Welcome to Sts. Gregory & Barnabas Parish United In Christ Nਁਔਉਖਉਔਙ ਏਆ Sਔ. Jਏਈ਎ Tਈਅ Bਁਐਔਉਓਔ Jਕ਎ਅ 24, 2018 Pastor MISSION STATEMENT Rev. Robert L. Ruston As Catholic Christians, we will live to serve God and each other. And do His will as one family united in Faith. We will teach, serve, and be an example to the youth of the parish that they will come to a full understanding of Christ and His plan for their lives. We will nurture the gifts and talents of all parish members and use them wisely for the glory of God. We will compassionately implement the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy for those in our Parish, Diocese and throughout the world. Through the Daily Mass: celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we affirm our Communion with (See inside for locations) Christ and each other. All are welcome. 8:00AM Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday 6:30PM Thursday Weekend Liturgy:

Saturday: 4:00PM (Daisytown) Sunday: 8:00AM (Bon Air)

10:00AM (Daisytown)

When the me arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah aer 120 Boltz Street his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 408 Luzon Avenue ‐ Lk 1:57, 59‐60 Johnstown, PA 15902 Phone: 814-536-6818 Reconciliation: Saturday: Noon—12:30PM (Daisytown)

EMAIL: Saturday: 3:15—3:45PM (Daisytown) [email protected] Sacrament of Baptism: Parents are to be examples to their children by being regis- tered, active members of the Parish. Please call the rectory office to make arrangements. Office Hours: Monday - Friday Sacrament of Marriage: Couples planning to marry are to make arrangements at least 8:00AM - 2:00PM nine months prior to their wedding date. Diocesan Guidelines regarding Marriage Prep- aration must be followed. The Catholic party/parties is/are to be registered, active members in the parish. Anointing of the Sick: Please call the church office if you have a family member or Visit us on the WEB! friend in the hospital who would like to receive the Sacraments. The homebound and www.ssgregbar.org parishioners in nursing homes should also receive the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Communion. Join us on Facebook! Parish Membership: New members are always welcome! If you are moving into, within, or out of the Parish, please call the Rectory Office and let us know. http://www.facebook.com/ groups/SSGregoryBarnabas/ Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): All who would like more information about membership in the Roman Catholic Church are invited to call the Church Office. Welcome to Sts. Gregory & Barnabas Parish June 24, 2018

Family members are asked to present Offertory Gifts WEEKLY SCHEDULE MASS SCHEDULE (Mass Stipend $10) at weekend masses being offered for their loved ones. Sunday, June 24th M (SG) 8:00AM Agnes Neisner by Mr. & Mrs. Bob Sweeney Nativity of St. John the Baptist T (SB) 8:00AM Michael Kohan–Anniversary by Family W (SG) 8:00AM Vera “Sis” Partsch by Ron & Patty Schellhammer Wednesday, Fr. Bob’s Day off T (SG) 6:30PM Louis Kopler by Mike & Barb Bozic

F (SB) 8:00AM Leona Flowers–Anniv. By Stephanie, Kathy & Donna Kowalczyk Next Sunday, July 1st 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time S (SG) 4:00PM David Schmadel by Linda & Deb Moschgat S (SB) 8:00AM For The People PETERS PENCE (SG) 10:00AM Tom Gaidosh–Birthday by Pam & Bill Moot

Next week, we will take the Pe- Liturgical Reflection… ter’s Pence Collection, which The name John means “the Lord has been generous”. Indeed God had been abun- provides Pope Francis with the dantly generous to Elizabeth and Zechariah, elderly parents who had lost hope in funds he needs to carry out his conceiving a child in their old age. God had certainly favored them. And the child charitable works around the grew and became strong in spirit. The greatest prophet who would announce Jesus world. The proceeds benefit our as the Lamb of God! At each Mass we hear the Baptist proclaim, “Behold the brothers and sisters on the mar- Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” We celebrate gins of society, including vic- the generosity of God towards us. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Liturgy Office tims of war, oppression, and dis- WHY DO WE DO THAT? asters. Please be generous. For CATHOLIC TRADITIONS EXPLAINED more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence. Question: June 24 celebrates the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. How was that date cho- sen and why?

