SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 20, 2014 Christ’s parables today make this conjoined

1. SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 20, 2014 Christ’s parables today make this conjoined point: God in his providence will use even the apparent evil that attends us in life to some perfecting purpose; out of our littleness, our emptiness, our nothingness God’s greatness will flower in an astonishing way. The parables verify that our God is the God who has “the care of all” – of every situation, every circumstance, every moment. God shows his might precisely when “the perfection of [his] power is disbelieved.” The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.” We can cave in to our weakness out of despair… or we can pray with faith, “Power, whenever you will, attends you.” heaven and therefore the need to be converted to the Lord. // Jesus does not use parables simply for the sake of adopting common parlance. Yet the images he employs do enable us to hear the message, seize its meaning, and become involved in it. Each evangelist explains in his own way the reason for the parables. For Matthew, understanding the parables presupposes a heart open to revelation, ready to translate the word into action despite opposition and apparent defeat. // At certain times everything seems to conspire to prevent us from hearing the gospel and believing in its future. For two thousand years the sower has gone out to sow and we are sometimes tempted to ask what this sowing has accomplished. Our proper response to the prodigal lavishness of God should consist in seizing the word heard and allowing it to seize us that it may bear fruit. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA www.StMatthewTheEvangelistParish.org Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM Phone: (570) 544-2211 Fax: (570) 54-2317 SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish! SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole (610-866-0581x19) VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (1-800-791-9209) WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM MON – Living and Deceased Parishioners TUE – Scott Renninger by Mom and Dad WED – Daniel Thomas (Annv) by Daughters, Mary and Sylvia THU – Catherine Slavickas by Jack Hudock FRI – Felix Costic by Guy Zelinsky SAT – 9:00 AM – Helen B. Maletz (Annv) by Nephew, Father Leo 4:00 PM – Tom Paltanavage by Wife, Gloria SUN – 8:30 AM – Gerald Murphy by Family 10:30 AM – Andrew Pukas by Ann Marie, Carol and Adam ******************************************************************************************************************************************** REQUIESCANT IN PACE: May the angels lead into paradise: ANNA YAKABOSKY, a former member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, and a member of Our Parish Family, who died Friday, July 11, and was buried from our Church on Tuesday, July 15; JOANNA C. TUSON, a former member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, who died Saturday, July 12, and was buried from our Church on Thursday, July 27; and ELEANORE STRENKOSKI, a former member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, and a member of Our Parish Family, who died Sunday, July 13, and will be buried from our Church Saturday, August 2. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, obtain comfort from Jesus, her risen son, for their family and friends. ET LUX PERPETUA LUCEAT EIS! ******************************************************************************************************************************************** THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: See, I have God for my help./ The Lord sustains my soul./ I will sacrifice to you with willing heart,/ and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. (Ps 54 (53): 6,8) SUNDAY, JULY 20 – SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS(FPC): Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into his harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear fruit. Our thanks to PAUL MULLOCK (4:00 PM) for hosting the FPC for Vocations this week. Sign up in Church Vestibule. FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: Parents plant values in their children anticipating the tiny seeds of honesty, respect, commitment and fidelity will grow with their child and one day become “a safe haven” to many. PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: “The real question today is not when human life begins, but, what is the value of human life? The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother’s body can hardly doubt whether it is a human being. The real quest- ion for him and for all of us is whether that tiny human life has a God-given right to be protected by the law–the same right we have.”  