Sunday, Feb.18, 2007 Seventh Ordinary Sunday

SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Sun, Feb 18^th - Seventh Ordinary Sunday

8:00 AM - Mass for Leo Grzesinski requested by

wife, Janice

11:00 AM - Mass for Stephen Romerowicz requested

by Ernie and Helen Tomassetti

6:30 PM - Evening Prayer

Mon, Feb 19^th – Weekday

8:10 AM - Morning Prayer

8:30 AM- Mass for Marlene Glashauser requested by

Greg Provenzano and Family

Tues, Feb 20^th – Weekday

8:10 AM - Morning Prayer

8:30 AM- Mass for Lynn Baker requested by

Dave and Kay Garhirt

Wed, Feb 21^st – Ash Wednesday

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM – Eucharistic Adoration

8:30 AM – Mass for People of the Parish

6:00 PM - Mass for Cecelia Long requested by Reba

Vasas and Janet Smith

Thurs, Feb 22^nd – Chair of St. Peter

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration

8:30 AM - Mass for Fred Moore requested by

Barbara and Family

Fri, Feb 23^rd – Lenten Weekday

6:00 AM – 8:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration

8:10 AM - Morning Prayer

8:30 AM - Mass for Bob Bundy requested by

Cora Bacon

Sat, Feb. 24^th – Vigil – First Sunday of Lent

4:00 PM - Sacrament of Reconciliation

5:00 PM - Mass for Karl & Albertine Stolz requested

by Mr. & Mrs. Dunnenberger

Sun, Feb. 25^th – First Sunday of Lent

8:00 AM - Mass for Mary & Albeus Barry requested

by daughter, Janice Grzesinski

11:00 AM - Mass for John Campanaro requested

by Ginger Cooney

6:30 PM - Evening Prayer

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APPOINTMENTS

ACOLYTES:

Wed Feb 21- 6:00 PM- Sarah Helsel, Veronica Helsel

Sat Feb 24- 5:00 PM- Scott Andrews, Matt Michelone

Sun Feb 25- 8:00 AM- Chris Budd, Jeremy Budd

Sun Feb 25-11:00AM- Zach Kee, Jeremiah Price

Lectors:

Wed Feb 21 – 6:00 PM Rita Kibler, Maureen Smithe

Sat Feb 24 - 5:00 PM- Mark Sloan, Dave Andrews

Sun Feb 25 - 8:00 AM- Ron Adams, Rita Kibler

Sun Feb 25 -11:00 AM- Grace Moore, Patrick Schurr

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:

Wed Feb 21 - 6:00 PM - Paul Dennis, Joyce Cunningham

Sat Feb 24 -5:00 PM- Mary Petrak, Dave Petrak

Sun Feb 25- 8:00 AM- Dan Turcovsky, Diane Turcovsky

Sun Feb 25- 11:00 AM- J. Bookhamer, J. Carland, B. Stokan, D. Capriotti, K. Gorman, G. Moore

MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY:

Sat Feb 24 - 5:00PM - Walter Bloom, Matt Steel,

Lori Ginter, Hedy Zumstag

Sun Feb 25 - 8:00AM - Dan Roberts, Judy Roberts,

Amy Free, Don Free

Sun Feb 25- 11:00AM -Cliff Ramsey, Mary Kay Ramsey,

Frank Clark, Terry Miller

HOSPITAL VISITATION 1

Gym & Cafeteria rental Call Terry Miller before 9 PM

at 696-7844

BULLETIN DEADLINE Wednesday by 4:00 PM

Youth Ministry

Our mandatory Youth Ministry meeting is this Sunday at 5:00 to 7:30 PM. Again, we will begin in the Church, have supper and prepare for the presentation by FLUSH.  Parents, we really need you to make sure that your child is there for this important time for them.  Here's a little bio of the group from IUP: Student Improvisational Theater of IUP founded "Friends Living Under Serious Hardships" (FLUSH) on September 8, 1996.  Since our establishment, we have touched the lives of well over 10,000 people by presenting eye-opening scenes of social issues.  We strive to provide a unique engaging and exciting educational process for our audiences. We are a non-profit organization - throughout each academic year we donate to our philanthropy; which, this year, is Pittsburgh Aids Task Force.

