A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust April 6, 2014 Fifth Sunday of Lent

It is the purpose of St. John Neumann Parish, a gathered people, to act in word, sacrament, witness and service toward all, in gratitude to God our Father, through Jesus Christ our Brother with the Holy Spirit, as our Guide. A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust April 6, 2014 Fifth Sunday of Lent 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 Stations of the Cross: Friday, 7 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

Sunday, April 6 12:30PM CALENDAR Blessing of Exp. Parents, Blood Pressure, Light of Life Collection CRS Ricebowl Collection at Offertory High School Youth Ministry Monday, April 7 7:00 PM Seder Supper-6th & 7th Grade 7:00 PM Respect Life 7:30 PM 7th & 8th Grade Faith Sharing Tues. April 8 Betsy Ann Chocolate Delivery 9:30 AM Centering Prayer 5 & 7 PM Good Shepherd Penance 7:30 PM The Marriage You ve Always Wanted Weds. April 9 10:00 AM VBS Planning 6:30 PM Middle School Ministry 7:00 PM St. Alexis Penance Service 7:30 PM MOMS Thurs, April 10 9:45 AM Scripture Study 5 & 7 PM Good Shepherd Penance 6:00 PM Were You There Practice 7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice 8:00 PM Confirmation Catechists Friday, April 11 Sarris Chocolate Delivery 6:00 PM Supper & Stations 6:15 PM Respect Life Rosary 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Sat. April 12 Habitat 8:30 AM World Vision for Teens 7:00 PM Retrouvaille Parish Office: 412-366-2020, Ext. 10 Religious Education Office 412-366-5885 Reverend Albin McGinnis, Ext. 20 Pastor and Trust Administrator Pastor2@stjohnneumannpgh.org Richard Caruso, Ext. 16, Permanent Deacon Barbara Stokes, Ext.13 Director for Rel. Education, Family & Sac. Ministries Barbara Matera, Ext. 18 Dir. for Rel. Ed, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Connor Flanagan, Ext. 14, Dir. of Youth Ministry Ashley McCullar, Ext. 10, Music Minister Andrew James, Ext. 11, Facilities Manager Larry Badaczewski, Ext. 56, Pastoral Counselor Jeanette Pappert, Ext. 15, Protecting God s Child. April 6, 2014 Operating $8,687.50 Camp. Alive 5,608.50 Parish Share 9,304.00 Human Dev. 2,542.00 Misc. 630.00 $26,772.00 THE WEEK AHEAD MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, April 5 9:00 AM Ann O Malley (John) 3:00 PM Barkus/Kuntz Wedding 5:30 PM Jim Patsilevas (Family) Sunday, April 6, Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM For the People of SJN Parish 9:30 AM Joe Guzzetti (Family) 11:30 AM Dan Morgan (Bud & Karen Burke) Monday, April 7 9:00 AM Frank Ziegler (Bob Lupi) Tuesday, April 8 9:00 AM Sally Sipple (Dave & Ceil Stevens) Wednesday, April 9 6:30 PM Antoinette Usnick, William & Victoria Usnick (Kyle & Vicky Blizzard) Thursday, April 10 9:00 AM Jack & Alma Richmond (Family) Friday, April 11 9:00 AM Carl A. Balucha (Susan & Tom Tutchko) Saturday, April 12 9:00 AM Frances & Joseph Biviano (R. Miller) 5:30 PM For the People of SJN Parish Sunday, April 13, Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord 8:00 AM Mary Roman (Paul Timcheck & Family) 9:30 AM Glenn Mavrodis (Elcesser Family) 11:30 AM Ed Hogan (Rose Marie Hogan) EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sat. April 12-5:30 PM T. Hart, C. Battista, P. Scheller, B. Schuler, T. LaVoice, I. & J. Parks Sun. April 13-8:00 AM E. Deutsch, P. Anderson, T. Kiliany, N. Stephens, F. & P. Ermlich, H. Barcaskey 9:30 AM - C. Hogan, R. Miller, J. Mack, P. & R. Powers, A. Turo, K. Magdic 11:30 AM - D. Turo, R. Full, A. Janosco, A. Guzzetti, P. & A. Skorupka, D. Schwartz LECTORS Sat. April 12-5:30 PM J. Schuler, R. Martz Sun. April 13-8:00 AM J. Kohler, P. Lang 9:30 AM G. Jezerc, M. Matera 11:30 AM J. Full, A. Shuckrow ALTAR SERVERS Sat. April 12-5:30 PM Root Family Sun. April 13-8:00 AM N. Bridges, D. & S. Folan 9:30 AM L. Jezerc, T. Hogan, C. Gumash 11:30 AM A. & M. Siclari, R. Thieret READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9: Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26:14-27:66 [27:11-54]

