48 SOUTH PEARL STREET • NORTH EAST, PENNSYLVANIA 16428 

PARISH OFFICE: 136 W. MAIN ST. • NORTH EAST, PA 16428  Parish Office Phone: 814-725-9691 • Fax: 814-725-1225 Website: www.stgregoryparish.info • Email: [email protected] School Phone: 814-725-4571 • Cemetery Phone: 814-725-9691  OFFICE HOURS: Monday−Thursday: 9AM−3PM; Friday: 9AM−Noon

 MASS SCHEDULE August 8, 2021  Summer Saturday...... 5:00 PM Sunday....7:30, 9:00 & 11 AM  Weekday Mon., Tues. Wed. & Fri.: 8:00 AM  Thursday....12:10 PM   Our Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion following the 8:00 AM Mass on Wednesday  STAFF

Pastor, Rev. Thomas Brooks  Permanent Deacon,  Rev. Mr. Richard Winschel,  Transitional Deacon,  Rev. Mr. Nicholas Fratus  Pastoral Minister, Cindy Riefstahl  Faith Formation Leader, Jennifer Humes  Administrative Assistant, Patti Prindle    Director of Sacred Music, Corey Spacht  School Principal Team:, Ms. Allissa Bowman, Mrs. Amy Kloss, Ms. Nancy Pierce

St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, WonderWorker, inspire us to a more lively faith, hope and charity through prayer, love for God and generous service to God’s people. Amen!  ST. GREGORY THAUMATURGUS CHURCH NORTH EAST, PA  

A Welcoming Family Of Faith Celebrating Our 146th Anniversary In The Heart Of As A Parish Family And The North East, Pennsylvania 96th Anniversary Of Our Church

   SACRAMENT INFORMATION PARISHIONER INFORMATION Baptism M A baptism preparation session is required of all parents We are a welcoming Family of Faith who rejoice in God’s many wishing to have their child(ren) baptized. Parents must preregister blessings! All members of the Parish receive envelopes and parish for the session. Baptisms are celebrated during Mass, following the mailings. St. Gregory Parish is a Sacrificial Giving Parish, commit- last Mass on Sunday, or by special arrangement. Please schedule by ted to serving the Lord through use of Godgiven time, talent and calling the Parish Office. treasure. Please use the membership form in the bulletin or visit the  Parish Office to register. First Reconciliation/Eucharist – Children entering the 2nd & 3rd  grades and who are active in the Faith Formation process (including CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD St. Gregory Parish School children) are eligible to enter the sacra- Children ages 410 are invited to participate in a special Liturgy mental preparation sessions. Sacraments are celebrated in late winter of the Word during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. and spring.   th BULLETIN INFORMATION Confirmation – High School youth who are entering the 11 grade Groups or individuals wishing to have information published in the and who are active in the Faith Formation process or attend a Catho- bulletin are asked to submit the information in writing, by email or lic High School are eligible to enter the Confirmation preparation by phone call by Monday at 1:00 PM.  program. Sessions begin in the fall and Confirmation is celebrated in  the spring.  RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)  Matrimony M Call the Parish Office at least 6 months prior to the Interested in the Catholic Faith? Desire to receive the Sacraments anticipated wedding date. Church date and arrangements should pre- you missed like Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation? The cede all other wedding plans. R.C.I.A. process is meant for you! Please call the Parish Office for  more information. Anointing of the Sick M The Sacrament is available to all those who  are seriously ill or advanced in age. Please call the Parish Office to PRAYER LINE request a visit by the priest. Add your request for prayer by calling Rosemary Repko at 814  6026271 Reconciliation M The sacrament is celebrated weekly on Saturday  from 4:00 M 4:30 PM, or by request. There are two multiparish cel- THE DIOCESE OF ERIE ebrations during Advent and Lent. Including the office for The Protection Of Children and Youth  http://www.eriercd.org/protectyouth.htm   

Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish At A Glance... 

