Preparing to Hear God s Word Therefore, Consider Carefully HOW you LISTEN. (Luke 8:18) org

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1 FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Introduction We might begin by asking the question, What exactly is the Bible? Most Christians would answer with something like, It s God s Holy Word, His special instrument of communication to man. And they would be right. Then we need to ask another question. If we believe the Bible is God s Word and special means of communication, do we take the Bible seriously? Do we have a holy reverence for Scripture and the time we assemble together to worship and study this Word from God? Are we like the one God esteems or looks for in Isaiah 66:2? This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (NIV) Or as the KJV reads, but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. God is looking for people who have a holy reverence for the Word and His plan for learning and applying it. This means truly hearing God s voice in the Word. God is the master communicator and biblical history is not only the story of redemption but it is also the story of communication and revelation from God. He encodes and transmits, and we are to decode and receive. Isn t it true that one of the keys to life and good relationships is effective communication? And for effective communication to occur, there must be effective listening. This is just one of the reasons we must take the study of the Bible very seriously, whether privately or corporately. This is true not only in Bible study, but in our prayer life and in all aspects of corporate worship. Why? So we might truly listen to God through the various aspects of a worship service, and especially our time in the Word. Preparing to Hear God s Word Therefore, Consider Carefully HOW you LISTEN. (Luke 8:18) org We so need to learn that we are here to listen to God even though He has chosen to use human instruments to communicate with us. It would be well for each of us to take to heart Paul s praise to the Thessalonian believers in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. The process looks something like this: (1) COMMUNICATION: Listening to God (2) COMPREHENSION: Understanding what God says (3) CONFIDENCE: Trusting in what God says (4) CHANGE: Being transformed by what God says Without this process of communication, there simply cannot be any real spiritual change in the life of man. Because of this, God is deeply concerned about how well we listen when we are listening. The Importance Scripture Places on Listening to God Have you ever noticed how often the Bible emphasizes the idea of listening? It is a concept that is repeated over and over in a variety of ways. This is obviously not without purpose. The point is simple, God has much to say to us and because He is the all-wise and sovereign God and because of our finite humanity as well as our fallenness, it is imperative for us to listen carefully. But, as fallen people, even as fallen people now redeemed, we are ever so prone to be distracted and drawn away with other things, even with good things. We can too easily be like Martha, who was distracted by so many things, rather than Mary who sat at the feet of the Savior to hear His Word. Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord s word, seated at His feet. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me. 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. As portrayed in the parable of the sower, the soils, and the seed, we can be like the thorny ground, full of thorns and thistles which represent the cares of the world and which choke the Word and cause it to become unfruitful in our lives. Mark 4:18-19 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 and the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Why do you suppose God created man with two eyes and two ears, but only one mouth? That in itself ought to be a visual object lesson worth a thousand words. Listen to these words from Proverbs 20:12. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them. You know, I find it significant and interesting that Solomon says nothing about the mouth. The Lord made that too, yet it seems Solomon purposely didn t mention the mouth. He only mentions that which is a source or means of receiving instruction from the Lord. The fact is we are all too quick to reveal our minds and too slow to listen. James reminds us of this very fact: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). (NIV) With this in mind, we might note Proverbs 18:2, A fool does not delight in understanding (which comes by hearing), But only in revealing his own mind. Proverbs 22:17-19 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. The lesson is obvious: We are to listen so we can learn to trust the Lord. To fail to listen shows our determination to pursue life through our own resources and foolishness.

