March 22, 2020 - Fourth Sunday of Lent

2310 Bedford Street • Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 15904-1127

Saint Benedict Parish Mission Statement: “To proclaim and live the message of Jesus Christ; through the power of the Holy Spirit, pray and work to build up His Church; and to do the will of the Father always and everywhere.” Parish Mo o: “Ora et Labora” - La n for “Pray and Work” - comes from the Benedic nes who were the first to staff our Parish. PARISH STAFF Rev. David S. Peles, Pastor …………… SBpastor@atlan cbb.net, Ext. 502 Rev. Antony Sudherson HGN, Parochial Vicar………………………... Ext. 507 ……………………………………………………….. frantony@stbenedictchurch.org Deacon Michael Russo ………………………………..…………….…….…… 288-3036 Mrs. Mary Jo Podratsky, Assoc. Principal …………………...……….… Ext. 201 Sr. Cindy Burns, CCW ………………………. srcindy@stbenedictchurch. org

High School CCD, Confirma on, RCIA ……….….....…………………….. Ext. 301 Mrs. Michelle Roba n, Elementary CCD ……………..………….….…… Ext. 302 ………………………………………….…………...…………….... elemccd@floodcity.net Mr. Joseph Gaunt, Office of Music & Liturgy ………………...…..…. 241-1923 ……………………………………..…………..……..……………... jgaunt@atlan cbb.net BAPTISM: Parents are to be examples to their children by being registered, ac ve members of the Parish. First me parents are required to a end a Bap smal Prepara on Class. Please call the Rectory Office to make arrangements. MARRIAGE: Couples planning to marry are to make arrangements at least nine months prior to their wedding date. Diocesan Guidelines regarding Marriage Prepara on must be followed. The Catholic party/par es is/are to be registered, ac ve members in the parish. CARE OF THE SICK: Those confined to their homes by sickness or age may arrange to receive Holy Communion by calling the rectory office at 266-9718. Our priests and deacons visit all St. Benedict parishioners once a week at Memorial Medical Center or other hospitals as requested. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: New members are always welcome! If you are moving into, within, or out of the Parish please call the rectory Office and let us know. BULLETIN ARTICLE DEADLINE: Wednesday of the week prior to publica on.

DIRECTORY Rectory Office …. (814)266-9718 ext. 501 Rectory Fax ..................... (814)269-4220 Parish Website …... stbenedictchurch.org School Office .……………….. (814)266-3837 School Fax ………...……….… (814)266-7718 School Website …………………………………... http://www.divinemercy.academy

RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday – Thursday: 7:30am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm Friday: 7:30 am – 12:00 pm Closed Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

MASS SCHEDULE Churches and other public places of worship in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are to remain open for private prayer. However, effec ve immediately, there will be no public liturgies of any sort. That is, there will be no public daily Masses or weekend Masses, no public novenas, communal sta ons of the cross, ecumenical services, or other public worship un l the current COVID-19 crisis has passed. CONFESSIONS Here at St. Benedict Church we will con nue to offer individual Confes-sions on Tuesday at 8:00 am, Thursday at Noon and Saturday at 3:00 pm.

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Mass Inten ons For This Week No School Mass Mon 8:00am JoAn Hall (Bob & Marge Jeschonek) 12:05pm Anniv. George Cemo (Tom & Mary Jo Hockensmith) Tues 8:00am Anniv. 3/25 Rita Tourney (Family) 12:05pm Greg Sichak (Ron & Susan Piljay) 6:30pm Pete Sesti (Ed & Betsy Bender) Wed 8:00am Anniv. 3/28 Bernie Ritter (Mary Ann Ritter) 12:05pm Anniv. Pauline Hoffman (Jean Middleton) Thurs 9:00am Anniv. John Glosky (Father William Conjelko) 12:05pm Anniv. Bob Roth (Nori McGowan) Fri 8:00am Anniv. Peter Zoretich (Sons: Ken & Dan) 12:05pm Susan B. Mahoney (Cheri Klinchock) Sat 5:00pm Anniv. 3/30 Greg Lear (Becky Lear) 7:00pm B-day Irene Akers (Ron & Kathy Chuklochak)

Readings for the Week Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54

Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16

Wednesday:Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47

Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53

Sunday: Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]

Fourth Sunday of Lent

The L is my shepherd; I shall not want. — Psalm 23:1

Pray For. . .