Morning Eucharistic Adoration

 Beginning on Ash Wednesday we will be having Eucharistic Adoration each morning before Mass from 6:00AM to 8:00AM. Our morning adoration will be in the chapel. So, stop by on your way to work, even if for only 5 minutes. It will be quiet and warm. It can work wonders for you. We will still have Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays from 4:30 until 6:00 – the beginning of Mass. I hope to continue to have morning adoration all year long. What a wonderful way to start our day!!

Sanctuary Project Update

WHY GOLD LEAF??

Many people were curious as to why gold leaf was chosen for the background for our Sanctuary project. The reasons, it turns out, are varied. On the practical side, gold will not fade or change color like paint. And while gold paint would have been cheaper in the short term, its life would not have been nearly as long as gold leaf (which lasts centuries) and the Crucifixion applied over paint would have been damaged as the paint deteriorated. For longevity, resistance to change and damage, gold leaf cannot be matched.

But beyond practical reasons, there are artistically theological reasons for using gold. In iconography (the painting of religious images), gold is used to express the eternal light of God. Unlike paint which uses pigment to create a color, gold seems to glow with a light of its own – a divine light. It is set apart by its beauty, its luster, and its antiquity. While paint is used to create the “impression” of light, gold radiates an uncreated light, a light that harkens back to God, himself – the source of all light. Gold speaks of the eternal light of God, the glorified light of Christ. Gold speaks of transformation and transfiguration. It speaks of God’s presence – a presence that says to us as we sit before it, each week, in silent prayer.

Lent / Easter Mini-Retreat

Our Lent/Easter mini-retreat this year will be on Saturday March 24^th. Like our previous mini-retreats we will officially begin at 9:00. However, since our topic will be prayer we will “really begin” at 8:00 with Eucharistic Adoration. At 9:00 we will celebrate Morning Prayer. Then we will adjourn to the cafeteria where we will have two short talks on prayer. Afterwards, we will return to the Church for a period of prayer, and finally, again in the cafeteria, end with lunch at noon.

This year our topic will be prayer. Often I get the notion that we love to talk about prayer, but we rarely really pray!!! When it comes to prayer, are we really “all talk, no action?” So this year I’m going to make a suggestion (maybe a challenge) to all who wish to come to our mini-retreat. Now, this is only a suggestion, and it shouldn’t prevent you from coming. Of course, I want you to come to the retreat. And, I won’t ask questions!! But, what I’m suggesting is that a month before the retreat, if not earlier, you spent at least 20 minutes a day in prayer. How you pray doesn’t matter. Pray as best you can, just try to pray. Then, as we talk about the art of prayer you will have a real experience of what prayer is; and some of the difficulties we all encounter in trying to really pray. It should be an interesting day, and I hope to see you there. Finally, if you wish to stay for lunch could you please sign-up on the kiosk so we can prepare enough food for everyone. So, please feel free to join us, and anyone is welcome to join us, even folks for other parishes. If you have any questions, just call.

UP COMING PARISH EVENTS

Feb 21, 2007 – Ash Wednesday Soup Supper

March 11, 2007 – Junior Confirmation Class Luncheon with sponsors

April 1, 2007 – Easter Egg Hunt after 11:00am Mass

April 15, 2007- Sophomore Confirmation Class Luncheon with parents

April 27, 2007 - Basket Bingo

April 28, 2007, Saturday, – First Holy Communion

May 6, 2007- New Parishioner Luncheon

July 13, 2007 – Altoona Curve

July 29, 2007 - Parish Picnic

Aug 5-9, 2007 Parish Retreat

November 2007 - Bus trip to Christmas Show in Lancaster

January 4, 2008 - Appreciation Dinner 6:00 pm

Technology Meeting There will be a technology meeting for any parishioner that is available to help St. John School improve its technology program. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 6:15. 

