Whatever you did for the least among you, you did for Me.

April 23-24, 2016
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PARTNER PARISHES OF
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, ST. JOHN AND ST. RITA
Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts
“The Catholic Community of Connellsville”
Office: 116 South Second Street
724-628-6840 Fax: 724-628-0838
www.connellsvillecatholicchurches.org
Whatever you did for the least among you,
you did for Me.
Sacramental & Pastoral Information
Baptism: Call the Parish Office at least 3 months in advance to arrange
and schedule from the Parishes' available dates.
Marriage: Contact the Parish Office at least 6 months before the
tentative date is set.
Communion to the Sick: Any sick or homebound parishioner desiring
home Communion should notify the Parish Office.
RCIA: If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about
the Catholic Faith or interested in becoming a Catholic, please contact
the Parish Office.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Membership: If you are not receiving your church envelopes, your
membership might need updated. Please contact the Parish Office.
Cemetery Information: All questions about cemetery lots and deeds
should be directed to Lou Ann Lauffer, x101, at the Parish Office. If
you have concerns with the cemetery grounds, please call Dave Panzella at
724-323-5365.
Bulletin Deadline: Information must be received at the Parish Office or
emailed to [email protected] by noon on Monday.
St. Vincent DePaul: Call 724-562-3341 if you or someone you know
is in need of assistance.
ST. JOHN
THE
EVANGELIST
Pastoral Staff - how may we serve you?
FR. ROBERT T. LUBIC
Pastor
[email protected]
FR. DANIEL ULISHNEY
Parochial Vicar
[email protected]
SR. MARY AGNES KIRSCH, SC
Archivist/Head Sacristan
[email protected]
SR. DONNA MULLIGAN, SC
Director of Pastoral Ministry
[email protected]
MARY SAMPEY
KEVIN BARRY
Director of Faith Formation
Youth & Young Adult Minister
[email protected] [email protected]
LOU ANN LAUFFER
Parish Manager
[email protected]
LISA ANDURSKY
Administrative Assistant
to the Pastor
[email protected]
KAREN TWEARDY
Parish Secretary
DAVID HERTZNELL
[email protected] Facilities Manager
DAVID PANZELLA
Cemetery Care
Cell # 724-323-5365
Office Hours
MON - THU
8:30am-noon & 1-4pm
FRI
8:30am-1pm
(front office only)
ST. RITA
OF
CASCIA
Mass Schedule
Saturday
Vigil:
4:00pm
6:00pm
St. Rita
I.C.
Sunday:
8:00am
9:30am
11:30am
St. Rita
I.C.
St. John
Daily Mass:
See bulletin for location
Confession:
5:15-5:45pm at I.C.
& by appointment
Stewardship of Treasure
SUN, APR 17, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
F IFTH S UNDAY OF E ASTER
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Adult .................................. $4,573.00
Children ...................................... 4.00
Loose Collection ................... 318.63
Maintenance ............................. 92.00
Total: ........................ $4,987.63
Acts 14:21-27
Cemetery ............................. $661.00
Easter ....................................... $30.00
♦♦♦♦♦♦
ST. RITA
Adult .................................. $3,560.00
Children ...................................... 3.00
Loose Collection ................1,425.05
Maintenance ............................... 5.00
Total: ........................ $4,993.05
Cemetery ............................. $631.00
♦♦♦♦♦♦
ST. JOHN
Adult .................................. $2,751.00
Loose Collection ................... 284.00
Maintenance ............................. 10.00
Total: ........................ $3,045.00
Cemetery ............................. $467.00
Good Friday/Holy Land ....... $10.00
DIOCESAN LENTEN APPEAL
current to 4/18/16
Target
I.C. $34,936
S.R. $34,052
S.J. $16,541
Pledged %
$47,670 136%
$39,045 115%
$20,986 127%
We need MONEY COUNTERS
(especially
for St. John), for our
weekly collections.
If you could work
one or two MON
mornings each month
right after 8am Mass, that would be
great! Please call the parish office at
724-628-6840 if you can serve
your church in this way.
