April 3, 2016 - St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
5112 Pocono Crest Rd.  PO Box O
Pocono Pines, PA 18350
Parish Office: (570) 646-6424
Web Page: http://www.stmaxkolbepoconos.org
Masses: Saturday ~ 4:00 p.m. Sunday ~ 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Confessions ~ 3:00 p.m.
April 3, 2016
2nd Sunday of Easter
Our Mission Statement
We Worship ~ We Teach ~ We Care
April 3, 2016
2nd Sunday of Easter
HELPING YOUR NEIGHBOR If you truly want to help the soul
of
your
neighbor,
you
should
approach God first with all your
JOINING THE COMPANY OF BELIEVERS
heart. Ask God simply to fill you
What will help you to believe? Today’s scripture
readings tell of faith and doubt. They offer stories
“recorded to help you believe,” as the passage
from John’s Gospel (20:31) remarks today. There is
an urgency about this. On
this Second Sunday of
Easter we are challenged
to join the company of
believers—countless men
and women who witnessed
the power of the apostles’
faith.
There is no doubt that this
power comes from Jesus
Christ. The second reading,
from the book of Revelation, reports John’s
mystical vision of the Son of Man, who proclaims,
“Once I was dead, but now I live” (Revelation
1:18). The Gospel gathers everyone but Thomas
to see the Risen Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit
from him. Like Thomas, we who have come along
later must have faith so that we can have life.
with charity . . . with it you can
Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Parish Staff
Reverend Sean G. Carpenter
~ Pastor
Deacon Frank Gisoldi
~ deaconf@ptd.net
Deacon Tom Amoroso
Mrs. Lynnette Smith
Coordinator of Religious Education/
Pastoral Associate ~ lysmith@ptd.net
Marion Colvin
Office Manager ~ mcol@ptd.net
John Marcinkowski, Jr.
Coordinator of Music ~ jjm1105@ptd.net
accomplish what you desire.
~St. Vincent Ferrer
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
We return to our reflections on the rites of marriage
with a brief consideration of reforms from the
Council of Trent. When the Protestant Reformation
took hold, the fairly recent achievements of the
Church in regard to the sacrament of marriage were
reviewed with a critical, reforming eye. In general,
Protestants returned to an earlier view that marriage
was a civil matter, although some said that the civil
society had to be in harmony with Christian teaching.
In the Catholic Church, the Council of Trent took
the question up in 1563, and decided to shore up
its teaching on the sacrament of marriage. They
identified many threats to this, including secret
marriages and easy divorce. So they enacted laws that
still govern our practice today: to be valid, marriage
consent must be exchanged in the presence of a priest
and two witnesses. Ever since Trent, marriages must
also be announced three weeks in advance to the
community, and recorded in a register. In some places
in the world, the “banns” are still posted in the public
square. In the United States, parishes sometimes
publish the “banns” in the bulletin.
Anyone who has ever watched a soap opera has
seen the standard scene of a minister announcing
gravely, “If there is anyone here present who sees
any reason why these two should not be married . . .”
This bit of drama has no place in the Catholic liturgy,
but survives among Protestants who broke with us
before Trent edited this cliff-hanger out of our public
prayer.
—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TRUE TEACHERS
Believe one who has tried, you shall find a fuller
satisfaction in the woods than in books. The trees
and the rocks will teach you that which you cannot
hear from the masters.
—St. Bernard of Clairvaux
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US
Caregiving is pro-life!
April 2 through April 10th
Saturday 4:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am
10:30 am
Monday 8:15 am
Tuesday
8:15 am
Wednesday 8:15 am
Thursday 8:15 am
Friday
8:15 am
Saturday 4:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am
10:30 am
Easter Mass Intentions
For the Parishioners
Easter Mass Intentions
Betty Ann Sowinski
by Marion Colvin
Maryl Hovick
by The Rafferty Family
Joseph Lewis
by The Dembinski Family
Margaret Dicks Cammerino
by The Gilmartin Family
Communion Service
For The Parishioners
John & Brian Donohue
by Mary Howe
Tom & Dottie Smith
by Tom & Lynnette Smith
“The Church, entrusted with the task of extending
Christ’s mission in time and space, cannot neglect these
two essential tasks: evangelization and the care of the
sick in body and in mind.”
--Pope Benedict XVI, Homily on World Day
of the Sick 2010
First Friday Adoration will be held after the
Communion Service each month.