2 Diocesan Annual Appeal Report IN THE PARISH Thank you to the following parishioners who donated to the Diocesan Annual Appeal: Helpful Information Miriam Agrifiotis Bonnie Alexy Daniel Amerise Mary Ann Amesbury Nancy Amesbury Regina Amrick Anonymous Marg. Antinovitch Marcella Antolik Casimir Bacewicz Edward Balicki John Baloga Joseph Baloga Marion Baloga Robert Bambrick Pat Baran Ruth Bardar Rob Barkus Jane Bednar A.J. Dreier Rosemary Dupre Larraine Eddowes Rinaldo Ercolani Daniel Evans James Evans Raymond Fedor Ann Flannery Brian J. Flannery Marie Flannery Patricia Flynn John Gdovin William Giebus Joan Gilligan John Gilligan Frank Glazenski Louis Goeringer Diane Gregor Linda Grey Daniel Limongelli Ryan Lindbuchler George Lovrinic Karen Luce Joan Lugoski Dolores Lynch Ronald Lyons Mary Ann Magda Carolyn Martin Patricia Matello Mary Therese McCabe John McClosky Gerald McCue Louise McDonald Dorothy McGraw John McNelis Susan Mentrikoski Harry Messersmith Francis Montague Mary Ann Slavinski John Smith Elaine Snyder Jeffrey Snyder Sandra Snyder Lois Sokolski Gabriel Spak William Stasvisak Robert Stofey Joseph Stone Jr. Frances Suchar Mark Suchar Geraldine Tarantini Dorothy Teller Leo Thompson Marylin Tosh Janine Triani Regina Triani Frank Tribendis Join the Parish Anyone wishing to register for membership in the parish is asked to fill out a registration form and drop it in the collection basket. Request Prayers Our INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY provides prayer for anyone in need throughout the parish. Contact MARY ANN MAGDA at or make your intention known on our parish website at Remember your Parish Your parish serves you faithfully throughout your life. Please remember your parish with a memorial gift or a Bequest in your will. Make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for you. Maggie Benish Msgr. Grimalia Scott Montague Joseph Trudnak John Benz John Bergold Martin Birosak Thomas Birosak Helen Blizman Mary Blisman Tony Bonczewski Don Bonetski Joseph Boris Tillie Boza Dennis Bozinski Mark Breznay Michael Buckman Regina Buczynski Karen Burke Joan Cavanaugh Barbara Ceklosky Sean Chandler Sr. Florence Check Mary Chupka Theresa Chupka Thomas Cipriani Robert Cirko John Connell Rosemary Cronauer Monica Cunningham Joan Danishanko Edward Darko Robert Davailus Mark Dechman Michael Degnan Nicholas Degnan Peter Degnan Dennis Devine Claire Dirvonsky David Dirvonsky Frank Dirvonsky Dolores Dlugosh David Gryczko Patricia Gryskevicz John Harowicz Ted Harowicz Dennis Harrison John Hassay Marty Heaney Jackson Hendershot Betty Herbert Eleanor Howe Peter Hrycenko Anna Hudock Jos. Humanik Sr. Andrew Hvozdovic Mary Kay Ihnat Bernard Iskra Karianne Iskra White Magdalen Iskra Tony Janick Thomas Jones Maria Kasper Andrew Katsock III Andrew A Katsock Rita Kcenich Rita Kelly Marilyn Kenzakoski Frank Klemek AJ Kondracki Jean Koval Geri Krufka Joseph Krulak Michael Kunec James Kupstas Joyce Langan Anna Lavan Monica Lazorick Damian Lendacky Linda Lendacky James Morpeth John V. Morris III Anthony Mulvey Robert Novak Donna Owca Stanley Owca Florence Paciga Theresa Partika Barbara Peggs Leonard Petroski David Porzuczek Pamela Povilitus Steven Prevuznak Mary Rembish Stephen Rembish Robert Ripski Mary Risko John Rollman James Rother Michael Rushton Bernardine Sabol John Saraka Dan Scalzo Carol Schultz Fr. Ken Seegar Charles Seiger Joan Selner William Sennet Sr. Marie Sepela Stephanie Sepela Dan Shedlock Mary Shorts Anthony Shurmanek Barbara Shurmanek Ann Shurmanek Mary Ann Siegel Agnes Siskovich John Sitar Geri Ulichney Carl Walkowiak Christine Walkowiak Joseph Walkowiak John Wassil Helen Welgos Julia Wilcox Len Wilcox Jason Woloski Thomas Wychock Catherine Wydra Dolores Yesuvida Joseph Zak Chester Zaleski Joan Zemanik James Zoccola Carol Zukowski Parish Goal: $32, Amount Raised $24, Amount Short $7, ONLY 39% of parish families participated (211 out of 538) SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS Anointing of the Sick The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may take place at any time, but, sadly, too many families wait until the last minute to call the priest to anoint their loved ones. If someone in your family is seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or suffering a prolonged illness, please contact the parish office to arrange a time for Fr. Ken to visit. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY or if Fr. Ken is unavailable to visit immediately, we will contact the first available priest to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with your loved one. Funeral Preparations We collaborate with the local funeral directors in arranging the times of the funerals. Please be aware that there is an additional fee for funerals on Saturdays imposed by most cemeteries in the area. Baptismal Preparations Parents of newly born infants may call the parish office to arrange a time for the Baptism of their child. Baptisms are celebrated, for the most part, on any Sunday, with the exception of the season of Lent. Wedding Preparations Couples contemplating Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least one year prior to the contemplated date of marriage, before making other plans. Marci Domanski John Lewandowski Gertrude Skibinski

