SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 24, 2019

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1 SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 24, 2019 REV. JOHN A. SEDLAK Pastor/Trust Administrator PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to build up the Kingdom of God by offering ourselves with Jesus for the true good of every person. Mass Schedule & Sat. Morning: 8:00 am Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:00 & 11:00 am Holy Days: As Announced Sacrament of Reconciliation & Sat. Morning: 7:30-7:50 am Saturday Vigil: 4:00-4:45 pm Sunday: 8:30-8:45 am & 10:30-10:45 am (30 minutes before all other Masses) Office Hours Monday-Thursday: Mailing Address PO Box Route 981 United PA Website 8:15 am - 3:45 pm Phone Numbers Parish Office/Rectory: FAX: Pastoral Emergencies: Catechesis, Faith Formation & Evangelization (CFFE) Office: Preschool: Social Hall: St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: Staff CFFE Director: Dr. Joseph Dreliszak Preschool Director: Lottie Hirak Preschool Aide: Karen Dlugos Music Director: Steven Makar Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper: Angela Reese Pastoral Council Terry Foriska Mike Reese Don Scekeres *Recorder Finance Council John Boggess Stephanie Soflak Jerry Yasher Emily Uhrin *Chair Tammy Sofranko* Nicole Stull Dave Shimko Kathy Sobinsky Mike Johnson David Lazor* EUCHARISTIC SELF-OFFERING PRAYER I am all Yours, O most loving Jesus, through Mary, Your Mother.

2 Page 2 February 24, 2019 Sat., Feb. 23 5:00 PM Sun., Feb. 24 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Mon., Feb. 25 Tue., Feb. 26 Wed., Feb. 27 Thu., Feb. 28 Fri., Mar. 1 Sat., Mar. 2 5:00 PM Sun., Mar. 3 9:00 AM 11:00 AM MASS INTENTIONS (Request Form on back of bulletin) St. Polycarp +Louis Vieceli by Terry & Sharyn Jackson +Mary M. Mizikar by Family Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time For the Parishioners +Lois Lucas by Husband, Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren +Mary Blough by Don & Jean Nicoll +Fr. Donald Trexler +Terry Cole by Bob Cole +John Dzuban by Rose Ann Ferguson +Helen Klosky by Don & Anne Marie Scekeres +Edward Bilik by Wife & Children For the Parishioners Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time +Joseph Yanok by Helen, Mother & Michael, Brother +Catherine Cibulas by Tom & Helen Kissell ST. FLORIAN OFFERTORY STEWARDSHIP: February 10-11: Adults: $ ; Loose: $281.00; Candles: $157.00; Parish Endowment: $25.00; St. Vincent de Paul: $5.00; Eastern European: $ TOTAL: $ 4, February 16-17: Adults: $ ; Loose: $306.95; Candles: $146.00; Parish Endowment: $50.00; St. Vincent de Paul: $25.00; Solemnity of Mary $ TOTAL: $5, God Bless you! Sanctuary Light In Memory of Lois Lucas By Husband, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren ANNUAL SLOVAK APPEAL You can contribute to the 2019 Annual SS. Cyril & Methodius Appeal by mailing a contribution to: Rev. Thomas A. Nasta, Slovak Catholic Federation, Sacred Heart Church, 120 Jefferson Street, Swedesburg, PA Money from this collection is used to support the Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, the residence of priests from Slovakia who are sent to Rome by their Bishops for graduate Studies. Your support is greatly appreciated. THIS WEEK Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Shawl Ministry St. Vincent de Paul Meeting Tuesday Wednesday Tuesday, 1:00 PM Tuesday, 7:00 PM MINISTRY SCHEDULE Saturday, February 23, 2019 ~ 5:00 PM Lector... J. Lawrence Eucharistic Ministers... J. Mizikar, M. Ceroni, D. Mizikar Altar Servers J. & M. Labuda Greeters F. Kernicky, C. Mizikar, E. Carpenter Ushers.E. Carpenter, K. Labuda, A. Smail, C. Mizikar Sunday, February 24, 2019 ~ 9:00 AM Lector...T. Jackson Eucharistic Ministers... K. Kitz, J. Lesko, H. Szewczyk Altar Servers......J. & J. Kitz Greeters S. Jackson, C. Szewczyk, N. Tracy Ushers...M. Bilik, P. Bitner, G. & D. Vidakovich Sunday, February 24, 2019 ~ 11:00 AM Lector... B. Mizikar Eucharistic Ministers... Neiderhiser, Klimchock, Kovacina Altar Servers A. Kelly, Z.Koch Greeters D. Scekeres, J. Burik Ushers D. Scekeres, E. Uhrin, J. Mylant, J. Burik Children s Liturgy...W. & V. Back Saturday, March 2, 2019~ 5:00 PM Lector....E. Zider Eucharistic Ministers... D. Mizikar, C. Gricheck, J. Lesko Altar Servers M. Reese, J. Hornyak Greeters F. Kernicky, E. Carpenter, C. Mizikar Ushers E. Carpenter, C. Mizikar, T. & D. Ulishney Sunday, March 3, 2019 ~ 9:00 AM Lector... C. Stercho Eucharistic Ministers. C. Szewczyk, M. Ceroni, M. Monticue Altar Servers G. & T. Sofranko Greeters N. Tracy, J. Mott, N. Logan Ushers......H. Szewczyk, R. Mizikar, M. Bilik, P. Bitner Sunday, March 3, 2018 ~ 11:00 AM Lector... B. Mizikar Eucharistic Ministers... W. Bossart, R. & B. Obusek Altar Servers M. & C. Reese Greeters...D. Scekeres, J. Burik Ushers...D. Scekeres, J. Burik, J. Mizikar, J. Mylant Children s Liturgy...A. Reese & J. Reese Readings for the week of February 24, 2019 Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, [8a]/1 Cor 15:45-49/Lk 6:27-38 Monday: Sir 1:1-10/Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 [1a]/Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: Sir 