St. John Neumann Parish is a gathered people, acting in word, sacrament, witness and service toward all, with gratitude to God our Father, through Jesus Christ our Brother with the Holy Spirit our Guide. A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust March 22, 2015 5th Sunday of Lent Derek Hyatt Mike Hatcher Jessica Baier Justine Attaway SJN S ELECT AND CANDIDATES at St. Paul s Cathedral on March 1 Mass Schedule Saturday: 9:00 AM & 5:30 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 AM Weekdays: (M, T, TH, F): 9:00 AM Weds. 6:30 PM Holy Days: 7:00 PM (Vigil), 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation 9:30-10:00 AM Saturday or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism Celebrated on the last Sunday of every month or during Mass by appointment only. Parents are to attend Baptism preparation classes; for class information
CALENDAR Sunday, March 22 Bread for Africa High School Spring Retreat 10:30 AM Children s Choir 12:30 PM Stewardship Committee 1:00 PM Protecting God s Children 6:00 PM RCIA Evening of Reflection 6:30 PM Adult Volleyball Monday, March 23 7:00 PM Sts. John & Paul Penance Service 7:00 PM Divorced/Separated Group 7:00 PM Monday School 7:30 PM Middle School small group Tues. March 24 10:30 AM & 7 PM Intro to the Bible 6:30 PM Were You There Rehearsal Weds. March 25 Hoagie Sale 6:30 PM Ignite Middle School 7:00 PM RCIA 7:00 PM St. Alexis Penance Service 7:00 PM MOMS Thurs, March 26 9:45 AM Scripture Study 7:00 PM Choir Friday, March 27 9:00 AM Good Shepherd Catechists Training 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Sat. March 28 1:00 PM Were you There Rehearsal Parish Office 412-366-2020, ext. 10 Religious Education Office 412-366-5885 Reverend Albin C. McGinnis, Ext. 20 Pastor & Trust Administrator Pastor2@stjohnneumannpgh.org Richard Caruso, Ext. 16, Permanent Deacon Barbara Stokes, Ext.13 Director for Rel. Education, Family & Sac. Ministries Barbara Matera, Ext. 18 Dir. for Rel. Ed, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Julie Amatangelo, Ext. 14 Director of Youth Ministry Jessica Baier, Ext. 10, Director of Music Ministry Andrew James, Ext. 11, Facilities Manager Larry Badaczewski, Ext. 56, Pastoral Counselor March 15 Operating $7,777.00 Camp. Alive 4,014.00 Parish Share 15,614.00 Camp. For Hum. Dev. 2,274.00 Youth Ministry 1,929.05 Misc. 408.00 $32, 016.05 THE WEEK AHEAD MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 21 9:00 AM Herbert & Maryann Down (David Down) 5:30 PM James Zahren (Family) Sunday, March 22, 5fth Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM For the People of SJN Parish 9:30 AM Pat Caruso (Rick & Carol Caruso) 11:30 AM Carole Spolar (Shannopin Women s Golf Assoc.) Monday, March 23 9:00 AM Bill Miller (Rosemary) Tuesday, March 24 9:00 AM Bob Mahoney (Family) Wednesday, March 25, The Annunciation of the Lord 6:30 PM Sarah Berardelli (Family) Thursday, March 26 9:00 AM Ann Shuckrow (Family) Friday, March 27 9:00 AM Parents of Nancy & Tom Frankart Saturday, March 28 9:00 AM Sally Sipple (Jack) 5:30 PM Bob Lupi (Mary Jo Hynes) Sunday, March 29, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 8:00 AM Edith Caruso (Rick & Carol Caruso) 9:30 AM For the People of SJN Parish 11:30 AM Ann Shuckrow (Full Family) EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sat. March 28-5:30 PM G. & E. Mandl, P. Scheller, P. Mallampalli, D. Heusey, C. & D. Hagen Sun. Mar. 29-8:00 AM E. & C. Gillis, M. Jezerc, J. & D. Anke, B. Walls, N. Stephens 9:30 AM - R. Cox, R. Miller, B. & R. Romig, L. Emark, K. Magdic, F. Greco 11:30 AM S. Noel, S. Schupansky, D. Huber, A. & P. Skorupka, C. King, S. Foody LECTORS Sat. March 28-5:30 PM M. Decker, M. Turo Sun. Mar. 29-8:00 AM D. Chappel, P. Lang 9:30 AM V. Sheridan, M. Conroy 11:30 AM R. & B. McLaughlin ALTAR SERVERS Sat. March 28-5:30 PM Dosch Family Sun. Mar. 29-8:00 AM J. & N. Kenna, L. Evankovich 9:30 AM Schweiger Family 11:30 AM R. & C. Noel, L. Swartz READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9: Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47 [15:1-39]
