St. John Neumann Parish is a gathered people, acting in word, sacrament, witness and service toward all, with gratitude to God our Father, through Jesus Christ our Brother with the Holy Spirit our Guide. A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust Mass Schedule Saturday: 9:00 AM & 5:30 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 AM Weekdays: (M, T, TH, F): 9:00 AM Weds. 6:30 PM Holy Days: 7:00 PM (Vigil), 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation 9:30-10:00 AM Saturday or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism Celebrated on the last Sunday of every month or during Mass by appointment only. Parents are to attend Baptism preparation classes; for class information please call the Rel. Ed. Office. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) We welcome those who are interested in becoming Roman Catholic Christians, through a program of formation and prayer. Contact the Parish Office for more information. Sacrament of Matrimony Contact the Parish Office at least six months prior to wedding date. Marriage preparation is required. Parish Membership New parishioners are always welcome! Please call the Parish Office so we may welcome you into our community. 2230 Rochester Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (412) 366-2020 www.stjohnneumannpgh.org
THE WEEK AHEAD Sunday, Mar. 20 Bread for CRS 10:30AM Baptism Prep Class 10:30 AM Children s Choir 12:30 PM Encounter 1:00 PM Baptism 6:30 PM Grade 6 Seder Supper Monday, March 21 8:00 AM Food Bank 12:00 PM Over 50 s Club 7:00 PM Div./Separated Support Group 7:00 PM St. Alphonsus Penance Service Tues. March 22 6:30 PM Were You There Practice Weds. March 23 Thurs, March 24 9:45 AM Scripture Study 7:00 PM RCIA 7:30 PM MOMS Friday, March 25 7:00 PM Were You There Presentation Sat. March 26 11:00 AM Blessing of Easter Baskets MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 19 9:00 AM Mary Schneider (Marie & Tom Devlin) 5:30 PM Bill Mykytiuk (Ginny & Richard Cox) Sunday, March 20, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 8:00 AM For the People of SJN Parish 9:30 AM John Thomas (Ungarian Family) 11:30 AM Bob Powers (John & Alice Roy) Monday, March 21 9:00 AM Laverne Ryan (Iris & John Parks) Tuesday, March 22 9:00 AM Pat Conroy (Mike) Wednesday, March 23 6:30 PM Mary Jo Hynes (SJN Women s Guild) Thursday, March 24, Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:00 PM Bob Mahoney (Family) 8:30 PM Eucharistic Adoration Friday, March 25, Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) 1:30 PM Liturgy of the Lord s Passion Saturday, March 26, Holy Saturday 8:30 PM For the People of SJN Parish Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 8:00 AM For the People of SJN Parish 9:30 AM For the People of SJN Parish 11:30 AM For the People of SJN Parish Reverend Albin C. McGinnis, Ext. 20 Pastor & Trust Adm. Pastor2@stjohnneumannpgh.org Richard Caruso, Ext. 23, Permanent Deacon Parish Office 412-366-2020, Joan Kiliany, Parish Secretary, ext. 10 Religious Education Office 412-366-5885 Lisa Rind, Rel. Ed. Secretary, ext 12 Barbara Stokes, Ext. 13 Director for Rel. Education, Family & Sac. Ministries Kelly Reed, Ext. 16 Dir. For Rel. Ed, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Barbara Matera, Ext. 18 Dir. for Rel. Ed, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Julie Amatangelo, Ext. 15 Director of Youth Ministry Jessica Bucci, Ext. 10, Director of Music Ministry Andrew James, Ext. 11, Facilities Manager Larry Badaczewski, Ext. 56, Pastoral Counselor Sue Bodziach, Ext. 14, Protecting God s Children Child Abuse Hot Line 1-800-932-0313 DUE TO THE EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE, THE WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION FOR MARCH 13 WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK. PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD S PASSION Misericordiae Vultus: The Face of Mercy is Pope Francis official decree announcing this Jubilee Year of Mercy. But Francis had already declared that Jesus has shown the face of God s mercy back in 2013 on his first Palm Sunday as pope. Francis described Luke s account of Jesus entrance into Jerusalem: Crowds, celebrating, praise, blessing, peace: joy fills the air. Jesus has awakened great hopes, especially in the hearts of the simple, the humble, the poor, the forgotten, those who do not matter in the eyes of the world. He understands human sufferings... has bent down to heal body and soul. Entering Jerusalem, Jesus looks at all of us with love, Francis continued, at our sicknesses and sins. A beautiful scene, full of light the light of the love of Jesus May this Jubilee Year s Holy Week and Triduum make us Jesus own light-bearers and love-givers to all who long to see the Face of Mercy.
