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
Congratulations to Monsignor Joseph C. Bambera who has been appointed to be the next Bishop of Scranton by Pope Benedict XVI. The appointment was made at the Vatican and announced in the Diocese of Scranton by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Scranton. A video of the news conferene is now available for viewing on the Diocesan website: www.dioceseofscranton.org.
Bishop-elect Bambera will be ordained a Bishop and installed as the tenth Bishop of Scranton on Monday, April 26, at 2 PM in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.
Readings for the Week
Sunday
Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9
Monday
2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Lk 4:24-30
Tuesday
Dn 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35
Wednesday
Dt 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19
Thursday
Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23
Friday
Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12:28-34
Saturday
Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14
HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly
Third Sunday of Lent – March 7, 2010
“Leading the flock across the desert, he (Moses) came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, ‘I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush was not burned.’ When the Lord saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, ‘Moses, Moses… Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father…’”
With Moses we meet God today on another mountain. As He revealed Himself on Tabor at the Transfiguration, today it is in the wonder of a burning bush. Moses represents us all as we strive of know more about the Lord who reveals Himself in countless ways. How do I discover the Lord today?
Some find Him through the well-known leaders in the church like the Holy Father, or even Archbishop Romero whose death we commemorate this week. Some discover Him in the signs of nature, a sunset, a picturesque snow or refreshing waterfall. Some find Him in family events of great significance, a christening, and wedding or even in the death of a loved one. For Moses, it was in the phenomenon of the burning bush. All of these summon us to draw closer to the God who wishes to be close to us. Like Moses we answer His calling our name. ‘Here I am.’
As Moses was told to remove his sandals because the ground was holy, we realize that the events above are sacred, holy moments in which God speaks to us and we respond. The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well, while Moses encountered God at the burning bush. Where do I expect to find Him this week? “Here I am.”
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
Lenten Scripture Study
We will again offer a Lenten Scripture Program at both Good Shepherd and St. John Bosco for five consecutive Thursdays beginning on February 18th. An in-depth study of all the topics will he presented and the usual handouts provided. The sessions at Good Shepherd will be held at 9:00 AM and those at St. John Bosco at 7:00 PM. You may go to any or all. We ask that you please register in the coming weeks when registration sheets will be provided. You will find a PDF version of the registration form on the “Downloads” page of our site. Fr. McHugh will conduct the sessions and use the writings of Fr. Ray Brown (whom he considers America’s best scripture scholar and other top commentators such as Daniel Harrington etc.) Please note the changes in the dates of Father McHugh's presentations necessitated by the recent snowstorm. The following is a list of topics and brief description of each:
March 11 – Ministry Christology and Post New Testament Christology. We will examine how the Gospel writers differ in their presentations of Jesus and how Christology developed after the written Gospels. This would involve looking at the early Councils etc.
March 18 – The Knowledge of Jesus. We will examine the difficulties involved in balancing Jesus’ humanity and divinity especially in regard to His knowledge. What did Jesus know as far as everyday affairs, scripture, things taking place elsewhere, the future, religious questions, His mission, His eventual death? This is a fascinating topic.
March 25 – Early Christological hymns. We will examine hymns present in the New Testament, the early church, those sung by Christians, the fathers of the church. We will look at how the early Councils viewed the Christological hymns, how the hymns reflected Jesus’ divinity and humanity. Hymns will be compared, analyzed etc.
I thank you for your excellent cooperation in past years and am really looking forward to spending time studying the scriptures with you. I encourage those who have never attended to come for at least a session.
~ Gratefully, Rev. Connell A. McHugh
Father Connells' Corner
First Service: following God’s Calling and Finding Life’s Purpose by Andrea Jaeger c. 2004 Health communications, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442—8 190
Quite a few people have inquired about this book, and I am listing it in the bulletin. This is former tennis star, Andrea Jaeger’s book about her longtime commitment to children suffering from cancer. I would recommend this book to all especially teenagers and young adults who are thinking of a life of service. Also this book is great for people who are creating programs to enhance the life of children, or for those who are open to what can be accomplished through faith. Andrea Jaeger is an Episcopalian Dominican nun at present. She is currently 44 years old and has a ranch in Colorado where vacations are provided for children suffering from cancer, terminal in many cases or at least severe. Celebrities try to participate in the week’s vacation for children with cancer. Vacations are provided many times throughout the year. I highly recommend this work for all as stated above— a good Christmas gift.
Cancer video: I found Reflections on Psalm 23 for People with Cancer a fine video narrated by Ken Curtis PhD who is the founder and president of Gateway Films/Vision video, which in my opinion offers as many good religious videos as any of today’s companies. Ken Curtis is himself a cancer victim and he offers 13 8 minute programs with beautiful scenery in his Reflections on Psalm 23 for people with Cancer. Curtis offers meditations based on personal experience of what it means to battle and the spiritual resources that Psalm 23 provides.
Father Connells' Trivia
- This outstanding Catholic baseball player will soon be eligible for The Hall of Fame. I think he may well make it on the first ballot. He did not hit 500 career homeruns, but he did marry the 500th Playmate of the month!
- Which pitcher was the first to hurl 10 or more shutouts in the 20th century? He pitched from 1904-1917. Hint - Fr. Jack should know this. He lives close enough.
Last Week’s Answers:
- Drew Breese, star quarterback of the Saints and former Purdue standout defeated Andy Roddick a couple of times in tennis. (Question: This topnotch Pro football quarterback defeated Andy Roddick a couple of times in tennis as a young man. The quarterback’s mother was a top teaching pro.)
- Javier Vasquez is the only pitcher to win 10 or more games every season of this decade. (Question: This pitcher is the only Major League one to win at least 10 games each year of this decade. Hint – he recently was traded.)