September 27, 2015

Saint Michael the Archangel icon written by the hand of Father Anthony Swamy, MSFS

On September 29, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels. On October 2, we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. What do Catholics really believe about angels? See inside!

“The Church constantly benefits from the help of angels.”

Catholic Teaching on Angels

Excerpted from material by Jim Gontis Director of Religious Education

Diocese of Harrisburg

The existence of angels is a truth of the faith witnessed to in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. It is taught by the Magisterium (the Pope, and the Bishops in union with the Pope).

Angels are creatures made by God. They are pure spirits and personal beings. (Each angel is a person.) They are both powerful and intelligent. Note: Some people are inclined to think that the word “person” applies only to human beings. On the contrary, “person” applies to each of the three divine Persons of the Holy Trinity, to angels and to humans.

It has traditionally been taught that there are nine choirs of angels. “Choirs” in this usage means “groupings” or “genera.” In order of precedence, from lowest to highest, they are: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim (names can vary slightly according to author). This is not to be understood as if there were some system of promotion from one choir to another. These are categories that attempt to categorize the essential natures of these created pure spirit beings. There is a dazzling variety among angels, not only from one choir to another, but among the individuals within each choir.

Angels are not on the same level as God, not even close. God is God. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc. Angels are not all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc. In fact, some of the angels got into big trouble with God when they wanted to be on the same level as God. There is a lesson for us here. Humility is a bedrock virtue and there is no progressing in the spiritual life without humility.

Angels do not and cannot give themselves existence. God made each of them and keeps each of them in existence.

Angels are immortal spirits; their existence had a point of origin, but will have no point of termination. Human souls are also immortal spirits. However, angels are pure spirits, i.e., they have no bodies (material component), whereas humans are embodied spirits: body-soul composites.

While immortal, neither angels nor humans are eternal, because every angel, just like every human, has a beginning. God alone is eternal; the three divine Persons are the only Persons Who have no beginning or end.

The word angel means “messenger.” With their whole beings, they are servants and messengers of God.

They always behold the face of the Father, which is to say that they always have the Beatific Vision.

They surpass visible creatures in perfection.

There are incidents recounted in Scripture and in approved private revelations, wherein angels have taken on human appearance. These appearances never imply incarnation. No angel ever has taken on a human nature; no angel has ever become human. Note: This is distinctly different from the case of Jesus Who, in human history, truly became human and will be human for all eternity, while remaining God.

The angels belong to Jesus. They were made for Him and through Him. They have been present since creation and throughout salvation history.

Archangels are a distinct “genus” of angelic spirits. They are the principal messengers of God. Three are named in Scripture – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

There are hundreds of references to angels in Scripture. The Church constantly benefits from the help of angels.

At Mass we join the angels in invoking the thrice-holy God. Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God of Hosts! (This is the angelic hymn, first noted in Isaiah 6:3.)

Angels—the Archangel Michael in particular—are invoked in the Church’s funeral liturgy: “May the angels lead you into paradise . . .”

In the Cherubic Hymn of the Byzantine Liturgy, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are invoked, as well as our Guardian Angels.

We should invoke the help of our Guardian Angels daily. “From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and protection. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (CCC #336)

The main task of our Guardian Angels is to help us get to heaven. The Guardian Angel Prayer is an excellent prayer.

No angel ever was or ever will be a human being. No human being ever was or will become an angel. Note: It is common in sentimental piety to refer to children who have died as “angels.” It would be a service to the truth to point this out to the students because they have almost certainly been exposed to this particular inaccuracy.

We should not try to name our Guardian Angels. God knows their names; we don’t and won’t, at least until heaven. Assigning a name to someone implies a claim of authority by the one doing the naming over the one being named. We don’t have authority over our Guardian Angels.

The good angels are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, which is to say that they are our fellow members of the Church.

There are also fallen angels, led by the chief of the fallen angels, Lucifer. Lucifer means “light bearer.” He was created good, but chose against God. Literature has attributed to him the battle cry of the sin of pride, Non serviam, meaning, “I will not serve.” We often refer to Lucifer as Satan, which means “Adversary.”

