111 First Street, Elkland, Pa 16920

Jesus Chris freed us from the slavery of sin. As we begin Lent, our

penance and fasts seem rather small in comparison with how Jesus suffered for our salvation. Our forty days does not quite compare to his forty days in the desert. We need only to call on Jesus, and he will deliver us from our sins. Each Lent presents a new opportunity to repent and grow in our relationship with the One who gave his all so we could be this.

Monday, March 11 (9:00AM) WILMA SAMA

by Family Saturday, March 16 (7:00PM) EUGENE & MARJORIE

HARKENRIDER by Carol Harkenrider

Sunday, March 17

(11:30AM) WILLIAM WHALEN by Jean Sereno

(THE SANCTUARY LIGHTS AT ST. CATHERINE IS LIT IN MEMORY OF JOE & WILMA SAMA, BY FAMILY.) (THE SANCTUARY LIGHT AT ST. THOMAS CHURCH IS LIT FOR ALL LIVING AND DECEASED PARISHIONERS.)

LECTOR & ALTAR SERVER

SCHEDULE

March 16 - 17

Second Sunday of Lent

Jean Sereno 7:00PM Marky & Gabriel Clements Extraordinary Minister: Barbara Gilligan

Shirley Heitzenrater 11:30AM Jacob & Adelaide Schmitt Extraordinary Minister: Dale Gurnsey

Mission Church: St. Catherine of Siena 146 Lincoln Street, Westfield, Pa 16950

Serving the Northern Catholic Communities of: Academy Corners, Cowanesque, Elkland, Harrison Valley, Knoxville, Lawrenceville, Little Marsh, Millerton,

Nelson, Osceola, Sabinsville and Westfield.

PASTOR: Rev. David Bechtel

SECRETARY: Louise J. Wheaton Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. TELEPHONE: Rectory: 814-258-5121 Rectory Fax: 814-258-5122 E-MAIL: ststhomascatherine@stny.rr.com WEEKEND MASS Schedule: Saturday: 7 p.m. at St. Catherine Sunday: 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Holy Day Masses: Saint Thomas 7:00 (Eve)

Christmas: 7:00 (Eve) 9:00AM (Day) at St. Thomas

-----------------------------------First Sunday in Lent-------------------------------

5TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE The 5th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference for the Diocese of Scranton will be held on Saturday, April 27th at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes Barre, PA. A most important day for the future of our

faith, featuring keynote presentations by Fr. Philip B. Bochanski, the executive director of Courage International, who speaks on the good news of living chaste lives, along with well-known psychologist, speaker, and EWTN TV hose, Dr. Ray Guarendi. Our third speaker will be motivational speaker, apologist, and TV host of “Battle Ready,” Doug Barry. You will hear Doug explain the BATTLE READY effort to be more AWARE of, PREPARED for and ENGAGED in the battles that we all face, body, mind, and soul. Every one of us is in the thick of the spiritual battle. Many do not see it and consequently are unprepared for it. The outcome of that scenario is devastating. The primary goal of BATTLE READY is to help others know how to deal with the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil. A must awareness for Catholic men! There will be opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as praying the Rosary. Additionally, exhibitors will be present with a full array of Catholic books and publications as well as CD‟s and ministry opportunities. Fathers, sons, grandsons, and friends are all most welcome to register for the event. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the celebrant for the closing Mass. The idea for this year’s event was initiated by laymen from various parishes, with the support of their pastors, in an effort to address challenging issues facing men in today’s culture. St. Peter’s will once again provide transportation, through Benedict’s Bus Service, to the conference. Register on line at www.beamanconference.com, call 570-207-2213 (Diocesan Pastoral Center), or mail the completed application with your check to: Men’s Conference, Office of Parish Life, 330 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, PA 18503.

Do You Want to Know More About the Annulment Process?: In the Diocese of Scranton, the annulment process is now more “user friendly” than you might expect, and there is no longer a processing fee. Please contact your pastor or the Diocesan Tribunal Office (570-207-2246) to begin a conversation. It is possible to get clear answers to these questions and to renew your connection with the Church.

