THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME November 4, 2018

Transcription

1 THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME November 4, 2018 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 Organist: Mary Jane 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 November 4, 2018 Sat., Nov. 3 5:00 PM Sun., Nov. 4 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Mon., Nov. 5 Tue., Nov. 6 Wed., Nov. 7 Thu., Nov. 8 Fri., Nov. 9 Sat., Nov. 10 5:00 PM Sun., Nov. 11 9:00 AM 11:00 AM MASS INTENTIONS (Request Form on back of bulletin) +Dan Lackner +Steve & Marissa Sivak by Pat Bush Thirty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time For the Parishioners +Joseph Forish by Jim & Debbie Gari +Joann Walton by Herb Walton & Children, John, Joe & Lori +Joseph Bossick Jr. (1 Year Anniversary) by Sister +Andrew Vahaly Jr. By Mother +Pauline Barnhart by Amel & Kathy Langfort The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica +Dennis Moczydlowsky by Marjorie Wierzbowski Saint Leo the Great +Richard Klimchock by Marge & Family +James P Takitch by Dolly Smartnick Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time For the Parishioners Thelma Heide, 92nd Birthday, by Family ST. FLORIAN OFFERTORY STEWARDSHIP: October 27-28: Adults: $ ; Loose: $174.00; Candles: $8.00; Parish Endowment: $25.00; St. Vincent de Paul: $25.00; Mission Cooperative Appeal: $816.00; World Mission Sunday: $60.00; Retired Religious: $25.00; All Saints Day: $35.00; All Souls Day: $25.00 TOTAL: $5, God Bless you! Second Collection Diocesan Disaster Relief Fund November 10-11, 2018 Bishop Malesic has called for a second collection to be taken in all parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg the weekend of November to help individuals and families recover from the flooding that hit areas in the Greensburg Diocese on September 10, The proceeds from the collection will first go to Catholic Charities relief efforts in that community, and any remaining contributions will be placed in a Diocesan Disaster Fund to help meet future needs. Over 10 homes were destroyed and many others were significantly damaged as a result of the storm. Thank you in advance for your generosity, and please pray for the people who have suffered losses. TURKEYS OR HAMS FOR PARISHIONERS IN NEED We are looking for St. Florian Parish members who need a ham or turkey for Thanksgiving. Call the parish office at or areese@dioceseofgreensburg.org by Monday, November 19th to submit the name(s) of anyone from the parish who needs this help to make their holiday happier. MINISTRY SCHEDULE Saturday, November 3, 2018 ~ 5:00 PM Lector... E. Zider Eucharistic Ministers... C. Kelly, J. Lesko, R. Mizikar Altar Servers A. Kelly, J. Hornyak Greeters C. Mizikar, E. Carpenter, F. Kernicky Ushers..E. Carpenter, D. & C. Mizikar, A. Smail Sunday, November 4, 2018 ~ 9:00 AM Lector... B. Mizikar Eucharistic Ministers M. Monticue, C. Szewczyk, M. Ceroni Altar Servers T. & G. Sofranko Greeters J. Mott, N. Tracy, N. Logan Ushers...H. Szewczyk, P. Bitner, M. Bilik, Ron Mizikar Sunday, November 4, 2018 ~ 11:00 AM Lector... M. Sopko Eucharistic Ministers... W. Bossart, R. & B. Obusek Altar Servers M. & C. Reese Greeters......D. Scekeres, J. Burik Ushers......D. Scekeres, J. Mizikar, J. Mylant, J. Burik Children s Liturgy...A. Reese & J. Reese Saturday, November 10, 2018~ 5:00 PM Lector....R. Mizikar Eucharistic Ministers D. Mizikar, C. Gricheck, J. Lawrence Altar Servers J. & M. Labuda Greeters M. Ludvik, J. & E. Kovalik Ushers E. Carpenter, D. & T. Ulishney, K. Labuda Sunday, November 11, 2018 ~ 9:00 AM Lector... E. Zider Eucharistic Ministers... K. Kitz, C. Szewczyk, M. Monticue Altar Servers J. & J. Kitz Greeters......B. Mondock, V. Swiderski, N. Logan Ushers....H. Szewczyk, S. Snively, D. & G. Vidakovich Sunday, November 11, 2018 ~ 11:00 AM Lector... M. D. Amico Eucharistic Ministers... W. Back, G. Kovacina, D. Neiderhiser Altar Servers T. Dillon, S. Etling Greeters...D. Scekeres, J. Burik Ushers...D. Scekeres, J. Burik, E. Uhrin, J. Mylant Children s Liturgy...M. Klimchock, M. Kelly Readings for the Week of November 4, 2018 Sunday: Dt 6:2-6/Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 [2]/Heb 7:23-28/Mk 12:28b-34 Monday: Phil 2:1-4/Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3/Lk 14:12-14 Tuesday: Phil 2:5-11/Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, [26a]/Lk 14:15-24 Wednesday: Phil 2:12-18/Ps 27:1, 4, [1a]/Lk 14:25-33 Thursday: Phil 3:3-8a/Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 [3b]/Lk 15:1-10 Friday: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12/Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 [5]/1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17/Jn 2:13-22 Saturday: Phil 