FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 22, 2015

“Some Greeks” voice their desire: “We would like to see Jesus.” What they hope to encounter through such an audience is “the joy of salvation.” Jesus becomes “the source of eternal salvation” by his obedient suffering that makes him “perfect.” For only if the grain of wheat dies does it produce fruit; only if one “hates his life in this world” does he “preserve it for eternal life.” The Father will honor anyone who follows Jesus in this self sacrificing way. He “will make a new covenant.” God’s law will be written upon our hearts. We will be his people.

“The whole world has run after him!” observe the Pharisees bitterly after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (John 12:19). On the eve of the last week of his life, the fourth gospel brings to a close the Book of Signs and opens the Book of Glory. Just as the arrival of the first disciples on the banks of the Jordan heralds the beginning of Jesus’ signs (John 1:40-42), so the arrival of Greek disciples heralds the beginning of his glory. Far from being incidental extras, these foreigners signal the arrival of a significant moment. The “Hour” has come when Jesus, lifted up from the earth and glorified, will draw all people to himself. It is an hour of paradox, when all realities change meaning: to die is to live and to lose is to find. In order to bear fruit, the grain must decompose in the earth. From such a death will come the procession of nations foretold in Scripture for the last days: they will lift up their eyes to the tree of life. // “We should like to see Jesus!” Who today will enable us to “see” Jesus and to discover, in his death, the first-fruits of glorif ication? Who are the disciples who will serve as our intermediaries so that we can recogn ize the Son of Man? Will the “Greeks” of our time –all those loyal people who seek a mean ing for their lives – find around them friends of Jesus to take them into his presence?

ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA

www.StMatthewTheEvangelistParish.org

Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM Phone: (570) 544-2211 Fax: (570) 544-2317

SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish!

SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610-332-04421x19) VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1-800-791-9209) WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM MON – TUE – WED – THU –

Msgr. Edward Musial by M/M Joseph L. Skibiel Adam and Irene Zitkus by Genovese Family Charles Butensky by Family Daniel and Mary Sullivan by Al and Doris Santarelli

FRI –

Joseph Colitz by Family

SAT – 4:00 PM –

Rose and Boley Domaleski and Domaleski Family

SUN – 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM –

by Rose, Michael and Grandchildren Living and Deceased Parishioners John C. Rodgers, Sr. by Family

***************************************************************************************************************************** ************** REQUIESCANT IN PACE:

May Jesus, our Merciful Savior, take unto Himself:

FRANK P. NEBROSKIE, JR.,

a former member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, and a member of our Parish Family, who died Saturday, March 14, and was buried from our Church Saturday, March 21;

DOMINICK DIGUGLIELMO,

a former member of the former St. Barbara Parish, and a member of our Parish Family, who died Wednesday, March 18, and who will buried Tuesday, March 24. May Mary, Mother of Sorrows, comfort their families and friends!

ET LUX PERPETUA LUCEAT EIS!

***************************************************************************************************************************** *************** THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Give me justice, O God,/ and plead my

cause against a nation that is faithless./ From the deceitful and cunning rescue me,/ for you, O God, are my strength (Cf. Ps 43 (42):1-2) .

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 22 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

8:00 AM and 10:15 AM.

(Make a good Confession for Lent) THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into his harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear fruit. Thanks to THE BERDANIER FAMILY for hosting the FPC for Vocations this week. Please sign up in Church vestibule. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE:

Relationships come with a price tag. We must be willing to entrust ourselves to another, to let go of our autonomy and die to our independence. It is in dying to our independence that we find interdepend ence with others.

PRO-LIFE REFLECTION:

“… the temptation grows to have recourse to euthanasia, that is, to take control of death and bring it before its time, ending one’s own life or the life of others. In reality, what might seem logical and humane, when looked at more closely is seen to be senseless and inhumane. Here we are faced with one of the more alarming symptoms of the ‘culture of death’.” Please pray to end the culture of death. St. John Paul II.

STEWARDSHIP:

“I will be their God and they shall be my people.” – Jeremiah 31:33.

What does it mean to be God’s people? It means we recognize that everything we have and everything we are belongs to God. We aren’t “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has given us. It means we are willing to use our gifts and our lives to care for our neighbors and the world, just as God cares for us.

LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday:

$3,446;

General Repair:

$404;

Expenses:

$3,613.56 (ordinary); $34,308 (Diocesan Assessments).

LENTEN CHARITIES: (1) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY

the SVDP Society to aid the needy of our area.Volunteer to help our

SVDP –

Your donation of all

TYPES OF CANNED MEATS

will allow

Society Outreach

and

God’s Bountiful Table.

Call 570

-

544 2739.

(2) CATHOILC RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL:

HUNGERING FOR A HEALTHY HARVEST

–

CRS Rice Bowl brings our Lenten journey back to Africa this week, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. We join our fasting in solidarity with people who go hungry, and we remember in prayer the importance of building a community that is willing to support those most in need..

Our Parish’s CRSRB Contribution:

Fourth Sunday of Lent: $734.86.

