May 23, 2021| Pentecost Sunday Queen of the Apostles

Rev. Phillip J. Sladicka, Pastor James A. Rose

Parish Office 715 Hawthorne Street Avoca, PA 18641 Hours: Mon CLOSED Tues-Fri 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Phone: 570-457-3412 [email protected] Website queenoftheapostles.weconnect.com Like Us On Facebook: Queen of the Apostles Parish Avoca, PA On-line Bulletin Seekandfind.com Director of Faith Formation Deborah Yuschovitz 570-457-1284 Anointing of the Sick If anyone is seriously ill, been admitted to the hospital, or wants a 1st Friday visit please call the Parish Office. Baptism Sunday after 10:30AM . Call the parish office to make arrangements. Marriage Please call the Parish Office six months, before setting your wedding date, to make an appt. with the Pastor. Pre-Cana program is required. Rite of Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays: 3:15 - 3:45 PM Anytime upon request Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday - 4:00 PM Sunday - 8:00 - 10:00 AM Daily Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 8 AM Wednesday: 7:00 PM* *Followed by the Miraculous Medal Novena First Friday 8:00 AM & 7:00 PM Christian Initiation of Adults Parish Office 570-457-3412 Committee Contacts Parish Hall Manager Paul Franceschelli - 570-430-9015 MISSION STATEMENT Social Concerns/Respect Life Ministry Ann Jake - 570-457-3521 To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ & Women’s Guild Jane Maxwell 570-457-1107 To Grow As Disciples of Jesus Christ New Members are always Welcome! 715 HAWTHORNE STREET, AVOCA, PA 18641 Page Two Queen of the Apostles Parish Avoca, PA 18641 From the Pastor’s Desk Liturgy of the Word

Dear Parish Family, Liturgy of the Word: In Acts, the Holy Spirit enables the DID YOU PRAY TODAY? disciples to speak in tongues, allowing strangers from all over the This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. This feast of the known world to understand them. Paul teaches the Corinthians that Holy Spirit is traditionally considered the “Birthday of the the Spirit is manifested in a variety of ways, all beneficial, and all Church.” Pentecost mirrors nature as the Church’s spring, united in harmony,. In John’s Gospel, after bestowing the Holy focusing our faith on birth, not death; on the womb (image of the Spirit on the disciples, Jesus tells them that they can forgive sins and baptismal font) not the tomb. In the Easter Vigil Gospel, a young they will be forgiven. In each passage, the Holy Spirit transforms man in white greeted the women at the tomb and the world. Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your transforming commissioned them: “Go and tell.” Instead they fled from the power, enabling us to share your transformative fire with those tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said around us.  nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Today, “the last and greatest day of the feast” Jesus assures us that he will satisfy our thirst, lead us beyond fear, and strengthen us to live our baptismal mission of evangelization, i.e. proclaiming the Good News. Pope Francis has said that Pentecost brought three things to the community waiting for it:  newness, harmony and mission. Of course, something new first happened with the coming of Christ: God became human. Then, something new The Rosary will be recited after the 8:00 AM Mass happened on Easter: Jesus who had been crucified and buried, during the month of May. You are invited to join in did not remain dead. God raised him. Then again for the third honoring Our Blessed Mother in this beautiful devotion. time, something new happened. The Holy Spirit came, bringing a breath of fresh air that blew them out of the house, transforming them harmoniously into the body of Christ, and Eucharistic Adoration inflaming them to preach Jesus as Lord, the Son of God. The important role of the Spirit is summed up in Paul’s words, “No We have been advised by the Diocese that Eucharistic one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit…For in Adoration can be resumed in all parishes. Unfortunately we one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… and we were all cannot resume Adoration until we have 2 Adorers scheduled given to drink of the one Spirit” This spirit brings us peace and for each hour from 9:00 am  8:00 pm. Please contact the joy, along with the mission of bringing God’s forgiveness to all Parish Office or Ann Jake @ 5704573521 if you are able to who would receive it. Pray today’s Pentecost Sequence in quiet, commit to the previous hour you have had or you would like perhaps at home. to become a new adorer. Please share this information with Monday, May 24, is a special feast day honoring the your friends and family so that we may be able to Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. And, Ordinary th once again share in this beautiful devotion. The Time resumes following Pentecost with the 8 week in Ordinary Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary for Life time. Ordinary time refers to all the Sundays of the year that are every second Tuesday of the month from 7:008:00 not linked to the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and pm. Also the Praise & Worship Service which was Easter. It consists of either thirtythree or thirty four weeks and is held the 1st Sunday of each month will resume in divided into two periods, one following the feast of the the Fall. Baptism of the Lord and the other following the solemnity of Pentecost. Ordinary time following the Baptism of the Lord is of brief duration, lasting anywhere from four to nine weeks Reflections depending on the date of Ash Wednesday. Before there were any feasts or seasons in the church, there Catholic Vs. Protestant Bibles  was Sunday, the original holy day. Sunday was the day the Question:  community came together to celebrate the wholeness of the Why are Catholic and Protestant Bibles different?  paschal mystery. Eventually, more focused feasts and seasons Answer:  developed out of Sunday, Easter being the first. On these Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians used a Greek counted Sundays of Ordinary time the community still comes translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. This together to celebrate the original holy day and the wholeness of collection of the texts of the Hebrew Scriptures included 46 books. the paschal mystery. At the time of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the Confirmation will be this Sunday, May 23@ a special 2:00 Protestant reformers began to create their own translations of the mass! Our (20) Confirmation youth are looking forward to Bible (into local languages) and some began to question why the it. Their retreat was last Saturday with Marty Rotella. God bless Jewish Scriptures would have included texts that were written in them and please keep them in prayer that they may be strong and Greek, because, they assumed, the only valid Jewish Scriptures more perfect Christians and witnesses for Jesus Christ. would have been written in Hebrew. And so, they decided to And, finally, please continue to remember to drop off or send remove seven books from the Old Testament: Baruch, Sirach, 1 in your weekly contributions to the parish office during this time of special need or drop them at Church. and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith and Wisdom (as well as portions of Hope you all wore red for Pentecost today. Thank you for all the Books of Daniel and Esther). This means that the Protestant you are and all you do. God bless you and see you in Church, Fr. Old Testament only includes 39 books, while Catholic Bibles Phil continue to include those original 46 books. Both Catholic and Protestant Bibles include 27 books and letters in the New Testament. Page Three Pentecost Sunday  May 23, 2021 Confirmation Class of 2021 Stewardship

05/16/21 Sunday Collection: $3,757.00 Michael Francis Casey Ryan Daniel Ondich Ascension Thursday: 344.00 Gia Rosalina Dupre Steven Kilian Penatzer   Thank you for your generosity!! Damien Francis Fox Aubrey Elizabeth Perks Emily Mary Hannon Sophia Catherine Reza th Julia Ann Homschek Gabriella Adelaide Schmitt The deadline for Father’s Day Intentions is June 15 . Richard Sebastian Kostoff Lila Bridget Sobeski Matthew Michael Kwiatkowski Tina Isadora Sudol Gerard Kenneth Lombardi Brandon Leonard Wardecki Susanna Marie O’Brien Michael Joseph Wesolowski John Francis Ondich Alexis Elizabeth Wruble

This Pentecost Sunday, May 26, at 2:00 PM the above students will have the Sacrament of Confirmation conferred Life, Family & Culture upon them. These students have been studying diligently for two years in order to be prepared for this special day. “The Lord says to us, ‘Do not fear: I am with you’ (Isaiah 41:10). The gifts Wisdom, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, He speaks these words not as one who merely observes our pain, Understanding, Piety, and Fear of the Lord are infused into but as one who experienced immense suffering. And the very every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, wounds that bear witness to his suffering indicate the essence of our identity and worth: we are loved by God. Reflecting on the nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in healed wounds of the Risen Christ, we see that even our most the sacrament of Confirmation. difficult trials can be the place where God manifests his victory. We extend our prayers and congratulations to each and He makes all things beautiful. He makes all things new.” ~ every one of these students, their sponsors and family USCCB Secretariat of ProLife Activities “Be Not Afraid” members. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit have the effect of a special spiritual awakening in their lives. 2019 Deceased Priests of the Reverend Joseph J. Mattey  Jan. 28 † Diocese of Scranton  Reverend James J. McGarry  Feb. 15 †  Reverend Thomas J. O’Malley  Mar. 13 †  Revered Patrick S. Cortese  May 2 †  Reverend John K. Manno  May 30 †  Reverend Joseph F. Cipriano  June 16 †  Reverend Vincent F. Langan  Sept. 1 †  Monsignor Francis J. Beeda  Oct. 12 † Queen of the Apostles  Avoca, Pa Monsignor Joseph G. Rauscher  Nov. 15 †  Christmas in July Pot of Gold Reverend Richard A. Zavack  Dec. 11† The July Pot of Gold Tickets have arrived and are available  at the Parish Office Tickets will be $10 and prizes will be Grant us we pray, O Heavenly 2020 based on the evening Pick 3 Daily number. Prizes will be Father, that the souls of your awarded beginning July 1st. Daily prized will be $75 and  servants and Priests, whom you Reverend Joseph F. Sica  March 31 † $250 will be awarded every Sunday, beginning July 4th.  honored with sacred office while PLEASE SUBMIT PAYMENT AND TOP STUBS FOR Reverend Alfred J. Vito  May 20 † they lived in the world, may exalt  TICKETS YOU HAVE CHOSEN AS SOON AS Reverend Peter D. Menghini  June 8 † forever in the glorious homeland of POSSIBLE. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Parish  heaven. Through Our Lord Jesus Monsignor Donald A. McAndrews  June 18 † Office. We thank you for your support.   Christ, your Son, who lives and Reverend Andrew R. Gallia  Dec. 10 † reigns with you in the unity of the  Holy Spirit, one God for ever and Reverend John J. Kulavich  Dec. 19 † O u r H o l y Father’s Prayer Intention for May, 2021 ever. Amen The World of Finance: Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.  Food Pantry Items for May Instant Potatoes & Gravy Page Four  Pentecost Sunday  May 23, 2021 Pentecost Cursillo

RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS The Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Scranton is You Don’t Have What It Takes N but You Will sponsoring the following programs. All are welcome. Those of us in ministry love this saying: God doesn’t call Women’s Cursillo #73 the equipped. He equips the called. October, 2021  We all know that sort of queasy feeling we get in the pit of School of Leaders:  our stomachs when it becomes clear what we’re supposed to  do, in any situation. It’s that feeling of: Oh, no. Not me. Not For further information, please visit the Cursillo website: now. I can’t. www.scrantoncursillo.homestead.com However, even if we all put our lists of “reasons why we can’t” together, I don’t think any of us have reasons quite as Community Worship & Events valid as the apostles. Their job was to convert the nations N and here they are, a bunch of fishermen who haven’t been out Oblates of St. Joseph Founder’s Feast Day of Judea, who speak only their own languages. Were they  supposed to preach the Gospel via a particularly compelling The Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph will celebrate the game of charades? feast of their Founder, St. Joseph Marello, with a threeday But even that big, giant, stopyoudeadinyour tracks triduum of Masses and devotions May 2628 at their chapel on Reason Why We Can’t was nothing, because God had a plan. Route 315, Laflin. Masses will be daily at 12 Noon & 7:00pm, He didn’t call a bunch of equipped men. He called them, and novena prayers and blessing with his firstclass relic will follow. He equipped them. Cue the tongues of fire! The feast day will be celebrated on Saturday, May 29th with God doesn’t call us to do His will because we have what it Masses at 8:00am & 12 Noon. St. Joseph Marello (18441895) takes. He calls us because He’s ready to give us what it takes. was a priest of the Diocese of Asti, when he founded the Being a good steward is to answer the call of Christ knowing Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph in 1878. He died as he will provide. N Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS the of Acqui in 1895 and was canonized a by Pope St. John Paul II in 2001. The Oblates have been serving in the Diocese of Scranton since 1929 and are found in 15 other Cemetery Guidelines countries throughout the world. For more information, contact the main office at (570) 6547542. St. Mary’s & SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery Guidelines  The Knights of Columbus upcoming monthly meeting will be With Memorial Day coming up at the end of May, we would like held on Monday, May 24th at 6:30 pm in the parish hall. By to remind everyone of the guidelines that apply to our laws will be adopted at this meeting. State Convention is now cemeteries: being planned. Bob Ryzner, Grand Knight is chairman of ads ● Decorations will be allowed for 2 weeks at Easter,  for the program and he will be soliciting ads for the book. New Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day members welcome to join. See Bob Ryzner for information on ● Flowers are permitted in a maintained area up to 12” in front joining.  of the headstone. All dead or wilted flowers and old holiday decorations must be removed as needed. Maintenance has the right to remove any items from the graves that are left AlAnon meetings are held every Thursday night at 7 PM, at the unattended. Brick United Methodist church on Foote Ave., Duryea. This is an anonymous 12step program of recovery for families and friends of ● DUMPING refuse or fill of any type is strictly PHOHIBITED. addicts & alcoholics. There are no dues or fees and meetings last ● Hours for visitation is dawn to dusk. approximately one hour and are open to anyone. ● No animals or dog walking on the cemetery grounds. ● No recreational vehicles such as ATV’s, motorcycles, The Avoca Food Pantry is open on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of scooters, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, sleigh riding or every month for anyone in need. Pickups can be made @4:00PM at sports activities allowed. the rear of the Bethel United Methodist Church, 532 Main St. ● Existing shrubs must be trimmed and cannot exceed the distribute food from 1:30PM. Come join us and your help will be height of the headstone. Trees are not permitted. Anything greatly appreciated! We are a community helping one another in that becomes unsightly will be removed. need.  ● DO NOT walk on freshly covered graves. ● Not responsible for damage, theft or vandalism. Outreach Services ● Maintain a respectful attitude and volume at all times out of respect for those buried on this holy ground.  AA Helpline: 18006407545 AlAnon  Friends & Family of those addicted 18003399006 Please call the Queen of the Apostles Parish Office at Bread Basket of NEPA 5703432324 5704573412 to report any incidents, violations, questions or Consumer Credit Counseling Service 18006022227 Catholic Social Services Wilkes Barre 5708227188 concerns. Thank you.   Scranton 5702072283 Greater Pittston Food Pantry (St. John’s/Seton) 5706549923 National Hotline for Abortion Recovery 18664825433 Parish Meetings: May, 2021 PA 24Hour Child Abuse Hot Line 18009320313 Pennsylvanians for Human Life, WB Chapter 5708261819 PARISH Rachel’s VineyardPost Abortive Healing 18774673463 Knights of Columbus MON 05/24/21 6:30 PM HALL St. Joseph’s CenterMother Infant Program 5702076677 Page Five Pentecost Sunday May 23, 2021

