FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 3 2015 The

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 3, 2015 The early Church was “at peace, ” and “being built up. ” “With the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers. ” Only one thing can account for such astounding well-being and prosperity: the presence of the risen Christ. “The way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us. ” Jesus warns, “Without me you can do nothing. ” In fact, the disciples feared the solitary Saul, “not believing that he was a disciple, ” until the moment when “Barnabas took charge of him. ” Such companionship transforms the Church, demonstrating dramatically how “God is greater than our hearts. ” 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! SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610 -332 -04421 x 19) VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1 -800 -791 -9209) WEEKDAY MASS AT 8: 00 AM MON – Deceased of Owsinski and Kupetz Families by Tom and Mary TUE – 8: 00 AM – John Dobles by Daughter, Carol 6: 30 PM – Brian Laudeman by Religious Education Students and Staff WED – John Sokola by Family THU – Mrs. Stella Logan by Son, Joseph and Wife, Rita FRI – Helen Maletz (Annv) by Son, Father Leo SAT – 4: 00 PM – First Communicants and Living and Deceased Parishioners SUN – 8: 30 AM – Ryan Wiscount by Family 10: 30 AM – Edith Lescavage by Daughters, Cindy and Lynn Anne ********************************************************************** At the beginning of the second discourse after the Last Supper, Jesus says, “I am the true vine!” When he makes such an unprecedented remark, does he have in mind that vine carved in stone on the temple pediment to symbolize Israel? The image fits well within the context of the Last Supper, where Jesus has just given his disciples the wine of the new covenant prefigured at Cana. In any case, it would evoke in the hearts of the disciples the whole history of the relationship between God and the chosen people. // Sign of blessing, symbol of the fruitful wine, the vine is present throughout the life of this people who are attached to the land. God could rightly expect fine grapes from the luxuriant vine uprooted from Egypt and planted in Canaan. He had lavished so much care on it! But he received only sour grapes in return (Isa 5: 1 -7). In the 2015 of the prophets, the vine came to words BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: 1) Manysignify the our parishioners who thanks to sinful and degenerate Israel, unfaithful to the have already made a pledge to the covenant Bishop's Annual Appeal. Making a sixand about to be punished for its allows you month pledge to the Appeal perversity. Later hope to maximize the amount that you may is rebornmaking monthlyvine, a purified and give by for a magnificent payments. For faithful example, a $120 gift to the Appeal people for whom the Lord would be the may be setup with day $20 installments. guardian, six Remember, every gift counts, no matter and night. // “I am the true vine and my how small. is the generosity funds the Father Your annual budget for important Diocesan vinegrower. ” Jesus at last fulfills the divine expectation ministries in our area. You can make whichgift online at www. 2015 baa. org in your has so long been frustrated. He is, or his person, pickup a pledge form in Church. 2) We the true Israel, and his blood has brought welcome MATTHEW THOMPSON, a forth a of Seminariannewthe Diocese of Allentown, vine on Calvary. Henceforth, none can bear who will speak at our weekend Masses fruit for on behalf they are in Jesus, and Jesus God unlessof the Appeal, especially in concerning the good your financial them, in a contributions accomplish for the reciprocity of love which alone assures life its Diocesan ministries in I in area. fruitfulness. “You in me…our you”: that is the refrain of this discourse, the marvelous promise which the THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia. (Cf. Ps 98 (97): 1 -2) FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 3 – 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 his harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear fruit. Thanks to EDWARD AND LESLIE RUTECKI for hosting the FPC for Vocations this week. Sign up in Church vestibule. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: Like the vine grower in today’s gospel, parents must “prune and cleanse” the branches in their family if their children are going to be rooted. Discipline, limits and setting goals are a necessary part of parenting so our children will grow and “bear fruit. ” PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Regarding abortion and euthanasia: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can!” John Wesley’s rule for Christian living. STEWARDSHIP: “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. ” - 1 JOHN 3: 18. Do you “walk the talk? ” Does your action reflect what you say? If not, spend time every day in prayer, give some of your talent to help one of your parish’s ministries and give some of your money to support the work of the Church. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $2, 683; Capital Improvement: $368; Expenses: $4, 654. 71; Thank you! EASTER SEASON CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY– Your donation of all TYPES OF CANNED FRUIT 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 Edward Butler at 570 -544 -2739. EASTER SEASON VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: IMO Helen D. Maletz (Annv) by Son, Father Leo. (2) ALTARS: BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: IMO Vince Kalochie by Helen, Co. Co and Family ; For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober. DIVINE MERCY: IMO John Dobles by Daughter, Carol. (3) BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. Call 570 -544 -2211 to memorialize votives. NATIVITY BVM CHINESE AUCTION: Doors open 11: 00 AM; Auction 2: 00 PM. Call Diane at 570 -294 -0551 for more information. TUESDAY, MAY 5 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6: 00 PM in the Good Shepherd Building. Mass and May Procession beginning at 6: 30 PM. Dismissal from Church. Any questions, contact our C. R. E. , Rosalie Novack (570 -544 -2211). Absences call 570 -544 -3766. ALZHEIMER’S CARE GIVER’S SUPPORT GROUP: 6: 00 PM Presentation, Rest Haven, Schuylkill Haven. Light refreshments to follow. Reservations required. Call 570 -593 -6704 if you will be attending. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8: 00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and their caregivers! THURSDAY, MAY 7– “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR REHEARSAL: 7: 00 PM, Church Loft. Call 570 -544 -2355. FRIDAY, MAY 8 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7: 45 AM. FIRST COMMUNION PRACTICE: 4: 00 PM in our Church. PASTORAL NOTE: Please bring religious items you wish to have blessed. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Within our 4: 00 PM Mass SATURDAY, MAY 9 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3: 30 PM. today, the following children of our Parish will receive their Eucharistic Lord for the first time: AVA BOWERS, BRADY EISENHART, JACOB HOLLEY, BROOKE KOPINETZ, LOGAN PERZEL, KIERAN PLESNARSKI, KAYCEE RACZKA, CONNOR SCHWALM, ABIGAIL STINE. May their parents keep them close to our Risen Savior and His Church! THEY ARE OUR PARISH’S TREASURE! After Mass there will be a light social for our First Communicants and their families in the Parish Center.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 10 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8: 00 AM and 10: 15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): MARY JANE APPLEBY will host the FPC this week. Call 570 -399 -5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for July and August! MOTHERS’ DAY: We would be grateful for Vigil and Floral Memorials to decorate our Church and altars for Mothers’ Day. The Vigil offering is $5. The Flower offering is $10. Call the Rectory (570 -544 -2211) as soon as possible to make arrangements. 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. Thank you! ********************************************************************************** MINISTERS AT MASS FOR SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER OFF. PROC. LECTORS E. M. of H. C. ALTAR SERVERS SAT 4: 00 PM 1 st Communicants Elaine Stine Theresa Kroznuski Fletcher Eades Max Wigoda SUN 8: 30 AM Wiscount Family Michael Novack Elaine Davis Emily Purcell Abby Schoffstall 10: 30 AM Lescavage Family Marge Walasavage Sharon Kolenick Bella Kuehn Gabriel Kuehn ********************************************************************************** COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar! MAY 11 -14 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ VIRGINIA BEACH BUS TRIP: $479 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 Mac. Arthur 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 (570628 -5413). MAY 13 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11: 30 AM to 1: 30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex (570 -544 -6484). MAY 14 – THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: A Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be at 7: 00 PM (Vigil), 8: 00 AM and 7: 00 PM. MAY 24 NITE MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service. MAY 16 – A – ST. OF RACES: Doors open 6: 00 PM; Races start 7: 30 PM. St. Michael the Archangel Parish Center. $5 Vigils can be memorialized in memory/honor of a loved one. Call Edward Butler at 570 -544 -2739. Admission includes refreshments and food. Call Jean (570 -544 -6853) or Debbie (570 -544 -2070) for tickets. JUNE ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $24; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8: 00 MAY 18 – 7 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST SPAGHETTI DINNER: 11: 00 AM to 3: 00 PM, Parish Center, 120 Oak Street. Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce and Meatballs with a Full Salad Bar. Adults AM; Quandel’s in Minersville $8. 50; Children $4. 50. Eat-in or take-out. Benefits SMTE Parish. Call 570 -544 -2211. 8: 30 AM. Call Julie (570 -544 -5231) or Millie (570 -628 -5413). JUNE 15 – 18 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: 6: 00 PM to 7: 30 PM, grades K to 4, at the Good Shepherd Building. Call Sr. Mary Jane Dunleavy at 570 -544 -2464 to register and for more information. PROGRAM IS OPEN TO CHILDREN FROM ALL PARISHES! JUNE 15 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $25; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8: 00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 8: 30 AM. Call Julie (570 -544 -5231) or Millie (570 -628 -5413). JULY 6 – 8 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ PITTSBURG EXPRESS BUS TRIP: $429 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 CEMETERY NEWS: 1) We respectfully request that all Christmas decorations and winter flowers be Gardens, Frank Lloyd removed from all five parish cemeteries IMMEDIATELY! Otherwise, they will be discarded! 2) FYI: 4 Wright’s “Fallingwater”, Visit to Flight 93 Memorial, souvenir gift. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal Weed Whackers and 2 Leaf gratuities and hotel taxes included. Blowers were stolen from St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery storage shed. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call 570 -544 -5231 or 570 -628 -5413. JULY 20 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Cost $25; Rebate $30! Bus leaves R&J 8: 00 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 8: 30 AM. Call Julie (570 -544 -5231) or Millie (570 -628 -5413). SEPTEMBER 21 - 24 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ WILDWOOD SEAFOOD FEAST BUS TRIP: $399 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. FROZEN PIEROGI AND KIELBASSI: There are still some available for purchase. Call the Rectory (570 -544 -2211). EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: We gratefully acknowledge your kindness and generosity which allowed us to decorate our church so beautifully during this Easter Season (Unless otherwise noted each donation was $10): IMO Frank C. Reed, Shirley A. Reed, Bob W. Reed. Joseph A. Fabiani by Vince and Darla Fabiani; IMO Joseph Gottschall, John Brennan Family, Sr. M. Lucretia, Clare Hennessy by Helen Gottschall; IMO Stanley Graf, Jr. , Stanley Graf, Sr. , James Mc. Namara, Phyllis Mc. Namara by Barbara, Mary Beth, Evelyn and Maureen; IMO M/M George Bossick, Leona and Sophie Botzick by Marilyn Homa ($20); IMO Joseph and Margaret Hribick, Kevin Hribick, Mary Hallis, Louise Houser by M/M Robert Houser; IMO M/M Joseph Hudock, Elizabeth Hoover, Catherine Slavickas by John Hudock ($20); IMO Stan and Dorothy Plesnarski, Nick and Lillian Hutzel, Diane Cory, Plesnarski and Hoffman Families by Beverly Hutzel; IMO Charles Dietrich by M/M Michael Kopinetz; IMO Leonard Krusnoski, Caitlyn Konkus by Ellamae Krusnoski ($20); IMO