Worship

and Word

Contact

Information

The Parish of

St. André Bessette

Parish Mission Statement

The Parish of St. André Bessette is a Catholic Christian Community where the Mercy of God is made evident in daily living.

We strive to be a community that welcomes

the stranger, reconciles the outcast and proclaims the Good News to the Poor.

In fulfilling this Gospel Mandate, we give

witness to God’s unfailing Love for all humanity.

Schedule

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday 4:00 & 5:30 pm Sunday 8:00 & 11:00 am

Daily Masses Tuesday—Friday 8 am

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

Elementary Faith Formation Sundays at 9:15 am

Adult Faith Formation Communities Contact Sr. Madonna (570) 823-4988

Sacraments Reconciliation Saturday 3:00—3:45 pm First Friday 6:00 pm Other times by appointment Anointing of the Sick call Parish Office

Funerals 10 am Arrangements made through local Funeral Directors

Baptisms Arrange through Parish Office Weddings Call Parish Office

Contact Parish Office (570) 823-4988

Address 668 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705

Online standrebessettewb.com

E-Mail ccnewb@live.com

FAX (570) 823-5932 Find us on FACEBOOK

Convent 421 Madison St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (570) 822-7629

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FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE 29 March, 2020, Fifth Sunday in Lent

LAZARUS by Rev. David Bast (Words of Hope)

www.woh.org

Jesus’ encounter with his dead friend Lazarus offers us an amazing preview of an encounter each of us can look forward to having with him someday.

On the island of Cyprus, in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea, stands the ancient church of St. Lazarus. Tradition says that this church was built above the grave of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus – that is, his second grave. The church is ornately decorated with many icons. Huge brass chandeliers hang down from the stone vaulting, and the light of votive candles flickers in front of numerous altars. But the real point of interest is underneath the building. If you descend a narrow stone staircase into the low-ceilinged crypt, you can peek into the empty stone coffin that according to tradition once held the body of Jesus’ friend Lazarus.

Lazarus’ grave in Cyprus is empty because during the Middle Ages Crusaders stole his body and carried it back to France to be enshrined in a church there. But his first grave was emptied in a far more dramatic fashion, in one of the most amazing encounters anyone ever had with the Lord Jesus Christ.

JESUS WEPT

Lazarus lived with his sisters Mary and Martha in the little village of Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. The family knew Jesus well; these two sisters and their brother were among Jesus’ closest friends, and he often stayed with them in their home when he visited the city. So when word was sent one day to Jesus that Lazarus was seriously ill, you might have expected Jesus to rush to his bedside in order to heal him. But Jesus seemed to be in no hurry at all to come to the aid of his sick friend, and by the time he finally reached Bethany, Lazarus was already dead and buried.

As Jesus approached the home of his friends he had an emotional meeting with the two grieving sisters.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

John 11:32-37, NIV

Jesus’ dramatic encounter with Lazarus began with one of the commonest and most painful of human experiences. When he reached the grave of his close friend in the company of Lazarus’ sisters, Jesus himself was overcome with grief. In the presence of death and affected by the pain of their common loss, these friends all wept together.

It’s the most understandable of reactions. Jesus wept because he loved. His tears flowed out of deep affection for Mary and Martha and sympathy with their grief; he wept with those who wept. Christ was no stoic, untouched by human pain, cold, indifferent and unfeeling. As he stood and thought of his friends, both living and dead, he grieved with genuine tears. This is how the crowd of onlookers saw it: “See how he loved him!” they remarked to each other. Love is God’s primary emotion. He not only loves us, he sympathizes with us. He even grieves with us. Our sorrows are not meaningless, nor do our cries simply echo in the emptiness of space; they touch the very heart of God.

But if it’s true that Jesus loves Lazarus and Mary and Martha, we have to admit he shows it in a strange way. Yes, he’s going to raise Lazarus from death, but then we wonder why the Lord allowed him to die in the first place. We ask the same question the bystanders at the grave did: “Couldn’t

one who opened the eyes of the blind have kept this man from dying?” And why didn’t Jesus respond immediately to the sisters’ desperate cries for help? Why wasn’t he with them in their hour of crisis? “Lord,” they said, “if you had been here our brother would not have died.” How often haven’t we thought the same?

Though the fact of his love is undeniable, Jesus’ actions do not seem loving to those who are his friends. Indeed, his ways are often baffling. We, of course, know that everything is going to turn out well because we know how the story ends. But that doesn’t help Mary and Martha during those days when they had to sit by their brother’s bedside and watch him die, then bury him, all the while wondering, “Where’s Jesus? Why doesn’t he come? Why doesn’t he answer our prayer?” It strikes me that Mary and Martha’s experience during those few days – their anxiety, questioning, pain and loss – offers a sort of capsule version of our lives here in the valley of tears that is our world. And just as they couldn’t understand their whole story until they had experienced its end, neither can we.

JESUS SHUDDERED

Grieving love wasn’t the only emotion which Jesus felt at the grave of his friend Lazarus. He experienced a second strong emotional response as well, one that we could miss if we don’t attend carefully to the story and read it closely.

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. v. 38a

Now the cue that points to Jesus’ second emotional reaction is that phrase, “Jesus,

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FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Continued 29 March, 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

once more deeply moved.” Earlier John said that Jesus “was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” The question is: How was he moved? What was it exactly that troubled him? What emotion is being described here? English translations of the Bible don’t quite express the strength or nature of Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death. They speak of him being “deeply moved” (New International Version) or “greatly disturbed” (New Revised Standard Version). But the original language of the story is stronger and more specific. In describing Jesus’ emotions John chose a word that refers not just to a feeling but to an actual physical reaction. The word he used for Jesus’ reaction was sometimes used in Greek to describe the snorting of horses in battle. It means that Jesus’ body was seized with a sort of convulsion. He made an audible noise. His feelings in the presence of death were so strong that they actually caused a physical response, a kind of shuddering or groaning.

