STAFF Administrator: Fr. John Gallagher

Parochial Vicar: Fr. Mark L. Thomas Parochial Vicar: Fr. James Torquato Parochial Vicar: Fr. David J . Egan

Deacon: Donald Pepe

Office Manager: Louis Ferrario (Extension 110)

Business Manager: Julie Strosnider

(Extension 115)

Faith Formation & RCIA: 724-752-1271

Elementary Director: Mrs. Laurie Nocera

Secondary and Adult Director Pastoral Associate:

Ms. Kay Ann Bellissimo

Youth Minister: Diego Araujo 724-758-4411—Ext. 160

Social Services: 724-758-3465

Music Ministry: 724-752-9518 Director: Mrs. Frances Fotia

Organist: David Kosior

Catholic Parish Cemetery Association: 724-323-0033

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m.

RECONCILIATION Saturday: 12:30—1:30 p.m.

BAPTISMS

Baptisms are held the third Sunday of every month at 12:15 p.m. One preparation session

is required and will be offered on Oct. 9th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Parish Ministry Center. Pre-registration is required. (Please

come before the baby is born.)

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please contact one of the parish priests at

least 6 months in advance. An initial meeting with a parish priest is required before a

wedding date is agreed upon. Participation in a marriage preparation program is required.

“A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust”

415 Fourth Street & Park Avenue • Ellwood City, PA 16117 Parish Office: 300 Crescent Ave, Suite 1 • Ellwood City, PA 16117

Phone: 724-758-4411 • Fax: 724-752-1466 Website: www.holyredeemerparishpgh.com

February 23, 2020 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We, the people of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish, are one family united in Jesus Christ.

Blessed by the Father's love, redeemed by the Son and guided by the Holy Spirit, we freely share our faith and serve the community with love and compassion. God, our Father calls us to

enrich our lives through Word and Sacrament, Prayer and Action. We pledge to build our lives according to the truths of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church.

We welcome you to join our faith journey.

Cranberry Twp., Ellwood City and Zelienople Grouping

Holy Redeemer Parish Holy Redeemer Parish

serving

Ellwood City, Zelienople and Cranberry Twp.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Support all Catholic Education: “Great Beginnings last a lifetime.”

Anything worth doing is worth preparing for. In one of the prayers we pray during Mass, we hear the words: “You have given Your children a sacred time for the renewing and purifying of their hearts, that, freed from disordered affections, they may so deal with the things of this passing world as to hold rather to the things that eternally endure.” That means that Lent is a joyful time because we are drawing closer to God. Whenever we make that choice, He delights in us. For that reason, the disciplines we apply to ourselves are not so much punishment or disciplines as they are celebrations of our choice to be His. As you approach Lent, remember, God has many graces to bring to you this year. Remember, God’s desire is to help transform our lives, with greater freedom, greater joy and deeper desires for love and service. So, preparing our hearts is a process of preparing our desires. If you believe that Lent is an “ordeal” to get through, then you will not experience anything positive from the season. Instead, focus on what God wants to give us, as we give Him more of our hearts. If we get too focused on what we will do or give up, then we are too focused on ourselves. Every grace and blessing comes from God. Lent is God’s great desire to bless us. Begin your preparations now, not on Ash Wednesday. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, so we want to be ready for that day. The disciplines of Lent are our time with God, therefore, they are a celebration of our self-giving, our self-emptying and our desire to be a part of the Kingdom of God. During Lent, our meals can be meaningful and symbolic. We can pray for specific graces and be faithful to morning and evening prayers. We can look for opportunities to be more charitable and forgiving. Among the disorders plaguing our nation are dissatisfaction and anger. During Lent we can pray for the grace to be more thankful to God and appreciative for what we have. We are moments away from a joyful season in our Church. This Lent can be different from every other Lent. The choice is ours. May God bless us all on this joyful journey ahead.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MARK L. THOMAS

