February 14, 2016 Deep calls to deep I will pray to the God of my life How I Read the Bible by Reverend Monsignor William J. King, pastor Deep calls to deep in the roar of your torrents, and all your waves and breakers sweep over me (Psalm 42:8). The Bible is, next to the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the most personal, powerful, and perfect means of God s self-revelation. In the text of the Bible, God speaks to us: words of love, of challenge, of hope, of mercy, of invitation, of rebuke, of healing, of grief, and of tenderness. Each verse springs from the heart of God, speaking to our hearts as only God can the God who created us, loves us, calls to us, passionately loves us and wants to be with us, and who knows us better than we know ourselves. (continued inside)
(continued from cover) How I Read the Bible Deep calls to deep. In opening the Bible I always ask God to allow the Bible to read me more than I can read the text. I first create an environment for prayer, assuring some quiet and minimizing interruptions. Next I pray that the same Holy Spirit who inspired the Biblical authors to write will inspire me to hear the message He intended. Then I settle into prayer and open the text. As I mentioned, I think it more important for the Word of God to read me, and by that I mean that I want the living and creative and redemptive Word of God to reach into my soul through the text I am reading from Sacred Scripture. I spend more time in silence than in reading, allowing perhaps one word or one phrase to percolate in my soul before I move on to the next. I will read until a word or phrase captures me, and I will stay with that text alone, allowing the Holy Spirit to use that word or phrase to speak to me. Silence is essential; my words can only get in the way of truly, deeply listening and learning. Perhaps I will find that the language itself tickles my interest, and if so I ll put the Bible aside for some time in order to research the etymology and meaning of a particular word in Hebrew or Greek, the original Biblical languages. I may pick up a commentary by a trusted author to find some insight into the meaning, or perhaps a word or phrase will send me to a spiritual writer in order to go deeper into a doorway that the Holy Spirit has opened in my soul. The author of the Song of Songs describes the pursuit of one lover after another in excited and longing turns and twists, and that is often how a time of reading the Bible will turn out for me. In all of this, the greater effect comes from allowing deep to call to deep: the Spirit of God to touch your own soul through the words of Scripture. Remember: it is God who calls out to us; we have only to stay still and listen! Whether we read a chapter or a single word, the focus is not on rushing through and tallying the number of verses read, as much as staying with the Lord where He is to be found, plunging into the depths with Him, and allowing His grace and insight to sweep over us. Focus less on reading the Bible and more on allowing the Bible to read you! Let deep call to deep. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Using the Bible as a tool in prayer can be a powerful means of connecting with the living presence of God in our hearts and in our Church. The experience of personal prayer reaches perfection when it leads us more deeply into the public prayer of the Church, especially sacrament and sacrifice of the Mass. There are many resources available to help us use the Bible readings at Mass as an entry into personal conversation with God, enabling us to be better prepared for God's spiritual gifts when we come to Mass with our fellow Catholics. Consider participating in our weekly Gospel Reflection Groups on Tuesday mornings from 7:40 to 8:40 AM. Listen in your car to a CD from the bookcases in our new narthex. Our parish subscription to FORMED allows you, your family, or a group of friends to watch a weekly study on the upcoming Sunday Bible readings: set up an account at FORMED.ORG using our parish code (7fb766). Register as a user, then launch "Opening the Word" each week. While in the FORMED website, look around at the many tools available to you to learn more about our faith.