FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

Faith and Belief Are NOT the Same by Rea Nolan Martin

www.huffpost.com

If I believe in God I have faith in God, right? Maybe. Maybe not. It has taken me a long time to realize that faith and belief are not the same thing, and in some cases are diametrically opposed. I wish I

had known this sooner. Confusion between these essential ideas created nearly insurmountable crises of faith in my life just when I needed faith most. Searching frantically for faith, I instead pulled out an entire wardrobe of beliefs. Surely this will fit! Surely that! But nothing fit. And nothing matched. My beliefs, however deep, broad, educated, flexible, magical and divine, did not suit the

crushing occasion. As the experience continued and only got worse, I felt terrified, naked, vulnerable, unfit, and unloved by a God I had served well. On top of everything else, I was hurled headlong into an identity crisis. Who am I if not my beliefs?

If you've been through a terrible crisis

in your life, I'm betting this has happened to you, and you are still trying to figure it out. It took me years. I think more people abandon God out of a crushing sense of having been abandoned by God first than for any other reason. But were you really abandoned by God? Or were you abandoned by your own beliefs? When faith is on the line, belief will almost always let you down. Let me explain

why.

Belief is a product of the mind. A victim mind is already disadvantaged, but even a healthy, enabled mind runs into trouble. The enabled mind may say, "God is faithful. He will: answer my prayers; cure my child; land the plane safely; reconcile my marriage;

replenish my wealth. God is just and will set things right." The enabled mind says that if we hold our beliefs strongly enough, God will listen and favor us. If we only believe! Believe in what though? Believe in our own version of an indefinable Being who transcends us and all created things? Our beliefs are mostly narrow and rooted in culture and upbringing. Sometimes our most closely held beliefs are in direct conflict with everything else we know to be

true.

If we decide or are told that the

persecution is God's idea, or worse -- his divine will -- then how do we reconcile that deity with the God of love and benevolence? This is so much easier when it's happening to someone else -- really. Intellectual abstraction is no substitute for direct experience. It can be argued that we only arrive at the intersection of faith and belief when we experience a life-threatening trauma ourselves. Once we do, we may be forced to change our beliefs or go

crazy. We cannot stay mentally fit as exiles of our own minds. Changing our minds means changing at least some aspect of our beliefs. Beliefs shift because beliefs are modeled on personal and/or communal experience. And a belief, just because it has been handed down to us, is not necessarily true even when we think it is. Or more clearly, it is not necessarily the only truth.

Belief is a product of the mind, but faith is not. Faith is a product of the spirit. The mind interferes in the process of faith more than it contributes to it. To have faith in the worst of times will no doubt require us to silence, or at least quiet, the mind. Faith is what happens when our beliefs run aground. The

spirit can be buoyed by our beliefs, but can also be brought down by them when they prove inadequate, as they most certainly will at some point in the journey. Even the beliefs humans have held most closely have come and gone over the course of a lifetime or a millennium. Think of Galileo.

We can believe an abstract truth, but

as a result of our human limitations, we can never really know. And even our individual experiences with the same truth can collide. In time, as new spiritual and cultural information is revealed,

former so-called truths can be revealed as arbitrary, false or irrelevant; i.e., slavery, polygamy, gender and race inequality, and previously sanctioned abuses by social, political and religious authorities. Beliefs come and go, but real faith is not so fickle. Real faith is not a statement of beliefs, but a state of being. It is living life midair -- standing commando on a

tightrope fifty stories up with no

preconception of the outcome. It is trusting beyond all reason and evidence that you have not been abandoned.

Since faith is conceptual until it is put into play, it is best achieved through commitment. To commit to faith is not the same as committing to a set of beliefs. In the throes of crisis it is

impossible to know what the unknowable God and/or universe is really asking of us. But in the void of not knowing, we may ask: Is it God at all who asks this of me? Or circumstance? The answer of faith: It doesn't matter. You don't know now and you may never know. To not know in the context of faith is to remain humble and teachable. To toss away the conflicting and unusable beliefs of

the mind is to be free of human chatter and hubris and a step closer to the divine. Where faith does not fill in the cracks, fear will. Faith is an attitude of acceptance of not knowing.

Knowing does not create faith. Unknowing does.

