Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time June 12, 2016
Word Coordinating Team Ruth Fried, Bob Barry, Jack Rubano, Connie Sheils, Patti Staples, David Coppola, Deacon Bob, Ted Tomaszewski. To learn more about the Word Coordinating Team, please contact Patti Staples at thstapes@comcast.net. Service Coordinating Team Julie Nastasi, Carol Strauch, John Devine, Kate Sebring, Chrissy Jacoby, Matthew Newton, Meg Hambrose, Jane Farr, John Hambrose, Judy Burkavage, Deacon Bob. The Service Team has a complete list of service connected opportunities. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Julie Nastasi at julie.nastasi@gmail. com. Community Coordinating Team Tracy Bannon, Saul Rigau, Lisa Rigau, Delia Coppola, Yvonne Cronkey, Bridget Walsh, Bill Durdach, Danelle Hogan, Molly Johnson, Pam Jones, Mary Griffin, Judy Walsh, Joe Hogan. Parish activities and sign-up sheets may be found on the Welcome Cart. For more information, please contact Tracy Bannon at tracybannon@stjosephscen ter.org Worship Art and Environment David Hemmler, Marion Eagen, Nina Magnani, Debbie Colarossi, Donna Nasser, Judy Grambo, Michael O Malley, Jennifer DiNoia, Ron Grambo, Cindy Dick. MONDAY, JUNE 13 FEAST OF ANTHONY OF PADUA Tony, Tony, turn around The story goes that Saint Anthony patron of lost objects had a book of psalms that he treasured. A member of his religious community left and stole the psalter on his way out. Anthony prayed and eventually the thief had a change of heart and not only returned the holy book but also returned to the community! A prayer composed in honor of Anthony goes, in part, Treasures lost are found again, when young or old thine aid implore. A more informal rending goes, Tony, Tony, turn around. Something s lost and must be found. (Continued on page 4) 2
Worship We believe Eucharist is the source & summit of our faith and the center of our parish life and mission! Appreciation Weekend, June 18 & 19 Mr. Michael P. O Malley Director of Liturgy and Music Ministry Humble Mercy Music is God s gift to humanity, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven Landor We invite everyone to celebrate with us on the weekend of June 18 & 19, as our parish family and community bid farewell to Mr. O Malley. Michael will make a new home in Florida on June 21. We wish to thank Michael for his wonderful service and talent to Saint Gregory s and Our Lady of Peace School. Michael, Saint Gregory s will always be your home, the door will always be open and the light will always be on! Jesus waits with a calm, compassionate heart. By Janel Esker If today s media circus had been alive and well in first-century Palestine, it would have pounced on the events in today s Gospel reading. You can imagine the headlines: Mystery Woman Crashes Elegant Dinner; Host Mortified. Blogs would light up with sordid details of the woman s sinful past. Simon the Pharisee would visit talk shows expressing shock and threatening a lawsuit. The woman would be offered her own reality show: Real Sinners of the Mediterranean. Of course, after two days of nonstop coverage, the whole event would be forgotten. For Jesus, none of this drama mattered. His focus was solely on this woman who, though uninvited, made her way to him and publicly demonstrated her great repentance. In spite of Simon s protests and, most likely, the rest of the attendees shock, Jesus gave her his full attention, and most important, his forgiveness. No gossip, no dramatic expelling of the woman, no show of great power. Just a quiet and humble exchange between Jesus and a repentant sinner. And so it can be for us, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation. Jesus waits with a calm and compassionate heart for our sincere repentance. We need only to name our sin, as the woman did, and ask forgiveness. No matter what other voices complain against us, no matter how grave our sin, no matter how long it has been Jesus attention is on us and us alone. No media circus, no expert analysis, no dredging up everything bad we ve ever done. Just an honest, humble encounter between us and the Lord. Listen. Can you hear Jesus say, Your sins are forgiven? Remembering Our Loved Ones at Mass June 13 June 18 MONDAY 7:00 AM (G) David Vorozilchak The Grambo Family 12:10 PM (S) Harry McGrath Jerry & Sheila Durkin TUESDAY 7:00 AM (G) Sheila Czarkowski Marlene Chiavacci 12:10 PM (S) Joseph Coffey James & Catherine Cannon WEDNESDAY 7:00 AM (G) Eileen Pesavento M/M Brian Tully 12:10 PM (S) Pauline Kloss The Family THURSDAY 7:00 AM (G) Alice Holmes The Family 12:10 PM (S) Ellen Cowell Joseph & Sally Ware FRIDAY 7:00 AM (G) Rich Castelletti Kathy 12:10 PM (S) Mary Flynn Rob Moher & Family SATURDAY 5:00 PM (G) Christian LaBelle Bob & Joan Kranick (G) St. Gregory s Church (S) Our Lady of the Snows Church The gift of bread and wine this weekend is offered in loving memory of Linda Gratz 3