Answer: The date set for John the Baptist’s birth only came into existence once the date to celebrate Jesus’ birth was set. Evidence shows that by the middle of the fourth century Christians were celebrating the birth of Jesus around December 25. No one at that time knew when Jesus was born, but the date seemed to be selected to counter the Roman festival to the sun god. Once December 25 had been selected for the birth of Jesus, a number of other dates could be set, using the biblical evidence at hand. When the angel appeared to Mary and she conceived, her cousin, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was in her sixth month. If Jesus was born on December 25, then he had to be conceived nine months before, on March 25. If Eliz- abeth was then in her sixth month, then John the Baptist was due three months later on June A LOOK AT WHATS AHEAD 25. Then why June 24? A rather convincing reason stems from John’s witness in John’s Gospel. 6/14‐6/20 Office Closed—Vacaon There John the Baptist says that Jesus must increase and he, John, must decrease. The other 6/19 In Stches 6:30PM/RB Gospels also have John point to Jesus and not himself as the chosen one of God. In making 6/21 Summer Begins! John’s birth a day less than Jesus’ full nine months, the Christian community communicated 7/4 Independence Day—4th of July this Gospel reality in its liturgical calendar. Thus the Christian community continued to high- light John’s mission and ministry. Maybe we could strive toward that same mission in our own lives.

Members of Purgatorial Society Oct. 2017‐Sept. 2018 Jan. 2018‐Dec. 2018 Mar. 2018 ‐ Feb. 2019 Charlotte Costlow John & Albina Sweltz Joey Vogel Norman Costlow Edward & Sophie Utnik Isabel Vogel Mary Torok James Utnik William & Dorothy Milavec Frank Torok Dorothy Mesaros Jamey Petrick Anna Elka Apr. 2018 ‐ Mar. 2019 Carole E. Vogel Aug. 2017 ‐ July 2018 Sept. 2017‐Aug. 2018 Teri Rosenbaum James Fisher May 2018 ‐ April 2019 Dorothy O'Leary Andrew & Margie Martinec Jack & Dorothy Heller Joseph Kralik FROM THE DESK OF FATHER BOB HOSPITALIZED

Once again as a Church we have entered a liturgical season called “Ordinary Time” Kay Kormanik which perhaps brings to our mind words like “boring” or “dull”. The liturgical color of green, however, reminds us this is a season of growth in our call to discipleship. We PLEASE, if you have a loved one ad- do celebrate this weekend the birth of John the Baptist which is a reminder that our mitted to the hospital or nursing home families can be powerful indicators of the paths we will eventually take in this life. contact the office. The hospital may Those who teach for a living often have children in the teaching profession. The same take your church information, but we is true of police officers and firefighters, for our family environment often shapes who are not always notified. Fr. Bob likes we are and who we will become. to get to the hospital in a timely man- ner, but cannot if he doesn’t know. Thanks for your help. In the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist that we celebrate this weekend, the evangelist Luke tells us about the familial relationship between Elizabeth and Mary, making Jesus and John the Baptist cousins. Both were charismatic preachers, attract- PRAYER CHAIN ing crowds, challenging the religious and political leaders of their time and place, and Do you know someone who needs pray- both ultimately paying the price for their words and actions. It has also been stated that ers? Please contact Debbie Washington at the family is the “domestic church”. It is there that children first learn the faith, what is 536-3616 or [email protected] to important and what should be a priority in their journey of life. How a family acts in- place a name on the parish Prayer Chain! dicates their priorities, and unfortunately in our time and place, Church, God, and Dis- Boxes for requests are also located in the cipleship are not part of the agenda of their lives. vestibules of our worship sites.

