Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time August 31, 2014

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time August 31, 2014

Worship We believe Eucharist is the source & summit of our faith and the center of our parish life & mission! INFANT BAPTISM Parent and Godparent preparation two Sunday evenings each month at 5:00 PM at St. Gregory and Our Lady of the Snows rectories. Please call for an appointment. Baptisms are normally celebrated on the Third Sunday of every month during or following the 12 noon liturgy. Baptisms may be arranged at other times when necessary. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please contact the rectory at anytime for the celebration of this sacrament. Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM. ROSARY GROUP ALTAR BREAD & WINE A minimum donation of $25.00 may be offered in memory of a deceased loved one or for a special prayer intention. MARRIAGES Arrangements should be made six months prior to the desired wedding date. Please contact Father Lapera. MUSIC MINISTRY REHEARSALS Spirit Song Ensemble: Wed. 6:00 p.m. Voices of Faith: Wed. 7:00 p.m. Genesis: Children s Choir: Wed. 4:00 p.m. or Thurs. 2:45 p.m. MUSIC MINISTRY The task of creating a parish music program designed to serve a community actively engaged in liturgical prayer is a formidable one. Fortunately, with the support of everyone and the gifted direction of Mr. Michael O'Malley we are off to a great start. There can be little doubt that recent years have seen enthusiastic efforts toward building music ministry at the Church of St. Gregory. With a rich past, we celebrate the sacred moments of our lives in song and music today. The key principle for the future is to acknowledge that all of our efforts are in support of the entire community in prayer. As we look forward to another year of growth, I invite you to consider checking out one of our vocal groups in September. As individuals you can help strengthen our community song at worship with your support. Please give your kind attention to the upcoming rehearsal schedule printed on page 6 of todays Green Dialog. There is a place for you. The Second Vatican Council, in speaking of the choir, stated emphatically: Choirs must be diligently promoted, provided that The whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs. If I can be of further help in your discernment, please let me know. ALTAR SERVERS Fr. John We will have practice for all Altar Servers, both new and current, on Saturday, September 27, at 9:00 AM in the church. Please mark your calendars! BREAD AND WINE The altar bread and wine this weekend is donated by Mary & Bill O Connor in memory of Patrick Gleeson. MASS & ANOINTING Mary, Mother of God Parish cordially invites you to Mass & Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 AM, at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street, Scranton. A luncheon will follow in the school auditorium. Free health screening available by the North Scranton Parish Nurses. LABOR DAY MASS MASS ON MONDAY WILL BE AT 9:00 AM. There will be no celebration of Eucharist at 7:00 AM. FACING THE INEVITABLE By Janel Esker Jesus words today are hardly warm and fuzzy. In fact, his startling prediction of his suffering and death leads Peter to fervently object. Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for his passion, but I imagine he was also talking to himself. Jesus was fully human and must have felt afraid to lose his life. Perhaps he was trying to build up his courage to face the inevitable. He didn t want to die, but he knew God sometimes calls us to do what we don t want to do. In today s first reading, Jeremiah shared Jesus experience. With the difficult task of proclaiming God s judgment to the people of Judah, Jeremiah was regularly mocked and derided. He tried to keep from announcing God s word but found himself unable to resist. God s word became like fire burning in [his] heart. He was called to do what he did not want to do. I felt the same way when I decided to study theology. My undergraduate major, speech pathology, prepared (Continued on page 7) 2