WOMEN’S RETREAT - LENTEN DAY OF REFLECTION A women’s retreat and Lenten Day of Reflection will be held on Sunday, March 24th at St. Eulalia’s church, Coudersport, PA. The day will begin with Mass at 11:00am, followed by the program from 12:00-3:00pm, and dinner at 3:00pm. The cost is $20.00 per person. The retreat will feature Judy Hehr, a spiritual motivator and inspirational speaker. Judy was a college dropout, single, homeless, drug addicted, and bankrupt by age 20, but a mom of 4 and a millionaire by the age of 34. Scorned, broken, and almost divorced by the age of 37, Judy is now a seminary graduate and thriving in a sanctified marriage. Her message of hope centers on her journey from captivity to freedom, and uses her sense of humor and real struggles from her personal life to compel her audience and connect theology to daily reality. The power behind her life journey will expand self-awareness, enrich attitudes, rekindle love for Christ, and encourage a personal relationship with God. For more information contact Sue Singer 570-724-2360

Thanks to all our sponsors

who make our bulletin possible.

We would like to thank:

KENYON FUNERAL HOME For advertising in our bulletin.

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH March 10, 2019

That’s the way it is, by: Father Bechtel

This past Ash Wednesday we have begun Lent. It is about time! Lent isn’t my most favorite season. At the same time, I might say, the only thing worse than Lent is a late Lent! I prefer to start Lent early and have an early Easter. This year the start of Lent and

Easter Sunday is almost as late as it can be. It will still be light out when we begin the Easter Vigil at 8:00PM.

The Season of Lent is penitential in nature. The Season of Advent is also penitential in nature, but Lent more so. The tone of the Mass and the musical selections take on a far more somber tone. We use chant during this time of the year because of the penitential nature of the season. Chant helps to highlight the somberness of the season. Decorations in the Church are few during these 40 days.

All joking aside, the truth is that Lent is a beautiful time of the year if we understand and use the time appropriately. I think of the season as a 40 day retreat that the Church enters in order to prepare for Easter. We meditate more fully on our sins and the cost of redemption during Lent. This is not because we like pain or because we have no Faith in redemption. This is to help give us a greater appreciation for the power of Easter and the mysteries of redemption. For 40 days we grieve over our sins, but at Easter this grief is turned to 50 days of joy and jubilation as we realize that Christ has conquered sin and death.

I remember when I was a child going to Mass during Lent. I remember all the somber music, the chants, the sparsely decorated church, and the overall somber tone of the season. Imagine going to Mass on Easter Sunday, after having gone through 40 days of penitence. Imagine the sun streaming in through the stained glass windows on Easter Sunday, the grand pipe organ thundering out “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” and the Church reverberating with God’s Easter glory. All I can say is---wow! That is why we have Lent: it helps give us a greater appreciation for Easter.

During the season, we are expected to follow the Lenten regulations. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we are expected to fast. What this means is essentially this: on those days we eat simple foods and only what is necessary for sustenance. Fasting is biblical. Our Lord Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. If even our Lord coupled fasting with prayer, it is a good idea for us to do likewise. The most well known practice during Lent is to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. The reason for this has to do with the offering of Christ. On Good Friday, flesh was offered in sacrifice for sin. Therefore on Friday’s

during the season that we reflect more fully on this sacrifice, we abstain from flesh in honor of that sacrifice.

Some people also have the laudable practice of giving something up during Lent. Ultimately, the reason we have the disciplinary practices during Lent that we do is to discipline our flesh. The idea is that if we can exercise self-control over things that we can legitimately have, it becomes easier to resist temptation when it comes to things we are not allowed to have. One of the consequences of our fallen natures is that flesh and spirit are at odds. The passions of the flesh can draw us away from the passions of our spirits. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26: 41.) By disciplining the flesh, our passions will more willingly follow after the things of God. The disciplines of Lent are like spiritual boot camp. They get us into shape so that we can live the life of God.

This weekend we welcome Father Collins from the Saint John Neumann Shrine in Philadelphia. He will be celebrating all Masses this weekend at Saint Peter’s. For those who are Saint Thomas parishioners, not to worry. I am working on a parish mission for you also down the line. On Sunday evening at 7:00PM we will celebrate evening prayer. Father Collins will give a talk on Saint John Neumann and also show some relics of the saint. On Monday, we will celebrate evening prayer at 7:00. Father Collins will continue his presentations and showing of relics. Attending this parish mission will be a great way to begin Lent. Those who belong to Saint Thomas are most welcome to attend.

That’s the way it is,

The Reverend David W. Bechtel Pastor

Contact information: Father Dave Bechtel: Rectory: 570-724-3371 Emergency: 570-329-5762 (Pager) Saint Peter's email: Stpch@ptd.net Father Bechtel: Dbechtel00@yahoo.com

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Survey The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Thomas the Apostle has developed this survey to learn what our parishioners find giving about our parish and where you

think the parish should focus its energies. If you did not receive a survey in the mail, extra survey sheets are in the backs of the churches.

