March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Church photo or logo can go here ST. MARY (NATIVITY) CATHOLIC CHURCH A PENNSYLVANIA CHARITABLE TRUST A PARISH OF THE DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG PARISH STAFF PASTOR: Rev. Peter L. Peretti PARISH SECRETARY: Mrs. Karen Muzika BULLETIN EDITOR: Mrs. Nancy Blake MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Weekdays & Holy Days: As listed in the Bulletin CONFESSIONS Saturday: 3:30 PM or by contacting the Pastor. 61 N. Mount Vernon Avenue Uniontown, PA 15401 724-437-1512 Email: stmarynativity@dioceseofgreensburg.org Website: www.stmaryuniontown.org
St. Mary (Nativity) Church PARISH INFORMATION Membership: We welcome new members. If you are a Catholic living in this area and are not registered as a parishioner, please call the Parish Office and we will be happy to include you on our roster. Sponsors: Godparents or Confirmation Sponsors must be registered in the parish, at least 16 years old, received all Sacraments of Initiation, and if married, be in a Catholic Marriage). Non-parishioners are to obtain a Sponsor Certificate from their respective parish. Children s Faith Formation: A combined program for the Catholic Churches of Uniontown is offered. Tuesday evenings - Grades K-5; Monday evenings - Grades 6-8. Sept. - May. Protecting God s Children: If you have suspicion about sexual or other abuse of a minor child by anyone, contact PA Childline immediately: 1-800- 932-0313. If the alleged abuser functions in any parish, school, or diocesan position, either paid or volunteer, also contact the Bishop s Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct at 724-837-0901, Ext. 1221, after making the Childline report. Bulletin Deadline: Ten days prior to the Sunday the notice is requested to be printed. Email notices to nblake@dioceseofgreensburg.org or send written notices to the Parish Office. Uniontown, PA Lenten Masses and Devotions During Lent, Stations of the Cross will be held at St. Mary (Nativity) Church on Fridays beginning at 6:30PM followed immediately by an evening Mass. Friday morning Masses will not be held at St. Mary s during Lent. The regular schedule for Confessions, Saturday at 3:30PM, will be followed except on Saturday March 24 (Community Penance Service) and Saturday, March 31. The schedule of Community Penance Services can be found on the next page. Why Do We Do That? Catholic Traditions Explained QUESTION: Who invented the Stations of the Cross? ANSWER: The first Stations of the Cross were walked by Jesus himself on the way to Calvary. Known as the "Via Dolorosa" ("The Way of Suffering") or the "Via Crucis" ("The Way of the Cross"), it was marked out from the earliest times and was a traditional walk for pilgrims who came to Jerusalem. The early Christians in Jerusalem would walk the same pathway that Jesus walked, pausing for reflection and prayer. Later, when Christians could not travel to the Holy Land, artistic depictions of "The Way of the Cross" were set up in churches, or outside and Christians would walk from station to station, reading the Gospel account of the Passion, or simply praying and reflecting on each event. While the content or place of each station had changed, the intention was to make a mini-pilgrimage and follow--literally--in the footsteps of Jesus. This devotion became better known in the Middle Ages, and the Franciscans are credited with its spread. Lent is a time when many people make the Stations and some churches present Passion plays or Living Stations. But anyone can pray the Stations at any time. It is a simple and personal reflection on the passion of Jesus and what it means to us. CONTRIBUTION CORNER MINISTRY SCHEDULE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Adults: $5,107.00 Youth: $10.00 Energy: $5.00 Add l Home Missions: $106.00 SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 4:30PM A. Pisano (S), J. Gruskowski (L), M. Kosco, C. Ostrosky, M. Pisano. (EM s) SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 7:30AM A. Pisano (S), D. Dunaway (L), B. Pillar, A. Stepanik, P. Semans. (EM s) SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 10:00AM M. Pierce, R. Rusko (S), M. Williams (L), T. Scruggs, D. Stepanik, D. Scruggs. (EM s) COLLECTION COUNTERS SUN., MAR. 4 Team 5 SUN., MAR. 11 Team 6
