Sacred Heart Church

Sacred Heart Church
511 Twentieth Street • Altoona, PA 16602
(814) 943-8553 • FAX (814) 943-1556
E-mail: sacredheart511@verizon.net
Website: www.sacredheartaltoona.org
Rev. Ľubomír J. Strečok ................................................................... Pastor
Paulette Johns ................................................................... Parish Secretary
Patrick Dorman ............................................. Parish Council Chairperson
James Rokosky ............................................ Finance Council Chairperson
Judy Wahl ................................................ Director of Religious Education
Mike Kelleher ........................................... Director of Christian Initiation
Patrick Dorman ....................................................................Choir Director
Jeffrey Arpino……………………………………………………..Organist
Rectory ............................................................................................943-8553
Formation Center ...........................................................................944-3922
Food Pantry ....................................................................................943-4529
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 23, 2016
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the
one who humbles himself will be exalted.” The
Pharisee and the tax collector-polar opposites by
practice. The one is a religious leader, a professional
follower-of-the-law. The other is a deviant who
extorts money for himself as he goes about his
economic business. But in today’s parable, Jesus
flips these perceptions around. The humble tax
collector is the one who “ went home justified.”
Whereas the Pharisee has a flawless outer
appearance, when we see a glimpse into his inner
thoughts we detect his vanity and presumption. We
see a man who may keep the letter of the law, but
who is not truly converted to God’s ways in his
heart. The tax collector, on the other hand, pleads for
God’s mercy, recognizing that he needs it.
So, which one are we? Honestly, most of us are
probably a combination of these two character types.
Most of us follow God’s laws some of the time, and
fail to do so at other times. But the important point is
to honestly acknowledge when we do fail, and to ask
God to have mercy upon us. If we think we have
nothing about which to plead for mercy, chances are
we are living in a kind of self-imposed blindness like
the Pharisee. When we won’t admit we need help,
it’s hard to get the help we need! Instead, we should
humble ourselves by honestly examining our
conscience (regularly!) and seeking God’s
forgiveness particularly through reconciliation, the
great sacrament of divine mercy.
As hard as it may be for some of us to confess
our sins to a priest, this humble act of
acknowledging our failings prepares us to be
“justified” like the tax collector who cried out, “Be
merciful to me a sinner!”
© Liturgical Publications, Inc.
CELEBRATIONS OF THE EUCHARIST
Monday - Friday
7:45 A.M.
Saturday
9:00 A.M., 5:30 P.M.
8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday
12:30 p.m. and 5:00 P.M.
Sunday
7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK
You are encouraged to notify the rectory as soon as there is a serious illness. You are also asked to notify the rectory when a relative is admitted
to the hospital or nursing home.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism for Infants normally takes place during a
weekend celebration of the Eucharist or on Sundays at 1:00 P.M. For the
baptism of their first child, parents are expected to attend a baptismal
session with Fr. Lubomir. Please call the rectory office for an appointment. Catholic godparents for infants must be at least 16 years of age, confirmed, and regularly practicing the faith with a freedom to receive the
Eucharist.
CHRISTIAN INITIATION
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Church should
contact a member of the parish staff.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY
Please call the Pastor nine months in advance to make arrangements for
instruction and planning the marriage ceremony.
FOOD PANTRY
The Sacred Heart Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 A.M.
until 2:00 P.M.
PARISHIONER REGISTRATION
We are always happy to welcome new parishioners to Sacred Heart Parish. Please introduce yourself to a member of the parish staff and register
at the rectory. Registration, the practice of stewardship, and regular participation in the Eucharist indicate that a person is an active member of
the parish and is eligible to act as a godparent or sponsor. As a Church
community seeking to be faith-filled disciples and good stewards, the sacrifice of our time, talent and treasure is essential for the common good.
SACRED HEART CHURCH
Mass Intentions
Sunday, October 23, World Mission Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Debbie Eichenlaub (Rose Marlett)
10:00 a.m.
People of the Parish
12:00 Noon
Robert Beckel (Wife, Sharon and Son,
Sean)
Monday, October 24, Saint Anthony Mary Claret
No Mass at Sacred Heart
Tuesday, October 25
No Mass at Sacred Heart
Wednesday, October 26
No Mass at Sacred Heart
Thursday, October 27
No Mass at Sacred Heart
Friday, October 28, Saints Simon and Jude
No Mass at Sacred Heart
Saturday, October 29
No 9:00 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart
5:30 p.m.
Leo, Rosella and David Greiner (Denny
and Dan Greiner)
Sunday, October 30
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 a.m.
John J. Lederer, Birthday (Joseph Lederer
10:00 a.m.
People of the Parish
12:00 Noon
Joanne Unverdorben (Kathleen and
Nancy Forster)
Altar Servers
Saturday, October 29
5:30 p.m.
