Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690 February 18, 2018 The First Sunday of Lent Fr. James Loew, O.S.B. Pastor, (724) 568-2331 Fax: (724) 568-2030 Fr. Arnel Estrella, Parochial Vicar Sr. Mercy Francis, S.M.I., Pastoral Minister Mr. James Peterman Coordinator of Religious Formation (724) 568-2331 or (724) 845-8191. Katie Tylinski (724) 212-6740 Youth Minister Coordinator ktylinski@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cardinal Maida Academy Mrs. Patricia Visnick, Principal School Phone (724) 568-3304 School Fax (724) 567-1900 Baptisms By appointment. Baptismal preparation is necessary. Call for classes Marriage Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance. No marriage dates will be given until meeting with the priest and all preparation is ready. Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Weekday Mass Schedule Monday, through Friday 8:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:15 a.m. School Mass Holy Day Mass Schedule Holy Day ~ 9:00 am, 6:00 pm Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 Friday Closed Confessions Saturday ~ 3:15-3:45 pm or by appointment Pastoral Council Mission Statement We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multicultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. We are committed to building up the Body of Christ through Word, Worship, Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region. We willingly accept our obligation to be the Light of the World for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal divisive wounds among God s People and to join with all people of good will in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all.
ST. GERTRUDE PARISH Sanctuary Lamp Eugene Milie By Frances Treasures from Our Tradition The Holy Father usually marks the solemn opening of the Lenten fast with a procession and Mass on Ash Wednesday evening. He walks from the Benedictine monastery, San Anselmo, down the Aventine hill to the Dominican monastery of Santa Sabina. This very old tradition was revived by Pope John XXIII in the late 1950s. Have you ever wondered who gives the pope his ashes? It's the cardinal who has been given the "title" of the church of Santa Sabina. The pope's homily at this Mass states his theme for Lent. Santa Sabina dates from the fifth century, and is one of the most beautiful churches in Rome. One of the panels on its main doors features the Crucifixion, a scene not normally depicted in art until much later. In the year 1219 the pope gave the church to Saint Dominic for his new religious order, the "Order of Preachers," commonly called the Dominicans, and it remains their world headquarters to this day. That pope, Honorius III, was a member of the Savelli family, and this church was their personal family chapel. Sabina was a wealthy Roman lady who became a Christian and was martyred, and whose home became a place of prayer. Later, the church built on that spot was dedicated to her memory. Readings for the Week Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ps 116:10, 15-19; Rom 8:31b -34; Mk 9:2-10 Today s Readings First Reading -- God's covenant with Noah when he was delivered from the flood (Genesis 9:8-15). Psalm -- Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant (Psalm 25). Second Reading -- The water of the flood prefigured baptism, which saves you now (1 Peter 3:18-22). Gospel -- This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:12-15). Holy Communion Because of the recent and severe outbreak of the flu in our area, Holy Communion from the cup is temporarily suspended until the epidemic has subsided. Those who are gluten intolerant and normally receive Holy Communion only from the cup should see the Pastor to make appropriate accommodations. Also, the Sign of Peace at Mass will be exchanged without the normal handshake or kiss. When the priest or deacon asks you to exchange the sign of peace during this Mass and until further notice, simply turn to the person next to you, and without contact, say Peace be with you or respond with the words, And also with you. Catholic Daughters The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #1008 has March Madness tickets for sale at the cost of $5.00. The tickets are based on the 3-digit PA Evening Lottery number. Call Mary Daldoss (724) 568-9145 for tickets. Following Christ Series You asked for it, it s here! The second program in the ChristLife series will be presented during the Easter Season at Christ the King Church. Following Christ is a seven-week journey that inspires participants to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ by learning and growing in basic disciplines and truths practiced by Christians since the early Church. More information to come in the following weeks. People of the Covenant If there is one word that stands out in today's readings, it is "covenant." God's faithfulness and goodness serve as examples to us of how to live. Genesis tells the story of Noah and of God's covenant not only with all people, but with all of nature. Never will the cleansing waters of the flood bring their destructive power to all the earth again. The sign, the reminder to both God and nature, is the rainbow in the heavens. The psalm reminds us of this compassion of God, and begs God to remember us, not because of our goodness, but because of God's goodness and fidelity to the promise. God shows us how to be good, not by decree, but by example.
