The Third Sunday of Lent we have options for our readings. If you attended the Mass for those who have become the “elect”; who will enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, then you heard a passage from Exodus about the people of Israel in the desert without water condemning Moses for taking them out of Egypt to where they will die of thirst. God gives power to Moses to bring forth water from the rock. The water saves the people but the message is that God, who provides for all their needs, is the true life giving remedy. In the Gospel Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. They have a discussion about the woman’s sinful life. Jesus reveals an intimate knowledge of her waywardness. She had been married five times and the man she was living with was not her husband. She asked why Jesus, a Jew, is asking for help (a drink of water from a Samaritan who the Jews despised) not realizing he is actually bringing her the gift of salvation. He says to her: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water that I shall give will become for him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The water Jesus offers is knowledge of God, baptism into the family of God and the salvation that entails. Jesus is referencing the peace and joy those have who live in relation to God and his will for their life. He is not literally saying she will never thirst again but that faith is life giving water, that like the Jews in the desert that drank from the rock, which was Christ, they lived. She says, “I know the Messiah is coming,” Jesus responds, “I am he.” The Samaritan woman and all of her neighbors come to believe. We, and most particularly our Elect, are called to drink of those same waters, to believe in Jesus and follow his commandments so that we may truly have life. Life now, (with the Spirit of God’s peace and joy upon us) on earth and welling up to the eternal life to which Jesus calls us. For those who did not attend the Mass with the Elect this Sunday, we heard about Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush from Genesis. The Gospel passage was from Luke which focused on the reality of human suffering. These passages were both powerful statements about faith and trust in God. Even though Moses heard God say I will be with you, he was afraid to go before Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world, and ask that the Hebrews be set free. Moses did not think he had the ability to make an adequate verbal presentation to Pharaoh because he stuttered. God directed him even in his fear and uncertainty about his gifts to step out in faith because He, the great “I Am”, would be with him. We know the remainder of the story. Moses went to Egypt and although Pharaoh was stubborn, God’s power working through Moses’ human weakness ensured that people of Israel were released from the bondage of slavery. God enabled Moses to prophesy about the plagues that would afflict the people of Egypt and when Pharaoh refused to relent, Moses was the conduit through which the great “I Am” humbled the ruler. Pharaoh in his hardness of heart, even after the final plague, the death of the first born of every human family and of the livestock, would decide to pursue the Hebrews in the desert. When his chariots and charioteers were drowned in the waters of the sea as they flowed back to their normal depth, God’s glory was made manifest to all the peoples. The same waters that represented baptism into Christ for those who believe would bring death and destruction upon those who represented the power of darkness and sin. Luke’s Gospel passage discusses man made destruction and death, as well as that which results from natural disasters. The people question Jesus as to whether those who died as a result of these horrible incidents were greater sinners than those who remained alive. Jesus twice assures them that those who died were not greater sinners. He says instead those who are sinners that do not repent will truly perish. Jesus distinguishes between the physical existence on this earth and the eternal life we are called to in the heavenly realm. Jesus relates the parable about the unproductive fig tree which year after year had not yielded fruit. He says that the owner of the orchard tells the gardener to “cut it down.” The gardener, a patient and forgiving soul like our loving God, says, “leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not cut it down”. Of course this parable is about us and the gifts the Lord has poured so abundantly into our lives with the expectation we will use them for his intended purpose. Our gifts which are unique in each of us are not only intended for us to live comfortably, to care for our family and amass wealth. Our gifts, are of course, intended to be used in a faithful, sacrificial loving relationship with our spouse; a loving sacrificial caring for our children and those others (such as parents) for whom we are responsible. We are to use our gifts in many ways in the work place and organizations we direct. In the context of our membership in the church, we are to use our gifts to strengthen our faith community and to build up God’s kingdom on earth. As a people of faith we do not just exhaust the resources of our world like the fig tree that produces no fruit. Instead we recognize our gifts, develop them and use them to their greatest potential to serve God in his people. We know we have not always done so, therefore, we repent for our omissions asking for forgiveness and change our ways. Our repentance leads to exercising the gifts God has given us which then animate our lives and relationships with one another. Our Lenten journey is intended to be a time of deep reflection and meditation on our relationship with God and use of those gifts with which he has blessed us.