3 THE LITURGY Listening At the Liturgy by Rev. Benedict Groeschel CFR truly present and speaks in the sacred liturgy through lector and homilist. The gift of reverence or fear of the Lord is given to those who courteously listen. One can listen to the Word of God when reading alone or even more powerfully at the Offices of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours. But there is a unique experience of listening and responding which can be found only in the celebration of the Eucharist itself. Without entering into theological controversy, lets consider what we may listen to and how we may respond in prayer. The title Listening at the Liturgy may cause many readers to be uncomfortable. To those who grew up before the liturgical reforms following Vatican II, it may suggest a kind of passive piety and highly individualized devotion which, at least from this point in history, looks dreary. To a younger person, the actual meaning of the suggestion, listening at the liturgy, may be almost incomprehensible. Liturgy has become an act something you do. When well-done it should involve the active participation of everyone present. Others hold a variety of opinions ranging from those who with great relief would return to the personal silence of the old liturgical usage, to those who are put off by any ritual requirements at all and are uncomfortable with any symbols that speak to us of mystical or unseen reality. Finally, many Christians who appear to be increasing in number regard the liturgy as a sacred drama or spectacle. They are enthusiastic about listening, but I am using the word differently. Rather, the purpose of this piece, whatever your liturgical bent might be, is to help you listen at Mass, and respond in prayer. LISTENING TO THE LITURGY OF THE WORD The liturgy exhorts us with beautiful verses to respond to the readings in an enthusiastic way, not only with voice but with mind and heart. How rich an experience it can be to cast ourselves into an attitude of listening and responding, especially when we decide to set our minds in the true frame of reference for this event. This means that in the now moment of our lives we hear the words of God Himself, the deeds of His Son, and the call of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Christ is The community of believers, the faithful of Christ, should always be represented at the liturgy. There may be only one other person, there may be a handful, there may be thousands in a stadium. But the community always speaks, even if it is with a priest and a single participant representing the community. And the community demands a response. We gather with body, mind, and spirit, with virtues and vices, with the conflicts generated by grace and sin, and with hopes and fears. To fail to listen to the voice of humanity in celebrating the mystery of salvation is to miss the dimension of the Incarnation. From Genesis to Revelation, the message is one of Gods coming to be with His children, of Christ among His brothers and sisters, of the Word made flesh and dwelling among us. Admittedly, when we listen prayerfully to the community, we often hear discordant sounds and receive conflicting messages. It is hardly a choir of angels. So one must listen with a tolerance bordering on humility, and with a sense of reverence for how the Lord is working out the salvation of others, and with an openness to their needs. To be comfortable praying with a community no doubt requires a sense of humor. Humor will help us to pray with, rather than to be disturbed by, the old man who confesses his little sins out loud or the child who keeps asking questions about where God is. People who try to pray at the liturgy open themselves up in a surprising way, even those most proper and reserved. If their presence is anything more than mere attendance, they are aware that they are publicly witnessing their inmost thoughts, their aspirations for God, and their desire to know and serve Him. Prayerful participation in the liturgy means proclaiming oneself a penitent, a disciple of Christ, and a child of God who hopes for eternal life. But thoughtful and mature prayer at liturgy involves even more: To be present where two or three are gathered in His Name is to be more open to humanity than perhaps at any other time. People need to express this in different ways; none should be superficial and none should be aloof.

