Sacred Heart Parish Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Today s Readings: 1st Reading - Isaiah 49:14-15 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Gospel - Matthew 6:24-34 March 2, 2014 0132
Stewardship Corner ~ Jesus said to his disciples: No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. MT 6:24 Jesus tells us very clearly in the Gospel that it is not possible to have more than one master. In our lives today, there are several activities and vices or material goods that can easily take control of us. When we allow for things like the latest and greatest technologies or the cutest clothes; the most captivating television show or newest video games; the biggest house or most luxurious backyard landscape to take over our thoughts and take up our time or resources, we deny God the relationship He seeks with us. By continually saying, I ll get to that after this week s chores, or, Once my son gets through this championship lacrosse season, I can do that, we tell God that He needs to wait for us because we have another, more important master- do not become a slave to this world and it s promises, whatever they may be. Today s promises are short lived- only until the next version of that device or a newer desire comes along can we be satisfied with what this world has to offer- unless we choose God first. Jesus promised us that He would die for us to absolve us of our sins. As we hear in the second reading from 1 Corinthians, that promise stands until the day He comes again. In Him, true happiness manifests- this is His promise to us. When we seek Him, happiness is what we will find. On the day of judgement, God will praise us - as Paul s letter states - for seeking and serving Him. So who and what are your masters? How can you choose now to consistently keep God as the center of your life, and therefore as a steward, use the freedom He gave you to serve Him as your one master? Peace, Kaitlyn Wiant, Parish Services Director In the King s Court Lenten Program on Courtship presented by Father Hamill March 4th - A Proposal for Catholic Courtship derived from Scripture and Papal Teaching March 18th - Guiding Your Child Through the Courtship Process April 1st - The Impact of Financial Indebtedness upon Future Marriage April 15th - Purifying Marriage of the Vestiges of a Less Than Perfect Courtship The first day of the program is THIS TUESDAY, in the Church immediately after 7pm Mass. Fr. Hamill recommends purchasing the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris (available as a Kindle download). Registration is not necessary, but helpful! Go to www.sacredheart.us to register. 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 2, 2014
Welcome! Join us in welcoming Mrs. Dana Felder to our parish staff. Dana will work as our Administrative Services Coordinator, and will officially begin working in the office on March 17th. Please keep Dana, Father Hamill, and the parish staff in your prayers! Lead Me to the Cross...where Your Love poured out. The groundhog may have called for 6 more weeks of winter, but I, for one, am looking forward to spring! However, before we enjoy the beautiful Easter lilies, we will all find ways to prepare ourselves for the holiest week of the liturgical year - ways to lead us to the cross. Some will give something up, and some will add a new layer to their faith commitment by trying to add more prayer time to their busy lives or to make a more conscious effort to serve others. Young and old will experience the feeling of sacrifice evolving into spiritual re-birth. One great way for middle and high-schoolers to prepare themselves for the Easter season is to become involved with the Living Stations Program produced here at Sacred Heart on Good Friday evening. This year s program will take place on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the church. Preparations begin on Thursday, March 6th, and continue through the Thursdays in Lent - excluding Holy Thursday. Meetings are held in the church from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. We are in need of pantomime actors, lectors and singers. Spring time schedules can often be a challenge, but we try to work around them as much as possible. Please consider joining us in producing a beautiful, reverent program depicting Our Lord s journey to the cross. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Murphy at 610-345-0428 or murphydna@verizon.net. Sacred Heart Giving February 23, 2014 Regular Collection: $ 9,046. 93 Care of Aging and Ill Priests: $ 1,532.00 Poor Box (2/16): $ 77.16 (2/23): $ 181. 