Word We cherish our relationship with Jesus and strive to make the gospel relevant to our daily lives! Vacation Bible School Start planning ahead for this year s 2016 Vacation Bible School adventure. Last year, over 200 children attended this exciting program! In addition to that, we had over 80 volunteer crew leaders to make sure that things ran smoothly. Crew leaders sign up forms and the children s sign up forms may be found on the hospitality cart. Here are some important details: Dates: June 20th 24th, 2016 Times: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Location: Our Lady of Peace School Ages: 4 through 11 years old $30.00 Registration Fee There are 50 spaces available! We hope to see you there! Registration forms may be found on our webpage: thechurchofstgregory.com. All completed forms may be sent or emailed to the rectory. Youth Rally The rally will be held on June 29th, beginning at 9:00 AM and concluding with Mass at 7:00 PM at Misericordia University, Dallas. Guest speaker: Chris Padgett. Music by Full Armor Band. A high energy day filled with music, workshops, adoration, new friends and awesome closing mass. Cost is $30.00. To register please call Steve Wallo, our youth minister, at 570-586-1741. Mark your calendar! Promotional video found on website Light-the-Fire.org! VBS School Training Students and adults who have signed-up or are interested in being a Crew leader for Vacation Bible School should participate in the following dates for training: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday, June 13, 15 & 16 at 6:30 PM in the Gathering Room at Our Lady of the Snows. Mark Your Calendar! The Diocese of Scranton will host the Diocesan Congress again this year on Saturday, October 8. The theme is: Revolution of Tenderness! The event will begin with a concert on Friday evening, October 7 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, from 7:30 until 9:00 PM with Dan Schutte. The Congress will take place on Saturday, October 8, at the University of Scranton, starting at 8:00 AM and closing with the Celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Bambera at 4:00 PM. A full day of workshop sessions will be held. The Diocesan Congress was held in 2013 and nearly all Diocesan parishes were represented. The goal this year is for 100% parish participation. Registration will open in July. Stay tuned for details! Keep Anthony in mind if you ve lost a valued object or lost something more precious, like faith, hope, or love. TUESDAY, JUNE 14 Put on Christ The U.S. flag is the prime symbol not just of the nation but also of its values. But there are those who engage in flag waving or who wrap themselves in the flag, dramatic and showy but without an actual, personal commitment to liberty and justice for all. Without such commitment, pseudo patriotism means nothing. In Colossians, Saint Paul says, As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, all rooted in Christ. Can people tell from watching you that you are clothed in Christ? WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 Sky s the limit Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was a human being like the rest of us, but unlike us she was conceived without sin. And unlike any woman, she conceived while a virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit. And at the end of her earthly life, she was taken up, body and soul, into heaven certainly not an experience the rest of us (Continued on page 5) 4
Service Hands Ready To Serve We recognize God s call to serve our parish family and neighbors near and far! Annual Everyday Essentials Drive The Women s Guild Hands Ready to Serve Everyday Essentials Drive will conclude this weekend 11 & 12. Items for the collection include paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) personal care (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.) laundry items (detergent, fabric softener, etc.) and household cleaning items. These items will be distributed to multiple local pantries. Green bags are still available. Volunteers will be needed for sorting this Sunday, June 12 at 4:00 PM. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Carol Strauch at 570.947.9649 or cstrauch1010@gmail.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated! Prayer Shawl Ministry Our prayer shawl ministry has been very busy making prayer shawls. We currently have a cupboard full of these beautiful shawls. If you know of anyone who is homebound, hospitalized, or would like to have one, please stop by the rectory. A prayer shawl-handmade by the volunteers in this ministry-will let someone know that the St. Gregory s community is praying for them. St. Luke Foundation for Haiti Scranton Prep student council is sponsoring a collection for the St. Luke Foundation for Haiti. The St. Luke Foundation for Haiti is a 100% Haitian-run non-profit organization providing education, medical care and dignified humanitarian outreach in places that have been under-served by traditional service providers. There is a great need for: backpacks, any school supplies, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, children vitamins, clothing, shoes for kids and adults, soccer balls, uniforms, soccer shoes, baseball caps, and small toys. For more information on this