GOOD SAMARITAN AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

GOOD SAMARITAN AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST February 25, 2018 MASS INTENTIONS SECOND WEEK IN LENT Monday, February 26 Lenten Weekday 8:00am (GS) In Honor of Tony Ziberna s 90th Birthday by Friends Tuesday, February 27 Lenten Weekday 8:00am (GS) Alice Harvatin by Kay Aloi & Tina Aquino Wednesday, February 28 Lenten Weekday 8:00am (SJ) Phyllis Burzese by Eleanor Vlasic 6:30pm (GS) Stella Markovich by Evan Lang s CIC Family Thursday, March 1 Lenten Weekday 8:00am (GS) Ted Lotowski by Children Friday, March 2 Lenten Weekday 8:00am (SJ) John Bock by a Friend 8:00pm (GS) Marian Prayer Group Saturday, March 3 Lent Weekday 4:00pm (SJ) Vigil, In Thanksgiving for Answered Prayers of Linda Sutton Smith by Helen Sutton 5:30pm(GS) Vigil, Betty Jane Connelly by Husband, John Sunday, March 4 Third Sunday of Lent 8:00am (GS) For the Living & Deceased of Our Parishes 9:30am (SJ) Mary Ann Lindauere by Dottie Rosso 11:00am (GS) Rita Manson by Beverly & Charlie Gileot Scripture Readings for the Mass Second Week of Lent, February 26, 2018 Monday Dn 9:4b-10/Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday Is 1:10, 16-20/Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday Jer 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28 Thursday Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31 Friday Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday Ex 20:1-17/1 Cor 1:22-25/Jn 2:13-25 THIS WEEK WE REMEMBER Bread and Wine (SJ) John Brooks by Cheryl Brooks & Shelly Smolnery Blessed Mother Shrine Candle (GS) Christine Strugalski by Teresa Surgeon Sanctuary Candle (SJ) Ruth Evanko by Elmer Evanko & Donna Havranek Time to raise our voices to the Lord again! All children 5 years and older are invited to come and praise the Lord with their voices in song for this Easter Season. Rehearsals are in the Choir Room: Sundays from 9:30-10:15 AM Beginning March 4 th. We have wonderful new music and instruments for the children to play. GOOD SAMARITAN 724-266-6565 SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST 724-869-2280 From Father Joe As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent this weekend, we hear two very powerful scripture passages at Mass. The first is the story of Abraham and Isaac. The Gospel reading is the story of the Transfiguration. These two seemingly unrelated stories share a common theme the strength that lies within. Abraham was an honorable old man. He and his wife had longed for a child for decades, but they were unable to conceive. In his old age, God promised Abraham that one day he would have a son. In time, God s promise was fulfilled and Abraham had a son, whom he named Isaac. Abraham loved Isaac, but to his great dismay, God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. With heavy heart, Abraham set out to the mountain top where he was to offer Isaac in sacrifice to God. Just as Abraham was about to offer his beloved son in sacrifice, an angel of the Lord appeared to stop him. Because Abraham was willing to offer his only son to the Lord, the messenger promised that the Lord would endow Abraham with countless blessings. The Gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent tells another mountaintop story. Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain, where He begins to glow with a radiance that is beyond anything the Apostles had ever seen. Suddenly, to His right and left appear two figures, Moses and the great prophet Elijah. A great cloud appears in the sky, and from the cloud, the voice of God the Father is heard, This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him. Why did Jesus allow these 3 Apostles to see His transfiguration? Jesus knew that He was destined to be arrested and eventually killed. He also knew that these three Apostles would be leaders of the Church, and that they would need to be strong enough to take the mantle after Jesus had been crucified. He wanted to show them a glimpse of the power that was within Him a glimpse of who Jesus really was the Son of God Almighty. On the mountaintop, Jesus was not transformed into something different; He was transfigured, in order that they might catch a little glimpse of what power lay within. In the same way, when tested, Abraham discovered the strength and Grace that lay within him when he trusted in God enough to sacrifice his only son. God did not allow him to complete the sacrifice, but He allowed Abraham s faith to be strengthened in knowing that God would always be there for him, even in his darkest hour or time of greatest sacrifice. Lent is a time for us to willingly make sacrifices, to pray, and to do good works. It s by making these sacrifices that God allows us to see the strength that lies within each of us, and the Grace that comes from God whenever we ask with an open heart and a sacrificial spirit. Don t let Lent pass you by without using this opportunity to draw closer to God. Can you spare a few extra minutes each day for God? Father Joe

