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FESTIVAL DATES
The dates for this year’s Festival are JUNE 6-7-8.
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fast and abstinence. All
Fridays of Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. The Church encourages
volunteer fasting on other days of Lent.
Fasting refers to only one full meal, with two small meals and no eating
otherwise during the day. Those who have reached their 18th birthday and not yet
their 59th birthday are obliged to fast. Abstinence refers to not eating meat at
all during the day. All those who have reached their 14th birthday are obliged
to abstain.
DAILY MASS
Much discussion for Lent centers about the topic of DISCIPLINE. Positive forms
of discipline should be built into all of our Lenten practices. One of the
noblest forms of spiritual discipline is attendance at Mass during Lenten
weekdays. For your convenience you will notice that from Monday through
Thursday, Masses will be scheduled at 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM & 7:00 PM. We do not
reject other spiritual disciplines but we can not suggest anything superior to
the Eucharistic Liturgy and the graces flowing from it.
LENTEN READINGS
Lent falls into two parts. The first part, runs through to Saturday of Week 3.
In these three and a half weeks, the Gospel texts are taken from the Synoptics
and the Old Testament readings are chosen accordingly. The message running
throughout is a call to a life of Gospel conversion. The short passages speak of
beginning anew, of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving; of conversion; of mutual
forgiveness; of hardness of heart; of love of enemies; of absolute claims of
justice and love over ritual and cult; of the call to holiness, and so forth.
The readings for the second half of Lent are taken from the Gospel of John,
beginning on the Monday of the fourth week of Lent. It is clear that these
readings from John do not constitute a kind of “crash course” in the life of
Jesus, so much as a presentation of the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
of whom John says that all who believe in him will have eternal life. Christ is
presented as the healer and the life-giver, as the one who gives life through
his confrontation with death and gathers into one the scattered children of God.
How do these two sections of the lectionary fit together and what can they tell
us about the spirit of Lent? The shift from the “ethical” to the
“christological” is no accident. The purpose of the first part of Lent is to
bring us to compunction. “Compunction” is etymologically related to the verb “to
puncture” and suggests the deflation of our inflated egos, a challenge to any
self-deceit about the quality of our lives as disciples of Jesus. By hitting us
again and again with demands which we not only fail to obey, but which we come
to recognize as being quite beyond us, the Gospel passages are meant to trouble
us, to confront our illusions of ourselves.
IMPORTANCE OF SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
The attitude among many Catholics toward the Sacrament of Reconciliation has
changed significantly, and, to be true, not for the best for the church's
membership. Ever so many individuals today have a personal psychologist or
counselor for the purpose of maintaining focus in their topsy-turvy world. Might
we be overlooking the availability of a spiritual resource commonly known as
one's Confessor? Peace of soul is a natural by-product of a good confession. The
Sacrament of Penance restores friendship with one's Lord and Savior. If it is
inner healing that is needed, then Confession is your answer. The Sacrament of
Penance contributes to the spiritual development of the Christian life. Jesus
provided the avenue to unload guilt. More of our Catholics need to use this
instrument of grace in order to experience inner relief and consolation.
Again this Lenten season Confessions will be heard after ALL daily Masses
beginning Monday, March 10 until Wednesday of Holy Week inclusive. The journey
to Easter must include reconciliation with our Savior. The Adult Lenten Penance
Service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 PM.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Each Lenten Friday at 7:00 PM parishioners are invited to walk with our
suffering Lord to Calvary. What a powerful lesson of Divine love for the
individual sinner. The 14 reflections are all scripturally based. Prayed well,
the Stations afford a moving meditation of human worth in the eyes of God.
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the Stations each Lenten
Friday, except the First Friday of March and Good Friday.
FASTING AND ALMS-GIVING: COINS FOR HAITI
Fasting had its practical roots among rural farming communities. When winter
storage bins ran dry before the spring crop was available, families banded
together with their neighbors, combining whatever food was left and rationing
supplies proportionately so no one would be left hungry. This is the spirit in
which we enter our Lenten Fast this year. Coins saved by our meager meals can
feed thousands of starving children in Haiti. If the whole Church practiced alms
giving with great generosity during Lent, think what a difference this could
mean for poorer nations like Haiti in the world economy today.
STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE - MONEY AND POSSESSIONS
Stewardship is the belief that money and possessions are gifts from God that
include the responsibility to share them. Biblical writers placed a lot of
emphasis on that responsibility. Money and possessions are mentioned 2,172 times
in the Bible, compared with 371 references to prayer.
