The Catholic Community of Bradford The Catholic Community of Bradford
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 23, 2019
St. Francis of Assisi 15 St. Francis Drive
Website: www.stfrancisomph.com
Our Mother of Perpetual Help (A Secondary Mission Church)
St. Bernard of Clairvaux 95 East Corydon Street
Website: www.stbernardcatholic.org
On-line giving: www.osvonlinegiving/1845
Very Rev. Raymond Gramata, V.F.
Pastor
P.O. Box 2394 • Bradford, PA 16701-5394
Phone: (814) 362-6825 • Fax: (814) 362-1479
Email: [email protected]
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Francis of Assisi
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Mission Church
ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX CHURCH BRADFORD, PA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD JUNE 23, 2019
At times we may become frightened when we start to question our belief in the real Presence, but it is
part of being human. It shows us that we are taking this great gift, which Jesus has given us, for
granted. Jesus took something very ordinary and changed its substance into His Body and Blood.
Remember the words that Jesus said at the Last Supper: “he broke it (bread) and gave it to his
disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body”. “Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many
for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus did not say it might be this way or that it is just a symbol. The words
say it all.
Down through the ages people have questioned the Real Presence, but Jesus always steps in to remind us that it is Him and
not merely bread or wine. The most recent Eucharistic Miracle recognized by the Church authorities occurred in 1996 in the
capital of Argentina – Buenos Aires. A consecrated Host becomes flesh and blood. Let me share part of the story with you.
On August 18, 1996, Fr. Alejandro Pezet was celebrating Mass at a Catholic church in Buenos Aires. After Mass, a woman
came and told him that she had found a discarded host on a candleholder. Father went to retrieve it and placed it in a
container of water and placed it in the tabernacle.
On Monday, August 26th, upon opening the tabernacle, Father, to his amazement, saw that the Host had turned into a bloody
substance. He informed Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who gave instructions to have it professionally photographed. The photos
were taken on September 6th. They clearly show that the Host, which had become a fragment of bloodied flesh, had grown
significantly in size. For several years the Host remained in the tabernacle, the whole affair being kept a strict secret. Since the
Host suffered no visible decomposition, Cardinal Bergoglio decided to have it scientifically analyzed.
On October 5, 1999, in the presence of the Cardinal’s representatives, Dr. Castanon took a sample of the bloody fragment and
sent it to New York for analysis. Since he did not wish to prejudice the study, he purposely did not inform the team of scientists
of its provenance. One of the scientists was Dr. Frederic Zugiba, a well-known cardiologist and forensic pathologist. He
determined that the analyzed substance was real flesh and blood containing human DNA. Zugiba testified that, “the analyzed
material is a fragment of the heart muscle found in the wall of the left ventricle close to the valve. The heart muscle is in an
inflammatory condition and contains a large number of white cells. This indicates that the heart was alive at the time the
sample was taken. It is my contention that the heart was alive, since the white blood cells die outside a living organism. They
require a living organism to sustain them. Thus, their presence indicates that the heart was alive when the sample was taken.
What is more, these white blood cells had penetrated the tissue, which further indicates that the heart had been under severe
stress, as if the owner had been beaten severely about the chest.”
Mike Willesee, a journalist who was present at the time of the test, informed Dr. Zugiba that the
analyzed sample came from a consecrated host that had mysteriously turned into bloody human flesh.
Amazed by this information Dr. Zugiba replied, “How and why a consecrated Host would change its
character and become living human flesh and blood will remain an inexplicable mystery to science – a
mystery totally beyond her competence.”
Only faith in the extraordinary action of a God provides the reasonable answer – faith in a God who
wants to make us aware that He is truly present in the mystery of the Eucharist. Jesus desires to
remind us that His presence is real, and not symbolic. We do not see Him with our bodily eyes, but He
sees and loves us and desires to save us in the Eucharist.
Side note: We now know Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis.
God Bless Fr. Ray
Get resources and suggestions for your family at the Diocese of E r i e ’ s f am i l y webs i t e ,
www.ErieRCD.org/fam.htm. At the Diocese of Erie, fami-lies always matter! Go Families!
MARRIAGE MOMENTS "Give them some food." ( Luke 9:13) As spous-es we give our bodies to each other in joy and share each other's pain when sickness strikes.
