MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 4—4:30PM—St. Francis: Lector—Patti Dudock; Minister—Sean Kelly; Server volunteer; Rosary Tom Curley; Greeter volunteer
Sunday, March 5—8:00AM—St. Francis: Lector Christina Long; Minister Katie Volk; Servers Alex Long & volunteers; Rosary Joyce Barnum; Greeter volunteer
Sunday, March 5—10:30AM—St. Augustine: Lector Bob Allen; Minister Sr. Bette Brown; Servers volunteer; Rosary Ann Zalepa or volunteers; Greeter Barbara Pichette
DECEASED
Please pray for the deceased, especially Joseph J. Petrikonis, III, Laceyville; James B. Hawley, Montrose; Charlotte M. Birchard, Brackney; and Judy Kay Bauman, Meshoppen, who were known to many in our Community. May they rest in peace. Amen.
PRAYER LIST
Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish & Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers, especially all suffering from cancer, Lyme disease, or Covid-19. Katelyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., Ruth King, Kyle Stoddard, Sam Miner, Sophie Padula, Tom Wenman, Toni Colardino, Madigan Gow, Amanda Branning, Daniel Gavin, Tommy Williams, Kathy Holt, Linda Hollenback, MaryLou Fahs, Elton Carr, Jim Raftis, Bub Davis, Don Zaleski, Tyler Fletcher, William Chaney, Joe Grindel, Chelsea Judson, Clyde Tims, Trisha, Mary Guido, Hallie Brooks, Mark Kovach, Brooke Arnold, Robyn Lawson, Ned Offner, Margo, Butch Rosencranz, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Emily D., Marie Donahue, Rusty Carmen, Adam Price, Greg Lasgowka, Terry, Ron, Cameron & Levi White, Natalie Dawn Abell, Tom Ellison, the Reed Family, Don Higgins, Barbara Mahoney, Raub Family, Todd Legg, Ryan Hayes, Sean McMahon, Thomas McWilliams, Marty Mosher, Chad Grindel, Mary Ann Casterline, Janice Jacobs, Patricia Charpinsky, Diane Holleran, Cathy Ballogg, Ethel Reid, Jack Kelly, Kineer Worgen, James Dughi, Peg Broadwater, Frances Murphy, Christopher Dauber, Adrian Stephens, Mike & Marla Wilcox, Sophia ILichishin, Alice Walsh, Josh Zaleski, Jay Gurn, Caleb Scepaniak, Dana Marsh, Lori Rawlins, Mary Joan, Brendan Merritt, Mark Pasteka, Reilly, Caesar & Edith Siedlecki, Bonnie Sorensen, Lori Hammerly Coleman, Brendan Kelly, “D”, Angelo Scarfalloto, Emily Graves, Cathy Albert, John, Robert Nemcek, Wayne Hibbard, Laura Nelson, Garrett Farr, Mary Keenan, Joe Brostoski, Everly Hausmann, Dr. Silversti, Gloria, George Coleman, Stephen VanWinkle, Sally Saunders, Dennis Byerly, Linda, Marie Cavalarro, Sully & Patty Cavallaro, R.M., Evelyn Ferro, Briana Grisdale, Gregory Diorio, Mike Coleman, Joyce Danielewicz, Alex, Mike & Pat Stelacio, Jessica Lawrence, Joseph Santora, Carol Garcia, Paige Marino, Sophie Holgash, Nellie Manarchuck, Fr. John Victoria, Monica Gibson, Pat Walsh, Millie, Diane Coffee, John Waldron, Nicholas, Millie Chamberlain, Bill Noldy, Jr., Tim Fruehan, Marise & Steve Shearer, Cathy Edsell, Patricia Hutchinson, Chris Mortensen, Ruth Colwell, Mary Tims, Louise Darrow, Aaron Fredendall, Louise Eastman, Kathy Du Duv, Michelle Weiss, Niki Rogers, Shirley Conboy, Joseph Olszewski, Wade Leach, Curtis Edwards, Cindy VanWinkle, Diane, Matthew Gatto, Marge Murphy, Robert Pratt, Ellen Bieleski, Mark, Heather, Kylie Keenan, Andy Potocek, Becky Jenner, John Histand, Sara Kelly Price, Tucker White, Cathy N., Liam Little, Terri Grindel, Kris Kiesly, Jerry Wells, Fred Brown, Rosa Prieto, Theo Goodrich, Genevieve Coleman, Ed Snee, Anita James, Shirley McWilliams, Mary (Jones) Edsell, Carl Whitehead, Peter Strojny, Debbie Andre, Anthony Siedlecki, Madigan, Mark LaRue, Eileen Maruschok, Shirley Rockefeller, Tony McHugh, Val Mosier, Hunter Allen Sapp, and A.J. Pass. Please pray for all the needs in our Parish & Community. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST
Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our , Ryan Gormley, Christopher Reichlen, Mike Griffith, Matthew Kramer, Ryan Neville, Shane Kalpokas, Dustin Ryder, Steven Shelp, Ricky Trowbridge, A. Jay Tewksbury, Lukas Crisman, Ryan Newberry, Mark W. Gregg, Andrew Muscarelle, Lisa Phillips, Adam Barziloski, Quinn Gurn, Marty Conboy, Wayne M. Bennett, Joseph Elliott, Bradley J. Bryant, John Baltsley, Mara Redding, Michael Redding, James Hemmerly, Amberlynn Villanella, Jacob Balchikonis, Rip VanWinkle, Jonathan Green, Cameron, Garrett Kiehle, and all who serve with them. May they be protected & safe from harm & return home safely and soon. Amen.
Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away. Please also call us when those in the Armed Forces are no longer serving so their name can be removed.
The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH, (St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa. St. Augustine Church, Silver Lake, Pa.)
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
-mail: sfxc@epix.net Facebook: St Brigid Parish
Rev. Kevin Miller, Pastor
Rev. Andrew Amankwaa, Assistant Pastor
Deacon Ronald D. Maida dorronto@protonmail.com
Deacon Paul J. Brojack
MASS SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sat. Feb. 25 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
PATRICK DALY by Dawn & Paul Augenti
Sun. Feb. 26 8:00AM St. Francis Church - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
BILL STEWART by Jeff & Rosanne Williams 10:30AM St. Augustine Church -
Mon. Feb. 27 12:00NN St. Francis Church -
Tue. Feb. 28 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - JAN ZAJAC by Rosalynd Perlick
Wed. March 1 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - JULIE LIDDLE by Bill & Barb Pichette
Thur. March 2 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
Fri. March 3 12:00NN St. Francis Church6:00PM St. Augustine Church -
Sat. March 4 10:15AM St. Augustine Church - FIRST SATURDAY
FR. CASIMIR STANIS by Judy Adams
4:30PM St. Francis VIGIL: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Sun. March 5 8:00AM St. Francis Church - SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 10:30AM St. Augustine Church -
(St. Brigid’s Cross)
Clearing Our Minds and Hearts for Lent
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
“Rend your heart and not your garments.” - Joel 2:13
I recently came across a beautiful reflection about preparing for the holy season of Lent. You see, Lent is about more than giving up sweets or alcohol and not eating meat on Fridays. It’s about much more than ashes on our foreheads and palm branches in our hands. Lent is about renewing and deepening our relationship with the One Who created us to be with Him in His love, peace and happiness forever. Lent is about casting off the insidious lies of the Evil Enemy of our soul and resting in the Truth of God’s love. Sin enslaves us; forgiveness frees us. To become aware of the pitfalls of sin, we must clear our minds of distraction and become attuned to what God is trying to tell us. Whose voice are we listening to, the Evil One or God’s?
Read through each of these lies matched with God’s eternal Truth. Do any of them resonate with us? What lies do we cling to and need to let go of. Remind ourselves of these truths over and over during Lent.
“You’re no one special.” vs. “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
“You will never amount to anything” vs. “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for
“You’ll never overcome this fear” vs. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, Reveal the lies I’ve come to blindly accept. Help me to recognize these falsehoods and replace them with the truth that you speak. Guide my thoughts to repeating your truth over and over until my perspective shifts and my thoughts change. I ask this through Christ our Lord. .