Abbi and Maddi Koehle
Sunday, October 30
8:00 a.m.
Mike Adams and Bob Baranik
10:00 a.m.
Jada and Patty Wolf
12:00 Noon
Ben Adams and Elaine Farabaugh
Lectors
Saturday, October 29
5:30 p.m.
Dennis Greiner
Sunday, October 30
8:00 a.m.
Susan Baranik and Peggy Stauffer
10:00 a.m.
Leslie and John Yannitelli
12:00 Noon
Don Carney and Cindy Lytle
Ministers of Holy Communion
Saturday, October 29
5:30 p.m.
Jim Brennan, Maggie Dodson, Colleen
Milliron
Sunday, October 30
8:00 a.m.
Tish Crum, Joanne and Mike Straw
10:00 a.m.
Sylvia and Zack Colyer, Jane Kiser
12:00 Noon
Barb Long, Shelia Lytle, Volunteer
ALTOONA, PA
Cantors
Saturday, October 29
5:30 p.m.
Paula Imler
Sunday, October 30
8:00 a.m.
Judy Wahl
10:00 a.m.
Mary Lou Appleman
12:00 Noon
Tom Liszka
Adult Choir will sing at 10:00 a.m. Mass
Liturgical Ministers
(Lectors, Servers and Communion Ministers)
Schedule requests for November 27 thru February 26
need to be submitted no later than November 6. Please
send the dates you will be unavailable to :
pvdorman@atlanticbb.net You may also drop them off
at the rectory or place them in the collection basket.
Please note: There will be 6 Masses for Christmas and
volunteers will be needed for all Masses. Sign-up sheets
will be posted in early December. The Feast of Mary
Mother of God (New Years) will be scheduled like a
regular Sunday. Thank you.
Lectors, Servers and Communion Minister Volunteers
Ministry volunteers are needed for the All Saints Day
Masses (Holy Day of Obligation), and All Souls Day. We
will have Masses at 5:30 p.m. on October 31st and 7:45
a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on November 1st. November 2nd, we will have Masses at 7:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
and 5:30 p.m. There is a sign up sheet in the back of the
church.
Visiting Cross Outreach Priest
Please welcome Father John J. O’Malley who will speak
at all the Masses on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach
which was founded to create a meaningful link between
parishes in America and the priests and nuns working in
the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Please be generous in your response to Father’s appeal. Brochures will be provided if
you wish to support this worthy Catholic ministry.
Memorial Donations
We thank those parishioners who have made donations to
the Angel Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund in memory of David Greiner.
We also thank Virginia Ferramini for her donation to our
Endowment Fund in memory of her sister’s birthday, Josephine Ferramini Stein.
Calendar of Cash
Sacred Heart Parish is selling 2017 Calendar of Cash lottery
calendars. Calendars are currently available in the rectory
business office. Beginning in November, volunteers will be
needed to help sell calendars in the vestibule after Masses. If
you can volunteer at a Mass, please call Phyllis Russo at 330
-1288. Thank you.
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PRO-LIFE CORNER
America you are beautiful and blessed.
The ultimate test of your greatness is the
way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless.
If you want equal justice for all and true
freedom and lasting peace, then America,
defend life.”-St. John Paul II.
A baby is aborted every 23 seconds in the U.S. Over 4,000
babies are aborted every day. About 60 million babies have
been aborted since the decision of Roe v Wade in January
1973. Abortion is truly “America’s holocaust”.
Liturgical Reflection…
“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” The humble tax
collector had the right disposition before God. How judgmental of the Pharisee towards the tax collector. What keeps
us from seeking mercy and sharing mercy? Our judgments,
resentments, and anger often stand in the way of mercy. Only
the one who realizes the need for mercy will be able to share
mercy with others. My dependency on God leads me to humbly receive his mercy and love. Awareness of my sinfulness
turns me towards the forgiveness of the Lord. The tax collector said it perfectly; may his prayer be ours this week. “O
God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
2016 Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Liturgy Office
Christian Initiation
“The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition
reaches the heavens.” You probably have heard the saying
when all else fails, look up. Our humble prayers are always
answered...not always to our satisfaction of course. We must
learn to trust and accept God’s answer. We ask that you pray
for those who are inquiring about joining the Catholic Faith. If
you know of someone who might be interested, have them
stop by the Formation Center Sundays at 11:00 a.m. or call
or text Mike Kelleher at 814-934-4076 for more information.
LIVE THE LITURGY
Becoming self-righteous is a trap into which many wellmeaning people can fall. We can mistakenly believe that we
are somehow more favored or superior in God’s eyes because
of our fidelity. This is a blatantly wrong assumption. God’s
mercy and love extends to the worst of sinners and he responds to the pleas of those who are most humble.