. . . the repose of the soul of Patricia Wilson who has entered eternal life. May Pat rest in God’s peace and may the comfort of the Lord be with her family.

. . . remember in your charity the homebound, elderly, sick and hospitalized members of our Parish Family, especially Noah Latronica, Averis, Mary Ann, Susanne Kuerner, Aggie & John Schultz, Robbie Wright, Bob (Butch) Sankovitch, Ernest, Lois Gaunt, Cathy, Fr. Walter Moll, Jr., Doug Hrabosky, Nancy Russo, Pat Croyle, Nancy Tipton, Don Stull, Dorothy Katcher, Adam, David Grigg, Linda Bettle, Becky Lear, Ian McCue, Evelyn Yost, Mary Jo, Alan Klaum, Baby Ryder, Paul Yeager, Linda Urban, Rob Ambrose, Lori Sturek, Stephens, Judy Furfari, Chris Smith, Jordan, Baby Charlotte Trabold, Joye Stephens, Betty Walter, Eric Tipton, Becky Staley, Tom Skrout, Michelle Ku-ruzovich, Nina Debias, Patti Sliko, Lincoln Ashcom, Michelle Smith, Kathleen Miller, Margaret, Richard, Frederick, Theresa C. Culkar, Steve Knowlton, Frank Meyers, William Eggert, Robin Sorch, Nancy, Bob, Margaret Pynkala, Joel Rivera, Madeline Esposito, Mary Ann Hrabosky, Carolyn and Donna Markum, Mercedes, Robert C., Jewel Jordan, Mary Ann Barnes, Dan Delp, Danielle Gleason, Bob, Jimmy Brothers,Norma Jean Simmons, Dana Wilson, Maurene Romano, Ben Berkebile, Sylvia Latchney, Mary Ann Edsall, Suzie Gredesky, Patricia Hillegas, Jackson Kneib, Kathy Betts, Ben, Don Irwin, Irene Zankey, Christopher Norton, Mary & Bob Goas, Jillian, Jeffrey, Penelope Sopich, Jerry, Angie Naskali, Lynn Lubinsky, Austin Birus, Sarah, Mark Williams, Dave Dei-tle, Kathryn, Jim Stiffler, Bob Jeschonek, Bobby Cates, Deanna, Rose Cale, Bryson Miller, Sandy. Stella Neuder, Rosemary Stump, Jeremy Minor, Russ Bobkoskie, Jillian, Joe, Helene Barron, Jack Slezak, Ray, Elizabeth Wilson, Margarete Riederer, Eileen Leuser, Robert Kormanik, Margaret Brown, Deanna Henderson, Ruth Boes, Gary Single, Nancy, Brett Greenhill, Jeffrey Hope, Baby Ashlyn, Chad, Sylvia Drozdik, Joan Parks, Doris Pepple, Cindy Rummel, Ashley Bassette, June Shaw, George Lulos, Frank Fratrich, Jan Seitz - Molchany, Harry Cox, Barry Vill, Nina Roman, Lee Herdman, Noah, Pat McClafferty, Doug Os-borne, Kay Gorczycki, Basil Constantino, Ron Rayman, Kathleen Hen-nessey, Jill, Rosemary, Ann, Zack, Andrew, Patricia Renaud, Jan, Rose Marie, Ann, Zack, Ken Julian, Chris Howie, Krista Walker, Josh, Rudy Lapid, Justine, Allison Krischer, Darin Roles, Amy, Vincent Spinelli, Jim Stem, Dorothy Markovich, Charles Donald Jacobs, Kathy Kohan, Mary Susan, Lissa Gindlesperger, Ken Blasko, Helen Rizzo, Pat Smith, Mary Louise Pollock, Maurice Herdman, Jr., Sue Williams, Joe Walbeck, Jill, Harry Gorman, Jonathan W., Mark, Braden Schofeld, David Dabbs, Jacob Sutton, Danielle Sopich, Sharon Wilson, Betty Horner, Gia Bucci, Bob Bark, Derek Brozozowski, Maria Zubak, Antonia Ramirez, Jessi, Lance Hupkovich, Janet S., Atlas, Ashley Maciejewski, George, Regina Hoover, John Orlosky, Rebecca Boring, Brayden Yorchak, Evelyn Velen-ski, Louann Clites, Cheryl Bailey, Sean Aveni, Andi, Carol, Judy, John Glenn, Theresa Balon, Rudy, Nicholas, Bryan Mahon, Bob Liddell, Nicole Mickolick, Ted Bishof, John William, Douglas Shaffer, Jacquel-ine Beltz and their courageous families who are caring for them. May they be united in a special way with the suffering Christ.