Ministry Schedule March 6/7
Third Sunday in Lent Saturday Vigil, February 27, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Pro Populo Sunday, February 28, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Rae Francis (Her daughters) 9:45 a.m. C Andy Guman (Janet & Stan) 11:00 a.m. P Joseph Gallo
EM: Server: Reader: EM: Server: Reader: EM: Server: Reader: EM: Server:
4:00 p.m. St. Peter Marlene Ricco John Peters Patty Craig Luke Clister Anna Clister Marissa Bernot 8:00 a.m. St. Peter Joanie Pagac Toni Shwallon Andy Tressa Shane Ziglear Samantha Ziglear Rose Ziglear 9:45 a.m. St. Cecilia Carl DellaPenna
Carl DellaPenna Jr. Nancy Sebeck
Caleb DellaPenna Anthony DellaPenna Vincent DellaPenna 11:00 a.m. St. Peter Ron Dellarose Gary Ritz Nancy Ritz Talia Dellarose Tessa Dellarose
Monday, February 29, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Helen I. Franko (Sister Wilma) Tuesday, March 1, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Pauline Poling (Irene Durda) 8:00 a.m C Roy Chiplasky, Jr. (Wife and Family) Wednesday, March 2, 2016NO MASS 7:00 p.m. C Stations of the Cross Thursday, March 3, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Joseph Gallo (Sandy Gallo) 8:00 a.m. C Birthday Remembrance Joseph Mazak (Sons Joseph and William) Friday, March 4, 2016 7:30 a.m. P Month’s Mind Frank Ricco, Sr. (Parish Family) 6:00 p.m. P Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 5, 2016 8:00 a.m. C Helen Ozanick (Aggie, Amard and Cory Spooner)
Fourth Sunday of Lent Saturday Vigil, March 5, 2016 4:00 p.m. P Pro Populo Sunday, March 6, 2016 8:00 a.m. P Kathryn Durigon (Vera Lou Durigon) 9:45 a.m. C Stephen & Rita Hovanec (Josephine Parr) 11:00 a.m. P Walter and Marge Zalek (Jerry Zalek Family) Sanctuary Lamp at St. Peter Rae Francis Requested by: Daughters
Paul Cech, Sr. Jill Wible David Ballant Patty Sluk Bruce Brady Sammy Basile III Nancy Heinbaugh Lacy Neff Tisa Lach Josephine Bogorae Rhonda Liggett Chuck Smith Joseph Nehela Carl Butler Beverly Berish Alex McCune Eleanor Dando Jerry Zalek Christopher Liebietreu Maryann Olenik Barbara McNeeley Christine Rose
Darla Stump Liliana Orris Rosalie Barlie Ann Baker Lenny Zielinski Conner McClelland Sylvia Walinski Linda Brand Laura Garee Emma Null Patricia Knight Mary Williams Mary Barber Sharon Smith Fred Gnus Michael Climes Sr. Serena Snodgrass Bill Snodgrass Charlotte Katko Bob Behary
Veronica Stringert Robert Stringert Bryan Tomecsko Brandon Tomecsko Allison Sallade Shane Urbine Joel Shumar Cody Tylka Dolores Sarrocco Ron Andreani Ronald Sabo Jr. Joseph Jagoda Margie Linzmeier Bob Simmons Steve Runyon Melvin Wence Jeff Melhorn Susan Nesti All living and deceased members of our parish and their families.