59 Thank you! Charismatic Prayer Group News Life in the Spirit Seminar This is an open invitation to all who are interested in learning more about the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Come refresh, renew and deepen your spiritual life, and experience how the Holy Spirit can help you in your daily walk. Where: How can you share Christ s love in the Oxford community? Aid for Friends, a program bringing food and companionship to local home-bound persons, is in need of volunteer visitors. Currently, we have four clients in need of visitors for one hour, once a week. If you think you can spare an hour a week to make a tremendous difference in the life of a friend near you, please contact Dana Felder at 484.459.3433 or email aff@sacredheart.us. Thank you! Thank you to all who donated eyeglasses last week! Parishioner George Tzanakis collected 90 pairs to give to the Lion s Club as part of his Eagle Scout project. LENTEN SERVICES Ash Wednesday, March 5th Mass: 8 am and 7 pm Ashes Distribution: 12 pm and 5 pm Confessions during Lent Wednesdays: 6:30-7:30 pm Saturdays: 4:00 pm Stations of the Cross Fridays: 2:15 pm and 7 pm Living Stations of the Cross Good Friday (April 18): 7 pm Sacred Heart Church 203 Church Road, Oxford, PA Date: Saturday, March 15, 2014 Time: 8:30 am (Registration) to 3:00 pm (Growth and Transformation - Wednesday, March 19th, 7:30pm) Call or email questions to: Rita Marra - ritam@zoominternet.net, Jean Gottel - gotbean77@yahoo.com or call after 6 pm, 610-255-4655
M i n i s t r i e s a t M a s s Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014 8:00 AM (Mass) Daily Mass Group Music: Jamie Shover and Cathy Grebner 12:00 PM (Ashes Distribution) L. Somma, M. Styer, C. Fischel Lector: R. Daley 5:00 PM (Ashes Distribution) J. Jansen, P. Schmaltz, C. Quigley Lector: J. Jansen 7:00 PM (Mass) Extraordinary Minister: H. Staszesky, M. Staszesky, J. Bradley Lector: J. Bradley Music: Sacred Heart Church Adult Choir Saturday, March 8, 2014 5:00 PM Extraordinary Minister: J. Kelly, B. Gondol, J. Gallagher Lector: C. Schaible Altar Server: Sean, Ally and Bridgette K. Music: Sacred Heart Church Adult Choir Ushers: Beau Jones Sunday, March 9, 2014 7:45 AM Extraordinary Minister: M. Snopkowski, P. Kozakowski, J. Mosley Lector: R. Oram Altar Server: Alina and Meghan S. Music: Jamie Shover 9:00 AM Extraordinary Minister: M. Johnson, K. Cummiskey, J. Jansen Lector: A. Tzanakis Altar Server: Mackenzie and Molly J., Natalie K. Music: Beth Van Woert and Cathy Grebner Ushers: Mark Bradford, Frank Sipala, Brandon & Lauren Kim, and Samuel Hamilton LOWwC: Jeri Roma-Santine, Gwen O Brien 10:30 AM Both Species Extraordinary Minister: B. Leach, J. Watkins, C. Captain, K. Plakosh Lector: M. Williams Altar Server: Michael and Gabe L., Bill W. Music: Lauren Cupples and Karen Evangelista Ushers: Catherine L., Jerome Lacek, John Peluchette 12:00 PM Extraordinary Minister: C. Michalski, E. Skotleski Lector: J. Skotleski Altar Server: James, Elizabeth, and John M. Music: Amy Murphy, Fran Murphy, Bob Boyle Ushers: Jack Morrison, Jon Anderson M a s s I n t e n t i o n s Saturday March 1, 2014 5:00 pm The Purgatorial Society Sunday March 2, 2014 7:45 am Kristy Jo Kelleher req. by the Kelleher Family 9:00 am The People of Sacred Heart 10:30 am Marie Porter, req. by Patti Williams 12:00 pm Rose Sauer Monday March 3, 2014 8:00 am Henry and Edith Ciarrocchi Tuesday March 4, 2014 7:00 pm Tom McCrorey Ash Wednesday March 5, 2014 8:00 am Henry and Edith Ciarrocchi 7:00 pm Joan Gentry req. by Larry and Chris Weaver Thursday March 6, 2014 8:00 am Henry and Edith Ciarrochi Friday March 7, 2014 8:30 am Robert Lane III Saturday March 8, 2014 5:00 pm The People of Sacred Heart Sunday March 9, 2014 7:45 am Barbara McFadden req. by Madeline Curry 9:00 am Joan M. Kramer req. by Susan Obara 10:30 am Ernest Stumpo, req. by Evelyn Stumpo 12:00 pm Dominic Stone PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK, especially: Megan Beird, Pat Ryan, George Cleary, Gina Caldwell, Joseph Beird, Mary & Jean Basilio, Anne Marie Oshman, Diana Wills, Michael Cooke, Kimberly Jester, Diane Joyce, and all parishioners with special needs. Please contact the parish office if you would like to add someone to our prayer list. You may resubmit a person s name anytime through our website, www.sacredheart.us or call 610-932-5040. Any new additions to the sick or military list will be in the bulletin for one month, then continued on the website for our prayers. Children s Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:00 am Mass. For more information, please contact Phoung Besancon at 302-766-1153 or children@sacredheart.us 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 2, 2014
S a c r e d H e a r t S c h o o l Registration is now open for new families. Our nurturing and engaging pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs set the foundation for the academically rigorous curriculum provided in all grade levels. The use of technology, the implementation of the Common Core Standards and cutting edge instructional methods address the needs of the 21st. Century Learner. We encourage you to consider Catholic education for your children and we understand that this requires a financial sacrifice. We seek to keep education affordable with modest tuition rates and multi-student and Church member discounts. We will also work with families to find scholarships and other funding sources. Please visit our website, www.shsoxford.us, to view our school video at the bottom of the home page. To schedule a visit, please contact the school at developentshs@gmail.com or 610-932-3633. Upcoming Events March Open Gym Our gym will be open every Friday in March from 10-11:30 A.M. Our gym will be open for all children ages 6 and under accompanied by an adult. There is no fee or registration required. Saturday, March 