St. Jude Triduum
St. Mark’s Church will hold its Annual St. Jude Triduum with
Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, October 26, 27, 28. Father James Mormon, TOR from St.
Francis Friary, Loretto will be Celebrant and Homilist at the
5:30 p.m. Masses; Father Osinski will be Celebrant and Homilist at the 8 a.m. Masses. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will
be offered prior to each Mass. Triduum Prayers will be prayed
at each Mass followed by Veneration of the Relic of St. Jude.
OCTOBER 23, 2016
A Heartfelt Thank You
“The 2 of us would like to express our
heartfelt thanks to each and every person
who attended or assisted in the Funeral
Mass for our dear brother, Dave, in any
way, shape or form. It was not only beautiful but inspiring! In particular, we would
like to thank Fr. Lubo and Msgr. Carson
not only for concelebrating the Mass, but
for their wonderful, kind and memorable
words about Dave and our family. Also, we
would like to extend our gratitude to the
cantor, Judy Wahl, the organist, Carol
Hanlon, and all of the Adams’ who assisted on the Altar in numerous and various ways throughout the course of the
Mass, which so uplifted our spirits. Finally,
we would like to thank the BG football
players for attending the Funeral Mass.
You truly are a part of our extended family! “
The Greiner Brothers,
Denny and Dan
Food Pantry
Our food pantry is in need of a person/persons with a pick
up truck who can assist our food pantry on a weekly basis.
This volunteer would be responsible for picking up products
every Wednesday at Giant Eagle and St. Vincent de Paul’s
Food Pantry about 8:30 a.m. and deliver them to our food
pantry. This act of kindness would take approximately a half
hour. If we get more than one volunteer, we could work on a
rotation basis. Please call Rita Sangiorgi at 944-3215.
Thank you.
World Mission Sunday
Jesus was a missionary. As the
Word of God, he is the light of
all nations. As the Word made
flesh, he brought God’s own life
into our midst. Before returning
to the Father, he sent the Church
to continue the mission given him by the Father and empow.ered her with his Spirit: “As the Father has sent me, so I
send you” (Jn 20:21)
The Church is missionary by her very nature. She continues
the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit by
proclaiming to the ends of the earth the salvation Christ offers those who believe in him. ..The Church’s mission is to
proclaim the salvation of Christ to the ends of the earth…Excerpt from To the Ends of the Earth: A Pastoral Statement on
World Mission. USCCB.
Sunday, October 23
Mass at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon.
Reconciliation at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Christian Initiation at 11:00 a.m.
Grade School Religious Education at 11:00 a.m.
No High School Religious Education due to SHYCON
Monday, October 24
Choir rehearsal at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26
Sacred Heart Food Pantry open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pro-Life Rosary at 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 29
Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Reconciliation at 5:00 p.m.
Al-Anon at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 30
Mass at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon.
Reconciliation at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Christian Initiation at 11:00 a.m.
Religious Education at 11:00 a.m.
In Your Prayers...
Please remember in your prayers the health intention of
Marcella Adams, Arlene Balestino, Rosemary Barcaro,
Barbara Barker, Donald Belsey, Paxton Burr, Betsy Chilcote, Kierra Chirdon, Anna Chonko, Denise Conrad,
Mary Costlow, Betty Dalansky, Evan Decker, Dominick
DeVecchis, Phyllis DiTosti, Thomas Dobson, Joan Donnelly, Debra Dorazio, Matt Dorman, May Duey, Mike
Dutchard, Jacob Eshlenan, Shirley Fanella, Gianna
Feather, Kathleen Foster, George Frederick, Mary Frederick, Anna Marie Gority, Helen Gummo, Jean Hagan,
Elaine Hauser, Janet Hilton, Michael Himes, Nancy
James, Ken Keagy, Larry Knott, Sr., Meredith Kuhns,
Riley Marie Lansberry, Perry Lloyd, Larry Lytle, Patty
Maria, Tom McGinnis, Brigid McManaman, Vicki
Medeiros, Debbie Murtagh, Kevin O’Rorke, Donny Ott,
Randy Parson, Joe Peroni, Richard Picano, William
Reimer, Rene Reynolds, Camden Rhodes, Joan Robison,
Gavin Ross, Christopher and Tina Ruffing, Patty Ruffing,
Maureen Sherbine, Jacqueline Smith, Richard Soller,
Clara Tomlinson, John Templon, Pete Szebin, Caitlin
Thompson, Carole Treese, Mary Pat Williams, Angie
Yingling and Daniel O’Brien’s safe deployment.
Our sponsor this week is
Courtesy
Ford-Lincoln-Kia-Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Nissan
www.courtesyaltoona.net
Please thank and support our sponsors!