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK MON Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 TUE Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-5,6-7, 16-17, 18-19; Mt 6:7-15 WED Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13,18-19; Lk 11:29-32 THU Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 FRI Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8; Mt 5:20-26 SAT Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 SUN Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Phil 3:17 4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 ALTAR SERVERS FEBRUARY 20-21 5:00 PM Chad Cherok, Nate Cherok 7:15 AM Joshua Micsky, Luke Micsky 9:00 AM Garrett Brownawell, Jonah Jaroch 11:30 AM Matthew Brekosky, Isabella Groves STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND MASS Stations of the Cross are prayed Fridays during Lent at 7:00 PM, followed by Mass at 7:30 PM. DOWNLOAD THIS YEAR S DIOCESAN LENTEN GUIDE, which includes readings, prayers, and guidelines, at www.steas.net or pick up a copy at the Welcome Desk in the new narthex. THERE WILL BE NO CCD classes on Sunday, February 14, or Monday, February 15. THE PARISH AND CCD OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED on Monday, February 15, for Presidents Day. COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES Sunday, February 28, 7:00 PM Saint Patrick, Carlisle Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 PM Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Sunday, March 13, 2:00 PM Saint Katherine Drexel Sunday, March 20, 2:00 PM Saint Joseph Sunday, March 20, 7:00 PM Saint Theresa Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes Wednesday, March 23, 7:00 PM Good Shepherd YOU WERE SUPER! OR SHOULD THAT BE SOUPER? You bought 160 quarts of soup, contributing nearly $1600 for the Shelters of Catholic Charities! Diocese-wide over $8,000 was raised, and our parish had the largest amount of funds contributed. Plus, our parishioners were great soup makers with 24 individuals and group efforts by the Knights of Columbus and the American Heritage Girls! Thanks to all for this wonderful outcome. The real winners, of course, are the hundreds of families and individuals served by Catholic Charities through the residential treatment programs at the Saint Samuel Center. PARISH FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP Tithing: January 2016 = $91,456.08 (Last year = $78,223.17) Capital Campaign: Total amount pledged: $2,457,911.56 Amount paid: $95,017.84 in January Gifts and Bequests: $110.00 in January ($10,516.02 year-to-date) Mission Project for Saint Francis of Assisi Parish: $181.00 in January ($4,107.00 year-to-date) SAVE THE DATE! Seriously. The evening of Saturday, June 11, is our PARISH GALA, and parishioners are already working hard to create a terrific event you won t want to miss! In your charity please pray for the repose of the souls of Richard Koons, brother of parishioner Gerald Koons; parishioner Don Wargo, husband of Jan Wargo and father of Doug Wargo; and Charles Pagana, husband of parishioner Joyce Pagana. + MASSES + + DAILY PRAYERS + CONFESSIONS+ SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13 VIGIL, 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 PM Robert Wilson SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT 7:15 AM Jenison and Cavanaugh Families 9:00 AM Dr. Robert Lambert * 11:30 AM Barbara Lumby MONDAY FEBRUARY 15 9:00 AM Garrett Punch TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16 7:00 AM Eileen Payo WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17 7:00 AM Monica Hersey 9:00 AM Eileen Coyne THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 7:00 AM Joanie Krezmien 9:00 AM Rose Yacisin FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19 7:00 AM Janet McMaster 9:00 AM Walter Rypinski 7:30 PM Robert Shubert SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 8:30 AM Angelo Giavedoni 3:00 PM CONFESSIONS VIGIL, 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 PM Don McCully SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 7:15 AM People of the Parish 9:00 AM Barbara Keane * 11:30 AM 65th Wedding Anniversary of MaReine and Graham Munkittrick * Adult Choir singing at Mass Please send items for the next Seton Sunday to bulletin@steas.net by 9:00 AM on Monday.