. . . also, Lord, please watch over the men and women serving in our armed forces, and also those civilians whose work puts them in harms way.

. . . and also, for more voca ons to the priesthood, Per-manent Deacons, and Religious Life, all our volunteers and all the ministries.

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Sta ons of the Cross have been cancelled .

Eucharistic Day and Pro - Life Holy Hour has been cancelled.

The Weekly Bible Study has been cancelled until further notice. Virtus & Mandated Reporter Training scheduled for Saturday, March 21st has been cancelled.

All Lenten Parish Penance Services have been cancelled. Our Lenten Parish Mission featuring Nina Marie Corona scheduled for March 29th, 30th and 31st has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Watch the bulle n.

Next weekend, March 29th - 30th is our Helping Hands Collec on. Your dona ons will help with our groups charitable efforts. We only solicit dona ons four mes a year on the fi h Sunday of the month. An contribu ons large or small will certainly appreciated. If you are not prepared this weekend, just drop your dona on in the collec on basket at your earliest convenience.

There will be NO Golden Bingo for the month of April. Our next bingo is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd.

Summer Vaca on Bible School will be held the week of June 15th - 19th from 9:00 am - 11:30 am. Save the date to blast off on a fun intergalac c Bible School adventure, “Miraculous Mission - Jesus Saves the World.” Please mark your calendar now to join in the great space experience.

Mark your Calendars! Our 87th Annual Reunion is scheduled for

July 10th, 11th and 12th

Due to early bulle n publica ons for the Easter season, all announcements for March 29th, April 5th and April 12th bulle ns must be turned in by tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd to make our publica on deadlines. Thanking you in advance for your coopera on.

Notes from M M Choirs will not par cipate in any rehearsal or liturgies un l further no ce.

We are fortunate to have the support of our adver sers to offset the cost of prin ng our bulle n. Please thank them when you can, and give them the support of your business. Also, please men on that you saw their ad in the St. Benedict Church bulle n. For informa on on adver sing in our bulle n, please call 1-800-945-6629. Our parish number is 102850.

2020 Bonanza Tickets were sent out. If you are not purchasing your cket, please return the cket to us at your earliest convenience, as others are wai ng to purchase addi onal ckets. If you are purchasing the

cket, a payment (along with the cket stub with your name, address and phone number) should be returned as soon as possible. Thank you for considering this program again this year!

LIGHT “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14). We are at the midpoint of our Lenten journey of conversion. As always, God never gives up on us, especially those who have “fallen asleep” along the road to conversion. The most powerful stories of conversion are proclaimed during these final weeks of Lent. They have the power to shake us out of our sleep. Today’s Gospel story of the healing of the man born blind exposes the real blindness in the me of Christ—the blindness of the self-righteous religious leaders. In a few weeks, at the Easter Vigil, the Church will proclaim “Christ our Light” as the paschal candle is carried into darkened churches throughout the world. May the darkness of sin that s ll pervades our lives, communi es, and world, be dispelled by the Christ who comes to bring sight to the blind and light to the world.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Thanks to our adver sers who sponsor this bulle n.

