SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 26, 2020

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Dear friends in Christ, Let's Switch Gears!

I was self-taught to drive as a teen in the early '80s on a stick shift car. Learning to drive a transmission car without adult

supervision had unpleasant consequences for me-it is painful to recall the image of my dad's wrecked Peugeot 504 car, but that is

a story for another day. One painful but vital lesson I learned about switching gears while driving a manual shift car is the

timeliness of taking your foot off the clutch as you pedal on the accelerator. I burnt a couple of clutch pads because I failed to take

my foot off the pedal as soon as I switch gears to a different level. We need to know the time to switch gears for smooth

transmission and mobility of our spiritual life as it driving a stick shift car. A productive religious devotion and prayer life depend on

making switches among abundant options as we fight spiritual battles. We fight spiritual battles with weapons of prayers.

It is time we switch gears of our spiritual weapon to the Rosary. As we face the challenges of our time, the Covid-19

pandemic, I want to suggest that we turn intentionally to Mary Our Lady of the Rosary. St. Dominic and St. Pio of Pietrelcina

taught me many years ago that turning to Our Blessed Mother Mary and the prayer of the Rosary in time of dire straits is a holy

thing to do. St. Padre Pio said it is unthinkable to think we can win life battles without the aid of our Lady and the Rosary: "Some

people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray

the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed

Mother."

Bible supports this claim. "Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us" (Lk.

24:32). As Jesus opened the scriptures to two of his disciples on the way to Emmaus, I opened the scriptures to the marriage

feast at Cana (Jn. 2:1-11) and Jesus' last words to his Mother and John at the foot of the Cross (Jn. 19:25-27). They speak to me

of God willing to channel his graces to us through the prayers and motherly care of Mary. These are instances where Mary is

called upon to intervene on our behalf to Jesus and Jesus, commending us to her maternal care, respectively.

I want to suggest we go to Mary specifically in May. Devotions to Mary in May started in Ancient Rome to commemorate

the beginnings of floral blooms. It is part of the reasons our children crown Mary with flowers during the May crowning of Mary. As

we switch to the time of spring, we turn to an intensification of our Marian devotions. I encourage you to meditate daily on the

mysteries of the Holy Rosary; we honor Mary this way, and she will intercede on our behalf in these challenging times.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, my patron saint, said, "God wills that all his gifts should come to us through Mary." I believe so.

Through Mary, God gave us his son and our savior Jesus Christ. Through the intercession of Mary, God wants to help us win our

spiritual battles as we switch our prayer gears to Marian devotions in May. Please pray at least a chaplet of the Rosary daily

throughout May. Pray for us, Holy Mary, Mother of God.

In Jesus and Mary, Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 26, 2020

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APRIL 19, DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

SUNDAY ONLINE $ 5,079 SUNDAY ENVELOPES $ 2,697 TOTAL SUNDAY $ 8,883 EASTER $ 1,498 ($4,913)

Your weekly support is needed… and greatly appreciated!

We are blessed that so many of our parishioners are continuing to give every week to St. Peter Church. During this extraordinary time our ordinary parish expenses continue, and your ongoing support is needed. Consider switching to On-line giving. It is a convenient and easy way to give weekly. It is not the only way, you may submit your weekly envelopes by mail, too. Regardless of which way you choose, thank you for your continued support!

⬧ Use Online Giving ~ www.osvonlinegiving.com/1403

The link is available on our website under More / Stewardship / Online Giving. Please call the office if questions.

⬧ Mail weekly envelopes to the office, 1840 Marshall Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

⬧ Drop off envelopes to the office mailbox Mon / Wed /Thu from 10:00am –2:00pm.

YOUTH MESSAGES OF STEWARDSHIP & TALENT”

“I sacrificed for my family.” “I cleaned up all of my siblings forts.”

