2000 O’Block Road, Pittsburgh, Pa 15239

(Holiday Park - Plum Borough) February 18, 2018

First Sunday of Lent

Parish Office: ................................... 412-795-3388 Website: ............................................ www.ourladyofjoy.org Email Address: ................................. church@ourladyofjoy.org Religious Education Office: ............ 412-795-4389

Father Albert L. Zapf, Pastor Mr. Gregory Callaghan, Pastoral Associate St. Vincent Benedictine Monks, Sunday Assistance

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening: ........................................... 6:00 p.m. Sunday: ........... 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 Noon

DAILY MASS SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: ........ 8:30 a.m. Thursday: ...................................................... 12:00 Noon

PARISH RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Parish Office is closed on Tuesdays SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (CONFESSIONS) Saturday: 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, MATRIMONY OR ANOINTING OF THE SICK …… Call Parish Office for appointment.

New parishioners are asked to register by calling the parish office.

Parish Mission Statement Our Lady of Joy Parish is a Catholic community of faith dedicated to Mary, the cause of our joy. We are centered in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist. We are a welcoming family, striving to see Christ in all and responding to the needs of the members of our parish and community. Called to act in faith, hope and love we seek to become a visible presence of Christ in the world.

PAGE TWO OUR LADY OF JOY PARISH, HOLIDAY PARK, PA FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Reflecting on God’s Word I suspect that the real reason we avoid the desert is because in all that monotony there are no hiding places, no paths to crawl our way behind some kink of hill, no busyness that allows us to duck beneath the rippling surface of honesty, no phone calls to undo the silence that echoes our real selves. Curious that we should be afraid of the nothing rather than of the something. Yet it is the nothing, in the end, that makes the revelation happen. Such is the unsettling power of any desert, to reveal what we most fear in life, the real self that is perhaps less known and more imposing than anyone else’s self. Deserts do that, and so we avoid them like kids dancing about their homework. Over the years we learn that it’s safer to fritter about on the fringe of Lent than to get lost in its vast and desert emptiness. We’ve grown good at frittering, at tinkering with days stripped of television or meals that have surrendered their dessert. This frittering goes on simply because when it’s all over and done we are able to go back to the lives we’ve come to enjoy and treasure and nothing has been redone, least of all our real selves. Jesus, however, risked the desert. Never just a tinkerer, he dared to trek about the emptiness for forty days and nights. This week’s first scripture is a piece from Noah’s tale in the bobbing ark. Thus we might wonder which desert was more daunting, forty days and nights of Noah’s deluge or of Jesus’ drought. Yet both found themselves in new and different worlds, neither of which had ever before been mapped.

THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH February 19 - February 25, 2018

MONDAY ◄ • Weekday Mass - 8:30am • RCIA - 7pm • Lenten Rosary - 7pm • Holy Name Officers - 7:30pm TUESDAY ◄ • Weekday Mass - 8:30am • S.O.S. Seminar/Physical Therapy

- 1pm • S.O.S. Meeting - 6:15pm • Lectio Divina - 7pm WEDNESDAY ◄ • Weekday Mass - 8:30am • Youth Chorale - 6pm • Chorale - 7pm • Festival Meeting - 7pm THURSDAY ◄ • Weekday Mass - 12 Noon • Holy Hour - 12:30pm • Adoration & Divine Mercy - 3pm • Contemporary Music Ensemble -

7:30pm FRIDAY ◄ • Weekday Mass - 8:30am • Fish Fry - 4pm • Stations of the Cross - 7pm SATURDAY ◄ • Sacrament of Penance - 4:30pm -

5:00pm (Note Time Change) • Vigil Mass - 5:30pm (Note Time

Change) • Festival of Praise - 6:40pm

Continued on Page Three

From the Pastor Today is the first Sunday of Lent. The Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Mark each tell the story of Jesus’ temptations as He begins His public ministry. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the 3, and it sets the stage for what will happen later in the life of Jesus. Jesus went into the desert for 40 days, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Je-sus was among wild beasts, tempted by Satan who tries to turn Jesus away from His mission of living, preaching, and suffering and dying for the sake of all of us to save us from our sins. Jesus was ministered to by the angels. After he came out of the desert He began His public ministry of proclaiming the Gospel of God. His first message was ‘THIS IS THE TIME OF FULFILLMENT. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. REPENT, AND BELIEVE IN THE GOS-PEL’.

