The Second Sunday of Lent 25 February 2018

The Second Sunday of Lent 25 February 2018

The Second Sunday of 25 February 2018 Psalm Response Psalm 116 (Harmon) Song During the Presentation of Gifts Lead Me, Lord (Becker) Song of Sending Forth Return to God (Angotti) 2

FEBRUARY 28 7 PM @ OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS CHURCH Wednesday There is no particular hour, place, or style that best suits everyone for prayer. If we set aside a definite time and place for prayer, however, we soon learn that it influences the rest of our week. Our special unifying time for prayer on our journey is every Wednesday evening at 7 PM. We join together as church in praying Evening Prayer, while we join together as community in praying for one another. Through psalms, scripture, song, and reflection, we break open God s word so that it might break open our hearts to God s love and mercy. Rev. Daniel J. Issing, C.S.C., M.Div., S.T.L., Ph.D., will join us this week for the celebration of Evening Prayer to guide our Lenten reflections. We will gather weekly February 28 @ OLS, March 7 @ CSG, March 14 @ OLS. We will gather on March 21 @ CSG for Evening Prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Weekly Poverty Meal We invite you to go beyond the days of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Please consider fasting with one simple meal each week as an important part of your journey. What can fasting mean in our health-conscious culture? The fasting of Lent is not about eating less for its own sake. In the Book of Isaiah, God addresses the mistake of settling for the outward trappings of penance. Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free? We re encouraged to fast by sharing our bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless into our own homes. Sunday Food Collection This year, the Service Committee, will be collecting non-perishable food and grocery items for local food pantries throughout all of Lent. The drive will begin with the First Sunday of Lent and continue through Palm Sunday. It is our sincere hope that our fasting this year (poverty meal) will lead us to bring food for the hungry to Mass every weekend. The Light Is On For You MONDAYS Fr. John, Fr. Seth, and Msgr. Quinn will be available for Confessions at Our Lady of the Snows Church. This is a wonderful chance for you to know and receive God s mercy in this amazing Sacrament of Healing. 5:30 PM TO 7:00 PM Pivotal Players TUESDAYS This video and discussion series will meet on Tuesdays and meets once a week in the Gathering Room at Our Lady of the Snows. Please contact Nettie at the OLS Parish Center, at 570-586-1741, to sign up. 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM Stations of the Cross FRIDAYS Stations of the Cross will be celebrated on Friday afternoon/ evenings at the following times and place. 12:45 PM @ OLS 5:30 PM @ CSG 3

S ERVICE We recognize God s call to serve our parish family and neighbors near and far! Goal -$2,500,000.00 Lenten Food Drive This year, the Service Committee, will be collecting food and grocery items for local food pantries throughout all of Lent. The drive continues this weekend. There is a special need for non perishable food items including cereals, canned fruits, soups and vegetables, pasta, sauce, juices and other nutritional food products. Baby cereal/food (fruit) Canned fruit Soups Pasta & Sauce Who was Jesus? Rice Breakfast Cereal Juices Canned Vegetables A special invitation to third, fourth and fifth grade students and their parents. Join the Lenten Book Club and read Who was Jesus? Meet with other families for discussion and activities. Please call Ruth at 570.947.8016 to reserve a book. Books may be picked up after mass on the weekend of March 3 & 4. The book club will meet on Sunday, March 18 at 12:00 Noon in the cafeteria at Our Lady of Peace School for discussion and activities. Hands Ready To Serve Weekly Pantry Collection Items Coffee, Tea, Instant Drinks Donations this week will be offered to Catholic Social Services.. Donations of pet food will always be welcomed. Collected at Food Pantry Cupboard Building Campaign Households Contributing - 555 Pledges/Gifts - $2,350,000.00 Total Paid - $1,543,000.00 We are currently working on design plans with the Architect and Construction Management Team. We look forward to breaking ground in late Spring. The addition will become a spiritual center fulfilling the dream of our founders some fifty years ago. We invite everyone to share in the life and mission of our parish by making a gift/pledge today. Commitment cards have been mailed recently to active households which have not responded. We are counting on you to be part of this great endeavor. Please help us prepare for a vibrant future and move Forward In Faith. Sunday Offering $12,502.00 Love and generosity start here at home. We are grateful for your faithful stewardship which sustains the life of the parish, supports our outreach and ministries, as well as maintains the level of staffing needed to put our mission into action: welcoming the world with open arms, faithful hearts and hands ready to serve. Thank you for your gift of treasure and commitment to do God s work here at the Church of Saint Gregory offered on the weekend of February 17 & 18, 2018. Your weekly or monthly offertory gifts support everything we do at the Church of St. Gregory. 4

