Religious Ed. /Youth Dir.Evelyn WheelerEmail: occcreled@gmail.com

Coordinators, Prayer Chain:Mary Smith 814-676-9758

Rita Anderton 814-676-1641Email: ritaanderton@yahoo.com

DAILY MASSES

MONDAY March 12 7:00 AM St. Stephen Church Special Intention (Bob & Jan Urban) TUESDAY March 13 7:00 AM St. Stephen Church Nancy Kennemuth (Sophie Badach)Adoration & Confessions before 8 a.m. Mass 8:00 AM St. Joseph Church Millie Brozeski (Sue/Jim Shefchunas) Noon-1 PM Adoration/Rosary–St. Stephen’sWEDNESDAY March 14 7:00 AM St. Stephen Church Gerry Lee Hargenrader (Ethel Burch) 9:00 AM St. Venantius Church -Stations 10:00 AM O.C. Health Care Evelyn Lauer (St. Stephen Rosary Society) 12:10 PM St. Joseph Church Jim Brumbaugh (The Coogan Family)THURSDAY March 15 12:10 PM St. Joseph Church Esther O’Brien (Harry & Linda Guringo) FRIDAY March 16 12:10 PM St. Stephen Church Jo Wnuk (Rose Bianchi) 7:00 PM St. Joseph Church -Stations

WEEKEND MASSES

SATURDAY March 17 3-3:40 PM Confessions St. Joseph Church 4:00 PM (Vigil) St. Joseph Church Patricia Schwabenbauer McFadden (The Lyons Family) 5:40 PM (Vigil) St. Stephen Church Dolores Rider (Sandee Lalley)

SUNDAY March 18, 5th Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM St. Stephen Church Juanita Perry (Family) 10:45 AM St. Joseph Church Rizzone & Dolecki Families (Phyllis & Lucy Dolecki)

DAILY MASS SCHEDULEMAY CHANGE FROM WEEK TO WEEK

BAPTISMS-Parents are required to attenda Pre-Baptismal Class

PLEASE CONTACT THE RECTORY OFFICEFOR INFORMATION.

MARRIAGES-Please contact the rectoryoffice at least six months prior to wedding.

ANNOINTING OF THE SICK-Please notify therectory office when someone is seriously

ill, hospitalized, homebound, or in need of apriest. AFTER OFFICE HOURS: PLEASE USE

EMERGENCY EXTENSION 71

PREGNANT?–Need Help? 814-432-222924 Hour Hotline: 800-712-4357

MINISTERS FOR ST. JOSEPH &ST. STEPHENMarch 17-18

SERVERS:4:00 p.m. Dylan Socha-Kachik/

Volunteer Needed 5:40 p.m. Jenna Loll/Destiny Weiser 8:00 a.m. Andrew/Matthew Giancola10:45 a.m. Natalie Birchard/Livia Garver/ Lily HomanLECTORS:4:00 p.m. Natalie Toscano 5:40 p.m. Marcia Schumacher 8:00 a.m. Kathy Trypus10:45 a.m. Mary Kay JohnstonHOLY COMMUNION MINISTERS:4:00 p.m. Marge Hajduk,Joan Slater,

Fred Winters, Patty Yee/ Volunteer Needed 5:40 p.m. Elizabeth Ames, Kay Hopwood, Dan Karg, Bob & Jan McCall 8:00 a.m. Bob/Rosalie Bablak, Mike Deibert, Ray Stiglitz, Loretta Warcholik10:45 a.m. Kim Fornof, David/Mary K. Johnston, Monica Moore, Theresa Zlotnicki

LITURGY & SACRAMENTAL SCHEDULESATURDAY VIGIL MASS: 4:00 p.m. (St. Joseph Church) / 5:40 p.m. (St. Stephen Church)

SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00 a.m. (St. Stephen Church) / 10:45 a.m. (St. Joseph Church)

RECONCILIATION (Confession) Check weekly schedule below.Saturday 3:00-3:40 p.m. (St. Joseph Church) or by appointment.