(3) SISTERS’ LENTEN GIVING TREE – Your gifts will be forwarded to

elderly and retired Women Religious whose congregations have served our Diocese.

Return them by next week. (4) YOUR PERSONAL LENTEN SELF-DENIAL FOR OUR PARISH

– Your Lenten sacrifice for the parish will be collected during Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Use the envelope in your boxes!

LENTEN VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY:

In Honor of Mille Magic

(Available Dates: April 26, October 4,18). (2) ALTARS: BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:

Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober; For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; IMO Russ Rothermel (Birthday) by Linda, Mitra and Meggi.

DIVINE MERCY:

IMO Edward, Michael and Leonard Orlosky.

(3) BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH:

Special Intention.

POPE JOHN PAUL II:

Special Intention by Rose Marie.

Call 570-544-2211 to memorialize votives. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST HAM BINGO:2:00 PM, Good Shepherd Building Cafeteria. Tick ets $3.00. 20 games, specials and raffles! Food and beverages will be available. Call Theresa (570 544-4316) or Roseanne (570-544-5304). See you and your family there! Thanks for your help!

COMMUNITY CONFESSIONS: 6:00 PM, Ss. Peter and Paul Church. Please take this opportunity to prepare spiritually for Easter by making a good Confession! Five Confessors will be available.

MONDAY, MARCH 23 – JOINT CHOIR REHEARSAL FOR CONFIRMATION:

6:30 PM, St. Michael Church.All Choir members are welcome!

EASTER VISITATION OF THE SICK:

Communion will be brought to local Nursing and Convalescent Home patients until completed.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Building

.

Any questions, contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Rosalie Novack (570-544-2211). Absences call 570-544-3766.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE

: 8:00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and their caregivers!

LENTEN DEVOTIONS:Eucharistic Exposition,Confessions,4:00 PM,Stations of the Cross,6:00 PM. GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE:

11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex (570-544-6484).

Weather permitting!

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 – “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR: New members are needed!

Call 570-544-2355 to join.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 – DAY OF ABSTINENCE: Those 14 years and older are bound to abstain from eating meat today.

LENTEN ROSARY:

7:40 AM, our Church. Join us in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries!

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

7:45 AM.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST LENTEN DINNERS:

Full course: New England Clam Chowder, Full Salad Bar, Macaroni and Cheese,Baked or Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Homemade Dessert, Beverage, and Fish or Crab Cake. Prices: $8 to $16. Call 570-622-5470.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 – HOLY WEEK: The Church Year’s Holiest Week begins with our main Palm Sunday Liturgy and Procession at 4:00 PM today. Please make time to attend this Mass and all the major Liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Show your love for God by your attendance! Pastoral Note: SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:00 PM.

PASCHAL FESTIVAL:

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, St. Mary Church, Hamburg. Easter and seasonal foods, homemade baked goods, candy, soups, refreshments, crafts, decorated eggs, braided palm and more! Call 610-562-7657 for more information.

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, MARCH 29 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): JOE KRISTON AND FAMILY (8:30 AM) will host the FPC this week. Call 570-399-5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for May and June!

DRAMATIC STATIONS OF THE CROSS PRESENTATION:

St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville. Doors open at 6:30 PM; Prelude begins at 7:15 PM; Stations begin 7:30 PM. No admission charge; Free will offering. Call 570-622-5470 for more information.

SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1)

No Special Parish Second Collection Envelope this week. Check your Sunday Envelope Boxes for any envelopes you might have missed. Please catch up. Your Church needs your consistent and generous support. Tha nk you!

(2) CRS RICE BOWL:

Place your envelope in the Second Collection today and Easter Sunday. Parish and Diocesan envelopes should be placed in the First Collection.

(3) Write the amount of your donation on your envelope. Thank you!

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************* MINISTERS AT MASS FOR PALMSUNDAY OFF. PROC.

LECTORS E. M. of H. C.

ALTAR SERVERS SAT 4:00 PM Domaleski Family Theresa Kroznuski Nicole Forney Frank Melenchick Anthony Lutchkus Frank Melenchick SUN 8:30 AM Parishioners John Andruchek Al Boris 10:30 AM Rodgers Family Sharon Kolenick Tom Mundy Teresa Miller Jamie Kuehn Michael Perzel Nathan Tropp Jade Stickell Olivia Osborne APRIL 1 – EASTER FOOD SALE: Homemade fresh kielbasa ($8.00 per 2lb link). PRE-ORDER ONLY. Call the Rectory (570-544-2211). Frozen pierogi are also available. ($7.00 per dozen, walk-ins only). PICK-UP IS TODAY, Parish Center, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

APRIL 3 – DIVINE MERCY NOVENA: Begins. 3:00 PM, Church.