There will not be an 8:15 Mass when a
Funeral Mass is scheduled.
Saturday Confessions at 3:00 pm
Saturday:
Sunday:
Weekly Collection 03/20/16…………… $ 5,854.
Capital Improvement Fund……………. $ 145.
Lenten Offerings………………………. $
611.
Easter Offerings……………………….. $
488.
Thank You for Your Generosity
Acts 4:13-21; Mk 16:9-15
Acts 5:12-16; Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19;
Jn 20:19-31
Monday:
Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
Tuesday:
Acts 4:32-37; Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26; Jn 3:16-21
Thursday: Acts 5:27-33; Jn 3:31-36
Friday:
Acts 5:34-42; Jn 6:1-15
Saturday: Acts 6:1-7; Jn 6:16-21
Sunday:
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Rev. 5:11-14
Jn 21:1-19
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US
Parish Life
FIRST COMMUNION
will be
celebrated at the
10:30 Mass
on Sunday, May 1.
FIRST COMMUNION RETREAT
will be held on
Saturday, April 9th from 9 am-noon.
PLEASE PRAY
for our First Communion and
Confirmation Candidates and their families.
A PRE-JORDAN SESSION
(for parents who are seeking baptism for their
children) will be held at 7 pm on Tuesday, March
29th. The Diocese of Scranton requires catechesis
for parents prior to the baptism of their children;
godparents are encouraged but not required to
attend. If you are anticipating a
baptism in the next several
months, please call the Parish
Office to register for this
session. The next Pre-Jordan
will be held in the summer.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY ~ APRIL 3
As we continue our spiritual journey through the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we encourage you to be watching for
opportunities of grace within and beyond our parish. The next opportunity will be next weekend, when the
Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed after each Mass.
What is Divine Mercy Sunday?
Among all of the elements of devotion to The Divine Mercy requested by our Lord through St. Maria Faustina
Kowalska, the Feast of Mercy holds first place. The Lord's will with regard to its establishment was already
made known in His first revelation to the saint, as recorded in her Diary. In all, there were 14 revelations
concerning the desired feast.
The Meaning of the Day
Clearly, Divine Mercy Sunday is not a new feast established to celebrate St. Faustina's revelations. Indeed, it
is not primarily about St. Faustina at all — nor is it altogether a new feast! The Second Sunday of Easter was
already a solemnity as the Octave Day of Easter; nevertheless, the title "Divine Mercy Sunday" does
highlight and amplify the meaning of the day. In this way, it recovers an ancient liturgical tradition, reflected
in a teaching attributed to St. Augustine about the Easter Octave, which he called "the days of mercy and
pardon," and the Octave Day itself "the compendium of the days of mercy."
The Importance of the Image
During his homily, John Paul made clear that the Image of The Divine Mercy St. Faustina saw, which is to be
venerated on Divine Mercy Sunday, represents the Risen Christ bringing mercy to the world (see Diary 49, 88,
299, 341, 570, 742). Pope John Paul II said: "Jesus shows His hands and His side [to the Apostles]. He points,
that is, to the wounds of the Passion, especially the wound in His Heart, the source from which flows the great
wave of mercy poured out on humanity.
"From that Heart, Sr. Faustina Kowalska, the blessed whom from now on we will call a saint, will see two rays
of light shining from that Heart and illuminating the world: ‘The two rays,' Jesus Himself explained to her one
day, ‘represent blood and water' (Diary, 299).
"Blood and water! We immediately think of the testimony given by the Evangelist John, who, when a soldier
on Calvary pierced Christ's side with his spear, sees blood and water flowing from it (see Jn 19:34). Moreover,
if the blood recalls the sacrifice of the cross and the gift of the Eucharist, the water, in Johannine symbolism,
represents not only Baptism but also the gift of the Holy Spirit" (see Jn 3:5; 4:14; 7:37-39).
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US
Parish Life
Parish Life
Week of April 3rd - April 9th
Reminder:
Our Activities Committee
is sponsoring
a Ladies Luncheon
“April in Paris”
at Lake Naomi Club on
April 23rd at 12:00 PM.
The luncheon will feature
French Cuisine and a
French themed program. The cost is $28.00. For
more information, please check the flyer in the
narthex or contact Joan Hild at 570-643-4140.
Sanctuary Light
In Thanksgiving
by St. Max Prayer Group
Bread and Wine
For The Unborn Children
Altar Flowers
Available for $100. for one week
at
St. Max….