FESTIVAL NOODLE MAKING DATES
Volunteers in great number are needed for noodle making for the following
Wednesdays: February 20, March 12 & 26, April 9 & 23 at 8:30AM in the church
hall. Early bird helpers welcome after 7:00 AM. No experience is needed. Come
for all or part of the day. Free lunch. Noodles bagged at 8:30 AM on Fridays.
FIRST PENANCE
This Sunday, February 10 at 2:30PM, 43 children of our parish will be blessed
with the grace of the Sacrament of Penance for the first time. We invite the
entire parish to join in prayer for their intentions so that the reality of
God’s abundant mercy and love might always be known and accepted by these young
Catholics for the remainder of their earthly lives. We congratulate them as they
advance one step closer to the Eucharistic table.
RCIA RITE OF ELECTION
This Sunday afternoon, we send forth 3 adults to the Johnstown Cathedral who
will meet with Bishop Joseph at the Rite of Election. During this service, the
Bishop will officially choose or elect them to enter into full communion in the
Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Notice that their names are on the banner
near the baptismal font: Courtney Boyer, Yinsi Gittings and Mark Bier. Please
pray for them, especially during these 40 days of Lent which is their final
retreat time in preparation for joining us at the Table of the Eucharist at
Easter.
40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW CHURCH
The new Holy Name Church was dedicated Feb. 25, 1968. A Parish Social is planned
following the Saturday 5PM Mass on Feb. 23 in the Narthex. Anyone able to donate
cookies is asked to call Sr. Margie at 472-8315. Thank you.
ADULT BIBLE CLASSES
Sr. Margie is offering 3 classes during Lent. Thursdays: 7-8:30PM in the Church
Hall
Feb. 21: The Woman at the Well (Jn.4 ) What spiritual thirst is drawing me to
Jesus?
Feb. 28: The Man Born Blind (Jn.9 ) What kind of blindness needs healing in my
life?
March 6: The Raising of Lazarus (Jn.11) What new life is Jesus calling forth in
me?
BLACK AND INDIAN MISSIONS
The Church’s National Collection for Black and Indian Missions in the United
States will be taken at all Masses this weekend. Because of the generosity of
the people of this parish and parishes around the U.S. last year, over 9 million
dollars were contributed to the Collection and 98 cents of every dollar was
distributed. The support went to some of the neediest people across the United
States; from the inner cities of the rural South and from the deserts of the
Southwest to Alaska’s cold wilderness - 134 Dioceses received assistance from
the collection. Through your gifts, you join your sacrifice to those who
sacrifice daily to lead others to Christ. You become a co-missionary for the
Church. Please be as generous as your means permit. An envelope for this
collection is available in your February packet.
JR./SR. HIGH CCD NEWS – PLEASE NOTE LOCATION DATES & TIMES ON PERMISSION
FORMS
This Saturday & Sunday, Feb 9th & 10th is a CCD Service Saturday/Sunday Weekend.
The 7th-11th grade classes will be at the following locations:
Saturday 2-9-08 - 7-2, 9-2, & 11-1 – Ms. Shoemaker’s, Mrs. Natcher’s & Bro
Joshua Finn’s – Laurel Crest Manor.
8-2, 10-1, & 10-2 – Mrs. Nagy’s, Mr. George’s & Mrs. Lucas’s classes – Rebekah
Manor
Sunday 2-10-08 - 7-1 & 9-1 Mr. Bracken & Ms. Sherry’s class - John Paul II Manor
11-2 – Mrs.McCulley’s class – Package Easter bags;
8-1 – Mrs. Barbara Mallin’s – Donuts After Mass;
Please pray for our youth as they take this time to serve our community and find
the experience rewarding.
HOLY NAME PARISH “FAMILY NIGHT” AT ST. FRANCIS MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME HAS
BEEN CANCELLED
Due to the Mass and Parish Social for February 23rd to honor the 40TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW CHURCH the Youth Activities Committee is canceling the
plans to attend the game at St. Francis. We encourage families to share in this
anniversary Mass with our parish family and look forward to seeing you there!
CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND THE ANGEL FUND
At the outset of this article, let it be said that many parents indeed sacrifice
to send their children to a catholic school. They believe in its Catholic
values= format in the determination of curriculum.
The cost to educate a child at Holy Name this current scholastic year is
$3258.00. Of that total cost, the parish parents were asked to be responsible
for only $900.00. Everyone knows that tuition alone does not pay the full cost
of educating a child in Catholic schools. Parishes subsidize educational costs.
Without that financial support at the local level, tuition costs would be much
higher. How is it possible for the parish to subsidize these additional demands?