St. Gregory Parish Office St. Gregory Church and Our Mother of  48 South Pearl St. 8147259691 St. Gregory Parish School Perpetual Help Chapel 140 W. Main St. Pastor, Rev. Thomas Brooks 136 W. Main St.  8147254571  St. Gregory Cemetery 8147259691 Fax 8147254572 Permanent Deacon,  Fax 8147251225 West Main St. & Brickyard Rd [email protected] 8147259691 Rev. Mr. Richard Winschel www.stgregoryparish.info www.stgregs.net [email protected]  Dear Members and Friends of the St. Gregory Parish Family, Viva Guadalupe! On Saturday, August 14th, we are honored to host the “Silver Rose,” a wonderful symbol of life and love, on its pilgrimage to different parishes in our area. And what better weekend could there be, my friends, than when Sunday and the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary coincide for one grand celebration of our Blessed Mother and the reminder of our goal to share eternal life with her in the Kingdom! Many thanks to our Knights of Columbus who have made this visit possible and who find such great inspiration in . Now, you may ask yourself, “Just what is the connection between the ‘Silver Rose’ and Our Lady of Guada- lupe?” Well, friends, the answer to that question takes us back to the story of a fellow named who was born in Mexico in the year 1474. Actually, his birth name was “Cuauhtlatoatzin,” which means “the talk- ing eagle.” He didn’t receive his Christian name, Juan, until 1524 when Franciscan began to evangelize the area. He, and his wife Maria, were among the first to be baptized. They were both very dedicat- ed to our Lord, our Blessed Mother, and the Christian way of life. One December day, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Juan was rushing on his way to make it to Mass when he saw a most amazing sight. There, at a spot known as Tepeyac Hill, he saw a beautiful lady, clothed in brilliant light, who introduced herself as “Mary . . . Mother of the true God.” Mary also told Juan that she was the Mother of all who lived in the land and that she had a request. She asked Juan to go to the lo- cal and tell him that she would like to have a chapel built on the site in her honor. Tepeyac Hill had been the location of a former pagan temple. Well, friends, can you imagine going to the Bishop to tell him the Blessed Mother had appeared to you and wanted to have a chapel built? Of course, Bishop Juan de Zumarraga was skeptical and ultimately asked Juan Diego for some kind of a sign that he really had seen the Blessed Mother. Juan told Mary about his visit to the Bishop, and that the Bishop had asked for sign. The Blessed Mother directed Juan to pick roses that were blooming on top of the hill, fill up his tilma (cloak) with them, and present them to the Bishop as the sign he had asked for. Since it was December, Juan had his doubts that there would be any roses to pick, but was surprised to find more than enough to fill his tilma. Arriving at the Bishop’s residence, he opened his tilma, and the beautiful fragrant roses spilled out. The Bishop was totally amazed! Not only at the roses, but at the colorful image of the Blessed Mother that appeared on the fabric of Juan’s tilma! So, friends, I think you can appreciate how the rose and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe relate to one another. As for Juan Diego, who is now St. Juan Diego, Bishop Zumarraga appointed him to be the perma- nent guardian of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Juan was faithful to that mission until his death in 1548. I would certainly recommend that you read more about the life of St. Juan Diego and the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is also a wonderful video you can view if you have signed into FORMED called “Guadalupe M The and the Message.” There’s just so much that we can learn from the life of this faithfilled and all that he experienced! The idea behind the “silver rose” began with the Knights of Colum- bus Council in Monterrey, Mexico. And, it wasn’t silver! The first rose to travel to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was actually a “natural rose,” blessed and presented to commemorate Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses. Since natural roses don’t last a long time, the next rose was bronze, and then silver, a precious metal more representa- tive of Mexico. The history of the “silver rose” is interesting in itself, and also deserves more attention than today’s letter allows. Suffice it to say that the “pilgrimage of the silver rose” really caught on, and that this beautiful symbol has traveled from church to church throughout the United States and the world.  So, then, what does the “silver rose” mean to us as we gather for prayer here at St. Gregory? First of all, friends, it is a reminder of the great faith of devoted people who just wanted to do their best to love and serve God in the same way that Mary did. Juan and his wife Maria well represent all of us who open ourselves to God’s plan and do our best to live good Christian lives. Second, the “silver rose” invites us to consider the pre- cious gift of life; that life is sacred and to be protected from the first moment of conception until natural death.  To remember that “fostering a culture of life” requires both our prayers and our support of all efforts that advo- cate life as our greatest treasure. Third, to remember that a true respect for life means demonstrating an equal care and concern for our sisters of every race, creed, and culture. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is revered today as a sign that we are all, each and every one, children of the Creator God and brothers and sisters in Christ. The Knights’ mantra, “One LifeOne Rose,” helps us to create a wonderful mental image of each and every human person as a beautiful rose to be nurtured, protected and preserved in God’s magnificent garden! The and a brief litany will precede the Mass on Saturday, August 14th. I hope that many of you will elect to arrive by 4:30PM to join in our prayer in honor of our Blessed Mother and in celebration of the gift of life. Our Lady of Guadalupe M pray for us!   Fr. Tom 

 Viva Guadalupe!