Support them with your business

Allegheny Orthodon c Associates

Page Four Fourth Sunday of Lent March 22, 2020

If you are a member of our Parish or know of a family member of our Parish who is in need of a food basket for Easter, please contact our Parish Office. We can only accept the names of our own parishioners since we cannot verify the needs of all others calling in to request help. Please contact our Parish Office at Ext. 501 if you need assistance. Just a reminder that you may drop off old palm from last year in the box located in the ves bule. Thank you!

All Tuesday evening Masses and Sta ons of the Cross have been cancelled.

Just a reminder that all Fridays during Lent are days of abs nence. FASTING refers to only one full meal, with two small meals and no ea ng otherwise for the day. ABSTINENCE refers to not ea ng meat at all throughout the day. All those who have reached their 14th year are obliged to ABSTAIN. The Church directs the holy FAST to all those in their 18th year un l their 60th year (Canon 1252).

Lenten Folders and Mite Boxes - Just a reminder that we do not take up collec ons at our Lenten evening Masses or at any Lenten Devo ons in the hope that every member of our parish family will use and return their Lenten Folder and / or Mite Box as part of your personal sacrifices during Lenten Season. We are appealing to every family to share in this special Lenten denial prac ce. If you did not receive a Mite Box, they are available on the windowsills of the Church. When returning Lenten Folders and / or Mite Boxes, please put your name and envelope number on them so that you get credit. Thanking you in advance for your coopera on.

Lenten Reunion Tree Once again this year we will have a “Children’s Lenten Reunion Tree” in the back of the church. As the price of prizes for the St. Benedict Reunion con nue to increase, we are asking for Lenten dona ons of gi cards and cash. In the spirit of “almsgiving,” please consider taking a cross from the tree, purchase the appropriate gi card and return it to the Parish Office or drop it in the collec on basket. Please be certain that the cross is a ached to the gi card. Gi cards range in amounts of $5.00 to $25.00 and are from stores where children’s prizes can be purchased for the prize redemp on booth. As an added bonus, you can purchase gi cards through our scrip program for parish credit. Please help give the children awesome quality prizes. Thanking you in advance for considering this program!

ADULT ED: Due to the Diocesan Direc ve regarding the Coronavirus: Sr. Cindy’s Adult Educa on will NOT meet on Thursdays March 26th or April 2nd. There will be no class on April 9th due to Holy Thursday. Watch for further details about the future class schedule.

CONFIRMATION SESSIONS AND RETREATS CANCELLED: The following Confirma on Retreats have been cancelled due to the concerns regarding the Coronavirus: March 21st, 9th Grade Bap sm Retreat, March 22nd 9th, 10th & 11th grade Confirma on Sessions, April 4th, 10th Grade Gi s of the Holy Spirit Retreat. These are cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later me.

CONFIRMATION JUNIORS: Those Juniors scheduled for the March 29th Retreat, it has been cancelled. There is a Confirma on Session planned for April 19th that, at this point, will take place. Further developments will be communicated by Sr. Cindy.

Glenn from the Westwood Kiwanis is very grateful to all those who par cipated in the fruit sales a er our Masses. A big thank you, they sold over 500 cases of fruit this year!

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Page FiveMarch 22, 2020

The following direc ves were communicated to the clergy of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on March 17, 2020. The direc ves remain in effect un l further no ce. If ques ons arise concerning the impact of these direc ves, please contact your pastor for further assistance. BISHOP SUSPENDS THE CELEBRATION OF ALL PUBLIC MASSES Churches and other public places of worship in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are to remain open for private prayer. However, effec ve immediately, there will be no public liturgies of any sort. That is, there will be no public daily Masses or weekend Masses, no public novenas, communal sta ons of the cross, ecumenical services, or other public worship un l the current COVID-19 crisis has passed. The purpose of this is to retard the spread of the coronavirus. The Bishop will be reviewing the situa on daily and will alert priests and deacons immediately when Masses and other public worship can be resumed. The Bishop authorizes and expects priests to celebrate a private Mass each day during this crisis. All Mass Inten ons currently requested / scheduled will be fulfilled. Priests should celebrate a single Mass in place of Saturday evening and Sunday Masses. The Bishop directs that, in light of the unprecedented situa on in which we find ourselves, mul ple Mass inten ons should be coalesced in the one Sunday Mass. The Mass will con nue to be broadcast at 11:00 am on Sundays. The Bishop will be the presider at this liturgy and these broadcasts will be available on the Diocesan website and social Media.