Word We cherish our relationship with Jesus and strive to make the gospel relevant to our daily lives! RELIGIOUS FORMATION Our Religious Education Program takes place every Sunday Morning at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Peace School for Grades 1 through 8. Our Kindergarten Class is held in the Early Childhood Center. ST. GREGORY EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM Both programs are held five days a week and take place in the Early Childhood Center. Kindergarten from 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM and Pre-School from 8:30 AM until 11:30 AM. 570.587.4808 OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL 410 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA 570.587.4152 Mrs. Jane Quinn, Principal www.olpclarkssummit.com RELIGIOUS FORMATION Registration will be held in church after every Mass this weekend, August 30-31, and next weekend, September 6-7. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 14 at Our Lady of Peace School. On the first class day, all students and parents will meet in the OLP gym at 11:00 a.m. for some general information and a blessing for the start of the year. LEARNING FOR LIFE/NEW BEGINNINGS FOR FAITH FORMATION IN OUR PARISH September 14 marks the start of a new Religious Formation Program for our young people. We celebrate the teaching and learning of our faith as well as those who do the teaching and learning, whatever their season of life: our parents and grandparents; the teachers and young people in our religious formation programs and schools; the leaders and members of our Rite of Christian Initiation process; our pastor, deacon and pastoral associate, who help to form us in our faith; those who organize our adult education programs and those who take part in them; and all of us who try to teach others through word and example and who seek to learn about our faith. U OF S SUMMER READING Raising Gentle Men: Lives at the Orphanage Edge by Jay Sullivan. (The book was just awarded Best Book from a Small Publisher by the Catholic Press Association 2014.) After graduating from Boston College in 1984, Jay Sullivan spent two years teaching English in Jamaica through the Boston College International Volunteer Program. His book is based on his experience as the only man in the convent helping a small group of Sisters of Mercy care for Kingston s poorest children. Now, as the Managing Partner of Exec Comm, a communication consulting firm, Jay teaches business professionals how they can be more successful by focusing less on themselves and more on others. The author will be speaking at the University of Scranton on Thursday, September 18, at 7:00 PM at the Byron Center. The event is open to the public. YOUTH MINISTRY NIGHTS Youth Ministry Nights are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 until 8:00 PM at Our Lady of the Snows. The September dates are the 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th. All high school students are welcome to attend! ST. GREGORY S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM Our wonderful early childhood program begins Friday, September 5. This year we have enrolled 23 Kindergarten students and 13 Pre-school students. We extend our gratitude to our wonderful staff including Mrs. Chris Arcangelo, Mrs. Mary Ellen Dougherty and Mrs. Judy Jones. We wish them a great start and happy year. INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic? Do you have questions about the Catholic Church? Have you thought about learning more about Catholic beliefs and practice? If you are interested, please call the parish office at 587.4808 and ask for Father John. Sunday Readings Gather Hymnal #1155 3

Community We believe that our Baptism forms us into a family joined together to love God and one another. WOMEN S GUILD Guild meetings take place the first Thursday of every month from September through May, with the exception of January. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the rectory. saintgregoryswomensguild@gmail.com OUR LADY OF PEACE School begins on Tuesday, September 2 for all grades. This delayed allowed enough time for the new windows to be installed in every classroom in the main building. The window renovation project is moving along, but OLP needs your help to reach 100% of their goal. Please join us on September 6, 2014 from 6:30 until 9:30 PM at OLP, 410 N. Abington Road, to lend your support to this project and the hear Roland Greco (OLP 06) and a recent graduate from Berklee College of Music perform live with his band, Airacuda. The cost is $10.00 per person (children under 10 are free). Now hiring Our Lady of Peace School is looking for a part-time cleaning person from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, (hours are negotiable). For more information please call OLP at 570.587.4152. OLA FALL FESTIVAL Our Lady of the Abingtons, Dalton, will hold their 47th Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 6, from 5:00 until 11:30 PM with a Pig Roast and music by Milton Delgado and Sunday, September 7, from 11:30 AM until 6:00 PM with a Chicken BBQ and music by The Quietmen. The event will be held on the parish grounds. Lots of food, games and fun for the whole family! ST. JOSEPH S CENTER CHICKEN DINNER The Auxiliary will hold their 4th annual Chicken Dinner on Sunday, September 28, from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM at St. Joseph s Center, 2010 Adams Avenue. Drive thru or limited seating available. Tickets are $9.00 and MUST be purchased in advance. For tickets and more information please call 570.963.1290. Deadline to purchase tickets is September 24. BOY SCOUTS Cub Scout Pack 251 will be holding its annual registrations at the CG United Methodist Church, on September 10, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, September 17 & 24, from 6:00 until 7:30 PM. Boys in 1st though 5th grade are welcome to register. Cub Scouts will be rewarding for learning life skills and values while participating in events such as camping, hiking, fishing and crafts. For more information please contact Brian Sompel 815.1279 or Jim Martin 351.5209. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Hospice of the Sacred Heart is looking for volunteers for their new Inpatient Unit located at 100 William Street, Dunmore. For more information, please contact Ann Seechock, Volunteer Coordinator at 800.657.6405, 570.706.2400 or aseechock@hospicesacredheart.org PARISH COMMUNITY VIDEO We are looking for parishioners who might be interested in being interviewed regarding their connection to our church and/ or a particular parish ministry. This fall we will be launching our new parish website and we will shortly begin the process of creating a video for the site based on our mission statement: Forward in Faith. This project will highlight the many ministries of the Church of St. Gregory. If you would like to volunteer to share your thoughts and insights in a short interview, call the office and let us know! ST. PAUL S BLOCK PARTY St. Paul s Church, 1510 Penn Avenue, will hold their annual (Continued on page 6) 4

