Ministry Schedule March 17/18
Fourth Sunday of Lent Saturday Vigil, March 10, 2018 4:00 p.m. P Albert, Patricia & Lynn Zidek (Sons, daughter-in-law & grandchildren) Sunday, March 11, 2018 8:00 a.m. P Margaret Geisel (John & Arlene Ball) 9:30 a.m. C Mark Magazine (Joe, Babette Medlock) 11:00 a.m. P Pro Populo Monday, March 12, 2018 7:30 a.m. P Louis & Mary Gates (Children & grandchildren) Tuesday, March 13, 2018 7:30 a.m. P 40th Anniversary Joseph “Lefty” Ritzo (Wife Maxine Ritzo) Wednesday, March 14, 2018 8:00 a.m. C Month’s Mind Betty Duratz (Parish family) 7:00 p.m. C Stations of the Cross Thursday, March 15, 2018 7:30 a.m. P Andrew Pecosh (Brother, Tom & Laura & family) Friday, March 16, 2018 7:30 a.m. P Linda Brand (Barb & Ted Gera) 7:00 p.m. P Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 17, 2018 8:00 a.m. C John Ross (Ross family)
Fifth Sunday of Lent Saturday Vigil, March 17, 2018 4:00 p.m. P Pro Populo Sunday, March 18, 2018 8:00 a.m. P 1st Anniversary of Death Sharon Wright (Vera Stralets Bilonick) 9:30 a.m. C Bernard DeSimone (Marie Begovich) 11:00 a.m. P Walter & Marge Zalek (Jerry Zalek & family)
Updating Partner Parishes Prayer List
We are updating our Partner Parishes Prayer List, so please call the church office if you have any additions or deletions you would like to make to the list. The updated Prayer List will appear in next week’s bulletin.
EM: Server: Lector:
Saturday, March 17 — 4:00 p.m. St. Peter C-Patty Craig C-Gloria Wheeler H-Joanie Pagac Hannah Belmont Carmella & Gina DeFlippo Sr. James Ann Cantor: Megan Behary
EM: Server: Lector:
Sunday, March 18 — 8:00 a.m. St. Peter C-Cora Lent C-Mark Moncheck H-Margaret Peters Mike Miller Andrew & Skyler Frazee Cory Anne Dolan Cantor: Rita Koffler
EM: Server: Lector:
Sunday, March 18 — 9:30 a.m. St. Cecilia Carl DellaPenna Jr. Carl DellaPenna Nancy Sebeck Caleb DellaPenna Anthony DellaPenna Mark Konter
EM: Server: Lector:
Sunday, March 18 — 11:00 a.m. St. Peter C-Rich Eadie C-Tracy Eadie H-Dot McCrory Sadie & Lacey Harvey Addison Gregory Ron Barry Cantor: Nicole Dainty
Collection Report St. Peter Church 3/4/18 ADULT ENVELOPES (220) .................... ….. ...$5749.00 STUDENT (23) ......................... …………….. ....... $26.00 MONTHLY (30)…………………………… ........... $791.00 LOOSE…………………………………….. ........... $515.00 CANDLES……………………………….................. $86.00
St. Cecilia Church 3/4/18 ADULT ENVELOPES (110) ..............................$1774.00 STUDENT (4) ......................................................... $5.00 LOOSE.................................................................. $74.00 CANDLES ............................................................. $50.00 UTILITY................................................................. $60.00 EASTER FLOWERS ............................................... $5.00 BLESSED CANDLES ............................................. $2.00 MISSIONS ............................................................ $20.00 CAKE DONATIONS ............................................ $157.00
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night, as Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 a.m.