The next time you find yourself in spiritual crisis, my advice -- attach no value to it, positive or negative. Release your beliefs for the time being, and do not labor at bringing them into congruity with the crisis. Have faith that whatever is happening to you now will be neither lost nor forgotten, but witnessed and acknowledged in the

fullness of its truth. With time and maturity, all that bears light will be made clear.

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

IN THE PARISH

Helpful Information

Join the Parish

Anyone wishing to register for membership in the parish is asked to fill out a registration form and drop it in the collection basket.

Request Prayers

Our INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY provides prayer for anyone in need throughout the parish. Contact MARY ANN MAGDA at 570-820-0525 or make your intention known on our parish website at www.standrebessettewb.com

Remember your Parish

Your parish serves you faithfully throughout your life. Please remember your parish with a memorial gift or a Bequest in your will. Make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for you.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may take place at any time, but, sadly, too many families wait until the last minute to call the priest to anoint their loved ones. If someone in your family is seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or suffering a prolonged illness, please contact the parish office to arrange a time for Fr. Ken to visit. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY—or if Fr. Ken is unavailable to visit immediately, we will contact the first available priest to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with your loved one.

Funeral Preparations

We collaborate with the local funeral directors in arranging the times of the funerals. Please be aware that

there is an additional fee for funerals on Saturdays imposed by most cemeteries in the area.

Baptismal Preparations

Parents of newly born infants may call the parish office to arrange a time for the Baptism of their child. Baptisms are celebrated, for the most part, on any Sunday, with the exception of the season of Lent.

Wedding Preparations

Couples contemplating Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least one year prior to the contemplated date of marriage, before making other plans. EASTER isn’t JUST A DAY! EASTER is a WHOLE SEASON!!!!

DESSERT and STUDY for

the

EASTER SEASON

Dates: May 1, 8, 22, 29, June 5.

Time: 6 –7:30 pm

Place: Fr. Zolcinski Hall As we celebrate the Joyful Easter Season, we

will continue our discussion on the way to holiness as laid out for us in the EASTER SCRIPTURES, Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation: “Rejoice and Be Glad” and Matthew Kelly’s Book: “THE BIGGEST LIE IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY” As we discuss these topics, we will feast on a smorgasbord of desserts each week to remind us of the sweetness of our life in Christ Jesus.

JOIN US FOR FAITH and FELLOWSHIP

Our First Annual Parish EASTER BRUNCH will be held THIS SUNDAY, April

28th, beginning at 9 am in Fr. Zolcinski Hall. Join us as we continue our celebration of the GREAT 50 DAYS of EASTER

HONORING OUR GRADUATES

Our Parish Social Justice Council will

honor our HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES at the weekend Masses

June 1st and 2nd. Invitations will be mailed to the

graduates. If you are a member of the parish and your son or daughter is graduating from High School this year, please contact ANNA HUDOCK at 570-822-1926 with their name and address before Sunday, May 7th.

We do not want to inadvertently miss anyone.

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

Spring Oldies Dinner Dance Friday, May 17th 6-10pm St. Mary's Social Hall, 522 Madison St. Wilkes Barre. music by Millennium

Homemade dinner and desserts will be offered, as well as water/soda/coffee. Responsible BYOB is ok. Must be 21 years of age and older to attend.

Tickets are $20.00 each, and are available in the Vestibule

BOUNTIFUL BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS are also available in the vestibule of the church,

Many Thanks to all who donated to make this a great success.

EASTER THANK YOU Many Thanks to all who helped to make the celebration of the Paschal Triduum a glorious expression of our Faith.

To the Servers, Lectors, and EMOCs for

their attention to the schedule and their willingness to be of service.

To our sacristans and helpers who helped

to prepare the Worship environment for each of the days of the Triduum;

to our choir and cantors and musicians

who made a joyful noise to the Lord

and to all who participated in all of the

prayers and worship experiences of the Three Days.

Upcoming Social Justice Projects for MAY ANNUAL MOTHERS’ DAY CARNATION SALE— May 11-12 Proceeds benefit Pennsylvanians for Human Life.