Service We recognize God s call to serve our parish family and neighbors near and far. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY FOOD PANTRY The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the rectory. HOSPITAL VISITATION If anyone has a family member, relative or friend in any of the area hospitals and would like them to have a visit, please call the rectory. Donations may be left near Church entrances or in the cabinet in the hallway near the restroom. See below for a list of items we are collecting this week. ST. JOSEPH S OUTREACH Our parish partners with St. Joseph s school in Uganda. Donations are always welcome in support of student tuition. STEWARDSHIP We are very grateful for your Sunday Offering of $14,878.00 and the Care and Education of Priests $1,271.00 last weekend. GIVE ONLINE If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. When travel or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. sign up at : www.thechurchofstgregory.com SPECIAL COLLECTION Bishop Bambera and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have requested that a special collection be taken up in all parishes on the weekend of September 27 & 28, to support our Christian brothers and sisters and other innocent victims of the violence in the Middle East. All funds received from the collection will be used by Catholic Relief Services working in partnership with local Churches in the Middle East to meet urgent humanitarian needs. PANTRY COLLECTION ST. FRANCIS COMMONS This week we are collecting canned tuna, chicken or salmon. Food may be left near church entrances or in the cabinet in the hallway near the restroom. St. Francis Commons, is a home for homeless Veterans and a Community Client Choice Food Pantry and a Free Clothing Store. Msgr. Joseph Kelly is seeking our special help with providing food for this new Food Pantry in Lackawanna County. St. Francis Commons is in need of: pasta, CHURCH OF ST. GREGORY Parish Pastoral Council Gemma Chuff Martha McAndrew Scott Pettinato Marjorie Barlow Paul Mullisky Jim Fleming Joe Hogan Judi Costanzo Bill Donovan Michele Musheno Katie Sunday Jane Farr Dan Haggerty John Hambrose Deacon Bob Fr. John pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, mac n cheese. Any and all food items are most welcome. Please drop all food donations directly at St. Francis Kitchen. Volunteers are also needed on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at St. Francis Commons, from Noon until 2:00 PM please call 570-342-5556, ext. 3 to volunteer. ST. JOSPEH S CENTER......Baby Pantry The baby pantry at St. Joseph s Center has extended their service to help children as well as infants. They are in need of children s clothing up to size 8, diapers sizes 4 and 5 and pull-ups. The need for furniture, pack and plays, and car seats is also critical. Clothing and diapers can be left on the shelf in the alcove near the restroom at the back of the church. If you choose to donate larger items, you may call Anne Walker at 570.586.6831 to arrange a pick-up....september Song International recording artist Tommy O will present music from the Broadway Stage and Hollywood Screen on Friday, September 19, at the Via Appia. 6:00 Cash Bar; 7:00 Dinner; 8:00 Show. Tickets $50.00. All proceeds benefit St. Joseph s Center. For tickets call 963.1290. 5

