The Sunday Good News Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Church of Saint John Bosco July 24, 2016

THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Stop Hunger Now, 2nd Collection ............................ July 23 & 24

RCIA Team Meeting ......................................... July 25, 6:00 PM

Spiritual Reading, How Big is Your God?, Part II .........................

.................................................................... Thursday, July 28, 1 & 6:30 PM

Vacation Bible Camp, “Cave Quest” . August 1 through August 5, 9:00 AM - Noon

Parish Finance Council ...................................... Tuesday, August 2, 6-7:30 PM

Spiritual Reading, How Big is Your God?, III ....... Thurs., August 11, 1 & 6:30 PM

Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event ........................... Saturday, August 13

SJB Book Club .............................................................. August 14, 12:30 PM

Faith Formation and CLOW Volunteers Meeting ...... Tuesday, August 16, 6:00 PM

SJB Golf Tournament...................................................... Saturday, August 20

Spiritual Reading, How Big is Your God?, Part IV . Thurs., August 25, 1 & 6:30 PM

Liturgy Committee Meeting .........................Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 PM

Parish Pastoral Council Meeting.... Thursday, September 8, 6:30 PM, Classroom 1

Diocesan Annual Appeal Kickoff Weekend.............................. September 10/11

ARISE Together in Christ Sign-Up Weekend ........................... September 10/11

First day of Faith Formation............................ September 11, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Planning Meeting, Annual Election Day Italian Dinner ...... September 12, 6:00 PM

Dementia Caregivers ................................ Wednesday, September 14, 6:30 PM

Confirmation Class ............................... Sunday, September 18, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Little Sisters of the Poor Collection .................................... September 17 & 18

HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY Suggestions for the Year of Mercy

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, try putting mercy into practice each week. Offer to pray with someone, even someone you encounter on

the street, who looks like they could use it.

“And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says ‘Friend lend me three loaves of bread…’ ‘I tell you if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of his friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence…’ ‘Lord teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.’”

From our earliest days, we were taught to pray. We learned prayers, recited them with faith and devotion, and often used formulas which we did not really understand. The word today offers a remedy.

The apostles observed Jesus at prayer. Something special was portrayed before their eyes. This led them to ask for a prayer lesson. The petitions, the praise, the expression of remorse provide a summary for prayer 101. Perhaps they saw a special peace and intimacy reflected in Jesus.

The passage continues with the conversation and the request of one friend develops. The lesson is clear ‘don’t give up’ or ‘hang in there’, especially if you think that the Lord is too busy listening to others. Or ‘help me help the one in need.’ We don’t have to wait on line or jump through hoops to get God’s attention. He knows our needs, but only wants us to acknowledge our dependence and His generosity.

Perseverance in prayer is a gift from God. May I make it my first request.

A PRAYER FOR REFUGEES God of Mercy and Compassion,

There are many in Your world today who have been forced from their homes

by persecution and violence. Keep them in your constant care, and

bring them to a place of safety.

Be the GOOD SHEPHERD to refugees who are in flight.

Guide them to the green pastures of safety.

Be the EVERLASTING FATHER to refugees who have lost home and loved ones. Lead, protect and provide for them.

Be the GREAT PHYSICIAN to refugees who are suffering.

Grant them healing and hope.

Be the HIDING PLACE to refugees who are languishing in camps.

Shelter their souls as well as their bodies.

Be the DELIVERER to refugees who have been able to return home.

Restore their lives so that those who have sown in tears may reap in joy.

Be the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR to refugees who have been resettled.

Help them find their way in a new land.

Be the GIVER of all good gifts to those who serve refugees.

Empower them to do justice and love mercy and walk humbly with You.

Be the LORD of lords to all the earth, that those who rule would do so

in justice and righteousness, and no one would have to be a refugee anymore.

We ask these things in the precious and powerful name of JESUS.

Amen.

PAGE 2 The Sunday Good News

SUNDAY STEWARDS

1,289 families receive envelopes

392 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of July 16/17

Total Mass Attendance: 999 Total Sunday Offering: $6,740.00

Thank you for your generosity!