   Ministry for the   Schedule Week  May 23, 2021†Pentecost Sunday  Monday  May 24 ~The Blessed Virgin Mary,   Mother of the Church 8:00 AM  Cookie Coleman   By Ceil Goss & Family  Tuesday  May 25 ~ St. Bede , Priest   and Doctor of the Church 8:00 AM  Jennie Houston & Justin Burns   By Bob Houston & Marie Burns  Wednesday  May 26 ~ St. , Priest 7:00 PM  Eleanor Joyce    By The Blaskiewicz Family  Thursday  May 27 ~ St. Augustine of Canterbury 8:00 AM  Lynn Hamilton    By Family  Friday  May 28 8:00 AM  Mary Woods   By Jim & Helen Mellon   Saturday  May 29 ~ St. Paul VI, Pope 4:00 PM  Frank Creedon   By Family  Sunday  May 30 ~ The Most Holy Trinity 8:00 AM  Parishioners’ Intentions  10:00 AM  Harold, Anna Marie, & P.J Chromey   By Paul & Susan Chromey

Flowers for the Month of May  Sacramental Bread & Wine in loving memory of  throughout May in loving memory of  Living & Deceased Members of the Ozark Family Deceased Members of the Brogan and by Toni Ozark Dempski Families by Jim & Helen Brogan Eternal Rest Grant unto them, O Lord! M ay they ************************************** rest in the peace of the Lord! Please pray for the souls Sanctuary Candle of Rev. James Gerard Cortegerone & Ernest Bulford. in loving memory of The parish community of Queen of the Apostles offers Dennis Fitzgerald sympathy to their family and friends. by June & Family ************************************** Queen of the Apostles Parish Hall Reservations Sanctity of Life Memorial The hall is now available for rental. We want to start out with in loving memory of events such as Baby and Bridal Showers, Funeral Luncheons, Christenings and First Holy Communion Parties with a maximum Veronica & John Yuschovitz & capacity of 5075 people. We still must abide by the CDC guidelines Daughter Rosann George which include wearing masks and social distancing and catering is required. If you have any questions, please call Paul at #5704309015 by Family or the Parish Office at #5704573412. PRESSURE WASHING - RAIN GUTTER CLEANING Gregory A. Timonte Proprietor SNOW REMOVAL - SIDEWALKS / DRIVEWAYS You make the memories of a lifetime Russomano Cleaning Service’s GRASS CUTTING - FALL CLEAN UP/LEAVES We make them last forever For all your carpet and upholstery cleaning needs. Reasonable Prices • Free Estimates DUPONT MONUMENT SHOP INC. 273 Main, Dupont, PA 18641 Call and book your 570-417-1797 PH-570-654-0561 FAX-570-883-0380 Fall cleaning today! email: [email protected] www.Dupontmonumentshop.com 570-947-4368

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