PARISH NEWS EASTER TRIDUUM - 2016 HOLY THURSDAY - March 24 Mass of the Lord s Supper - 7 PM Adoration GOOD FRIDAY - March 25 Liturgy of Good Friday - 1:30 PM Were You There Presentation - 7 PM HOLY SATURDAY - March 26 Blessing of Easter Baskets - 11 AM Vigil Mass - 8:30 PM NO 5:30 PM EVENING MASS EASTER SUNDAY - March 27 8 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM REMINDER: THERE IS NO DAILY MASS AT 9 AM ON HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY OR HOLY SATURDAY. ALSO, THERE IS NO 5:30 PM MASS ON HOLY SATURDAY. The church is always open for your visit & prayers. DECORATE THE CHURCH Can you share your time and talent as we transform the church environment from Lent to Easter? We ll gather in Bovard Hall after the Were You There? presentation (about 8 pm). Please give us an hour or two to make our church beautiful for our Easter celebrations. EASTER BASKETS As we prepare to celebrate these 50 days of Easter, we find a multitude of particular customs and traditions. One of those growing in popularity in many churches is the Blessing of Easter Baskets that include the foods that will be used at the Easter Sunday meal. Instead of the usual sit-down dinner, the fare for this celebration is often spread buffet style on a large table and the family and visitors alike partake as they please. They hold a special significance in this end to the Lenten fast and represent the joy of the Risen Christ. The following foods are included with the traditional Easter Basket. MEATS (ham, sausage, lamb) life BREAD staff of life DAIRY FOODS innocent Christ COLORED EGGS new life, resurrection SALT salt of the earth, truth and wisdom BEETS & HORSERADISH bitterness CAKES & PASTRIES everlasting life WINE - blessing at Cana EASTER CANDY sweetness of Life Fr. Al will bless the baskets on Holy Saturday, March 26, at 11 AM in the Chapel. ADORATION After the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday, we will have Adoration in the Chapel beginning at 8:30 PM. A sign up sheet is available in the Sacristy to sign up for 1/2 hour increments. It will end with Benediction at 11:45 PM. Make this Lent special and spend time with our Lord this week. SERVING SCHEDULES Please stop in the Sacristy after Mass & sign up to help us during Holy Week. We need Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers & Ushers for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil & Easter. We know how busy you are - Your help is greatly appreciated! PRAY WITH US ON GOOD FRIDAY Join us on Good Friday, March 25, at 7:00pm for Were You There a musical passion play offered by the young people of the parish. The prayformance is appropriate for all ages and lasts about an hour. This is a great way to continue our Triduum experience. FINAL PENANCE SERVICE ST. ALPHONSUS, MONDAY MARCH 21 AT 7 PM There are no confessions heard during the Triduum - Holy Thursday through Easter Vigil. YOU ARE INVITED Please join us after the Easter Vigil on March 26 for a wonderful & delicious reception and to meet our newest members of SJN. Our celebration would not be complete without you! Maybe this is an Easter tradition you want to start with your family especially as your children get older. HELP WANTED - EASTER VIGIL RECEPTION As you know our Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 8:30 pm on Saturday, March 26. During this awesome prayer we welcome our new members, Diana, Matt & Sophie. Afterwards we continue the celebration in Bovard Hall with a grand reception. Can you HELP US? We need appetizers and sweets. Can you bake or provide something to share? All donations can be dropped off in Bovard Hall on Friday (March 25) or Sat morning (March 26.) All help is appreciated! LENTEN REMINDER Good Friday is a day of Fasting (1 main meal, 2 lesser meals) and no eating between meals, and Abstaining (no meat.) The law of fasting obliges all between the ages of 18 and 59.