4 Winter Ordinary Time Weekend of January Monday January 15 Tuesday January 16 Thursday January 18 Friday January 19 Saturday January 20 Weekend of January Sunday January 21 Monday, January 22 Tuesday, January 23 Thursday January 25 Weekend of January Tuesday January 30 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:15 am Faith Formation Cemetery Envelopes Orders for Candlemas Candles Palm Collection Begins MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 6:00 pm St. Andre s Faith Seekers 5:30 pm Choir Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Noon Exposition 5:00 pm Evening Prayer 6:30 pm FINANCE COUNCIL MARCH FOR LIFE in Washington DC 10:30 am Disciples of the Spirit of Jesus Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Debt Reduction Envelopes Orders for Candlemas Candles Dance and Raffle Tickets on Sale Palm Collection 2 pm Sharers on the Journey with Christ Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Unborn 5:30 pm Choir End of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Noon Exposition 5 pm Evening Prayer Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:15 Faith Formation HUMAN DEVELOPMENT COLLECTION Orders for Candlemas Candles Fish Dinner, Dance, and Basket Raffle Tickets on sale. Palm Collection 5:30 pm Choir Upcoming Feasts and Celebrations CURRENT PALM COLLECTION With the Christmas holidays barely behind us, it s time to focus on what lies ahead. LENT begins on February 14th [so plan to take your Valentine out on the 13th or 15th, since Ash Wednesday (Valentine s Day) remains a day of FAST and ABSTINENCE!] In preparation for ASH WEDNESDAY, we are currently collecting old palms from last year so that they can be burned to provide the ashes which will be imposed on our heads as a sign of our repentance. Palms may be deposited in the box provided in the vestibule. February 2nd, Candlemas Day Order forms for the Candlemas Candles are available in this week s bulletin. Please fill one out and return with payment in next week s collection. February 9th Spring Dance Tickets are now on sale for our Spring Dance, which will be held on Friday, February 9th in St. Mary s Byzantine Parish Social Hall from 6 10 pm. Music will be provided by Millennium. The $20 ticket grants admission to dinner and dancing. Responsible BYOB. Must be 21 years of age to attend. A sign up sheet for workers and dessert bakers is now in the vestibule of the church. Many hands make light work. February 9th Basket Raffle Thanks to our basket and gift card donors for their generosity and creativity. Raffle tickets will be on sale beginning January 20th. February 14th ASH WEDNESDAY Our Social Justice Council is sponsoring its annual FISH DINNER on Ash Wednesday, February 14th from 4 6 pm in Fr. Zolcinski Hall. Tickets are $9.00. Dinner includes breaded haddock, baked potato, coleslaw OR applesauce, roll and butter, dessert and beverage. Tickets will be sold at all weekend Masses on January 27-28, February 3-4, and February As this event tends to sell out, we advise you to get your tickets earlier rather than later. Take out orders will be available and delivery will be made to St. John s, Bnai Brith and Washington Towers. This will be a matching funds project by Senior Branch 350 of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. PARISH MINISTRIES ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS The Finance Council will meet on Thursday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fr. Murgas Conference Room. All members of the Finance Council are asked to plan to attend. The Liturgical Council will meet on Wednesday, February 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fr. Murgas Conference Room. The Parish Social Justice Council will meet Thursday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. in the Fr. Murgas Conference Room The Pastoral Council will meet on Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 pm in the Fr. Murgas Conference Room. PARISH COMMITTEES FAITH SHARING St. Andre s Faith Seekers with Michael Boris will meet at 6 pm on Monday January 15 in the Fr. Murgas Meeting Room of the Parish Office. Disciples of the Spirit of Jesus with Sr. Madonna will meet on Saturday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Fr. Murgas Meeting Room of the Parish office. There is still room in this group for anyone who might be interested. Sharers on the Journey with Christ with Rosemary Shedlock will meet on Sunday, January 21st at 2:00 pm in the home of Elaine Snyder. The Development Committee will meet on Monday, February 5th at 6:00 pm in the Lower Meeting Room of the Parish Office. The Young at Heart Committee will meet for their next monthly meeting on January 17th at 1 pm in the Fr. Murgas conference Room. Loaves & Fishes Food for January Non-Dairy Creamers