REMINDER:
Mass requests are still
being taken for the rest of 2016.
the apostles exhorted the new
believers to remain firm in their
faith. Hardships are not just normal.
Hardships are necessary, they say.
Words of Encouragement
To help out, Paul and Barnabas
Everyone needs a little encourage- appointed elders for each community.
ment now and then. When you are They also gathered the community
hired or chosen for some special to pray and fast at the time these
elders were appointed. With
work, you feel excited about the
new responsibility. In time, though, organization, prayer, and sacrifice,
Paul and Barnabas strengthened
the work becomes challenging.
You doubt your ability to continue. the disciples.
The vision of success fades.
If you have helped someone in the
Possibly, everything is all right. When
enthusiasm wears down and hard
work steps up, it is normal to wonder
about success. In this situation,
perhaps all someone needs is a
little encouragement.
At one point in their missionary
journey, the apostles Paul and
Barnabas retraced their steps.
They went back to Lystra, Iconium,
and Antioch. They met again with
the disciples they had formed, and
Scripture Readings for This Week
MON: 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3, 6-7,
16-17; Mk 16:15-20
TUE: Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13ab,
21; Jn 14:27-31a
WED: Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5;
Jn 15:1-8
THU: Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10;
Jn 15:9-11
FRI:
Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10,
12; Jn 15:12-17
SAT:
Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1b-3,
5; Jn 15:18-21
SUN: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Ps 67:2-3,
5-6, 8; Rv 21:10-14, 22-23;
Jn 14:23-29
past, this may be a good time to
offer additional encouragement. Ask
how it is going. Provide direction if
you can. Pray. Fast. Give encouragement to those whose strength may
be weakening. It is necessary to
undergo hardships to enter the
reign of God.
Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2009,
Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782,
www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted
with permission from Lectionary Bulletin Inserts,
Year C: First and Second Readings.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION
A HOLY DAY
OF OBLIGATION
VIGIL - WED, MAY 4
6:00pm at St. John
HOLY DAY - THU, MAY 5
8:00am at I.C.
10:00am at Geibel
12:10pm at St. Rita
Altar flowers at I.C. this
weekend are in memory
of deceased members of
I.C. Christian Mothers,
given by the current I.C. Christian
Mothers.
Training for Weddings, Funerals, and
Thurifers, APR 30, at 10am, at St. Rita.
at home
Throughout the Scriptures, we see
Jesus caring for the sick, touching
them and healing
them. The church
today continues this
ministry to its people
as they encounter
illness and struggles
by sharing the Sacrament of the
Sick. Through this sacrament, Jesus’
healing touch is extended to people
by anointing them with oil on the
forehead and hands in the name of
the Lord.
Our Catholic Community will celebrate
this sacrament communally at a
special anointing Mass THIS TUE,
APR 26, at 11am. If you are planning
to have surgery, experience health
problems or face the challenges of
aging, you are invited to this celebration which will also be followed
by a light luncheon and a presentation on a topic that no one likes
to talk about, but which everyone
needs to know – we’ll hear Carla
Colello, LCSWM, CCM, a home
care and hospice counselor, share
her wisdom on “Navigating End of
Life Issues”.
While suffering and illness of body
or spirit can be overwhelming, the
grace of this sacrament can be a
source of strength, courage and
hope. If you are unable to attend
this service and wish to receive
the sacrament at home, please call
to arrange to have the priest come
to you. For further information,
please call Fr. Daniel or Sr. Donna
at 724-628-6840.
All altar servers are invited to a
training on how to serve weddings
and funerals and how to be thurifers
(incense bearers). Stipends are
offered for those who serve weddings
and also typically for funerals. Come
and learn how to serve these two
Liturgies and how to give God the
glory and honor due His name. If
you would like to come, please
contact Fr. Dan or Kevin Barry.
Connellsville Catholic Community
Children's Choir will rehearse at
11am, SAT, APR 30, in Conn-Area
Catholic. The choir will also sing for
Conn-Area Catholic’s Family Liturgy
and Sixth-Grade Appreciation at 7pm,
WED, APR 27, at St. John and for
the First Communion Mass at noon
SUN, MAY 1, at I.C. All 3-6 graders
are eligible for membership. In
addition, junior and senior high school
students may join as cantors and
leaders of song. Visit the parish website, connellsvillecatholicchurches.org,
for more info and a registration
form by clicking on "Forms and
Documents" on the home page.
