April 1, 2018

Our Mother of Sorrows

Mission Statement

To befriend all people, churched and unchurched,

welcoming all to explore their own journey

through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

and to grow as a community of intentional

disciples with a lifelong zeal.

8:30 pm People of OMOS & St. Michael’s Parish

8:30 am +People of OMOS Parish 11:00 am +People of OMOS Parish

6:00 am Eucharistic Adoration 8:00 am +Thomas Newhouse (wife & children) Server: Tim Burgess

6:00 am Eucharistic Adoration 7:30 am Confessions 8:00 am +Carol Vogel (Jim & Elsie Kukura) Server: Karalyn Bailey

7:00 am Praise & Worship 4:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration 5:30 pm Confessions 6:00 pm +Sam Pesto (Jim & Elsie Kukura) Server: Tim Burgess

6:00 am Eucharistic Adoration 8:00 am +John Farabaugh (wife, Georgia) Server: Tim Burgess

6:00 am Eucharistic Adoration 8:00 am + Olga Labuda (Rick & Janet Bowser) 5:30 pm +Michael A. Gyauch Jr. (Margaret & Greg Gyauch) Servers: Ellie & Ayda Dorian

7:00 pm Prayer Meeting 3:00 pm Confessions 4:00 pm +Gladys Keck (Denny Roseman) Servers: Kaleigh Plank & Alexis Smith Lector: Cil Peterson Euch.Min Steve Quinn(2), Bill Rosage, Bridget Byrne, Jerry Clark, Mary Kay Clark, Vicki Wesner, Linda Rosenbaum Hosp: Shirley, Ed, Edwin Kesslak, Rich & Debbie Cowan, Jim & Ann Mattie, Jim Galiardi Music Min. ***/Jeanne Clark

8:30 am Rose Leone (Norma Oliverio) Servers: Bridget & Maria Barbato Lector: Julie Patula Euch.Min. Ron Golias (2), Rick & Evie Wess, Janet Bowser, Mary Jo Gardill, Ed & Julie Sheehan Hosp: Jeanette & Ray Cowan, Marge Pipan, John Esch, John &Julie Fontana, Martin Malek Music Min.John/Choir (Denise)

Sunday, April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday

Saturday, March 31, 2018 Easter Vigil

Mon., April 2, 2018 Monday within Octave of Easter

Wed., April 4, 2018 Wednesday within Octave of Easter

Saturday, April 7, 2018 Vigil

Thurs., April 5, 2018 Thursday within Octave of Easter

Fri., April 6, 2018 Friday within Octave of Easter

FATHER MARK’S NOTES

Sunday, April 8, 2018 2nd Sunday of Easter

Tues., April 3, 2018 Tuesday within Octave of Easter

Sunday, April 8, 2018 2nd Sunday of Easter

11:00 am Nicholas Antonazzo, Sr. (Nick & Donna Antonazzo) Servers: Connor Polacek & Jonathan Smajda Lector: Tom Polacek Euch. Min. Tom Polacek (2), Mary Polacek, Mary Beth Cart wright, Maris Nesmith, Patty Falcone, Anne Schrey, Rita Thomas Hosp. Denise Mezyk, Kathy Ashcom, Marianne Krizner, Kevin Dicey, Nelson & Shelley Lowes, Lisa Shelter, John Onufro Music Min.John/Choir (Jeanne P.)

A Holy Three Days!! What a wonderful and a truly “Holy Three Days!!” First off, let me thank everyone who was involved in the planning and the celebration of the Triduum. I must especially mention the staff who worked so very hard and put in a lot of overtime to make the Days so beautiful and prayerful. Also, let me mention the choir – awe-some!! – the Eucharistic Ministers, the lectors, the hospitality ministers, the servers, and all those who helped in the planning and celebra-tion. There are so many of you!!! I hope I didn’t forget any groups. May I also thank all those who chose to get their feet washed Holy Thursday night, and all those who joined in the Walking Stations? I loved those parts!! As a staff, we were worried no one would participate in either of these new parts to our observance. Wow, did you surprise us!! Thanks for being so open! Mostly, for me, it was your participation that made all the difference. And, not just that you were there. You were there with a pur-pose!! You meant to enter as fully as you could into the whole experience. You had a certain re-solve. We are beginning to create a beautiful symphony!! In new ways, we can now see that Easter Sun-day without Holy Thursday and Good Friday fails to grasp the truly Christian experience, the revolution that Jesus came to bring to our wounded world. Easter Sunday just isn’t possi-ble without Holy Thursday and Good Fri-day. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday, Jesus went into the depth of our broken humanity. If he didn’t experience it, he didn’t redeem it!

OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS JOHNSTOWN, PA

FATHER MARK’S NOTES

So, when I say to you now, Happy Easter, you know it’s with a joy that’s deeper than just a beautiful Spring Sunday morning. It’s with a realization that our God, Jesus, has entered our wounds, our fears, our depression, our anguish, and our despair and has conquered it, redeemed it. He is Risen free and loved by the Father, and we can too, if we choose to really live out our baptism, and rise with Him to a life that otherwise is not possible. Happy Easter to all of you.

Happy Easter!! All our stuff for the Easter bulletin needed to be in on Monday of Holy Week, so I’m here writ-ing to all of you right after our Masses for Passion (Palm) Sunday. I’ve been celebrating the Sacred Triduum for a long time, but I never tire of it. There is absolute-ly nothing in my life that is more important than these Three days -- nothing!! Everything in life, that’s for all of us is determined by these events that occurred in history a long time ago, but are made present Liturgically here during the Sacred Triduum. As you know, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil are really one Liturgy, one event spread over three days. Each part is essential. On Holy Thursday Jesus gave himself to us by washing our feet and giving himself in the Eucharist – take and eat, take and drink, this is My Body and Blood!! Then, on Good Friday He continues to give of Himself by His passion and death on the Cross. Just imagine, Jesus gives Himself for us while we are literally hanging Him there. It’s the greatest act of love in all of human history given to God and for us – again, as He hammered the nails in His hands and feet. Because of this great love, through the Spirit, the Father raised Jesus from the dead. As a man He has broken through, He has made a bridge between us that Adam and Eve closed long ago. And, let me add this: at Easter, Jesus is raised from dead -- in His Body. Someone said to me last week, and it struck me, that if it didn’t rise (whatever “it” might be) it’s not redeemed. So, Jesus be-ing raised in His body is essential. Meaning, all of us are now redeemed -- all of us – including our body. So, how do we enter this great event? How do we share in the Resurrection of Jesus? On Easter Jesus was raised, what about us? We enter into this great event by our baptism. That’s why on East-er we renew our Baptismal promises. Our baptism is huge!! And, not just to be baptized, but to live out our baptism! Through our baptism, we too enter the passion, death, and resurrection of Je-sus. Yes, all of it. We must suffer and die to our selfish self, our false self, so we can rise in Christ into our selfless self, our true self, our Christ self. We become more and more like Christ. That’s Easter, us, you and me, becoming more and more like Jesus. Now we have 50 days to make sense of all that I just shared with you here. The final great mys-tery is Pentecost, that’s when Jesus sends His Spirit upon us, and we begin to live our baptism as dis-ciples of Jesus -- more about that later. For now, Happy Easter!! He is risen!! May we all rise with Him to a whole new life. Knowing Jesus personally in such a way that changes everything for you. May He give you living water, heal your blindness, and raise you to a new life!! If you are a guest and have just begun to join us here at OMOS, Welcome!! We are so honored that you decided to come here for Easter. You are welcome to continue with us as we seek to pene-trate these awesome mysteries and incorporate them into our lives as individuals and as a communi-ty. Finally, it’s an honor to celebrate all this with you. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be!!

SMALL GROUPS

He is Risen - Alleluia!

Blessing to all small group participants for fin-ishing the journey through Lent. Our Savior has risen, give thanks! Let's all continue this journey through to Pentecost and even beyond by continuing in our small groups. There are many options available to further our faith journey togeth-er. First is our Formed.org website. Check out the new materials available and see what might spark an interest with your group. Se-cond, check out our website with the links to some ideas for books to read together. Third, talk to folks in other groups and see what they might be reading or have already read. There are so many options available. There are also some great video series or Youtube options to watch as well. If you would like some help finding something just contact Julie at jsheehan1081@gmail.com and she can help find just the right materials for you.

Prayer-A Conversation with God

Catholic Easter Prayer

Lord, the resurrection of Your Son

has given us new life and renewed hope.

Help us to live as new people in pursuit of the Christian ideal. Grant us wisdom to know what

we must do, the will to want to do it,

the courage to undertake it, the perseverance to continue to do

it, and the strength to complete it.

SCRIP CORNER

Scrip will not be available for sale from Holy Thursday through Easter Monday, April 2. Scrip will be available for purchase

again on Tuesday, April 3.

The Parish Office will be closed for the Easter weekend through Easter Monday, April 2. We will re-open at 8:30 am on Tuesday, April 3.