5 FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH Pope Francis Catechesis on Christian Hope December 7, Today we shall begin a new series of catecheses, on the theme of Christian hope. It is very important, because hope never disappoints. Optimism disappoints, but hope does not! We have such need, in these times which appear dark, in which we sometimes feel disoriented at the evil and violence which surrounds us, at the distress of so many of our brothers and sisters. We need hope! We feel disoriented and even rather discouraged, because we are powerless and it seems this darkness will never end. We must not let hope abandon us, because God, with his love, walks with us. I hope, because God is beside me": we can all say this. Each one of us can say: I hope, I have hope, because God walks with me. He walks and he holds my hand. God does not leave us to ourselves. The Lord Jesus has conquered evil and has opened the path of life for us. It is important to reflect on hope. Let us allow the Lord to teach us what it means to hope. Therefore let us listen to the words of Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Prophet Isaiah, the great messenger of hope. In the second part of his Book, Isaiah addresses the people with his message of comfort: Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned... A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (40:1-2, 3-5). God the Father comforts by raising up comforters, whom he asks to encourage the people, his children, by proclaiming that the tribulation has ended, affliction has ended, and sins have been forgiven. This is what heals the afflicted and fearful heart. This is why the Prophet asks them to prepare the way of the Lord, to be ready to receive his gifts and his salvation. For the people, comfort begins with the opportunity to walk on God s path, a new path, made straight and passable, a way prepared in the desert, so as to make it possible to cross it and return to the homeland. The Prophet addresses the people who are living the tragedy of the Exile in Babylon, and now instead they hear that they may return to their land, across a path made smooth and wide, without valleys and mountains that make the journey arduous, a level path across the desert. Thus, preparing that path means preparing a way of salvation and liberation from every obstacle and hindrance. The Exile was a fraught moment in the history of Israel, when the people had lost everything. The people had lost their homeland, freedom, dignity, and even trust in God. They felt abandoned and hopeless. Instead, however, there is the Prophet s appeal which reopens the heart to faith. The desert is a place in which it is difficult to live, but precisely there, one can now walk in order to return not only to the homeland, but return to God, and return to hoping and smiling. When we are in darkness, in difficulty, we do not smile, and it is precisely hope which teaches us to smile in order to find the path that leads to God. One of the first things that happens to people who distance themselves from God is that they are people who do not smile. Perhaps they can break into a loud laugh, one after another, a joke, a chuckle... but their smile is missing! Only hope brings a smile: it is the hopeful smile in the expectation of finding God. Life is often a desert, it is difficult to walk in life, but if we trust in God it can become beautiful and wide as a highway. Just never lose hope, just continue to believe, always, in spite of everything. When we are before a child, although we have many problems and many difficulties, a smile comes to us from within, because we see hope in front of us: a child is hope! And in this way we must be able to discern in life the way of hope which leads us to find God, God who became a Child for us. He will make us smile, he will give us everything! These very words of Isaiah were then used by John the Baptist in his preaching that invites to conversion. This is what he said: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord (Mt 3:3). It is a voice which cries out where it seems that no one can hear it for who can listen in the desert? and which cries out in the disorientation caused by a crisis of faith. We cannot deny that the world today is in a crisis of faith. One says: I believe in God, I am a Christian I belong to this religion.... But your life is far from being Christian; it is far removed from God! Religion, faith is but an expression: Do I believe? Yes!. This means returning to God, converting the heart to God and going on this path to find him. He is waiting for us. This is John the Baptist s preaching: prepare. Prepare for the encounter with Christ who will give our smile back to us. When the Baptist proclaims Jesus coming, it is as if the Israelites are still in exile, because they are under the Roman dominion, which renders them foreigners in their own homeland, ruled by powerful occupiers that make decisions about their lives. However, the true history is not the one made by the powerful, but the one made by God together with his little ones. The true history that which will remain in eternity is the one that God writes with his little ones: God with Mary, God with Jesus, God with Joseph, God with the little ones. Those little and simple people whom we see around the newborn Jesus: Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were old and barren, Mary, the young virgin maiden betrothed to Joseph, the shepherds, who were scorned and counted for nothing. It is the little ones, made great by their faith, the little ones who are able to continue to hope. Hope is the virtue of the little ones. The great ones, those who are satisfied, do not know hope; they do not know what it is. It is the little ones with God, with Jesus, who transform the desert of exile, of desperation and loneliness, of suffering, into a level plain on which to walk in order to encounter the glory of the Lord. We have come to the point : let us be taught hope. Let us be confident as we await the coming of the Lord, and what the desert may represent in our life each one knows what desert he or she is walking in it will become a garden in bloom. Hope does not disappoint!