THE TRIDUUM As we prepare to enter this holiest week of the year and celebrate what many have called the Mother of all Celebrations in the Church Year, the one by which all others are measured, we call your attention to the schedule for this week. The Paschal Triduum (the Three Days) is the heart of the liturgical year and celebrates the heart of our faith. Jesus/ Passion, Death and Resurrection. One long Feast, beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord s Last Supper, through Good Friday, reaching its high point in the Easter Vigil. Forty days of Lent have prepared us for this paschal feast. Fifty days unfold afterward to continue its celebration. This is an invitation, too good to be true. We share in His Paschal Mystery, both now and forever more. You have been invited. What is your response? EASTER DUTY Catholics are required to receive Holy Communion worthily at least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday, June 11. The Church encourages us to receive regularly rather than just being satisfied with making Easter Duty. Eucharist is our source of strength and grace in the Lord. It is our Bread of Life for the journey home to God. What a GIFT! GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION Your support will feed the hungry, build housing, provide Catholic education, maintain shrines & operate refugee centers in the Holy Land. SUPPORT CRS Bread will be available THIS week-end March 19/20 to benefit the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work to feed the poor especially the immigrants in Europe. All donations are appreciated and the bread is always delicious. RCIA Besides meeting on Thursday, March 17, our candidates Diana Bryant, Sophie Egerter and Matt Salamone will pray an Evening of Reflection on Tuesday, March 22 at the Arc and the Dove Retreat House. This time with their sponsors and RCIA staff will help them as they journey closer to the Easter sacraments. At the Easter Vigil on March 26, they will affirm their belief in the Catholic Church and be confirmed. Then with great joy - they will be welcomed at the Lord s Table and receive Him in Eucharist. Pray with us that the Holy Spirit guide them and us through these final days of preparation for Easter. May we all be ready to celebrate the Paschal Mystery and embrace the Rise Lord this Easter. BAPTISM PREP The gift of Baptism reminds us all of our responsibility to be teachers of our children. Let baptism prep be one of your first classes in the awesome life journey with your child. Register for one of these dates: March 20, April 17, May 15 or June 12. We have some wonderful new couples leading these classes and we are grateful! Call ext. 12 to register ADULT CONFIRMATION Did you miss the sacrament of Confirmation when you were growing up? Is this the year to be filled with the Holy Spirit? This is an open invitation to anyone over the age of 18 who has never been confirmed. The diocese offers Confirmation for adults at St. Paul Cathedral on Sunday, May 1st. If you are interested in receiving this sacrament, please call Barb Stokes so we can prepare for this amazing sacrament of the Holy Spirit. GOOD SHEPHERD SESSIONS WILL NOT MEET DURING HOLY WEEK MARCH 22-26. THEY RESUME ON MARCH 29. SOCIAL SACRAMENTAL ARE YOU 8th GRADE OR OLDER? Do you hope to receive Confirmation this Fall? All young people and their parents or sponsors are invited to join us for a very important information meeting on Sunday, April 3 at 3 pm in the church. If you anticipate Confirmation in the Fall of 9th grade then this meeting is for you! If you are older than 9th grade and have never received Confirmation then you are invited to begin preparation for this sacrament of God s spirit and strength. Mark the date now and come on April 3 at 3 pm. *Save the Date- April 16th -APP on TAP!! * Please join us on April 16, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in Bovard Hall for App on Tap craft beer tasting; SJN Appalachia fundraiser. The evening includes 20 craft beers for tasting, mystery beer contest, food, raffle baskets, and complimentary beer tasting glass. Wine and soft drinks will also be available. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. They go on sale after all Masses the weekend of April 2nd & 3rd and April 9 & 10. Tickets can also be purchase now by contacting Laura Juran at 412-367-5264.
SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION BOOK Believe it or not - some people don t like candy or flowers for Easter! Consider giving them a great new book The Resurrection Experience Life in the Risen Christ. In 12 profound meditations on Biblical Encounters with the Risen Lord, the author, Fabrice Hadjadj, asks us to alter the way we view our relationships with others - service, food, money, Scripture and more. Maybe a gift? Maybe for you? Take a look on the lobby shelf. Cost is $10 - money well spent! OTHER BOOKS Don t forget to include some reason for the season gifts in those Easter baskets. Check out our books and magnetic sets on the lobby table. We always need encouragement as we follow the Risen Christ. Holy Thursday - 7 Church Walk March 24 The Office of Vocations invites you to join pilgrims from across the diocese on Holy Thursday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. This on foot pilgrimage of faith to Seven Churches is a great way to walk and pray the stations of the cross through the city of Pittsburgh. It begins at St. Mary of Mercy Church and will conclude at Historic St. Patrick Church in the Strip District with climbing of the Holy Stairs. For info, call Julie by today, March 20. SCRIPTURE STUDY Save a little piece of time this Lent to reflect on the Sunday readings. Come on Thursday morning and share the wisdom of the Scriptures with a group of adults. We meet in Conf. Room A from 10 to 11:30 or so. Coffee is on and the door is open for you. 2016 CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC WOMEN Register today for Women Alive! In God s Mercy Conference. It will be held at the Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School on Saturday, April 16 from 8am-2:30 pm. Motorcoach transportation will be offered free of charge from 12 locations throughout the Diocese. Call 412-456-3129 for more information. Call the parish office (ext. 10) for a registration form. RETROUVAILLE Does your marriage seem like one Good Friday after another? Marriages have been brought back to life through Retrouvaille, a church supported program that has helped thousands of couples. The next Pittsburgh program is scheduled on April 8. Call 412-277-3434 or more info at www.retrouvailleofpittsburghinc.org. A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE BY BUD OZAR The Passion of Jesus makes it clear, no one escapes suffering. Suffering is inevitable but no one should suffer alone. That is one of the primary roles of families, to stand with and support each other in suffering. PASSION The word passion connotes deep, focused engagement. It also relates to passivity, interestingly. The deeply passionate person in the Gospel narrative from Luke is Jesus. He appears passive, but he is not. He is wholly self-possessed and wholly present for the one day that begins on Thursday evening at his last meal with his apostles and ends with his burial before sunset the next day. Then follows the long Sabbath silence. The narrative of the Passion is read whole and without pause on the Palm Sunday of the Passion. This story, found in each of the Gospels, is unchanging. We are the ones who change. Each year, we bring ourselves with another year s history to hear and heed the story we so badly need. Life has its way with us, and we look again to the Passion narratives to learn to follow. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. MISC. ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE! In the midst of the presidential primaries, one word on everyone s lips, no matter what their political affiliation, is leadership. We are collectively searching out the candidate who can provide gifted leadership. In the Church and in our parishes we need servant leadership. And that doesn t just mean Leadership that comes with a collar. We need leaders in our parishes - young and old, male and female - who can guide and serve the community. Look around you today for potential leaders. And think what you can do to call them forward. To read more, check out On Mission for The Church Alive! on page 5 of this week s Pittsburgh Catholic and visit www.onmissionchurchalive.org SJN VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 20-24 COMMUNITY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Losing a loved one is often a devastating and life changing event. St. Kilian Parish invites you to be part of a 13 week program that offers support, conversation and comfort. The group will meet weekly from March 29 thru June 21, Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 pm in Conf. Rm. B of the Parish Center. Contact Deacon Ralph Bachner at 724-625-1665 x2103 to register or for more info. LEARN THE UKULELE Interested? Come on Monday, April 11 or call the Rel. Ed. Office x12 for more info. INGOMAR METHODIST CHURCH Richard Stearns, President of World Vision April 3 at their 9, 10 & 11:15 am worship services. He has spearheaded ongoing efforts to address critical issues faced by the world s poor.