MUSIC MINISTRY REHEARSALS RESUME SOON! Our music ensembles are ready to welcome new members this fall! Rehearsals begin throughout September. If you are even the slightest bit interested in any of the following opportunities to become involved in our music ministry, please call Michael O Malley at the parish office (587-4808) or email saintgregmusic@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon! Genesis: The Children s Choir of the Church of St. Gregory (Grades 1 5) Children s choir rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 4:00 p.m. or Thursday, September 18 at 2:45 p.m. There are two rehearsals offered every week. Students (and parents!) may choose which day/time is more convenient. Journey Praise: Teen Music Ministry (Grades 6 12) We are looking to recruit young people to share their musical talents as vocalists, piano accompanists, and instrumentalists. There are two meetings scheduled for this new ensemble. The first will be at Our Lady of the Snows on Tues., Sept. 2 at 5:00 p.m. or at St. Gregory s on Tues. Sept. 9 at 5:00 p.m. Join us either night, bring your instruments, and share your thoughts on how we can make this ministry come to life! Spirit Song Ensemble This group (previously the folk group/contemporary ensemble) leads the assembly in song weekly, primarily at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays. We are looking for new vocalists, guitarists, and other instrumentalists to join us. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., beginning September 3. Voices of Faith: Adult Choir If you like to sing, why not join the choir? Our parish choir usually sings at 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m., beginning September 3. NEW OPPORTUNITY: Small Vocal/Instrumental Ensembles We are looking for small groups (friends, family members, any group of people!) who are willing to lead the music at Mass, possibly once a month. This is an alternative to cantoring alone at Mass. All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome. There are endless possibilities for these small groups: women s ensembles, men s ensembles, mixed groups, etc. Community (Continued from page 4) Block Party Friday, September 12, Saturday, September 13 & Sunday, September 14 from 7:00 until 10:00 PM on Friday & Saturday and 1:00 until 6:00 PM on Sunday. Saturday, from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM there will be a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and Sunday starting at 3:00 PM there will be a Monsignor Feldcamp 5k and Family Fun Run. Come join in the fun! PILGRIMAGE BUS TRIP Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate a Holy Liturgy at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Washington, N.J. on Saturday, September 13. The bus will leave Viewmont Mall at 8:00 AM. For St. Joe s Cafe Coffee is brewing every Sunday from 8:00 to Noon & Wednesday mornings after Mass. information and reservations, please call Joan 570.510.5583 or Theresa 570.468.2165. WOMEN S RETREAT Reverend Jack Connor, CP, Assistant Rector of St. Ann s Monastery, will conduct a Women s Retreat at St. Gabriel s Monastery. The retreat will begin on Friday evening, September 12 at 7:30 PM and end after the noon meal on Sunday, September 14. Preached retreats consist of conferences on the spiritual life, time for personal reflection, prayer, reconciliation and Liturgy. For more information, please call Kathy Porter at 586-4957 or e- mail kporter@epix.net. CATHOLIC SCHOOL ALUMNI Are you a graduate of a Catholic High School/Grade School past or present in Lackawanna County? Come join us for our first alumni event at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars (32 Cabernet Drive, Scott Twp.) on Friday, October 3, from 9:00 until 9:00 PM. The cost is $35.00 per person or $60.00 per couple, which includes two glasses of wine, live entertainment and light fare by Sidel s. Please call 570.346.7541 for information and reservations! 6

(Continued from page 2) me for a well-paying, in-demand career. But theology and ministry tugged at my heart. They didn t promise a high salary, job security, or career advancement. For those reasons I resisted, but God s persistence won. I didn t want to study theology I felt compelled to do so. Taking up our crosses as Jesus instructs is rarely something we want to do. Doing so can mean sacrificing to care for elderly parents, speaking up against injustice, or seeking help for addiction. But we know the call is from God if we are compelled to pick up this cross and follow Jesus, even if we initially don t want to. And because he carried his own, Jesus helps shoulder our cross, too. CATHOLIC CHORAL SOCIETY The Catholic Choral Society will begin its 66th year on Tuesday, September 2, with rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the IHM Center at Marywood University. The group composed of members from both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, performs sacred, classical and other secular music at performances in both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. New members are welcome and no auditions are required. The group s first concert is the annual November Generations Concert when the Catholic Choral Society hosts and features regional choral groups from elementary school through college at St. Peter s Cathedral. Additional musical programs are planned for the Advent, Christmas and Lenten and spring seasons. Ann Manganiello is the music director with Jean Shields as accompanist while Brenda Grunza is president and Dr. Thomas Rittenhouse is president emeritus. For further information please www.catholicchoralsociety.org and call 570.587.2753. Remembering at Eucharist - September 1 to September 6 - MONDAY 9:00 AM (G) Michael, Cynthia, Steven, Scott & Marc Gresh The Family TUESDAY 7:00 AM (G) Domenick & Teresa Preite The Family 12:10 PM (S) Mark Melvin Joe & Colleen Janecki WEDNESDAY 7:00 AM (G) Robert O Malley Wife-Gayle 12:10 PM (S) John Glynn Elizabeth Moran THURSDAY 7:00 AM (G) Dominick Nichols Dr. Frank Milani 12:10 PM (S) Thomas Gilligan Judith White FRIDAY 7:00 AM (G) Teresa & Carmen Pepe Marlene Chiavacci 12:10 PM (S) Mary Murphy Friday Morning Company SATURDAY 5:00 PM (G) Dorothy & Joseph P. Reilly The Densevich Family (G) Saint Gregory s (S) Our Lady of the Snows 7

8