Collection Report St. Peter’s Church 2/21/16 ADULT ENVELOPES(275)..…………… ...... $4363.00 STUDENT ENVELOPES(20)..…………………$34.00 MONTHLY(20)…………………………… ....... $369.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ...... $443.00 CANDLES………………………………… ....... $175.25 EASTERN EUROPE…………………………….$25.00 MISSION APPEAL………………………………$55.00 ASH WED(97)……………………………………$73.00 SVDP(60)………………………………………...$72.00
St. Cecilia’s Church 02/21/16
ADULT ENVELOPES(85)……………….. ….$1987.00 STUDENT ENV(8) ........................................... $13.00 LOOSE………………………………………... …$23.00 CANDLES………………………………………...$71.00
Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Psalm 103:8
Parish Resources Pastor/Administrator: Email: Sr. Priest Active: Business Manager: Email: Music Ministry: Religious Education: Youth Ministry: RCIA: Custodial Services:
Rev. Timothy Kruthaupt Tkruthaupt@dioceseofgreensburg.org
Rev. James Petrovsky Mrs. Shannon Sealy Ssealy@dioceseofgreensburg.org Mr. Eric Blanda Mrs. Maryann Sawka Mrs. Maryann Sawka Dr. Melvin Sally Mrs. Tina Konter
Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 4:00 P.M. (EST); 5:00 P.M. (DST) (St. Peter) Sunday Morning: 8:00 A.M. (St. Peter); 9:45 A.M. (St. Cecilia); 11:00 A.M. (St. Peter) Reconciliation: St. Peter: 3:00 - 3:45 Every Saturday St. Cecilia: 12:00-12:30 on the 2nd & 4th Saturday
Mailing Address: Partner Parishes of St. Peter & St. Cecilia 118 Church Street Brownsville, PA 15417 Phone: 724-785-7781/Fax: 724-785-0844 Office Hours: Mon thru Fri-9:00a-12:00p & 1:00p-4:00p
St. Cecilia’s Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, March 6, 2016 11:00 AM—5:00 PM Adults $8.00/Child $4.00 Schedule of Preparation for Volunteers: Fri. Feb. 26th 10am—Prep Cleaning of kitchen/roasters Mon. Feb. 29th 10:00am—Prep items for sauce & meatballs Tues. Mar. 1st & Wed. Mar. 2nd 9:00am—Prepare Sauce Thurs. Mar. 3rd 10:00am—Prepare meatballs Sat. Mar. 5th 10am—Set up Dinner Sun. Mar. 6th 10:00am to 5:00pm—Work at the Dinner Sun. Mar. 6th 5:00pm to??—Clean Up A sign up sheet is the back of each Church for volunteers to help! Anyone who would like to bake a cake for the spaghetti dinner or donate a basket or items for the Chinese Auction please contact Millie Shinsky 724-677-4426.
Music Notes .As we continue to observe the Year of Mercy, our Preparation Hymn, Canticle of Mercy, reminds us that not only are we in need of God’s mercy, but we need to extend mercy to others -- Those who have hurt or offended us, as well as those who turn to us in their need. We are reminded that the “eyes of the Lord are upon those who hope for his love and fear him.” God alone knows our hearts. We depend upon him to be our shield from evil. Our Opening Hymn, I Heard the Voice of Jesus, reminds us to turn to Jesus in our weariness and sadness, and we will find our true resting place – a place to be strengthened and renewed for the journey ahead. Perhaps Lent is a good time to look for ways to show mercy to others.
40 Days for Life Begins Ash Wednesday and Continues through Palm Sunday Watch the Monthly Calendar and Join Fr. Tim in this Powerful Pro-life Ministry Catholics and members of other Christian faiths throughout Pittsburgh are taking part in the national 40 Days for Life campaign. The mission of 40 Days for Life is to unite the Body of Christ in the spiritual battle to end abortion. Join us for 40 days of prayer & fasting, a peaceful vigil held every day from 7am – 7pm in front of Planned Parenthood at 933 Liberty Avenue, and community outreach. To find out more, and to sign up to receive the daily devotional prayers via email, go to www.40daysforlife.com/pittsburgh. 40 Days for Life is a peaceful, prayerful – and proven effective – pro-life campaign that has been joined by more than half a million people worldwide, saved 11,165 babies from abortion, led to the conversion of 124 abortion workers, and helped close 64 abortion clinics. Departure from St Peter’s will be at 7am (Sats.) & 10am (Weds.)