BABY BOTTLE PROJECT Throughout the month of May, baby bottles will be available to receive your donation. Simply fill the bottle with your loose change and return it to the church. Proceeds benefit the local chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life. ST. JOSEPH’S BABY PANTRY

Donations benefit the St. Joseph Center’s Baby Pantry which provides necessary items for newborns and infants in

needy families. Items needed: Baby clothes 0-6 months; Onesies or sleepers for newborn—3 month olds; baby socks and

baby booties; receiving blankets, baby afghans, New Baby Bottles and bibs, Diapers (newborn—6) Baby wash, Baby lotion, Baby Shampoo Baby Wipes.

Please support these efforts as your means permits.

THE LITURGY

Bread

In the old days, before

yeast was readily

available at markets,

many households kept

some alive in a crock

stored somewhere

warm in the kitchen.

The yeast was tended

by adding flour and

water as needed. A bit

of it leavened each

batch of bread dough.

Eventually bacteria

would get into leaven,

which made it stink to

high heaven. What’s

worse, contaminated

leaven failed to make

the bread rise. So it

got thrown out and

some was borrowed

from a neighbor to

start fresh. At

Passover, the Jewish

people make a

communal ritual of this

new beginning by

tossing out the old

leaven and by eating

unleavened bread until

new yeast develops.

For Christians, the action of fresh yeast is an

emblem of the Resurrection and a sign of the

life-giving Spirit. Saint Paul told the

Corinthians to throw out the old yeast so that

the new—the Gospel— could raise them up.

With your companions (a word that means

“those we break bread with”), celebrate the

season with Easter breads, perhaps with a

babka, brioche, lambropsomo (Greek shining

bread), hot cross buns or colomba di Pasqua

(Italian Easter dove). These can be savory

symbols of the Bread of Life, the Risen Christ,

who is made known to us in the breaking of

the bread.

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. www.ltp.org.Text by Peter Mazar. Art by Vicki Shuck. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

Wine

Through fermentation,

yeasts convert the sugar in

grapes into carbon dioxide

and other byproducts,

including alcohol. There is

obvious energy in this

transformation.

Fermenting grapes hiss

and fizz with potentially

explosive force. In

Christian tradition, wine

has become symbolic for

the power of the Holy

Spirit.

God’s Spirit is the lifeblood

of the Body of Christ. Jesus

commands us to drink

deeply. On Pentecost the

disciples drank so much of

the Spirit that the

bystanders though they

were drunk. The

Pentecostal signs of the

Spirit, such as fire and

wind, share qualities in

common. Like wine, they

can be agents of

destruction or forces for

creativity and delight.

During Eastertime, it seems as if the earth itself is

filled with these signs. Orchards and vineyards

blossom. Sunshine pours down and gentle breezes

blow. And, on occasion, there are windy

thunderstorms and even worse. Keep people in your

prayers whose lives are disrupted when the weather

turns wild.

Throughout Eastertime, celebrate the Spirit with kites

and windsocks, with maywine and sweet liqueurs,

with fiery barbeques and flickering candles. Make of

this season a time to turn away from destruction and

to renew your powers of creativity and delight. In the

Eucharistic feast, drink deeply of the Spirit

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. www.ltp.org.Text by Peter Mazar. Art by Vicki Shuck. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Thursday, May 5 Thursday, June 6

1 pm

CATECHETICAL COUNCIL TBA

6:00 p.m.

FINANCE COUNCIL Thursday June 20

6:00 pm

LITURGICAL COUNCIL Thursday, June 6

6:00 p.m.

PARISH LIFE COUNCIL Thursday, May 16

6:00 pm

PASTORAL COUNCIL Thursday May 23

6:00 p.m.

SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL Thursday, May 9

6:00 p.m.

Development

Committee 6:30 pm

Monday, May 6 Monday, June 3

FAITH SHARING

DISCIPLES of the SPIRIT 10:30 am

Saturday, May 18 Saturday, June15

ST. ANDRE FAITH SHARERS

6:00 pm Monday, May 6 Monday, June 3

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

2:00 pm Sunday, May 19 Sunday, June16

For More Information,

please contact Sr.

Madonna at 570-823-

4988.

