CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Address: 867 Gray’s Woods Boulevard Port Matilda, PA 16870

Phone: Church Office: 814-238-2110 Pastor: 814-238-6114 Faith Formation Office: 814-238-0649 Fax: 814-238-3484 Email: Parish Office: [email protected] Faith Formation: [email protected] Youth Retreat Facilitator: [email protected] Bulletin: [email protected] Deacon Jack Orlandi: [email protected] Facility Manager: [email protected] Facility Rental Coordinator: [email protected] Financial Administrator: [email protected]

Website: http://goodshepherd-sc.org/ Pastor: Fr. Charlie Amershek Youth Retreat Facilitator: Elaine Scutti Deacon: Jack E. Orlandi Facility Manager: Jeff Sowash Deacon: Michael A. Ondik Facility Rental Coordinator: Jim Maund Director of Faith Formation: Amy Timan

TRINITY SUNDAY Vol. 34 No. 22 MAY 30, 2021

Matthew 28:16-20 God is a circle, never a square. God is a point that’s everywhere. God is one but God is three. And God, I admit, is a mystery!

Question of the Week The question of the week invites the parish community to share faith by reflecting on and discussing Sunday’s Gospel throughout the week.

Adult What signs of God’s love have you witnessed in your life?

Child How can you be a sign of God’s love to others this week?

From the Pastor’s Desk And behold, I am with you always to the end of the world.

STAFF NEWS: I am saddened to announce that Karen Noel, our Parish Administrative assistant for twelve years has decided to retire from that position effective 31 May. Any of you who have dealt with Karen in her role here can attest that she handled her ministry professionally, and with much kindness and a servant’s heart. God bless her, she “gets” my sense of humor. She has become a good friend to me. I miss her already! After consulting with our staff, I made the decision to hire Theresa Hawbaker to serve as our Administrative Assistant. Theresa is leaving the Staff Accountant Position she currently holds. Our Finance Council is beginning to conduct a search for someone to fill the accountant position.

THREE TO GET READY: Please make the time to prayerfully read the Scripture passages referred to below, and then reflect on the questions that follow them. This will be one good way of preparing to participate in Mass next Sunday. Reading 1: (Exodus 24:3-8) Moses reads the terms of God’s Covenant with His people, and the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifice on them, and on the altar symbolizes their willingness to give their total effort in living that covenant. Does receiving the Eucharist have any influence on your life? 2: (Hebrews 9:11-15) Christ gave His life to cleanse our lives from the dead works that belong to the world, and not the Kingdom. From what “dead works” are you longing to be free? Reading 3: (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26) What’s the best way you have found to prepare your heart to share the Eucharist? What distracts you from a whole-hearted participation? THE PARISH SURVEY IS IN YOUR E-MAIL! Please make the time to complete this survey, today! We need to tabulate the results by May31. This survey will facilitate our ability to discern and serve your worship and formation needs. Your co-operation in completing this survey in a timely manner will guide us in figuring out how Good Shepherd will pray and learn and celebrate in the new normal, post-pandemic era. Thank you…thank you!

Parish Events

PARISH SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR STAFF ACCOUNTANT POSITION The Parish is seeking qualified candidates for the Staff Accountant position. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing a full range of bookkeeping and accounting duties. This has traditionally been a part time position (approximately 28 hours/week); however, it has the potential to become a full-time position based on the candidate's qualifications and needs. Interested candidates possessing an Associate or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or equivalent combination of education and experience are encouraged to submit a resume and letter of interest addressed to Father Charlie.

FLOCKNOTE We will be sending out information to sign up for our Good Shepherd Flocknote in the immediate future. Please keep a close eye on your email to join our flock and stay connected to our parish events, announcements and activities.

FAMILY CORNER Our congratulations to the following couples celebrating their wedding anniversary this coming week:

Art Dervaes & Timothy & Melissa Scharf Jun 1 Joanne Rutkowski May 30 Darren & Lori McTavish Jun 2 John & Laurie Griffiths May 30 Kenneth & Anna Schirling Jun 3 Stephen & Nicole D’Aulerio May 30 Vince & Mary Bojan Jun 4 Derrick & Shannon Skillings May 31 Joseph & Kelly Jo Sadley Jun 4 John & Rosemary Cessna Jun 1 Matthew & Michele Raptosh Jun 5 Jim & Michele Thomas Jun 1

PRAYER SHAWLS To request a Prayer Shawl or for more information, please contact Marge Bennett at 814-234-7284 or Lynne DeLuca at 814-234-4654.

PRAYER CHAIN Please contact the following parishioners with any prayer intentions: Ellen Jankowski – 814-231-0213 Mary Petersen – 814-238-2209 Marge Carline – 814-238-3119

A Prayer for Memorial Day God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord. R/. Amen —from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

Open Wide Our Hearts A call to Love through a look at Systemic Racism.

Join the members of Good Shepherd Church in exploration and discussion to deepen our understanding of systemic racism. We will begin with a viewing of

Race: The Power of an Illusion How the racial wealth gap was created

June 13th, 2021 7:00pm Good Shepherd Agape Hall

“We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.” Pope Francis

Faith Formation News

This weekend we celebrate Trinity Sunday – a feast which gradually evolved into our Liturgical calendar until it became a fixed day in the early 1300’s. Our teaching on God as Trinity is a central our faith and taking time to reflect on this Mystery can invite an ever-deepening relationship with God, Creator, Redeemer and Spirit. To celebrate Trinity Sunday, visit Good Shepherd’s Word of God Chapel and visit the small icon of the Trinity there (found on the wall to the left of the Reservation Chapel and above the bookcase). If you’re at home and missed checking out our reprinted version, type in “Rublev Trinity” into your image search in Google and reflect on this artistic representation of this central idea of our faith. Note the figures of the Trinity. See how they are portrayed in relationship with each other. Look carefully at their faces. See the colors they are wearing. The colors around them. Where are their hands? What is around them? This work of art was completed by a Russian Monk named Andrei Rublev in the early 1400’s. This is a masterpiece of our faith worth spending a few moments in a Visio Divina and prayer.

