January 24, 2016 By Pete Fludovich When first asked to write about my Bible reading experience, at first blush it seemed that it would be a relatively easy thing to do. Yes, I read the Bible or Scripture daily, pray daily, pray a number of prayer cards daily, read religious magazines, books, and stories, pray the Rosary, talk to God daily to thank him for everything, try to go to daily Mass a couple extra times a week, and in general, spend a lot of time in prayer and in church for various reasons. But, thinking about it, I ve come to the conclusion that the question is not how I read the Bible, but WHY I read it! Yes, when I was young I heard the readings at Church and CCD classes, and even in my teenage years read parts of the Bible. While I was in the service back in the sixties on occasion as you can (continued inside) Parishioner Pete Fludovich has served Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in many ministries currently as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and as a leader of out Respect Life ministry.
(continued from cover) imagine I read it a bit more earnestly, but then again, I read a lot of things of not such good content as well! I was searching but didn t know what I was searching for. I felt religious, and always have been extremely proud of being a Catholic, but not knowing really why. The turning point in my life came some 30 years back when something compelled me to call a phone number from a commercial on TV one night and request a copy of The Book of Mormon. Some time later, a couple of young men from the M o r m o n C h u r c h knocked on our door. A g a i n, I d i d n t understand why at the time, but something urged me to invite them in and sit and talk a bit. It was the usual conversation of why their religion was to be considered, and they cited passage after passage from the Bible that impressed me with their knowledge at their tender ages of about 19 or so. I could counter with my Catholic beliefs, and could say they were from the Bible, but was rather taken back that I didn t have the experience they had. They then asked if I d read their book of Mormon and they d come back to discuss it. It was at this point that I said I couldn t read their book until I had read my own Catholic Bible cover to cover. So, I embarked on my greatest adventure to date reading our Catholic Bible, from start to finish, page by page, paragraph by paragraph, and word by word. At times it was challenging to say the least, with all the strange names, all the begats by begats, etc.! But, the more I read, the more involved I got. After reading it the first time, I read it again, all the way through, but this time reading all the fine-print footnotes too. And the more I read, the more I began to appreciate the beauty that our Bible is, and enhanced my appreciation for our Catholic Faith as well! I fell in love, not only with God all over again, but our rich Faith also that means so much to me. I ve been reading the Bible and or Scripture passages ever since. I challenge each and every one of you to read the Bible from start to finish if you ve never done it. You won t be disappointed, I promise you! (P.S. I never did read The Book of Mormon, and it never really interested me to read it! It s still sitting on a shelf around here somewhere or else I got rid of it. I think the Holy Spirit was using this whole process as a way to get me closer to the truth of my own religion!) Seton Sunday Series How I read the Bible Parishioners and clergy are writing about their own Bible reading, and recommending resources to get us started or deepen our existing practice of reading the Bible on a regular basis. If you would like to share your own experiences and advice, send your thoughts to bulletin@steas.net. Our Catholic Bible www.usccb.org/bible Magnificat www.magnificat.com/ RECOMMENDED RESOURCES The Catholic Answer www.osv.com/magazines/thecatholicanswer.aspx