2:1-11/Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, [cf. 5]/Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday: Sir 4:11-19/Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175 [165a]/Mk 9:38-40 Thursday: Sir 5:1-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [40:5a]/Mk 9:41-50 Friday: Sir 6:5-17/Ps 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35 [35a]/Mk 10:1-12 Saturday: Sir 17:1-15/Ps 103:13-14, 15-16, [cf. 17]/Mk 10:13-16 Next Sunday: Sir 27:4-7/Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, [cf. 2a]/1 Cor 15:54-58/Lk 6:39-45 Liturgical Publications Inc. ALTAR FLOWERS are presented this week In Memory of Richard & Beverly & Jeff Hart By Becky Hart Miscovich Bulletin Deadline: submissions for the Bulletin are due by Monday at 9 AM to: areese@dioceseofgreensburg.org

3 CATECHESIS, FAITH FORMATION AND EVANGELIZATION Week to Week: February 24 to March 3, 2019 Sunday Adult Faith Sharing after 9:00 am Mass Faith Formation Center Children s Liturgy During 11:00 am Mass Youth Ministry Special Day on Vocations following the 11:00 am Mass to 2:00 pm Monday Faith Formation Classes K to 7 6:00 to 7:15 pm First Communion Intergenerational Experience for children and parents Social Hall 6 PM Wednesday Book Club 9:00 am 10: 00 am Sunday Adult Faith Sharing after 9:00 am Mass Faith Formation Center Children s Liturgy During 11:00 am Mass The CFFE Office is open on Mondays and Wednesdays. The phone is checked daily for messages. For immediate attention, please contact Dr. Dreliszak at home Faith Formation News Faith Formation News: Elementary Classes for Grades K-7 February 25th 6:00 7:15 pm A reminder that our children preparing for First Communion will have their first Intergenerational Experience will be held this evening. At least ONE parents of each child is to be present. Don t forget the special items you need to bring for the evening since the children will be making bread. Our next Confirmation/Youth Group gathering will be held on Sunday, February 24 following the 11:00 am Mass. As always, parents are welcome to join us. Please take note: A Special Vocation Awareness Day is planned for Sunday, February 24. We have invited youth from Grades 8-12 from our area churches to come and join us for this day. We have been working with the Office of Vocations from our diocese to have this event. You are encouraged to attend the 11:00 am Mass and then move to the social hall for our afternoon social and presentation to 2:00 pm. A number of priests and religious sisters will be here to share their vocation story with our youth. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2019 JUNE FOR STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN GRADE 6 RESERVE THIS WEEK NOW. WE ARE ALSO PLANNING A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL FOR SENIOR CITIZENS FROM JUNE MORE DETAILS TO COME. WE ARE MAKING HISTORY BY ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE A WEEK FOR SENIORS TO GATHER AND SHARE IN THE WONDER OF OUR FAITH. OUR FOCUS WILL BE ON THE SACRAMENTS. MORE INFORMATION TO COME! Divine Mercy Chaplet A new practice has begun in our parish and ALL are welcome to join us as individuals pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet AFTER our 8:00 am morning Mass on Tuesdays and Fridays. The prayer takes no longer than minutes and is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on God s mercy and love for us. Have you Joined our Birthday Club? Our Evangelization Committee has started a Birthday Club. All you need to do is to give us your name and the date of your birthday, the year of birth is not necessary. Starting in January, we will list the names for that particular month. We agree to pray for them, they will receive a card from the parish and a phone call on their special day. Please consider joining! To date, our membership has grown to 70 parishioners and friends of the parish. Adult Education Opportunities Adult Faith Sharing: Adult Faith Sharing will be held on Sunday, February 24th after the 9:00 am Mass in the Faith Formation Building. New participants are encouraged to join this group. Please contact Dr. Dreliszak for more information Book Club: Please consider joining our Parish Book Club! Our next session will be on Wednesday, February 27th from 9:00 10:00 am in the Faith Formation Center. We will be reading and discussing: Our Lady of Kibeho Mary Speaks to the World From the Heart of Africa. The cost is $ Please come and learn about this powerful apparition approved by the Catholic Church. All are welcome! The Season of Lent is approaching Ash Wednesday begins on March 6. Our parish will be using a new video/discussion series called No Greater Love beginning on Wednesday, March 13 following the 8:00 am Mass. Cost for material is only $ Participants unable to join the discussion group may use the book at home. This series centers on the Passion of Christ and is a well recommended resource for this special holy season of the year. Please contact the Faith Formation Office to order materials or if you have any questions. Prayer Chain Please Note: If you have a particular prayer intention, please contact the FAITH FORMATION CENTER at and your request will be forwarded to those who have agreed to take part in this special ministry. New members on our Parish Prayer Chain are always welcome to join! Kelly Joann Katie Fred Mollie Linda Cindy Patty Jill Trixie Patty Danielle John Sue Jean Kelly Jill Betty John Gwen Tammy Ray May we continue to remember these individuals in our daily prayers!