Jesus’ response to death combined feelings of indignation and anger along with revulsion and disgust. What a contrast Jesus offers here to the philosophers of the ancient world. They tried to cultivate an attitude of detachment and indifference in the face of death, a sort of cool, rational acceptance of the inevitable. That is often the secular person’s response to the fact of death. You simply have to accept it, learn to live with it, not be too upset by it. Well, there is no acceptance in Jesus’ reaction. He hated death, he loathed it with an intensity that made him shake and tremble and groan. Death is the enemy, the last enemy. Death is the consequence of sin, and all the hatred which God feels toward sin he also feels toward this bitter fruit of sin. The great Princeton theologian B.B. Warfield, in a classic essay entitled “The Emotional Life of Our Lord,” explains the significance of Jesus’ reaction at the tomb of Lazarus:

It is death that is the object of [Jesus’] wrath, and behind death him who has the power of death, and whom he has come into the world to destroy. Tears of sympathy may fill his eyes, but this is incidental. His soul is held by rage, and he advances to the tomb as a champion who prepares for conflict. The raising of Lazarus thus becomes not an isolated marvel, but . . . a decisive instance and open symbol of Jesus’ conquest of death and hell . . . Not in cold unconcern, but in flaming wrath against the foe, Jesus smites in our behalf. He has not only saved us from the evils which oppress us; he has felt for and with us in our oppression, and under the impulse of these

feelings has wrought redemption.

(Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ, p. 117)

JESUS SPOKE

So this is how Jesus – how God – responds to death. Jesus’ encounter with Lazarus, the friend who was four days dead and buried, is a revelation of the feelings of God in the face of human suffering. Some religious teachers champion the idea of a God who is immutable and impassive: unfeeling, uncaring, untouched by any of the pain that marks our world, unmoved by any emotion, a God who floats high above it all in serene, isolated perfection. That is not our God. That is not the God of the Bible, the God who is most fully revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Our God feels for us and with us. He weeps with grief over loss, he shudders with rage at the attacks of the enemy, he trembles with anger when he sees the devastation sin and death have worked in his good creation and in the lives of his children.

But he does more than that.

After Jesus weeps, after he shudders, he speaks.

“Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I

thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

John 11:39-44a, NIV

This is the greatest of all Jesus’ miracles, or signs, to use the Gospel of John’s word for them. Jesus began by praying, though it is a rather unusual prayer. He does not ask God to restore Lazarus to life. He doesn’t ask even that God help him restore Lazarus to life; in fact, he doesn’t ask God for anything. There is no request in this prayer. It is rather a celebration of the unity Jesus enjoys with God, a thanksgiving for the perfect communion and

understanding between the Father and the Son, offered – as Jesus himself remarked – for the benefit of the onlooking crowd so that they might begin to understand who Jesus really is.

Then comes the word of command: “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man walked out of his grave. Jesus speaks, and the tyrant death trembles and gives up his prey. The voice that commanded the wind and waves to be still and the bread and fish to multiply, the blind eyes to see and the deaf ears to hear, now commands dead flesh to live. And it obeys. It must obey. Someone has remarked that the reason Jesus said “Lazarus come forth” is that if he had not been specific, all the graves within the sound of his voice would have emptied in obedience to his summons. Someday that is exactly what will happen. “The hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear [the Son of Man’s] voice and will come out” (John 5:28-29).

Jesus’ encounter with his dead friend Lazarus is more than just a revelation of God’s heart, an expression of his sympathy and love for grieving people. It is also a demonstration of his power over evil and over our final enemy death itself. It is a preview of what we can look forward to ourselves, if we are friends of Jesus too. Someday he’s going to have just the same encounter with each one of us.

“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus said to Lazarus’ sister Martha; “whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” And then he added a final question: “Do you believe this?”

Really, it all comes down to that.

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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.

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

FAST AND ABSTINENCE Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Please Note:

The Parish office will be open as long as we are able. We ask all parishioners, however, to conduct all parish business by phone, as much as possible.

Sr. Madonna will be monitoring the needs of our elderly and homebound parishioners.

There will be no public services, confessions, devotions or meetings, other than what is necessary, until the ban is lifted by the CDC, state and diocese.

Father Ken will say a private Mass daily at his convenience for the intentions provided.

The funeral Mass will be held for the deceased at the earliest date possible with or without family present. Interments may be made prior to the funeral Mass being said.

The church building will be open on Thursdays from noon until 4 pm for private prayer. There will be no exposition or vespers. Please follow the CDC guideline limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people.

If anyone would like to pray in the church at a time other than that provided, please let the parish office know and we will open the church for you.

This bulletin is provided to each parish family as a means of keeping in touch during this difficult time. For a full copy of this week’s bulletin, please refer to our parish web page at

www.standrebessettewb.com

The Celebration of Holy Week and Easter

1. On March 25, 2020, Bishop Bambera instructed the Diocese that the Services of Holy Week are to be conducted without a congregation present. The Diocese will be telecasting services from the Cathedral during these days. Parishioners are encouraged to take part in this telecommunication.

2. The Vatican has issued a decree concerning the celebration of these feasts, instructing that they be done without the presence of a congregation in cathedrals and parish churches. It also proposes that these services can be telecast to the faithful. (See article on LITURGY page.)

3. Several Parishioners have already questioned the availability of blessed Palms for Palm Sunday. We are looking at the best way to distribute palm to our parishioners, possibly including it with this mailing next week. We will publish more information about this on our Facebook page as a plan develops.

4. Flowers will be delivered to our parishioners in nursing homes and the homebound on Palm Sunday weekend, or shortly thereafter. Those who are homebound will be contacted by the person delivering the flowers as to a time they will be coming. You can then instruct them either to hand it to you directly or leave it where you can retrieve it, depending on your level of comfortable social distancing.

5. Blessed baskets will be distributed to our homebound parishioners on Holy Saturday. You will be contacted by those delivering baskets as to a time they will be coming. You can then instruct them to either hand it to you directly or leave it where you can pick it up, depending on your level of comfortable social distancing.

6. Vouchers will be sent to those in need. If anyone else is in need of help this Easter Season, please contact the parish office as soon as possible at 570-823-4988.

7. Much of this planning is done on a day to day basis as things develop and change. If there are any major changes in these plans, please watch our Facebook page for updates.

8. Above all, remember to keep one another in prayer during this difficult time. Observe all the directives for social distancing and proper hygiene to stem the spread of the virus. Do what you can and God will supply the rest. Be Safe.

The Universal Laws of Fast and Abstinence remain in effect throughout the self-quarantine. Some things can only be solved with prayer and fasting. Perhaps COVID 19 is one of those things!