6 IN THE DIOCESE Do You Want to Know More About the Annulment Process?: In the Diocese of Scranton, the annulment process is now more user friendly than you might expect, and there is no longer a processing fee. Please contact your pastor or the Diocesan Tribunal Office ( ) to begin a conversation. It is possible to get clear answers to these questions and to renew your connection with the Church. To Commemorate the Founding of the Diocese of Scranton on March 3rd, 1868, a year-long series of special liturgies, celebration and events will begin next month on the First Sunday of Advent (Dec. 3, 2017) and conclude on the Feast of Christ the King (November 25, 2018). The Primary Commemoration of our Sesquicentennial Year will be marked with a major liturgical celebration in Scranton at the Cathedral of St. Peter and also at every parish throughout the Diocese on the Weekend of March 4th, Other events have been scheduled throughout the 11 counties of the Diocese to highlight various churches, institutions, and sites of historical significance. Celebrating a Significant Wedding Anniversary in 2018? His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2018 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 10. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through the Parish Office ( ) before March 12. Notice Regarding the Sexual Abuse of A Minor It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania s Child Protective Services Law, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline (ChildLine) at or electronically at cwis. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at or to Diocesan Officials, including the Vicar General, Msgr. Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G. at Interested in supporting and protecting our children s future? Then please consider attending the diocesan-sponsored VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children for Adults Program. This training session is required for all adult employees and volunteers who have direct contact or routine interaction with children. During the three-hour training, a facilitator, who will teach you the tools and show you the resources to maintain a safe environment for all children, will incorporate techniques in a discussion-format to help you recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to respond to it appropriately and effectively. Please consider joining your community on Sunday, January 21, 2018, with St. Nicholas Parish, Wilkes-Barre, beginning at 2 pm, to take part in this vital program to help safeguard our most vulnerable and precious gifts: our children. *Session will take place in the church basement* To register, please call the parish at The Oblates of St. Joseph will host the Annual Feast of the Holy Spouses, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, on Sunday, January 21 st with a special Holy Mass at 3:00PM at the Oblates of St. Joseph Chapel, Route 315, Laflin. Everyone is invited to attend especially all married couples and future married couples. Holy Spouses lapel pins will be distributed after the Holy Mass. A light reception will follow in the seminary community room for all to enjoy. A triduum (three days of prayers) will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January with a Holy Mass at 7:00PM and Novena prayers. The Holy Rosary and Confessions will be before the Holy Mass. Come early. You are invited to attend. Offer your personal petitions to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph for your family. Grade 8 Placement/ Scholarship Test Result Night and Registration Night for incoming Freshmen will be held January 24 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium. (snow date Jan. 25) Appointments for class scheduling for new students for the school year will be held on February 8, 12 and 13 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Call today for an appointment or to arrange for a day to shadow a student. Call Holy Redeemer High School s Guidance Department at to set an appointment. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal will be celebrating a Regional Prayer Meeting on Monday, January 29th, at 7:30 pm, and ALL ARE WELCOME to attend. The meeting will be held at Queen of Apostles Hall, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca. There will be praise and worship with our combined music ministry, a witness by Tom Gentry, and a teaching by Karen McLain. The evening is being hosted by Burning Bush Prayer Group of Scranton, and refreshments will be served. Please come and join in the celebration of the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit!!