Ronald Reagan.  STEWARDSHIP: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field…He who sows good seed is theSon of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.”- Matthew 13:24, 37-38. As children of God, we are all “good seeds,” blessed by God with the potential to accomplish much good in the world. We fulfill God’s plan when we share our talents and our financial gifts to help build God’s kingdom on earth. Through our stewardship we sow “good seeds” on earth to ultimately help 0. In making use of parables, Jesus did not inaugurate a form of preaching new to the people of his day. The Old Testament and later rabbinic literature offer many examples of this style of communication. It was the content rather than the form of Jesus’ preaching which came as a surprise. He proclaimed with authority the proximity of the kingdom of COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: This Collection supports Catholic organizations that provide affordable shelter and training for seminarians in a region that still struggles with the effects of Soviet rule. By providing pastoral care, catechesis, and funding for building renovations, your donations help to restore the Church and build the future in the region. Place the Special Envelope found in your Sunday Envelope Box in today’s Second Collection. Visit www.usccb.org/ national collections. reach our goal. If you have not made your pledge of support, you may drop off your pledge form in the collection basket or return it to the Rectory. Extra pledge forms are available at the back of Church. Please call the Rectory or visit www.adbaa. org with any questions. Thank you for your support! 2014 Walk With Christ As of today, our parishioners have raised $14,739 from 137 parishioners representing 78% of our parish goal of $18,950.55 and 22.39% of our total number of registered families. We need the support of all our parish families to each other get to Heaven! LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED:Sunday: $2,730; Insurance: $384; Expenses: $11,167.25 (ordinary); $7,842 (Diocesan Assessments). Thank you for your generosity! FRATERNAL CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY– Your donation of CANNED HAMS will allow the SVDP Society to help the needy. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society Outreach and God’s Bountiful Table. CallEdward Butler at 570-544-2739. VOTIVES:(1) SANCTUARY: IMO Helen B. Maletz (Annv) by Nephew, Father Leo. (2) ALTARS: BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: IMO Jean Cola (Birthday) by Daughter, Jeanine; For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; For the Health of Martha Rodgers by Flossie and Jane; Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober. DIVINE MERCY: IMO Tom Paltanavageby Wife, Gloria; IMO Edith Lescavage by Roseann. BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. REREDOS NICHE: IMO Rev. Joseph F. Reilly by Parents. ST. LUCY: Special Intention. Call the Rectory (570-544-2211) to memorialize Vigils. MONDAY, JULY 21 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP: Pay $23; Rebate $30. Bus leaves R&J 7:45 AM; Quandel’sin Minersville 8:15 AM. Bus departs casino 4:00 PM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413) for information. TUESDAY, JULY 22 – PASTORAL NOTE: Father Leo will be on retreat this week. We thank Msgr. William Handges for covering Masses Tuesday through Friday in our Church. . SUMMER FESTIVAL FOOD PREPARATION: 9:00 AM Parish Center. Could you help us make halushki noodles? PLEASE LEND US A HAND! ALL ARE WELCOME!