SEASON of EASTER

Sunday, April 28 Second Sunday of Easter

8:00 am Easter Mass 9 am—1 pm Easter Brunch 11:00 am Easter Mass CATHOLIC HOME MISSION COLLECTION Tickets for Dance and Raffle

Weekend of May 4- 5 Third Sunday of Easter

8:00 am Mass 11:00 am Mass/ FIRST EUCHARIST CLERGY COLLECTION Tickets for Dance and Raffle BABY BOTTLE COLLECTION St. JOSEPH’S PANTRY

Monday, April 29

No Morning Mass

Monday, May 6

No Morning Mass 6:00 pm St. Andre Faith Sharers 6:30 pm Development Committee

Tuesday, April 30

8 am Mass 5:30 pm Choir

Tuesday, May 7

8 am Mass 5:30 pm Choir

Wednesday, May 1

8 am Mass 6 pm DESSERT and STUDY

Wednesday, May 8

8 am Mass 6 pm DESSERT and STUDY

Thursday, May 2

8 am Mass

Noon—6 pm ADORATION

6 Pm VESPERS

Thursday, May 9

8 am Mass

Noon—6 pm ADORATION 1 pm Administrative Staff

6 Pm VESPERS/ Social Justice Council

Friday, May 3 FIRST FRIDAY

8 am Morning Mass 6 pm Confessions 6:30 pm Sacred Heart Devotions 7:00 pm Mass

Friday, May 10

8 am Morning Mass

Saturday, May 4

No Morning Mass 10:00 am First Eucharist Prep 3:00 pm Confessions. VIGIL THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Saturday, May 11

No Morning Mass 3:00 pm Confessions. CARNATION SALE to benefit PA for HUMAN LIFE BABY BOTTLE COLLECTION St. JOSEPH’S PANTRY VIGIL FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

PARISH COMMITTEES

Loaves and Fishes

Food for MAY

Sugar by the Pound

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

Fun fact:

Almost all of the post-resurrection

appearances involve eating and food.

In the fifty days between the Resurrection and the Ascension, Jesus shows up at

meals and at tables, even in some cases,

asking for food!

And every time he does, there would be a

prayer. Because that is what Jews did – said thank you at the beginning and at the

end of every meal. Gratitude. Table grace.

FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH FAITH SHARING

Christus Vivit! Message of Our Holy Father Francis

to Young People and to the World www.vatican.va

15. The word of God says that young people should be treated “as brothers” (1 Tim 5:1), and warns parents not to “provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col 3:21). Young people are not meant to become discouraged; they are meant to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better. That is why I constantly urge young people not to let themselves be robbed of hope; to each of them I repeat: “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Tim 4:12).

16. Nonetheless, young people are also urged “to accept the authority of those who are older” (1 Pet 5:5). The Bible never ceases to insist that profound respect be shown to the elderly, since they have a wealth of experience; they have known success and failure, life’s joys and afflictions, its dreams and disappointments. In the silence of their heart, they have a store of experiences that can teach us not to make mistakes or be taken in by false promises. An ancient sage asks us to respect certain limits and to master our impulses: “Urge the younger men to be self-controlled” (Tit 2.6). It is unhelpful to buy into the cult of youth or foolishly to dismiss others simply because they are older or from another generation. Jesus tells us that the wise are able to bring forth from their store things both new and old (cf. Mt 13:52). A wise young person is open to the future, yet still capable of learning something from the experience of others.

17. In the Gospel of Mark, we find a man who, listening to Jesus speak of the commandments, says, “All these I have observed from my youth” (10:20). The Psalmist had already said the same thing: “You, O Lord, are my hope; my trust, O Lord, from my youth… from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds” (Ps 71:5.17). We should never repent of spending our youth being good, opening our heart to the Lord, and living differently. None of this takes away from our youth but instead strengthens and renews it: “Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:5). For this reason, Saint Augustine could lament: “Late have I loved

you, beauty ever ancient, ever new! Late have I loved you!”[2] Yet that rich man, who had been faithful to God in his youth, allowed the passing years to rob his dreams; he preferred to remain attached to his riches (cf. Mk 10:22).

18. On the other hand, in the Gospel of Matthew we find a young man (cf. 19:20.22)

who approaches Jesus and asks if there is more that he can do (v. 20); in this, he demonstrates that youthful openness of spirit which seeks new horizons and great challenges. Yet his spirit was not really that young, for he had already become attached to riches and comforts. He said he wanted something more, but when Jesus asked him to be generous and distribute his goods, he realized that he could not let go of everything he had. In the end, “hearing these words, the young man went away sad” (v. 22). He had given up his youth.