PARISH NEWS EASTER TRIDUUM - 2014 HOLY THURSDAY - APRIL 17 Mass of the Lord s Supper - 7 PM GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 18 Liturgy of Good Friday - 1:30 PM Were You There Presentation - 7 PM HOLY SATURDAY - APRIL 19 Blessing of Easter Baskets - 11 AM Vigil Mass - 8:00 PM NO 5:30 PM EVENING MASS EASTER SUNDAY - APRIL 20 8 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM EASTER VIGIL Easter is coming soon. Can you help us prepare the Easter Vigil Reception on Saturday, April 19? People are needed to bake or make some sweets or an appetizer (finger food type) for this parish celebration. Also, we need some help setting up and cleaning up. Please call Renee Full at 724-934-3855 or email her at 3fulls@comcast.net to volunteer. Many hands make this a joy! REMAINING PENANCE SERVICES ST. ALEXIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 ST. ALPHONSUS MONDAY, APRIL 14 BOTH SERVICES BEGIN AT 7 PM. REMINDER There is no morning Mass on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday. HOAGIES Call the Rel. Ed Office (ext. 12) today and order a hoagie for Wednesday, April 9. Cost is $6 for Italian, Roast Beef, Turkey or vegetarian hoagies. Easy lunch or dinner for busy people! CHURCH DECORATING- Help wanted! Can you come on Good Friday after the Were You There performance and help us transform the church into Easter splendor? We need you. Flowers and wreaths and banners need some helping hands to be in place by Easter. Any time is good - come at 8pm and stay as long as you can. Every little bit helps this big project. ONE MORE TIME! SUPPER AND STATIONS Due to popular demand, supper and stations will be offered again on Friday, April 11 th. Our menu will include grilled cheese sandwiches (gluten-free bread will be available for those with special diets), tomato and vegetable soup, tossed salad and a simple dessert. We will begin serving at 6:00 pm in Bovard Hall - Stations begin at 7 pm. All are welcome. Free will offerings will be accepted for Catholic Relief Service s Operation Ricebowl. RSVP to the Religious Education Office at 412-366-5885 x12 or edusecretary@stjohnneumannpgph.org. LENTEN RESOURCES There is much more LIGHT every day so we know Spring is here and Easter is close so check out the variety of Lenten resources in the lobby. Choose one for yourself and some to share with family, godchildren and grandchildren or friends so together we can keep this season and come closer to Christ every day. There is indeed something for everyone - young and old in God s family. Make these last weeks of Lent the best for you, your family and the church community. Pray with us as we step by step get closer to Jerusalem Joy. Stations of the Cross -Benediction -This Friday Please come this Friday at 7:00 pm for the last week of devotion as we meditate on the Passion of Christ and how His love for us impacts our lives. Immediately following, we'll spend some time in Eucharistic Adoration and end with Benediction. Work on your relationship with Jesus by spending time with Him this Friday night. GOD S WORD TODAY Throughout this grace-filled season, God has been tugging at each one of us, pulling us out of our sinful behaviors and attitudes. Today we hear what is perhaps the greatest miracle told by the Gospel writers. What meaning does the raising of Lazarus have for us? Beneath the drama and excitement of this remarkable story is the fact that what Jesus does for Lazarus he wants to do for each one of us. Wallowing around in sinful behavior is like being dead. Burial cloths choke us off from healthy relationships. They bind us so that the freedom that comes from being God s beloved children is tightly stifled. The Lord wants to stand before the tomb of our sinfulness and release us from these burial cloths. The prophet Ezekiel announces that the Lord God will open our graves and have us rise from them. Around the world today hundreds of thousands of people celebrate the final scrutiny in preparation for their Baptism at Easter. Let us pray that the Lord s voice will pierce through our sinfulness. As he cries out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out, let us rise out of the tombs of selfishness and sin and embrace a new way of love, goodness, and truth.

