LAST WEEK, we outlined the importance of small groups that help us grow in faith. This week, we look at one of our often under the radar ministries for spiritual growth Gospel Reflection Groups. Monsignor King, who got permission from Father Waldron to start the Gospel Reflection Groups in the parish in 2010, is gratified to see that the groups are bringing people together not only for the Gospel Reflection times at the parish, but also for the several groups that meet in people's homes. "The thrust of the Gospel Reflection groups is not Bible study; we have classes and groups for that, Monsignor said. This is all about faithsharing, and how the living words of the Sunday Gospel touch our hearts and lives. For our at-home groups, parishioners will often invite their friends, co-workers, and neighbors who are not Catholic. Faith-sharing has no borders. Everyone is welcome." The groups are open to all. New participants are invited to drop in as they can, or, if it fits your schedule, attend weekly! March 3, 2019 Gospel Reflection THE PURPOSE of the Gospel Reflection Groups here at StEAS the men s group that meets Tuesdays at 7:30 am, the group for men and women that meets here Tuesdays at 2 pm, and other groups that meet in people s homes is illuminated in the core values of their mission statement: Christ Centered: This is a gathering of men or women who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ by the breaking open of the Bread of Life, the Word of God. Humility: Recognizing that we are all men and women in search of spiritual healing, we gather together to learn, grow and heal with members of the one Body of Christ. We do this by the hearing and the breaking open of the Gospel reading with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Transparency: Understanding that we are all equal in God s eyes, we accept all as equals and fellow works in progress in need of Christ. Respect: We are all on a journey home to be united with the Father and so we respect that each of us is at a different place and understanding along our path way. It is God who is drawing us to Himself and Who reveals Himself to us in different ways at different times. La cena de Emaús, by Diego Velázquez Published elsewhere before 1924 and public domain in the U.S. (continued inside)
MISSION OF GOSPEL REFLECTION GROUPS: Recognizing that we are all men and women in search of spiritual healing, we gather together to learn, grow, and heal with members of the one Body of Christ... Openness: We accept that we do not have all the answers, so we strive to always remain open to grow and learn by hearing how God is working in the lives of others. Non-Judgmental: We do not judge the holiness or life of anyone attending. We love them as our neighbor and encourage them on their journey. All Are Welcome: All persons searching for Christ are welcome in our groups Discussing the upcoming weekend Gospel reading with a group has given Don Tatkovski, leader of the Gospel Reflection Afternoon Group (Tuesdays at 2 pm), a deeper connection with his faith, he said. It makes it come more alive, with a greater appreciation for the real Jesus rather than the Jesus in print. We talk about imagining the setting: Can t you see Jesus walking along the road to Emmaus? They don t know who in the heck this guy is, then all of sudden He s revealed in the breaking of the bread. Then He disappears! Can you imagine that? Don is a cradle Catholic and, years ago, he said, in grade school, I guess, we were taught you really shouldn t get into reading the Bible that much, because you could interpret it wrong. We never read it in the family. The Bible was always there in the living room, with family pictures and the family tree and so on, but we never read it at home, we never did anything with it. Of course, the Bible has always been a key component of Mass in the Liturgy of the Word, and these days, there s a fresh interest in breaking open the Word and connecting it with our lives and journey of faith. There are many things to look at in a Gospel, and we try to cover them all, said Don. We try to go over all of the background and setting for a passage the geography, what happened there, who the people are, where they came from. It fills in the blanks for you, one week at a time, one Gospel at a time. Don and Merrily Tatkovski first joined our parish meetings of Gospel Reflection with the 7:30 am Tuesday group, which is now led by parishioner Paul Piccini. The couple initiated an afternoon group that first met at Messiah Lifeways and now meets here in the parish. The basic structure of these groups is described here by Paul Piccini: The group begins with several prayers from the booklet Stewardship of Prayer: My Daily Catholic Prayers [available for free in the bookshelves in the Narthex], some of which I try to pray daily. Someone reads aloud the gospel for the upcoming Sunday, then there is time for reflection prior to discussion. The first two readings usually complement the Gospel, and they are sometimes included in the discussion. We conclude with prayers for intentions both personal and general, as requested by those in attendance.