4:10-19/Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9/Lk 16:9-15 Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 17:10-16/Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 [1b]/Heb 9:24-28/Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 Liturgical Publications Inc. Sanctuary Light In Memory of James P Takitch By Family THIS WEEK Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday - Wednesday Tuesday, 1:00 PM 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: November 4 November 11, 2018 Sunday Adult Faith Sharing after 9:00 am Mass Faith Formation Center Children s Liturgy During 11:00 am Mass Youth Ministry after 11:00 am Mass Monday Elementary Faith Formation Grades K to 7 6:00 PM Wednesday Book Club 9:00 10:00 am Sunday Adult Faith Sharing after 9:00 am Mass Faith Formation Center Children s Liturgy During 11:00 am Mass Saying Thank You to ALL VETERANS. Prayer cards distributed at all Masses Donuts and Fellowship after the 11:00 am Mass hosted by our Youth Group. All Are Welcome! Faith Formation News Faith Formation News: Elementary Classes for Grades K-7 Monday, November 5th, 6:00 to 7:15 Many thanks to all who were able to participate in this year s Living Rosary that we prayed last week. May we continue to pray the rosary as we pay honor to Mary, Mother of God. Youth Ministry News: Youth Ministry for Grades 8-12 will meet on Sunday, November 4 after the 11:00 am Mass to 2:00 pm. We will talking about World Hunger and hunger in our neighborhood. Representatives from our parish who help those in need will be present to share how we as a parish help those in need. Parents are always welcome to join us! 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. Prayers for John Keslar and Cecilia Casterwiler, who died recently. May we continue to pray them and their families during this time of sorrow. 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! Terry Shelby Michelle Linda Meg Tamara Charlie Susan Andy Patty Danielle Shawn Marie Jeff Brian Wanda Mickey Marty Arvin Peggy Pat Catherine Cecilia Milly Pam Katie Hilda Ron Aliyah May we continue to remember these individuals in our daily prayers! Adult Education Opportunities Book Club: Our Parish Book Club will begin its next book discussion on Peter Krefft s Angels (and Demons) What Do We Really Know About Them? The book examines 100 questions about the topic. Our next session is WEDNESDAY, November 7 from 9:00 10:30. Adult Faith Sharing: Adult Faith Sharing will be held on Sunday, November 4th 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 Virtus/Mandated Reporting Training Saturday, November 17th 9:00 1:30 pm A special invite is being extended to those interested in helping as a volunteer in our parish. Please consider this one time training which will benefit the various programs/ministries that are offered at St. Florian. This is a diocesan policy that is in place for ALL parishes. Breakfast and lunch will be served. St. Florian Preschool CALLING ALL VETERANS Join the Preschool for a Donut Social honoring all Veterans November 7, :30 AM St. Florian Social Hall Please call the preschool at if you plan to attend. Thank you to all parishioners who supported our Craft Show and to the vendors/crafters who attended this event! St. Florian Preschool Turkey Bingo Sunday, November 11, 2018 DOORS OPEN AT 1:00 PM BINGO BEGINS AT 2:30 PM St. Florian School Hall $5.00 PER PERSON TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR KITCHEN WILL BE OPEN Specials - 50/50 s

4 Connections by Joe Lesko Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time The passage for comparison for this Sunday both deal with discussions of the most important of the Ten Commandments, more precisely the Shema, the Beliefs. Moses is teaching the new arrivals who will cross the Jordan to enter the Promised Land. This is a new generation of Israelites. His purpose is to review the Covenant Law to this new generation of Israelites who were under the age of 20 when the Exodus began. By comparison Jesus instructs a scribe who has asked Him, Which is the first of the commandments, the one from which all the others come? Moses has called a meeting to instruct anew the Law. He stresses the first commandment: Israel has to believe in the One True God and she must love Him above all else. The giving of the Law is connected with the promises of the Lord for the land is a blessing for keeping the Covenant. As he teaches he admonishes them repeatedly to observe the Law. The land of the Canaanites is seen as a temptation because of its fruitfulness which the Israelites see as a divine blessing on these people. The admonition refers to the Baal of Canaan, a god worshiped by pagans. The point is Yahweh is the only real, the only living God. This is the main thrust