22nd Night at the Races Many Families, One Heart Friday, March 28th Pre-kindergarten Discovery Day. Please join us from 9-10 A.M. for a pre-kindergarten open house. Visit the classroom and meet our teachers and students. Please contact the development office for additional information. Eucharistic Adoration Lent During Eucharistic Adoration, we are not just thinking about God, we are with God! Lenten Fish Fries Remember to bring the kids and join the Knights of Columbus for the first of two Lenten Fish Fries on Friday, March 14 th, in the parish hall. You will have your choice of Fried Fish or Mac & Cheese platters. Fish platters ($8 per platter) will include a 4 oz. of fish, fries, cole slaw, roll, applesauce and a brownie. Mac & Cheese platters ($5 per platter) will include all the same special fixings. The second Lenten Fish Fry will be held Friday, April 11 th in the parish hall. Come join the Knights and your fellow parishioners for a wonderful feast. How can we repay Our Lord for the sufferings He endured for us? A perfect way is to meditate on His Passion by simply visiting Him and being in His presence. Come visit Him and spend some personal, quiet, one-on-one time with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Adoration is open to all and is held every Tuesday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are presently in need of an adorer for 2 pm. If you are interested in becoming an adorer or would like to have more information about Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart Church, contact Joann Di Liberto at 610-932-8962.
Retreat Day for Widows and Widowers The loss of a loved one is difficult and painful. The loss of a spouse is a particular kind of suffering that raises questions of faith - and can, at the same time, be an opportunity for profound intimacy with Christ, and with our departed loved one. Retreat director, Ann Koshute, MTS, is a graduate of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and adjunct theology professor at Immaculata University. Ann possesses keen sensitivity and insight into living life with all its challenges. When: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 from 9 am to 3 pm Where: Hosted in St. Joseph's Hall at Malvern Retreat House. Cost: $35 per person (includes coffee, Danish, and sit-down lunch) To register for this event, call the main office at 610-644 0400 or visit www.malvernretreat.com/retreats/register/. Due to the unavailability of a celebrant, Mass will not be celebrated at Sacred Heart on Tuesday, April 29 and Thursday, May 1, 2014. PASTOR Rev. Gregory J. Hamill frhamill@sacredheart.us 484-758-0099 WEEKEND ASSISTANTS Rev. Joseph Shenosky & Rev. John Franey Sacred Heart Parish Office 610-932-5040 203 Church Road, Oxford, PA 19363 Website: www.sacredheart.us Sacred Heart Parish School 610-932-3633 205 Church Road, Oxford, PA 19363 Website: www.shsoxford.us Bishop Shanahan High School is seeking an IT professional. Their responsibilities would include network administration and maintenance, technology upgrading and repairs, technology budgeting and strategic planning. Interested applicants should send a resume to Sister Regina Plunkett, IHM at Bishop Shanahan High School 220 Woodbine Rd., Downingtown, PA or e-mail directly to rplunkett@shanahan.org. Forty Hours Devotion Save The Dates The Forty Hours Devotion is scheduled for Friday, June 25, 2014 through Sunday, June 27, 2014. More information to follow in future bulletins. If you would like to receive a 2013 Contribution Tax Statement from Sacred Heart Church, please contact the parish office at info@sacredheart.us or 610-932-5040. Statements can be e-mailed or mailed to you. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm Sunday 7:45 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:00 noon DAILY Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8:00 am Tuesday Evening 7:00 pm & Friday 8:30 am Holy Days as announced in the bulletin Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 pm & Wednesday at 6:30 pm Adoration Tuesday 8:00 am-7:00 pm Rosary Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 am Friday - 8:00 am Miraculous Medal Novena Monday following 8:00 am Mass Chaplet of Divine Mercy Wednesday following 8:00 am Mass REGISTRATION FOR NEW PARISHIONERS If you are new to the parish, we welcome you. You may come as a stranger to us, yet you are known to Our Lord, Jesus Christ there are no strangers in grace in His name we pray you will find peace, hospitality and friendship with us. You are invited to register at Sacred Heart after any Mass on the weekend, just stop by the Welcome Desk in the Lobby. SACRAMENTS: Visit our website, www.sacredheart.us for the sacrament page and information about becoming Catholic, Baptisms, Marriage, and PREP. If you would prefer, you may call the parish office at 610-932-5040 for details. THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK - If a loved one is dealing with a serious illness, it is wise to notify the parish office as soon as possible. This sacrament is intended by the Church to be a comfort and strength to people during their illness, not to be held out as Last Rites. 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 2, 2014