Bulletin~July 13, 2007

SIXTY-SIX HOURS AND COUNTING

I am writing this Wednesday morning and I have now been pastor here with you for 66 hours! So far, so good! My first priority after I moved in on Sunday evening was to have coffee and orange juice for Monday morning. There is much comfort in the daily routines of our lives, isn't there?

My first Mass was at 8:30 a.m. Monday and I was surprised and excited to see a good number of people at Mass. After Mass I greeted each one and am grateful for the warm greetings I received. Orange juice, coffee and Mass; a wonderful formula to begin my first full day at my new home.

I am excited with the new opportunities and ministry that is opening for me. I firmly believe that it is my job to join the parish, not the parish's duty to join me. The next few weeks I will be getting settled in my new home, meet you after Mass, talk to staff and parish leadership. This is all part of the initiation process as I become part of the parish family.

All I ask is that you be patient with me as I adjust and I am so grateful for all your warm welcomes and prayerful support.

Fr. Ken

MEET AND GREET FOR FR. KEN NEXT WEEKEND

Please drop by the Pastoral Center for light refreshments Saturday, July 12th following the 6PM Mass or Sunday, July 13th in between the 9AM and 11AM Masses to meet Fr. Ken and welcome him to St. Scholastica's.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

The Challenge of Forming Consciences

This week and in the weeks to come, we will share with you a bishops-approved summary of this pastoral letter. The U.S. bishops have issued a statement to Catholics about forming their faith properly before making political decisions. Here is a bishops-approved summary of that document.

Our nation faces political challenges that demand urgent moral choices. We are a nation at war, with all of its human costs; a country often divided by race and ethnicity; a nation of immigrants struggling with immigration. We are an affluent society where too many live in poverty; part of a global community confronting terrorism and facing urgent threats to our environment; a culture built on families, where some now question the value of marriage and family life. We pride ourselves on supporting human rights, but we fail even to protect the fundamental right to life, especially for unborn children.

We bishops seek to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with the truth, so they can make sound moral choices in addressing these challenges. We do not tell Catholics how to vote. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each person and his or her properly formed conscience.

Why does the Church teach about issues affecting public policy?

The Church's obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to us by Jesus Christ. Faith helps us see more clearly the truth about human life and dignity that we also understand through human reason. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ's commandment to "love one another" (Jn 13:34). According to Pope Benedict XVI, "charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as 'social charity'" (Deus Caritas Est, no. 29).

The United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government

interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Civil law should recognize and protect the Church's right and responsibility to participate in society without abandoning our central moral convictions. Our nation's tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions into public life. The Catholic community brings to the political dialogue a consistent moral framework and broad experience serving those in need.

Next week: Who in the Church should participate in political life?

BLOOD DRIVE

Central Blood Bank is experiencing a severe decline in blood donations that is effecting patient treatment. Without a sufficient blood supply, cancer patients will not be able to receive their transfusions for treatment and surgeries will have to be rescheduled. Patient care is at stake and we are asking for your help to avert a life or death crisis. Please schedule your appointment today to donate blood at St. Scholastica's Summer blood drive. Call 412-781-6550 for an appointment Sunday on July 20th.

YOUTH NEWS

Thanks to all of the middle schoolers, teens and adults who participated in Camp Helping Hand this year. Habitat for Humanity was impressed with everything that you accomplished!

STEWARDSHIP FOR

July 6, 2008

Curr YTD

___Week YTD VAR__

Weekly Coll. $ 11,608 $346,157 $ 25,407

Holy Days -- 8,997 998

Parish Share 1,533 102,516 (4,112)

Renovations 500 23,249 n/a

2nd Coll./Other 205 16,668 115

Peter's Pence

   

Total $ 13,846 $497,587 $22,408

Saturday, Vigil of 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 12

6:00 pm Louis Andreaggi (Family)

Presider: Fr. Ken

Sunday, 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 13

7:30 am For the Parishioners of St. Scholastica Parish

Presider: Fr. Ken

9:00 am Lynn Perkins (Jennifer Perkins)

Presider: Fr. Ken

11:00 am Joseph Contosta II (Joseph Contosta, Sr.)