of Moses instruction. The next admonition is Take to heart these words. For the Jew the heart is the center of all the soul, the being or the spirit and the intellect. Yahweh has established a Covenant with them which is a sacred family bond. Their love must be a response to His love as a child would love his father. This Deuteronomy passage ends with the Shema, the Hebrew profession of faith. The Jews continue this expression of belief much as we Catholic Christians proclaim the Creed at Sunday s Mass as our expression of belief. The Shema is taken literally and resulted in the phylacteries, worn on the left arm and forehead. These leather pouches contain four passages from the Law: Exodus 13: 1-10, dealing with the unleaven bread; Exodus 13: 11-16, the Passover; Deuteronomy 4: 69, the Shema profession of belief; Deuteronomy 11:13-21, to love God and serve Him alone. All three synoptic Gospel writers place Jesus in Jerusalem after His triumphal entry into the city and before His passion. Mark narrates an instance between Jesus and a scribe. The scribes are scholars and intellectuals of Judaism. Their study is the knowledge of the Law which for a Jew is regarded as the total wisdom and the only true learning. The scribe enjoys a respected position of leadership and is not a member of any Jewish sect or party (Pharisee, Sadducee, Zealot, Essene). Most scribes like the Pharisees adhere to a strict interpretation of the Law. Jesus is a threat to their influence. Most New Testament references show their hostility to Him. This story is unique for it portrays a friendly discussion between Jesus and a scribe. As a teacher of the Torah the scribe argues about the importance of the many commands, totaling 613. They searched for the one from which all others exist. As the discussion continues, take note of Jesus response. He quotes Deuteronomy (from the first reading) which relates the opening verses of the Shema, which the Jews recites daily, but is not part of the 613 commands. The reference to heart, soul, mind, and strength do not refer to the various aspects of a person but to a way of stressing how a person should love God in his entire being. When he makes the sign of the cross he traces the Shema upon his body. He touches his head (mind), heart (soul), and shoulders (strength) as he pledges them to God s service. (The origins of our making the Sign of the Cross ). Jesus then cites Leviticus 19:18. The scribes has asked for one, but Jesus provides 2. The 2 that He gives have a common core love the force that binds a family together. The scribe responds in argument with Jesus by paraphrasing Jesus without any hint of hostility. His understanding and acceptance to learn what is important shows how close he has come to the kingdom of God in Jesus eyes. Jesus has come as the Father s messenger. He brings a renewal of the Father s love. The Shema and You shall love your neighbor as yourself are not among the 613 commands. These Jesus stresses and the scribe totally accepts without any obstacles. Love of God and love of neighbor is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. 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 as the site for Senior Affordable Housing units, please contact the parish office. CALLING ALL VETERANS...We would like to recognize and say thank you to all who have served our country as we gather for Sunday Eucharist on November 11. Following the 11:00 am Mass, we will serve donuts outside of the entrance of the church. Our Youth Group is hosting this event! Please come and pray with us! Thanksgiving Food Drive To Support the Work of Our Local Food Banks Please consider helping with our Thanksgiving Food Drive to help those in need. Non-perishable food items may be placed in the back of church. Many thanks for supporting this endeavor to help those in need. St. Florian Altar Society Bake Sale Sunday, November 18th After all masses All regular and associate members are asked to bake for this event. The Mt Pleasant Township Lions Club and the Norvelt VFD will host: ALL YOU CAN PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sunday, November 18th to 1:00 PM Roosevelt Hall Menu includes: pancakes, Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, sausage and breakfast beverages. Cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids 6 to 12 and under 6 are free. Buffet and Bazaar Pleasant Unity United Methodist Church, November 6th, 4 6:30 pm. Adults $8.00, Children $4.00. Food, crafts, baked goods and more. Pro-life Opportunity: Another Life Chain will be held on Sunday, November 4th from 3:00-4:00 pm. Meet at the bank near the Eastgate Plaza Chick-fil-A across from Barnes & Noble. Signs will be provided. LIFE CHAIN is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.