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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Thursday April 2 1pm

CATECHETICAL COUNCIL Sunday, March 22, 2020

NOON

FINANCE COUNCIL Thursday March 26, 2020

6:00 pm

LITURGICAL COUNCIL Thursday, April 30, 2020

6:00 p.m.

PARISH LIFE COUNCIL Wednesday, April 23, 2020

6:00 pm

PASTORAL COUNCIL Thursday May 7, 2020

6:00 p.m.

SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL

Thursday, April 2 6:00 p.m.

Development

Committee March 23, 2020

6 pm

ALL MEETINGS POSTPONED UNTIL PANDEMIC IS OVER.

FAITH SHARING

The Faith Sharing Communities will not meet

during the Lenten Season as all are encouraged to take part in the Series of Lenten and Easter Presentations.

Regular Faith Sharing Sessions will begin in June.

For More Information, please

contact Sr. Madonna at 570-823-4988.

LENT

Weekend of March 28-29 Fifth Sunday in Lent

Weekend of April 4-5 Palm Sunday

Monday, March 30

Monday, April 6

Tuesday, March 31

Tuesday, April 7

Wednesday April 1

Wednesday April 8

Thursday, April 2

Church will be open from noon until 4 pm for personal prayer.

Thursday, April 9 Holy Thursday

Paschal Triduum begins at sunset. Paschal Fast begins at sunset.

Friday, April 3

Day of Abstinence Friday, April 10 Good Friday

Day of FAST and ABSTINENCE

Saturday, April 4

Vigil Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.

Saturday, April 11 Paschal Sabbath

Vigil Solemnity of the Resurrection Paschal Fast ends at sunset

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS

PARISH COMMITTEES

Loaves and Fishes

Food for

March

Sugar by the

Pound

Check Out Our Website: www.standrebessettewb.com

and our Blog Page www.standrebessettewb.com/News

What if we

RETHINK CHURCH?

Not in terms of what it IS

But in terms of

WHAT IT COULD BE? The Covid 19 confronts the very foundation of what it means to be CHURCH. Have we learned that CHURCH is not a BUILDING but a gathering of PEOPLE OF FAITH? that we are here to HELP ONE ANOTHER—especially in TIMES OF CRISIS that there are greater problems in the world than our own PETTY and SELF-SERVING Concerns? that we need GOD at all times—not just when the chips are down? that we have to be FLEXIBLE is we are to do GOD’s WILL? These are just a few of the lessons we can learn as we are practicing Social Distancing in the face of COVID –19. They are difficult but essential lessons to learn.

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

“LIKE” Us on

FACEBOOK

SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL HELP for EASTER

HOMEBOUND and NURSING HOME Our Homebound Parishioners and those confined to care facilities will be remembered this Easter with a flower and a card. These will be delivered to the main office of each facility and distributed to the residents by the staff. Those who are confined to their homes will receive a phone call and can tell the person delivering if they will greet them at the door or if the plant should be left where the resident can retrieve it, maintaining a social distance. BLESSED BASKETS Similarly, we are still planning on delivering baskets of Blessed Easter foods to our Homebound parishioners. Those receiving baskets will be contacted by those delivering and can indicate whether they will greet them at the door or leave the basket where it can be retrieved, maintaining a social distance. FOOD VOUCHERS for EASTER Food vouchers are being sent to all those who requested Easter Help. If you are in need of help this Easter, but not on our list, please contact the parish office 9570-823-4988) and we will see what we can do to assist you. DURING THIS TRYING PERIOD, we need to keep each other in prayer. If anyone is in any need, please contact the parish office and leave a message. We will try to respond in a timely fashion.

As long as the Covid-19 restrictions remain in place, the Ceremonies of Holy Week, the Paschal Triduum, and Easter will be celebrated privately. Parishioners are asked to make use of CTV, EWTN or the Diocesan resources to take part in the ceremonies of Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum.

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OUR LITURGICAL LIFE 29 March, 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

DIRECTIVES FROM THE

APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY OF THE HOLY SEE

TO BE USED IN THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

PERFECT CONTRITION With the increasing difficulty for individuals to

receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation due to the

current health crisis, the faithful of the Diocese of

Scranton are reminded that by having perfect

contrition one can receive the forgiveness of sins,

apart from going to confession.

Perfect contrition requires the following three

things:

• A love of God above all else

A sincere desire for the forgiveness from sin

The resolution to go to confession as soon as

possible when this health crisis subsides

PLENARY INDULGENCE

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has also granted a

plenary indulgence under specific conditions.

The faithful who qualify for a plenary indulgence

during the coronavirus pandemic:

Those suffering from the coronavirus illness

Health care workers, family members, and

others caring for those with the coronavirus

(exposing themselves to the virus)

The faithful must do at least one of the following:

Unite yourself spiritually through the media in

the celebration of the Holy Mass

Recite the Rosary

Pious practice of the Way of the Cross (or

other forms of devotion)

Recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and a Hail

Mary

The faithful must be willing to perform all of the

following as soon as possible: (considered the three

usual conditions for a plenary indulgence)

Going to Confession as soon as the threat of

contamination has passed.

Receiving Holy Communion

Praying for the intentions of Pope Francis.

HOLY WEEK, THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM, and EASTER CELEBRATIONS

DECREE

In time of Covid-19 (II)

Considering the rapidly evolving situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and taking into account observations which have come from Episcopal Conferences, this Congregation now offers an update to the general indications and suggestions already given to Bishops in the preceding decree of 19 March 2020.

Given that the date of Easter cannot be transferred, in the countries which have been struck by the disease and where restrictions around the assembly and movement of people have been imposed, Bishops and priests may celebrate the rites of Holy Week without the presence of the people and in a suitable place, avoiding concelebration and omitting the sign of peace.

The faithful should be informed of the beginning times of the celebrations so that they can prayerfully unite themselves in their homes. Means of live (not recorded) telematic broadcasts can be of help. In any event it remains important to dedicate an adequate time to prayer, giving importance above all to the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Episcopal Conferences and individual dioceses will see to it that resources are provided to support family and personal prayer.

1 - Palm Sunday. The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem is to be celebrated within sacred buildings; in Cathedral churches the second form given in the Roman Missal is to be adopted; in parish churches and in other places the third form is to be used.

