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St. Roman Catholic Parish Family 10th & Mahantongo Sts., Pottsville, Pa. 17901 ● www.saintjohnpottsville.org 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time ● July 4, 2021 2 Mass Intentions www.saintjohnpottsville.org

Mass Intentions Message from Father Bobbin

Monday, July 5 Dear Parishioners, 9:00 a.m. Lucillamae Fanelli (Lucilla Kochol) As we celebrate Independence Day, we thank God for our country and for the many blessings we have that, unfortunately, people do not have in many oth- Tuesday, July 6 er parts of the world. We also pray for our country: for peace and security, for 9:00 a.m. Maurice & Helen Mirabella prosperity, for the growth of a culture of life, and for all aspects of the com- (Christine & mon good. Maccarone) One of the most important aspects of the common good (of any society) is Wednesday, July 7 religious faith. It is true that religion can sometimes be misused, or that peo- 9:00 a.m. Musket ple can give religion a bad name by acting in ways quite contrary to what they profess. But religion in and of itself is a great good for a society. It provides moral direction and it inspires people to go above and beyond the require- ments of justice and fairness in helping others and working to make society Thursday, July 8 better. 9:00 a.m. & Eva Francis (Francis Family) As we all know, there has been a trend away from appreciating religion in our country: in the courts and politics, in the world of education, in the media, and Friday, July 9 in the popular culture. As disciples of , we are called to be good citizens, 9:00 a.m. James Loeper living our faith as fully as we can, setting a good example, and being a positive (Pat Klassen) influence on our society.

Saturday, July 10 Happy Independence Day! 5:00 p.m. Dorothy Rosenberger (Paul Rosenberger) Fr. Bobbin

Sunday, July 11 8:15 a.m. Joshua David O’Connor (Steve & Kate Zagar) Communion to the Sick and Homebound Sunday, July 11 If you or a family member, friend, or neighbor who is a member of St. John is 10:30 a.m. Zambo & Yenilaitus Family confined to home, a nursing home or assisted living facility because of illness, (Zambo Family) age, or disability and would like to receive Holy Communion on a monthly basis, please call the rectory. We traditionally visit the sick and homebound on or around the first Friday of the month. However, our list has dwindled to al- most no one because of deaths. Please help us meet the spiritual needs of our homebound parishioners. Next Week’s Readings 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 10/11) Reading I: 7:12-15 Reading II: Ephesians 1:3-14 Pray : :7-13 We remember in prayer those who are ill or recently deceased. We commend to our Divine Lord all of our aged people and those residing in nursing homes.

For our Sick Susan Cook ● Patricia Thomas For our Deceased Laverne Yackel

Fourth of July—let freedom ring. We give thanks to God today for the many rights and responsibilities that come with our freedom as citizens. As a parish family we give thanks to God for our freedoms, especially our right to worship on this Independence Day. (570) 622-5470 Upcoming Events 3

Upcoming Events July 12 7-8 p.m. Eucharistic Holy Hour ...... Chapel 17 9:00 a.m. Yard Sale Drop Off ...... R.B. 21 7:00 p.m. Catholic Women’s Union Mtg...... L.H. August 5 7-8 p.m. First Friday Holy Hour ...... 20 4-7 p.m. Yard Sale ...... R.B. 21 9-12 noon Yard Sale ...... R.B. Weekly Collection June 26/27 ...... $4,173.00 Parish Improvements & Repairs ...... $1,291.00

Thank you for your sacrificial giving by dropping envelopes at the rectory, by mail and online giving.

Please do not use tape or staple to seal your offertory envelopes.

Candle Donations BVM 1&2. IMO Joyce Leinheiser by Miriam Tirjan

St. 1. IMO Richard Krasnitsky by Maria Rowlands 2. IMO George Hahner Jr. Yard Sale / Curiosity Shop by Hahner Family Look around your home for any items you wish to donate to our next Yard Sale. You’d be surprised what you might find . Here are some suggestions: Sanctuary Special Intention Decorations for Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Puzzles, Knick Knacks, Kitchen Items, Purses, Small Appliances, Candles, Religious items, Toys, Games, Jewelry, Table- Guardian cloths, CD’s, DVD’s, Bakeware, Phones, Vintage items. 1. IMO Francis Stine by Lorelei Oswald DO NOT donate the following: Plastics, VHS tapes, Glasses, Cups, Televisions, Bedding, 2. IMO Robert Becker Jr. Computers, Monitors, Keyboards, Books, Clothing, Large Furniture, Stuffed Animal Toys, by Bob & Mary Porter Large Christmas Trees. 3. IMO Yenilaitus & Zambo Families by Mary Zambo ONLY ONE DROP-OFF DATE on Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Russell 4. IMO Mr.&Mrs. Robert Becker Sr. Building. No items will be accepted before or after this date. Do not leave articles at the by Bob & Mary Porter door or in the parking lot. Call the parish office 570-622-5470 ext. 3 for more information. Are you planning a change? Neighboring Events If you are making a change in address, parish affiliation, email, Summer Bleenie Sale home or cell phone, please call the St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 1115 Walnut St. in Ashland. Pre Orders are strongly encour- rectory office 570-622-5470 ext. 3. aged by Tuesday, July 6. No Exceptions. Pre Order Pick Up on Saturday, July 10 from 11 We strive to keep our records up to a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Additional orders are welcome the day of sale from 1:30 p.m. to sell date. out. Bleenies are $2.00 each or 12 for $10.00. Call the Parish Office to place your order 570- 875-1521. Proceeds benefit St. Charles Borromeo Parish. 4 www.saintjohnpottsville.org

A Message Nativity BVM High School from Bobby Rienzo Dean of Students I wanted to let you know that I Nativity BVM High School is accepting applications for the position of Dean of Student for am planning to re-enter the the 2021-2022 school year. This is a year-round position. seminary as a seminarian for the Duties include all aspects of Discipline, Student Record Keeping, Attendance, Coordination Diocese of Allentown this com- of Student Life, Safety Coordinator, Supervision of Maintenance and other duties. Mini- ing August. This summer I will be mum of Bachelor’s Degree and Teacher Certification required, Master’s Degree preferred. spending time preparing for this re-entry to the seminary. I want Math Teacher (FT) to thank you for your prayers for Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics/Math Education is required with certification. me over these past two years. I have been blessed to be part of Interested candidates for either position for the 2021-2022 school year should send re- the St. John’s Parish Family. sume, certifications and all clearances to: Please continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood in Nativity BVM High School, Attn. Mrs. Lynn Sabol, Principal, our diocese. One Lawton’s Hill, Pottsville, Pa. 17901 [email protected] Thank You We thank Theresa Skrobak for her many years of service to St. John’s Parish. Theresa always CCD—Confraternity of ChristianD octrine made sure every nook and cran- Help Needed!! ny in the rectory and church was Please consider helping the young members of our parish family on their journey of faith cleaned … she was notorious for by volunteering to teach CCD in the Fall. We meet on Sunday mornings from 9 to 10:15 cleaning places where only God a.m. in the school building. Classes are small—our largest class has eleven students. No could see. Theresa never experience is necessary, just a love of our faith and a desire to share that with our chil- thought of her as work but dren. Background and child abuse clearances are needed. If interested, please call Lucilla always considered it playing. Kochol at the rectory 570-622-5470 ext. 5. We will definitely miss your joy- ful personality and smiling face. We wish you a very happy re- tirement! God bless you!