We are each called to repentance and belief, which will entail lifelong conver-sion and enduring faithfulness to Jesus. How can we change during Lent: PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING. Say an extra prayer, give up or sac-rifice, and give to and share with the less fortunate. God will reward you. God bless you. Fr. Al Z+

PEOPLE OF THE COVENANT ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ If there is one word that stands out in today’s readings, it is “covenant.” God’s faithfulness and goodness serve as examples to us of how to live. Genesis tells the story of Noah and of God’s covenant not only with all people, but with all of nature. Never will the cleansing waters of the flood bring their destructive power to all the earth again. The sign, the reminder to both God and nature, is the rainbow in the heavens. The psalm reminds us of this compassion of God, and begs God to remember us, not because of our goodness, but because of God’s goodness and fidelity to the promise. God shows us how to be good, not by decree, but by example.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT PAGE THREE

THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH (Continued From Page Two)

SUNDAY ◄

Second Sunday of Lent • Sunday Masses - 8:30am, 10am

and 12 Noon • Living Stations of the Cross Prac-

tice - 1pm • Spanish Mass - 6:30pm

Today’s Readings First Reading — God’s covenant with Noah when he was delivered from the flood (Genesis 9:8-15). Psalm — Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant (Psalm 25). Second Reading — The water of the flood prefigured baptism, which saves you now (1 Peter 3:18-22). Gospel — This is the time of fulfill-ment. The kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:12-15). Readings for the Week Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ps 116:10, 15-19; Rom 8:31b-34; Mk 9:2-10

PARISH NEWS ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

Festival of Praise Come and join in this celebration of Jesus! A motivational evening of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, an inspirational reading along with praise and worship music. On Saturday, February 24, Mass will be at 5:30pm. Following Mass please join us for 90 minutes of Praising Our Lord at Our Lady of Joy.

Stations of the Cross Stations of the Cross will be at 7pm on the following Fridays of Lent: February 23 and March 2, 9, & 30 An Evening of Reflection with Music The entire parish community is invited to “An Evening of Reflection” on Friday, March 16 from 7pm to 8pm. Through contemporary music and readings, this program reflects on Christ’s life from Palm Sunday through Good Friday.

Living Stations of the Cross presented by the Youth of our Parish Friday, March 23 at 7:30pm.

Rosary The Holy Name Society will pray the Rosary every Monday evening at 7pm at Our Lady of Joy Church throughout Lent and Easter Monday.

Penance Services Our Lady of Joy - March 20 @ 7pm St. Bernadette - March 21 @ 7pm North American Martyrs - March 26 @ 7pm St. John the Baptist - March 27 @ 7pm

Our Lady of Joy SOS Ministry

1. Faith in Action (FIA) Patricia Kline - 412-468-0296 FIA Office - 724-327-3353

2. Senior and Caregiver Services Carl Vitalbo - 412-798-9147 Barb Manganello - 412-795-9753

Barb Kelly - 724-327-3996 3. Social Services

Beth Harkay - 724-327-1178 4. Seminar/Information Sessions

Kathy Ballina - 412-795-4717 5. Legal Information Services John Fullen - 724-327-6014

Lenten Art and Environment Perhaps you have noticed the desert scene in front of the altar. God leads every believer into the desert at one time or another. Moses led the Israelites for 40 years in the desert before getting to the Promised Land. David spent time in the desert hiding out from Saul be-fore God made him king. And the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert after his baptism for 40 days. Lots of circumstances can be “deserts.” A prolonged sickness can be a desert. Moving to a new place or joining a new church where you don’t know anyone can be one. Being stuck in a miserable or boring job in-stead of the fulfilling career you had hoped for can be a desert. A rebel-lious child or the death of a loved one can be a desert. When we’re in the desert, it can feel like God’s not doing anything. Or he’s set us aside. But God is always at work. He uses desert experi-ences in many ways. The deserts humble us. They cause us to pause and reflect on the things that are really important. Deserts reveal what is in our hearts. The desert can be seen as a place where we can go to meet God, to find favor with Him, to experience an inward pilgrimage, to experience God’s protection. The desert is a place where miracles occur. Flowers suddenly bloom when the occasional rains fall. The desert of Lent is a place of renewal. Perhaps you can reflect on these things as you focus on the desert before you on the altar and the deserts in your life.

