Liguori - St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church | Mount Union, PA

don't relish trips to the eye doctor, but ever
I
"gods" but him. He knows how easy it is for us
to lose focus on our relationship with him. In
since I was a child I've actually enjoyed one
of the tests. It's a test of peripheral vision
in which your head is surrounded by a dome
the Gospel,]esus indicates that he is the new
temple-the new place around which people
of dots that periodically light up as you stare
should center their lives.
straight ahead at a central dot of light. When a
Many in our culture lose sight of God while
peripheral dot lights up, you press a button. It's
focusing on the pursuit of money, power, or
always felt like a video game. The hard part is
fame. But we can also get distracted from God
in simpler ways-by making a loved one into
a "god" who consumes all our attention, by
wallowing in self-pity despite the presence of
continuing to focus on that center light when
your eyes want to wander toward the peripheral
lights. The machine is so sophisticated that it
gives a gentle alarm when your eyes wander
from the center
many blessings, and by letting work, TV, or
socializing consistently take the place of regular
light.
Maintaining our focus on God as the center of
our lives can be similarly difficult, yet it's what
prayer.
Lent sounds a gentle alarm to refocus our
God has asked of humanity for ages. Listen to
the length of the First Commandment in
Exodus today-God
wants us to clearly
vision on that center of divine light and make
understand that we mustn't have any
God our first priority.
Liguori
PUBLICATIONS
@2012
Liguori Publications
Liguori, MO 63057-9999
JANEL
ESKER
sundaybu//etins@/iguori.org
Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, JeD
Bishop
Fr. George D. Koharchik, Pastor
[email protected]
cell: 814423 1162
St. Catherine Church
203 W Market Street
MOUNT UNION, PA 17066
Marriage:
(814) 542-4582
[email protected]
website:www.scosrnu.org
Please contact Rectory at least
nine months prior to wedding
Confession: 4:30 PM Sat; 8:30 AM Sun
Baptism:
By appointment
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MARCH 11, 2012 - THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mass intentions for the week March 10, 2012 - March 17,2012
Sat
Sun
:Jri
Mar
Mar
10
11
Sunday of Lent
I
4:~0 pm
5:00 pm
Reconciliation
Kay Crouse
8:30-8:50 am
9:00 am
Reconciliation
Living and Deceased Members of St Catherine Parish
By Family
Mon Mar
12
1:30 pm WRC
3:00 pm MMPC
Special Intention
Special Intention
Tue
Mar
13
8:00 am
Josephine Danish
By Mary & Family
Wed Mar
14
6:00 pm
John & Mildred Balles
By Robert, Haley, Alyssa Balles
Thu
Mar
15
8:00 am
Bernardine Witychak
By Sam & Carmela Ciccaglione
Fri
Mar
16
8:00 am
7:00 pm
Margaret L. Magliere
By Carmella Lear & Family
Stations of the Cross
4:30 pm
5:00 pm
Reconciliation
Edith & Allen Welch
8:30-8:50 am
9:00am
Reconciliation
Sat
Sun
Mar
Mar
17
18
4th Sunday of Lent
By Maggie
Living and Deceased Members of St. Catherine Parish
PARISH NEWS
Easter Flower Donations:
A special envelope for donations for Easter Flowers can be found on the
windowsills or in the vestibule. If you would like to make an offering of $1 O.00 in memory or in honor of your
loved ones, please put that person's name on the envelope. All contributions will be acknowledged in the Easter
Bulletin. Return envelopes via the collection basket by Sunday, Aprill.
Nut & Poppy Seed Rolls: Order forms are available in the vestibule; the last day to order is Sunday,
March 18. Rolls will be available for pick-up after the Masses on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25.
Return order forms via the collection basket. Cost $9.00 each.
The Website for St. Catherine Parish is now on line: www.scosmu.org. I
information
about
the
suggestions or materials
parish,
pictures,
previous
directories,
links to
other
will be posting
sites,
etc.
Any
are welcome.
Adult Education Class will meet Monday, March 12, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in The Holy Family Hall. We are
studying the history of the Church; all are welcome to participate.
Stations of the Cross with Benediction are prayed on Fridays at 7:00 PM.
The next Job Conference is Tuesday, March 13, at 10 AM.
The Pastoral Council will meet on Wednesday, March 21, at 7:00 PM, and the Finance Council on
Wednesday, March 31.
ORGANIZATION
NEWS
The Knights of Columbus will Nominate Officers for the 2012-2013 year at the March meeting.
The Knights are distributing Hoss's Cash Cow Cards for March 11, 2012, as a fundraiser. The 4th
Degree K of C Meeting at Most Holy Trinity will NOT be held this month.
Catholic Daughters will be having a baby shower and collecting items for the Crossroad Pregnancy Center.
Items could include clothing, diapers, lotions, toys, money, etc. A bag will be in the back of the church for you to
deposit your donations. We will be accepting items from now until April 8. Your continued generosity is
appreciated. Any questions, please contact Beth Lear or Melissa Fleming.