Also, please note that the Saturday Mass at The Historic Church of St. Peter now will remain at 4:00 p.m. throughout the entire year. BAMA Lenten Series 2018 — Week 5 March 15, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 307 High Street, Brownsville Speaker: Rev. Charles House of Republic’s Christian Church—Disciples of Christ
Our Deepest Sympathy
Our parish family mourns the loss of parishioners Eileen Belliconish, Katherine Klawiter, and Linda Medve. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Today’s readings began with Chronicles. For those of you who are not familiar with the historical books of the Old Testament, there are two titles: the Book of Kings, which has Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and Chronicles, which also has Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. For the most part, they parallel one another. They give the history of Israel focused on the kings and prophets in the roles they played. This portion of Chronicles speaks about what Jeremiah had been asked to do on behalf of the Lord: to warn the people in Jerusalem about the impending doom that awaited them unless they turned back to the Lord, lived in accordance with the covenant and followed his commandments. They failed, and Jeremiah prophesied that: "You will be taken into exile for seventy years." The exile happened as Jeremiah prophesied. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and the people Israel were in Babylon for 70 years until the King of Persia overcame Babylon. The Lord then prompted Cyrus, the Persian king, to tell the Israelites they could return home and he helped them rebuild the temple. The Lord, through Jeremiah, had told them: "Until all of the Sabbaths have been restored, you will live in Babylon." The 70-year figure is important because Jeremiah prophesied that long and because of the number of Sabbaths from the time the Temple was built until destroyed; thus, Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled. It's so extraordinary that day after day, year after year, archaeologists find that Scriptural passages that so many thought were just stories, fanciful words, are proven true by new archival discoveries which have meaning and application in the lives of the people Israel and in our lives. Jesus’ teachings call us to live in relationship with our God, not under the old dispensation, which was the Mosaic Code, but under the new covenant of love. The covenant of love was made manifest in the person of Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but have eternal life.” That is why we rejoice each day, particularly as we celebrate the Eucharist. We live in a world that is quite complex. There are many difficulties which can cause us suffering. Likewise, when Jesus came to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, he didn't come to some idyllic, Utopian existence. He came in the middle of the Roman Empire’s suppression of the people Israel. There was great poverty, and suffering and wars. He came to bring the light of God's love to the people of the world. He comes now through his people who are to be, since he's no longer here, his hands, his feet, his voice, in the world. We enable his light to shine through us. That's our responsibility and challenge; rejoicing in him and proclaiming Christ is how we accomplish our work. The first paragraph of today’s Gospel spoke of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was one of the members of the Sanhedrin, the rulers of the Jews. He came to see Jesus, but he came at night because he was afraid that the other members of the Sanhedrin would find out that he believed and was a secret follower of Jesus. Jesus, in effect, chastised him. St. John’s statement in today’s reading that the light had come into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil, can be construed as referencing those who refused to openly acknowledge Christ. Jesus is saying, "Nicodemus, you are not sufficiently a believer to walk in the light, to proclaim the truth of my Gospel. You're coming in darkness to avoid being identified as one of my disciples." Now, the question is: As we go forth as the hands and feet and voice of the Lord in this world today, are we walking in the light, or are we allowing ourselves to be intimidated by fear? We have so many concerns, whether they're about our financial difficulties, personal relationships, what people might say when we proclaim Jesus through our words and our acts. Maybe they'll ridicule us, make fun of us. Maybe they'll even persecute us. Jesus says, “If you believe in me, if you come to the light and you live in that truth that I am, then the works of God will be clearly seen by others.” The portion of today’s Gospel in which it says that Moses was directed to lift up the serpent references the time when the Israelites were on their 40-year sojourn in the desert and they were being bitten by seraph serpents, causing many to die. They had failed to do what the Lord had asked. They were punished. They came to Moses. "Help us." Moses was instructed by the Lord to make a bronze serpent and put it on the end of his staff. Anyone bitten by a snake and who looked at the bronze image would be saved. Moses, in those circumstances, was the mediator with God for the people Israel. He was, in effect, the one who lifted up petitions on their behalf. Through Moses, the goodness of God was dispensed, including healing from snake bites. Jesus continued, saying, "Just as the serpent was lifted up, the Son of Man will be lifted up!" We know how Jesus was lifted up. We understand he did this for us as the fullness of the expression of the Father's love, made manifest by Jesus on the Cross. Whoever looks at Christ’s sacrificial offering on our behalf and believes in him will be saved. Jesus, as we know, is our mediator. He stretched out his arms between heaven and earth in expiation of our sins. Let us joyously receive this gift from our loving God and recognize the truth of his promises even in spite of our difficulties, economic tremors, relationships that aren't as they should be, or the other fears we have. Our difficulties may not disappear, but our anxiety about them can be overcome if we believe and live this life fully in the person of Jesus Christ. We do so by professing him as our Lord and our Savior. When we do, his joy, his peace can be ours. Today we celebrate Laetare (Rejoice!) Sunday. However, let us not forget our commitments to the Lord. Increasing our prayer, we must ask Jesus each day to more fully manifest himself through our lives. When we walk in the light of his truth, fulfilling what he asks of us, we will be his witnesses through our words and acts so that we may share in his eternal glory.