Faith Formation Corner

Thank you to Lisa, Sasha, and Adrienne Seiwell and Gabby Cavenas for

your beautiful work in bringing our prayer garden back to life! All are invited to stop by to pray and reflect, and we look forward to using the space as a gathering prayer space for our Vacation Bible Camp and in the fall, our Faith Formation program.

Thank you to our creative and tireless adult and teen volunteers who

have been helping to decorate for our Cave Quest camp the past three weeks. Keep all of our “Cave Crew” in your prayers as final preparations begin for our camp week, August 1-5.

Registration for Faith Formation continues. Please turn in

registrations ASAP so that books and supplies may be ordered in early August.

Incoming 2nd Level students who have not yet scheduled a prayer

review interview must do so immediately. Sign up sheets will be in the Parish Office the week of July 25-29, as the Faith Formation office will be closed.

WELCOME TO NEW PARISHIONERS St. John Bosco Parish extends a warm welcome to our new parishioners, Anthony, Wendy, Kyden and Kolby Kowalick.

AUGUST SUMMER FILMS Monday, August 15, join us in celebrating Our Lady’s Feast of the Assumption. While it is not a holyday of obligation, this Year of Mercy is a fitting occasion to celebrate and commemorate “Mary, Mother of God, Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast”. This title is session 4 of CATHOLICISM - a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series with Archbishop Robert E.

Barron. Journey around the world and deeper into our faith with this acclaimed author, speaker and theologian. There will be a showing of this film at 8:30 AM after morning mass and again at 6:30 PM. Please register ASAP by calling Sr. Marilyn at 570-788-1997 ext. 5. Leave name, phone number and choice of showing. Showing will be cancelled if less than 5 interested persons. Thank you for this attention to details.

Join us for a Webcast teaching from Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM ~The Soul, the Natural World, and What Is. Could it be true that the deepest patterns of truth “Are there for the mind to see in the things that God has made”? (Romans 1:20) Fr. Richard shows us the crucial importance for each person to encounter their deepest self, their soul: that which was there before anything else and is one’s “blueprint in God, what you were born for.” We are encouraged to see the importance of recovering our deep, soul-connection with created nature, to which we all radically belong. There’s no date but if interested contact Sr. Marilyn with your preferred day of the week and time and I will set up an August date for interested potential viewers. Call Sr. Marilyn at 570-788-1997 ext. 5.

Adult Faith Development ~ A Journey of the Heart Cultivating a Culture of Life-long Learning ~ Growing in Understanding and Wisdom

“It is an error to think that FAITH is so entirely a gift of God that it is not in our power

to increase and strengthen it.” ~ St. Claude de la Colombiere, SJ

STOP HUNGER NOW SECOND COLLECTION

This weekend, July 23/24, the second collection will be taken up for our “Stop Hunger Now” project. Thank you for your support.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES Next weekend, July 30-31, we will take up a collection for Catholic Relief Services. The envelope is an insert in this weekend’s bulletin. Thank you for your kindness.

A GRATEFUL WORD OF THANKS The Annual Mission Appeal held at St. John Bosco Parish last weekend, July 9-10 amounted to $2,479.00. Father Marcel Bikongnyuy Gham, SD, who spoke at all the Masses representing the Mission Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon, Africa, extends his gratitude for welcom-ing him into our parish and for your prayers and sacrifices for missionaries and the missions.

BEQUEST AND REMEMBRANCE IN YOUR WILL For the future financial stability of our parish, please consider adding your parish family to your will. No amount is too small or too large and would be part of your legacy to continue the ministries of the Parish Community of Saint John Bosco Church.

PAGE 3

Saturday, 4:00 PM July 23 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Adrienne Gallagher By Helen Mary & Michael Fellin

Sunday, 7:30 AM July 24 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Living & Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Parish

Sunday, 9:00 AM July 24 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Christopher Smulligan By Bob & Kathy Saccone

Sunday, 11:00 AM July 24 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Nicholas & Grace Jemo By Lou & Marge Mattioli

Monday, 8:00 AM July 25 Margaret Daniels By Ann Sarosky

Tuesday, 8:00 AM July 26 Mary V. Huff By Claudette Angelo

Wednesday, 8:00 AM July 27 James Stagg By Sally Bogash

Thursday, 8:00 AM July 28 Amelia Pecora By Family

Friday, 8:00 AM July 29 Luigi & Erminia Lamberti By Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo Ruggiero

