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Stations of the Cross Friday, April 3, 2020

Sunday, March 29, 2020 Fifth Sunday of Lent

PERFECT CONTRITION

By having perfect contrition one can receive the forgiveness of sins, apart from going to confession. 

Perfect contrition requires the following three things:

• A love of God above all else
• A sincere desire for the forgiveness from sin
• The resolution to go to confession as soon as possible when this health crisis subsides

PLENARY INDULGENCE

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has also granted a plenary indulgence under specific conditions.

The faithful who qualify for a plenary indulgence during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Those suffering from the coronavirus illness
• Health care workers, family members, and others caring for those with the coronavirus (exposing themselves to the virus)

The faithful must do at least one of the following:

• Unite yourself spiritually through the media in the celebration of the Holy Mass
• Recite the Rosary
• Pious practice of the Way of the Cross (or other forms of devotion)
• Recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and a Hail Mary

The faithful must be willing to perform all of the following as soon as possible: (considered the three usual conditions for a plenary indulgence)

• Going to Confession
• Receiving Holy Communion
• Praying for the intentions of Pope Francis

https://olophparish.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/page-9elimination-working.pdf

Monday March 23
Repose of the Souls of Dominic and Katherine Kinsley,
The Late Theresa K. Huffman

Tuesday March 24
Repose of the Souls of Melbourne and Theresa K. Huffman
The Late Theresa K. Huffman

Wednesday March 25
Repose of the Souls of Dominic and Katherine Kinsley
The Late Theresa K. Huffman

Thursday March 26
Repose of the Soul of Mary Anna Dobrosielski
McCarthy and Brogenski Families

Friday March 27
Repose of the Soul of Collin Burton
Marilyn Burton

Saturday March 28
Repose of the Soul of Molly O’Neil
Dorothy Stoddard and Family

Sunday March 29 Fifth Sunday of Lent
Repose of the Soul of Richard Vosik
Ron and Linda Kahler

For various reasons we may be prevented from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. We may have broken the one hour fast, be in a state of mortal sin, or we could even be homebound, unable to leave our home to attend Mass.

In these cases the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion. Many saints including St. Jean-Marie Vianney, St. Theresa of Jesus and St. Pio of Pietrelcina incorporated this prayer into their daily lives.

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Attention Catholic Men, 

Please Register for the 6^th annual Be A Man Conference.  The early bird deadline of April 1 is only 30 days away.  We don’t want you to pay more to attend the conference.  The Conference will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020, from 8am to 3pm at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 South Pennsylvania Ave. Wilkes Barre, PA 18701. The cost for registering is $40 (Early Bird $30 until 4/01/20), Students $15

Notice Regarding Reporting Sexual Abuse of a Minor

It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Laws, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24-HourChild Abuse hotline (ChildLine) at

1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis

It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator Mary Beth Pacuska at (570-862-7551) or to Diocesan officials, including the Vicar General, Monsignor Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G., at (570-207-2269).

CCD FOOD DRIVE

The students of St. Mary’s CCD program

will be participating in the “Let’s Can Hunger”

for Lent food drive hosted by the Helping

Hands food pantry in Wyalusing.  Students

will be bringing 1 canned food item for each day of Lent.  Should any anyone wish to contribute to this worthy cause, a box is located under the coat hooks near the restroom in St. Mary’s.  Helping Hands food pantry is currently looking for the following: peanut butter, pancake mix, canned vegetables and fruit, soup, jelly, instant potatoes, toiletries, frosting, salad dressing, crackers, spaghetti sauce, crackers, apple sauce, pasta,   and spices

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS 

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 25^th or 50^th wedding

anniversary in 2020 to a diocesan

Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 14. The event includes a 2:30 pm mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with an April mailing address, should be made through your parish office before March 23

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Several years ago our parish set up

a Parish Education Fund within the

Ministry of Mercy account.  The

purpose of this fund is assist Parish

children in attending Catholic

schools, K-12^th grade. By easing the

financial burden, we hope to convince

more parents to choose a Catholic education for their children.   Guidelines:   Applicants must be registered members of the Parish for at least 12 months prior to application.  At least one parent must be a baptized and regularly practicing Catholic with our Parish.  The maximum contributed by the Parish would be $2,000 per student or 100% of the cost of St Agnes whichever is less.  Specific financial need is not necessary.  If there is financial need, the family is encouraged to apply to the school and the Diocese first and then use the Parish fund to make up the difference up to 100% or $2,000.  The committee will review and recommend applications to Father, who must grant final approval before funds are granted to the students family.   The Parish office has copies of financial aid applications from the Diocese and St Agnes.   The deadlines to apply to the Diocese is April 17^th .  Since St Agnes is the only Catholic school near our Parish, we presume that the students would go there.  The cost is approximately $ 5,100 per year.   If you have any questions please call the Parish office or Kim Homer