ministry, please call Greg Bormes at 570.687.0749 or email gregorybormes@gmail.com. Bake Sale Girls on the Run hosted a bake sale on Sunday. Thank you for your overwhelming generosity! All proceeds will benefit the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. OLS-Jamaica Twinning Collection Hands Ready To Serve Collections will be taken up on Saturday, June 18 from 9:00 AM to Weekly Collection 12:00 Noon in the OLS Parking Lot. Basic and elementary Rice and/or beans schools: books, flash cards, This donation will be delivered to school supplies, educational videos, leapfrog type computer Catholic Social Services. games, toys, deflated soccer or playground balls, (no one plays American football there) hand pumps and pins to blow up the balls, board games, children s clothing and shoes, coloring books, art supplies, etc. Parish Retreat House, Nursing Homes: Twin sheets, lightweight blankets, radios, pots and pans, men s and women s clothing such as athletic shirts, pants, skirts, tops, pajamas, socks, shoes, light weight sweaters and jackets, baseball caps, kitchen items, curtains, sewing machines, playing cards, adult coloring books, crossword and other puzzle books (religious or popular titles) adult diapers and incontinence pads, wheel chair/walker bags, tote bags. For more information on donating, please telephone Grace Dawgert, 570.587.5437. can expect! She s living proof that nothing is impossible with God. Like her, say yes to God with your whole being and see what God might do with you. THURSDAY, JUNE 16 Thank a truth teller It may have been a parent, younger brother, or elderly aunt. It could have been a grade-school teacher or college professor or AA sponsor. It may have been your first boss, someone you dated briefly, a roommate, or your oldest and dearest friend. It could even have been a complete stranger you met on a train. Now and again throughout our lives, we encounter people with flaming words to offer us. These words aren t always comforting, and their challenge may burn into our minds and hearts, revealing a painful passage toward the truth. Accept the words, and thank the giver. FRIDAY, JUNE 17 May your eyes be bright One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong. This teaching by Martin Luther King Jr. illuminates the gospel saying about the need for light. If we see clearly, we will know what to do. If we learn to (Continued on page 6) 5
Community We believe that our Baptism forms us into a family joined together to love God and one another! Summer Office Hours The parish offices will open at 8:30 AM and close at 4:00 PM, Monday thru Thursday. On Friday, our offices will be open from 8:30 until 12:30PM. The office remains open Sundays from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM for your convenience. As always, Father John can be reached by phone in case of an emergency. Quo Vadis: Where are you Going? Quo Vadis is a camp for young catholic men in high school to: Deepen their faith. Learn more about all vocations. Better discern God s call in their lives. ST. JOSEPH S CAFE Coffee is brewing every Sunday from 8:00 to Noon & Wednesday mornings after Mass. Parishioners are welcome to brew coffee any time! It consists of dynamic talks, prayer, games, sports, activities, and music. Meet many of the priests and seminarians in the Diocese of Scranton. It runs from June 26 through June 29 at Misericordia University. The cost is $ 2 5. 0 0. T o r e g i s t e r, g o t o scrantonvocations.com. Basketball Camps Girls The annual Lady Crusader girls basketball camp will be held July 18 through July 22, at Holy Cross High School Gym, Dunmore. Camp will be held from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Instruction will include offense, defense, and individual shooting. Each day will include competitive games which will emphasize the skills taught that day. Instructors include high school coaches and players. Camp is open to girls ages 4 through 9. The cost is $50.00 which includes all camp sessions, a tee-shirt and end of camp pizza party. For more information please contact Coach Bob McCormack at 570.309.1635 or email rmack0423@comcast.net. Boys Holy Cross Crusader Basketball Camp will take place from Monday, June 27 until Friday, July 1, from 8:30 until 12:00 Noon at Holy Cross High School. Camp is open to grades 4 through 9 and camp is limited to the first 65 campers. To reserve a spot, please telephone Al Callejas at 570.650.9858 or 570.677.1288 or email: ac31078@aol.com or acallejas@hchspa.org. Catholic School Movie Night The Diocese of Scranton will hold a Catholic School Movie Night on Wednesday, June 29, featuring the new film Finding Dory at the Circle Drive In, Scranton-Carbondale highway, Dickson City. The cost is $10.00 per car and includes 1 free popcorn and 1 free soda per person. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Gates open at 7:00 PM and the film will begin at 8:45 PM. All are welcome to attend! Best Wishes to our Comet Pride Graduates! think past opinions and can be motivated beyond personal comfort, we will find our way all the way to the truth. King also said: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Love is the lamp that brightens every eye. SATURDAY, JUNE 18 Trust in God When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice. These words, found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, ask each of us to share what we have with others. It is a profound piece of advice that challenges a me-first way of life. It tells us that God thinks that everyone has a right to live in dignity, and you and I have a responsibility to help 6