2. VII ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL • AUGUST 17, 2014 • SOUTH CASS FIRE COMPANY • PICNIC GROUNDS • PRIMROSE, PA • 12:00 NOON TO 9:00 PM • Joe Stanky and The Cadets • 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM • The New Individuals • 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM • ********************************************************************************** • (1) ACTIVITY COORDINATORS: As our Summer Festival approaches, we need our Parish’s total cooperation. Coordinators and Volunteers for our stands are needed. Please volunteer your time and talent. Call the Rectory (570-544-2211) if you can coordinate any particular area. We appreciate your help. Thanks to those who already volunteered as Coordinators: • Adult Games of Chance:COORDINATOR NEEDED! • Funnel Cakes: Debbie Klotunowitch (570-544-2881) • Bar: Wally Slifka (570-544-6636) • Theme Baskets: Arlene Quesada (570-385-0248), • Michelle DiRenzo (570-544-2518) • Office: Janet Purcell (570-544-6624) • Grounds: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! • Bingo: Ken and Mary Ann Eichenberg (570-544-2581), • Matthew Kroznuski (570-544-2589) • Kitchen: Women and Men of the Parish • French Fries: Tom Mundy (570-544-5320) • Entertainment: Greg Senich (570-544-2355) • Bleenie Stand Set-up: • Ice Cream: Jack Hudock (570-544-4002) • Set-Up/ Take Down: Ken Eichenberg (570-544-2581) • and as many Volunteers as possible • Children’s Games: Amy Eades (570-544-9595) • Raffle / Chances : Marilyn Homa (570-544-2595) • Coffee/Desserts: Karen Wank (570-544-6715), Vickie • Marteslo (570-544-5063) • Soda/ Ice Tea/ Water/ Candy: Ella Mae Kroznuski • (570-544-2056), Theresa Grigalonis (570-544-6738) • Hot Dogs/Hamburgers: Elaine Stine (570-5445628), • Mary Ellen Renninger (570-622-7907) • Ticket Booth: Peggy Butler (570-544-5294) • 50/50: • PARISH MAILING: You have received Booster • and Raffle Tickets and a Donation Envelope for the • Kitchen Collection in the mail. Please support your • Parish and ensure our Festival’s success! • (3) SIGN-UP SHEETS: Are in the Church Vestibule. Could you please help us by volunteering for two hours or more of your time? Keep our Parish’s heart beating by your involvement! • (4) FESTIVAL KITCHEN: The kitchen is the heart of • our Summer Festival. We really need your help in the • preparations the week before the Festival, and on the • actual day of the Festival. Give us a hand! • (5) BOOSTER TICKETS: Each adult receives one Ticket ($5.00 each) redeemable at the grounds for food purchases the day of the picnic. Please purchase yours! • (6) RAFFLE TICKETS: Each adult will receive ten Chances ($1.00 each). Prizes are: 1st-$1,000 Cash; 2nd through 5th -$100 Cash. Please purchase or sell yours! This will ensure our Summer Festival’s success! • KITCHEN COLLECTION DONATION: Use the • envelope that was sent to you to help with • pre-picnic expenses. Write your Name / Amount • on it.Put your donation in the Sunday Collection.Thanks! • (8) CHILDREN’S GAMES: We need young People • from the ages of 10 and up to run the games. Also, we • could use your donation of gently used or new stuffed • animals, happy meal toys, glasses/mugs for dime toss • game. Items can be left in the Vestibule of the Church. • Call Amy Eades (570-544-9595). • (9) THEME BASKETS: Donations of all types of theme baskets are needed. If you want to donate but need a basket, or a suggestion, call Michelle DiRenzo (570-544-2518) or Arlene Quesada (570-385-0248). • (10) COMMUNITY SERVICE: We will be glad to verify • Community Service for any picnic activity. Confirmation • candidates are required to fulfill service hours. See Miss • Novack for Service Forms for Confirmation. • (11) FESTIVAL POSTERS: Posters are in! We need volunteers to place them in local businesses and other suitable places. See Father Leo after Mass or call 570-544-2211. TUESDAY, JULY 22 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 2014-2015 Registrations are now due. Additional Registration Forms can be found in the Church Vestibule. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. Ask St. Peregrine to help cancer patients and their caregivers. GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Anthony RicapitoAnnex. Call Edward Butler (570-544-2739). THURSDAY, JULY 24 – ANNUAL TRIDUUM IN HONOR OF GOOD ST. ANNE: DAY I: Triduum prayers, Veneration of St. Anne’s Relic after 8:00 AM Mass. RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Good Shepherd Building Cafeteria. Donate your blood, give life! “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR: Call 570- 544-2355 to join and for rehearsal times. FRIDAY, JULY 25 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM. Bring your children to Confession during the summer months. ANNUAL TRIDUUM IN HONOR OF GOOD ST. ANNE: DAY II: Triduumprayers, Veneration of St. Anne’s Relic after 8:00 AM Mass. SATURDAY, JULY 26 –SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:30 PM. Bring your children to Confession during the summer months. ANNUAL TRIDUUM IN HONOR OF GOOD