7 STEWARDSHIP St. Francis of Assisi and Church Renewal The Prayer of St. Francis is usually considered to be that prayer that begins.. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace Unfortunately, history has not proved that St. Francis ever wrote that prayer, or prayed it himself though it certainly is within the spirit of all that Francis stood for. Instead, history attests that Francis prayer was much more simple and direct Most High and Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart Give me right faith, perfect hope and true charity. Fill me with understanding and knowledge so that I may do your command. Let s take a look at this simple prayer. The first point is that it is SIMPLE. There are no big words (like consubstantial), no lofty ideas. It is a prayer that begins in the depths of his heart a heartfelt plea for meaning and purpose. I think that we, too often, complicate our prayers in an effort to impress God. There are a plethora of prayer books printed with high and lofty words. Even the current edition of the Roman Missal encourages one to scratch his head and say What did I just pray for? This is an effort in pride. If we say just the right words, God will hear us, descend from his lofty throne, and come to our aid. We forget the admonition of Jesus: In your prayer, do not rattle on like the pagans. They think they will gain a hearing by the shear multiplication of words. Do not imitate them! (Mt 6:7) Francis prayer rises from the depth of his heart. In simple and unadulterated terms he presents his plea before God: help me understand so that I may do what you ask. That s it. He prays for understanding. He prays the prayer of Solomon. The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you. Solomon answered: You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne. Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours? The Lord was pleased by Solomon s request. So God said to him: Because you asked for this you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies but you asked for discernment to know what is right 12 I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 1Kings 3:5-14 It is not in the multiplication of words that our prayer comes before God. Rather it is in the simplicity of our hearts that God hears and answers us. Thus, our prayer must become more simple and pure. But how do we accomplish this? We have been trained to say long prayers with impressive words (How many times have you said, in the Act of Contrition, I am hardly sorry instead of I am HEART-I-LY sorry? A vast difference between those 2 words!) We may even think that God will get angry if we get the words wrong. So how do we chuck years of conditioning to say long prayers and adopt a much simpler and kinder style? The answer is quite simple as well: Just do it. Instead of coming before God with a whole list of petitions or words to say, simply place yourself in God s presence. Take several deep breaths to clear your mind and heart. Then speak the words that arise from deep within. For what did Francis pray? First, he acknowledged that he did not know everything. (enlighten the darkness of my heart). He is seeking the light of God to assist him in forming a plan for his life. He is looking for enlightenment. Second, he recognizes what is necessary if he is to fulfill the duties of his Christian vocation Faith, Hope and Love (or charity, as it is sometimes translated). Francis is not praying, however, for any kind of faith he is praying for RIGHT FAITH the kind of faith that arises from being enlightened from seeing as God sees. Nor is he looking for a fleeting hope. He wants a perfect hope that has its eyes fixed on the blessings God has promised to the just. Finally, he prays for true love a love which is selfeffacing and serves the needs of the other. Beyond these evangelical virtues, Francis also prays for knowledge and understanding an insight into the mind of God so that he may fulfill the command which God has given him: Love your neighbor as yourself. In this simple prayer, Francis prays for all that he needs. This prayer would become the hallmark of the Franciscan way of life a way of life that transformed an entire Church!

8 FINANCES INCOME EXPENSES January 06,07,2018 January 04, 2018 January 10, 2018 PARISH COLLECTION Administration 2, In Church Mailed In Clergy Residence -0- Loose Liturgy Offering 3, Religious Education -0- Holy Days Social Justice -0- Initial Maintenance 2, Dues 1, Deposit to Savings -0- Debt Reduction Insurance -0- Holiday Flowers Taxes -0- TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION Diocesan Collection TOTAL DIOCESAN $5, $1, Capital Outlay -0- DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS Diocesan Collections 1, Debt Service (Principal + Interest) -0- School Subsidy -0- Prior Balance DIOCESAN ASSESSMENTS Current Assessment Amount Paid BALANCE DUE PLEASE NOTE: (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018) Diocesan Assessment School Assessment BALANCE , , , , , , , , , , We owe $73, toward the Assessments by December 25th. OTHER INCOME TOTAL EXPENSES $6, Candles 5.25 Perquisites GENERAL FUND RECAPITULATION Rental -0- Previous Balance 19, Donation Income +7, Holy Day Expenses -6, TOTAL OTHER INCOME BALANCE FORWARD $20, TOTAL INCOME $7, Your Gift to God Mass Attendance January 06-07, 2018 People In-Church Collection Average Offering per person 4:00 p.m , :30 p.m :00 a.m :00a.m. 73 1, Total 286 $5, REMINDER: In order for our parish to remain solvent, the average weekly offering per person MUST equal or be greater than $15.00 consistently. Intention Offered by Intention Offered by Votive Offerings Bread and Wine Mary A Jones (Kabara) Rob & Jackie Barkus Sanctuary Candle Mary A Jones (Kabara) Rob & Jackie Barkus PARISH DEBT SERVICE Parish Loan January 6-7, 2018 Over $ $20 38 $ $ $ $15 16 $75 1 $ $ $10 55 $50 8 $6-9 4 $ $5 40 $25 13 under $5 16 $ Amount Paid Total Envelopes used BALANCE Due PRINCIPAL 400, , , INTEREST 12, , , BALANCE 412, , , Please Note: The Parish Debt service has been paid to date. This Account is current. 220 Is your gift to the parish each week an honest reflection of God s goodness to you?