Saturday, 4:00 PM July 30 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dennis L. Kormonick By John & Terry Donachie

Sunday, 7:30 AM July 31 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Martha Kanyock By Fendrick Family

Sunday, 9:00 AM July 31 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Charles Klouser By Diane Klouser

Sunday, 11:00 AM July 31 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Living & Deceased Members of St. John Bosco Parish

The Sunday Good News

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY—2016

. . . Our Parish Family Fully Alive

WE REMEMBER

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS . . .

MEN OF MARIAN 46TH ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC: July 29 & 30 from 5 to 10 PM, and July 31 from 4 to 9 PM. Marian High School, Hometown. Flea market, food, games, prizes, entertainment.

CVCO VALLEY DAYS: August 5 - 6. Food, Games, Entertainment. Mark your calendar!

HOLY DORMITION FRIARY PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE: August 7; Divine Liturgy at 1:00 PM; Spiritual Talk by Fr. Ed Tlucek, OFM, at 4:00 PM. Confession, food service and other events throughout the day. More information at byzfranciscan.org/blog, by email at holydormition@gmail.com or by calling (570) 788-1212 ext. 400. Volunteers welcome.

SJB GOLF TOURNAMENT: August 20. Sugarloaf Golf Club. Registration is at 7:30 AM with a 9:00 AM Shotgun Start. For more information call Pat Raico, (570) 788-1071.

A WORD OF THANKS Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, former Executive Director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Scranton, recently sent a thank you to St. John Bosco Parish for your support of the C.S.S. Gala. Your generosity supports the homeless, hungry, needy, those in need of counseling and many other corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

TABERNACLE CANDLE

The Tabernacle Candle this week burns in memory of Lewis and Marie Smith by Lou and Rita Smith.

MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANTS Julia Snyder and Gabrielle Kupsho joined students from multiple parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton who traveled to Reading, PA, this past week to work with Little Acts of Love. The student group made home repairs for veterans, disabled, low-income and elderly.

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK If a family member or friend has been hospitalized (especially if they were admitted through the Emergency Room) or placed in a long-term facility, please contact St. John Bosco Parish Office (570) 788-1997, Ext. 3, so that Father Ric or Deacon Maurice may visit them. The HIPAA privacy laws make it extremely difficult for us to know if a parishioner has been admitted to one of the local hospitals. Usually, when we visit, no parishioners are listed under our parish name.

THE CRISIS OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN Almost half (around 46 percent) of the world’s forcibly displaced are children, and many spend their entire childhood far from home. Whether they are refugees or internally displaced, children are at a greater risk of abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, trafficking, or forced military recruitment. They may have witnessed or experienced violent acts and/or been separated from their

families. While many of these children have demonstrated great resiliency, many also suffer long-term trauma. ~U. N. High Commissioner for Refugees

Prayer for Forcibly Displaced and Unaccompanied Children: God of Mercy, bring peace and comfort to your children who suffer around the world. May each of us as members of your mystical body find ways to come to their aid providing them with access to humane living conditions, medical care, and pastoral support without delay. We make our prayers through Jesus. Amen.

PAGE 4 The Sunday Good News

The PASTOR’S PAGE

July 23-24, 2016

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

The theme of our Scripture readings this weekend is PRAYER and the PERSISTENCE that authentic prayer requires.

When you want something to happen, do you pray to God for it? A lot of us “whisper little prayers.” Others put aside time each day. Some people ask our parish prayer network to join them in prayer, others participate in our yearly prayer exchange while some write their intentions in our parish book of petition.

Of course, there are those who do not believe in prayer at all, especially in our secular culture, so, when their friend is having an operation or is traveling they say, “We will be thinking of you,” instead of “We will be praying for you.”

But others go all out. When the late St. Pope John Paul came to St. Louis a number of years ago, a group of cloistered sisters popularly called "the Pink Nuns" prayed many months for sunny clear days during his visit. Guess what happened? Yes. Sunny clear days the entire time. Then, the minute his plane lifted off to take him back to the Vatican, the clouds gathered at the airport and the rain began to fall.