“I cheered up my friend when she was sad.” ++++++++++++++

GROWING OUR FAITH & STRENGTHENING OUR MINISTRY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

TOTAL AMOUNT PLEDGED: $2,105,144.48

TOTAL PAID TO DATE: $ 1,697,902.59

TOTAL DUE: $ 407,241.89

THANK YOU TO OUR BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

ABEL & SON ROOFING & SIDING “BEFORE YOU SIGN CALL ME”

717-361-8406

April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter

Do you recognize Jesus in your midst? Is your heart burning within you? Think about the possibility of walking the path with Jesus as a brother, sister, or priest. (Luke 24: 13-35). If God may be calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit our website at www.hbgdiocese.org, call or write: frjsawicki@hbgdiocese.org.

OUR SANCTUARY CANDLES ILLUMINATE THIS WEEK FOR:

~ HISTORIC CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

Agnes Haggarty

Given by Eileen Hill

~ CHURCH ~

In loving Memory of

Ed Barr

Given by Mary & Cindy Barr

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER 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. St. Alphonsus de Liguori

PRAYER DURING A PANDEMIC

O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary,

We, your children of every nation,

Turn to you in this pandemic.

Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great.

Grant that we might deposit them at your feet,

Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,

And obtain peace, healing, rescue,

And timely help in all our needs. You are our Mother.

Pray for us to your Son. Amen.

GET YOUR HERSHEY PARK TICKETS!!

Discount tickets to Hersheypark are available to the friends and families of the parish at a

significant savings. Gate admission for Regular is $74.80, our price is $38.95 (ALL ages 3+).

Order forms and more information is on our website, www.stpeteretown.org

News/Parish Information

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 26, 2020

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All Mass Intentions below will be offered during

Fr. Bernard’s daily private Masses.

SAT/SUN APRIL25/26 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) MON, APRIL 27 11:00 AM Bob Grogan (HC) (CCW) TUE, APRIL 28 11:00 AM Gladys Kern (HC) (Telenko Family) WED, APRIL 29 11:00 AM Bill Chambers (HC) (Chambers Family) THUR, APRIL 30 11:00 AM Living Intentions of Robin Ott (HC) (Mary Gottfried) FRI, MAY 1 11:00 AM Doug Pfautz (HC) (Liz Pfautz) SAT/SUN MAY 2/3 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) All Masses are streamed live on our Facebook page, stpeterparishelizabethtown. And, later posted on our website, www.stpeteretown.org/onlinemasses. Follow us on Facebook.

In Memoriam

~ William Bekelja ~ Brother of Kathy Drace

& ~ Leilia Hally ~

Aunt of Patti Becker

“Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them. May All of the

Faithful Departed, Through the Mercy of God,

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Community Cupboard is still operating! They are doing a drive-thru pick up. Volunteers make up boxes of food for clients based on the list that Melissa gets through talking with the clients (so they get food that they want/can eat). Then they deliver it to their cars. It is working well and they have been able to provide food to more clients in a shorter span of time. Donations of food/money are still needed!

The Clothing Barn is closed until further notice. No clothing donations are being accepted at this time either. If you are one of those people cleaning closets while you're at home, please hold on to them - we will need them when this is lifted.

Community Place on Washington is open. ECHOS is still operating as well as the Community Cupboard. Staff is not meeting face-to-face with new clients now, but phone conversations are on-going, as well as meetings with winter shelter guests (now staying in an alternate location) and crisis housing clients.

The Elizabethtown Ministerium has been handing out approximately 250 lunches daily - Monday - Friday. They have changed delivery times to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and giving 2 lunches per person. If you would like to help contact Joan Crick crickjb@gmail.com.

Please continue to pray and give to our local community. Thank you for your support and stay safe!

ST PETER PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We are the church of St. Peter committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through

prayer, service, scripture and sacrament in the living Catholic and apostolic tradition.

We welcome all to walk with us on this journey of faith.

Scripture Readings Week of April 26, 2020

Sunday Third Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 Monday Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr; Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest

Acts 7:51—8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab; Jn 6:30-35

Wednesday Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a; Jn 6:35-40 Thursday Saint Pius V, Pope Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 Friday Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 or Gn 1:26—2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Mt 13:54-58 Saturday Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Jn 6:60-69 Sunday Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10