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam…To the Greater Glory of God
Father Kevin
RECTORY, SET, COOK!
Thank you to everyone for your generous support of Rectory, Set, Cook! Fr. Kevin’s video for St. Brigid Parish came in 10th place with a total of $ 3,783.05 from 68 donors. Fr. Andrew’s video for Most Holy Trinity Parish came in 22nd place with a total of $ 1,678.78 from 46 donors. The Diocesan total from 24 Pastor-Chefs was $ 196,178.61 from 2,657 donors.
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday—St. Francis Xavier—before 4:30PM Mass—3:30 to 4:15PM
Sunday St. Francis Xavier following 8:00AM Mass 9:00 to 9:30AM
Sunday—St. Augustine—following 10:30AM Mass—11:30 to 12Noon
WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Our weekly collection total was $ 2,758.00. Thank you for your generosity.
LIFELINES
“The essence of our identity is that we are created in God's image and likeness and loved by Him. Nothing can diminish the priceless worth of any human life. Every person is cherished.”
~ USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, Respect Life Reflection: Cherished, Chosen, Sent usccb.org/cherished-chosen-sent-reflection
Deacon’s NOTES
What is the spirit trying to tell me in this story? Am I aware of my own par cular ‘tempta ons’ that make trouble for me in my life. Do I find wisdom and guidance in Scripture to help me cope with difficul es in my life? Let us consider where Jesus found inspira on and guidance throughout his life.
Am I tempted, like Jesus here, to selfishness, to put my personal needs first? Do I want to a&ract no ce, to be popular, a celebrity? A sense of power is intoxica ng. Do I want to be influen al, domina ng others, rather than serving them, being kind and generous?
Deacon Ron
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS—MARCH 4TH
NEXT Saturday, March 4th, we observe the Fatima First Saturday Devotions in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our Lord and Lady requested of Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three shepherd visionaries of Fatima.
Please consider participating as we seek to fulfill our Savior's & Blessed Mother's request for prayer and penance in reparation to her most Sorrowful & Immaculate Heart. All are invited.
Devotions are held at Saint Augustine Church with the following schedule:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by confessions: 8:30am-9:15am
Recitation of Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:20am-9:45am
Adoration and Meditation on Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:45am-10:00am
Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 10:00am-10:10am
Holy Mass (Novus Ordo in Latin; guidebooks provided): 10:15am-11:00am
ADORATION
Please consider spending an hour with Our Lord. New volunteers (fill-ins & permanent) are needed. Many hours are available. Call Rosalynd Perlick (570-663 -2212) to volunteer.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN
If you would like to respond to prayer requests, or if you have a prayer request, please contact Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) or Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618). Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.
SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLE DONATIONS
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr.
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for peace in Ukraine.
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Augustine burns for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish & Community offered by St. Brigid Altar & Rosary Society.
CHURCH CLEANING
St. Augustine: February 27 to March 5 Ann Major and Barbara Gow; March 6 to 12—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 13 to 19—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 20 to 26—Susie Reichlen; March 27 to April 2 Cathy O’Reilly; April 3 to 9 Julie Perlick & Nancy Lamberty; April 10 to 16 Julie Perlick & Nancy Lamberty; April 17 to 23 Barbara & Mike Merritt; April 24 to 30 Helen Gardella
St. Francis: February Kay Keenan and the Oleniacz Family
COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
This weekend our special collection supports the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Your donation today helps restore the Church and build the future in more than 25 countries still struggling to recover from former communist rule. Funds from this collection support reconstruction, education, formation, and poverty outreach. Please be generous to the collection today. For more information please visit www.usccb.oor/ccee.
COLLECTION FOR THE CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS
The Second Collection next weekend is for the Care & Education of Priests.