We cherish our relationship with Jesus and strive to make the gospel relevant to our daily lives! W ORD Living Liturgy Reflecting on Living the Gospel. Mountains have long been a place for human beings to seek the transcendent. Mountains were considered the realm of the gods from antiquity. We recall the ancient Greeks and Mount Olympus, the home of Zeus. In the Old Testament we know of Mount Sinai and Moses encounter with God there. In today s gospel we hear of another encounter with the divine on a mountain, the place of the transcendent. This encounter takes place not in front of the crowds, the disciples, or even the Twelve. For this special event, Jesus takes Peter and the sons of Zebedee. The language of this encounter is steeped in symbolism, beginning with the mountain itself, but including the white garments, the cloud, the voice from heaven, and the figures alongside Jesus. Rather than rest in the moment, and simply take in the wonderment of it all, Peter breaks into the scene with an idea to make three places of worship, commemorating this event. His response is so often typical of our own. He wants to preserve the occasion, mark it in some way. But no sooner had he voiced this proposal than God himself, the voice from heaven, speaks in a way reminiscent of Jesus baptism. At Jesus baptism the voice from heaven was heard by Jesus alone: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased (Mark 1:11). Now the three disciples, not present at Jesus baptism, hear the voice too. And with that, the episode ends. The three disciples are left alone with Jesus to come down from the mountain, struggling to understand what this experience and Jesus own admonition meant. When considering this mountaintop experience, we can relate it to our own lives when we have an experience of the transcendent. For Reflection: What has been a mountaintop experience for me? And did I struggle to understand its meaning? Evening Prayer Rev. Daniel J. Issing, C.S.C., M.Div., S.T.L., Ph.D., joins us this week for the celebration of Evening Prayer to guide our Lenten reflections. Father Dan will offer a mini-retreat themed around the parable of the sower. The focus will be on different aspects of the text as a way to prepare for the Paschal Mystery, including the sower, the seed, the poverty of reception, refusing the seed and becoming the sower. Day of Reflection The Annual Day of Reflection sponsored by the Church of Saint Gregory s Women s Guild will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at St. Gabriel s Retreat House. The conference leader this year will be Father Seth Wasnock, Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of the Snows, and the Theme is: Trust. The conference will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM. Registration will take place at 9:00 AM. For further information or to make a reservation please call Nancy at 570.586.9227 or Martha at 570.587.2491. The cost for the day is $30.00 per person and includes lunch. The day is open to both men and women. Refresh Your Faith The First Annual Catholic Women s Conference of the Diocese of Scranton will be held on Saturday, June 23, from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Byron Complex, The University of Scranton. The Conference will feature : Judy Landrieu Klein: Faith through it All Father Richard McAlear: Ministry of Hope and Healing Music by: His Own Mass will be Celebrated by The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera. For more information or to register for the conference please go to: dioceseofscranton.org/catholic-womensconference. The Conference is co-sponsored by The Diocese of Scranton and Altus for Women. VNA Hospice Lenten Bible Study To be held on February 26 and March 5 & 12 from 6:30 until 8:30 PM at VNA Hospice, Olyphant. The book of Esther and its story relating to the promises of Easter will be discussed. Rosary Donations The Women s Guild is collecting rosaries during this month. If you have any rosaries that you are interested in donating, you may leave them in the basket on the Hospitality Cart. 5