Taking care of each other's body is part of being married. Sometimes this means meeting physical needs like food and other times it's emotional comfort. Feed each other today.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Rosary Altar: Resumes in September
Catholic Women: Resumes in September
Widows Group: TBA
50+ Club: Resumes in September
St. Bernard - Needed Weekly: $ 10,792 June 16 �������..�...$ 4,469
2019 CSA Assessment������$ 36,754 SB 2019 CSA Collected�����....$ 25,029
St. Francis of Assisi - Needed Weekly:$ 4,331 June 16 ����...����..$ 1,616
2019 CSA Assessment���.�.�$ 25,137 SF 2019 CSA Collected�����...$ 14,860
OUR PARISHES THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
THANK YOU TO
J.A. FRISINA, INC. PAVING CONTRACTORS
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
1. Please write individual checks for each donation: weekly, CSA, candles, special dioce-san collections and any other. The collections are processed separately.
2. Make sure your checks are made out to your home parish, signed and with purpose noted in the memo section.
3. Mass checks should be made out to the church where the mass is to be said.
4. Please do NOT staple or tape your envelope closed.
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST JUNE 23, 2019
COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK
The Blood Bank will be available
in the St. Bernard Rectory Gym
Monday, June 24th
12:00 Noon until 5:30 pm.
PETER’S PENCE
COLLECTION
Next weekend the Peter’s Pence Collection will be taken up as a second collection at atll the masses. This collection provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, includ-ing victims of war, oppression and disasters. Join our Holy Father as a witness of charity to those who are suffering.
As of Tuesday, June 25, 2019, Fr. Stanley Swacha will be the Chaplain of St. John the 23rd
Nursing Home / Assisted Living in Hermitage, PA as assigned by Bishop Persico. Please wish Fr. Stan well in his new position.
Fr. Ray will be on his own through the month of July and masses will be adjusted as needed. Please watch the mass schedule in the bulletin carefully.
On August 1st, Fr. James Gutting will join us as Senior As-sociate to assist Fr. Ray.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/GOING AWAY?
If you have had a change of address or are going away for an extended period of time and will not be receiving mail at your usual address, please call the Parish Office, 362-6825, to let us know as soon as possible. Offertory envelopes are mailed every two months and they are not forwarded. We are charged for any returned as undeliverable.
A FAMILY LIFE In today’s gospel Jesus teaches we will find abundance by sharing what little we have. No matter how little time, mon-ey or food we have, it is enough when shared.
Normal Parish Office Hours: Mon 9 am - 4 pm � Tues - Fri, 8 am - 4 pm
The Bradford Council #403 of the Knights of Columbus will meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 7:00 PM in the Con-ference Room at the parish office. All Council members are urged to attend, and
new members are most welcome.
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD JUNE 23, 2019
2019 CSA HELPS SUPPORT Your CSA gifts help the office of Catholic Charities throughout the diocese provide programs and services that give hope to those in need.
Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services St. Martin Center and Rural Ministry Saint Elizabeth Center Prince of Peace Center
Please take the time to prayerfully consider what you are able to give and remember, the parish will retain the monies collected over the goal.
www.osvonlinegiving/1845
2019 DIOCESAN ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION LITURGIES
The 2019 Diocesan Anniversary Celebration Lit-
urgies for couples celebrating 25, 50, 60, or
more years of marriage will be held at two loca-
tions in the diocese: Sunday, August 4, 2019 at
2:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena in DuBois
and Sunday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Sa-
cred Heart in Erie.
To register, please go online to https://
www.eriercd.org/familylifeoffice/anniv.html or
contact your parish office or the Marriage and
Family Life Office (814) 824-1265 or (800) 374-
3723 ext. 265.
ST. BERNARD ELEMENTARY/ MIDDLE
SCHOOL
*** ALL ACCOUNTS SHOULD BE MADE CURRENT ***
The School office will be open limited hours in June/July:
Tues., Weds. and Thurs., from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. All student records have been moved to the
Catholic Schools Office in Erie
CLOSED
St. Joseph’s
80th ANNUAL
4TH OF JULY
CELEBRATION July 4
th, 11am - 4 pm
Parish grounds- Rt. 66, Lucinda PA
Fabulous Food & Fun (Dining Room serves 11am - 3pm)
* Games of Chance & Skill * * Bingo * Live Entertainment *
This once-a-year event will be held rain or shine (canopy covered) and features All-You-Can-Eat Chicken & Ham Dinners, Quilts, Games, Live Entertainment --
over $40,000 in Cash & Prizes!