4 Connections by Joe Lesko Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time The similarity of the Old Testament and the Gospel for this Sunday begins with David s unwillingness to become an enemy of Saul. David shows no desire to kill Saul as Saul wants to kill David to retain the crown of Israel. Luke accounts Jesus lesson on loving one s enemy. This concept of loving one s enemy has a variety of restatements like Love your neighbor as your love yourself ; You reap what you sew. These variants are many of the same theme. First we see David s desire to be steadfast in loyalty to one who is God s anointed one and who is the king. Luke s passage is a narrative of Jesus teaching on loving an enemy. We hear the action on loving one s enemy before we hear the teaching of Jesus. David seeks safety from Saul s murderous plan. Saul has 3,000 men and David s band has about 600. Even though Saul tries to kill David, David remains unwilling to do the same to Saul. As background from 1Samuel, today the Jews want a king like other nations. God directs Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. The people confirm God s choice. Some time later Saul disobeys God to cause God to reject him. He then tells Samuel to anoint David. Saul become jealous and conspires to kill David to retain the crown. David reacts by fleeing with Saul in pursuit. Consider these odds; Saul has 3,000 men to David s band of about 600. David makes no attempt to defend himself other than to seek safety from Saul s intent. Divine intervention on David s behalf allows David to get close enough to take Saul s spear and water jug as evidence of his closeness to have killed Saul. His actions prove his loyalty for one who has been anointed by God s order. In a simple moment David could have slain Saul. In another instance, David enters a cave and cuts off a piece of Saul s garment as testimony again of his opportunity to have slain one whose heart is to kill David. Last week Luke told us the Sermon on the Plain. The sermon presents four blessings (beatitudes) and four curses (woes). The final woe Woe to you when all speak well of you. Their fathers treated the false prophets in just this way. Here Jesus teaches to love your enemy. The specifics of behavior o enemies refer to the golden rule Do to others as you would have then do to you (verse 31). This is not original with Jesus. Tobit 4:15 from the Old Testament presents this saying in a negative form. Jesus provides the penultimate example of living this and expect the same behavior from His disciples. Jesus concludes His lesson with examples of doing what is expect and be civil. Answer with what is unexpected from one who has offended you. God the Father is constantly kind and merciful to those who offend His decrees. Perfection, like God s, is a goal to be sought by man. The degree to which one shows kindness and mercy will be returned to him. David has shown the kindness and mercy to Saul that Jesus has elaborated upon in His lesson to His disciples on how to live a perfect life, like the Father. FESTIVAL 2019 Our Parish Festival 2019 is set for Sunday, August 11th. Keep this date open and encourage friends and family to join us for this special event. First planning meeting is set for Wednesday, March 20 at 6:30 pm. It is not too early to begin plans for making your baskets for this event. Last year, our festival was a great success and we hope to make it even better this year. If you are interested in joining, please contact Dr. Dreliszak at the Faith Formation center. All volunteers need to have all diocesan clearances but we will be offering two trainings to help you obtain the necessary paper work. We need you in order to make this a successful project! St. Florian Preschool Handmade Pierogi Sale Pickup Order can be picked up: Thursday, February 28th 1 to 3 pm in the Social Hall Orders need to be paid in full at pickup Call the Preschool with questions Verna Montessori School is currently registering for the school year from Pre-K through 8 th grade. Please join us for an Open House March 4, 2019 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (Snow make-up day March 11.) Come and see how a Catholic + Montessori education can positively impact your child s life! A Q & A will follow. Call X100 for information or online at DECORATION REMOVAL St. Florian, St. Stan and Forty Martyrs Cemeteries All Christmas flowers and decorations and/or any unsightly flowers will be removed from all graves by our Cemetery Caretaker no later than Ash Wednesday. If you wish to keep any items, please be sure to remove those items before March 1st. AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING WANTED: Property for Possible Senior Affordable Housing in Our Area! If you or someone you know has 3.5 acres of level property in the greater Norvelt area that could be donated or purchased for the site of Senior Affordable Housing units, please contact the parish office.

