 Men s St. Paul of the Cross 18 Spring Retreat 25 April 1 Anointing of the am Mass April 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat TH Sunday 9 Palm(Passion) Sunday SEDER SUPPER for Grades 6 & 7 6:30 pm 16 EASTER SUNDAY Lenten Penance Sts. John & Paul Ch 10 Lenten Penance St. Alphonsus Church 6: :30-5 Middle School IGNITE 6:30-8:30 pm Lenten Penance St. Alexis Church HOLY WEEK MASS OF THE LORD S SUPPER 7:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration Until Midnight 7 14 LITURGY OF THE LORD S PASSION 1:30 PM WERE YOU THERE? Drama by SJN Youth 8 15 Blessing of Easter Foods 11:00 am EASTER VIGIL 8:30 pm Welcome Reception for New Members follows Please call the St. John Neumann Parish Offices for more detailed information about any of these opportunities

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