Saturday, Febuary 22, 2020—Vigil Mass for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 P.M. Mary Ann Celli (Claire, Jonathan, Maura & Elia Fauzey) Sunday, February 23, 2020—Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:00 A.M. Deceased Members of the Gaydosz & LaCava Families & Maren (Steve & Teresa Gaydosz) 11:00 A.M. †Elizabeth Petro (Robert Petro, Donna Petro & Sandy Atkinson) Monday, February 24, 2020 9:00 A.M. †James Sudano (Joe & Dolly Fotia) Tuesday, February 25, 2020 9:00 A.M. Ronald Smilek (Wife) 7:00 P.M. Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Wednesday, February 26, 2020—Ash Wednesday 9:00 A.M. David Yanessen (Family) 3:00 P.M. Distribution of Ashes 7:00 P.M. †David Brooks (Vickie Koach) Thursday, February 27, 2020 9:00 A.M. Dr. Richard Doerfler (Dr. Gary Yanniello) Friday, February 28, 2020 9:00 A.M. Homebound and Nursing Home Residents and Caregivers (Ladies of Charity) 7:00 P.M. Stations of the Cross and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Saturday, February 29, 2020 9:00 A.M. Dorothy Flecher (Colleen & Joe Flecher) Saturday, February 29, 2020—Vigil Mass for the First Sunday of Lent 5:00 P.M. Eva Frances Lieb (Pina Riccio) Sunday, March 1, 2020—First Sunday of Lent 9:00 A.M. Edward Fray (Edrye Boraten) 11:00 A.M. Walter Feerst (Eileen Hazen) †denotes Month’s Mind If you requested a weekend Mass and wish to carry the gifts at the Rite of Offertory, please inform an usher before Mass.

Annual Cemetery Clean Up Notice In order to maintain the appearance of our parish cemetery and ensure the safety of visitors and employees, the Catholic Parish Cemeteries Association will be conducting the Annual Cemetery Cleanup during the month of March. Please note that all Christmas items will be removed from all graves during the Cleanup. Please remove any items you wish to keep prior to March 1st. Thank you for your cooperation! It is greatly appreciated.

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 23, 2020

Remember Holy Redeemer Parish in your will.

Readings for the week of February 23, 2020

Sunday: Lv 19:1-2, 17-18/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 [8a]/1 Cor 3:16-23 Mt 5:38-48 Monday: Jas 3:13-18/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 [9a]// Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: Jas 4:1-10/Ps 55:7-8, 9-10a, 10b- 11a, 23 [23a]/Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17 [cf. 3a]/2 Cor 5:20—6:2/ Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [Ps 40:5a]/Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 [19b]/Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [11ab]/Lk 5:27-32 Next Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12- 13, 17 [cf. 3a]/Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19/M

PRIESTS SCHEDULE February 29th/March 1st

St. Gregory: 5:00PM (Sat.) 8:00AM and 11:30AM

Fr. James Torquato

Holy Redeemer: 5:00PM (Sat.), 9:00AM and 11:00AM Fr. David Egan

St. Ferdinand: 4:00PM & 6:00PM (Sat.)

Fr. Mark Thomas 8:00AM & 10:00AM 12:00PM & 5:00PM Fr. John Gallagher Fr. Ed Kunco

SUNDAY CONTRIBUTIONS February 15th16th

Weekly Contributions Received………...…....$6,837.50 Monthly Contributions Received………..……$1,920.00 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH. YOUR HELP IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

ALTAR FLOWERS This week’s Altar Flowers are

In Memory of Mary Beth Dunning Donated by Family

TABERNACLE FLOWERS

This week’s Tabernacle Flowers are In Memory of the Deceased Member of

the Ferrario/Messenzani Families Donated by Lou Ferrario

Please call the Parish Office at 724-758-4411 Ext. 110 if you wish to order flowers for 2020.