GOOD SAMARITAN AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST February 25, 2018 STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays during Lent 2:30 pm Good Samaritan, Ambridge 6:00 pm St. John the Baptist, Baden 7:00 pm Good Samaritan, Ambridge The Light is On for You! Wednesday, March 21 Good Samaritan Mass: 6:00 pm (not at 6:30 pm as usual) FOLLOWED BY: Good Samaritan Confessions: 6:30-9:00 pm St. John the Baptist Confessions: 6:00-9:00 pm 2018 REGIONAL LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES AND CONFESSIONS ONLY Wed., Mar. 14 7pm Our Lady of Peace Penance Service Fri., Mar. 16 2pm Good Samaritan Penance Service Sat., Mar. 17 10am St. John, Baden Confessions Sun., Mar.18 7pm St. Cecilia Penance Service Mon., Mar. 19 7pm St. Frances Cabrini Penance Service Tue., Mar. 20 7pm Our Lady of Fatima Penance Service Wed., Mar. 21 6pm THE LIGHT IS STILL ON FOR YOU Thur., Mar. 22 7pm St. Peter & Paul Confessions Sat., Mar., 24 10am St. Titus Confessions Sat., Mar., 24 Noon St. John, Monaca Confessions Mon., Mar. 26 7pm Holy Family Penance Service Good Samaritan & St. John the Baptist LENTEN RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE Wednesday 6:00-6:20 pm Good Samaritan Saturday 12:00-12:30 pm Good Samaritan No Confessions on Holy Saturday Times may be adjusted due to Funerals. 2018 GOOD SAMARITAN PARISH ALTAR SERVERS & LITURGICAL MINISTERS HOLY WEEK & EASTER Please indicate your choices and put in collection basket or return to Parish Office by March 5, 2018 Altar Server Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist Lector Palm Sunday Vigil, Saturday, March 24 5:30 pm Vigil Palm Sunday Mass Palm Sunday, March 25 8:00 am Palm Sunday Mass 11:00 am Palm Sunday Mass Holy Thursday, March 29 7:00 pm The Lord s Supper Mass Good Friday, March 30 2:00 pm The Passion of the Lord Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 31 8:30 pm Vigil Easter Mass Easter Sunday, April 1 8:00 am Easter Mass 11:00 am Easter Mass NAME PHONE EMAIL ETHNIC COOKING CLASS: Carolyn Mariano, will be making Risotto on Mar. 27 CALL Bob Mikush @724-266-3140, M-F, 9AM- 5PM. Get Up-To-Date Ethnic Cooking Activities sent straight to your phone. Simply enter 81010 & text t h i s m e s s a g e @ e t h n i c c o o r e m a i l ethnicco@mail.remind.com. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN BADEN PIEROGI HOTLINE FOR ORDERS OPENS AT 6:00 AM FRIDAYS. POTATO/CHEESE SAUERKRAUT COTTAGE CHEESE OR PRUNE Eat-In or Take-Out from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM Call to PLACE YOUR ORDER EARLY! We often Sell out!

GOOD SAMARITAN AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST February 25, 2018 RCIA RITES ENCOURAGE ALL CATHOLICS TO ENTER INTO LENT MORE DEEPLY Why do we celebrate the RCIA Rite of Sending? Across the entire world, Catholic bishops on the first two Sundays of Lent will welcome those sent by their parish to gather together with their godparents and sponsors in what is known as the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion. The Rite of Sending, celebrated at our 5:30 p.m. Mass this weekend, offers the parish community an opportunity to acknowledge the spiritual progress our catechumens and candidates have made, express approval of their election or recognition, and send them forth to our bishop with assurance of the parish s care and support. What is the Rite of Election? The following 2 Catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist to be sent to Bishop Zubik this Sunday, February 25, for the Rite of Election are: Jaydon Westfall and Cameron Cain. This Rite marks a key moment for the catechumens. It signifies that they have been called by Christ and attests to the reality that only those mystically claimed by Christ will enter Heaven. In this Rite, those preparing for Baptism are invited to come forward and sign a book, which we call the Book of the Elect, as a sign of their desire to be numbered among the chosen of God. From this point forward, they are no longer catechumens but are called the Elect. They have been chosen to enter into the final period of preparation for initiation, and called by the bishop, their shepherd, to the holy mysteries celebrated at Easter Vigil. What is the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion? The following 13 Candidates preparing for Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church, Confirmation and First Eucharist will also be sent to the bishop this Sunday for the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion: Emma Cain, Camara Bey, Cynthia Kincaid, Neil Kincaid, Cynthia Shook, Norman Erb-White, Cherish Erb-White, Thomas Erb-White, Patrick Erb-White, Caleb Erb-White, Deborah Erb-White, Emily Erb-White, and Evan Lang. For these candidates, the reality of being chosen and claimed by Christ took place at their Baptism. Therefore these candidates are called to continuing conversion, and thus their intention to be fully initiated and share in the Eucharist is recognized. Together with the Elect, the candidates are thereby moved by this Rite into a period of intense spiritual preparation throughout the Lenten season. What can I do this Lent to support our Elect and Candidates? During Lent, the Church calls us to reflect on our own baptismal graces, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As their Church family, we are also called to be models of faith and offer our prayers for those who are approaching the Easter sacraments of initiation. We ask you to please remember them, collectively as well as individually, in your prayers this weekend and throughout their final period of discernment with preparation for the sacraments at Easter Vigil. If you would like to send a card of congratulations, note of encouragement, or religious item to one of the above persons, they may be sent to the Parish Office, c/o Susan DiPietro or call Susan at the Good Samaritan Parish Office at 724-266-6565 Extension 17 for more information.