The Pilgrimage of the Silver Rose, celebrating Life from conception until natural death, will visit St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church on Saturday, August 14, 2021.  Please join the Knights of Columbus for Rosary and de- votion beginning at 4:30 pm. Mass will begin at the usual 5:00 pm.  The Silver Rose celebrates Mary under the title of Our lady of Guadalupe and her support of life in all stages.  This year’s Rose will conclude it’s pilgrimage at the Bascillica of the Immaculate Conception on December 12th, 2021.  Please join us in praying for Life! 

    How To Access FORMED          To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:    Go to https://signup.formed.org/    Enter our parish’s zip code    Enter your name and your email address   That’s it! You’re in. Now you can get the free FORMED app for your phone by searching FORMED Catholic in your app store. If you are having any difficulty accessing the FORMED services, please do not hesitate to call us at the Parish Office and we will do our best to help. Enjoy and celebrate your faith! ERIE GIVES St. Gregory School Tuesday, August 10, 2021 2021 NFL Football Lottery   Tickets are $5.00 and are good for the Show your support for St. Gregory entire NFL season. Join in the fun and Thaumaturgus School during Erie stop in the parish or school office during business Gives with a donation of $25 or hours and get your tickets today! more and we will receive a prorated match from St. Gregory School Office will mail a check to the the Erie Community Foundation and its sponsors. winners each week!    How Do I Donate Online? On August 10, donors will have 12 hours to make an online minimum donation of $25 to their favorite nonprofit organi- zation (www.eriegives.org). Online donations can be made by credit card through the Erie Gives  website using Visa, MasterCard or Discover.  Please be cautious about  parking too close to the res- To donate to St. Gregory School use the Nonprofit idential driveways on Pearl Search tab on the Erie Gives website or select Street.  from the drop down menu on the donation form Our neighbors there appre- (www.eriegives.org).   ciate your consideration in Thank you for your support! this regard.

   Circle of Hope Grief  Support Group  Let’s Get Ready  For School! will meet in St. Gregory Par-  ish Family Room (lower lev- We have a few student el) on Thursday, August 19, forms left for the Adopt A 2021 at 6:00PM. Those who are grieving the loss of a Student Program for stu- loved one are most welcome dents in the North East to come for Listening, Sharing and Support. School District. They require a new back- pack with clothes suitable for N.E. stu- dents.  If you would like to adopt a student to help them prepare for the new school year, you may obtain a student form in the church Rosary March vestibule or by calling Cindy at the Parish  Office at 8147259691. The Erie Curia of the Legion of Mary is sponsoring  a Rosary March on Saturday, August 21st at  We ask that all filled backpacks be brought St. George Church, 5145 Peach St. in Erie.  to the Parish Office by Wednesday, August Mass, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, will begin 11th. at noon with the March to follow. The Rosary will  also be recited in the church at the same time. Thank you for your kindness  and generosity! St. Gregory School has an opening for an Elemen- tary School Teacher. If interested, please send letter of intent and a resume to [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Clarification from Bishop Lawrence Persico  in preparation for the return of the  obligation to attend Mass   Remember to give to the Collection for  As previously announced, I am reinstating the the Church in America obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and  holy days beginning on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.   The Office of Diocesan and International Mis-  I have heard from a number of parishioners who sions reminds everyone to contribute to the Aug. are particularly concerned about the dispensation 1415 Collection for the Church in Latin Ameri- being lifted just as cases of the Delta variant are be- ca. For many in Latin America and the Caribbe- ginning to surge. By way of clarification, I want to an, a rising secular culture, difficult rural terrain bring the following paragraph from the statement of and a shortage of ministers all present obstacles the of Pennsylvania to your attention: “This to practicing the faith. Your support for the col- obligation, as is always the case, does not apply to lection provides lay leadership training, catech- those who are seriously ill, have a serious health esis, priestly and religious formation, and other risk, as well as those who have serious anxiety of programs. Please be generous to this special col- being a part of large groups at this time. Likewise, lection. the obligationJanuary does not28 apply to those who care for those who cannot attend Mass in person (Catechism of the , no. 2181).   The Knights of Columbus Baby Bottle Campaign  Those who are legitimately excused from Mass was a success, even with fewer bottles handed on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend out. time in prayer, meditating on the death and resurrec- The Knights of Columbus would like to express tion of the Lord, reading the Sacred Scriptures, and their gratitude for your generosity. $1,640.00 was uniting themselves to Christ in his worship of the collected. These funds will be donated to the Father of us all. Those who are legitimately excused Women’s Care Center for ultrasound imaging are also encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass equipment. Thank you St. Gregory parishioners! which is intended for those who cannot participate in person.

