REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Focus on God's agenda, not your own. This message could be the link between the reading from the book of Numbers and the Gospel. When Joshua gets upset at the two men who are suddenly prophesying and wants Moses to stop them, Moses asks "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people were prophets!" (Number 11:29) And Jesus responds to his disciple John, also upset that someone outside their group was casting out demons in Jesus' names, that "whoever is not against us is for us" (Mark 9:40)
Both Jesus and Moses recognized that God's spirit blows where it will: it sometimes ends up in the strangest places, working through very unexpected people. At the same time, no one can presume that the Spirit will always be working through a particular group or the proper channels. We must be careful of trying to box in or corrall the spirit of God.
Being on the inside is no guarantee. Thus, we get Jesus' hard words about cutting off a hand or a leg or plucking out an eye rather than letting it cause us to sin and be cast into Hell. Most say this is hyperbole, Middle Eastern exaggeration. I think Jesus is calling his disciples to look honestly at their lives and face whatever it is that leads them away from God. "Deal with it," he says. We must always watch what we hold, the path we choose to walk, the vision that guides us.
Those on the inside can lose sight of, lose touch with, go off the path that takes us to the kingdom. And they can take others with them. What matters is that God's work be done. God will see to it; don't get in the way.
Taken from: LIVING THE WORD, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days, Dennis Sylva and James Wallace.
September 27, 2009
Sunday September 13, 2009 Offerings:
$10,545
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Catechists needed: We find ourselves in urgent need a kindergarten catechist for Sundays. If you can help full or part time please contact Jamie Dillon.
We also need some adults or senior adults to act as substitutes. Please contact Jamie Dillon if you are willing to help!
Our first MEGA meeting for Confirmation Preparation is Sunday Oct. 4th at noon in the pastoral center. This is for candidates and a parent.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Saturday Oct. 3rd is our next Youth Mass at 5PM. Singers and musicians should report at 3:30 for rehearsal. After mass we are going on the Bushy Run Battlefield Haunted Hay ride. Tickets are $8.00 per person but you must RSVP by Thursday! Home study families are especially invited to this mass!
Habitat for Humanity: Sat. Oct. 3rd we will be working with Habitat for Humanity. All teens are welcome. Adult chaperones/drivers are also needed. RSVP by THURSDAY. 8:30-2:00.
LIFE CHAIN
Life Chain is a peaceful public witness of pro-life people standing for one hour praying for our nation and for an end of abortion. Please join us and be a visual statement that abortion kills children and we support the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception. The local Life Chain will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Rt. 8 in Etna from Kittanning St. to Grant Ave. The signs and parking will be available at Grant Ave. and Rt 8. Families welcome. Please help us make this our biggest Chain yet!
FALL FLING
Make sure to save the date for St. Scholastica's Annual Fall Fling to be held on Friday, November 13, 2009!! Invitations will be mailed to all parishioners by the end of September. Be sure to look for yours in the mail! Donations are currently being accepted for the Silent and Chinese Auctions. If you have an item or service that you would like to donate, please contact Joanne Saunders at 412-963-8319. Proceeds from this event will benefit Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy.
Mom uplifting Moms (MUMs)
Moms Uplifting Moms begins scripture study on Monday September 28, 2009 at 9:30AM at the Parish Center. Moms can relax in prayer and study as older moms provide loving care of their children.
CALLING ALL PETS
Please join us for an "Animal Blessing" of our beloved pets on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 1:00 pm at St. Scholastica Church. The event is hosted by the Environmental Club from Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy. All household pets are welcome.
Late Nite Catechism
Coming to St. Maurice
Clear your calendar for Friday Night, October 16th when St. Maurice presents Late Nite Catechism straight from the New York City stage. Tickets are available at the Parish Center 412-271-0809 or online at www.entertainmentevents.com .
Tickets are $30 general admission or $35 reserved seating.."Sister's Pet" section.
Catholic Charities Benefit
Catholic Charities invites you to enjoy Johnny Angel and the Halos in concert October 9, 7:30 p.m. at Central Catholic High School. The proceeds benefit our clients with emergency requests for food, clothing, and help with utility bills through the Catholic Charities' Basic Needs Assistance program. It's guaranteed fun so get your tickets today. Tickets are only $25 and are available in advance or at the door. Call 412-456-6968 or go online at www.ccpgh.org for more information to buy your tickets. Admission is free for children 12 and under.
AUTUMN SONG LUNCHEON AND FASHIONS
Please mark your calendar for this annual Aquinas Guild event on Saturday, October 17 at the Pittsburgh Field Club. Proceeds will support church and community activities and world relief projects. Invitations have been mailed to parishioners. If you did not receive one, tickets are $35, available through Mary Ellen Maher at 412-767-5863. Donations are gratefully accepted for the auctions and baskets. Tickets to sporting, theatrical or musical events, weekend get-aways, golf or dining experiences are especially prized. If you have a donation, please contact Sue Goodwin at 412-967-0791 or Boo Benckart at 412-968-0828
Saturday, Vigil of the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 26
5:00 pm Lawrence X. Sullivan M.D. (Family)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Sunday, Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 27
7:30 am Frank & Stephanie McClelland
(Salerno Family)
Presider: Fr. Robert Duch
9:00 am For the People of St. Scholastica
Presider: Fr. Sean Hogan
11:00 am Paul Gibson (Richard White Family)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Monday, Wenceslaus, martyr; Lawrence Ruiz, martyr, & his companions, martyrs, September 28
8:300 am Minnie Caldro (Angeline Asturi)
Tuesday, Michael, Gabriel & Rachael, archangels, September 29
8:30 am Annv. Rosalie J. Costa-Clarke
(Antoinette Costa & Family)
Wednesday, Jerome, priest & doctor, September 30
8:30 am Nora McNally (Family)
Thursday, Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin & doctor, October 1
8:30 am Angeline Obringer (The Scanlon Family)
Friday, Guardian Angels, October 2
8:30 am J. Teddy Simons (Patricia G. Snyder)
Saturday, Weekday, October 3
9:00 am Andrea Certo (Family)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Saturday, Vigil of the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 3
5:00 pm Gerard Santarcangelo (Wife and Family)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
Sunday, Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 4
7:30 am For the People of St. Scholastica
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
9:00 am Marie & Richard Welsh (Welsh Family)
Presider: Fr. Sean Hogan
11:00 am Jane Garvey Wentley (Patrica G. Snyder)
Presider: Fr. Kenneth White
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.