The Parish Family of SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI

PASTOR Rev. Msgr. William F. Glosser, V.F., M.A., M.Div.

250 E. Hancock St. Saint Clair, PA 17970

Office Phone……………..570-429-0370 Rectory Phone…………..570-429-0701 Office Fax………………….570-429-0630

Email scassisi@ptd.net Website stclareassisi.weebly.com Assumption BVM School 570-622-0106 Nativity BVM High School 570-622-8110

Immaculate Conception Hall 570-429-0302 Saint Joseph Center for Special Learning https://stjosephctr.com/

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 20, 2020

MASS TIMES (Please check bulletin for changes)

Tuesday – Friday 8AM (Chapel) Saturday – 4PM

Sunday- 8:30AM and 10:30AM Holydays – Please check bulletin

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays 3:15-3:45PM or call the rectory to schedule an appointment. St. Stephen

Parish, please see Priest before Mass. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Prospective parents are expected to attend an instruction session. Please call the

parish office to make arrangements and schedule an appointment.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made one year in

advance to schedule and plan your wedding.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PREP/CCD classes are offered for our public

grade school children. Classes are held Wednesday evenings 6PM to 7:30PM.

Parish Registration Parish registration is recommended for all individual persons and families who worship regularly and who intend to participate actively in the life of our parish by sharing their time, talents and treasure. Registration is necessary for celebrating Marriage and Baptism, as well as for the issuing of Sponsor Certificates. Director of Religious Education………………………………Dorothy Frie Parish Religious Education Website……………stcstsprep.weebly.com Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator Mrs. Wendy S. Krisak, MA, MCC, LPC Direct: 1-800-791-9209 Secretary for Youth Protection ……………. Pamela Russo, MSW, MS 1-610-871-5200 Ext 2204 prusso@allentowndiocese.org

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A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2020 “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way and the wicked his thoughts, let him turn to the Lord for mercy, to our God who is generous in forgiving... What if I wish to give the last the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?” Last week, the scriptures focused on forgiveness and the sin of anger. Today another capital sin, envy, provides food for thought. How often the expression ‘I don’t get mad, I just get even’ is spoken. Does envy, jealousy sneak into my heart? As I see the good fortune of someone, do I consider why him and not me? Do I celebrate the blessing someone else receives, or do I enjoy the good one experiences, seeing it as a gift of God, a God who is generous in forgiving? God’s word each week is directed to me, for my own spiritual well being. The God of the scripture today speaks to my heart.

WELCOME BACK TO MASS

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 8:00AM Donald J. Zandier Wednesday, September 23, 2020 St. Pius of Pietrelcina 8:00AM Elizabeth Ann Troy Thursday, September 24, 2020 8:00AM Phillip Ronca Friday, September 25, 2020 8:00AM Donald T. Gerhart Saturday, September 26, 2020 **4:00PM Joseph Struzinsky, Sr. (Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Weather Permitting) Sunday, September 27, 2020 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30AM Robert Houston 10:30AM David Kline

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK (PART II) Anger that reflects the anger of Christ requires two aspects. First, it must be properly motivated. In other words, anger because you do not get your way in a situat ion does not count. Religious hypocrisy or injust ices of poverty or oppression are proper, godly reasons to become angry. The second aspect required for our anger to reflect Christ 's anger is to act appropriately when we are angry. Jesus healed a man even when He was angry, revealing that we are called to do good even when we are upset. In addit ion, the passages referring to Jesus turning over tables in the temple showed His anger properly expressed to remove people who were breaking God's Law by making a profit from the system of animal offerings rather than focusing on worship of the Lord. Further, the anger of Jesus did not result in a long-term grudge. Instead, His anger was an emotion that resulted in proper act ions. Today's believers must seek the same response. Anger left unchecked or wrongly motivated can result in long-term

