TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, Rev. Thomas J. Whitman, Pastor Director of Religious Ed: Sr. Sandy Pedone, H.M. Parish Secretary: Lori Vasconi Financial Secretary: Carol Koch Maintenance: Brad Goodall Music Director: Mary Messina Office Hours Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:30-1:30 PM) Schedule Saturday Vigil - 5:15 PM Sunday - 8:30 & 11:00 AM Weekday: M, T, Th, Fri - 8:00 AM Wed. - 12:10 PM (Check weekly bulletin for changes.) Confessions Saturday: 4:00-4:30 PM or by request. Religious Education Program Sundays, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM CCD Grades K-10 at Case Avenue Elem. School, Grade 11 in the church annex. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Every Wednesday after the 12:10 PM in the Mother s Chapel. Shenango Valley Catholic School System Mr. William Lyon, Principal, Kennedy Catholic Middle and High Schools: 724-346-5531 Mr. Joshua Testa, Principal St. John Paul II: 724-342-2205 PARISHIONER PRE-REGISTRATION FORM NAME STREET CITY & ZIP PHONE E-Mail Place completed form in today s collection basket or drop it off in the church office. New Member Address Change Update Info Baptism: Please contact the parish office to schedule a time and date. A pre-baptism class is required. No baptisms during Advent and Lent. Matrimony: By appointment six months in advance. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA): Please call the rectory office at 724-981-3232. Prayer Line: For intentions, please call 724-342-3456. * Stop by the church office * See Fr. Tom after es * Fill out a reservation form located at each exit.
PASTOR S COLUMN FALL RAFFLE: Tickets for the St. Joseph Fall Raffle are now on sale with top prize being $10,000. There are also additional prizes of $2,000 and $1,000. Tickets again are $100 each and the purchase of a ticket admits one person to a dinner to be held in the Guild Hall on Saturday, October 13, at 6:45pm and the drawing will take place at the dinner. This is the major fundraiser for our parish and we are asking all parishioners to help in selling or buying tickets. As in the past, there will be opportunities to split tickets with others. If you can help with selling tickets, please contact Fr. Tom or the parish office. To purchase a ticket: 1. Weekdays, stop in the church office during regular office hours. 2. See Fr. Tom after all weekend es. 3. Fill out a reservation form located at each exit and return the form along with your payment in the Sunday collection or by mail and your ticket stub will be mailed to you. RELIGIOUS ARTICLES AND PAMPHLETS: Recently there have been a number of religious articles left in the church, which we assume people want us to dispose of, as well as printed matter and pamphlets being left in the church that someone received at home and have been placed in the pamphlet racks here at church. If you have statues or religious items you want to dispose of they can be buried or burned on your property. If you receive pamphlets or holy cards in the mail, those can be disposed of by you with other mail. The only religious articles and pamphlets on the church property are those that have been granted permission to be placed on church property. REFLECTION ON THE READINGS: As we have been listening to Mark s Gospel, we have progressed through the first eight chapters listening to the teachings, miracles, and wonders of Jesus. But now as Jesus makes his move towards Jerusalem, towards the ultimate showdown with the Pharisees and crucifixion, Jesus starts to teach his disciples about the more difficult aspects of being a disciple misunderstanding, ridicule, physical suffering, sacrifice, and even death. It has been easy to follow Jesus in the first eight chapters of Mark s Gospel, but now Jesus challenges his disciples and us to look at the much harder realities of being disciples. The book of Wisdom outlines for us how the just person will be tested by the wicked person. That at times the wicked will test the just person to see if he or she will stand up to persecution, ridicule, or whether he or she will hold on to their beliefs in the face of others not believing. The letter of James presents us with the struggles that happen within all of us between good and evil. He outlines some of the best qualities of wisdom from above, and contrasts them with evils that result in conflicts and divisions. There are times where we are rooted in the wisdom from above, and times when we fall prey to the evils that lead us to conflict and division, to hatred and war. The Gospel today is how the disciples are caught up in the wonders and powers of Jesus. They want to share in this power and wonder who is the greatest among them. And Jesus has to teach them that real power is never about lording it over others but always about serving others. Jesus begins to turn their ideas about Messiahs, about power, about real meaning in life, upside down. What looks like power to them is not power for Jesus. A fear overcomes the disciples because Jesus is talking about being vulnerable rather than about being invincible. They are afraid that if they become vulnerable they will be squashed by those who have worldly power. They are not sure how being vulnerable will make Jesus the Savior of his people. It is this fear of being vulnerable that will haunt them for the rest of Mark s Gospel. FIRST FRIDAY VISITS If you or a loved one are unable to attend church for health reasons or a disability, please call the church office at 724-981-3232 to be placed on our First Friday list. By signing up, the First Friday of each month a Eucharistic Minister or our priest will come to your home and distribute Holy Communion. When the priest visits he will also administer the Anointing of the Sick. EXPLORING THE SUNDAY READINGS The October/November issues of Exploring the Sunday Readings booklets are now available for those Small Groups who use this booklet. Please stop by the church office to pick up your group s quantity.