Presider: Fr. Ken

Monday, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, July 14

8:30 am James P. Bailey (Jean B. Kaufman)

Tuesday, St. Bonaventure, July 15

8:30 am Joe Costa (Antonietta Costa Family)

Wed., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Weekday, July 16

8:30 am Vincent Leo Ruggiero (Wife and Family)

Thursday, Weekday, July 17

8:30 am Joseph L. Schultz (Family)

Friday, Weekday, July 18

9:00 am Gerard Souser (Jane Souser)

Saturday, Blessed Virgin Mary, July 19

9:00 am Edward A. Vitunac (Frances Vitunac)

Saturday, Vigil of 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 19

3:00 pm Wedding: Stacy Miller and Neal Martin

6:00 pm Milton Squiller (Sandy Domandeli)

Presider: Fr. Ken

Sunday, 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 20

7:30 am Birthday, Damiano Marsico

(Peter & Rose Ann)

Presider: Fr. Ken

9:00 am For the People of St. Scholastica Parish

Presider: Fr. Ken

11:00 am Aladino Lombardi (Family)

Presider: Fr. Ken

SACRAMENTS

INFANT BAPTISM is celebrated at noon on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Please make arrangements with the parish secretary at least 2 weeks prior to the desired date.

ADULT BAPTISM The R.C.I.A. program sees to the needs of adults who wish to become Catholic. Call the pastor for information.

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) is celebrated on Saturday, after 9:00 a.m. Mass and after Saturday evening Mass, and also by appointment.

EUCHARISTIC LITURGY SCHEDULE:

Weekday Masses: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Morning - 9:00 a.m.

Weekend Masses: Saturday Evening 6:00 p.m.

Sunday - 7:30, 9:00, 11:00

HOLY EUCHARIST is available for those who are sick and confined to home. Call the parish office and we will bring the Eucharist to you.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK is available for those who are chronically or seriously ill. Call the parish office. A service for Anointing of the Sick will be conducted annually.

MARRIAGE Anyone who wishes to marry should contact the pastor at least six months prior to the desired date. Anyone who is married in a civil ceremony and wishes to sacramentalize the marriage should contact the pastor. Anyone planning to celebrate their 25th or 50th anniversary should contact the parish office well in advance of the desired date.

HOLY ORDERS Please call the pastor if you feel you might be called to the priesthood or the diaconate.

NEW PARISHIONERS ARE MOST WELCOME! Please call the pastor. He would like to welcome you.

INACTIVE CATHOLICS Baptized Catholics who have not been practicing their faith are most welcome to return to the Church. Please call the pastor at your convenience.

PARISH PHONE NUMBER: 412-781-0186

Extension

Business Office 10

Rev. Kenneth White Pastor, M.Th., M.Ed. 14

Sr. Patricia Baker, C.D.P.

Director of Music/Bereavement

Patbakercdp@saintscholastica.com 17

Mr. Andrew Bechman, M.Ed.

Director of Adult Religious Education 18

Sr. Kathleen Kelly, S.S.N.D.

Director of C.C.D. 19

Mrs. Jamie Dillon, M.S., M.A., R.R.T.

Director of Catholic Youth Ministry

jamiedillon@comcast.net 20

Sr. Marilyn Hoeing, O.S.F.

Parish Outreach

Marilynhoeingosf@saintscholastica.com 22

Website Address: www.saintscholastica.com

E-mail address: parish@saintscholastica.com

Christ The Divine Teacher Catholic Academy 412-781-7927

Mr. John Marino - Principal

E-mail address: CDTCA@nauticom.net

To schedule use of pastoral center, call 412-781-0186 x10

To schedule use of school & gym facilities, call

412-781-7927

Hearing Devices Available in the Sacristy