PAGE FOUR OUR LADY OF JOY PARISH, HOLIDAY PARK, PA FEBRUARY 18, 2018

This Week’s Priest’s Private Mass Intentions Monday - February 19 8:30 am Pauline & Mike Tarozik (Rose & Lou) Tuesday - February 20 8:30 am Marianne Geier (Barb & Frances Urban) Wednesday - February 21 8:30 am Dr. Kirk Musselman (Edward Gavalek) Thursday - February 22 12 Noon Gene Fey (Wife, Dottie) Friday - February 23 8:30 am Alice Keally (Jean & Larry) Saturday - February 24 (Note Time Change) 5:30 pm Raymond Gallagher (Boyce Park Ski Patrol) Sunday - February 25 8:30 am Alberta Anzlovar (Bobbie & Don Jackson) 10:00 am For all the People of the Parish 12 Noon Chuck Matters (Bobbie & Don Jackson) Sanctuary Candle Our Sanctuary Can-dle burns in Honor of the Blessed Sacra-ment and In Loving Memory of Bernie Peticca.

Requested by Carole Schafer.

PARISH NEWS ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ Pre-Baptism Class A class is required for any new parent(s) wishing to have their baby baptized at Our Lady of Joy Parish. The class will be offered at 7:00pm in the Father Marchukonis Hall on March 7, 2018. Call 412-795-3388 to register. Pre-Marriage Class Our next weekend for our Marriage Preparation Program will be May 4 & 5, 2018. Couples must attend both the Friday evening session from 7pm until 10:15pm and the Saturday morning session from 9am until 1pm to complete the diocesan requirements for marriage instruction. Call 412-795-3388 to regis-ter. Living Stations of the Cross Students grades four and up are invited to take part in the Living Stations which will be held Friday, March 23 at 7:30. Any student wishing to be a part of the living stations should contact the Reli-gious Education Office at 412-795-4389. We are hoping for at least 30 students participating to fill all the parts. Students should be committed to practicing Sundays 1pm until 3:30pm on February 18, 25, March 4, and dress rehearsal Thursday, March 15 Time TBD and if needed, Thursday, March 22. The actual Living Stations will be Friday, March 23 at 7:30pm. Students are to report at 6:00pm for a pizza dinner and dress in room 5 & 6 in the hall. Parents please encour-age your children to participate. Everyone is welcome to watch our CCD stu-dents participate in this Lenten Living Stations. Come early for the Fish Fry and stay for the Living Stations.

A Painting by Father Al The Holy Name Society is conducting a raffle for a painting by Father Al. Tickets will be sold after Masses on February 17 & 18. They are $2/ticket. The drawing will follow the Noon Mass on February 18. 10th Annual Chimbote Spaghetti Dinner Once again we are planning our annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the poor of our parish and the poor of Chimbote, Peru on March 11 from 4pm to 7pm. This year a new maternity hospital has been opened. The profits from the dinner and gift baskets will benefit the Maternidad de Maria Maternity Hos-pital. Please plan on attending on March 11. Bring your neighbors and friends for a delicious meal and good fellowship. Mark this important date on your cal-endar and join in the sharing of a delicious meal and good work of Our Lady of Joy.

