SAINT MARK PARISH. ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1125 Romine Avenue McKeesport, Pennsylvania APRIL 2014 EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION

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1 ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1125 Romine Avenue McKeesport, Pennsylvania Telephone: MARK (6275) Fax: Father Rowan Hall: Parish Nurse: x102 Religious Education & Youth Ministry: x105 Mon Yough Catholic School: Victim Assistance Hotline: PASTOR 20 APRIL 2014 EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OFT. THE LORD S.T.L. Reverend Daniel Straughn, MISSION STATEMENT (Promulgated January 2014 by the People of Saint Mark Parish) We are Saint Mark Parish, a family of brothers anddaniel sisters alive T. in Christ. REVEREND STRAUGHN, S.T.L. Protected by Saint Mark the Evangelist, we continue to thrive with PASTOR Strength, Vibrancy, Humility and Sacrifice. The Grace of the Holy Spirit ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1125 Romine Avenue McKeesport, Pennsylvania guides us; the Eucharist nurtures us; and we embrace our mission to Telephone: Website: stmarkparish1101@comcast.net spread the Gospel message to all.

2 Rosary prior to daily morning Mass MONDAY, 21 April 2014 COMMUNION SERVICE (Intention Fulfilled Privately) 8:30am Private Intention... LB TUESDAY, 22 April :30am Hopko and Layton families... PV (Mary Frances Legin) WEDNESDAY, 23 April :30am Helen Hartig... LB (Ernie and Joan Pawlak) THURSDAY, 24 April 2014 COMMUNION SERVICE (Intention Fulfilled Privately) 8:30am Philomena Lyle......PV (Lyle family) FRIDAY, 25 April :30am Jeffrey and Albert Hampe (sons)... LB (Mother, C. Sikoski) SATURDAY, 26 April :30am Ted DeGregorio... PV (Ken and Mary Zebroski) 6:00pm People of Saint Mark Parish... LB SUNDAY, 27 April :00am Virginia Pecora... PV (Mary Rollason) 11:00am EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 20 APRIL 2014 Children of First Holy Communion Class... PV Baptism Instruction Class The next Baptism class for parents: Monday, 5 May at Saint Robert Bellarmine Monday 7 July at Saint Patrick Parish Read the Bible! Pray over Sacred Scripture! You can keep whatever you find! Deepen your relationship with Christ by reading the Scriptures. Readings for the Week of 20 April 2014 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10 or Lk 24:13-35 Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41/Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10/Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26/Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12/Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21/Mk 16:9-15 Next Sunday: Acts 2:42-47/1 Pt 1:3-9/Jn 20:19-31 MCKEESPORT, PA HAPPY EASTER! Jesus Christ is RISEN!!! Praise God! Alleluia! GOD bless you! GOD loves you! Jesus gives us new life through His passion, death and glorious Resurrection. What are you doing with this most wonderful gift? Sanctuary Lamp/Altar Bread & Wine This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Liberty site burns for the health and wellbeing of Rita Gearing from the Ladies of Charity. This week the Sanctuary Lamp at our Port Vue site burns for the health and wellbeing of Donna Dudik from the Ladies of Charity. This week the Altar Bread and Wine is offered for the protection and deliverance from all evil for our Saint Mark Parish family. Activity Schedule Monday, 21 April :30-7:30pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, LB Wednesday, 23 April am, Miraculous Medal Novena, LB 7pm-9pm, Youth Group meeting, PV 7pm-9pm, Choir Practice, PV Thursday, 24 April pm, Social Planning meeting, PV Sunday, 27 April am, First Holy Communion Mass, PV "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you." - Mt 28:5b-7 Easter Proclamation Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