C OMMUNIT Y WE REMEMBER AT MASS February 26 March 3 MONDAY Lawrence H. Barlow Barlow/DeSanto Family (OLS) 12:15 PM Edward H. Szymanski TUESDAY (OLS) 12:10 PM WEDNESDAY (OLS) 12:10 PM THURSDAY (OLS) 12:10 PM FRIDAY (OLS) 12:10 PM Wife Paula William H. Thorburn D/M William Farrell James Biondi Wife Suzanne Pusateri M/M Christopher Calvey Joseph Sewack Clara Kozlosky Michael Sauter D/M Theodore Tomaszewski Walter Ammerman The Family Francis Griffin Tim & Mary Griffin Floyd Majka Ruth & Michael Zek & Family Parish Anniversary Mass March 3 at 5:00 PM We are delighted to celebrate Eucharist with couples having a Wedding Anniversary ending in 5 or 0, (5, 10, 15, etc.) this year. The liturgy will be held on Saturday, March 3 at the 5:00 PM Mass with a reception to follow. If you have a special anniversary and would like to participate, please telephone the rectory at your earliest convenience. Our Community Coordinating Team is offering support and direction for this special moment of blessings. We thank them for their help. So spread the word and welcome family and friends to join you and our parish family. Diocesan Anniversary Mass Bishop Bambera and the Office for Parish Life invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2018 to a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary mass on Sunday, June 10th. The event includes a 2:30 PM Mass at St. Peter s Cathedral in Scranton followed by a reception. Please call the rectory office to make a reservation. All calls must be in by March 12. Help Wanted The Passionist Nuns of Saint Gabriel s Monastery have a position for part-time work in the Altar Bread Department of their South Abington Township facility. Hours are 9:00 until 1:00 PM For inquiries or an interview please call Barbara 570.586.2791. Opioid Prevention Forums The Gathering Place in Clarks Summit will host a series on Opioid Prevention. This substance abuse awareness series is for caretakers of children grades 5 12 and beyond. The open dialog forum will be held on the following dates: Facing the Stigmas and Reality of Children s Substance Abuse Thursday, March 8, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Exploring the Effects of Children s Substance Abuse on Our Families Thursday, March 29, 7:00 until 8:30 PM Journey s into Recovery: Let s Be Open Thursday, April 19, 7:00 to 8:30 PM Moving Forward: Helping You Engage Thursday, May 10, 7:00 to 9:00 PM All of the speakers participating address and support our mission and objectives for the series. The four part series is balanced with prevention, education experts, medical experts, legal experts, recovery professionals, and people in recovery. For more information please email: gatheringplacecs@gmail.com. SATURDAY (CSG) 5:00 PM Joseph Jakes Barbara & Paul Hudack (CSG) Saint Gregory s (OLS) Our Lady of the Snows The gifts of bread and wine are offered in memory of Eric Johnson Holy Grounds At St. Joe s Cafe Featuring: Fresh brewed coffee in St. Joe s Café every Sunday from 8:00 am to Noon and Wednesday mornings after Mass. 6

