Saint Gertrude Parish A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 303 Franklin Ave Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690 May 21, 2017 Sixth Sunday of Easter Fr. James Loew, O.S.B. Pastor, (724) 568-2331 Fax: (724) 568-2030 Sr. Mercy Francis, S.M.I. Pastoral Minister Mr. James Peterman Coordinator of Religious Formation (724) 568-2331 or (724) 845-8191. Katie Tylinski (724) 212-6740 Youth Minister Coordinator ktylinski@dioceseofgreensburg.org Cardinal Maida Academy Mr. Mark Talarico, Principal School Phone (724) 568-3304 School Fax (724) 567-1900 Patti Donghia-Albert Music Director Baptisms By appointment. Baptismal preparation is necessary. Call for classes Marriage Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance. No marriage dates will be given until meeting with the priest and all preparation is ready. Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Weekday Mass Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:15 a.m. School Mass Holy Day Mass Schedule Holy Day ~ 9:00 am, 6:00 pm Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 Friday Closed Confessions Saturday ~ 3:15-3:45 pm or by appointment Pastoral Council Mission Statement We, the partnered parish communities of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, are faith-filled Catholics who have been called by our Baptism and empowered by the Good News of Jesus Christ to be Church for all. Although made up of multicultural faith communities we are ever united by our common faith. We are committed to building up the Body of Christ through Word, Worship, Evangelization, Leadership, Service, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Dedicated to deepening our love of Christ and one another, together we strive to become a living reflection of Christ for our region. We willingly accept our obligation to be the Light of the World for others and in that spirit we promise to use our resources to practice gospel justice, to heal divisive wounds among God s People and to join with all people of good will in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of all.
ST. GERTRUDE PARISH Treasures From Our Tradition The custom of genuflection is not found everywhere in the Catholic Church. In fact, it is a bit of breach of etiquette to genuflect in most Eastern Catholic Churches. If you're visiting an Eastern Catholic or an Orthodox church, the "when in Rome" rule should be adopted. Watch what the home team is doing! Usually, Eastern Catholics and Orthodox reserve a small portion of the eucharistic bread for the dying in a cupboard or eucharistic dove, but it is not a center of attention or devotion. The rule is to make a profound bow, called a "metasis," toward the altar-- bowing deeply while making the sign of the cross. East and West split years before we Westerners began to reserve the Blessed Sacrament prominently in our churches. Thus, the East never changed the original custom of bowing toward the altar. Increasingly, as tabernacles became more widespread in the West and moved into prominent placement within churches, we replaced the bow toward the altar with a genuflection toward the Blessed Sacrament when its place of reservation is visible. In a church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a special chapel or off the main axis of the building, normally you should bow toward the altar when you enter your pew, because the eucharistic table is the principal sign of Christ's presence in the church building. If you have ever participated in the liturgy of Dedication of a Church and Altar, there is no mistaking the altar's significance: it is first slathered with chrism and then adorned with a brazier billowing clouds of incense that fill the whole church as a sign of prayer and presence! Readings for the Week Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 -- 16:4a Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 -- 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-14;Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20 (for Ascension); otherwise Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1-4; Jn16:16-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-10; Jn 16:23b-28 Sunday: Acts 1:12-14; Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8; 1 Pt 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-11a; or (for Ascension) Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20 St. Gertrude Cemetery St. Gertrude s Cemetery has benefited from a Boy Scout Eagle Project completed by Zachary Paullet (a Member of Troop 551) from our parish. His project consisted of refurbishing the cemetery sign and installing a flower bed beneath it. He also had the flag pole repainted and renovated the veteran s memorial around it. There will be a flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th, to honor those both past and present who have served our country. The ceremony will begin at approximately 8:30a.m. Saint Gertrude Reunion St. Gertrude Reunion committee will be meeting on Wednesday, May 24, at the Bari Social hall at 7:00p.m. All are welcome. Trash to Treasure Sale A parish Trash & Treasure sale is scheduled for July 7, & 8th. Watch for a bulletin announcement in June with the date to drop off donations. Following are some suggestions of what will be accepted: seasonal items, jewelry, games and puzzles (no broken or missing pieces), household items, tins, linens, collectibles, pictures, baskets, working appliances, Etc. No clothing, exercise equipment or large items will be accepted. Any questions call Carol at 724-568-4032 or Fran 412-780-0164. With the joy of Baptism we welcome into the family of God: Jonathan Paul Karpinski, son of David Karpinski & Nicole Lombardi. Kendall Noelle Dankmyer daughter of Chad Reese and Richard Dankmyer & Gina Lombardi. We offer our love and best wishes to these children and their families.
