St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 5112 Pocono Crest Rd. P.O. Box O Pocono Pines, PA 18350 Parish Office: (570) 646-6424 Fax: (570) 646-1047 Web Page: http://www.stmaxkolbepoconos.org Welcome To all who are tired and need rest; to all who mourn and need comfort; to all who are friendless and need friendship; to all who are discouraged and need hope; to all who are homeless and need sheltering love; to all who sin and need a Savior; and to whomsoever will, the Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe opens wide its doors in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! March 23, 2014 Third Sunday of Lent Our Mission Statement We of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish believe that we have been gifted with Life, Faith and Discipleship. Empowered by Jesus in Word and Sacrament, we are called to grow in wisdom, grace and fidelity to His Church by following the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Working Together to Build the Kingdom of God
March 23rd, 2014 Third Sunday of Lent THIRSTING FOR UNITY In today s Gospel, Jesus is thirsty and goes to the well for a drink of water. He meets a Samaritan woman, who expects him to treat her like dirt. But surprise! He talks to her like a fellow human being, treats her with respect and interest. And what happens? Why, pretty soon the whole town turns out to hear him. Centuries earlier, the Israelites, wandering in the desert, were thirsty. They had no water. All they had was an attitude problem. They growled at Moses, Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? But surprise! God gave them water from the rock. No questions asked. All the peoples of Earth are travelers on this planet together, all thirsting, all harboring our own fearful expectations of each other. But God, as a loving parent, treats us all with generous care and compassion. We are one family. We could surprise each other. We could remember we are one. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Parish Office Hours Monday through Wednesday 9-4 pm Thursday 9-Noon Friday - CLOSED St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Staff Reverend Daniel J. Yenkevich ~ Administrator, pro tem Deacon Frank Gisoldi ~ deaconf@ptd.net Mrs. Lynnette Smith Coordinator of Religious Education/ Pastoral Associate ~ lysmith@ptd.net Marion Colvin Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net John Marcinkowski, Jr. Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Especially during the Lent and Easter seasons, we are very conscious of the communal nature of baptism. We stand witness to the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil in many parishes, and countless parishes celebrate festive baptisms for infants. The rule for celebrating baptism is that it be only once a day in any parish church, a sign of the Church s desire that baptism be the work of the gathered community. Private baptism is therefore a misnomer, since all baptisms, even emergency baptisms for infants in danger of death, are a public act of entrance in to the Body of Christ, the Church. In an emergency, and providing the parents desire it, anyone can baptize by pouring water and saying, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But then afterward the Church is encouraged to supply what is missing: the gathered assembly to proclaim and hear God s word, the promises, the naming, the anointings, the clothing with a white garment, the candle, the Lord s Prayer, and the solemn blessing of the parents at the altar. Wonderfully, this ritual often provides the opportunity for great rejoicing at the recovery of an infant who had been in danger. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Reflecting on God s Word In today s Gospel account the woman at the well must have expected Jesus to be hostile toward her. As a Samaritan woman and a sinner, she was considered unclean by the Jews. No wonder she seems afraid and defensive in her answers to Jesus. Yet Jesus tells her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. She tells Jesus the truth, too, but it is only a partial truth, the truth that she is willing to admit to herself and to this stranger. When he responds by speaking the whole truth about her past, why doesn t she harden her heart and protest his rudeness, or simply take her bucket and go? It must be the love beneath his testimony that allows her to hear and accept the truth about who she is and who Jesus is. Then, perhaps for the first time in her life, she is free to testify the whole truth to everyone she meets. Only love can break through the defenses that we erect to hide the truth from ourselves and others. Only love can reveal the truth about a God who responds to our thirsts and ignores our fear and faithlessness. Only love can account for the fact that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Copyright 2013, World Library Publications.