2 – The Chrism Mass. Evaluating the concrete situation in different countries, the Episcopal Conferences will be able to give indications about a possible transfer to another date.

3 – Holy Thursday. The washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted. At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the procession is also omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle. On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of the people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.

4 – Good Friday. In the Universal Prayer, Bishops will arrange to have a special intention prepared for those who find themselves in distress, the sick, the dead, (cf. Missale Romanum). The adoration of the Cross by kissing it shall be limited solely to the celebrant.

5 – The Easter Vigil: Is to be celebrated only in Cathedral and parish churches. For the “Baptismal Liturgy” only the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” is maintained (cf. Missale Romanum).

Seminaries, houses of clergy, monasteries and religious communities shall follow the indications of this decree.

Expressions of popular piety and processions which enrich the days of Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum can be transferred to other suitable days in the year, for example 14 and 15 September, according to the judgement of the Diocesan Bishop.

De mandato Summi Pontificis pro hoc tantum anno 2020.

From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 25 March 2020, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Robert Card. Sarah Prefect

✠ Arthur Roche Archbishop Secretary

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STEWARDSHIP

Mass Attendance

March 21-22,2020

# of People

In Pew Collection

4:00 p.m. 0 0

5:30 p.m. 0 0

8:00 a.m. 0 0

11:00a.m. 0 0

Total 0 0

Votive Offerings

Bread and Wine

Intention Vietnam Veterans

Offered by A Parishioner

Sanctuary Candle

Intention Vietnam Veterans

Offered by A Parishioner

Your Gift to God

March 21-22, 2020

Over $100.00 1 $20 7

$100.00 1 $16-19 0

$76-99 1 $15 1

$75 1 $11-14 0

$51-74 1 $10 11

$50 2 $6-9 8

$26-49 3 $5 4

$25 1 under $5 6

$21-24 0 Total Envelopes used

48

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

Good Stewardship—Trusting God in Hard Times by Pete Miller

www.sharefaith.com

The Bible has hundreds of references to money. Every civilization has used some form of currency for exchange of goods and services. Every culture has had its wealthy and its poor people. Deuteronomy 8:18 states that it is God Who gives His people the power to get wealth, and it is God Who has promised all sufficiency in all things always, as 2 Corinthians 9:8 teaches. There are many keys in the Bible that can be learned regarding accumulating honest wealth and the correct stewardship of it. This is vital to understand: God is owner of all, and He gives His people the opportunity and privilege to become good stewards. Trusting God in hard times necessitates good stewardship. Affluence can give rise to laziness and financial carelessness, which may make it challenging initially when it's suddenly time to tighten the belt. Poverty can induce people to be greedy and stingy, and even to steal, and hard times can fuel that wrong thinking. Whatever background someone may be struggling with, Biblical principles can be learned and Christians can discover how to prosper and flourish in hard times. First things first. God is the source of all provision, so “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9, 10) Malachi 3:8-12 addresses tithing, which continues to be a rock-solid key to prosperity. Even unbelievers and non-Christian business people understand and practice charitable giving. Christians should not fearfully hang on to every penny they have, but like the Macedonian believers who had taken up an offering for another church in need, recorded in 2 Corinthians 8:3 and 4, “they gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do it. But they begged and pleaded with us to let them share in this service for God's people.” Giving is a joy, and there are always people less fortunate to share with. There can never be a harvest without sowing seeds. A generous attitude and a cheerful giver is something God can really bless. It's important to keep money in its place with an appropriate perspective. “Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8,9) “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) This verse is in the context of people who rather than making an honest living, meddle in the lives of others. People like this are takers, not givers, talebearers and backbiters. God's

people should never involve themselves in such destructive activities. A good steward will value their own time as well as others' time. “Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.” (Proverbs 28:19 New Century Version) “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.” (Proverbs 24:3 TLB) Colossians 3:23 teaches Christians to put their whole heart into their work. This will bring satisfaction and God's blessings.

In hard times, the good steward controls spending and learns to live within a budget. This is not motivated by fear or uncertainty. It is motivated by love for one's family to take thoughtful, preventive actions so life and Christian service is not interrupted by self-inflicted crisis. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.” (Proverbs 21:20) If at all possible, have a savings plan. Again, it's not out of fear, but with a purpose. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11 NIV) It may be for a vacation, or education, or an emergency fund. Even saving a little is a little more than nothing. It is always advisable to get out of debt. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) Having a financial plan, making menus and shopping lists, and having a debt payoff strategy are all good steps to take. The good steward is diligent and conscientious, watching over all details of their household. It takes a little extra time, and it may require seeking counsel, but Proverbs 11:14 and 24:6 teach that “in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

8

FINANCES

Weekly Income March 21- March 22-,2020

Funds from these collections go directly into the Parish Operating Account They are used to pay the utilities, the staff salaries, and provide for the day to day running of the parish.

PARISH COLLECTION

In Church Mailed

Loose 47.75 -0-

Sunday Envelopes

-0- 1,073.00

TOTAL WEEKLY COLLECTION

47.75 1,073.00

HOLY DAYS

Christmas -0- -0-

Mary, Mother of God

-0- -0-

Easter -0- 10.00

Ascension -0- -0-

TOTAL HOLY DAYS

-0- 10.00

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Initial -0- 5.00

Dues -0- 100.00

Utilities -0- 65.00

Holiday Flowers

-0- 127.00

Ash Wednesday

-0- 5.00

TOTAL SPECIALS

-0- 302.00

TOTAL PARISH COLLECTION

1,432.75

These funds augment the

weekend offering, go

into the Parish

operating fund and

contribute to the running

of the parish.

