EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 2 2015

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 2, 2015 Historical Context. Bread: For thousands of years, bread has been a staple part of the human diet in many cultures. It is no accident that the image of Jesus as bread makes such a significant appearance in the gospel of John. For the Jews, like other Ancient Near Eastern cultures, bread was a vital mainstay of their diet. In the Bible, the word ‘bread’ often simply means all food – it was that important! For many, regular access to bread did equate to life. Bread also played a crucial role in religious practices, especially the Passover meal. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA www. St. Matthew. The. Evangelist. Parish. 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! WEEKDAY MASS AT 8: 00 AM SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610 -332 -0442 x 19) VICTIM– IMO Loretta Souto by Chester and Maria Bartush (Direct: 1 -800 -791 -9209) MON ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak TUE – John Sokola by Family WED – Cookie Crowley by Sister, Rose THU – Deceased of the William and Mary Moore Family by James and Evelyn Moore FRI – Living and Deceased Members of the Parish Memorial Society SAT – 4: 00 PM – Deceased of Pogirski Family by Rose, Michael and Granchildren SUN – 8: 30 AM – Homa-Sweet Families by Marge and George Homa Family 10: 30 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May the angels lead into paradise: JOSEPHINE GRAF, a former member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, and a member of Our Parish Family, who died Thursday, July 30, and will be buried from our Church on Friday, August 7. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, obtain comfort from Jesus, her Son, for Josephine’s family and friends. ********************************************************************** THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay. (Ps 70 (69): 2, 6) THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 2 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8: 00 AM and 10: 15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into Living the Gospel. The Body of Christ: Christ is harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear present in the Eucharist in many forms: in the fruit. Thanks to LINDA ROTHERMEL for hosting the FPC for people gathered; in the celebrating priest; in the Vocations. Please sign up in Church Vestibule for Septmber. Word proclaimed; and in the consecrated bread FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: In today’s gospel Jesus tells us: “Do not work for and wine – the Body and Blood of Christ. In what perishes. ” Give your life to what endures such as the family history you relation to receiving Christ through the reception are creating, the love and mutual respect which bonds you together, the of communion, St. Augustine wrote, “Be what you memories you share and the forgiveness generously given. These are the true see, and receive what you are. ” We not only retreasures that are worth working and dying for. ceive the Body of Christ through Eucharist, we are PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Prominent defenders of abortion rights publicly called to be the Body of Christ because of what we admit that abortion kills human beings. There is simply no debate among have received; and we receive the body of Christ honest, informed people that abortion kills a distinct human being. We must because we are already part of the body of Christ. end abortion and euthanasia now! Our future as a nation depends on it. STEWARDSHIP: “Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily 2015 BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or As of today, 173 parishioners (31. 68% of our not. ” (Exodus 16: 4). When the Israelites gathered more than their daily portion of manna, the surplus became wormy and rotten. In the same way today, God registered families) have contributed calls us to be content with a fair portion and to be willing to share the rest. $18, 177 (88% of our goal of $20, 726). LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $3, 035; Capital Improvement: REMEMBER, EVERY GIFT COUNTS, NO $354; Expenses: $4, 524. Thank you for your generosity! MATTER HOW SMALL. You can make your FRATERNAL CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY– gift online at www. 2015 baa. org or drop off Your donation of all TYPES OF CANNED MEATS will allow the SVDP Society your pledge form in the collection basket. to aid the needy of our area. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society Outreach We hope all our Parishioners will demonand God’s Bountiful Table. Call Edward Butler at 570 -544 -2739. strate that we are a Parish that cares by VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: IMO Anna Kanapitski by Family. (2) making their donation to the Appeal! ALTARS: BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; Special Intention by Stan and Sally SUMMER FESTIVAL FOOD Gober. (3) BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. Call 570 -544 -2211 to PREPARATION SCHEDULE: memorialize votives. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4–ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 2015 -2016 Registrations are now due. $65 for first child. Additional – Halupki. Registration Forms can be found in the Church Vestibule. Call 570 -544– Hamburgers and 2211 for more information. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8: 00 AM Pulled Pork. Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and their caregivers! –Chop Vegetables, PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN WORKSHOP: 6: 00 PM to 9: 00 PM, Make Soups. Nativity BVM High School. Call Margie (570 -622 -8110 X 316). THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 – “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY – Haluskie. CHOIR REHEARSAL: Call Greg at 570 -544 -2355 to join. PLEASE LEND A HAND! FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7: 45 AM. ALL ARE WELCOME! EUCHARISTIC HOLY HOUR: Immediately following today’s 8: 00 AM Mass, there will be Eucharistic Exposition, Adoration, and Reposition. Come parishioners spent some time in Eucharistic Adoration to pray for this worthwhile intention, an increase in priestly and religious and pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life from our Parish Vocations, so that God’s vineyard would not be left untended! and Diocese. PASTORAL NOTE: It would be nice if more of our HOLY ANGELS PARISH PICNIC: 5: 00 PM to Midnight, today and tomorrow, Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont. Homemade food, ALL TIMES ARE 9: 00 AM August 3, 4 August 5 August 10, 11 August 12, 13 games, basket bonanza, bake sale. Entertainment each night by “ Keystone Kids Starmakers” and “The Shoreliners”. Call 570 -373 -1221. SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3: 30 PM. Please bring your children to Confession during the summer! HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS PRAYER PILGRIMAGE: Prayer Pilgrimage followed by lunch beginning with 8: 00 AM Mass at Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem, with Msgr. David James. 2 nd Saturday of every month. Be part of the call to let your prayer and

St. Matthew the Evangelist Annual Summer Festival v ACTIVITY COORDIN- ATORS: Our Summer Festival is fast approaching. We need our Parish’s total cooperation. Coordin- ators and Volunteers are needed. Share your time and talent. Call the Rectory (570 -544 -2211) if you can help in any way. We would be grateful. Thanks to our Coordinators: v Funnel Cakes: Debbie Klotunowitch (570 -544 2881) Adult Games of Chance: NEEDED! Bar: Wally Slifka Community (570 -544 -6636) BRINGING Theme Baskets: Arlene Quesada (570 385 -0248), Michelle Di. TOGETHER Renzo (570 -544 -2518) AUGUST 16, 2015 Office: Janet Purcell SOUTH CASS FIRE (570 -544 -6624) COMPANY Grounds: NEEDED! PICNIC GROUNDS Bingo: Kenneth and PRIMROSE, PA Mary Ann Eichenberg 12: 00 NOON to 9: 00 PM (570 -544 -2581), John Stevens’ Sharon Kolenick, Doubleshot Matthew Kroznuski 12: 00 Noon to 4: 00 PM Kitchen: Women and The New Individuals Men of the Parish 5: 00 PM to 9: 00 PM French Fries: Linda Entertainment: Greg Senich (570 -544 -2355) Butcavage, T. Mundy Bleenie Stand Set-up: Tom Socko Ice Cream: Jack Hudock (570 -544 -4002) Set-Up: Kenneth Eichenberg (570 -544 -2581) Take Down: NEEDED! Children’s Games: Tina Souchak (570 -544 -3370) Raffle / Chances : Marilyn Homa (570 -544 -2595) Coffee/Desserts: Karen Wank (570 -544 -6715), Vicky Marteslo (570 -544 -5063) Picnic Mailings: Darlene Fogarty Soda/ Ice Tea/ Water/ Candy: Ella Mae Kroznuski (570 -544 -2056), Theresa Grigalonis (570 -544 -6738) Hot Dogs/Hamburgers: Elaine Stine(570 -544 -5628), Mary Ellen Renninger (570 -622 -7907) Ticket Booth: Peggy Butler (570 -544 -5294) 50/50: Barbara Sincavage, Maegan Stewart v PARISH MAILING: You have received Booster and Raffle Tickets and a Kitchen Collection Donation Envelope in the mail. Please support your Parish! v SIGN-UP SHEETS: Are in the Church Vestibule. Please help us by volunteering for two hours or more of your time? Keep our Parish’s heart beating! v FESTIVAL KITCHEN: The kitchen our Summer Festival heart! We really need your help in the preparations the week before the Festival, and on the actual day of the Festival. Give us a hand! Volunteer! v BOOSTER TICKETS: Each adult received one Ticket ($5. 00 each) redeemable at the grounds for food purchases the day of the picnic. Please purchase yours! v RAFFLE TICKETS: Each adult received ten Chances ($1. 00 each). Prizes are: 1 st-$1, 000 Cash; 2 nd through 5 th -$100 Cash. Please purchase or sell yours! This will ensure our Summer Festival’s success! v KITCHEN COLLECTION DONATION: Use the Envelope sent you to help with pre-picnic expenses. Write your Name / Amount on it. Put your donation in the Sunday Collection. Thanks! v CHILDREN’S GAMES: We are looking for cups, mugs, glasses and slightly used stuffed animals for dime toss game. You can drop them off in the Church Vestibule. Also, adults and young adults, age 10 and up, are needed to help run the games. v THEME BASKETS: Pick a “Theme” for you gift basket for our picnic! Get together with a friend or friends, let your “creative juices” flow! If you need a basket or help with an idea, just contact Michelle Direnzo (570 -640 -5370) or Arlene Quesada (570 -385 -0248). We will also be happy to arrange for “pick- up” of your basket if needed! Thanks for you help in the past and we look forward to your beautiful creations for this year! v FESTIVAL POSTERS: We need volunteers to place them in local businesses and elsewhere. See Fr. Leo or call the Rectory (570 -544 -2211). YOU ARE THE KEY TO OUR PICNIC’S SUCCESS! Celebrating Church ALL presence bring God’s everlasting, unconditional love to those involved in abortion that their hearts may be converted and receive