August 15, 2021 Summer Saturday

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 15, 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, This weekend, friends, we join together as Church to celebrate the rather unique combination of the Twenti- eth Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Assump- tion hasn’t fallen on a Sunday since 2010 and won’t appear on a Sunday again until the year 2027. Certainly the way both Sunday and this Solemnity coincide provides many more people the opportunity to honor Mary in a special way on this monumental day officially established by Pope Pius XII. In 1950, the Holy Father au- thored a document titled, “Most Bountiful God,” in which he declared that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” With that in mind, we give thanks to God who accorded Mary this singular privilege and pray that we may one day join with her and all of those who are part of the great Communion of Saints in God’s Kingdom. One of the things that I find very interesting about the Solemnity of the Assumption is the choice of Gospels for both the Vigil Mass on Saturday and the Masses on Sunday Morning. Both are taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, and neither really focus on the idea that Mary was taken up to heaven. The Gospel reading for Sunday, friends, is a very familiar episode that we commonly refer to as “The Visita- tion.” It recalls Mary’s journey to visit her relative Elizabeth during the time when both are expectant moms. St. Luke tells us that when Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, “the infant in her womb leaped for joy.” The scrip- tural prayer that follows is often referred to as “Mary’s Prayer,” or “The Magnificat.” (Luke 1, 3956) It is an uplifting prayer of both joy and thanksgiving that has become part of the evening prayer of the Church throughout the world. The Gospel proclaimed for the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening is only two brief sentences long! A crowd has gathered around Jesus, and a woman in the crowd is inspired to cry out a reminder that Jesus’ mom must be truly “blessed” to have given birth to Him. Jesus curious reply to the woman, the entire crowd, is: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11, 2728) Yes, a short but powerful message! These readings, friends, are beautiful reminders that “the Assumption” of Mary into heaven is based on her ongoing “Yes” to God throughout her entire life. That she not only agreed in a onetime affirmation to accept her role as Mother of Christ, Savior of the World, but continued to embrace that role all throughout her sinless life. Mary was “blessed” because she both gave birth to “the Word become Flesh,” and continued to proclaim the Good News throughout her entire life. In her visit to Eliza- beth, in her every interaction with others, she brought the joy of the Gospel made in- carnate through her beloved Son. Mary not only never sinned, she evangelized others through her dedicated life of love, prayer and service! And so it is, friends, that these Gospels were chosen to remind us of both Mary’s Assumption into Heaven and our own goal M to share eternal life with her forever. This truth is clearly present- ed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which states that: “The Assumption of Mary is a singular participa- tion in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.” (CCC #966) That be- ing said, it’s important for us to remember that if we are to share eternal life with Mary, we need to do our very best to live like Mary! We need to embrace God’s word and do our best to live it each and every day! We need to try to imitate Mary as we go about our daily routines at home, at work, in school, or wherever we happen to be. It’s “in living the Good News” that we anticipate “rising up with Jesus” to share the glory of heaven! In a homily delivered on the Solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Benedict XVI reminded the participants that the day is intended to both honor the Blessed Mother as well as to seek her intercession and inspiration. “Mary,” he said, “does not merely invite our admiration and veneration, but she guides us, shows us the way of life, shows us how we can become blessed, how to find the path of happiness.” I join you in prayer that we may all do our very best to share the Good News and find the same confidence, encouragement, and joy in Jesus as Mary did. Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Assumed into Heaven M Pray for us and guide us on our pilgrim journey homeward! Fr. Tom Bill and Janet Aulenbacher are pictured with Bishop Persico at the annual “Milestone Anniver- sary” celebration held at St. Jude the Apostle Church on Sunday, August 8th. Congratulations to them and to James and Carol Fall, and Robert and Judy Macko, all celebrating 50 years of marriage! Please be cautious about parking too close to the residential driveways on Pearl Street. Mark Your Calendars… Our neighbors there appre- ciate your consideration in Thursday, September 9 this regard. Bible Study Begins, 6:308:00 PM Sunday, September 12 Purse BINGO, School Sunday, September 19 Circle of Hope Grief Faith Formation Begins Support Group will meet in St. Gregory Par- ish Family Room (lower level) Saturday, September 25 on Thursday, August 19, Spaghetti Dinner, School 2021 at 6:00PM. Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one are most welcome to come for Listening, Sharing and Support. St. Gregory School 2021 NFL Football Lottery Tickets are $5.00 and are good for the entire NFL season. Join in the fun and stop in the parish or school office during business hours and get your tickets today! St. Gregory School Office will mail a check to the winners each week! THE ASSUMPTION Question: What lessons should I learn from the Assumption of Mary? Answer: Growing in holiness is similar to training in a sport. We need someone to show us how we can live our faith well. Mary is a model of sanctity. She shows us how to be faithful to God’s will, living each day with confidence in God’s mercy and love. At the Nativity, in Jesus’ public ministry, and at the Cruci- Another Eagle Soars! fixion, we see her steadfast trust. She allows the Lord to use her life to accomplish his plan for her Congratulations to Logan Kitts who received and for all of us. In the Preface of the Mass for the his Eagle Emblem at a Court of Honor held at Assumption of Mary, we pray: “For today the Vir- Gravel Pit Park on Monday, August 9th. gin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the Logan will soon be returning to Purdue to con- beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to tinue his studies. your pilgrim people.” Logan wishes to express thanks to his family members, St. Gregory Troop 82 and its leaders, It is this image of holiness that we strive to imitate. and to all who supported his efforts on the In the office, at home, or in our community, we trail to Eagle. look for signs of God’s grace that call us to an ever greater love of him and each other. A greater aware- In turn, we say: “God bless you, Logan, and all ness of God is a sign of our conversion of heart that the best in all your future endeavors!” lives the lessons Mary teaches.