We believe that our Baptism forms us into a family joined together to love God and one another! Monday, Feb 26, 2018 LENTEN WEEKDAY How do you measure up? In biblical times getting a fair measure of grain at the market meant that the seller had to fill to overflowing the bushel that was used, then press down and shake the grain, repeating the process until the bushel was packed tight. The amount was then poured into the hem of the buyer s garment, to be carried to its destination. Cheaters undoubtedly existed, but they would be discovered soon enough and punished. Though the technology of the marketplace has changed since biblical times, the ethical principles remain the same: Be honest in your business dealings, whether large or small. You ll sleep better at night and prosper better by day! TODAY'S READINGS: Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38 (230). A good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 LENTEN WEEKDAY Be a Lenten do-gooder Today s gospel reading from Matthew gives us Lent in a nutshell: Make yourselves clean, cease to do evil, learn to do good. The spiritual rewards for following this Lenten regimen are great. That s why so many of us try but, sadly, too many of us fail. Our biggest stumbling block seems to be the final step of learning to do good. It s not that we don t know how to be good; we simply fail to make doing good a consistent, regular practice. This Lent, try following these steps toward becoming a daily dogooder: Volunteer in your parish or community, be helpful and available to family and friends, donate money to charity, act cheerful even when you re not. TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; Matthew 23:1-12 (231). Make yourselves clean; cease to do evil, learn to do good. Wednesday, Feb 28, 2018 LENTEN WEEKDAY Listen for the prophetic voice The Israelites knew one thing about their prophets: They spoke the true word of God whether the message was welcome or not and frequently it wasn t, even to the point of eliminating the prophet to still the voice they didn t wish to hear. Jesus encountered opposition as well. Plenty of people especially powerful people wanted to get him out of the way, but he and his gospel live on. Do you hear prophetic words spoken today in our world? Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow a day at a time. How are they received? How do you receive them? TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28 (232). Instruction shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Thursday, Mar 01, 2018 LENTEN WEEKDAY Heartfelt advice Sometimes you have to hear messages several times before they sink in, even ones that could save your life. Don t text and drive. Eat healthy food. Get enough sleep. When you do hear the messages, you might be tempted to ignore them because to act on them may be inconvenient or take away time from your other responsibilities. But in the end it s in your own best interest as well as those around you to take life-saving information to heart. That includes the many things from the rich Christian tradition. Trust God. Be faithful. Love your neighbor as yourself. Which will you take to heart today? TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31 (233). If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead. Friday, Mar 02, 2018 LENTEN WEEKDAY; DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE Stick with the important stuff Remember the treasure hunts of childhood running around and trying to find something hidden away? Sometimes the clues given were obvious and sometimes they were confusing. But what a feeling when we found what we searched for. How we live our lives gives us clues to what we treasure. Lent helps us look at those clues more clearly. What are the treasures in our hearts? Abstain from the frivolous and find what is important the love of God. TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 (234). The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." Daily Mass MONDAY THRU FRIDAY Celebration of Eucharist 7:00 AM @CSG 12:10 PM @OLS 7

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 monthly. Please call for an appointment. 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 (Both) Spirit Song Ensemble and Voices of Faith Choir: Wed. 7:00 p.m. Genesis Children s Choir: Wed. 4:00 p.m. Art and Environment A team of volunteers who provide an appropriate ideas and design for the decoration of our worship space. Ministers of Hospitality Ministers of Hospitality are the welcoming ambassadors of our parish family at liturgy. Please contact our office for more information. Communion Calls A team of Extraordinary Communion Ministers visit our homebound with Communion every month. For more Information please contact Deacon Bob at rsheils1@comcast.net. Rosary Groups Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and every Tuesday afternoon at 5:15 PM. C.L.O.W. St. Joseph s Outreach Our parish partners with St. Joseph s School in Uganda. Donations are always welcome in support of student tuition. Prayer Shawl Ministry The prayer shawl ministry meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the rectory. Angels at the Doorstep A team of volunteers who provide comfort, a meal or assistance with parishioners and neighbors suffering loss or illness of any kind. Hands Ready To Serve Weekly donations may be left near church entrances or in the cabinet in the hallway near the restroom. See page 4 for a list of items we are collecting this week. There are also four large annual collections. Heavenly Paws A pet group that collects food and supplies for Meals on Wheels. For more information please contact Carol Hughes at carolmariehughes@gmail.com. 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. Veterans Ministry This ministry seeks to raise awareness of the growing problem of homelessness of veterans within our local community and serve residents at St. Francis Commons. For more information please email: bburkavage@gmail.com Refugee Family Ministry This team will encourage parish support for refugees arriving in our community from all over the world in cooperation with CSS of the Diocese of Scranton. Religious Formation Our Religious Education program takes place every Sunday Morning at 11:05 AM at Our Lady of Peace School for grades K-8. 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 Kindergarten program is held five days a week and takes place in the Early Childhood Center. 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 rsheils1@comcast.net. 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. Community Gatherings We come together for seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Please watch bulletin for details and reservation information. Holy Grounds Family, friends and visitors are welcome for coffee after Mass in St. Joe s Café on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.