19. The Gospel also speaks about a group of wise young women, who were ready and waiting, while others were distracted and slumbering (cf. Mt 25:1-13). We can, in fact, spend our youth being distracted, skimming the surface of life, half-asleep, incapable of cultivating meaningful relationships or experiencing the deeper things in life. In this way, we can store up a paltry and unsubstantial future. Or we can spend our youth aspiring to beautiful and great things, and thus store up a future full of life and interior richness.

20. If you have lost your inner vitality, your dreams, your enthusiasm, your optimism and your generosity, Jesus stands before you as once he stood before the dead son of the widow, and with all the power of his resurrection he urges you: “Young man, I say to you, arise!” (Lk 7:14).

21. To be sure, many other passages of the word of God can shed light on this stage of your life. We will take up some of them in the following chapters.

CHAPTER TWO

Jesus, ever young

22. Jesus is “young among the young in order to be an example for the young and to consecrate them to the Lord”.[3] For this reason the Synod said that “youth is an original and stimulating stage of life, which Jesus himself experienced, thereby sanctifying it”.[4]

Jesus’ youth

23. The Lord “gave up his spirit” (cf. Mt 27:50) on a cross when he was little more than thirty years of age (cf. Lk 3:23). It is important to realize that Jesus was a young person. He gave his life when he was, in today’s terms, a young adult. He began his

public mission in the prime of life, and thus “a light dawned” (Mt 4:16) that would shine most brightly when he gave his life to the very end. That ending was not something that simply happened; rather, his entire

youth, at every moment, was a precious preparation for it. “Everything in Jesus’s life was a sign of his mystery”;[5] indeed, “Christ’s whole life is a mystery of redemption”.[6]

24. The Gospel tells us nothing of Jesus’ childhood, but it does recount several events of his adolescence and youth. Matthew situates the time of the Lord’s youth between two events: his family’s return to Nazareth after their exile, and Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, the beginning of his public ministry. The last images we have of Jesus as a child are those of a tiny refugee in Egypt (cf. Mt 2:14-15) and repatriated in Nazareth (cf. Mt 2:19-23). Our first image of Jesus as a young adult shows him standing among the crowds on the banks of the Jordan river to be baptized by his kinsman John the Baptist, just like any other member of his people (cf. Mt 3:13-17).

25. Jesus’ baptism was not like our own, which introduces us to the life of grace, but a consecration prior to his embarking on the great mission of his life. The Gospel says that at his baptism the Father rejoiced and was well pleased: “You are my beloved Son” (Lk 3:22). Jesus immediately appeared filled with the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the desert. There he prepared to go forth to preach and to work miracles, to bring freedom and healing (cf. Lk 4:1-14). Every young person who feels called to a mission in this world is invited to hear the Father speaking those same words within his or her heart: “You are my beloved child”.

26. Between these two accounts, we find another, which shows Jesus as an adolescent, when he had returned with his parents to Nazareth, after being lost and found in the Temple (cf. Lk 2:41-51). There we read that “he was obedient to them” (cf. Lk 2:51); he did not disown his family. Luke then adds that Jesus “grew in wisdom, age and grace before God and men” (cf. Lk 2:52). In a word, this was a time of preparation, when Jesus grew in his relationship with the Father and with others. Saint John Paul II explained that he did not only grow physically, but that “there was also a spiritual growth in Jesus”, because “the fullness of grace in Jesus was in proportion to his age: there was always a fullness, but a fullness which increased as he grew in age”.[7]

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

IN THE DIOCESE

Notice Regarding the Sexual Abuse of A Minor It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at 570-862-7551 or to Diocesan Officials, including the Vicar General, Msgr. Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G. at 570-207-2269.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

COMPASSIONATE

COUNSELING SERVICES

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton offers compassionate

counseling in a safe, comfortable environment where your privacy is

always respected.

Anyone who struggles with anxiety, grief and loss, depression, life

transitions or a variety of emotional or

psychological conditions is welcome. CSS accepts Medicare and some other

insurance plans.

CALL 570-207-2283 for more information

or to make an appointment

Scranton NPM 2019 Events

Mark your 2019 calendars now and plan on attending the upcoming spiritual and informative events of the Scranton Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Here is a listing of what’s in store:

Cathedral Art, Music &

Architecture Tour — Monday, May 13 at 6:00PM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton

42nd Annual NPM

Convention—July 16-19 in Raleigh, NC

Resources for Selecting

Liturgical Music—Monday, September 16 at 6:00PM at St. John Neumann Parish (Holy Name site), Scranton

Creating Effective Worship

Aids—Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00PM at Holy Name of Jesus, West Hazleton

For more information about any of these events, visit ScrantonNPM.com.