RAIN OR SHINE! COME CELEBRATE! For info: www.st-joseph-stmichaelparishes.org
or 814-226-7288
Facebook @stjoseph4thofjuly
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST JUNE 23, 2019
June 10, 2019
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
On the weekend of June 29th and 30th, the Peter’s Pence Collection will be taken in our parishes.
Peter’s Pence is the name given to the financial support offered by the faithful to the Holy Father
as a sign of their sharing in the concern of the Successor of Peter for the many different needs of
the Universal Church. It is a worldwide collection that supports the charitable works of Pope Fran-
cis. Funds from this collection help victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters, as well as
seminaries and religious houses, orphanages, AIDS treatment centers, and other medical facilities
in developing nations.
From the beginning the Church has made it a priority to help the neediest of our brothers and sis-
ters in the human family. I ask you to please take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis in be-
ing a witness of charity to our brothers and sisters in need. Please be as generous as you can.
Through our support of the Peter’s Pence Collection, all of us here in the Diocese of Erie are also
helping to strengthen the ties that bind us together as the Family of God. Please know of my grati-
tude for your generosity.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Lawrence T. Persico
The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, JCL
Bishop of Erie
PASTORAL STAFF: Very Rev. Raymond C. Gramata, Pastor
OFFICE HOURS: Mon: 9 am to 4 pm Tues - Fri: 8 am to 4 pm
Ms. Wendy Thomson, Financial Manager Ms. Kathy Bryant, Secretary
MASS SCHEDULE: Please consult bulletin
CONFESSIONS: St. Bernard — Saturdays from 4:30 to 5 pm before 5:15 mass, Thursday before First Friday from 4:30 to 5 pm. St. Francis — After 9 am mass on Saturdays. Private appointments may be made by calling the Parish Office (362-6825).
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (REP) Students not attending Catholic school should be enrolled in REP programs. St. Bernard, St. Francis and OMPH Religious Education programs are combined. Grades 1 through 7 meet on Sunday mornings at 9 am at St. Bernard in Fr. Gallina Social Center and grades 8, 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation) meet at St. Francis in G. Carlton Ritchie Hall at 5:15 pm on Sunday. Both programs begin in September.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): We welcome all inquiries about the Catholic faith. This process begins in the fall of the year. Please call the Parish Office for further information.
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BRADFORD JUNE 23, 2019
BULLETIN INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY NOON ON FRIDAY
2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BULLETIN DATE.
MEMBERSHIP: All Baptized Catholics should be registered, practicing and supporting members of a Parish. Only properly registered members appear on our parish list and are eligible to receive the benefits of parish membership for sacraments, and educational opportunities (including tuition assistance) at our Catholic School. Each parishioner is called upon to practice good stewardship of time, talent and treasure. If you are not currently receiving envelopes, you may not be registered. Call the Parish Office - we would love to meet you!
MARRIAGE: Couples need to contact a priest at least six months before their wedding. Registered and active participation needs to be considered before marriage.
PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office to request the Sacrament of the Sick for family members who are seriously ill. Communion for the sick is taken to the hospital, nursing homes, and the home-bound on a regular basis.
BAPTISM: Both parents must attend the Pre-Baptism Preparation Program. Please call the St. Bernard Parish Office for dates and times of upcoming class. Baptisms are scheduled after completing the program. Call the Parish Office to schedule the class and baptism. Godparents must be at least 16, confirmed and active, registered members of their parish.
STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Religious Education:
Grades 1-7, 9 am Sunday mornings at St. Bernard Grades 8, 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation), 5:45 pm Sunday
evenings at St. Francis
Liturgical Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors
Music Director Kathy O’Mara Organist St. Francis Michael Hicks Resurrection Choir Joan Raabe God’s Housekeepers Parish Office Liturgy Fr. Raymond C. Gramata
Parish Community Parish Council Fr. Raymond Gramata Catholic Women’s Club Teri Everett Rosary Altar Society Dawn Kozminski/Theresa Bond
Telephone Prayer Chain - Natalie Marasco (598-5565)
Cover photos by LongArt Photography
A NOTE: Please call the parish office at 362-6825 if you have concerns about any of the church facilities. Thank you.