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS
Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of our Churches. They are $ 20.00 each and run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2023. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars. Please do not break up the packages. Please sign the calendars out on the sheet provided.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST
An All You Can Eat Breakfast will be held THIS Sunday, February 26th at the Little Meadows Fire Station from 7 am to 11 am. Menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage gravy with biscuits, home fries, French toast, pancakes, baked goods and beverages. Price is $12.00 for adults and $6.00 children. Benefits the Little Meadows Fire Company.
MORNING OF REFLECTION
The Great Bend Knights of Columbus Council and the Most Holy Family Parish Mens Club invite all Susquehanna County men to the first annual Morning of Reflection on April 1, 2023 at St. John's Church in Susquehanna, Pa. The day starts with Mass and recitation of the rosary at 8:00AM followed by coffee and doughnuts in the parish hall and a talk from Fr. Charles Connor. The morning ends with a discussion on how to prepare for Holy Week and an opportunity to go to confession. This will be a short, but informative, event ending before 11:00AM. This is open to all men of the parish and Susquehanna County and any man interested in the Catholic Faith. This is a great way to prepare for Holy Week. Please RSVP to Frank O'Connor at his office 570-879-2534. Reservations are requested so we can prepare seating and food.
YOUNG ADULT RETREAT
The Diocesan Offices for Parish Life and Vocations is hosting a Young Adult Retreat March 3-4, at Holy Family Spiritual Renewal Center in Nanticoke. The theme is, Master, to Whom Shall We Go? How to Know the Lord & Be Rooted in His Plan for Your Life. Father Joe Evanko will be our leader. The retreat is open to young adults ages 18-35. Registration is $20.00. To register visit https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/parish-life/word/young-adult-ministry/young-adult-retreat/.
SON OF THE FATHER—A MEN’S RETREAT
This Men’s Retreat will be held March 31st and April 1st, beginning at 6:00PM at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center, 1000 Seminary Road, Dalton, Pa. Spiritual Guidance will be given by Bishop Bambera, Msgr. John Esseff, Fr. Pio Mandato, and our very own Fr. Kevin Miller, and Jesse Martin. For more information beacatholicman.com or call (570)351-6256. The Retreat is sponsored by Be a Catholic Man, Inc. Cost is $ 75.00 and is open to all men of the Diocese.
LENT/EASTER ZOOM BIBLE STUDY
The Zoom Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew begins Tuesday, March 7th at 6:30PM and running every Tuesday except April 4th, until May 23rd.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6868982075
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,6868982075# US
Meeting ID: 686 898 2075
+13092053325,,6868982075# US
Please join us with your Holy Bible as we enter more deeply into this powerful gospel that we will hear throughout the year.
“THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU”
St. Augustine Church—We will have confessions every Friday during Lent (with the exception of Friday, March 31st) at 5:30PM at St. Augustine Church, immediately before Mass and Stations of the Cross.
St. Francis Xavier Church We will have Holy Hour and Confessions on Wednesday, April 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30PM at St. Francis Xavier Church.
SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations will be held Friday, March 3rd, after 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis. Stations will be held Friday, March 3rd, after the 6:00PM Mass at St. Augustine. Stations of the Cross will continue with this schedule most Friday’s during Lent.
LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS
On Friday, March 31st, the St. Margaret Mary, Apalachin, Youth Group will present the Living Stations of the Cross at St. Francis Church at 7:00PM. All are invited and welcome to attend.
CHOIR PRACTICE
Choir practice for Lent & Easter will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00PM at St. Francis Xavier Church.
SEDER MEAL
The Biblical Passover Seder festival meal was celebrated by Jews to commemorate the mercy of God sparing them from the plague of the death of the first-born son in Egypt and subsequent freedom from slavery.
We will have a Seder Meal on Saturday, March 25th from 6 to 8PM at Neumann Hall. All our Parishioners are invited and welcome to attend. Traditional Seder food will be provided. This will also be a covered dish dinner, so please bring a dish to pass.
TENEBRAE SERVICE
Tenebrae (Latin for "darkness") is a religious service of Western Christianity held during the three days preceding Easter Day, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a "strepitus" or "loud noise" taking place in total darkness near the end of the service.