Wednesday February 24, 2016 Wednesday March 2, 2016 Saturday March 5, 2016 Wednesday March 16, 2016 Saturday March 19, 2016
11am to 1pm 11am to 1pm 8am to 10am 11am to 1pm 8am to 10am
This article was featured in the Washington Observer “Living in Washington County� this past Wednesday, February 17, 2016
BAMA Lenten Services Mar. 3rd Mar. 10th: Mar. 17th: Mar. 25th:
Malden Christian Fellowship 343 Old National Pike Brownsville at 7pm First Christian Church Rt. 166 Republic at 7pm St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 307 High St. Brownsville at 7pm Tenebrae Service– Historic Church of St. Peter 300 Shaffner Ave. Brownsville 8pm
Lenten Penance Service Schedule Thurs. Mar. 3, 7:00pm. at St. Peter/St. Cecilia Sat. Mar. 5, 1:00pm. at St. Francis at Footedale Tues. Mar.8, 7:00pm. at Fairchance-SS C/M St. Hubert Thurs. Mar. 10, 7:00pm. at St. Joseph St. Mary/St. Joseph
Sun. Mar.13, 3:00pm. Sat. Mar.19, 1:00pm.
at St. Joan of Arc at St. Therese/St. John
Save the Date! Plan to join us! Please join us on March 13th 2016 at 7:00 pm at St. Peter’s Church, Brownsville, as the Bentworth Ministerium Community Choir presents Pepper Chopplin’s “Once Upon a Tree.” The cantata tells a story of life that leads us through the celebration of the triumphal entry; the struggle of Gethsemane, the tenderness of a mother’s grief and the anger in the face of injustice to the ultimate victory over death. We hope that you will experience with us the events of the cross and be ready to be changed by the story.
Diocesan Lenten Appeal (DLA) We are making good progress on our yearly DLA appeal. The interior of St. Cecilia’s has been painted and the celebration of Mass resumed January 31. All of the funds donated as part of the DLA for St. Cecilia will be used to pay off the costs incurred for this project. Currently over $3,000. has been contributed to the parish DLA fund. Our Diocesan Goals are $11,101. and our parish goal is $17,101. All funds in excess of the diocesan goal will be applied to payment of the painting contract. St. Peter’s DLA goal for this year established by the Diocese was $33,470. The funds contributed in excess of that amount will help fund our Rec Center/ Social Hall project. To date over $10,000. in commitments have been made. The Parish total goal of $50,470. anticipates $17,000. to be applied to engineering reports and architectural drawings for the facility.
Sausage Sale Holy Name of Monessen is sponsoring the sale.
Fr. Vince’s Father’s Recipe for Italian Hot, Sweet, Hot-Hot Sausage Cost is $4.50 per pound. 2lb Minimum per item. Orders due by February 29th. 724-785-7781 Delivery on March 17.
Partner Parishes of Historic Church of Saint Peter 300 Shaffner Avenue St. Peter Brownsville, Pennsylvania 118 Church Street & Brownsville, PA 15417 Saint Cecilia Church 1571 Grindstone Road O: 724-785-7781 Grindstone, Pennsylvania
#770350
H: 724-785-7604 Parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg C: 724-984-6983*** “Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts”
Contact: Shannon Sealy MESSAGES: Mailing Address: Partner Parishes of St. Peter & St. Cecilia 118 Church Street Brownsville, PA 15417 Phone: 724-785-7781 Fax: 724-785-0844
Pastor: Rev. Micah E. Kozoil; Sr. Priest Active: Rev. James Petrovsky Office Manager: Mrs. Virginia Galway: Music Ministry: St. Peter: Daniel Kovacic; St. Cecilia: Eric Blanda Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs. Anita LaMendola: Youth Ministry: Patty Columbia Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 4:00 P.M. (EST); 5:00 P.M. (DST) (St. Peter) Sunday Morning 8:00 A.M. (St. Peter); 9:30 A.M. (St. Cecilia); 11:30 A.M. (St. Peter) Reconciliation: Noon to 12:30 p.m. St. Peter: 1st & 3rd Saturday St. Cecilia: 2nd & 4th Saturday Sacrament of Baptism Contact the parish as soon as you know that you are expecting a child. Sacrament of Matrimony Those entering into Marriage must contact the pastor at least one full year in advance of the wedding Sponsor Certificates You must be registered and active in the parish at least 4 months to receive a certificate. Please don’t come at the last minute! Sexual Child Abuse If you have a concern about sexual abuse of a child or young person by anyone in a parish or diocesan position — clergy, volunteer or paid staff — please contact Bishop Brandt’s delegate for matters of sexual misconduct. He may be reached at 724-837-0901 Ext. 221