CCD/YOUTH
CCD Grades 8 & 9 continue collecting
March is: Anything Goes
food for the Food Bank, as a community
service.
The theme for
ATIENTION· ALL YOUTH GRADES 6-8:
YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH DAY 20121
SUNDAY, MARCH Z5, ZOlZ - BISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL, EBENSBURG
Featuring keynotes by Scott Anthony. His blend of humor and education have made him a highly sough! after
speaker. Scott's presentations leave his audiences laughing. smiling. deeply thinklng. and perhaps even shedding
a tear or two. HJsexcitement. enthusiasm. and love has motivated and inspired young people everywhere.
The day will consist of uplifting keynotes. challenging games. and Liturgywith the Bishop. There will be lots of
faith. fun and friendship for all! To register. contact your pastor, parish Director of Religious Education!
Youth Ministr.}' or Catholic Elementary School Principal. Deadllne to register Is Friday. March 16th.
COMMUNITY
Most Holy Trinity
PM in Trinity Hall.
Church in Huntingdon
NEWS
has a Fish Fry on the Fridays of Lent from 4:00-6:30
Members of St. Catherines are invited to attend the first of a series of seminars to provide
information on end of life care and options available. The first of the series will be Thursday, March 22
at 7:00 p.m. at Meadowview Manor. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVPto Marissa Loht at 814542-2336 by March 16.
DIOCESAN
NEWS
Come join us on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, for the Bishop's Night
for Vocations at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. A
mixer at 5:30pm
will be followed
by dinner
at 6:30pm.
Fr. Joseph Freedy, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Pittsburgh,
will be the featured speaker.
Tickets are $25.00 each and can be
purchased by calling the Vocations Office at 814-472-5441, Thomas
Wolff, Cambria County Serra Club, at 814-539-4186, or Linda
Turcovskl, Altoona Serra Club. at 814-943-3148.
How much of a spiritual life do 3 - 9 year olds have? All (parents, catechists, teachers, clergy, etc.) are invited
to the "Spiritual Life of the Child" Workshop on Saturday, March 17 from 9:30- 2:30 at st. Aloysius Church in
Cresson. 4 CEUs. You'll learn about God's relationship with his little ones, their spiritual capacities, ways to
facilitate that relationship, and see materials and approaches used in a catechetical style called Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd (cgsusa.org). Presenters are catechists Gaye Boyer and Susan Stith. Lunch included. Register by
March 12 by sending $20 check payable to "St. Aloysius Church," 7911 Adm. Peary Hwy, Cresson, PA 16630.
Brochure available from church: 886-2235; [email protected].
The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Schedule is available in the vestibule or at the Rectory. Programs
include Engaged Encounter Weekends, Sponsor Couple Sessions, and the Marriage Preparation Series. Contact
the Rectory at least 8 months before your wedding. The schedule is also available on-line at www.ajdiocese.org
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
Does your method offamily planning ... strengthen your emotional intimacy with your spouse?
... work with the gift of your fertility? .. nurture a loving relationship with God and the Church?
.. .increase your self-respect and growth as a person/couple? The Billings Method ofNFP
(www.borna-usa.org or www.familyplanning.net) is the result of decades of scientific research by
medical researchers. NFP honors the Church's respect for the unitive and procreative purpose of
married love-making. If you haven't checked out NFP, you haven't made an informed choice.
Certified diocesan instructors are located throughout our diocese. Introductory presentations to
groups also available. Contact our diocesan Family Life Office, 814-886-5551;
[email protected].
Post-abortion healing: 814-884-8000. Confidential, compassionate. [email protected]
For
women, men, relatives, friends hurt by abortion. Many whose child was aborted were uninformed, coerced,
pressured, even helpless. The Church wants to walk with you on a path of healing and reconciliation with God,
the Church, your child, yourself. Helpful websites: noparh.org; abortionchangesyou.com; menandabortion.info;
rachelsvinyard.org.
Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17 By Maribeth Howell, OP Today's first reading, while only appearing on the
third Sunday of Lent every three years, is a passage that is quite familiar to most of us. The majority of people
who hear this text will probably recall a time when they were required to memorize the "Ten Commandments."
What type of thought or serious reflection has been given to these words in more recent years? It may be helpful
to consider the Decalogue within the context of the Sinai covenant. The first portion of the book of Exodus tells
the story ofIsrael's deliverance from Egypt. This liberation is attributed to God, who called Moses to act as an
intermediary between God and the people - both the people who came to be known as Israel and the Pharaoh.
Immediately following the story of liberation the book focuses upon the formation of this new nation, Israel. It is
within the context of this developing new identity that we might situate today's first reading. The text opens with
a very clear announcement of who is speaking: it is "the Lord," the one who brought this people "out of the land
of Egypt, the place of slavery." What follows is the proclamation of what we have come to refer to as the Ten
Commandments. These words provide the newly formed people with clear guidelines and expectations. It would
be presumptuous to even attempt a summary of the stipulations found within these verses. It may be best to
simply recognize that they are serious statements about relationships, relationships with God and with one
another. While the first two commands clearly speak of how we are to relate to God and the last six are concerned
with how we relate to one another, Patrick Miller, followed by Walter Brueggemann, has suggested that the third
commandment ("remember to keep holy the sabbath day"), serves as a kind of bridge between the
commandments. It is interesting that while the sabbath is devoted to God, it is celebrated with community. ©
2003, OCP. All rights reserved.