READINGS FOR THE WEEK MON Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18 TUE 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10; Mk 3:31-35 WED 2 Sm 7:4-17; Ps 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30; Mk 4:1-20 THU 2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14; Mk 4:21-25 FRI 2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6a; 6bcd-7, 10-11; Mk 4:26-34 SAT 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Mk 4:35-41 SUN Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17; 1 Cor 12:31 13:13; Lk 4:21-30 WIVES, HUSBANDS, ADULT CHILDREN: Have a spouse or parent struggling with an illness or life care planning? Bring your questions. Learn what works and what doesn t from welcoming, experienced caregivers. The CAREGIVERS GROUP meets, Monday, February 1, at 3:30 PM in Meeting Room 1, and the first Monday of every month. Non-parishioners welcome. Contacts: Pastoral Assistant Donna Nebistinsky (697-6929, dnebistinsky@steas.net) or Caregivers Group Facilitator Ernie Nettleton (766-8806). LIFE TEEN SUNDAY@5 DANGEROUS: our call to holiness. Why is our call to holiness dangerous? Because it sets us apart for God, inspiring extraordinary living! Are you ready to be Dangerous in living your faith? Be #SetApart NEXT WEEK Safe environment and game night. COMING UP FEBRUARY 7 Super Bowl at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish. LOOKING AHEAD StEAS Life Teen will be attending WYD Stateside, held at Lancaster s Clipper Stadium, July 30-31! Open to all teens entering grades 9-12 next fall, as well as Young Adults, ages 18-20, and 21+. Information available at Life Teen, or contact Stephanie (697-3545, stanguay@steas.net). THAT MAN IS YOU The theme on January 30 at 6:30 AM or February 2 at 11:30 AM is Becoming a Man after God s Own Heart. Topics include: our Lenten journey and the parable of the sower, the fate of seeds, the three fundamental orientations, the obstacles in the spiritual life, that you would bear fruit, evaluating your spiritual life, and encountering the Living God and His mercy. Questions? Contact Dave Rose (paroses@comcast.net, 241-2315). MORNING FAITH MATTERS Our study of Romans and Galatians continues this week with Lesson 3: All Are Sinners. In this session we will discuss the difference between particular judgment and the Last Judgment, and the importance of being doers and not just hearers of the Word. You may pick up Lesson 3 study materials any time at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex, then join us in the Bayley Conference Room for the DVD presentation and discussion on Wednesday, January 27, at 9:30 AM. Questions? Call Carol Holder (766-2677). EVENING FAITH MATTERS Join us Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Bayley Conference Room for The Bible Timeline. See the Bible with fresh eyes. Questions? Contact Donna (649-3173). In your charity please pray for the repose of the souls of parishioner Joann Sabotchick, mother of parishioner Donna McGahen; Robert Ficca, father of parishioner Marie Coyne and grandfather of parishioner Erin Merichko; and Nicole Broadmeadow, aunt of parishioners Jonathan, Henry, Drew, and Joseph Tanguay. + M A S S E S + SATURDAY JANUARY 23 5:00 PM Dale Moritz SUNDAY JANUARY 24 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:15 AM People of the Parish * 9:00 AM Barbara Keane 11:30 AM Paul Magaro MONDAY JANUARY 25 FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE 9:00 AM Agnes C. Urbasik TUESDAY JANUARY 26 MEMORIAL OF SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS 7:00 AM Louis Boscardin WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27 7:00 AM Herman Fitzenberger 9:00 AM Mary Holder THURSDAY JANUARY 28 MEMORIAL OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH 7:00 AM Pete Hagewiesche 9:00 AM Doris Broude FRIDAY JANUARY 29 MEMORIAL OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH 7:00 AM Joanie Krezmien 9:00 AM Monica Hersey SATURDAY JANUARY 30 8:30 AM Catherine Conroy VIGIL, 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:00 PM George Bud Brown SUNDAY JANUARY 31 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:15 AM Kevin Dunn 9:00 AM Louise Boscardin * 11:30 AM People of the Parish * Adult Choir singing at Mass ALTAR SERVERS JANUARY 30-31 5:00 PM Rebecca Ritts, Aidan Wenger 7:15 AM Trevor Diehm, Noah Diehm 9:00 AM Nick Chasler, Olivia Varner 11:30 AM Daggs Family PLEASE SEND ITEMS for the January 31 bulletin to bulletin@steas.net by 9:00 AM on Monday, January 25.