The Eucharistic Rosary will be prayed on Monday, Please call Rose at 8146026271 if you August 9th, at 11:00 AM in the Our Mother of Per- would like someone added to the Prayer petual Help Chapel in the rectory.  Chain. All are welcome. NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 8, 2021 WEEKLY OFFERTORY COLLECTION July 31/Aug 1, 2021

   Envelopes Mailed596    Regular Envelopes Used98 MONDAY, August 9 Amount in Adult's Envelopes$6,538.00 8:00 AMMRobert RiefstahlKnights of Columbus Loose$317.00  TUESDAY, August 10   Building Maintenance$427.00 8:00 AMM Ann ColettaM Charles M. Ollinger Family Electronic Giving $773.30  TOTAL ……….………...... $8,055.30 WEDNESDAY, August 11 Fiscal yeartodate offertory collection...... $35,423.50 8:00 AM MDr. George Moylan, Jr.M Ken & Mary Jean Hitz Fiscal yeartodate offertory budget…...... $38,461.55  THURSDAY, August 12 12:10 PMM Patty ScoutenMitzi Keough  FRIDAY, August 13  8:00 AM MMichael MercurioM Family 

SATURDAY, August 14  5:00 PMM Frank FilutzeAlan & Mary Demmick     SUNDAY, August 15, The Solemnity of the Assumption  of the Blessed Virgin Mary  7:30 AMParishioners Living & Deceased   9:00 AMRobert RiefstahlMrs. Lori Helffrich and St. Many thanks for the recent gifts to the  Gregory School Students St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish  Perpetual Endowment Fund: 11:00 AMM Robert, Lucille & Carol RickrodeFamily In loving memory of   Nancy Jobczynski from

 Joyce Uglow; Chris Rodrigues; A Friend  Your gifts; current, planned, or deferred; are greatly  The SANCTUARY LAMP is burning this appreciated! week in honor of  The Blessed Sacrament and in memory of Virginia Piazza Fletcher by 

her brother John Piazza  Please remember our deceased in your prayers…  Janet Rizzo and Gordon Maas(father of Darryl (Sue) Maas)  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

 Confessions will be heard on Saturday 

from 4:004:30 PM. 

  St. Gregory Church Membership Form (Please drop Membership Form into the offertory basket or mail to Parish Office)   Name______Phone______ □ New Registration  □ Change of Address  Address______ □ Moving out of Parish  □ Want Envelopes OLLINGER Ball Pavilion Ed Rickrode’s Short Term Rehab 814-899-9900 PLUMBING, HEATING Long Term Nursing Care Barber & Styling & AIR CONDITIONING Barnabas Court EADES INSURANCE AGENCY Licensed Personal Care, Ralph H. Eades Ed Rickrode, Owner Residential • Commercial Residency & Independent Quality Installations 5416 East Lake Road Living. Auto, Home, Life, Business & Service Erie, PA 16511 814-899-8999 814-899-8600 Conrad House 725-2222 2250 East 33rd Street 899-2809 www.brevillier.org Independent Living [email protected] 3311 Buffalo Rd, Erie Erie, PA 16510 John E. Dudzinski, D.O. Philip C. DeVore D.O. Board Certified Family Practice 115 East Main “Health For the Whole Family” 716-736-7637 www.northeastnurses.com Parishioner Call 725-8774 For an appointment 10775 W. Lake Rd, Ripley, NY William D. Elkin Funeral Home Knights of Columbus 65 South Lake Street LET US St. Alphonsus Ligouri Council #4262 725-4511 PLACE YOUR Charity Unity Timothy P. Elkin, F.D. • William D. Elkin, F.D. AD HERE. Fraternity Patriotism Pre-Arrangements Available Contact the Rectory for information Rizzo’s Contracting Roofing Hand Nailed Roofs for over 46 years! Roofing/Siding • General Contracting Additions • Lead Paint Certified 92 South Lake Street North East, PA 16428 CALL US FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATES 725-4505 725-5646 / 449-7396 www.bowersfuneralhome.com

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