9 LOCAL EVENTS Members of our parish who donated time to celebrate St. Andre Bessette Feast Day at St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen Rosemary Shedlock, Carol Zukowski, Anna Hudock, Jean Koval, Jean Levandowski, Sr. Madonna, Mary Ann Magda, Florence Krulak, Joan Cavanaugh, Geri Ulichney and Diane Gregor volunteered their services at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, January 6, 2018 in celebration of our Parish Patron, St. Andre Bessette. Our Parish community was the sponsor for the day in celebration of our patronal feast. The Annual Respect Life Mass, sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Councils, Knights of Columbus, will be held at Saint Faustina Parish, Hanover Street, Nanticoke, Sunday,, at the 11:00 am Mass. The Knights of Columbus, along with Pro-Life Representatives, will offer prayer intentions during the Mass for a greater respect of all Human Life and to end abortion. Father Nash, Pastor, warmly invites all to attend and to pray for the most vulnerable of Human Lives, those with disabilities, the ill, and the unborn. PRO-LIFE MARCH, Washington DC January 19, 2017 Those wishing more information concerning a local Bus going to the March For Life in Washington, Friday, January 19 th, may contact Christopher Calore, Pennsylvanians for Human Life Representative, at Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson Safety Concerns in Worship Today Thursday, January 25th 8:30 am to 10 am Chamber Office 8 W. Broad Street, Mezzanine Level, Downtown Hazleton Everyone would be eligible for the chamber member price of $10 pp In light of recent violence and terrorist attacks, this program will cover the issues surrounding awareness and assessment of the physical space and procedures affecting each place of worship. The program will assist House Of Worship leaders to improve security by learning how to determine where your facility is vulnerable, then providing an overview of conducting a basic security survey, followed by a report outlining steps for corrective action. Refreshments will be provided. Program presented by Dale Rothenberger of Zee Medical Reservations are required by calling Leann at the Chamber office at

10 AGNUS DAY by Pastor Jim Weitzman WEEKLY CALENDAR Second Week in Ordinary Time January 15-21, 2018 Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events Monday, January 15 Weekday Tuesday, January 16 Weekday Wednesday, January 17 Weekday 8 am 8 am Rita Benczkowski No Morning Mass Scheduled Husband Stanley and Family 8 am Fr. Frank Zolcinski Parish Thursday, January 18 St. Anthony Abbot 8 am Special Intentions A friend Friday, January 19 Weekday Saturday, January 20 St. Sebastian Pope St. Fabian 8 am Tomascik Family No Morning Mass Scheduled Estate of Margaret Tomascik Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parish Office Closed 6:00 pm St. Andre s Faith Seekers 5:30 pm Choir 1:00 pm Young at Heart Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Noon Exposition 5 pm Vespers 6 pm Parish Finance Committee March for Life in Washington DC Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 am Disciples of the Spirit of Jesus 3:00 pm Confessions VIGIL 4:00 pm Parishioners Pastor 9:15 am Faith Formation VIGIL 5:30 pm John Domanski Ted & Septa Harowicz SUNDAY 8:00 am Mary Jane Pulos SUNDAY 11:00 am Frank Walkowiak Frank & Camille Glazenski The Robert Sestak Family Debt Reduction Envelopes 2 pm Sharers on the Journey with Christ I m just doing what everybody else is doing. LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE Without a VISION the People Perish. Proverbs 29:18 January 20-21, 2018 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 pm A.J. Kondracki Ann Bergold John Bergold 5:30 pm Michael Boris Diane Gregor Elaine Klukoske 8:00 am Nicholas Kreidler 11:00 am Aiden Burridge Kayla Gianelli Mary Ann Slavinski Jackie Barkus John Benz Jim Zoccola 11:00 am Hailey Stephens David Alusick Robert Dunsmuir Sr