EDUCATION PASSOVER SEDER We look forward to seeing 6 th and 7 th graders at the Passover Seder this Monday, April 7 at 6:30 pm. If you have not yet given your RSVP, please call the Religious Education Office at X12. Come and learn about this meal that Jesus celebrated each year, his Last Supper with his apostles. DOUBLE THANKS TO GOOD SHEPHERD PARENTS Thank you for responding to our survey. Serving your children is our number one priority, and we appreciate your feedback. We are also grateful for the parents who attended our Parent Meeting last Monday. We hope you now have a better idea of what goes on in your child s atrium each week. Please consider bringing your children to the Holy Week liturgies where the whole community comes together to remember the events we have been remembering in the atrium. SONTREASURE ISLAND VBS SonTreasure Island Vacation Bible School: Where Kids Discover God s Love is coming to St. John Neumann parish the week of June 16-20, 2014. Track One for children age 4 thru Fall Status Grade 4 is 9:30 am-12:15 pm and Track Two for Grades 5-8 is12:15-3:30 pm. Registration forms are available in the parish religious education office and on-line. Volunteers can sign up, too. VBS PLANNING SESSIONS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 TH @ 10:00 AM OR 7:00 PM ALL IN- TERESTED ADULTS & TEENS ARE WEL- COME. SACRAMENTAL LENTEN NULLITY PRESENTATIONS The Tribunal office will be providing a 45-minute presentation to talk and provide information about the nullity process and help those wanting to begin the process to do so by receiving the initial paperwork at the meeting. The talks are directed toward those who have a desire for adult education regarding this often misunderstood subject. People involved in RCIA as teachers or directors may have a special interest in attending this talk. Registration is not required, but to plan for chairs and refreshments please let us know that you are coming at tribunal@diopitt.org or call 412-456-3033. The remaining presentations are scheduled for: 4/8 - North American Martyrs, Monroeville and April 10 - Ave Maria, Bentleyville. Presentations begin at 7 pm and are free. F I R S T C O M M U N I O N All children preparing for 1st Communion this Easter Season are expected at song practice next Sunday, April 13 from 1 to 2 pm in Bovard Hall. Pizza will be served at 1:45 pm. Parents are always welcome to come and stay with us. Please let us know if any parent can help serve the pizza and drinks. This is the only group song practice. Next scheduled practice is for your specific Mass celebration. Also if you want to order photos here, bring your order form on April 13th. RCIA/RCIC We have many rich traditions to hand on to those seeking to join our Catholic Church. Last week in the Scrutiny, we prayed that the Lord enlighten us all and cure our blindness. Not just for Jeff, Callie, Jan, Julie, Gianna, Austin and Logan but all of us who need to see the Lord more clearly. Then as a community we handed on to them a treasure of faith - The Lord s Prayer. This week we pray another Scrutiny to pass over death in all its forms to new life. We pray that Jesus call us by name - like Lazarus - and unbind us so we can live! Today we hand on to them our profession of faith - the Nicene Creed. Please continue to hold them all in prayer. Write a note of encouragement to them and send it to the Religious Ed office. It will be appreciated. BAPTISM PREP If you are welcoming new life in your family, we hope you are including the sacrament of baptism too. During pregnancy is an ideal time to prepare for Baptism. Our next session is from 10:30 to Noon on Sunday, April 13. Call the Rel. Ed. office to register for class. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office (ext. 10). Congratulations and blessings to you as you prepare for new life in the Catholic family too. CONFIRMATION MEETING - CURRENT 8th GRADE Invitations have been mailed to all the 8th graders on our list to begin the immediate preparation for Confirmation (Fall 2014). If we missed you and you are 8th grade or older and wish to be confirmed, please call the Rel. Ed. office (ext. 12). We want everyone to be welcome and included but sometimes we make mistakes - so help us. The parent/candidate meeting is Sunday, April 27 at 7 pm in the church. It is important that you be there so we can begin with prayer, reflection and information. Wednesday night classes begin April 30 at 6:30 Mass. Registration is necessary! Pray about a confirmation sponsor and name that will help you grow in grace. Call Barb Stokes if you want to be confirmed but missed grade 6, 7 or 8th grade religious education classes and we ll try to help you make it up ASAP. We need You!

