Bulletin~July 20, 2008

DAY NINE!

As I write this article it is Tuesday morning – the beginning of Day Nine. This past weekend was great. I was thrilled to see the four Masses filled with people – so much vitality and enthusiasm. I met so many of you after Mass at the "meet & greet" reception. Thank you for your well wishes and encouragement.

This past week I have been talking with staff members and various parishioners in leadership. This Tuesday evening I will meet with the Pastoral Council to be ramped up on their vision for the future of our parish.

Please be aware of one change which takes place immediately: the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday morning following the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Starting this weekend there will be no confessions following the Saturday evening Mass. However, for your convenience there are other options in our cluster of parishes:

St. Joseph Parish in O'Hara has Saturday reconciliation from 3:30-4:00.

Madonna of Jerusalem has reconciliation on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:45 and Saturday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

PARISH PICNIC

Remember to save the date! August 24th Saint Scholastica Parish Picnic

Anyone interested in attending the next parish picnic meeting should join us at 7:00 p.m. in the pastoral center July 23rd. Hope to see you there!

THE TIME IS NOW!

Christ The Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (CDTCA) is currently taking registrations for the 2008-2009 school year for all grades K-8 and Pre-school 3 and 4 year olds. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Office hours limited in July call 412.781.7927 or contact us at cdtcatholicacademy.org

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

The Challenge of Forming Consciences (cont.)

Who in the Church should participate in political life?

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. In today's environment, Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party and few candidates fully share our comprehensive commitment to human life and dignity. Catholic lay women and men need to act on the Church's moral principles and become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. Even those who cannot vote should raise their voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good.

How does the Church help Catholics address political and socials questions?

A well-formed conscience.

The Church equips her members to address political questions by helping them develop well-formed consciences. "Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act…[Every person] is obliged to follow faithfully what he [or she] knows to be just and right" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1778). We Catholics have a lifelong obligation to form our consciences in accord with human reason, enlightened by the teaching of Christ as it comes to us through the Church.

The virtue of prudence.

The Church also encourages Catholics to develop the virtue of prudence, which enables us "to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1806). Prudence shapes and informs our ability to deliberate over available alternatives, to determine what is most fitting to a specific context, and to act. Prudence must be accompanied by courage which calls us to act. As Catholics seek to advance the common good, we must carefully discern which public policies are morally

sound. A good end does not justify an immoral means. At times Catholics may choose different ways to respond to social problems, but we cannot differ on our obligation to protect human life and dignity to help build through moral means a more just and peaceful world.

Doing good and avoiding evil.

There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor. These intrinsically evil acts must always be rejected and never supported. A preeminent example is the intentional taking of human life through abortion. It is always morally wrong to destroy innocent human beings. A legal system that allows the right to life to be violated on the grounds of choice is fundamentally flawed.

Similarly, direct threats to the dignity of human life such as euthanasia, human cloning, and destructive research on human embryos are also intrinsically evil and must be opposed. Other assaults on human life and dignity, such as genocide, torture, racism, and the targeting of noncombatants in acts of terror or war, can never be justified. Disrespect for any human life diminishes respect for all human life.

As Catholics we are not single-issue voters. A candidate's position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter's support. Yet a candidate's position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support. (continued next week).

FAMILY FEST

Families of the diocese are invited to share in a special Family Fest for the Year of St. Paul. It will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Paul Seminary. A Mass with Bishop Zubik presiding will highlight the event. There will be a catered picnic lunch, games, races, a tour of the seminary and lots more. The cost is $5 per person or $25 for the whole family. To register, make your check out to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and send it to the Office for Family Life and Catechesis, Diocese of Pittsburgh, 111 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Please register by August 18. For more information, call 412-456-3160.

Sat, 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)

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

7:30 am Birthday, Damiano Marsico

(Peter & Rose Ann)

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

11:00 am Aladino Lombardi (Family)

Monday, Weekday, July 21

8:30 am 60^th Anniv., Mr & Mrs Graemer K. Hilton (Frances & Mary)

Tuesday, Mary Magdalene, July 22

8:30 am Robert Maher (Thomas Maher)

Wednesday, Weekday, July 23

8:30 am Birthday, Clementine Tamburo

(Evelyn Conflenti)

Thursday, Weekday, July 24

8:30 am Josephine L. Murphy (Brother, Bill Loeffler)

Friday, St. James, apostle, July 25

8:30 am Louis Hren (Miketic-Bozik Family)

Saturday, Joachim & Anne parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, July 26

9:00 am Louise Flinn (son, David)

Saturday, Vigil of 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26

6:00 pm Harriet Lynch (Jim and Karyn Lynch)

Presider: Fr. Kenneth White

Sunday, 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 27

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

Presider: Fr. Kenneth White

9:00 am Catherine Byrnes (May Byrnes & Family)

Presider: Fr. Kenneth White

11:00 am Anniv., Douglas Arturo (Family)

Presider: Fr. Kenneth White

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.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? R.C.I.A. is the process which enables adults to become initiated into the Church. Call the pastor for information.

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) is celebrated at St. Scholastica Parish on Saturday, after 9:00 a.m. Mass. For your convenience the parishes in our cluster have the following opportunities for reconciliation:

St. Joseph Parish in O'Hara has Saturday reconciliation from 3:30-4:00.

Madonna of Jerusalem has reconciliation on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:45 and Saturday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST is available for those who are sick and confined to home. Call Sister Marilyn for assistance.

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 deaconate.

NEW PARISHIONERS ARE MOST WELCOME! Please call Fr. Ken or Sr. Pat.

INACTIVE CATHOLICS Baptized Catholics who have not been practicing their faith are most welcome to return to the Church. Please call Fr. Ken or Sr. Pat.

PARISH PHONE NUMBER: 412-781-0186

Extension

Parish Office 10

Website Address: www.saintscholastica.com

E-mail address: parish@saintscholastica.com

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

E-mail address: frken@saintscholastica.com

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

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