Psalm 19:8,9,10,11
By Tom Conry Psalm 19 is clearly made up of two original songs. The selection sung
today is from the second (Psalm 19B), which is a song of praise to the Torah. Two thousand years of mostly
tragic history between Judaism and Christianity have irrevocably colored our understanding of Torah, the Law,
the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. It is the story of history from the creation of the world to the reestablishment of a free people in their own land, the land of their ancestors. The anti-Semitic interpretation of this
narrative as a temporary collection of great and small commandments, now erased by the coming of Christ, is a
misunderstanding of the New Testament, and this misconception has been responsible for uncounted pain and
suffering. The Law or Torah is not a burden but a gift. It is what was recognized by Jesus as the reign of heaven God's work to be cherished and shared, the way of celebrating God's presence in human society. This hymn is
properly a celebration of the liberatory nature of creation: a story that, for all its twists and turns, ends in freedom
and deliverance from oppression. © 2003, OCP. All rights reserved.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 By John Paul Heil Christ CRUCIFIED is the paradoxical POWER and WISDOM of
God for us. The scriptural promise that "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the
intelligent I will set aside" (1: 19) implies God's destructive setting aside of the intelligence and wisdom of the
world in favor of something else. That alternative begins to become explicit in terms of the "wisdom of God"
(1 :21). As Paul explains, "in the wisdom of God" the world did not through wisdom come to know or
acknowledge God. God was thus pleased through the "foolishness" of the preaching--the preaching of the word of
the cross that is "foolishness" for those being destroyed (1: 18a)--to save those who believe, that is, "us," who are
those being saved by the power of God (l:18b) and thus on their way to full salvation by God in the final
judgment. Although Jews demand "signs" and Greeks look for "wisdom" before they will believe, we Christians
proclaim Christ crucified-sa "stumbling block" for the faith of the Jews and "foolishness" for the faith of the
Gentiles. But for us Christ--a Christ "crucified," the Christ of "the word of the cross" (l: 18)--is "power of God
and wisdom of God." Paradoxically, this power and wisdom of God, by which God is saving us, is the foolishness
and weakness that is wiser and stronger than human beings. It is stronger and wiser than human beings because
God will destroy human wisdom and replace it with the powerful but paradoxical wisdom of God revealed in the
message of Christ crucified. © 2003, OCP. All rights reserved.
John 2:13-25 By Tom Conry Here again we have a text with an appalling anti-Semitic subtext, not from
John's gospel itself, but rather from centuries of misinterpretation. For example, the word that is translated as "~he
Jews" in this episode (tOn iudaifln) is literally "the Judeans." It is simply the word that the Roman occupying
forces used to describe what remained of the old southern kingdom surrounding Jerusalem. John uses the word
continually to distinguish the Jerusalem aristocracy of Herod from Jesus' home area of Galilee to the north. The
expression as it is used here then encodes the endemic hostility between the city and the countryside; the world of
the affluent guardians of ritual purity on the one hand, and the world of those who cannot command justice on
their own behalf on the other. In John it is these temple authorities, acting in concert with the Roman military,
who will eventually conspire to murder Jesus. This event takes place near the beginning of John's gospel and is
not the climactic incident that it is in Mark, Matthew, and John. In all of the gospels, however, it is the occasion
for the plot that will eventually culminate in Jesus' arrest and execution. The temple was not only (or even
primarily) a religious institution but also an economic one. This is a fact that is perhaps not so immediately
obvious to us, but would be taken for granted by John's audience. It was the largest employer in the area, it was
the building that dominated the landscape, and it was more or less a wholly owned subsidiary of Herod
Incorporated. Significantly, John does not quote the other gospels in criticizing the temple a place of bandits
(lestai) but rather as a marketplace (emporion). © 2003, OCP. All rights reserved.
©Religious Graphics, Ltd.
Third Sunday of Lent
Before we decide to trust someone, we often look for credentials or tangible proof that will in turn
dictate the extent of our confidence in that person. We want our trust to rest on the foundation of
experience. Today's readings look to concrete historical events that provide reasons to trust.
Seven of the Ten Commandments are forms of tribal wisdom aimed at the good of the community
(see Jeremiah 35:6-9). As such, they predate Moses. They stem from the recognition that some actions
promote community while others are hurtful.
In the commandments, the older regulations are ratified as accepted legislation. The stamp of divine
approval makes them matters of loyalty to God. God intervened in history to bring the Israelites out of
slavery in Egypt; therefore, God has a right to impose laws worthy of trust.