ST. MAX
PRAYER GROUP
The group will meet in the parish
hall to share in prayer, song, praise, a
video and thanks for all the gifts that
the Lord has given to us. Everyone is welcome to
join us each Saturday at 2 pm., downstairs in the
parish hall. The meeting ends prior to the 4 pm
Mass. Call Diane @ 646-4707 or Peggy at 646-1623
for more information.
Those In Need of Prayer
Kyle Brennan ~ Amy Hatlee
Jack Carey ~ Claire Abbazio
Flo Butler ~ Kevin Kret
Michael James ~ Gerry Boyle
Betty Lou Torpey ~ Beverly Lewis
Deacon Frank - Timothy Yuskaitis
Fr. Tom McLaughlin ~ Fr. Urban
Charles Knopp ~ Brodie Direnzo Temi Miller
Inge Menapace - Vance Coover ~ Gloria Ski
Msgr. Jerry Sherba ~ Richard Snell ~ Noah Direnzo
Duncan Van Dusen ~ Joe Miller ~ Antonia Lucia
Caroline Bruno ~ Haydee Melendez ~ Joe Filocco
Ron Heisler- Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr.
Paul Fulton ~ Joseph McKenna ~ Bobbie Morin
Bern Dukert ~ Dolores Puglia
Bill Gleason ~ Fr. Kevin Mulhern
Sat 4/02
Sun 4/03
Mon 4/04
Tues 4/05
Wed 4/06
Thur 4/07
Sat 4/09
Sun 4/10
2:00 pm - St. Max Prayer Group
Noon - Confirmation Parent Meeting
7 pm - K of C Meeting
9:30 am - Scripture Study
6 pm - Social Concerns
7 pm - Prayer Shawl
7 pm Women’s Cornerstone
7 pm Liturgy Committee
7 pm Choir Practice
Family Promise Collection
9-12 Noon First Communion Retreat
2 pm - St. Max Prayer Group
5 pm - Valor Dinner
Family Promise Collection
COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND
If illness or health problems prevent you from attending
Mass, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are able
to bring Communion to you. If this need exists, please
contact Diane Lake 570-646-4594 or email her at
dianemlake@live.com.
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US
Parish Life
Parish Life
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
April 9: K of C Dinner to benefit VALOR
April 20: Holy Family Icon Prayer Event
April 23: April in Paris Ladies’ Luncheon
May 1: First Communion at 10:30 am
May 4: Confirmation at 5 pm (Vigil of Ascension)
May 7: Memorial Mass - Cay Mulvaney @at 10 am
May 7/8: Baby Shower for Shepherd’s Maternity/PRC
May 8: May Crowning at 10:30 Mass
June 4: Bus Trip to Paper Mill Playhouse
June 11 & 12: Little Bethlehem Christians Sale
June 26: FREE Community Dinner
July 18-22: Vacation Bible School
Aug. 13: Parish Pilgrimage ~ Holy Door at Cathedral
Aug. 21: Parish Picnic at Township Park
Aug. 27/28: CCD Book Sale Fundraiser
Aug. 29-September 2: Stuff the Truck Clothing Drive
October 8 & 9: St. Max Craft Fair
Is You Light Growing Dim?
Our light can be increased as we
live in relationship with the “light
of the world.” In John 8:12, Jesus
says: “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness” (NRSV). In
Jesus’ light, we find that the light in our own life is
increased. St. Paul told how Christ’s light should
affect us: In the Lord you are light. Live as children
of light…(Eph. 5:8).
Meetings are held
the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month @ 7 pm
~ http://knights13752.webs.com/
~Facebook at KnightsofColumbus Pocono Pines
or ~ Twitter@ kofc13752mail.
BE A MAN CONFERENCE, APRIL 23rd
King’s College Scandlon Stadium
149 N. Main Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
Registration Fee: $35.00 (includes lunch, coffee)
Students: $15.00
PRIESTS AND DEACONS – FREE
To register, go to dioceseofscranton.org.
Speakers include Dr. Scott Hahn and Msgr.
Charles Pope and featuring Michael McGlinn.