unforgiveness that causes problems in a believer 's own life. In summary, Jesus did become angry on some occasions, yet He was not known as an angry person. Further, His anger was not an excuse for sinful act ions, but rather for posit ive act ions that helped others and honored God. (Credit for this art icle comes from the webpage Compelling Truth.) SECOND COLLECTIONS This week will be for Cemetery Upkeep. Next week will be for Cemetery Upkeep. Rest in Peace Last week we gave back to a loving and merciful God – Helen Kubeika, Jean Templin, and Vince Gargano. May they rest in peace and enjoy the feast of Heaven. Feast of Mary, Undoer of Knots Next Monday, September 28 is the actual feast day of Mary, Unt ier of Knots. While we celebrate this feast during the month of May, this day would be a good way to celebrate Mary’s Undoing of the Knots in our lives. Parish Finances in light of Covid-19 As pastor, I am blessed to have all of you to shepherd and am edified by many of our parishioners’ generosity to the Sunday Collect ions. If one is reading the bullet in closely, our year to date for the Sunday collect ion is above budget. Despite the fact more than half of our parishioners have not yet returned to church because of the Coronavirus, this is laudatory! Thank you! Nevertheless, there is always a but… In addit ion to our Sunday Income and kind donat ions, we also must rely on fundraising to keep us fiscally solvent through the year. This past year, we raised over $41,000.00 in fund raising ventures to keep our parish going strong. If the Coronavirus did not shut down the country in March, our fund raising efforts would have come close to $50,000.00. We must be grateful to the number of parishioners who give of their t ime to these efforts. Please Note that the $41,000 raised was completed between September and

February of last year. This year we must try to raise funds while Covid-19 st ill has many hunkering down. Please support your parish’s fund raising efforts! It will be a difficult year. Our parish finance council will meet this Wednesday, September 23 to review the 2019-2020 Financial Report and to approve and submit to the Diocese our 2020-2021 operating budget. After this meet ing, a full financial report will be presented to the parish at the Sunday Masses. Please pay attent ion to when this parish report will be delivered if you desire to be present. Thank you once again for your cont inued generosity! Fund Raising Efforts A meet ing was held last Thursday with close to 30 people in attendance. It was a productive meet ing with some fresh faces. Our efforts for the year will be announced very soon. For now, we wish to make you aware of our upcoming “Home-Made Apple Dumpling Fest.” This event will take place in late October/early November. Featured in addit ion to home-made apple dumplings, will be delicious take-out comfort food platters such as Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches, hand-cut French fries, and cole slaw. Other foods include quarts of soups and baked goods. The highlight of Apple Dumpling Fest will be a lottery t icket board, a gift card board, a 50/50 money raffle, AND a t icket on some high quality prizes. Donat ions and help are needed. Please watch the bullet in and Facebook for updates. PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) has Begun Due to the pandemic and concerns for our young parishioners, we as a parish have decided that for Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 we are going with an on-line program for the first semester. This program is age-specific for each grade level. Parents that have registered and provided Dottie Frie (our Director of Religious Education) with an e-mail address should have received log-on information. Please be patient as this is a first- time venture for us so there might be some glitches or delays. Grades Kindergarten, 2, and 8 grades will meet in-person from 6-7:30PM in the Church.