Ladies from St. John and I.C. will
be preparing pieroghi on TUEs,
MAY 3 - JUN 28, beginning at
8:30am in Moravek Hall, for the
Summer Festival to be held on
AUG 6 and 7. Any help would be
greatly appreciated, whether it be
volunteering your time or making a
monetary donation to help defray
food costs. Cash or checks (payable
to St. John) should be marked
IC/St. John Summer Festival Food
Donation and placed in the collection
basket or dropped off at the
parish office.
The Youth Ministry
Teams, along with
adult leaders, will
meet APR 24 in
the Upper Room, at
6pm for a planning meeting. All
youth leaders are asked to be there.
Additionally, any youth 7th-12th
grade are welcome to come and
help plan for the upcoming summer.
One main topic will be a possible
high school retreat. All input is
welcome and appreciated! We
hope to see you there!
Catholic Daughters of the Americas,
Court Annunciata #260 will meet
TUE, APR 26 at 6pm in Bucci Hall.
Rosary and meeting to follow. Open
to all women age 18 and older.
For info, please call 724-628-7553.
World Youth Day, JUL 24-AUG 3,
Krakow, Poland, for young adults 18
and older. Anyone interested in
going, should contact Kevin Barry
ASAP. Cost is $3,499 plus a $350
registration fee.
World Youth Day-Stateside!, will be
JUL 30-31 in Lancaster, PA. Eighth
graders through college seniors are
invited to participate. This event is
joined by technology to the World
Youth Day vigil and concluding
Eucharistic celebration presided
over by Pope Francis in Krakow,
Poland. It is supported by opportunities for prayer, fellowship, and the
sacraments of Penance and Holy
Eucharist. Scheduled performers
include Jackie Francois, Ceili Rain,
and more. Greensburg Diocese’s
Office for Evangelization and Faith
Formation is sponsoring a trip to
Lancaster Catholic High School and
the Clipper Magazine Stadium there.
Bishop Malesic will celebrate the
closing Mass. To register, visit
www.dioceseofgreensburg.org.
Bridget Andursky,
Scott Aronhalt, Irene
Augustine, Maureen
& Stephen Austen, Beatrice Babura,
Janice Bailey, Al Balow, Heather
Bardin, Elizabeth Bartholomai, Maya
Bennett, Marissa Bercik, Seth
Beveridge, Anise Black, Devin
Braddock, Brian, Divinia Calinao,
Bob Camilli, Margaret Carbonara,
Kay Caringola, Cecil Casini, Gene
Cavalier, Anthony Cecchini, Jean
Gallo-Ciscon, Thomas Cline, David
Coldren, Dominec Costabile, Gloria
Cross, Tim Cumberland, Frank
Decker, Debbie Del Sordo, Irene
Denne, Lavonne Dillinger, Suzanne
Dooley, Tom Duncan, Melody
Dynes, Ronald Egnot, Emily Ernesty,
Michael Farris, Joe Fierschnaller,
Sandra Fletcher, Charlotte Frankhouser and Family, Cameron
Frame, Sr. Raphael Frank, Loretta
Fronek, Roianne Gailey, Christopher
Galik, Thomas W. Galley, Jr., Robert
Gallo, Sr., Machaela Garlowich, F.
Thomas Giambattista, Barry Glotfelty,
Catherine Goron, Michael Grego,
Ronald Grego, Carla Hager, Keith
Hager, Kevin Hager, Garrin
Haggerty, Arthur Hall, Betty Hall,
Jim Haney, Kimberly Taylor
Harkins, Nancy Heinbaugh, Paul
Helinsky, Frederick Helms, Kathy
Herbert, Alexia Herchko, Angela
Hill, Dennis Hinton, Jason Hofius,
Arlene Honeycutt, Jay Honeycutt,
Patty & David Hough, Barry S.