3 EASTER SUNDAY OF JUNE THE 2, RESURRECTION 2002 OF THE LORD 20 APRIL 2014 Easter Flowers Please use the envelope in your offertory packet to donate for Easter flowers. If making a memorial donation, please print the name(s) clearly on the envelope. Thank you for your generosity. Resurrection Flower May your life be planted firmly in the Heart of the Risen Christ. May you be watered by His Grace. May His Love flow freely through all your veins. May you grow sturdy roots which deeply penetrate His Heart s desire. May the Light of God shine on you, lift you up from the earth, and bring you to full bloom in this Garden of Life. May you, in turn, cause many lives to be planted in the Fertile Soil of His Most Sacred Heart. - CS EASTER Blessing of Families This afternoon, Bishops David Zubik, William Waltersheid and William Winter will welcome families of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to their annual Blessing of Families at Saint Paul Cathedral, Oakland, beginning at 2:00pm. First Holy Communion Mass Sunday, 27 April 2014 at 11am (Port Vue site) Please keep these children in your prayers. Sacrament of Confirmation within Mass Wednesday, 28 May 2014 at 7pm (Liberty site) Please keep these young adults in your prayers. Rejoice in the Lord always! I say, REJOICE! Men and Women s Spiritual Retreats Come and experience a spiritual adventure by making a men's retreat this year at Saint Paul of the Cross; weekend of April A women's retreat is scheduled for 2-4 May For information, pick up a brochure at the entrances of the church, call Bernie Zytka and/or thebigzee357@gmail.com. Fish Fry - Thank you! "Thank You! Thank you to EVERYONE who helped to make this year's Fish Fry activity successful. Thank you to the parishioners, friends and neighbors for their patronage, for donating baked goods and sweet treats; and to all those who gave of their time and talent during evening prep, morning prep, dinner service and clean-up. I praise and thank God for all of the spiritual and corporal support from this Parish Family and Faith Community. Your cheer, faith and dedication to the vitality of Saint Mark inspires me, comforts me, and shows truly that with Love and God as our focus, we all are Children of Light. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! - Adam Carlson Love, Forgiveness, Healing, New Life, Freedom, Reconciled Relationships, Peace, Unity, Strength, Joy and so much more are offered to us through the RESURRECTION of JESUS! Praise GOD! HE LOVES US so much! Thank you Alex Kurta, Judy Zajicek, Zac Allan, Adam Carlson and Vickie Reitz for offering wonderful insights and reflections on the importance of supporting parish life. Please continue praying to the Holy Spirit that we may take heed of their words, and put them into action. Thank you! God bless you! Thank you Doctor Maureen Crossen for your beautiful Lenten reflections posted in our bulletin each week. Thank you to our Fish Fry facilitators and team and all who sacrificed (made holy) their time, energy and resources in working so diligently to prepare and serve wonderful dinners and offering an opportunity for service, fun and fellowship. Amazing! Thank you to our Pierogie-makers and volunteers for giving of yourselves so lovingly for the sake of our entire parish family. Thank you to our Ladies of Charity for visiting the homebound and nursing home parishioners. Thank you to our Christian Mothers for being examples of motherhood, kindness and prayer. Thank you to our Stewardship Group Facilitator and volunteers for your tireless efforts in helping sustain our Parish and Community. Thank you to our Coffee House volunteers for giving us the opportunity for fellowship and joy. Thank you to our office volunteers, money counters and cleaners for helping us maintain our facilities. Thank you to our Liturgy Team, music and hospitality ministers, lectors, sacristans and servers for planning, coordinating and assisting with our Holy Week and Easter Celebrations. Praise God! Special Thanks to you all for everything you do for our Parish and Church of Pittsburgh! May God bless each of us and all of our families with a profound experience of His unconditional, mighty and tender love! And in recognizing and accepting His love in our lives, may we all find healing, unity, strength and joy to live lives of beauty, dignity and virtue! Praise God! HAPPY EASTER! Alleluia! In God s mighty and tender love, Father Daniel