In dealing with the Corinthian community, Paul has to face the issues of
credibility and trust. The Greeks desire some form of revelation that they can debate
as worthy of rational acceptance. The Jews seek some sign or miracle that will
provide a basis for confidence. Paul offers the cross, which for him is so central to
faith that the gospel message is unintelligible without it.
In the cleansing of the Temple, Jesus appears as a latter-day Jeremiah who
addresses the abuses of God's dwelling place (see Jeremiah 7:1-15;26:1-19). The author of the gospel
has adapted the original event to speak about the foundation of trust. Jesus' zeal for the Temple is the
reason for his death, and his resurrected body becomes the new Temple. The demand for a sign is
answered by Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection experience.
Do we choose to imitate Jesus' self-giving and thereby offer concrete proof of our trustworthiness?
We win loyalty by reaching out to others and meeting their needs, not by demanding unconditional
confidence. -- John Craghan, Th.D., S.S.L. Copyright 1997, Liguori Publications I Liguori, MO 63057-9999
Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives.
Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique
gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. Most saints and holy people have specially
designated feast days, on which we remember these holy men and women in a special
way.
March 11 Saint Eulogius of Cordoba
(d. 859)
Saint Eulogius of Cordoba was the son of a senatorial family from
Cordoba, Spain. He was a well educated priest and head of an ecclesiastical
school.
He worked to comfort and support Christian martyrs and their
survivors during Islamic persecutions in Moorish occupied Spain. He was
, •.•..
1 arrested several times for his faith, he wrote Exhortation
to Martyrdom while
during one of his imprisonments. Saint Eulogius was appointed to succeed
< the Archbishop of Toledo, Spain, but was never consecrated. Imprisoned
after he gave shelter to Saint Leocritia of Cordoba, he preached the Gospel
in court, then in front of the king's counsel. He was a martyr and was scourged and
beheaded at Cordoba, Spain.
March 12 St. Maximilian
(d. 295)
We have an early, precious, almost unembellished account of the martyrdom of St.
Maximilian in modern-day Algeria. Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian
refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, "I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a
Christian." Dion replied: "You must serve or die." Maximilian: "I will never serve. You
can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ.
My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian."
Dion: "There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian,
Constantius and Galerius." Maximilian: "That is their business. I also am a Christian,
and I cannot serve." Dion: "But what harm do soldiers do?" Maximilian: "You know well
enough." Dion: "If you will not do your service I shall condemn you to death for
contempt of the army." Maximilian: "I shall not die. If I go from this earth, my soul will
live with Christ my Lord." Maximilian was 21 years old when he gladly offered his life to
God. His father went home from the execution site joyful, thanking God that he had
been able to offer heaven such a gift.
March 13 St. Leander of Seville (c. 550-600)
The next time you recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, think of today's
saint. For it was Leander of Seville who, as bishop, introduced the practice
in the sixth century. He saw it as a way to help reinforce the faith of his
people and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the
divinity of Christ. By the end of his life, Leander had helped Christianity
flourish in Spain at a time of political and religious upheaval. Leander's own
family was heavily influenced by Arianism, but he himself grew up to be a fervent
Christian. He entered a monastery as a young man and spent three years in prayer and
study.
At the end of that tranquil period he was made a bishop. For the rest of his life he
worked strenuously to fight against heresy. The death of the anti-Christian king in 586
helped Leander's cause. He and the new king worked hand in hand to restore orthodoxy
and a renewed sense of morality. Leander succeeded in persuading many Arian bishops
to change their loyalties. Leander died around 600. In Spain he is honored as a Doctor
of the Church.
March 14 Saint Matilda of Saxony (b. c.895 d. 968)
Saint Matilda of Saxony was the daughter of Count Dietrich of Westphalia
and Reinhild of Denmark. She was raised by her grandmother, abbess of the
Eufurt. In 913, Matilda left the abbey, and married King Henry the Fowler of
Saxony (Henry I), who had received an annulment from a previous marriage.
She founded several Benedictine abbeys. Well known throughout the realm
for her generosity, she taught the ignorant, comforted the sick, and visited
prisoners. She was betrayed by OUo after Henry's death when he falsely
accused her of financial mismanagement.
March 15 St. Louise de Marillac (d. 1660)
Louise, born near Meux, France, lost her mother when she was still a child,
her beloved father when she was but 15. Her desire to become a nun was
discouraged by her confessor, and a marriage was arranged. One son was born
of this union. But she soon found herself nursing her beloved husband through
a long illness that finally led to his death. Louise was fortunate to have a wise
and sympathetic counselor, St. Francis de Sales, and then his friend, the Bishop
of Belley, France. Both of these men were available to her only periodically. But
from an interior illumination she understood that she was to undertake a great
work under the guidance of another person she had not yet met. This was the holy priest
M. Vincent, later to be known as St. Vincent de Paul. At first he was reluctant to be her
confessor, busy as he was with his "Confraternities of Charity." Members were
aristocratic ladies of charity who were helping him nurse the poor and look after
neglected children, a real need of the day. But the ladies were busy with many of their
own concerns and duties. His work needed many more helpers, especially ones who
were peasants themselves and therefore close to the poor and could win their hearts. He
also needed someone who could teach them and organize them. Only over a long period
of time, as Vincent de Paul became more acquainted with Louise, did he come to realize
that she was the answer to his prayers. She was intelligent, self-effacing and had
physical strength and endurance that belied her continuing feeble health. The missions
he sent her on eventually led to four simple young women joining her. Her rented home
in Paris became the training center for those accepted for the service of the sick and
poor. Growth was rapid and soon there was need of a so-called rule of life, which Louise
herself, under the guidance of Vincent, drew up for the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent
de Paul (though he preferred "Daughters" of Charity).
