Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690 April 8, 2018 Second Sunday of Easter 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 Treasures from Our Tradition Sometimes children acquire nicknames in childhood that stalk them through adulthood: "Pinky," "Boo-boo," and the like. This Sunday was once called "Low Sunday," a step down from Easter glory, and an unfortunate nickname since Easter rejoicing goes on for fifty days. Traditionally this is the day when the newly baptized put away their white baptismal robes and returned to their everyday life after a week of intense celebration. Of course, the goal was to take up everyday duties with a very new point of view. A long title for the day was Dominica in albis deposito, or "The Lord's Day for Putting Away the Albs," so no wonder the nickname "Low Sunday" arose. In the old calendar it was also called Quasimodo Sunday," after the first word of the opening chant, Quasimodo geniti infantes, or "As newborn infants," a reference to the newly baptized taken from the Epistle of Peter. Victor Hugo's bell-ringing hero in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was abandoned as an infant on the threshold of the cathedral of Paris on Low Sunday, 1467, and named "Quasimodo" for the feast. Readings for the Week Monday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1-2, 5; Jn 3:7b-15 Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21 Thursday: Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2, 9, 17-20; Jn 3:31-36 Friday: Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15 Saturday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; Jn 6:16-21 Sunday: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48 Today s Readings First Reading -- The community of believers was of one heart and mind (Acts 4:32-35). Psalm -- Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting (Psalm 118). Second Reading -- Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God (1 John 5:1-6). Gospel -- The risen Christ comes to his disciples with peace and the Spirit. (John 20:19-31). Spaghetti Dinner Ministries asked to provide dessert and/or work at the April 12 Spaghetti Dinner: Mercy Lunch, Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul. So That You May Believe It is not often that the author of one of the books of the Bible comes right out and tells us directly why he is writing what he is writing. In this Sunday's Gospel reading, taken from the conclusion of John's Gospel, the author tells us that he has chosen to record these events so "that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name" (20:31). The letter of John echoes this idea by saying that "[e]veryone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God" (5:1)--what we might refer to as being "born again." Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles for this Second Sunday of Easter shows us exactly what it looks like when believers are born again through faith. Magnificat Breakfast April 21 The Greensburg chapter of Magnificat A Ministry to Catholic Women will hold a breakfast at the Ramada Greensburg Hotel and Conference Center April 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. Guest speaker will be Eileen Benthal, whose youngest daughter was born with a lifethreatening disease. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for students. To register, call Brenda Concannon, 724-836-2094 by April 13, or visit www.magnificatgreensburg.com. Bishop Malesic Bishop Malesic will lead an outdoor service and eucharistic procession for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m. in St. Clair Park on North Maple Avenue, Greensburg. In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on North Main Street.
Second Sunday of Easter April 8, 2018 Sanctuary Lamp Edward Riley By Loving wife Rosalind Memorial Candle Victor Desantis by Mark & Lisa Delia Memorial Candle Henry Elefante & Mary Kasecky by Family April 7th & 8th 4:00p.m. ~ Maria Safranyos Cara Walker 8:00a.m. ~ Kyle & Peter Poremski 10:30a.m. ~ Derek & Zachary Hald Collection for March 24th & 25th Envelopes ~ $3,964.00 Loose ~ $443.10 Utilities ~ $33.00 Church Restoration $20.00 Palm Sunday ~ $3,108.00 Catholic Daughters of America The CD of A Spring Banquet will be held on May 1, at the cost of $16.00. If you would like to attend, please make a reservations by calling Carol Rzewnicki by April 26th at (724) 568-4032. Diocesan Lenten Appeal The parish is sincerely grateful to all wo have responded to the Diocesan Lenten Appeal. The total of pledges and gifts is now $40,810 with 29% of the parish responding. If you haven t made your gift, prayerfully discern your gift and return your pledge card at Mass next weekend or return it to the Parish Office. Diocesan FamilyFest June 2 The Diocese of Greensburg will host FamilyFest 2018 on June 2 at Hempfield Park. The day of fun, food and worship begins at 11 a.m. No admission fee. Go to www.familyfestfgreensburg.org