PARISH NEWS PENANCE SERVICES STS. JOHN & PAUL MONDAY, MARCH 23 ST. ALEXIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 ST. ALPHONSUS MONDAY, MARCH 30 ALL SERVICES BEGIN AT 7 PM. Please note that Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 am is the last time that confessions are scheduled at SJN before the celebration of Easter. There are no confessions heard during the Triduum - Holy Thursday through Easter Vigil. Don t put off to the last minute what should be our most important concern. Mark these wonderful opportunities for reconciliation on your calendar. Make Easter even more meaningful by sharing in the new life and peace of the Risen Lord! CHURCH DECORATING- Help wanted! Can you come on Good Friday after the Were You There performance and help us transform the church into Easter splendor? We need you. Flowers and wreaths and banners need some helping hands to be in place by Easter. Any time is good - come at 8pm and stay as long as you can. Every little bit helps this big project. STATIONS OF THE CROSS EVERY FRIDAY EVENING AT 7 PM DON T MISS MONDAY SCHOOL...on March 23 at 7 pm. will feature Dr. Elisabeth Vasko, SJN parishioner and Assistant Professor of Theology at Duquesne University. Dr. Vasko, who believes we must listen attentively to the voices of those who have been pushed to the margins of our communities, will lead us in a reflection on the topic, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" - The Cross and the Challenge of Social Justice. PLEASE NOTE: Spring Break for Monday school - March 30 and April 6 - keep Holy Week and Celebrate Easter! SERVING SCHEDULES Please stop in the Sacristy after Mass & sign up to help us during Holy Week. We need Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers & Ushers for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil & Easter. We know how busy you are - Your help is greatly appreciated! PRAY WITH US ON GOOD FRIDAY Join us on Good Friday, April 3 rd at 7:00pm for Were You There a musical passion play offered by the young people of the parish. The prayformance is appropriate for all ages and lasts about an hour. This is a great way to continue our Triduum experience. YOU ARE INVITED Please join us after the Easter Vigil on for a wonderful & delicious reception and to meet our newest members of SJN. Our celebration would not be complete without you! Maybe this is an Easter tradition you want to start with your family especially as your children get older. HELP NEEDED Can you help us prepare the Easter Vigil Reception on Saturday, April 4? We are looking for help with a reception after the Vigil for our RCIA candidates and their families. If you would be willing to make a dessert, appetizer or fruit/veg. tray, please call Barb Stokes at 412-355-5885, ext. 13 to volunteer. Many hands make this a joy! GOOD SHEPHERD SESSIONS WILL NOT MEET DURING HOLY WEEK MARCH 31 APRIL 4. EASTER TRIDUUM - 2015 HOLY THURSDAY - APRIL 2 Mass of the Lord s Supper - 7 PM GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 3 Liturgy of Good Friday - 1:30 PM Were You There Presentation - 7 PM HOLY SATURDAY - APRIL 4 Blessing of Easter Baskets - 11 AM Vigil Mass - 8:00 PM NO 5:30 PM EVENING MASS EASTER SUNDAY - APRIL 5 8 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM GOD S WORD TODAY I will be their God, and they shall be my people. This statement is at the heart of the new covenant God established with the house of Israel. God promised to remember their sin no more. This Lenten season has offered us opportunities to recall the covenant God established at the moment of our baptism. In that moment, we became the people of God. Too often we forget this covenant and turn away from God. Lent is all about returning to the Lord with our whole heart. As the living word of God is proclaimed today, let us remember the faithfulness of our God and offer thanks for the gift of the Lord Jesus, who, as today s letter to the Hebrews tells us, is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. From Saint Margaret Sunday Missal, copyright J. S. Paluch Company