Huey, Dominic Ianello, Theresa
Jaworski, Brittany Johnson, Donnie
Johnston, Kevin Jones, David & Susan
Kanter, Karen, Larry Kennison,
Lora Keslar, Lorraine Kinnick,
Judie Kosisko, Trish Koval, Kelly
Kowats, Toni Cellurale-Kuhlman,
John Kuzyck, Bernadine Lafko, Susan
Lake, Beth Ann Wisniewski-Lee,
Veronica Lepianka, Rebecca Lessman,
Sean Lewandowski, Michaelene
Lint, Maryann Lloyd, Justin Loncala,
Savannah Longanecker, Jeffrey
Madarish, Joseph Majoris, Margaret
Majoris, Marie Martin, Bret
Martucci, Barbara Mascarelli, Robert
Mazurik, Regina Mayolo, Jean
McCormick, Bob McFadden, Dave
McMullan, Hunter Meese, Kayia
Miller, Nancy Miller, Henry Molinaro,
Sr., Terri Molinaro, Cathi Mongell,
Kimberly Morrell, Irene Nakles,
Judy Nardone, Micheline Natale,
John Orazi, Sr., Yolanda Pallow,
Beatrice Parenti, Jean Peperak,
John Pessamato III, Tom Pierce,
Frank Pilla, Daniel Piper, Velda
Plesz, Gemma Premus, James Price,
Marisa Primozic, William Radlosky,
Maryann Reid, Freda Rennick,
Jeannette Roley, Ellen Romanko,
Terry Rose, Mark Rosenthal, Terry
Ross, Carmie Rozell, Ronald Rozell,
Jacob Rugg, John Rulli, John Salatino,
Lorelai Santangelo, Parker Scarry,
Betty Schott, Theresa Schott,
Brennan Sechrist, Lisa Sezawick,
Ray Shamberger, Gen Sherwood,
Mary Catherine Shipley, Helen
Shuder, Lester Shultz, Sr., Jeff Sigado,
Erin Sigwalt, Robert Skowronek,
Gunnar Skrobacz, Kendal Skrobacz,
Eric Smearman, Betty Smith, Dennis
Soisson, Marian Soldano, Sonya
Spaw, Heather Spennati, Charles
Spicola, Patricia Stout, Bill Swan,
Sharon Tajc, James Thompson,
Diane Tomasko, Michael Tomasko,
Michelle Tweardy, Cindy Vinoski,
David Voda, David Voda, Jr., Denise
Voda, Carol Ward, Melvin Washington, Henry Whipkey, Arthur
Wilson, Barbara Wisilosky, Bernie
Wolfe, Mary Yauger.
Liturgical Ministers’ Evenings of
Reflection. In the near future, Fr.
Daniel will be hosting a series of
evenings of reflection for liturgical
ministers… an opportunity to give
thanks to God for the gift of our
ministry and to grow and deepen
our own spiritual lives as well as
the bonds of friendship. Please
watch the bulletin for updates!
What Are Your Gifts?
Our faith
comes alive through service and
we glorify God by using our gifts.
We are looking for additional
liturgical ministers in all of our
parishes (lectors, altar servers, and,
especially Extraordinary Ministers
of Holy Communion). Please
prayerfully consider your gifts and
interests and whether the Lord
may be inviting you into one of
these (or any other) ministries.
Often we feel a certain sense of
unworthiness to minister before
the parish community… this is
normal. The truth is that God still
calls and uses us! If you want to
deepen your experience of the faith
or are looking for a way to be
personally involved in bringing
Jesus to others when you come
to Mass, please contact the parish
office to begin the process!
Our most sincere thanks
to Patty
Daniels, Debbie Mastowski and
Sharon Tlumack, for their volunteer
service to our parishes in laundering
and taking care of our altar server
robes. They have made sure all the
robes were clean and bright for our
Christmas and Easter celebrations.
We are most grateful to them and
all the individuals who work behind
the scenes to help make our churches
and services so beautiful! May God
bless you abundantly!
Coffee House, APR 29,
Bucci Hall, 7-10pm.
All young adults, 18
and graduated from high school to 39,
are invited. Musicians, poets,
singers, etc. are welcome. Come
stop by for an evening of music,
fun, and reflection.