FEATURED FOOD PANTRY ITEM Bar Soap Next week s featured item - bar soap. Please place your donation in the shopping cart located in the Gathering Space! UPCOMING FEATURED ITEMS Toothpaste - Canned Fruit - Cereal If you d like to volunteer, please report to the church s lower level at 8:00am on our next distribution day, Friday, October 5. St. Joseph Church - Music Ministry Do you like to sing? Do you play a musical instrument? St. Joseph s choir sings at the 11:00 each week. New members are welcome to come to any rehearsal Sundays at 9:45 before 11:00 in the choir room. You do not have to read music and there are no auditions. St Joseph s worship band plays throughout the year and is in need of instrumentalists and singers. We typically rehearse 45 minutes before begins. We know you are busy and we are accommodating to busy schedules. Come Join Us! If you re interested in sharing your musical gifts to serve our parish, please contact Mary Messina at 724-977-8025. WE NEED YOU! THE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS extends an invitation to enthusiastic Catholic women to join the largest Catholic women s organization in the world. Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, our mission includes participation in spiritual, educational and charitable programs. Members of the Catholic Daughters will be in our parish on the weekend of Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7 to speak to any Catholic woman 18 years or older who would be interested in joining Court Sharon #507 in our area. Please stop by their table to talk with them after. For more information, you may contact Pauline Radasevich at 724-962-2001. AN EVENING OF TAIZE PRAYER Join us at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in Villa Maria, Pa. on Thursday, October 4, for an evening of Taize Prayer. The prayer service begins at 7:30 p.m. in Magnificat Chapel. Light refreshments will follow and all are welcome. WEEKEND COLLECTION September 17, Number of Adult envelopes sent.. 889 Number of Adult envelopes used. 274 Number of unused envelopes... 615 Sunday Offertory......$ 9,463 Budgeted Offertory....$10,650 Deficit.......($ 1,187) Other Collections: Catholic Education...$ 1,119 PLEASE PRAY FOR: Tony Perry, Margie B., Darlene Lenhart, Chris Pass, Mary Lou Brandon and Bill Lasche. NOTRE DAME ADULT BIBLE STUDY The members of Religious Education at Notre Dame Church, Hermitage are pleased to announce that a Bible Study for adults who are interested in pursuing a deeper love for the Scriptures, and ultimately for Jesus Christ, is now being offered! Facilitated by Seminarian Brandon Feikles, we are looking for parishioners who would like to sign up. Please contact Carrie or Mary Lou at Notre Dame Parish Office at 724-981-5566 if you wish to be signed up or to simply receive more information at the appropriate time. Details will be discussed at our first gathering, Tuesday, October 9 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. God Bless! MINISTRY SCHEDULES Eucharistic Minister * Lector * Altar Server * Greeter The 4th quarter Ministry Schedule for weekend es, October 7 through December 30 is now LIVE and available online via the Web Terminal. Please log on to https:// www.rotundasoftware.com/ministry/stjosephchurchsharon to view and/or print your