5 Page 5 November 4, 2018 ST. FLORIAN CAPITAL CAMPAIGN pledge total stands at $695, and the amount collected as of October 8 is $638, We are truly grateful to God and to all who have contributed to or prayed for the success of our Campaign. 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, 2019 when the Campaign window for assessment-free donations will close. This envelope can be used for payments on pledges or new gifts; please indicate one or the other on your envelope. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS UPGRADE PROJECT REPORT: Fr. John will give a summary report on this Project before Thanksgiving in his annual state of the parish homily. ST. FLORIAN S INVITE A CATHOLIC BACK TO CHURCH CAMPAIGN is now in entering the Week Twelve of the OUT- REACH phase. Between now and the end of the year is the time to extend an invitation to a lapsed Catholic to return to Mass or to ask an un-churched person to consider becoming a Catholic. Our prayers, weekly sacrifices, and Eucharistic self-offerings should continue for those to whom we will be reaching out, along with now asking the Holy Spirit to give us the opportunity and IMPULSE to do so as soon as possible with the right words. Fr. John hopes to share some of his experiences with you soon OUR OCTOBER COUNT shows that an average of 335 individuals attended the three Sunday Masses here each week. This represents 37.1% of the number of persons registered at St. Florian. Last year s October Count numbers were 365 and 40.4% respectively. For 2018, then, there were ten less people in the pews at each Mass than in Please invite a lapsed Catholic back to Mass or an un-churched person to become a Catholic! Your outreach could help someone to live in Holy Communion with Jesus Who is the only way to the Father s House. TUESDAY (Nov. 6 th ) IS ELECTION DAY! Under the 4 th Commandment, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2240, we, as Catholics, we have a duty to vote. EUCHARISTIC ADORERS: Generally, at least two adorers should be present for Eucharistic Adoration. For October 23-24, the following hours had only one adorer: 6 PM, 7 PM, and 5 am. May Our Eucharistic Lord abundantly bless you and all those you hold dear. Everyone please pray for the cleansing of our Church, especially the sanctification of priests and bishops, and the healing of those victimized or scandalized. 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. Over the next few weeks, we will be inserting a paragraph or two to explain more about this wonderful prayer. Come and experience this devotion with our group. All are welcome! This week s passage: from Divine Mercy Explained - Keys to the Message & Devotion by Fr. Michael Gaitley So what is Divine Mercy? What is this thing that gets to the heart of Sacred Scripture and to the very center of our faith? To begin with, MERCY is love s second name. It s a particular kind of love, a particular mode of love when it encounters suffering, a poverty, a brokenness, and sin. Divine Mercy is when God s love meets us and helps us in the midst of our suffering and sin It s always the Lord stepping out in compassion to help us poor, weak, and broken sinners. From our perspective, then every good we receive is an expression of Divine Mercy. LISTENING SESSIONS WITH BISHOP MALESIC To address the recent PA Grand Jury Report Evening Session: 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning Monday, November 5 Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville Thursday, November 8 St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Indiana Thursday, November 29 SPONSOR OF THE WEEK POST AVENUE FUNDRAISING AND CATERING Please support our sponsors.