He had always been slow and prudent in his dealings with Louise and the new
group. He said that he had never had any idea of starting a new community, that it was
God who did everything. "Your convent," he said, "will be the house of the sick; your
cell, a hired room; your chapel, the parish church; your cloister, the streets of the city or
the wards of the hospital." Their dress was to be that of the peasant women. It was not
until years later that Vincent de Paul would finally permit four of the women to take
annual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It was still more years before the
company would be formally approved by Rome and placed under the direction of
Vincent's own congregation of priests. Many of the young women were illiterate and it
was with reluctance that the new community undertook the care of neglected children.
Louise was busy helping wherever needed despite her poor health. She traveled
throughout France, establishing her community members in hospitals, orphanages and
other institutions. At her death on March 15, 1660, the congregation had more than 40
houses in France. Six months later St. Vincent de Paul followed her in death. Louise de
Marillac was canonized in 1934 and declared patroness of social workers in 1960.
Comment:
In Louise's day, serving the needs of the poor was usually a luxury
only fine ladies could afford. Her mentor, St. Vincent de Paul, wisely realized that
women of peasant stock could reach poor people more effectively, and the Sisters of
Charity were born under her leadership. Today that Order continues to nurse the sick
and aging and provide refuge for orphans. Many of its members are social workers
toiling under Louise's patronage. The rest of us must share her concern for the
disadvantaged.
16 March Saint Abraham Kidunaia (b. c. 296 d. c. 366)
Saint Abraham Kidunaia was born to a wealthy family near
Edessa, Syria. He was forced into an arranged marriage at an early age.
During the wedding festivities, Abraham fled. He walled himself up in a
nearby building, leaving a small hole through which his family could send
in food and water, and by which he could explain his desire for a
religious life. His family relented, the marriage was called off, and he
spent the next ten years in his cell. After a decade of this life, the bishop
of Edessa ordered Abraham from his cell. Against Abraham's wishes,
the bishop ordained him, and sent him as a missionary priest to the
intransigently pagan village of Beth-Kiduna. He built church, smashed idols, suffered
abuse and violence, set a good example, and succeeded in converting the entire
village. After a year, he prayed that God would send the village a better pastor than he,
and he returned to his cell. It is from his success in Kiduna that he became known as
Kidunaia. He left the cell only twice more. Once a niece, Saint Mary of Edessa, was
living a wild and misspent life. Abraham disguised himself as a soldier, which he knew
would get her attention, and went to her home. Over supper he convinced her of the
error of her ways; she converted and changed her life, and Abraham returned to his
cell. His final trip out was his funeral, attended by a large, loving throng of mourners.
His biography was written by his friend Saint Ephrem of Syria.
March 17
_
St. Patrick
(415?-493?)
Legends about Patrick abound; but truth is best served by our seeing two
solid qualities in him: He was humble and he was courageous. The
"determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided
the life of God's instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ. Details of his
life are uncertain. Current research places his dates of birth and death a little
later than earlier accounts. Patrick may have been born in Dunbarton,
Scotland, Cumberland, England, or in northern Wales. He called himself both
- a Roman and a Briton. At 16, he and a large number of his father's slaves and
vassals were captured by Irish raiders and sold as slaves in Ireland. Forced to work as a
shepherd, he suffered greatly from hunger and cold. After six years, Patrick escaped,
probably to France, and later returned to Britain at the age of 22. His captivity had meant
spiritual conversion. He may have studied at Lerins, off the French coast; he spent years
at Auxerre, France, and was consecrated bishop at the age of 43. His great desire was
to proclaim the Good News to the Irish. In a dream vision it seemed "all the children of
Ireland from their mothers' wombs were stretching out their hands" to him. He
understood the vision to be a call to do mission work in pagan Ireland. Despite
opposition from those who felt his education had been defective, he was sent to carry
out the task. He went to the west and north, where the faith had never been preached,
obtained the protection of local kings and made numerous converts. Because of the
island's pagan background, Patrick was emphatic in encouraging widows to remain
chaste and young women to consecrate their virginity to Christ. He ordained many
priests, divided the country into dioceses, held Church councils, founded several
monasteries and continually urged his people to greater holiness in Christ. He suffered
much opposition from pagan druids and was criticized in both England and Ireland for
the way he conducted his mission. In a relatively short time the island had experienced
deeply the Christian spirit, and was prepared to send out missionaries whose efforts
were greatly responsible for Christianizing Europe. Patrick was a man of action, with little
inclination toward learning. He had a rocklike belief in his vocation, in the cause he had
espoused. One of the few certainly authentic writings is his Confessio, above all an act
of homage to God for having called Patrick, unworthy sinner, to the apostolate. There is
hope rather than irony in the fact that his burial place is said to be in County Down in
Northern Ireland, long the scene of strife and violence.
