Partner Parishes

BULLETIN, WEEK OF September 5, 2010

This Weekend Readings

First Reading: Left to our own devices, the human capacity to discern God’s will is thwarted by his majesty. Yet, God does not leave us to our own devices, but touches the human mind and heart with the gift of grace to illumine the path that leads to wisdom.

Responsorial Psalm: In Psalm 90 the Church acknowledges that in every age God provides refuge for his people. God’s graciousness enables in us the salvation we are helpless to attain of ourselves.

Second Reading: Paul summons Philemon to see every aspect and relationship in his life in a new way in light of his relationship to Christ. Paul proposes that God’s providence was at work in depraving Philemon of Onesimus for a time, so that Philemon might see in him a beloved brother. God’s providence invites believers to view all things with the eyes of faith.

Gospel: Prudent discipleship requires radical choices. Jesus invites his followers to emulate the prudent discernment of builders and warrior kings as they discern their response to his call. The cost of laying a sure foundation and being victorious in the way of discipleship is great. Both require the reprioritization of one’s entire life, i9ncluding one’s primary relationship and definitions of success.

Next Week’s Readings: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wis 9:13-18b;Phlm 9, 10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33.

Words from Your Pastor

The Revised Roman Missal….

Just as I was getting ready to write my column, we got a word from the Diocesan Office of Worship that the New Revised Roman Missal has been accepted by the Vatican and is to be adopted as a norm in the Dioceses of the United States on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

What does it mean? In next year we will begin to use the revised translation of the Roman Missal in all of the parishes of the United States. This translation will not change the structure of the Mass, but will change some of the words we now proclaim at Mass. After praying the same words to the Mass for so many years, we now have the opportunity to again be more conscious of the words we pray.

Words affect our lives. How we say and hear words makes a difference in how we live, pray, and believe. The words that I pray at Mass will sound different to you. Your prayers and responses also will be different. These new prayers should help us to pray more consciously, since we will be thinking more about what we are praying and not saying the words by rote, which many of us can admit we often do now. Think for example, the way we say the Our Father. Do we really think about what we say when we pray “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”?

Why is this change in the prayers of the Mass necessary? The revised translation will reflect the current Latin edition. Our present translation does not do so as accurately. Although this translation will sound more formal in language, it is scripturally richer in its meaning and its images, connecting the biblical images to the Mass prayer images better. Now, instead of hearing in the Sunday Eucharistic Prayer, “from east to west a perfect offering may be made,” you will hear, “from the rising of the Sun to its setting, a pure sacrifice may be offered.” This text presents richer biblical image for us to picture.

The Mass parts will also have new musical settings, since some of the words we sing have been chanted. The sung Mass prayers that our assembly usually sings that will change are the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy, and the Memorial Acclamations. In time we will be learning the new melodies to these texts. Other changes you will notice are the responses to the Confiteor, “Lord, I am not worthy,” and “The Lord be with you”; to which you will respond “ And with your spirit”.

I am sure that together with the Worship Committee here at the Partner Parish, Music and Faith Formation departments, we will place some kind of worship aids until these new prayers will become more familiar to everyone. It will take some time before this revised translation becomes more natural to all of us.

Faith Formation News

A Look Ahead at This Year's GOF Theme

The Generations of Faith program for the 2010-2011 year centers around the theme of living the moral life. Each session will deal with one or more of the Ten Commandments, and will guide participants through living out the Commandments in practical ways in their daily lives. Some of the topics that will be included:

virtues of moderation in our possessions, justice in our treatment of others, and respect for human dignity
significance of Catholic teaching in regard to threats on human life such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment
importance of Church teaching regarding the most intimate and important lifelong relationships: living together as a family, being together in romantic relationships, and remaining committed in marriage
significance of Catholic teaching on honesty and integrity in all aspects of life: personal, familial, and social
formation of conscience, highlighting the role of compassion and forgiveness in moral living

Important- The content of this year's GOF deals with morality. Parents of adolescents are especially encouraged to enroll their family in the program.