GOOD SHEPHERD PASSOVER SUPPER FOR 6 TH GRADERS DATE CHANGE All 6 th graders are invited to Bovard Hall on Sunday, March 29 at 6:30 pm for a special meal incorporating the food and prayers of a traditional Jewish Passover Seder. This date change will allow Fr. Al, who is cooking the lamb, to be present and lead the prayer for the celebration. It is important that you RSVP no later than March 23 to our Rel. Ed. secretary at 412-366-5885 x12 so we can reserve your child a seat at the table. SACRAMENTAL BAPTISM PREP If you have been blessed with new life in your family through birth or adoption, we are glad to have you share that life with us through Baptism. The diocese asks us to take this step with knowledge and prayer. So a Baptism Preparation Session will be held on Sunday, March 29 from 10:30 till noon. Please call the Rel. Ed. office (ext.12) to register. RCIA Now our Elect and candidates journey closer to the Easter sacraments and need your special prayers and support and encouragement. Justine, Jessica, Mike and Derek move through this solemn period of Enlightenment/Lent as a time of spiritual reflection. An Evening of Reflection at Providence Villa on March 22 and a meeting on Wednesday, March 25 are faith steps for them this week. Please keep them in your prayers and maybe even write a note of encouragement. Send your note to the parish office. ADULT CONFIRMATION Did you miss the sacrament of Confirmation when you were growing up? Maybe you decided you weren't ready when you were 14 or maybe you moved, etc. Is this the year to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Any baptized practicing Catholic adult is invited to prepare now and then celebrate the sacrament with the diocese at the cathedral on May 17. Please call Barb Stokes if you are interested or want more information. Paperwork must be submitted soon so if you hear the call to this sacrament, don't hesitate to contact the rel. ed. office. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Mon thru Fri, June 22-26 Age 4 thru 8 th Grade (Fall 2015 Status) Registration forms are now available in the Religious Education Office and on the parish website under Current Forms. YOUTH MINISTRY Larger Than Life, Bigger Than Sin Join us on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 12 th ) for Encounter: Larger Than Life, Bigger Than Sin a session on the great mercy of God. Teens grades 9-12 and your friends are invited. We start with lunch at 12:30pm followed by icebreakers, a message, time to talk about it with your friends, and music &prayer. Upcoming Encounter dates: April 12 & 26, May 3, 17 & 31 Service Opp Teens grades 9-12 are invited to our next Service Opp: Produce to People on the South Side. Come face to face with the people that we serve. Help unload the Food Bank truck, then distribute produce to those who show up. Saturday, March 28 th 8:00am-12:30pm. Contact Mrs. Coran (thecorans@msn.com) to sign up. Special Middle School Event All 7 th & 8 th graders (and your friends) are invited to a special middle school event on Wednesday, March 25 th 6:30-8:30pm. NET Ministries (a team of college age people who travel around the country giving retreats) will be joining us for: Strength & Beauty. The evening will include music, hilarious skits, and focuses on our unique call as God s sons and daughters. Since young men and women have different struggles and needs, a portion of this retreat is divided, tailoring specific talks for each gender. In this age where society has blurred the line of our identities, this is a great way for the youth to understand the significance of their unique calling. SPIRITUAL FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE This week, March 22 the quote from Pope Francis is: "Lent is a time for drawing near to Christ by listening to the word of God and celebrating the Sacraments. SCRIPTURE STUDY Focus on the Word this Lent. Consider coming to the Thursday morning adult group to reflect on the Sunday readings in an informal setting. They meet from 9:45 till 11:15 in Conference Room A. The coffee is on and the door is open for you. Just come. EASTER BLESSING OF THE FAMILIES On Easter Sunday, April 5, Bishops David Zubik, William Waltersheid and William Winter will welcome families to their Annual Blessing of Families at St. Paul Cathedral beginning at 2 pm. Come and experience the Bishops expression of appreciation for the gift that you are, and the gifts that you bring to our Diocese.