How can I help? *Make a tax-deductible contribution *Support, sponsor, and attend our special fundraiser *Pray for those who serve through our mission in Chimbote $ 50.00– Vaccinate 50 children $130.00– Provide home visits for 10 $250.00– Sponsor 100 well baby checkups for a year

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me.” — Mark 9:37

Parish Share Total

$198,566.58

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT PAGE FIVE

PARISH NEWS ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

S.O.S. Seminar - Physical Therapy John Eichmiller PT from NovaCare Rehabilitation in Traf-ford/Level Green will be presenting a program on Physical Therapy and how it can help you achieve your goals of safety, independent function and fitness. Join us on Tues-day, February 20 at 1pm in the Father Marchukonis Hall. There will be a question and answer period and free screenings will be available to address any particular prob-lems you may be having. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry & Bake Every Friday during Lent including Good Friday from 4pm - 7pm in the Father Marchukonis Hall.

Menu Fried or Baked Fish Sandwich - $7

Grilled Cheese Sandwich - $3 Haluski - $3

Mac and Cheese - $1 Cole Slaw - $1

French Fries - $1 Coke - $1

Diet Coke - $1 Sprite - $1

Bottled Water - $1 Coffee - $1

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION / CCD NEWS ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

NO CCD Monday, February 19 - All Sessions - President’s Day -

No school Tuesday, February 20 - All Sessions

First Reconciliation/Second Grade Those who attend Mondays will celebrate First Reconcilia-tion on Monday, March 5 at 4:30pm. Those who attend Tuesday will celebrate First Reconciliation on Tuesday, February 27 at 4:30pm. The sacrament will be celebrated as a Penance Service. We will gather in the Father Marchukonis Hall. Afterward all are invited into the Father Marchukonis Hall for a Recep-tion. Please pray for all our Second Graders.

Confirmation Retreat The Confirmation Retreat will be held March 18 beginning at 1:00pm. The students are encouraged to attend 12:00 Noon Mass. Confirmation is not a graduation but a begin-ning, learning to live the Catholic faith in our daily lives. Come and learn how to begin this magnificent journey as an adult Catholic. The students will learn how to use the wonderful tools the Catholic faith has to offer to make a joyful journey through-out their entire lives. The parents are invited and encouraged to attend the closing which in-

cludes Adoration and Benediction in the church as our Holy Father Pope Francis encourages all Catholics to join in this prayerful time. Prayer: For young people preparing for Confirmation, that they may grow in faith and be enabled to see the world with the eyes of faith. Parish Blessing: God, our loving Father, these young peo-ple come before you open to receiving the fullness of the Gifts of your Spirit. Send your gifts in abundance that they may be instrumental in realizing the fullness of your King-dom. We ask this blessing through Christ our Lord. Snow.. Snow…. Snow You may check for cancellations listed as Our Lady of Joy CCD or Our Lady of Joy Religious Classes on the list below including: TV stations, radio stations and/or web sites:

1/ WPXI 2/ KDKA 3/ WTAE

When weather changes rapidly and a change of status seems necessary but not yet publicized, the parents may have to make a decision for the safety of their chil-dren and choose not to bring them to CCD. If the weather and the roads are bad and you are not comfortable driving then please stay home.

OTHER NEWS ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

Learn about Marriage Annulments Divorced Catholics and everyone else who may be inter-ested in learning about the annulment process are wel-come to attend a free workshop with Jay Conzemius, JCL, judge and moderator of the Diocesan Tribunal. He will speak at five locations. Topics will include: theology of mar-riage; ministry of the tribunal; marriage annulment types; why, when and how to start the petition for annulment proc-ess; and a process overview. Afterward participants can ask questions and/or start the process. No reservations are required, but if you do plan to attend please email Annul-mentsIntake@diopitt.org or call 412-456-3033 so that seat-ing arrangements can be made. The presentations are scheduled on the following dates, times, and locations in the local parish hall: February 21 (Wednesday), 7:00pm at Saint Kilian (Cranberry Twp); Feb-ruary 24 (Saturday), 5:15pm after Mass at Saint Anne (Castle Shannon); March 6 (Tuesday), 7:00pm at Saint Bede (Point Breeze); March 7 (Wednesday), 7:00pm at Saint Peter (Slippery Rock); and March 13 (Tuesday), 7:00pm at Saint Ann (Waynesburg). All are welcome.

Diocese of Pittsburgh Abuse Hotline 1-888-808-1235