Word
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) provides an atmosphere of prayer, support and sharing on the journey towards initiation for those seeking membership in the Catholic Church.
First Eucharist and Reconciliation
First Eucharist and Reconciliation programs provided by the Religious Education Office assist parents and children as they prepare for this important part of their faith journey.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation provides the support, education and faith development for our children in public schools from Pre-K through high school. Contact the Office for details on days, times, and locations or go to the Faith Formation Section of our site by clicking the “Faith Formation” link on the navigation bar to the left or by clicking here.
Confirmation
Confirmation represents the fullness of Christian Initiation and our candidates begin their two-year preparation in 7th grade as part of our Religious Education program.
Baptismal Preparation
Baptismal Preparation is an essential part of this special sacrament. Parents must call the Office, about 4 months in advance, to register infants for baptism. An interview and baptismal preparation classes are required.
Marriage
Marriage Preparation, as prescribed by the Diocese, is required. Call the Office about 6 months before the wedding to make arrangements for marriage preparation and the ceremony.
Announcements & Events
Readings for the Week
Sunday
Gn 18:20-32; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13
Monday
Jer 13:1-11; Mt 13:31-35
Tuesday
Jer 14:17-22; Mt 13:36-43
Wednesday
Jer 15:10, 16-21; Mt 13:44-46
Thursday
Jer 18:1-6; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42
Friday
Jer 26:1-9; Mt 13:54-58
Saturday
Jer 26:11-16, 24; Mt 14:1-12
HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 25, 2010
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened… If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”… “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples… He said to them, ‘When you pray say…’”
As this time of the year weekends find us at the beach, nearby lake or backyard pool. We watch the children with swim rings, boogie boards, learning how to handle the water. They do not learn standing beside the pool or on the beach. They have to dive right in.
Prayer is no different. We learn to pray by praying. Surely we can learn different forms of prayer, as there are different ways of moving in the water. We can speak our prayer, sing our prayer, or silently meditate. It is the way we address our God. There are two key elements. We learn first that when we pray we are responding to an invitation God has already offered us. Secondly, we remember who it is we are in dialogue in prayer. We speak, He listens. But don’t forget, every conversation allow the Other to speak, and we quietly listen.
Choose the form of prayer which best meets your need and your situation, but and know that God always hears our prayer, for He knows us even before we begin. He wants us to recognize our need and our dependence upon Him. ‘When you pray say…’
Custom Made Rosaries – Parishioner Suzette Poletti has discovered a place that allows children/young adults to make their own rosaries. The owner is a jewelry designer who assists boys and girls in selecting the beads and designing their own rosaries. The beads are typically crystals and glass, very professional looking and not highly priced. It is an excellent way of passing on one of our most meaningful traditions…praying a rosary to our Blessed Mother. If interested please contact Owner: Kathleen Pajor at Beads of Faith, 277 Bennett Street, Luzerne, PA 18709, (570) 331-3047 or email: contact@beadsoffaith.com or visit the website: www.beadsoffaith.com
Information on the New Roman Missal can be found on
the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Website: www.usccb.org/romanmissal/.
Pope John Paul II issued a revised version 
during the Jubilee Year 2000.
The English translation of the revised Roman Missal is nearing completion,
and the Bishops of the United States will vote on the final sections
of the text this November. This website has been prepared to help you prepare
for the transition.
May this process of the implementation of the revised Roman Missal be a time of deepening, nurturing, and celebrating our faith through our worship and the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Vatican Website: www.vatican.va
From the Webmaster
As parishioners of either Good Shepherd or St. John Bosco, we welcome Father Patrick MacDowell and the parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Weston and St. Joseph Parish in Nuremberg. Father MacDowell invites us to visit his parishes in at least a virtual sense by visiting their website:
www.sacredheartandstjosephsparish.com
Father Connells' Trivia
- What pitcher leads the Majors in career World Series strikeouts?
- What pitcher hurled the most career opening day games? Hints – he is from the modern era and started 13 National League and 3 American League Opening Day Games.
Last Week’s Answers:
- Christy Mathewson won 373 games but brother Henry failed to win any Major League games. (Question: Despite his brother winning 373 Major League games, this pitcher who made it to the Majors @ 19 never won a game. Can you name the brothers? Hint – They both graduated from Bucknell.)
- Steve Van Buren led the NFL 4 times in rushing but his brother Harry Ebert Van Buren fumbled 4 of the 23 times he carried in his career. (Question: Despite his brother excelling for the Eagles and leading the league in rushing 4 times, this running back fumbled 4 times in 23 career carries. Can you name the brothers?)
Scripture Sessions to be in August at Good Shepherd
Fr. McHugh will offer 2 special August scripture sessions on Thursday morning August 5th and Tuesday morning August 10th at Good Shepherd. This is something extra and is not part of the regular Fall program. The sessions will be dedicated to the memory of Fr. Robert Barone. Sessions will be similar to he regular program and will begin at 9:00 AM and last 1-1/2 to 2 hours with refreshment break included. The topic for both sessions will be “Key Questions in Christology.” If sufficient interest is shown I will try to duplicate the sessions at St. John Bosco but I am conducting RCIA sessions this summer at St. John Bosco. Fall sessions will be held at both churches on Thursdays and topics will be listed in mid-August. For the August 5th and 10th sessions at Good Shepherd “Key Questions in Christology” will include:
- Do the Gospels present an accurate factual account of the teaching and deeds of Jesus?
- How much can we know about the “Jesus of History?”
- Do the Apocryphal Gospels tell us anything important about Jesus?
- How historical are the Infancy Gospels?
- How are the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Baptism to be understood?
- How are the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Temptations to be understood?
- What Gospel themes best represent Jesus’ teaching?
- How are the miracles of Jesus to be interpreted?
- Who bears the most responsibility for Jesus’ death?
- How are Jesus’ Sayings, Parables and sermon on the Mount and on the Plain to be interpreted?
- Why do some people raise the question “Did Jesus found the church?”
- Are there different Christologies in the New Testament?
Depending on the time element, we will treat as many of these questions as possible and perhaps address several more. We encourage those who have supported the program so well in the past to continue to do so and invite others to give this program a chance. College and older high school students are welcome as well as non-parishioners and people of different faiths. As the hymn goes “All are welcome in this place.”
Registration is requested so that we will have sufficient materials for all participants. College and older high school students are welcome, as well as non-parishioners and people of different faiths. You may download the registration form (PDF) by navigating to the "Downloads" page of our site. Please complete the form and return it to either St. John Bosco or Good Shephard via mail or the collection basket.