Because devils are immortal spirits, they too will always exist, but in hell. They seek to tempt us and get us to wind up in hell.

We need to be aware of them, but should not be unduly frightened of them because God is infinitely more powerful than Satan and his minions. God is love and mercy itself.

God desires that all of us be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and gives each of us sufficient grace to get to heaven.

Our job is to stay united to God in sanctifying grace. Holy Mass; frequent Eucharistic reception; frequent Confession; devotion to Mary, the angels, and saints; faithfulness to the Church and her teachings; acts of charity—these are our weapons. They are much more powerful than anything that Satan can throw at us.

GUARDIAN ANGEL PRAYER

Angel of God,

my Guardian dear,

to Whom God’s love

commits me here,

ever this day

be at my side,

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

Amen.

The Week Ahead

SUN DA Y 2 7

PARISH MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND

American Heritage Girls Information Session after all Masses

8:45 AM CCD—Grade 1

9:00 AM CCD—Preschool/Kindergarten

10:00 AM Baptisms

10:15 AM CCD—Grades 2 to 6

10:15 AM Edge—Grades 7 & 8

12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal

6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration

6:00 PM Let’s Play Cards!

MOND A Y 2 8

8:40 AM Rosary

6:30 PM CCD—Grades 1 to 6

TUES DA Y 2 9

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

7:30 AM Gospel Reflection

11:30 AM That Man Is You!

6:30 PM Rite of Enrollment for First Eucharist

6:30 PM Trail Life Troop Meeting

7:00 PM Spiritual Book Club

7:00 PM RCIA: Sacred Scripture

(Deacon Hall)

WE DNES DA Y 3 0

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

9:30 AM Faith Matters—Morning

6:30 AM Edge —Grades 7 & 8

7:00 PM Faith Matters—Evening

(calendar continued on page 6)

LIFE TEEN: There is no Life Teen Sunday, September 27. Next week, Life Teen begins a series on Spiritual Warfare! Christ has already won the battle—come find out about The Alpha and Omega. Life Teen meets Sundays@5, and is open to all teens in grades 9-12.

FAITH MATTERS—EVENING: We continue our

journey through The Bible Timeline. Join us on Wednesday at 7 PM in the Bayley Conference Room.

Contact: Donna (dnebistinsky@steas.net, 649-3173).

FAITH MATTERS—MORNING: Catholic doctrine teaches that the Church is the "seed" of the Kingdom of God, which will be fully realized at the Parousia.

This week's session of Will Catholics Be 'Left Behind'? focuses on "The Church, the Kingdom, and Israel". Join us in the Bayley Conference Room at 9:30 AM this Wednesday as we unpack all of the insight

and wisdom presented in Lesson 4.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submit articles for the OCTOBER 11 issue by

Wednesday, September 30.

THAT MAN IS YOU! Saturday, October 3, 6:30 AM, and Tuesday, October 6, 11:30 AM. Session 4: The Five Traits of Authentic Leaders: How to fulfill your leadership roles. Five traits of authentic leaders. Moral

leadership is the cornerstone. What we can learn from King David. Adam’s failed responsibility and the consequences. Taking responsibility for our actions.

TEMPORARY PARKING LOT CLOSING: The main parking lot will be closed for all parking from Monday, October 12, to Friday, October 16. Base paving will be done October 15-16. There will be no lines painted before the October 17 & 18 weekend Masses. The final wearing coarse will be placed October 19, with line painting on October 20. Naturally, there is the

possibility that weather may affect these schedules.

CORRIE TEN BOOM'S THE HIDING PLACE is Spiritual Book Club's selection for prayer and discussion on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 1. "Every experience God gives us . . . is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see." (Corrie ten Boom) There is no need to have read

the book to attend. NEXT UP: Tobit's Dog, by Michael

Nicholas Richard, on Tuesday, November 3.