March 22nd through March 30th Saturday 4:00 pm Kevin Colvin by Marion Colvin Sunday 8:00 am William Schott by William & Kathleen Henkel 10:30 am For The Parishioners Monday 8:15 am Edward Mayberry by Patrick & Maureen O Donnell Tuesday 8:15 am Michael LeSage by Michael Murray Wed 8:15 am Communion Service Thursday 8:15 am Kathryn Cerra Joan & Allan Hild Friday 8:15 am David Roschner by Marianne & John Hajduk Saturday 4:00 pm Howard Hunt by Mildred Hunt & Family Sunday 8:00 am For The Parishioners 10:30 am Joseph Knipper by Henry & Evelyn Cox There is an urgent need to recover a correct perspective on life as a whole. The correct perspective is that of eternity, for which life at every phase is a meaningful preparation. Old age too has a proper role to play in this process of gradual maturing along the path to eternity. And this process of maturing cannot but benefit the larger society of which the elderly person is a part. ~ Blessed John Paul II, Letter to the Elderly, All are invited to join us for Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. preceding the 8:15 Daily Mass or Communion Service. Saturday Confessions at 3:00 pm In the case of inclement weather conditions, if school is cancelled, there will be no Mass; if school is delayed, Mass will be delayed. Also, there will not be an 8:15 Mass when a Funeral Mass is scheduled. Total Expenditures (for y.e. June 30,2012)...$ 440,703 Avg. weekly cost of Operation $ 8,475 Collection for w.e. 03/09/14 $ 4,275 (Deficit) / surplus...$ 4,200 Expansion Loan (debt) $ 53,038 Saturday: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday: Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42 Monday: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday : Is. 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb. 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 Wednesday: Deut. 4:1; 5-9; Matt. 5:17-19 Thursday: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23 Friday: Josea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 Sunday: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
CANDY SALE FUNDRAISER CONTINUES! Purchases can be made after at the final Lenten Buffet on April 4th and also after weekend Masses through April 6th. You can also call Lynnette (570-646-6424) or email her at lysmith@ptd.net to arrange a time to purchase candy. Selections (while the supply lasts) include Chocolate Covered Cream Eggs (butter cream, coconut, and peanut butter), Carrots, Lilies, Last Supper Bars, White Chocolate/Coconut Nests, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Peanut Butter Rabbits. The candy has been made with love and generously donated by JoAnn Pahler. Proceeds of the sale will benefit our Religious Education and Continuing Faith Formation program and activities. OUR SCRIPTURE SHARING GROUP This group gathers at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings to prayerfully reflect on the Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. Using commentaries and discussion questions to guide us, participants share their insights and questions, explore how God is speaking to them through His Word, and seek to discern how God is calling each of them to respond in their daily lives to the Word. What are You Doing for Lent? How about making a commitment to God? Come explore St. Max s best kept secret to a relationship with God. Centering Prayer Group meets in the Parish hall for an hour on Monday mornings. Come at 9:30 for a cup of tea or coffee and to meet other participants. Prayer Time will start at 10 A.M. SHARP and will conclude at 11 A.M. Give yourself this gift and see where it leads! Please note: No Centering Prayer on Mondays when the Parish Office is closed.) The Light is On For You All Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00 pm St. Maximilian Kolbe and all the parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open for individual confessions. OUR LENTEN JOURNEY Come in for a FAITH LIFT All are encouraged to join us for any or all of the opportunities to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our faith. Is God calling you to make time during Lent for any of the following spiritual opportunities? Monday Mornings: Centering Prayer 9:30 am Tuesday Mornings: Scripture Sharing 9:30 am Wednesdays: Stations of the Cross- 8:45 & 7 pm Thursdays through April 10th @ 11 am & 7 pm - Video and Discussion Series Exploring the Eucharist AREA LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES 3 P.M. Sunday, March 30th St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 7 P.M. Tuesday, April 1st Our Lady of Victory, Tannersville 7 P.M. Thursday, April 3rd St. Bernadette, Canadensis 3 P.M. Sunday, April 6th St. Mary of the Mount, Mt. Pocono REPENTANCE..Of all human acts, repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none. ~Thomas Carlyle INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP LENT 2014 Two opportunities remain to participate in this Diocesan sponsored experience: Saturday, March 29th at St. Boniface Parish and St. John Neumann Regional Elementary School in Williamsport and Saturday, April 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish in Dunmore. The format of the day will integrate the elements of Word, Worship, Community, and Service for all who participate. For more details about the various workshops and the opportunity to attend Mass, Dinner, and the Sweet Charity Players, performance of Godspell, please check the Diocesan Website dioceseofscranton.org. You may also call Jennifer at 570-207-2213. Registration forms are available on the tables by the doors of the church. There is no fee for the workshops. For dinner, a free will offering will be taken. Tickets are $15 for the presentation of Godspell.