OTHER INCOME

Candles -0-

Rental of Properties

333.00

Perquisities -0-

Transfers 5,000.00

Miscellaneous 86.99

TOTAL OTHER

5,419.99

Total $6,852.74

Diocesan Collections March 21 -March 22 ,2020

These Collections pass through the Parish General Account but do not contribute to the running of the parish. They are sent directly to the Diocese for Distribution

In Church Mailed

Monthly Collection for the Care & Education of the Clergy

-0- 20.00

Mission Sunday (3rd weekend of October)

-0- -0-

Mission Co-Operative (Funds Specific Mission)

-0- -0-

Human Development (Weekend before Thanksgiving)

-0- -0-

Religious Retirement (Second Weekend of December)

-0- -0-

Church in Eastern Europe (Weekend before Lent)

-0- -0-

Catholic Relief Services (4th Weekend of Lent)

-0- 35.00

Operation Rice Bowl (Holy Thursday)

-0- -0-

Holy Land Collection (Good Friday)

-0- -0-

Catholic Home Missions (Last weekend of April)

-0- -0-

Catholic Communications (Third weekend of May)

-0- -0-

Peter’s Pence Collection (Weekend closest to June 29th)

-0- -0-

Miscellaneous Diocesan Collection (Whenever a need arises)

-0- -0-

TOTAL DIOCESAN COLLECTION

55.00

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM??

Transfer of Funds into the General Account From time to time it becomes necessary to withdraw funds from other parish accounts to augment the weekly offering, to fund a ministry, or to pay the assessments or unforeseen expenses.

From Fund Raising

Dance/Raffle -0-

Toy Bingo -0-

Night at the Races -0-

Summer Raffle -0-

FROM Fundraising Acct. 5,000.00

FROM Social Justice Acct. -0-

FROM Memorial Acct/ -0-

FROM Stipend Acct. -0-

FROM Savings Acct. -0-

TOTAL TRANSFERS 5,000.00

Collection + Holy Day + Special + Other Income + Diocesan + Transfers = TOTAL INCOME

1,120.75 10.00 302.00 419.99 55.00 5,000.00 $6,907.74

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

9

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?? Week of March 19,2020–March 25,2020

FINANCES

RUNNING the PARISH

ADMINISTRATIVE 930.04

A Portion of the Parish Income goes to fund the Ministries of the Parish, Pay the Staff, Maintain the properties, and provide for those in need.

Liturgy -0-

Loan -0-

Social Justice -0-

RELIGIOUS FORMATION

-0-

Diocesan Collections

-0-

MAINTENANCE 879.37

Taxes -0-

TOTAL PARISH EXPENSES

1,809.41

SUPPORTING the Diocese

A Portion of the Parish Income goes to fund the Ministries and Services of the Diocese, Provide Insurance for parish Properties, provide care of the clergy and their retirement, and fund Catholic Schools in the Diocese

Assessment Annual Fee Prior

Balance Payments

Made

Balance due by

June 30, 2020

SCH0OL ASSESSMENT (14.5 % of Income)

62,196.00 148,331.34 3,443.61 207,083.73

CATHEDRATICUM (9.5% of Income)

40,008.00 37,870.89 4,652.29 35,355.71

CLERGY BLUE CROSS

16,727.00 0.00 0.00 16,727.00

INSURANCE 16,148.00 0.00 0.00 16,148.00

CLERGY CARE AND WELLNESS (Not the monthly collection)

9,562.00 0.00 0.00 9,562.00

CLERGY PENSION 7,440.00 0.00 0.00 7,440.00

POST RETIREMENT FUND

5,200.00 0.00 0.00 5,200.00

EMPLOYER 403 (b) 1,393.92 0.00 0.00 1,393.92

PAYROLL PROCESSING FEE

780.00 0.00 0.00 780.00

TOTAL ASSESSMENTS

159,454.92 110,460.45 8,095.90 299,690.36

A Loan was taken from the Diocese to consolidate Inherited debt that occurred when the Parishes

were consolidated to form St. Andre Bessette Parish.

Parish Loan Amount Paid BALANCE Due

BALANCE 412,000.00 109,091.73 302,908.2

PAYING TOWARD the PARISH DEBT

Calculating Payment of Cathedraticum and School Assessments

Weekend of Envelope Loose Holy Days Special

Collections TAXABLE INCOME

Diocesan x.095

Schools x.145

24% of Total

Income

Other Income

Feb.29 Mar.01 4,678.20 371.00 -0- 1,996.00 8,583.35 815.42 1,244.59 2,060.01 1,538.15

March 07/08 3,857.00 236.95 -0- 329.00 4,508.95 428.35 653.80 1,082.15 86.00

March 14/15 3,186.00 162.00 -0- 1,377.00 4,754.00 451.63 689.33 1,140.96 29.00

March 21/22 1,073.00 47.75 10.00 302.00 1,852.74 176.01 268.65 444.66 419.99

March 28/29

Monies must be held in Operating Account until Payment of the Monthly Assessments on the 25th of the month. This limits our ability to pay other bills in a timely fashion.

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

10

FINANCES

PARISH ACCOUNTS

General Operating Account This is the daily operating account of the Parish. The Sunday Collection and Other Income are deposited into this account. All Expenses are paid from this account.

Prior Balance March 18,2020

336.89

Deposits (Sunday Collection) 1.907.74

Other Deposits -0-

Transfers from Parish Accounts 5,000.00

Transfers from Diocesan Accounts -0-

Working Balance 7,244.63

Withdrawals -1,809.41

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 5,435.22

Parish Social Justice Fund Monies for this account are accrued through the quarterly collection, Donations specifically earmarked for the Parish Social Justice Fund and grant monies donated to the fund. This fund is used to provide for those in need and to fund programs and ministries of outreach, compassion and mercy in the parish and beyond.

Prior Balance March 18,2020 $5,409.66

Deposits 115.00

Withdrawals -2,250.00

Transfer to Parish General Account -0-

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward $3,274.66

Parish Memorial Account Monies for this account are accumulated from Donations to the parish given in memory of parishioners and bequests. Funds from this account are regularly transferred into the General Operating account to augment the regular income of the parish

Prior Balance March 18,2020 28,478.40

Deposits 400.00

Withdrawals -0-

Transfer to Parish General Account -0-

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 28,878.40

Parish Fund Raising Account

This account is used to gather income from all parish fund raising activities and to pay expenses for those activities. When an activity is complete, the proceeds are then transferred into the General Operating Account to augment the regular income of the parish.

Prior Balance March 18,2020 40,633.26

Deposits 75.00

Withdrawals -0-

Transfer to Parish General Account 5,000.00

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 35,708.26

Parish Stipend Account

Funds in this account come from donations offered for Masses to be said. Funds are dispersed directly from this account to the Celebrant who offers the Mass once it is said.