Look for your registration brochure to arrive in the mail. Extras will be located in church vestibules. Deadline for registration will be September 19.

Evangelization Corner

Why The First Disciples Were So Successful

They took the challenge seriously!
They were filled with the Holy Spirit!!
They reproduced themselves!
The new disciples were soon making more disciples.

The above message was taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document on evangelization, Go and Make Disciples, but could easily have been the commentary of our first partner parish evangelization meeting. Held at St. Helen’s Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 24, the “disciples” gathered in prayer, faith sharing, and planning. Their challenge was taken seriously, and they were indeed filled with the Holy Spirit. The first goal (there are 3) of Go and Make Disciples is “To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.”

This goal calls us to spiritual renewal in Christ, a life of holiness. This is the goal that the group decided would be our first undertaking. Those who attended this first meeting explored thirteen objectives that could, when implemented in our partner parish, deepen the sense of Scripture and sacrament so that we will pray more fully, and, with greater understanding of Christ’s call, live as disciples fostering a desire to involve others in our renewed faith.

As stated above, the first two steps in being successful disciples came easily to those who attended the August session, however, success in achieving steps 3 and 4 will involve YOU. The bishops of the United States put it this way: “Come and follow! Come, hear the Lord calling each one of us; come, follow the Teacher who makes us his disciples. Come, be part of the story of salvation. We invite you: make this plan your plan.” Will you accept the invitation?

Our next meeting will take place on September 28 at St. Helen Hall.

Liturgical Considerations - From the Bench

In this Sunday’s article, I will continue my preview of the revised Roman Missal, which will be implemented Advent 2011. Today we will take a look at the new translation for the Gloria, the long hymn of praise which is sung or recited following the Kyrie.

The first section of the Gloria, as we now know it reads: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.” In the new translation, this section changes to: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.” The opening lines “Glory to God… people of good will, may still be used as a refrain, with the cantor taking the verses.

This brings us to another important point. While repetition of the new texts is still permitted to fit the flow of the music, paraphrasing of any kind, which is currently common in many Mass settings, is forbidden under the guidelines of the new translation.

I will continue with a look at the next section of the Gloria next week.

Reminder: No practice on Labor Day. Next rehearsal on Monday, September 13th, at 6:30 PM at SsC&M.

Announcements and Reminders

Labor Day: Monday, September 6th. Parish Office Closed. No Morning Mass. (Reminder: Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:00 Noon, and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The staff gathers for a meeting every Monday between the hours of 11:00 AM—12:00 Noon. Lunch is from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. The parish office is always closed on Fridays, major civic holidays, and Catholic Holy Days).

SsC&M Finance Council: Tuesday, September 7th, at 7:00 PM in St. Helen Hall.

StH Christian Mothers/Altar-Rosary Society: Tuesday, September 7th, at 7:00 PM in StH Rectory.

Worship Committee: Wednesday, September 1st at 6:30 PM at SsC&M.

StH Festival Set-up Begins: Friday, September 10th. Contact a committee member for more information.

Partner Parish Picnic: Sunday, September 12th, at 1:00 PM, in Fairchance. Bring a covered dish.

StH Heritage Day Festival: Saturday, September 18th. Polka Mass at 4:00 PM followed by festivities.

Catechetical Sunday: Sunday, September 19th, at the 11:00 AM Mass.

Calendar Party: Sunday, September 26th, in St. Helen Hall. Sponsored by SsC&M Christian Mothers. Anyone interested in making a monetary or craft donation, please contact Karen Reckard at 724-564-4383.

UPDATE: St. Hubert Heritage Festival Basket Raffle: Items are being collected for use in preparing baskets for the annual raffle. “Movie Theme”, “Princess” , and Golf baskets have already been assembled. WVU items are needed as well as other items. If you wish to donate some items, please be sure they are in new condition. Large baskets are also needed. If you have any questions, please call Mary Lou DuBois at 724-725-9465 or Paula Sweder at 724-725-9349.

