Transcript Slide 1

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
MARCH 15, 2015
“In those days… the people added infidelity
to infidelity.” And God’s response “early and
often” was to have “compassion on his
people” – a compassion too often taken for
granted. The “people preferred darkness to
light” and were taken into captivity in
Babylon. Desolate in their exile, they
experienced “the immeasurable riches of his
grace” through a refusal to forget God. Those
who are dead in their transgressions and who
remember that “God is rich in mercy” bear
sure hope to be brought “to life with Christ.”
So much does God love those exiled in the
world, “he gave his only Son.”
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 – Kenneth Klotunowitch by Ed and Connie Siminitus and Family
TUE – Amelia Czwarc by Aldona and Edward Butler
WED – Pat Wiscount by Niece and Nephews
THU – Deceased of Steve and Anna Anderko Family
by James and Evelyn Moore
FRI – Violet Gayeski by M/M Frank Savini
SAT – 4:00 PM – Edward and Elizabeth Siminitus by Family
SUN – 8:30 AM – Anna Kolenick (Annv) by Leo and Sharon
10:30 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners
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REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May Jesus, our Merciful Savior, take unto Himself:
PHYLLIS L. SIMINITUS, a former member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka
Parish, and a member of our Parish Family, who died Tuesday, March 10, and
was buried from our Church Saturday, March 14. May Mary, Mother of Divine
Mercy, comfort Phyllis’s family and friends!
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It is a paradox of human living that signs of
death are so frequently signs of healing. To
this day the ancient caduceus, one or two
snakes wrapped around a pole, stands as a
sign of a pharmacist or physician. We know
that venom of vipers is used to make the
antidote which heals those bitten by the same
snakes. Despite the commonness of this
paradox we still find it difficult to say “amen”
to Jesus’ preaching of death as the way to
life. // All of us want to be lifted up – but not
upon the cross. All of us want to have eternal
life – but none of us wants to die. When it
comes to matters of sin and alienation the
cure seems worse than the disease. // The
prophet Jeremiah attempted to point out the
same sort of paradox to his people. Was it
truly possible that God could restore the
nation at the hand of Cyrus, the king of
Persia? We do not look to the enemy for
healing and integrity. But God is always
breaking through human expectations. Paul
knew that whenever we begin to think that
healing is wrought by our own hands then we
begin to think in very restricted categories. If
healing and wholeness are God’s work then
the possibilities are as limitless as they are
undeserved. // Lent is an invitation to think
the impossible and to live in impossible ways.
Whoever rejects the impossible chooses
condemnation. Whoever believes, whoever
dares to live lifted up with Christ on the cross,
is drawn with Christ to God.
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her./
Be joyful, all who were in mourning;/ exult and be satisfied at her
consoling breast (Cf. Is 66:10-11).
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 15 – 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 TERESA MILLER for hosting the FPC for
Vocations this week. Please sign up in Church.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVE:The gospel speaks of light and darkness. Often a
parent is deliberately “left in the dark.” Darkness can be comforting. It makes
no demands. Light can be disturbing. It forces us to take action. Parents walk a
delicate balance of when to “sit in the dark” and when to “turn on the lights.”
PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Prayer paves the way. Action possesses the
land. We must have pro-life action to win the war against the culture of death.
STEWARDSHIP: ““For God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son…” – John 3:16. Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, the
gift of His own Son is truly the greatest. How can we ever thank God for a gift
like that? God does not ask us to sacrifice our own precious firstborn, but He
does ask that we be generous in making some sacrifices for Him. LAST
WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $3,927; Fuel: $498; Expenses:
$7,392.75. Thank you for your generosity!
LENTEN CHARITIES: (1) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY –
Your donation of all TYPES OF CANNED AND BOXED SOUPS will allow the
SVDP Society to aid the needy of our area.Volunteer to help our SVDP Society
Outreach and God’s Bountiful Table. Call 570-544-2739. (2) CATHOILC
RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL: HUNGERING FOR PEACE – We journey
with CRS Rice Bowl to Lebanon to be present to a people who themselves are
on a journey. Here we meet a family of Syrian refugees, a family perhaps not
so unlike our own. We are challenged through our almsgiving this week to
reach out to those who are forced to flee their homes, who are seeking shelter
in a land of peace. Our Parish’s CRSRB Contribution: Third Sunday of Lent: $814.33. (3) SISTERS’ LENTEN GIVING TREE – Select
a cross and donate the suggested item. Your gift will be forwarded to elderly and retired Women Religious whose congregations have
served our Diocese. Return your gifts by Palm Sunday, March 29. (4) YOUR PERSONAL LENTEN SELF-DENIAL FOR OUR
PARISH – Your Lenten sacrifice for the parish will be collected during Holy Week. Use the envelope in your boxes!
LENTEN VOTIVES:(1)SANCTUARY: In Honor of 92nd Birthday of Jean Lauck by Family (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 Helen DiSarro by Catherine Bosack. (3) BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. Call 570-544-2211.
LUCK OF THE IRISH BINGO: Doors open 11:30 AM; Bingo starts at 1:00 PM. Nativity BVM High School. $20 admission includes 15
regular games and 4 specials. Special Jackpot Game! Food, refreshments available. Call Diane (570-294-0551) for more information.
MONDAY, MARCH 16 – RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Good Shepherd Building Cafeteria. Donate blood, give life!
EASTER VISITAION OF THE SICK: Beginning today. Call 570-544-2211 to have someone added to our sick list.
CONFIRMATION INTERVIEWS: Confirmands should call (570-544-2211) for an appointment as soon as possible!