Third Sunday of Lent March 4, 2018 Diocesan Lenten Appeal This is Commitment Weekend for the Diocesan Lenten Appeal. Our Parish s Diocesan Target is $49,210 while the overall Parish Goal is $64,210. With funds raised over the Diocesan Target, we hope to repair potholes, topcoat, and paint lines on the parking lot. Any remaining funds will be used toward the loan for the new roof on Mary House. Thank you to all who have already made a pledge commitment. Additional pledges may be brought to Mass next week, taken to the Parish Office, or mailed to the Diocese. Lenten Penance Services The Community Penance Services begin this week and will be held at several of the local parishes throughout the month of March. The schedule is as follows: Tues., Mar. 6 - St. Peter, Brownsville - 7PM Thurs., Mar. 15 - St. Joseph, Uniontown - 7PM Sun., Mar. 18 - St. Joan of Arc, Farmington - 3PM Tues., Mar. 20 - St. Francis, Footedale Site - 7PM Sat., Mar. 24 - St. Therese, Uniontown - 1PM Candle Memorials Each year, the Parish secures a Paschal Candle, symbolizing the Risen Savior in our midst during the Easter Season and used at every Baptism and Funeral throughout the year, along with matching Altar Candles. We are seeking families interested in memorializing the Paschal Candle and one or both of the Altar Candles. Please contact Father Peretti after Mass or call the Parish Office if you are interested. Soup and Sandwich Dinner St Mary's Christian Mothers will host a Soup and Sandwich Dinner, on Saturday, March 10, 4-7PM in the Parish Center. Soup choices include Beef Barley or Chicken Noodle. Tickets are $9.00/person and will be on sale after each Mass on March 4. Ministers for Holy Week Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers, and Lectors are needed for the special liturgies of Holy Week. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Sacristy beginning this weekend for those willing to volunteer their service. Please consider signing-up for some of the services you will be attending. Parish Cemetery Clean-up With spring just around the corner, it will soon be grass cutting time at our parish cemetery. You are reminded to remove grave blankets and other decorations that restrict mowing by March 15th. Also keep mowing restrictions in mind when placing new decorations. Thanks for keeping the resting place of our loved ones beautiful. New Contribution Envelopes You may have noticed minor changes in your contribution envelopes that arrived in homes over the past two weeks. This is because of a change-over to a new supplier. If you did not receive your new March/April envelope packet or would like to be placed on the envelope mailing list, please contact the Parish Office. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Can you recite the Ten Commandments by heart? Several years ago a national US survey found more people could identify the ingredients in a Big Mac and name the children in the Brady Bunch television show than recite the Ten Commandments. Of course, being able to recite them is not nearly as important as living a life in harmony with them. However, if we simply live to not break them then we are only living out half of our discipleship. Every commandment calls us to action beyond the simplicity of its words. We are not to kill, but we are also called to support life. We are not to steal, but we are also to share what we have freely. We are to have no other Gods before our God, but we also need to actively praise and glorify Him. To live a moral life is to do more than follow rules and laws. It is to actively live in a way that gives witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. This way of living is stewardship. As we focus more on the penitential message of Lent, we need to not just reflect on what we have done wrong, but equally what we have failed to do. To be given so much by a loving God and not share those things with God and His people is wrong as well. Perhaps as we reflect on these things we might find ourselves adding something to our lives that will last for many Lenten seasons to come. Liturgical Publications Inc. Used with permission.
St. Mary (Nativity) Church Diocesan FamilyFest The Diocese of Greensburg hosts FamilyFest 2018 on June 2 at Hempfield Park. There is no admission fee for the day of fun, food, and worship that begins at 11AM. For details and registration, go to www.familyfestgreensburg.org. Silver Ring Thing-Catholic Edition The Diocese of Greensburg will sponsor the Silver Ring Thing-Catholic Edition on Sunday, March 18, 6-8PM at Queen of Angels Catholic School, North Huntingdon. Students, parents, and youth ministers are encouraged to attend this chastity education program. For information, contact your parish youth minister, faith formation leader or Catholic school principal or visit www.silverringthing.com. Diocesan Heritage Center Exposition The Diocesan Heritage Center will host Exposition of Sacred Relics: Treasures of the Church on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00PM in the St. Joseph Chapel at the Bishop Connare Center. There is no admission fee. For details go to www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/relics. 