for updated information and to register. Emmitsburg Pilgrimage - June 9th, 2018 Seven Dolors Church in Yukon PA is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Emmitsburg Maryland, The trip includes tours of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton National Shrine and Basilica, Mass at the National Shrine of Lourdes Grotto, Dinner at the Historic Carriage Inn, a visit to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and a stop at the 9/11 Memorial in Shanksville for Night Prayer. The cost is $60.00 and is all inclusive. For additional information or to register for the trip, please contact Lauretta Stanley at 724-722-3143. Attention All Extraordinary Ministers Ministers of Holy Communion ( weekend, Homebound and Daily ministers): The annual formation for all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be held at Christ the King Church on Wednesday, April 18 th, beginning at 6.30 pm. 6.30 PM: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6.55 PM: Closing of the Exposition with Benediction 7.00: PM: Ministry of care animation by Fr. James Loew 7.30 : PM: Question and Answer session 7.45: PM: Closing prayer We look forward to your participation in what will be an enriching and prayerful evening. This annual formation is mandatory for all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Light refreshments will be available in Assumption Hall after the program. Following Christ Following Christ, a seven-topic series about daily personal prayer, begins Sunday, April 8th. Sessions run from 5 PM to 7 PM. Come listen to a dynamic teaching and share in small group discussions on topics such as, Hearing God in Scripture, The Power of the Sacraments, and forgiving One Another. If you d like to attend, just pick up and complete a registration form, available in the back of the church, and drop it in the collection at Mass or at the parish office. Space is limited register Early!
People of all ages are welcome to a end our Youth Mass on Sunday, April 22 nd at 5:00 PM at St. James. There is an A er Mass Party (AMP) immediately following Mass in the church hall. Please bring a side dish or a dessert. We are looking for readers, altar servers, ushers and greeters in 6th-12th grades. FUSED 4 ~ APRIL/MAY EDGE CALENDAR (Grades 6 th -8 th ~ St. James Parish Underground/Upper Room ~ 6:30-8:00 PM) April ~ 11 th Session ~ 14 th Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity ~ 18 th Session ~ 22 nd -- Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 25 th Session ~ 26 th --Volunteer at Spaghe Dinner at St. Gertrude s ~ May ~ 2 nd Session ~ 9 th Last session ~ 16 th NO SESSION ~ 23 rd NO SESSION ~ 27 th -- Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 30 TH NO SESSION FUSED 4 ~ APRIL/MAY 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) April ~ 8 th Session ~ 14 th Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity ~ 15 th Session ~ 22 nd -- Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall ~ 26 th -- Volunteer at Spaghe Dinner at St. Gertrude s ~ 29 th Session ~ May 6 th Last session ~ 13 th NO SESSION ~ 20 th NO SESSION ~ 27 th -- Youth Mass at 5 PM at St. James with AMP to follow in the hall A en on 6 th -12 th graders: We are looking for volunteers for the Spaghe Dinner at St. Gertrude s on April 26 th from 3:30-6:30 PM. Please RSVP by Monday, April 23 rd. A en on 6 th -12 th graders: We are looking for readers, altar servers, greeters and ushers for the Youth Mass on Sunday, April 22 nd. If you have any suspicion about the sexual abuse (or any other type of abuse) of a minor child by anyone please contact PA Childline immediately at 1-800-932-0313. If the alleged abuser is functioning in a parish, school or diocesan position as clergy, religious, paid staff or volunteer you are also requested to contact the Bishop s Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct after you have called the Childline number and made the report. The Bishop s Delegate may be reached at 724-837-0901, Ext. 1221.
Saturday, April.7, Vigil Second Sunday of Easter 4:00p.m. Edward Riley Sunday, April 8, Second Sunday of Easter 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Living & Deceased members of the Kasecky Family Monday, April 9, the Annunciation of the Lord 8:30a.m. Ed Socolovitch Tuesday, April 10, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Henrietta Martier Wednesday, April 11, Saint Stanislaus 9:00a.m. Sharon Ramaley Pacuch Thursday, April 12, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Frank & Kathy Bruno 12:10p.m. Anointing Mass Christ The King Friday, April 13, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Richard & Rosalie Zidek Saturday, April 14, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ the King Saturday April 14, Vigil Third Sunday of Easter 4:00p.m. Living and Deceased of our Parish Sunday, April 15, Third Sunday of Easter 8:00a.m. Chas & Ophelia Pirone 10:30a.m. Jan & Paulina Cunderlik