St. Maximilian Lenten Buffets The last Lenten Buffet is scheduled for Friday April 4th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Cost of dinner remains at 2012 prices Adults $8; Senior Citizen s (65+) $7; Children, ages 5 to 12, $4; and under 5 eat free. If you would like to donate items or if you can work at any of the buffets please sign-up on the sheets posted near the doors. AVON FUNDRAISER FOR CORNERSTONE The Women s Cornerstone Committee is sponsoring this fundraiser to help defray the cost for all the women attending the September 12~13 Retreat. Avon catalogues will be available at the church through August 1st. You can also support this effort by shopping at www.youravon.com/vconte. When you enter your order, choose the Delivery to Representative. Orders can also be placed by phone to Veronica Conte at 570-839-3616. Those In Need of Prayer Phoebe Bramley ~ Dale Walsh ~ Kevin Kret Betty Lou Torpey ~ Kathleen McDonnell Vincent Rinaldi ~ Elana Knitel ~ Raymond Mullin George Mazeffa ~ Ron Heisler ~ Scott H. Joseph McKenna ~ George Ondrajka ~ Fr. Urban Msgr. Jerry Sherba ~John Scanlon ~ Bob Walsh Danielle Sergi ~ Richard Snell Jay Livziey ~ Thomas Kobrtwitz ~ Fay Feldman Barbara Sciandra ~ Jack McKenna ~ Gerry Boyle Riley Direnzo ~ Terry Quinn ~ Ann Valentina Alexander John Snyder ~ Antonia Lucia - Joe Miller Maria Mercedes ~ Louis Larsen Jr. ~ Joan Rafferty Charlie Ondrajka ~ Terrence Sumrall Chase Robert ~Michael James ~ Robert Angelle Charles Bucceroni ~ Joseph Burinsky Doris Pappas ~ Theresa Akus - For a Priest who is ill. Fr. Kearns ~ Fr. Ryan ~ David If you, or someone you know would like to be included on the prayer list, in our prayer network, or are in need of a communion call while you are unable to attend mass please call the office. Hospital Visits - Fr. Dan is more than willing to visit those who are hospitalized and homebound. Please call the office at (570-646-6424) and let us know who is in the hospital and which hospital they are in. Next meeting is Monday, April 7th at 7 pm in Our Lady of the Lake Hall. Please call G.K. Steve Glinane at 977-4617 for information or check out the website at http://knights13752.webs.com/ or facebook at KnightsofColumbus Pocono Pines or Twitter @ kofc13752mail. THE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets downstairs in Our Lady of the Lake Hall at 9:30 A.M. on the second Wednesday of each month. It is not necessary to be a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in order to attend this ecumenical group. The format is open and ongoing (not limited to a fixed number of sessions) and the content of the meeting is selected to address the needs of those present. Anyone who has experienced a loss due to death, divorce, or separation is encouraged to attend. Through the use of audio, visual, and printed materials the group offers information about the stages of grief and the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual effects that may be experienced by those who are grieving. A lending library offers materials that are helpful for children, adolescents, and adults. The compassionate presence of people who have journeyed through the bereavement process offer support for the newly bereaved and for those who may have delayed the process or who still need assistance. For more information, please contact Lynnette at 646-6424. Next meeting is April 9th at 9:30 am. The Eucharistic Sanctuary Light Is available for $20 for two weeks The Bread and Wine Are available for $25. for one week Altar Flowers No Flowers during Lent Tabernacle Flowers No flowers during Lent
PRAYERS FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT SERVICE Cpt. Thomas M. Smith - Hanscom AFB, MA Airman Joshua Ponce Seaman Nicole Beckman, San Antonio, TX James Murtha, USN - VA Sgt. Richard J. Fissler Jr. - Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA Lt. Col. Christopher Yuskaitis - Italy Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. - Teaneck, NJ Cpl. John P. Bramley - Camp Pendleton, CA Airman Minnette Fruauff - San Antonio, TX Marc Barney, USN - Mediterranean Sea Sgt. Nicholas Bogert - Afghanistan Airman Linda DeMuro - Afghanistan Staff Sgt. William D. Olsen - Nellis AFB, NV 3rd Class Petty Officer DC3 Jeffrey Royall - USCG -VA Pvt. Nhelmar DePerro - Camp Le Jeune, NC PFC Amber Keppol - Fort Leonard Wood, MO Pvt. Matthew Ponce - Fort Benning, GA DEPLOYED CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Eugene Maslar, Jr.-Bagram, Afghanistan Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. ~AMEN The Prayer Shawl Group If you knit or crochet or would like to learn, consider stopping by on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The next meeting date is April 1st in Our Lady of the Lake Hall. The Women s Cornerstone Team will meet March 26th @ 1 pm in our Lady of the Lake Hall. Meals on Wheels - Still Needs Drivers Due to an increase in the number of persons requesting Meals on Wheels in Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships, we are seeking to recruit more drivers to add to St. Maximilian Kolbe s roster. Drivers currently deliver on Tuesdays, Thursday or Fridays about once a month. If you would like more information or an application, please contact Sue Ann Snell (646-7163) or Mimi Mickels at the Meals on Wheels office (424-8794). Around The Diocese CATCH OUR SPIRIT! Register now at a Notre Dame System School Notre Dame Schools offer the academics, athletics, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that form a well-rounded, faith-filled student. Tuition assistance available. Call this week to take a tour, to schedule a shadow day or to register. ~Notre Dame Elementary (Pre-K-6) 570-421-3651 ~Monsignor McHugh (Pre-K-8) 570-595-7463 ~Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High (7-12) 570-421-0466 The Associates of the I.H.M. Sisters are having a series on prayer. It will be held at the I.H.M. Spiritual Center in Cresco from now until April 9th, on Wednesdays at 1 pm. If you have any questions, please call Pat Baker at 570-643-7073. Catholic Social Services presents SAINTS AMONG US! The concert featuring Full Armor Band, will be held @ Notre Dame High School in E. Stroudsburg on Saturday, April 26th at 7 pm. For tickets contact Fr. Walsh @ 570-223-9144. Adults $15 Students $10 Ecumenical / Interfaith TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY The next date for bagging and distribution are April 14th & 15th. THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AT FIVE LOAF HOUSE is still in need of skilled and non-skilled laborers on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. If you can help on other weekdays, please call Bill Snell @ 570-646-7163. Five Loaf House is located at 133 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines. NOTICE regarding the sexual abuse of a person under 18 yrs. Of age by ordained or lay personnel of the Diocese of Scranton: Such an act should be reported to the Diocese by calling the Victim Assistance Coordinator (570-344-5216) or the Chancellor (570-207-2216) or the Vicar for Priests (570-207-2269). Upon receiving a report of this kind, the Diocese of Scranton is committed to assisting victims or survivors of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being.