Comment: What distinguishes Patrick is the durability of his efforts. When one
considers the state of Ireland when he began his mission work, the vast extent of his
labors (all of Ireland) and how the seeds he planted continued to grow and flourish, one
can only admire the kind of man Patrick must have been. The holiness of a person is
known only by the fruits of his or her work.
Quote: "Christ shield me this day: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ
behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ
on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person
who thinks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me" (from
"The Breastplate of St. Patrick").
i
is
March 11
Ju 2: 13-25
Today's gospel says Jesus chased the merchants
out of the temple, it doesn't say He was angry.
Jesus teaches us to act from conviction and not
from anger. He didn't condemn the merchants.
only their business practice. Attack the behavior
and not the person.
Third Sunday
of Lent
March 11,2012
God gave us His only Son
that we might have life.
Unbaptized adults and older children who celebrated the Rite of Election two weeks ago are referred to as "the
elect" in these weeks of Lent leading up to their baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. On the
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, rites known as "scrutinies"
are celebrated with the elect following the
homily at Mass. The scrutinies "are rites for self-searching and repentance ... [and] are meant to uncover, then
heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright,
strong, and good" (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA] 141). Paul Covino, from Today's Liturgy 2012 © 2011,
OCP. All rights reserved.
St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach people about the Godhead. Holding up a shamrock, he challenged
them, "Is this one leaf, or three?" Inevitably, people replied that it was both, prompting St. Patrick to draw
the analogy that so, too, is God: one God in three Persons - the Holy Trinity.
USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK
1) Powerful homily against President's order: http://youtube/ltTd81XpDnc
2) Catholic news & views: 10 http://www.catholicculture.org/
3) Catholic resources: http://www.catholic.org/sitemap.php?four
The Temple in Jerusalem was the symbol of Jewish religion and the only center of Israel's common worship
and sacrifices. Weekly Sabbath prayers and the teaching of the Law were conducted in local synagogues. King
Solomon built the first Temple in 966 BC, and I Kings, chapter 5, gives a detailed description of its solemn
blessing. The Temple area covered some 35 acres. After 379 years, the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar
destroyed it in 587 BC and took all the healthy Jews as slaves. On their return, after 70 years of Babylonian exile,
the Jews rebuilt the Temple in 515 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel. It was desecrated and stripped by
Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 168 B.C. and cleansed and restored by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 B.C. King Herod the
Great renovated it in 20 BC, and Jesus did his controversial cleansing of this Temple, in the outer courtyard,
called the Court of the Gentiles, since Gentiles were allowed to enter it. Fr. Anthony Kadavil
C. S. Lewis illustrated the contrasting qualities of Jesus in his character Asian, the Lion. In The Voyage
of the Dawn Treader, two children, Lucy and Edmund, come to a grassy area. The field covers an area almost
as far as the eye can see in greenery, except for one small white spot. The children can't figure out what
the white spot is from a distance, so they hike down to it and discover that it's a lamb. This white woolly
creature is not just any lamb but
a lamb that can cook breakfast and have a conversation with them. The
children want to know how to get to the land of Asian. While the lamb is giving them directions a marvelous
thing happens: "His snowy white flushed into tawny gold and his size changed and he was Asian himself
towering above them and scattering light from his mane" (C.S. Lewis,Voyageof the DawnTreader, as found in
"What's it goingto take?" a sermonby Rev.John H. Pavelko).Lewis graphically illustrates one of the great truths
of our faith: Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world is also the Lion of Judah. In
Christ we find both the meekness of the lamb and the ferocity of the lion. Jesus could be both the strong
and gentle man who welcomed children and the angry man who swung a mean whip to clear the Temple.
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Liturgical Reflection ...
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11
R[]MAN
MISSAL
For centuries the Roman Mass, as generally celebrated, had no
penitential rite. The Coufiteor eventually appeared among the prayers
privately said by the priest and ministers at the foot of the altar. 'With the
Second Vatican Council and the reform of the liturgy, the Church directed
that all gathered for Mass pray the penitential rite as part of the introductory
rites of the Liturgy of the Word. The purpose of the penitential rite is to have
the connnuniry recall its sinfulness and dependence on Goel as preparatory
for the celebration of Mass. The new translation of the Confiteor better
reflects the Latin text and helps us cultivate a more humble. sorrowful
attitude towards God as we confess our sins.