Social Committee - Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 27^th, at 7:00 pm.

Spiritual Book Club, We will meet Thursday, February 22^nd at 6:30 in the rectory.  Our book is Balancing Heaven and Earth by Robert A. Johnson.  We will discuss Chapters 13,14,15.  All are welcome to join us at any time.

Scrip News

We have Scrip wallets available for $1.00.

You can finally consolidate all your Scrip!

Check them out at the Scrip table.

If there are any discrepancies in your order please call Cora Bacon at 695-7489.

For your convenience,

Scrip is available in the church from 12-1:30

on Thursdays.

Our New Forum - Our parish forum address is www.stjohnsforum.org. Directions: To post a comment, you must register an account. Simply click on “Register”, to the left and fill out the form. It’s easy, free, and goes nowhere else but here! Once registered, you can post your own comments by selecting a topic of discussion and click on a particular thread. To comment, simple choose ” Reply” or “New Topic”.

Please Help - In an ongoing effort to help the Snyder family, we are looking for volunteers who would be willing to cook and deliver a meal to the family. If you can help with this project, please call Pam Hazenstab at 943-5575.

Basket Bingo April 27

Purchase your tickets before March 1^st and

receive 3 extra tickets. Contact Gerlinde

Mattern at 943-1126.

RELIGIOUS ED NEWS

Sunday Preschool - scheduled for Feb 25. This is open for children between the ages of 3-5.The sessions meet from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. Place: Pre-School Room. If interested, please call Mrs. Stachmus 942-7683.

Sunday, Feb 18^th – K thru 5 – 9:00 to 10:50AM

Grades 9, 10, 11 – 5:00 to 7:30 PM in school cafeteria

Saturday, Feb 24^th – First Eucharist Retreat for second graders and at least on parent 9:00 t 11:00AM

Sunday, Feb. 25^th – Grades 6,7,8 – 9:00 to 10:50 AM

Registration forms for Jr. High Youth Day Deadline. Students were given the forms.

Sunday, March 4^th – K thru 5 – 9:00 10:50 AM

Sophomore Confirmation Class - Noon to 2:30 PM

Silent Prayer We will meet in the church at 6:00 pm on the following Mondays: 

February 19 – prayer

February 26 – prayer

March 5 – prayer and discussion of the Epilogue and Chapter 4 of Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird

MISSISSIPPI TRIP AND COMMITTEE MEETING

The next trip to Mississippi has been set for June 13 through June 21. There will be space for 18 volunteers on a first come, first served basis. Currently, there are 9 spaces still available. Please continue to watch the bulletin for updates and meetings. If you are planning to go, please try to attend as many of the Trip Planning meetings as possible.  The next one is scheduled for February 19 (7-8 pm Fundraising; 8-9 pm Trip Planning). For more information please call Ann Mingyar at 946-5383.

Bake Sale… My name is Danielle Nazaruk and I’m an 8^th grade student at St. Johns. I was chosen to be a Student Ambassador in the People to People program this summer and will be traveling to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I will be having a Bake Sale for help on the funding for the tuition required to go on the trip. The Bake Sale is this weekend of February 17^th and 18^th in the GYM after all Masses.

The St. John’s Cancer Support Group will meet February 27^th at 6:30 in the Pre-K room in the church basement. Anyone feeling that a religion based support group will help you cope with a serious illness is more than welcome to join us. Spouses and caregivers are also welcome. For more information, call Donna at 942-8689.

Stewardship at St. John’s

Weekly Reflection - May we carry out our unique role in God’s divine plan by answering Jesus’ reassuring call of “Do not be afraid” with “Here I am, send me!”

