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 March 23, 2014 3rd 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
CALENDAR Sunday, March 23 2:00 PM Passion Play Rehearsal 6:30 PM Adult Volleyball Monday, March 24 Betsy Ann Candy orders due 7:00 PM Divorced & Separated Mt. 7:30 PM 7th & 8th Grade Faith Sharing Tues. March 25 9:30 AM Centering Prayer 7:00 PM Were You There Rehearsal 7:30 PM The Marriage You ve Always Wanted Weds. March 26 6:30 PM Middle School Ministry 7:30 PM MOMS 7:30 PM Women s Guild Thurs, March 27 9:45 AM Scripture Study 7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice Friday, March 28 Youth Ministry Spring Retreat 6:15 PM Respect Life Rosary 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Sat. March 29 Youth Ministry Spring Retreat 8:00 AM Appalachia Garage Sale 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. THE WEEK AHEAD MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 22 9:00 AM Will Schadel (Mary Lou Schadel) 5:30 PM Regis Ryan (Iris & John Parks) Sunday, March 23, Third Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM Kathy Puskar (Diane & John Anke) 9:30 AM Tom O Lare (Connie) 11:30 AM For the People of SJN Parish Monday, March 24 9:00 AM Helen McClelland (The Lafayette s) Tuesday, March 25, The Annunciation of the Lord 9:00 AM Nancy Frankart (Tom) Wednesday, March 26 6:30 PM Ann Shuckrow (Family) Thursday, March 27 9:00 AM Angela O Malley (John) Friday, March 28 9:00 AM Bob & Carol Welsh (Helen Mellott & Lloyd Wright) Saturday, March 29 9:00 AM Ed & Til Boenigk (John & Marianne Corbett) 3:00 PM Williams/Oliver Wedding 5:30 PM Tom Dixon (Evankovich Family) Sunday, March 30, Fourth Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM For the People of SJN Parish 9:30 AM Marek Lapinski (Carole & Mark Shepard) 11:30 AM Sally Sipple (Jack) EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sat. March 29-5:30 PM C. & D. Hagen, P. Thompson, E. Marshall, E. & G. Mandl, A. McCafferty Sun. March 30-8:00 AM M. McCluskey, K. Miller, B. Walls, R. & C. Madia, C. Balsley, H. O Hallaron 9:30 AM - F. Greco, R. & B. Romig, R. Cox, C. & M. Shepard, A. Betancourt 11:30 AM - D. Down, A. & J. Burke, B. Chufo, E. & D. Brett, S. Benna LECTORS Sat. March 29-5:30 PM L. Young, R. Martz Sun. March 30-8:00 AM M. Petrasek, H. Barcaskey 9:30 AM M. Decker, M. Conroy 11:30 AM C. Perego, C. Browne READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41[1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38] ALTAR SERVERS Sat. March 29-5:30 PM K. & R. Smith, E. Keelan Sun. March 30-8:00 AM J. & C. Kocent, M. Leahy 9:30 AM C. Alt, L. Evankovich, J. Fritsch 11:30 AM Z. Mercader, G. Moraca, Z. Nachazel March 16, 2014 Operating $12,701.50 Camp. Alive 2,623.00 Parish Share 17,155.00 Easter Flowers 397.00 Sacramental 500.00 Misc. 167.00 $33,543.50 Thank you for your generous support of our parish!
PARISH NEWS PENANCE SERVICES ST. JOHN NEUMANN THURSDAY, APRIL 3 ST. ALEXIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 ST. ALPHONSUS MONDAY, APRIL 14 ALL SERVICES BEGIN AT 7 PM. Stations of the Cross -Benediction -This Friday Please come this Friday at 7:00 pm for Stations of the Cross 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. PRAY THE ROSARY The Respect Life Committee invites parishioners to pray the Rosary before Stations of the Cross on Fridays ( at 6:15 PM) during Lent. Parishioners are invited to join in the praying of the Rosary at any time before Stations of the Cross. DONATIONS NEEDED Please help North Hills Community Outreach by donating some of their most needed items this weekend & the following week. The shelves for these items are almost empty : 100% juice, canned fruit, soup, cereal. Paper products are always in need paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins. Thank you. SAVE THE DATE SEPT. 7, ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC The Parish Life committee will be holding a planning meeting Tuesday, April 1. We are looking for some new ideas for the picnic. If you have some good ideas or would like to help, please join us at 7:30 in the Ed. Building. (No experience needed.) WOMEN'S GUILD All parishioners are invited to welcome spring with us on Wednesday March 26th at 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Our guest speaker, Randy Soergel from Soergel's Greenhouse and Garden Center will give a talk on Spring Gardening. Please join us and bring a friend. Refreshments will be served. For more info call Marlene at 412-366-8840. SJN APPALACHIA GARAGE SALE Saturday, March 29, 8 AM Items accepted Thursday & Friday, March 27 & 28. Please no TVs. COLLECTION NEXT WEEK-END Next s week s Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) needs your help. CCHD was founded to end the cycle of poverty in the United States by funding organizations that help people help themselves. With the tradition of improving education, housing situations, and economic development, CCHD continues to make a positive impact on communities nationwide. Your contribution will defend human dignity and help those living on the margins of our society. Thank you for your generosity. CANDY, CANDY & MORE CANDY! SARRIS & BETSY ANN! Extended until March 24 Two great names in chocolate right here in Pittsburgh. Take your pick and order all your special chocolate and treats for Easter! We are offering both this year - no favoritism or prejudice here. Buy both! Sarris will deliver April 11 & Betsy Ann will deliver April 8. Either way - you get the best candy and SJN raises some funds for our programs. Order now and be ready for Easter! Forms are in the narthex. Payment must accompany your order. DO IT NOW! DON T FORGET STEP BY STEP WE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM JOY! GOD S WORD TODAY Today s Gospel presents us with the longest one-on-one exchange between Jesus and another person in any of the four Gospels. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well cuts to the heart of the journey of conversion. The elect - those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter - celebrate the first scrutiny today, which draws its ritual language from this Gospel story. The Church tells us that scrutinies are meant to uncover and heal all that is weak and sinful in the lives of the elect. Listen carefully to the exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in today s passage. As the conversation unfolds, Jesus uncovers the woman s sinfulness. Imagine yourself at the well. Imagine the Lord Jesus uncovering your own sinfulness. Rediscover the great gift that the Lord Jesus offers you today: a way out of sinfulness and a way into everlasting peace and goodness. Let today s Gospel scrutinize each one of us so that, like the Samaritan woman, we will proclaim Jesus as Messiah to everyone we meet. From Saint Margaret Sunday Missal, copyright J. S. Paluch Company
CHILDREN S CHOIR Boys and girls, grades third through ninth, who would like to participate in the Youth Choir for the Lenten and Easter season, please join us TODAY in the choir room. Choir begins immediately after the 9:30 am Mass and continues until noon. They meet in the Youth Choir room, next to Bovard Hall. If God has blessed you with a good voice, give it back to Him this Holy Season! Any questions, call Annie Snyder at 412-367-0844. LENTEN RESOURCES There is a little bit of warmth in the air and much more LIGHT every day so we know Spring is coming. 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. SACRAMENTAL RCIA Next week at the 11:30 am Mass, we will celebrate a scrutiny to ask God for special blessings to prepare our candidates for Easter. Our Elect, Jan, Jeff, Callie, Julie and Austin, Logan and Gianna enter now a Period of Purification and Enlightenment for the rest of Lent. During this time the entire Catholic Church are all asked to pray especially for those longing for full communion with the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. We ask you to hold them in your special prayers too and maybe write them a note of support and encouragement. Send all notes to the Rel. Ed office for distribution. LENTEN NULLITY PRESENTATIONS The Tribunal office will be providing a 45-minute presentation in each of the four Vicariates of the diocese. The purpose of the talk is to 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 presentations are scheduled for: 3/25 - Ascension, Ingram; 3/31 - St. Fidelis, Meridian; 4/2 - St. Thomas More, Bethel Park; 4/3 - St. Athanasius, West View and 4/8 - North American Martyrs, Monroeville and April 10 - Ave Maria, Bentleyville. Presentations begin at 7 pm and are free. BIBLE ENTHRONEMENT - MISSED YOU If we missed you at the 5th Grade Bible Enthronement, we are hoping that you still want to be part of this step in preparation for Confirmation. So...please come on Sunday, March 30 right after 11:30 Mass for this important presentation of God s Word - The Bible. Grades 6, 7 & 8 religious education are the essential components of Confirmation preparation as we look toward the celebration of the sacrament in the Fall of 9th grade. We need you! YOUTH MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL SPRING RETREAT! March 28-30th All 9th-12th graders are invited to join ENCOUNTER for our annual spring retreat taking place at the Gilmary Retreat Center the weekend of March 28th-30th. The theme this year is "RUAH". All forms and payment are due in to the parish office ASAP. This will be an awesome weekend learning more about the Holy Spirit and the Catholic faith all while hanging out and having fun with your friends. The cost of the retreat is $50 and that covers EVERYTHING. Go to www.sjnyouth.org to download a registration form. Middle School NET Retreat! Weds, April 23, 8am-3pm All 7th & 8th graders are invited back once again to join us for a day long (8am-3pm) retreat that will be hosted by the NET Organization. NET stands for "National Evangelization Team, this team of young adults travels around the country putting on retreats every day. It is a huge privilege to have them here at our Parish. Please go to www.sjnyouth.org to download the registration slip and school release form. The cost of the retreat is $15 (that includes lunch). Don t miss this opportunity! EDUCATION GOOD SHEPHERD PARENT MEETING Parents of children in all levels are invited to a Parent Meeting on Monday, March 31 from 7-8 pm. After a brief Q & A session, we will have catechists in each level to show you a typical presentation your child will have this year. While in the atrium, you will be able to see the many materials your child has to work with each week. Please come and spend an hour with us on March 31. PROTECTING GOD S CHILDREN ALL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROTECTING GOD S CHIL- DREN, the child sex abuse awareness session. The local session scheduled is: Sts. John & Paul, Thursday, March 27 @ 6:30 pm Contact Jeanette Pappert, SJN s Safe Environment Coordinator (412-366-5885 x15), to complete all volunteer clearances mandated by the Catholic Church.
A WONDERING QUESTION FROM THE ATRIUM In every level of Good Shepherd, one of the ways we reflect on Scripture and the Liturgy is by asking wondering questions. The children often have wonder ful responses to these questions. From time to time we will print a question in the bulletin to let you wonder, too; and to let you know what the children and their catechist are pondering often long after the atrium session is over. Here is our next one: From Level 1 - preschool-kindergarten I wonder how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is different from the hired man who runs away from the sheep when the wolf comes. PRAYERS & PENNIES FOR THE MISSIONS Don t forget today after Mass to pick up a small box for your family to fill with loose change (or bills) for the missions. Return all boxes in the marked bins next week-end. Thanks for your generosity to the Missionary Childhood Assoc. You will support missionaries as they spread the Good News to children and adults in foreign lands, while also helping to feed the children and purchase school supplies for mission schools. SPIRITUAL WHY MUST HE DIE? Please reserve the date of March 30 at 7pm here at SJN to see the last year of the performance "Why Must He Die?" a musical passion play directed and written by Linda Wallace from our parish. It is a meditation through music, drama and liturgical dance on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. For more info, call Linda at 412-741-3463. See the insert in today s bulletin. ENRICH YOUR MARRIAGE THIS LENT! Looking for a positive Lenten sacrifice that will help you better serve God and others? Consider "giving up" your Tuesday evenings from March 25 - April 15, 7:30-9pm, to learn from Gary Chapman (author of "The Five Love Languages") as we view his live DVD conference "The Marriage You've Always Wanted" at SJN. There will be time to meet and greet other couples but discussion of the content will be just between you and your spouse. The 1st class was last week, but you are most welcome to join us for any of the remaining weeks. The program is free & you ll have an opportunity to purchase Chapman s book. KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE ALIVE How s it going these days? If you re interested in helping us (SJN) plan a night of fun and food and encouragement for married couples, let s get together. Give Barb Stokes a call. It s getting warm outside - let s warm up our married life too! We are looking at a May Saturday for this party. Watch for it! OUTREACH HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE EASTER BASKETS Easter time is upon us. We will be doing Easter baskets for the kids at Holy Family Institute again this year. If you would be so kind as to remember them when you are shopping, we could use some donations to help fill their baskets. There are 35 boys, mostly teenagers. They can always use toiletries, socks, flip flops, 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 at ext. 12. PLEASANT VALLEY MENS SHELTER The staff and men at the Pleasant Valley Men s Shelter would like to thank all of you who continue to donate clothes, socks, jackets, sheets, towels and toiletries. Your generous donations have been put to very good use during this winter season. We continue to collect the items mentioned above - all we ask is that clothing, towels and bedding are in GOOD, CLEAN condition. Toiletries (especially deodorant), new socks, and large or XL items are always needed. All items can be placed in the Pleasant Valley Bin in the Donation Center under the stairs. Our next dinner is Friday April 4th. If you would be willing to provide a side dish, casserole, dessert, salad, fruit or beverage, pleases contact Phyllis Huber (412-367- 1437) or Cathy Gillis (412-548-3646). If you would prefer to make a donation instead of preparing a dish, coffee, tea, granola bars, breakfast items, etc., are always welcomed. Just let us know so that we do not miss picking the items up. Food items can be left in the kitchen of Bovard Hall. PARISH GARDEN We are looking for a new coordinator for the SJN parish garden. If you love gardening and have a few extra hours during the spring & summer months, we could use your help. Please call the parish office (Ext. 10) for more info. PRAYER MINISTRY Please pray for the new additions to our prayer list. If you would like to add someone to the list, instructions are provided at http://stjohnneumannpghprayer.blogspot.com. You can also contact the parish office, Kathy Buzzard at 412-366-0781 or send an email to sjnprayer@gmail.com Regina Baker John O Malley Heather Flanegan Joseph O Connor Irmgard Schneider RECENT DEATHS Please pray for the souls of Parishioner Mildred Benitz, mother of Brian Parishioner John Hartman, husband of Charlene May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.