Prior Balance March 18,2020 6023.76

Deposits 200.00

Withdrawals -140.00

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 6,083.76

Sacred Heart Cemetery Acct Funds in this account are accrued from the sale of graves or through the monthly collection. Funds are dispersed for burials and maintenance of the cemetery.

Prior Balance March 18,2020 29,613.63

Deposits 451.00

Withdrawals -0-

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 30,064.63

St. Stanislaus Cemetery Acct. Funds in this account are accrued from the sale of graves or through the monthly collection. Funds are dispersed for burials and maintenance of the cemetery.

Prior Balance March 18,2020 15,496.18

Deposits 379.00

Withdrawals -0-

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 15,875.18

Parish Saving Account

Funds placed in the Diocesan Bank.

Prior Balance March18,2020

65,897.77

Deposits -0-

Interest -0-

Withdrawals -0-

Service Charges -0-

Balance Forward 65,897.77

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

11

FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation THE BELOVED AMAZON of the Holy Father, Francis

to the People of God and to all persons of Good Will www.vatican.va

Caring for roots

33. Here I would like to point out that “a consumerist vision of human beings, encouraged by the mechanisms of today’s globalized economy, has a leveling effect on cultures, diminishing the immense variety which is the heritage of all humanity”.[35] This especially affects young people, for it has a tendency to “blur what is distinctive about their origins and backgrounds, and turn them into a new line of malleable goods”.[36] In order to prevent this process of human impoverishment, there is a need to care lovingly for our roots, since they are “a fixed point from which we can grow and meet new challenges”.[37] I urge the young people of the Amazon region, especially the indigenous peoples, to “take charge of your roots, because from the roots comes the strength that will make you grow, flourish and bear fruit”.[38] For those of them who are baptized, these roots include the history of the people of Israel and the Church up to our own day. Knowledge of them can bring joy and, above all, a hope capable of inspiring noble and courageous actions.

34. For centuries, the Amazonian peoples passed down their cultural wisdom orally, with myths, legends and tales, as in the case of “those primitive storytellers who traversed the forests bringing stories from town to town, keeping alive a community which, without the umbilical cord of those stories, distance and lack of communication would have fragmented and dissolved”.[39] That is why it is important “to let older people tell their long stories”[40] and for young people to take the time to drink deeply from that source.

35. Although there is a growing risk that this cultural richness will be lost; thanks be to God, in recent years some peoples have taken to writing down their stories and describing the meaning of their customs. In this way, they themselves can explicitly acknowledge that they possess something more than an ethnic identity and that they are bearers of precious personal, family and collective memories. I am pleased to see that people who have lost contact with their roots are trying to recover their damaged memory. Then too, the professional sectors have seen a growing sense of Amazonian identity; even for people who are the descendants of immigrants, the Amazon region has become a source of artistic, literary, musical and cultural inspiration. The various arts, and poetry in particular, have found inspiration in its water, its forests, its seething life, as well as its cultural diversity and its ecological and social challenges.

Intercultural encounter

36. Like all cultural realities, the cultures of the interior Amazon region have their limits. Western urban cultures have them as well. Factors like consumerism, individualism, discrimination, inequality, and any number of others represent the weaker side of supposedly more developed cultures. The ethnic groups that, in interaction with nature, developed a cultural treasure marked by a strong sense of community, readily notice our darker aspects, which we do not recognize in the midst of our alleged progress. Consequently, it will prove beneficial to listen to their experience of life.

37. Starting from our roots, let us sit around the common table, a place of conversation and of shared hopes. In this way our differences, which could seem like a banner or a wall, can become a bridge. Identity and dialogue are not enemies. Our own cultural identity is strengthened and enriched as a result of dialogue with those unlike ourselves. Nor is our authentic identity preserved by an impoverished isolation. Far be it from me to propose a completely enclosed, a-historic, static “indigenism” that would reject any kind of blending (mestizaje). A culture can grow barren when it “becomes inward-looking, and tries to perpetuate obsolete ways of living by rejecting any exchange or debate with regard to the truth about

man”.[41] That would be unrealistic, since it is not easy to protect oneself from cultural invasion. For this reason, interest and concern for the cultural values of the indigenous groups should be shared by everyone, for their richness is also our own. If we ourselves do not increase our sense of co-responsibility for the diversity that embellishes our humanity, we can hardly demand that the groups from the interior forest be uncritically open to “civilization”.

38. In the Amazon region, even between the different original peoples, it is possible to develop “intercultural relations where diversity does not mean threat, and does not justify hierarchies of power of some over others, but dialogue between different cultural visions, of celebration, of interrelationship and of revival of hope”.[42]

Endangered cultures, peoples at risk

39. The globalized economy shamelessly damages human, social and cultural richness. The disintegration of families that comes about as a result of forced migrations affects the transmission of values, for “the family is and has always been the social institution that has most contributed to keeping our cultures alive”.[43] Furthermore, “faced with a colonizing invasion of means of mass communication”, there is a need to promote for the original peoples “alternative forms of communication based on their own languages and cultures” and for “the indigenous subjects themselves [to] become present in already existing means of communication”.[44]

40. In any project for the Amazon region, “there is a need to respect the rights of peoples and cultures and to appreciate that the development of a social group presupposes an historical process which takes place within a cultural context and demands the constant and active involvement of local people from within their own culture. Nor can the notion of the quality of life be imposed from without, for quality of life must be understood within the world of symbols and customs proper to each human group”.[45] If the ancestral cultures of the original peoples arose and developed in intimate contact with the natural environment, then it will be hard for them to remain unaffected once that environment is damaged.

This leads us to the next dream.

[35] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ (24 May 2015), 144: AAS 107 (2015) 905.

[36] Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit (25 March 2019), 186.

[37] Ibid., 200.

[38] Videomessage for the World Indigenous Youth Gathering, Soloy-Panama (18 January 2019).

[39] MARIO VARGAS LLOSA, Prologue to El Hablador, Madrid (8 October 2007).

[40] Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit (25 March 2019), 195.

[41] SAINT JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 50: AAS 83 (1991), 856.

[42] FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN BISHOPS, Aparecida Document (29 June 2007), 97.

[43] Address at the Meeting with Indigenous People of Amazonia, Puerto Maldonado-Peru (19 January 2018): AAS 110 (2018), 301.