-----------------------------------First Sunday in Lent-------------------------------

Sunday Collection for

March 3, 2019 $ 1,701.50

Weekly Goal to Meet Expenses (for two weeks):

$ 2,212.00 Difference: - $ 510.50 As of July 1st, St. Thomas Parish began a

new fiscal year. Based on the budget, a weekly collection of $2,212.00 has been established

This weekend the

2nd collection will be for the….

Next weekend the

2nd collection will be for the….

~ ~ Lent Activity ~ ~ Choose a favorite

Lenten message from your Bible. Write it on a small sheet of paper and place it on canned

items and deposit them in the back of

both churches on the weekends.

PRAY For those serving our country:

Lord, hold our troops in your

loving hands. Protect them as

they protect us. Bless them

and their families in our time of

need. We ask this in the name

of Jesus our Lord and Saver.

Amen.

For those who need special prayers:

Richard & Wanita Allen, Mike Asiello, Isidore

Bicksler, Martin Blaskowitz, Stephanie Rose

Calicchia, Carmen Blend, Payton Blend, Don

Blovhic, Waverly Emma Brodey, Jacob Hunter

Brodey, Bob & Daisy Casbeer, Lucas Charles &

family, Kim Cochran & family, Chet Cornish,

Elizabeta Erway, Carol Fasick, Barbara Gilligan,

Kathy Gillbert, Mary Gilmour, Josiah Goodrich,

Janet Flinn, Angelina Heck, Christian

Houghtaling, Betty Howe, June Kerrick, Linda

Kitcline; Mickey Labosky, Tom Labosky, Jr.,

Taylor MacKenzie, Ann Marsiglio, Robert

McDonough, John Mosley, Craig Owlett, Pat

Perry, Diane Pollock, John & Shirley Porter,

Marion Potter, Evelyn Reimann, Cindy Sereno,

Pat Siciliano, Bob & Diane Soyka, Debra Stanley,

Paul Taft, Roberta Volante, Elbert Whalen,

Esther Whalen, Robert Whalen, Kathlyn

Whitcomb.

For those in Nursing Homes: Virginia Barbano,

Renee Kennedy, Mary T. Miller, Deb Morgan,

Colleen Pell, Kitty Gaintomasi, Virgina Wynick

Please call the office to add names of those who are in need of prayer due to sudden illness, upcoming surgery, hospital stay or those who are experiencing a hardship. 814-258-5121.

All of you are welcome at Saint Peter's anytime. The Saint Peter's Mass schedule: Saturday: 5:00PM ~ Sunday: 8:30AM Holy Day: 5:00PM (Eve) 12:10 and 7:00PM (Day) If you attend Mass at Saint Peter's it is preferred that hold your Saint Thomas envelop until the next time you attend Mass at Saint Thomas. The collection counters do not always notice the Saint Thomas envelop and count it as Saint Peter's collection. We do find the error and make a check out to Saint Thomas for the amount. However, we do not want to be in a position where we might not catch the error. To be safe, it is just best to hold your envelop until the next time you are at Saint Thomas.

PARISH STATISTICS *Weekend of March 3*

Weekend Mass Number Attending

7:00pm – 49 11:30am - 32

Total # Attending Mass – 81

Number of registered parishioners - 328

* Weekend Mass Number Attending

7:00pm - 70 11:30am - 56

Total # Attending Mass – 132

Number of registered parishioners - 328

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH March 10, 2019

Why Do We Do That? In Lent, why do we fast? * For the Christian, fasting is the only means by which man recovers his true spiritual nature. In order for fasting to be effective, the spirit must be a part of it. Christian fasting is not concerned with losing weight. It is a matter of prayer and the spirit. Christian tradition can name at least seven reasons for fasting: * From the beginning, God commanded some fasting, and sin entered into the world because Adam and Eve broke the fast. * For the Christian, fasting is ultimately about fasting from sin. * Fasting reveals our dependence on God and not the resources of this world. * Fasting is an ancient way of preparing for the Eucharist — the truest of foods. * Fasting is preparation for baptism, and all the sacraments — for the reception of grace. * Fasting is a means of saving resources to give to the poor.

* Fasting is a means of self-discipline, chastity, and the restraining of the appetites. Days of Fast and Abstinence – Ash Wednesday and

Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. All Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. All

Catholics, 18-59 years of age, are bound by Church law to fast, which means only one large meal and

two smaller meals may be eaten. Catholics 14 years of age and older are required to abstain from eating

meat.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL

Each Easter, the flowers in the church during the

season memorialize deceased loved ones. If you

would like to contribute to this year’s Easter flowers in

memory of a loved one, please use the envelope found in your monthly packet and

place in the collection basket. A list of those we remember will be included in the Easter

Sunday bulletin.