The First Sunday of Lent February 18, 2018 Altar Servers February 24th & 25th 4:00p.m. ~ Joey & Nicholas DiFilippio 8:00a.m. ~ Domenic Dellemonache Lauren & Zack Paullet 10:30a.m. ~ Joseph Collini Kaitln Lewandowski Cheyenne Sippel Collection for February 17th & 18th Envelopes ~ $5,728.00 Loose ~ $442.25 Church Restoration ~ $155.00 Children s Collection ~ $3.00 Utilities ~ $62.00 Second Collection This Week Support the Catholic Home Missions Appeal today! Right now, over 40 percent of the diocese in the United Sates are considered home mission terrirotry because they are unable to find the essential pastoral work needed in their communities. Your support funds programs, such as religious education, seminary formation, and lay ministry training, to build vibrant faith communities right her ein the United States. Please be generous. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/ homemissions. Cardinal Maida Academy Cardinal Maida Academy would like to congratulate the following Cardinal Maida Academy is now accepting enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year. Incoming Kindergarten students are invited to participate in our Kindergarten Club beginning on February 28 th. Students transferring in grades 1 st through 6 th are eligible for a transfer grant. Please contact the school office at 724-568-3304 for more information or to schedule a tour. Christ the King Parish Leechburg, is accepting orders for Nut, Apricot and Poppy Seed rolls and Paska Bread (with or without raisins) for Easter. Nut, Poppy Seed and Apricot rolls are $11.50 each order deadline is Monday, March 5, 2018. Paska Bread (with or without raisins) is $6.50 order deadline is Monday, March 12, 2018. For orders call any of the following numbers: 724-842-0623, 724-845- 8615 or 724-845-9762. Thank You! Cemetery Announcement ~ CHRISTMAS DECORATION REMOV- AL If you wish to retain your Christmas decorations from your loved ones graves, please remove the decorations by March 17. Anything left in the cemetery past this date will be discarded. Thank you for your cooperation. Catholic Daughters of America The CD of A would like to thank everyone who so kindly supported our cookbook fundraiser by purchasing one or more cookbooks and contributing recipes. The cookbook fundraiser was a huge success and all of the books from the original order have been purchased. Because of your generosity the proceeds from the sale of these books has enabled the CD of A to donate monies to Meals on Wheels, the Vandergrift Food Bank, the Leechburg Food Bank, and the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. We feel blessed to be able to serve our nearby communities and our Parish. We have received requests for additional cookbooks, therefore, a small order of 25 books has been sent to the printer. If you missed your opportunity to acquire one of these books that contain delicious recipes, now is the time to order one. You may call Kathy Policicchio at 724-777- 1220 to place your order. Don t wait too long because only 25 extra books have been ordered and these may go quickly. On another note, the CD of A is always accepting new members. If you are a woman over the age of 18 and interested in becoming a member, please contact Raffelina Shaner at 724-567-6948. The Catholic Daughters of America is an organization that supports the Catholic Church, the clergy and various educational and charitable causes. They have been historically interested in helping physically and mentally handicapped children, unwed mothers, and the needy. The CD of A is involved in and contributes financially to such projects as Habitat for Humanity, Holy Cross Family Ministries and the children s charity Smile Train. Locally, the CD of A contributes to the food banks, St. Vincent de Paul, and Meals on Wheels. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. excluding the summer months. We need new members, members of all ages, and some younger members to carry on the work of the CD of A and contribute fresh new ideas to help the community and the Parish. Come to a meeting to see if it is something that interests you. The next meeting is March 6, 2018. Hope we see some new faces at the next meeting.
FUSED 4 ~ FEBRUARY/MARCH EDGE CALENDAR February ~ 10 th Snowtubing at Hidden Valley ~ 14 Ash Wednesday Mass at St. James ~ 16 th Winter Jam ~ 21 Session ~ 22 nd Volunteer at Spaghe Dinner at St. Gertrude s ~ 25 Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 28 Session ~ March 7 Session ~ 14 th Volunteer at the Penance service ~ 21 st Kiski musical as session (must register in advance) ~ Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 28 th NO SESSION FUSED 4 ~ FEBRUARY/MARCH LIFETEEN CALENDAR (Grades 9 th -12 th ~Christ the King Parish ~ St. Joseph Room (lower level of church offices at CTK) ~ 6:30-8:00 PM) February ~ 11 NO SESSION (because of snowtubing on the 10 th is the session) ~ 10 th Snowtubing at Hidden Valley ~ 16 th Winter Jam ~ 18 Session ~ 22 nd Volunteer at Spaghe Dinner at St. Gertrude s ~ 25 Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall/winter Retreat ~ March 4 th Session ~ 11 th Session ~ 18 th Silver Ring Thing as session ~ 25 th Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall A en on 6 th -12 th graders: Winter Jam (Chris an music s largest annual tour) at PPG Paints Arena (former Consol Energy Center) will take place on Friday, February 16 th. Cost is only $10 (we will pay for the remaining $5). Please let us know that you are coming and permission slips and money are due by Saturday, February 10 th. We will meet at St. James Church parking lot at 5:00 PM and will carpool. Chaperones needed. A en on 6 th -8 th graders: The February 14 th Ash Wednesday Mass at St. James at 7:00 PM is our session. Please arrive at 6:15 at the Underground with pickup at the church at 8:00, but parents are encouraged to a end and come with their child(ren) at 6:15 PM. A en on 6 th -12 th graders: Please volunteer at the St. Gertrude s Spaghe dinner on Thursday, February 22 nd from 3:30-6:30 PM in the church hall. Sign up to volunteer by Sunday, February 18 th. A en on 6 th -12 th graders: Wednesday, March 21 st Kiski High School Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (in place of EDGE) Please register no later than Sunday, March 12 th. Cost: FREE! Loca on: Kiski Area High School. The show begins at 7:30 PM. Please meet at Christ the King at 6:30 PM in front of the Hall as we are going to carpool. Permission slips are required by March 4 th if you have not yet completed one. We will contact you before we leave Kiski Area High School so that you know when to pick up your child at Christ the King. A en on 6 th -8 th graders: On March 14 th you are asked to volunteer at the Penance service at St. James as our session. Please arrive at 6:15 at the Underground with pickup at the church at 8:00, but parents are encouraged to a end and come with their child(ren) at 6:15 PM.
Saturday, February 17, Vigil First Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00p.m. Casimer & Emily Mazgay Sunday, February 18, First Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Mario & Theresa Massetto Monday, February 19, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Raymond Schrum Tuesday, February 20, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. James R. Loew Wednesday, February 21, Lenten Weekday 9:00a.m. Sharon A. Pacuch Thursday, February 22, Chair of St. Peter 8:30 Ellen Toy Friday, February 23, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Judy Linkes Saturday, February 24, Lenten Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ the King Saturday, February 24, Vigil Second Sunday of Lent 4:00p.m. Richard Kardos Sunday, February 25, The Second Sunday of Lent 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Mario & Theresa Massetto