... We do this by the hearing and the breaking open of the Gospel reading, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. While the groups primarily focus on insights from each of the participants, Paul also brings information from some of his own resources to the sessions, although again, the purpose is not Bible study but connecting with Jesus through the Bible in a personal way. I have an Ignatian Study Bible, and there is a series of books that my son, who took a theology course at Villanova, was introduced to: Cultural World of the Prophets, Cultural World of the Apostles, and Cultural World of Jesus, by John J. Pilch, Paul said. One of the participants has a Bible that also has the Greek translation. Some people bring in other resources. Paul became a member of the group he now leads almost a decade ago. Until I started attending, my Bible study and reflection consisted of listening to the three readings at Mass on Sunday along with the homily, if it happened to refer to one of the readings. Bible passages are now more meaningful, even though I cannot quote chapter and verse. I am better able to relate what is happening in the world today to events and teachings in the Bible. My faith is maturing and it is stronger than it was nine years ago when I first joined the group. I understand Scripture better, since the Gospel and readings are put in the context of the culture, language, and daily life of over 2,000 years ago. Don also brings resources to the afternoon sessions, drawing from an extensive selection of online commentaries and writings. But the in-depth discussion and faith-sharing among members remains the most important element. After the Tuesday sessions, participants are prepared to learn more deeply from the readings and messages at Mass on Sundays. Participants also like to see how the homilists approaches a passage and compare the focus to their own discussion. With so many resources now available, many Catholics read the Bible and the Scriptures from Mass on a regular basis, either through print devotionals, online, or through the myparishapp. Why, then, attend a Gospel Reflection Group? With some discipline, I could do all of this on my own, Paul said. What would be lacking, though, is the reason I am still attending Gospel Reflection Group and that is the insight and knowledge that other men bring to the group. They have helped my faith mature and become stronger. Spiritual Growth Groups for Adults Faith Matters Lent Mondays at 7 pm Thursdays at 9 am Men s Gospel Reflection Tuesdays at 7:30 am Gospel Reflection Afternoon Tuesdays at 2 pm Faith Matters Morning Wednesdays at 9:30 am StEAS Moms Group Wednesdays at 6 pm Faith Matters Evening Wednesdays at 7 pm Life in the Spirit Charismatic Prayer Group Thursday at 7 pm (rosary 6:30) That Man Is You! Saturdays at 6:30 am Tuesdays at 9 am Spiritual Book Group Third Tuesday at 7pm Living Waters Contact donna@steas.net regarding next session. See weekly bulletins or online calendar for specific dates.
LENTEN CHILDREN S LITURGIES Sundays during the season of Lent, we will be having Children s Liturgy of the Word during the 9 am Mass only. THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, our parish community welcomes Isaiah Mayam William Everett Stover MON 4 TUE 5 WED 6 THU 7 FRI 8 SAT 9 SUN 10 5:30 am 6:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:45 pm 5:30 am 7:30 am 9:00 am 2:00 pm 7:30 pm 9:30 am 10:00 am 8:30 pm 4:00 pm 6:30 am 10:00 am 8:45 am 9:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:o0 am 10:15 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 12:15 pm 8:00 pm Easter Egg Making CCD Grades 1-6 Edge Make-up Class First Eucharist Parent Meeting Cursillo 4th Day Easter Egg Making Men s Gospel Reflection Group That Man Is You! Gospel Reflection in the Afternoon Zumba Fitness Knights of Columbus (rosary 6:20) StEAS Blazers Basketball ASH WEDNESDAY (see Mass schedule) Faith Matters Morning Messiah Lifeways Mass StEAS Moms Group Parish Mission with Father Swamy Adult Open Gym Zumba Toning Parish Mission with Father Swamy Lenten Fish Dinner Parish Mission with Father Swamy Diocesan Annual Campaign Pledging Columbiettes Diaper/Wipes Drive Easter Egg Sales Knights of Columbus Membership Drive That Man Is You! First Communion Consignment Day Diocesan Annual Campaign Pledging Columbiettes Diaper/Wipes Drive Easter Egg Sales Knights of Columbus Membership Drive Blood Drive CCD Grade 1 CCD Pre-School & K R.C.I.A. attending Mass Coffee & Donuts Newman Club SpiritSword CCD Grades 2-6 Edge Grades 7-8 Baptisms during Mass Children s Choir Rehearsal Kids Open Gym & Lego Club Let s Play Cards! Conversations with Dr. Jackie Ogega 14 & up Floor Hockey SATURDAY MARCH 2 VIGIL, 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:00 pm Margaret Zielonis SUNDAY MARCH 3 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:30 am People of the Parish *9:00 am Hubert Rozman 11:00 am Fludovich, Marzari, Stare & Fogle Families MONDAY MARCH 4 MONDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME No Mass TUESDAY MARCH 5 TUESDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Carmeline Cribari WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 ASH WEDNESDAY 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Loretta Eckhart 8:30 am Rosary 9:00 am Health of Joanie Ziegler 10:00 am Ada Santoff (Mass at Messiah Lifeways) Wanda Heath THURSDAY MARCH 7 THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Dr. Stephen Grady FRIDAY MARCH 8 FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY 8:30 am Morning Prayer 9:00 am George Rexford Stations of the Cross 7:30 pm Samuel Andreoli SATURDAY MARCH 9 3:00 pm Confessions VIGIL, FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 pm Antonio Patermo SUNDAY MARCH 10 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 7:30 am William Hollesteir *9:00 am Francis Paluska 11:00 am People of the Parish