The answer is the ANGEL FUND. Annually we mention that no child shall be denied
a Catholic education because of finances. Over the course of many years
Endowment Funds to support Catholic education have been established. If you
would like more information on how to plan a charitable gift to the Endowment
Fund, contact the pastor.
Parents with children enrolled at Holy Name need to be prayerfully grateful that
the tuition will remain the same for the 2008-2009 school year, set at $900.00.
Generous benefactors are the reason for no increase to tuition for the 2008-2009
school year. We ask parishioners with the financial ability, even though not
having children enrolled at Holy Name to consider sponsoring a child with a gift
of $900.00 or any part thereof, large or small. The school is most appreciative
of contributions to the Angel Fund as a gesture of thanksgiving to the living as
well as a memorial to the deceased. Checks are to be made payable to Holy Name
Angel Fund.
APEX YOUTH GROUP NEWS
1. WHAT IS APEX? - it is the Youth Group of Holy Name Parish for students in
grades 9 thru 12.
2. WHO IS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF APEX? - any Bishop Carroll or public high school
student in grades 9 thru 12 who is a registered parishioner of Holy Name Parish.
3. MOVIE NIGHT will be Sunday, Feb. 10 from 6:30-9:00PM beginning in the APEX
Room.
4. ARMCHAIR HORSE RACNG - will be Saturday, February 16 at 7:00 PM in the Church
Hall (see article below).
5. SERVICE HOURS - High school students interested in obtaining service hours
may call Nancy McCulley at 472-0677.
6. 3RD ANNUAL BASKET SOCIAL - APEX is holding their 3rd Annual Basket Social on
Sunday, April 13th in the Church Hall. This event has continued to grow each
year and has been a very beneficial fund raiser for the high school youth group.
Anyone who would like to donate a basket for this fund raiser may fill out the
form in today’s bulletin or contact Diane Bopp 472-4331 or Nancy McCulley
241-7809.
ARMCHAIR HORSE RACING FUND RAISER
Holy Name Church’s APEX Youth Group is sponsoring a fund raiser called “Armchair
Horse Racing.” It will be held in the church hall on Saturday, February 16 with
registration beginning at 7:00PM. This event is for adults only. The cost will
be $15 for a ticket holder plus one guest or $10 for a non-ticket holder.
Tickets will be sold after all Masses this weekend. For more information or to
purchase tickets, please call Mike Olsavsky at 472-8121.
FEBRUARY - CATHOLIC PRESS MONTH - $10.00 CONTRIBUTION
A catholic newspaper can be the most effective form of diocesan-wide
evangelization available. There we expect to find comments on Scripture,
articles by bishops giving the official teaching of the Church, stories of papal
trips bringing attention to social justice issues throughout the world, etc.,
etc., etc. Holy Name parishioners are requested to read the Catholic Register
and prayerfully find articles there which expose them to clear, concise
application of Christ's teaching and which might also dispel some of the
confusion among Catholics rather than sustain it. Please use the envelope found
in the February packet to make your $10.00 contribution in support of publishing
Catholic teachings and news for this area of the church.
HOLIDAY FOOD BAGS
The Ebensburg Women's Club is assisting the Ebensburg Food Pantry in the
distribution of their Holiday Food Bags. These bags will be gathered and
distributed for the Easter Holiday. Bags are available at the entrance to the
church. Information concerning the content of the bags and drop off points are
attached to each bag. If the supply of bags is depleted, you may pick up a list
of items needed for the Holiday Food Bag at the rectory.
JOIN THE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS
Court Ebensburg #680 will receive new members at their 7PM meeting, March 13,
2008 in Holy Name Church Hall. With 96,000 members, the Catholic Daughters is
the largest Catholic women’s organization situated throughout the U.S.A., Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. For more
information, call membership chair Betty Dobronski at 472-8286.
BISHOP CARROLL BINGO
Bishop Carroll Bingo will resume on Sunday, February 10th in the high school
cafetorium. Starting time is 2:30PM. This will be a non-smoking bingo with an
intermission for outdoor smoking. Patrons must be at least 12 years of age.
Mid’s Valentine candies will be given for door and raffle prizes.
S.M.I.L.E. PROGRAM AT SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY
S.M.I.L.E. is an acronym for Saturday Morning is for Laughs and Exercise, a
program headed by the student-volunteers of Saint Francis University. In the
S.M.I.L.E. Program, children are engaged in various forms of exercises, physical
games, and sporting events to foster socialization skills and to build mental
and physical agility. The student-volunteers make it a point to teach the
children how to play games, sports and activities in good spirits and with
sportsmanship. This program is FREE to everyone, and will be held on the
following Saturdays in the Stokes Auxiliary Gym from 10AM-Noon: February 16,
March 8, April 5, 12, & 19. Questions? Please contact Ellen at 472-3338, Mike at
472-3969 or Jessie at 472-3461.