OFFERTORY for Feb. 11^th

Amount in Adult Envelopes #257 of 701 $7,269

Amount in Children's Envelopes #8 of 283 $7

Total Regular Offertory $7,276

Holy Day $25

Parish Debt $55

Black and Indian Missions $25

Thank you for sharing with your Parish

a portion of what God has given you !

SUNDAY EVENING VESPERS

Each Sunday night during Ordinary Time, we will gather in the day chapel at 6:30 for Evening Prayer. Everyone is welcome to join us, even if you are not familiar with this beautiful form of Liturgy. Though brief, coming together for Evening Prayer, or Vespers, is a wonderful and holy way to bring the Lord's Day to a close.

Have you considered volunteering your time to help others? Your friendliness and smile will reap joy and love in a resident's heart and also in your heart. Please consider giving even 2 hours a month to make a difference in someone's life. Volunteers receive complementary lunch and snack breaks and a take home salad if wanted. Call Garvey Manor & Our Lady of the Alleghenies at 695-5571 and ask for Debbie Dorazio at ext. 4009. You might assist staff in the Café, the Beauty Shop, the activity department or as a visitor to a resident.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society will sponsor a Longaberger Basket Bingo Monday, March 5, 2007 at St. Therese's Fr. Kelley Hall (5th St. & 25th Ave.). Tickets are $20 and include admittance, 15 games, food and refreshments. To reserve a ticket or for more information please call 942-5732.

Registration for St. John’s School

Parents can register their children any time. Registration for students outside the parish will be held Monday, February 26,2007.

Items needed: Original birth certificate, immunization records, social security number, baptismal certificate, $50 registration fee

ATTENTION ALL PARISHIONERS - We are starting to compile a list of all of our parishioners' email addresses. When we have everyone's email address, it will cut down on the cost of our mailings to each individual home, we could send your bulletin to your email address and send reminders of parish events. In order to insure that we get your correct address, we are asking you to send us an email from your address. We will save it to our church directory file for future reference. Please know that we will keep your email address confidential, and please keep us updated when you have changes in your email address. Send it to: stjohnsecretary@atlanticbb.net Thanks

Monday Night Workout…

Now that football season is over, perhaps you want to work yourself into better shape, have some fun, and knock down a shot or two from 3-point range. Men aged 18 or over are welcome to play basketball in our gym on Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:30. It only costs a couple dollars, and gets you out of the house in the winter. Call Steve Wilson @ 944-8680, or just show up with your basketball shoes.

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Weekday Readings

Mon. Feb 19: Sir 1:1-10 / Mk 9:14-29

Tues Feb 20: Sir 2:1-11 / Mk 9:30-37

Wed. Feb 21: Jl 2:12-18 / 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 / Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Thurs Feb22: 1 Pt 5: 1-4 / Mt 16: 13-19

Fri. Feb 23: Is 58:1-9a / Mt 9:14-15

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First Sunday of Lent

February 25^th, 2007

Psalm: Sunday 7

Reading 1 Dt 26:4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying: “The priest shall receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong, and numerous. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And having set them before the Lord, your God, you shall bow down in his presence.

1. What will be in “the basket from your hand,” as an expression of gratitude and worship this Lenten Season?

Responsorial Psalm Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (cf. 15b) Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, For to his angels he has given command about you,
that they guard you in all your ways.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.


Reading II Rm 10:8-13

Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith that we preach, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1. What do these Scriptures say about salvation?

Gospel Lk 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him,
“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, one does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whom ever wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, you shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

3. Also remembering the first temptation by Satan in the Garden of Eden, what is always at the root of temptation?

4. What part did sacred Scripture play both in the temptation of Jesus and in his overcoming the temptation?

5. When was the next occasion when Satan Tempted Jesus? (See Luke 23:33-43) How does it compare to this occasion?

Adult Education

Everyone is most welcome to come and join us. We are all in this together, and we always welcome new folks among us. We meet Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the cafeteria. Breakfast included.