EASTER BAKE SALE GOOD SAMARITAN PARISH JERICHO HALL (cafeteria) 8th Street & Melrose Avenue, Ambridge 2018 PALM SUNDAY WEEKEND Saturday, March 24 & Sunday, March 25 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM TO PRE-ORDER CALL ASAP Deadline to Order: Monday, March 19 724-266 266-1670 or 724-869 869-7677 DAY OF SALE CALL Jericho Hall: 724 266-6010 MENU NUT ROLL WHOLE $12.00 NUT ROLL HALF ROLL $6.50 POPPY SEED ROLL WHOLE $12.00 POPPY SEED ROLL HALF ROLL $6.50 APRICOT ROLL WHOLE $12.00 APRICOT ROLL HALF ROLL $6.50 EASTER BREAD (Jumbo Paska Loaf) $7.00 Orange-Lemon or Anise Flavored POTATO CHEESE PIEROGI $8.00 (Sold Frozen by the Dozen) EASTER NUT ROLL BAKING SCHEDULE 9:00 AM Jericho Hall, Good Samaritan MAKE DOUGH: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, MARCH 4 & 11 MAKE NUT ROLLS: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, MARCH 5 & 12 MAKE PIEROGI: MONDAY, MARCH 19 and TUESDAY, MARCH 20 PALM SUNDAY BAKE SALE: SAT. & SUN. MARCH 24 & 25 from 9:00am-2:00pm

LENTEN FISH FRY GOOD SAMARITAN PARISH EVERY FRIDAY OF LENT 724-266-6010 Good Samaritan Cafeteria (Jericho Hall) 8th and Melrose Avenue Ambridge, Pa Call ahead for pickup 724-266-6010 We deliver to the Ambridge local area. All offices and companies welcome to order! Call 724-266-6010 Minimum Order: $20.00 Please allow 1/2 hour minimum to prepare food for your order. FISH FRY DATES March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 11:00 AM -7:00 PM MENU Fish Sandwich (fried or baked) $ 8.00 Fish Dinner (fried or baked) $10.00 Crab Cake Dinner $10.00 Shrimp Dinner $10.00 Francine Special Combo Dinner $10.00 (Combination plate includes: 1 piece of fish, 2 shrimp & 1 Crab Cake, one side, coleslaw or applesauce, dessert & beverage) Side Orders Mac & Cheese $2.50 French Fries $2.50 Halushki $2.50 Cole Slaw or Apple Sauce $1.50 We Need Your Home Made Desserts & Cookies. Please drop off your donations in the cafeteria on Friday after 9 AM. THANK YOU! Easter Bake Sale Palm Sunday Weekend Sat. & Sun., Mar. 24 & 25 Call to Order: 724-266-1670 PIEROGI SALE GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 30 9:00 AM -3:00PM $8/DOZEN COOKED OR FROZEN CALL IN ORDERS: BEGINNING AT 6 AM Jericho Hall (Cafeteria) 724-266-6010

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT February 25, 2018 SAINT JOHN S CORNER THANK YOU!! Donations for the Feb. 4th Souper Bowl of Caring amounted to $677.67. This will be sent to the Baden United Methodist We Care Food Pantry. Your generosity is amazing! Thanks for helping feed the hungry among us. SUNDAY, FEB. 25, CHRISTIAN MOTHERS MEETING Join us for 9:30am Mass and Stations of the Cross in Church, then our February Meeting in the social hall. All women of the parish are invited to join Christian Mothers. SATURDAY, APRIL 21 12TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CATHOLIC MEN St. John s Holy Name Society invites all men and youth (age 13 & up) to join them as they attend, as a group, this event at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School on Saturday, April 21, beginning at 9:00am. Adult tickets ordered online $40 (at the door, $50) Youth/Student tickets (age 13-22) $10. Free parking and food is included in ticket purchase. If you would like to attend with HNS or have any questions, please call Jack Firich: 412-877-3625. To order tickets online go to: www.cmfpitt.org/register. DAY OF RECOLLECTION AT ST. FRANCES CABRINI CHURCH Christian Mothers of Saint Frances Cabrini have scheduled a Day of Recollection for Tuesday, March 20. Father Frank Mitolo will preach the sermon and conduct