Please contact the rectory for further information and/or clarification. TEENS FOLLOW PARENTS WHEN IT COMES TO RELIGION When it comes to religion, American teenagers and their parents have a lot in common, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Most U.S. teens (ages 13 to 17) share the religious affiliation of their parents or legal guardians. Catholic parents mostly have teens who consider themselves Catholics. U.S. teens attend religious services about as often as their parents do: 44% of U.S. teens say they go to religious services at least once a month, 43% of parents say they attend monthly. (pewforum.org) In the past we blamed young people for their lacking in the practice of the Faith while in essence the onus of responsibility or lack thereof is upon ALL the generations proceeding them. While secular humanism and relativism are playing a larger role in the lack of Catholic practice by our young people, we need to ask where have our priests and laity failed to foster and encourage the practice of Catholicism and the living out of Jesus’ Gospel? CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Confession may be scheduled by calling the rectory and setting up a time. One does not need to leave a name just mention one’s desire for confession. Fr. Bill will then meet with the person in a safe environment. Another option is before attending the 8:30 or 10:30AM Sunday Masses, Fr. Bill tries to be in church 30 minutes before each Mass. He will be sitting up in front of the Blessed Mother statue. Attention Parish Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers Lectors, the October and November schedule can be found online, in your e-mail, or pick up a copy in the sacristy. EM’s! The Diocese has asked its pastors to be prudent with the usage of EM’s during this time of pandemic. Those who assist with the distribution of Holy Communion SHOULD be in good physical health and not overly fearful of taking the virus home to an “at risk” or elderly relative or friend. In order to be fair, we are seeking three volunteers for the month of October for the 4PM Mass in the cemetery, the 8:30 and the 10:30 Masses. Please call the rectory.

Saturday Evening 4PM Vigil Mass Many people are quite happy with Mass in the Queen of the Universe Cemetery during these times of Covid-19. We hope to be able to continue the Masses there through October, weather-permitting. When rain is threatening, please consult our parish Facebook page and let your friends and neighbors know if Mass is cancelled. October is the Month of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

“Mindful that in moments of great trial, pastors and people have ever had recourse with entire confidence to the august Mother of God, in whose hands are all graces, certain too, that devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary is most opportune for the needs of these times, we have desired to revive everywhere this devotion, and to spread it far and wide among the faithful of the world.” Pope Leo XIII aka “the rosary Pope”

During the month of October, we invite all our parishioners and friends to pray the rosary in the Grotto October 3: The Mysteries of the Rosary thru St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi 8:30AM following First Saturday Mass October 7 (Wednesday 6:30PM): Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary we will pray the Joyful Mysteries in Grotto weather permitting. October 10 (Saturday 12 noon): The Sorrowful Mysteries: Grotto weather permitting October 17 (Saturday 12 noon): The Chaplet of the Sorrowful Mother, Grotto weather permitting October 24 (Saturday 12 noon): The Luminous Mysteries Grotto weather permitting October 31 (Saturday 12 noon): The Glorious Mysteries Grotto weather permitting

PRAYER AGAINST CORONAVIRUS

Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine Physician, we ask you to guard and protect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all serious illness. For all that have died from it, have mercy; for those that are ill now, bring healing. For those searching for a remedy, enlighten them; for medical caregivers helping the sick, strengthen and shield them. For those working to contain the spread, grant them success; for those afraid, grant peace. May your precious blood be our defense and salvation. By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into memories of consolation and hope. May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness. We abandon ourselves to your infinite mercy. Amen. - Pedro de la Cruz www.CatholicPrayerCards.org

WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT (CORRECTED)

Week of 9/6

Contributions - Sunday Envelopes $ 6,313 Contributions - Other Sunday Giving (loose) $ 197 Total Plate $ 6,510 Needed to meet Church Budget $ 4,808 Total Contributions 7/1/20 to now $ 55,182 YTD Budget to now $ 48,080 Total Over (Under) Budget $ 7,102 Other Collections Cemetery Upkeep $ 486 Building Fund $ 1,163 Beirut Relief $ 285

WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT Week of 9/13

Contributions - Sunday Envelopes $ 5,517 Contributions - Other Sunday Giving (loose) $ 251 Total Plate $ 5,768 Needed to meet Church Bugdet $ 4,808 Total Contributions 7/1/20 to now $ 60,950 YTD Budget to now $ 52,888 Total Over (Under) Budget $ 8,062 OTHER COLLECTIONS Building Fund $ 1,343 Cemetery Upkeep $ 594 Mission Co-Operative $ 885