The Sixth Sunday of Easter May 21, 2017 Memorial Candle ~ Chas & Ophelia Pirone by Zambo Family Memorial Candle ~ Arthur Cocco by the Centorcelli family Memorial Candle ~ Lucy Raschiatore from Brian & Paolette May Family Altar Servers May 27 & 28th 4:00p.m. ~ Gina Beneccio, Maria Safranyos, & Cara Walker 8:00a.m. ~ Ashely & Brianna Scanga 10:30a.m. ~ Casey & Renee Tomiczek Collection for May 13th & 14th Envelopes ~ $5,366.50 Loose Collection $482.00 Church Restoration ~ $37.00 Utilities ~ $2.00 Basilica Dome Envelopes ~ 63.00 Loose ~ 325.00 of God. Pope Francis has reminded us that communication has the power to build bridges, to enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich society (World Communications Day Message, 2016). Support of this collection helps to enrich society and to invite all to encounter the love of God Cardinal Maida Academy PART-TIME PRESCHOOL We are currently seeking a part-time teacher for our preschool program. Interested candidates are asked to send a resume with references to Cardinal Maida Academy, 315 Franklin Avenue, Vandergrift, PA 15690 Attn: Mr. Talarico or mtalarico@cardinalmaidaacademy.org Catholic Daughters of America CD of A is sponsoring a bus trip to the Lamplighter for lunch and a play at the Apple Hill Playhouse on June 11, 2017. Cost of the bus trip is only $50, and includes transportation, lunch, gratuity, and play. Departure will be approximately at 11:00 in the lower parking lot. Anyone who is interested may contact Kathy Policicchio at (724) 777-1220. Payment must be re- ceived by June 1, 2017 in order to hold the reservations. Attention all Extraordinary Ministers Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (weekend, Homebound and Daily ministers): The annual formation for all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be held at Christ the King Church on Wednesday, June 7th, beginning at 6:30 PM. The agenda for the evening will be as follows: 6:30 PM: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:55 PM: Closing of the Exposition with Benediction 7:00 PM: Theological Reflection on the Eucharist by Father Thomas More Sikora 7:30 PM: Question and Answer session 7:45 PM Presentation by Father Thomas More Sikora on Homebound Ministry procedures 8:00 PM: Closing Prayer we look forward to your participation in what will be an enriching and prayerful evening. This annual formation is mandatory for all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Light refreshments will be available in Assumption Hall after the program. Second Collection Our Diocese will take up the annual collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) on May 20-21. This collection helps bring the Gospel message to the public square so that all can know the love Diocese Lenten Appeal The parish is sincerely grateful to all who have responded to the Diocesan Lenten Appeal. Total pledges and gifts to date are $57,165 with 37.3% of the parish responding. The parish goal has been exceeded by $ 12, 087. Final request letters should be arriving in homes this week. If you haven t yet made your gift, please prayerfully discern your gift and return your pledge card at Mass next weekend or return it to the Parish Office. Pledges can also be made online at DLA.dioceseofgreensburg.org.
Attention those who are entering 6 th -12 th grades in the Fall of 2017: We will be going to see The LEGO Batman Movie at the Pittsburgh Mills and then are going to do the Sky Trail on Wednesday, June 14th. Cost is only $10 and that covers the movie, lunch and the Sky Trail. Bring extra money if you would like to purchase any movie concessions. We are going to meet at Christ the King Hall at 9:00 AM and will return to Christ the King around 3:15 PM. Bring a friend! Chaperones/ drivers with clearances are needed. You must be 4 tall or else you need a parent with you. Please wear shoes with a back on them. Permission slips (if you haven t completed them) and $10 are due to the Youth Ministry Office no later than Wednesday, June 7 th. Our EDGE and LIFETEEN youth are undertaking a youth inspired project to aid St. Gabriel s Parish in Umunnachi, Nigeria via Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okeke, a priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra state located in the Eastern part of Nigeria. It is located in the remotest part of the diocese, the riverine for mission. The area is facing constant challenges of communal wars and violence of all kind. Of course, only about 5% of the population were Christians while the rest were traditional religious worshipers. No functional health system, no accessible road. They have many challenges especially with regards to the youth ministry. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okeke said, Just as I am giving it serious thought little did I know that God is already somewhere planning big for us through you. Thanks to God for you and your group for your kindly thought of us. They have many needs both physical and nonphysical: a Gospel band, musical equipment to enhance their liturgy, transportation fare to go to the Basilica for pilgrimage, they want to build in the long-run skill acquisition center to help the indigent youth acquire skill that will carry them through life. Hence, they will need fairly used laptops and in good working condition. An ICT equipment will be an advantage too to enable their youth to become computer literate. They need funds to start off a mini agro base industry fishery and poultry to sustain their project and the parish. Their needs may be many but if it is possible to assist them in anyway it will be so appreciated. Please keep them in your prayers. We will be doing combined fundraising for this mission as well as our pilgrimage to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis.
Saturday, May 20, Vigil Sixth Sunday of Easter 4:00p.m. John Naccarato Sunday, May 21, Sixth Sunday of Easter 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Helen, Dan Mcdonald & Carmine, Mary Policicchio Monday, May 22, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Louis Milie Family Tuesday, May 23, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Wednesday, May 24, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Frank W. Billock 9:15a.m. CMA School Mass Wednesday, May 24, Vigil, Ascension of the Lord 6:00p.m. Mass at Christ The King Thursday, May 25, Ascension of the Lord 9:00a.m. Living and Deceased of our Parish 12:10p.m. Mass at Christ The King 6:00p.m. Frank & Kathy Bruno Friday, May 26, Saint Philip Neri 8:30a.m. Ophelia Pirone Saturday, May 27, Easter Weekday 8:30a.m. Mass at Christ The King Saturday, May 27, Vigil, Seventh Sunday of Easter 4:00p.m. John & Angelina Palatella Sunday, May 28, Seventh Sunday of Easter 8:00a.m. Living and Deceased of Our Parish 10:30a.m. Benjamin Zanolli