[44] Instrumentum Laboris, 123, e.

[45] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ (24 May 2015), 144: AAS 107 (2015), 906.

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

12

IN THE DIOCESE

$ 30,000

$20, 000

$15,000

$10,000

Parish Goal: $30,000.00 Pledges to date: $20,000.00 Amount due: $ 10, 000.00 To Date, 34% of parishioners donated 66% toward our appeal Goal. Thank You. Appeal Envelopes are available in the vestibule for the 66 % of parishioners who have not yet made a pledge or donation to the appeal.

Notice Regarding Reporting 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 committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, 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. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Laws, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24-HourChild Abuse hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis 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). Aviso al Respecto de Reportar el Abuso Sexual de Un Menor de Edad Es la norma de la Diócesis de Scranton reportar cualquier alegación de abuso sexual de un menor de edad a las autoridades. Si usted es una víctima de abuso sexual cometido por un sacerdote, diácono, religioso o empleado laico, o voluntario de la Diócesis de Scranton, usted está obligado a reportar el asunto inmediatamente a las autoridades de la ley. Si algún sacerdote, diácono, religioso, empleado laico o voluntario de la Diócesis de Scranton tiene sospecha de que un menor de edad ha sido sujeto a cualquier forma de abuso, incluyendo abuso sexual de menor de edad, el asunto será reportado a las autoridades de la ley. Es la norma de la Diócesis defender todas las regulaciones civiles y del estado. De conformidad con la Comunidad de los Servicios de Protección Infantil de Pennsylvania Leyes, informes de sospecha de abuso de niños también debe hacerse inmediatamente por teléfono las 24 horas maltrato infantil hotline (ChildLine) al 1-800-932-0313 o electrónicamente en www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis Al fi n de que la Diócesis esté comprometida igualmente a defender las normas del Código de Derecho Canónico y defender los principios de la Carta Para la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes (Conferencia de los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos), lo cual incluye apoyar a las víctimas de abuso sexual en pos del bienestar emocional y espiritual. Por eso, información respecto a una alegación del asunto sexual de un menor de edad, debe ser reportada a la Coordinadora Diocesana de Asistencia para Las Víctimas, Mary Beth Pacuska, a (570-862-7551).

Wedding Anniversary Mass His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2020 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 14. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with an April mailing address, should be made through your parish office before March 16.

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

The event, sponsored by the Diocesan Offices for Parish Life and Vocations, will consist of Eucharistic Adoration, praise & worship music, a dynamic talk, the opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation, and a social. All are welcome to attend! For more information, please call 570-780-2996.

CALLED TO FATHERHOOD 6th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference

Wilkes-Barre, PA

has been cancelled and will be rescheduled in October

Mike Aquilina is the award-winning author of more than fifty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion. His works have been translated into many languages. He has hosted eleven television series and several documentary films and is a frequent guest on Catholic

radio. He and his wife, Terri, have been married since 1985. They have six children.

Mike Aquilina

Jim O’Day is the director of Integrity Restored. He has been actively involved in men’s ministry as one of the founders of the Catholic Men’s Conferences in Connecticut and Georgia as well as a speaker at national and regional Catholic Men’s events. Jim is an active and engaged Catholic,

Jim O’Day

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR, is a dynamic speaker and well known, gifted Spiritual Director. He is one of the eight founding members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, founded in the spring of 1987. The apostolic mission of the Community is to save the

materially poor, especially the destitute and homeless. Fr. Glen Sudano CFR

“An Awareness Program – Harmful Events in Places of Worship.” What to do when disaster strikes??

Tuesday, March 24th 6 pm St. Jude’s Church 420 South Mountain Blvd, Mountaintop, PA

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training

Saturday, May 2, 2020

9:00 am—2:30 pm

Diocesan Pastoral Center Wyoming Ave., Scranton

Candidates must have the approval of their pastor. There is NO FEE and lunch is provided. To Register for Classes, Please contact the Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213 before April 28th.

13

LOCAL EVENTS

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

St. Leo’s/Holy Rosary Church 33 Manhattan St. Ashley - Lenten Food Sales are every Friday during Lent, 12 - 5 p.m. . The menu includes

Manhattan clam chowder, mushroom soup, pirohy, halushki, tuna hoagies, fudge brownies, Potato Pancakes, coffee, soda and bottled water. Eat in or take out.

Lenten Slovak Hymn Sing and

Stations of the Cross

Sunday March 29, 2020 2 pm

Our Lady of Fatima Parish 134 S. Washington St.

Wilkes-Barre

Come join us in singing the beautiful Slovak Lenten Hymns. The words and a translation of

this rich hymnology will be provided.

For more information, contact Anna Hudock at

570-822-1926 Designer Purse Bingo

St. Maria Goretti Parish Laflin Road, Laflin, PA

Saturday, April 18

Doors open at 11 am Bingo begins a 1 pm

Pre-Sales—$20 At Door— $25

Food and Beverages will be

available for purchase.

For more info, contact Rosemary at

570-655-3333

DINNERS 4 KIDS

8th Anniversary Dinner Tuesday, March 31, 2020

5:30 pm at Insalaco Hall, Misericordia University.

Recipients of special honor this year are DEACON JOE DeVIZIA and MU president, Dr Thomas and Vanessa Botzman.

Reservations are $50 per person and may be made by contacting David Tevet at 570-262-7839.

Check out our website at www.DinnersforKids.org

St. Leo’s/Holy Rosary Holy Name Society

Ham & Kielbasi Bingo 33 Manhattan St. Ashley -

Sunday, March 29, 2020 Doors open at noon

First Game is at 1 pm

The bingo features 15 games for hams or kielbasi. (the 15th game wins both!) Specials including Tic Tac, Coverall, and a Jackpot game are played.

The Kitchen will feature a varied menu including haluski, soup, and hot dogs.

This is a fun event. Come and enjoy the afternoon!

Spring Cleaning??? Call

Choman’s Care

You can contact Chris at

(570) 285-5079 or (570) 262-3109

or Book your appointment by e-mail

Chomanscare@gmail.com Like our Website at ChomansCare.com

Twilight Bingo Immaculate Conception Church

Hall Corpus Christi Parish

West Wyoming

Saturday, March 28, 2020 Doors open at 5 pm Bingo Starts at 6 pm

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at

door Call 570-654-2753 for more

info.