ST. ANNE:DAY III: Today is the conclusion of our Triduum in Honor of St. Anne. We will have a special Healing Mass within which the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated at 9:00 AM. REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK: (1) You must be a Baptized Catholic in the State of Grace who has attained the use of reason. Children who have not made their First Communion and infants are generally not anointed. (2) Your health must be impaired by sickness or advancing age. Practically speaking, you can and should be anointed: (a) if you are suffering from a chronic, long lasting illness; (b) if you are about to undergo major surgery; (c) if you are suffering from depression or any form of mental illness. Call 570-544-2211 to register for Anointing. Intercessory Prayers and the Veneration of the Relic of St. Anne will follow the Service today! After Devotions, there will be light refreshments in the Parish Center. 17TH ANNUAL NEW MINERSVILLE FIRE COMPANY GOLF TOURNAMENT: 7:30 AM shot gun start, Hidden Valley Golf Course. Hole sponsorship also available. Call 570-617-1033 for more information. SUNDAY, JULY 27 – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM. Bring your children to Confession during the summer months. THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): MARY JANE APPLEBY will host the FPC this week. Call 570-399- 5056 or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We need host families for August and September. SOUTH CASS FIRE COMPANY BREAKFAST: 7:00 AM to 11:30AM. SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Your contribution will help defray the cost of improvements for all Parish buildings. (2) Please catch up with any Church envelopes you have missed. Your Church needs your consistent support! ******************************************************************************************* MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE 17THSUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OFF. PROC.LECTORS E. MINISTERSACOLYTES SAT 4:00 PM Paltanavage Theresa B. SincavageAlexandra Eades FamilyKroznuski Ed Davis Fletcher Eades Mary Ann Harrison SUN 8:30 AM Murphy Family Jack Hudock Rosalie NovackMichael Perzel Olivia Osborne 10:30 AM PukasFamily Sharon Maria Bella Kuehn KolenickBartush Gabriel Kuehn ******************************************************************************************* COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar! AUGUST 1 – 3 – ST. JOSEPH PARISH FESTIVAL: 12:00 Noon to 9:30 PM, each day, St. Ann’s Picnic Grove, Frackville. Enjoy homemade ethnic foods including: pierogies, bleenies, haluski, golabki (pigeons), kielbassi (w/sauerkraut), barbeque, bean soup, hamburgers, drinks, baked goods and more! Polka Mass at 11:15 AM, August 3. Live music daily!, indoor yard sale and raffle drawings. Call 570-874-0610. AUGUST 13 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Anthony Ricapito Annex. Call Edward Butler (570-544-2739). AUGUST 17 – SMTE ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL: 12:00 Noon to 9:00 PM, South Cass Fire Co. Picnic Grounds. Call 570-544-2211 to volunteer. AUGUST 20 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MT. AIRY CASINO BUS TRIP: Pay $25; Rebate $25, free buffet. Bus leaves R&J 7:45 AM; Quandel’s in Minersville 8:15 AM. Bus departs casino 4:00 PM. Call Julie (570-544- 5231) or Millie (570-628-5413) for information. SEPTEMBER 8 – 11– ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA BUS TRIP:$539 per person (double occupancy) includes: 3 nights lodging, 3 breakfasts, 3 full course dinners, guided tour of Cape Hatteras, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Graveyard of the Atlantic, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Elizabethan Gardens, Bodie Island Lighthouse, souvenir gift, luggage handling, all taxes and meal gratuities, Motorcoach transportation. Your payment is your reservation. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413). SEPTEMBER 20 – FIFTH ANNUAL NUN RUN/FUN WALK: 10:00 AM start, Sacred Heart Villa, Reading. Visit www.mscreading.org or call 610-929- 2802 to sponsor and to register. Benefits the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. SEPTEMBER 24 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ HOLLYWOOD CASINO BUS TRIP: Pay $25; Rebate $30. Bus leaves R&J 7:45 AM; Quandel’sin Minersville 8:15 AM. Bus departs casino 4:00 PM. Call Julie (570-544-5231) or Millie (570-628-5413) for information.