God’s gift of life with joy. Call 610 -674 -4624 or email hogpi@hotmail. com for information. THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 9 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8: 00 AM and 10: 15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): ROSE KUEHN will host the FPC this week. Call 570 -399 -5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule For September and October! PLEASE NOTE TIME OF FPC PICK-UP ON SHHET. SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) INSURANCE: Your contribution will help us pay the premiums to insure all Parish buildings. (2) Please check your Sunday Church Envelope Boxes for the envelopes you might have missed. Kindly catch up! (3) Please write the amount of your donation on your envelope. Thanks! ******************************************************* MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OFF. PROC. LECTORS E. M. of H. C. ALTAR SERVERS SAT 4: 00 PM Pogirski Theresa Mary Ann Max Wigoda Family Kroznuski Harrison Anthony Lutchkus SUN 8: 30 AM Homa Frank Sharon Emily Purcell Family Melenchick Kolenick Abby Schoffstall 10: 30 AM Parishioners Tom Mundy Elaine Davis Bella Kuehn Gabriel Kuehn ******************************************************* COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar! AUGUST 12 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11: 30 AM to 1: 30 PM, Annex (570 -544 -6484). Please volunteer your help! AUGUST 20 – MONTHLY ROSARY: 6: 15 PM, our Church. August is the month of Mary. Please join us so we can give honor to our Heavenly Mother. “There is no problem, no matter how large, whether it be world, family or personal problem that cannot be solved through recitation of the Rosary. ” (Sr. Lucia of Fatima) SEPTEMBER 27, 28, 29 – ANNUAL 40 HOURS’ DEVOTIONS: Save the days! OCTOBER 2, 3, 4 – SOUP AND BAKE SALE: Friday, 11: 00 AM to 3: 00 PM; Saturday, after 4: 00 PM Mass; Sunday, after both 8: 30 AM and 10: 30 AM Masses. At our Parish Center. Call 570 -544 -4103 for information. OCTOBER 14 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ “VATICAN SPLENDORS” AT FRANKLIN INSTITUTE PHILADELPHIA BUS TRIP: Cost $60. See more than 200 works of art and historically significant objects that together form a great mosaic of the history of the Church and its impact on art, history, and culture. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica touchable cast of Saint John Paul II’s hand, embark on a journey through the ages of artistic expression and religious iconography. Includes many artifacts which have never left Vatican City. The collection is composed of renaissance art along with work from the baroque period. The 11 galleries walk you through the history of Christianity focusing on the Catholic Church and the amazing religious art that came out of Rome. An impressive focus in the exhibition is on the Basilica of which Michelangelo and Bernini were key contributors. Bus leaves 7: 30 AM. Stop off on way home to have dinner in Douglasville. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call Julie (570 -544 -5231) or Millie (570 -628 -5413). IMPORTANT FYI: To those who read the weekly bulletin and have been watching the income and expenses, it should be fairly clear that we are consistently in a deficit position and have had to use parish savings to meet the monthly obligations required both in house and to the Diocese. Over the next 6 – 12 months the parish needs to look at all of the options available to increase revenue and reduce expenses. This includes fundraisers, weekly contributions (or not) by parishioners, and the many costs involved with the physical buildings currently owned and used by the parish. We are asking for any input and ideas that the people of the parish may have. Now is the time to speak up and have your voice heard. If you do not, and a decision is made by committee that you do not agree with, the opportunity was there for you. The parish is unable to sustain what appear to be long term monthly deficits due to declining giving and loss of parishioners, mainly due to death. Please share your thoughts with Father Leo or one of the members of the Finance Committee or a soon to be formed Parish Advisory Council member. We need to know you to contact you if there are questions about your comments. Nothing will be published or discussed regarding individual comments. We must act now to insure the continued viability of the parish and need input from all age groups to have the most effective review of what issues are perceived by the parish. Please remember, your idea may not be used, but it could affect the discussion as a whole towards a better tomorrow for our parish. CHURCH PAINTING: Our Church was scheduled for repainting by B. K. BENNINGTON AND SON, beginning the end of August for an estimated cost of $49, 560. Mr. Bennington recently informed me that this project must be pushed back four to five weeks because of time overruns of previously scheduled projects. So, if all goes well, painting of our Church should commence at the end of September or the beginning of October. We are not instituting a capital improvement campaign for this project but simply rely on your use of the CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT and GENERAL REPAIR envelopes. Please use them and donate what you can! Thank you! CEMETERIES: Please remove ALL FLOWERS, PLANTS AND PLANTERS around the bases of your cemetery headstones. They impede the trimming of your lots! Thanks!