5 Page 5 February 24, 2019 ST. FLORIAN CAPITAL CAMPAIGN pledge total now stands $717, and the amount collected as of February 11 th is $684,839 almost $35,000 more than our original Campaign Goal! We are truly grateful to God and to all who have contributed to or prayed for the success of our Campaign, and to our Campaign Chairperson and co-leaders. Please continue to fulfill pledges, sooner rather than later if possible, and to make extra gifts, when able. All new or extra gifts add to our total pledged and collected. A monthly Capital Campaign envelope will continue to be included in your packet until June, The Campaign window for assessment-free donations will close at the end of April, with the possibility of an extension. This envelope can be used for payments on pledges or new gifts; please indicate one or the other on your envelope. LENT IS JUST A WEEK AND A HALF AWAY! Now is the time to be thinking about what needs to be addressed in one s life not just during this holy season but in preparation for one s Passover into eternity. Remember, before we can enter Heaven, we must overcome and atone for all of our sins. We must be made holy as Our Heavenly Father is holy. LITURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS will be addressed next weekend at all Masses by way of a State of the Liturgy homily which may be several minutes longer than regular homilies. PLEASE PRAY for Our Parishioner and Lay Missionary Helper Karen Hunka, who is working in Ghana (Africa). Check out her blog: KHunkaInGhana.blogspot.com. See some of the photos she sent, located on the table by our Campaign Thermometer in the back of church. Read Fr. John s Homily at under the Parish Life tab. SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AGNES NOVAK RUSINKO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Now Accepting Applications The following Criteria apply: 1. Active member of St. Florian Roman Catholic Church 2. Incoming freshman college/university 3. Official school transcripts 4. Submit an essay about the biggest influence in your life and the impact of your volunteer/community activities 5. 2 Letters of Reference Deadline is March 31, 2019 WILLIAM AND MARY ANN MIZIKAR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1, Now Accepting Applications from High School Seniors The following Criteria apply: word essay explaining what his/her Catholic faith means to him/her and how he/she believes he/she puts their faith into action in the parish, school, and community 2. Active member of St. Florian Roman Catholic Church with involvement in Youth Ministry and Parish Ministry 3. Be in good academic standing and be seen as a leader in the High School 4. Letter of recommendation from Fr. John Sedlak Deadline is April 1, 2019 Contact the parish office or areese@dioceseofgreensburg.org for applications EUCHARISTIC ADORATION For February 12-13, the following hours had only one adorer: 9 am, 11 am, 3 pm, and 6 am. Please call the parish office or (after hours) Fr. John s cell phone if the next adorers do not show up. Please continue to pray for the reform of the Church and for good government at all levels. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Catholic Faith?? No commitment needed at this time. Please contact Dr. Dreliszak at the Faith Formation Center for more information. More details will be announced in the near future. May we pray for those considering this important step on their journey of faith. MEMORIAL GIFTS With deepest gratitude we acknowledge the following gifts: To St. Florian Church Capital Campaign In Memory of Ellona Pendrick By : Susie & Jim Ashman Bob & Juanita Mizikar Dave & Bobbi Lazor SPONSOR OF THE WEEK LAZOR FUNITURE Please support our sponsors.