Fr. Tim is planning group trips to the at 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. on Planned Parenthood Clinic in Pittsburgh for Wednesdays. Contact Fr. Tim, 724-785-7781, interested Partner Parishes members during 40 if you have additional questions. Days for Life, Lent 2018. Please see the Date Time schedule at right for the actual times we’ll be Saturday, Mar. 17, 2018 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. at the clinic. Departure time from the parking Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. lot at The Historic Church of St. Peter will be
Last Call for Holy Name Society Sausage Orders! Frank Gigliotti’s recipe — Sweet, Hot and Hot-Hot 2 lb. minimum per item — $4.50/lb. All orders must be in by Monday, March 12. To order, please call the office: 724-785-7781. Delivery will be March 22.
St. Cecilia Spaghetti Dinner Set for this Sunday, March 11 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adults: $8.00 Children under 12: $5.00 Takeout available: 724-785-2792
CD of A No ce of Time Change Catholic Daughters of the Americas Brownsville Court No. 1141 will meet Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the North Side Fire Hall. Lenten Prayer Service will begin at 4:30 p.m. with mee ng to follow. New members are welcome. Quesons? Call Maggie Spishock, 724-785-7404.
Upcoming Penances Services in Brownsville Thursday March 15 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary (Nativity)/St. Joseph at St. Joseph Uniontown
Sunday March 18 3:00 p.m.
St. Joan of Arc at Farmington
Second Collection Next Weekend for Victims of Feb. 15 Uniontown Tornado
Michael Palm — Herald-Standard
Bishop Malesic has called for a second collection at all Masses the weekend of March 17-18 to help those affected by the Feb. 15 tornado that hit Uniontown. More than 230 homes were damaged and 47 have been declared uninhabitable as a result of the storm. In the photo at left, you can see just some of the devastation in one of many areas that were affected. Thank you in advance for your generosity, and please pray for the people who have suffered losses.
St. Cecilia DLA 2018 Diocesan Goal: $12,339.00 To date: $2,165.00 and Counting!
Laetare Sunday
1st Scrutiny
3rd Sunday of Lent
12 Bible Study 6p Crosskeys
5 Bible Study 6p Crosskeys
MON
25
Bible Study 6p Crosskeys
26 Holy Week
Solemnity of St. Joseph
19 Bible Study 3rd Scrutiny 6p Crosskeys
5th Sunday of Lent
April 1st– Easter Sunday 8a St. Peter 9:30a St. Cecilia 11a St. Peter
18
2nd Scrutiny
Spaghetti Dinner 11a-5p St. Cecilia Hall
11
4
SUN
6
Choir Practice 6p Office
27 Holy Week
20 Choir Practice 6p Office
13 Choir Practice 6p Office
Choir Practice 6p Office
Penance Service 7p St. Peter
TUE First Friday Ex-
Stations of the Cross 7p St. Peter 9 10 Stations of the Cross 7p St. Peter
23 24 Stations of the Cross 7p St. Peter
Peter
Adora on ll Midnight at 8p Tenebrae Service St. Solemn Easter Vigil 8:30p St. Peter & St. Cecilia both Churches
12p St. Peter
31 NO AM MASS 30 NO AM MASS 29 NO AM MASS Holy Saturday Holy Thursday Good Friday Liturgies Blessing of Baskets Chrism Mass 10(Grbg) 12p St. Cecilia 11:30a St. Cecilia 5p Last Supper St. Cecilia 3p St. Peter
22 Meals on the Blvd 4:45p St. Peter
15 16 17 Catholic Daughters Stations of the Cross Pro-life Depart of Americas Meeting 7p St. Peter 7a St. Peter 4:30p
8 Meals on the Blvd 4:45p St. Peter
7p at St. Cecilia
SAT
3 Pro-life Depart tion 8a-9p St. Peter 7a St. Peter
2
FRI
BAMA-Lenten Service position & Benedic-
1
THU
Stations of the Cross 7p St. Cecilia 7p Last Supper St. Peter
Bereavement Grp 6p Off.
28 Holy Week
Bereavement Grp 6p Off. Stations of the Cross 7p St. Cecilia 40 days for Life Depart 10a
21 Food Bank
Stations of the Cross 7p St. Cecilia
Bereavement Grp 6p Off.