Mass Attendance for September 12-13 4PM at Queen of the Universe Cemetery…..…..111 8:30AM Mass…….………………………….....101 10:30AM Mass……………………….………….77 A THOUGHT FROM A PARISHIONER Did you see the score of the Pottsville vs. Nativity game last night? When I saw on the schedule that Pottsville was playing Nativity, I thought of David vs. Goliath. I was amazed by the final score of Nativity 31 : Pottsville 21. After a moment, I was reminded of what JFK said over 50 years ago when asked: Why does Rice play Texas? He paused for a moment and said, “Because it’s hard!” I believe God asked me the same question about Catholicism. My initial response would have been “I suppose because that’s how I was born”; however, after deeper thought, I believe it’s because it’s hard. I have many friends who tell me it’s not a sin to skip Mass on a Sunday at their church, others say if you go to their church all you have to do is recite one line and you’re born again and saved. My thought is not to denigrate their faith just to point out how difficult Catholicism is. If it was that easy it wouldn’t be Christianity — it would just be insanity. As Catholics, we don’t set out to fail, but we are not afraid to fail. I read somewhere that if you never fail then you’re not trying hard enough. I believe when you have that personal relationship with Christ, you know he’s always there to pick you up. Being Christian isn’t easy, but being Catholic is hard. Let’s face it—we wouldn’t have it any other way. So the next time someone asks you why Catholics try to do the impossible, maybe a good response would be “because we were born that way.” Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or you think you can't you’re probably right.” CATHOLIC BISHOP ABUSE REPORTING SERVICE If you have an allegation of abuse against a bishop, please contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at www.ReportBishopAbuse.org or by calling 800-276-1562. BECAUSE WE ARE CATHOLIC ANNUAL APPEAL As of August 20, 15.17% of our parish families have joined the 2020 BECAUSE WE ARE CATHOLIC ANNUAL APPEAL. In other words, 122 parishioners have contributed or pledged $28,176.00 to support food programs, senior services, community outreach, Catholic schools, and more. Every dollar helps those in need. Imagine what we can do if 100% of our parish participates! Remember, every gift counts, no gift is too small. If you have any questions or would like to make a gift, please call the parish office or visit the Appeal website at www.BecauseWeareCatholic.org.

FYI: If you drop your envelope in the basket, it is mailed right to the diocese. We do not track or post these donations. ST. CLAIR ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY Under the direction of Pastor Jack Murray of the Wade UCC Church, the churches of St. Clair are going to create a food pantry to assist the needy in our community. Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution of the food. If you can help, call 570-429-1951 and leave a message. Location: St. Clair-Wade United Methodist Church, 23 N. Front St., St. Clair. Areas Served: St. Clair, New Castle Twp., Arnots Addition, Mill Creek and Dieners Hill. When: Even months, first Thursday, 11am-12 noon, next one is October 1. Must provide proof of residency such as driver’s license or other proof. Income verification is required. FATHER CISZEK DAY 2020 WILL BE VIRTUAL In the best interest of everyone’s safety, the Father Walter Ciszek Prayer League has decided to cancel this year’s annual in-person Father Ciszek Day celebration. While we are still as dedicated as ever to promoting the Cause of Father Ciszek’s Canonization, the health of our people had to come first. A Mass will still be celebrated on Sunday, October 18th at 2:00 PM and livestreamed on our Facebook Page and website (www.ciszek.org) so that everyone can unite in prayer from the comfort of their own home. The co-postulator, Rev. Eugene Ritz, will celebrate the Mass and Rev. David Kozak of the Diocese of Allentown will be the homilist. Concelebrants of the Mass will include Rev. Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian and Rev. Jeffrey Walsh. Prior to the Mass, a virtual tour of the “Father Ciszek Center” will be presented beginning at 1:30 PM. We appreciate your understanding during these difficult times. Be assured of the Prayer League’s prayers for the safety and well-being of you and your families and for an end to this global pandemic. NEED SOME PRINTING OR EMBROIDERY? Try our parishioners, Kelly Print.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHYAND STAY POSITIVE!

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