ANNUAL APPEAL

Parish Goal: $32,000.00 Pledges/Gifts: $20,563.00 Still Needed: $11,437.00 If you have not yet made your pledge you may do so by contacting the Development Office at 570-207-2250 or sending your pledge directly to

Diocesan Annual Appeal Development Office Diocese of Scranton 300 Wyoming Ave. Scranton, PA 18503

Prayer for an End to Infanticide

The U.S. Senate recently failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act— legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an attempted abortion would receive the same degree

of care to preserve her or his life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. Please join us in prayer for an end to infanticide:

“Jesus, Lord of Life, transform the hearts of all elected leaders to recognize that infanticide is wrong and must not be tolerated. Open

hearts and minds to recognize and defend the precious gift of every human life.”

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

Come to the Well

Catholic Women’s

Conference

Saturday, June 22,

2019

Byron Center

University of

Scranton

Admission $40.00

Students $20.00

Religious - FREE

Register at CWCNEPA.com

STEWARDSHIP

Resurrection Economics: What the Early Church Teaches Us About Generosity

by Ron Jones www.voice.dts.edu

My freshman economics professor at Purdue University never mentioned the resurrection of Jesus Christ in conjunction with any enduring economic principle. In fact, it likely never even crossed his mind as he taught us

about Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. That’s not altogether unsurprising. What is surprising, however, is that few Christians make the connection either.

Yet Acts tells us that the first followers of Jesus saw a clear relationship between the Resurrection, which profoundly changed the trajectory of their lives, and their money. Here’s how Luke, the medical-doctor-turned-church-historian, describes the transformation that took place in the early church: All the believers were one in

heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or

houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:32–35).

In moving seamlessly from speaking of the apostles’ testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to their generous acts of kindness, Luke makes an undeniable connection between the empty tomb and compassion. He has just introduced us to resurrection economics.

When the early Christians grasped the reality of the empty tomb, a revolution of generosity took place. They could have broken into small groups to discuss the deep

theological implications of the Resurrection, but they didn’t—not at this time, anyway. Instead they asked the question, “Because Jesus is alive, what can we do to help our neighbors in need?” In response some of them, such as Barnabas, sold land they owned and gave the proceeds

to the poor.

Jesus’ resurrection turned their financial worldview from one of ownership to stewardship. “No one claimed that

any of his possessions was his own.” The new Christ-followers began to view everything they “owned” as a sacred trust from God. They now had a responsibility to live generously in ways they had not done before. As a result there were “no needy persons among them.”

Imagine the impact this truth would have on our Christian communities. No families wondering how to pay the bills during seasons of unemployment. No hungry children. No couples drifting toward divorce court due to unbearable

financial stress. There would be more than enough to go

around because people living in community with their neighbors share their lives and their good fortune with each other.

Consider again Luke’s observation about sharing. “They shared everything they had.” In his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum

places two words at the top of the list of things he learned in early childhood: share everything. Yes, sharing is still an act of childlike faith and expected of believers.

The way the Resurrection affected the early church economically provides a

powerful example for us to follow today. How might you help meet the needs of His other children? What sacrifices are you making so that someone else can enjoy basic necessities?

Ask God to show you ways to live more generously and to open your eyes to the needs around you. Pray that He would give you a compassionate heart and fill you with a fresh surge of His resurrection power as you live to give.

As you seek to live out the principles by which the earliest Christian community cared for one another, be prepared for a transformational experience that puts you in touch

with real people who have real needs. Confidently move into those situations with God’s resources, knowing that—as He provided for the poor Philippians who gave to support Paul (Phil. 4:19)—He promises always to supply the needs of the generous as we focus on others.

Resurrection economics can and will transform entire Christian communities when God’s people adopt a steward’s way of life. Imagine the life-change stories that such countercultural living will produce. Some of them

might even become case studies in freshman economics.