2012. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Liturgy Office, 925 S. Logan Blvd., Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
16648
STRENGTH
God's foolishness and God's weakness, the Ten Commandments
and the
foolish wisdom of humans-all
lead us to the crucified Jesus, the sanctuary
destroyed and raised up in three days. Prejudgments are obstacles to standing
by the cross of Jesus, who ties heaven and earth and all else together. Through
Jesus, we are redeemed and our life has meaning. By his glorious cross we are
saved. Jesus knows what each of us has inside. He offers strength for our
weakness. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, STD © 2000, OCP, All rights reserved,
LIVING WATERS
Today and the next two Sundays are the scrutinies. We, God and the
Church, look closely at ourselves to see how we are following the Lord. How
thirsty are we for the living waters offered by Jesus? Do each of us realize
that the Lord is the way, the truth and the life? Do we, do you, witness to his
place in your life? Our faith is based on this witness, and on that of our
ancestors who have been touched and nourished by the risen Lord. We
sponsor and encourage each other in our faith. Lord, help us! Text, Philip J,
Sandstrom,
STD © 2001, OCP, All rights reserved,
Third Sunday of Lent, cycle B
The loneliness of sinners, cut off from the love of God by their actions, is made even more poignant by
the clear choice that God offers in both the readings and prayers, The commandments are not onerous and
the love of God not easily contained, as the cleansing of the temple makes clear. And yet, these simple
truths of the paschal mystery, of Christ crucified, Paul labels as a challenges, The prayers for this day focus
on the need to be aware of our sinfulness, aware of our need for God's forgiveness in Christ, and truly aware
of the help that God offers us in our time of penance. It is not complicated, not rocket science as they say,
and this should give us hope. It makes it possible to dwell for a time on our sinfulness and need for
forgiveness, confident that we can change with God's help. Do not try to obscure the need to think about sin,
commandment and change. At the same time do not let the celebration be without hope, for the one who
cleansed the temple of all that was corrupt is the same one who will offer his life for our salvation. By Glenn CJ
Byer, MA SLD © 2003, OCP, All rights reserved,
The prayers today recognize that after two and a half weeks of Lent, we might
have become somewhat discouraged by our failure to live out the paschal mystery,
especially if we are not accompanied by the witness of catechumens. The collect
speaks of our weaknesses and call on God to help us redouble our efforts to live the
life of holiness. The prayer over the offerings and the prayer after Communion both
•••••
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call for unity - either in being ready to forgive one another, in accordance with the intercession of the Lord's
Prayer, or in being made one in peace through our sharing in the sacrament. The preface of the Third Sunday of
Lent (the Samaritan woman) expands the Scripture of the day, as does the first of the Communion antiphons.
These are to be used only when the readings from Year A are used. The second entrance antiphon, which speaks
of "pouring clean water," is also well suited to these readings. By Glenn CJ Byer, MA SLD © 2003. OCP, All rights reserved,
Moral duty has nothing to do with 'my comfort' but has everything to do with following a moral command
for the sake of duty, Even though a command might be uncomfortable for me, I am bound to follow the law.
God does not merely advise us not to kill. God commands it. It doesn't matter whether we are happy or
productive, Justified. Self-defense. National security. Revenge (capital punishment), "To insure our way of
life," Thou shalt not kill. Cleansing the temple, making room to live the law of love given by the Christ does
not allow for second guesses or "I told you so's." The call is total commitment to Christ. By Dale J, Sieverding ©
2003, OCP, All rights reserved,
Please pray for all who are sick, recovering, or homebound: Fred McClain; Fred
~'
Renninger; Kristen Huntsman; Leonard Slates; Phyllis Neary; He~enJenkins; E~a Roddy; Paul ~J~V'
Yakymac; Grant Stiffler; Ashleigh Hicks; Valentine Johnson; Kyhe Hammon, Lisa McDerm?tt; [fjJY'mu:rAndy Kurey; Connie Flaherty, niece of Joan Wenzel; Barb McMath; Darlene McMath; Jennifer
d .