Persistent prayer. Sunday’s readings (OT & Gospel) teach us this. Be obstinate.

Abraham in the First Reading: Abraham’s visitors from last week went on their way to the city called Sodom, and God went with Abraham. God tells about his intention to destroy Sodom and its surrounding cities because of the debauchery there.

Against all reason and expectation, Abraham begins negotiating with God, right out loud.

Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out

the place rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?

God agrees that He will not destroy the city for fifty innocent people. Abraham continues. What if only forty-five innocent people were found? God agrees. What about forty? Ok. Abraham goes on and on until he negotiates down to the number ten. God says, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.” We do not have a record of more.

As you may know, it turned out that not even ten innocents lived in the town, so Sodom got destroyed. But notice, God had granted each of Abraham’s prayers.

Jesus recommends the same kind of shrewdness. In the Gospel he tells the famous parable about knocking on the door of a friend late at night to borrow some bread. The friend refuses because he and his family are all in bed. Jesus says, “If he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.”

Fine, but why do we have to be obstinate about the same thing over and over? Why haggle?

Because of love.

God is like a good human father who loves his child very much but does not always give that child everything it wheedles for. Sometimes he needs to teach him or her just who is in charge of things, the parent not the child. Definitely he gives us what we ask for in some form, but often he wants us to be persistent in asking so we will learn humility and acceptance. And when we suffer, he sits beside our bed and suffers with us.

Keep knocking and be receptive to whatever God’s answer to your prayer might be, even if the answer is NO.

God Bless You,

Father Ric

From the Pastor’s Laptop . . .

SUMMER 2016 – CATECHIST CAMP We encourage all of our adult catechists, aides and volunteers to participate in a one-day summer catechist camp sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton, Office of Parish Life. Registration is now open online or by calling the Diocesan Office. The Camp is designed for anyone and everyone involved in catechetical ministry or family-oriented faith formation. Catechist Camp will be presented in five locations in our Diocese between August 6 – 12, 2016.

Saturday, August 6 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) St. Elizabeth Parish, Bear Creek Monday, August 8 (1:00 PM – 8:30 PM) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock Tuesday, August 9 (1:00 PM – 8:30 PM) St. John Parish, East Stroudsburg Thursday, August 11 (1:00 PM – 8:30 PM) Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda Friday, August 12 (1:00 PM – 8:30 PM) St. Ann Parish, Williamsport

Please plan to participate on one of these dates. A full day is planned at each of the locations. Cost for the day will be $20 and will be paid by our parish. Follow this link: Registration for Catechist Camp for more detailed information and the registration form. For additional information, contact Mary Anne Malone at (570) 207-2213, ext. 1100.

2016 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Our 2016 Diocesan Annual Appeal theme is “Living Faith, Serving with Mercy”. This year, the Diocesan Annual Appeal Kickoff Weekend will be September 10 and 11.

GOLF SPONSORS NEEDED Our Annual St. John Bosco Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, August 20. We are in need of individuals and businesses to sponsor the holes. Sponsors will have a sign at the hole with their name or Company name along with up to three lines of text. The donation is only $100. Please help us to make this a success!!! Please consider supporting this important parish fundraiser. Contact Pat Raico, Golf Classic Chair, at (570) 788-1071 or Carol Ference, Ad/Sponsor Chair, at (570) 401-5996. We are also in need of one individual or business to sponsor our raffle tickets. If you are interested, please contact Father Ric or the Parish Office at (570) 788-1997, ext. 3. Donation: $85.

ST. JOHN BOSCO 14th ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016 SUGARLOAF GOLF COURSE

REGISTRATION 7:30 A.M. SHOTGUN START 9:00 A.M.