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

FINANCES

Your Gift to God

April 20-21, 2019

Over $100.00 3 $20 32

$100.00 1 $16-19 1

$76-99 1 $15 19

$75 0 $11-14 5

$51-74 7 $10 81

$50 8 $6-9 0

$26-49 23 $5 55

$25 9 under $5 33

$21-24 0 Total Envelopes used

278

Is your gift to the parish each week an honest reflection of God’s goodness to you?

Mass Attendance

April 20-21, 2019

People In-Church Collection

Average Offering

per person

4:00 p.m. -0- -0- -0-

8:00 p.m. 90 3,949.00 43.88

8:00 a.m. 178 4,294.00 24.13

11:00a.m. 159 3,740.00 23.53

Total 427 11,983.00 28.07

REMINDER: In order for our parish to remain solvent, the average weekly offering per person MUST equal or be greater than $15.00 consistently.

Votive Offerings

Bread and Wine

Intention

Living & Deceased

Members of the Dudasko

Family

Offered by Family

Sanctuary Candle

Intention Edward Snyder

Offered by Wife & Family

INCOME

EXPENSES

April 20, 21 2019 April 18-24,2019

PARISH COLLECTION Administration 484.49

In Church Mailed In Clergy Residence -0-

Loose 569.00 -0- Liturgy 1,732.60

Offering 3,014.00 210.00 Religious Education -0-

Holy Days 8,278.00 1,020.00 Social Justice -0-

Initial -0- -0- Maintenance 1,562.13

Dues 62.00 17.00 Parish Assessment -0-

Debt Reduction 5.00 -0- Insurance -0-

Holiday Flowers 55.00 -0- Taxes 385.83

TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION

11,983.00 1,247.00 Transfer -0-

DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS Diocesan Collections -0-

Diocesan Collections

425.00 20.00 Debt Service

(Principal + Interest) 2,818.39

TOTAL DIOCESAN

425.00 20.00 School Subsidy 181.61

OTHER INCOME TOTAL EXPENSES $7,165.05

Candles -0-

Rental of Properties

-0-

Perquisites -0- Previous Balance 3,176.98

Miscellaneous 3,436.13 + Income this week +17,111.13

Transfers -0- -Expenses this week -7,165.05

TOTAL OTHER INCOME

$3,436.13 Balance Forward $13,123.06

TOTAL INCOME $17,111.13

DIOCESAN ASSESSMENTS (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019)

Diocesan

Assessment

School

Assessment

BALANCE

Prior

Balance 0.00 93,788.02 93,788.02

Current

Assessment 71,471.00 56,659.62 128,130.62

Amount

Paid 37,605.00 1,099.95 38,704.95

BALANCE DUE

33,866.00 149,347.69 183,213.69

The Monthly Assessment Installment for the Diocese is $5,956.00. (that is a little over 1 Weekend’s collection per month)

The Monthly School Assessment Installment is $4,724.40 (another weekend’s collection per month)

To pay off the total current and past Schools Assessment, the monthly installment would be $12,537.30 (3 weekend collections per month.)

PARISH DEBT SERVICE

Parish Loan Amount Paid BALANCE

Due

BALANCE 412,000.00 83,726.22 328,273.78

Please Note: The Parish Debt service has been paid to

date. This Account is current.

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

LOCAL EVENTS

American Cancer Society’s

ROAD TO RECOVERY

PROGRAM

For those who cannot drive themselves,

or have no other means of getting to cancer-related medical appointments, volunteers donate their time to give

patients a much needed ride.

If you would like to volunteer, you need a good driving record, a current driver’s

license, Proof of adequate auto insurance, a safe and reliable vehicle,

schedule availability, and regular laptop/tablet/computer access.

To ensure quality drivers, the American Cancer Society screens every volunteer. Volunteers must also complete online training courses to prepare them for

their new role.

For more information,

please call

1-800-227-2345

or visit

www.cancer.org/driver.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

Bus Trip to

PINES DINNER THEATER

Allentown Pa

Thursday, June 27, 2019 “ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK”

St. Ignatius Parish Mary Ministry Cost: $85. Checks payable to St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Memo: PINES. Contact: Elaine Whipple 570-288-3564 for menu, details and to reserve your seat. Seats will be assigned as payments are received.

CHOMAN’S MOBILE CARE

Cemetery Care His services include steam cleaning of headstone,

manicuring the lawn around the stone, mulching, flowering

and more! He offers one time, seasonal and monthly

packages. He also offers military and veteran discounts.