Rosenberry Jenkins; Cathy Wilson; Arthur Smith, Eric Giacobello; Carmella Ciccaglione; Mae
"
Galla; Brian Baker, son-in-law of Ed McGarvey; James D. Abrashoff, nephew of Julia Madden;
John Austin; Dakota Hammon; George Bodnar; Lenny Leonard; John Dell, son-in-law of Jerry & Ann Norris; Marie
Christine Giacobello Shiffler; Denny Hanes, brother of Nancy Kumpf; Rose Rocammo;; Valerie Thomas; Larry
Puchalla; Emily Kerstetter, niece of Mary Secrest; Joanie Jenkins, granddaughter of Mary Leonard; Howard Fleck,
father-in-law of Patty Fleck; Marie Sgro, relative of Dorothy Dell; Shawna Todaro; Jerry Brown, father of Dan
Brown; Stanley Holesa; John Sweatlock, brother of Maggie Szczerba; Vicki Sample; Brian Doyle; Robert Sossong,
nephew of Kenneth Sossong; Bucky Moore; Linda Wagner; Pierre Brenneman; Richard Buffone; Helen
Giacobello; Dave Knox, father of Cinda Imperioli; Jorden Dimoff; Cory Dixon; Alivia Thomas Hanes; Adele
Whitaker; Diana Rutherford; Barb Rourke; Maxine Barrett; Doug & Katy Widenor; Russ Matthews, son of Mae
Galla; Carolyn Ann McMath Harbaugh, niece of Martha Cullen; Jim Myers; Ann Salamon; Sally Ann Cunningham;
Adeline Cialone; Harry Cholewinski; Erma Ticconi; Joan Renninger; Betty Renninger; John Benson; John Remek
in VA Home; Charles Peck; Matilda Piskura, Joseph Seback, Thomas Koharchik, family of Fr. George; Tom
Isenberg; and all the homebound of the parish, particularly those at Westminster Woods: Mary Fink; at Woodland
Retirement Center: Paul McGarvey, Dean Valimont, Kathryn Wilson; and those at Meadowview Nursing Home:
Gladys Thomas, Stella Los, Joan Wenzel, Mary Bender, Clara Kaniecky, Jack Ratchford. Ann Homolash is at
Hearthside, 450 Waupelani Dr, State College, PA 16801. If you know anyone who would like to have a visit, or
Communion, please let me know; also, let us know if there are any additions or deletions to the list. Also pray for
all those called up to military service, as well as the victims of natural disasters throughout the world.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you have someone for whom you would like to request prayer, please get in touch
with Connie Singer, 542-8222; Liz Stasenko, 542-4987, or Carmela Ciccaglione, 542-4281; they will contact
the people on their list. If you want the person's name to remain anonymous, just ask for a special intention,
etc. The Lists include: CONNIE SINGER: Suzanne Boyer, Betty Renninger, Maria Danish, Nancy States,
Mercy Miller; LIZ STASENKO: Bonnie Melnyk, Aric & Tara Miller, Maggie Stiffler, Jeannette Bumbaugh,
Ann Cutshall, Cathy Wilson; CARMELA CICCAGLIONE: Ann Gilliland, Mary Gaisior, Carmen Rivera,
Valerie Thomas, Melissa Fleming. Those on the list will be called when a request is received, but the prayer chain will not be
held up if the contact person is unable to reach you. If anyone else would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please call the
Rectory or one ofthe contact persons.
ANNIVERSARY NEWS
St Catherine of Siena Parish will begin the Anniversary year with a
Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartchak on Sunday, April 29, 2012,
(the Feast of st. Catherine), at 3:00 PM. We hope to have a number of
priests and deacons from the Diocese present as well. Bishop Mark will
also dedicate the wheelchair lift and porch addition at that time.
Following the Anniversary Mass, there will be a banquet at New Life Fellowship on
Croghan Pike, beginning at about 5:00 PM. It will be catered by Tops. The price will be $10
for adults, and $5 for kids 10 and under. Reservations need to be made by April 1, 2012.
Reservation Forms are available in the Vestibule, at the Rectory, and on the parish
website.
n
SANCTUARY CANDLE
Poor Souls
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
March 18,2012
6:30 p.m. Regular Council
School Hall
SERVER SCHEDULE
Weekend of
Mar. 17 & Mar. 18
Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Guy Kumpf
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS
Meeting March 14, 2012
7:00 p.m.
~
Sun. 9:00 a.m.
READERS
Weekend of
Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Kaitlyn Booher
Ashlyn Drake
C. J. Booher
Mar. 17 & Mar. 18
Beth Lear
Dennis Drake
Louise Ketner
EXTRAORDINARY
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Weekend of
Mar. 17 & Mar. 18
Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Beth Lear
Maria Danish
Ann Gilliland
Sun 9:00 a.m.
Louise Ketner
Mary Lyons
Kathryn Ross
GIFT BEARERS
Weekend of
Sat. 5 :00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Mar. 17 & Mar. 18
Maggie Stiffler
Rex Secrest Family
GREETERS
Weekend of
Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Mar. 17 & Mar. 18
Lori Varner
Rosemarie Sentman
BIRTHDAYS
Mar. 11- Mar. 17,2012
Tammy Collins, Tiffany Bartello, Marsha
Melnyk, Frances Snyder, Ethan Clemens,
Dylan Collins, Aaron Hicks, Garrett Speck
FINANCIAL REPORT
Balance Mar. 3, 2012
$128,174.22
Weekly
Youth
Loose
Monthly
1,844.00
9.00
263.65
360.00
Mandeville
Black & Indian
Votive
Stipends
Charity
Rent
Bishop dinner
Income for Week
10.00
5.00
89.00
270.00
10.00
5,600.00
80.00
$8,540.65
Expenses
$3,082.33
(Water Rectory $41.18, Water Church $23.98,
Candles $1,010.49, Electricity Church $439.26, Office
Supplies $161.58, Paper Supplies for Church $94.35,
Custodial Supplies for Church $95.52, Paschal Candle
$107.30, Provisions $32.91, Loose to Cemetery
$263.65, Wages, $812.11,)
Balance Mar. 10,2012
Loose collection
1st Sunday of month:
3rd Sunday of month:
4th Sunday of month:
$133,632.54
St. Catherine's Cemetery
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Charity