PLEDGING BEGINS THIS WEEK for the Diocesan Annual Campaign, the main funding source for more than 40 caring ministries and programs that support and show the love of Christ to families, individuals, and our communities. For this first pledge week only, in-pew envelopes are available for parishioners to complete prior to each Mass, with a separate collection for the in-pew envelopes prior to each Mass. For the next three weeks of Lent, Annual Campaign/ Faith Forward pledges may be made at designated stations in Menniti Hall after each Mass through the end of March. NINETY-FIVE (95) PERCENT of contributions go directly to the ministry programs, with 5 percent for administrative costs. No monies will be used to cover the Diocese s legal or settlement fees. FAITH MATTERS LENTEN SERIES Thousands sought Jesus during his life, but only a few walked with him to Calvary. Join us as we walk step by step from the Garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary with the series, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ s Passion, from Ascension Press. Learn the background to each scene in Christ s passion, and the meaning behind events such as the crowning with thorns and the tearing of the temple veil. Filmed on location in the Holy Land. Two groups will be offered Mondays at 7 pm beginning March 11, and Thursdays at 9 am, beginning March 14, both in the Bayley Room. Contact: Donna, donna@steas.net, 717-697-6929. MON Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mk 10:17-27 TUE Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23; Mk 10:28-31 WED Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 THU Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 9:22-25 FRI Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 SAT Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 5:27-32 SUN Dt 26:4-10; Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 THE 2019 DIOCESAN MEN S CONFERENCE, Men Call To Be Saints, is Saturday, April 6, at Bishop McDevitt High School. Keynoter Dr. John Bergsma --Catholic author, speaker, Bible scholar, and theology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville--will speak on The Top 3 Reasons I Became Catholic and Always Will Be: Perspectives from a Former Protestant Pastor. Includes 40+ workshops, fellowship, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction, opportunity for Confession, music, food, Catholic vendors, and Mass with Bishop Gainer. About a thousand men attend this conference. Registration will be available at www.hbgdiocese.org/men. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Next weekend, March 9 and 10, after all Masses, the Knights of Columbus would like to invite all Catholic men of the parish to join Council 4069 and become a knight in God s service by participating in various activities that lead with faith defend Christian values, protect families, and serve others. For further information, contact DGK Jack Galski, membership chairman, 717-691-3584. Applications for membership can also be found at Connections Corner.
LENTEN FISH DINNERS Our Lenten dinners begin this Friday, March 8, at 4 pm, a great way to begin your evening of Lenten devotions Stations of the Cross at 7 pm, followed by Mass at 7:30. The menu for the first week includes garden vegetable soup, potato-crusted cod, baked potato, creamy coleslaw, dinner rolls, and assorted desserts. Pricing is unchanged: $11 for adults and $5 for children up to 11 years old. Check out the web page at www.steas.net/lenten-dinners. EASTER EGGS will be sold at Lenten Fish Dinners, and after all weekend Masses. Check the website, www.steas.net/easter-eggs, or the Friday Feed for any additional days and times. SCHOLARSHIP NEWS! Attention all female, high school seniors! Are you a member of StEAS and planning to continue your education in the fall? If so, we have exciting news for you! The Columbiettes of our parish are pleased to announce the launch of the Our Lady of Queenship Columbiettes Scholarship Program. This new program is intended to support and encourage young women to deepen their spirituality as they continue their journey of faith, and to support them for success in their educational pursuits. For our inaugural year, we will be awarding one $300 scholarship to an applicant who promotes the ideals of faith, hope, and charity. Visit Connections Corner to pick up a paper application or visit www.steas.net/ columbiettes to download. Completed applications must be returned to the Columbiettes mail slot in the Narthex Connections Corner no later than Sunday, March 31, 2019. FIRST EUCHARIST PARENTS MEETING will be held on Monday, March 4th from 6:45 to 7:45 pm in the Bayley Room. Attendance is mandatory for parents of students preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist in May. Each student must be represented by at least one parent. FIRST COMMUNION CONSIGNMENT EVENT! First Communion consignment articles can be dropped off after all Masses this weekend in Menniti Hall and this week at the parish office during regular office hours. Deadline for drop-off is Thursday, March 7. THE CONSIGNMENT SALE will be on Saturday, March 9, in the Bayley Room from 10 am to 2 pm. Fitting rooms will be available. THE COLUMBIETTES DIAPER AND WIPES DRIVE The Columbiettes Annual Diaper and Wipes Drive for Lourdeshouse and Morning Star Pregnancy Centers will take place the weekend of March 9 and 10. These donations are so important to the ministries. Be sure to pick up the diaper sizes needed most 3, 4,5 and 6. Drop off in Menniti Hall. SENIOR LUNCHEON & MOVIE FOR MARCH is a bit early Thursday. March 14 so please call Colleen, 717-766-2396, or Jeannie, 717-737-8600 to register. The film is The Book of Daniel. Taken into slavery after the fall of Jerusalem in 605 BC, Daniel is forced to serve the most powerful king in the world, King Nebuchadnezzar. SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank WORLD S MOST BEAUTIFUL BIBLE for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.
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