Eucharistic Adoration In this Year of the Real Presence we offer additional opportunities to spend time in prayer with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  A holy hour in the chapel every Monday evening (unless announced otherwise) from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. beginning July 12. This will be a simple holy hour without any for- mal prayer or Benediction. It is not necessary to come for the entire hour. Just stop by as you desire.  A holy hour in the main church on the eve of First Friday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., beginning August 5. This will be a formal holy hour ending with Benediction. Father will be available for Confessions. (570) 622-5470 Grow + Go 5

6 of the Day www.saintjohnpottsville.org

St. St. Thomas was born a Jew and was called to be one of the twelve Apostles. His birth and death dates are unknown, but his feast day is celebrated July 3. He lived before the formal establishment of the but is recognized as the of architects.

He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of . When Jesus said He was returning to to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities.

At the , when Christ told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwilling- ness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday earned him the title of "."

Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails. Thomas even put his fingers in the nail holes and his hand into Christ's side. After verifying the wounds were true, St. Thomas became convinced of the reality of the Resurrection and exclaimed, "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.

St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias, when a occurred.

This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the . Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pente- cost this saint was sent to evangelize to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians. He ultimately reached , carrying the Faith to the , which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas."

According to tradition, Thomas was killed in an accident when a fowler shot at a peacock and struck Thomas instead. Following his death, some of his were taken to while the rest were kept in what is now known as India. They can still be found with- in the San Thome Basilica in , , India.

The relics taken to Edessa were moved in 1258 to , where they can be found in the Cathedral of St. Thomas the Apostle in Or- tona, Italy. However, it is believed that Saint Thomas' skull rests in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on the Greek Island .

In art, Saint Thomas is commonly depicted as a young man holding a scroll, or as a young adult touching the resurrected Christ's wounds.

Saint Thomas was mentioned in several texts, including one document called The Passing of Mary, which claims then-apostle Thomas was the only one to witness the into , while the other apostles were transported to Jerusalem to witness her death.

While the other apostles were with Mary, Thomas was left in India until after her first burial, when he was transported to her tomb and he saw her bodily assumption into heaven, when her was left behind. In versions of the story, the other apostles doubted Thomas' words until Mary's tomb was discovered to be empty with the excep- tion of her girdle. Thomas and the girdle were often depicted in medieval and early Renaissance art.

St. Thomas’ Feast Day is July 3rd St. Thomas is the Patron Saint of Architects (570) 622-5470 Parish Directory 7

Parochial Administrator ...... Rev. Kevin Bobbin New Parishioners ...... Lawrence Lonergan Please call the rectory for an appointment to register.

Parish Council President ...... Robert Bechtel Sick Calls Choir Director/Organist ...... David Derbes Please notify the parish office. CCD Coordinator ...... Lucilla Kochol Sacrament of Reconciliation Rectory ...... (570) 622-5470 Saturdays ...... 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.. Rectory Fax ...... (570) 622-4589 Sundays ...... 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 to 10:15 a.m.. E-mail ...... [email protected] or by appointment Russell Building ...... (570) 628-3002 Nativity BVM High School ...... (570) 622-8110 Sacrament of Marriage Assumption BVM Elementary ...... (570) 622-0106 Please call the Rectory one year in advance. St. Joseph Center ...... (570) 622-4638 Sacrament of Baptism Cemetery Information ...... (570) 622-5470 First Sunday of each month ...... 11:30 a.m. Second Sunday ...... 10:30 a.m. Mass C.C.D. Baptismal Preparation for Parents must precede the Baptism. All children preparing to receive any sacrament must be in a Please contact Father Bobbin for an appointment. Religious Education Program for two consecutive years immediately prior to receiving a Sacrament. The child must Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator also be a practicing Catholic. Wendy S. Krisak, M.A., N.C.C.,L.P.C...... (800) 791-9209

Certificates of Eligibility Diocesan Secretary for Youth Protection Certificates to act as sponsors, Godparents, etc. will only be & Catholic Human Services issued to parishioners who are formally registered with the Pamela J. Russo, M.S.W., M.S. church and attend Mass on a regular basis. Secretary, Youth Protection and Catholic Human Services P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA 18105-1538 Bulletin Deadline 610-871-5200 ext. 2204 Tuesday prior to publication [email protected]