4 EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 20 APRIL 2014 Social Planning Group Meeting Join us Thursday, 24 April 2014 at 7pm at our Port Vue site for our social planning meeting. Plans will be discussed for our annual Summer Dog Days picnic. All are invited and welcome; we look forward to any suggestions and ideas. Please consider becoming an active member of our Saint Mark Parish Family! Youth Group Spring Fling BINGO Saint Mark Parish Youth Group is hosting a Spring Fling Bingo Friday, 9 May 2014, at Father Rowan Hall. Doors open at 5:30, Early Bird games begin at 6:30, with the regular games to follow. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased from a youth group advisor/member or by calling Lori DiMarco: Please support our youth group! Saint Mark Parish 50/50 In your offertory packet, there is a tan colored envelope marked 50/50 Drawing--Donation $5.00. At the end of each month, all envelopes are placed in a drum and one lucky winner is drawn to win half of the take. Parish 5 for 5 Tickets! Saint Mark Parish "5 for 5" tickets replaced the $1, Monthly Tickets. There are 5 chances to win $500.00; the ticket plays on the 7pm first number drawn PA Daily Number on May 6, 13, 20, 26 and 27, Please support this important fundraiser by buying and/or selling these tickets. Thank you! Festival Specialty Baskets As our Blessed Easter Season approaches, we count our blessings. Here at Saint Mark Parish, we count you, all of you who support our Festival and especially the Specialty Baskets. Thank you to those who have been filling the baskets at the main entrances to both worship sites. We are still looking for items that will help us to create great baskets for each night of the Festival. Since the weather is finally getting warmer, we hope you will be out and about and finding some super goods for the baskets. Here are just some hints: Puzzle Out! Jigsaw puzzles for all ages, crossword puzzles, word searches, etc. Read It! Mystery books paper backs, religious books, children s books. Please use good taste in your selections and remember we can only use new items. Can you condiment? Jellies, salsas, picnic condiments, etc. All need to be sealed containers. Fishing Around Various items needed for fishing in a river or lake. As always, please visit our Saint Mark Parish website: to see more. Thank you. Easter Pilgrimage to Our Mother Church, Saint Paul Cathedral As part of our Easter celebration of the Risen Lord and the promise of Eternal Life, we plan to attend Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral, accompanied by Father Daniel. Mass is followed by a tour of our Cathedral to learn about the history of the architecture, stained glass windows and other features of the nave and sanctuary. After the tour, we plan to enjoy a lunch or early dinner at The Boston Shoppes. If you are interested in joining our Easter Pilgrimage, please complete and return the registration form found at the doors of each church. Easter Pilgrimage to Saint Paul Cathedral When: Tuesday, 29 April 2014 Leave Saint Mark Parish, Port Vue site, parking lot: 10:45AM (promptly) Mass Time: 12:05PM Tour: Immediately following Mass Leave Saint Paul Cathedral: approximately 2:15.PM. Arrive for lunch/dinner at The Boston Shoppes: 3:00 PM. Return home: 4:30 PM Registration Forms are at doors of each church. Vacation Bible School (VBS) June 23 rd -27 th. Our theme is Circus of the SON! More information will be coming soon! Praise GOD for a $5,000 Grant! Praise GOD for the leadership, skills and hard work of Cathy Esack, the facilitator for our stewardship activities! Because of Cathy s efforts, our parish was awarded another grant totaling $5,000 from a local foundation. This private foundation helps parishes like ours with the mission of spreading the Gospel and proclaiming and sharing God s mighty and tender love with our family and community. Thanks to the foundation for their generosity! And thanks to Cathy Esack for her tireless efforts! We all are blessed indeed! Praise GOD! When we help and support one another, and work together, life becomes easier and more joy-filled for everyone. And it even helps pay our bills. Amazing! Praise God! Prayer Before Communion (or any time) Father, give me ever greater emptiness that I may be more greatly filled with Jesus. - CS Eternal Rest For the repose of the soul of William Bill Stinson of our Saint Mark Parish. We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to our family and friends.

5 To live our Faith, we need to know our Faith! MCKEESPORT, PA " They called the Church together and reported what GOD had done with them and how He had opened the door of faith..." (Acts of the Apostles 14:27) The Witnesses Chosen by God (Acts 10:41) CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS TRULY RISEN INDEED! This is the glorious refrain that rings in our minds and hearts on Easter Sunday. It would be a sad, detached refrain if we did not also remember all that Jesus suffered in order for God to raise him up, winning for him the title of Christ, the Anointed One of God. This is now how the disciples understand who He is. We, too, are anointed in Christ at Baptism. This anointing, like Jesus Christ s is not meant for some heaven light years away, but here in this place. For now, we are the witnesses chosen by God. (Acts 10:41, First Reading of Easter Sunday) If we compared the readings of Holy Week, including Easter, we would notice certain consistent themes. One of the most powerful is: Forgiveness. From the Cross, one of Jesus dying words is Father, forgive them (Luke 23:24) In his first appearance to the disciples on Easter evening he breathes on them the Holy Spirit, bidding them to forgive sins. (John 20:21-23) And, in the First Reading today, the witnesses chosen by God are encouraged to bear witness that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) Clearly, profoundly, boldly, FORGIVENESS is a great sign and commission of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is one of the most difficult human experiences. It is difficult to extend, because of human pride. It is often difficult to receive because of a human tendency for false humility or self-loathing. Yet for, witnesses chosen by God it is the great opportunity for God s mercy to reign in our minds and our hearts. It creates us anew! Forgiveness can transform a family, a community, and a church into the Living Body of Christ. When that happens CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS TRULY RISEN! - Maureen Crossen, Ph.D. Each New Day Let me pause as I begin this new day to give it to You, Lord. Before the tumult of activities breaks in; for this last moment in my bed, thank you, Lord. Let me hold Your promise of new life. Keep me from slipping back for I know that what is forgiven is as if it never were. Each new day, Your grace gives me a fresh start to walk in Your light again. May the Lord support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.