TUESDAY, MARCH 17– 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.
ALZHEIMER’S CARE GIVER’S SUPPORT GROUP: 6:00 PM Presentation, Providence Place, Pottsville. Topic this month: “Coping
with Caregivers Stress”. Light Refreshments will be served. Call 570-628-6950.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and their caregivers!
LENTEN FOOD SALE FOOD PREPARATION SCHEDULE: Monday, March 16 – 9:00 AM – Prepare
Vegetables, Onions, Cabbage; Wednesday, March 18 – 9:00 AM – Make Halushki; Thursday, March
19 – 8:00 AM – Make Bleenie Batter. PLEASE HELP AND SUPPORT US! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!
ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MT. AIRY CASINO BUS TRIP: Pay $29; Rebate $30. Bus leaves R&J 8:00 AM; Quandel’s in
Minersville 8:30 AM. Bus departs casino 4:30 PM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413) for information.
LENTEN DEVOTIONS:Eucharistic Exposition,Confessions,4:00 PM,Stations of the Cross,6:00 PM.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARENESS TALKS: Free 16-week program for those at risk with Diabetes. Pottsville and Shenandoah
locations available. Call 570-621-5020 to register.
FISH DINNER: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose. $9.50 per platter includes baked haddock or crab cakes, macaroni
and cheese, stewed tomatoes, green beans and roll. Eat-in or take-out. Advance tickets only by calling 570-544-4581 or 570-544-6807.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 – SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH: At today’s 8:00 AM Mass, we honor the Husband of Mary, the
Foster Father of Jesus, the Patron Saint of a Happy Death, and the Protector of the Universal Church. It is the
custom on this feast to commemorate the protection and care St. Joseph gave to Jesus and Mary by providing
food for the poor. Therefore, we ask you to bring canned food items for the poor to today’s Mass as your
Offertory Gift. St. Joseph’s Bread will be blessed and distributed at the end of Mass. Pastoral Note: May Saint
Joseph intercede for SISTER MARY JANE DUNLEAVY and SISTER MARGARET MOORE, Sisters of St.
Joseph, who will renew their religious vows today.
MONTHLY ROSARY: 6:15 PM, Church. Let us join together to pray the rosary on the feast day of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) Please join us!
“SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR: New members are needed! Call 570-544-2355 to join.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 – 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.
LAST LENTEN FOOD SALE: 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM, Parish Center. Eat-in or take-out. Place take
out orders by calling the Parish Center (570-544-5485), 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Friday only. Help is
needed to fry bleenies, cook pierogi, serve customers, pack orders, deliver business orders and
clean up.Home baked goods are needed! Bring them to our P.C. from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. THANKS!
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 21 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:30 PM. Prepare for Easter NOW!
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 22 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): BERDANIER FAMILY will host the FPC this week. Call 570399-5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for May and June!
COMMUNITY CONFESSIONS: 6:00 PM, Ss. Peter and Paul Church. Please take this
opportunity to prepare spiritually for Easter by making a good Confession!
ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST HAM BINGO:2:00 PM, Good Shepherd Building Cafeteria. Tickets $3.00. 20 games, specials and raffles! Food and beverages will be available. Call Theresa (570544-4316) or Roseanne (570-544-5304). PLEASE HELP WITH A $20 DONATION TO PURCHASE HAMS.
Non-perishable Grocery Items (canned goods, paper products, household cleaning items, etc.) are
needed and can be dropped off in the boxes in the Church Vestibule. Thanks for your participation!
SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) ) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Your contribution will help defray the cost of improvements for
all Parish buildings. (2) CRS RICE BOWL: Place your envelope in the Second Collection all Lenten Sundays and Easter Sunday. Parish
and Diocesan envelopes should be placed in the First Collection. (3) Check your Sunday Church Envelope Boxes for any missed
envelopes. Catch up! (4) Write the amount of your donation on your envelope. Thank you!
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MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
OFF. PROC.
LECTORS
E. M. of H. C.
ALTAR SERVERS
SAT 4:00 PM Siminitus Family
Rosalie Novack
Lori Hoffman
Anthony Lutchkus
Frank Melenchick
SUN 8:30 AM Kolenick Family
Linda Butensky
Elaine Davis
Michael Perzel
Nathan Tropp
10:30 AM Parishioners
Mary Ann Harrison
Sharon Kolenick
Jade Stickell
Olivia Osborne
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COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar!
MARCH 23 – JOINT CHOIR REHEARSAL FOR CONFIRMATION: 6:30 PM, St. Michael Church. All Choir members are welcome!
MARCH 25 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex (570-544-6484). Weather permitting!
APRIL 1 – EASTER KIELBASA SALE: Homemade fresh kielbasa ($8.00 per 2lb link). PICK-UP IS TODAY,
Parish Center, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. PRE-ORDER ONLY by calling the Rectory (570-544-2211).
Frozen pierogi also available ($7.00 per dozen, walk-in only).
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.
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 Accommodations, 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.
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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.
FYI: The Parish is in arrears in expenses to the amount of $34,308 for Diocesan Assessments and $7,791.84 for
School Subsidy. Collections have been LOWER and expenses HIGHER because of the extremely severe winter.
The only way we can possibly pay these expenses is by withdrawing from the Parish savings. This is a matter
of grave concern for the future! We would be very grateful if parishioners TRIED to catch up with envelopes
missed being used because of the winter. Any increase that you could make in your Sunday offering would be
especially helpful. My sincerest thanks for all that you have done and continue to do! YOU ARE GOOD PEOPLE!