Catholic Rural Ministry 814-677-2032 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Ctr. 814-677-0203

OFFICE HOURSMon. - Fri.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kim FornofEMAIL: sjoffice@stjoseph church.comcastbiz.net

Connie Hall EMAIL: cjhall2@comcast.net

814-676-63536 East 1st St., Oil City, PA 16301tom.ward@raymondjames.com

Investment advisory services are offered throughRaymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

♦Thomas W. Ward♦Financial Advisor

110 Petroleum Street(814) 677-4000

Matthew T. Deal, F.D.Rebekah E. Deal, F.D.

Michael D. Morrison, F.D.

E X C A V A T I O ND E M O L I T I O NT R U C K I N GP R E M I U M T O P S O I L

Over55 years of

Experience

KLAPECEXPRESS, INC.

T R U C K I N G673 N. Seneca St. Oil City814.677.4448 814.678.DIRT

SIEMBIDAPlumbing & Heating Services• SERVICE • INSTALLATION

Residential Air Conditioning - Ceramic Tile814-677-5600

P.O. Box 1226 • Oil City, PAJoseph R. Siembida

Adam Fee

13 East Front St. • Oil City 814-676-0234

Single VisionLenses & Frames

BiFocalsLenses & Frames

Progressive No-LineLenses & Frames

$89$129$139

Anderson’sGreenhouses

Floral Service & Gift Shop97 years in business

Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily612 Grant St., Franklin, PA

432-2109

“Home o f the Guys w ith the Goo d Buys”

154 SIVERLY AVENUE • OIL CITY, PA 16301676-6125

PARKER FURNITUREFurniture • Bedding

One Stop Flooring Store2 LOCATIONS

Cranberry 677-4061Titusville 827-2778

“OverOne Acre

Under Roof”

GRANDVIEWESTATES

FURNITURE202 Center St.

Oil City, PA676-3452

2875 State Rt 157 • Venus, PA354-2850

Friedhaber’s“Satisfying Customers for

Over 30 Years”• SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION

• APPLIANCES • KITCHENS• HEATING • COOLING

676-569414 E. 1st St. • Oil City, PA 16301

REINSELFUNERAL HOME& CREMATORY116 Bissell AveOil City, PA 16301

(814) 677-3049Joseph A. Reinsel, Jr. F.D.

Michael J. Reinsel, F.D.Serving Oil City Since 1924

H&R BLOCK

Visit OurConvenient Location

Oil City227 Seneca St

677-30511-800-HRBLOCKwww.hrblock.com

Plea

se s

uppo

rt o

ur a

dver

tiser

s, w

ithou

t the

m, t

his

bulle

tin w

ould

not

be

poss

ible

. . .

Pub

lished

by:

Best

Pri

nti

ng

• O

il C

ity, PA

16301 •

814•6

76•5

311

�'$�&*�#'&( �)&'"#)!*)#�

�'#�(*%���

��� ���� ��������

CLIFFORD’SOver1000 Rugs

In Stock!677-0600

19 EAST FIRST ST.OIL CITY, PA 16301

CARPETS & RUG OUTLETFUEL, LLC

BAYLESS

Clear/Dyed Diesel & BioDieselGasoline‐Clear/Dyed Kerosene

202 S. Brown Street Titusville, PA 16354814­827­3336 800­334­0633

Collins Plumbing& Heating, Inc.Commercial - Residential

Mechanical ServicesInstallation/Repair

(814) 677-0216Leroy Collins

~ ROGER S. VIRGILE M.D. ~Northwest Eye Associates

312 13th StreetFranklin, PA

(814) 437-2444

• Board Certified Ophthalmologist• No stitch, no needle cataract surgery• Laser surgery for diabetics & glaucoma• Diabetic eye exams• Surgical second opinions

AUTO

HOME

BUSINESS

HEALTH/LIFE257 Seneca Street • Oil City

BARRSINSURANCE.COMProtecting The American Dream Since 1873

888-813-7500

R. C. GUSTAFSON

O I L C I T Y, P. A .∑All Work Done in First Class Manner.

Ron GustafsonDBA Gustafson General Contract ing 8 1 4 . 6 7 7 . 5 6 5 8EMAIL: rongus@comcast.net PA HIC License #008085

CITY OPTICAL

Leon S. KulinskiD.M.D.