Sunday, Jr. High CCD Feb. 23rd, 6:00 to 8:00PM Mar. 1st, 6:00 to 8:00PM

Mar. 8th, 6:00 to 8:00PM— Mar. 15th, 6:00 to 8:00PM Dismissal: Gr. 7 @ 7:45PM; Gr. 8 @ 8:00PM

Social Club Pizza Green Sale Friday, March 20th 10:00AM to 5:00PM Cost: $4.00 each

Pre-orders by March 6th are encouraged by calling Stretch at 724-752-3751 or the church office at 724-758-4411 Ext 110 or completing the form below. Name:_______________________________________ Phone Number:_______________________________ _____ number of Greens X $4.00/green =_________

Holy Redeemer Ash Wednesday Fish Fry

February 26th—3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

(Dine in or Take Out)

Fried or Baked Fish Dinner—$10.00 (includes Mac-n-Cheese, Coleslaw & Cake)

Fried or Baked Fish Sandwich—$7.00

A la Carte Items (each) - $1.50

(Mac-n-Cheese, Coleslaw, Cake)

Parish Renewal—A Journey from Darkness to Light

We have three beautiful evenings planned that will be a special part of your Lenten Journey. It will be held on Monday Evenings at 7:00PM at St. Ferdinand’s Church. March 2: Sr. Marie Fidelis, from The Ark and the Dove, will be the guest speaker for the evening. March 9: Three of our parishioners (from Holy Redeemer, St. Gregory and St. Ferdinand) will be sharing their stories of faith. March 16: Praise and Worship Night with the St. Ferdinand Praise Band and Deacon Don Pepe. We look forward to sharing this special time together!

Again this Lent, we will offer you the opportunity to participate in Operation Rice Bowl. Just as we celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays, we can use

Operation Rice Bowl as a way to “break bread” together with family and loved one; and as a means to help us walk through Lent in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Rice Bowls will be placed at the Church entrances beginning Feb. 22nd. Collect in your Rice Bowl throughout Lent. Offering envelopes may be returned in the collection baskets on Palm Sunday. Please make checks payable to Holy Redeemer Parish (NO CASH PLEASE). All funds collected will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Diocesan Toll-Free Number for Abuse Response: 1-888-808-1235

Calendar of Events Feb. 22nd/23rd: McGuire Memorial repre-sentative will be available at all weekend Masses to sell $25 tickets for the Annual Car Give-Away. The winner gets $50,000 to

spend in anyway they wish at Ron Lewis Automotive or McMahon’s Cycle. Feb. 26th: Ash Wednesday—Ashes will be distributed at the 9:00AM and 7:00PM Mass and at a service at 3:00PM. Feb. 26th: Annual Ash Wednesday Fish Fry—Catholic Cen-ter—3:00PM to 7:00PM Feb. 28th, Mar. 13th & Mar. 27: Lenten Pizza Sale—$8.00 for a whole Red or White Pizza—must pre-order between 9AM and 12Noon by calling 724-752-9350 on Feb. 28th. Fri. Mar. 28th and every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday): St. Gregory School Fish Fry Dinner– 4:00 to 7:00PM—Adults $11; Seniors 65+ $8.00 Ages 4 to 10 $5; Un-der 3 FREE—For Take-outs, call 724-452-8010 after 3:30PM. Feb. 29th: 14th Annual Our Turn Alumni Classic Basket-ball Games—Games start at 6:00PM at the Catholic Center Mar. 1st: Second Collection is for Easter Flowers Mar. 1st: Knotted With Love—1:00PM—Lunchroom Mar. 7th: SAG Meeting—9:30AM—Lunchroom Mar. 9th: Christian Mothers Meeting—6:30PM Mass; 7:30PM Meeting—Center—Members should arrive no earli-er than 6:15PM due to CCD parking. Mar. 20th: Social Club Pizza Green Sale-10:00AM to 5:00PM—$4.00 each—Pre-order by March 6th by calling Stretch at 724-752-3751 or the parish office at 724-758-4411 Ext. 110 Mar. 21st: Find Your Greatness at St. Ferdinand Church, 10:00AM to 2:00PM—Questions? Call the Parish Office at 724-758-4411 Ext 110 Mar. 24th; Combined Finance Councils Meeting—7:00PM—St. Gregory Library Mar. 26th: Combined Pastoral Councils Meeting—7:00PM—St. Gregory Library Mar. 30th: All Easter Flower Donations due by 3:00PM Nov. 30th: Amazing Possibilities with Matthew Kelly—St. Ferdinand Church—Tickets available at DynamicCatholic.com– Get your tickets today, this will be a sell out!