T H E W E E K A H E A D S UNDAY JANUARY 2 4 8:45 AM CCD Grade 1 9:00 AM CCD Preschool/Kindergarten 10:15 AM CCD Grades 2 to 6 10:15 AM Edge Grades 7 & 8 12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal 5:00 PM Life Teen 6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 PM Let s Play Cards! M ONDAY JANUARY 25 6:30 PM CCD Grades 1 to 6 TUESDAY JAN UA RY 26 7:30 AM Gospel Reflection 11:30 AM That Man Is You! 6:30 PM Trail Life 6:30 PM American Heritage Girls 7:00 PM Columbiettes 7:00 PM RCIA Baptism and Confirmation W E D N E S D AY JANUARY 27 9:30 AM Morning Faith Matters 6:30 PM Edge Grades 7 & 8 7:00 PM Evening Faith Matters THURSDAY JAN UA R Y 28 6:30 PM Charismatic Prayer Group 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal FRI D AY JAN UA RY 2 9 S ATURDAY JANUARY 30 PARISH MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND 6:30 AM That Man Is You! 9:00 AM First Penance Workshop 3:00 PM Confessions S UNDAY JANUARY 3 1 PARISH MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 8:45 AM CCD Grade 1 9:00 AM CCD Preschool/Kindergarten 10:15 AM CCD Grades 2 to 6 10:15 AM Edge Grades 7 & 8 12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal 5:00 PM Life Teen 6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 PM Let s Play Cards! CHURCH DEDICATION MAY 22 As you can see, we re just getting started (and not every little finishing touch may be in place by May), but we will be ready to dedicate our new church and facilities including consecration of the new altar with Bishop Ronald W. Gainer in a special Mass at 5:00 PM on the 22nd. This Mass is going to be a wonderful celebration of the people of the parish their sacrifices and ministries so plan to come to the 5:00 PM Mass that day to show our appreciation to the bishop and to honor our cherished community! AND HERE S SOMETHING GREAT our Mass will take place on the anniversary of the first-ever Sunday Mass at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in 1977. (That Mass was celebrated down the road at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, our first home. ) (Church interior photo courtesy of parishioner Don Uvick.) MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND In this Year of Mercy, we are reminded particularly of the opportunity to perform corporal acts of mercy, kind acts by which we can extend God s compassion to others. These acts include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and clothing the naked. Our gifts to Saint Francis of Assisi Parish next weekend allow the priests there to provide direct assistance to those in need and winter is a particularly harsh time for many. THE 2016 SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY SOUP SALE to benefit Catholic Charities will be held in our parish after all Masses on February 6 and 7. We need our chefs and cooks to assist in making homemade soup. Contact Tom Brenner (576-8139) for details. VESPERS DURING THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY will be held on Sunday, January 24, at 3:00 PM at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 20 W. High Street, Gettysburg. This annual event provides an opportunity for Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics of Central Pennsylvania to gather in prayer with our Bishops for the restoration of full communion among all Christians so that all the Baptized will soon be able to with one voice "proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord" whose mercy endures forever. REGISTRATION FOR SAINT JOSEPH TRACK AND FIELD will be held on Tuesday, February 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in Saint Joseph School Cafeteria. A parent meeting will be held during registration, beginning at 7:30 PM. Students in grades 3-8 who attend Saint Joseph School or are CCD students at Saint Joseph, Saint Katherine Drexel, or Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes may participate. Track practice will be held twice a week at the Mechanicsburg High School track, and meets will take place mostly on weekends from March to May. For more information, please contact Joseph Spila, sjs.track.team@gmail.com. SNOW CANCELLATIONS Seemed like we might not have a winter this year, but it s here! When the weather is iffy, we ll post closings on the homepage at www.steas.net, on Facebook, and on the myparish app as soon as we know! Also, we ll do our best to get an email directly to CCD families who have provided email addresses to the CCD staff. SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank Theo s Bar and Grille for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.
Pat Lambert: Office Manager Contact Pat if you want to register in the parish; have questions about baptisms, marriages, or funerals; or would like to schedule a Mass, post information in the building, or request an announcement before Mass. Stephanie Tanguay: Receptionist & Coordinator of Grades 7 to 12 Contact Stephanie to request meeting spaces and times for the church master calendar; request a bulletin insert, manage Youth Protection clearances, or for anything regarding Edge, Confirmation, and Life Teen. Marie Coyne: Monsignor s Personal Secretary & CCD Secretary Contact Marie to make an appointment with Monsignor King; if you have any questions about your parish or Capital Campaign donations; or for CCD administrative information. Judy Olinger: Coordinator of Pre-School and Primary Grades Contact Judy for all matters relating to pre-school, Grades 1 to 6; preparation for First Penance and Eucharist, Summer Bible School; and Children s Liturgies. Sandy Oravec: Communications Coordinator Contact Sandy with information for Seton Sunday, the parish website, Facebook, Twitter, email communication, the parish digital bulletin board, and with related ideas and suggestions. Donna Nebistinsky: Pastoral Assistant Contact Donna for questions related to Parish Pastoral Council and all parish ministries, visitations and distribution of the Eucharist, meals and transportation for the homebound and hospitalized, MyParish App, prayer chain requests, and volunteer needs.