APRIL 7 – CONFIRMATION PRACTICE: For Candidates and Sponsors at 6:30 PM, St. Michael the Archangel Church. APRIL 8 – CONFIRMATION: Bishop Cullen will Confirm children from our area at 4:30 PM at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex (570-544-6484). Weather permitting! APRIL 11 – NATIVITY BVM H.S. 2015 CENTURY BENEFIT: Cocktail hour 6:00 PM; Dinner, 7:00PM. Induction to the Golden Cross Society.

Dancing follows. Schuylkill Country Club, Orwigsburg. $125 per person. Call 570-622-8110 for tickets.

APRIL 12 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS: 3:00 PM. Fr. Francis Twardzik will be our guest homilist.

APRIL 19 – POLKA SPRING FLING: 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM, St. Mary Catholic Church, Hamburg. Tickets are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. Music by Polka Country Musicians. Food and beverages available for purchase. Call 610-562-7657 for tickets and information.

APRIL 21 – MANDATORY PARENTS’ FIRST COMMUNION MEETING: 6:15 PM, Good Shepherd Chapel Room.

MAY 1 – THE EDWARD T. MALESKAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Registered members of the former Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Minersville, can request a tuition aid/scholarship application for 2015-2016 for Catholic elementary and high school students and Catholic or secular college students by writing directly to the trustee, Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Yenushosky, Holy Trinity Rectory, 4102 S. Church St., Whitehall, PA 18052 or e-mail the request to [email protected]. Indicate which application is needed: elementary, high school and/or college. If possible, please e-mail the request. The application will be sent by way of an e-mail attachment. Completed applications are due Today. MAY 9 – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Within the 4:00 PM Mass today. MAY 11-14 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ VIRGINIA BEACH BUS TRIP: $479 per person, double occupancy includes: 3 nights hotel Accommoda tions, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, visit to Fort Monroe Casemate Museum Williamsburg Pottery, Yankee Candle Village, Douglas MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk Naval Base, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, beach and boardwalk.Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413).

JULY 6 – 8 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ PITTSBURG EXPRESS BUS TRIP: $429 per person, double occupancy. 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners including a dinner at the Grand Concourse, Duquesne Incline, Gateway Clipper cruise, Guided tour of Pittsburgh including University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, Nationality Rooms, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Tour of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater”, Visit to Flight 93 Memorial, souvenir gift. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call 570-544-5231 or 570-628-5413.

SEPTEMBER 21- 24 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ WILDWOOD SEAFOOD FEAST BUS TRIP: $399 per person, double occupancy. 3 nights motel accommodations, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet featuring a DJ and over 50 different buffet items, one $20 meal credit valid for a 3 course price-fixed meal at Breadsticks in Resorts Casino, one dinner at a local restaurant, trip to Atlantic City casino with a bonus package, visit to Washington Street Mall, Cape May, visit Smithville Village, Wildwoods' famous beach and boardwalk. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call 570-544-5231 or 570-628-5413.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

EASTER FLOWERS AND VIGILS: Help decorate our Church and its Altars with flowers ($10 donation) and vigils ($5 offering each) for Holy Week and Easter. Flower offerings can be placed in the First Collection. Remember to write your intentions on the envelope. Call the Rectory (570-544-2211) for Vigils. PARISH MEMORIAL SOCIETY:

We gratefully acknowledge the following donations:

IMO ANN HUNTZINGER:

$100 from Steve and Margaret Mistysyn.

IMO JOHN LUTSKY:

$25 from Ann Padelsky; $10 from Mary Lou and Pinky.

IMO MARGARET PLEVA:

$50 from Joseph and Arlene Quesada; $10 each from Katherine Chelak, Lucy Barnetsky.

IMO ANNA YAKABOSKY:

$30 from Joe Yakabosky; $20 each from Ed Yakabosky, Mary Ann and Frank Kuchta.

IMO ALICE DORAN MURPHY:

$50 from Cam and Jayne D’Attilio; $25 each from Ellen Doran and Family, Don, Peggy and Christopher Butler, Harry J. and Diane Brown; $20 each from John Hudock, Anna Warhola, Bobby and Linda Brennan, Diane and Harold Krammes, Karen and Kathleen Paul, Musiorusky Family, Kathy Bainbridge, Cosette Pohronezny, Robert and Luana Butensky, Betty Sabadish; $15 from Joe and Teresa Gleason; $10 each from Martha Wasser, Catherine Harley and Albert Evans, Phylis Rada, Sarah Donahue, Helen Mills, Tom and Mary Ann Heean; $5 from Debbie Gregitis.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE!

NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL NEWS:

In need of host families for international exchange students for the 2015-2016 school year. Families provide a bedroom, desk or work area, and meals. Students come with their own insurance and spending money. Their tuition is paid, and they can ride the bus. A monthly stipend is provided to offset food costs. Share your traditions, and learn about another culture without leaving the country! It’s a great experience for empty-nesters and for families with children of all ages. For more information, please contact Maureen Challenger at [email protected]

ADDRESS CHANGES: Call the Rectory (570-544-2211) if you are moving, relocating or changing your phone number so we can update our records. Please save us the expense of undeliverable letters. It is a matter of courtesy to your Parish. Thanks for your help!