Weekly/Monthly Events Every 4th Monday: Social Club meeting at 6:30PM in the lunchroom Every Monday: Bible Study Group—10:00AM—Holy Re-deemer Center—Bring a Catholic Bible, pen & small note-book—Enter the 3rd Street door Tuesday to Thursday: Social Service Office open from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Closed Monday and Friday. First Tuesday of every month: Knights of Columbus meet-ing at Joey’s Catering on Lawrence Ave.—6:30PM 2nd Wednesday of every month: Ellwood City Fire De-partment—First Aid & CPR Classes are available—6:30PM -Call Anita Yoder at 724-333-4992 for more information and reservations Every Wednesday: Mystical Rose—Holy Redeemer Cen-ter—10:00AM Every Thursday: Choir practice—7PM—Church—New members are most welcome! First Thursday of every month: Social Services/Food Bank unloading of truck from the Pittsburgh Food Bank, beginning at 9:00AM . VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Pizza lunch provided. Every Friday: Friday Night Bingo—7:00PM—Catholic Cen-ter - Fun! Fun! Fun! First Saturday of every month: SAG Meeting-9:30AM-Lunchroom

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES!

SERVING THE PARISH FEBRUARY 29TH—MARCH 1ST

EMHC Ash Wednesday—Feb. 26, 2020—7:00PM

*Karen Woloszyn, Carol Nocera, Darlene Esoldo, JoAnn & Mike Smith

February 29th/March 1st

5:00 P.M. *Patti Kuhn, Guy Calabro, Karen Woloszyn, Kay Bellissimo, Jackie Dimeo, Melissa Rosendale, Lou Ferrario 9:00 A.M. *Mary Parente, Jo Ann Smith, Dave & Annie Raybuck, Vickie Koach, Mimi Spade, Susanna Schaffer 11:00 A.M. *Bonnie Wadding, Mary Ellen McDowell, Judy Yeykal, Loretta Silvestri, Rosina Betz, Charlie Chaffin, David DeCaria READERS

Ash Wednesday—February 26, 2020—7:00PM Mary Ann Viccari

February 29th/March 1st

5:00 P.M. Butch Angelucci 9:00 A.M. John Biondi 11:00 A.M. Heather Ketterer

CANTORS 5:00 P.M. Gail & Patty Frisk 9.00 A.M. Debbie Kucan 11:00 A.M. CHOIR SERVERS

Ash Wednesday—February 26, 2020—7:00PM Liam, Eliott and Cole Grinnen

February 28, 2020—Stations of the Cross—7:00PM

Evan Barton, Michael Styn, Matthew Bowser (please report to church at 6:30PM for practice)

February 29th/March 1st

5:00 P.M. Ryan Gajewski, Joe and Gabrielle Cioffi 9:00 A.M. Michael Styn, Evan and Tarah Barton 11:00 A.M. Maleah Lott, Dominic Folino, Zachary Wiley

GREETERS 5:00 P.M. Laura McMichael, Sharon Rombold 9:00 A.M. Norm Giancola, Joyce Hackett, Louise Carrozza, Pat Morabito 11:00 A.M. Patty D’Ambrosio, Norma Zingaro

MONEY COUNTERS March 1, 2020 Kathy D’Biagio, Kathy & Joe Olayer, Vickie Koach March 2, 2020 Lefty DeCarbo, Charlie Chaffin, Kathy Gorzkowski, Pat Regna

ALTAR LINENS March 1, 2020 Rosemary Brown

Find Your Greatness! Dynamic Catholic event with Allen Hunt sponsored by St. Ferdinand, St. Gregory and Holy Redeemer Parishes at St. Ferdinand Church on Saturday, March 21st. Tickets are available online at DynamicCatholic.com/Cranberry Township. Tickets are also available at the parish office . This is an event you don’t want to miss! We can’t wait to help you find your greatness!