Monday, March 11

Saint Peter’s

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, March 18 – St. Catherine’s

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, March 25 – St. Thomas

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Start on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m.

St. Thomas Church

At 6:30 PM

Adult Ed will begin in Parish

Hall March 13: Encounter Christ First and

Then Set The World On Fire. Also

Excerpt from Evangelizing Catholics

by Dr. Scott Hahn Lighthouse Talks

Augustine Institute

March 20: A Vast Company of Witnesses-The

Communion of Saints- Bishop Barron Series Word

on Fire

March 27: Word Made Flesh -True Bread of

Heaven The Mystery of The Liturgy and the

Eucharist Bishop Barron Series Word On Fire

April 3: A Body Both Suffering And

Glorious Bishop Barron Series Word On Fire

April 10: The Mystical Union of Christ And The

Church Bishop Barron Series Word On Fire

April 17: The Indispensable Men – Peter and Paul

and the Missionary Adventure Bishop Barron

Series Word On Fire

April 24: World Without End – The Last Things

Bishop Barron Series Word on Fire

-----------------------------------First Sunday in Lent-------------------------------

Spiritual Adoption: Week 8 Our babies are

now about 1 inch long and weigh in at a hefty 0.07

ounce....that's approximately the size of a grape. All their organs are now present and functioning, with the exception of their lungs. Their stomachs are secreting digestive juices, tiny livers are forming blood cells and their hearts will finish dividing into four chambers this week, complete with miniature valves. Their taste buds are developing and their eyes are now completely formed, with the eyelids remaining closed until about 27 weeks gestation. The palms of their hands are now sensitive to touch and each baby's fingertips are being engraved with his or her own unique set of fingerprints! Now that all systems are in place, get ready for some rapid weight gain!! Their moms are now 10 weeks pregnant and may be facing heavy pressure to abort their babies. Pray every day that they will have the courage and support they need to carry their beautiful babies to birth. Did you know? An unborn baby's heart will beat approximately 54 million times BEFORE birth!!

"FILL YOUR

FREEZER" RAFFLE With Gift Certificates from Sylvester Meats,

Westfield, PA

(USDA Inspected)

$5.00 TICKET or 5 for $20.00

➢ Prize #1 $300.00 Gift Certificate

➢ Prize #2 $200.00 Gift Certificate

➢ Prize #3 $100.00 Gift Certificate

DRAWING WILL BE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH

YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE THE CERTIFICATE ALL AT

ONCE, YOU CAN PURCHASE WHAT YOU WANT AND COME

BACK AT A LATER DATE FOR MORE!

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN BACK OF BOTH CHURCHES. THE TICKETS WILL BE STAPLED IN 5'S AND PUT IN

BUNDLES OF 10. PLEASE TAKE A BUNDLE TO SELL - MONEY/TICKETS AND UNSOLD TICKETS NEED TO BE

TURNED IN BY FRIDAY, APRIL 12.

Please sell to your family, friends, neighbors,

co-workers, etc.

Cowanesque Valley

Weekly

Every Wednesday morning from

7-8 AM a Prayer Breakfast for the

men of the valley is held at the

Presbyterian Church, Osceola.

All men of the parish are welcome to participate.

Donation is $3.00.

Thursday, March 14 - Knoxville Center, 7:00pm. Fr Bechtel to preach and lead worship.

Thursday, March 21 - Knoxville Center, 7:00pm. Need volunteers to set up and take down for service.

Thursday, March 28 - Knoxville Center, 7:00pm. Need volunteers to provide snacks.

If you can help, please call the rectory 814-258-5121.

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH March 10, 2019

SANCTUARY CANDLES A candle is kept burning day and night whenever the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in Catholic churches. It is an emblem of Christ’s abiding love and a reminder to the faithful to respond with loving adoration in return.

Sanctuary candles are available to remember or honor your loved ones. Please call the rectory to reserve a week.

MASS INTENTIONS If you would like to have a Mass celebrated for a living or deceased family member or friend, please call or visit the Rectory or place your intention and the $10 stipend in an envelope marked "Mass Intention" and place it in the collection basket. Mass intentions will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, Mass intentions may be changed based on the availability of the priest or if there are any unforeseen changes in the daily Mass schedule. Donation for Mass intentions must be made at the time of request. We are now scheduling Masses for 2019.

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 30. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through your pastor before April 2.