Automobile Detailing We love our cars and rely heavily on them. But giving them

the care they deserve is no easy task! Even dropping it at

the detailing shop can be an obstacle. That’s why we bring

the detailing shop to you! We supply the water, power, tools

and come right to your home or office! We’ll have your vehicle looking like new with no worry or hassle to you!.

Power Washing Buildings lose their pristine look due to dirt, grime and

motor exhaust. These can build up and severely damage

your property and destroy its value. We’ll restore your investment and help prevent the mess for coming back as

well as increase the curb value of your property overnight.

We build our service based on your desire and your budget.

We remove mold, graffiti, tar, gum, oil and more. We clean

buildings, houses, sidewalks, balconies, porches, rain

gutters, decks and patios, windows, parking lots, garages

and much more. Commercial and Residential services

available.

You can contact Chris at

(570) 262-3109,

or Book your appointment

by e-mail at

ChomanCares@gmail.com.

ECO-FRIENDLY CARE FOR YOU

AND YOUR INVESTMENTS

Join Us for Eucharistic

Adoration

every Thursday from Noon to 6 pm.

The Day concludes

with Vespers and Benediction

at 6 pm.

APRIL is CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

“Protecting Children is Everyone’s Job.”

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy

Date: Wednesday May 15, 2019

Payment should already have been made in advance.

DEPARTURE Times and Places:

Moosic’s Birney Plaza—9 am

Pittston Township— 9:15 am

Harvest Buffet, Wilkes Barre — 9:30 am

LUNCH will be at Kitchen Kettle Village and will be on your own.

3:00 pm Showtime

6:00 pm — Dinner Good and Plenty Restaurant (Included in price of ticket)

RETURN Estimated Time of Arrival:

Harvest Buffet, Wilkes-Barre —10:00 pm

Pittston Township — 10:15 pm

Moosic’s Birney Plaza — 10:30 pm

For more information contact JUST GREAT TOURS at 570-829-5756 or 1-800-847-4384.

JESUS at SIGHT and SOUND BUS TRIP INFORMATION

MY PENITENT SINNER

SHTICK NEEDS WORK!

WEEKLY CALENDAR

LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE

May 4-5, 2019

Third Sunday of Easter

4:00 pm 5:30 pm 8:00 am 11:00 am

Rosemary Shedlock

Sr. Tina Hanrahan

AJ Kondracki Aiden Burridge Kayla Gianelli Servers

John Bednarz Pat Baran Mary Ann Slavinski

David Alusick Lectors

Diane Gregor Elaine Klukoske AJ Kondracki Jim Zoccola EMOC

Geri Ulichney Carol Zukowski Brian Clarke Matt Kurtz Cantors

Ann & Dennis Bozinski

Dolores Dlugosh Roxanne Degnan

Joe Stone

Sr. Madonna Hospitality

Second Week of Easter April 29—May 5, 2019

Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events

Monday, April 29 St. Catherine of Siena

No Morning Mass Scheduled

Tuesday, April 30 Pope St. Pius V

8 am Paul Garren Sapek Family 5:30 pm Choir

Wednesday, May 1 St. Joseph the Worker

8 am Florence Garbush Lorraine Tolooczko 6 pm Dessert & Study

Thursday, May 2 St. Athanasius

8 am Leo Magri Parish of SAB Noon: Exposition 6 pm Vespers

Friday, May 3 Sts. Philip & James

8 am

7 pm

Anna Goncheroski

Men of the Sacred Heart

David Alusick

MOTSH

8 am Mass 6 pm Confessions 6:30 pm Sacred Heart Devotions 7:00 pm Mass

Saturday, May 4 Easter Weekday No Morning Mass Scheduled

10:00 am First Eucharist Prep 3:00 pm Confessions

Third Sunday of Easter

VIGIL 4 pm Jacqueline Wardle Susan & John O’Boyle 11 am FIRST EUCHARIST CLERGY COLLECTION Dues Envelope Dance/Raffle Tickets Available Baby Bottle Collection St. Joseph’s Baby Pantry Collection.

VIGIL 5:30 pm Parishioners Pastor

SUNDAY 8 am Kenneth E Seegar Family

SUNDAY 11 am Intentions of the First

Eucharist Class Parish

28 April 2019 Second Sunday of Easter/Feast of Divine Mercy