A SACRAMENTAL RITE OF ENROLLMENT FOR

FIRST EUCHARIST will be held on Tuesday, September 29, at 6:30 PM for those students preparing to receive First Penance and First Eucharist in 2016. At least one parent needs to attend this ceremony with their student. The students are asked to dress in Sunday clothing and enter through the main door of

the church no later than 6:15 PM.

EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN! TRIVIA NIGHT IS COMING!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 7 PM

Mark your calendar and start

thinking about picks for your

Dream Team!

JOIN THE ADVENTURE! The mission of this fun and active ministry is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Contact

Troopmaster Scott Rainey, (448-0736).

+ M A S S E S + SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26

VIGIL, 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

5:30 PM James Ramage

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7:15AM People of the Parish

9:00 AM Sherry Amig

11:30 AM Diane Toth

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28 WEEKDAY

9:00 AM Eldon Streff

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL,

AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS

7:00 AM The health of Jim and Martha

Hagan

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30 MEMORIAL OF SAINT JEROME, PRIEST

AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

7:00 AM Dominic Sendi

9:00 AM Herman Eitzenberger

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1 MEMORIAL OF SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF

THE CHURCH

7:00 AM Joseph Diminick

9:00 AM Terry Snyder

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2 MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY

GUARDIAN ANGELS

7:00 AM Michael Pendlyshok

9:00 AM Emma and Henry Moritz

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 WEEKDAY

8:30 AM Louis Vera

VIGIL, 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

5:30 PM People of the Parish

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7:15 AM Tom Hanus

9:00 AM Barbara Keane

11:30 AM Carmela Cribari

STEWARDSHIP COLLECTION SEPTEMBER 13 $ 12,021.00

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

We wish to thank Apicella-Lorei Orthodontics for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MON Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102; Lk 9:46-50

TUE Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138; Jn 1:47-51

WED Neh 2:1-8; Ps 137; Lk 9:57-62

THU Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Ps 19; Lk 10:1-12

FRI Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79; Mt 18:1-5, 10

SAT Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Ps 69; Lk 10:17-24

SUN Gn 2:18-24; Ps 128; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS IS COMING TO StEAS! All girls ages 5 to 18 are welcome to join us as we kick off our troop in October. If you were not able to attend one of our information sessions, e-mail us at

AHGSEAS@gmail.com or call Maureen (586-1535). ALTAR SERVERS—OCTOBER 3-4

5:30 PM Laura Weiss, Trevor Diehm,

Noah Diehm, Joey Carricato

7:15 AM Matthew Portko, Kaitlyn Portko,

Kolby Portko, Bryant Portko

9:00 AM Drew Tanguay, Joseph Tanguay,

Jacob Saar, Kylie Saar

11:30 AM Carly Holencik, J.R. Mizerak,

Jonah Jaroch, Tess French

APPLE FESTIVAL FAMILY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Come and enjoy our parish pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 4, from 8:00 to 11:30 AM—Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, coffee and juice. Cost: $6 for adults; $4 for children 6 and up; under 6 eat for free; family maximum of $20. Volunteers are needed. Teens and Confirmation students—this is a

great way to get service hours. Contact Rick Bradley to sign up to help, or if you have any questions:

(miltonbrad1963@gmail.com, 796-0155.)

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS will attend the 9:00 AM Mass and receive Communion as a group on Sunday, October 4. This is also a Membership Drive

weekend for the Knights.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OUR LADY OF QUEENSHIP COUNCIL

4068 hosted a Soccer Shootout on September 19 for boys and girls ages 9 to 14—one of the many activities sponsored by the Knights for our

community! (The District Soccer Shootout is scheduled for October 17.)

In your charity please pray for the repose of the

soul of Vincent Frank, brother of Marge Franz.