PRAYER MINISTRY Please pray for the new additions to our prayer list. If you would like to add someone to the list, instructions a r e p r o v i d e d a t h t t p : / / sjohnneumannpghprayer.blogspot.com. You can also send an e-mail to sjnprayer@gmail.com or call the parish office. Mia Boccardi Dave Brammer Debby Hurley Jack Wassell RECENT DEATHS Please pray for the souls of.. Peggy Davidson, wife of Bill Davidson Roger Kenney, husband of Mary Kenney Alexander Pearson, father of Alex Pearson Joanne Wall, mother of John Wall Christina Wright, wife of Jim Berkenbaugh May the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace SOCIAL GOLF OUTING It s time to think about teeing it up! Yes it s time to sign up for the St John Neumann Golf Outing! Mark your calendars now for Monday, May 18, 2015. If you have been with us for the previous outings, we are looking forward to you joining the fun again and if you haven t golfed or joined us for dinner in past years, WELCOME!!! All levels of play are encouraged the day is meant to be FUN! It s a community event for our parish and it funds the Youth Ministry Programs. If you are interested in helping or sponsoring the outing in any way, please call Carole Shepard at 724.935. 8385 or email nunduke@comcast.net. We can t wait to see you! RAFFLE BASKET & AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED Do you have an item in new or almost new condition that you can t use? Do you have goods or services that would make a great auction item? Please consider donating them to SJN. Both the Golf Outing and the Appalachia groups are looking for items for upcoming fundraisers. Contact the office or leave them in the donation center with a note. COMMUNITY RETROUVAILLE For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part are words many couples say, but over time the silver is tarnished. But there is hope and can be a new beginning. Retrouvaille helps couples experiencing difficulty at all levels of distress. Their next program begins April 10. Call 412-277-3434 or 3041@retrouvaille.org. PRESCHOOL PALOOZA St. Teresa of Avila is hosting free activities (crafts, face painting, hands-on science) for children ages 2-6 on Sunday, March 20 from 11am-1pm. Call Kelly Frank at 412-302-2371 or more info. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Repurposed thrift store needs volunteers for move on Mc Knight Rd. on April 18-19 and 25-26. Please call 412-548-3755 or email repurposed@livinginliberty.org. All proceeds go to treatment of human trafficking of children and adults. 7th & FINAL OLE 5K Please join us to benefit Fr. Scott Seethaler s Hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. This will be the final year for the race to be held at Harmar Grove in North Park on Sat. April 11 at 10 am. Call Keith Bish at 412-367-2428. OPEN ENROLLMENT St. Alphonsus School in Wexford is now enrolling preschool, full day kindergarten and grades 1st through 8th for the 15-16 school year. The school offers a 125 year legacy of academic achievement and faith-centering education. Call the school office at 724-935-1152 to arrange a tour. MISC. ELECTRONIC GIVING PROGRAM You can have your SJN contribution automatically withdrawn from your checking or saving account each month. Avoid the hassle of searching for your envelopes each week. Save time writing checks. A record of each contribution will appear on your bank statement. Please contact the Parish Office (Ext. 10) INVITING THE PARISH TO PRAYER, FASTING & ALMSGIVING Prayer Take time to listen to what God wants to say to you. Take a walk alone to quiet down & simply be in God s presence. Write a letter to God in your journal. Then let God write to you. Fasting Fast from watching TV or internet. Spend this time with family members. Fast from gossip. Fast from new clothes and other consumer items. Give the money saved to a shelter helping the homeless. Works of Charity Give of your time to become more aware of others. Talk to someone toward whom you feel prejudiced. Help out a brother or sister, neighbor or friend. Share your financial resources with those in need.