Christian Mothers 5:45p St. Cecilia Hall
14
7 Stations of the Cross 7p St. Cecilia SCW Meeting 6pm (CK) KofC Meeting 7p Uniontown Bereavement Grp 6p Off. 40 days for Life Depart 10a
WED
The Historic Church of St. Peter & St. Cecilia
Partner Parishes of
Partner Parishes of The Historic Church of St. Peter and St. Cecilia Holy Week 2018 Palm Sunday — March 24/25 Palms blessed at all weekend Masses.
4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass — St. Peter 8:00 a.m. Mass — St. Peter 9:30 a.m. Mass — St. Cecilia 11:00 a.m. Mass — St. Peter Monday, March 26 7:30 a.m. Mass — St. Peter Tuesday, March 27 7:30 a.m. Mass — St. Peter Wednesday, March 28 8:00 a.m. Mass — St. Cecilia 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross — St. Cecilia
Holy Thursday — March 29 10:00 a.m. Chrism Mass — Cathedral in Greensburg 5:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper — St. Cecilia 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper — St. Peter Private adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Midnight at both Partner Parishes churches.
Good Friday — March 30 12:00 p.m. Liturgy of Good Friday — St. Cecilia 3:00 p.m. Liturgy of Good Friday — St. Peter 8:00 p.m. Stations/Tenebrae Service — St. Peter Holy Saturday — March 31
Blessing of the Baskets 11:30 a.m. — St. Cecilia 12:00 p.m. — St. Peter
Solemn Easter Vigil Liturgy 8:30 p.m. — St. Peter 8:30 p.m. — St. Cecilia
Easter Sunday — April 1 Masses 8:00 a.m. — St. Peter 9:30 a.m. — St. Cecilia 11:00 a.m. — St. Peter
We Continue Our Partner Parishes Lenten Journey With the hustle and bustle of everyday living, I've neglected my daily prayers, so I'm taking 1/2 hour out of my busy day to meditate, pray and thank God for the good he has done for my family and me! — Tracy Eadie
As I enter into this Lenten season, my heart is filled with love and the desire to be closer to God. I intend to pray more deeply and to thank God for the gifts and all the blessings he has given me. Sacrificing my favorite snack, repenting and fasting are just a few simple ways for me to return love to our loving Father. — Cece Tiberi
Our Lenten Journey continues as we strive to fulfill the commitments we made to the Lord concerning our abstinence, fasting and increased prayer during this Holy Season. We all have moments when we don’t respond to what the Lord requests of us. We fail to live up to the Gospel, the Good News that asks us to love sacrificially, act with justice, restrain our unhealthy appetites, and show mercy. However, each time we fall, we begin again, persevering in our Lenten discipline and preparation to celebrate the paschal festivities of Holy Week and Easter. — Fr. Tim
Lent is a time that allows me to practice acts of selfdiscipline, charity and devotion. It is an opportunity to grow closer to God and be helpful to my neighbor. Specifically I decided to make changes in my daily diet by limiting the amount of processed carbohydrates. I began participating in the Meals on the Boulevard program as a way to practice charity and as a way to give back to the community. Finally, to show my devotion to God, I began reading “The Little Black Book” of daily devotions. — Karen Sheranek My Lenten journey is one of more prayer. Between my morning and night prayers, I find time after supper for more prayer and reflection. I start with the reading of the day found in “The Little Black Book,” made available to us for the Lenten season, which consists of stories about lives of good people, some saints, and how they have contributed to Christianity and humanity through their holiness and deeds. On the following page, a passage from a gospel appears along with an explanation and how it should or could affect us. Then we are asked to “spend some quiet time with the Lord,” when I reflect on my life. One of the prayers I pray says, “Thank you for all the favors you have bestowed upon me. Your goodness has preserved me until now.” This is true. I reflect on the 67 years of life he has so generously given me. I think of my family and friends. Each weekday, I recite one decade of a Sorrowful Mystery of the rosary and concentrate on that particular mystery, whether it be the Agony in the Garden or Jesus’ Death on the Cross. This reminds me that it is because of our sinfulness that he had to go through this agony, suffering, and death. On Wednesday evenings, my wife Marlene and I can be found attending the Stations of the Cross at St. Cecilia Church. The Stations are a powerful reminder for me of what Lent is really all about. I also attend one or more of the BAMA Lenten services and the Triduum services during Holy Week. Oh yeah, I also give up beer. — Michael Klamerus
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