Chris an Ini a on of Adults Because this crisis is coming at the very me when the Chris an Ini a on of Adults would reach its apex, the rites regarding the recep on of adults into the Church will be suspended un l a er the crisis has passed. These rites may then be celebrated at parish weekend liturgies once weekend Masses have been restored. Easter Triduum Because it seems unlikely that public Masses will be permi ed un l a er Easter, priests should begin making arrangements for the private celebra on of the liturgies associated with the Easter Triduum.

Bap sms Bap sms of children may be held during the restricted period, but they should be limited to members of the immediate family only. Confirma ons All currently scheduled confirma on Masses have been postponed. The Bishop plans to reschedule confirma ons a er the crisis has passed.

First Holy Communion First communion liturgies should be postponed un l a er the crisis has ended.

The Sacrament of Penance In terms of the celebra on of penance, the Bishop requires that all penance services be canceled un l a er current restric ons on crowd size have been li ed. The bishop encourages priests to offer specific mes when the faithful can come for individual confessions. Here at St. Benedict Church we will con nue to offer individual Confessions on Tuesday at 8:00 am, Thursday at Noon and Saturday at 3:00 pm.

Weddings Priests will contact couples who are planning weddings in the next several months to determine if these plans have been altered. It is possible, and even likely, that venue changes and cancela ons may already have affected couples with scheduled weddings. Because most weddings are not scheduled earlier than mid-April, it should be possible to give more accurate guidance in the next couple of weeks.

Funerals Funerals may con nue to be celebrated but only for immediate family members. The me of the Mass should not be published. It is acceptable for families to have a funeral liturgy outside of Mass celebrated at the funeral home. Vigils should be conducted at the discre on of the families and funeral directors in keeping with the requirements of public safety. Pastoral Care of the Sick The Bishop directs that priests and deacons follow these protocols with regard to the visita on and pastoral care of the sick. Those who are hospitalized should con nue to receive visita on and sacraments as permi ed by hospital policy. Thus priests and deacons who serve as hospital chaplains and in emergent coverage should con nue these func ons. Priests and deacons should visit parishioners in nursing facili es and rehab units only in danger of death. Similarly, priests and deacons should visit parishioners in their private homes only in danger of death.

Home Communion Visita ons are temporarily suspended un l this crises has passed.

Pastoral Care in General Priests and deacons should con nue to meet on a one-to-one basis with parishioners for appointments and pastoral counseling. The Diocesan Pastoral Center will be closed for two weeks or un l the current situa on abates. Email and phone calls will be answered remotely. Similarly, Catholic Chari es will be closed but it is possible to leave messages for Catholic Chari es staff. Gradua ons Un l the Diocesan Educa on Office receives instruc on from the Pennsylvania Department of Educa on, all gradua ons are temporarily postponed. Fundraisers By direct order of the Bishop, all social gatherings are prohibited un l further no ce. This includes parish gatherings, mee ngs of parish groups, fish fries, and other fundraisers. These measures are required in order to avoid person-to-person contact and the spread of COVID-19. furthermore, because it is impossible to observe the necessary sterile procedures and because of the possibility of gatherings of people in excess of what is required for public safety, all take-out meals for fundraising must also be suspended immediately.

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We would like to request a decreased in bulle ns this weekend to 500 total.

Thank you!

#102850

Saint Benedict Church 2310 Bedford Street

Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904-1127

Contact: Mary Beth Pudliner Email: sbpastor@atlan cbb.net

(814)266-9718 ext. 501

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