PARISH SEDER MEAL and COVERED DISH SOCIAL!
Come to the Seder! Sun. March 9 at 5 PM in the Church Hall. Donation: $1 per
person to defray cost of the meat provided. All else is covered dish.
Reservations due March 2. See form below. The roots of the Last Supper and our
Catholic Mass can be traced back to traditions celebrated during the annual
Jewish Seder Meal in preparation for Passover. There is a special “seder” or
order to the songs, prayers and special foods tasted together, such as matza or
unleavened bread, bitter herbs and horaseth or sweet apple butter. Following the
table prayer service, a festive meal will be enjoyed by all, concluding by 7PM
with some childrens’ entertainment. Register now!
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Reservation Form: (Return by March 2 to Rectory, School, CCD or Collection
Basket)
SEDER MEAL and COVERED DISH SOCIAL
Sunday, March 9, 2008, 5-7 PM
Holy Name Church Hall
Yes, I/we will attend the Seder Meal ($1 per person)
Name/s _______________________________________________________________________
Phone # __________________ Number attending: _________ Donation enclosed:
$_______
Covered dish I plan to bring:
_____________________________________________________
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The dates for our 16th annual Bible School Program have been set for Monday,
July 14 through Friday, July 18, 9:00-11:45AM, for preschool through grade 5.
ADULT AND STUDENT (grades 6 and up) VOLUNTEERS are needed. Students will receive
service hours. Please complete the VOLUNTEER FORM below and return it to the
rectory by March 11. You may place it in the Sunday collection basket.
REGISTRATION FORMS to attend VBS will be sent home later. For more information,
call Mary Harvey, 472-8139.
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SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEER FORM
(Complete and return by March 11, 2008)
Name ____________________________________ adult ____ or student ______ Phone
number _____________
(Grade)
I would like to volunteer for the Summer Bible School Program (July 14 thru 18,
2008):
___ Planning Committee
___ teacher, grade ____ ___
classroom aide, grade ___
___ Craft Planning Committee
___ prepare material for crafts (done at home prior to Bible School)
___ Help with crafts at Bible School ___ Music Team ____
Drama Team
___Prepare and serve snacks
VBS Registration forms for students who will attend VBS will be sent home at a
later date. All students must pre-register.
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APEX BASKET SOCIAL
APEX, Youth Ministry, is holding a Basket Social Fund raiser on Sunday April 13,
2008 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Proceeds will be used for general high school youth
group activities. We are asking for parish members’ assistance with various
items. Please look at the list below and help in whatever way you can. Complete
the form and return to the rectory or place in the collection basket by February
29, 2008. All donations, except cakes, need to be at the rectory by March 16,
2008.
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_____ I/We will donate a theme basket: ____________________
(Theme)
_____ I will donate a door prize
_____ I will make a cake
_____ I will donate money
_____ I will volunteer to help the day of the social.
Many times we accumulate empty baskets at home if anyone wishes to donate them,
they can drop them off at the rectory.
If you have any questions, contact Diane Bopp @ 814-472-4331
Name:___________________________ Phone number:____________________
e-mail address(optional)___________________
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LENTEN FISH FRIES
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH, NEW GERMANY will hold fish fries every
Friday during Lent at the Grove Hall in New Germany. Dinners are served from 4
to 7 PM and are $9.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. The buffet menu
includes baked or fried fish, french fries, baked potatoes, haluski, macaroni &
cheese, coleslaw, green beans, rolls, drinks and cake. Take-outs are available
until 6:00PM.
QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH CENTER, PATTON upper level will hold Lenten Fish
Dinners every Friday during Lent (including Good Friday) starting February 8th.
For your convenience, please park in the Parish Center lot. Menu includes choice
of baked or fried fish or salmon cake; choice of baked potato or french fries,
coleslaw, stewed tomatoes, mac & cheese, haluski, buns, desserts, coffee, tea ,
punch. Pierogies ala carte. Time 4-7PM. Adults $8, children 4-12 $4, under 5
free. Take outs available.
ST. JOSEPH PARISH, PORTAGE will hold Fish Dinners on Fridays beginning
February 8 and lasting until March 14. Dinners served 4-6PM in the church hall.
Menu includes baked or fried fish, french fries or haluski, coleslaw, vege,
roll, coffee/punch and dessert. Orders for takeout will be taken starting at 1PM
and ready for pickup 4PM or later. Call 736-3146 to place orders. Adults $8,
children under 12 $4.
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