TOUR OF OUR PARISH BUILDING PROJECT: Plan to stop by after the 11:30 AM Mass on Sunday, October 4, for a tour of the work in progress, led by our project manager, Ed Greenholt, of Conewago Construction. You’ve been following the exterior work; this is a great opportunity for an inside look! (Photo by Don Uvick)

CONTACTS

Main Office (717) 697-2614

parish_office@steas.net

Religious Education 697-3545

Pastoral Assistant 697-6929

Deacon Hall (cell) 471-3388

Bulletin bulletin@steas.net

The Week Ahead (cont inued)

THU RSDA Y 1

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

9:30 AM 33 Days to Morning Glory

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

FRIDA Y 2

First Friday Devotions after Masses

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

S ATU RDA Y 3

New Hope Food Bank Collection

Knights of Columbus Membership Drive after Mass

6:30 AM That Man Is You!

3:30 PM Confessions

SUN DA Y 4

New Hope Food Bank Collection Knights of Columbus Membership Drive after Masses Tour of New Facilities after11:30 Mass

8:00 AM APPLE FESTIVAL FAMILY

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8:45 AM CCD—Grade 1

9:00 AM CCD—Preschool/Kindergarten

9:00 AM Knights of Columbus Corporate Communion at Mass

10:15 AM CCD—Grades 2 to 6

10:15 AM Edge—Grades 7 & 8

12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal

5:00 PM Life Teen

6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration

6:00 PM Let’s Play Cards!

SURRENDERING THE SECRET is a confidential, eight-week Bible study for women who have had an abortion and are seeking hope, healing, and restoration. Sponsored by Morning Star Pregnancy S e r v i c e s . C o n t a c t D i a n e ( 9 2 0 - 0 4 1 1 ,

dmyers@morningstarchoices.com). Study begins

September 29. Location and inquiries are confidential.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC SISTERS: WHO THEY ARE,

WHY WE NEED THEM: Saturday, October 10, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, at Immaculata University. Learn about the newest generation of Catholic Sisters and why we need them now more than ever. Hear remarkable stories from these women who have answered The Call. This event will feature several young sisters, along

with the authors of New Generations of Catholic Sisters: The Challenge of Diversity. Includes a Q & A session, raffle, and refreshments. Mass will follow at 4:15 PM. Sponsored by the National Religious Vocation Conference, this event is an excellent chance to generate support for Catholic sisters. Free and open to the public; bring a friend! RSVP at

www.immaculata.edu/todays-sisters.

WALK FOR LIFE IS ONLY 6 DAYS AWAY! Join hundreds of others next Saturday, October 3, at City Island. Morning Star Pregnancy Services will be hosting a morning of family fun with a purpose. Set your own pace—a casual stroll or a brisk walk. What would you give to save a baby’s life? A couple of hours of your time could literally do just that. Free pancake

breakfast and great prizes. Free train and carousel rides for the kids, and other special surprises. Pick up a sponsor form or register and get sponsors online at

www.SupportMorningStar.com.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND DEADLINE

SEPTEMBER 30: Have you lost a spouse or marriage and find yourself still struggling to deal with the grief? The Harrisburg Beginning Experience Weekend will be held October 20 to November 1 at Camp Hebron, Halifax. Cost, including meals and lodging, is $249. Partial scholarships available for the most needy.

Register at www.beginningexperience.org or

contact harrisburgbe@gmail.com (512-2718). Late applications may be accepted if space is available. “I lost my wife and attending a weekend was the best gift I could have given myself,” wrote one participant. “My eternal joylessness spotted a small light at the end of the tunnel during that weekend. I have pursued

that light and I feel so much better.”

SANCTITY & SANITY: It’s time to register for the Diocesan Women’s Conference, Saturday, October 24, at Bishop McDevitt High School. Sister Sheila Galligan, IHM, STD, will be the keynoter. The day includes workshops, Adoration, opportunity for Confession, and Mass celebrated by Bishop Gainer. Reduced-fee registration deadline is October 13 ($30 per person).

Late registration deadline is October 14 ($40). Same day registration is $50. For more information and to

register, go to www.hbgdiocese.org/women.