REMAINING ST. FRANCIS PARISH USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
MAKE AN OFFER! @ Parish Office — 362-6825 Everything sold as-is � All Sales Final
♦ STIHL Electric Hedge Trimmer ♦ Saws-All
♦ Cyclone Rake with 8 HP motor
MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSES JUNE 29 - 30
Saturday, June 29 — SB 5:15 pm Lector: Patti Kane EM: VOLUNTEERS Servers: Ailya, Emma & Laryssa Webster
Sunday, June 30 — SF 8:00 am Lector: Joyce Schaming EM: Deb Woodley/ Joan Yohe/ Candy Tingley Servers: Samantha Soyke/ Noah Meyer
SB 10:00 am Lector: VOLUNTEER EM: Chuck Beattie/ Lynn Hogue/ Kathy Howe Servers: Daniel Marasco/ Erica Marshall
OM 11:30 am Lector: Mike Kozminski EM: Dawn Kozminski Servers: Joe Ditz & Jacob Hannahs
Hospital/Pavilion: George Santora Chapel Ridge: Deb Woodley
MASS INTENTIONS WEEK OF JUNE 24 - 30
Monday, June 24 NO MASSES Tuesday, June 25 SF 9:00 am Julie Rossman Harrison (John & Debbie Place) Wednesday, June 26 SB 8:00 am Jaime Flores-Lovo (David & Andy Nuzzo) Thursday, June 27 SB 8:00 am NO MASS SF 9:00 am Robert Cuthbertson (Family) Friday, June 28 SB 8:00 am Carmela Borreca (Sadie Lombardi) Saturday, June 29 SF 9:00 am NO MASS SB 5:15 pm Walter Michalski (Family) (confessions after 9 am at St. Francis & before 5:15 at St. Bernard) Sunday, June 30 SF 8:00 am Helen Moore (Sandra Remington) SB 10:00 am Frank J. Fire (Tony, Rosemary (Folts), Kyle & Madison Schmidt) OM 11:30 am Robert & Vicki Taylor (Thomas & Janet Musolino)
OMPH Santuary Candle in Memory of Joe Zamberlan GOD’S HOUSEKEEPERS
June 24 - 28: TEAM 4 — M. Block/ B. Spadafore/ A. Frombach/
G. Ulyan/ P. Fisher/ D. Zeher READINGS FOR THE WEEK JUNE 23, 2019
Sunday: Gn 14:18-20/Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 [4b]/ 1 Cor 11:23-26/Lk 9:11b-17 Monday: Is 49:1-6/Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14-15 [14]/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80 Tuesday: Gn 13:2, 5-18/Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5 [1b]/ Mt 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday: Gn 15:1-12, 17-18/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 [8a]/Mt 7:15-20 Thursday: Gn 16:1-12, 15-16 or 16:6b-12, 15-16/ Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5 [1b]/Mt 7:21-29 Friday: Ez 34:11-16/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [1]/Rom 5:5b- 11/Lk 15:3-7 Saturday: Acts 12:1-11/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [5]/ 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19 Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21/Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 [cf. 5a]/Gal 5:1, 13-18/Lk 9:51-62
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS
Please Pray for the Following Priests
Sun, June 23 - Rev. Msgr. Richard G. Mayer Mon, June 24 - Rev. Ross R. Micelli Tues, June 25 - Rev. William C. Miller Wed, June 26 - Rev. Msgr. George Appleyard Thurs, June 27 - Very Rev. Joseph R. Czarkowski, V.F. Fri, June 28 - Rev. Mark A. Nowak Sat, June 29 - Rev. Michael G. DeMartinis
Please pray for those who are sick or suffering: Thomas Ackley, Virgil Anderson, Barb Bernheisel, Barbara Boser, Annie Champagne, Dick Clark, Billie Cummins, Marianne Curcio, Paul Curcio, Charlotte Cuthbertson, Alliyson
Feldman, Pat Geary, Pat Girard, Susan Hamric, Jill Henry, Craig Johnson, Middalia Kan, Judy Keenan, Mary Keesler, James Kibby, Bill Kline, Mason LaBrozzi, Rita Leone, Barbara Matto, Colleen McNamara, Shannon McNamara, Mariana Militelo, Anne Miller, Joe Monago, Lou Monti, Cheri O’Mara, Dom Piganelli, Andy Pingie, Dan Popiel, Courtney Prentiss, Angela Rimer, Steve Schmidt, Steve Skaggs, Hailey Smith, Bonnie Swackhamer, Alex Tingley, Mary Webster, Jess Whelan, Matthew Whelan, Corrine Wilson, Donna Whiteford
May they be strengthened by the healing presence of God’s Spirit.
(If a name has been removed from this list that you feel should still be included, please call the parish office.)
Some of the weekday masses over the next month have been cancelled
due to changing 0f priests. Intentions have been moved accordingly. Contact the office for more information.