LENTEN TAIZE PRAYER Sunday, March 29, 2020

3 pm at

St. Nicholas Church Washington St. Wilkes-Barre

Cantores Christi Regis Kings College

LENTEN TAIZE PRAYER Monday, March 23, 2020

7 pm at

St. Andrew Parish Parrish St. Wilkes-Barre

Cantores Christi Regis Kings College

ALL ITEMS

ON THIS

PAGE HAVE

BEEN

CANCELLED

DUE TO

COVID-19

14

Lent in the Time of Coronavirus: More Prayer and Unexpected Penance by Carol Zimmerman

www.CatholicNews.com

FINAL THOUGHTS 29 March, 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

This Lent is one for the record books.

Parish fish fries, prayer services, Stations of the Cross, and daily and Sunday Masses are all canceled, and some dioceses have already announced they will not have services during Holy Week or Easter on April 12.

At the Feb. 26 start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Catholics were filling churches in the United States to receive ashes. At that point, only people arriving at airports from China were being screened and there were 60 cases of the coronavirus in the country, primarily from more than 40 passengers who had been on a cruise ship.

The first Sunday of Lent was business as usual, but by the second week, some dioceses had urged parishes to curtail hand-shaking at the sign of peace and Communion from the chalice. By the next week, many dioceses were no longer having public Masses and that list continues to grow as a nation is advised to stay at home to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

And now, with many public places shuttered and a country practicing its new term of self-distancing, the sense of quarantine, although not fully imposed, is very real.

This year's Lent may not be normal, but many have pointed out that the penitential qualities tied to this health crisis -- suffering, giving up and solitude -- are in fact symbolic of Lent's spiritual practice of self-denial.

Even the very word, quarantine, means about 40, in French, and its Latin origin, "quadraginta," is the root of Latin words for Lent.

This symbolism is not lost on many.

Paulist Father Larry Rice, director of the University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin, said a number of people have compared the notion of quarantine to Christ's 40 days in the desert and the 40 days of Lent.

"We need to look at this as a temporary thing we are doing for the sake of another good," he said of the current time of staying in place to prevent coronavirus spread, adding that it could be viewed as a period of retreat with extra time for prayer or spiritual reading.

And Father Paul Keller, a Claretian Missionary priest, who is serving at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center Parish in Fresno, California, which is currently under a shelter-in-place order, called the current situation "our opportunity to be in the desert like Jesus, with time away in solitary prayer," which he described as something that "couldn't be more Lenten."

With the halt to normal routines for many, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, pointed out that "at a minimum, we now have extra time to spend in prayer each day -- prayer that is sorely needed to seek eternal repose for the dead, to remember those who are sick and living in great fear, our health care workers who remain on the front lines of this disease, and for one another."

"We may never again have a Lenten season that affords us so much time to give to the Lord. Let us use this time wisely and well," he posted on Facebook March 17.

Along with extra time to pray, the current pandemic also offers a heightened perspective.

Sister Constance Veit, a Little Sister of the Poor, who is director of communications for her order, wrote: "We began Lent with the imposition of ashes and the reminder, 'Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return,' a phrase borrowed from the Catholic funeral liturgy. None of us could have predicted how quickly we would become so focused on the finiteness and fragility of human life -- this is one of the spiritual lessons of the coronavirus."

The challenge imposed by the spreading virus also contains a built-in penance that no one asked for and has caused some people to ask on Twitter if they still have to give up what they were going to for Lent.

These initial sacrifices were made prior to the country's complete shift to the point where everyone is giving something up from mundane items to time with friends and family at public places and the far more tragic losses of jobs and health.

In a Twitter post March 13, Father Mike Schmitz, a popular evangelist, wrote, "How to do Lent right in the midst of things like #coronavirus,"

and linked his video stressing that Lent is a time to embrace both personal penances and "penances that choose you," which he didn't name but referred to as some type of suffering.

"These weeks offer challenges we've never had to face. We can't attend Mass. Our routines are disrupted. We worry about ourselves and our loved ones. Some of us may even need to fight the virus itself," wrote Msgr. John Enzler, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, in a March 19 column for the Catholic Standard, the archdiocesan newspaper.

The priest added this pandemic "makes the current Lenten season dramatically different from any other in our lifetimes, no matter how old we are," but he also emphasized Lent remains what it has always been: "A time to get in better touch with God's love for us and do our best to 'spring clean' our souls in preparation for the glory of Easter."

"This year, " he added, the liturgical season has "also become a time to think about how we live as a community, protect each other from illness, and be part of the solution to a global health crisis." He also was hopeful Catholics would "meet these challenges, and maybe even bring about new and better ways of taking care of each other in the years to come."

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WEEKLY CALENDAR

LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE

March 28-29, 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

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

Server

Lector

EMOC

Cantor

Hospitality

Fifth Week in Lent March 30 –April 5, 2020

PLEASE NOTE: While the ban against public gatherings remains in effect, all Masses will be said PRIVATELY by Fr. Ken at his convenience. Please know that you and your families are also enclosed in his intentions during this trying time.

Day and Date Time Intention Offered by Events

Monday, March 30 Lenten Weekday

No Mass Scheduled

Tuesday, March 31 Lenten Weekday

Joseph Ulichney Wife, Geri

Wednesday, April 1 Lenten Weekday

Christopher Wilcox Anna Bozinski

Thursday, April 2 St. Francis of Paola Richard Gola Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Walker

Church will be open from Noon until 4 pm for private prayer.

Friday April 3 Lenten Weekday FIRST FRIDAY

Edward Walkowiak Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Benesky DAY OF ABSTINENCE

Due to the Restrictions placed on us by covid19,

there will not be an evening Mass for First Friday this month.

Saturday April 4 Lenten Weekday

John Gibbons Sr.

Mary Alice O’Neill

Gibbons Family

Fr. Ken & the parish of SAB

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Sunday, April 5 Parishioners

Ann Burick

Pastor

Burick & Klem Family

29 March, 2020 Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Liturgical Ministry Schedule will resume when Public Liturgies resume.

“No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”

- St. John Chrysostom

“Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians.

Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble

our conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no

place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the

desire to do good fades.” He continues that, “We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s

pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and

not our own.”

—Pope Francis

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