“Lent is the time to rediscover the direction

of life. Because in life’s journey, as in every

journey, what really matters is not to lose

sight of the goal.” Pope Francis

2019. Saturday, March 16 Faith and Healing Retreat

St. Peter’s, Wellsboro Schedule 8:45 Morning Prayer 9 Mass 9:30 Adoration and Confessions 10 Roy Schoeman Video Presentation Salvation

Is From The Jews

Roy Schoeman was born outside New York City of Jewish parents who had fled Nazi Germany. After receiving his Jewish education and formation under some of the most prominent Rabbis in contemporary American Jewry, he went to college at MIT and then Harvard Business School, where he received an M.B.A. magna cum laude and joined the faculty as a professor of marketing.

Midway through his career of teaching at Harvard he received the grace of several supernatural experiences that resulted in his totally unanticipated and enthusiastic conversion to Christianity. Following his conversion, he became active in Catholic evangelization, hosting and helping produce a Catholic TV show, writing for Catholic periodicals, and pursuing theological studies at several seminaries. In 2003 his first book Salvation is from the Jews: The Role of Judaism in Salvation History, was published by Ignatius Press and became a surprise best-seller, followed shortly thereafter by a second book, Honey from the Rock: Sixteen Jews Find the Sweetness of Christ, also from Ignatius. Since then Roy has become a popular guest on EWTN, appearing on a number of shows including “EWTN Live with Fr. Pacwa”, “The Journey Home”, “The Carpenter’s Shop”, “Faith and Family”, and “Bookmark”. He is frequently invited to speak at Catholic parishes, conferences, and retreats throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America. In his talks, Roy weaves together his personal witness testimony with discussion of the role of Judaism in salvation history from the beginning to the end of time, as illumined by Catholic doctrine. This gives the listener a deeper understanding of Judaism, both as a religion in itself and as a central component of Christian salvation, and sheds light on the unfolding of salvation history leading up to the 2nd Coming.

11 Small Group Discussion 11:30 Rosary

Sorrowful Mysteries dedicated to Our Lady of Persecuted Christans

12 Noon Angelus Lunch- Subs, chips, cookies, drink 12:30 PM Large group discussion 1 Healing Service

Prayers for our priests and bishops 1:30 Prayer for a Journey All are welcome! Reservations Please: Tom Socha 814-258-7386 tmsoch@gmail.com

-----------------------------------First Sunday in Lent-------------------------------

March 15th is the last day

for submitting orders for the

Gift Card Program. Please

have your payment (check

made out to St. Thomas

Parish) and order form to

Maureen. This would be a good time to order

cards for a special Easter Bunny or get some

cards for yourself. Order forms can be found

in the back of both churches. If you are

interested in a merchant not listed on the

order form go to www.glscrip.com for a

complete list of participating merchants, or

call Maureen at 258-7386.

SAVE THE DATE St. Peter‘s annual spring rummage sale will be held April 2nd – April 4th. When you are spring cleaning, please consider donating household items, books and clothing. Donations can be dropped off on March 31st from 11:00am - 3:00pm, and April 1st from 8:00am - 5:00pm. If you have any questions regarding donations, please call Mary Lasko 570-439-7706 or Pat Gorda 570-724-3035. NO TVS PLEASE!

LENT AND CRS RICE BOWL Lent is a 40-day journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Each day during Lent, we have

opportunity to be inspired by the stories of people and communities from around the world, and to take time to set aside a little of ourselves to make room for a stranger. This Lent, CRS Rice Bowl invites you your family and community to journey with Christ through fear to fortitude, recognizing God’s invitation to reach out beyond ourselves to encounter the needs of all.

Rice Bowls are in the back of the church.

BINGO RESULTS $ 2,498.96

INCOME:

125 Players/Door 3,325.00

Lucky 7 260.00

Dabbers 28.25

Rip Offs 1,809.00

50/50 361.00

Kitchen 550.76

Raffle 390.00

TOTAL 6,724.01

EXPENSES:

Pay Out 3,000.00

Bingo Sheets 140.40

Rent 200.00

Louise 150.00

Lucky 7 75.00

50/50 185.00

Kitchen 34.65

Rip Offs 301.00

Raffle 25.00

Advertising 114.00

TOTAL 4,225.05

Want to thank our volunteers for all their support and help. Also, everyone for their donations.

ATTENTION Items needed to make baskets to Raffle off at our Super Bingo games… Crafts, collectables, etc. can be

dropped off at the rectory. More info call rectory 814-258-5121.

USED CANS &/OR BOTTLES

Parish fundraiser to turn those water bottles or aluminum cans of soda (with a deposit on them) into cash. Please drop them off when you come to church

or bring them to the rectory/hall. They have asked us not to crush the water bottles. Thank you!