Ticket Raffle: The Heritage Festival for St. Hubert is selling tickets for gift cards to Sheetz ($100), Giant Eagle ($100), Walmart ($100), Red Lobster ($50), Lowe’s ($50), McDonald’s ($25), Bob Evans ($25), Eat’n Park ($25), and Panera Bread ($25). Cost is $2 each. Winner to be drawn at the Heritage Festival on September 18th. For tickets, cotact any member of the Festival Committee, ushers, or Mary Jo Billek at 724-725-5781.

SsC&M Anniversary Banquet Tickets: Reservations are now being accepted. Parishioners of SsC&M will be given the first opportunity to purchase tickets for our October 17th banquet to be held after our Anniversary Mass celebration on this same date. Seating is limited, so please do not delay in making your reservation. You may make your reservation by calling the parish office, or contacting a member of our Anniversary Committee: Tony & Nell Budinsky, Karen & Mary Inks, Marilee Barnhart, Amy Flockvich, Mary Lou Jennings, Karen Reckard, Esther Ryczek, or Jean Thompson. Tickets will also be sold each weekend after the 6:00 PM and 9:00 AM Masses.When purchasing your tickets after Mass, it would be helpful to have the exact change. Checks should be made payable to Ss. Cyril & Methodius Anniversary Fund. Cost: $30.00 per person.

100th Anniversary Paver Project: The pavers have been installed in the crosslet pattern and the response has all been positive. Fr. Andrew and the Anniversary Committee again wish to thank everyone who participated. In the near future (before our anniversary celebration), a bench will be installed honoring all of the pastors who have served Ss. Cyril & Methodius.

76th Annual Pilgrimage: Honoring Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mt. St. Macrina, Uniontown, over this Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3—Sept. 6).

The Secular Discalced Carmelite Community of Uniontown will be holding it’s annual open meeting at St. Anthony’s Friary, 115 Oakland Ave., Uniontown on Sunday, Sept. 12th at 1:15 PM. Men or women interested in the Carmelite way of prayer and spirituality may contact Anita Jones OCDS at 724-564-9486 or Patricia Joseph OCDS at 724-564-0346.

Community Alliance of Christian Women: Monday, Sept. 13th at 6:30 PM in St. Helen Hall. All women from our parish are invited to attend. Jean Thompson will be the hostess for this meeting. Light refreshments will be served. Donations for school supplies will be accepted. This organization is composed of women from churches of the Fairchance and surrounding area. Meetings rotate from church to church and are held six times per year. The goal is to spread the joy of Jesus Christ through community endeavors.

Natural Family Planning Instruction: CM-BBT is a medically based, highly effective NFP method that can be used to avoid, postpone or plan pregnancy. The next CM-BBT Method of Family Planning INSTRUCTION Session is scheduled for Monday, September 13th, at 6:00 PM at the Catholic Charities office in Greensburg. Pre-registration is required. Contact Mary Ann Newhouse at 724-837-1840, ext. 658 for additional information or to register. More information is also available at www.dioceseofgreensburg.org. Choose links: Catholic Charities, Natural Family Planning and CM-BBT.

Twenty-First Annual Rosary Walk: Sunday, September 19th, beginning at 2:00 PM. More details next week.

Golden Jubilee Mass: Bishop Brandt invites all couples celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary during the calendar year 2010 to participate in a special Golden Jubilee Mass to be held at Our Lady of Grace Parish on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM. The jubilarians, their children, relatives or friends should contact their local parish office to register couples for this celebration. Even though they may not be able to attend the Mass, they will receive a scroll signed by the Bishop commemorating their anniversary.

World Wide Marriage Encounter: Turn a good marriage into a great one. Join us September 24-26, at the Four Points Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport, for a World Wide Marriage Encounter weekend. For more information or to register, please contact Jay & Judy at 412-635-7775, visit us on the web at www.wwme-pittsburgh.org or facebook WWME SW PA!