Available for pick-up on the table outside the Parish Office: Confirmation 2022 Paperwork (through the end of May) AND First Communion Pictures (our gift to you)

COMING SOON: THE RETURN OF YOUTH MINISTRY WITH EVENTS FOR JUNE AND JULY AND A SPECIAL PROJECT TO BE ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST 2021. STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS!

MORE INFORMATION ON DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMPS!!

Registration forms are available in the Gathering Space, or contact [email protected] for online registration.

A NOTE FROM AMY TIMAN

A big thank you to all the Catechists and parents who dedicated their time and talent to this year’s lessons and ZOOM sessions! We believe we have been able to plant and water the seeds of faith during this pandemic year even if it was in a very different way and manner! We look forward to new growth in the weeks ahead as we prepare to reunite once again as the Body of Christ here at Good Shepherd in September!

Enrollment booklets for 2021-2022 Faith Formation classes have been mailed this week to all families currently enrolled in our programs. Extra copies will be available on the table outside of the parish office for anyone who did not receive one. We urge all families to take advantage of the early enrollment discount fee and submit their registration forms as soon as possible! We are hoping to return to operating as close to normal as possible next fall and your early enrollment will help with planning for classes. Please submit the parish survey (due by May31st) to vote for your choice of mass times as we re-open. This will especially affect our Sunday morning Elementary class times! Please email Amy if you did not receive the survey which was sent out last week. Finally, please pray about and consider joining our Catechetical teaching teams for next year. We can always use Catechists and Aides for all grade levels. We have great resources and support and know that you will find satisfaction and joy leading our students on their faith journey while enriching your own!

Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day and a safe and fun summer!!!!

Amy Timan

Diocesan Events

Saint Joseph, Man Chosen by the Blessed Trinity, pray for us.

“We know that Joseph was a lowly carpenter, betrothed to Mary. He was a just man ever ready to carry out God’s will as revealed to him in the Law and through four dreams. After a long and tiring journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, he beheld the birth of the Messiah in a stable…He witnessed the adoration of the shepherds and the magi, who represented respectively the people of Israel and the pagan peoples.” (Mt 1:18, 19, 20; 2: 1-13.19.22; Lk 1:22.27.39; 2:1-12, 7-20)

Saint Joseph was chosen by God, the Father, to be his representative on earth. God granted him all the graces and blessing he needed to be a worthy representative. Joseph was chosen by God, the Son, to be his foster father. After Mary, Joseph is the holiest of the saints. Joseph was chosen by the Holy Spirit. He is the mutual Love of the Father and the Son-the heart of the Trinity. Joseph had a most responsible vocation-to open the way for redemption of the world and to prepare for it by the education and guidance of the youth of the God-man. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/day-three. 2021, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Liturgy Committee, Liturgy Office, Mary, Mother of the Church Pastoral Center, 2713 W. Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601.

MASS FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS TO BE TELEVISED - Remember your loved ones on Sunday, May 30, 2020 with a televised Mass Celebrated by at 11:00 am on WATM ABC 23 and will be rebroadcast that night at 9:00 p.m. on the Atlantic Broadband channel 9. All spouses will be acknowledged and remembered at Mass. All persons who have lost a spouse through death throughout the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are invited to register by contacting the Family Life Office 814-317-2643 or email [email protected]. When registering, please give your name, address, phone number and the name of your spouse who has passed away. Deadline to register is May 24, 2021. Sponsored by the Diocesan Family Life Office.

Diocesan Events, cont’d.

HOLY HOUR PLANNED ON EVE OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION - The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is joyfully preparing for the ordination of two men to the diocesan priesthood later this month. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will ordain Deacon Mark Groeger and Deacon Michael Pleva on May 29th at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. There will be a Eucharistic Holy Hour to offer prayers for Deacons Groeger and Pleva on May 28 at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, 301 Spruce Street, Hollidaysburg. All are welcome. Prayers will also be offered for our current priests and seminarians, and for future seminarians. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available.

SUMMER TRADITION RETURNS - Outdoor Masses will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. beginning on Memorial Day weekend – May 30th and continuing through Labor Day weekend – September 5th. Those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather, Mass will be celebrated inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel next to the Shrine. Faithful are invited to come early to the outdoor Masses and visit one of the most historic sites in the diocese. The Prince Gallitzin Chapel House, located next to the Shrine, will be open for self-guided tours from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on June 6th and 20th; July 18th; and August 1st, 15th, and 29th. The humble structure was the home and personal chapel of the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin. Today, it stands as a museum, which contains artifacts from Father Gallitzin’s personal life. PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

Crispolo Bloom 883-3346 [email protected] Robert Hoffman 280-0941 [email protected] Liz Reese 404-0358 [email protected] John Switalski 574-1823 [email protected] Fr. Charlie 238-6114 [email protected]

FINANCE COUNCIL

Jean Brownstead 441-7896 [email protected] Chris Capparelli 574-7367 [email protected] Krista Capparelli 574-2180 [email protected] Jim Cordell 231-0576 [email protected] Frank Gatto 571-2168 [email protected] Bob Kubat (765)586-7101 [email protected] Carmine Scutti 424-7297 [email protected] Brandon Zlupko 574-3110 [email protected] Fr. Charlie 238-6114 [email protected] Ex-Officio Member: Theresa Hawbaker 238-2110 [email protected]