devotions. Registration begins at 9:30am and the day concludes at 3:00pm. The program consists of conference, confessions, devotions, lunch, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and Celebration of the Eucharist. Buffet luncheon will be served at Noon, catered by Roma Catering. Cost is $15.00. St. John s Christian Mothers who would like to attend should make check payable to Saint. John s Christian Mothers & bring to the Feb. 25th meeting. We will pay/attend as a group. If you need a ride, please call Helen Ringel at 412-298-0634. All are welcome. If you plan to attend as an individual, make check payable to Saint Frances Cabrini Christian Mothers and mail to SFC CCM, c/o St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 115 Trinity Dr., Aliquippa, PA 15001. Reservations with payment must be made by Sunday, March 11. The Good Samaritan Choir & Music Ministry would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteered their time, treasure and talent for this years Paczki Project. We made over 700 dozen. We had a great turn out of volunteers with many new faces. A great time was had by all. We also would like to thank all who donated to the project, especially: Carol Konkus, Leah Lesak, An Anonymous Donor, Barb Zankel, Randy Hendrickson, James Hahn, Margaret Slawianowski, Jean Beerman, George & Mary Villella, Cindy Cameron, Annette Hramika, Walt & Liz Pietrzykowski, Pat Mustio, Jo Ann Kosto, Gino & Ezia Romano, Garrett & Erin (Hoyne) Kovacevic, M/M Todd Gnarra, Rose Filipponi, Nick Zunic, and all of you who donated but didn t leave your name. God bless you all for your generosity. UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, February 25 9:00am (GS) Making Dough-Nut Rolls (JH) 9:30am (SJ) Liturgy with Children during Mass 9:30-11:00am (GS) CCD Grades 6-8 10:30am (SJ) Christian Mothers Meeting follows Mass 12:30pm (GS) RCIA-CIC/Teen RCIA Meet in church 2:30pm Rite of Election for CIC/Teen RCIA & Adult RCIA Monday, February 26 9:00am (GS) Making Nut Rolls (JH) 5:15-6:45pm (SJ) CCD Grades 1-5 6:30pm (GS) Our Lady of Lourdes Novena (Church) Wednesday, February 28 8:00-9:30am (SJ) Pierogi: Onions Peeled, Sliced, Cooked 9:00am (GS) RCIA (JH Classroom) 3:00-5:00pm (SJ) Pierogi: Potatoes Peeled, Cut 6:30pm (SJ) Choir Practice 7:00pm (GS) Youth Praise Band 7:15pm(GS) Forgiven Lenten Series (JH Classroom) Thursday, March 1 6:30pm (GS) Adult Choir 7:30-10:00am (SJ) Pierogi: Potatoes Cooked & Mashed 2:00-7:00pm (SJ) Pierogi: Potato Balls Prepared Friday, March 2 6:00am (SJ) Pierogi Hotline open for orders: 724-869-9758 11:00am(GS) Forgiven Lenten Series (JH Classroom) 1:00pm (GS) RCIA (JH Classroom) 3:00-7:00pm (GS) Eucharistic Adoration 6:00pm (SJ) Stations of the Cross 7:00pm (GS) Stations of the Cross 7:30/ 8:00pm (GS) Confessions-Rosary/Mass-Marian Prayer Sunday, March 4 9:00am (GS) Making Dough-Nut Rolls (JH) 9:30-11:00am (GS) CCD Grades 6-8 9:00am (GS) CIC (Jericho Hall Classroom) 5:30pm (GS) Adult & Teen CIC/Teen RCIA (Church- Fr. Joe) EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 3:00-7:00 pm Friday, March 2nd Good Samaritan Parish 7:00 pm Rosary/Confessions. MASS follows 8:00pm Marian Prayer Group. ALL ARE WELCOME IN SYMPATHY: Please pray for the repose of the souls of our dearly departed, who died recently, especially Vincent Percy. May his soul & the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen February 18, 2018 GOOD SAMARITAN Weekly Offering Ash Wednesday Parish Share SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST Weekly Offering Ash Wednesday Our Gift to God $7,095 $1, 763 $730 $2.014 $181