Save the Date!! Join St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown for “Life in Christ: Mission, Mass & Mary”. In this dynamic three-night mission, Catholic author and retreat director Thomas Smith will begin by sharing how we can embrace our baptismal mission to share the faith with others. Next we will reflect on the Mass as the source of our strength, a model for per-sonal prayer and an invitation to intimacy. On night three, we will explore the indispensable role of Mary as a model disciple, powerful intercessor and protec-tor. The parish mission will be held April 22-24th, 7 PM nightly at St. Benedict Parish, 2310 Bedford Street, Johnstown. This event is open to all in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. Tickets are not re-quired. A love offering will be taken. For more in-formation, please contact Deacon Michael Russo at (814) 288-3036 or michael.russo@atlanticbb.net.

Cursillo Weekends will be offered this spring. Men’s weekend begins the evening of April 19 –April 22, women’s weekend April 26-April 29. The retreats will be offered at St. Anne’s in Ebensburg. Cursillo retreats have transformed lives and are an excellent follow up or prelude to Alpha. For more information contact Mike & Juanita Kissell at mjkissel73@gmail.com.

DAILY READINGS

St. Michael the Archangel

Sun. , April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday 9:30 am +People of St. Michael’s Parish Sun., April 8, 2018 2nd Sunday of Easter 9:30 am +Donald Dupin (Joe & Mary Louise Sefcik) Servers: Tim & Olivia Lector: Mary Ann Burgess ***The Rice Bowls for Catholic Relief Services will be collected next Sunday, April 8th. ** Marissa Williams has gift cards/scrip for sale. **Yard/Garage Sale: Please start saving household items or clothing for the Spring Sale. If you are filling a bag with 40 items for Lent, we can use them. Contact Jessica Smith with any questions.

Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 [1]/Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 [5b]/Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 [3b]/Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2, 5, 6-7, 8-9 [2ab]/Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27 [22]/Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:1, 14-15, 16-18, 19-21 [21a]/Mk 16:9-15 Next Sunday: Acts 4:32-35/Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 [1]/1 Jn 5:1-6/Jn 20:19-31

OMOS Weekly Contributions - Due to early submission to the printer because of the holidays, Sunday collection figures were not available. The Easter collection and Sunday collection will be both be reported next week. HELP WITH ALPHA!

Many ask if they can help with the Al-

pha Course. This is how you can help!

We offer hospitality by feeding our guests. Each din-ner is prepared by many of you who offer to cook. The dinner is a very important part to the evening where our guests can relax and get to know each oth-er. Be a part of this ministry by cooking/baking or buying a part of the dinner. We manage who brings what through the website, Perfect Potluck. Look for a slot that is open and sign up!

Go To: perfectpotluck.com Find our Group (Last Name): Alpha Password: OMOS

REST IN PEACE

Carmella Youchak

Mother of Trina, Monica, & Stephen

The sympathy of our entire parish

goes out to her family

Parish Staff

PARISH OFFICE (814) 535-7646

Fr. Mark S. Begly, Pastor ext. 4; mbegly@dioceseaj.org Dr. Scott Q. Little, Deacon ext.3; sql2356@aol.com Anne Di Francesco, Dir. of Engagement & Evangelization ext. 227 adifrancesco@dioceseaj.org John Livingston, Youth Ministry & Dir. of Music ext. 226 jlivingston@dioceseaj.org Courtney Hurlburt, Youth Ministry & Faith Formation ext. 233 churlburt@dioceseaj.org Kathy Ingram, Dir. of Business Services, ext. 222 kingram@dioceseaj.org Jeanne Pastorek, Scrip Coordinator/Maintenance Logistics ext. 221 jpastorek@dioceseaj.org Joyce Dailey, Office Support, Religious Education ext. 234 jdailey@dioceseaj.org Julie Sheehan, Small Groups Coordinator … jsheehan1081@gmail.com Karen Hoffman, Alpha Coordinator… omosalpha@gmail.com

Prayer Meeting

Friday, April 6

Join us on Friday, April 6 at 7 pm for our monthly prayer

meeting. The evening will be

filled with Praise and Worship music, pray-

er, and an opportunity for individual pray-

er from one of our prayer teams. Come

join the parish community for a beautiful

evening of music, fellowship, and prayer.

The Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus invite all women to a Weekend Retreat (Stepping Stones to Prayer) beginning with dinner at 6 PM on Friday, April 13 and ending Sunday, April 15 with a brunch at 12 noon. Those who can only make it on Saturday are welcome to join us at 8:30 AM for Mass followed by breakfast. Please register by Wednesday, April 11 by contacting Sister Jacinta at sisterjacinta@gmail.com or 814-886-4459. Suggested donation is $75