MISC. HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE EASTER BASKETS We will be making Easter Baskets for the kids at Holy Family Institute again this year. Some of the kids requested towels and twin bed sheets. It makes you really stop and think - our kids don't ever have to ask for things like that. If you would be so kind when you are shopping for Easter Basket treats for your family, could remember these kids as well? There are 35 boys, mostly teenagers. They can also use socks, little fun toys and of course candy of any kind. Gift cards to local chain restaurants are welcome as well. You can drop your donations in the boxes in the lobby with the Holy Family Institute sign. Any questions, please call the Rel. Ed. office at ext. 12. VOLUNTEER NEEDED We are so grateful for all the items that come thru our donation center - but we need your help! We need someone to sort donated clothes, books, baby items & misc. donations. You pick the times and days that work in your schedule. Please call the parish office (ext. 10). GARAGE SALE THANKS Thanks to all who supported the Appalachia garage sale. We are especially indebted to those who came and helped price items. We couldn t have done it without you. Thanks for helping us reach our goal! ATTIC ART WANTED Have you remodeled and have art you no longer want? Donate it to the Appalachia Workcampers for our upcoming art auction. Your donation is tax deductible. Contact Laura Juran at lejuran@verizon.net or 412-367-4264 for more info. ART AUCTION The Appalachia Art Auction is being held May 3rd in Bovard Hall. The preview starts at 6:30 and the auction is 7:30. Hearty appetizers, beer and wine are served. Tickets are only $15 and are available from your favorite workcampers or in the parish offices and at the door. SOCIAL SOLOS will meet for lunch at Totin s Diner in Wexford on Tuesday, April 15 at 1 pm. Please call Bob Lupi at 412-364-4921 if you plan to attend. VINCENTIAN BINGO Volunteers, individual and families, are welcome to join us on Holy Saturday, April 19th to assist with Bingo at Vincentian Nursing Home. It s a fun time for all from 1:30 pm to 3:00 or 3:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon. Contact Andrew James at ext. 11 to RSVP. OVER 50 s The Over 50 s Club will meet on Monday, April 21 at 12 noon. The entertainment will be Lou Gamber the Master Musician. Lunch will be served at 1pm. If you cannot attend, please contact Rosemary Miller at 412-362-8960 by Monday, April 14. VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS Please join us this Tuesday, April 8 at 2 pm at Vincentian Assisted Living. The Women s Guild is hosting their monthly bingo for the residents there. Our visits are short but are very much appreciated. For more info, call Marlene at 412-366-8840. SPIRITUAL SCRIPTURE STUDY The door is always open for you to come on Thursday, morning to reflect on next Sunday s scriptures. Our adult group meets from 9:45 to 11:30 am. We ll find a place at the table no matter when you come and you can leave when you need to because the setting is informal. Give it a try this Lent. CENTERING PRAYER Tuesday mornings (9:30 am) - 4/8, 4/15, 4/29 Weds. evenings ( 7 pm) - 4/16, 4/30 COMMUNITY THANK YOU Thank you for supporting North Hills Community Outreach with your donation last week of 3 SUV s full of food and paper products. SUPPORT GROUP UPMC Passavant will host a bereavement support group from April 9 through May 14. The group will meet each Weds. from 6 to 7:30 pm in the cancer center conf. room. The group is recommended for individuals for whom three months have elapsed since the death of their loved one. Call 412-635-5899 to register. HABITAT The next two dates are April 12 and May 10. Please call Jay Deily at jndeily@verizon.net or 412-366-2804 for more information. THE KNOTS PRAYER (Author Unknown) Dear God: Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life. Remove the have nots, the can nots, and the do nots that I have in my mind. Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots, that may find a home in my heart. Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life. And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the am nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough. Amen.