schedule. For those who do not have internet access you will receive your schedule in the mail. CRAFT SHOW CHINESE AUCTION DONATIONS This year s craft show is Saturday, September 29 from 9:00am-2:00pm. A big part of our show is the Chinese Auction and we are looking for gift baskets and/or gift card donations. If you are able to help, please drop your gift basket or gift card off at the church office during weekday office hours by Friday, September 28. Gift card donations may also be placed in the Sunday collection marked Craft Show. ST. ANTHONY CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE Wed., Oct. 3 2:00pm to 6:00pm Thurs. & Fri., Oct. 4 & 5 8:30am to 3:00pm Rummage Sale will be held in our Antonium which is located on Sherman Ave. Handicap Accessible. WELCOME Baptized this weekend is Holden Ryan Brown, son of Tim and Debra Brown. PARISH APP Download our parish app to your phone by texting APP to 88202. Altar flowers are donated in thanksgiving to God and in memory of Barb Young by family
Intentions +Indicates Time Monday, September 24 Prv 3: 27-34 / Lk 8: 16-18 +8:00 Valeria Taylor (John & Toni Steklachick) Tuesday, September 25 Prv 21: 1-6, 10-13 / Lk 8: 19-21 +8:00 Maria Masello (Rubano Family) Wednesday, September 26-Prv 30: 5-9, Lk 9: 1-6 +12:10 Rosemary Colt (Grasso Family) *2:30 West Hill Ministries Thursday, September 27-Eccl 1: 2-11 / Lk 9: 7-9 +8:00 Rose Marie Faylo (Kathryn Asafaylo) *2:30 West Hill Ministries *7:00 RCIA-Choir Room Friday, September 28-Eccl 3: 1-11 / Lk 9: 18-22 +8:00 Albert Sangregorio (Frank Forderly) Saturday, September 29-Nm 11: 25-29 / Jas 5: 1-6 / Mk 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time *9:00 4th ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW +5:15 Domenico Lombardi (Phyllis and Family) Sunday, September 30 Nm 11: 25-29 / Jas 5: 1-6 / Mk 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time +8:30 Gertrude Ruhley (Rosemary) +11:00 Ted Fill (Steve and Colette Franz) Saturday, 29, Vigil 5:15 PM Ministry Schedule for September 29/30 S. McLaughlin Volunteer, F. Smeraglia, N. Alexander, E. Anderson, N. Alexander, M. Sakony, D. Dach, Volunteer X2 M. Jordan, N Jordan, A. Jordan GS: G. Beshero, D. Cole Fr: J. Bello Sunday, 30, 8:30 AM Sunday, 30, 11:00 AM R. Vukovich K. Anglin, S. Swogger, S. Cleary, J. Walsh, P. Sinkuc, S. Missory, J. McLaughlin M. Bundrant, P. Haroldson, V. Haroldson GS: C. Dunn K. Bonomo M. Weiner, G. Smith, L. Dach, Dr. D Amore, D. D Amore, L. Dach, U. Goda, V. Mulligan, A. U Halie, J. Kaibas, J. Sherbine, Volunteer B. Dach, H. Duffy, C. Duffy, C. McKnight GS: M. Smith, L. Voytko Fr: R. & T. Rookey CL D. U Halie WEEKDAY-HOSPITAL SUNDAY, 30 25 - P. Radasevich SRHS - F. Smeraglia 26 - P. Emery Nugent - B. Poerstel 27 - J. Moroco Clepper - G. Smith
More details on how to purchase your ticket inside today s bulletin! jxävéåx St. Joseph Parish Welcomes All New Parishioners We hope you find warmth and hospitality at our parish as well as St. Joseph Church being nurturing and spiritually enriching. If you are considering or would like to join our parish community, we invite you to please take a Welcome Packet located at each exit or fill out the Pre- Registration form on the front cover of the bulletin and drop in today s collection basket and a census form will be mailed to you.