Pastoral Council Membership Michele Musheno, Paul Mullisky, Theresa Robinson, Scott Pettinato, Marjorie Barlow, Jim Fleming, Joe Hogan, Bill Donovan, Jane Farr, Dan Haggerty, Donald Broderick, Ted Tomaszewski, Mary Ann Morgan, Zoe Haggerty, Logan Lombardo, Deacon Bob, Gemma Chuff, Father John. NEWS The Pastoral Council met on Saturday June 11 to discuss parish planning process for construction of Ministry Center. The team reviewed the following plan outline: Phase 1 Pre-Design & Planning Phase 2 Fundraising Phase 3 Final Drawings Phase 4 Bidding/Construction Members of the Pastoral Council will join Fr. John for future collaboration on the project. The parish Finance Council with the support of additional parish members will develop a finance strategy and campaign for the project. Plans will be shared with the Stewardship We are very grateful for your Sunday offering on the weekend of June 5, 2016: $13,397.53 Care & Education: $1,158.00 Electronic Giving Visit : www.thechurchofstgregory.com Click on special link. Set up your account. Choose a payment option and customize your donation. Please call Judy Grambo with further questions. Finance Council Bill Burkavage, John Devine, Veronica Dende, Paul Gerega, Deacon Bob, Yvonne Cronkey 7
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. St. Joseph s Outreach Our parish partners with St. Joseph s School in Uganda. Donations are always welcome in support of student tuition. Heavenly Paws A pet group that collects food and supplies for the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. For more information please contact Carol Hughes at carolmariehughes@gmail.com. Hands Ready To Serve Weekly donations may be left near church entrances or in the cabinet in the hallway near the restroom. See page 5 for a list of items we are collecting this week. There are also four large annual collections. Prayer Shawl Ministry The prayer shawl ministry meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the rectory. Bereavement Team A team of volunteers who provide comfort, a meal or assistance with spiritual guidance after the loss of a loved one. If you are interested in learning more, please email Marychris.jacoby@aseracare.com with your desire or need. Parish Caregivers This committee is designed to offer respite care for individuals taking care of elderly or ill homebound family members. For more information please email Susan: susan@dementiaconnection.com Prison Ministry This faith based ministry addresses the spiritual needs of men, women, and young people reforming their lives in hope! For more information please email Bernadette-Rudolph@dioceseofscranton.org Baptism 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. Parent and Godparent preparation occurs two Sunday evenings each month at 5:00 PM at St. Gregory and Our Lady of the Snows rectories. Please call for an appointment. 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 Community Table A social gathering to foster fellowship, friendship and parish family for all parish adults. The community table meets at a different venue monthly. Information will be published in the Green Dialog or you may email: judywalsh730@gmail.com. Anointing of the Sick Please contact the rectory at anytime for the celebration of this sacrament. Marriage 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 Choir: Wed. 7:15 p.m. Genesis Children s Choir: Wed. 4:00 p.m. or Thurs. 2:45 p.m. Art and Environment A team of volunteers who provide appropriate ideas and design for the decoration of our worship space. Rosary Group Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM. Religious Education Our Religious Education program takes place every Sunday Morning at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Peace School for grades 1-8. Kindergarten Class is held in the Early Childhood Center. Holy Cross School System Our Lady of Peace School 410 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA 570.587.4152 Mrs. M. Colleen Jumper, Principal www.olpclarkssummit.com Holy Cross High School 501 E. Drinker Street, Dunmore, PA 570.346.7541 Mr. Benjamin D. Tolerico, Principal www.holycrosshs-dioceseofscranton.org Early Childhood Program Our programs are held five days a week and take place in the Early childhood Center. Pre school and kindergarten programs are registering now. Please call 570.587.4808. R.C.I.A. There currently is an R.C.I.A. team ready to welcome anyone interested in becoming a Catholic or to learn more about their Catholic faith. Please email Connie at rsheils@epix.net.