A Tenebrae Service will be held at St. Augustine Church on Palm Sunday, April 2nd, from 8 to 9PM. All are welcome to attend.
LENTEN READING MATERIALS
Copies of the “Little Black Books” for Lent and the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us” are available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you.
Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 6th.
FOOD CARDS/FOOD PANTRY
EASTER FOOD CARDS: We have a total of (20) families on our Food Card list. If you know of any family or individual who needs help, please call the rectory or put a note in the collection basket. If you have put someone on the list and they no longer need help, please let us know. You may put your donation, (check or cash), in the collection basket in an envelope marked “attention: Kay Food Cards” or mail it to the rectory. All donations are needed and greatly appreciated. Donation deadline is March 27th.
FOOD PANTRY: We are preparing for Easter Baskets. Donations should be put in the collection marked “Food Pantry” and must be made payable to “The Food Pantry”. All donations are needed & greatly appreciated. Donations are needed by March 27th.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
A SEASON FOR SLOWING DOWN—During this sacred season, we will intentionally slow down so that we can pay closer attention to our relationship with God, our neighbors and our planet. Reflect on how the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can guide your journey for a more enriching Lenten experience. How can practicing these pillars help you to live in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
During Holy Week, the Gospel readings come to life in a special way as we gather to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The readings remind us of our special connection to the land where this great story unfolded. Supporting the church in the Holy Land is an historic mission. Since the time of St. Paul, Christians worldwide have understood the responsibility to support the land where Jesus walked. (cf. 2 Cor. 8-9) It has never been easy to be a Christian in the Holy Land. In these challenging times in the Middle East, Christians are experiencing unique hardships. We have an opportunity to help them through the Pontifical Good Friday Collection. Our collection on Good Friday will be the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. You can also place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.
LENTEN HOLY HOUR WITH BISHOP BAMBERA
All of the faithful in the Diocese of Scranton are invited to a Lenten Holy Hour with the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, to commemorate the diocesan phase of the National Eucharistic Revival. These gatherings will take place in each of the twelve deaneries of the Diocese of Scranton. The Lenten Holy Hour for our deanery, the Sayre Deanery, will take place on Thursday, March 9th at 7:00PM at Saints Peter and Paul Parish--106 Third Street, Towanda, PA 18848.
At their November 2021 General Assembly, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to move forward with plans for a National Eucharistic Revival to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The multi-year Eucharistic Revival began Sunday, June 19, 2022, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and culminates with the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, 2024.
Mark your calendars and plan on joining Bishop Bambera as we pray for renewal in our devotion to Jesus Christ present to us in the Eucharist.
2023 REGULATIONS FOR LENT
All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent: “The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal & individual, but also external & social Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.”
During Lent the following fast and abstinence regulations are observed:
• Good Friday, April 7th, is a day of fast and abstinence.
• Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.
• All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent.
A dispensation from the Friday Lenten observance of abstaining from meat has been granted for those celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick, Friday, March 17th. In keeping with the sacrificial nature of the Lenten season, I, Bishop Bambera,
• All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused
LENTEN REMINDERS
Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent:
• Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need
• Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial
• Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God
Lent is a penitential season, a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent?
• By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies.
• By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing.
• By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AFTER MASS FOR LENT
As we continue the National Eucharistic Revival that began last year and will continue into 2024, in an effort to promote Eucharistic Adoration in our parish, throughout the season of Lent, we will conclude weekend Masses by exposing the Blessed Sacrament after communion for a brief period of silent adoration. There will be no final blessing or closing hymn. After the final prayer, the celebrant will incense the Blessed Sacrament to “O Salutaris Hostia” and process to the sacristy in silence. Parishioners may remain in silent prayer for part or all of the period of adoration. I encourage all to consider at least staying a few minutes to “savor” the Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist we have just received. Adoration will conclude with silent reposition at the celebrant’s discretion, no more than 15 minutes. This is a great opportunity for us as a parish to cultivate a culture of adoration of the very “source and summit” of our Christian life. I pray it will deepen our love of the Lord throughout the blessed penitential season of Lent.