Can you imagine a world
where communities of
believers everywhere
would support and
encourage one another
and be identified as
Christians by the way they love each
other. It would be a world with no
tears, no death and mourning, no
crying out in pain. “Behold, I make
all things new,” we hear the Son of
God say in Revelation 21:5. Is this
world of John’s vision only imaginary?
Are these faithful followers for whom
Jesus prayed only a savior’s dream?
How much closer can we come
to this vision of a true Christian
community in our lives today?
MON, APR 25
8:00am St. Rita
8:30am St. Rita
TUE, APR 26
8:00am St. John
11:00am St. Rita
6:30pm St. Rita
WED, APR 27
8:00am St. Rita
8:30am St. Rita
7:00 pm St. John
(Conn-Area
Family Liuturgy)
THU, APR 28
8:00am I.C.
FRI, APR 29
8:00am St. Rita
SAT, APR 30
4:00pm St. Rita
6:00pm I.C.
SUN, MAY 1
8:00am St. Rita
9:30am I.C.
11:30am St. John
12:00pm I.C.
ST. MARK, EVANGELIST
Michael Malone (John, Lori, Johnny & Jimmy Malone)
Divine Mercy Chaplet
EASTER WEEKDAY
Anna Marie Koleck (Sandy Paull & Joan Layko)
Anointing Mass
St. Anthony Novena
EASTER WEEKDAY
Jeanie Humbert & Parr & Sarko Families (Judy Forsythe)
Adoration
James, Marian & Jimmy Harvey (Daughter/Sister
Barbara Ann)
ST PETER CHANEL, PRIEST, MARTYR
ST. LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, PRIEST
The Flynn Family (Jim & Betty)
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN, DR. OF THE CHURCH
Amato & Filomena Prudente (Maggie Natale)
ST. PIUS V, POPE
Frank & Leona Forys (Daughters)
James Haggerty, Sr. (Wife & Family)
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
James A. Harvey (Wife & Children)
Maryagnes Falvo (Children & Families)
Pro Populo
First Communion
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Certificate in Pastoral Ministry Info
Scouting for Boys will hold National Session, St. Joseph’s Church, Uniontown,
Geibel Catholic’s Spring Auction Ga- Catholic Leadership Development
MON, MAY 9 at 6pm. The Certificate
la” will be SAT, APR 30, 5pm at the Training for Adult Scouters on SAT, MAY 7, in Pastoral Ministry program focuses
on preparing people for ministry.
Historic Summit Inn. The event
at Our Lady of Grace Albanese Hall, To register for this session call Sherry
will feature live and silent auctions,
at 724-837-0901, x1240 or email
gift basket raffles, tip boards, 50/50, Greensburg, 9am-3pm.
delicious food and complementary
drinks, plus live music by “Abacus
Jones”. Special guest speaker will
be Msgr. Larry Kulic, Vicar General
for the Diocese of Greensburg.
For tickets or more info, call Geibel
Catholic at 724-628-5600, or email
[email protected].
Greensburg Catholic Cemetery needs
a grounds maintenance employee
for summer work, MON-FRI,
8am-4pm. Applicants must be at
least 18 years old and may apply by
calling 724-834-3710.
The $10 cost includes
lunch and materials.
The required registration is found on The
Diocese of Greensburg
website or by following this link:
https://events. diocese ofgreensburg.org/EventRegistration/
RegisterAttendees.aspx?EventId=255
NOTE: Registration deadline
is TUE, MAY 3. A minimum
of three registrants is required,
with a limit of ten. For questions:
[email protected].
[email protected].
Applications for the program itself
are now being accepted. Actual
coursework and formation events
will begin this Fall. Admission
closes JUL 25. Please visit
gbgvocations.org to learn more.
Direct questions about lay ministry
or the certificate program to Marsha
Kable at 724-837-0901 or email
[email protected].