Travel to Poland with
Father Sean Carpenter
PLEASE JOIN US ON A PILGRIMAGE TO
POLAND - October 10-18 2016
Warsaw, Niepokalanow Monastery, Swinice
Warckie, Jasna Góra Monastery, Black Madonna,
Wadowice, Krakow, Auschwitz, Zakopane
PRAYERS FOR
MILITARY AND
GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Major Thomas M. Smith ~ Airman Joshua Ponce
Seaman Nicole Beckman ~ Cpl. John P. Bramley
Lt. Col. Christopher Yuskaitis
Lt. Joseph V. Yuskaitis, Jr. ~ Alston Smart Jr.
3rd Class Petty Officer DC3 Jeffrey Royall
Cpl. Nhelmar DePerro ~ Spec 4 Amber Keppol
Pvt. Matthew Ponce ~ Alston Smart Jr.
Jake Yuskaitis ~ Staff Sgt. William D. Olsen
MK1 Katie Stodnick ~ Eugene Maslar, Jr.
2nd Lt. Mark Gaido ~ Ensign Michael Huf
HA Valerie Novak
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us. ~AMEN
Call the Parish office if you would like more
information about the trip.
St. Max Prayer Shawl
meets the 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays of the month- 7 pm
Our Lady of the Lake Hall
Next meeting: April 7th
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US
Parish Life
Our St. Maximilian
Pascal Candle
was donated
In Thanksgiving.
Next Weekend - April 9th & 10th
“Essentials” Collection
for Family Promise
Family Promise is in need of the following items:
Paper Towels; 150 oz. Arm & Hammer Laundry
Detergent; Large Kitchen Dishwashing Liquid;
Saran Wrap; Aluminum Foil; Tall Kitchen trash
bags with draw string; Ziploc bags – Quart,
Gallon and Jumbo sizes; Forever® Stamps for
mailing; Computer paper – 20 lb., 96 Bright, Letter
size 8 ½” x 11
Upcoming Events Sponsored by Social Concerns
Save these Dates
Mother’s Day Weekend – “Baby Shower” for
Shepherd’s Maternity House & Pregnancy Resource
Center of the Poconos. Their “wish list” will
be published at a later date.
July 3rd – American Red Cross Blood Drive
(Blood Drive Time will be announced at later date.)
Weekend of July 9 & 10 – the quarterly “Essentials”
Collection for Family Promise (Watch future
bulletins for wish list.)
Weekend of August 13 & 14 – Women’s Resouce’s
of Monroe County Collection (More to follow)
August 30th thru Labor Day – “Stuff the Truck”
Clothing Drive for Friends of the Poor … During the
entire week, a truck will be in the back parking lot to
accept your donations. (More information will be
available in the summer.)
Around the Diocese
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
at The Villa of Our Lady in Mt. Pocono.
Volunteers are needed to help with lunch and
dinner on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sunday breakfast.
This is a great opportunity for adults, Confirmation
Candidates, and members of Parish Groups. For
more information call the Villa of Our Lady
Retreat House (570-839-7217) ask for Sister Maria.
MEN’S MALVERN RETREAT
May 13-14-15 Any part or all of this weekend.
Who has time to pray? The frantic pace of life leaves us
little time to deal with the things of real value in our
lives. Is it time for your spiritual transformation? We all
need to grow our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This weekend retreat can be your time and place to learn
to pray at a deeper level. All men and boys are invited.
For details call Bill Vockroth at 570-842-4963 or email
VOCKROTH@PTD.NET
NEED A MARRIAGE ANNULMENT?
As of Dec. 8, 2015, the first day of the Year of Mercy,
Catholics seeking marriage annulments will no longer
pay a fee to cover the administrative costs of annulment
cases. If you have questions or need assistance, call the
parish office @ 570-646-6424 & speak with Fr. Sean.
Ecumenical / Interfaith
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Location: Five Loaf House: 133 Firehouse Road
Telephone: 570-646-7456
DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE:
Monday, April 13th & Tuesday, April 14th
If there is any question as to whether the pantry is open
during inclement weather, please call 570-646-7456.
The safety of our volunteers as well as our clients is our
top priority! Food & clothing donations are accepted
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9 am to 11 am.
Clothing/Household goods will be given away on
Thursday of distribution week form 8 am to 11 am. If
weather is bad and the schools are delayed or closed
then we will not have a clothing/household distribution
day that month. Winter clothing only will be accepted
for February. Spring clothing will be accepted in March.
If you have questions - call the pantry.
Thank You to the Community! For making it
possible to keep our doors open and the needy
on Top of the Mountain fed!
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PRAY FOR US