Because St. John is considered the great bearer of the news that the promised “light of PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE FOR the ages” has come into this world, we are reminded on this feast that we are the ALL SERVING IN THE MILITARY “bearers of that Light” in our time and place in history. How bold are we in proclaim- ing the “good news” of our salvation outside the confines of our places of worship? Ryan Wood, Army; CDR. Nathan S. Faith does not demand that we put our doubts aside but offers us a lens through which Brezovic, US Navy; Fr. Frantisek Hal- to see the small, hidden ways God still acts in our midst and how God often works ka, Army; Major David Dietz, Army; through each of us, despite our doubts and inability to readily see and understand. In Petty Officer Tony Pinkas, Navy; Sec- our own baptisms we accepted God’s call to be heralds of Christ the light of God, as ond Infantry Brigade & Det 1, Compa- well as to be the prophets of God’s word of justice, compassion, and peace. Despite ny C, 2nd 104th; Navy Corpsman Mari- the “deserts” we often wander through on our journeys of this life, we also embrace na J. Sumrada, Annapolis (MD) Naval Academy Hospital the promise that our God is a God of limitless and unconditional love that makes even the “deserts” of our lives blossom with hope. Please contact the parish office (536-6818) if we need to add or re- move any of our military personnel June 24, 2018 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist from this list. Thank you. Tiny fingers and toes. A little yawn. A loud cry. An infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. “What will this child be?” It is a question every parent BUS TRIP UPDATE: (SOLD OUT) asks time and time again. As first steps are taken, as personalities emerge, as a child shows interest in reading or drawing or climbing, the question is on our lips. “What will this child be?” This question is asked as John the Baptist is born. Will he be a priest like his father? Does his strange, unexpected Sight & Sound: JESUS name signal a departure from that inheritance? Could Elizabeth and Zechari- August 31st at 3PM ah ever have predicted what would be? Dinner Hershey Farm Under the tutelage of his priestly father, John “became strong in spirit.” As an adult, John would retreat into the desert to preach repentance. Payments due by July 30, 2018 He would attract a large following and eventually attract the attention of the Adults $123—Children $78 rulers of the day. He would point out the adulterous ways of King Herod and would find himself in prison. Eventually, he would be beheaded. But today, SAVE THE DATE!! he is a child, an infant newly born. August 6‐10 On this special feast, we’re reminded of the great humility required of parents. The character formation, the discipline and encouragement, the violin lessons and soccer practices … every parental effort is subjected to the RAE decisions of the child themself. Even children on a sure track by high school graduation transform under life’s circumstances. Entrusting our children to God can be incredibly intimidating. “What will this child be,” especially when that transformation lies outside of my control? John the Baptist’s story might not have ended as his parents imagined. But he is celebrated as the greatest of the prophets, as the one who prepared the way for the Messiah. Here is the MOE hope of all Christian parents — that our children would be raised in such a way that when people meet them, they meet Jesus Christ. Families and the Gospel FINANCIAL NEWS June 24 Luke 1:57-66, 80 Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 Decisions shape our lives. In today’s gospel Elizabeth and Offertory Totals for the week of June 17, 2018 Zechariah decided to name their son John as the Lord had instructed them. Their neighbors thought they were crazy and Weekly Offering $2,204 “talked about them all throughout the hill country.” We face Misc. Income $216 Weekly Needs $5,000 similar decisions: to follow the will of God or the comfort of our culture. If we don’t live as we believe then we will soon Votive Candles $44 6-17 $2,534 believe as we live. Building Fund $25 (Over/under) $2,466 IN THE COMMUNITY: Fuel $10 Visit the Jewels of Eastern Europe Father’s Day $30 TV Proclaim $10 Fr. Brian Saylor will hold an informational meeting for a Peter’s Pence $5 trip to Budapest, Prague, Vienna, and Poland Thursday, June 28th at 7:00 PM in the St. Rose Rectory (5514 Total $2,534 CMD 2019: $148 Roselawn Avenue, Altoona, PA). Trip Dates: Jun 01-14, 2019. Cost: $4,600.00 including air. For more infor- mation or a brochure please feel free to call (814) 944- LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE 8509 or email: [email protected]. Liturgy June 23/24 June 30/ July 1st July 7/8 A Virtual Visit to Biblical Lands – On Thursday, July 19, St. John the Evangelist Parish is planning a bus trip to 4PM Lector: D. Stroz Washington, DC, where we will visit the new Museum of D EM: B P. Harteis the Bible, as well as the National Geographic Museum. A (B: Bread) C visit to the Museum of the Bible makes the Holy Land (C: Cup) C come alive, and at the Museum for National Geographic, Servers: we will experience an exhibition entitled the “Tomb of 8AM Lector: Moot MB D.-Rykala MB. D-Rykala Christ,” which takes us on a 3-D photographic journey BA EM: B Moot MB D.-Rykala MB. D-Rykala into the very heart of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in C Moot Jerusalem. We will be departing at 7:00 from our parking C lot, and returning by 11. The cost is $90 per person, which includes travel in a luxury coach, admission to both muse- Servers: ums, and dinner on the way home. For more information, 10AM Lector: J. Kopco or to make reservations, please call the St. John’s at 942- D EM: B J. Kopco 5503. All are most welcome! C B. Sweeney M. Krawczyk C