CAPTAIN & CREW FORMAT HOT DOG & BEVERAGE AT THE TURNAROUND

FAMILY STYLE DINNER AND PRIZES TO BE AWARDED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING GOLF

COST $85.00 PER PERSON OR $340.00 PER TEAM

FULL OR PARTIAL TEAMS ACCEPTED REGISTRATION LIMITED TO FIRST 32 TEAMS PAID

PRIZES

FIRST & SECOND PLACE IN 4 FLITES MEN & WOMEN LONGEST DRIVE

4 CLOSEST TO THE PINS FIRST HOLE IN ONE ON HOLE WITH VEHICLE AWARD

OPTIONAL AWARDS

PUTTING CONTEST BEING HELD BETWEEN 8:00 AND 8:30 SKINS 100% PAID BACK TO WINNERS, $20.00 PER TEAM

SEND FORMS TO: ST. JOHN BOSCO CHURCH ATTN: PAT RAICO P. O. BOX 919 CONYNGHAM, PA 18219 RETURN DEADLINE: AUGUST 8, 2016

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Address Address

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Name Name

Address Address

City State City State

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Sunday Gn 18:20-32; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13

Monday 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt 20:20-28

Tuesday Jer 14:17-22; Mt 13:36-43

Wednesday Jer 15:10, 16-21; Mt 13:44-46

Thursday Jer 18:1-6; Mt 13:47-53

Friday Jer 26:1-9; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42

Saturday Jer 26:11-16, 24; Mt 14:1-12

DA I L Y REA DI N GS

Working Together to End World Hunger. SJB TO HOST A MEAL PACKAGING EVENT Saturday, August 13, 2016, 9:45 AM to NOON

Check it out: http://www.stophungernow.org

St. John Bosco Parish has joined the WORLDWIDE 10 MILLION MEAL CHALLENGE USA by agreeing to package 10,152 small meal packages at $0.29 a packet. Our 40 to 50 assembly line volunteers

will produce a small meal packet of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, plus a packet containing 23 essential vitamins and minerals (see sample in vestibule display). These meals are shipped throughout the world to support school feeding programs, orphanages, and crisis relief. Many in our world family are “starving”. Please play a part in this act of mercy by joining us for this memorable community building event that only requires 2 ½ to 3 hours of your Saturday morning, August 13. ATTENTION: our Second Collection at all Masses on July 23/24 is to raise the needed $3,000 to pay for this packaging event. To volunteer (7th grade and up) for the assembly line, call Jo Robbins, Coordinator, at (570) 578-4773 and leave your name and phone number, or sign the Volunteer List on the main Church bulletin board. Thank you in advance for your generous and needed response.

REVOLUTION OF TENDERNESS Diocesan Congress

October 8, 2016

“The Son of God, by becoming flesh, summoned us to the revolution of tenderness.”

Pope Francis The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium) #88

The Congress will be held on Saturday, October 8, at the University of Scranton Campus beginning with registration at 8 AM and the welcome at 9:15 AM. Prayer and Keynote Address by Rev. James Martin, S.J., Author and Editor-at-large of America Magazine and numerous books. Lunch will be included and the afternoon will feature over 30 practical workshops to choose. Bishop Bambera will conclude the day with Mass at 4 PM. As of July 1, registration may be done online at www.dioceseofscranton.org. Donation for Congress including lunch: $40.

All parishioners are invited to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event where you will have the opportunity to see and hear four nationally well-known spiritual writers and workshop presenters. You will be able to choose from 30 sessions. St. John Bosco Parish will reimburse the $40 registration fee to parishioners who attend the Congress.

There will be a Congress Concert on Friday evening, October 7, at St. Peter’s Cathedral from 7:30-9 PM given by the popular and influential Liturgical Music Composer Dan Schutte. Tickets, $15.

GOING ON VACATION THIS SUMMER? Remember: There is no vacation from our Christian vocation.

To check out Mass times around the world, go to masstimes.org. While Mass schedules are regularly updated, travelers are advised to check with individual parishes by calling the number listed on the website.

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT

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a Bulletin Advertiser

Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!

PLANNING MEETING Our Annual Election Day “ITALIAN DINNER” will be held on Tuesday, November 8, in our Parish Auditorium/Gym. Our first planning meeting will be held on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 at 6 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. We need volunteers in many areas: selling raffle tickets, organizing the theme baskets/tricky trays, preparing the food, serving, set up, clean up, etc. We encourage families to get involved. Please mark your calendar and plan to come to the planning meeting and share your time with your parish family.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO HELP MAKE THIS A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS FOR OUR PARISH.