207 CENTER STREETOIL CITY, PA 16301

676-2705

TOMORROWSBRIDAL FINERYOur Goal Is To Please You

OPEN DAILY 11­5, SAT 10­2:30Other Times Gladly by Appointment.

www.tomorrowsbridal.comLeslie Marshall

(814) 676.6400214 Center St., Oil City, PA 16301

MARK R. GAMMELLO,DMDGENERAL DENTISTRY

1254 Liberty St., Franklin, PA437-1284

gammellodentistry.com

HEADLINEHAIRFULL SERVICE SALON

Lynne Marshall

1047 Allegheny Ave., Suite AOil City, PA 16301

814-677-0404

Donna J. Rapp Michael D. WatsonFinancial Advisor Financial Advisor814-676-1151 814-827-8840

www.edwardjones.comMaking Sense of Investing

LUTZ RADIATOR/AUTOMOTIVE

Air Conditioning / PA InspectionGeneral Repair

346 Seneca St., Oil City677-2095

HONDA - KAWASAKI - SUZUKIYAMAHA - POLARIS

SENECA, PA • 814-676-5721

SHOP ‘n SAVE1015 Buffalo St.

Franklin, PA 16323

814-437-2436Doug Fezell, Store Manager

Oil City Healthcareand

Rehabilitation CenterShort-term rehab, Alzheimer’s Care and Personal Care beds available!

1293 Grandview RoadOil City, PA 16301

814-676-8208

Franklin

COMPLETE EXPRESSO BARTEAS•FOOD•GIFTS

2 W. Front St. • Oil City, PA677-1177

Open Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. M-F 6:30 a.m.Steph & Jim Singer

SPONSOR OF THE WEEKA Special Thank You to

STUBLER DRIVE-THRU BEVERAGESfor sponsoring an ad weekly in the

St. Joseph/St. Stephen Bulletin.

Venango Catholic HS Mr. Brian Slider, M.A.- Acting Headmaster 814-677-3098

Saint Stephen SchoolMr. Michael D. O’Brien, M.Ed.- Principal 814-677-3035

NICOLE’SBridal

F�( '#�*�&&'$(�*���( "�FF�$"�*�*�"$�)!*�()$F

F�$'�)&(*�)$&'(�*��)'!)�!(F�%��� ��%%��

%%%*)�&*�&)&(*� �- �(#(�)�*��%����#'�"!(��$' )!��"�

NB

LITURGY & SACRAMENTAL SCHEDULE

The Oil City CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

and

CHURCHESFather John L. Miller, III, Pastor • Deacon Tim Wren • Msgr. Andy Karg

210 Reed St. • Oil City, PA 16301

saint-stephen-catholic.org814-677-3020Fax 814-678-8841

This SpaceAvailableplease call

814-676-5311

KLAPEC TRUCKING CO.1-800-458-2225

814­676­1512 • FAX 814­676­8854P.O. Box 1278, Oil City, PA

FAMOORE’SFAMILY RESTAURANT, INC.

James E. Monson, President

FINE DINING(814) 676-4789

18 E. 1st St., Oil City, PA 16301

Next to Wal-Mart ◆ 814-676-3662

hospice®

Providing EXCELLENT Hospice Care24/7 Call Us FIRST 800-314-5145

814-836-5255www.AseraCare.com

SAINT JOSEPH & STEPHEN CHURCH OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA MARCH 11, 2018

From the Pastor’s Desk: Today, Sunday, March 11, is our regional Penance Service, at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Church—a great opportunity to cleanse our souls! St. Stephen School received $534.78 from Hoss’s for the “Hoss’s Community Night Fundraiser we had on Feb. 28.” Thank you to all the families, parishioners, and anyone who ate at Hoss’s to support our school! This was the 3rd time we did this during this academic year, and we’ve raised about $1,400! Two weeks ago, I attended a meeting of priests at Gannon University, where the Opioid Task Force for the Diocese made an eye opening presentation on the opioid epidemic. The U.S. government reports that, in 2016 alone: 116 people died each day from opioid related drug overdoses; 948,000 people used heroin; 2.1 million had an opioid use disorder, and a staggering 11.5 million people misused prescription opioids. Did you know that, in Venango County, there were 9 reported deaths in 2016 due to opioid overdose? There is helpful information on the Diocese of Erie’s website, and you can also call for counseling services at Catholic Charities (the CSA helps fund this important ministry) at (814) 456-2091, or you can call the Venango County Substance Abuse Program (located at One Dale Avenue in Franklin) at (814) 432-9744, or (814) 432-9111. Remember the “3 C’s” for family members of someone dealing with addiction: “I didn’t CAUSE it, I can’t CURE it, I can’t CONTROL it.” Mike Guth will be retiring (Unfortunately!) this school year from St. Stephen School, & we are in need of a new Maintenance Director. Here is the job description: 1)Clean & as necessary sanitize the common areas of the school during the school year on a planned schedule to ensure a clean & healthy environment; 2) Clean & refurbish the entire school property each summer to restore the facility to established standards. Manage a crew of seasonal workers to assist with the summer work; 3) Complete routine repairs & coordinate the use of local tradesmen for repairs requiring special expertise; 4)Purchase & manage an inventory of cleaning supplies, hardware, tools & spare parts; 5) Ensure required inspections & reports are completed to comply with governmental & diocesan rules & regulations; 6) Work with the St. Stephen’s Buildings & Grounds Committee to identify & manage annual capital improvement projects; 7) Ensure the school is safe & secure by being aware of people & activities throughout the day & routine checks of doors, windows, lights, locks, alarms, gauges & other safety equipment. Call the Rectory at 677-3020 if you are interested or if you would like to recommend someone. Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs, pray for us. Father Miller Pro-Life Reflection (Fr. Frank Pavone) Sacred Scripture: “If men who are fighting hit a

pregnant woman & she gives birth prematurely, but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined…But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye. –Exodus 21:22-24 Reflection: The phrase, “no serious injury” applies equally to mother & child. According to Hebrew scholar Dr. Gleason Archer, “There is no second class status attached to the fetus under this rule. The fetus is just as valuable as the mother.” Prayer: Lord, as You care for every one of Your children, may we do likewise.

THE PEOPLE IN OUR PARISHES: SINCERE SYMPATHY is offered to the family and friends of John Staub. May he and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who are sick, in nursing homes or hospitalized as well as those who serve us in the military. DONATIONS to St. Stephen 2ND Century Fund were made in memory of Lenore C. Lutz by Karen Jez.; by Isabelle Burneisen & Girls, Geraldine & Viola. FOR Patricia McFadden by Norma Zacherl; Jeanne Zacherl. DONATIONS to St. Joseph Improvement Fund were made in memory of Patricia McFadden by William & Jill Laing. ST. JOSEPH CHURCH STEEPLES will be illuminated the week of March 11th in memory of Emily Ernesty by Dan & Mary Lou Hall & Family.

VOLUNTEER SNEEDED Our Bereavement Ministry is looking for a volunteer to help with a special project for families of parishioners after experiencing a death. For more information or with questions, please call Mary Firster at 676-1219. A Holy Communion Minister (from either church) needed to visit and take Communion to TCU/REHAB Wednesday’s at UPMC. You would be placed on a rotating schedule and may only have to go once/month. Please call Jan Urban at 676-1242 if you can help.

EASTER FLOWER envelopes were included in your monthly packet and should be sent to the rectory by Palm Sunday (March 24th) if you want included in the memorial flyer at Easter.

Our gratitude to those who support the Parishes! Collection for March 3-4, 2018

St. Joseph Church St. Stephen Church Offertory $5,355.00 Offertory $6,848.50 SSS School Fund $ 236.00

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

PENANCE SERVICES Today, Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Church Sunday, March 25 at 4 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Franklin Please take advantage of the times offered to make your Easter duty by either attending a Penance Service (several priests will be available) or individual confessions on Saturday at St. Joseph Church from 3-3:40 p.m.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS 9 a.m. Wednesday’s at St. Venantius, 5:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s & 7 p.m. Friday’s at St. Joseph. During Lent.

EASTER MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil March 31st at 8:45 p.m. at St. Joseph Church Sunday, April 1st at 8 a.m. at St. Stephen Church Sunday, April 1st at 10:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Church

SIGN UP SHEETS for Holy Week and Easter are available inside the breezeway door at St. Joseph’s and in the Sacristy at St. Stephen Church for all ministries (Servers, Greeters, Holy Communion Ministers, Lectors and Ushers). Also, Lectors are needed for each

Mass for Palm Sunday (other ministries scheduled). Please sign up at the church where you volunteer to serve. All are welcome to sign up at either church. BAPTISM Preparation Class will be held this afternoon (Sunday, March 11th) at 1 p.m. in the Social Center at St. Stephen Church.

Faith Formation/Religious Ed. News!! RELIGIOUS EDUCATION classes this week on Sunday (11th) at St. Stephen School from 9:15-10:25 a.m. for ALL GRADES. PARENTS/GUARDIANS...Please look for an email regarding LOCATION CHANGE for Palm Sunday, March 25th. A notice will go home with children at this Sunday’s class also.

CONFIRMATION STUDENTS, PARENTS & SPONSORS: PRACTICE FOR CONFIRMATION is Thursday, March 15 beginning at 6 p.m. at ST. PATRICK CHURCH, Franklin. If your sponsor can

not attend, please send someone to take their place for practice. ARRIVE by 5:50 p.m. PLEASE. Mrs. Wheeler will meet you in the Church. Information regarding attire and photography was sent home March 4th. The SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION is scheduled for March 16, 2018 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Franklin. ALL parishioners are welcome to attend. Let’s pack the house of God with Praise and Thanksgiving! TAX RELIEF RAFFLE: St. Stephen Altar Rosary Society is holding their annual 50/50 tax relief raffle. Tickets are $1/each or 6/$5 and can be purchased from Rosary Members, at the rectory or at the Lenten Lunches on Friday’s in Lent. Drawing will be held Sunday, April 15th. MASS at Oil City Health Care will be held Wednesday (14th) at 10 a.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

LENTEN LUNCHES served every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) at St. Stephen Social Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Take out orders available. Call/text

Evelyn Wheeler at 673-6392 Friday morning between 10-11 a.m. to place an order.

ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL NEWS Lottery tickets for April/May are now on sale. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from student families or at the school. All tickets must be returned by Wednesday, March 28th. Friday, March 16 is a snow make-up day and school will be in session. Save the date for the Palm Sunday “Spring Feast and Fun” (March 25) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a Spaghetti Dinner featuring sauce and meatballs from Luigis Ristorante. There will also be a Chinese Auction, an all school Art Show and a sixth grade Science Fair. The school is in need of substitute teachers. Please contact the school office at 677-3035 for more information.

VCHS NEWS “All you can eat” Lenten Fish dinners are held every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) at Venango Catholic from 5-6:45 p.m. Curb side take outs available. No more waiting in line! Call your order in at 676-9429 on Friday after 3 p.m. Cost is $10.50/adults; $10/seniors, $8/students under 12, $4/preschoolers. Pizza available for $3/slice. Proceeds benefit VC students. BIBLE STUDY on Mark’s Gospel: Join Sister Marian and Sister Tina’s Bible Study Group each Tuesday, morning during Lent (10:15-11:45 a.m.) at Assumption Social Hall. Our study will be on Mark’s Gospel, “Jesus, the Suffering Servant” by Stephen J. Binz. For more information, call 677-2032. All are welcome.

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace, 2401 W. 38th St., Erie. Visit the website

at www.138women.com or call 814-455-7364. There will be speakers, Adoration, Confession & Mass. Fr. Larry Richards will Emcee. Cost is $40, Senior Citizens and Group of 8 or more/$35, College student/$25 and High School students/$10. CATHOLIC HEART Work Camp volunteers will be returning to the Oil City area again this summer (July 23-26). If you need work done at your home (must own), you can pick up an application at the St. Elizabeth Center, Franklin YMCA, Oil City YWCA or Franklin or Oil City Libraries. Adult volunteers are needed. If you can help, call Theresa Zlotnicki at 758-1629. The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday, March 13 from 2-6 p.m. at the K of C Hall, 111 Petroleum St. For an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “Oil City”. Please bring ID. Walk ins welcome! To save time you can visit www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass the day of the drive.

ST. THOMAS MORE, Cranberry, PA will hold a Women’s retreat March 16-18 with Fr. John-Luke on the beauty of womanhood and its challenges in the Book of Revelation.. For overnight accommodations & meals the

suggested donation is $175/person or $265 for mother/daughter. Call Carrie at 676-1910 or you can e-mail info@liturgyofthehours.org. HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY, SATURDAY, MARCH 17th!