Servers: J & J Dietz

“A sasfied flower is one On The Lighter Side whose petals are about to A Rock and a Hard Place fall. The most beauful rose is A priest, an evangelist, and a minister were in a row boat in the middle of a pond fishing. one hardly more than a bud None of them had caught anything all morning. After a while, the evangelist stood up and said he needed to go to the bathroom. So he wherein the pangs and ecsta- climbed out of the boat and walked on the water to shore. He came back ten minutes sies of desire are working for later the same way. Then the minister decided he needed to go to the bathroom, too. He climbed out of the a larger and finer growth.” boat and walked on the water to shore. He, too, came back the same way ten minutes ‐ Carl Sandburg later. The priest looked at both of them and decided that his faith was just as strong as his fish- Reprinted with permission from: Apple Seeds, ing buddies and that he could walk on water, too. He stood up and excused himself. As he stepped out, he made a big splash down into the water. The evangelist looked at the minister and said, "I suppose we should have told him June 30th & July 1st Pierogies will where the rocks were." be sold aer masses.

Marn Oil Company is offering a Summer Group Delivery & Church Payback Pro‐ gram. They are offering our church and our parishioners two valuable opportuni‐ es to save money while helping the church at the same me.

First, there is a summer group deliver price on heang oil. This special discounted price makes it a great me to fill your own tank. $6 per dozen (55 dozen le) Second, Marn Oil will give our church $.02 per gallon a church member buys from

To order please leave a message Marn Oil. If you are interested please give Ron Smith a call at 814‐471‐2783 and he will be for Janet Pribish at 539‐3449. happy to answer all your quesons. I D www.dioceseaj.org

N F P Does your method of family planning…strengthen your emotional intimacy with your spouse?...work with (not against) the gift of your fertility?...nurture a loving relationship with God and the Church?...increase your self-respect and growth as a person/couple? The Billings Method of NFP (www.boma-usa.org or www.familyplanning.net) is the result of decades of scientific re- search by medical researchers. NFP honors the Church’s respect for the unitive and procreative purpose of married love-making. If you haven’t checked out NFP, you haven’t made an informed choice. Certified diocesan instructors are located throughout our diocese. Intro- ductory presentations to groups also available. Contact our diocesan Family Life Office, 814-886-5551; [email protected] FAITH & LIGHT – Sharing Faith & Friendship with Intellectual Disabled Persons A faith sharing group which also includes family members, caregivers, friends. Meets monthly, Sundays, 1:00-4:00 pm at a handicap accessible location. Call Gaye (814) 472-7317 or Family Life Office (814) 886-5551. www.faithandlight.org; www.faithandlightusaeast.org I ? There is hope through Retrouvaille, a Christian peer ministry. Retrouvaille (French for “rediscovery”) is Catholic, but open to all couples. See www.retrouvaille.org; for brochure or to talk to couples in our diocese who have used Retrouvaille contact diocesan Family Life Office (814) 886-5551 or [email protected] Your marriage is meant to be a Sacra- ment—a source of life and energy. You owe it to yourself to heal. K 5 10 ? A son or daughter, sibling, niece or nephew, or you yourselves...Bishop Mark has a message for you! To receive this letter, send the couple’s name, mailing address, email and whether married 5 or 10 years to the Family Life Of- fice, 5379 Portage St., Lilly, PA 15938; 814-886-5551; [email protected]. Be sure to indicate it is for the anniversary letter from Bishop Mark.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION SERIES –2018 ~Pre-registration required. Early registration advised−some series fill up months in advance. ~2018 COST: $70 per couple (includes all sessions in a series) Fee payable at the first session (check payable to “Family Life Office”) Please come 15 minutes early to the first session for registration purposes. ~Cancellation due to weather: For classes in all locations, call the Family Life Office. A taped message will list cancellations. If you can’t attend due to driving conditions, call the Family Life Office (814) 886-5551 during office hours (M-F 8:30-4:00) for make-up in- structions. Register for a series through the Family Life Office by e-mail ([email protected]) or call our office at (814-886-5551). https://www.dioceseaj.org/family-life/marriage-preparation/ 2018 dates April 17−24−May 1 (*Snow date: May 8) Tues. 7:00-9:30 pm at St. John the Evangelist Church Hall 309 Lotz Ave., Lakemont Altoona May 2−9−16 Wed. 7:00-9:30 pm at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Church Hall 608 Main St. Lilly June 7−14−21 Thurs. 7:00-9:30 pm at Our Lady of Victory Activity Center 820 Westerly Pkwy. State College Sept. 12−19−26 Wed. 7:00-9:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Activity Center 134 Barron Ave. Johnstown Oct. 16−23−30 Tues. 7:00-9:30 pm at St. John the Evangelist School Auditorium 116 E. Bishop St. Bellefonte