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ron Atkinson Mary T. Bartolomeo Rita Bartolomeo Susan Bennett Elizabeth ‘BJ’ Biondi Jamie Brightwell Norma Borroini Dale Brown Carmen Bucci Aurelius Burfict Judy Buzzelli Vance Byram Rozanne Carosi Nora Casey Andy Chapin Dana Cirelli Angeline Cogliano Ray Colledge Helen Colosimo Frederick Conley Mary Jo Conley Ethan Conte

Bill Contino Izzy Contino Ruth Edna Cordes Leroy Cortez Sam Crangi, Sr. Fr. Joseph Dascenzo Danny DeCaria Shirley Dominelli Elaine Ferruchie Helen Fiori Stella Fray Marilyn Frost Jennifer Fry Joseph Gasper Cindy Gatto Pat Gerello Stephen Grinnen James M. Hackett James W. Hackett Dana Baker Hare Johnny Horvath Mary Hrabosky Shannon Wimer Hunston Catherine Jaskolka Noah Jones John Kati Rick Keisling Justin Kelly Marie Kennard Aimee Knauff Denise Knauff

Sr. Joanne Kokosinski Antonietta Lightner Mike Lodovico Theresia Manz Stephan Manz Arlene Maielli Norma Marker Francesca Mayo Maura McGee Kristen Parker Mihalko Jodi Minteer Brooke Moffatt Bridget Musquire James Norton Anthony Onufer Joanne Ottaviani Antoinette Pansera Bruce Patrick Audrey Patterson Carlo Pisani Frieda Pitelka Dooney Pietrcollo Linda Pohto Rosaline Pratt Vic Rangel Apollo Rangel Bob Reisinger Gabriel Richard Rose Ritter Lisa Roth Kathleen Russo

Jill Rutter Jennie Safreed Julie Santillo Diane Scott Debra Shaffer Catherine Shuttleworth William Shuttleworth Lena Rose Smith Nancy Smith Nancie Straessley Doreen Tomon Niki Usenick Carolyn Viccari Dom Viccari Frank & Delida Viccari Patty Viccari Ronnie Viccari Sondra Viccari Louise Vitullo Robert Whalen Joni Whelan Ron Williams Valerie Yukner Frank Zayas Karl Zimmerman To add/delete a name, call the parish office at 724-758-4411 ext, 110

LENTEN REGULATIONS 1. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence

in the United States. 2. The obligation of abstinence (refraining from eating meat) begins at the age of 14. The law of fasting (limiting oneself

to one full meal and two lighter meals) obliges all between the ages of 18-59. No one should consider this obligation lightly.

3. Those individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity.

4. Pastors and parents are to see to it that minors, though not bound by the law of fast and abstinence, are educated in the authentic sense of penance and encouraged to do acts of penance suitable to their age.

5. All members of the Christian Faithful are encouraged to do acts of penance and charity during the Lenten season beyond what is prescribed by the law.

6. As a general rule, a request for a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence on Fridays of Lent will not be considered unless some serious reason is present. The attendance at social events, banquets, wedding rehearsals or receptions, or funeral wakes are not considered sufficient reason to request a dispensation.

Holy Redeemer 14th Annual ‘Our Turn Alumni Classic’

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 Basketball Games begin at 6:00PM

Join Holy Redeemer and St. Gregory School Alumni and Parents in an evening of hoops! Please complete the information below and drop it in the collection basket or to

theprintsofpa@hotmail.com by Feb. 20th

Name:___________________________________ Email address:____________________________

Phone Number:___________________________ _____Game #1 Post Grad Alumni-6:00PM

_____Game #2 Senior High Alumni-7:00PM _____Game #3 Junior High Alumni-8:00PM

Adult Shirt Size: Small — Medium—Large X-Large —XX Large (Circle size for the

Our Turn T-Shirt) Participant Fee: $7.00

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA