REFLECTING ON THE WORD
I remember a book from years ago called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum. At the outset, the author listed numerous sayings from his childhood that articulated attitudes, values, and practices for living a satisfying life. Such things as taking another's hand while crossing the street and always saying thank you come to mind. From my own list I remember "Wash your hands." I was convinced that my parents obsessed over germs.
Listening to our Gospel today, you could get the impression that the Pharisees also obsessed over germs with all the fuss over cleaning hands, cups, jugs, kettles, and even beds! But the real tension here is between keeping or ignoring the "traditions of the elders." So when the religious laymen of Jesus' day-the Pharisees (the word itself means "the separate ones")-complained, they were perceived as taking the traditions of the law very seriously, whereas Jesus' disciples came across as clueless about the niceties of the law of Moses.
Nevertheless, Jesus gets right to the point. Calling the Pharisees and scribes hypocrites, he goes on to name the real problem-not pots and pans or unclean hands, but escaping into externals rather than practicing what is at the heart of their religion: true love of God and neighbor. Jesus knew that God is not as caught up in the dirt on one's hands as with the corruption of one's spirit. So called "religious" people could be careful about the cleanliness of their cutlery but totally oblivious to the neglect of the needy, even their own parents-all in the name of God.
Not what goes in, but what comes out is what renders a person unworthy before God. So conduct an inventory of what's being held in storage within.
Taken from: LIVING THE WORD, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days, Dennis Sylva and James Wallace.
August 30, 2009
Sunday August 16, 2009 Offerings:
$8785.00
Religious Education
Don't forget to register your child for Religious Education! Forms may be downloaded on the parish website. Completed forms should be returned to the religious education mail slot in the pastoral center. Classes begin September 20th.
Any teen wishing to help this year with Religious Education classes should contact Gina Musser or Jamie Dillon ASAP.
Youth Ministry
Sat. Sept. 5th at 5:00 will be our monthly youth mass. All Middle School and High School youth (and their families) are encouraged to attend.
After mass we will host an acoustic concert in the yard by the grotto. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket to enjoy a fleeting summer evening.
MINISTRY OF PRAISE
In preparation for a new prayer list, please put your prayer requests in the "Ministry of Praise" boxes in the vestibules of the Church. If you would like to join the prayers, please put your name and address in the boxes and you will be mailed a prayer list. Prayer requests may also be mailed to Mary Smith 304 3rd Street #2, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.
MARRIED COUPLES
Getting ready for school means lots of time spent on your children. After school begins, why not give yourselves some time together? Make a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend!. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held September 23-25 at Seven Spring Resort in Champion, PA. An additional weekend is scheduled for November 13-15 at Bishop Connaire Center in Greensburg. For more information or to register, contact Mary & Lou Locante at (412) 635-7775 or check us out on the web at wwme-pittsburgh.org.
WOMEN'S CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE STUDY
Please consider joining us for an in-depth study of The Acts of the Apostles that will run September through May on Tuesdays from 1-3p.m. The first class is Tuesday, September 8 at St. Scholastica Parish Hall. Registration fee is $50 which covers all materials needed for the 28 week class. For more information and to register contact Mary Wilson at 412-963-1931or wilson203f@msn.com. Registration deadline is August 31.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DEPAUL (SVDP)
Thanks to the generous contributions of our parishioners, SVdP may be able to provide temporary financial assistance for payment of rent, utilities, food, medical, etc. Especially during these difficult economic times, please know that we are here for you. Although we cannot provide ongoing support, we may be able to give a short-term helping hand to anyone in our geographical area regardless of religious affiliation. Please call the parish office and leave your name, address and phone number.
COME AND SEE
Are you curious about the Catholic Church? Have you been attending Mass with your spouse and want to investigate taking the next step? Do you want to look into the possibility of living as a Catholic? Plan to attend an information session on Wednesday evening, September 9 at 7:30 in Marsico Library in the Ministry Center. You will learn a little about Catholicism and about the process the Church uses to help people discern whether they want to become Catholics. You can also raise any questions you have in a friendly, open environment. Attending this meeting imposes no further obligation or commitment. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you know in advance that you would like to attend, please inform Andy Bechman at 412-781-0186, Ext. 18, or by e-mail: abechman@verizon.net.
AQUINAS GUILD
Aquinas Guild Members will be celebrating their 70th year beginning with 9:00 Mass on
Sunday, September 20. Brunch at Cornerstone Restaurant, 301 Freeport Road, Aspinwall
will follow. The cost of brunch is $20.00. Please make your reservations and mail your
check made out to Aquinas Guild to Shelley Peconi, 317 Hallsborough Drive, Pgh., 15238, (412-963-1607)
as soon as possible.
Children's Liturgy Resumes
Children's Liturgy of the Word resumes Sunday, September 13. Children ages 4-10, join our kid-friendly interpretation of the Scriptures during the readings, gospel and homily at the 9 a.m. Mass. Follow the children to the Pastoral Center! Adults interested in serving as volunteers (2-3 times per season) and older youth who'd like to help should contact Natalie Gillespie (natalie@brilliantave.com or 412-782-3943)
Saturday, Vigil of the Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 29
5:00 pm Special Intentions (Certo Family)
Presider: Fr. Sean Hogan
Sunday, Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 30
7:30 am For the People of St. Scholastica
Presider: Fr. Robert Duch
9:00 am Paul Gibson (Richard White Family)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
11:00 am Eugene Becker (Patty & Ron Hopkinson)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Monday, Weekday, August 31
8:30 am Helen & Thomas Quinlan
(McGuinness Family)
Tuesday, Weekday, September 1
8:30 am Walter & Clare Lind (Family)
Wednesday, Weekday, September 2
8:30 am Catherine Childs (Family)
Thursday, Gregory the Great, pope & doctor, September 3
8:30 am Annv. Frederick C. Duffy, MD (Rick)
Friday, Weekday, September 4
8:30 am Louis Kopec (Bonessa Family)
Saturday, Weekday, September 5
9:00 am Franklin Conflenti (Evelyn Conflenti)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Saturday, Vigil of the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 5
5:00 pm Birthday, Marietta Wolenter
(Charles Wolenter)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Sunday, Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 6
7:30 am For the People of St. Scholastica
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
9:00 am Jonathan Marsico (Tish Marsico)
Presider: Fr. Robert Duch
11:00 am Mervosh Family (Ted & Anna Mae Phillips)
Presider: Fr. Sean Hogan
SACRAMENTS
INFANT BAPTISM is celebrated at noon on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Please make arrangements with the parish secretary at least 2 weeks prior to the desired date.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? R.C.I.A. is the process which enables adults to become initiated into the Church. Call the pastor for information.
RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) is celebrated at
St. Scholastica Parish on Saturdays after 9:00 a.m. Mass. For your convenience, the parishes in our cluster have the following opportunities for reconciliation:
St. Joseph Parish has Sat. reconciliation from 3:30-4:00.
Madonna of Jerusalem has reconciliation on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:45 and Saturday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
HOLY COMMUNION is available for those who are sick or confined to their homes. Please call Fr. Ken for assistance.
NEW PARISHIONERS ARE MOST WELCOME! Please call
Fr. Ken or Sr. Pat.
PARISH CONTACTS
St. Scholastica Church
309 Brilliant Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Phone Number: 412-781-0186
Extension
Parish Office Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 10
Website Address: www.saintscholastica.com
E-mail address: parish@saintscholastica.com
Fax Number: 412-781-4316
Submissions for bulletin items are due by Noon on Mondays
Rev. Kenneth White Pastor, M.Th., M.Ed. 14
frken@saintscholastica.com
Sr. Patricia Baker, C.D.P. 17
Director of Music/Bereavement
Patbakercdp@saintscholastica.com
Mr. Andrew Bechman, M.Ed. 18
Director of Adult Religious Education & R.C.I.A.
abechman@verizon.net
Mrs. Gina Musser 21
Program Director for Religious Education
gmusser1@yahoo.com
Mrs. Jamie Dillon, M.S., M.A., R.R.T. 20
Director of Catholic Youth Ministry & Religious Education
jamiedillon@comcast.net
Sr. Marilyn Hoeing, O.S.F. 22
Coordinator of pastoral care to Catholic Patients at St. Margaret
Marilynhoeingosf@saintscholastica.com
Mrs. Chrissy Morton 24
Bookkeeper
financeoffice@saintscholastica.com
Mrs. Mary Swindal 412-781-0186 Extension 10
Coordinator of The Protection of Children
Toll-free Victim's Assistance Hotline 1-888-808-1235
Christ The Divine Teacher Catholic Academy 412-781-7927
Sister Dorothy Dolak S.C.N. - Principal
E-mail address: CDTCA@consolidated.net
To schedule use of pastoral facilities, call the Parish Office (Monday–Friday) 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