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS ARE SELLING SEEDS AND PLANTS FOR SPRING PLANTING. This is an important source of support! Order forms in this bulletin, at www.steas.net, and at the Welcome Table. DEADLIINE: February 28. Life Teen Faith Matters THERE IS NO LIFE TEEN SUNDAY@5 FOR VALENTINE S DAY. Next week, a series on Mercy begins with Misericordia. Forgiveness is a decision of the heart to go against the instinct to pay back evil with evil, and instead, freely choose to forgive those who have wronged us. Forgiveness is powerful and can begin the process of healing. But what is mercy? Teens join us in this Year of Mercy series! Life Teen meets most Sundays@5 for dinner, prayer, learning, and fun, not necessarily in that order! There is no charge, no registration, and no judgment. All teens in grades 9-12 are welcome, from any school, and any background. See you next week! MORNING FAITH MATTERS Our study of Romans and Galatians continues this week with Lesson 5: None are Righteous, which covers Romans 3:21-3:31. Paul tells us that many Jews thought they would be saved simply by following t+he ritual prescriptions of the Law. Have you ever thought you would attain salvation simply by attending church regularly? What is wrong with this thinking? Join us in the Bayley Conference Room at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, February 17, to find out! EVENING FAITH MATTERS Join us Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Bayley Conference Room for The Bible Timeline. Questions? Contact Donna (649-3173). OUR COLUMBIETTES WILL MEET A WEEK LATER THAN USUAL THIS MONTH Snow prevented them from meeting on their usual date. The monthly meeting will take place this Tuesday at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 1. To learn more about the Columbiettes, their mission, and what s on their calendar this year, visit www.steas.net/columbiettes. ON FEBRUARY 4, 2014, TRAIL LIFE TROOP PA-0101 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish received national charter status. During the first year, with the guidance of their devoted leaders, the trailmen from the Woodland Trail group, the Navigator group and the Adventurers group worked and played hard to build character, while growing into fine young men. During the second year, our Trail Life troop has not only seen growth in the number of trailmen, but growth in the trailmen themselves. As we move on to new paths and adventures, it is time to celebrate where we have been and what we have done and we are doing just that at an awards ceremony this weekend. Thank you for your support, and please keep these fine young men in your prayers. THAT MAN IS YOU The theme on February 20 at 6:30 AM or February 23 at 11:30 AM is A Heart Bound by the World Topics include: Finances and your faith; Our culture and money; Where are the desires of your heart; Work to provide; Who has the highest life satisfaction; Can someone be addicted to success; Seven steps to financial freedom. Questions? Contact Dave Rose (paroses@comcast.net, 241-2315). THE COLLEGE/MILITARY OUTREACH PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR HELP! Donations of snack-size treats and school supplies will be collected in the ramp hallway from Saturday, February 20, through Sunday, February 28, for the Spring 2016 shipment of CARE PACKAGES to our college students and military personnel registered in our program. SUGGESTED DONATIONS: rosaries and rosary purses, snack packs of chips, pretzels, granola bars, cookies, crackers, candy bars, microwave popcorn, ramen noodles, pop tarts, pens, pencils, highlighters, stationery, note cards, reading materials suitable for both college and military individuals. Please do not donate any products that contain PEANUTS or PEANUT products due to allergies! Financial donations, which will be used to purchase additional items and help defray the cost of shipping, are especially needed. If you registered in the fall, you do not need to re-register for the spring. Forms will be available for new registrants for the Spring 2016 shipment. Contact Donna (329-6405, donnachavey@hotmail.com) with questions. DO YOU HAVE NEWS FOR THE PARISH EMAIL NEWSLETTER? We d love to know about things like landmark birthdays or anniversaries, or special personal honors received by those in our parish family. Each monthly issue includes full-color generously-sized photos, useful information, and handy links. Send your news by the third Monday of the month to communications@steas.net. SIGN UP FOR THE PARISH MONTHLY enewsletter at www.steas.net on the Bulletin or News pages, or text FAITH to 66866. SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank DiscoverMass.com for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.
Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal THIS WEEKEND, WE LAUNCH THE PLEDGE DRIVE FOR THE 2016 BISHOP S ANNUAL LENTEN APPEAL. This year s theme is I will draw all people to Myself. Christ attracted others through his presence, accessibility, and freely giving what he had. The Appeal calls you through your pledge to be present, to provide access to help, and to give freely of what you have through human and social services for those who struggle and have nowhere else to turn. Your pledge, regardless of amount, makes you and your faith present to our communities. Please come to the café area just outside Father Waldron Hall after Mass to make your pledge. If you have questions or would care to help, please contact Bob Bagin (790-9601) or Tim Danko (372-8565).