13th Annual Egg Eggstravaganza - St. John the Baptist Byzantine Church. Sun., Mar. 18, Noon-5PM. Pysanky displays & supplies, bake sale, Easter related items, Lenten lunch menu. For information call 724-438-6027 M-F, 9-3. Lenten Fish Dinner - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Footedale. Every Friday in Lent except Good Friday, 11AM- 6:30PM Lunch - $6.50, Dinner - Adults $9; Children $4.50. Take-outs available: Call 724-583-7866 for more info. Lenten Lunch & Dinner - St. Joan of Arc Church. Farmington. Every Friday in Lent except Good Friday, 11AM- 2PM & 3-7PM. Take-outs available. Info: call 724-329-4522. Uniontown, PA SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION Sacrament of Baptism for Infants: Those anticipating the birth of a child should call the Pastor several months before the anticipated birth. Baptisms are usually scheduled either within or after the 10:00AM Sunday Liturgy. Sacrament of Marriage: Couples planning to marry are to call the Pastor at least six months prior but up to one year or more ahead of their anticipated marriage to register the date and schedule an appointment with the Pastor. Sacrament of Holy Orders: Men interested in learning about the vocation to priesthood may contact the Pastor or the Diocesan Office of Clergy Vocations at 724-837-0901. Anointing of the Sick: This Sacrament is available any time by contacting the Pastor. Ministry to the Homebound: Holy Communion is taken to the homebound on a monthly basis by the Ladies of Charity. To be added to the visitation list, call the Parish Office. Christian Initiation for Adults: (R.C.I.A) Adults and teens who have not been baptized or those who are baptized in another faith and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church should contact the Parish Office. PRAYER AND OUTREACH MINISTRIES The Pope s Prayer Intention for March 2018: Evangelization: Formation in Spiritual Discernment That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, on both personal and community level. Urgent Prayer Intention That those affected by severe weather conditions may receive the physical and spiritual assistance they need in these times of crisis. The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry: The pantry is working with Community Action to help re-stock pantries of homes devastated by the tornado. Normal donations of canned and boxed food items, toiletries, and paper products as well as cases of food or monetary donations are welcome. Drop offs may be made at the Food Pantry Door at the Rt. 51 end of the RED Brick building, Monday thru Friday 10-3PM. MEMORIAL CANDLES February 10 to March 16 The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of Andrew Yurchick by Daughter, Doreen & Joe Kukan The Blessed Mother Candle burns in memory of Paula Turosak by Jack & Elaine Evancheck The Sacred Heart Candle burns in memory of Rudolph Markusic by Frank & Alfreda Marhefka
Third Sunday of Lent March 4, 2018 SATURDAY March 3 4:30 P.M. Rose Musiolowski by Ann, Zachary, Joanne & Tom SUNDAY March 4 7:30 A.M. Pro Populo 10:00 A.M. Edward Mack by Granddaughter, Melissa 5:30 P.M. Regional Mass in Fairchance MONDAY March 5 8:00 A.M. Brent A. Blake by Christy Cabaniss & Family TUESDAY March 6 8:00 A.M. John J. Sepski by Brother, Andrew 6:30 P.M. Sacred Heart Prayer Group Healing Mass at St. John Church WEDNESDAY March 7 8:00 A.M. 30th Day - Robert J. Kukan by Brother, Joe, Sisters, Barb, Jean & Families THURSDAY March 8 8:00 A.M. Tina McFadden by Parents, Mary Ann & Grendel Williams FRIDAY March 9 6:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross 7:00 P.M. Robert Strange by Sister, Patricia & Fred Yoder SATURDAY March 10 4:30 P.M. Pro Populo SUNDAY March 11 7:30 A.M. Helen Bednarz by M/M John Estocak 10:00 A.M. Paula Turosak by Jack & Elaine Evancheck 5:30 P.M. Regional Mass in Fairchance SUNDAY: Ex 20:1-17 / Ps 19:8-11 / / 1 Cor 1:22-25 / Jn 2:13-25 MONDAY: 2 Kgs 5:1-15 / Ps 42 / Lk 4:24-30 TUESDAY: Dn 3:25, 34-43 / Ps 25 / Mt 18:21-35 WEDNESDAY: Dt 4:1, 5-9 / Ps 147 / Mt 5:17-19 THURSDAY: Jer 7:23-28 / Ps 95 / Lk 11:14-23 FRIDAY: Hos 14:2-10 / Ps 81 / Mk 12:28-34 SATURDAY: Hos 6:1-6 / Ps 51 / Lk 18:9-14 NEXT SUNDAY: 2 Chr 36:14-23 /Ps 137:1-6 / /Eph 2:4-10 / Jn 3:14-21 March 11 THIS WEEK S READINGS ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK Our Advertisers cover the publishing cost of our bulletin. Let them know you appreciate their support by patronizing their businesses when possible. HOLY HUMOR