Any questions about the permanent
diaconate should be directed to
[email protected].
choir?! (You know, because
if you actually SING at Mass
there must be something
wrong with you and the
only logical place for you is
with "them singing folk up
ON HOLIDAY: It's about 11am Sunday there in the loft n'at".)
morning. I just got back from a VERY
I can't help imagining what a DIFFERENT
full 9:30 Mass at Our Lady of Victory
place our sports stadiums, arenas,
Church in Happy Valley. Running a bit
courts, fields would be if we brought to
late (however, I WAS there before Mass
them the same "enthusiasm" we bring to
began!) I took a seat in the very last pew,
the GREATEST event we will ever be
which afforded me a WONDERFUL
privileged to experience - the suffering,
vantage point of the entire congregation. death, and Resurrection of God's very
Son. An event that not only changed the
entire Cosmos, but SHOULD transform
every aspect of OUR lives as well.
COVER PHOTO: Social media is oftbemoaned as a prime example of what is
"wrong" with the digital world in which
we now live. Rightly so I am sure most
of us would agree! From gossipmongering, cyber bullying, withdrawal
from relationships in the physical
world, to the mere waste of time and
Yesterday I went to Beaver Stadium
with friends to attend PSU's Blue/White loss of productivity, social media can
game. SO where do you suppose, dear certainly be seen as a force of evil. As
reader, I encountered more enthusiasm always, however, we must avoid the
temptation to "throw out the baby
- in the midst of the celebration of the
Sacred Mysteries by which we are made with the bathwater." There IS plenty
sharers in the Lord Jesus Christ's triumph of good accomplished in that online
world as well. I (WE) recently had the
over DEATH itself or a completely
meaningless football game between TWO opportunity to participate in one such
squads from the SAME team (Hmmmm POSITIVE occurrence.
… will Penn State win? Or will Penn
Several years back a young Pakistani
State? The suspense is KILLING me!)
Catholic had been directed my way on
Facebook. He passionately desired to
emigrate to these United States with
his wife and children. Quite UNDERSTANDABLY! Anyone who has paid
one iota of attention to what's going
on in the world these past years can't
HELP but know the difficulties - often
LIFE-THREATENING - Christians in that
part of the world are facing. Sadly I have
learned that it is an almost insurmountable
task to help him in that endeavour. I
Let me just say my rare excursions into envisioned our parishes being able to
sponsor his family, bring them to the Jewel,
"pew-land" are QUITE interesting. I
and help them get on their feet in a new
SHAMELESSLY make my presence
known by participating actively and even land. Longtime residents of Connellsville
(say it ain't SO!) DARING to sing (with my age and older should well remember
the Vietnamese family that Immaculate
real ENTHUSIASM which just makes
matters all the worse)! Would you be- Conception sponsored in the 1970s
lieve I have even been told in past such "boat people" era. (One of the daughters,
excursions that maybe I should join the Tuyet, was in my class at Conn-Area for a
year and all us of kids loved her kid brother,
little Chang, whom we saw everyday at
recess. The house we provided for them
was next to our "playground" - the
Immaculate Conception parking lot.)
But alas and alack my vision was not
meant to be.
Eventually, however, this gentleman's
wife also approached me on Facebook
with an entirely different project. She
had become very concerned about the
plight of children who were unable, for
financial reasons, to attend school. To
that end she founded the organisation
F.E.A.S.T. Pakistan ( Foundation for
Education Awareness and Social
Transformation). Each child assisted by
F.E.A.S.T. is provided with;
* Admission Fee
* Tuition for 1 year
* School Uniform - Pant, shirt, belt
* School Shoes
* Text books – 1 Set (All subjects)
* Notebooks – 1 Set
* Pen/Pencils – 1 Set
* School Bag
* Lunch box
* Water bottle
All for a mere $176! (The US dollar
still goes A LONG way in some parts
of the world.) As part of my personal
Lenten observance of almsgiving I felt
called to support a number of these
children. I also thought that it would be
a GREAT thing to do as a community.
So EACH of our parishes is now making
it possible for a child, otherwise unable,
to attend school. The future of THREE
children is now a lot brighter than it
would have been thanks to YOU! Three
may seem infinitesimal in comparison
to the countless numbers in our world
who are in dire need; but it's a start.
We aren't going to change the world.
But we CAN change the life of an individual. And if
enough people
decide to do
THAT, the
world WILL
be changed!