Rosary March The Erie Curia of the Legion of Mary is sponsoring a Rosary March on Saturday, August 21st at St. George Church, 5145 Peach St. in Erie. Mass, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, will begin at noon with the March to follow. The Rosary will also be recited in the church at the same time. Faith Formation We Are Back in Person! Please Register Now! Registration has been sent to each St. Gregory School has an opening for an Elementary School Teacher. If interested, family’s email. You can also find the please send letter of intent and a resume to registration on our Facebook page. [email protected] or We will start classes with a mandatory [email protected]. parent meeting on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at St. Gregory School. Class Classes resume Monday, August 30, 2021. time is 10:15-11:30 AM.

High School Classes start September 26, 2021. Class time is 10:15-11:30 AM.

Please call Jen Humes with any ques- tions or concerns at 814-450-6533 or Congratulations on email at [email protected] your Baptism Axel Donald Weigle Sunday, August 8, 2021

January 28 Meeting on Wednesday, August 18th, in the Parish Family Room (lowerlevel of the Church.) The Rosary will be prayed at 6:40 PM with the meeting to follow at 7:00 PM. 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 ; Enter your name and email address. 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! Please call Rose at 8146026271 if you would like someone added to the Prayer Chain. THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AUGUST 15, 2021 WEEKLY OFFERTORY COLLECTION August 7/8, 2021

Envelopes Mailed596 Regular Envelopes Used100 MONDAY, August 16 Amount in Adult's Envelopes$5,832.00 8:00 AMMDarlene NewaraValerie Newara Loose$200.00 TUESDAY, August 17 Building Maintenance$94.00 8:00 AMM Jenne MobiliaM Millie DiOrenzo Electronic Giving $688.30 TOTAL ……….………...... $6,814.30 WEDNESDAY, August 18 Fiscal yeartodate offertory collection...... $42,237.80 8:00 AM MMaria MaggioliM Timothy Byrnes Family Fiscal yeartodate offertory budget…...... $46,153.86 THURSDAY, August 19 12:10 PMM Joseph Canella, Jr.His Daughter FRIDAY, August 20 8:00 AM MRobert RiefstahlM Carmen & Kathy Testi Observances for the week of August 15, 2021

SATURDAY, August 21 Sunday: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin 5:00 PMM Darlene NewaraDarrell & Linda Newara Mary SUNDAY, August 22 Monday: St. Stephen of Hungary 7:30 AMParishioners Living & Deceased Tuesday: 9:00 AMBernie DudaHis Wife and Children Wednesday: 11:00 AMM Robert RiefstahlThe St. Gregory Choir Thursday: St. John Eudes, Priest Friday: St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Saturday: St. Pius X, Pope The SANCTUARY LAMP is burning this Next Sunday: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time week in honor of The Blessed Sacrament and in memory of Kathy Scepura by her family

Looking ahead…. Mass on Saturday, September 4, 2021 will be at 5:00 PM on the West Lawn of St. Gregory School near the pavilion. Please bring your own lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, the Mass will be in church as usual. Thanks! 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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